Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-27-24
(upbeat music) - Hello and welcome to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM and WKRM Radio. Your hometown news is broadcasting from the Debbie Matthews Nashville Realty Newsroom in Columbia, Tennessee. I'm your host, Tom Price. Today is Friday, September 27th, and we start as always with local news. A woman found dead four years ago is nameless no longer. Nashville police announced Ashley Fuller, 19 of Columbia, has been identified as the person whose body was found in an abandoned home on Highway 70 South on Thanksgiving Day of 2020. Police said in the news release on Thursday. Her identity remained a mystery for nearly three years until the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations created a forensic rendering of her face and wrist tattoo, a semicolon with a heart in place of a dot. The family members saw the rendering and contacted the Nashville Police Department's cold case unit. Police positively identified Fuller with her dental records. No foul play is suspected in Fuller's death, but the medical examiner's office will conduct a review to determine her official cause of death, the news release said. People initially, I'm sorry, police initially believed she died from an accidental drug overdose, according to a news release from 2023. Fuller is the third cold case victim to be identified in recent months. Earlier this month, police identified Donald, Donald Eldon Verhalen as the man who died in 1993 after he fell and suffered a serious head injury. In July, a homicide victim pulled from the Cumberland River 26 years ago was identified as Diane Miner. Columbia State Community College kicked off the fall 2024 semester with the largest enrollment increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the 14-day census, Columbia State was leading the State Community College enrollment. "We are excited about the growth," said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State President. "I'm especially appreciative of the faculty and staff who have worked throughout the spring, summer, and fall to recruit and enroll students," she said. Columbia State saw a 17.7% increase in total applications for the fall 2024 semester. 14-day census numbers show a 10.6% increase in the overall headcount since fall of 2023, and up 6.7% over the past three-year average. Full-time equivalency enrollment is up 5.7% over fall 2023. FTE is the formula that determines how many students are attending full-time. Other notable enrollment increases include first-time freshman enrollment up 5.5%, high school dual enrollment students up 29.2%, and adult non-traditional students up 10.7%. "We are so proud that Columbia State faculty and staff truly model our mission of changing lives through teaching, learning, and service to all citizens of Southern Middle Tennessee," said Sissy Hole, Columbia State Vice President of Student Affairs. "By being student-ready and working together is one college supporting the citizens of our service area and beyond. We were able to meet our goals. It has been amazing to have so many students on our campuses since classes began on August 26th. Our students have been engaged and are so excited to be at Columbia State. Their enthusiasm is contagious," she said. Due to the college's continuous growth, Columbia State has continued its partnership with the TMA Group Franklin Transit Authority to provide free public transit rides for Columbia State Williamson campus students through the Show ID Ride for Free campaign. In addition, the college opened the new Arts and Technology Building on the Williamson campus in spring of 2024 and recently broke ground on the new Southern Regional Technology Center on the Columbia campus, which is slated to open in fall of 2027. Columbia State enrolled 5,656 students, comprised of 2,700 full-time students and 1,304 freshmen. Final enrollment numbers are to be determined by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Columbia Main Street announced yesterday that due to the inclement weather that is moving through Middle Tennessee this weekend, the second annual fall fest has been postponed until October 12th. The event will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. in downtown Columbia. This event presented in partnership with Kiwanis of Columbia Promises a day filled with family-friendly activities in the heart of downtown. This community festival includes free admission to listen to live entertainment, enjoy a fun zone for all ages, pose in front of the tri-greens tractor photo booth, watch the Miss Murray County Fall Fest pageant and paint a mini pumpkin. In conjunction with Fall Fest, the Kiwanis Club of Columbia is proud to present the annual Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off from 3 to 5 p.m. on the square. This autumn tradition brings chefs from all over Murray County to decide whose chili reigns supreme. Tickets are $10 each at the event and children 10 and under are free. Also, be sure to visit the Kiwanis Kid Zone at Fall Fest for face painting, complimentary snow cones, inflatables and more. Additionally, attendees can support local businesses by shopping with artists and craft vendors, eating from delicious food trucks or pre-registering to participate in the Miss Murray County Fall Fest pageant. Bring along chair and your dancing shoes because you're going to be singing along and having a great time with each of the bands. Said Kelly Johnson, Columbia Main Street Manager. We are excited to expand Fall Fest this year by closing down the entire square, providing ample space for attendees to fully