Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 8-27-24

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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 August 27, 2024

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Juveniles Arrested for Burglary (MauryCountySource)
Two juveniles – a 17-year-old with a Spring Hill address and a 15-year-old with a Shelbyville address – have been charged with vehicle burglary in Maury County juvenile court in connection with several vehicle burglaries that occurred early Saturday morning, August 24.
On Saturday morning, officers received reports of vehicle burglaries in the Port Royal Road/Commonwealth Drive area. Officers located possible suspects, and gave chase on foot. Police also used a drone to help locate the suspects. A ski mask and a handgun were recovered were recovered in a field (near Commonwealth Drive) where the suspects were seen running.
If you have information regarding this crime or the other vehicle burglaries that occurred early Saturday morning, you may submit an anonymous tip here: https://www.springhilltn.org

Fire Report (MauryCountySource)
On Sunday, August 25 at 11:26am Maury County Fire Department was dispatched on a mutual aid request to Bear Creek Rd in Marshall County.
Responding units included Engines 21 & 23, Tanker 21, and Deputy 20 with a total of 10 personnel.
Units arrived and went to work for approximately 3 hours, successfully extinguishing the blaze.

Communications Workers Strike (CDH)
AT&T workers in Columbia, who are members of the Communications Workers of America, are still standing on the picket line, asking for better contract negotiations from the company that employs tens of thousands of workers.
Late last week, over 17,000 CWA workers across the Southeast enacted "an unfair labor practice strike" in protest of AT&T’s, quote "bad faith bargaining tactics," according to a CWA media release.
CWA District 3 members in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee walked off the job last Friday and remain on the picket line.
Columbia facility technician Todd Heard, Local CWA 3803 member of over 27 years, said the company needs to "bring the right people" to the bargaining table, though he was not specific about contract stipulations.
Local CWA 3803 represents 122 workers in Southern Middle Tennessee, including those in Columbia, Pulaski, Hohenwald and the surrounding area. In Nashville alone, at least 800 members are striking with a total of about 2,500 workers striking across the state. 
Heard, who stood by over a dozen members at the Columbia AT&T location on Armstrong, said members walked out of the AT&T sites in the city at 2 p.m. last Friday and are hoping to see some solutions.
Aundra Jones, who serves as a digital technician and has been with the company for 29 years, said he wishes the company were more "sympathetic to employees."
"They need to be more sympathetic to employees after all that we've put in. There are a lot of things we'd like to have like [changes] to health insurance like too large deductibles and co-pay plans," Jones said.
"Negotiations began in late June and AT&T has refused to bargain over mandatory subjects and has failed to send a representative with authority to make decisions," the CWA media release said.
“I have been in close contact with CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt, and I have complete faith in our bargaining team," CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. said.
"I have told AT&T executives that the striking workers and the bargaining team have my full support. I expect AT&T to treat every member with respect and to send representatives to the table who have authority to bargain and who are serious about bargaining in good faith.”
AT&T disputed the union's accusations in a news release and said the company reached agreements in three other union negotiations this year that cover 13,000 employees. The company stated that the Southeastern strike impacts 15,000 workers rather than the 17,000 claimed by the union.
The strike involves technicians, customer service representatives and others who work with AT&T’s residential and business telecommunications network in the region.
The union said it filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board because, among other issues, AT&T sent representatives to negotiations who did not have the authority to make decisions.
“We have been met at the table by company representatives who were unable to explain their own bargaining proposals and did not seem to have the actual bargaining authority required,” said Richard Honeycutt, vice president of the union's 3rd District.
With customer service representatives and AT&T installation and maintenance technicians on the strike line, the company is using subcontractors to keep their network running, the release said.
“During the strike, AT&T has been sending undertrained managers and contractors to perform highly technical work,” Honeycutt said in a press release.
“Our members have seen them at work in their communities and documented unsafe practices, including failure to wear proper safety equipment, failure to secure ladders and other equipment, putting the worker and nearby vehicles and pedestrians at risk, and failure to mark work areas with safety cones. We are encouraging members of the public to use extra caution when encountering these worksites.”

