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Local Teachers and Student Authors and Artists To Be Honored

A reception spotlighting Rutherford County teacher authors, student authors and student artists will be held Tuesday, April 6th at 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Siegel Middle School.

The works of the authors and artists are published each year in a collection of two books produced by Rutherford County Schools. One book features student work and the other features the writings of teachers. This year’s books are titled Handprints on My Heart.

Selected readings from both teachers and students will be held in the auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by signings in the library by all authors who are present.

The book project began in 1999 as a way to promote a love and excitement for writing. A majority of the proceeds from the books cover publishing costs and any remaining funds help support the annual Rutherford County Writers’ Academy for teachers.

This year’s books feature works from more than 350 students and 70 teachers in Rutherford County. The project has become extremely popular with parents. The school district initially ordered 590 books containing students’ works, but those books have sold out and additional copies have been ordered.

For additional information, contact Community Relations Coordinator James Evans at (615) 893-5812 or evansj@rcs.k12.tn.us.

‘Boro Represented Well In "Fiddler On The Roof"

Murfreesboro was represented well in the Arts Center of Cannon County’s production of “Fiddler On The Roof”. In fact, Rutherford County’s Public Defender Gerald Melton (left photo) play the lead role of Tevye. He danced and sang through the 3-hour performance showing the merits of “Tradition”. Also from his office, Rusty Perkins portrayed Lazar Wolfe. Well known Murfreesboro singer Katherine Sandoval Taylor did a great interpretation of Hodel. The play takes place during 1905, a time of rapid change during the start of the Russian Revolution. It was an outstanding evening of theatre, and made even better with dinner in the Arts Center’s cafe. Performances are at 7:30 on Friday and Saturday evenings along with 2:00 o’clock Sunday matinees through April 3rd. The cafe opens at 5PM for evening performances and at 11:00 o’clock on Sunday mornings. For more information about “Fiddler On The Roof”, call 615-563-ARTS (2787) or check their website: www.ArtsCenterofCC.com. 

Gubernatorial Forum at MTSU

MTSU, in cooperation with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, will play host to a gubernatorial forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 29, in Murphy Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Free tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, starting with MTSU students, followed by faculty, staff and the general public. MTSU students with valid IDs may pick up tickets beginning Monday. All other university personnel and the general public may pick up tickets beginning Monday, April 5. Tickets should be picked up in advance at the MTSU Ticket Office, located at Gate 1A at Floyd Stadium on Faulkinberry Drive.

Uncle Dave Macon Days Selected as a Top 20 Event for the month of July 2010

The 33rd Annual Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival has just been selected as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the month of July, 2010.  This distinctive award is given to a select number of events in a ten-state area.  Over 400 newspapers, magazines, AAA offices, radio and television stations receive the Top 20 listings.

Uncle Dave Macon, one of the pioneers of the Grand Ole Opry, is the inspiration for this old-time music and dance festival.  It includes major competitions in banjo, fiddle, buck dancing, clogging and more, plus food, arts and crafts and the Motorless Parade featuring mules, horses and wagons.  Uncle Dave Macon Days will be held July 9-11, 2010 at Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro.

Uncle Dave Macon Days was nominated by the Tennessee state coordinator to be included in the Top 20 list.  There are approximately 250 nominations from the Southeastern region. Three judges from the travel industry field select two events from each state for this coveted award.

The Southeast Tourism Society is a non-profit organization whose goals and objectives are to develop, market, and promote travel in the southeastern states.  The group started publishing the Top 20 Events list eleven years ago.  The members of the Southeast Tourism Society represent ten Southeastern states.  These states are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Reception for student, teacher authors and artists set for April 6

A reception spotlighting Rutherford County teacher authors, student authors and student artists will be held Tuesday, April 6 at 6:30-8 p.m. at Siegel Middle School.

Members of the media are encouraged to cover the event to help commemorate student and teacher achievement.

The works of the authors and artists are published each year in a collection of two books produced by Rutherford County Schools. One book features student work and the other features the writings of teachers. This year’s books are titled Handprints on My Heart.

Selected readings from both teachers and students will be held in the auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by signings in the library by all authors who are present.

The book project began in 1999 as a way to promote a love and excitement for writing. A majority of the proceeds from the books cover publishing costs and any remaining funds help support the annual Rutherford County Writers’ Academy for teachers.

This year’s books feature works from more than 350 students and 70 teachers in Rutherford County. The project has become extremely popular with parents. The school district initially ordered 590 books containing students’ works, but those books have sold out and additional copies have been ordered.

For additional information, contact Community Relations Coordinator James Evans at (615) 893-5812 or evansj@rcs.k12.tn.us.

Uncle Dave Macon Days One Of The Top Southeastern Events

The 33rd Annual Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival has just been selected as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the month of July, 2010.  This distinctive award is given to a select number of events in a ten-state area.  Over 400 newspapers, magazines, AAA offices, radio and television stations receive the Top 20 listings.

Uncle Dave Macon, one of the pioneers of the Grand Ole Opry, is the inspiration for this old-time music and dance festival.  It includes major competitions in banjo, fiddle, buck dancing, clogging and more, plus food, arts and crafts and the Motorless Parade featuring mules, horses and wagons.  Uncle Dave Macon Days will be held July 9-11, 2010 at Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro.

Uncle Dave Macon Days was nominated by the Tennessee state coordinator to be included in the Top 20 list.  There are approximately 250 nominations from the Southeastern region. Three judges from the travel industry field select two events from each state for this coveted award.

The Southeast Tourism Society is a non-profit organization whose goals and objectives are to develop, market, and promote travel in the southeastern states.  The group started publishing the Top 20 Events list eleven years ago.  The members of the Southeast Tourism Society represent ten Southeastern states.  These states are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Local Hospital Names New Chief of Medical Staff

Middle Tennessee Medical Center announces Dr. Edward D. Eastham (left) as the new Chief of Staff and Dr. Michael R. Jordan (right)0 as Vice Chief of Staff.

Dr. Eastham is a board certified pediatrician and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences, and completed his pediatric residency at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis. Dr. Eastham is the former Chief of Pediatrics at West End Medical Center in Atlanta.

He has been voted Best Pediatrician by the readers of Rutherford Parent magazine, as well as the readers of the Daily News Journal. In his new role, he will act as a liaison between medical staff and hospital administration. He will be replacing Dr. Ray Johnson, a pulmonologist at the hospital.

