Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-9-24
(upbeat music) - Hello and welcome to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM and WKRN Radio. Your hometown news broadcasting from the Debbie Matthews Nashville Realty Newsroom in Columbia, Tennessee. I'm your host, Tom Price. Today is Wednesday, October 9th, and we start with local news. Spring Hill officers were dispatched to Kroger at 4900 Port Royal Road to a reported carjacking attempt on October 7th at 5.20 PM. When officers arrived, they located several people inside of Kroger who were traveling in a car together from Columbia to Nashville. The occupants told officers that they were taking Nicholas Lane to Nashville when the vehicle started having mechanical issues. So they pulled into an O'Reilly's auto parts next to Old Port Royal Road. Lane insisted he be taken to Nashville regardless of the car's condition. The car was later driven to the Kroger parking lot where Lane threatened to kill all occupants unless he was taken to Nashville. The occupants exited the vehicle and went inside the Kroger. Officers located Lane sitting in the car and he was arrested without incident. Officers did find a handgun inside the vehicle. Lane was charged with felony possession of a handgun, multiple counts of aggravated assault and active warrants out of Nashville. The Duck River Conservancy will hold a Save the Duck River rally at 6.30 PM on Thursday, October 10th in the Lead Better Auditorium at Columbia State Community College. The Duck River is the third most biodiverse river in the world and the most biodiverse in North America supporting 22 species of aquatic snails, 56 muscle species and 151 kinds of fish. This serves as the only water source for 250,000 Tennesseans and Murray County locals and visitors enjoy recreation on its waters every summer. The Conservancy says however that the Duck's water level and delicate ecosystem are in danger as the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation approves more and more withdrawals like the Altium plant's 1.4 million gallon daily intake. The American River Association named the Duck the third most threatened river in North America due to development and over consumption. TDAC is weighing eight pending withdrawal requests from utility districts across the state which would total 73 million gallons per day at a maximum. Columbia Power and Water Services alone seeks 32 million gallons of that total. The intent of the rally is to petition TDAC to reduce the amounts allowed for the withdrawal requests. Doug Murphy, head of the Duck River Agency said that 73 million gallons sums up to eight districts peak hypothetical demands and that it's impossible for all of them to pull that much water at once. The Southern Environmental Law Center claims that one-eighth of the water drawn by CPWS leaks and goes to waste. Developing a conservation plan is even more important in light of the summer's low rainfall which put parts of Murray County in a moderate to severe drought. Leaders in Murray and Williamson counties implemented drought control measures and the Duck River's water level dipped visibly before recent heavy rains raised it again. Duck River Conservancy had Doug Jones says that TDAC promised to draw up a drought plan in 2007 but didn't come up with one until 2016. "The Columbia Power and Water's permit to withdraw 32 million gallons of water from the duck will destroy this fragile river period," said Jones. "The Duck River Agency and Columbia Power view the river as an infinite resource that will support more heavy industries and many new subdivisions. That viewpoint will literally drain the river," he said. Jones claims that TDAC's current plan to draw from the Normandy Reservoir proposed by the Utility Funded Duck River Development Agency won't yield enough water. He advocates installing a pipeline from either the Cumberland or Tennessee River to help feed the duck. Last Thursday, the Murray Alliance hosted and streamed a candidate forum for the Mount Pleasant City Commission. There are three open seats on the commission and five candidates who do not run for separate wards as in Columbia, but instead the three candidates who get the most votes win the seats. The incumbent candidates were optimistic about the future of the city and advocated staying the course. Mayor Bill White and Commissioner Willie Alderson praised the current administration's work, especially the budget reform that convinced the state to lift a building moratorium on the city. They touted the award Mount Pleasant received on Wednesday from the State Comptroller's Office, which applauded the city's now exemplary budgeting. White also advertised his administration's work to revitalize Gardenia Park to build the fire station and new sewage treatment plant and to repair Mount Pleasant's water lines, which he said currently saves up to 300,000 gallons of water daily. The candidates all agreed about the need for growth management, road and sidewalk repair, sewer and water updates, and preservation of Mount Pleasant's small town feel. Vice Mayor Jacqueline Grandberry and candidate Lori Noles took a cautious line on growth, advising voters and officials to make sure all expansions of the town are underwritten by solid infrastructure. Grandberry reminded the audience that sewer and water needed to be addressed before the roads on top of them, and Alderson proposed to fund