Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 8-14-24
(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 Wednesday, August 14th. And we start with local news. A 16 count indictment against a Murray County teacher was dismissed last week after prosecutors said they could not meet the burden of proof. Kenny L. Anderson Jr. of Columbia was indicted on February of 2024 by a grand jury on 16 charges that allegedly took place between 2020 and 2023, including rape, incest, and sexual abuse by an authority figure. On Wednesday, August 7th, the charges were dismissed by Judge Kayla Bayless. District Attorney General Brent Cooper in a statement stated, "After a thorough review of the case, we felt that we would have difficulty carrying our burden of proof at this time. Unfortunately, these types of cases rarely have any independent physical evidence and rely solely on the word of one party against another. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is a very high burden, often requiring more." Anderson had been free on $200,000 bond since his arrest. He was suspended by Murray County Public Schools in August of 2023 after an investigation into the allegations began. Murray County Public Schools has not yet commented regarding Anderson's job status. A Columbia man has been found guilty of reckless aggravated assault and other crimes after he ran over a Franklin police officer on Interstate 65 in 2022. Initially, 28-year-old Roy Jean Nicholson III was charged with aggravated assault on a first responder, for which he was not guilty, instead being found guilty of the lesser charge. Nicholson was also found guilty of three other charges, evading arrest with a deadly weapon, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. Nicholson's convictions were returned after nearly three hours of jury deliberation on Friday. The last of a three-day trial presided over by Williamson County Circuit Judge Deanna Johnson. Defense Attorney E. Kendall White IV told the news that he was disappointed with the verdict and plans on appealing it, citing numerous constitutional issues. On Monday, the Columbia Police Department announced the passing of retired Lieutenant Walter Hall. Lieutenant Hall honorably served the citizens of Columbia for 31 years. During service to the community, he served in many capacities, including Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Lieutenant Hall played a significant role in starting the Columbia Police Department's honor guard and served as its first commander. Lieutenant Hall also served for many years as the commander of the SWAT unit. An unnamed plastics company could soon invest over $15 million into Mount Pleasant's economy and create 35 new jobs. The numbers were presented to the Mount Pleasant City Commission at its July meeting as part of a request for a pilot or payment in lieu of taxes program. Under the program, companies can receive tax benefits for a limited period of time as an incentive to invest in the local economy. The company, listed with a code name of Major Oak in the pilot documents available on the city's website, could move into the Cherry Grove Industrial Park of Mount Pleasant. According to Murray Alliance, Cherry Glen Industrial Park is located directly off Highway 43 and has 234 certified acres available for development with numerous options for a lot configurations, ranging in size from approximately 10 to 150 acres. The site includes four internal roadways for convenient site access, and all major utilities have been extended to provide access to each available lot. Murray Alliance further states that since 2014, three new companies have located their operations within Cherry Glen Industrial Park, small to serum USA, incorporated, the Doug Jeffers company, incorporated, and fuel total systems. We work with the state of Tennessee and the TVA economic development team to help attract the right type of businesses that fit well within the community to locate here, said Travis Grove, Murray Alliance Vice President of Economic Development. When a pilot agreement is considered or proposed, there's a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis performed up front to make sure the community is going to come out in a positive way, he said. The proposal presented to Mount Pleasant Commissioners states in part that Project Major Oak is in the plastics industry and expects to make a capital investment of $15,150,000, and expects to employ 35 employees with a weighted average salary for its employees of $43,383. The agreement states that the city will provide a 50% abatement in ad valorem taxes on the company's property for a five-year period. The estimated economic impact for the company is $10.95 for every $1 of investment, according to the pilot documents. Mount Pleasant's Commissioners unanimously gave their approval to the proposal. I appreciate what you all do for the city, not only our city, but our county. Commissioner Mike David told Grove who spoke at the meeting regarding the pilot. Without you all, we wouldn't be here, he said. The pilot is also subject to approval from Murray County's Industrial Development Board. That group is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, August 15 at 9 a.m. at First Farmers and Merchants Bank in Columbia. Whether the pilot will be voted upon was not immediately known. High school football pre-season preparation winds down across Tennessee with season openers set for August 23. Before that though, there's the