NOVEMBER 29, 2011

Fire Fighters, Mix 92.9 Fire Up Salvation Army Kettles Downtown
Volunteer Fire Fighters, Mix 92.9 and The Salvation Army are “Firing Up” the Salvation Army’s red kettles downtown, on Tuesday, November 29 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The eight off-duty Fire Fighters will be ringing bells at the kettles at the following locations:  Bank of America plaza (Union St.), Demos’ (Commerce St.), L & C Tower (4th and Church St.), Regions Bank (Deadrick St.), The Arcade (both ends 4th and 5th Ave.), Wildhorse Saloon (2nd Ave.) and Mathews Construction (Broadway St.). On the plaza at the L & C Tower, 4th and Church Streets, Mix 92.9 will be playing Christmas music from their van, and the Mix Morning Show; Kim, Anna Marie and Clint, and News 2's Meteorologist Justin Bruce, will be ringing the bells at 4th and Church starting at 11. Last year, the Salvation Army’s red kettles in Middle Tennessee raised $465,000,  money that supports the organization’s programs and services year-round.  If you're interested at volunteering at a red kettle site, please call 242-0411 or email MistyRatcliff@uss.salvationarmy.org.

2-3 Inches Of Snow In SW Middle TN, Little Expected In Nashville
A winter weather advisory has been issued to counties in southwest Middle Tennessee for up to 2 to 3 inches of snow. Snow accumulations should be 2 to 3 inches in southwest Middle Tennessee counties, including Wayne and Lawrence. There could be 1 to 2 inches in Perry, Humphreys, Hickman, Maury, Lewis, Marshall, Bedford, Coffee and Grundy counties. In other counties, such as Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson, there could be a dusting of 1 inch of snow. Areas to the north of Nashville would get only a dusting, the snow would be more scattered for the morning commute. Bridges and overpasses could have slick spots.  To be on the safe side, TDOT has crews coming in early Tuesday morning to check bridges and overpasses, mostly in the south western part of the mid-state.

Does Early Snow Mean Severe Winter?
When the snow shows up this early in the year, many people start to wonder if it's a sign of a severe weather winter.  For the second year in a row, it's going to be a "La Nina winter."  Basically the water in the Pacific Ocean is colder and while that's far from Tennessee it does dictate our weather. For the Tennessee Valley, the U.S. Winter Outlook (December through February) calls for wetter than average with equal chances for above-, near-, or below-average temperatures, and potential for increased storminess and flooding. The ‘wild card’ is the lesser-known and less predictable Arctic Oscillation that could produce dramatic short-term swings in temperatures this winter. To be on the safe side, TDOT has crews coming in early Tuesday morning to check bridges and overpasses, mostly in the south western part of the mid-state.

Click here for Ms. Cheap's Guide To The Holidays, Part 1
Click here for Ms. Cheap's Guide To The Holidays, Part 2
Check out Ms. Cheap's Guide to the Holidays, her annual look at the season's best free and cheap things to do.
 

 
Business Woman Alleges 13-Year Affair With Herman Cain
A woman has come forward claiming to have had an affair with Herman Cain. Ginger White told Fox 5 in Atlanta she met Cain in the late '90s while he was chairman of the National Restaurant Association and that the relationship was "pretty simple." "It wasn't complicated. I was aware that he was married. And I was also aware I was involved in a very inappropriate situation, relationship," White told a local TV station. An hour before the interview was scheduled to air, Cain denied White's allegations during an interview on CNN.

Mt. Juliet Meals On Wheels In Need Of Donations
The Mt. Juliet Meals on Wheels program is in desperate need of donations to continue feeding those in need throughout the community. Meals on Wheels is the largest organization in the United States that offers meal services. "Overall, our 13 counties have over 225 senior citizens that we can not feed that are on our waiting list, it's tragic," said site manager Bobbie Joe Caldwell. According to Caldwell, last year the non-profit organization had a federal stimulus package that helped feed the needy. "This year we do not [have the federal stimulus package], so that puts us in a huge deficit of about $300,000, which is why we have a waiting list now," she explained. Caldwell told Nashville's News 2 the program thrives on donations, sponsorships and volunteers. It costs around $83 per month to feed a local senior citizen in the community 20 meals. "So many of these seniors would be in some kind of a nursing home if it were not for our food that we are able to deliver to them everyday because they wouldn't be able to eat," she said.  Click here for more information on Meals on Wheels.

Jury Can Ask Questions In MTSU Stabbing Trial
A Murfreesboro judge ruled the jury will be able to ask questions at the trial of a former Middle Tennessee State University student charged with stabbing her roommate to death. Nineteen-year-old Shanterrica Madden has said she acted in self-defense when she killed MTSU basketball player Tina Stewart during a fight on March 2. Madden is charged with first-degree murder. At a hearing on Monday, defense attorney Joe Brandon Jr. introduced several motions, including one asking the jury not be allowed to question witnesses. Although the practice is allowed in Tennessee courts, Brandon claimed the practice is unconstitutional. The judge ruled against the motion but agreed to work with attorneys on ways to improve the practice. The trial is set for Jan. 31.

Wilson County Emergency Responders Battle Bed Bugs
Pest control crews have been working to clear a bed bug infestation from the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency's Station One in Lebanon. About a week ago, officials at WEMA realized bed bugs were biting employees as they slept. For five nights, employees had to sleep on cots in the training center across the street. At first pest control companies thought Station One's bunk was infested with fleas, and at one point, doctors treated employees for shingles before realizing bed bugs were the problem. On Monday, a company called Thermal Rid pumped hot air into the station to kill the bugs. Employees were told they would be able to return to Station One on Tuesday.

Extreme Child Obesity On DCS Radar
Extreme cases of obesity in children can now lead to DCS intervention on grounds of child neglect. A high-profile case recently made headlines in Ohio after social workers took a 200 pound, eighth grader from his parents. It has happened in Tennessee, too. During the past five years, seven child obesity cases have been referred to the Department of Children's Services.  In six of those cases, the child remained in the home, but one child was placed in foster care. "Of course we see obese kids," said Dr. Mary Keown, a Nashville pediatrician.  Dr. Keown said that in extreme cases she counsels the parents about better nutrition and exercise for their children. "But, at a certain point, if they don't comply it becomes medical neglect," said Dr. Keown.  And in extreme cases, doctors will contact DCS. It's a serious health issue according to Dr. Keown, who said severe obesity can lead to hypertension, diabetes, early stroke and death."The generation we bring up now may be the first that doesn't live longer than we do," said Dr. Keown.

Report Shows Improper Payment Of TN Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment remains high this holiday season, but a new report is raising concerns about oversight, and whether some are "gaming the system." A Department of Labor study found that Tennessee is one of the worst states, when it comes to oversight on those getting unemployment benefits. In fact, Tennessee tied with Mississippi for the 11th worst in the nation. In the study, analysts found an improper payment rate of nearly 15 percent. That's the percentage of people who received benefits improperly or unlawfully. That comes out to overpayments of more than $300 million spanning the past three years.