Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-30-24
(upbeat music) - Hello and welcome to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM and WKRM Radio. Your hometown news, broadcasting from the W. Matthews Nashville Realty Newsroom in Columbia, Tennessee. I'm your host, Tom Price. Today is Monday, September 30th. We start 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 a news release last Thursday. Her identity remained a mystery for nearly three years until the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation created a forensic rendering of her face and wrist tattoo, a semicolon with a heart in place of the dot. A family member sought 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 dates. Police initially believed she died from an accidental drug overdose, according to the news release from 2023. Fuller is the third cold case victim to be identified in recent months. Earlier this month, police identified Donald Elden 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. On Thursday evening, the Murray County Fire Department responded to a reported teenager fallen down and embankment to the edge of the duck river while attempting to go fishing. The patient experienced an extremity injury that required the patient to be extracted in a stokes basket along with a rope system. A Murray regional EMS parent medic supervisor attended to the patient and a three to one haul system was set up in the roadway. Firefighters extracted the patient and delivered them to an awaiting ambulance with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The Murray County Fire Department says they have training in this specific location with this specific scenario, which led to the rescue being completed quickly and efficiently. The Murray County Commission has approved a resolution to change how it receives certain funds via new development through the County Powers Relief Act. Commissioners approved the resolution earlier this month in its second to end final reading. The approval would exonerate the county's use of the adequate facilities tax effective at the end of regular business hours on October 31st with the County Powers Relief Act taking effect the following day, November 1st. Discussion was minimal prior to the Monday, September 16th vote, but District 5 commissioner Scott Sumner's asked if the county's adequate facilities tax committee would disband or rather adapt to the new format and remain. Murray County attorney Daniel Murphy responded saying he was unsure if the committee would be required under the County Powers Relief Act versus the private act. The adequate facilities board, to my knowledge, has never met. And if it has, it's only been met once, Murphy said. It is required to buy the private act to remain in place as long as there are entities or properties out there seeking clarification on their square footage. So that board would need to stay in place though I don't know how long that would be, he said. Under the new code, taxes will be based on the floor area of a new development at a rate of $1.50 per square foot for residences and $12.50 per square foot up to 150,000 for commercial property. I can't let this be voted on without saying a big thank you to every commissioner in this room, but also the commissioners and the prior commission who started this fight several years ago, commissioner Ray Jeter said. It's been over three years in the making and a lot of us fought this battle. It's not exactly what we wanted, but it's better than we had and we agree on that. This is a big deal for the people of Murray County, a big deal for our schools and how we're going to fund our growth. I appreciate every commissioner who has fought this battle, he said. The final verdict resulted in a unanimous 22 votes in favor of the county powers relief act. 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 am 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 overall head count since fall of 2023 and up 6.7% over the past three year average. Full-time equivalency enrollment is up 5.7% over fall of 2023. Full-time equivalency is the formula that determines how many students are attending full-time. Other notable enrollment increases include first-time freshmen 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 Hull, Columbia State Vice President of Student Affairs. By being student-ready and working together as one college supporting the citizens of our service area and beyond, we are able to meet our goals. It has been amazing to have so many students on our campuses since classes began 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 that due to the inclement weather that moved through Middle Tennessee this past weekend, the second annual Fall Fest has been postponed until October 12th. The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Columbia. This event presented in partnership with Kiwanis of Columbia promises to be 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 Trigreen's Tractor photo booth, watch the Miss Murray County Fall Fest Badgent 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 artisan craft vendors, eating from delicious food trucks or pre-registering to participate in the Miss Murray County Fall Fest Badgent. Bring a lawn 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," she said. "We are privileged to partner with so many local businesses and organizations that work hard to produce amazing products, excellent food and great customer experience that help transform events like this, that create memorable bonbets for those in attendance. We hope that you enjoy the craft vendors, food trucks, the bands, and all the activities for every age," Johnson said. For more information about the second annual Fall Fest, including how to participate or volunteer, please visit www.columbiamainstreet.com or follow Columbia Main Street on social media. 