Friday Night's Shooting Outside Hickory Hollow Mall Not Believed to Have Been Random

January 21, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Precinct detectives believe Friday night’s shooting outside Hickory Hollow Mall that left a Florida man with a non-critical wound to his shoulder was not random and that there’s much more to the story than they’ve been told.

The victim, Cedric Davis, 27, of Ft. Lauderdale, told detectives that he is not interested in prosecuting the gunman.

Davis was at the mall with four other persons, a woman from Cincinnati and three men from Florida. None of the group consented to formal interviews. Detectives were able to piece together this scenario despite inconsistent statements from the group:

The woman from Cincinnati, Jennifer Walen, 35, said that she walked out to the group’s black Infinity SUV to drop off shopping bags when she was approached by two gunmen and was ordered to get into the vehicle. Walen said the men asked her where the money was and “where do they keep the cash.” Somehow Whalen got out of the vehicle, walked back into the mall and told the others in the group what had happened. The four Florida men accompanied Walen back to the Infinity. They said a man was standing at the side of vehicle with all the doors open. They reported that when he saw the group approaching, he closed the tailgate, pulled a pistol and fired. Davis was hit in the shoulder.

Detectives have identified two of the men traveling with Davis. The others said they did not know the name of the third person, although he had accompanied them from Florida.

A local witness who was in the parking lot when the shooting occurred saw just one gunman. The witness said it appeared to him the gunman knew members of the group. Most of the involved parties were reluctant to give officers their names and were more concerned with just leaving.

Original News Story

One Person Shot At Hickory Hollow Mall
NewsChannel 5 WTVF
http://www.wtvf.com/story/16568382/one-person-shot-at-hickory-hollow-mall

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- One person was injured in a shooting at Hickory Hollow Mall Friday night. The shooting happened just after 8 p.m.

Police said that as a woman was leaving the mall she was rushed by two men armed with guns that forced her to get into her car and demanded money. It was unclear what happened inside the vehicle, but somehow the woman managed to get away. The victim fled back into the mall and brought two of her male friends back out to the car with her.

Officials said when the suspects saw the victim and her friends coming out of the mall they fired several shots. One 27-year-old man was hit in the shoulder and transported by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Police have not said if the suspects were in custody in relation to this case. The identity of the victim also had not been released.

Backyard Chicken Ordinance Passes with 8 Metro Council Districts Opted Out to include District 29, Community Meeting on HH Mall, and more

Thank you to each and everyone of you who attended the Urban Chicken Ordinance meeting at Antioch Church of Christ, sent emails, and made phone calls to give me your feedback. As the news reports have shared, the Urban Chicken Ordinance below passes with council districts 12, 20, 28(Dominy), 29(Johnson), 30(Potts), 31(Bedne), 32(Dowell), and 33(Duvall) - All Six in Southeast Davidson County exempted.
Click on the below to view the ordinance
http://www.nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/term_2011_2015/bl2011_47.htm


Below are some articles just in case you missed any. Thank you.

Backyard chickens ordinance for only part of Nashville is a first
The Tennessean 1/19/2012
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120119/NEWS0202/301190019/Backyard-chickens-ordinance-only-part-Nashville-first?odyssey=tab

While a majority of Metro Council members agreed this week that Nashville residents should be allowed to raise chickens, a handful squawked enough to get their districts exempted from the new law.

In doing so, they reached a split verdict that critics fear could change the way the council does business.

Eight of the 35 council districts — 12, 20 and 28 through 33 — were allowed to opt out of the urban chicken ordinance, which will allow people living in residential zoning districts to keep small numbers of chickens in their back yards for a $25 annual permit fee. Council members representing those districts said their constituents were overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal.

The unprecedented decision, made by the narrowest of majorities Tuesday night, raised thorny questions about the establishment of public policy and the ability of the majority of elected representatives to decide what the entire city will do. Click on link above to read the entire news story.

Backyard chickens approved in Nashville
The Tennessean 1/18/2012
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120118/NEWS0202/301180095/Backyard-chickens-approved-Nashville?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE
Chickens, long forbidden in Nashville’s urban precincts, will now get to cluck in the city — legally.

After a 45-minute debate and a close decision to let nearly one-quarter of Davidson County opt out, the Metro Council voted 21-15 on Tuesday to allow residents to raise hens in their back yards. Click on link above to read the entire news story.

