Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-19-24
(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 Friday, July 19th, and we start as always with local news. The Murray County Commission voted this week to adopt a three-year ambulance agreement with Murray Regional Medical Center. The agreement will provide $2 million per year, as well as a 5% increase each following year. This would allow Murray Regional to purchase at least two ambulances per year. The agreement also states that there would be seven 24-hour ambulances on duty at all times, along with two 12-hour ambulances. The request for more ambulances began in 2023. When Murray Regional Health issued a letter to the county, stating the need was based on continued population growth. The previous agreement allocated $600,000 per year by the County for ambulance services. Once brought before a vote, the agreement passed 16 to one. In addition to the Murray Regional's ambulance agreement, two other Murray County organizations received approval votes for additional grant money. The Murray County Health Department will also be receiving a grant from the Tennessee Department of Health of up to $1,488,225 through June 30th of 2025. The grant is to provide additional medical services to rural areas. Murray County animal services will receive $1,100 from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for a low-cost sterilization program for dogs and cats. Prior to the main meeting, Murray County Sheriff Bucky Rowan spoke about the recent 20th annual Murray County Sheriff's rodeo, which he said was a huge success. It was a phenomenal weekend, and I greatly appreciate the bleachers that were donated by the county, but we need more, Rowan joked. We could have filled that much more up and then some. By far, the two largest nights that there has ever been in that arena for any event, he said. In addition to a packed arena and a vendor alley, the Sheriff's rodeo is also held every year as a charity benefit for the department's annual Shop with a COP program. "We had Christmas in July, and you guys will see the benefits come November and December in how it affects our youth," Rowan said. Sheriff Rowan concluded by sharing how the event has grown in its 20 years. When it started out, it was SROs and the reserves, and now it's truly the entire Sheriff's department's rodeo, and it's everybody involved, Rowan said. "It's the community's rodeo is really what it is. The proof is in the pudding, and over the last 10 years, it's just gotten bigger and better," he said. Columbia City officials broke ground on its new wastewater treatment plant, taking the first steps on what has become the largest investment project in the city's history. The project totals approximately $95.5 million from the city, and was recently approved to begin construction starting July 15th. The city marked the occasion with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Monday. Wastewater director Donnie Bocher said that this was very much a need, given the current facility was built in 1978, and has worn out its useful lifetime. "The biggest reason we are building this plant is the age of the old facility," Bocher said. "Even if there wasn't a lot of growth, we would still have to do something," he said. City manager, Tony Massey, agreed that this was a major need for the city, given the old plant's age. "We were talking about doing this project even before all the growth became an issue with us," Massey said. "The new plant is expected to be fully operational by June of 2028," Bocher said, "but customers won't expect any change to the service provided." This is due to the need to transition the old plant to the new one, which could take more than a year after the new facility is completed. The first phase, which is to bring the new plant online, is anticipated to be complete in April of 2027. Phase two will involve the transition, and to do so without disrupting services. "That will be about a 13-month project," Bocher said. "For 30 days after it's time to bring the new plant on, we will shuffle between the new plant and the old plant until we get everything lined up. Everything has to run continuously as it's being built," he said. Ward five councilman Danny Coleman, who attended Monday's groundbreaking, said a big part of this new plant is the longevity it will sustain for future generations. This is going to be something that lasts 40 or 50 years into the future. It's getting ahead of problems when it comes to managing water rather than waiting until we are in crisis mode," Coleman said. "This is happening just in time, so we aren't jumping the gun by any means, but timing-wise, we are doing a good thing for Columbia's future growth," he said. The new plant will feature many upgrades in modern day technology, which will not only provide a much greater daily average while also remaining energy efficient. The current facility, Bocher said, pumps an average of five to six million gallons of water per day with a capacity to pump 14 million. The new plant is expected to up that average to about 25 million per day, which could elevate to about 35 million during periods of heavy rain. The new plant will also provide state-of-the-art filtering equipment, which will make removing some of the tougher materials easier and environmentally friendly. "One thing that gets harder and harder to treat is the nitrogen and phosphorus out of the wastewater," Bocher said. "This new process will do it all biologically, and no external chemicals will be injected into the water. We do not use chemicals to treat our existing facility, but as our limits continue to get tighter on nutrient removal, these oxidation dishes will get rid of all the phosphorus and nitrogen biologically. It will be much more energy