Driving Our Economy Forward: Baroness Erlanger
Weather Update: Thursday – November 21, 2024
Son granted emergency conservatorship in Life Care Centers case
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A hearing regarding who has control of essential documents and decisions at Life Care Centers of America was held in Cleveland Wednesday.
Aubrey Preston’s motion to obtain emergency conservatorship over his father, Forrest Preston’s affairs, were approved by a judge in Bradley County.
Forrest Preston is the owner and founder of Life Care Centers of America, our country’s largest private nursing home company with thousands of patients in 27 states.
His son says that this decision is a win for not just his family, but all of those involved with the company.
Preston said, “We’re relieved… It kind of came in like the clouds on us.”
That relief, Aubrey Preston says, has been needed for years for his family and Life Care Centers of America since his father Forrest, married Kim Phong Nguyen in a manner he says was secretive.
He says that since their marriage, she has shunned his family and has threatened executives at Life Care Centers while his father’s health declines at the age of 91.
Preston said, “From that day forward, my brothers and sisters, none of us were allowed to be at his house, we’ve never been at his house. I know it sounds crazy. I think it sounds crazy.”
The emergency conservatorship gives Aubrey Preston important responsibility over his father’s affairs.
Aubrey Preston’s attorney, Gary Patrick, said, “He has the powers in connection with Todd Fletcher, the President of Life Care, and Steve Ziegler, the Chief Financial Officer, to make all decisions. Execute whatever loan documents are necessary, for Life Care and all of its affiliates and its entities that Mr. Preston has.”
Preston will also have the right to withhold his father from getting a passport.
This was due to flight concerns brought up against Kim Preston by him, after he said he was told she was gathering documents for the purpose of getting passports to leave the country before a permanent conservator hearing.
He will also get the right to have a daily visit with his father, and his family a weekly visit, without Kim Preston or her siblings present.
Additionally, he will get final say on his father’s medical decisions and Kim and Forrest Preston are limited to $25,000 a week in personal expenditures.
Forrest and Kim Preston were not in the courtroom on Wednesday.
Their attorneys argued that many of the claims levied against Kim Preston were not true.
Madeline Phifer, who represented Kim Preston, told the judge, “If the court finds that an emergency conservatorship is necessary, Kim has no desire to run Life Care, be in charge of business decisions, or manage Forrest’s personal finances.”
William Horton, representing Forrest Preston, said that a doctor had deemed him fit and should be granted a “presumption of competency”.
Patrick disputed the validity of that doctor’s findings as Forrest Preston had not seen two other physicians that he was asked to see by the court.
The judge ultimately ruled that the weight of multiple affidavits from Life Care executives recommending that Aubrey Preston be made conservator, testifying to Forrest Preston’s declining health and increasing difficulty running the company.
Aubrey Preston maintains that this is the correct decision for Life Care.
He said, “Things are on a stable course, and we’ve got an opportunity to get decisions made timely that involve patient care, and hopefully continue to get great outcomes. It’s a great company that my dad built and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to serve.”
Preston also added that he has received support from other families going through similar situations, and says he hopes his family’s story can inspire them to resolve their familial problems.
This emergency conservatorship is in effect until January when a hearing will be held on making that permanent.
Solar panels added to Development Resource Center
AAA expects record high travel for Thanksgiving
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- AAA is expecting another record high as folks gear up to hit the road for Thanksgiving.
“Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and we are expecting A record number of Tennesseans to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday period, the most ever and most ever for total travel and really all modes of transportation,’ said Megan Cooper, AAA spokesperson.
According to AAA, More than 1.9 million Tennesseans will travel for thanksgiving.
Cooper considers fall season a busy time on the roadways.
“So while it not, it might not be the volume that we see during the summer time, it is still a significant number of people that will be traveling, starting maybe even this week for Thanksgiving,” said Cooper.
Cooper shares tips for those that are commuting by vehicle..
“Do a pre trip inspection on your vehicle. Make sure to check things like your tires, your brakes, your engine, your battery,” Cooper stated.
And if you plan to fly..
“Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, get through security, get to where you are going, make sure that you are staying up to date with your flight. So opt in to all of those notifications that you can ahead of time,” said Cooper.
AAA projects Tuesday and Wednesday to be the busiest days to travel.
