Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-20-24
(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 Friday, September 20th, and we start with local news. Discussions related to the city's potential purchase of one of Spring Hills-beloved historic structures as well as its future use was brought before the board of Marin Alderman this month. Ferguson Hall has stood as somewhat of a fixture upon entering the city from the south side of US Highway 31, dating back to the mid-1800s. Over the years, it has served many purposes from a private residence to multiple schools, churches, and even a one-time headquarters for the United States Army during the Battle of Spring Hill in the Civil War. Most recently, the property served as part of the Tennessee Children's Home up until the nonprofit relocated to its new campus off Dr. Robertson Road in October of 2021. Since then, plans have been in place to redevelop the former children's home property into Kidron Square, a mixed-use community of residential homes, retail, restaurants, and a hotel. Yet, what to do with Ferguson Hall is well as its potential if it were purchased by the city remains uncertain. Monday's presentation was led by Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric Jacobson, who was joined by Spring Hill Public Library director, Dana Giroux, and Spring Hill Historical Commission chair, Alicia Fitz. As a town with rich history, Spring Hill's continued growth has created more obstacles when it comes to preserving its remaining historic properties. There's not much left of what was once Spring Hill, and I think everyone knows that, Jacobson said. Right now, there are two conversations at play. One is a discussion with a developer to see what might be done there, and the other is the historical component, he said. Fitz added the importance of its founder and former owner, Martin Chairs, brother of Nathaniel Chairs, the original owner of Ripavilla Plantation, among others. That property is well documented in terms of its importance to the chair's family and this community. What may not be as well documented is that family is connected to six other historic structures in this town. Fitz said, "It's pretty much part of the story "and doesn't just stand alone." Having the opportunity to share that story and the resilience of that particular structure is pretty important to sharing the resilience of Spring Hill. "That's the historic piece," she said. "There's also the fact that historic land has become scarce "and the kind of commodity that cannot be reproduced." "That property is, in many ways, "the heart and soul of old Spring Hill," Fitz said. "There are a lot of uses for that building. "Of course, you all need to do your due diligence. "It is an old house, "but I can also say that it's a really unique opportunity "that we are not going to get again," she said. While historic preservation of historic Ferguson Hall is a top priority, another aspect of the potential purchase is how it can be utilized, as it had so many times in the past. Giroux presented one potential use that could fulfill one of the libraries made many needs for expansion. This includes creating a space to store and preserve many of the library's artifacts and historic documents, a project dating back nearly 50 years. "We've been building this archive since 1975," Giroux said. "We currently have about 70 artifacts "with many of them in storage "because we don't have a place to put them now. "If you've seen my office, many of them are in there," she said. "There can also be a space that could utilize "Spring Hill's unique placement across two counties." We think Ferguson Hall is an ideal place where we can grow an archive that supports the county archives, both in Williamson and Murray, in a way that compliments them, but focuses solely on Spring Hill, Giroux said. "And above all, it can be a place people can trust "to donate artifacts that will be properly looked after "for generations to come. "People are ready to leave their legacies to us," Giroux said. "They need a place where they know their legacies "will be preserved and that they can trust us," she said. Jacobson commented on the changing landscape of the area with Kiedrin Square and that Ferguson Hall could serve as a beacon for community events like the Spring Hill Christmas Parade. "I would love to see your Christmas tree lighting "right there at Ferguson Hall," Jacobson said. "This town is changing and that area will become "much more of a walkable community and that building, "that house and little tract of ground adjacent "to the historical Presbyterian church is, "was and can long be a part of the city's feature," he said. "No votes were cast related to Ferguson Hall, "nor did the Board of Mayor and Alderman members "provide comment during the presentation." Columbia State Community College of Year Five Grantee was invited back for a second year of participation in the Metallica Scholars Initiative and received $50,000 in new funding. In the 2023/2024 academic year, Columbia State impacted more than 100 students with Metallica Scholars Initiative funding through scholarships for its Pre-Apprentice Line Worker Academy, dual enrollment emergency medical technician program at East Techman and Fairview High Schools and nursing program graduates. Columbia State is the first and only community college in Tennessee to receive the Metallica Scholars Initiative Grant in the six years of the initiative. "With limited funding options for short-term "credential programs like our Pre-Apprentice Line Worker Academy, "the Metallica Scholars Initiative Grant "has been a game changer," said Melody Murphy, Columbia State Workforce and Continuing Education Director. "This funding has enabled us to offer partial scholarship, "significantly reducing upfront costs for participants. "As a result, they can fully engage with the program "without the burden of financial stress, "paving the way for a more successful "and focused learning experience," she said. "All within my hands, the nonprofit philanthropic organization "created by the members and management of the band of Metallica "recently announced the largest expansion "of its Metallica Scholars Initiative "and its largest grant to date. "With the launch of year six, "18 new colleges join the roster of existing MSI community colleges "with each new college receiving $75,000 "to enhance the student experience "within career and technical education programs. "The Metallica Scholars Initiative now has a presence "in 60 colleges across 50 United States "and the territory of Guam. "We use our Metallica Scholars Initiative funding "for programs that do not have access "to the same financial aid students "in traditional programs have," said Patrick McElhaney, Director of Grants at Columbia State. The Pre-Apprentice Line Worker Academy participants are not eligible for Pell funding. With the EMT program, while Tennessee does offer high school students a generous dual enrollment grant, it does not cover all program tuition and other out-of-pocket expenses. We were also able to provide scholarships to cover the cost of the NCLEX exam for all nursing program graduates this spring. "Because they have graduated and are no longer considered students, "there is no state or federal funding "to assist with the certification exams expense, "which is necessary to start their careers," he said. Line Worker and dual enrollment EMT scholarships will continue to be Columbia State's focus with the 2024-2025 MSI funding. In addition to East Hickman and Fairview High Schools, this year the EMT program is expanding to Creekwood High School. When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really spoke to me. A collective goal of breaking the stigma of trade skills. Trade skills are vital to society, and what's even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills. I'm so proud. We all are to see how this program is changing lives by providing much needed resources to empower students, and it's great that we are able to make our biggest grant yet to support these students and the future workforce. We are reaching even further for year six of the Metallica Scholars Initiative. "This year our program will be in 60 schools "in all 50 states. "All thanks to your support," said Metallica Leadman, James Hetfield. Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, MSI began with 10 colleges and primarily manufacturing programs. With steady development by creative and dedicated leadership, MSI offers diverse workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers. Additional curricula will include construction, healthcare, and engineering, contributing to more than 25 fields of study offered within the initiative. To date, AWMH has invested over 10 and a half million dollars in the American workforce, reaffirming a commitment to career and technical education at the local level. This weekend, Tillis Jewelry is in Columbia will be holding their annual Jewelry Estate Sale. With more on the event is our own Delk Kennedy who got to speak to Tillis Jewelry proprietor, Rick Tillis. - This is Delk Kennedy, front porch radio. Today I'm at Tillis Jewelry in downtown Columbia, beautiful downtown Columbia. And this weekend, Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st of September, Tillis Jewelry is having a very special event. I'm talking to Rick Tillis. Rick, what's happening here Friday and Saturday this weekend? - Delk's good to see you, good morning. We are having our yearly estate sale. We have Rebecca Anderson from Earth Pebbles that has come in and brought in an unbelievable collection of jewelry that's being curated really from around the world. And we'll be at pieces from the Georgian period, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco. If you know what all those periods are, we're talking about going back to the 1700s all the way up into the 1900s as far as the jewelry collection we have here. - Now this weekend, Friday and Saturday, what will be your hours? - Traditional, normal hours, 10 to 5 on Friday and 10 to 2 on Saturday. - Okay, and is there a website where people can go and get information or a Facebook page? - Honestly, Facebook probably best, just go to Tillis Jewelry on Facebook or on Instagram. They can see a lot of the pieces that we featured on there and we'll also have more information about the event. - Okay, one skin, Tillis Jewelry, beautiful downtown Columbia, Tennessee. They're having a very special event, Friday and Saturday, come on down. - All right, thank you, y'all have a great day. - Organizers and fall enthusiasts are prepping to kick off the city's second annual fall fast later this month as temperatures begin to dip, signifying the first celebration ahead of a slew of holiday events in Marin County. After embarking upon bringing a new, a brand new community event to downtown in 2023, Columbia Main Street and Kiwanis Club of Columbia will bring back their fall fast and chili cook off from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 28th. This year's festival promises to be even bigger and better, including closing down the entire downtown Columbia Square to open up more space for the chili cook off, more pedestrians, more food trucks and more activities. I'm excited that fall fast is back in town because it provides more space for the community to come down, to be together and to hang out while enjoying so many local things, whether that's businesses interacting with nonprofits or shopping. Columbia Main Street director Kelly Johnson said, "It's just that time of year when people want to get out "in about and enjoy life together as a community," she said. Visit www.visitcolumbiatn.com for more information such as entry forms for Miss Fall Fast and the