Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-15-24
[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 Tuesday, October 15th and we start with local news. Lawrence County jury returned to its verdict last week against one of two suspects in the April 13th 2021 murder of Lawrenceburg resident Sharon Gillespie. Gillespie had been working at the summit of Lawrenceburg at the time of her death. Just prior to being shot at approximately 8 p.m. she told a coworker she was going to step outside for a few minutes. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and moments later Gillespie re-entered the building and collapsed inside the foyer. She was transported to nearby southern Tennessee regional health system Lawrenceburg where she succumbed to her injuries. Brandon Miller Ware, a 40-year-old resident of Columbia was identified as a suspect in the case. In August of 2022 a Lawrence County Grand Jury returned indictments charging him with first-degree murder. Criminal homicide attempted especially aggravated robbery and criminal conspiracy to sell schedule to narcotics. He was subsequently incarcerated under a bond of $1 million. Following a trial last week in Lawrence County Circuit Corps jurors found Ware guilty of lesser charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault. A sentencing hearing will be held for Ware at a later date. Prosecutors in the case were assistant district attorneys Christy Thompson and Hunter Knight, victim witness coordinator Kim McGee was cited as instrumental in the case as was LPD lead investigator Lieutenant Brent Hunter. "We are grateful for the verdict and the jury's diligence in this case," District Attorney General Brent Cooper said. "It was a long time in the coming but thanks to the hard work and persistence of Lieutenant Hunter, the Gillespie family can rest a little easier now. Our prayers are with them," he said. In May of this year indictments were also returned against a second suspect in the case. Columbia resident Victoria and Nisa Cash, 40, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder. Criminal homicide attempted a specially aggravated robbery and criminal conspiracy to sell Schedule 3 narcotics. Cash was arrested in May and incarcerated under a bond of $3 million. She is next scheduled to appear in Lawrence County Circuit Court for a motion hearing on October 24. The investigation was carried out through the Lawrenceburg Police Department in conjunction with Special Agents with the Office of Homeland Security. Murray Regional Health's Emergency Medical Services has received the American Heart Association's Mission Lifeline EMS Silver Achievement Award for its commitment to offering rapid and research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives. Mission Lifeline EMS is the American Heart Association's national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk time-sensitive disease states such as severe heart attacks and strokes. This recognition program evaluates EMS agencies for their use of evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve care and outcomes. The Silver Level Awards agencies that meet certain criteria for 12 consecutive months, which includes actively submitting data to the National Cardiovascular Data Registry, or NCDR, positive performance achievement measurements, consistency and quality of care, following proper protocols and procedures and ongoing quality improvement initiatives. Murray Regional Health EMS is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for a dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients, said Dr. Martin Cheney, CEO of Murray Regional. This is all thanks to our dedicated and highly trained EMS teams utilizing the latest life-saving technology and care techniques. Everything we do is driven by our mission to serve and support the health and wellness of our community, ensuring that every patient receives the best possible care, from ambulance to hospital and back home, he said. EMS staff can begin treatment when they arrive much sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car. This department plays a vital role in the early identification and stabilization of conditions and performing critical pre-hospital interventions that set the stage for effective treatment. Additionally, Murray Regional Health's EMS staff have technology that shares data with the emergency room before they arrive, which allows for smooth and efficient transitions into hospital care. Overall, EMS teams ensure that patients receive timely and definitive therapies, which are essential for achieving optimal outcomes and maximizing quality of life. The acronym FAST fast can be used to help recall common signs of stroke, F is for face drooping, A is for arm weakness, S is for speech difficulty, and T is for time to call 911. Other symptoms include confusion, dizziness, severe headaches, and trouble with your eyes. Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person, but men will generally experience chest pain or discomfort, general pain that radiates to arms, back, neck, jaw, or arms, shortness of breath, cold sweat, heartburn, sudden dizziness, and women have similar issues yet tend to experience more arm or jaw pain than in the chest. If you or someone is experiencing these symptoms, take action by calling 911, noting the time that the symptoms started and, if possible, chewing an aspirin to prevent blood clotting. Acting quickly has a significant impact on outcomes for both stroke and heart attack. To learn more about emergency medical services, visit www.marryregional.com/EMS. The City of Columbia has been awarded $810,000 in home grant program funds from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, or THDA, following an initial announcement in May. These funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, will enable the City to support the rehabilitation and repair of single-family homes for low income residents in Columbia. We recognize that maintaining affordable housing is crucial for our residents, especially during this period of exponential growth, and this grant will help us realize our goal of ensuring that all parts and all people of our community succeed. "We all do better when we all do better," said Mayor Chasmolder. The home grant program aims to promote the preservation of affordable housing for low-income households. With these funds, the City of Columbia plans to assist eight to 13 homeowners in completing much needed home repairs, depending on the scope of repairs required for each eligible property. The focus will be on ensuring that all homes receiving support meet residential building code requirements upon completion of the project. City Manager Tony Massey remarked, "As the City of Columbia continues to grow, it's essential that we prioritize the needs of our longtime residents and ensure that they aren't left behind. To kick off the program, the City will host a public meeting on October 29th to provide details and distribute applications. Applications will be accepted for 30 days following the meeting with a submission deadline of November 29th. After the submission deadline, applications will be reviewed, selections will be made, and a contractor will be hired to perform the work on the selected homes. Applicants will be assessed according to THDA and HUD guidelines with priority given to low-income homeowners. The South Central Tennessee Development District will administer the grant on behalf of the City of Columbia. The City of Columbia makes a point to apply for all state and federal dollars that can benefit our community," said Assistant City Manager Thadjablonsky. "The cost of buying and owning a home right now is high and rising. We understand that, and we are especially focused on programs that provide quality of life assistance to Columbia residents," he said. The City of Columbia remains committed to leveraging all available resources to enhance the quality of life for its residents. This grant aligns with the City's ongoing mission to ensure that all citizens have access to safe, sustainable, and affordable housing. For questions regarding applications and eligibility, please contact Tia Lockridge, Director of Housing for the South Central Tennessee Development District at 931-379-2957 or via email at Tlockridge@sctdd.org. Classifications for Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association programs were recently announced by the Organization for Competition in the 2025-2027 period with a handful of local schools set to see new leagues. After competing in Division IIA since entering the all-private school portion of the TLS-AA prior to the 2019-2020 school year, Columbia Academy with an enrollment number of 279 will play in Division II-AA for football. The remainder of the school's programs will continue to participate at the D2A level. "We were kind of anticipating it a little bit," CA Football Coach Seth Anderson said. "Right now the focus is obviously on this season, but you've got to start looking ahead a little bit," he said. The Division II-AA middle region currently consists of defending state champion Christ Presbyterian Academy, Battle Ground Academy, Davidson Academy, Franklin Road Academy, Good Pastor, Pope John Paul II, and Webb Bellbuckle. CPA will play in D2 AAA next season, while Webb is slaughtered for D2A. Grace Christian of Franklin will also play in Division II AA next year. "You know how high school football is right now? It's all cyclical," said Anderson, a 2005 CA graduate, now in his third season atop the program following 11 years as an assistant. "Right now, FRA and BGA are really good. Obviously Davidson is a really good team. Good pastors struggling a little bit right now. I really don't know anything about John Paul II. Then there's Grace in us," he said. "We've been playing some of those schools here in the recent past when we maybe haven't been as strong. I think right now we're on the uptick. We just had our biggest numbers-wise middle school team we've ever had. We had 46 kids on the middle school team, which is huge. When it comes to numbers, I feel really good. I think we're on the right trajectory, more so now than maybe five years ago, to make this jump," he said. Battle Creek, which opened earlier this year with an enrollment of 800, will play Class 4A football. The Grizzlies Boys and Girls Basketball, Baseball and Softball programs have been assigned to Class 3A, with volleyball and soccer set to go to Class AA. "I think 4A is a good setup for us," football coach Justin Burham said. "I think it kind of fits where we're going to be when we get to full capacity. To go ahead and jump in next year and not have to be 3A and have to adjust to 4A is a good year," he said. Region 5, 4A currently includes Marshall County, Pearl Cone, Creekwood, White's Creek, Greenbriar, Station Camp, White House and Montgomery Central. Enrollment numbers for Pearl Cone and White's Creek would allow both to play in Class 3A for the upcoming period. Station Camp will move to Class 5A, Liberty Creek moves up from Class 3A to 4A for next year. "I'm interested to see how the region's going to play out, with us kind of being in No Man's Land," Burham said. "We've got to wait and see who appeals, who does what. Maybe we'll get some surprises and our region will be a little closer. Right now it's kind of widespread. There's not really a 4A school around here. Marshall County is the closest thing," he said. Opening in the middle