In case you missed it, here’s a look at news highlights from this past week from NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM.
Madison County jail inmates, staff to be tested for COVID-19
JACKSON, Tenn. – The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department and Madison County Sheriff’s Office were notified Thursday a recently released inmate from the Madison County Criminal Justice Complex tested positive for COVID-19.
All inmates and staff at the Madison County Criminal Justice Complex will be tested for COVID-19.
The testing started July 30.
“Our departments are working together to carry out a contingency plan to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department Regional Director Kim Tedford said.
“After conferring with the health department, we’ve made the decision to test all staff and inmates at the CJC,” Madison County Sheriff’s Office Captain Tom Rudder said. “Safety is the priority.”
Find more information about COVID-19 from the Tennessee Department of Health at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated information and guidance available online at www.cdc.gov/COVID19.
Public warning concerning voter fraud issued by 26th Judicial District
From District Attorney General Jody Pickens, 26th Judicial District –
Recently several voters in Madison County received an Absentee By-Mail Ballot Request Form from an individual not employed by the Madison County Election Commission. Some of the voters had requested a mail-in ballot from the election commission but some did not make such a request.
The forms received by the voters from the individual unaffiliated with the Madison County Election Commission were sent pre-populated with information that did not necessarily reflect the preferred political party of the voter.
Furthermore, the area of the form that a voter must complete in order to be provided a mail-in ballot was pre-populated with the reason for requesting to vote by mail. Many of the forms that arrived did not accurately reflect a truthful basis for the voter to be allowed a mail-in ballot.
Tennessee Code Annotated provides in section 2-6-202 (c)(4),
A person who is not an employee of an election commission commits a Class A misdemeanor if such person gives an unsolicited request for application for absentee ballot to any person.
Further Tennessee Code Annotated section 2-19-110 provides, A person commits a Class A misdemeanor if such person assists any person in voting except as permitted by this title, or if such person knowingly casts any vote or consents to the casting of any vote contrary to the desire of the voter while otherwise lawfully assisting the voter in casting such person’s vote or if, being an election official or other person otherwise lawfully assisting a voter, such person influences or attempts to influence the voter in casting such person’s vote.
In the present case, the preliminary investigation has indicated that the person noted in the return address on the envelope in which the Absentee By-Mail Ballot Request Form was received is believed to be fictitious and without doubt is not an employee of the Madison County Election Commission.
Thus, the actions of the individual or individuals responsible for sending the Absentee By-Mail Ballot Request Form pre-populated with often incorrect information, constitutes a crime. The investigation into the identity of those responsible continues. The integrity of our elections is the bedrock of our democracy, and it must always be protected. Attempts to perpetrate a fraud upon the voters of Madison County will not be tolerated and this office will aggressively pursue the individual and/or individuals responsible for the actions described herein.
Those Madison County residents who have not requested but have yet received an Absentee By-Mail Ballot Request Form should contact the Madison County Administrator of Elections at 731-660-1796 or my office at 731-423-5800.
West Tennessee Healthcare – highlights from Board of Trustees monthly meeting
Highlights from the West Tennessee Healthcare Board of Trustees month meeting, which was held at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Tuesday.
Special Report
Mike Williams, Director of Safety and Security, provided a special report on the Environment of Care at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
Medical Staff Privileges
The Board approved recommendations for medical staff privileges at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital was presented by Dr. John Crocker, Chief of Jackson-Madison County General Hospital Medical Staff.
Resolution: Donation of Property
The Board approved a resolution presented by Jeff Blankenship, Chief Financial Officer, to donate unused property located at 208 North Avenue in Henderson, to Chester County to use for administrative services.
Resolution: EMR Conversion
The Board approved a resolution presented by Scott Krodel, Chief Information Officer, to allow for the expansion of the District’s Cerner electronic medical record system to replace the legacy electronic medical record systems at the hospitals in Martin and Dyersburg; and to convert the legal medical record from the Martin and Dyersburg hospital facilities into an accessible archive record management system at a cost of $603,521.00 of budgeted District funds, with annual support costs to be budgeted at $$1,042,302, with $360,000 to be discontinued upon completion of the electronic medical record conversion.