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 other people 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. (gentle music) Mark your calendar's 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 event 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. Bright Apple is set to host the first ever Apple Fest on Saturday, November 2nd from noon to 3 p.m. The event will take place at Iglesia Una Esperanza Viva Church located at 2628 Pulaski Highway in Columbia. The event is being held to raise funds to support Bright Apple's mission to provide healthy snacks for students in Murray County. Attendees will enjoy tacos and dessert. They can also participate in an apple tasting of treats such as apple cider and donuts, apple butter, homemade apple sauce, and fried apple pies. There will be plenty of family fun with outdoor games and activities, a fall-themed photo booth, live band, face painting, and temporary tattoos. Kids can even try bobbing for apples. Our board of directors and volunteers are excited for this first ever Apple Fest and are rallying together to make it a special time for folks to get together for great food and good fun for our mission. Said Lisa Siazlega, director of development for Bright Apple. Bright Apple is a nonprofit organization that provides healthy snacks for students in Murray County, each school day. The snacks help students concentrate during the school day as many students have lunch at school, but don't eat again until the following day. School schedules vary and some children eat lunch earlier, late in the day, and feel hungry before or after lunch. It is Bright Apple's mission to focus on feeding children so they can focus on learning. We conducted a survey earlier this year with our teachers and administrators, Siazlega said. Out of the 103 responses we received, 100% said that the healthy snacks contribute to better student focus and attention in class, she said. Since 2019, Bright Apple has provided over 850,000 healthy snacks to students in Murray County. Bright Apple proudly serves the students of JR Baker Elementary, Joseph Brown Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, Mount Pleasant Elementary, and Riverside Elementary. Bright Apple's newest school, Randolph Howell Elementary, was added to the roster this school year. Howell Elementary Principal Marissa Massey says the snacks have been very well received and the teachers are appreciative. It really equals the playing field when everyone has a healthy snack during the school day, Massey said, kids can't learn when they are hungry. As a school, we want to give students what they need academically, emotionally, and physically. The snack from Bright Apple helped us do that. It truly makes a difference, she said. It costs just $5 a month to provide snacks for one student each school day. Bright Apple has relationships with food distributors to have USDA smart snacks such as apples, bananas, pears, and cheese and crackers sent directly to participating schools. The goal for Bright Apple's first ever Apple Fest is to raise enough money to fund one school for the entire school year. Every contribution we receive from Apple Fest means so much more than a yummy fruit for our students in class. It means dignity staying intact, better classroom atmosphere, behavior issues decreasing, teacher satisfaction, and most importantly, learning success for our students, see us lead to said. Apple Fest tickets can be purchased online for $25 per person for all ages. Table sponsorships are available for $200 and included mission for eight table guests, as well as the opportunity to have an informational booth at the event. For more information about Apple Fest and to purchase tickets, visit www.brightapple.org or send an email to info at brightapple.org. The Murray County Clerk's Office can now help residents with renewals of license plates or placards each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. at the Murray County Senior Center located at 1020 Murray County Park Drive. Please drive around the back of the building and look for the car tag renewal sign near the back door. Forms of payment include credit or debit card or check, no cash will be collected at that site. Any Murray County resident can use this office. All other transactions will still need to be done through the main office located at 10 public square. Also, you can renew online at tncountyclirk.com or at kiosks in Spring Hill City Hall or Mount Pleasant Courthouse. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oakson Nichols Funeral Home. Mrs. Linda Messick Craig 75 died Saturday, September 28th at her residence in Lewisburg. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, October 1st at 3 p.m. at Oakson Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday, October 1st from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Oakson Nichols Funeral Home. Mrs. Dot Mayfield 91, a 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 at 12 p.m. at Oakson Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Palestine Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Thursday, October 3rd from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at Oakson Nichols Funeral Home. hometown memorials is sponsored by Oakson 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 Oakson Nichols, we believe it's first at always a special remembrance of someone you love. We start by listening to your needs and desires. If you're unsure, we can help gently, professionally. At Oakson 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 your satisfaction is so important to Jeff Hargrove and Susie Sowell. - There's a great deal of satisfaction in serving a family and serving them well. It's an eye for detail and thoughtfulness and taking the time to see that things are done right. - We do have nice facilities and good people and we work hard to do things well, but we don't want that to intimidate people as to what they think it will cost. Taking care of you is our primary concern. - Oaks and Nichols Funeral Directors, 320 West Seventh Street in Columbia, since 1856, people you can rely on. For your Southern Middle Tennessee weather, we will have mostly cloudy skies today with a slight chance of a rain shower, but high will be 77 degrees with light and variable winds. Tonight, we can expect partly cloudy skies with a low of 62. 