Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-5-24
(upbeat music) - Hello and welcome to Southern Middle Tennessee and 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 Thursday, September 5th and we start with local news. Murray County Fire Department responded to a possible electrical fire on Canterbury Drive in Colioca Tuesday at 5.42 p.m. Upon arrival, heavy fire was showing from a bedroom and a portion of the attic. Firefighters commenced with an offensive attack with two hand lines and quickly made it into the attic space and controlled the fire that had extended across the attic. The family is displaced and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. One person was transported with smoke inhalation and one firefighter was treated on scene for minor injuries. About 1,000 workers at a General Motors joint Venture Electric Vehicle Battery Plant in Spring Hill will get big pay raises now that they have joined the United Auto Workers Union. GM and LG Energy Solution of Korea, which jointly run the plant, agreed to recognize the union after a majority of workers signed cards saying they wanted to join, the UAW said on Wednesday. Both sides will bargain over local contract provisions but worker pay and other details will fall under the UAW National Contract Negotiated Last Fall. The union said in a prepared statement, "Starting pay, which was $20 per hour, will rise to a minimum of $27.72. Over three years, a minimum production worker pay will rise to $30.88," the contract says. The joint venture AltiumSells LLC said in a release that the union recognition came after an independently certified process that ended Tuesday. "We believe this will support the continuity of operations, drive innovation and enhance world-class manufacturing," the release said. Representation of the battery plant gives the UAW another foothold in U.S. southern states as it tries to organize non-union auto plants. Workers at a 4,300 employee Volkswagen Assembly Plan in Chattanooga, Tennessee voted in April to join the union and contract bargaining is expected to begin this month. But the union lost its first organizing vote in May at a Mercedes Assembly Plan and other facilities near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Spring Hill is the second GM joint venture battery plant to join the union and fall under the national contract. Workers at a plant near Warren, Ohio voted to join the union in 2022. Battery cell production began in Spring Hill earlier this year. As the new school year begins, Columbia Central High School welcomes a new principal, who hopes to kick off her tenure strong. Principal Shonda Sparrow-Lang has had a long career in education up to now, and she intends to draw from her experiences to lead Columbia Central. When she was at college on a basketball scholarship, Sparrow-Lang wanted to practice sports medicine. Her dream was to be a physical therapist for the then ascendant Tennessee Titans. But after working in a hospital, she felt more desired to work with students than even with professional athletes. She became a teacher in 2001 and served for about eight years, where she focused especially on special education and struggling students. Sparrow-Lang started working in the schools of Marshall County, where she was made an administrator in 2008. Later, she worked at Spring Hill Middle School as principal for 10 years, where she was named to Murray County's principal of the year in 2018-2019 and again in 2023-2024. She aims to bring that same excellence to Columbia Central. Her secret? Learning from her superiors and servant leadership. She remembers having great administrators for mentors and taking notes on what worked for them, as well as what didn't. She also puts students first. A lot of people say that, but I asked them, "Do you really believe it?" she said. "We are in customer service. I am a servant leader. I work for their students. They don't work for me," she said. Principal Sparrow-Lang's goals for Columbia Central are to restore the academic performance of recent peak years and to build trust between administrators, teachers, and students. She's optimistic about both. "We have some excellent teachers here," she said, noting that there is still a need for teachers at the school. "We have a great central office staff, a superintendent Lisa Ventura she is wonderful to work with. She is a visionary and a forward thinker, which I feel I am too," she said. She admits that the school faces challenges, especially since her administration, is the fourth in five years. "They've seen a lot of turnover. That is hard for education because of different leadership styles and different expectations," she said. The school has also been on the state ATSI list for two years, on account of a group there with persistently low test scores. Sparrow-Lang wants to return to the stride that the school was hitting by 2022 with the help of the specialist hired with state ATSI grant money. Ultimately, Sparrow-Lang knows that she first has to win the hearts and minds of students and staff, which will take time. Restoring the roar is her chosen hashtag for returning to a good status quo and building up school spirit. I have six more years to retirement. I'm not saying that because I'm counting down the days," she said. "I started in 2000, and I still have the passion. I still love students. I still feel that way. The day I stop feeling that way, I'm gone," she said. Thousands attended the Murray County Fair over the holiday weekend, which offered rides, food, livestock competitions, and a top-class rodeo. On opening night, crowds gathered at Murray County Arena to watch the rodeo, which included local and area cowboys, who rode Bronx and Bulls, while cowgirls participated in barrel racing. Fairboard President Randy Ziegler greeted the crowd at the rodeo, explaining that the fair has grown to become bigger and