Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-16-24
(upbeat music) - Hello and welcome to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM and WKRM Radio. Your hometown news broadcasting from the Debbie Matthews Nashville Realty Newsroom in Columbia, Tennessee. I'm your host, Tom Price. Today is Tuesday, July 16th, and we start as always with local news. In the wake of Saturday's events involving former president Donald Trump's attempted assassination in Pennsylvania, local Republican leaders have shared their reactions, as well as plans for this week's Republican National Convention. This week's RNC, which kicked off Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will take place over the next four days. Trump jump-started events with his announcement of Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his vice presidential running mate in the upcoming November 5th general election. Murray County GOP Chairman Jerry Bridenbaugh said the party will be highly focused on the convention this week, which includes having a local presence at the event. There are several people up there, including one person from our executive committee, Vice Chair Lana Hines. Bridenbaugh said, "We're really looking forward "to hearing from her when she gets back "with everything that went on, "and I'm sure security has gotten really tight now." I can imagine, he said. While this week's RNC is ramping up to move the Trump campaign forward as the Republican Party's official candidate, the memories of Saturday's shooting are still fresh in many people's minds. Bridenbaugh said he was shocked after hearing the news on Saturday. "My message to the party, and really everybody as a whole, "is that the vitriol has gotten to such a level "that it seems like we can't even talk "to each other anymore," Bridenbaugh said. "This is not the time to get angry, "but to acknowledge while a horrible incident, "it can also teach both sides how to unite together," he said. State Representative Scott Sapicki also addressed the rising state of tension among the parties, saying he believes the right thing to do is keep moving forward. "Violence against anyone should never be tolerated," he said. It's sad that President Trump had the attempted assassination on him. It is a state of tension in our country, and hopefully we can start to ease the tension through the next election and unite our country. Representative Sapicki said he's looking forward to the results of the investigation. We look forward to a complete investigation of the circumstances behind this and review the Secret Service and FBI reports to see if there were any breakdowns and safety for President Trump, and then we look forward to continuing on with the debates about who is going to lead our country and move forward," he said. "Questions still linger," Bridenbaugh said. "There are all kinds of questions "as to how this could even happen. "How a man got 130 yards from a presidential candidate, "a former president to get a clear shot "is just beyond comprehension," Bridenbaugh said. Senator Joey Hensley also said people should be discerning about political rhetoric. "The way they talk about Trump, I think, "does stir people up," Senator Joey Hensley said. "They talk about if he is going to be elected, "it'll be the end of democracy, "which certainly nothing could be further from the truth. "People just need to watch what they say "because some people might take it literally." He said angry rhetoric has gotten out of hand and suggests it should be tamped down. Political rhetoric does get ramped up and people on some sides of the aisle talk so bad about Donald Trump, democracy, and putting a target on him. Some of those wordings I think people have said might have stirred some people up, but it's something we can learn from going forward, going forward to try and tamp down the rhetoric on both sides," he said. Governor Bill Lee announced this week his appointments of three key judicial positions among the appointments was Jessica Parrish to the 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court. The 22nd Judicial District covers Giles, Lawrence Murray, and Wayne Counties. "I am proud to announce the appointment "of these highly qualified individuals "and value the significant experience "they will bring to their respective roles," Lee stated in a press release. "I appreciate their leadership and I'm confident "they will serve Tennesseans with integrity," he said. Parrish currently serves as Assistant District Attorney for the 22nd Judicial District. She earned her bachelor's degree at Austin Peace State University and Juris Doctor at Cecil C. Humphrey's School of Law at the University of Memphis. Parrish has been appointed to succeed retiring judge David L. Allen, effective August 3rd. It means a lot to me to be able to step into this new role and represent the state of Tennessee and its people in this way, Parrish said, "I'm extremely honored and humbled by the appointment." District Attorney Brent Cooper of the 22nd Judicial District said he believes Parrish will serve the position well as she was his Assistant DA for many years. She's been a phenomenal prosecutor and I think she will make a fantastic judge. Cooper said, "She's been great "and we are going to miss her on our staff," he said. County Commissioners discussed the first step towards implementing an impact fee on new construction in Murray County during the July meeting of the County's Admin Committee. Back in the spring, the Tennessee General Assembly passed House Bill 2426, later signed into law by Governor Bill Lee, allowing counties that had not opted into the 2006 County Powers Relief Act to enact impact fees if they