Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-18-24
[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, September 18th, and we start as always with local news. A case involving an aggravated sexual battery charge of a minor against long-time Columbia pastor David M. Baker, age 57, has been abated due to the pastor's death on September 11th. Baker died by a parent's suicide just a day after he was arrested and charged by the Murray County Sheriff's Office on September 10th. An arrest affidavit obtained from Mount Pleasant General Sessions Court shows Baker was charged with aggravated sexual battery involving a minor family member between the estimated timeframe of December 9th of 2013 and December 9th of 2015. Mount Pleasant General Sessions judge Jay Lee Bailey the third dismissed the case on September 13th due to the death of Baker. A Santa Fe native, Baker was the father of 11 children and Columbia pastor of 35 years with his most recent church being Family Baptist Church where he served as lead pastor. Before becoming a pastor, he served in the United States Army. After Baker made $200,000 bond at 3.13 am on September 11th, just over nine hours later, he entered the emergency room of Murray Regional Medical Center, walked to the bathroom and was soon found deceased in the bathroom at approximately 12.45 pm by a parent's suicide. The hospital was put on temporary lockdown according to a September 11th press statement by Murray Regional Medical Center. The emergency department staff initiated lifesaving medical treatment, however he succumbed to his injuries. No other individuals were present in the restroom at the time and no patients or staff members were harmed, the statement said. Columbia Police Department investigated the incident. "We are deeply saddened by today's events. Our prayers are extended to the family and friends of this individual as well as the members of our team who responded," said Dr. Martin Cheney, CEO of Murray Regional. "The welfare and safety of our patients and health care team members are paramount at Murray Regional Health. I am proud of the quick response of our security team, emergency department staff and Columbia Police Department," he wrote. The embattled pastor faced many are much controversy in 2022 when he ran for Murray County Mayor after now U.S. Representative Andy Ogles dropped out of the race to run for the 5th Congressional District seat, which he ultimately won. Baker brought a defamation lawsuit against Murray County Mayor Sheila Bud, who is then his opponent during the election regarding text messages but sent to Republican Rick Williams regarding criticism of Baker's previous business dealings. The case was later dropped. Also during the election, Amy Spire's past member of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Columbia, which filed for bankruptcy in 2011 where Baker served his lead pastor, denounced Baker, claiming he told her not to talk to authorities when she was sexually assaulted by a fellow church member when she was a minor. Spire says she felt he threw me away according to a 2022 interview with the Daily Herald. Previous court affidavits showed that Baker cooperated with authorities about the sexual assault and the church member James Earl Lovett was convicted of sexual battery and aggravated sexual battery in 2004. Murray County Commissioner Ray Jeter, who was close to the bakers as a teen, spoke out during the election to support Spire's claims. In a 2022 interview with the Daily Herald, Baker said after he got a DUI 35 years ago and spent a night in jail, he dedicated his life to the ministry. He said he remembers wishing there was a preacher to help him. He served as a volunteer at the Murray County Jail for 28 years, including his chaplain, but he was asked to step down from that role in 2022. Baker's affiliation with accused Indiana independent Baptist pastor David Hiles was also questioned during the 2022 election. Hiles is accused of raping a 15 year old girl when he was a youth pastor at a mega church, according to 2018 reports by the Fort Worth Star Telegram and other media outlets. Baker partnered with Hiles in running a ministry fallen in grace, a ministry of family Baptist Church, which once included a retreat center called the Red Barn in Georgia, Baker explained in a previous interview. Hiles has never been charged. "It is a ministry of our church," Baker said in 2022. "We help people, Christians, and pastors who have fallen," he said. A memorial service for Baker was held on September 17th at Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Up to $100 million in funding for a number of expansion projects at Murray Regional Medical Center received approval from the Murray County Commission during Monday's meeting. "We have a lot of projects in the works. We have identified five phase one projects that we consider transformational because they're really going to change the care of patients and the experience of patients that come to Murray Regional for care," said Murray Regional Chief Executive Officer Dr. Martin Cheney. "The five projects Cheney identified are the Pavilion Orthopedic Institute, Labor and Delivery Expansion, Behavioral Health and Emergency Renovation, Roads and Parking and Expansion of the Lobby." Dr. Cheney said one had begun, one was near starting, and the others should start in 2025. While the hospital has self-funded much of the work thus far, Dr. Cheney said the hospital now needs help from Murray County to continue. He presented the commission with what he called "turn-key price estimates" that reached $94 million. Additionally, Dr. Cheney estimated most of that expenditure would take place over two to three years. "As you can see from the timeline, we're going to have a time coming in 2025 when there's going to be multiple projects going on, and the cash outlays will start coming in and be in larger amounts," Dr. Cheney said. "We're not sure what we're going to actually need, when we're actually going to need the money, but when we need it, we want it to be nimble enough to move and not delay projects," he