Backyard chicken bill survives opposition, clears Metro Council
Nashville City Paper 1/19/2012
http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/backyard-chicken-bill-survives-opposition-clears-metro-council
But Tuesday’s win overcame a serious challenge. The bill failed to receive recommendations from two council committees. Most troubling to its fate, eight council members were successful in opting out their individual districts through the approval of a last-minute amendment, which cleared by an 18-17 vote.

Council districts exempt from the backyard chicken law are: 12, 20, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33. Six of the shielded districts are in southeastern Davidson County; one is in Donelson; and the other is in West Nashville. Click on link above to read the entire news story.

Councilman wants district exempt from backyard chicken bill
WKRN NewsChannel 2
1/15/2012
http://www.wkrn.com/story/16525543/metro-council-member-wants-district-exempt-from-backyard-chicken-bill

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Metro Council members on Tuesday will hear the third and final reading of the highly controversial urban chicken ordinance.

The ordinance would make it legal for Davidson County residents to have up to six chickens in their backyard, depending on property size.

The ordinance passed the second reading at the council's meeting on January 3....Click on Link above to read the entire news story.

Area RUBY TUESDAY - Nashboro/Murfreesboro Road location steps up to help with the Lakeview Elementary School Playground Build Project
Area RUBY TUESDAY - Nashboro/Murfreesboro Road location steps up to help with the Lakeview Elementary School Playground Build Project

Please consider helping with this very important project to help one of our neighborhood schools. The playground is very much needed

SAVE THE DATE and Mark your calendars to dine at our District Ruby Tuesday, Thursday, March 8, 2012, 6 PM. 20% of all sales will be given to this project. A special thank you is extended to District 29's own LaTisha Cox, who lives in our district and is the General Manager for helping with this effort and Principal Robin Shumate for her outstanding leadership! We need all neighbors in District 29 to help make this a success. Thank you.

COMMUNITY MEETING Hosted by COUNCILWOMAN JACOBIA DOWELL REGARDING HICKORY HOLLOW DISTRICT

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Antioch Middle School

(Meeting will be held in the Library)

5050 Blue Hole Road

Antioch, TN 37013

(* There will be regular chairs and bar stool seating available)

Purpose: To discuss upcoming District 32 happenings. Agenda includes discussing the development projects in the District: the former JC Penny’s into the proposed Library and Community Center, Nashville State Community College, Cane Ridge Elementary construction, brief updates from the Metro Council, Antioch Community Plan Update, Beautification, Community Education, District 32 Neighborhood University and opportunities for you to get involved! Formal agenda will be provided later.

REMINDER: OFFICE HOURS FOR DISTRICT 29

Saturday, January 21, 2012

10 am - 12 noon

2360 Murfreesboro Pike

First Tennessee Bank, Nashboro Location

Please come out and share with me your concerns, ideas or any information you would like to share. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.

Brush Pickup
Metro Nashville Public Works will begin Brush and Leaf collections in our district "Area 4 " beginning on January 23, 2012.

To ensure that your brush will be collected , you should have limbs and all other yard waste out and ready for pick-up on the date above. Place only limbs, branches and true yard waste by the curb for brush crews. Lumber, household trash and other types of debris found in your brush pile means it won’t get picked up. Brush piles should not be placed close to mailboxes, utility poles, fences, trees or other stationary objects. The mechanical arm of the knuckle boom truck needs enough room to lift the brush pile up and into the trailer pulled behind the truck. Only the driver travels with each truck; no other crew members are there to move piles or separate items that don’t belong in a brush pile.

Place leaves in biodegradable paper bags only; Paper biodegradable bags can be purchased at most hardware stores, Wal-Mart's, Target, Home Depot, etc. Public Works also has a supply of these bags available for purchase at the Omohundro Convenience Center: 5 bags for $3.00 and 10 bags for $6.00. Plastic bags will not be picked up.

2011-2012 Collection Dates

Please have your brush out for collection by the following dates:

January 23, 2012

May 16, 2012

You can review details for each route on the below Website by clicking on this link:

http://www.nashville.gov/pw/recycle/yard/brush.asp

Dolly Parton, Mayor Dean, Governor Bill Haslam and Gaylord Entertainment Executives announce New Theme Park for Nashville!
Please see the below article regarding the announcement today.

