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Parts of Crossville were hit with a flash flood early Saturday afternoon, after a short stint of heavy rain that caught many off guard.More >> Parts of Crossville were hit with a flash flood early Saturday afternoon, after a short stint of heavy rain that caught many off guard.More >> Police investigating reports of an intoxicated driver made an unexpected discovery when a traffic stop yielded 335 pounds of marijuana.More >> Police investigating reports of an intoxicated driver made an unexpected discovery when a traffic stop yielded 335 pounds of marijuana.More >> The Chattanooga market will add hundreds of hotel rooms in the coming year, following four years of booming revenues for its hotel industry.More >> The Chattanooga market will add hundreds of hotel rooms in the coming year, following four years of booming revenues for its hotel industry.More >> A Powerball ticket sold in Tennessee barely missed winning a share of an estimated $590.5 million prize. But the ticket has a nice consolation prize worth $1 million.More >> A Powerball ticket sold in Tennessee barely missed winning a share of an estimated $590.5 million prize. But the ticket has a nice consolation prize worth $1 million.More >> A Knox County man is being charged for the murder of his brother, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.More >> A Knox County man is being charged for the murder of his brother, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.More >> A Maryville man is dead after a fiery wreck on Saturday morning, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol accident report.More >> A Maryville man is dead after a fiery wreck on Saturday morning, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol accident report.More >> Leaders of Nashville's convention center already are mapping out a possible future expansion of a center that spans six downtown blocks and sits on 19 acres.More >> Leaders of Nashville's convention center already are mapping out a possible future expansion of a center that spans six downtown blocks and sits on 19 acres.More >> Witnesses described a frantic scene and close calls after an elderly driver plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a small Virginia mountain town's parade.More >> An emergency official says authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally.More >> A program to help soldiers get loans to purchase homes has gotten a permanent extension.More >> A program to help soldiers get loans to purchase homes has gotten a permanent extension.More >> First lady Michelle Obama has some advice for some Tennessee high school graduates: strike your own path in college and life and work to overcome inevitable failures with determination and grit.More >> First lady Michelle Obama has some advice for some Tennessee high school graduates: strike your own path in college and life and work to overcome inevitable failures with determination and grit.More >>
NASHVILLE (AP) - The warmest March on record statewide is having its downside in the form of insect-borne diseases.
The Tennessean reported the Tennessee Department of Health has identified 74 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever statewide by mid-May. That's three times the rate at which the disease was found last year during the same time span.
In Hendersonville, seven-year-old Kaitlyn Stetzer spent almost a week in the hospital with what doctors believe was Rocky Mountain fever. Her parents never saw any indication of a tick bite.
Deputy state epidemiologist Dr. John Dunn said the disease can be fatal, but is highly treatable when detected early.
Health officials urge people to check themselves frequently for ticks, use insecticide and be aware of symptom that include fever, joint pain and a rash.
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