Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-9-24

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Daily News from MuleTown to Music City and beyond. Listen to Tom Price read the news of the day from Kennedy Broadcasting, WKOM & WKRM Radio.

WKOM/WKRM Radio
Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for October 9, 2024

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Carjacking Arrest Made (MauryCountySource)
Spring Hill officers were dispatched to Kroger (4900 Port Royal Rd.) 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 Knykholas Lane to Nashville when the vehicle started having mechanical issues so they pulled into O’Reilly’s Auto Parts next to Old Port Royal Rd. 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 of 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.

Save the Duck Rally (MSM)
The Duck River Conservancy will hold a “Save the Duck River” rally at 6:30pm on Thursday, October 10th in the Ledbetter Auditorium at Columbia State Community College.
The Duck River is the third-most biodiverse river in the world and the most diverse in North America, supporting 22 species of aquatic snails, 56 mussel species, and 151 kinds of fish. It serves as the only water source for 250,000 Tennesseans, and Maury 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 (TDEC) approves more and more withdrawals (like the Ultium plant’s 1.4 million-gallon daily intake). The American River Association named it the third-most-threatened river in North America, by development and overconsumption.
TDEC 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 (CPWS) alone seeks 32 million gallons of that total. The intent of the rally is to petition TDEC reduce the amounts allowed for the withdrawal requests.
Doug Murphy, head of the Duck River Agency, said that 73 million gallons sums up the 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 summer 2024’s low rainfall, which put parts of Maury County in a moderate-to-severe drought. Leaders in Maury 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 head Doug Jones says that TDEC 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.”
Jones claims that TDEC’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 feed the Duck.

Mt. Pleasant Candidate Forum (MSM)
Last Thursday the Maury 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; 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 Loree Knowles 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. Knowles 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 cultivate a diverse portfolio of businesses.
“We have a very, very varied workforce here,” White said. “We’re making sure, as we bring industry into our community, that it fits our community and it’s sustainable.”
Knowles 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 Thomason, 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 Mt. 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 Thomason. But on the topic of growth management and 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.”

Maury Regional Adds New ER Doc (Press Release)
Dr. Haley Love, MD, a specialist in emergency medicine, has joined the medical staff of Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC). She is affiliated with Middle Tennessee Emergency Physicians.
Dr. Love received her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, WA. She completed her residency at the University of TN Health Science Center, College of Medicine in Murfreesboro, TN.
Middle Tennessee Emergency Physicians (MTEP) is a local, independent group that provides physicians and advanced practice providers to health systems. Currently, MTEP serves seven other hospitals in Middle Tennessee in addition to MRMC and Marshall Medical Center (MMC) in Lewisburg.

Maury Regional Medicare Seminar (Press Release)
Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) will host the free Your Medicare in 2025 seminar on Friday, Oct. 25, from 2-3 p.m., featuring an explanation on Medicare plan changes for the coming year.
The event will be held in the Maury Regional Annex at 1223 Trotwood Ave. in Columbia. To register, visit the Classes & Events page at MauryRegional.com or call 931.381.1111, extension 7011.
Sherri Craig with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) will provide information on what changes could 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 Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. 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 Jan. 1, 2025.
The “Medicare and You” book that beneficiaries will receive by mail contains information about Medicare coverage and plans available in your area. For more information, visit MauryRegional.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 MauryRegional.com/Medicare to obtain a form and return it to the Senior Center in Columbia located at 1020 Maury County Park Drive. Once the form is returned, individuals will be contacted to schedule an appointment for a one-on-one review.
Maury Regional Health also has enrollment counselors available to answer questions. Schedule a meeting by calling 931.381.1111, ext. 7262. Appointments are available (including by phone or teleconference) during regular business hours.

Columbia State Performance Series (Press Release)
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 Pryor 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 Rosson, director of events and alumni relations at Columbia State. "Each performance offers something truly special, whether it's the soulful harmonies of Rockland Road on October 10th, the powerful vocals of Wendy Moten November 14th, the fresh take on traditional country from The Malpass Brothers on December 12th, the nostalgic yet modern sound of Admiral Radio on February 13th, the dynamic piano mastery of Ryan & 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!"

Tickets are $35, which includes all fees. Free and convenient parking is available along with a free art exhibition in the Pryor Art Gallery before each performance.

Learn more and purchase tickets: ColumbiaState.edu/PerformanceSeries or call the box office at 931.540.2879.