Dr. Jordan is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinic in Augusta and is currently an orthopaedic surgeon at Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance on Medical Center Parkway. Dr. Jordan has served as a team physician for MTSU, Sewanee and all of the Rutherford County and City high schools.

New officers and department chairmen include:

Chief of Medicine- Randall C. Rickard. M.D., family medicine

Chief of Surgery- Paul E.Goco, M.D., otolaryngologist/ facial plastics

Chief of OB/GYN- Brent B. Boles, M.D., OB/GYN

Chief of Emergency Medicine- Kevin H. Beier, M.D., emergency medicine

Chief of Pediatrics- Jeremy B. Harrison, M.D., pediatrician

Chief of Orthopaedics- Michael R. Jordan, M.D., orthopaedics

MTMC AWARDED ACCREDITATION FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION

By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission‘s national standards for health care quality and safety, Middle Tennessee Medical Center (MTMC) remains fully accredited by The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced, on-site evaluation of MTMC in February. The accreditation award recognizes MTMC’s dedication to complying with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis.

“The Joint Commission accreditation is a way for MTMC to prove our commitment of providing top quality and safe care to our patients,” says Gordon B. Ferguson, President and CEO of MTMC. “We view continuing this high approval rating as another step towards achieving excellence.”

MTMC was the first of many Ascension Health hospitals the survey team leader will be visiting throughout 2010. The survey team stated that MTMC has “set the bar high” for sister hospitals throughout the country.

Three surveyors were sent to MTMC, which consisted of a physician, nurse and an administrator. The surveyor team commented on their visit by stating the MTMC survey was a great experience. During the survey, the team stated MTMC is practicing leading edge work with their infection prevention program that only the better hospitals do and MTMC has a ‘healthy culture.’

“This survey shows how committed the associates and physicians are at MTMC,” says Ferguson. “Everyone rose to the occasion during the three day survey process.”

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 17,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services.

Linebaugh and Smyrna Libraries Closing 5-days For Tech Updates

As you recall, back in November the Christy-Houston Foundation awarded the Linebaugh Library System a grant that enables them to install the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology. Since that time, the staff at the local public Linebaugh libraries have been preparing for the new RFID system that Business Resource Solutions (BRS) and ST LogiTrack will install.

Closed Dates

The Smyrna Branch will close their doors Monday March 22nd through Saturday March 27th and reopen on the 29th. The Linebaugh Library will close on Sunday March 28th and will remain closed through Saturday April 10th.

Training

During the period that Linebaugh Library will be closed, the staff is taking the opportunity to do some training once their new RFID equipment and system is installed. To receive further updates on your Library and the RFID implementation, continue to follow the LPLS news feed at www.linebaugh.org/news.htm or go to www.tnrfidlibrary.wordpress.org.

Use Other Linebaugh Branches

Even though two of the Linebaugh branches will be closed, staff encourages patrons to continue borrowing from any of the four branches since only one branch will be closed at a time. So for members that frequently visit the Linebaugh and Smyrna branches, staff suggests using the Eagleville and Myrtle Glanton Lord branches until Smyrna and Linebaugh reopen. In fact, Linebaugh and MGL staffs have arranged “for members to retrieve their reserved items from the MGL branch while the Linebaugh Library is closed” says Linebaugh Library Director Rita Shacklett.

Did You Miss the MAYOR FORUM This Morning on WGNS? LISTEN NOW!

This morning on WGNS incumbent Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg joined host Scott Walker along with Tim Davis who is running for Mayor.

Here is a sampling of just two of the hot topics listeners talked about…

Mayor Bragg

Tim Davis

WGNS would like to thank the Mayor and Davis for allowing the public to ask them questions regarding our city before the election. The election day is April 20th.

GANGS in Murfreesboro

There is a growing concern of gangs in Murfreesboro and local church leaders and educators are taking notice. On April the 15th, a gang awareness seminar will be held at the Allen Chapel AME Church on Maney Avenue. Rev. Dwight Ogleton explains…

The seminar is again on Thursday night, April the 15th at 6:60 in the evening at the Allen Chapel AME Church in Murfreesboro.

How Many Millionaires Live in Good Ole’ Tennessee?

A brand new survey shows that there are a lot of millionaires living in Tennessee. Well, sort of…

In the Volunteer State, the total number of millionaire households: 88,284. While that may sound like a lot, the percentage is actually quite small. The percent of the population in Tennessee that is actually classified as millionaires is only 3.53%. The median household income here is $43,610.

The numbers were gathered from Phoenix Marketing International.

Want More Numbers?

The Most Millionaires
1. Hawaii
Total number of millionaire households: 28,363
Percent of population that are millionaires: 6.41%
Median household income: $66,701

2. Maryland
Total number of millionaire households: 133,299
Percent of population that are millionaires: 6.26%
Median household income: $70,482

3. New Jersey
Total number of millionaire households: 197,694
Percent of population that are millionaires: 6.22%
Median household income: $70,347

4. Connecticut
Total number of millionaire households: 82,837
Percent of population that are millionaires: 6.15%
Median household income: $68,294

5. Virginia
Total number of millionaire households: 166,596
Percent of population that are millionaires: 5.51%
Median household income: $61,210

6. Massachusetts
Total number of millionaire households: 137,792
Percent of population that are millionaires: 5.5%
Median household income: $65,304

7. Alaska
Total number of millionaire households: 13,348
Percent of population that are millionaires: 5.39%
Median household income: $67,332

8. New Hampshire
Total number of millionaire households: 27,562
Percentage of population that are millionaires: 5.34%
Median household income: $63,235

9. California
Total number of millionaire households: 662,735
Percent of population that are millionaires: 5.28%
Median household income: $61,017

10. Washington, D.C.
Total number of millionaire households: 13,028
Percent of population that are millionaires: 5%
Median household income: $58,553

The Fewest
1. Mississippi
Total number of millionaire households: 33,792
Percent of population that are millionaires: 3.06%
Median household income: $37,818

2. Arkansas
Total number of millionaire households: $35,286
Percent of population that are millionaires: 3.12%
Median household income: $38,820

3. West Virginia
Total number of millionaire households: 24,941
Percent of population that are millionaires: 3.28%
Median household income: $37,528

4. Kentucky
Total number of millionaire households: 57,059
Percent of population that are millionaires: 3.3%
Median household income: $41,489