met specific criteria related to population growth as determined by the latest U.S. Census. The bill allows counties that meet specific criteria, which includes Murray, to temporarily increase their adequate facilities tax on new residential and commercial construction up to $1.50 per square foot. Such changes require a 2/3 vote of the County's legislative body into consecutive meetings. Murray County's current rates are 50 cents per square foot for residential construction and 30 cents for non-residential. The thought is that if we pass it in July and August, we can begin the 1st of September. County Mayor Sheila Budd said, "I've talked to building and zoning director Robert Calderaro about it. He has written a letter that will be sent to the cities to let them be aware of what's going on and when and how that's collected," she said. "I think we stand to get three to $4 million more per year depending on what comes this way." Commissioner Gabe Howard called the bill, "Not what we really wanted, but said it was what the realtors and builders allowed us to have." Howard asked if the County's ad hoc growth committee would hold a call meeting to examine the legislation before it was voted upon. "We know it's much better for us, but it's got some limitations. I think once we pass this on first reading, there's some deep dive needed before the second reading," Howard said. Finance director Doug Luconin said on average, "commercial had only been around 14% of adequate facilities tax revenue in Murray County and that the residential was likely to have much more of an impact." Luconin estimated an average increase of three to $3.2 million from increased construction fees. He said that while the increased fees are required to be used towards school capital projects, it would free up other funds to be used elsewhere in the County budget. "I think you see how it pans out and reallocate your penny's next budget year to account for that. So you have time to see how it performs," Luconin said. County Attorney Daniel Murphy cautioned the committee saying his interpretation of the new law indicated that Murray County's private act held precedence. Murphy also said the law required the county to get a letter from the Tennessee Comptroller certifying that Murray meets the growth criteria. "We probably ask our representative or senator to ask for an attorney general opinion. It only takes one person to sue and Murray County's been sued twice on our adequate facilities tax," Murphy said. "Since the statute says you're prohibited from enacting this tax as long as your private act is in effect, I think we've got to go through the process," he said. The county mayor questioned Murphy's opinion, saying, "I don't believe that we have to wait that long to get this done. I know Daniel feels like some builders going to come back and sue us. They're not going to do that. We are dragging our feet here for no reason," she said. The language of the new law available on the state website states that if a county no longer qualifies under the growth criteria, then it can resume taxing construction at the rate set by a private act prior to the enactment of the new law. That would seem to indicate that a private act would be suspended by the new legislation and resume if the county no longer meets the growth criteria. Commissioner Brandon Nutt said he agreed with the mayor that it would be better to advance the new fees as soon as possible. Commission Chairman Eric Pravitti said he agreed with Murphy that there were issues with the new law that needed addressing before the county took any action. "This does not solve the growth problem," Pravitti said. "Why does it have to be July and August? Could it be August and September?" he asked. The mayor said she was willing to hold a called meeting, if necessary. Commissioner Howard urged his fellow commissioners to advance the resolution, saying they could pump the brakes if it was determined that Murphy's interpretation was correct. Ultimately, committee members voted to advance the resolution with required commission votes scheduled for August and September. The Murray County Commission adopted its 2024/2025 fiscal budget last month, though not without its share of discussion and amendments for additional firefighters and disaster relief due to the May tornado. The full commission met last month at its regular meeting, which in addition included updates to certain non-profit funding. The initial proposed general budget was estimated at about 50.4 million dollars. However, other funding was considered prior to adoption. This included a proposal by District 6 commissioner Cindy Hesla to add $400,000 to fund six new full-time Murray County firefighters. The amendment passed with a 12-9 vote, increasing the general fund to $50,806,520. Murray County Public Schools will also be receiving a $154,275,178 in general fund purpose funds with an additional $10,800,000 in food service funds. The budget was ultimately approved in an 18-3 vote, but that was only the beginning of the discussion. Following the budget item, the commission discussed fixing the county's tax levy or taxes owed on property. The county's tax rate stands at $1.91 per $100 of taxable property, which feeds into things like the general fund, schools and solid waste, as well as parks and recreation, highways and capital projects. While the rates will not change, how the money will be allotted to these various entities will be different. We need to move three pennies from debt service fund to the general fund, not necessarily for the additional $400,000 that was just added, but because of the disaster that we had. District 5 commissioner Scott Sumner said, "I