efficient," he said. Tony Massey added more about the new plant's benefits. "This new plant will be much more environmentally friendly, especially if we are relying on biological processes to treat the waste sludge. And because of that, we will be using less chemicals and less electricity," Massey said. "It's truly a 21st-century treatment plant in a much superior design than what we've got right now," he said. "With a project of this magnitude, it will certainly come with its share of costs, ones that could affect customer sewer rates. Earlier this year, Columbia City Council approved the rate increase with the extra funds feeding directly into the new plant's cost. This was the first time the city adopted a rate increase in more than a decade. However, the increase will likely be unnoticed to most customers and will more likely affect new developers and companies with industrial use. "The majority of the increase is going to go to industrial users, big users," Coleman said. "I can't quote on the exactness of the regular rate increase, but this rate will be heavily focused on developers. We're talking about sense of an increase for regular users," he said. Murray Regionals Women's Center has achieved accreditation under the American College of Surgeons, or ACS, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, or NAPBC. Murray Regionals Women's Center voluntarily participates with ACS NAPBC to ensure women receive exceptional breast health services from screening to cancer treatment. The benefits of accreditation align with our mission for clinical excellence and compassionate care," said Murray Regionals CEO, Dr. Martin Chaney. "It's our goal to be the organization our community can trust for health and wellness, especially for diseases that impact so many of our friends and family like breast cancer," he said. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States after skin cancer, affecting one in eight women. Programs accredited by the NAPBC follow a model for organizing and managing a breast center to facilitate multidisciplinary, integrated and comprehensive breast cancer services. The NAPBC focuses on the spectrum of a patient's journey with breast cancer or breast disease, including prevention, screening, treatment and survivorship. By setting high standards, NAPBC accreditation guides breast centers in providing comprehensive breast care based on scientific evidence. The requirements for accreditation include a detailed evaluation of multiple standards alongside an on-site visit every three years. This process is completed by a trained reviewer from NAPBC to ensure that the medical organization is compliant. "I want to personally commend the multidisciplinary team of physicians and professional caregivers for their commitment to breast health by obtaining the recent reaccreditation status from the National Accreditation Program for breast cancers," said administrative director of oncology Dana Salters. "This national recognition will grant assurance to patients that state-of-the-art breast health care is available here in our community." Murray Regional Women's Center provides support services and educational programs on conditions and topics facing women today. These services include 3D mammography, breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and bone density studies. As an NAPBC accredited institution, Murray Regional Women's Center also becomes an ACS surgical quality partner. Being a surgical quality partner signifies an institution's dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches while maintaining a critical eye on processes at every step. The surgical quality partner designation lets patients know Murray Regional Medical Center is dedicated to quality and relentless self-improvement and has been verified or accredited by the ACS. Patients can trust that the care they receive at surgical quality partner hospitals adheres to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality. ACS quality programs are grounded in more than a century of experience and participation is an important measure of a hospital surgical quality. As an ACS surgical quality partner, Murray Regional Medical Center has shown a commitment to providing the best possible patient care, evaluating that care in a rigorous fashion and dedicating themselves to continuous self-improvement. Said ACS Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patricia L. Turner. You can learn more about Murray Regional Women's Center by visiting www.meriregional.com/women. 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 in a Franklin County High School graduate, Bonner was one of MTSU's first two African American players signed to the football scholarship by legendary coach Charles Bubber Murphy in 1969. He went on to start four seasons as cornerback for the Blue Raiders earning accolades as part of the program's memorable Mod Squad defensive secondary. As a junior, he added pump 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 of Murray County recognized the county's, 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 native Bernard Childress, retired executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association and Murray County Public Schools Athletic Director, Chris Pointer. Saturday's event will be held at 10 a.m. at the Murray County Archives Temporary Location, which you can find at Mule Town Rack at 1446 Oak Springs Drive. The program is free and open to the public. The Tennessee Municipal League annually honors cities across the state for excellence, improvement, outstanding programs, or departmental achievements. The city of Columbia, committed to environmentally resilient and green infrastructure, is proud to announce it has received the Tennessee Municipal League's Award for Excellence in