Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 3-13-24
[ Music ] >> Hello and welcome to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM and WKRM Radio, your hometown news broadcasting from the W. Matthews National Realty Newsroom in Columbia, Tennessee. I'm your host, Tom Price. Today is Wednesday, March 13th, and we start with local news. Columbia Fire Chief Ty Cobb has reportedly been terminated from his position as of Tuesday. The termination was confirmed by both City Manager Tony Massey and Mayor Chaz Mulder, though no details have been provided thus far. I can confirm that he was terminated today, effective at 11 AM March 12th, Mayor Mulder said. Beyond that, I would refer any further information to our City Manager or Human Resources Department, he said. The termination comes a little over four months after Cobb was previously suspended for 30 days without pay in late October. A city letter obtained by the Columbia Daily Herald at the time said the decision was based on insubordination. No further details were provided in the letter. In addition to the 30-day suspension through November, Cobb was also placed on a year's probation set to expire November 27th of this year. Chief Cobb gave a brief statement to the Daily Herald Tuesday following the termination. "My legal counsel will be giving a statement "within a few days," Cobb said. Cobb was first hired on as Chief following the death of former Fire Chief Tommy Hemphill, officially being sworn in July 1st of 2017. Since becoming Chief, Cobb was also instrumental in obtaining and maintaining the department's ISO Class I rating, making Columbia Fire and Rescue the first Class I department in the state of Tennessee. He was later awarded Fire Chief of the Year in Tennessee in 2023. City Manager Tony Massey also confirmed Cobb's release and indicated that he would be making an official statement on Wednesday. Columbia City Council approved plans for a special census to be conducted later this year, a project which could net millions of additional dollars in annual revenue. Council members met last Thursday for their monthly study session while also conducting a special called meeting to vote on the proposed special census. The reason for the special meeting was for the council to approve the submission of $928,069 to the United States Census Bureau, City Manager Tony Massey said. It would essentially be another regular census conducted through the U.S. Census Bureau starting in the summer and going through the fall, Massey said. That way it can be completed in time for us to send the new census numbers for the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget and the state shared taxes that we would receive from the new special census, he said. Massey added that the U.S. Census Bureau has forecast that Columbia's growth to be an estimated 6,800 people since 2020, a methodology he describes as being about 94% accurate. The purpose of the census as has been the case in Spring Hill who has conducted a few similar processes over the last few years is to track population growth which could then equate into multiple benefits to the city, namely increased annual revenue. If the numbers are correct or in fact higher as population growth continues, it could net approximately $1.2 million in new annual revenue or about $6 million by the 2030 census. From my perspective, I see this as a good move for by council to approve as a business investment because we should get our money back within the first year, Massey said. And then over the next four years, that amount goes forward, he said. Tracking the increased growth since the previous 2020 census could also award new grant opportunities as well as establish Columbia's status as an entitlement city. If Columbia's population meets or exceeds 50,000 people, Assistant City Manager and Financial Officer Thad Jablonski said. For some cities, given the variables that go into that calculation as an entitlement city, it's what you receive each year, Jablonski said. Whether that makes sense to you, it might make sense to some older communities like us who have low income census tracts as designated by the US Census Bureau, like our sister city to the north, Spring Hill, it would make a little less sense. But as we approach that 50,000 threshold, that's something we can evaluate and take a look at, he said. It's one of the biggest thefts that long time Lawrenceburg police officers can remember, three expensive vehicles were allegedly stolen from a local dealership, including a brand new Corvette driven right off the showroom floor. Surveillance cameras caught the robbery as it happened. Police Chief Terry Beacham stated that the three vehicles are worth more than $300,000. That includes a $148,000 brand new Corvette. The heist happened at around 3 a.m. Friday, March 1st. Surveillance footage showed the suspects breaking into the heritage automotive dealership. Detectives said the men knocked in a window in the service bay, found