infrastructure updates by ending tax breaks for once new businesses. Noles promised to fully review budgets, relocate funds to much needed areas, and seek grants to make up for deficits. Mayor White laid out more specific plans for economic development than the other candidates, recommending that the town cultivated diverse portfolio of businesses. "We have a very, very varied workforce here," Mayor White said, "we're making sure, as we bring industry into our community, that it fits our community and it's sustainable," he said. Noles promised to focus upon bringing back retail businesses to Mount Pleasant's main street. He rejected the prospect of relying only on car manufacturing, warning the audience, "We've seen what that can do to communities." He spoke well of the manufacturing he had brought to Mount Pleasant, which he said had created about 130 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in industry. Candidate Lonnie Thomasin, a lifelong resident and accomplished businessman, a former planning commission member on his third run for the city commission, sounded a more cautious note about growth. He worried that Columbia's development plans would ruin the Mount Pleasant Pike, a concern also raised by Columbia City Council candidate Ron Plageman at the Monday candidate forum. "Mount Pleasant, at this time, is at a good point," said Thomasin, "but on the topic of growth management "in an essential infrastructure," he added, "I want to see some things start happening in town. "I've talked to a lot of people "and they're not happy with what they're seeing," he said. Dr. Haley Love, a specialist in emergency medicine, has joined the medical staff of Murray Regional Medical Center. She is affiliated with Middle Tennessee Emergency Physicians. Dr. Love received her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. She completed her residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine in Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee Emergency Physicians is a local independent group that provides physicians and advanced practice providers to health systems. Currently, Middle Tennessee Emergency Physicians serves seven other hospitals in Middle Tennessee, in addition to Murray Regional Medical Center and Marshall Medical Center in Lewisburg. Murray Regional Medical Center will host the free Your Medicare in 2025 seminar on Friday, October 25th from 2 to 3 p.m., featuring an explanation on Medicare plan changes for the coming year. The event will be held in the Murray Regional Annex at 1223 Trotwood Avenue in Columbia. To register, visit the classes and events page at www.murryregional.com, or call 931-381-11 extension 7-0-1-1. Sherry Craig, with the State Health Insurance Assistant program, will provide information on what changes can be made in the Medicare Part D, prescription drug benefit, and Medicare Advantage supplemental plans in 2025. The seminar will also address the importance of performing an annual plan comparison and changes in Medicare costs. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is October 15th to December 7th. Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to review your current coverage, ensure that your preferred providers are still in network and determine what part D plan will best cover your prescription medications. Plan changes go into effect on January 1st of 2025. The Medicare and U book that beneficiaries will receive by mail contains information about Medicare coverage and plans available in our area. For more information, visit MurrayRegional.com/Medicare. SHIP volunteers are trained to offer assistance to Medicare recipients who would like their Medicare Part D options reviewed. To make an individual appointment, visit MurrayRegional.com/Medicare to obtain a form and return it to the Senior Center in Columbia located at 1020 Murray County Park Drive. Once the form is returned, individuals will be contacted to schedule an appointment for a one-on-one review. Murray Regional Health also has enrollment counselors available to answer questions. Schedule a meeting by calling 931-381-1111-Extension-7262. Appointments are available, including by phone or teleconference during regular business hours. Columbia State Community College is excited to announce the 22nd season of its popular performance series sponsored by First Farmers and Merchants Bank, showcasing a dynamic lineup of talented artists at the 500-seat Cherry Theater on the Columbia campus. Audiences can look forward to memorable performances with the added perks of free parking and a complimentary art exhibit at the Prior Art Gallery before each show. This season of the performance series at Columbia State is a true celebration of musical artistry, showcasing exceptional talent that transcends genres and generations, said Tammy Rossin, Director of Events and Alumni Relations at Columbia State. Each performance offers something truly special, whether it's a soul, the soulful harmonies of Rockland Road on October 10th, the powerful vocals of Wendy Mountain on November 14th, the fresh take on traditional country from the Mallpass Brothers on December 12th, the nostalgic yet modern sound of Admiral Radio on February 13th, the dynamic piano mastery of Ryan and Ryan on March 13th, or the timeless swing of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on April 10th. "We're excited to welcome our community to the Cherry Theater for what promises