Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-29-24
(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 Monday, July 29th, and we start with local news. Twin Lakes Drive and Spring Hill will be closed until August 30th as crews continue the Buckner Lane widening project. Buckner Lane will be fully open during this time. This closure has been extended one month due to unforeseen underground conditions found once the improvements were started. While Twin Lakes Drive will be closed to through traffic, access to Summit High School and the surrounding area will still be available via Spring Station Drive. Applications for the 2024-2025 Columbia Mayor's Youth Council or CMYC will open on August 1st. The CMYC is open to all high school students located within Murray County, including those attending public, private, and homeschools. The 2024-2025 term will begin in September of 2024 and conclude in May of 2025. Mayor jazz Mulder stated. The Columbia Mayor's Youth Council is an excellent opportunity for our young people to gain firsthand experience in local government and develop their leadership skills. By participating in CMYC, students will not only learn about the inner workings of our city, but also have the chance to make a real impact on their community. I strongly encourage all eligible students to apply and be a part of this incredible educational experience. The CMYC aims to educate students about local government, foster leadership skills, and encourage community involvement among Columbia's diverse high school population. The CMYC is composed of Murray County High School students who value academic excellence, community involvement, and leadership. Selected students will have an opportunity to actively participate in various activities and programs, addressing issues affecting youth in the community, leading and volunteering in community projects, and learning about city departments. The CMYC selection committee will review all completed applications to select this year's Youth Council members. Applications will be open from August 1st through August 23rd, and applicants will be notified of their acceptance by September 3rd. CMYC meetings will be held monthly in addition to community and volunteer projects. CMYC applications can be found on the City of Columbia's website at www.columbiatn.gov, or at your high school's administrative office. Follow the Columbia Mayor's Youth Council on Facebook and Instagram at CMYCTN for questions. Please contact Hannah Miller at hmiller@columbiatn.gov, or call the number 931-560-1512. On Friday, a new eatery salad works opened in Spring Hill, front porch radios, dealt candy, attended the ribbon cutting, and spoke to owner Paul Goldsmith to learn about what the new restaurant will be offering its patrons. - This is Delph Kennedy, front porch radio. Today I'm in Spring Hill, Tennessee. I'm at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Salad Works. There is all sorts of good food here, and a big crowd assembled to celebrate the Grand Opening of Salad Works. I'm talking with Paul Goldsmith, who along with his wife, Mary Ann, own Salad Works. Paul, tell us about Salad Works. - Oh, well, thank you, Delph, for being here, because this is such an incredible concept that we had to bring it to middle Tennessee. It's 60 different fresh ingredients. You can choose your own salad and build it as you go, as well as acai bowls and fruit bowls, smoothies, healthier, better for you options, because we thought that a place like Spring Hill, our hometown, needed a place like this, and so we decided to bring it here ourselves. - It really is amazing, and it's a great looking place, great looking food. For more information, where do people go to find out more about Salad Works? - Web page, Facebook. - Absolutely, saladworks.com. You can download our mobile app for free, and you'll get a free coupon to come in and check us out, or stop by. We're at the intersection of Duplex and Port Royal Road. In Spring Hill, we'd love to see you. Come on by. - Talk about your days and hours. - Okay, we are open Monday through Saturday from 9 'til 8 p.m., and then on Sunday from 10 to 6, and you can order on the mobile apps and get it delivered to you if that's easier. We also offer catering, so if you're a local business owner, you'd like us to provide a healthier option for your meeting or your lunch, we'd be happy to do that. Please reach out. I'm Paul, you can just reach out at saladworks.com. - Oh wow, again, Delph Kennedy in Front Force Radio. I'm at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Salad Works in Spring Hill this morning. It's a great occasion, Paul, congratulations. - Thank you so much. We'd love your station and grateful to have you here. - Thank you. - Murray Regional Medical Center recently announced the launch of a newly renovated hybrid vascular operating room and investment of nearly two and a half million dollars. This surgical suite combines advanced to imaging and surgical capabilities in one space. This operating suite was specifically designed to do two things, first, enhance vascular surgery through the implementation of new state-of-the-art imaging capabilities, and second, provide additional operating space for other growing service lines, such as general surgery. Said Murray Regional CEO, Dr. Martin Chaney. "Building this surgical suite is a significant investment toward meeting the surgical needs of patients from Murray and surrounding counties," he said. "Minimally invasive surgical procedures are complex and technically demanding, requiring high quality, flexible imaging capabilities. A clinical trend toward minimally invasive procedures is driving demand for hybrid operating rooms. Vascular procedures are a type of surgery that treats blood vessel and heart flow complications, such as aortic aneurysm, stroke, or