5. South Dakota
Total number of millionaire households: 10,646
Percent of population that are millionaires: 3.39%
Median household income: $46,244

6. North Dakota
Total number of millionaire households: 9,051
Percent of population that are millionaires: 3.42%
Median household income: $46,574

7. Oklahoma
Total number of millionaire households: 50,304
Percent of population that are millionaires: 3.51%
Median household income: $42,836

8. Tennessee
Total number of millionaire households: 88,284
Percent of population that are millionaires: 3.53%
Median household income: $43,610

9. Louisiana
Total number of millionaire households: 59,747
Percent of population that are millionaires: 3.54%
Median household income: $43,635

10. Alabama
Total number of millionaire households: 66,314
Percent of population that are millionaires: 3.55%
Median household income: $42,586

GOVERNMENT MANDATE IN TN: 4-New Shots Required for Youngsters Attending School

Students entering childcare facilities, pre-k, kindergarten, or seventh grade this fall will have a new set of immunization requirements. According to the State Department of Health, this is the first update to immunization requirements in ten years. Most of the new rules take effect on July 1.

New childcare, pre-k, and kindergarten children will be required to show proof of vaccination for HBV, PCV, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B. Previously, these shots were recommended but not required.

Meanwhile, students entering seventh grade will be required to have a tetanus booster shot and show proof of immunity against chicken pox. This can be demonstrated by having a prior chicken pox diagnosis or by taking two doses of the vaccine.

The state is providing new official immunization certificates to doctors. After completion of the required vaccinations, a doctor will complete a certificate which will be given by the parents to the school as evidence of required vaccinations.

As with other required vaccinations, students may be exempted for medical and/or religious reasons. For more information, you can visit www.health.tn.gov.

Local Man Running as Democrat in 6th District Race has Strong Feelings About the Current Administration

A local man by the name of George Erdel is making quite the impression on conservative democrats in Rutherford County. Erdel has qualified to run for the seat that is currently held by US Congressman Bart Gordon. Erdel, who is often seen wearing a handgun and who says that he fully supports the rights of gun owners, stated during a press conference on Thursday that he believes that at least 70% of those who classify themselves as a democrat are against the pending healthcare legislation.

Erdel calls himself a grassroots activist and you may recall he attended Bart Gordon’s town hall meeting on health care last summer. During that meeting, he stated he felt the country is headed towards socialism…

DOWNLOAD THE AUDIO

Again Erdel, who is classified as a democrat,  is running for the Tennessee 6th District United States House seat that is currently held by democrat Bart Gordon.

Complete List of those who have qualified to run:

US HOUSE OF REP. - 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DIST. STEVEN L. EDMONDSON ( R )

US HOUSE OF REP. - 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DIST. GEORGE T ERDEL ( D )

US HOUSE OF REP. - 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DIST. JACK DEMPSEY HYDRICK, II (D)

US HOUSE OF REP. - 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DIST. BENJAMIN T LEMING ( D )

US HOUSE OF REP. - 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DIST. JAMES R OBERMAN ( D )

US HOUSE OF REP. - 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DIST. JIM TRACY ( R )

US HOUSE OF REP. - 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DIST. JUSTIN O SMITH ( R )

US HOUSE OF REP. - 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DIST. LOU A ZELENIK ( R )

More on Healthcare:

Sunday could turn out sunny or bloody for Democrats eager to pass healthcare reform.

That’s the day for the projected vote, and both the White House and Democratic leaders got a lift Thursday when the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) came back with some numbers that seem to bolster the legislation’s chances of passage.

While the price tag on the ten-year measure to overhaul the healthcare industry is estimated at $940 billion, the non-partisan CBO contends the bill will also reduce the federal deficit by $1.3 trillion over two decades.

House Speaker NANCY PELOSI was crowing over the figures even as Republicans, such as House Minority Leader JOHN BOEHNER, vowed to stop at nothing to make sure the legislation “never, ever, ever passes.”

With his first-term agenda hanging in the balance, PRESIDENT OBAMA has canceled his postponed his scheduled trip this week to Asia and Australia until June so that he can be in town for the vote, which needs 216 votes in the House.

Another Democrat who has been on the fence about voting for healthcare reform, Indiana Congressman BARON P. HILL, gave indications after seeing the CBO numbers that he won’t switch his planned yes vote to no.

But even if the House does approve the Senate version, the reworked bill has to go back to the Senate, where lawmakers there will consider amendments supplied by House Democrats.

Since the amendment will be presented as a budget reconciliation measure, Democrats only need a simple majority to pass the bill.

Even so, Senate Minority Leader MITCH MCCONNELL said he work hard to stop the amendments from passing.

Violent felon attacks deputy, detective

A female deputy sheriff and a male detective were treated for head injuries after a 26-year-old convicted felon resisted arrest on charges of attempted first-degree murder.  Deputy Monica Fonseca and Detective Steve Kohler responded to a domestic disturbance at 110 Country Side Road off Old Woodbury Pike about 10 p.m. Wednesday. A man was reportedly assaulting another man with a pick ax. They made contact with alleged assailant, Carl David Soffiantino, who they report acted and smelled intoxicated, sitting on the porch of the house.  As the officers attempted to handcuff him, Soffiantino began violently resisting by punching Fonseca in the head over her left ear and next to her right eye. He allegedly delivered a punch to Kohler’s forehead with caused a split to the skin that later required a half-dozen stitches to close. Fonseca and Kohler were treated and released at Middle Tennessee Medical Center. Fonseca used a chemical agent that had no effect on Soffiantino, but the two officers were able to get him on the ground and hold him until backup officers arrived. Soffiantino continued his violent resistance and had to be handcuffed, leg-shackled and restrained with plastic straps to be brought under control.

Detectives Bryant Gregory and D.J. Jackson responded and their investigation revealed that prior to the officers’ arrival, Soffiantino had struck Brian Mason over the head and back with a wooden cane following an argument. Mason is the boyfriend of Soffiantino’s sister. Mason was able to get back into his car with his girlfriend and two young children, but Soffiantino continued the attack by using a garden fixture shaped like a pick axe to destroy portions of their car, throwing shattered glass onto the children.