think we need to replenish that," he said. The debt service fund had previously garnered about 36 cents of the tax rate, while the general fund received $0.52. Sumner's motion to amend the general fund amount to $0.55, which passed 20 to 1. In addition, District 8 commissioner Ray Jeter motion to move an additional $0.05 from the debt service fund to the county's highway fund, which currently receives $0.09, though there was speculation if this would be too much money to take from one fund. $420,977, that's per penny, and so if you take five cents, you are talking about moving a little over $2 million out of your debt service fund. With three cents, you're looking at $1.3 million. Murray County finance director Doug Laconan said, "And you can only do this once a year, so if you do it, you're locked in," he said. There was some dispute on whether moving money to the highway fund would be its best use, or if it would make a great impact. Laconan said the funds would likely be deluded, since highway maintenance is typically planned over a five-year period, meaning that while $2 million would be extra money, it likely won't make an impact. "There are restrictions for what you can use the fund to balance for by law," Laconan said. "It'll raise it gradually, but once you get four or five years down the road, it's forcing you to go up and maintain that funding," he said. The amendment ultimately failed in a 10 to 11 vote. The next meeting of the African-American Heritage Society of Murray County will take place on Saturday, July 20th and feature Ray Bonner, Assistant Track and Field Coach at Middle Tennessee State University. His talk will be part of the Society's quarterly lecture series on the 2024 theme of African-Americans Making History in Sports and Coaching. A Winchester native and a Franklin County High School graduate, Bonner was one of MTSU's first two African-American players signed to football scholarships by legendary coach Charles Bubber Murphy in 1969. He went on to start four seasons at cornerback for the Blue Raiders, earning accolades as part of the program's memorable mod squad defensive secondary. As a junior, he added punt return duties to his repertoire, posting a 7.1-yard average that ranked third nationally with two touchdowns on 31 returns, an MTSU single-season and career record. Bonner earned all Ohio Valley Conference honors as a senior in 1972 and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 10th round of the 1973 National Football League Draft, but a suspected heart murmur cut short, his professional aspirations. He went on to serve four years in the United States Navy before embarking on a coaching career that included stops in the Georgia High School ranks as well as collegiate assignments at Alabama A&M, Texas Southern, and Tennessee State University. Prior to joining the staff at MTSU in 2013, Bonner served as head football and track coach at Cedar Grove, Georgia High School. Earlier this year, the African-American Heritage Society recognized the county's African-American coaches from the conclusion of segregated high schools forward, featuring those in their annual calendar. The April installment of the lecture series featured Columbia Natives Bernard Childress, retired executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, and Murray County Public Schools' Athletics Director Chris Pointer. Saturday's event will be held at 10 a.m. at the Murray County Archives temporary location at Mule Town Rack at 1446 Oak Springs Drive in Columbia. The program is free and open to the public. The City of Columbia is pleased to announce the launch of Columbia 101, an innovative program designed to engage residents with local government and community services. Participants in Columbia 101 will have the unique opportunity to interact closely with city officials and staff, gaining first-hand knowledge of how municipal services are delivered, and learning about avenues for community involvement and advocacy. This consecutive two-day program will be open to all City of Columbia and Murray County residents, and offered twice per year, with the official kickoff occurring on September 17th and 18th. Participants can expect to begin each day at City Hall before learning more about all 12 city departments entering select city facilities, such as the Fire and Rescue and Public Works Departments. Applications for Columbia 101 are available now, and will close on Friday, August 9th at 4 p.m. You can learn more and apply today by visiting www.columbiatn.com. Murray Alliance is excited to announce that applications for the Leadership Murray Class of 2024/2025 are now open. Leadership Murray offers a unique opportunity to connect with local decision-makers, gain insights into various sectors, and explore all the great things Murray County has to offer. Whether you live, work, or volunteer here, this program is your chance to contribute to the future of the community. Apply by July 19th and be a part of a network of passionate leaders dedicated to making a difference. Learn more at www.murryalliance.com And now your hometown memorials, sponsored by Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home. Patricia Lou Outlaw, 79, a resident of Nashville, died Wednesday July 10th at NHC Cool Springs following a brief illness. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday July 27th at 2 p.