better each year. Last year, $75,000 was raised and donated to various charities around Murray County, he said. The My Day at the Fair program, which is a day children with special needs or disabilities and their caregivers get to attend for free, has grown from just over 100 participants to over 1,000 this year. The action-packed rodeo, presented by Rodeo Air in middle Tennessee, included local cowboys from Tennessee to Kentucky, even youngster and bull rider Wyatt Reed Connor, age 11, a sixth-grade student at Hampshire Unit School, who wowed the crowd. Rodeo clown Johnny Allen led the laughs in the arena. After the rodeo, attendees hit the midway, filled with rides, games, food, and fun. Yesterday, Dogwood Lane, a new home decor store, opened in Pulaski Pike in Columbia. Frontport Radio's Delk Kennedy attended the store's grand opening and spoke to the proprietors about what they have to offer their customers. This is Delk Kennedy, Frontport Radio. This afternoon, I'm on the Pulaski Highway and I'm at the grand opening and we've been cutting of Dogwood Lane. I'm speaking with Megan Thornton, I'm speaking with Cheryl Johnson. Now, somebody, and you two together own Dogwood Lane, somebody, I walked around in there, I call it sort of whimsical and magical. There's a little bit of everything in there. Megan, tell us what Dogwood Lane is all about. Well, we sell home decor, gifts, and vintage treasures, but we're about a whole lot more. We try to offer a little bit of everything from eclectic to just your basic home goods. Cheryl, tell us how Dogwood Lane came about. We were both vendors here at Milltown Mercantile and the opportunity came about for us to team up and take over the store and so we decided to do so and so, yeah, we have 38 vendors now, we started with nine, we're just growing and it's been a real blessing to open this store. Okay, now Megan, tell us where people go for more information to see what's going on at Dogwood Lane, social media, I assume. We are, we're on Facebook and Instagram. We should have a website coming out soon, but. Coming soon, okay. Again, Delta Kennedy, front porch radio at the grand opening and ribbon cutting for Dogwood Lane, speaking with the owners, Megan Thornton and Cheryl Johnson. Ladies, congratulations. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Thank you. The month of September is set to focus the microscope of addiction awareness from the international to the local in Murray County. As National Recovery Month aims to raise awareness of the dangers of substance abuse. Promising news and overdose deaths has come slowly in recent years, but in May, the Centers for Disease Control reported its first annual drop in overdose deaths since 2018, with a 3% decline in deaths from 2022 to 2023. In 2022, 111,029 lives were lost to overdose addiction, with a decrease to 107,543 people who died as result of drug overdose last year. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration since 1989 has observed National Recovery Month every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation's recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery possible. Spots of light in the fight continue locally in Murray County with campaigns and efforts that are ever more increasing. September promises to bring National Recovery Month into focus again. International Overdose Awareness Day was August 31, marking another year for Light from the Darkness, a survivor support group which held a candlelight vigil hosted by Fresh Start Recovery Church at its new home base, Columbia First United Methodist Church. Speakers and community awareness groups gathered for a night to share their stories, educate the community, and participate in a candlelight vigil for those lost to drug overdose deaths. September 14 will see Recovery Fest returning to Riverside, with a gathering of organizations and groups who seek to celebrate the community of recovery in Murray County. Filling up the downtown side of Riverb walk park organizers will pitch tens, share stories of hope, and educate others, cook food, play games, and even create a family atmosphere with plenty of events for kids such as a bouncy house. The event will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 14, at 102 Riverside Drive in Columbia, it will end at 8 o'clock. The need to gain ground rather in addiction awareness and resources is as urgent as ever, says Murray County Prevention Coalition Director's Carla Walker and Amanda Schmidt, as they shared recently updated statistics from around the region. As longtime treatment pioneers in the Murray County area, a place of hope will cap off Addiction Awareness Month in September with a tent revival for their clients and for the outside community to join the faith-based treatment center in its annual revival. The Coop family has made the annual festival a constant for their facility inviting a different church every night for two weeks to bring a message of hope and a time of spiritual refreshing to clients, their families, and friends. The City of Columbia celebrated the dedication of the championship field, Ridley Park on Friday, in honor of former city mayor Dean Dickey, the ceremony which coincided with mayor Dickey's birthday, was a fitting tribute to his enduring commitment to public service and his numerous contributions to the community. Current mayor Chasmilda remarked, "Dean Dickey's legacy was already destined to live on for many reasons. Today's dedication confirmed that his legacy with respect to Ridley Park will never be forgotten. I'm grateful for his service to our community and hope that our city can continue to cultivate leaders who care about their community like Dean Dickey has," he said. Mayor Dean Dickey began his journey in public service in 2008 when he was elected to the Columbia City Council. He served as the mayor of Columbia from 2010 to 2019, during which