Chris Cummins New Fire Chief (Press Release)
The City of Columbia has announced the appointment of Interim Fire Chief Chris Cummins as the new full-time Chief of Columbia Fire & Rescue, effective September 3, 2024. With a distinguished career at Columbia Fire & Rescue and a steadfast commitment to public safety, Chief Cummins brings invaluable experience and leadership to his new role.
Chief Cummins commented, “The fire service is founded on a strong legacy and tradition. The history of those who came before us is part of our story, and our actions today will become part of their legacy. I am both honored and privileged to help build this foundation, ensuring that our work will positively impact future generations.”

Chief Cummins has over three decades of experience with Columbia Fire & Rescue. He began his career with the department in 1990 as a firefighter and steadily rose through the ranks, serving as a Fire Engineer/Driver, Captain, Assistant Chief of Suppression, and ultimately as Deputy Chief before retiring in May 2021. Additionally, Cummins has
served over twenty years in total as a volunteer firefighter in both Maury and Lawrence Counties. Following his retirement, Cummins was rehired in August of 2021 in a part-time capacity, where he contributed significantly to facilitating FEMA/TEMA transitions, conducting training, securing grants, and implementing hazard mitigation strategies.
He was appointed to the position of Interim Chief in March of 2024.

Mayor Chaz Molder stated, "We are fortunate to have Chris Cummins continue his outstanding service to our in his role as Chief of Columbia Fire & Rescue on a permanent basis. The improved morale and improvements in other metrics during his time as interim chief are the result of his leadership and the respect he has within the department and everywhere else in between. His experience and dedication to public safety make him the ideal leader for Columbia Fire & Rescue."

As the full-time Fire Chief, Cummins will oversee all aspects of Columbia Fire & Rescue, including emergency response operations, training programs, and community outreach initiatives. He will work closely with city officials and department personnel to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.

City Manager Tony Massey said, “I am pleased to announce that Chris Cummins has been selected as the permanent Fire Chief for the City of Columbia. He has done an outstanding job in the role of Interim Chief. He brings experience, integrity, and dedication to the position. He will lead the department effectively into the future.”

Throughout his career, Chief Cummins has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a strong ability to manage crisis situations effectively. As he assumes his new role as full-time Fire Chief, the City of Columbia is confident in his ability to guide the department with integrity, skill, and a deep commitment to the community.

Maury County Fair (MauryCountySource)
The Maury County Fair will return on Thursday, August 29th and run until Monday, September 2nd, 2024.
All the family fun and entertainment you love will soon be back!
This year, the fair festivities begins with a Rodeo, taking place on Thursday of Fair Week. Several other popular events will be happening like the junk car jump and run and the Saturday motocross races.
In addition to the back arena fun, all your favorite animal shows and exhibitor competitions are back this year too! The kids zone will see a variety of live, exotic animals and science shows that will amaze kids of every age.
Address: Maury County Fair & Exposition
1018 Maury County Park Dr. Columbia, TN 38401
For more on the fair and updates, visit maurycountyfair.com.

Columbia Academy Lecture (Press Release)
Columbia Academy will host an event detailing the history and architecture of the Columbia Arsenal and details found from the recently discovered blueprints housed at the National Archives in College Park, Md.
The presentation will consist of a panel including: architect Justin Lowe of Centric Architecture, Columbia Academy President Dr. James A. Thomas, and me, County Archivist Tom Price.
Built in 1890 by the United States Government, the 67-acre campus was an active military installation known as the Columbia Arsenal and originally consisted of 10 buildings, six of which remain today. The arsenal closed shortly after the Spanish-American War in 1901 and transitioned into Columbia Military Academy in 1904. In 1979, the academy was turned over to a board from local Churches of Christ as they established Columbia Academy, a now PreK-12th grade private Christian school.
The lecture will take place in the Polk Hall (Upper School) Auditorium on Thursday, September 5th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. This free event is open to the public, and no tickets are necessary for admittance.

New Exhibit From TSM and AAHSMC (Press Release)
The African American Heritage of Maury County (AAHSMC) presents Building a Bright Future: Black Communities and Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee, a new traveling exhibition, on display now through September 13, 2024, at the Maury County Public Library. Created by the Tennessee State Museum in partnership with The John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library at Fisk University, the exhibition traces the history of education for Black Tennesseans from the Reconstruction period, through the development of the Rosenwald program, and into the present day.