said. Dr. Cheney said the Orthopedic Institute would add 35,000 square feet on the Murray Regional Campus, and that this particular project was already underway. It would include a women's center for breast wellness, as Cheney noted Murray Regional Medical Center performs 39,000 mammograms annually. While the language and the resolution calls for the bonds to be paid from both ad valorem taxes and hospital revenues, Dr. Cheney pointed out that just like in other instances, Murray Regional would pay off the bonds without any need for county money. Part of the agreement with the county will also require the hospital to keep one year's worth of debt payment in reserve. Murray Regional Health is expected to 100 percent fund the repayment of these bonds over a 20-year period, Dr. Cheney said. Asked what the hospital's current debt obligations were, Chief Administrative Officer Charlie Binkley gave an estimate of around $32.3 million, saying the hospital could well handle that. Commissioner Ray Jeter asked if the bond issuance would affect the county's borrowing capacity, and was told by finance director Doug Luconin that it would not. Commissioner Jeter also said that since interest from the $100 million would go to Murray Regional until the funds are spent, he would like to see a corresponding reduction in the county's expected contribution to the ambulance service. "We're using our bonding capacity, that $2 million is coming from Murray County taxpayers, and if there's any way we can come back from that, I'd like to see that happen. It would be a win-win for everybody," Jeter said. The resolution to fund the hospital expansion passed unanimously. Veteran Joseph T. Brown was recently presented with a handmade quilt presented by Quilts of Valor Foundation. Brown, who is 100 years old, fought in World War II, where he served in the United States Marine Corps. Over the course of the war, he was stationed in Guam, and also fought in the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Pacific Theater, where U.S. Marines landed on the island in the Solomon Islands in 1942. He joined up after an experience in Chicago, where he was living at the time, which made him realize he wanted to get out of the city. He was drafted in 1943. Quilts of Valor, as an organization, was founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts. Roberts had a dream of a veteran sitting on the edge of his bed in despair. Then in the same dream, she saw the veteran being wrapped in a quilt, and his entire demeanor was changed. Instead of despair, she saw hope. This dream served as a catalyst for Roberts to found quilts of Valor. Every quilt made by the organization is handmade and unique. Assumed he was attending a small family gathering, Brown didn't know he would be presented with a quilt. However, when relatives and faces he didn't recognize, filed into the room, he asked what was happening. Brown was then presented with a quilt, told the significance of it, and wrapped in it. He remarked on how warm it felt. Even after all these years, Brown still looks back on his time serving his country fondly. "I considered it a privilege and a duty to do it," Brown said. Yesterday, Cumberland's skin surgery and dermatology held their grand opening in Spring Hill. Front porch radio's Delt Kennedy attended the ribbon cutting and spoke to physician assistant, Callie Graves, to learn more about what they will be offering their patients. This is Delt Kennedy from Portrait Radio. Today I am in Spring Hill, Main Street Spring Hill. I am at the Grand Open and Ribbon Cutting for Cumberland Skin Surgery and Dermatology. I was speaking with Callie Graves, who is a physician assistant here. Callie, congratulations. Thank you so much. You're so excited to have y'all here today. Now tell me what you offer here at Cumberland Skin Surgery and Dermatology. So we offer general dermatology. We treat all range of skin conditions, hair, nail conditions, mostly focusing on skin cancer skin checks, acne, rashes, anything to do with the skin. Wow, that's amazing. Now for more information, where do people go? So you can go to Cumberland Skin.com and you can access information about our office, our practice, things that we offer, conditions that we treat, all kinds of information there. You can even make appointments. That's amazing. Now what are your days and hours? We're here Monday through Thursday, 8 to 430. Again, Delle Kennedy from Port radio at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Cumberland Skin Surgery and Dermatology, speaking with Callie Graves, physician assistant here at the Spring Hill Clinic. Callie, again, congratulations. Thank you so much. The City of Columbia is proud to announce the commencement of the fourth year of the Columbia Mayor's Youth Council or CMYC. The 2024-2025 class held its inaugural meeting on September 10th at Columbia City Hall. This year, CMYC is made up of students from various Murray County high schools who have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and community service. The CMYC's mission is to educate students about local government, encourage civic participation, and develop future leaders within Columbia's diverse high school population. Monthly meetings and community projects will provide opportunities for students to engage directly with their local government and make a positive impact on the community. The 2024-2025 CMYC members were selected through an open application process available to all public, private, and homeschooled high school students in Murray County. Applications were accepted from August 1st through August 23rd. Mayor Chaz Mulder shared his enthusiasm for the new class, stating "Being a hometown Colombian and also the youngest mayor to serve in this role. Investing in our youth has been a top priority for me from the very beginning, and I am proud to see the continued success of the Mayor's Youth Council. This program has created a meaningful platform for young leaders to contribute to our community. The students selected for this year's council will bring fresh perspectives and a shared passion