Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 8-12-24
(upbeat music) - Hello and welcome to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM and WKRM Radio. Your hometown news broadcasting from the Demi Matthews Nashville Realty Newsroom in Columbia, Tennessee. I'm your host, Tom Price. Today is Monday, August wealth, and we start with local news. On August 7th, the Murray County Sheriff's Department took a report of two stolen four-wheelers. On August 6th, an unknown white male and white female were found on a property on Cliff Amos Road. The following morning, the four-wheelers were missing. Photographs of the stolen four-wheelers and the suspect's truck are available to view at muricountysource.com. If you or someone you know can help locate the four-wheelers and the owner of the truck, please contact Detective Sean O'Brien at 931-375-8693 or you can email him at sobryan, that's S-O-B-R-I-E-N at muricounty-t-n.gov. Bids will be open during the next Murray County Public Schools School Board meeting for part of the $28 million athletic upgrades that will include athletic projects and a concession building at Cox Middle School and Spring Hill High School. Recommendations will include bids for a concession stand and restrooms at Cox Middle School, which will also be the main entry gate into that facility. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Eric Perriman said that this is the last item in its completion. Other recommendations are for Spring Hill High School's softball fields be moved out of the flood area, which would include the construction of a new field. It is converting that area that floods into a retention pond, then also into a parking lot that would serve as handicap parking for the football stadium, Perriman said. "So new entry into the stadium, along with a new concession stand and restrooms for Spring Hill High School Stadium," he said. Perriman said that the old facilities will be demolished and this project will also complete these upgrades for the Spring Hill High School campus. "But they're pretty large projects," Perriman said. "We bid them together with the ability to separate, if need be. So I could be bringing you one bid that would complete both projects or two bids, one for Cox and one for Spring Hill High School," he said. The board also heard during its work session that Battle Creek High School's baseball field was about was being started in mid-July and its softball field was finished. Turf started going down in the Mount Pleasant football field around the same time and excavating the softball field was to begin the week after and excavation at Central Softball Field was already in progress, as well as the grade change at the baseball field. During the week of July, 13th to the 19th, members of the Columbia Police Departments Explorers Program competed against 14 other police agencies in an annual police explorer competition, which was held in Somerville, South Carolina. Explorers Daisy Boyle, Brendan Pavlick, Shelby Davis, Wyatt Bridge, Max Cochran, and Teddy Robinson participated in team and individual events. These events included basic and advanced situations a police officer would face in the course of their duties. Explorers also had the opportunity to compete in individual events, such as the physical agility course, legal knowledge test, and report writing. Program advisors Corporal Landon Barber and Corporal Cheryl McPherson were also able to participate by competing against other advisors in a firearms-scored event. Columbia Explorers earned a number of awards in the week-long competition. Individual awards were for the legal test Daisy Boyle, one first place, EVOC, Brendan Pavlick, one first place, and advisor Firearms Corporal Landon Barber, one third place, and Corporal Cheryl McPherson, one second place. In the team awards, the drug search went first place, domestic violence first place, active shooter second place, crime scene second place, courtroom testimony second place, unknown risk traffic stop third place, Explorer Team Firearms third place. The Columbia team also placed third overall out of 15 competing teams. The Columbia Explorer team also competed in a multi-agency scenario with South Carolina police explorers from Lexington County and Union PD. The team had to handle escaped inmates and officers down who needed to be rescued in the training. The combined group received first place in this event. Join Murray Alliance on Wednesday August 21st at 11.30 am for their annual education lunch featuring a state of public education and the 2024 Education Report. During this year's event, Murray Alliance President and CEO Will Evans will lead a panel discussion with representatives from Murray County Public Schools. They will discuss the current state of public education, career and technical education programs, and the Inaugural 2024 Education Report, which will be released during the event. Panelists include Lisa Ventura, the Murray County Public Schools Superintendent, Amy Roberts, the Murray County Public Schools Career and Technical Education Supervisor, and Michelle Gilbert, Murray County Public Schools Director of Teaching, Learning and Assessment. For more information and to register, visit www.MurrayAlliance.com. Registration closes on Monday August 19th at noon. On Friday, the City of Columbia unveiled three new sculptures in the Arts District. Front porch radios, Delt Kennedy, attended the unveiling ceremony