Gregory has charged Soffiantino with Attempted First- Degree Homicide, two counts of Reckless Endangerment, two counts of Aggravated Assault on Police Officers, Resisting Arrest, Felony Vandalism and Vandalizing Government Property. More charges are pending, Gregory says. Soffiantino is currently in custody, held in lieu of $51,000 bond and awaiting an appearance in General Sessions Court on May 20. If he cannot make bond he will go in front of a judge within 10 days.

Soffiantino is no stranger to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. He has been booked in a total of 22 times since June 2001 and has spent a total of 484 days behind bars. His past charges range from felony possession of narcotics, to aggravated assault, burglary, domestic violence, resisting arrest, alcohol-related crimes including DUI, and failing to appear in court.

UPDATE: Roll of Steel Kills Man

49-Year old Victor R. Chipman is dead as the result of several thousand pounds of steel falling on him Wednesday. The accident occurred in Murfreesboro at a company called Steel Technologies, formerly MiTech Steel, located on Mi-Tech Drive, off of South Church Street. Evidently, the roll of steel was being lifted by a crane when it fell on to Chipman. The report shows that Chipman was a truck driver from Rockwood, Tennessee.

Building a Better Business Picture

Single-family home construction continued to grow in the fourth quarter, according to Midstate Economic Indicators, a publication of MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center (BERC). Dr. David Penn, BERC director, writes, “Permits issued for construction hit bottom in the first quarter and have increased in subsequent quarters. Activity in the fourth quarter is 25.9 percent higher over the year but remains much lower than pre-recession levels. Construction of multifamily units, including apartments and townhouses, has not fared as well. Multifamily construction is 27.3 percent lower over the year but experienced a very large spurt of activity during the fourth quarter. Multifamily housing is experiencing credit availability problems more severe than for single-family housing.”

Facebook Cancels Israeli Maneuver

Social media present users and consumers with new challenges as well as new opportunities. After an Israeli Defense Forces soldier leaked details, including time and place, of an upcoming operation on Facebook, the operation had to be cancelled. Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism professor and First Amendment expert, was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and served on active duty in Somalia, Bosnia, Central America, Europe and the Pentagon. He says, “Government agencies at all levels are trying to figure out how to cope with e-mail, cell phones and social networking sites. In some instances, commanders and supervisors are authorized to completely ban cell phones and to limit access by government computers. In addition, intelligence officials have reported that members of terrorist groups, as well as agents of nation-states, will often join social networks to try to influence government members or gain access to classified information.”

Incident on West Main Street

A man walking down West Main Street in Murfreesboro around 12-noon on Tuesday, called the police after an unknown subject pulled a gun out on him. The 40-year old man and his girlfriend told an officer that a motorist almost struck him while driving down the road. The victim evidently told the motorist that he was traveling too fast. That was when the man behind the wheel of the Pontiac got out of the car and pulled a gun out proclaiming that he had something for him, reffering to the man walking with his girlfriend. 

The man who yelled for the motorist to slow down, told the subject he did not want to get shot over this issue and walked away. The man armed with the gun got back in his car and simply drove away. No arrests were made.

MTSU Uses Money from Clean Energy Grant to Purchase Green Power Exercise Machines

MTSU is once again ahead of the curve when it comes to green technology. The university has added new exercise machines to the student Health and Wellness Center that actually generate clean power as you work out. MTSU is not the first gym to offer this technology, a small work out facility in Connecticut first had the idea several years ago. In Connecticut, a gym owner decided to generate electrical power with spin bikes. MTSU is different in they are generating power with elliptical machines.

The rec center now features a total of five Precor USA elliptical machines. The machines have been in place at the center since February 19th. MTSU is the first university in Tennessee to use green power in their workout facility.

Right now the machines generate one kilowatt hour of electricity every two days. We are told that is enough power to keep a laptop going for about 24-hours.

Money to pay for the five machines, which cost several thousand dollars each, came from a $30-thousand dollar Clean Energy Grant. An additional $6-thousand dollars from the wellness center budget helped cover the costs as well.

FREE Guitar Festival At MTSU March 21-25

Does watching world-renowned musicians, free, appeal to you? How about supporting Middle Tennessee State University student and faculty members in their growth and education through the performing arts?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, then the eighth annual Tennessee Guitar Festival, which will be held at MTSU March 21-25, is your event.

William Yelverton, an MTSU guitar professor who also is overseeing the festival, said the event is the largest of its kind in Tennessee.

Those who attend will see award-winning musicians who will showcase classical guitar music ranging from the Renaissance all the way up to contemporary, along with the Spanish style of music and dance called flamenco.

Attendees will have the opportunity to sit in on master classes hosted by performers at the festival. MTSU students perform in the master classes for the guest instructors, who then critique their pieces. Master classes also are free and open to the public.

On Sunday, the first night of the festival, performances will begin at 8 p.m. in the Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music Building. Yelverton will perform alongside Andrea Dawson, MTSU assistant professor of violin; then Roger Hudson, adjunct guitar professor, will finish out the night with Bela Musiqua.

On Monday, March 22, the festival will begin with a master class given by Enric Madriguera, guitar studies director from the University of Texas in Dallas. The class will be held in Room 117 of the Saunders Fine Arts Building from 1:40 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.

Madriguera also will perform for the first half of the evening concert, which again begins at 8 in Hinton Hall. The Duo Guitano, composed of Bethel University guitar professor Carlos Castilla and Amanda Virelles, a piano professor from Lane College, will perform for the second half of that evening’s concert.

John Knowles, award-winning composer and arranger, and Nicholas Ciraldo, guitar studies director from the University of Southern Mississippi and a winner of the Guitar Foundation of America International Competition, will perform on the festival’s third night on Tuesday, March 23, at 8 p.m. in Hinton Hall.

The fourth day of the festival, Wednesday, March 24, will begin with a master class in Hinton Hall from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. with Ciraldo leading the lesson.

Yelverton said that headliner Jason Vieaux will be the solo performer for Wednesday night’s 8 p.m. concert. After taking first prize in 1992 as the youngest winner of the GFA competition, the virtuoso, with 10 albums to his credit, has played hundreds of concerts across the United States and abroad.

BEP Student Arts Show In City Hall Rotunda Through March 26th

The Murfreesboro City Hall Rotunda Art Gallery is exhibiting artwork from the Business Education Partnership’s “Arts for Education” student art contest, now through March 26th.

The art was submitted by students in Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County schools for the innaugural “Arts for Education” competition and event, presented by Nissan North American and the Business Education Partnership at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.