for making Columbia a better place. I'm excited to see what they will accomplish and proud of this investment in our future because I have no doubt it will make meaningful returns," he said. To learn more about the CMYC or stay updated on their projects and initiatives, visit www.columbiatn.gov/cmyc. You can also follow the Columbia Mayor's Youth Council on Facebook and Instagram. St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Columbia is holding a "Tisei" prayer service on Sunday, September 29th at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary. St. Peter's is located at 311 West 7th Street in downtown Columbia next door to the Polk Museum. This type of service is comprised of meditative worship, periods of silence, and sung prayers by the congregation inside a candle at sanctuary. The service originates from the Tisei community in France that is home to a brotherhood of Christian monks. Dr. Peter Douglas, director of music at St. Peter's and organizer of the service, describes it as "a contemplative service in which all are invited to take a purposeful pause in our busy lives to sing together, listen to the word of God, and experience the power of silence." According to the Tisei community, singing is one of the most essential elements of worship. Short songs repeated again and again give it a meditative character. Another key element of the Tisei prayer service is silence. The Tisei community writes, "When we try to express communion with God in words, our minds quickly come up short. But, in the depths of our being, through the Holy Spirit, Christ is praying far more than we imagine. Remaining in silence in God's presence, open to the Holy Spirit, is already prayer. The service is open to the public." The United Stroke Alliance is hosting a retreat and refresh stroke camp, a transformative weekend retreat designed for stroke survivors and their caregivers. This experience packed weekend will take place October 18th through the 20th at Pickwick Landing State Park in Counts, Tennessee. This event is proudly sponsored by Murray Regional Health Care Foundation, with volunteers from the nursing team at Murray Regional Medical Center. "We're proud to sponsor this important event that brings together stroke survivors and their caregivers in a nurturing and educational environment," said Courtney Lewandowski, development specialist of the Murray Regional Health Care Foundation. The retreat and refresh stroke camp offers a unique opportunity for participants, defined community, learn valuable information, and focus on their well-being. The United Stroke Alliance is a global non-profit organization dedicated to uniting and educating people about the prevention, awareness, and recovery of stroke for survivors, caregivers, and their families. The retreat and refresh stroke camp is an opportunity for stroke survivors and their caregivers to escape the routine of daily life and immerse themselves in a supportive community. This weekend retreat is filled with engaging activities, educational sessions, and plenty of relaxation, all tailored to the unique needs of those affected by stroke. An attendee can expect new friendships, connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges, pampering and relaxation. They can take advantage of sessions focused on personal care and relaxation, comfortable accommodations. You'll be staying in cozy rooms with a tranquil setting of pickwick landing state park, delicious meals to enjoy that cater to a variety of dietary preferences, creative outlets like participating in therapeutic and fun craft activities, educational sessions to gain insights from experts on stroke recovery and caregiving, engaging discussions to share your experience and learn from others during facilitated discussions, and plenty of games and entertainment. Several Murray regional health employees are volunteering at the event including Amanda Kothren, disease-specific coordinator at Murray Regional Medical Center's Emergency Services Administration, where she will present a session on life after stroke. "Attending stroke camp provides an opportunity to not only learn about life after a stroke, but also to connect with others who are in a similar journey," said Kothren. "I'll be sharing insights on recovery, navigating challenges and how to rebuild your life with confidence. This camp is about empowerment, helping stroke supplies and their families feel supported and informed every step of the way," she said. The cost for the weekend is $100 per person and registration is now open. Rooms are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to register, visit www.strokecamp.org, click Find a Camp, and follow the prompts to select the camp in Columbia. For questions, you can contact the United Stroke Alliance at 309-688-5450 or visit strokealliance.com. Murray Regional Medical Center is recognized with certification as an advanced primary stroke center by the Joint Commission and American Heart Association, American Stroke Association. Physicians providing care include Murray Regional Medical Center, hospital-based neurologists, a neurosurgeon, and other clinical professionals. In honor of Mount Pleasant's 200th anniversary, the community will host a bicentennial home tour on September 27th and 28th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The special event will offer an exclusive look inside some of the town's most beautiful and historic buildings, providing a unique opportunity to experience the rich history and charm of Mount Pleasant. The bicentennial home tour will feature a carefully curated selection of homes that represent the diverse architectural heritage of Mount Pleasant. "This tour is not just about viewing beautiful homes, it's about celebrating our community's legacy and the people who have shaped it over the past 200 years," said Haverly Pennington, director of Main Street Mount Pleasant. "We're excited to share Mount Pleasant's history with residents and visitors alike," she said. Tickets are available at Mount Pleasant Visitor Center and Murray County Visitor Center for $35 each. Proceeds from the event will benefit Main Street Mount Pleasant. For more information on Main Street Mount Pleasant, tickets or volunteer roles, please visit the Mount Pleasant Visitor Center at 205 North Main Street in Mount Pleasant. "We are grateful for the support of our co-chair Jennifer Graham and volunteers who are helping to make this event a success," said Pennington. "Their commitment to Mount Pleasant's future is a testament to the spirit of our community," she said. "So come celebrate Mount Pleasant's rich past and bright future." For your southern middle Tennessee weather, we will have cloudy skies early followed by partial clearing later in the day. The high will be 84 degrees with light and variable winds. Tonight, we can expect partly cloudy skies 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. 