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

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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.

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for September 10, 2024

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Man Wanted (MauryCountySource)
The Maury County Sheriff’s Department is searching for a man they say is armed and dangerous.
Michael Van Dobbs, 45, is currently wanted for Criminal Homicide. He is 6ft Oin and weighs 235 lbs. No clothing description was provided.
Maury County deputies are seeking any and all information regarding his whereabouts.
If you see him or know of his location, please do not approach him but immediately call deputies at [phone].

Spring Hill Takes Drought Measures (MauryCountySource)
At the request of the Duck River Agency (DRA), the City of Spring Hill is enacting voluntary conservation measures due to drought conditions in the Duck River Watershed.
Per the U.S. Drought Monitor, far-west portions of the Duck River Watershed are currently in “D3 Extreme Drought” conditions. At D3 levels, expected impacts include a water supply that is inadequate for wildlife. Spring Hill is currently in the area of “D1 Moderate Drought” conditions.
In response, the Duck River Agency is initiating a Drought Response Team, consisting of Spring Hill leaders alongside other local and state officials, who will meet weekly to assess drought conditions and escalate the response if needed.
The Duck River Agency is declaring the river is in a “Stage 1 River Drought.” While the Normandy Reservoir is not seeing drought impacts currently, many downstream entities, including Spring Hill, are seeing low river flow levels. This means significant amounts of river water is being lost to groundwater replenishment.
At this Stage 1 designation, DRA is requesting all water users to voluntarily reduce all non-essential water usage. Non-essential water use includes irrigation, outdoor recreation, filling or refilling pools and hot tubs, and dust control measures during construction, among others.
These voluntary measures are to protect the delicate ecosystem of the Duck River Watershed, which has been declared one of the most bio-diverse ecosystems in North America, and to ensure all entities have sufficient waterflow for customers.
The City of Spring Hill is thankful for your support in this request. DRA will continue to monitor the situation, and further announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

Rep. Ogles Asks for Phone Back (Tennessean)
U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to return the cell phone confiscated by the FBI last month so that he can identify protected legislative materials he says are on them. 
FBI agents seized Ogles’ phone and Google account the day after he won a contested primary last month. 
In a filing Tuesday, Ogles’ attorneys argue that some materials on the phone and email account are protected as they “contain communications reflecting legislative acts of the most sensitive character–including confidential debate among dozens of Representatives about who should lead the House as Speaker.” 
Ogles wrote in an accompanying affidavit that his phone also contains text messages and emails with other House members, senators, and former President Donald Trump. 
Ogles’ filing asserts that the FBI probe is a form of political persecution, noting that the DOJ targeted Ogles after he filed articles of impeachment against the vice president.
“This danger is acute for Members who find themselves opponents of the Executive Branch,” the motion reads. “Not only is Mr. Ogles a Republican Member of Congress when the Executive is led by a Democrat, but he is also a member of the House Freedom Caucus, which this president has described as ‘extreme’ opponents of his agenda. … Plus, only days before the Executive sought the search warrants, Congressman Ogles introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Kamala Harris.” 
Ogles has previously said he believes the FBI probe is related to errors in his campaign finance disclosures. But the filings repeatedly claim DOJ attorneys did not characterize Ogles as the target of an investigation. 
“During my conversations with prosecutors, they informed me that they considered Congressman Ogles to be a ‘subject’ of their investigation rather than a ‘target,’” Ogles’ attorney John Rowley III wrote in an affidavit. 
Federal Judge Alistair Newbern is giving the DOJ until Sept. 11 to respond. 