But Cooper says, the message is simple, be safe.
“Our biggest bit of advice for travelers is to plan ahead, leave early and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination so you can avoid some of that stress before you get to your Thanksgiving dinner,” Cooper concluded.
The full list of travel times can be found on AAA.
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Lawsuit filed against the city of Chattanooga for Frazier Ave. deaths
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Florida man has filed a lawsuit against the City of Chattanooga following the fatal crash on Frazier Avenue that claimed the lives of his wife and young son.
The lawsuit argues, “The work performed by Defendant City to make this area safer for pedestrians came too late for Octavio Paz, his wife, and young child.”
According to court documents, in April 2016, the city commissioned a 500-page traffic analysis conducted by Alta Planning & Design.
The analysis highlighted the high volume of traffic on Frazier Avenue and recommended reducing the number of travel lanes and street parking to improve pedestrian safety.
The lawsuit claims the city’s failure to act on these recommendations makes it liable under the Governmental Tort Liability Act (GTLA).
On November 25, 2023, the Jacksonville Florida couple and their one year old son were walking along Frazier Avenue when they were struck by a vehicle driven by Randy Vega.
Vega’s car was then rear-ended by another vehicle, worsening the collision.
Ana and the couple’s child were killed on impact.
Paz sustained severe injuries in the crash and has since undergone more than 27 surgeries, incurring medical expenses exceeding $1.5 million.
According to the lawsuit, Paz remains unable to walk.
Rescued Bunnies Available for Adoption at McKamey Animal Shelter
Collegedale election ends in tie, runoff possible
COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Election Commission confirms a local race two weeks ago ended in a tie.
Collegedale voters were picking their city commission.
Laura Howse and Tim Johnson won outright.
But Debbie Baker and Billy Burnette tied for the final spot.
Each candidate got 2,282 votes.
Now the Collegedale Commission must decide whether they want to schedule a runoff election or decide it with a vote on their own.
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Ridgeland High School incident leads to student arrest
ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) — A classroom disagreement led to a physical altercation.
The incident began when a female student offered a male student an oatmeal cream pie.
The male student initially refused the offer.
According to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, the refusal led to playful teasing and the male student poking the snack with a pencil.
However, the situation intensified when the male student stabbed the female student’s hand with the pencil, drawing blood.
The mother tells us that the female student may have suffered nerve damage to her hand.
After the initial altercation, the oatmeal cream pie was thrown back and forth between the students.
The situation culminated with the male student striking the female student on the shoulder, leaving a visible red mark.
The male student accused of initiating the physical contact was arrested at the scene.
The female student’s guardians wanted charges to be pressed in the case.
Officials stress their commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.
The Creative Discovery Museum turns into a Winter Playland
Small plane crashes on Shallowford Road near CHA
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — We’re learning more about the plane crash that occurred this evening on Shallowford Road near the Chattanooga Airport.
The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) reported this was a small, single engine plane.
Two occupants where aboard the aircraft when the crash took place, both are still alive.
CFD reported one occupant was already out of the plane when crews arrived.
The other occupant had to be extricated by CFD.
Both individuals have been transported to a local hospital with only minor injuries.
CFD also reported that the plane’s engine went out and the plane went down a 1/2 mile from the nearest airport runway.
We have News 12 personnel on the scene and are working to learn more as information becomes available.
... Continue ReadingConservatorship battle over Life Care owner set for Wednesday
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A significant legal battle is looming on Wednesday in Cleveland involving America’s largest private nursing home company.
The future of Life Care Centers of America, headquartered in Cleveland, will be determined in an emergency petition hearing here in Bradley County on Wednesday.
The dispute is over who should be handling important documents for Forrest Preston, the company’s founder and owner. The dispute is between his wife and his son.
Gary Patrick represents Aubrey Preston, the son of the man who has built Life Care Centers.
Although Aubrey has since moved on to running his own medical company, Patrick says circumstances have caused him to ask a Bradley County judge to gain conservatorship over his father’s affairs.
Patrick said, “He would have preferred not to have done this… Mr. Preston discovered what was happening with his father and also Life Care through conversations he had with executives at Life Care.”
The accusations center around Forrest Preston’s wife of five years, Kim Phong Ngyuen.