traditional slate of jamborees, a series of shortened matchups, typically played under game conditions, ideally with a number of teams gathering at one location for fans to be able to conveniently see multiple squads in action. A pair of those will take place locally Friday at Mount Pleasant's new artificial surface will be the highlight for the Murray County Jamboree that includes all four of the county's public school programs along with Centennial, Christ Presbyterian Academy and Lawrence County. We're excited to have everyone in the county come out, come out and get their dress rehearsal in and figure out what they need to work on and get corrected for their season opener and to showcase our new facility and the new Field Turf, fourth year Tigers coach Kit Hartzfield said. Mount Pleasant, which will face Lawrence County, Hartzfield's Alma Mater in a 9 p.m. finale on Friday, will be the first of the Murray County Public High School programs to officially compete on its resurfaced field when Wayne County visits in week one. Battle Creek, which opened to freshmen and sophomores earlier this month, also has artificial turf, but will only play a junior varsity schedule this fall. Columbia Central and Spring Hill will each have new artificial surfaces for the 2025 season. It's nice to see the county trying to help us catch up to some of the surrounding counties. Hartzfield said, education and school is important and athletics is sort of the front door of that, he said. Battle Creek and Spring Hill will square off in a JV contest Friday at 6 p.m., followed by the Raiders varsity and centennial at 7 p.m., and Columbia Central's CPA at 8 p.m., ahead of the hosts and the Wildcats. I want to see us line up and execute. I want to see the boys play hard from whistle to whistle to come out and show what Battle Creek football is all about. Grizzly's coach Justin Burham said, we've had a great summer, a great few scrimmages, now it's time to put it all together and show Murray County, he said. Hartzfield is enthused over his team getting extended exposure on the new surface ahead of actual competition. I think once we're able to get on the field and get used to it, that ability to put your foot in the ground and go with confidence without feeling like it's going to slip out from under you is going to be important, he said. Upgrades, new lights and a new track adjacent to the field will also be visible at Columbia Academy. As the Bulldogs take on Richland at 8 p.m. Friday, following a Lewis County Cornersville two period contest at 7 p.m. Talking to several coaches this past offseason, we looked at an opportunity to do something a little different. CA coach Seth Anderson said of hosting an event after typically playing elsewhere the week before the season begins. Hopefully we'll grow it a little bit next year. Our goal is to get eight teams and just grow it, he said. Both Independence and Summit will host final pre-season tune-ups Friday as well, as defending class four eight state titleist Pearl Cone visits the Eagles while the Spartans take on Tala Homa. Both matchups begin at 6 p.m. The Murray County Fair will return on Thursday, August 29th and run until Monday, September 2nd of 2024. All the family fun and entertainment you love will soon be back this year. The fair festivities begins with a rodeo taking place on Thursday of fair week. Several other popular events will be happening like the junk card jump and run and the Saturday motocross races. In addition to the back arena fun, all your favorite animal shows and exhibitor competitions are back this year too. The kids zone will see a variety of live exotic animals and science shows that will amaze kids of every age. Murray County Fair in exposition will take place at Murray County Park located at 1018 Murray County Park Drive in Columbia. For more on the fair and updates, visit www.murraycountyfair.com. The city of Columbia unveiled three new public art sculptures in the Columbia Arts District on Friday. The sculptures were created by local artists Whitney Harrington and Ricorte Sculptures. These towering sculptures sit atop new art pedestals on South Garden Street that were constructed as part of the arts district streetscape project completed eight months ago. The streetscape transformation included wide sidewalks, designated street parking, a one-way traffic pattern, landscaping, lighting, benches, and five art pedestals in designated gathering areas. Today, we celebrate not just the unveiling of these magnificent sculptures, but the enrichment of our community's artistic soul. Said Columbia Mayor Chas Molder. "Public art is more than just aesthetic beauty. "It's a catalyst for connection, inspiration, "and shared experience. "These new pieces created by our talented local artists "transform our arts district into a vibrant hub "where residents and visitors alike can gather, "appreciate, and be inspired. "They're a testament to the power of art "to bring us together and create a stronger, "more vibrant Columbia," he said. One sculpture unveiled was created by Whitney Harrington called Dancing Poppies. This metal art piece marks a significant evolution in Harrington's artistic journey, transforming the vibrant energy of her well-known two-dimensional murals and paintings into a dynamic three-dimensional form. This sculpture is inspired by poppies in the florals I use in my murals, commented Harrington. Dancing Poppies is a celebration of growth, both of the subject and my own artistic