Gaylord, Dolly Parton Announce Plans For Theme Park

WtVF NEWSCHANNEL 5
01/19/2012http://www.wtvf.com/story/16556165/gaylord-dolly-parton-announce-plans-for-theme-park

Dolly Parton and Gaylord Entertainment CEO Colin Reed announced they will partner up to build a first of its kind 114 acre family entertainment zone off Briley Parkway. Its first phase will be a $50 million water and snow theme park.

Governor Bill Haslam and Mayor Karl Dean were on hand for the announcement Thursday afternoon at the Grand Ole Opry House.

The park will provide high energy water activities for the summer season and designated snow activities for winter play. Once it's open, the first year attendance is projected at 500,000, and they believe a large portion will come from out of state.

In a release, Governor Haslam said "Tourism is the second largest industry in Tennessee generating more than $1 billion in tax revenue annually and employing more than 170,000."

Dollywood will be the operating partner, and expects to employ 450 full and part-time employees.

A groundbreaking is expected in late 2012 or early 2013 with the park opening in summer 2014. Please click on link above to view the entire news story.

Restaurant Week kicks off Monday in Nashville

Tennessean
Posted: Jan 13, 2012 7:58 PM CST
Updated: Jan 16, 2012 01:13 AM CST

By Tiani Jones, Reporter - bio | email

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Restaurant Week kicks off Monday with deals for diners at dozens of area restaurants.

Sponsored by Nashville Originals, Restaurant Week is held twice a year and aims to introduce diners to locally owned and operated eateries.

This year is the first year new restaurant Burger Up is participating.

General Manager Kevin Crowley told Nashville's News 2 the event is the perfect way to be introduced to customers in Nashville.

"Seeing a lot of new faces, hopefully wining over new customers, getting the word out because we don't do a lot of advertising either so it's all been word of mouth," Crowley said.

Burger Up focuses on everything local, from the beef they serve to the vegetables. Even the tables are from Middle Tennessee.

"We're a firm believer in using local products, farmers who are out there trying to make a living and just supporting people around here," Crowley said.

That stance holds true for all of the participating restaurants.

Nearly 50 businesses are participating this year, including some coffee shops and bars.

Many restaurants, including Rumba and Cabana, are offering three course meals, featuring an appetizer or salad, an entree and dessert for $20.20.

Other participants, such as Holland House Bar and Refuge and Red Pony, will offer three course dinners for $30.12.

Restaurant Week continues through Sunday, January 22.

For the complete list of participating restaurants, visit NashvilleOrginals.com.

Upcoming Final Vote on Urban Chicken Ordinance, Lakeview Elementary Project Playground, Brush Pickup, Office Hours, Hickory Hollow

District 29: Reminder - You are invited to the community meeting scheduled to discuss the Urban Chicken Ordinance Saturday January 14, 2012 from 12 pm until 2 pm Antioch Church of Christ 2142 Antioch Pike. Thank you to all who have made phone calls to me as well as sent emails. I am continuing to receive feedback after the public meeting that was held at our first metro council meeting of the year. Please continue to give me your feedback. The final vote on this takes place at our upcoming Metro Council Meeting this Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Thank you.
Click on the below to view the ordinance
http://www.nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/term_2011_2015/bl2011_47.htm

Other Legislation

- Thank you for your feedback on the below ordinance. It has passed the Metro Council. I will keep you updated on how this will affect our ability to improve the turnaround time to cut and take care of neglected lots.
http://www.nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/term_2011_2015/bl2011_34.htm
- I am a co sponsor for legislation to include a fiscal note for all bills
http://www.nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/term_2011_2015/bl2012_91.htm

Area RUBY TUESDAY - Nashboro/Murfreesboro Road location steps up to help with the
Lakeview Elementary School Playground Build Project
Please consider helping with this very important project to help one of our neighborhood schools. The playground is very much needed

Mark your calendars to dine at our District Ruby Tuesday, Thursday, March 8, 2012, 6 PM. 20% of all sales will be given to this project. A special thank you is extended to District 29's own LaTisha Cox, who lives in our district and is the General Manager for helping with this effort and Principal Robin Shumate for her outstanding leadership! We need all neighbors in District 29 to help make this a success. Thank you.

