Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-31-24
(upbeat music) - Hello and welcome to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM and WKRM Radio. Your hometown news broadcasting from the W Matthews Nashville Realty Newsroom in Columbia, Tennessee. I'm your host, Tom Price. Today is Wednesday, July 31st. And we start with local news. Twin Lakes Drive in 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. Last week, Murray Alliance teamed up with the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce to host the second annual Wired Pitch Contest. Local entrepreneurs had the chance to present their innovative ideas with a Wired mastermind group awarding $10,000 to help accelerate their businesses. After impressive presentations and careful deliberation, the group selected Christine Cole of Camellia Chocolates and Donna Parker of Blondie's Baked Goods as winners. Each of the businesses received a prize of $5,000. In 2021, Murray County Chamber and Economic Alliance and Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce launched Wired, a mastermind group for local entrepreneurs and CEOs. Wired mastermind is designed to foster growth and development through the sharing of experiences, lessons learned, and game-changing moments. The 2023-2024 Wired mastermind group is comprised of five local entrepreneurs and CEOs that were selected through an application process. Each year, the group hosts an annual pitch contest for early businesses poised for growth in Murray County. You can learn more about the initiative by visiting www.muryalliance.com/wired. Last week, the Murray County Election Commission underwent a process to review a randomly selected voting machine to make sure there were no issues and that the machine was giving accurate results. Administrator of Elections Chris McKinley said if the machine were to fail the test and give inaccurate readings, it would be replaced by a different machine that was accurate. If they don't match, we'll do it again. McKinley said that they still don't match. We just get rid of that machine. The human touch supersedes the machine, he said. West End, the machine that was inspected, passed the test without any errors. It has paper ballots to go along with the thumb drive that has the results on it as well. It was noted that in doing the checks, the issue of wrong votes had not been seen by the team inspecting them. If we lose all the ballots, we still have the stick. McKinley said, if we lose the stick, we still have the ballots. Each machine has a checklist that must be passed before the votes from it can even be looked at, including different stickers around the machine to ensure no one can tamper with the machine and passwords that only select people have access to, McKinley said. When the machine is turned off, it prints a piece of paper showing votes for each candidate that can be verified by the physical ballots as well, he said. West End passed the test and will be ready to go when the elections take place. Tomorrow, Thursday, August 1st. Columbia residents spoke against a master plan and preliminary plat approval that was ultimately approved during the Columbia Municipal Planning Commission meeting on July 10th. There was much discussion concerning the request from T-square engineering for the final planned unit development master plan to end preliminary plat approval for Old Zion subdivision, consisting of 765 lots off Trotwood Avenue. It was explained that this development near Ridley Park was approved in the summer of 2023 and was one of the final large developments approved under the previous zoning ordinance. The preliminary planned unit development established the general layout of the development and how it would function. The density, intensity development, the layout of streets, the civic space that buffers the protection or compatibility with adjacent neighborhoods, offsite improvements, a lot of commitments from the developer. Columbia City Planor Kevin McCarthy said, "This stage is the final planned unit development master plan where they're showing you some greater detail and fixing in place those entitlements," he said. "It's also the preliminary plat, which will allow them to move forward with preparation of the site, grading installation of infrastructure, that will later they'll come in and phases for the final plat, the actual creation of the lots," he said. It was discussed that the commission would need to decide if the final planned unit development master plan is in compliance with the preliminary and if the plat matches the master plan and complies with the subdivision regulations. McCarthy said that changes included the elimination of a cul-de-sac, shifting of some lots and some units being sprinkled. Staff recommendation is that any condition, any approval, be conditioned on the amenities being in place by the time of the 300th Certificate of Occupancy," McCarthy said, adding that other suggestions included the buffer moving ahead of the development and the traffic improvements need to match everything that was in the preliminary planned unit development master plan approval, which the applicant has agreed to. Columbia resident Robert Graham said that community leaders have estimated 14,000 new homes will be built in Murray County and Columbia in the next few years, only increasing concerns. And while we can't halt growth, it's essentially take some steps to manage and I'm going to take the emotion out of it and just give you numbers, Graham said, adding that with an average of two children under 18 per family, 14,000 new homes would translate to approximately 27,160 children, saying additional schools would be needed. He said that there are an average of 2.2 cars per