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 Matt and Susie Sowell believe the way to honor tradition is with especially personal service. "We believe your traditions, your customs, your rights and passage are very important, but we also believe in taking care of your personal wishes as well." At Oaks and Nichols, we try to do more than just the expected things, so the service you receive honors your heritage and is uniquely yours. And we invite you to experience the difference. Oaks and Nichols funeral directors, 320 West 7th Street in Columbia, since 1856, people you can rely on. This is Debbie Matthews with the National Realty 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 Realty Group, 615-476-3224. Family First. My dad used to tell us that all the time, but Family First wasn't just something he'd say to us. It was how he lived every day of his life, and it's how I try to live mine too. At Shelter Insurance, our agents are dedicated to helping provide personalized auto, home, and life protection that puts your family first. For auto, home, life, or business insurance, Sea Shelter Agent Tommy High 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 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. One of our goals at Caledonian is to impact our clients and friends in a positive manner. Whether it's a friendly voice, a smile, in a wave as you walk past our office or supporting our community, the Caledonian team is actively involved. Through our memberships in Kiwanis, Rotary, Murray Alliance, Circle of Excellence, Volunteering in Boy Scouts in 4-H, serving on a variety of boards and more, we stay connected to Murray County. This is Perry Beaumont of 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 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 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 log. 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. Three drownings in less than a week in Tennessee pushed boat or watercraft-related deaths on state waters to 19 this year as of mid-September, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The state has averaged about 22 boat or watercraft fatalities per year since 1965, according to the TWRA's 2023 Tennessee Boating Incident Statistical Report. The TWRA also reported 46 boat or watercraft-related injuries in 2024, according to agency spokesperson Barry Cross. The TWRA released the following information on the most recent drownings on Tennessee lakes, as well as some additional statistics. A 74-year-old Murfreesboro man participated in a fishing tournament at Normandy Lake in Coffee County, drowned on September 14th, according to the TWRA. William Henry did not return for tournament weigh-in, which led to a search Henry was found unresponsive near his vehicle. Coffee County first responders pronounced Henry dead. He was wearing a life jacket. The investigation is continuing. A Virginia man drowned September 12th on Old Hickory Lake in Wilson County during an outing on a pontoon boat with family and friends in the Spencer Creek area. Clarence Claiborne, 49 from Petersburg, Virginia, reportedly jumped into the lake for a swim at about 12.45 pm. Claiborne, who was not wearing a life jacket, did not resurface and continued and couldn't be found by any other passengers on the boat. Multiple emergency crews responded and Claiborne's body was found at about 5.30. The investigation is continuing. Authorities believe a hermitage man out with friends drowned after jumping into Percy Priest Lake on September 11th as the boat was drifting in a no-wake zone near Elm Hill, Marina. Jason McDonald, 55, immediately struggled and called for help as the boat was drifting away based on the preliminary investigation. Before a rescue could be made, McDonald disappeared under the water and did not resurface. It was the third boating-related fatality on Percy Priest Lake this year. 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 Osborn Tire Company 1016 South Main Street in Columbia. Good mccolladine 3-1-3-8-8-68-22. 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. They're official Michelin and Goodyear dealers and they've got all kinds of brands as well. Stop by and see Walker Vining and his professional staff or check them out online at Turner and Osborn.com. That's Turner and Osborn.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 convenient Southern Middle Tennessee locations by calling 931-380-4014. Murray Regional Health, where clinical excellence meets compassionate 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-Northgarden 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. Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates will hit the road in November for a month-long stint with special guest Howard Jones, who appeared with him on his latest edition of Live from Daryl's House on YouTube. The tour starts November 7 at the Dr. Philip Center in Orlando with a date at Nashville's famed Ryman Auditorium on November 19. You can find tickets by visiting www.ryman.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 it anytime or read the transcript online by visiting frontportsradiotn.com. I'll be back tomorrow to update you with the latest news on Tom Price. Thanks for listening. Be safe and have a great day.