Green Leadership. This prestigious award will be presented on July 23rd at the 84th Annual Conference of the Tennessee Municipal League at the Knoxville Convention Center. Columbia Mayor Chas Mulder stated, I'm so proud of this recognition, not only because it represents the commitment that city leaders have made to investing in infrastructure for today, but also because it recognizes our vision for the future. We know our city was well positioned for this extraordinary moment in time, and we must ensure Columbia remains on that same trajectory for years to come. This recognition highlights our vision to create a cleaner, more efficient way of doing business in our sound fiscal management, he said. The city hired Path Company to manage the conversion of 6,000 streetlights to LED bulbs. Previously, Columbia Power and Water Systems owned the lights and the city bore the cost of power consumption, maintenance and installation. The LED conversion has reduced these costs, saving the state street aid fund $450,000 annually. Maintenance responsibilities have now been transferred back to CPWS under the new agreement. In addition, the city has made plans to upgrade its existing wastewater treatment plant originally built in the 1970s. A new HVAC system has already been added to the administration building, providing energy and cost savings. Lighting at the plant has been upgraded to energy efficient LED, plans for a new facility soon to be under construction, include multiple energy saving advances in keeping with the city of Columbia's green oriented goals. City Manager Tony Massey remarked, "We are very honored to be recognized by TML for excellence in green leadership. Converting Columbia streetlights and implementing energy saving measures has been a key strategic goal of the city, Columbia City Council. Our citizens now enjoy the benefits of this conversion and we thank TML for this recognition." Assistant City Manager Thad Jablonsky added, "The city of Columbia is serious about its commitment to the environment. This follows from the city council's leadership and support of projects that value conservation and sustainability. The city's management team and city departments will continue to ensure that city projects impact the environment positively and in accordance with the city council's vision. The city's latest strategic plan also includes the installation of new EV charging stations. City leaders are collaborating with CPWS and TVA to place these charging locations downtown, further demonstrating Columbia's commitment to a sustainable and environmentally friendly future. Columbia State Community College's Office of Workforce and Continuing Education Leadership Development Program is designed to benefit new and emerging leaders to help them develop the necessary skills and a toolkit of resources to help them excel as they move into and grow in their leadership roles. "I am extremely proud to be bringing this program to our communities," said Melody Murphy, Columbia State Workforce and Continuing Education Director. With now hiring posted on almost every storefront, it is becoming harder for employers to find and keep good employees. This program is an excellent opportunity for a company to identify dedicated employees' value and hard work and build them up through this program for leadership and supervision roles, she said. The Columbia State Leadership for Operational Excellence Program nurtures success and provides participants with the skills and resources for them to excel as leaders within their organizations. Topics covered will include leadership styles, generations and teams, employment engagement and productivity, communication and leading your team, business finance and budgets, presentation skills and networking, as well as delivering outcomes and managing change. Registration is now open for the program which consists of eight full-day sessions with two full days conducted back-to-back. Participants should plan to attend all sessions which will take place at Columbia State's Williamson campus. The program begins in August with the dates of August 8th and 9th, September 12th and 13th, October 3rd and 4th, and November 14th and 15th. The cost is $2,995 with lunch provided. To register, please visit www.campusce.net/ColumbiaState. For more information, you can also contact Melody Murphy at mmerphy19@columbiastate.edu. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oak Synical Spinal Home. Shirley Jean Spires Bunting, 71, a longtime resident of Columbia and retired store manager for McDonald's, died Saturday, July 13th and Murray Regional Medical Center. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 20th from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Loyal Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. Maryland Miller, Johnson, Stevens, 86th of Baileyville, Illinois, passed away Sunday, June 9th at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, Illinois. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 20th at Fly Church of the Nazarene. The family will visit with friends from 1 p.m. until the service time at the church. 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 Friday, July 26th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home. And Saturday, July 27th from 1 to 2 p.m. in the parish hall at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. hometown 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 at 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 your satisfaction is so important to Jeff Hargrove and Susie Sowell. - There's a great deal of satisfaction in serving a family and serving them well. It's an eye for detail and thoughtfulness and taking the time to see that things are done right. - We do have nice facilities and good people and we work hard to do things well, but we don't want that to intimidate people as to what they think it will cost. Taking care of you is our primary concern. - 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 cloudy skies today with a high of 83 degrees. Winds will be light and variable. Tonight, we can expect more clouds overnight. The low will be 67 degrees. For your weekend forecast, we will see mostly cloudy skies both Saturday and Sunday with about a 40% chance of rain each day. The weekend highs will be in the upper 80s. Overnight lows will be in the upper 60s. 