immerse themselves in the festivities while exploring all that downtown Columbia has to offer, said Johnson. We are privileged to partner with so many local businesses and organizations that work hard to produce amazing products, excellent food and great customer experiences that help transform events like this that create memorable moments for those in attendance. We hope that you enjoy the craft vendors, food trucks, the bands and all the activities for every age, she said. For more information about the second annual Fall Fest, including how to participate or volunteer, please visit ColumbiaMainStreet.com or follow Columbia Main Street on social media. It has also been announced this morning as well that handled the candlelight tour of the Athenaeum Historic Site for this weekend has been also canceled due to the inclement weather. (silence) Murray Regional Medical Center recently announced the addition of four physicians to its various offices. Dr. Brett Begley, a cardiologist with Ascension St. Thomas Hart, Columbia, has joined the medical staff. Dr. Begley received his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in St. Michael Barbados. He completed a residency at Michigan State University, Corwell Health Grand Rapids, Michigan and a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Canton Medical Education Foundation, Altman Hospital in Canton, Ohio in cardiovascular disease. He's board certified in internal medicine. Ascension St. Thomas Hart, Columbia is located at 1222 Trotwood Avenue, Sweet 211 in Columbia. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. to make an appointment call 931-777-2300. With the addition of Dr. Begley, the medical staff at Murray Regional Health includes 15 Hart specialists with expertise in general cardiology, interventional cardiology and electrophysiology. The Hart Center offers a vast array of cardiac services ranging from diagnostic and interventional procedures to pacemaker and defibrillator implants and recently invested $1.9 million to enhance cardiac services, which included new state-of-the-art technology in its cardiac catheterization labs. Dr. Emily Jenkins, a specialist in medical oncology and hematology, has joined the staff at Murray Regional Medical Center. She is associated with Tennessee Oncology at the Murray Regional Cancer Center. Dr. Jenkins received her medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. She completed a residency in a fellowship in hematology and oncology at University of North Carolina Medical Center in Chapel Hill. Dr. Jenkins is board certified in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology. Dr. Jenkins joins doctors Varun Doolapala, Ramani John Pulley, and Mark Messenger in the Tennessee Oncology Practice in Columbia. That office is located at the Columbia Mall in the Murray Regional Cancer Center at 808 South James Campbell Boulevard. The office hours are Monday through Friday, seven, 30 to four, 30 for more information. Call 931-381-3872. Also, Dr. Bethany Sommerford and Oncravidia have joined the medical staff at Murray Regional Medical Center as hospital medicine physicians and are both affiliated with the Murray Regional Medical Group. Dr. Sommerford completed medical school at University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson. She completed her residency at University of Miami Jackson Health System in Miami, Florida. Dr. Vidia completed medical school at University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. He completed his residency at the University of Miami Jackson Health System in Miami, Florida. Murray Regional Medical Group, an affiliate of Murray Regional Health, is the provider for Murray Regional's hospital medicine program. These physicians are specialists who devote their time and expertise to adult and pediatric patients exclusively within the hospital setting. The hospital medicine physicians are trained in internal medicine and pediatrics and can care for patients ranging from infants to the elderly. The Murray County Commission passed a resolution on September 16th to name a bridge after Hampshire's John Andrew Booker. The state bridge runs over Kathy's Creek on Love Branch Road. Booker was born in 1944 and went to schools in Columbia, finishing at Carver Smith High School. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and returned to Hampshire. After working at a few other businesses, he settled at Columbia Gulf Transmission and worked there for 27 years until he retired. In 1965, he married Lillian Joanne Booker and they had four children. When Lillian was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1980, Booker took care of her until her death in 2011. Booker was very active in the common life of Hampshire. He was an adult leader in the Boy Scouts, the president of the PTA, a Rotarian, a volunteer firefighter, and an involved member of the Pleasant Union Church of Christ, where he led building and maintenance projects. Booker also founded the Godfather's Motorcycle Club to which county commissioner Gary Stovall belongs. I knew him a long time. Stovall reminisced about his time with Booker. He had a servant's heart. Commissioner Aaron Miller sponsored the resolution to name the bridge. One of Booker's sons had asked Miller about a memorial for his father, so the commissioner put out a call for testimonials about his life and character. They needed only three testimonials to start the process, but Miller was quickly swamped with him. There was an absolute outpouring from neighbors, friends, and family with these anecdotal stories of Mr. Booker going out of his way to help his neighbors. Miller said, "It could