household in Tennessee and an influx of 14,000 homes would add 30,800 more vehicles to our already congested one lane and two lane highways. He said, "We already have 110,000 vehicles "in Murray County," Graham added. He also discussed the concerns of water usage and the strain on the Duck River. Other comments from those who spoke included traffic concerns and opposition of the reduction of the buffer area between the new development and the existing one. Commission Chairman Charlie Goetz asked McCarthy to clarify points on the previous approval. "Just to make sure I understand this right, "this preliminary planned unit development "was previously approved. "So there's certain rights associated with it," Goetz said. "Our job here tonight is making sure "that the final planned unit development "that they're presenting here conforms "to the preliminary and in a material manner," he said. "Yes, sir, substantial compliance," McCarthy added, adding that that was the term in the zoning ordinance. "The motion to approve the plan subject "to the removal of the nine lots that encroach the buffer "and conditioning on the timing of the traffic, "along with all the staff's conditions, past." "Appliminary plaid and site development plan "from Greg Gamble for a mixed-use development "comprised of 444 residential units "and 30,120 square feet of commercial space "located off North James M. Campbell Boulevard "and professional center drive was approved as well. "The plan consists of two large mixed-use buildings, "several large multifamily buildings, "and then the smaller buildings represent "the smaller multifamily buildings," McCarthy said. The commission heard this is a vacant property on the backside of the Pinewood Health Facility. "The reason why the site is oriented in this way "is because the zoning code does not permit "the whole entire site to be large multifamily," McCarthy said. It allows up to 20% of that, and so they are providing the 20% large multifamily, asking for a very minor exception of 3% to be 23% of that, with the rest of the development site consisting of the two mixed-use buildings and small multifamily buildings. "There's also a proposed commercial building "that will house a daycare facility on a site," he said. The commission also approved consent agenda items that included a request from Allen O'Leary for final plat approval with surety in the amount of $290,000 for Williamsport Landing, phase two, consisting of 33 lots off Rockwell and Williamsport Landings, a request from T-Square Engineering for final plat approval with surety in the amount of $260,000 for Summit at Carter Station, phase four, consisting of 35 lots off Cleburn Road, a request from T-Square Engineering for final plat approval with surety in the amount of $435,000 for Summit at Carter West, phase one B, consisting of 29 lots off Cleburn Road, a request from T-Square Engineering for final plat approval with surety in the amount of $470,000 for Summit at Carter's West, phase two, consisting of 36 lots off Cleburn Road, and a request from T-Square Engineering for final plat approval with surety in the amount of $220,000 for independence at Carter Station, phase 6.5, consisting of 40 lots off Tucker Trace. In other business during its meeting, the Planning Commission approved, subject to all staff and technical comments, the final plat for T-Square Engineering with surety to the amount of $210,000 for Quail Run Meadows, phase four, consisting of 34 lots in open spaces off Quail Run Way. Approved the revision of the final planned unit development master plan and preliminary plat from Crunk Engineering for landings at Green's Mill Road, consisting of 550 residential lots. The motion was approved, subject to staff comments and technical conditions, including the premise that when it comes back for final plat approval, the commission would have the opportunity and expectation to see a more detailed plan with regards to the open space. It approved subject to staff comments or staff technical comments, a preliminary plat and site development plan from WES engineers and surveyors for four townhome units at 111 East 16th Street in Columbia. Yesterday, prestige physical therapy on Troughwood Avenue in Columbia held their grand opening. Our own delt Kennedy stopped by the ribbon cutting and spoke to Adam Bedwell and Brian Coggins about what the new facility has to offer, its patience. - This is delt Kennedy from Porsche Radio. This afternoon, I'm at the grand opening and ribbon cutting for prestige physical therapy. There motto is where Southern Hospitality and high quality care meet. I'm speaking with Adam Bedwell and Brian Coggins. They are the owners of prestige physical therapy. Brian, tell us what's going on here. What do you offer here at prestige physical therapy? Right here on Troughwood Avenue in Columbia. - Well, we're glad to be here. We've been here in Murray County now for a little while we opened up during COVID, so we didn't have an opportunity to have a grand opening, but we're trying to do that now. But we offer physical therapy services. We offer rehab to any age group. We do a lot with young kids, pediatrics. We see all the way up to geriatric population. We do sports rehab, but we've got eight locations throughout Tennessee. This was the eighth location that we opened up. We've really been thankful to be here in the community, and we look forward to many years to come. - Now, Adam, to access your services here. Do you need a referral from a doctor, or can you call here directly? - Yeah, you can come in directly in all if you were to do a self-pay without insurance, but if you want to run it through insurance, you'd have to have a referral from a medical doctor. - And what