time he led several significant capital projects, including the development of Ridley Sports Complex. His leadership, dedication, and vision have left a lasting impact on the community he so dearly loves. Dean Dickey has always been a leader in our community, said city council member Debbie Wiles. Mayor Dickey's contributions extend to beyond his time in office. He has served on the boards of several community organizations, including the United Way, American Red Cross, and the Marine Alliance Executive Committee. He has also been recognized as a Paul Harris fellow by the Columbia Rotary Club and received the George F. Hickson Fellowship from the Columbia Kiwanis Club. City manager Tony Massey stated, "The Ridley Sports Complex is a realization of the dream Mayor Dickey and other city council members had some years ago. It is here today, in large part due to his support and commitment to see it build. It is an example of his leadership making Columbia better," he said. The championship field dedication is a testament to Mayor Dickey's tireless work to enhance the quality of life in Columbia. The field will stand as a symbol of his commitment to fostering community spirit and supporting youth sports and recreation. Reflecting on the dedication, Mayor Dickey stated, "It is a tremendous honor to have the championship field named in my honor. I've always believed in the power of sports to bring people together and build a stronger community. This field represents not just my work, but the collective effort of many dedicated individuals who share the same vision for our city." The ceremony was attended by city officials, community members, family members, and many others who have been touched by Mayor Dickey's work. As the city looks to the future, the championship field at Ridley Park will continue to serve as a reminder of the values and visions of a mayor who dedicated his life to his community. Murray Regional Health is pleased to announce the opening of a new outpatient physical therapy location in Mount Pleasant. "The opening of Murray Regional Physical Therapy in Mount Pleasant represents another important step in our ongoing mission to make high-quality health care accessible to all communities we serve," said Dr. Martin Cheney, Murray Regional Health CEO. "This new location allows us to deliver specialized rehabilitation services closer to home for the residents of Mount Pleasant," he said. Murray Regional Physical Therapy in Mount Pleasant is Murray Regional Health's eight physical therapy location and currently offers a range of specialized therapy services including physical therapy, hand therapy, spine therapy, sports therapy, and work conditioning. The facility is comfortably equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to comprehensively service individualized care needs. "We are thrilled to be in Mount Pleasant and to continue our commitment to providing high-quality care to our patients," said Brett Barker, lead physical therapist at Murray Regional Physical Therapy in Mount Pleasant. "I've been working in orthopedics, spine therapy, sports medicine, and vestibular rehabilitation for over 36 years, and I'm excited to bring this experience to the Mount Pleasant area. My family and I have been a part of the community since 1999, and I'm blessed to serve our neighbors in this capacity," he said. Mount Pleasant Physical Therapy is located at 200 South Cross Bridges Road in Mount Pleasant, conveniently located in the same building as Murray Regional Medical Group Primary Care, providing easy access to comprehensive care in the community. The therapy center will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. There are future aspirations and plans to expand services and operating hours driven by patient and community need. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Mount Pleasant Physical Therapy at 931-380-4014. Learn more about Murray Regional Health's Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services across southern middle Tennessee by visiting www.murriregional.com/therapy. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Helen Morgan Brunson, 95, a longtime resident of Columbia, passed away on September, I'm sorry, Wednesday, August 28th at her home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 7th at 2 p.m. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Following the service, she will be laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery in Mount Pleasant. A visitation will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m., immediately preceding the funeral service. Dr. Sammy Bodie Naddy, 59, father, husband, son, and beloved pharmacist of Columbia, died Friday, August 30th surrounded by his family at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, September 7th at 12 p.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, with a Reverend Chris Bowie officiating. An urnment will follow at St. John's Episcopal Church Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Saturday from 10 30 a.m. until 12 o'clock in the parish hall at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Home town 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 and 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 7th Street in Columbia, since 1856, people you can rely on. For your southern middle Tennessee weather, we will have mostly sunny skies today with a high near 90 degrees, winds will be light and variable. Tonight, we can expect mostly clear skies and a low of 63 degrees. 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 Realtor and her husband Jason, who is a pro songwriter, also own a music publishing company. They live in a 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. 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 put your family first. For auto home, life, or business insurance, see Shelter Agent Tommy Hyde Jr. at 388-2009. 