“The Rosenwald Schools served African American students in Rural Maury County for more than 40 years. In addition to the traveling exhibition from the Tennessee State Museum, the AAHSMC’s companion exhibition will include photos of teachers, students, and the 15 Maury County Rosenwald Schools. Also, the AAHSMC is hosting “In Conversation: Former Rosenwald School Students.” Former students will share their educational experiences on August 10, 2024, 2:00pm - 3:00pm, at the Maury County Public Library,” said Jo Ann McClellan, AAHSMC President.
What are commonly referred to as Rosenwald Schools were the result of an initial partnership between Sears, Roebuck, and Co. president Julius Rosenwald, Tuskegee Institute president Booker T. Washington, and Black Communities throughout the South. Between 1912-1937, that partnership resulted in the construction of almost 5,000 schools for Black children across 15 southern states, including 354 in Tennessee. Rosenwald schools drove improvement in Black educational attainment and helped educate the generation who became leaders of the Civil Rights movement. The traveling exhibition on display at the Maury County Public Library consists of five two-sided panels and includes the engaging stories of alumni and community members from 16 different Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee.
“TSM and Fisk wanted to build a more diverse and inclusive space for all Tennesseans to learn about and honor the history and legacy of Black education in the state,” said Debbie Shaw, Senior Curator of Archaeology at the Tennessee State Museum. “The resilience and perseverance of these Black communities as they strived for equal access to education is highlighted through their work with the Rosenwald School program. The legacy continues today as members from these same groups work toward the preservation of these schools and communities.”
“Our teams at the Fisk University John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library and the Forging Future Pathways Forward: Building a Portal to Rosenwald Collections for all at Fisk University project were thrilled to partner and collaborate with Tennessee State Museum,” said DeLisa M. Harris, Director of Library Services at Fisk University. “This exhibit is the first major showcase of the impact and legacy of the Julius Rosenwald Fund Rural School program in Tennessee.”
This traveling exhibit is an expansion of Building a Bright Future: Black Communities and Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee, an initiative that included a 4,000 square foot temporary exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum and a two-day symposium. The project won a 2024 American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) Leadership in History Award of Excellence and the 2024 Tennessee Association of Museums President’s Award. For more information visit www.tnmuseum.org.

CPJI Sponsoring Civil Rights Attorney Fred Gray (Press Release)
The Columbia Peace and Justice Initiative (CPJI) will be hosting an evening with Civil Rights activist and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient attorney Fred Gray on Thursday, September 19 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at Maury Hills Church, located at 101 Unity Drive in Columbia.
Fred D. Gray is a pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement. Mr. Gray’s life mission has been to destroy racial segregation wherever he finds it, and that is what he continues to do. He has practiced law since 1954, specializing in civil rights litigation, and continues to practice today at the age of 93.
He has been a cooperating attorney with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Legal Defense Fund Inc. since 1956. He represented many civil rights icons and organizations, including the victims of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin, Congressman John Lewis, the Freedom Riders and Walkers, Selma to Montgomery Marchers, NAACP, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and others.
Attorney Gray is the recipient of many honorary degrees and awards. On July 7, 2022, President Joe Biden awarded Mr. Gray the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest award a civilian can receive. In 2023, he received the American Bar Association’s Medal, which is its highest award given and was also awarded the Legal Defense Fund’s Thurgood Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as president of the National Bar Association and Alabama Bar Association and is the current president of the Tuskegee Human & Civil Rights Multicultural Center.
Proceeds from this CPJI Legacy Fundraiser, which will replace the traditional Legacy Luncheon in 2024, will support the completion of the Thurgood Marshall Roundabout coming in 2025 in partnership with the City of Columbia. The roundabout will feature a sculpture of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall created by renowned sculptor David Alan Clark. It will be located at the intersection of South Main Street and East 8th Street, a gateway to the historic Black business district and the epicenter of the 1946 Columbia Race Riot, a pivotal moment in Columbia’s history that sent shockwaves across the nation. Marshall played a role in the subsequent trial.
Marshall’s dedication to protecting the rights of all citizens earned him the nickname “Mr. Civil Rights.” His distinguished career included successfully having the Supreme Court declare segregation in public schools unconstitutional (Brown v Board of Education, 1954),
President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Marshall as the first African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967.
Sponsorship opportunities are currently available. For more information, contact Russ Adcox at [e-mail] or 931.628.0736. Individual tickets are $55 and may be purchased at cpji.org.