typically are the kind of patients you see? - We see a variety of patients. Again, we do have sports-related injuries. We see young people. We also see a lot of people dealing with balance and weakness as everyone gets older. So we all need a little bit of upkeep, and so that's what we try to do. We also, again, we see pediatrics. We have, as young as six months old, come in with certain issues. So we see a big variety of patients here, a lot of people that deal with pain and other musculoskeletal issues. So that's kind of a variety, but that's what we see all those here. - Now, Adam, if people want more information, where are they going? - You can go to our website at proceduralphysicaltherapy.com. We're located right here across from Columbia Academy on Trotwood. So come by anytime we're open Monday through Friday eight to five. - All right, again, Delp Kennedy, Front Force Radio at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Prestige Physical Therapy, where Southern Hospitality and Quality Care meet. I've been talking with Adam Bedwell and Brian Coggins. Fellows, congratulations. - Thank you. - Thank you, we appreciate it. - Thank you. - In the waning days of the Republican primary, a political action committee backing Metro Nashville Council member, Courtney Johnston, is shifting its strategy to attack U.S. Representative Andy Ogles and middle Tennessee districts stretching across Nashville into Columbia. Conservatives with characters started running TV ads and sending mailers questioning Ogles' claims as an economist and challenging his support for a sales tax increase in Murray County during his mayoral term there in addition to reports showing he failed to pay property taxes on time for several years in Williamson County. The group has spent $640,000 as of July 24th and spending is expected to increase to $1.2 million by Election Day set for tomorrow. Conservatives with character has received funding from more moderate Republicans, including $10,000 from former U.S. Senator Bill Frist. It is also backed by another political action committee called Best of Tennessee, formed by pro-choice lawyer Chloe Akers and longtime Republican fundraiser Kim Kege and Tom Ingram, which gave $140,000. All of the group's spending was to be used for pro-Johnson pieces, but its treasurer, former state representative Randy Snamps, said Monday the PAC opted to change its plan and publish anti-Ogles mailers and TV ads. Her name ID wasn't where it needed to be, so we did that one positive piece that was all about her and the previous Republican president. But from the beginning, our mission was to make sure people understood the character of Ogles, Stan said. News reports questioned Ogles' resume last year, including his claims that he earned a degree from Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management and worked as an economist, even though he had no degree or formal training in the field. Ogles, a Columbia resident, also filed an amended federal campaign finance report showing he brought in much less than he initially claimed in 2023. Ogles, who started running ads last weekend, claiming an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, worked as state director of Americans for Prosperity, which has been flooding markets with money supporting pro-school voucher candidates. The House Freedom Action Fund, set up by the House Freedom Caucus, also spent about $85,000 on the campaign, $50,000 to support Ogles, and $35,000 to oppose Johnston. The former Murray County Mayor filed articles of impeachment against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris last week, following her entrance into the presidential campaign after President Joe Biden left the race. Ogles claimed Harris should be removed from office because of the administration's policies at the Southern border. To move by Ogles led to a bump, the move rather by Ogles led to a bump in fundraising for Johnston, according to stamps. Johnston, who claims to have been a thorn in the side of liberal Metro Council members, hasn't had problems raising money for the primary, bringing in more than $700,000 and running her own second TV ad, accusing Ogles of being a, quote, "do nothing Republican," who accomplished nothing on border security or inflation in his first two-year term. Ogles won his current seat in Congress in 2022 after state Republicans split Nashville across three districts, eliminating its Democratic lean. Following the gerrymandering, Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Cooper, who held the fifth district for nearly two decades, dropped out of the race. Ogles then vaulted to the win with the help of independent spending on ads that blasted his opponents, former House Speaker Beth Harwell, and retired Brigadier General Kurt Winstead, as, quote, "too liberal." And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Martha Matthews, 100 years old, retired Secretary of Joseph Brown Elementary School and a resident of Scott Hollow Road, died at home on Sunday, July 28th. Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, August 3rd at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home in Columbia. Visitation with the family will be two hours prior to the service. Barrio will follow @Poke Memorial Gardens in Columbia. Martha Jane, Janie McCormick Sanders, 71, trauma nurse for Skyline Medical Center, died Saturday, July 27th at her residence in Nashville. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, August 2nd at 11 a.m. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Barrio will follow @Poke Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Thursday, August 1st from 5 to 7 p.m. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandniccles.com. 