be the middle of the night, "could be him coming home from work, whatever it was." He was always looking for opportunities to serve his neighbors. Miller brought out another purpose for the memorial while speaking to the commission. While Miller was in the military, a senior officer told him that military medals are meant not only to reward the recipient, but also to inspire other people to emulate their good deeds. Every time somebody drives over that bridge or walks by that bridge, they're going to see that plaque and say, "Hey, I wonder what that guy did. "Why is he being honored?" Miller said, "I just hope this bridge honors his legacy "and his memory, and also inspires other members "of the community to act in the same ways that he did." In other county government business commissioners selected Ray Jeter to serve as the vice chairman of the commission for the next year, as well as approving Tim Holt and Tony Green to the civil service board. Beverly Ray Byrne was added to the adequate facilities tax board. Jeter, Gabe Howard and Kathy Grodai to the audit committee, Cindy Hessler and Karl McColland to the ethics board and Benny Bolton and Cindy Johnson to the park board. Also approved on second reading was the adoption of an impact fee on new construction, something Murray County has been pursuing for years. Earlier in 2024, the General Assembly passed a law allowing counties with high population growth in the last U.S. Census to add an impact fee of up to $1.50 per square foot on residential construction and commercial construction up to 150,000 square feet. The new fee will take effect on November 1st and will not apply to any builders who have already received permits for construction as of the end of October. A big, big thank you to every commissioner in this room and the previous commissioners who started this fight. It's been over three years in the making. It's a big deal for the people of Murray County, our schools and how we're going to fund our growth. Commissioner Jeter said. A request by Murray Regional Medical Center to issue $100 million in bonds for upcoming projects at the hospital was also approved. The hospital will pay off the bonds per an inter-local agreement between Murray Regional Medical Center and at the county. Grant funding of $433,287 for the Murray County Health Department and $3.2 million in American Rescue Plan funds for the Murray County water system and the city of Mount Pleasant was also approved by commissioners. The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting sobriety roadside safety checkpoints during the week of October 4th on State Route 50 at the zero 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. In honor of Mount Pleasant's 200th anniversary, the community will host a bicentennial home tour on September 27th and 8th 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. Various homes throughout Mount Pleasant will be open to tour, tickets will be available at the Mount Pleasant Visitor Center and Burry 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 rules, 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. "So come celebrate Mount Pleasant's rich past "and bright future," she said. Mark your calendars, Columbia, room in the Inn's biggest fundraiser of the year is just around the corner. On October 4th, the community is invited to join in the October Fest festivities and support a fantastic local cause. Room in the Inn is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing shelter, resources and hope to single mothers and their children in need. Their latest project, Grace House, aims to create a safe, supportive living space with individual beds, private bedrooms and bathrooms, a community kitchen and laundry facilities. All proceeds from this year's October Fest will go directly towards the construction of Grace House, making a real difference in the lives of local families. So what can you expect at this year's October Fest celebration? Plenty of fun, food and community spirit. The event will take place on October 4th at Riverwalk Park in Columbia from 6 to 10 p.m. Guests will be able to enjoy local craft beer tastings, delicious fare from food trucks, live music and traditional October Fest games and activities. Riverwalk Park is located at 102 riverside drive in Columbia. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Evelyn Jett Brewer, 83, a resident of Columbia, died Friday, September 20th at Poplar State's assisted living. Visitation will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, September 30th at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at 3 p.m. at Linwood Cemetery in Linville. Joanne Barrett Johnson Coffee, 84, retired secretary for Columbia State Community College and a longtime resident of Cleveland and Columbia died Tuesday, September 24th at Murray Regional Medical Center. A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, September 28th at 1 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Cleveland, Tennessee. Sammy Dot Grimes Mayfield, 91, retired cafeteria manager for Columbia Academy and a resident of Columbia died Tuesday, September 24th at her residence. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, October 3rd from 12 p.m. at Oakes at 12 p.m. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Barrett will follow in Palestine Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Thursday, October 3rd from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. hometown 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 that 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. - One of our 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 periods of rain with the potential of heavy rainfall today. The high will reach 67 degrees with winds out of the West Southwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour. The chance of rain, 100% with one to two inches expected. Tonight, we can expect a steady rain with showers continuing overnight. The low will be 61 degrees with winds out of the Southwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour. The chance of overnight rain, 100%, with another half inch expected. For your weekend forecast, we will see more rain on Saturday with a high of 67 degrees, with rain continuing into Saturday night. We'll have on and off rain showers on Sunday that will taper off to cloudy skies on Sunday night. Let's take a break. When we come back, we'll cover state and national news that affect you. You're listening to Southern Middle Tennessee today. - Debbie Matthews-Rilter and her husband, Jason, who is a pro songwriter, also own a music publishing company. They live in historic downtown Columbia with their dogs. Dog rescue work is their passion project. They consider Middle Tennessee their backyard and their lives are full of all things Tennessee. Debbie says there is no greater honor than to help someone find a home. To be trusted with that job, there is no greater privilege to 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, 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 are 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 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. - People often ask about the initials after mine in Monty's names. Those initials are CFP, Certified Financial Planner. As a CFP, we will do our best to help you in the attainment of your financial goals while protecting those assets with proper insurance coverage. We encourage the team approach of holistic financial planning by working alongside your CPA and attorney. This is Gay Pike 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 and 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. (upbeat music) - Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM 101.7 and WKRM 103.7, your hometown source for news and information. I'm Tom Price, and I'm news from around the state. Vanderbilt University's nationwide footprint is expanding to New York City. The school, which announced an expansion to Southern Florida earlier this month, said Thursday that it entered into a lease agreement with the General Theological Seminary and to take over its historic campus in the Chelsea neighborhood, including 13 buildings and approximately 150,000 square feet. Vanderbilt is still in the process of receiving approval for the lease and any future programming from New York State government. To properly provide a transformative education to our students and help our scholars and researchers achieve their greatest ambitions and most meaningful impact, we must make the broadest and richest range of opportunities available to them. Wherever those opportunities exist, Chancellor Daniel Diermeyer said in a statement. As home to leading institutions in finance, media technology and the arts, and as a jumping off point to the rest of the world, New York offers unbounded opportunities, he said. Vanderbilt University reported that approximately 7,800 alumni and 740 current students live in or are from the New York area. Last year, the university created a regional administrative hub in New York for its development and alumni relations, the Office of Career Advancement and Education and the Office of Enrollment Affairs. That office will relocate to the Chelsea campus. The university said other programming details are still in the early stages and would be pending state approval. Let's take one last break. When we come back, we'll cover the final story of the day. You're listening to Southern Middle Tennessee today. Turner and Osborne Tire Company 1016 South Main Street in Columbia. Give 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 are checking out a line at Turner and ozburne.com that's Turner and ozburne.com. Living with a war and joint can be painful and frustrating. Leave your joint pain in the past with a joint replacement procedure at Murray Regional Health. Our joint replacement program has been recognized in the top 10% of the nation for medical excellence and patient safety, thanks to our highly skilled and experienced surgical staff who perform progressive procedures for the knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and ankles. For more information, go to murriregional.com/jointreplacement. Murray Regional Health, where clinical excellence meets compassionate care. This is how 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 now our final story. Did you know Columbia has its very own comic convention, chock full of vintage toys, comic books, video games, and perhaps a few caped crusaders all dressed up? The Columbia Comic Book Expo will take place on Saturday from nine to four at the National Guard Armory Center at 844 North James M. Campbell Boulevard. Now in its fifth year, the Columbia Expo celebrates all things pop culture, not to mention a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon tapping into that inner child. Guests can browse and purchase a wide range of items from Lego sets to Star Wars, Marvel, DC, anime, vintage posters, and other collectibles. Admission is $5 with free parking and food trucks are available for a quick bite. That's all for this edition of Southern Middle Tennessee today on Kennedy Broadcasting WKOMWKRM Radio. 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. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music)