practice, as I continued to explore the possibilities of public sculpture and art, she said. The other two sculptures unveiled were steel-gill and independence, a family collaboration of local artists, father and sons, Rommel, Nicholas, and Corey Ricarte of Ricarte sculptures. Their sculptures are made completely of stainless steel with bronze compliments and finished with patinas that will interact with the environment to create different hues over the years. All the forming was done by hand and with simple tools. The design of independence was inspired by breaking away from societal constraints and being true to yourself, stated Nicholas Ricarte. The design of steel-gill is inspired by our love of nature and the importance of conservation, highlighting the Duck River and other water bodies, he said. Additional sculptures will be installed and unveiled in the coming months to fill the remaining two pedestals on South Garden Street in the Columbia Arts District. 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, Murray County Public Schools superintendent, Amy Roberts, 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.mariealliance.com. Registration closes on Monday, August 19th at noon. 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 and originally consisted of 10 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 in the Polk Hall Auditorium in the upper school on Thursday, September 5th from 7 to 8 30 p.m. This event is open to the public and free 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 others 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 city of Columbia and blood assurance are hosting a blood drive on August 16th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverwalk Park. You can schedule your appointment by visiting www.bloodassurance.org/riverwalk or come down between the hours of 10 and three to donate. Riverwalk Park is located 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? This means your donation will directly impact your community. Plus you get a free tote bag as a very special. Thank you. The Murray County Clerk's Office can now help residents with renewals of license plates or placards each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Murray County Senior Center located at 1020 Murray County Park Drive. Please drive around the back of the building and look for the card tag renewal sign near the back door. Forms of payment include credit or debit card or check. No cash will be collected at that site. Any Murray County resident can use this office. All other transactions will still need to be done through the main office located at 10 public square. Also, you can renew online at tncountyclerc.com or at kiosks in Spring Hill City Hall or Mount Pleasant Courthouse. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home. Cheryl Lynn Powell Church, 71, retired clerk and master for Murray County and resident of Columbia died Wednesday, August 7th at Murray Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, August 17th at 2 p.m. at Riverside United Methodist Church with Reverend Tony Brown officiating. The family will visit with friends on Saturday, August 17th from 12 until 2 p.m. at Riverside United Methodist Church. Mary Francis Campbell Hamcock passed away on Saturday, August 10th. Visitation will be held at Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 14th from 4 to 8 and Thursday, August 15th at 11 o'clock with a memorial service to follow at noon. Brian William Safian, 77, retired medical technologist for Centennial Medical Center and a resident of Burns, Tennessee died on Monday, August 12th at his residence. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, August 16th at 1.30 p.m. at Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home. Barrio will follow in stand cemetery with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post-19. The family will visit with friends on Thursday from 4 until 7 p.m. and again on Friday from 11.30 a.m. till time of service at the funeral home. 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 the way you feel has always been so important to Susie and Tony Sowell. - When people come here, I hope they feel like they're working with a person who's just like family. And by the time they leave here, I hope they feel like they're a part of our family. - What I like most is when a family is leaving, they can say thanks. You made something we thought would be hard, easier than we thought it would be. Not that we made it easy, we made it easier. - Oaks and Nichols Funeral Directors, 320 West 7th Street in Columbia, since 1856, people you can rely on. For your Southern Middle Tennessee weather, we will have rain, then a mix of sun and clouds later in the day, the high will be 89 degrees with light and variable winds. Tonight, we can expect mainly clear skies and a low of 67. 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. - Here we go. - Debbie Matthews grew up and lives in beautiful Coolumbia, Tennessee as a realtor. She is well versed in homes, neighborhoods, development and schools. She wants to share her love of her home state with others to help them find just the right place to raise a family, open a business or develop a dream. From luxury listings to land, she can handle it all. She is the current leading producer, Nashville Realty Group contact Debbie Matthews Realtor at 615-476-3224, that's 615-476-3224. - Family first. My dad used to tell us that all the time. But family first wasn't just something he'd say to us. It was how he lived every day of his life. And it's how I try to live mine too. - At shelter insurance, our agents are dedicated to helping provide personalized auto home and life protection that puts your family first. - For auto home, life or business insurance, 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. 