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 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. - Oakes and Nichols Funeral Directors, 320 West Seventh Street in Columbia, since 1856, people you can rely on. - For your Southern Middle Tennessee weather, we will have sunny to partly cloudy skies today with more hot and humid weather on the way. The high will be 94 degrees with winds out of the West Southwest at five to 10 miles per hour. Tonight, we can expect mainly clear skies and a low of 76. - 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) - This is Debbie Matthews with the National Reluity 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 Relty Group, 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 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 615-969-0118, 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 Parralis, Manager of Murray County Equipment. We help you with all your agricultural and construction equipment needs. We carry a full line of new haul and 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, nor James Campbell Boulevard, or learn about us on Facebook. Our contact is at 931-490-8183. - This is Bob Kessel with Pat Ryan. It's a beautiful day for digging. The vacuum 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) (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. (upbeat music) Ahead of the August 1st state and federal primaries and county general elections, Secretary of State Trey Hargid and the Division of Elections are reminding all registered voters casting a ballot that they have two options for the reporting of suspicious activity, via text or by placing a call into the division's toll-free hotline. It is easy for registered voters to cast a ballot in Tennessee, but hard to cheat, said Secretary Hargid. Should registered voters notice anything out of the ordinary on Election Day, we urge them to text or call us and report any suspicious activity that may arise, he said. Tennesseans can text TN to the number 45995 using a cell phone or other texting device. They will receive a secure link where they can submit concerns directly to the division of elections. The division reviews reports of possible voter fraud, misinformation, intimidation, or any other Election Day in propriety and works with county election commissions, district attorneys and other parties to take proper action. Our system focuses on giving voters direct access to report potentially suspicious activity, said coordinator of elections, Mark Goens. Voters can remain confident their concerns are being heard by state election officials, he said. Voters can also report voting issues or get answers to Election Day questions by calling the division of elections official Election Day hotline toll-free at 1-877-850-4959. The secretary of state's office is Tennessee's trusted source for election information for more information about the August 1st elections, including polling locations, times, and candidate lists, or to view a sample ballot, download Go Vote TN app or visit www.govotetn.gov. Tennessee gas prices moved less expensive over last week, falling five cents on average. Tennessee also moved into the third least expensive state gas price average in the country. The Tennessee gas price averages now $3.06, which is five cents less expensive than one month ago and 32 cents less than one year ago. We saw another drop in oil prices last week and we're starting to see concerns emerge that global fuel demand is softening, said Megan Cooper, a spokeswoman for AAA, the Auto Club group. If market conditions stay the same, it's likely we'll see another break at the pump again this week. The even better news is that Tennessee has some of the cheapest gas prices in the country, she said. 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. (upbeat music) Turner and Osborne Tire Company 1016 South Main Street in Columbia. Good to call 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 and Osmurr.com, that's Turner and Osmurr.com. Living with a war and joint can be painful and frustrating. Leave your joint pain in the past with a joint replacement procedure at Murray Regional Health. Our joint replacement program has been recognized in the top 10% of the nation for medical excellence and patient safety, thanks to our highly skilled and experienced surgical staff who perform progressive procedures for the knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and ankles. For more information, go to murriregional.com/jointreplacement. 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. On Saturday evening, Ricky Skaggs invited 50-time Christian Chart Topper Stephen Curtis Chapman to be the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry. The four-decade veteran performer and 59-time Gospel Music Association Dove Award winner will be the first Christian artist added to the Opry's cast since the Isaacs in September of 2021. His induction will mark the 18th Opry cast edition since January of 2021. The current era marks the busiest the Opry has been in so far as multiplying its cast membership in six decades. "That is incredible," said Chapman. "I cannot tell you how surprised I am. "This is a massive surprise. "I had no idea and I am so honored and just so grateful," he said. Chapman's induction date will be announced soon. That's all for this edition of Southern Middle Tennessee today. I'm Kennedy Broadcasting, WKOM, WKRM Radio. If you ever miss a part or all of this broadcast, you can listen to at any time or read the transcript online by visiting frontportchradiotn.com. It's always there for you. 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. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (dramatic music)