Nguyen is being accused by Preston of taking advantage of his father, who is 91 and is in declining health.
Aubrey Preston says that she managed to arrange a marriage secretly while he was hospitalized, and now is significantly involved in the day to day operations of Life Care Center.
This, says Patrick, is causing disruptions at the company and places it into a dangerous financial situation, necessitating that his son gain control over Preston’s financial documents.
Patrick said, “Without someone that has the authority to sign documents such as loan documents, and just regular documents, if no one was here to sign the documents it could severely affect Life Care.”
They also believe that it is urgent to get this emergency because they say that Ngyuen is a flight risk, and mention threatening statements towards Life Care executives.
Patrick said, “She has told people that she has a gun and won’t be hesitant to use it to protect herself or Forrest.”
We attempted to reach out to the attorney of Ngyuen, who has filed a court order to close the hearing Wednesday to the public.
We have not heard back from them.
Life Care has previously sent News 12 a statement saying the case will not impact their operations, something Patrick and Aubrey Preston say they agree with.
Patrick said, “Both the President of Life Care and the Chief Financial Officer of Life Care believe that Aubrey need to be appointed as the Conservator, along with other executives at Life Care.”
The case will be heard at the Bradley County Courthouse on Wednesday.
News 12 will be there to give you the latest updates.
... Continue ReadingAttorney of East Ridge student arrested in 2022 viral video asks for DA to be removed from case
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The case of a viral arrest inside of East Ridge High School over two years ago still has not been resolved.
The controversial arrest of Tauris Sledge inside of the East Ridge High School gym in September 2022 sparked much controversy in the community.
His case remains in limbo over two years later, as his defense attorney is raising concerns about the role the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office is playing in his case.
Chrissy Mincy, Sledge’s defense attorney, says that there is no reason for this case to still be ongoing.
Sledge was arrested after a physical altercation with Hamilton County SRD Tyler McRae after failing to comply with orders inside of the school’s gym.
He faces misdemeanor resisting arrest and disorderly conduct charges, but has also filed a civil lawsuit against the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Mincy said, “This matter has been incredibly difficult for my client. It’s been admittedly difficult for me to explain to my client why the District Attorney is choosing to prosecute a B misdemeanor of a diversion eligible, barely adult, for an incident that occurred in his senior year of high school.”
She accuses the DA office of interfering with the civil lawsuit.
Mincy said, “It is upon information and belief that the Hamilton County Attorney’s office is being consulted regarding the resolution of this matter and the prosecution of this matter and the Hamilton County Attorney has an ethical obligation to pursue a remedy for the civil case.”
The DA’s office, represented by Andrew Besler during the hearing, denies this.
Besler said, “The State is just not aware of anything that would prevent our office from at least consulting with the Hamilton County Attorney and that would not give rise to an appearance of impropriety. There’s no monetary benefit here.”
They insist that their case move forward independent of Sledge’s lawsuit.
Besler said, “The reason that we are prosecuting it as that we can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Sledge committed crimes. Potentially that can be a bar to his civil claims.”
This trial was supposed to begin on Tuesday but it has continued until this matter is resolved. Judge Dunn says she will decide this situation via a written opinion
... Continue ReadingGolden Apple Award: Demetrius Leonard, Ridgeland High School
ROSSVILLE, GA (WDEF) – Encouragement is always part of the lesson plan in Demetrius Leonard’s classroom. He makes sure his students at Ridgeland High stay on the path to graduation and more success after that. Dr. Leonard’s determination earned him this week’s Golden Apple Award.
James Morrison is the Principal at Ridgeland High.
He says, ” Number one, (he) always has a smile on his face. His students always know that he loves them. And he goes above and beyond to make sure his students have all that they need both at school and at home, and to be prepared for life. And that’s the kind of teacher that we want here at Ridgeland High School. Because he doesn’t stop at anything to make sure his students have what they need. And we love him for it.
When asked to describe himself, Dr. Leonard says, “I am an educator. I love my students. I’ve been doing this for like 22 years. I just like, what I love what I do. They come to me, and they are my kids, and along with getting that building that relationship with them, and then teaching them.”
Charity Word is a Para professional at Ridgeland High School.
She says, “Dr Leonard is an amazing teacher who cares a lot about his students. And he goes above and beyond for each and every one of his students. And his goal is to make sure that every one of them succeed, and graduate and move on.”
