By WOODY MCMILLIN
Tennessee Department of Health

Whether you’re in your twenties or your sixties, you can reduce your chances of having a stroke or developing heart disease by learning about “bad” and “good” cholesterol. And the knowledge isn’t just for “old people,” strokes and heart disease happen to people of all ages.

In Tennessee from 2007 to 2011, some 16,241 persons died from stroke; of these, 1,307 or 8 percent, were under the age of 55. Similarly, from 2007 to 2011 there were 71,625 persons who died from heart disease; of these, 8,226 or 11.5 percent were under the age of 55.

Many of these deaths may have been prevented with more aggressive efforts to maintain the balance between "good" and "bad" cholesterol.

The two different types of cholesterol travel through our veins and arteries on carriers similar to trucks delivering supplies on roads and highways. These carriers are called low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two imposters just the same.”

~ From the poem “If…” by English writer Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

By JIM HAWKINS

Living in Middle Tennessee, I am alert to severe weather watches, and for good reason. My home and neighborhood were hit by a deadly tornado in April 2006. I witnessed and helped victims in the aftermath of the Super Tuesday tornado in February 2008 that struck Sumner, Trousdale, and Macon Counties; and I waded and swam in flood waters to secure neighbors’ property during the May 2010 flood.

Tennessee has a law against price gouging following disasters. With my personal hope that you never need its protections, here are some Q’s and A’s about this special law.

Q.        What do you mean by “price gouging”?

“Price gouging” happens when businesses sharply raise the prices of their goods and services after a high profile event, such as a natural disaster or an act of terrorism.

Q.        Does Tennessee have any laws against price gouging?

Yes. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a few businesses in Tennessee unfortunately took advantage and engaged in price gouging.

In the spring of 2002, the Legislature passed the Tennessee Price-Gouging Act. This law deals with businesses that jack up prices after a disaster for “goods and services that are vital or necessary for the consumer.”

Q.        When and where does the anti-price-gouging law take effect?

The law takes effect whenever there is a declared state of emergency, and in the counties or towns that are covered by the state of emergency.

The President of the United States and the Governor of Tennessee can each exercise the power to declare a state of emergency. The law stays in force and effect until the state of emergency is officially ended.

 “Dirty Dozen Tax Scams – Part 1”

By JIM HAWKINS

“The difference between death and taxes is death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets.”  ~ Will Rogers, American cowboy, vaudeville performer, humorist, and social commentator (1879-1935)

Each year, the Internal Revenue Service publishes its annual Dirty Dozen Tax Scams. The list changes each year, to help remind taxpayers to use caution during tax season. This week I will present the first Dirty Half-Dozen.

1.  Identity Theft

Identity theft is “the worst and the first” on the 2013 list. Identity theft happens when your name, Social Security number, or other identifying information is used to fraudulently file a tax return and claim a refund.

The IRS has a 3-part strategy: prevention of ID theft, discovery of ID theft, and assistance to victims.

Good news: In 2012, the IRS blocked $20 billion in fraudulent refunds.

Bad news: Identify theft is rising – in 2011 the IRS prevented $14 billion in bogus refunds.

Taxpayers who think they are at risk may call the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 and ask for their tax account to be secured.

By JIM HAWKINS

“Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ~ Albert Einstein

As spring weather approaches, many Tennesseans take to their bicycles.

The Tennessee Legislature has a set of laws in place that apply to persons who ride on streets, sidewalks, and highways. It’s time to test your knowledge of these laws. (Answers are at the end.)

1.  Tennessee law requires adult bicycle owners to follow and obey traffic laws.

 ___True   ___False

2.  Tennessee traffic laws do not apply to juvenile bicycle riders (ages 12-17).

___True   ___False

3. Under an old Tennessee law still in place, bicycle riders are required to “whoop or call loudly” or use a “loud mechanical sound device” when passing a wagon being pulled by horses, mules, or other animals.

___True___False

4.  Tennessee law requires adult bicycle riders to wear safety helmets when pedaling faster than 20 m.p.h.

___True   ___False

5.  Tennessee law requires all bicycle riders under 16 to wear safety helmets.

___True   ___False

6.  A person who is operating a bicycle on a roadway must ride on the left side of the road so as to face oncoming traffic.

___True___False

7.It is a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to 30 days in jail to ride a bicycle at night without a headlamp.

___True___False

8.It is a misdemeanor crime punishable by a $50 fine to read or send a text while riding a bicycle.

___True___False