City Receives GFOA Award (Press Release)
The City of Columbia is thrilled to announce that it has earned Triple Crown status from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the fifth consecutive year. This esteemed recognition highlights the City’s outstanding achievement in receiving all three GFOA awards: the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, and the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award. The last year reported, Columbia was one of only three cities in Tennessee to receive this elite status.
Mayor Chaz Molder expressed pride in the City’s accomplishments, stating, “Receiving the Triple Crown for five consecutive years reflects our team’s unwavering dedication to transparency and fiscal responsibility. This recognition demonstrates Columbia’s commitment not only to responsible governance but also to producing annual budgets that clearly communicate our goals and priorities to the public.”
In addition to the Triple Crown honor, the City has also been awarded the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. This accolade underscores Columbia’s commitment to producing high- quality, transparent budget documents that meet the highest standards of governmental budgeting. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, established by the GFOA in 1984, is granted to entities that meet nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The City of Columbia’s budget was assessed across 14 mandatory criteria and met the program’s rigorous standards, ensuring it serves as a strategic tool for guiding the City’s operations.
City Manager Tony Massey praised the finance department, stating, “This recognition reassures our residents that we are providing clear and accessible financial information while laying a strong foundation for Columbia’s continued growth and success.”
Assistant City Manager and CFO Thad Jablonski added, “I am incredibly proud of our finance department team for their exceptional performance in achieving the Triple Crown recognition from the GFOA. The FY 2025 budget award and Triple Crown status reaffirm our ongoing commitment to strong financial management. The City of Columbia takes pride in being fiscally responsible and transparent with taxpayers’ dollars, and this award highlights our dedication as responsible stewards of the City’s treasure.”
The GFOA, founded in 1906, represents public finance officials across the United States and Canada. Its awards programs aim to promote excellence in financial management and ensure that state and local governments provide clear, informative, and accessible financial documents for the public.

96 Year Old Teaches African American Lessons (MSM)
Ask yourself “what are the odds?”
What are the odds that a 94-year-old woman (at the time this story begins,) who is African American, and lives in Pulaski, Tenn., would be able to rally town leaders to champion the creation of a bronze statue to honor the United States Colored Troops who fought in the American Civil War more than 150 years ago? 
What are the odds that this same woman, who was a school teacher and an elementary school principal, would pay $82,000 out of her own pocket for the statue?
Now ask yourself, what are the odds this would happen in the birthplace of the KKK?
The path toward creating “The Resurrection of Valor” statue began during a Community Advisory Committee meeting on Inclusive Recognition & Acknowledgement led by then-Mayor Pat Ford. He asked the committee to share their best ideas. Vivian Sims jumped to her feet and said, “You need to honor the United States Colored Troops.”
“Growing up a Main Street kid and carrying a flag at our 1996 All-American City celebration, it has been tough, as an adult, to realize the shadow cast on our community that is not representative of who we are,” said Jessie Parker, CEO, Giles County Chamber of Commerce. “Over the past 10 years, we have participated in projects and had articles written about ‘who we really are,’ but nothing has compared to the work of Pulaski’s Community Advisory Committee on Inclusive Recognition & Acknowledgement, Three Star tourism programming, and the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association. We are so grateful.” 
Though Sims had lived in Giles County for more than 60 years, she only learned about the USCT when she was in her 80s. In her research, she discovered that during the Civil War, more than 200,000 Black men courageously served in the Union Army, advancing the cause of freedom for more than four million enslaved people.
President Abraham Lincoln said the contribution of the USCT’s was so significant that “Without the military help of the Black freedmen, the war against the South could not have been won.” 
Sims, a lifelong educator, worked hard to shatter racial and gender barriers. She was the first Black female assistant principal of Pulaski Elementary School and later became the first Black principal of Southside Elementary School. During her 46-year tenure, she noticed children — particularly young Black boys — needed positive role models.
Her vision for creating a USCT statue in Pulaski was directed straight toward these young Black boys, and girls. In fact, the bronze statue is of a child looking up at a USCT soldier. 
Sims wanted to share a message with these children: “You are the descendant of brave warriors who fought and died for your freedom. God created you free and equal to all Americans. Take pride in yourself and your heritage. Always do your best, work hard to succeed, and make this world a better place to live and love one another.”
Determined to see the project through, Sims worked with a local artist and sculptor Pamela Sue Kellor to design and create the inspiring memorial. The statue, along with a plaque, was celebrated with a city-wide installation within Cave Spring Heritage Plaza in Pulaski. That event resulted in several positive local and regional stories. That was not enough for the ever-vigilant Vivian. She fretted often about how to get this story out to the masses. It was too important not to be told far and wide. 
Ryan French, CEO, SCTTA, has supported the project throughout the process.
“After stepping into this role, one of my first conversations with Jessie Parker was about the town’s efforts to tell a more complete and unifying story — one that brings people together instead of dividing us,” French said. “We collaborated with journalist Elena Cawley and photographer Amanda Morton to produce five articles highlighting Giles County’s African American history, covering significant topics like the Rosenwald School, Rev. John Gilmore, the Quilting Our Heritage Quilting Club, Center Point (Wolf Gap), and what was then the beginning of the USCT statue sculpture.
“The story of the U.S. Colored Troops from Giles County left me awestruck — it gave me chills. It was a profound realization that this was the true story of Giles County,” French continued. “And as we delved deeper, understanding the efforts of Vivian Sims and the incredible support from the city council, Mayor Ford, Vivian, Kelly Hamlin, and others, it became clear that this narrative of community and unity is, in my opinion, the defining story of Giles County and Pulaski.”
Cut to the spring of 2024, when SCTTA sent a representative to the Southeastern Tourism Society’s Domestic Showcase in Little Rock, Ark. That series of meetings between SCTTA rep Cindy Dupree Holloway and journalists from around the country resulted in Jenn and Ed Coleman of Coleman Concierge to travel to Pulaski for the sole purpose of meeting and interviewing Vivian Sims. The Coleman’s recognized the importance of this story, understood the unbelievable elements that were fodder for an amazing piece of journalism, and felt that, if written correctly, the article could be placed with the Associated Press, one of the largest news organizations in the world.
“We knew there was more to share, and we were determined to ensure the world heard this story. So when SCTTA teamed up with Cindy Dupree Holloway to launch our organization’s first PR efforts, this was at the top of our list,” French explained. “Cindy took the story to STS and did an incredible job representing the significance of the story, the importance of its location, and just how meaningful it is to our town.
“We also shifted our internal focus and secured an incredible opportunity for Vivian to be interviewed by the Steel Magnolias Podcast,” he added. “Needless to say, we went all-in to tell this story — about Vivian, about this remarkable community, and about the history that defines us.”
What are the odds, now, that this story would be picked-up by more than 150 media outlets across America?
Actually, the odds are pretty good, considering the team of people who spend most of their days serving others, and working hard to make a difference for the greater good – beginning with Ford, who called the meeting; Parker, leading Giles County’s revolutionary transformation; French, a passionate advocate for the SCTTA region; Dupree Holloway, always pressing for great stories to be told; and, last but definitely not least, Sims, the visionary achiever of extraordinary feats. 
Now you’ve heard about Vivian Sims. We hope you remember her and her remarkable story for a long time to come.
The five articles on Giles County African American history and more information on the creation of the USCT sculpture are available to read at visitpulaski.com/learn/history.