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 Parralis, manager of Murray County Equipment. We help you with all your agricultural and construction equipment needs. We carry a full line of New Holland tractors from compacts to high horsepower. We have a full line of gravely morn equipment. We also have New Holland 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. Or contact us at 931-490-8183. This is Bob Keslin with Pat Ryan. It's a beautiful day for digging. The vacuole operator has the engine running and is moving into position. He's heading for the ground. He's in there. Wait, there's a flag on the play. Let's get out of the field for the call from our official. A legal procedure on the digging team. Oh, that penalty could cause a costly accident. That's right, Bob. He needs to call before he digs. There's underground utility lines that could be hiding just below the surface. Water, sewer, electrical, communication lines and even natural gas. Avoid a penalty by first calling 8-1-1 to have any underground public utility lines located at marked with flags or paint. It's free, it's easy and it's the law. For more tips, visit pipesafety.org. This message brought to you by the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and the Tennessee Gas Association, funded in part by a grant from the underground utility damage enforcement board. Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM 101.7 and WKRM 103.7, your hometown source for news and information. I'm Tom Price. And I'm news from around the state. A Fort Campbell intelligence analyst admitted to selling military information to a Chinese co-conspirator on Tuesday, Corbine Schultz, who was a sergeant in the U.S. Army just across the Kentucky border, pleaded guilty to all six felonies he was charged with five months ago. U.S. District Judge Alita Trogger will sentence Schultz on January 23. The three charges for unlawful export of defense articles to China carry the most severe possible punishment with a maximum 20-year prison sentence and a $1 million fine. Schultz is also required to surrender any property or money traceable to his crimes, and he is prohibited from profiting office crimes in the future. "You can't go out and write a book and make a million dollars," Trogger told him. An FBI special agent revealed new details with Schultz's crimes as he read the facts of the case, while Schultz's indictment had identified his co-conspirator in China as a purported geopolitical consulting firm employee. The FBI agent said Tuesday the person worked for the Chinese government. The agent said Schultz realized at some point that the co-conspirators pretense of working for a consulting firm was a lie and that the person worked for the Chinese government. Mary Catherine Harkham, Schultz's appointed attorney, said he thinks while he ought to have known, he never fully realized this. Some of the information Schultz sold to his co-conspirator related to how the US would respond to an invasion of Taiwan and what it learned from Russia's war with Ukraine. He received $200 for providing the co-conspirator, the document that provided that information. He also provided information about the presence of US troops in South Korea and the Philippines. The agent also said that Schultz tried to recruit a higher ranking army employee into his scheme with the Chinese co-conspirator to get a hold of more sensitive information. 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 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 or check them out online at Turner in Osborne.com that's Turner and Osborne.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 convenience Southern Middle Tennessee locations by calling 931-380-4014. Murray Regional Health, where clinical excellence meets compassionate care. This is Hal Landers, 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 our final story. A recent list of the best zoos ranked Memphis among the top three in the country, Newsweek. Just announced its ranking of the top 10 zoos in the United States. Of the zoos included, six are from the south and only one is from Tennessee. The Memphis Zoo, which opened in 1906, has been a staple of the Memphis area for over 100 years. There are 76 acres of land dedicated to the zoo within Overton Park. The zoo has 19 different exhibits in the three zones of the park. Here are the zoos ranked in Newsweek's list. And number 10, the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. Number nine, the St. Louis Zoo. Number eight, the Cincinnati Zoo. And number seven, San Diego Zoo. Number six, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores. Number five, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance in Denver. And number four, Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Number three, San Antonio Zoo. Number two, Memphis. And at number one, the North Carolina Zoo in Ashboro, North Carolina. That's all for this edition of Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOMWKRM Radio. I'll be back tomorrow to update you with the latest news. I'm Tom Price. Thanks for listening. Be safe and have a great day. [MUSIC]