There are 80 pieces displayed from students K-12th grade. The theme is “the leaf electric” to celebrate the blend of artistry and technology that created “The Leaf”, Nissan’s new all-electric vehicle.

The Business Education Partnership Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization created by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to form and sustain valuable relationships between Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County schools with businesses in Rutherford County. The BEP has also been instrumental in forming a united arts council for Rutherford County through the Chamber of Commerce’s Three Star certification project- an initiative to equip communities with resources for improving economic development.

“Arts for Education” was created as the BEP’s major fundraiser for 2010 and as a means of bringing attention to Rutherford County’s art community. These submissions will be judged by category and the winning entries will be included in the silent auction for the BEP’s “Jazz Brunch and Art Auction” on March 28th.

That event will be the launch of “The Leaf” electric car in Rutherford County, include live jazz music performances, and auction items will feature the works of local visual and craft artists as well as entertainment and travel packages to regional arts events and destinations. Brunch will be catered by J&J Catering and students from the award-winning Smyrna High School culinary arts program, and a coffee bar presented by Jozoara Coffee Shop.

Proceeds from the “Jazz Brunch and Art Auction” will go towards BEP programming for Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County educators and students, including the BC³ Academy for Math and Science Study Enhancement, BEP/Nissan Teacher Mini-Grants, Adopt-A-School Partnerships, and others.

For more information about the BEP, or to purchase tickets for the “Jazz Brunch and Art Auction,” visit the website at www.rutherfordbep.org or call (615) 893-6565.

Homer Pittard’s Holly Wilson Ray Named Regional Teacher of the Year

Holly Wilson Ray has been selected as the Regional Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Ray is a fifth grade teacher at Homer Pittard Campus School Campus School and MTSU adjunct instructor in the Elementary and Special Education department.

A panel of judges who reviewed all the candidates submitted from the Mid-Cumberland Field Service Center area selected her.  This area contains twelve school systems, so being the regional selection is quite an honor.

Mrs. Ray was recently selected as the Homer Pittard Campus School Teacher of the Year by her colleagues, and represents Rutherford County School System as the Middle Level Teacher of the Year.  As the regional winner, her name has been submitted for consideration for the Grand Division competition. 

We are extremely proud of Mrs. Ray.  She is an dedicated teacher and incredible faculty member. Mrs. Ray is a mentor teacher, and always volunteers her time to assist in activities before and after school hours.

Mrs. Ray has taught for 14 years. She has completed 12 years in Rutherford County Schools. During the last 4 years, Mrs. Ray has taught 5th grade at Homer Pittard Campus, a laboratory school for MTSU. She is the proud mother of two sons, Camden, 12 and Easton, 7. She has been happily married to her husband, Tony Ray, for eighteen years.

Mrs. Ray has an Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Middle Tennessee State University, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from The University of North Alabama. She is currently a candidate for the Educational Doctorate Program at Trevecca Nazarene University. Mrs. Ray has made presentations internationally, nationally, regionally and locally in the areas of mathematics, science, reading and social studies instruction. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League in Murfreesboro which is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Tots’ Landing Students Help Linebaugh Library

Students from Tots’ Landing Learning Center’s pre-kindergarten class (pictured below) took up a collection for Linebaugh Library. The donation came in the form of loose change and dollar bills stored in an empty wet nap dispenser. The children presented $18.33 to bookmobile staff members David O’Flaherty and Tony Pineault, who visit the daycare on River Rock Boulevard each Thursday morning. The money will be applied to the library’s Children’s Book Fund in order to buy materials for the Youth Services department and the bookmobile.

O’Flaherty noted, “I asked, ‘These youngsters are our future patrons. During story time, even the little babies will focus on the book and listen. When Tony pulls the bookmobile into their parking lot, we typically see a rush of excited little faces pressing against the window like metal to a magnet. That’s rewarding—honestly, what better way can there be to start off your day? Stopping by to read to the children at Tots’ Landing each week, and allow them access to library books, is the high point of the week. The donation’s a bonus, and we thank them for it.”

The children in the pre-kindergarten class are: Bailey Boyce, Cater Cheatham, Camden Cooper, Jasmine Colbert, Tucker Cowles, Benjamin Gass, Jonathan Jaycox, Connor Mayercik, Connor Mitchell, Tanner Morgan, Andrew Neal, Rayce Parker, Gavin Plumlee, Alyssa Richardson, Camryn Schlangen, Donovan Spencer, Leah Stevens, Ashley Taylor, Rachel Wallace, Caya Williams, and Cory Wood. Their teachers are Paulette Bobeck, Cole Brown, Jackie Donovan, and Michelle Sanders. The directors are Diana Turner and Jessica Jones.

Linebaugh Public Library is located at 105 W. Vine St. in Murfreesboro. The Library is the cornerstone of our community, enriching lives through free resources for learning, fun, and opportunity. For more information, call 615-893-4131 or visit www.linebaugh.org.

School Bus and Car Have Accident in Barfield Area

A vehicle has collided with a county school bus in the Barfield area. Reports indicate the accident occurred Wednesday afternoon. Witnesses say the wreck was near the Savannah Ride subdivision. The children on the bus were not injured, however there were injuries reported in the car.

No names have been released.

6th U.S. House Candidate Says His Party Mishandling Health Care Reform

George Erdel, who is seeking the 6th U.S. House seat that is currently held by retiring Bart Gordon, has reportedly contacted the offices of House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate leader Harry Reid regarding his concerns over the manner in which the Congressional Leadership is mishandling the issue of health care reform. The Murfreesboro Democrat told WGNS News that he has more information that will be released in a press conference at noon Thursday (3/18/10) on the steps of the state capitol.

Erdel supports the right to bear arms, in fact he was armed and wearing a shoulder holster during an interview at WGNS. He noted his strong opposition to abortions and feels that global warming is a farce. He said, “It’s just another way for liberals to tax us for the energy we use.”

United Way/Alexander Automall "Chase the Cars" Winner Announced

One lucky winner took home a new Ford Focus courtesy of Alexander Automall through the Chase the Cars give-away on Tuesday, March 16th at the Alexander-Ford Lincoln Mercury dealership on Broad Street. Individuals who contributed $300 or more during the 2009-2010 United Way campaign became eligible to win the vehicle, with 1,274 total donors eligible this year. The field was narrowed down to 25 finalists, and the final winner was announced as Andra Helton. By the way, the grand total for the United Way’s campaign this year was announced as $2,339,460.19, just shy of the $2.8 million goal. And although the car is no longer up for grabs, if you would like to donate to the United Way of Rutherford County, you can find out more at UWRutherford.org.