Kiwanis Jilly Cook Off. To newcomers or anyone unfamiliar with Fall Fast, Johnson describes it as kind of like first Fridays, but on steroids. This includes constructing a main stage for live music, as well as a fun zone and the annual Columbia Kiwanis Jilly Cook Off. With October and the Halloween season just around the corner, this year's Fall Fast will also feature a pumpkin decorating contest for downtown small businesses with a theme falling in love with the Columbia. The contest gives these businesses the opportunity to be at the event in a different way, Johnson said. They can paint, carve, decorate, or accessorize and bring it to Fall Fast, where attendees get to vote on their favorite. Everything we did this year was in how we could touch all of the local organizations in town, and so it looks like a true community event, she said. For the kids, Fall Fast will also have about 300 mini pumpkins to decorate provided by sponsor Wire Masters. Tri-Green will also provide a tractor photo booth. Live music will be sponsored by Atmos Energy and feature performances by Catapult, the Exotics and Headliner, DeAndre, and 46 Story. Another new change this year will be the Miss Fall Fast pageant sponsored by Brits of Columbia, which last year took place prior to the Fall Fast event. This year's pageant will be featured at the festival and is open to anyone up to age 18. I'm excited to see the pageant take place at the actual event, because that's going to bring it all together full circle under one roof, Johnson said. "It'll be exciting to see everyone from zero to 18 years "all dressed up and hanging out," she said. "Whether it's axe throwing, snow cone eating, "or plunging a person in a dunk tank, "one of the big highlights of Fall Fast "is what can be discovered in the event's Fun Zone." This year's Fun Zone is sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Columbia, which promises there will be something for everyone and for all ages this year. Much like the festival itself, it will also be bigger. "I'm thrilled for the community to have Fall Fast "and we have wonderful sponsors who have sponsored "not only Fall Fast, but also Kiwanis, "Columbia Main Street Chair Suzanne Ganser said. "They made it so we could fund the Fun Zone, "which this year included McDonald's of Columbia, "10 Pin Alley and Caledonian Financial. "We couldn't have done it without them," she said. After making quite the splash last year, the Fall Fast dunk tank returns once again. This year, featuring representatives from various local non-profits raising money per pitch. The Kiwanis chili cook-off will also return this year, boasting a record 20 entries and lots of spices with one space still available. This year's event will be on the entire square as opposed to last year when we only had half. So that has given us some more room and could allow for more teams. Ganser, who also chairs the cook-off said, "Our primary beneficiary this year "will be Murray County Schools "through the Youth Education Foundation." Putting on a festival in a place like downtown Columbia involves a lot of work and a lot of manpower, but the work has drawn a fall enthusiast crowd of all ages, organizers say. Johnson said the response to last year's inaugural Fall Fast has been nothing but encouraging, especially in the weeks leading up to September 28th. It has also inspired organizers to come up with new ideas to make Fall Fast even better than before. We've had so many people want to be a part of this event because they know this will be a huge one, Johnson said. That's the exciting part because we are baby-stepping this event. We're going to keep changing and transforming the event each year in a way that makes sense for the community. For example, this year we are opening the backside of the square, which was an easy next step because more people can be at the event. Johnson is also making extra sure the event will fall in a nice, comfortable day for attendees to get into the Fall mood together. I've also ordered perfect weather for this year, Johnson said, "I'm really excited for Fall Fast and I think the community is excited for it. Just be sure to wear a good pair of walking shoes because you'll be doing a lot of walking," she said. Yesterday, Whitthorne Middle School held their annual career day, Front porch radio's Delt Kennedy stopped by to learn more about what the event was all about. This is Delt Kennedy, Front porch radio. Today I am at Whitthorne Middle School. It is career day. I'm talking with Miss Katie Albright, who is the counselor for the 7th and 8th graders here at Whitthorne. Miss Albright, tell me what's happening here today. We have over 25 members of the community, 25 businesses and schools here ready to serve our students. They're talking with them about careers, educational opportunities, and we're so happy to have them here with their support for our kids. And I'm also talking with Tashaan Dotson, who's, "What radio event is it?" It's great. Tell me about career day. What does it mean to you? What do you see about it? I see a lot of businesses and a lot of opportunities for the school and opportunities for our students to make a big change and move to the right path and find what they want to do for their life. That's absolutely amazing. Miss Albright, congratulations on a successful career day. The kids are just streaming in here. They seem to be happy. They're attentive. They're having a big time. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you for showing your support for our students. We're happy to have you. Congratulations. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home. Wanda Faye Crohnix, 75, a lifelong resident of Columbia, died Tuesday, September 17th at NHC Murray Regional Transitional Care, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, September 20th at 3 p.m. At Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home, burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Friday from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. 