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. Some people are just obsessed with their loans. 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 dog on 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. I don't know about you, but I just love doing business with small businesses. You feel appreciated when you walk in, and they know your name. At Caledonian Financial, we try very hard to appreciate our clients. We value everyone, and we reject the idea that you're not worthy of advice if you don't have a certain amount of money. We love our neighbors, all of them. This is Monte Sneed with Caledonian Financial in historic downtown Columbia. Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NBC Securities Incorporated, member FINRA and SIPC. Hello, my name is Connor Mims. My wife, Bradley, and I live in Columbia, Tennessee in Riverside. I'm a deck and porch builder, and my wife is a second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary. My specialty is designing and building elegant and comfortable porches and decks. Let me work with you to design and build the portrait deck of your dreams. Give us a call today from our website, mimsmodernlandscape.com. That's mimsmodernlandscape.com, and check out what we have to offer. Thanks. This is Bob Kesselen 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. 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. The Tennessee State Library and Archives Reminds wants to remind all citizens they still have an opportunity to view the historic Dear Governor exhibit through October. This exhibit profoundly demonstrates the importance of preserving and sharing historical documents with current and future generations, said Secretary of State Trey Hargett. "It is a collection that helps capture the sentiment of certain timeframes in Tennessee history, while reminding each of us that our written words impact current and future generations," he said. Unveiled at the library and archives during the June's Statehood Day celebration, Dear Governor remains available for public viewing in the interactive exhibit lobby through October. This exhibit features rare correspondences from constituents during the 10 years of various Tennessee governors. These communications date back to the earliest days of the state's history and provide an incredible glimpse into the moments and events that shaped the 10 years of Tennessee's leaders. Dear Governor provides a unique opportunity for all Tennesseans to learn more about the constituent communications that shared the decision-making of shaped, rather, the decision-making of our former governors, said State Librarian and Archivist Jamie Ritter. This incredible collection at the Tennessee Library and Archives is one of our most popular and celebrated and we urge all Tennesseans to make plans to visit while they still can," he said. Former governors Lamar Alexander, Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam were the first to see the Dear Governor exhibit during a private viewing back in May. During their visit, the former governors sat down to discuss these communications, the memories they generated, and the impact some of these correspondences had on their decisions while in office. The Librarian Archives is located 1001 Representative John Lewis Way North on Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park, across from the Tennessee State Museum. The facility's garage is on Junior Gillum Way. For the latest information, follow social media channels on Facebook, Tennessee State Library and Archives. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is happy to report that for the third consecutive year, there were no boating-related fatalities over the Labor Day holiday period from August 31 to September 2. There were two separate minor injury incidents which occurred on Chickamauga Lake and Dale Hollow Lake in TWRA Region 3 and a single property damage incident. Boating officers made five boating under the influence arrests, four coming in the middle Tennessee region and one in East Tennessee. For the year, there have been 16 boating-related fatalities. The total is four or less than through the same period in 2023. Let's take one last break. When we come back, we'll cover the final story of the day. If 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@osburn.com. That's turner@osburn.com. At Murray Regional Health, we're committed to delivering a reimagined healthcare experience. When that puts our patients at the front and center. This effort has resulted in Murray Regional being recognized as the only hospital in the state of Tennessee and one of only 79 hospitals nationwide. To receive health grades, 2024, Excellence in Patient Safety and Outstanding Patient Experience Awards. To learn more about our commitment to excellence and compassionate care, visit Murrayregional.com. 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 our final story. The Haley Gallery at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum presents Movies and Mayhem of Mad Men, Inspired Cinema by Carlos Hernandez and John Hancock. An art exhibit showcasing the works of printmakers John Hancock and Carlos Hernandez. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public beginning the evening of September 26th through November 1st, will include letterpress prints, collages and screen prints by the printmakers. The exhibition draws inspiration from the legacy of Hatch Showprint, which has a long history of creating movie posters for horror films, westerns, film noir and more. Hernandez and Hancock produced a collection that blends their personal styles with Hatch Showprint's distinct typography and textures. Learn more by visiting www.countrymusichallofame.org. That's all for this edition of Southern Middle Tennessee today. I'm Kennedy Broadcasting, WKOM, WKRM 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]