 

 

Local Business Receives Big Award from Middle TN Electric

(MTEMC Release) Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation recently honored A/C Plus of Rutherford County with the MTEMC 2009 Award of Excellence.

“For the third year in a row, A/C Plus has demonstrated the highest level in professional HVAC standards,” MTEMC’s Energy Services Coordinator Mandy Martin said.  “They’ve gone above and beyond with their customer service when working with our members and promoting all of our energy services package.”

To be eligible for the award, contractors have to demonstrate excellent customer service and meet the highest standard of installation requirements set forth by the program.

Middle Tennessee Electric and TVA developed the QCN list as part of their energy right Heat Pump Program, where the cooperative helps members finance the installation of a new heat pump system. The contractors install the units and provide servicing and maintenance.

In the past six years, more than 3,500 existing and new homes across MTEMC’s service area have received services under this program.

Worker Dies When Steel Falls on Top

A Steel Technologies worker is dead as the result of an accident that occurred shortly before 11:00 o’clock Wednesday morning (3/17/10). A metal coil weighing up to 7-thousand pounds fell on top of the employee. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Steel Technologies produces flat rolls of steel that are used in the auto, appliance and agriculture industries. The site of the fatal industrial accident is at 2010 Mi-Tech Drive, just off South Church Street.

State Medical Examiner Dr. Bruce Levy Arrested on Drug Charges

Tennessee State Medical Examiner Dr. Bruce Levy has been arrested on felony drug charges. Reports indicate that a package containing a couple of ounces of marijuana with his name on it was found at a distribution center. Several containers, each containing less than an ounce of marijuana, were also discovered in his Ridgeland, Mississippi hotel room.

Levy is a board certified forensic pathologist. The 49-year old doctor has had a contract with Tennessee since 1998 and has served as this state’s chief medical examiner. Prior to that, Levy served as Nashville’s medical examiner. Prior to that he was New York City’s  chief medical examiner from 1993 to 1997. In addition to his contract with the Volunteer State, Levy was one of six doctors who was also under contract with Mississippi. WGNS learned that Levy’s contract with both Mississippi and Tennessee have now been terminated.

Wellness Fair

Celebrate National Nutrition Month at the U-T / T-S-U Rutherford County Extension Service Wellness Fair. It will be Thursday at the Lane Agri-Park on John Rice Boulevard, just down from Sam’s. Extension Agent Pat Whitaker tells WGNS News the fair runs from 9am until 1:30…

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Seminars will be at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30. Plus, MTSU nursing students will be doing free glucose testing. Be sure to fast two-hours before you have the test. The Wellness Fair is free and again runs from 9am until 1:30pm Thursday.

Siegel High Band Honored

The Siegel High School Band will be recognized at the State Capitol this week. Band members will be honored by the General Assembly for their outstanding marching season. The honor comes after unprecedented awards and achievements in competitions and recognitions this year for a Rutherford County bank, including winning the Mayor’s Cup in Nashville and the Governor’s Cup from the state.

The ‘job’ of creating jobs

The overall economy may be showing signs of recovery, but apparently it’s still going to be a long, hard climb in the Nashville/Murfreesboro Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the fourth quarter edition of Midstate Economic Indicators, a publication of MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center, in order to bring down the unemployment rate to the status quo ante, two things must occur. First, the economy must generate enough new jobs to recover those lost during the past two years. Second, the economy must generate enough jobs to absorb new entrants to the labor force, including immigrants from other counties and states, new high school graduates and new college graduates. The report goes on to state we need unemployment growth to bring down the unemployment rate—and more employment growth to keep it there.

COFFEE COUNTY: Man Accused of Killing Two Year Old in Court

A Tullahoma man accused of murdering a 2-year-old boy is due in court tomorrow. According to the police report, Tullahoma Officer Matthew Walker went to the residence at 617 Circle Drive and found EMTs performing CPR on a two-year-old boy on the afternoon of March 9th.

Thomas Greenwood reportedly told Walker that he had been holding the child when he, Greenwood, had a seizure, causing the baby’s head to hit a bed rail. The child, Hayden Gage West, was transported to Harton Regional Medical Center and later died.

According to the autopsy report, the child died of multiple blunt force trauma injuries. 20-year old Greenwood was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder. He was taken to the Coffee County Jail and placed under a $2 million bond. Greenwood is scheduled to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court tomorrow.

Looking Back:

12-Hours after the incident, Tullahoma Police Chief Paul Blackwell stated:

Woman Accuses Stranger She Met Online of Rape

Authorities are investigating a possible date rape that occurred late last week. A female reported to police that a man she had met online allegedly raped her Friday night. A friend of the female called the police after she received a text from the co-worker that alluded to thoughts of suicide. It was later revealed that the victim did not mention suicide to her friend, but did confirm that she was raped.

The victim told police that she met the reported attacked several weeks ago through a social networking website called Tagged.com. She said the two went out to eat and the man must have followed her home to find out where she lived.

On Friday night, she told police the subject showed up at her home in Murfreesboro and that was when the rape occurred. To date, no arrests have been made and the case is being investigated.

ST. PATRICKS DAY: Green Beer Tonight? Be Careful and Don’t Drive Drunk!

Partygoers are expected to be out in full force tonight in Rutherford and Davidson Counties as many take on the tradition of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with green beer and other alcohol. WGNS has already received word that authorities in Nashville plan to be out in full force. In fact, twenty-two additional officers being paid through a grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Office will be on the streets of Nashville looking for St. Patrick’s Day drunk drivers between the hours of 5 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) and 7 a.m. Thursday.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and parties are often accompanied by excessive drinking.

For those planning to stay in Davidson County, the Sheriff’s Department is offering free sober rides to homes and hotels between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. The rides are being provided by local volunteers, not patrol officers. To get a ride home call 862-7433.

There is no volunteer service planning sober rides home in Murfreesboro.

