Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price
Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 5-21-24
[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. A special thank you to Chris Yau for filling in for me while I was on vacation. Today is Tuesday, May 21st, and we start with local news. Family and friends are mourning the loss of Mary Susan Berry Kennedy, who died Friday, May 17th at the age of 67 after an accidental fall in Columbia. She was known for her dedicated service to the community through a number of organizations, including St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where she served on the choir, the Daughters of the King, the Vestry, Ultra Guild, Flower Guild, and a children's Sunday school teacher, the Mon Eagle Sunday School Assembly, where she was a board member and secretary of the executive committee, committee president of the women's association, co-chair of the youth committee, long-range planning committee, and assembly choir, the Centennial Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Garden Club, Columbia Breakfast Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, Spring Hill, where she was an ambassador, Marie Alliance, the James Cape Oak Memorial Association, pay grace forward, and Kappa Alpha Theta. She was always at every ribbon cutting, interviewing business owners. She would have the grandkids in tow, and she was coaching them to be well-mannered in true Mary Susan fashion, said Rebecca Melton, executive director of the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce. She was selected to be ambassador to the month this month, and will honor her on Thursday. We all got to know her more intimately because of her being an ambassador, and the rest of the community will now get to learn about all of the efforts she put into the community here, and in Columbia and Franklin, she said. Mary Susan is survived by her husband of 43 years, Sam Delt, Kennedy Jr., her children, Sam Delt, Kennedy III, and his wife Rachel, and Mary Susan Barry Kennedy II. Grandchildren Margaret Barry, Samuel Delt, the 4th, and Ann Ridley Greenfield Kennedy, and her siblings, Dewise Barry, Doug Barry, Wilberry, and Amanda Moody. "She just shined a light everywhere she went," her husband Delt said. "I just want to say thank you one more time for the overwhelming support, thoughts, and prayers we've gotten wherever we go. It's amazing. Of course, we knew Mary Susan was amazing. To hear all of these folks talk about her, if anybody deserves the Mother Teresa Award. It's her," he said. Mary Susan was the daughter of Sue and Dewise Barry of Franklin, and was raised on a farm off West Harpeth Road that she loved. She rode horses, played in the woods, and developed a love of nature that she kept the rest of her life. She and her husband of 43 years, Delt, raised their children on their own farm, Glendale Farm. Mary Susan hosted countless people at Glendale, and for her, any guest was an occasion for breaking out the silver and the good china. She was known for her beautiful flower arrangements, and for putting anyone who showed up to work. Mary Susan was deeply loyal to lifelong friends from high school, college, Columbia, and the Mon Eagle Sunday School Assembly, and she absolutely adored both the Barry and the Kennedy families. Mary Susan loved playing with her children and grandchildren, hiking, reading, riding horses, singing, and playing pretend is a serious business. She was game for an adventure, and was proud that she was the brave one who jumped off the waterfalls when she was young, and was renowned for being an active grandmother at Mon Eagle and beyond. "She always kept her loved ones built up and made sure you were feeling good," said her son, Sam Kennedy. One friend said, "I don't know how she does it. She goes to everything, lectures, excursions, porch parties, movies, canoe trips, caving adventures, float trips, twilight prayers. I can only hope I'm like her when I have grandkids," she said. She graduated from Harpeth Hall High School, where she just celebrated her 50th reunion. She earned her BA at Vanderbilt University and remained a devoted fan of the Commodores, a master's in business administration from Southern Methodist University, and her PhD from the University of Memphis. She was a professor at Columbia State Community College for 40 years, before retiring to become busier than before, participating in civic organizations, helping run the families WKOM and WKRM radio stations, and working with her son to manage the cattle and sheep at Glendale Farm. I was speaking with another dear friend of Mary Susan's, and she said, "I knew I was her dearest friend," and the person I was speaking to said, "they were her very dearest friend." And I said, "But wait, I was her very dearest friend. The fact is, if you knew Mary Susan, you were her very dearest friend. She had countless, best friends. If she knew you, you were hers, and you never knew where the venture was going to take you," said her friend, Christy Martin. A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Columbia on Thursday, May 23rd, at 3.30 pm. Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd, from 3.00 pm. Memorials may be made to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, or to the Mon Eagle Assembly Endowment Fund Corporation. A Columbia State Community College professor accompanying 12 students from across Tennessee on a study abroad trip to Brazil died after a large wave hit the teacher and three students. Brazil authorities and search and rescue crews worked since Thursday to locate Clifford Gordon, who was swept out into the water. Columbia State Community College spokesperson Amy Spears said they received word on Monday morning that his body was found and recovered. "We were heartbroken to hear of this tragic accident," said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State Community College President. "We are thankful that no students were seriously injured. Our college family mourns the loss of Clifford, who is a talented artist and greatly loved by his students. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and students. Gordon and a dozen students from Pellissippi State, Columbia State, Walters State, and Southwest Tennessee Community College left May 6 for a three-week tour studying art in Brazil, according to a Monday email from Rick Locker, a spokesperson for the college system of Tennessee. Gordon and three students, two from Pellissippi State and one from Walters State, were walking along an ocean-side road near Parati, Brazil and stopped to take a picture when the wave hit, Locker said. Two of the students were taken to a medical center and released. The third student was treated on site, Locker said. "All three are safe." The students left Parati Sunday and will board a flight home from Rio de Janeiro. "They're scheduled to be back in Tennessee today," Locker said. "The students have been offered counseling services which will continue when they are back in Tennessee," Locker said. Gordon held an associate's degree in art from Chattanooga State Community College, a bachelor's degree in art from Tennessee State University, and a master's degree in studio art from the Memphis College of Art. He began working for Columbia State Community College in 2008 as an adjunct professor in the Humanities and Social Science Division, Spears said. He began working full-time in 2013 and taught intro to visual arts, art history, painting, drawing, printmaking, and foundation studio. "He was also a talented artist and had numerous exhibitions throughout the state," Spears said. Clifford was known for producing amazing works of collage and painting to draw the viewer into a world informed by various ideas, traditions, and modern discourses. In addition, Clifford traveled to Brazil many summers and taught himself how to speak Portuguese. As the school year comes to an end, the city recognized this year's Mayor's Youth Council at Columbia City Hall and shed some light recently on the group's project to better utilize the Duck River. The group gathered at City Hall during the Council's May regular meeting. There, they were joined by Council members and Mayor Chaz Mulder, who founded the Youth Council, as a way for young people to better understand the workings of local government, as well as undertake a project that could benefit the local community. "This year's work was particularly exciting and admirable," Mulder said. "This was the first year that the Mayor's Youth Council has sort of taken the steps to level up the Youth Council. We've had some returning Youth Council members and we had our very first freshmen this year," he said. "This year was the first since the Council's founding in 2021 that it had grown beyond Columbia," Mayor Mulder said, noting that schools were being represented this year from all across Murray County. "We've had county schools represented, city schools represented, private schools represented, home schools represented," Mulder said. "It's just been really unique seeing the service that these young people have already committed themselves to, to make their community a better place," he said. Former Mount Pleasant principal, Dr. Ryan Jackson, who helped facilitate the group's project, also recognized its work and potential for the community's youth. "I knew this was going to be cool, but I wanted to challenge the Council in such a way that we can empower young people to do something special," Jackson said. "We came up with a challenge for these students that would empower them in such a way to make a direct impact in their community, and it started with this idea of environmental conservation," he said. Earlier this year, the Duck River was named among the top endangered rivers in the nation. The designation was primarily due to its over-usage caused by rapid growth in the region, officials have noted. For the Youth Council's project, students were broken up into teams with two goals in mind. The first was for the students to create a policy as if they were part of an actual city council. The second goal was for them to take that policy and create a social media outreach campaign to maximize its influence. They truly stepped up to the plan, went above and beyond, created not only some very interesting policy ideas for the mayor to chew on, but then knocked it out of the park with their social media outreach videos, Dr. Jackson said. They did absolutely amazing. Council members were later shown three videos created by the students, each offering facts and data about the Duck River. Its biodiversity and ways residents can benefit from conserving their water usage, and not only saves people a few bucks on their monthly water bills, but ensures the Duck River can continue to thrive. The social media campaign was also part of a contest, wherein the mayor and council would choose the best to post on social media. After seeing all three, Mayor Mulder made the executive decision to post not just one, but all of them on the McEwen group, the project sponsors website and the city of Columbia government's social pages. All three of those videos will be shared, and I'll just say congratulations again to all of you, Mayor Mulder said. Finding a place to call home can mean more than four walls. Sometimes it's about community, especially when a place is right in the heart of a thriving downtown. The enclave is one of downtown Columbia's newest residential developments, and its developers say it's set to change the game for living, opportunity and more. Located just off East 9th and South Maine streets, the enclave will include 16 units, with primarily town home-like layouts that each include three stories, a drive in garage, lots of natural light, and picturesque views of downtown. The first four units have already been completed, with the rest estimated to be ready sometime in 2025. Over the last year and a half, owner Dawson Raines and his wife Whitney have been hard at work on the project, which has involved a lot of approvals, inspections and assessments about whether downtown Columbia was ready for something like this. After all, the rains say the enclave once completed will be the first of its kind for the district. We feel like we've become a part of the community since we chose to develop here, but meeting other business owners and other people, it makes us feel like part of the community. Dawson Raines said, "And when people are seeing these units, they are seeing certain patterns starting to develop downtown. It's a big part of not just what people can get with the building, but in being part of the community," he said. Hailing from Ontario, Canada, rains and his wife moved to Columbia in 2011, after many visits, some of which left a lasting impression that something good is happening here, and we want to be a part of it," he said. "I've had a family in Ann Arbor, Michigan, my grandparents