UPDATE ON HICKORY HOLLOW
I attended the THHAP (The Hickory Hollow Action Partnership Group) meeting this past Tuesday at Zaxby's. A representative from Nashville State was in attendance and they are moving forward with breaking ground to begin the build out for their campus to be located in the Dillard's building at Hickory Hollow Mall this fall 2012. I was pleased to see neighbors from District 29 in attendance at the meeting. I will continue to send out notices of their meetings. Mr. Steve Abernathy who is with the Cane Ridge Community Club suggested to Matt Wiltshire with the Mayors Office of Economic and Community Development who was also present, to approach Sears leadership, to inquire if they could relocate or consolidate their outlet operations to the Hickory Hollow Mall location since it is a larger space and since they own it. This is a great idea and what was added to the discussion also was for them to arrange for the council members and THHAP leadership to speak directly to the corporate leaders at both Sears and Macy's because generally corporations make decisions based on their sales and other budgetary data instead of planned activities that are being made to revitalize a particular area. This will at least give them information that they can consider should other options be available due to the projected increase of foot traffic expected from the revitalization and other data from the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce that was presented at the meeting by THHAP's Ben Freeland. Also information was shared that the Global Market, Expanded Library, Community Center are still moving forward. Also announced was the opening of the store Family Dollar behind Zaxby's

Brush Pickup

Metro Nashville Public Works will begin Brush and Leaf collections in our district "Area 4 " beginning on January 23, 2012.

To ensure that your brush will be collected , you should have limbs and all other yard waste out and ready for pick-up on the date above. Place only limbs, branches and true yard waste by the curb for brush crews. Lumber, household trash and other types of debris found in your brush pile means it won’t get picked up. Brush piles should not be placed close to mailboxes, utility poles, fences, trees or other stationary objects. The mechanical arm of the knuckle boom truck needs enough room to lift the brush pile up and into the trailer pulled behind the truck. Only the driver travels with each truck; no other crew members are there to move piles or separate items that don’t belong in a brush pile.

Place leaves in biodegradable paper bags only; Paper biodegradable bags can be purchased at most hardware stores, Wal-Mart's, Target, Home Depot, etc. Public Works also has a supply of these bags available for purchase at the Omohundro Convenience Center: 5 bags for $3.00 and 10 bags for $6.00. Plastic bags will not be picked up.

2011-2012 Collection Dates

Please have your brush out for collection by the following dates:

January 23, 2012

May 16, 2012

You can review details for each route on the below Website by clicking on this link:

http://www.nashville.gov/pw/recycle/yard/brush.asp

With end to Nashboro Village plan, residents worry they won't get a park

Metro had wanted to buy golf course, convert it to public space
Tennessean
Written by
Nancy DeVille

Priest Lake residents drive miles to take a lap around a Metro greenway or break a sweat at a community center fitness class.

They live in one of Davidson County’s fastest-growing areas, one where city parks and recreation centers haven’t kept up. Metro Nashville was eyeing the private, 144-acre Nashboro Village golf course to convert to public space but abandoned that plan after residents along the golf course mounted strong opposition.

Now, people who don’t live on the golf course are worried it will take years to get the kind of amenities some drive as far as Coleman Park Community Center on Thompson Lane to get. Metro Park officials say they have plans for recreational projects in other southeast neighborhoods, but not in the immediate Priest Lake area.

“It makes me wonder if local government has crossed us off the list for now, since we said we didn’t want (a park) there,” said Cassandra Gray, a 14-year Priest Lake resident. “I’m hoping they strongly consider another location. I hope the next step in the conversation with the community is what are the other options.”

Metro’s parks board was scheduled to vote on the plan today but removed it from the agenda after Councilwoman Karen Johnson, who represents the area, asked the city to withdraw its proposal. An investor came forward who wants to keep the space as a golf course.

Projects planned

At a packed meeting with Johnson on Thursday, residents said they purchased homes that bordered the golf course because of the value it would bring their investment. They expressed concern about the additional traffic and crime a city park might bring to the area.

Park officials acknowledged there aren’t enough recreation centers in southeast Davidson County but pointed out work is beginning on other projects.