of a scheduling cycle and with only freshmen and sophomores in the building, Battle Creek has played a junior varsity schedule this fall. Burham looks forward to taking his team into the top half of Division 1 play next year. "I'll take my kids against anybody. The way they work, the way they attack the day," he said. "I do know 4A will be a little challenging up front in the trenches. That's where we've got to develop and get that mindset, that we can move and compete with anybody up front. Skill wise, we're going to be young again, but I like the way our guys compete. If they come to school every day and do what they need of them, we'll be all right," he said. Mount Pleasant with an enrollment figure of 382 remains in Class 2A for the football, but will return to Class 1A for basketball, baseball, and softball, likely rejoining Marine County rivals Kalioka, Hampshire, and Santa Fe. Mount Pleasant and Trousdale County will be the two largest schools enrollment-wise in Class 1A, falling one short of the cutoff for Class 2A. The remainder of the programs in the Marine County area will remain in their current classifications for the 2025-2027 school years. Region assignments will be announced following the November 21st TWS AA Board of Control meeting. Blood Assurance is partnering with the Columbia Peace and Justice Initiative, or CPJI, to host a special honor drive on Wednesday, October 30th from 2-6PM at the Mount Cavalry Missionary Baptist Church Annex located at Penny Avenue in Columbia. The event titled "Not Scaring, Just Caring, an Honor Drive for John Wesley Anderson" brings the community together to support those in need of life-saving blood donations while also promoting the importance of intentional kindness. This drive is part of CPJI's month-long kindness campaign. The goal is to encourage acts of kindness throughout the community. CPJI has selected different charities and activities during October to promote the theme of people helping people. The honoree of this blood drive John Wesley Anderson is the son of Reverend Kenny Anderson, pastor of Mount Cavalry Missionary Baptist Church. John lives with Sickle Cell Disease, or SCD, a condition that often requires blood transfusions to manage pain. His willingness to lend his name to the event underscores the importance of blood donations for individuals battling Sickle Cell Disease right here in our own community. And speaking about the event, John Wesley Anderson emphasized the importance of a diverse blood supply as those battling SCD need donors who are a close genetic match. "Your blood is unique and it's important for minorities to give blood," said Anderson. "There are certain proteins that are in our blood that's not in other ethnicities blood, so no matter if the blood type is the same, there's a chance that our body can have a reaction to the proteins that are in a person's blood donation," he said. The event will also feature an overview of Sickle Cell Disease and its impact on patients and their families. Donors who give between October 16th and 31st will receive special spooky donor socks as a token of appreciation. O-negative whole blood donors will receive a $25 e-card. O-negative double red donors will receive a $40 e-gift card. A/B plasma donors will receive a $25 e-gift card per donation. To schedule your donation, visit www.bloodassurance.org/donate. You can call 1-800-962-0628 or you can text the word "BA Give" to the number 999-777. 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 card 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 the 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 www.tncountyclirk.com or at kiosks in Spring Hill City Hall or Mount Pleasant Courthouse. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oak City Nichols Funeral Home. Sarah Elizabeth Mitchell, 37, resident of Columbia, died Saturday October 12 at her residence. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be extended at www.oaksandnichols.com. Hometown memorials is sponsored by Oak City Nichols Funeral Home, serving with dignity and consideration for over 150 years. As years go by, people may tend to forget just what a funeral is really all about. At Oaks and Nichols, we believe it's first and always a special remembrance of someone you love. We start by listening to your needs and desires. If you're unsure, we can help gently, professionally. At Oaks and Nichols Funeral Directors, we haven't lost sight of why we're here, to serve Murray County families in the ways they prefer. And why 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 offer 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 7th Street in Columbia, since 1856, people you can rely on. For your southern middle Tennessee weather, we will have overcast skies today with a high of 62 degrees. Winds will be out of the north northwest to add 10 to 15 miles per hour. Tonight, we can expect clear skies and a low of 34 degrees. 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. As a realtor, she is well versed in homes, neighborhoods, development, and schools. She wants to share her love of her home state with others to help them find just the right place to raise a family, open a business, or develop a dream. From luxury listings to land, she can handle it all. She is the current leading producer, Nashville Realty Group contact Debbie Matthews Realtor at 615-476-3224. That's 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 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. Hi, I'm Matt Parralis, Manager of Murray County Equipment. We help you with all your agricultural and construction equipment needs. We carry a full line of new hauling tractors from compacts to high horsepower. We have a full line of gravely mowing equipment. We also have new hauling construction equipment, attachments, and accessories for your tractors in a complete parts department. We are locally owned and operated. Come see us at 1075 North James Campbell Boulevard or learn about us on Facebook or contact us at 931-490-8183. 