Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-11-24

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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 11, 2024

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Mersen Workers Join Union (Press Release)
Workers at the Columbia graphite-giant Mersen plant have chosen to join the industrial division of the Communications Workers of America, following a vote Monday by the National Labor Relations Board.
Mersen, a French multinational conglomerate specializing in electrical power and advanced materials, employs 60 workers at the Columbia plant, bringing an investment of $70 million. The company held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 11, 2023, drawing locally-elected officials and hundreds of supporters in the business community.
Monday's vote, which was 39-13, represents a key moment for the company's employees aiming to address issues like low wages, safety concerns and a lack of job progression.
"We are proud of what we've accomplished by standing together to form a union," said Tracy Jones, a worker involved in the organizing process. "We look forward to working with Mersen to create a safer and more structured workplace and to secure fair wages for everyone."
According to a CWA press release, workers at the Columbia facility have raised concerns about the lack of a clear pay structure, highlighting the need for more equitable compensation that reflects the varying levels of skill and responsibility across different roles.
"Additionally, there are no formal pathways for temporary workers, which the company heavily relies on, to become full-time employees, a situation that has led to frustration among the workforce," the press release states. "Safety issues have also been a major driver of the union effort, with employees reporting frequent incidents and injuries due to the demanding nature of the work, which often involves exposure to high temperatures and workers working far apart in isolation of each other."
Mersen has recently experienced significant growth, particularly in the U.S. In 2023, the company reported $1.27 billion in global sales, $486 million of which came from the U.S.
Much of this success has been attributed to U.S. government support via initiatives like the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act, both of which have boosted demand for the advanced materials Mersen supplies.
“Mersen’s strong financial performance and expansion in high-growth sectors like semiconductors and renewable energy make this moment particularly significant,” said Orvin Caraballo, an IUE-CWA organizer who helped the Mersen workers organize. “As more workers in these industries organize, we are building greater density, which will translate into more worker power and better conditions across the sector.”

City of Columbia Receives $810,000 Grant (Press Release)
The City of Columbia has been awarded $810,000 in HOME Grant Program funds from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), following an initial announcement in May. These funds, provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will enable the City to support the rehabilitation and repair of single-family homes for low-income residents in Columbia.
“We recognize that maintaining affordable housing is crucial for our residents, especially during this period of exponential growth, and this grant will help us realize our goal of ensuring that all parts, and all people, of our community succeed. We all do better when we all do better,” said Mayor Chaz Molder.
The HOME Grant Program aims to promote the preservation of affordable housing for low-income households. With these funds, the City of Columbia plans to assist 8-13 homeowners in completing much-needed home repairs, depending on the scope of repairs required for each eligible property. The focus will be on ensuring that all homes receiving support meet residential building code requirements upon completion of the project.
City Manager Tony Massey remarked, “As the City of Columbia continues to grow, it’s essential that we prioritize the needs of our long-time residents and ensure that they aren’t left behind.”
To kick off the program, the City will host a public meeting on October 29, 2024, to provide details and distribute applications. Applications will be accepted for 30 days following the meeting, with a submission deadline of November 29, 2024. After the submission deadline, applications will be reviewed, selections will be made, and a contractor will be hired to perform the work on the selected homes. Applicants will be assessed according to THDA and HUD guidelines, with priority given to low-income homeowners. The South Central Tennessee Development District will administer the grant on behalf of the City of Columbia.
“The City of Columbia makes a point to apply for all state and federal dollars that can benefit our community,” said Assistant City Manager Thad Jablonski. "The cost of buying and owning a home right now is high and rising. We understand that, and we are especially focused on programs that provide quality of life assistance to Columbia residents."
The City of Columbia remains committed to leveraging all available resources to enhance the quality of life for its residents. This grant aligns with the City's ongoing mission to ensure that all citizens have access to safe, sustainable, and affordable housing. For questions regarding applications and eligibility, please contact Tia Lockridge, Director of Housing for the South Central Tennessee Development District, at 931 379-2957 or via email at [e-mail].