and spoke to one of the artists, Nicholas Ricorte, about the new public art now available for viewing. This is Delt Kennedy, front porch radio. This afternoon, I am downtown in the Arts District beside Fire Station number one. The Arts District, of course, extending out South Main Street here in downtown Columbia. A total of four sculptures are going to be unveiled this afternoon, which will be along South Main Street, here in the Arts District of downtown Columbia. I'm looking at the first one, which has just been unveiled. It's really cool. It's bluegill swimming among lily pads. I'm talking with the artists, Nicholas Ricorte. Good afternoon, Nicholas. Hi. Good to see you. Now, you and who else participated in making this sculpture? My brother, Corey Ricorte, and my dad, Romel Ricorte. And tell me what inspired the bluegill among the lily pads we're seeing in front of us right now. Our inspiration for the design and creation of this sculpture is the local Duck River and the conservation of other water bodies in the area. Since we were kids, we were fishing near our lake in Lawrenceburg, to Laurel Hill Lake. And, yeah, we just loved nature and wanted to bring some of our creation to Columbia, Tennessee. Well, it's really fun and fantastic. And you can see it if you drive down South Main or even see it from Carmack as you drive by. Now, you and your brother and your father did another sculpture, which will be unveiled this afternoon. Now, tell me about that, please. That sculpture is called Independence. It's a human cutting the chains off of a marionette, so like a puppet. And it's cutting its chains off of the wood, and it represents freeing yourself and following your thoughts and not following other people. And, again, you, your brother and your dad worked together to create this. Now, what inspired this? So, my dad moved here 25 years ago from Ecuador and stopped being a welder and decided to pursue art with not a lot of experience. And, over the years, he's developed a lot of skill. And if he never stopped his job 25 years ago and decided to become an artist, we would not be here today, making these for Columbia. All right, again, Delt County Front Force Radio, where this afternoon, in the Arts District, here in Columbia on South Main Street, three sculptures are being unveiled, standing in front of the first one right now, with Nicholas Ricardte, and it's fantastic. It's fun, folks. You can drive down South Main Street and see these sculptors. This is really big, and this is a ceremony where the mayor says, "Molder, Councilman Debbie Wiles, members of the Columbia Arts Council have all collaborated to make this happen and to engage these fantastic artists." Nicholas, thank you. Thank you very much. Columbia Academy will host an event detailing the history and architecture of the Columbia Arsenal, and details found from the recently discovered blueprints housed at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. The presentation will consist of a panel, including Architect Justin Lowe of Centric Architecture, Columbia Academy President Dr. James A. Thomas, and me, County Archivist Tom Price. Built in 1890 by the United States government, the 67 Acre Campus was an active military installation known as the Columbia Arsenal, an originally consisted of ten buildings, six of which remain today. The Arsenal closed shortly after the Spanish American War in 1901 and transitioned into Columbia Military Academy in 1904. In 1979, the academy was turned over to a board from local churches of Christ as they established Columbia Academy, a now pre-K through 12th grade private Christian school. The lecture will take place on the upper campus at Polk Hall Auditorium on Thursday, September 5th from 7 to 8.30 p.m. This event is open and free to the public. No tickets are necessary for admittance. The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting sobriety roadside safety checkpoints during the week of August 16th on State Route 50 East, 0.2 miles east of the 19 mile marker in Murray County starting at 10 p.m. Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures 305,000 people every year in the United States. Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle while impaired and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists. The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools in the battle against impaired driving. The visit Columbia Welcome Center is pleased to announce the opening of a new art exhibit featuring esteemed artist, musician and author Ron York. The exhibition will be on display now through the end of September. Admission is free and all of York's artwork is available for purchase. Ron York, a respected local artist with an acclaimed career, has put together a compelling collection of his works for this exhibit. York, who began his artistic journey after transitioning from a career in interior design, has had his pieces displayed in galleries both nationally and internationally. His work is part of prestigious collections at Belmont University, Tom Collins Music, First Baptist Church, Renaissance Bank, and the Nashville City Club. Notable figures such as Vince Gill, Cabo, and Kelly Clarkson all own pieces of his art. Beyond his achievements in visual art, York is a celebrated musician with eight CDs of original compositions and an award-winning author with two non-fiction books and eight novels published under St. Broadway Press, LLC. Although