Dr. Leonard concludes, “I’m sweating right now. You know that’s, big. That someone, that I, I really, I really wasn’t thinking about, getting this type of recognition. But I was just doing what I like doing. What I like to do everyday and which is teaching. And these kids, I think it’s great! I’m, I’m thankful.”
Congratulations Dr Leonard!
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Health Experts urge kitchen safety on Thanksgiving
Wellpoint hosts free 500 turkey giveaway for those in need
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As the season of giving is approaching quickly around the area, individuals all over are doing their part to help those in need.
Wellpoint, alongside community volunteers, are planning to distribute turkeys to individuals and families in need. The event will take place at the James A. Henry Community YMCA.
Wellpoint, alongside community volunteers, are planning to distribute turkeys to individuals and families in need. The giveaway is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to uplift the Chattanooga community and support families and individuals during the holiday season.
Wellpoint focuses on improving the physical health of individuals as well as the behavioral and social drivers that impact health all through Medicare and Medicaid products.
The company offers healthcare services to consumers at any stage of life who are seeking to make the right care decisions for the future of themselves as well as their family members.
Starting at 9:00 am on the 23rd, Wellpoint will distribute 500 free turkeys to those who might otherwise go without. This is first come, first served – once they’re gone, they’re gone! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to bring home a turkey for your family.
... Continue ReadingChattanooga hosts the Future of Freight Festival
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With Chattanooga being the heart of Freight Alley, the Chattanooga Convention Center was the perfect place to hold the Future of Freight Festival (F3).
Business professionals from across the country are coming together for a 3-day event hosted by the Chattanooga native company FreightWaves and its CEO Craig Fuller.
The event brought together individuals to discuss key factors impacting freight markets and ongoing trends regarding the global supply chain and manufacturing.
FreightWaves is the world’s leading supply chain intelligence program with more than one million professionals and over 500 global enterprises using their programs. Individuals utilize the company’s intelligence to make informed and professional decisions regarding current and future supply chain operations.
Key points of the festival’s events revolved around the growth and advancement of AI for the global supply chain as well as SONAR which helps to deliver real-time freight market data.
The event will continue through the 21st with new topics to be discussed by CEO Craig Fuller and other professionals.
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Weather Update: Wednesday – November 20, 2024
Weather Update: Tuesday – November 19, 2024
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Overnight: Mostly cloudy, showers / thunderstorms before midnight. Patchy dense fog developing.
Lows: high 50’s. Winds: S @ 5 MPH.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, highs mild in the mid/high 60’s early, then cooling off through afternoon/evening.
Winds: W @ 5-15 MPH, gusts 25 MPH.
Overnight: Mostly clear. Colder.
Lows: high 30’s / low 40’s. Winds: W @ 10-20 MPH, gusts 30 MPH.
Thursday: Sunny, chilly. Dry.
Highs: low 50’s. Winds: W @ 10-20 MPH, gusts 30 MPH.
Overnight: M. Clear, dry, cold.
Lows: mid 30’s. Winds: WNW @ 5-10 MPH.
Friday: Sunshine, Chilly, Dry
Highs: low 50’s. Winds: WNW @ 5-10 MPH.
Overnight: A few clouds. Cold.
Lows: low 30’s. Winds: NW @ 5 MPH or less.
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“I have spent over 30 years studying meteorology and climate. We take a lot of physics, calculus, thermodynamics and other complex subjects. The atmosphere is a fluid within a rotating frame of reference. Such complexity is far beyond fourth grade lessons about cumulus clouds or cold fronts. As I look at the despair caused to those in the Southeast like farmers, homeowners and businesses, I wish we could control hurricanes. Many families lost loved ones or property. Many communities of color, poor rural areas and regions with high elderly concentrations receive a disproportionate punch from storms like Helene or Milton. Gosh, I wish we did have the technology to spare them such angst and despair. We don’t.”
Via Forbes Magazine (may require subscription to site)
Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, a leading international expert in weather and climate, was the 2013 President of American Meteorological Society (AMS) and is Director of the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Atmospheric Sciences Program.