In November, the Metro Council voted to buy the former JC Penney building in Hickory Hollow Mall and the lot it sits on for a new library, community center and small park. The 30,000-square-foot community center will include a gymnasium, fitness center and multipurpose room. The purchase is on track to be finalized this month.

The Mill Creek Greenway will expand near Lenox Village off Nolensville Road with the potential for a park in the future. A neighborhood park is also planned for about 22 acres on Old Hickory Boulevard, west of Murfreesboro Pike.

“We are still striving to get our services distributed to all parts of the county, and particularly the ones that need it,” said Tommy Lynch, Metro Parks and Recreation director. “We still see there is a need in that very specific area. ... We are still going to pursue acreage, greenways, parks and community centers for that part of the city.”

The golf club purchase would have fallen under Metro’s open space plan that calls for preserving 22,000 acres over the next 25 years. The city recently purchased Cornelia Fort Airpark in East Nashville and Hermitage’s Ravenwood Country Club under that plan.

Former Mt. Juliet Mayor David Waynick sent a letter of intent to purchase the Nashboro Village golf course. He and golf course owner Textron Golf Financial Division are communicating, said Gilbert Smith, the real estate broker.

Contact Nancy DeVille at 615-259-8304

Letter to Parks From Karen Y Johnson

My Local Crime Alert (01/06/2012 01:28pm) - by SpotCrime

Burglary 01/04/12 10:11 PM NASHBORO BLVD 2300 MURFREESBORO PK
B Robbery 01/04/12 09:14 PM HICKORY HOLLOW PKWY 1000 BELL RD
C Robbery 01/04/12 03:21 AM DONELSON PKE 2800 ELM HILL PKE
D Burglary 01/04/12 05:09 PM HICKORY HOLLOW PL
E Robbery 01/04/12 09:13 PM BELL RD / HICKORY HOLLOW PKWY
F Burglary 01/04/12 05:21 PM STREAMRIDGE CT E 3600 BENTFIELD DRIVE
G Robbery 01/04/12 12:36 AM DONELSON PKE 2700 WELLMAN DRIVE

http://spotcrime.com

Metro Will Not Purchase Nashboro Golf Course

NewChannel5.com
Posted: Jan 06, 2012 1:27 PM CST
Updated: Jan 06, 2012 7:12 PM CST

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Metro has pulled the plug on a plan to buy the Nashboro Village Golf Course, just one day after a community meeting raised big concerns.

On Friday a Metro Councilwoman sent a letter to Metro Parks asking them to withdraw legislation that authorizes the purchase of the Nashboro Village Golf Course- and Parks Director Tommy Lynch sais he will comply with that request

The letter from councilwoman Karen Johnson stated that based on turnout at Thursday night's community meeting, it "is the strong preference of the neighbors" to have local attorney David Waynick purchase the property.

Metro Parks had planned to buy the property, which closed in November, to use as an open green space as part of the Open Space Plan the city adopted two years ago.

The $595,000 purchase price for the Nashboro Golf Club would come out of a $5 million previously set aside for open spaces that includes private donations from The Land Trust of Tennessee.

Those who live in the area felt that the purchase and transformation will destroy their property values and ruin their neighborhood.

To Watch Video: Click Here!

Updated Statement from Parks Director Tommy Lynch regarding Nashboro Village Golf Course Property to all Media Outlets Shortly ago

“While we have a strong, unwavering commitment to the development of parks and greenways in this community, we will withdraw our staff recommendation to the Park Board for the acquisition of the Nashboro Village Golf Course.

The very reason we have public meetings is to get the chance for community feedback. After last night’s meeting with residents in the Nashboro Village area, we agree with them that it is in the best interest of the community and the Parks Department to give residents in the area the opportunity to pursue private funding for the continuation of golf in the area. As well, the council member representing that district has pulled the legislation to authorize acquisition of the property.

Metro Parks will continue our efforts to fulfill the Open Space Plan as well as the Master Plan for Parks and Greenways in communities that welcome such initiatives.

Tommy Lynch, Director
Metro Parks

Letter to Textron Financial and Southeast Ventures regarding Nashboro Golf Course Property

Please see letter to Southeast Ventures. Much success to David Waynick and the Nashboro Village Master Association in moving forward with a private purchase of the Golf Course Property to run as a golf course. Thanks to Everyone who came out to the meeting last night. I have also requested withdrawal of this legislation with the Planning Commission and the Metro Parks Board.