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. (electronic music) - This is Debbie Matthews with the National Rility Group. And if you've been paying attention, you know the housing market has been tough, but rates are beginning the thaw. So if you're thinking about selling, the time to jump in is getting better every day. But if you're thinking about buying and those interest rates are still a little bit too high, a good agent knows how to negotiate interest rate by downs. And I'm a good agent. So call me, Debbie Matthews with National Rility Group, 615-476-3224. (upbeat music) - 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 bar. 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 estimate. - Sands 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, Trotwood Avenue, Columbia. - This is Trey Hancock 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.dixiedacal.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'd 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. - See our 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 Kessel with Pat Ryan. It's a beautiful day for digging. The back goal 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 go down to 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. (upbeat music) - 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. It's a tale as old as not time, but the advent of social media and smartphones. How do the two impact mental health, especially of young children? New York Governor Kathy Hochl is considering banning smartphones in New York schools, but could that happen in Tennessee? An attempt was made earlier this year by Tennessee State Representative Rebecca Alexander, a Republican representing Jonesboro, the state's oldest town, to ban cell phones in schools. Her bill would have required schools to stop students from using electronic devices during instructional time without permission. Her bid failed, never making it past the Education and Administration Committee. Sophie Elkins is a rising senior at Hall's High School and the newest voice on the Knox County Schools Board of Education. While she says she does believe cell phones can be distracting in schools, she doesn't see a need for a complete blanket ban. Her middle school, Hall's middle school, was a cell phone free campus and students were more focused, she said. During lectures, cell phones should be put away, but after that, it should be up to students to discipline themselves, she said. That would also train students for future works place, she said, and teach them responsibility. Three states recently passed laws banning a restricting cell phone use in schools. Florida was the first to do so in 2023. In 2024 alone, lawmakers in at least eight states have considered passing legislation to do the same. Earlier this year, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed a bill that requires school districts to limit cell phone use during class time. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a similar bill in May that requires every school district to establish an official policy governing cell phone usage during school hours. Oklahoma, Washington, Kansas and Vermont and Connecticut have all introduced similar legislation. 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. Good McCall at 931-388-6822. They've 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 turner@osburn.com. That's turner@osburn.com. Looking for a physician? Choosing a healthcare provider for your family is one of the most important decisions you will make. Murray Regional Medical Group delivers primary care for individuals of all ages from newborns to adults and has an array of specialists ranging from endocrinologists to urologists. With locations in Murray, Lewis, Marshall and Wayne Counties, our experienced team can provide you with quality care close to home. For more information, visit murriregionalmedicalgroup.com, murriregional medical group. Your health is our primary 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 in 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 our final story. In a recent study by Air Health, Nashville International Airport was named one of the top 10 airports in the United States, one of the top 20 airports in the world and one of the most popular airports in the world for service, facilities, and cleanliness. Sharing on social media, BNA wrote, "Exciting news, BNA ranked six best airport in the U.S. and 18th best in the world." According to the new Air Helps score report, "We continue to work to build a world-class airport." The Air Helps study ranks Nashville as 18th in the global airport listing. Doha Ahmed Airport in Qatar claimed the number one spot in the global listing. The first U.S. airport that appears in Air Helps Global List is Salt Lake City at number eight, followed by Washington Dulles, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Atlanta Heartz Field, Minneapolis, and Nashville at number 18. That's all for this edition of Southern Middle Tennessee Today on WKOMWKRM Radio. I'll be back on Monday to update you with the latest news. I'm Tom Price. Thanks for listening. Be safe and have a great day. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music)