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“Today, the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring opened applications for communities across the U.S. to monitor and evaluate factors influencing local #heatrisk, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
Funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, selected communities will receive $10,000 and technical support to collect heat distribution data through community-led campaigns.”
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“We have a NEW Virtual SKYWARN spotter training! It consists of four interactive sections to complete, followed by a final exam that must be taken to receive credit. After finishing the exam, please be patient and understand that up to two weeks may pass between completing the exam and receiving your spotter ID card and certificate. ”
– National Weather Service, Morristown TN
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Weather101 is a series of FREE interactive online classes to help the public learn about meteorology, forecasting and the National Weather Service in general. These classes will explore the concepts formally found in what was our Advanced SKYWARN spotter classes, plus MORE!
Individuals or groups will be able to complete the courses in the comfort of their own home using the extremely user-friendly computer program, Go-To Meeting. The only requirement will be speakers to listen, if you’re using a computer. If you want to ask questions, you will need to have a VOIP microphone (this is not a requirement).
Each class can be viewed on a Mac or PC, as well as on your iPad, iPhone or Android device by simply downloading the FREE Go-To-Webinar app in the app store on your device (you’ll need the Webinar ID number supplied in the registration email).
https://www.weather.gov/ohx/weather101
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National U.S. Drought Monitor Summary – Data valid: November 14, 2024 at 7 a.m. EST
Southeast
Precipitation was highly variable across the Southeast Region last week, with some areas experiencing substantial relief from dryness and drought while other areas with much less rainfall saw conditions deteriorate. Heavy rain doused an area covering the central and southern sections of both Georgia and South Carolina with at least an inch of rain, with a swath of much higher amounts (5 to 12 inches) from central South Carolina into part of southeastern Georgia. The higher amounts eliminated dryness and drought that had encompassed the area, including 2-class improvements in areas of moderate drought where the higher amounts fell. Heavy rain was observed in smaller areas along the central Gulf Coast and over the western fringes of the Region, resulting in patches of improvement in those areas as well. Meanwhile, in a swath across the interior Southeastern Region from the northeastern Gulf Coast northward through the Piedmont and much of Virginia, little or no rain fell while temperatures averaged well above normal (by 10 to over 20 deg. F most days). These conditions combined to worsen dryness and drought in many areas from central Mississippi through Alabama, northern and western Georgia, much of the central and northern Carolinas, and Virginia. Patches of severe drought (D3) expanded slightly in parts of north-central and southwestern Alabama, and adjacent southeastern Mississippi. Similar to areas farther north, a record or near-record number of consecutive days without measurable rain were recorded in northern Georgia and a few other locales, with precipitation evading Atlanta GA for about 6 weeks.
– NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu
Got #weatherpix to share for our @WestShoreHome #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay? E-mail them to [email protected].
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Make sure you & your family stay in touch with us. Remember the Storm Team 12 app can always bring you the latest weather alerts for your location as well as Titan Radar. Download it for free from your app store – just search “WDEF Weather”.
The best time to prepare for severe weather is when nothing weather-wise is going on. Learn more about programming your weather alert radio with WDEF-TV News 12.
Who can participate?
This is a community project. Everyone can help, young, old, and in-between. The only requirements are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can affect and impact our lives.
What will our volunteer observers be doing?
Each time a rain, hail or snow storm crosses your area, volunteers take measurements of precipitation from as many locations as possible (see equipment). These precipitation reports are then recorded on our Web site www.cocorahs.org. The data are then displayed and organized for many of our end users to analyze and apply to daily situations ranging from water resource analysis and severe storm warnings to neighbors comparing how much rain fell in their backyards.
Who uses CoCoRaHS?
CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety of organizations and individuals. The National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water), insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, outdoor & recreation interests, teachers, students, and neighbors in the community are just some examples of those who visit our Web site and use our data.
https://cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=application
One of NOAA’s missions is to save life and property by providing critical environmental intelligence, including weather forecasts and warnings, to our partners and the general public. NOAA wants everyone, from communities across the country, businesses, and the public at large to be ready, responsive, and resilient to extreme weather, water, and climate events. Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors (WRN Ambassadors) are formally recognized by NOAA as organizations committed to collaborating with NOAA, sharing preparedness messaging in outreach to the public, and serving as examples themselves by implementing resilience best practices. Apply to become an Ambassador here.