Link to Letter: Click Here!

Backyard hens make gains in Nashville

Tennessean
By Michael Cass

Council is one vote away from allowing home-grown eggs

Scientific talk about the drawbacks of mass-produced eggs mixed with the excited chatter of children as the Metro Council took on an unusual subject — chickens — at a colorful public hearing Tuesday.

The council gave preliminary approval to a bill that would make it easier for urban residents to keep backyard hens after hearing from dozens of residents, most of whom spoke in support of the measure.

Partially organized by Urban Chicken Advocates of Nashville — which had put yellow Peeps marshmallow candies on council members’ desks earlier in the day — and sporting yellow hats and shirts, they spoke of the benefits of producing good, organic eggs. They also talked about teaching young people the thrills of living off the land and the need to solve the “food desert” phenomenon in which some neighborhoods have no grocery stores or markets nearby.

“Many residents of Nashville are united in their desire to produce their own food locally,” said Andrew Greer, a graduate student at Vanderbilt University. “Local farming lets people know where their food is coming from and provides a space for social interaction when neighbors share produce or even meals together.”

Three critics of the proposed law warned that chickens would make noise and attract predators, and they noted that enforcement would be based on residents’ complaints rather than proactive efforts by Metro government.

“Constituents have few rights and little recourse,” said Michelle Miller, who lives in the Hillsboro-West End area.

The legislation, introduced by Councilwoman Karen Bennett last fall, would allow people living in residential zoning districts to keep up to two, four or six chickens, depending on the size of their property, for an annual permit fee of $25. Chickens wouldn’t be allowed in front yards, and roosters wouldn’t be allowed at all.

The bill still must win one more approval from the full council to become law.

The right to keep hens has been a long-standing cause for groups like Community Food Advocates. That organization’s office administrator, Megan Morton, an East Nashville resident, said the opportunity to raise chickens would give some people more “food security.”

“When you’re living on such a low income in terms of what you can buy, being able to grow a tomato plant, grow lettuce, get eggs from your backyard plays such a key role,” she said.

Kids, celeb attend

Children had their say to an unusual degree for a zoning matter. One boy wore a chicken hat as he came to the podium and exclaimed, “I’m a chicken lover!” Another youngster said chickens are quieter than dogs, better at staying put and less likely to leave their waste in places where it doesn’t belong.

The hearing also attracted a celebrity of sorts in the world of backyard chickens.

Andy Schneider of Ideal, Ga., host of a radio show called Backyard Poultry with the Chicken Whisperer, said he has seen chickens unite neighbors, not divide them, in cities around the United States.

In an interview, Schneider, 42, said the hens never cause as much trouble as some people expect.

“Regardless of how strict or lenient the law, the city still doesn’t have the complaints everybody thinks they’re going to have,” said Schneider, the letters “CW” stitched into the collar of his yellow shirt.

He also dismissed fears about the smell chickens might generate, saying, “We’re talking about six chickens, not 60,000.”

Schneider said Urban Chicken Advocates of Nashville invited him to speak to the council. He said they planned to go to dinner after the hearing at Otters, a place known for its chicken fingers.

New state laws target DUI, voter photo IDs

Tennessean
Jan 1, 2011

• Testing for blood alcohol content will be required in cases in which the driver has previously been convicted of a DUI or when there is a child present in the vehicle.

• Voters will have to present valid photo identification at the polls.

• Election officials must accept the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot as a backup measure for overseas military personnel who have not received their official ballots in time to participate in elections.

• Pharmacies must use the National Precursor Log Exchange to monitor purchases of medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, a precursor to meth.

• The Department of Health must establish rules to govern the operation of clinics that dispense pain medications.

• The punishment for rape of a child has been clarified to be up to 60 years in the most egregious circumstances.

• Employers with more than 500 workers face penalties if they do not check the immigration status of new hires through the federal E-Verify system.

• Insurance policies must cover up to $1,000 per ear for the purchase of hearing aids every three years for children.

• Medical practitioners must wear photo badges showing their full name and licensure type.

• The penalty for firing a weapon into a residence is set at a Class C felony if the home is occupied and a Class D felony if no one is home.