Maury 911 Responders Get Award (MSM)
Maury County’s 911 employees were honored on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at the TENA (Tennessee Emergency Numbers Association) Annual Meeting, where they received a Dispatch Event of the Year award for their tremendous response and dedication during the May 8 tornado event. “I am so very proud of them and thankful for each of them and their service to the people of Maury County. They fielded thousands of calls through that disaster,” said Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt.

SCTTA Receives Award (MSM)
South Central Tennessee Tourism Association was awarded the prestigious Destination Management Organization (DMO) of the Year – Small Budget, in the Stars of the Industry Awards. The honor took place at the state’s Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism 2024, held recently in Chattanooga, and was presented by Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Executive Director and CEO Ryan French was named Destination Management Organization Director of the Year.
SCTTA, commonly known by its public-facing brand Experience Tennessee, received recognition for its “Tourism Ready” initiative and for the organization’s work with key stakeholders. Over the past year, SCTTA developed strong partnerships with Jack Daniel Distillery, Tennessee Distillers Guild, Lynchburg-Moore Metropolitan County Chamber of Commerce, and various others within the region in order to support tourism development. SCTTA launched the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead visitor center, located on the Jack Daniel campus. The center boasts more than 200,000 visitors annually.
“It was an honor to be recognized for our work, and named Destination Management Organization of the Year,’” French said. “SCTTA has a dedicated team of tourism professionals working every day to lift-up the 13 counties who are part of the Experience Tennessee region. This is a well-earned recognition for our staff and all of our hard-working tourism partners.”
“Tourism Ready” promotes enhanced understanding of the industry’s economic potential, increased local business engagement, and improved marketing and operational skills tailored to the tourism industry. SCTTA works with DMO directors, elected officials, and business owners to spotlight the importance of tourism, connect them to resources, and inform them about hotel/motel tax allocation requirements. SCTTA has positively impacted the region by providing consistent resources to DMOs, acting as a liaison between DMOs and the state, and developing assets that enhance tourism promotion for the region at large.
The South Central Tennessee Tourism Association is a state-supported agency that services 13 counties, including Maury County. For more information, visit www.sctta.org or www.experiencetn.com.

Spring Hill Manager Resigns (TheNewsTN)
On Monday, Oct. 7, the city of Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) voted to accept the resignation of City Administrator Pamela Caskie.
Her resignation will take effect immediately.
Human Resources Director Chris Clausi has been appointed as the interim city administrator. Clausi will carry out the duties of the office as the nationwide search for a new city administrator takes place.
On Aug. 19, BOMA passed Resolution 24-209, creating a Request for Proposal (RFP) to compile bids for search firms to begin the process of hiring a new city administrator. This process began following Caskie’s announcement of her intent to retire at the Aug. 5 meeting.
While there is no timetable for when a new city administrator will be chosen, BOMA and city staff are aware of the importance in filling this position with a top-level talent.
In the city of Spring Hill’s form of government, BOMA appoints a city administrator to carry out the policies and programs approved by BOMA. The city administrator also provides organizational leadership to all city departments and staff.
Further updates about the search for a new city administrator will be made at upcoming BOMA meetings and on the city of Spring Hill website and social media channels.

Maury Regional Breast Cancer Seminar (Press Release)
On Sunday, Oct. 27, Maury Regional Health will host a free seminar led by surgeon Amy Vertrees, MD, about the advanced technology used to detect and treat breast cancer followed by a health fair dedicated to breast cancer resources.
The seminar, titled “What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer,” will begin at 3 p.m. in the Maury Regional Annex located at 1223 Trotwood Avenue in Columbia (across from the hospital). RSVP is required at MauryRegional.com/BreastSeminar or by calling 931.490.7011.
“I often hear in my clinics, ‘I wish I knew that about breast cancer,’” said Dr. Vertrees. “I want to share what I know before you need to hear it.”
Dr. Vertrees is a board-certified surgeon specializing in surgery, breast surgery and robotic surgery. Dr. Vertrees served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army for 17 years, with three war deployments, including Iraq and Afghanistan. She received her medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, and completed an internship and residency at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. She has been on the medical staff at Maury Regional Health for the past seven years and is associated with Columbia Surgical Partners, which she co-founded.
Before and after Dr. Vertrees’ presentation, representatives from community organizations will be on site to discuss resources for women and breast cancer patients. These groups include:

Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program (Tennessee Department of Health)
Maury Regional Women’s Center
Maury Regional Physical Therapy
Maury Regional Health Care Foundation
Maury Regional Medical Group Primary Care | Columbia

“Breast cancer is a journey — from diagnosis to treatment,” said Administrative Director of Oncology Dana Salters, MBA, R.T.(R)(M). “Our patients don’t have to navigate that journey alone. There are a number of resources available to assist women in our community as they seek the vital care they need, and we are thrilled to have them join us for this afternoon dedicated to women’s health and wellness.”
To register for this free seminar, visit MauryRegional.com/BreastSeminar or call 931.490.7011.
Maury Regional Health offers mammography services at locations throughout southern Middle Tennessee, including the Maury Regional Women’s Center in Columbia, Lewis Health Center in Hohenwald, Marshall Medical Center in Lewisburg, Wayne Medical Center in Waynesboro and Spring Hill Imaging Center in Spring Hill. To schedule a mammogram at any Maury Regional Health location, call 931.380.4044. To learn more, visit MauryRegional.com/Mammogram.

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.

DUI Checkpoint (Press Release)
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting sobriety roadside safety checkpoints during the week of October 11th on State RT. 50 East .2 Miles East of the 19 Mile Marker in Maury County starting at 10:00PM .
Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures 305,000 people every year in the United States. Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle while impaired and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools in the battle against impaired driving.

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by 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…
State Loan Available for Helene Victims (Tennessean)
East Tennessee counties heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene can now tap into a new state loan program officals developed in recent days, with $100 million aimed at addressing immediate debris and water issues while local governments apply for federal reimbursements.
Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday announced the new Helene Emergency Assistance Loan program, which will funnel no-interest loans to local communities in the coming days to bridge the gap between immediate needs and federal reimbursement funds.
Lee said the HEAL program was borne out of a conversation with an East Tennessee county mayor who told him the county might not be able to make payroll and pay for immediate clean-up costs.
"There's a lot of work to be done. There's a lot of pain. There's been a lot of heartache across our state and, frankly, across the country," Lee said. "But what's needed most is an efficient response that gets what people need delivered to them when they need it. And that's really the heart behind this HEAL program."
The state will allocate $35 million toward water and wastewater systems repairs and $65 million for "dangerous debris" removal.
"It is an interim strategy for them to cross that fiscal bridge and get to the place where the federal funding will begin to come in, and the work that they have done to restore their communities is paid for through those federal funds," Lee said.
To provide the no-interest loans, Tennessee is tapping into an unusual pot of money, a TennCare "shared savings" program that is part of the state's Medicaid block grant.
"These dollars are ours, they're here, they're available, and they're specifically designed to be used for health and welfare," Lee said. "This is clearly a health and welfare issues with clean water, wastewater, and sewage treatment. These are exactly the right dollars to use."
The timeline for counties to receive these dollars, and eventually pay them back, are still being hammered out, Lee said. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency will distribute the funds.
Gas Prices (MSM)
Gas prices across Tennessee moved slightly lower over last week, falling three cents, on average. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.73 which is 11 cents less expensive than one month ago and 53 cents less than one year ago.
“The ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are the likely cause of the increases we saw in crude oil prices over last week,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “These higher oil prices could contribute to an uptick in pump prices over this week.”
Tennessee is fourth least-expensive state in nation for gas prices.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
Besides Columbia’s Fall Fest and Kiwanis Chili Cookoff, it is also Second Saturday at The Factory at Columbia! Now is the perfect time to get a jump start on this year's holiday shopping, or maybe a few last-minute decorations just in time for Halloween.
Visit The Factory at Columbia, 101 N. James M. Campbell Blvd., for its monthly Second Saturday shopping event, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Factory will be packed with vendors, as well as food trucks and live entertainment.
Being the Halloween season, there will also be a dog costume contest. Visit @AFreedomJourney on social media for more information and to sign up.
Also be sure to explore the Factory's many shops and restaurants, which will remain open during regular business hours.