blood clots. More specifically, vascular procedures that can be accomplished in the new space include endovascular laparoscopy, aortic, carotid, dialysis access, vascular fistula creation, transcarotid artery, revascularization, and percutaneous nephrostomy surgeries. However, this space is not limited to vascular surgeries and can be leveraged for many other operations. "The operating room incorporates sophisticated technology from floor to ceiling," said Dr. Brian Kendrick, a board-certified vascular surgeon on the medical staff. "It's a game-changer in our field, enhancing our capabilities to treat even the most complex vascular conditions," he said. "The advanced azurian imaging system from Philips supplies high quality imaging, achieving excellent visibility at low X-ray dose levels for patients of all sizes. Specializing in hybrid operating rooms, Gatinga's state-of-the-art operating tables works seamlessly with Philips' imaging systems and support a wide variety of patient positions that are suitable for any imaging and surgery. The hybrid vascular operating room also includes 10 medicals Skytron Indigo Clean ceiling light system. Essentially, Indigo Clean leverages the visible light spectrum to transmit a wavelength that kills harmful bacteria and viruses, such as C-diff and MRSA. The Skytron lights are top performers for brightness and shadow control, giving every angle optimal viewability. "As a vascular surgeon, safety is paramount in every procedure we perform," said Dr. Patrick Yu, a board-certified vascular surgeon on the medical staff. "Our new hybrid vascular operating room offers greater precision and visibility, ensuring we can deliver the highest standard of care to our patients," he said. All these technologies in one room make Murray Regional Medical Center's new surgical suite one of the most advanced and safest in the state of Tennessee. Murray Regional Medical Center is the only hospital in Tennessee to receive the excellence in patient safety and outstanding patient experience awards from Health Grades in 2024. Murray Regional Health also has invested in four DaVinci robotic surgical systems, which enhance surgical vision, precision, dexterity and control. Murray Regional Medical Center offers 16 surgical suites, on-site pathology capabilities, an endovascular lab and a digital imaging system that enables physicians to view diagnostic images, such as MRIs during the surgical procedure. In addition to surgical services available at Murray Regional, convenient locations for surgery are in Lewisburg, Spring Hill and Waynesboro. Murray Regional Health recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to launch construction of the Orthopedic Surgical Institute on the Murray Regional Campus. More than 50 physicians on the medical staff perform surgical procedures, and all the anesthesiologists on the medical staff are board certified. When Big Shake's hot Nashville chicken to announce that it would be closing its franchise in Columbia earlier this year, it came as a great disappointment for many Nashville hot chicken fanatics. At Columbia's downtown location at 822 South Main Street, which first opened in late 2021, co-owners Belinda Corkin and Amy McGee were faced with two decisions. Close up shop or push on, whatever that might entail. There was suddenly an opportunity to create something better, something to provide more options and with its own identity. And above all, it would be something truly local. It was basically do it or die and we had to do something. Corkin said, "Now it is as good as it ever has been and we haven't taken any kind of a hit," she said. After a brief period of reducing menu items and services, while also discovering early that this would be no small job, the two went to work. By June, they opened what is now 8th and main burger company. He had a, "We have a great service. I'm sorry, we have a great customer base." But one of the biggest complaints was that there wasn't enough diversity on the menu and everything was fried, Corkin said. Business picked up immediately upon reopening and continues to grow every week with many regulars and newcomers wishing to see the new spot, along with an order of catfish and loaded ghost fries. It was also a team effort that they say could not be accomplished without the help of others. It was all of our family, like Amy's brother did all of our branding stuff. My son, who is the main front of house person and her sister helped us pick the colors, Corkin said, "And Amy and I are here every day." And so this is now truly a family-owned and run business, she said, "That's the fun part about it." McGee added, "With a new identity and a fresh start, creating a wider range of foods with new ideas being created all the time." McGee, who is also the head chef, said, "This has been a great way to attract more customers." Many now already regulars with more options. As a chef, it has been an opportunity to broaden herself to different cooking styles, as well as lighter items. I can experiment more now, because before we had to stick with the main menu, McGee said, "Now, I can just be like, let's throw a salad together and get some peach preserves, some goat cheese and top it with a devil egg and sold." It's so much fun, she said. "That doesn't mean customers can't still enjoy the classic Big Shake's favorites, like chicken or catfish fillets and tacos. We still have some of the favorites, but we don't have all the options in heat level," Quarker said. A few of the new menu's top sellers include the classic smash burger with American cheese, caramelized onions and signature sauce on a toasted bun. Eighth and main also now offers pork tenderloin cutlets, such as the meal shoe with lettuce, pickles, onion and stone ground aioli on a toasted bun. Eighth and main also offers gluten-free buns or any burger