BRAA bus trip planned for women’s basketball NCAA Tournament

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Athletic Association has announced a bus trip to Pittsburgh, Pa., this weekend to catch the Blue Raider women’s basketball team in NCAA Tournament action. Middle Tennessee earned a No. 10 seed in the Dayton Region and will play No. 7 seed Mississippi State at approximately 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Petersen Events Center.

The Gray Line bus will leave Murfreesboro from the Greenland Drive parking lot at 7 a.m. Saturday. Cost for the bus is $125 and rooms have been reserved for an additional $139 per night plus tax at the Hampton University Inn. Tickets to the game are $16 apiece and cover both games Sunday, including the Ohio State-St. Francis (Pa.) matchup prior to the Blue Raiders’ tip.

Those going on the bus trip will stay Saturday and Sunday nights with contingent plans to stay Monday and Tuesday nights and leave Wednesday should Middle Tennessee win Sunday and advance to Tuesday’s Second Round. Otherwise, the bus will depart Monday to arrive back in Murfreesboro later that night.

For more information and to reserve a spot on the trip, please contact the Blue Raider Athletic Association at (615) 898-2210.

Burn Permits Required Through May 15

Visible signs of spring are beginning to emerge as warm temperatures and sunny skies push back the doldrums from what has been one of the coldest winters on record. As Tennesseans begin to take advantage of this weather to do some yard work around the home or farm, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry wants to remind folks that if they are considering conducting an open burn, a burn permit is required in advance of such activity.

“Burning vegetative material that has accumulated around the yard or using fire to clear an old field can be an efficient tool to get rid of such debris,” said State Forester Steven Scott. “However, it is very important that citizens practice safe outdoor burning recommendations. Obtaining a burn permit in advance of debris burning is our way of making the public aware of those recommendations and helping them know when, where and how it is safe to burn.”

The free burn permits are required in all areas of the state by law from now until May 15 unless otherwise covered by local ordinances, so residents should check with their local government for other restrictions. The permits can be obtained by calling your local Division of Forestry office between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Phone numbers for each office can be found in the state government section of your local phone book, or by visiting www.BurnSafeTN.org and clicking on the ‘Burn Permits’ button for a list of phone numbers by county. Permits are generally good for 24 hours and can be issued for weekend burns.

More than 415,000 permits were issued last year for activities that included unconfined, outdoor burning of brush and leaves, untreated wood waste and burning to clear land. The volume of requests on any given day can be high, so the Division asks residents to exercise patience if they experience any delay in getting through to an operator.

Once a burn permit is obtained, debris burners should practice common sense while conducting a burn. This includes:

• Establish a control line around the fire, down to bare soil before conducting the burn.
• Notify neighbors and local fire departments in advance as a courtesy.
• Have tools on hand such as a leaf rake and garden hose or bucket of water to help control the fire.
• Watch for changing weather conditions as winds can blow the fire in the wrong direction.
• Always stay with your fire until it is completely out. It is not only the smart thing to do, but it is also illegal to leave an open fire unattended.

Escaped debris burns are the leading cause of wildfires in Tennessee. The Division’s burn permit system has dramatically helped reduce the numbers of escaped burns since the program began in 1995. Burning without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $50. Wildfires caused by arson are a class C felony punishable by three to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 fines. Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline toll-free at 1-800-762-3017.

For more information on the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry, visit www.TN.gov/agriculture/forestry. For more information on safe debris burning, visit www.BurnSafeTN.org

Bank Fraud - Two Men Aiming to Cash Fake Checks at Bank

An unknown man has been accused of bouncing a check at a local bank. A police report dated March 12th shows that the culprit entered Pinnacle Bank and cashed a check that was written for over $2,000. The bank later realized that the check was indeed a fake. The teller told the police the man acted very friendly and told her it was a work check.

The report filed with the Murfreesboro Police Department, explains that shortly after the first man cashed the fraudulent check, a second man entered with a similar check. The second person in question appeared nervous, that according to the bank employee.

So far, no arrests have been made.

IRS Warns: Beware of Tax Scams!

The Internal Revenue Service today issued its 2010 “dirty dozen” list of tax scams, including schemes involving return preparer fraud, hiding income offshore and phishing.

“Taxpayers should be wary of anyone peddling scams that seem too good to be true,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “The IRS fights fraud by pursuing taxpayers who hide income abroad and by ensuring taxpayers get competent, ethical service from qualified professionals at home in the U.S.”

Tax schemes are illegal and can lead to imprisonment and fines for both scam artists and taxpayers. Taxpayers pulled into these schemes must repay unpaid taxes plus interest and penalties. The IRS pursues and shuts down promoters of these and numerous other scams.

The IRS urges taxpayers to avoid these common schemes:

Return Preparer Fraud
Dishonest return preparers can cause trouble for taxpayers who fall victim to their ploys.  Such preparers derive financial gain by skimming a portion of their clients’ refunds, charging inflated fees for return preparation services and attracting new clients by promising refunds that are too good to be true. Taxpayers should choose carefully when hiring a tax preparer. Federal courts have issued injunctions ordering hundreds of individuals to cease preparing returns and promoting fraud, and the Department of Justice has filed complaints against dozens of others, which are pending in court.

To increase confidence in the tax system and improve compliance with the tax law, the IRS is implementing a number of steps for future filing seasons. These include a requirement that all paid tax return preparers register with the IRS and obtain a preparer tax identification number (PTIN), as well as both competency tests and ongoing continuing professional education for all paid tax return preparers except attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs) and enrolled agents.

Setting higher standards for the tax preparer community will significantly enhance protections and services for taxpayers, increase confidence in the tax system and result in greater compliance with tax laws over the long term. Other measures the IRS anticipates taking are highlighted in the IRS Return Preparer Review issued in December 2009.

Hiding Income Offshore
The IRS aggressively pursues taxpayers involved in abusive offshore transactions as well as the promoters, professionals and others who facilitate or enable these schemes. Taxpayers have tried to avoid or evade U.S. income tax by hiding income in offshore banks, brokerage accounts or through the use of nominee entities. Taxpayers also evade taxes by using offshore debit cards, credit cards, wire transfers, foreign trusts, employee-leasing schemes, private annuities or insurance plans.

IRS agents continue to develop their investigations of these offshore tax avoidance transactions using information gained from over 14,700 voluntary disclosures received last year. While special civil-penalty provisions for those with undisclosed offshore accounts expired in 2009, the IRS continues to urge taxpayers with offshore accounts or entities to voluntarily come forward and resolve their tax matters. By making a voluntary disclosure, taxpayers may mitigate their risk of criminal prosecution.