to be an unforgettable season of entertainment," she said. Tickets are $35, which includes all fees. Free and convenient parking is available along with a free art exhibition in the Prior Art Gallery prior to each performance. Learn more and purchase tickets at www.columbiastate.edu/performanceseries or call the box office at 931-540-2800. The Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce is in partnership with Lister Hill Credit Units as excited to announce the launch of the Think Shop Explore Local Passport Campaign, an initiative designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore and support the diverse range of local businesses in Spring Hill. This exciting campaign will run from October 1st through October 31st, offering participants a chance to win a Grand Prize Hall valued at thousands of dollars. Starting October 1st, visitors can pick up their local passport at any participating business or the Spring Hill Chamber Welcome Center located at 5326 Main Street, Sweet G. To qualify for the Grand Prize, participants simply need to collect stickers from a minimum of 15 participating businesses and return their completed passports by October 31st to the Welcome Center. Those who complete their passports entirely will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing twice, doubling their chances of winning. The campaign features an array of local shops, including restaurants, retail shops, health centers, and more. Some of the featured stops include Aha Indian Grill, The Awaken House, The Spot, Burgers and Beers, Hampton Inn, Spring Hill, Light Hill Meats, TriStar ER Spring Hill, Williamson Health, Bone and Join Institute, and many more. A comprehensive list of all participating businesses and an interactive map is available online, guiding participants on their local adventure. For an extra entry into the Grand Prize drawing, participants can take photos at designated community photo stops, including the Spring Hill Public Library, City Hall, and Fisher Park. Simply post your photo on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #shpassport24 to earn an additional chance to win. The Grand Prize Hall includes an incredible assortment of gifts and vouchers from participating businesses, offering one lucky winner a prize worth thousands of dollars. This includes gifts from notable local businesses, such as Lister Hill Credit Union, Tohit Club, and Birdsong Social, brunch collective, and many others. Once you have collected at least 15 stickers, return your passport to the Spring Hill Chamber Welcome Center located at 5326 Main Street Sweet G by October 31st. The drop box is available for after-hours submissions, ensuring that everyone has a chance to participate. The Think Shop Explorer Local Passport Campaign is an excellent way to discover new businesses, support our local economy, and engage with the Spring Hill community. So grab your passport, explore all that Spring Hill has to offer, and get ready for a fun-filled October with plenty of opportunities to win big. For more information, visit the Spring Hill Chamber website or contact the Spring Hill Chamber Welcome Center at 931-486-0625. The second annual Fall Fast will take place on October 12th 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, close in front of Trigreen's tractor photo booth, watch the Miss Murray County Fall Fast Pageant and paint a mini pumpkin. In conjunction with Fall Fast, the Kiwanis Club of Columbia is proud to present the annual Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off from 3 to 5 p.m. on 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 tenant under are free. Also, be sure to visit the Kiwanis Kids Zone at Fall Fast 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 Fast Pageant. 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 Fast this year by closing down the entire Square, providing ample space for attendees to fully immerse themselves in the festivities while exploring all the 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 Fast, including how to participate or volunteer, please visit www.ColumbiaMainStreet.com or follow Columbia Main Street on social media. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oakson Nichols Funeral Home. Bertha Scroggins Clark, 90, a longtime resident of Carter's Creek Pike died Friday, October 4th at her residence. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, October 9th at 1 p.m. at Oakson Nichols Funeral Home. Bertha will follow in Pope Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday from 12 p.m. until the time of service at Oakson Nichols Funeral Home. Terry Lee Allen Ervin, 34, a resident of Columbia died Monday, October 7th at Centennial Medical Center. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be extended at www.ogsonnickels.com. Home town 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 all ways, 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 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. He made something we thought would be hard, easier than we thought it would be. Not that we made it easy, we made it easier. Oakson 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 lots of sunshine today with a high of 79 degrees. Winds will be out of the northeast at 5 to 10 miles per hour. Tonight, we can expect a clear sky in a low of 48. 