on any burger or sandwich. For starters, Quarken and McGee said one of the new items that's caught on quickly in popularity is the sweet and spicy brussel sprouts cooked crispy and topped with hot pepper bacon jam. Other popular starters include the pretzel bites, Wisconsin cheese curd, as well as piggy nachos with pork rinds, queso, diced jalapenos, bacon crumbles, sour cream, pico de dio and a smoky chipotle sauce. Our burgers are ready to go and our food is good, Quarken said. The best seller is without a doubt the classic smash and people love the pepper popper. What we would like to do is some kind of special like a hot plate, but we still need to coordinate some things in our kitchen, but I think people will respond to it, she said. Well, eighth and main continues to build its customer base, broaden its menu and make a name for itself as a go-to downtown eatery, this is only the beginning. As an ongoing work in progress, Quarken and McGee say this is only the beginning of what they envision to create, now that eighth and main is officially theirs to run. We do plan a lot, Quarken said. One of the things we hope to get soon is our liquor license, probably in two to three months, but we do have beer, she said. McGee added that eighth and main also plans to reopen its main stage for live music. We're bringing some music back, but we still need to do some redecorating, she said. Most of all, having their own place to serve food, work alongside family and build a greater downtown presence is the greatest joy. We are a real local restaurant, Quarken said. We really are family run and owned. When we put this thing together, we had so little capital to start with, this is unheard of in the restaurant industry, she said. Eighth and main business hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For online ordering, you can visit www.8thandmain.com. The Columbia Peace and Justice Initiative will be hosting an evening with civil rights activists and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Attorney Fred Gray on Thursday, September 19th at 6 p.m. The event will be held at Murray Hills Church located at 101 Unity Drive in Columbia. Fred D. Gray is a pioneer of the civil rights movement. Mr. Gray's life mission has been to destroy racial segregation wherever he finds it, and that is what he continues to do. He has practiced law since 1954, specializing in civil rights litigation and continues to practice today at the age of 93. He has been a cooperating attorney with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People or NAACP and Legal Defense Fund since 1956. He represented many civil rights icons and organizations, including the victims of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin, Congressman John Lewis, and many others. Attorney Gray is the recipient of many honorary degrees and rewards. On July 7th of 2022, President Joe Biden awarded Mr. Gray the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest award a civilian can receive. In 2023, he received the American Bar Association's Medal, which is its highest award given and was also awarded the Legal Defense Fund's Thurgood Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as president of the National Bar Association and Alabama Bar Association and is the current president of the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center. Proceeds from this CPJ legacy fundraiser, which will replace the traditional legacy luncheon in 2024, will support the completion of the Thurgood Marshall Roundabout coming in 2025 in partnership with the city of Columbia. The Roundabout will feature a sculpture of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, created by renowned sculptor David Allen Clark. It will be located at the intersection of South Main Street and East 8th Street, a gateway to the historic Black Business District and the epicenter of the 1946 Columbia race riot, a pivotal moment in Columbia's history that sent shockwaves across the nation. Marshall's dedication to protecting rights of all citizens earned him the nickname Mr. Civil Rights. His distinguished career included successfully having the Supreme Court declare segregation in public schools unconstitutional in the Brown versus Board of Education case of 1954. President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Marshall as the first African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967. Sponsorship opportunities are currently available. For more information contact Russ Adcox at rust@marihills.com or call the number 931-628-0736, individual tickets are $55 and may be purchased at www.cpji.org. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Ray Fisher Davis, 86, retired director of the South Central Health Agency and resident of Columbia died Thursday, July 25th at his residence. Visitation will be conducted on Tuesday, July 30th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Patricia Anderson, 75, resident of Columbia passed away on Saturday, July 20th at her residence. A graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday, July 30th at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Family and friends are welcome. hometown memorials is sponsored by Oakes 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 Oakes 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 Oakes 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 Matt and Susie Sowo believe the way to honor tradition is with a specially personal service. - We believe your traditions, your customs, your rights and passage are very important. But we also believe in taking care of your personal wishes as well. - At Oakes and Nichols, we try to do more than just the expected things. So the service you receive honors your heritage and is uniquely yours. And we invite you to experience the difference. Oakes and Nichols