a crowbar, and then went into offices where they found keys and license plates. Video from the showroom shows the thieves backing the expensive 2024 Corvette out of the showroom. According to police, the thieves stole a 2024 GMC Sierra HD-2500 Denali pickup truck, valued at close to $80,000, and a 2022 GMC Yukon was also stolen. They busted a window out of the service lane where you bring your car in when you are getting it worked on, and once inside the building used a crowbar to break into the lockbox where the keys are. Detective Jeff Renfro with the Lawrenceburg Police Department said, according to detectives, the suspects left the showroom at 3.05 a.m. and were seen at a Giles County convenience store buying gas about 20 minutes later. The driver of the stolen Corvette was covered head to toe, but police said a second thief, the man who stole the Yukon, walked in and showed his face. We had been told they could not get far. They only kept like a gallon's worth of gas, maybe 20 miles worth of fuel in that Corvette, Renfro said. Interesting, the thieves reportedly stole the Corvette with the top down and drove it with the top remaining down, despite the cold temperatures that night. "I don't know if they didn't know how to put the top up "or we just wanted to ride with the top down," a detective said. Police were able to track the thieves using on-star until the tracking system was disabled. My gas is maybe they're taking these vehicles further south, maybe Georgia, and they're going to re-vend these vehicles and someone is going to think they're getting a real good bargain on them. "Pretty sophisticated bunch, I believe," Renfro said. Later that same day, police said that the Yukon was recovered in Birmingham, Alabama. It was found with a flat tire behind an abandoned house. Investigators swab the vehicle for DNA and submitted the sample to the lab for possible suspect matches. Meanwhile, the Corvette and pickup truck are still missing, as well as the three suspects. Police are asking anyone with information to call the Lawrenceburg Police Department at 931-762-2220 7-6. Investigators said the theft matches similar crimes at dealerships in West Tennessee. General Motors and the Murray Regional Healthcare Foundation have partnered with Columbia Fire and Rescue to develop the Survive to Arrive Safe Driving Program for local Murray County public schools, juniors, and seniors. This campaign targets teenage drivers and focuses on the dangers of distracted and impaired driving, the importance of seatbelt usage, and the consequences of failing to obey the rules of the road. This will be the third year the Survive to Arrive Safe Driving Program has been held at Murray County Public Schools. Columbia Fire and Rescue has partnered with Tennessee Highway Patrol over the past two years to present this program to students. The program was expanded this year to include multiple fire responding agencies, Murray County Emergency Medical Services, Murray County 911, Vanderbilt Lifeline, Columbia Police Department, Murray County Sheriff's Department SROs, Mount Pleasant Fire Department, and Mount Pleasant Police Department have all joined forces this year to make this program even more impactful on our vulnerable young driving population by incorporating a mock crash event. Mock crash events are set to be held following the Survive to Arrive presentations at Columbia Central High and Mount Pleasant High School on March 15th and March 18th. A mock crash event allows students to see firsthand the consequences of irresponsible driving by witnessing a live dramatization of a wreck scene caused by a distracted impaired driver. Wrecked vehicles donated by D&D towing and Recovery are to be staged on school property with local performers from Watershed Public Theater acting out the roles of those involved in the crash. Students will get to witness the consequences of dangerous driving habits watching local first responders work the wreck scene in real time. The goal of the Survive to Arrive Safe Driving program is to encourage local young drivers to permanently adopt safe driving practices and ultimately save lives. Yesterday afternoon, the new fine art gallery called Gallery 48 held their grand opening. Front porch radios Delt Kennedy stopped by the businesses ribbon cutting and spoke to the gallery owner Joanna Kicha. This is Delt Kennedy, Front porch radio. This afternoon I am in downtown Coolumbia, Tennessee at 107 west south of the street right in the heart of the downtown. I am at the grand opening and ribbon cutting for Gallery 48. It's in a beautiful historic building here in downtown. Columbia the inside is full of paintings and portraits all over the wall as well as various artisanal merchandise such as pocketbooks, things like that. I'm speaking with Joanna Kicha, who is the proprietor of Gallery 48. Joanna, tell us what you offer here. Hello, this is Joanna Kicha with Gallery 48. We are a new gallery here on the Square in Columbia. We offer