Spring Hill Local Passport (Press Release)
The Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Listerhill Credit Union, is 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 1 to October 31, 2024, offering participants a chance to win a grand prize haul valued at thousands of dollars!
How to Participate: 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, Suite 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 31, 2024, to the Welcome Center. Those who complete their passports entirely will be entered into the grand prize drawing twice – doubling their chances of winning!
Participating Businesses: The campaign features an array of local stops, including restaurants, retail shops, health centers, and more. Some of the featured stops include:
Aha Indian Grill
The Awaken House
The Spot Burgers & Beers
Hampton Inn Spring Hill
Lighthill Meats
TriStar ER Spring Hill
Williamson Health / Bone and Joint Institute
And many more!
A comprehensive list of all participating businesses and an interactive map is available online, guiding participants on their local adventure.
Community Photo Stops: For an extra entry into the grand prize drawing, participants can take photos at designated community photo stops, including the Spring Hill Library, City Hall, and Fischer Park. Simply post your photo on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #SHPassport24 to earn an additional chance to win!
Grand Prize Details: The grand prize haul 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 Listerhill Credit Union, Towhee Club & Birdsong Social, Brunch Collective, and many others.
How to Submit Your Passport: Once you have collected at least 15 stickers, return your passport to the Spring Hill Chamber Welcome Center (5326 Main Street, Suite G) by October 31, 2024. A dropbox is available for after-hours submissions, ensuring that everyone has a chance to participate.
Get Ready to Think, Shop, and Explore Local! The "Think, Shop, Explore 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 Spring Hill Chamber website or contact the Spring Hill Chamber Welcome Center at [phone].

Fall Festival to Return (Press Release)
The Second Annual Fall Fest will take place on on October 12th from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm 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, pose in front of Tri-Green’s tractor photo booth, watch the Miss Maury County FALL FEST pageant, and paint a mini pumpkin!
In conjunction with Fall Fest, the Kiwanis Club of Columbia is proud to present the Annual Kiwanis Chili Cookoff from 3-5PM on the square. This autumn tradition brings chefs from all over Maury County to decide whose chili reigns supreme. Tickets are $10 each at the event and children 10 and under are free. Also, be sure to visit the Kiwanis Kids Zone at Fall Fest for face painting, complimentary snow cones, inflatables, and more!
Additionally, attendees can support local businesses by shopping with artisan-craft vendors, eating from delicious food trucks, or pre-registering to participate in the Miss Maury County FALL FEST 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,” says Kelli Johnson, Columbia Main Street Manager.
"We are excited to expand FALL FEST this year by closing down the entire square, providing ample space for attendees to fully immerse themselves in the festivities while exploring all that downtown Columbia has to offer," 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.” For more information about the Second Annual FALL FEST, including how to participate or volunteer, please visit columbiamainstreet.com or follow Columbia Main Street on social media.

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Bertha Scroggins Clark, 90, longtime resident of Carters Creek Pike died Friday, October 4, 2024 at her residence.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday October 9, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Tuesday October 8, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and again on Wednesday from 12:00 PM till time of service at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Terrylee Allen Ervin, 34, a resident of Columbia, died Monday, October 7, 2024 at Centennial Medical Center.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

And now, news from around the state…
ACT Retake (Press Release)
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 in 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 postsecondary education,” said Lizzette 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.” 
 
Districts across the state will be able to offer the free fall ACT retake opportunities during one of the following windows: 
October 7-11, 2024
October 15-18, 2024
October 21-25, 2024
October 29-November 1, 2024
November 4-8, 2024
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 postsecondary 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 postsecondary 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 postsecondary 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 [e-mail].

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
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 mark the zoo's first ever successful hatching of the species.
The dragons were born on Sept. 20 and Sept. 23 and weigh 100 grams, about the same as a stick of butter, reported the zoo. The new arrivals are healthy, happy and are being raised behind the scenes in the Zoo’s Komodo Dragon facility.
“When I caught a first 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 this species, Cayton Curtis and James Flaherty in a news release. “At Nashville Zoo we work hard to ensure we are protecting endangered species and helping their numbers grow."
"We are proud to contribute to the increase in genetically diverse Komodo Dragon populations with the two new hatchlings.”
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 even been known to take down horses and water buffalo.
They are considered endangered by the International Union for the 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. The zoo has also partnered with the Komodo Survival Program, an organization dedicated to Komodo dragon educational initiatives and hands-on conservation work with wild populations.