for half of my life in Florida. I've been snowboarding, as they call it, coming down for six months to get away from the cold weather," he said by way of explanation. "The U.S. has been just like a second home, and we love it down here, especially Tennessee, because there is so much to see, so much to go to," he said. "In particular, they had their sights set on downtown Columbia. Of the Enclave 16 units, no two units will be exactly alike," Dawson Raines said. "Basically, when I was looking to design, it was open concept, big windows and a lot of natural light, which has really been received well," he said. "I think once we get people moved in here, when everything is lit up at night, it's really going to intensify this corner," he said. "This could include something like different color schemes, positioning, and other certain visual aesthetics. We are doing four different designs that are set, whereas if one sold, you've got the choice of the next three," Dawson Raines said. Price points for each model include for the clean modern 485,000, for the modern Boho 485,000, the high contrast unit, and the modern farmhouse units are both selling for $475,000. Each unit is set up on three stories, with three bedrooms, a two-car garage, dining room, full and half bathrooms, as well as spacious walk-in closets and pantries. There is also space for laundry and an outdoor terrace for lounging. Hopefully, we can have all of the south side along East 9th, built by 2025, with everything done by Christmas. "That's our target," Dawson Raines said. And as far as pets are concerned, Dawson Raines said they are welcome, within reason. The units have been designed to provide decent soundproofing for residents. "We do allow dogs and cats, but small dogs, nothing too big. No exotic pets, obviously," he said. "We love animals, but we have to restrict it, size-wise, just with the proximity. We've also installed cinder blocks and sound barriers, a lot to make sure sound doesn't go through," he said. While developing, selling and providing a home for future residents is the goal, the Raines also feel like what they are offering goes far beyond a standing structure, but a lifestyle. This is part of why they say they chose downtown Columbia specifically, as the enclave will provide walkability to downtown events like first Fridays, not to mention parking, private parking for things like parades, the New Year's Mule Drop, and other major celebrations. Beyond having first-rate access, it's about building a community that continues to grow and has a lot more in the way over the next few years. This includes Columbia's first high-rise apartment complex, The Drake, which broke ground earlier this year. "When people ask about Columbia and aren't aware of it, we love telling them about how great it is," Dawson Raines said. "There's so much more to offer now that Columbia does. We want people to know that while you are buying here, there is a vast number of other things the city tries to bring to the people. A lot of people don't really know about that," he said. For more information on the enclave, visit Mule Town Development's website at www.muletowndevelopments.com, or you can call Whitney Raines at 615-878-6690. Murray County Public Schools has named longtime Marvin Wright Elementary Principal Marissa Massey as the new principal of Randolph Howell Elementary STEM School. Murray County Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Ventura announced Massey's appointment to this week, noting that she brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new role. She previously served for 13 years as Marvin Wright's principal, and she has also three decades of overall experience teaching and working in Murray County Schools. Mrs. Massey will be a valuable addition to Randolph Howell Elementary, Ventura said, under press release. Her extensive experience and dedication are well suited to the school's commitment to excellence. Her collaborative approach is expected to inspire both students and faculty, promoting a culture of inquiry, critical thinking, and achievement. Mrs. Massey has a strong commitment to students, parents, and staff. She leaves a legacy of excellence in community at Marvin Wright, and I look forward to that attitude and sense of community permeating the halls of Randolph Howell, she said. Massey holds a bachelor of science from middle Tennessee State University, a master's in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University, and a master's plus 30 from Drake University. Her education career began in Murray County, first at Highland Park Elementary School in 2000, where she taught various grades from Title I to fourth grade. She later transitioned to Marvin Wright in 2011, first serving as assistant principal for five years before her appointment as principal. "It was a great privilege becoming a part of Marvin Wright in 2015," Massey said. "I will miss the Marvin Wright community. However, I am very excited and blessed to start my next journey with the Randolph Howell community. I look forward to serving the students, parents, and staff. It is a true honor to continue working in Murray County as I have served many students, parents, and staff members over the past 23 years of service," she said. And now your hometown memorials sponsored by Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Okerleen Mayberry Thompson, 94, a resident of Columbia and a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother died Wednesday, May 15th at her residence. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, May 22nd at 2 p.m. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at John Lay Cemetery in Etheridge. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday from 12 noon until time of the services at the funeral home. Mary Susan Berry Kennedy died Friday, May 17th at the age of 67. A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Columbia on Thursday, May 23rd at 3 p.m. Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd from 3 to 5 p.m. at St. Peter's Church. hometown memorials is sponsored by Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home serving with dignity and consideration for over 150 years. As years go by, people may tend to forget just what a funeral is really all about. At Oakes and Nichols, we believe it's first 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 Oakes and Nichols Funeral Directors, we haven't lost sight of why we're here, to serve Murray County families in the ways they prefer, and why 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. Oakes and Nichols Funeral Directors, 320 West 7th Street in Columbia, since 1856, people you can rely on. For your southern middle Tennessee weather, we will have sunny skies today with a high of 88 degrees. Winds will be out of the south at 10 to 15 miles per hour. Tonight, we can expect partly cloudy skies becoming more cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. The low will be 69 degrees with winds out of the south at 5 to 10 miles per hour. 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 Rural Tea Group, and if you've been paying attention, you know the housing market has been tough. But rates 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 Rural Tea 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 puts 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 a 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. This is Triacoc 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're located in Columbia, Tennessee at 200 East 16th Street. You can call us at 615-969-01-18, or visit our website at www.dixiediesel.com. We have been in business for over 42 years, and we would love to help you turn your project into reality. Some people are just obsessed with their lawns. They'd cut their grass with a pair of scissors if they could. Bikes are gravely. They don't have to. You see, gravely makes not only the best built and most comfortable lawnmowers, they also leave your house looking like a dog on Country Club. So whether you're a commercial landscaper wanting the best, or just a perfectionist homeowner, you can't do better than a gravely. See our full line of gravely products at Murray County Equipment 1075 North James Campbell Boulevard in Columbia, Tennessee, or check us out on Facebook. 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. Today, the Tennessee Department of Education is highlighting the multiple promotion pathways for third grade students who may need extra learning supports, including the third grade English language arts, ELA, Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, TCAP retake assessment, and the appeals window for families of third grade students. Third grade is a pivotal year for students to strengthen the foundational building blocks of reading comprehension, which shape academic success in fourth grade and beyond. Settlers at Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. "I am grateful to our districts and schools for having essential conversations with families and students to determine the best path forward for future success," she said. The third grade ELA T-CAP retake window will be administered from May 22 through May 31. Districts can make this option available for third grade students that scored approaching or below on the ELA section of the spring T-CAP as an additional opportunity to demonstrate proficiency. Families of students in third grade who scored approaching on the ELA section of their spring third grade T-CAP or the ELA T-CAP retake may also submit an appeal to the department beginning May 28 through June 28. Beginning this year, authorized district personnel may submit an appeal on behalf of a student with parent or guardian consent. If an appeal is denied, students and families have additional pathways to potentially determine promotion to fourth grade. In 2021, Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly passed two key pieces of legislation to ensure all students have the support they need to read and perform on grade level. Third grade students who scored approaching expectations or below expectations on the ELA section of the T-CAP assessment can get key learning supports from their school for free to ensure they are ready to move on to the fourth grade, including the T-CAP retake opportunity, free summer camp and/or tutoring in the upcoming school year. New and updated resources are available to support districts and schools as they work with families in determining the best pathway for students. For additional information about Tennessee's third and fourth grade learning acceleration strategy, visit www.tn.gov/education/learning-acceleration. Additional updates will be shared throughout the summer. 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 Osborn Tire Company 1016 South Main Street in Columbia. Goodma Call of 931-388-6822. They've been doing business since 1947 and in their current location since 1964. They provide the best tire and mechanical work at some of the best prices in middle Tennessee. Hey, they're official Michelin and Goodyear dealers and they've got all kinds of brands as well. Stop by and see Walker Vining and his professional staff are checking them out online at turner@osborn.com. That's turner@osborn.com. Minutes matter when you call 911 for a heart attack and Murray Regional Health is ready to care for you. Utilizing the state-of-the-art cardiac cath lab at Murray Regional Medical Center, our team of expert cardiologists and experienced clinical professionals are equipped to investigate heart conditions quickly and perform lifesaving interventional procedures. Go to MurrayRegional.com/heart to learn more. And remember, always dial 911 when you or someone near you is experiencing heart attack symptoms, Murray Regional Health, where clinical excellence meets compassionate care. Have you ever wondered if your insurance needs can be personalized? This is Hunter Carey. 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 Street across from the fire station. We're also in line at HunterCarry.com. That's HunterC-A-R-Y.com. Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee, Tennessee today, and now our final story. The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department will launch Chalk the Walk at Riverwalk Park on May 23rd from 2.30 pm to 4 pm. All ages are welcome. Come on down to the Riverwalk Park splash pad to celebrate the end of the school year. Get your graffiti art vibes flowing with sidewalk chalk all around the splash pad. Riverwalk Park is located at 102 Riverside Drive in Columbia. For more information, check out the Armory, Recreation, and Fitness page on Facebook or call Christina Walls at 931-698-0088. 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. It's always there for you. I'll be back tomorrow to update you with the latest news and Tom Price. Thanks for listening. Be safe and have a great day. [Music]