Maury County Clerk Satellite Office (Press Release)
The Maury County Clerk’s office can now help residents with renewals of license plates or placards each Wednesday from 8am to 3:30pm at the Maury County Senior Center located at 1020 Maury County Park Dr.
Please drive around to the back of the building and look for the car tag renewal sign near the back door.
Forms of payment include credit/debit card or check – no cash.
Any Maury County Resident can use this 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 TNCountyClerk.com or at kiosks in Spring Hill City Hall or Mt. Pleasant Courthouse.

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Gwendolyn Marie Montgomery Creager, age 69 of Estill Springs passed away August 24th.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Santa Fe Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. 

Bethany Carol Hickman Brothers, 66, resident of Antioch, died Sunday, August 25, 2024 at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. 
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 4:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. until the time of service at the funeral home Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. 

Now, news from around the state…
Tennessee Turning to Oregon Tech to Help with Foster Kids (Tennessean)
Tennessee is turning to an Oregon tech company to deal with a big shortage of foster families to house and care for children in state custody.
And some state officials have high expectations for the partnership that's being announced Monday as part of a rollout for a new venture between state government, the faith community and nonprofits called Every Child TN.
"Our hope is that there’s a radical difference" in the state's foster care system, said Lance Villio, executive director of the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative, which is joining the Tennessee Department of Children's Services in launching Every Child TN. 
The tech nonprofit, The Contingent, has used new software and online marketing to develop thousands of leads to sign up new foster families in three other states, and Tennessee officials hope the Portland, Oregon company can do the same here.
There are big challenges for Tennessee's child welfare programs. To start, Tennessee has more than 8,000 children in state custody, but only about 5,000 certified foster families, and many of those will only take babies or young children with no obvious behavior or mental health challenges, DCS officials said.
About 73% of foster children are placed with families outside of their home counties, some as far as three hours away. And about one-third of kids in state custody are separated from their brothers and sisters when they are placed, a Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative spokesperson said.
DCS itself also has come under fire in recent years. In a lawsuit filed in June, DCS has been accused of "barbaric violence" against kids with disabilities. And DCS experienced a "staffing collapse" in 2022, though some improvement has been made since new DCS Commissioner Margie Quin came into office in September 2022.
Meanwhile, the Every Child TN initiative is the most high-profile effort to date for the Governor's Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives.
Started in 2019, the office was initially privately funded but in 2023 began receiving more than a $1 million in direct taxpayer dollars. The office came under scrutiny and calls for an independent audit after The Tennessean reported on a lack of detail on how those funds would be spent.
In its initial assessment, The Contingent's research found about 70% of Tennessee foster kids are in "non-ideal" placements — far from home or split from siblings or in non-family housing or in homes with no cultural relevance.
"There’s a lot of room for improvement," said Brooke Gray, executive director of national expansion for The Contingent, which secured a $4.1 million, three-year contract with Tennessee.
"What’s so beautiful," Gray said, "is we have a start with a baseline so we can improve together."
The Contingent has seen its biggest successes in its home state of Oregon, where the nonprofit helped take annual inquiries from potential foster parents from 139 in 2015 to more than 2,000 a year over the past three years.
The percent of "non-ideal" foster care placements has dropped to 22% in Oregon, Gray said.
Tennessee officials hope to have similar success with The Contingent, though DCS's executive director of child programs, Lindsay Coleman, is a little more muted than her counterpart with the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative.
"I think that we will see some positive outcomes," Coleman, a 21-year DCS veteran, said. "I think it’ll take a little bit of time. We’re not going to have 100 new foster families in a week."
The Contingent does hope to generate between 700 and 1,300 family leads by this time next year, Gray said.
Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
The Columbia Police Department is gearing up for its 10th Annual Community Event, promising a day of family fun and community bonding.
Set for Tuesday, September 24th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Riverwalk Park (102 Riverside Dr., Columbia, TN), this free event is open to all residents.
The festivities aim to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community under the theme “Unity in the Community.” Attendees can expect a variety of activities suitable for all ages.