international and local paintings. This is a fine art gallery, so the art you will find here is this beautiful. It was curated for its beauty, uniqueness, different styles, and we also have artisan made, handmade items from different countries as well as locally made here in Columbia. Like I mentioned, we are a new gallery, so we are still growing. We have seven international artists and seven local artists local to Tennessee. We are just very excited to be in this historic building. It's beautiful. Every item you will find here is very unique and beautiful. That's absolutely amazing. Now Joanna, tell us the story. Now you grew up in Poland, and how did you and Gallery 48 come to be in downtown Coolumbia, Tennessee? I've always appreciated art, art of different forms, whether these were paintings or sculpture or architecture, and when I moved a year and a half ago to Tennessee from Michigan, I've had this vision of having a gallery, and I've looked at different towns and cities, but I fell in love with Columbia. The building where the gallery was available, so the space was available here to have a gallery. So I opened it at the end of September of last year of 2023. Today is the ribbon cutting, so this is a big day for the gallery. Yes, I'm very, very excited to be here. That is all so neat. Now, talk about your days and hours. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday. Hours for Tuesday through Friday are 10 in the morning till 4 p.m. Saturdays it's 11 till 5. And where can people find more information about Gallery 48 online? There's a website gallery48.art, and we also have Instagram and Facebook accounts with the same name gallery48.art. All right, Joanna keeps a congratulations. Again, this is to help Kennedy front porch radio in downtown Coolumbia, Tennessee at the grand opening and ribbon cutting for Gallery 48. I've been talking with Propriot, Tress, Joanna Keatsa. Joanna, once again, congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. The President James K. Polk home and museum is pleased to announce that the exhibition Breaking the Chains of Forgetfulness will open at Polk Presidential Hall on March 23. This exhibition features the work of three middle Tennessee artists responding to stories of middle Tennessee and whose contributions to regional and national history are less well known. Featured artists are Bernice Davidson, Gemma Perrin, and Michael McBride. Breaking the Chains of Forgetfulness is funded through a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission. The exhibit is an extension of Bernice Davidson's unsung heroes project of art installations throughout middle Tennessee. Davidson's work for this exhibition pays tribute to the enslaved on the Polk's family properties, as well as nine other unsung heroes, including Z Alexander Luby, Will Evans, Sequoia, and Reverend Mac Pinkleton. Gemma Perrin's work for this exhibition incorporates the Adinkra symbols, meaningful African symbols, that were often incorporated into the work of enslaved artists. Michael McBride's work explores the life of Elias Polk, enslaved by the Polk family and later of a voting rights activist. Polk Home Curator Kate Nunn stated "Breaking the Chains of Forgetfulness is a powerful exhibit which tells the story of people who are forgotten in our history books. We hope that through art we can make history come to life and we are looking forward for people getting to know persons such as Sequoia and Elias Polk." Executive Director Rachel Helvering said "We are excited for the opportunity to bring people to life through these beautiful pieces of art that have been forgotten or overlooked in the past. We are grateful to the Tennessee Arts Commission for funding this exhibition." The President James K. Polk Home and Museum preserves the legacy of the nation's 11th President. Guided tours of the Polk ancestral home on West 7th Street are available year round Monday through Sunday. The Polk Home invites thousands of visitors and welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world each year. Group tours and field trips are available and the Polk Home offers year round educational activities including summer camps, lectures, homeschool days, and social events. Admission to the exhibition is included with regular pro-com admission or can be purchased separately for $5 per adult. The public is invited to an opening reception at Polk Presidential Hall on Friday, March 22nd at 5 p.m. For more information about the exhibition and featured artists as well as supporting events please visit www.jameskapehoke.com 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 Citizen Center located at 1020 Murray County Park Drive. Please drive around to 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 accepted. 