Two New Docs at MRMC (Press Release)
 Bethany Summerford, MD and Ankur Vaidya, MD, have joined the medical staff at Maury Regional Medical Center as hospital medicine physicians and are both affiliated with the Maury Regional Medical Group.
Dr. Summerford completed medical school at University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, MS. She completed her residency at University of Miami, Jackson Health System in Miami, FL.
Dr. Vaidya completed medical school at University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD. He completed his residency at the University of Miami, Jackson Health System in Miami, FL.
Maury Regional Medical Group, an affiliate of Maury Regional Health, is the provider for Maury Regional’s hospital medicine program. These physicians are specialists who devote their time and expertise to adult and pediatric patients exclusively within the hospital setting. The hospital medicine physicians are trained in internal medicine and pediatrics and can care for patients ranging from infants to the elderly.

Room in the Inn Octoberfest Fundraiser (Press Release)
Mark your calendars, Columbia – Room in the Inn’s biggest fundraiser of the year is just around the corner! On October 4th, the community is invited to join in the Oktoberfest festivities and support a fantastic local cause.
Room in the Inn is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing shelter, resources, and hope to single mothers and their children in need. Their latest project, Grace House, aims to create a safe, supportive living space with individual beds, private bedrooms and bathrooms, a community kitchen, and laundry facilities. All proceeds from this year’s Oktoberfest event will go directly towards the construction of Grace House, making a real difference in the lives of local families.
So what can you expect at this year’s Oktoberfest celebration? Plenty of fun, food, and community spirit! The event will take place on October 4 at Riverwalk Park in Columbia from 6pm -10pm. Guests will be able to enjoy local craft beer tastings, delicious fare from food trucks, live music, and traditional Oktoberfest games and activities. Riverwalk Park is located at 102 Riverside Drive, Columbia.