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Columbia. Barrio will follow at St. John's Episcopal Church Yard in Columbia. Visitation will be on Friday July 26th at 5 to 8 p.m. at Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home. And Saturday July 27th from 1 until 2 p.m. in the parish hall at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Home Town Memorials is sponsored by Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home serving with dignity and consideration for over 150 years. As years go by, people may tend to forget just what a funeral is really all about. At Oaks and Nichols, we believe it's first and always a special remembrance of someone you love. We start by listening to your needs and desires. If you're unsure, we can help, gently, professionally. At Oaks and Nichols Funeral Directors, we haven't lost sight of why we're here to serve Murray County families in the ways they prefer and why the way you feel has always been so important to Susie and Tony Sowell. When people come here, I hope they feel like they're working with a person who's just like family. And by the time they leave here, I hope they feel like they're a part of our family. What I like most is when a family is leaving. They can say thanks. You made something we thought would be hard, easier than we thought it would be. Not that we made it easy. We made it easier. Oaks and Nichols Funeral Directors, 320 West 7th Street in Columbia, since 1856, people you can rely on. For your Southern Middle Tennessee weather, we will have sunshine today with a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. The high will reach 96 degrees with winds out of the West Southwest at five to 10 miles per hour. Tonight, we can expect partly cloudy skies or the stray shower or thunderstorm possible. The low will be 74 degrees with light and variable winds. Let's take a break. When we come back, we'll cover state and national news that affect you. You're listening to Southern Middle Tennessee today. Debbie Matthews grew up and lives in beautiful Coolum, Tennessee. As a realtor, she is well-versed in homes, neighborhoods, development, and schools. She wants to share her love of her home state with others to help them find just the right place to raise a family, open a business, or develop a dream. From luxury listings to land, she can handle it all. She is the current leading producer, Nashville Realty Group, contact Debbie Matthews Realtor at 615-476-3224. That's 615-476-3224. Family First. My dad used to tell us that all the time. But family first wasn't just something he'd say to us. It was how he lived every day of his life. And it's how I try to live mine too. At Shelter Insurance, our agents are dedicated to helping provide personalized auto, home, and life protection that puts your family first. For Auto Home, Life, or Business Insurance, Sea Shelter Agent Tommy Hyde Jr. at 388-2009. Are you thinking about a new fence? Maybe you need a pole barn. Then you should give Sands, Fence Company a call that's 931-309-1644. Will Sands has built his business based on the principles of honesty, quality, and integrity. Sands Fence Company has been in business for over 20 years, providing the community with farm, residential, and commercial fencing as well as pole barns and buildings. Call today for a free estimates and fence company 931-309-1644. 931-309-1644. For 40 years, the Jewelers bench has worked hard for their customers and provided the highest quality jewelry at the best price. They keep going back. Recent renovations have allowed them to expand their inventory. More high quality jewelry, custom vintage and estate pieces, and professional jewelry and watch repairs. They also buy gold. The Jewelers bench, still here, still great service. 808 Troughwood Avenue, Columbia. This is Triacock with Dixie Equipment, Sales and Rental. We sell ASV and Wacker Nordstrom equipment. We also rent a wide variety of compact equipment in the Middle Tennessee area. Come see us. We are located in Columbia, Tennessee at 200 East 16th Street. You can call us at 615-969-01-18 or visit our website at www.dixiediesel.com. We have been in business for over 42 years and we would love to help you turn your project into reality. Some people are just obsessed with their lawns. They cut their grass with a pair of scissors if they could. Bikes are gravely. They don't have to. You see, gravely makes not only the best built and most comfortable lawnmowers, they also leave your house looking like a doggone country club. So whether you're a commercial landscaper wanting the best or just a perfectionist homeowner, you can't do better than a gravely. Z are a full line of gravely products at Murray County Equipment. 1075 North James Campbell Boulevard in Columbia, Tennessee or check us out on Facebook. This is Bob Keslin with Pat Ryan. It's a beautiful day for digging. The vacuole operator has the engine running and is moving into position. He's heading for the ground. He's in there. Wait, there's a flag on the play. Let's get out of the field for the call from our official. A legal procedure on the digging team. Oh, that penalty could cause a costly accident. That's right, Bob. He needs to call before he digs. There's underground utility lines that could be hiding just below the surface. Water, sewer, electrical, communication lines and even natural gas. Avoid a penalty by first calling 8-1-1 to have any underground public utility lines located at marked with flags or paint. It's free, it's easy, and it's the law. For more tips, visit pipesafety.org. This message brought to you by the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and the Tennessee Gas Association, funded in part by a grant from the underground utility damage enforcement board. Welcome back to southern middle Tennessee today on WKOM 101.7 and WKRM 103.7, your hometown source for news and information. I'm Tom Price and now news from around the state. Donald Trump selected JD Vance on Monday to be his 2024 vice presidential running