Phishing
Phishing is a tactic used by scam artists to trick unsuspecting victims into revealing personal or financial information online. IRS impersonation schemes flourish during the filing season and can take the form of e-mails, tweets or phony Web sites. Scammers may also use phones and faxes to reach their victims.

Scam artists will try to mislead consumers by telling them they are entitled to a tax refund from the IRS and that they must reveal personal information to claim it. Criminals use the information they get to steal the victim’s identity, access bank accounts, run up credit card charges or apply for loans in the victim’s name.

Taxpayers who receive suspicious e-mails claiming to come from the IRS should not open any attachments or click on any of the links in the e-mail. Suspicious e-mails claiming to be from the IRS or Web addresses that do not begin with http://www.irs.gov should be forwarded to the IRS mailbox: phishing@irs.gov.

Filing False or Misleading Forms
The IRS is seeing various instances where scam artists file false or misleading returns to claim refunds that they are not entitled to. Under the scheme, taxpayers fabricate an information return and falsely claim the corresponding amount as withholding as a way to seek a tax refund. Phony information returns, such as a Form 1099-Original Issue Discount (OID), claiming false withholding credits usually are used to legitimize erroneous refund claims. One version of the scheme is based on a false theory that the federal government maintains secret accounts for its citizens, and that taxpayers can gain access to funds in those accounts by issuing 1099-OID forms to their creditors, including the IRS.

Nontaxable Social Security Benefits with Exaggerated Withholding Credit
The IRS has identified returns where taxpayers report nontaxable Social Security Benefits with excessive withholding. This tactic results in no income reported to the IRS on the tax return. Often both the withholding amount and the reported income are incorrect. Taxpayers should avoid making these mistakes. Filings of this type of return may result in a $5,000 penalty.

Abuse of Charitable Organizations and Deductions
The IRS continues to observe the misuse of tax-exempt organizations. Abuse includes arrangements to improperly shield income or assets from taxation and attempts by donors to maintain control over donated assets or income from donated property. The IRS also continues to investigate various schemes involving the donation of non-cash assets including situations where several organizations claim the full value for both the receipt and distribution of the same non-cash contribution. Often these donations are highly overvalued or the organization receiving the donation promises that the donor can repurchase the items later at a price set by the donor. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 imposed increased penalties for inaccurate appraisals and set new definitions of qualified appraisals and qualified appraisers for taxpayers claiming charitable contributions.

Frivolous Arguments
Promoters of frivolous schemes encourage people to make unreasonable and outlandish claims to avoid paying the taxes they owe. If a scheme seems too good to be true, it probably is. The IRS has a list of frivolous legal positions that taxpayers should avoid. These arguments are false and have been thrown out of court. While taxpayers have the right to contest their tax liabilities in court, no one has the right to disobey the law or IRS guidance.

Abusive Retirement Plans
The IRS continues to find abuses in retirement plan arrangements, including Roth Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). The IRS is looking for transactions that taxpayers use to avoid the limits on contributions to IRAs, as well as transactions that are not properly reported as early distributions. Taxpayers should be wary of advisers who encourage them to shift appreciated assets at less than fair market value into IRAs or companies owned by their IRAs to circumvent annual contribution limits. Other variations have included the use of limited liability companies to engage in activity that is considered prohibited.

Disguised Corporate Ownership
Corporations and other entities are formed and operated in certain states for the purpose of disguising the ownership of the business or financial activity by means such as improperly using a third party to request an employer identification number.

Such entities can be used to facilitate underreporting of income, fictitious deductions, non-filing of tax returns, participating in listed transactions, money laundering, financial crimes and even terrorist financing. The IRS is working with state authorities to identify these entities and to bring the owners of these entities into compliance with the law. 

Zero Wages
Filing a phony wage- or income-related information return to replace a legitimate information return has been used as an illegal method to lower the amount of taxes owed. Typically, a Form 4852 (Substitute Form W-2) or a “corrected” Form 1099 is used as a way to improperly reduce taxable income to zero. The taxpayer also may submit a statement rebutting wages and taxes reported by a payer to the IRS. Sometimes fraudsters even include an explanation on their Form 4852 that cites statutory language on the definition of wages or may include some reference to a paying company that refuses to issue a corrected Form W-2 for fear of IRS retaliation. Taxpayers should resist any temptation to participate in any of the variations of this scheme. Filings of this type of return may result in a $5,000 penalty.

Misuse of Trusts
For years, unscrupulous promoters have urged taxpayers to transfer assets into trusts.  While there are many legitimate, valid uses of trusts in tax and estate planning, some promoted transactions promise reduction of income subject to tax, deductions for personal expenses and reduced estate or gift taxes. Such trusts rarely deliver the tax benefits promised and are used primarily as a means to avoid income tax liability and to hide assets from creditors, including the IRS.

The IRS has recently seen an increase in the improper use of private annuity trusts and foreign trusts to shift income and deduct personal expenses. As with other arrangements, taxpayers should seek the advice of a trusted professional before entering into a trust arrangement.

Fuel Tax Credit Scams
The IRS receives claims for the fuel tax credit that are excessive. Some taxpayers, such as farmers who use fuel for off-highway business purposes, may be eligible for the fuel tax credit. But other individuals are claiming the tax credit for nontaxable uses of fuel when their occupation or income level makes the claim unreasonable. Fraud involving the fuel tax credit is considered a frivolous tax claim and potentially subjects those who improperly claim the credit to a $5,000 penalty.

How to Report Suspected Tax Fraud Activity
Suspected tax fraud can be reported to the IRS using Form 3949-A, Information Referral. Form 3949-A is available for download from the IRS Web site at IRS.gov. The completed form or a letter detailing the alleged fraudulent activity should be addressed to the Internal Revenue Service, Fresno, CA 93888. The mailing should include specific information about who is being reported, the activity being reported, how the activity became known, when the alleged violation took place, the amount of money involved and any other information that might be helpful in an investigation. The person filing the report is not required to self-identify, although it is helpful to do so. The identity of the person filing the report can be kept confidential.

Whistleblowers also may provide allegations of fraud to the IRS and may be eligible for a reward by filing Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information, and following the procedures outlined in Notice 2008-4, Claims Submitted to the IRS Whistleblower Office under Section 7623.

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