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 rights 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 put your family first. For Auto Home, Life, or Business Insurance, C 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 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. C are a 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 objectives at Caledonian Financial is to impact our clients and friends in a positive manner, whether it's a friendly voice, a smile and a wave as we walk past our office, or supporting our community, the Caledonian team is actively involved. Through our memberships and 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 Daisy Cook with Caledonian Financial in Historic Downtown, Columbia. Securities and Investment Advisory Services offer 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 VACO 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. The 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. You're a hometown source for news and information. I'm Tom Price. And now news from around the state. Today, the Tennessee Department of Education highlighted the free ACT retake opportunity for public high school seniors in Tennessee to boost their scores on the ACT College entrance exam. Tennessee was the first state of the nation to offer public high school seniors the opportunity to take the ACT two times for free during normal school hours. Public school students test once in the spring of their junior year and then have an opportunity to retake the ACT in the fall of their senior year during normal school hours. In fall 2023, 51,745 students participated in the retake opportunity, and 77% of those students increased their superscore, the average of the highest sub-scores from each subject of all test attempts. The free fall ACT senior retake opportunity helps Tennessee students improve their scores, potentially qualifying them for additional scholarship funds, and increasing their chances to pursue post-secondary education, said Lizette Reynolds, commissioner of education. "We hope to see all seniors participate in the retake to advance their educational aspirations and set themselves up for success in college and career," she said. Districts across the state will be able to offer the free fall ACT retake opportunities during one of the following windows. October 7th through 12th, October 15th through 18th, October 21st through the 25th, October 29th through November 1st and November 4th through the 8th. Since 2018, the General Assembly has provided funding for the ACT senior retake in every budget, with over 88,000 students having earned the necessary score to qualify for the Tennessee Hope Scholarship. In 2022, the department earned the inaugural ACT State Equity and Access Champion Award, which celebrates and honors the state's commitment to post-secondary access by enabling more students to achieve their goals and dreams. The ACT provides essential data and context for state and district leaders on student readiness for post-secondary opportunities. Students who score a 21 or higher on the ACT also meet criteria for ready graduate. The state's indicator to reward schools and districts whose high school graduates demonstrate post-secondary readiness. To learn more about the state's college readiness testing program, including the ACT and SAT, visit the department's college readiness testing webpage. For Tennessee Department of Education Media Inquiries, email edu.mediainquiries@tn.gov. 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. Bye and see Walker Vining and his professional staff are checking out a line at Turner and Osborne.com. That's Turner and Osborne.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 experienced 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 Hal 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 our final story. The year of the dragon has brought two new Komodo dragons to the Nashville Zoo. Although the zoo has housed Komodo dragons for over a decade, the births marked the zoo's first ever successful hatching of the species. The dragons were born on September 20th and September 23rd and weigh 100 grams without the same as a stick of butter reported the zoo. The new arrivals are healthy, happy, and being raised behind the scenes in the zoo's Komodo dragon facility. "When I first caught a glimpse of that little hatchling, I was so excited my hands were shaking," said Nashville Zoo. "Herpetology keepers responsible for the care and breeding of the species, Kate and Curtis and James Flaherty. At Nashville Zoo, we work hard to ensure we are protecting endangered species and helping their numbers grow," they said. "We are proud to contribute to the increase in genetically diverse Komodo dragon populations with the two new hatchlings," they said. Known for being the largest and heaviest lizards on earth, Komodo dragons can reach up to 10 feet in length and weigh over 300 pounds. In the wild, the dominant predators can ambush deer, goats, pigs, and have been known to take down horses and even water buffalo. They are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Nashville Zoo, however, participates in the Komodo dragon species survival plan to help ensure genetically diverse dragon populations in human care. That's all for this edition of Southern Middle Tennessee today on Kennedy Broadcasting WKOMWKRM Radio. I'll be back tomorrow to update you with the latest news. I'm Tom Price. Thanks for listening. Be safe and have a great day. [Music]