Resolution: Urgent Operational Capital Needs
The Board approved a resolution presented by Jeff Blankenship, CFO, to authorize the President and CFO to purchase urgent capital required during the pandemic up to a limit of $3,000,000 with management reporting and ratification by the Board on a regular basis.
Quality Dashboard Report
Dr. Jackie Taylor, Chief Physician Executive, presented the WTH Quality Dashboard. Dr. Taylor also provided an update on COVID-19 activities.
CFO Report
Jeff Blankenship, CFO, provided a report on the system’s financial performance through June 30, the of the 2020 fiscal year. Volumes and revenue improved significantly in June but remained below budget more than prior to COVID-19. In total for the year, the system posted a loss from operations of ($45.5m), compared with a budgeted operating surplus for the year of $25m or 2.7% of revenue.
The loss is primarily due to the impact of COVID-19, with volume and revenue drops in the first few months and additional cost throughout to prepare for and operate during the pandemic.
The system’s non-operating income (investment income, interest expense, etc.) was impacted significantly by the receipt of relief funding through the CARES Act. With over $68m in relief funding included, total non-operating activity was positive, at $53.3m.
President’s Report
James Ross, president and CEO, commended the entire organization on performance during this challenging time and the ability to adjust and adapt quickly. He thanked the Board for the trust they have in the organization in taking care of a large number of COVID patients.
Mr. Ross reported that PrimeCare in Selmer sustained flood damage recently, and he commended everyone involved in getting the clinic back up and running quickly.
Chairman of the Board, Curtis Mansfield, expressed his sincere appreciation to the entire team for all of their work during this time as well.
Leaders Education Foundation – $10,000 in scholarships presented at 1st meeting
JACKSON, Tenn. – Leaders Education Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit based in Jackson, Tenn., hosted its first annual meeting virtually on July 21, 2020.
Formed in 2019 by Leaders Credit Union, the Foundation partners with organizations and citizens to Give Forward to the community. In its first acts to Give Forward, the Foundation announced the recipients of the first Leaders Education Foundation Scholarships.
According to a press release from Janet Wylie – Marketing Specialist Leaders Credit Union – the Scholarship Program launched in 2020 in partnership with Leaders Credit Union to award $10,000 to high school seniors.
Six recipients were selected to receive three different scholarship offerings based on academic achievement and leadership in their school and our community.
The Financial Wellness Video Scholarship awards $2,500 to a student for his/her video application detailing the importance of financial literacy. These video applications were viewed by over 16,000 individuals and were shared over 2,800 times.
The Founders Scholarship honors Leaders’ local roots, specifically the Jackson-Madison County School System, with one $1,500 scholarship to a student within the school system.
Leaders Education Foundation also awards $1,500 Community Scholarships to students throughout West Tenn.
2020 Scholarship Winners are:
· A’Zaria Cole – Jackson Central Merry Early College High – $2,500 Financial Wellness Video Scholarship
· Naji Combs – Madison Academic High School – $1,500 Jackson-Madison County School’s Founders Scholarship
· Halle Jordan – Fayette Academy – $1,500 Community Scholarship
· Joe Mego – Madison Academic High School – $1,500 Community Scholarship
· Kaitlyn Waites – Obion County Central High School – $1,500 Community Scholarship
· John Matthew Lawson – Milan High School – $1,500 Community Scholarship
“These scholarships are a fundamental pillar of how we give forward to students in West Tennessee,” said Eddie Hays, Chair of the Leaders Education Foundation’s Board. “We are proud to be a small part of these students’ academic journeys toward success and look forward to seeing them excel in the future.”
(PHOTO: Top, from left to right – A’Zaria Cole, Naji Combs and Halle Jordan. Bottom, left to right – Joe Mego, Kaitlyn Waites, John Matthew Lawson – courtesy Janet Wylie – Marketing Specialist Leaders Credit Union)