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 you walk past our office, or supporting our community, the Caledonian team is actively involved. Through our memberships and Kiwanas, Rotary, Murray Alliance Circle of Excellence, Volunteering in Boy Scouts and Poor Age, 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 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 law. For more tips, visit pipesafety.org. This message brought to you by the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and the Tennessee Gas Association, funded in part by a grant from the underground utility damage enforcement board. Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM 101.7 and WKRM 103.7, your hometown source for news and information. I'm Tom Bryce. And now news from around the state. Tennessee Secretary of State Trey Hargut today reminded all registered Tennessee voters that the early voting period for the November 5th state and federal general election begins this Wednesday, October 16th. Early voting begins this week and we anticipate a robust turnout across Tennessee for the upcoming election, said Secretary Hargut. "We encourage all registered voters to utilize the flexibility provided by the early voting period and make your voice heard," he said. Early voting runs through October 31st and all registered voters can find hours in polling locations, view sample ballots, and much more by downloading the Secretary of State's free Go Vote TN app or by visiting www.govotetn.gov. Those voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification to the polls. A driver's license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security by the Tennessee State government or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable. For more information about early voting and other election information, visit your trusted source for election information, go votetn.gov or contact the Secretary of State's Division of Elections at 1-877-850-4959. Beginning October 15th, a free burn permit from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is required prior to burning leaves or natural vegetation, including debris generated by Hurricane Helene. Due to the vast amount of woody debris from Hurricane Helene and other recent storms across the state, we expect more outdoor burning than usual this year, State Forest or Heather Slaton said. "Since escaped debris, burns are the leading cause of wildfires. It is important that Tennesseans take fire safety seriously. Burn permits are required by law and the tool by which we help citizens understand when and how to burn," she said. Permits are only issued when it is safe to burn, when conditions are unsafe due to hazardous conditions like high winds or extreme drought. TDF temporarily pauses the issuance of burn permits and resumes once conditions improve. Burn permits are free and can be obtained by visiting www.burnsafetn.org or by using the MyTN mobile app. Online permits are issued seven days a week from 8am to 11pm in eastern or central time zones depending on your location. Always obtain a permit on the day you intend to burn any size, leaf, brush or debris pile or conduct a prescribed fire. Each fire should be completely extinguished by the permit expiration and no fire should be left unattended at any time. Burning without a permit is a prosecutable Class C misdemeanor. Although online applications are encouraged, residents with limited internet access may call 1-877-350-BURN to request a permit Monday through Friday from 8am to 430pm central. If you live inside city limits, check with your municipality for additional restrictions before you burn. 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 Macaula 931-388-6822. Have you 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 turnerinosburn.com that's turnerandosburn.com. Looking for a physician? Choosing a health care provider for your family is one of the most important decisions you will make. Murray Regional Medical Group delivers primary care for individuals of all ages from newborns to adults and has an array of specialists ranging from endocrinologists to urologists. With locations in Murray, Lewis, Marshall and Wayne counties, our experience team can provide you with quality care close to home. For more information, visit murrayregionalmedicalgroup. Com. Murray Regional Medical Group. Your health is our primary care. This is Howlanders, owner of Landers Insurance Agency. We are independent agency representing the famous Erie Insurance Group. Landers Insurance Agency has been committed to providing great rates and great service since 2002. Whether it's home and auto or business or life insurance, we've got you covered. 24/7 in-house claim service, we've got that too. Visit Landers Insurance at 514 North Garden Street, Columbia. Call us at 931-380-2003. Our website is Landers Insurance Agency.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee today and now our final story. Join Murray County Parks and Rec in celebrating the fall season with some festive pumpkin painting. Each registered participant will receive one pumpkin to paint and take home. There's no set design so let your imagination run wild. As we paint, enjoy some cider and snacks. This program is limited to 15 participants so pre-register to ensure that enough supplies are available. You can register at www.sickhere.recone.com/tn/murray-county-tn. 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. [Music]