he retired from operating his art gallery in 2023, York continues to actively engage in his creative endeavors. The public has encouraged to experience this exceptional exhibition at the Visit Columbia Welcome Center located at 713 North Main Street. For further details about Ron York and his body of work, follow him on Instagram @RonYorkArtist and on Facebook. The City of Columbia and Blood Assurance are hosting a blood drive on August 16th from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. at Riverwalk Park. You can schedule your appointment at www.bloodassurance.org/riverwalk or come down between the hours of 10 and 3 p.m. to donate. Riverwalk Park is located at 102 Riverside Drive in Columbia. Did you know that one donation can save up to three lives and that Blood Assurance keeps the donations local? That means your donation will directly impact your community. Plus, you get a free tote bag as a very special thank you. The African-American Heritage Society of Murray County presents Building a Bright Future, Black Communities, and Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee. A new traveling exhibition on display now through September 13th at the Murray County Public Library. Created by the Tennessee State Museum in partnership with the John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library at Fisk University. The exhibition traces the history of education for Black Tennesseans from the Reconstruction period through the development of the Rosenwald program and into the present day. The Rosenwald Schools served African-American students in rural Murray County for more than 40 years. In addition to the traveling exhibition from the Tennessee State Museum, the African-American Heritage Society of Murray County's companion exhibition will include photos of teachers, students, and the 15 Murray County Rosenwald Schools. Also, the African-American Heritage Society of Murray County is hosting in conversation former Rosenwald School students. What are commonly referred to as Rosenwald Schools were the result of an initial partnership between Sears, Robuck, and Company, President Julius Rosenwald, Tuskegee Institute President Booker T. Washington and Black communities throughout the South. Between 1912 and 1937, that partnership resulted in the construction of almost 5,000 schools for Black children across 15 southern states, including 354 in Tennessee. Rosenwald Schools drove improvement in Black education attainment and helped educate the generation who became leaders of the civil rights movement. The traveling exhibition on display at the Murray County Public Library consists of five two-sided panels and includes the engaging stories of alumni and community members from 16 different Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee. Tennessee State Museum and Fisk wanted to build a more diverse and inclusive space for all Tennesseans to learn about and honor the history and legacy of Black education in the state, said Debbie Shaw, senior curator of archaeology at the Tennessee State Museum. The resilience and perseverance of these Black communities as they strived for equal access to education is highlighted through their work at the Rosenwald School Program. "The legacy continues today as members from these same groups work toward the preservation of these schools and communities," she said. "Our teams at the Fisk University John Hope in a really E. Franklin Library and the forging future Pathways forward building a portal to Rosenwald collections for all at Fisk University Project were thrilled to partner and collaborate with Tennessee State Museum," said Delisa M. Harris, Director of Library Services at Fisk University. "This exhibit is the first major showcase of the impact and legacy of the Julius Rosenwald Fund Rural School Program in Tennessee," she said. "This traveling exhibit is an expansion of building a bright future, Black communities and the Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee, an initiative that included 4,000 square feet of temporary exhibit space at the Tennessee State Museum and a two-day symposium. The Project won a 2024 American Association for State and Local History Leadership and History Award of Excellence and the 2024 Tennessee Association of Museums President's Award. For more information about the exhibit, visit www.tnmuseum.org. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Ochsynical's Funeral Home. Lynn Marie Kaiser, 64, passed away on Saturday, August 3 at Magnolia Health Care in Mount Pleasant. Grave side services will be conducted on Tuesday, August 13 at 2 p.m. at Pope Memorial Gardens. A celebration of life service is being scheduled for a later time. Cheryl Lynn Powell Church, 71, retired clerk and master for Murray County and a resident of Columbia passed away on Wednesday, August 7 at Murray Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, August 17 at 2 p.m. at Riverside United Methodist Church. The family will visit with friends on Saturday, August 17 from 12 until 2 p.m. at Riverside United Methodist Church. Mary Francis Campbell Hancock passed away on Saturday, August 10. Visitation will be held at Ochsynical's Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 14 from 4 to 8 in Thursday, August 15 at 11 o'clock with a memorial service to follow at noon. Danny Lee Bowie, 78, resident of Columbia and preacher for Jones Chapel Church of Christ, passed away on August 10 at NHC Murray Regional Transitional Care. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, August 13 at 2 p.m. at Ochsynical's Funeral Home. Barrio will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday from 12 p.m. until service time at the Funeral Home. Condolences may be extended online at www.ochsynical's.com. Home town memorials is sponsored by Ochsynical's 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 Ochsynical's, we believe it's first, at all ways, 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 Ochsynical's 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. Ochsynical's Funeral Directors, 320 West 7th Street in Columbia. Since 1856, people you can rely on. For your southern middle Tennessee weather, we will have a mix of sun and clouds today with a high of 87 degrees. Winds will be light and variable. Tonight, we can expect a few clouds and a low of 64. 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-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. With the Nashville Realty Group, 615-476-3224, 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 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 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. 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, but 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 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. Here we go! [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 I'm news from around the state. Outdoor enthusiasts from Tennessee and beyond once again have the opportunity to showcase Tennessee's wild and wondrous outdoor places through their own lens. Tennessee Wildlife Federation's 10th Annual Wildlife and Landscape Photo Contest is open for submissions now until August 31st. Photographers of all skill levels are invited to share their perspectives of Tennessee's wildlife and wild places and to join the Federation in highlighting the importance of conservation. Photos of Tennessee's incredible wildlife and wild places can be submitted at www.tnwf.org/photo-contest. Photographers can submit one photo with a $5 suggested donation up to five photos for $10 and up to 20 photos with a $20 donation. This donation helps support the Federation's mission to lead the conservation, sound management, and wise use of Tennessee's wildlife and great outdoors. A panel of judges will select the best photos to be featured in the Federation's 2025 calendar and across the Federation's digital platforms. Prizes for winning photographers include gift cards to Bass Pro Shops, Tennessee's Wildlife Federation, and more. The deadline to submit photos is 11.59 p.m. Central Time on August 31st. Voting for the People's Choice winner will be open to the public on September 6th. For contest guidelines, submission details, and more information, visit www.tnwf.org/photo-contest. Tennessee Wildlife Federation leads the conservation, sound management, and wise use of Tennessee's great outdoors. Since 1946, the Federation has spearheaded the development of the state's wildlife policy, advanced landmark legislation on air and water quality, and other conservation initiatives, helped restore numerous species and introduce thousands of kids to the great outdoors. To learn more, visit www.tnwf.org. 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 'em a 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 'em out online at Turner and Osborne.com. That's Turner and Osborne.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 experience team can provide you with quality care close to home. For more information, visit Murrayregionalmedicalgroup.com. Murray Regional Medical Group, your health is our primary care. This is Howlanders, owner of Landers Insurance Agency. We are independent agency representing the famous Erie Insurance Group. Landers Insurance Agency has been committed to providing great rates and great service since 2002. Whether it's home and auto or business or life insurance, we've got you covered. 24/7 in-house claim service, we've got that too. Visit Landers Insurance at 514 North Garden Street, Columbia. Call us at 931-380-2003. Our website is Landers Insurance Agency.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee today, and now our final story. Centennial Park Conservancy announced that Musicians Corner, Nashville's beloved free concert series, will continue celebrating its 15th year this fall with a five-week season of live music in Centennial Park, beginning on August 29th. The multi-genre free music festival will kick off with a three-day Musicians Corner's free-fast in partnership with Lightning 100 from August 29th through the 31st. Musicians Corner will continue every Friday in September from 5PM to 9PM, including a special partnership with Americana Fest on September 20th. Musicians Corner's fall series will feature performances from 35 multi-genre artists, including Real Estate, Soccer Mommy, Michigander, Parker Millsap, and Bird Talker. The Family Friendly and Pet Friendly Festival will continue to bring together a vast lineup of the city's finest food vendors, local artisan and kidsville activities. Learn more by visiting www.conservancyonline.com. 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 in any time or read the transcript online by visiting FrontportsRadioTn.com. It's always there for you. I'll be back tomorrow to update you with the latest news. I'm Tom Bryce. Thanks for listening. Be safe and have a great day. ♪♪