JAMESTOWN – Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC) recently announced that Lynette Pritchett has been appointed interim chief executive officer after the retirement of Larry Jeter on April 30. Pritchett has served as the chief financial officer at JRMC since the fall of 2011 and served as controller/director of the accounting department since March of 1999.
“I am excited and honored to be moving into the interim CEO position at Jamestown Regional Medical Center,” Pritchett said in a release. “I was born and raised in Fentress County and have deep roots here. My heart is in this community, this hospital and our employees. I want what’s best for them.
“Health care is certainly a challenge now more than it has ever been, but we have a strong, dedicated team at JRMC, as well as a great group of physicians and supportive board members,” she added. “I look forward to leading the team at JRMC.”
Pritchett graduated from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga in 1990 with a B.S. in business with a focus in accounting.
Crossville owes $24K on defunct downtown project
CROSSVILLE – It will cost the city of Crossville nearly $24,000 to close out contracts on a downtown revitalization project that, after years of debate, was scaled back in recent months.
According to the Crossville Chronicle, it will cost $9,500 to close out a contract with Community Development Partners, which served as a consultant on grants and funding for the work, and another $14,425.74 to settle with its engineers, EG&G Inc.
The city council voted in April to drastically pare down the downtown project. Instead of $7.7 million worth of work to undergo major stormwater, sewer, sidewalk and aesthetic improvements, leaders gave the go- ahead on an almost $2 million version for water lines and sidewalks.
Batteries Plus Bulbs expands in Tennessee with first UC store
COOKEVILLE – Batteries Plus Bulbs, the nation’s fastest-growing franchise focusing on the light bulb replacement market, recently opened its newest Tennessee store at 560 S. Jefferson Ave., Cookeville. This marks the sixth location for Batteries Plus Bulbs franchise owner Todd Williams.
The store will provide access to more than 45,000 types of batteries, light bulbs and accessories. Williams, who opened his first store in 1998, also operates locations in Cleveland, Hixson, Chattanooga, Alcoa and Knoxville.
“Tennessee has been wonderful to my business over the years, and I couldn’t be happier with another opportunity to bring our breadth of products, services and helpful advice to the community that I call home,” Williams said. “Cookeville is a growing economic hub with large commercial and manufacturing industries. With this new location, we’ll be able to provide community members and local businesses with access to an unrivaled selection of batteries, light bulbs, related products and services along with product expertise and advice they can trust.”
Batteries Plus Bulbs offers a comprehensive selection of batteries, light bulbs and related products for both consumer and business use.
The Cookeville store also assembles, tests, conditions and designs custom battery packs for rechargeable household and business-to-business products. Batteries Plus Bulbs offers battery installation services for many applications including watches, cars, trucks, and keyless remotes, among others. The store also offers an in- store recycling program using EPA- approved methods for safely recycling batteries, light bulbs, and select portable electronic devices.
Dentist announces new pediatric and orthodontic office in Cookeville
COOKEVILLE – Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics recently announced the opening of its fourth pediatric dental office in Middle Tennessee, located at 510 S. Jefferson Ave., Cookeville.
Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics provides pediatric dental and orthodontic care for patients from infancy to young adulthood and special needs individuals of all ages. The new office is equipped with the latest technology and equipment to ensure children have access to comprehensive and comfortable dental care.
“Our new location on Jefferson Avenue allows us to provide the very best in pediatric dental and orthodontic care to the children and families in Middle Tennessee,” said Dr. Peter Wojtkiewicz, founder of Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. “Our goal is to provide every patient with both the preventative and specialized care necessary for a healthy adult smile and this new location will enable us to provide our brand of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics conveniently to our current, and future patients, who live in the Cookeville area.”
Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics has offices in Clarksville, Cookeville, Smyrna and White House. For more information, visit www.cumberlandpediatricdentistry.com or call (931) 854-1200.
Rock Island campground undergoes renovations
ROCK ISLAND – An Upper Cumberland state park recently unveiled a million-dollar-plus renovation that had closed its campground for a period of weeks.
Officials at Rock Island State Park recently held a grand re-opening for their renovated campground after a total of 48 sites were upgraded with electrical service, new water hydrants and Wi-Fi accessibility. The project, which had a total estimated cost of $1.27 million, according to state budget figures, also included leveling and lengthening of camp sites and restroom improvements.
Rock Island, an 883-acre park located on the headwaters of Center Hill Lake, has 60 campsites along with 10 cabins open year-round. There is also a 12-site tent camping area.
Family Dollar to close Sparta, Smithville stores
SPARTA – Family Dollar is closing more than 300 stores across the country, and it appears two Upper Cumberland locations are on the short list.
The chain’s Sparta location, 530 W. Bockman Way, and Smithville outfit, 608 S. Congress Boulevard, are among those set to close.
According to Sparta Expositor, a handwritten sign was taped to the door at the White County locale in recent weeks confirming the news. WJLE reported that the Smithville Family Dollar is expected the last week in June.
Family Dollar will close 370 underperforming stores, the company announced, more than 4 percent of its total of 8,100 stores as of the second half of this fiscal year.
For Sparta, it’s at least the second retailer to close in recent weeks. Kroger shuttered its doors in March.
Mental Health Cooperative adds psychiatrist for Cookeville/Chattanooga locations
NASHVILLE – Mohsin Ali, M.D., recently joined Mental Health Cooperative (MHC) as a psychiatrist to serve both Cookeville and Chattanooga locations.
Board certified in psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry, Ali brings more than 12 years of psychiatric clinical experience with children and adults in various settings including private practice, community mental health, psychiatric hospital and medical consultations.
“Dr. Ali is exactly the type of physician we were looking for, one you would want to bring your own child or family member to see,” said Pam Womack, CEO and founder of the Nashville-based MHC. “His warm and engaging style, combined with his impeccable reputation in the community, will greatly benefit our clients.”
Ali and his wife, Umbar Shah, M.D., who is a pediatrician, have lived in the Chattanooga area for eight years.
MHC Cookeville, serving Putnam, Cumberland, DeKalb, Jackson, Overton, Smith and White counties, is located at 418 N. Willow Ave.