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 in Columbia. Also you can renew online by visiting www.tncountyclerk.com or at the kiosks in Spring Hill City Hall and Mount Pleasant Courthouse. Car enthusiasts start your engines. The highly anticipated Main Street car show is set from Mount Pleasant, Tennessee on March 16th showcasing a dazzling array of classic vintage and exotic automobiles. This family-friendly event promises an afternoon filled with automotive marvels, entertainment, a kid's zone, and community spirit. It'll take place on March 16th from 2 to 5 p.m. Located on Main Street in Mount Pleasant. Car shows in Mount Pleasant have been a beloved tradition in our community bringing together car aficionados, families, and friends for an afternoon. Attendees can expect to feast their eyes on various vehicles from meticulously restored classics to sleek modern cars. Whether you're looking for an afternoon outing with your family or just love the beauty of a well-maintained automobile, there will be something for everyone at this year's show. In addition to the impressive lineup of cars, the event will feature live entertainment, food vendors, and activities for children, making it a perfect outing for the entire family. Local businesses will also participate offering special promotions and discounts during the event. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home. Mrs. Barbara King Norton, 86, a resident of Orange Park, Florida, died Wednesday, March 6th at her residence. Funeral services for Mrs. Norton will be conducted Saturday, March 16th at 10 a.m. at Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home. Barrio will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Friday, March 15th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home. hometown memorials is sponsored by Oaks 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 Oaks and 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 Oaks and Nichols Funeral Directors, we haven't lost sight of why we're here, to serve Murray County families in the ways they prefer. And why Matt and Susie Sowell believe the way to honor tradition is with especially personal service. We believe your traditions, your customs, your rights of passage are very important. But we also believe in taking care of your personal wishes as well. At Oaks and Nichols, we try to do more than just the expected things. So the service you receive honors your heritage and is uniquely yours. And we invite you to experience the difference. Oaks and Nichols Funeral Directors, 320 West Seventh Street in Columbia. Since 1856, people you can rely on. For your southern middle Tennessee weather, we will have partly cloudy skies today with a high near 75 degrees. Winds will be out of the southwest at five to 10 miles per hour. Tonight, we can expect a few passing clouds and a low of 54. Winds will be light and variable. 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 Realtor and her husband Jason, who is a pro songwriter, also own a music publishing company. They live in a 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. 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, C Shelter Agent Tommy Hyde Jr. at 388-2009. Are you thinking about a new fence? Maybe you need a pole bar. Then you should give Sands Fence Company a call that's 931-309-1644. Will Sands has built his business based on the principles of honesty, quality, and integrity. Sands Fence Company has been in business for over 20 years, providing the community with farm, residential, and commercial fencing, as well as pole barns and buildings. Call today for a free estimate. Sands Fence Company 931-309-1644. 931-309-1644. 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. [Music] Bank with First Farmers, and you can bank with confidence. With personalized solutions, dedicated experts, and over a century of experience, First Farmers lets you feel secure and empowered in your financial choices. This is Felicia Brown with First Farmers, and I would like to remind you that no matter your goals, First Farmers is here for you. Visit MyFirstFarmers.com or call 1-800-882-8378 to switch to First Farmers today. Member FDIC. This is Triadcock with Dixie Equipment, sales and rental. We sell ASV and Wacker Nordstrom equipment. We also rent a wide variety of compact equipment in the Middle Tennessee area. Come see us. We are located in Columbia, Tennessee at 200 East 16th Street. You can call us at 615-969-0118, or visit our website at www.dixiedecil.com. We have been in business for over 42 years, and we would love to help you turn your project into reality. Deciding what your next home will look like, cost and construction or timing can be intimidating. At the Wave reality, our licensed general contractors help take the fear out of home building by walking you through the step-by-step process of estimating the cost and designing the look that you desire. You can even stay in your house until your new house is finished. Do you have a family farm or a piece of land you would like to build on? Our prices start at 195 a square foot and include brick and nice finishes. Come by your office and see what we can do for you. At 800 Hatcher Lane in Columbia, or call us at 931-580-4669. Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee today on WKOM 101.7 and WKRM 103.7. This program is sponsored in part by George Brilis and the great team at the Wave reality. I'm Tom Price. And now news from around the state. The Tennessee General Assembly confirmed Mary L. Wagner to be the next justice on the state's highest court Monday night. Wagner, a Shelby County Circuit Court judge, is Governor Bill Lee's third appointment to the Tennessee Supreme Court, since taking office in 2019. Once Wagner takes the bench, Lee will have selected a majority of the justices on the five-member court. Wagner's confirmation passed the Tennessee House of Representatives 94-3 and the Senate 32-0 during a brief joint session of the General Assembly that began at 530 p.m. on Monday. After the votes were cast, lawmakers gave a standing ovation to Wagner, who was in the chamber with her family. Wagner will take the seat after Justice Roger A. Page retires on August 31st under a 2014 amendment to the state constitution. A governor makes the appointments to the Tennessee Supreme Court, which then require legislative approval. Justices then face retention elections every eight years. Lee selected Wagner on February 1st from a pool of three finalists, including Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals judges Camille R. McMullen and J. Ross Dyer. In his announcement, Lee applauded Wagner's understanding and respect for the rule of the law and commitment to judicial restraint. Members of the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved her selection last week, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, handling her as an excellent choice for the court. During the hearing, Wagner described herself to committee members as "both an originalist and a textualist and said overturning precedence should be done sparingly and cautiously." I may not agree with the law at issue. I may not believe its application necessarily produces a fair result. Regardless, I do and will apply the law as written without regard to my personal feelings or beliefs. Wagner wrote in her application to the governor's council for judicial appointments. Former Governor Bill Haslam appointed Wagner to her current position as circuit court judge in 2016, and she won elections for the seat in 2018 and 2022. She is a member of the Memphis chapter of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization. Wagner graduated from the University of Colorado in 2006 with a degree in political science before earning her law degree from the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphrey School of Law. As an attorney, Wagner worked at the Memphis law firm Rice, Amundsen, and Caperton, where she mainly handled family law, personal injury, and commercial disputes, according to her application. Wagner will be 40 when taking the bench, making her the court's youngest member. Wagner's confirmation also means that the majority of the five member court's justices will again be women. The court has been majority female before when justices Holly Kirby, Cornelia Clark, and Sharon Lee served together from 2013 to 2021, and when Kirby Lee and Justice Sarah Campbell served together from 2022 to 2023. Lee retired and was replaced by Justice Dwight E. Tarwater. 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. Goodma 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 in Osburne.com. That's Turner and Osburne.com. Living with a worn 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 Murrayregional.com/jointreplacement. Murray Regional Health, where clinical excellence meets compassionate care. Have you ever wondered if your insurance needs can be personalized? This is Hunter Kari. Our team specializes in planning your insurance needs to get you the best possible solution. State Farm is the largest home and auto insurer in the country. I love bringing that to my hometown. Born and raised in Columbia, I'm grateful for our close community ties. We offer help with home, auto, and life insurance for everyone in our community. Our office is located at 909 South Garden Tree across from the fire station. We're also in line at HunterKari.com. That's Hunter C-A-R-Y.com. Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee today and now our final story. Following the announcement of his six solo album Orgy of the Damned, due out May 17th on Gibson Records, the iconic Grammy-winning guitarist and songwriter Slash has confirmed a North American tour in celebration of the Blues this summer. Slash's newly announced Serpent Festival, an anagram that stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality, and Tolerance, will kick off on July 5th in Bonner, Montana and stop in Franklin at First Bank Amphitheater on August 14th. General on sale for tickets begins Friday, March 15th at 10 a.m. local time. For presales, visit www.surpinfestival.com. 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.