Funeral Directors, 320 West 7th Street in Columbia. Since 1856, people you can rely on. - For your Southern Middle Tennessee weather, we'll have partly to mostly cloudy skies today with isolated thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. The high will reach 90 degrees with winds out of the West Southwest at five to 10 miles per hour. The chance of rain today, 30%. Tonight, we can expect partly cloudy skies with a stray shower or a thunderstorm possible. The low will be 76 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. (upbeat music) - Debbie Matthews-Rilter and her husband, Jason, who is a pro songwriter, also own a music publishing company. They live in historic downtown Columbia with their dogs. Dog rescue work is their passion project. They consider Middle Tennessee their backyard and their lives are full of all things Tennessee. Debbie says there is no greater honor than to help someone find a home. To be trusted with that job, there is no greater privilege. Call Debbie at the Nashville Realty Group, 615-476-3224, 615-476-3224. - Family first. (laughs) 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, C 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. (upbeat music) - 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. (upbeat music) - This is Triadcock 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 615-969-0118, 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. - Hi, I'm Matt Peralis, Manager of Murray County Equipment. We help you with all your agricultural and construction equipment needs. We carry a full line of new hauling tractors from compacts to high horsepower. We have a full line of gravely mowing equipment. We also have new hauling construction equipment, attachments and accessories for your tractors and a complete parts department. We are locally owned and operated. Come see us at 1075, North James Campbell Boulevard, or learn about us on Facebook. Our contact is at 931-490-8183. This is Bob Kesselen 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. (upbeat music) - Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM 101.7 and WK RN 103.7, your hometown source for news and information. I'm Tom Price, and I'm news from around the state. Former President Donald Trump pinched his plan to make the United States the crypto capital of the planet and the Bitcoin superpower of the world, pledging to establish the nation's first strategic Bitcoin stockpile if elected. Trump is the first presidential candidate from a major political party to make Bitcoin in cryptocurrency a campaign issue, and the first American president to speak at a Bitcoin event, addressing enthusiastic standing room only crowd at the Bitcoin 2024 conference at Music City Center in Nashville, two weeks after surviving an assassination attempt. If crypto is going to define the future, I want it to be mined, minted and made in the USA, Trump said. If Bitcoin is going to the moon, as they say, it's going to the moon, I want America to be the nation that leads the way, he said. A cornerstone of his plan to make that happen is the first ever strategic national Bitcoin stockpile seeded with about 210,000 Bitcoins valued at about $13 billion that the federal government has already obtained through legal law enforcement seizures. The US government is among the largest holders of Bitcoin in the world. For too long, our government has violated a cardinal rule that every Bitcoiner knows by heart, never sell your Bitcoin, he said. If I am elected, it will be the policy of my administration for the United States of America to keep 100% of all the Bitcoin the US government currently holds or acquires. While Trump has voiced skepticism about Bitcoin in the past, even calling it a disaster waiting to happen, on Saturday, he pledged to be a pro Bitcoin president. Trump has made moves in recent months that signal his policy reversal on crypto goes deeper than rhetoric. Earlier this year, Trump became the first presidential campaign to accept donations in Bitcoin and crypto. Since doing so in May, Trump announced Saturday, his campus raised $25 million in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. He also picked a running mate in Ohio Senator JD Vance, who has been supportive of cryptocurrencies and revealed in 2022 that he holds Bitcoin. 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 Colombia. Good Macaula, 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 will check them out online at Turner in Osburne.com. That's Turner and Osburne.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. Every summer, the Earth passes through a cloud of space debris that brings a meteor shower and the summer is no different. The Perseid meteor shower comes around in mid-summer every year and is back again until the end of August. The comet, which the debris that forms Perseids comes from, last visited the Earth's atmosphere in 1992. But we still get to observe the cloud of dust and pebbles left in its wake each summer. And it is usually one of the most plentiful celestial light shows that we get to witness on Earth. The shower is typically active from mid-July to the end of August. This year, the show takes place from now until Sunday, September 1st. Most of the Perseids are tiny and close in size to a grain of sand. They can reach temperatures of more than 3,000 degrees. Typically, a Perseid meteoroid moves at 133,200 miles per hour when it hits Earth's atmosphere. Most fragments of debris are visible when they are about 60 miles from the ground. That's all for this edition of Southern Middle Tennessee today on Kennedy Broadcasting WKOMWKRM Radio. If you ever miss a part or all of this broadcast, you can listen to it anytime or read the transcript online by visiting frontportradiotn.com. 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 PLAYING] (upbeat music)