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 grew up and lives in beautiful, Coolumbia, Tennessee has a realtor. She is well-versed in homes, neighborhoods, development, and schools. 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The backhoe 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. Winfield Dunn, who in 1971, became the state's first Republican governor in half a century, died on Saturday. He was 97. Though Dunn only served one term, he remained a stalwart of the Tennessee GOP over his lifetime, ushering in an era of increasing Republican success after decades of democratic control in the state. At the request of the Dunn family, Governor Bill Lee's office announced Dunn's death late Saturday. Governor Winfield Dunn was simply put a genuine statesman, Lee said in a statement. He was a true servant of the people of Tennessee. He led with principled integrity, a strong faith and a gracious love for others. Our state is a better place because of his service and leadership. Maria and I joined all Tennesseans in honoring Governor Dunn's life, and we pray for Betty and the Dunn family in the days ahead, he said. Trained as a dentist, Dunn dove into Tennessee politics as relative novice among a slate of Republicans, testing the waters in the early and mid-1960s as state political winds shifted. He first won the Shelby County Republican Party chairmanship and later launched his gubernatorial campaign after failing to recruit a GOP candidate from West Tennessee. Dunn rose through the primary, despite relative statewide obscurity. Media reports at the time sometimes referred to him as Winfield who? But capitalized on his personality and public speaking talent in the 1970 general election where more than one-third of his total votes came from Shelby County. We hope to gain a foothold Dunn said in a 2017 inside politics interview. We had no control in the legislature, suddenly becoming a governor of the state. A Republican found himself in a peculiar position, he said. During his time in office, Dunn was often thwarted by the opposition party as the state house was controlled by Democrats. Notably, Dunn crafted a bipartisan administration filling positions with people aligned with both political parties, harkening back to a promise of an era of partnership, not partisanship he made in his 1971 inauguration speech. Dunn reshaped some of Tennessee government into what it is today, including creating the Department of General Services and the Department of Banking. He signed into law the Natural Area Preservation Act in 1971, which established legal protections for areas like Radner Lake and Fall Creek Falls, and continues to protect more than 100,000 acres in more than 80 state natural areas. Establishing a statewide kindergarten system and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency were also highlights of his term. Dunn later said in a 2016 interview with the Secretary of State's office, "I'm extremely proud of having fought very tenaciously and won the opportunity to create the Department of Economic and Community Development in our state, which is responsible for so much of the beautiful growth that has taken place in Tennessee," Dunn said. He frequently sparred with the Democratic legislative majority over his veto power, which he exercised dozens of times, including nixing funding for a medical school at East Tennessee State University. It was a decision that would come back to haunt his future political prospects. Dunn later expressed regret for not exercising that veto power over the so-called Tennessee plan, which allowed a governor to appoint appellate court judges. The system was later expanded to include the Tennessee Supreme Court. Dunn later called the plan, which he signed off on unconstitutional, arguing Tennesseans should be allowed to choose their judges by popular vote. His gubernatorial legacy will likely be noted for ushering in decades of two-party politics in a state after years of single-party control. I would say that during my administration, we demonstrated to the people of Tennessee that the Republican Party could be a constructive, productive political element and the Republican Party has fared very well in the years since my term. Dunn said in a 2016 interview with the secretary of state's office, "As news broke Saturday of Dunn's death, many of Tennessee's leading politicians paid tribute to his legacy." He was a favorite son of West Tennessee, who through his service inspired so many people all across the state. We are especially thinking about his wife, Betty, his favorite first lady and best girl, whom he rarely saw without him and whose life exemplified a well, life well lived," said U.S. Representative David Kustoff. Let's take one last break. When we come back, we'll cover the final story of the day. You're listening to Southern Middle Tennessee today. Turner and Osborne Tire Company 1016 South Main Street in Columbia. Good my 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@osburn.com. That's turner@osburn.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 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 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. As the weather cools down and the fall equinox comes around, Nashville Zoo is back with the wildest costume party in town. For his third year in a row, booze at the zoo will include unlimited drink samples, costumes, adult trick-or-treating, a live DJ and plenty of party animals. Nashville Zoo's spooktacular adults-only costume party is Thursday, October 10th, from 6.30 to 9.30 PM. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on the Nashville Zoo's website. That's www.nashvillezoo.org. 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 frontportradiotn.com. 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. (upbeat music)