March health inspections

Throughout the year, the Tennessee Department of Health inspects various establishments to enforce public health. This includes food establishments, hotels, body piercing and tattoo studios, bed and breakfasts, child care facilities, campgrounds, pools and other facilities. The following establishments received some of the lowest scores in their counties in March or had particularly noteworthy observations from inspectors. Carter County Americourt Hotel: 88 1515 US-19E Elizabethton The health inspector made a follow-up visit to ensure previous pest problems were corrected. No living insects were found, and an affected room has been out of service since inspection. The inspector noted that pest control has treated the rooms and will do so one more time before opening rooms to guests. Issues were found with lighting or ventilation. Windows or doors were not clean or in good repair. Some rooms did not have adequate amenities. Some beds, furniture, appliances, walls and/or floors were not clean or in good repair. Johnson County All inspected establishments in Johnson County ended March with a score of 95 or higher. Unicoi County All inspected establishments in Unicoi County ended March with a score of 94 or higher. Washington County Pinto: 70 2203 McKinley Road Suite 100 Johnson City Live German cockroaches were observed on and around the dish machine. The handsink was not working in the sushi bar. Raw animal products were improperly located above fresh produce and ready-to-eat sauce in the cooler. The food was relocated during the inspection. The dish machine sanitizer hose was broken. The inspector advised using a sink until the hose can be repaired. Cooked rice was improperly shelved without refrigeration or heating. Two pounds were embargoed. Several containers of cooked pork were not datemarked. The violation was corrected during the inspection. Some employee medication was stored in the prep cooler. It was removed on site. A bucket of noodles was stored on the floor of the kitchen. There were no chlorine test strips for the dish machine. Employee car keys, drinks, a jacket and a cell phone were improperly stored in the kitchen and preparation areas. Country Inn & Suites Pool: 86 376 Jackson Blvd. Jonesborough The side walls in the pool were dirty. The life preserver safety rope was not long enough. There were no end caps on the bottom of the pool ladder. The sanitizer level in the pool had no chlorine. Maintenance added chlorine during the inspection, but the pool is closed until the department can verify proper levels. Tomy Thai: 92 1736 State of Franklin Johnson City The inspection was conducted as a follow-up to an earlier visit in the month. The inspector noted that all original priority violations were corrected. Cooling methods and/or temperature control equipment were not adequate. Contamination was not properly prevented. Wiping cloths were improperly used or stored. Washing appliances were improperly maintained or used. Garbage was improperly disposed of and/or facilities were not properly maintained. There was inadequate ventilation and lighting. Hawkins County Rogersville Middle School: 92 958 E. McKinney Ave. Rogersville There were no covered waste cans in one of the girls' restrooms. The dumpster was stored uncovered outside. The ceiling outside of the counselor office was actively leaking. The floor was also damaged and missing some tiles due to water damage. Some light shields were dirty with dead insects. Some restroom sinks were broken. Sullivan County Blountville Bear's: 83 3172 Highway 126 Blountville An employee was seen handling money and then pressing lemons without washing their hands. An employee was seen making a sandwich with their bare hands. The sandwich was embargoed. There is no easily accessible handsink. The inspector noted that food preparation cannot continue until a handsink is added and a follow-up inspection performed. Some food items were stored in a non-functioning fridge. Five pounds of food were embargoed. There were no thermometers in one of the fridges. Single-use service articles were stored on the floors. There was no "no smoking" sign on the front door. The employee restroom didn't have a trash can with a lid. Colonial Heights United Methodist Preschool Kitchen: 93 631 Lebanon Road Kingsport The chlorine bucket was empty, The inspector advised all dishes be washed in a sink in the meantime. One of the spray hoses at the dish pit had a steady drip. Not all food-contact surfaces were properly cleaned and sanitized.