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 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 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 a mix of sun and clouds today. The high will be 92 degrees with light and variable winds. Tonight, we can expect clear skies in a low of 65. For your weekend forecast, we will see partly cloudy skies with highs in the low 90s. Overnight lows will be in the upper 60s. 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. This is Debbie Matthews with the National royalty 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 royalty 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. We're Auto Home, Life, or Business Insurance. Sea 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 lawns. They'd cut their grass with a pair of scissors if they could. Bikes to gravely, they don't have to. You see, gravely makes not only the best built and most comfortable lawnmowers, 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. Let's face it, the world's constantly changing, and it is now more important than ever to take care of those who you trust with your business every day. Large and even international competition has made it increasingly difficult to keep your best talent. With Caledonian Financial's local business plan to help, you can give your employees a business package that is competitive and effective for everyone. I'm Thomas Nade with Caledonian Financial here in 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 am 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 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. 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. Federal prosecutors have levied criminal charges against the Tennessee Department of Corrections former chief financial officer and a high-ranking health care executive, who prosecutors say schemed together to rig the bidding process for a $123 million contract. Wesley Olin-Landers and Jeffrey Scott Wells are charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and to commit perjury. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee announced on Tuesday. Landers worked as deputy commissioner and CFO for TDOC from 2012 until March of 2020 before joining Centurion. The prison health care company where Wells was a vice president. If convicted, they each face up to five years in federal prison. The attorney's office stated in an news release. The alleged misconduct first surfaced in a discovery in a lawsuit brought by a competing health care company that lost the contract to Centurion. In 2019, TDOC started taking bids from health care companies for a new contract to provide behavioral health services to inmates. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, between September of 2018 and February of 2020, Landers shared confidential information about TDOC's bidding process with Wells using his personal email account and the messaging program WhatsApp. In March of 2020, Landers stopped working at TDOC and took a position at Centurion specifically created for him, where he reported to Wells, according to prosecutors. In July of 2020, TDOC announced it had chosen Centurion over other candidates. The company had landed a $123 million contract. Corizon, now known as Yes Care, sued Centurion in October of 2020. Alleging Centurion was awarded the contract under terms only Centurion could meet. As the case progressed, Centurion's senior leadership learned that Landers had provided Wells' confidential information, according to prosecutors. In February of 2021, they were both fired. Shortly after, according to the attorney's office, they both began deleting their messages to conceal their scheme. A court filing states that the day Corizon served him with a subpoena, Landers created an account on Quora, a question and answer website to visit pages posing questions, such as, "How do I delete WhatsApp chats permanently?" And, "If the police sees my phone, can they still recover all my WhatsApp messages, even if I deleted the app?" The Tennessee state gas price average is now in its fourth week of declines, falling 8 cents over last week. The Tennessee gas price average is now $2.74, which is 31 cents less expensive than one month ago and 70 cents less than one year ago. Tennessee is currently the fourth least expensive state in the nation for gas prices. 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 Osburn Tire Company 1016 South Main Street in Columbia. Give me 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 them out online at Turner in Osburn.com. That's Turner and Osburn.com. Looking for a physician? Choosing a health care 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 our final story. Known for an all-star lineup of country music superstars New Year's Eve Live, Nashville's Big Bash will return to Nashville's Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park with award-winning multi-platinum recording star Kane Brown and Grammy Award-nominated artist Jelly Roll. Both headliners will perform live from downtown Nashville on New Year's Eve airing Tuesday, December 31st. New Year's Eve Live, Nashville's Big Bash was the highest rated country music program of 2023. Additional performers will be announced at a later date for more information. Visit Paramount Press Express and follow CBS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. That's all for this edition of Southern Middle Tennessee today. I'm Kennedy Broadcasting WKOMWKRM Radio. If you ever miss a part or all of this broadcast, you can listen to it anytime or read the transcript online by visiting frontportradiotn.com. I'll be back on Monday to update you with the latest news. I'm Tom Price. Thanks for listening. Be safe and have a great weekend.