mate, a pick that seeks to capitalize on the 39-year-old Ohio Senator's youth and celebrity status among conservatives and who skyrocketed to fame as the author of Hillbilly Elegy. Trump's decision ends months of speculation over who would join the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's ticket as he seeks his political comeback in a November rematch with President Joe Biden. After likely deliberation and thought and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of vice president of the United States is Senator JD Vance of the great state of Ohio. Trump shared in a post on Truth Social on Monday. Vance will be strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for the American workers and farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond. Trump added Trump revealed his pick on the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee where he and Vance are expected to formally accept their party's nominations. The crowd on the convention floor broke into the chance of JD JD moments after Trump confirmed his running mate pick. Still, the announcement came just days after an attempted assassination on the former president during a rally in Pennsylvania. Within hours of the shooting, Vance pinned the blame on President Joe Biden's campaign, comments that drew criticism for being too incendiary. Today is not just some isolated incident Vance posted on X. The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination, he wrote. Vance was first elected to the Senate in 2022 with no prior political experience, but plenty of name recognition from his 2016 memoir, Hillbilly Elegy. The book later turned into a Netflix feature film detailed Vance's journey from a childhood riddled by parental drug addiction and abuse to Yale Law School degree that opened doors for him in Silicon Valley. Many pundits used Hillbilly Elegy to rationalize Trump's popularity with White Rural American 2016, a claim that put Vance on the National Media Circuit. The vice presidential nod is the culmination of Vance's rapid ascent within the Trump world. At 39 going on 40, his milestone birthday is August 2nd. Vance will be the youngest president since Richard Nixon served under Dwight D. Eisenhower. He does not bring new demographics to the ticket that could help Republicans make inroads with black Latinos or female voters. Ohio is not considered a battleground state after Trump won it comfortably in 2016 and 2020. In many ways, however, Vance is seen as the future of the Make America Great Again movement. He embraced the Trump-style populism that rails against the Washington establishment. He staunchly isolationist, often using the Iraq war to justify his opposition to additional U.S. aid for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Vance is also a skilled speaker, an asset that could aid him in the debate stage with Vice President Kamala Harris. The senator and his wife Usha Vance, who works as a litigator, live in Cincinnati with her three children ages 7, 4, and 2. Let's take one last break. When we come back, we'll cover the final story of the day. You're listening to Southern Middle Tennessee today. Turner and Osborne Tire Company 1016 South Main Street in Columbia. Give me a call at 931-388-6822. Have you been doing business since 1947 and in their current location since 1964. They provide the best tire and mechanical work at some of the best prices in middle Tennessee. Hey, they're official Michelin and Goodyear dealers and they've got all kinds of brands as well. Stop by and see Walker Vining and his professional staff or check them out online at turnerinosburn.com. That's turnerandosburn.com. Don't let pain keep you out of the game. Murray Regional Physical Therapies' Experience Team of Therapists can help you recover from surgery, injury, or illness by designing a plan that meets your unique needs. We utilize state-of-the-art equipment and proven techniques to help you get back to doing the things you love. Schedule a consultation at any of our convenient Southern Middle Tennessee locations by calling 931-380-4014. Murray Regional Health, where clinical excellence meets compassionate care. Have you ever wondered if your insurance needs can be personalized? This is Hunter Carey. Our team specializes in planning your insurance needs to get you the best possible solution. State Farm is the largest home and auto insurer in the country. I love bringing that to my hometown. Born and raised in Columbia, I'm grateful for our close community ties. We offer help with home, auto, and life insurance for everyone in our community. Our office is located at 909 South Garden Street across from the fire station. We're also in line at HunterCarry.com. That's HunterC-A-R-Y.com. Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee today and now our final story. The back-to-school season will soon be here. Here's the information about the annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which will take place at the end of July. Tennessee's traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies, and computers begins at 12.01 a.m. on Friday, July 26, and ends at 11.59 p.m. on Sunday, July 28. During this time, clothing, school supplies, and computers may be purchased tax-free. Certain restrictions apply. Items sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchased for personal use, not for business, or for trade. You can learn more about the details at www.tn.gov/content. That's all for this edition of Southern Middle Tennessee. I'm Kennedy Broadcasting, W-K-O-M-W-K-R-M Radio. I'll be back tomorrow to update you with the latest news. I'm Tom Price. Thanks for listening. Be safe, and have a great day. [MUSIC]