Athenaeum Candlelight Tour (Press Release)
The Athenaeum Rectory, one of Columbia’s premier historic sites, located at 808 Athenaeum Street, will be hosting their Annual Candlelight tour on Sept 28 from 7-9 PM. Come tour the Rectory the way it needs to be seen, by nothing but Candlelight and learn the mourning customs of the 19th century.  Tickets are $10 per person and available at the door. The ticket price goes towards the perpetual upkeep of the Athenaeum Rectory historic site. Learn more by visiting historicathenaeum.com.

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Brenda Joyce Harris Tune, 73, and resident of Columbia, died Friday, September 6, 2024 at Maury Regional Medical Center
A graveside service will be held Wednesday September 11, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at Polk Memorial Gardens. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements and condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. 

Mr. Raymond Harding “Ray” Morrow Jr., 77, retired employee for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and resident of Culleoka, died Sunday, September 8 at his residence. A graveside service will be held Wednesday September 11 at 1:00 P.M. at Wilkes Cemetery. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements.

And now, news from around the state…
More Big Lots Stores to Close (Tennessean)
More Big Lots closures are on the way.
On Monday, the discount retailer announced it plans to close more stores under new leadership, an affiliate of Nexus Capital Management LP. Back in July, Big Lots had announced it would close 35-40 stores — including three in Tennessee — however, that number rose to 315 in August.  
The Ohio-based retailer has also initiated Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, said a news release.
In a statement, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Thorn, said that undergoing new leadership will not only provide financial stability but also "optimize their operational footprint," "accelerate improvement in performance" and "deliver on their promise to be the leader in extreme value."
"We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with Big Lots and help return this iconic brand to its status as America's leading extreme value retailer," said Evan Glucoft, managing director of Nexus. " The Big Lots business has incredible potential and we are confident that its greatest days are ahead."
In addition to closing more stores, the company also plans to "elevate and optimize" its distribution center model. At this time, it is unclear if additional stores will be closed in Tennessee. At the time of publication, a Big Lots spokesperson did not respond to the Tennessean's request for comment.
Like many retailers, factors like high inflation and interest rates have impacted Big Lots stores. Furthermore, economic trends like customer spending on home and seasonal products, have affected the company's revenue, said a news release from the company.
The company had previously reported that sales in the first quarter of 2024, which ended in May, fell more than 10% compared to the previous year. The company did, however, perform better in the second quarter, yielding improved comp sales. The retailer also reported that quarter three is off to a good start and positive momentum should continue throughout the remainder of the year.
“While the company's underlying performance has been improving, the Board of Directors conducted a broad strategic review of alternatives and determined that entering into the Sale Agreement with Nexus, and initiating a court-supervised sale process, is the best path forward to maximize value and ensure continued operations,” wrote Big Lots in the release.
Big Lots added on Monday that Nexus will act as a “stalking horse bidder" in an auction the courts will oversee. Companies that want to place higher bids can participate but should Nexus be the winner, the sale should be final by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Big Lots also reported $707.5 million of financing, including $35 million from some of its current lenders.
Regarding its current operations, Big Lots has filed motions seeking court approval to continue paying employees and benefits, and payments to certain critical vendors in the ordinary course of business.
As previously reported by USA TODAY, the stores closing in Tennessee include two stores outside Nashville and one in northwest Tennessee. They are:
Franklin: 209 S. Royal Oaks Blvd.
Madison: 2301 Gallatin Pike N.
Union City: 1410 S. First St.
There are a total of 47, soon to be 44, Big Lots stores across Tennessee. Locations include Chattanooga, Columbia, Memphis, Knoxville and more. A complete list of Big Lots stores can be found at local.biglots.com/tn.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
As excitement grows for the 10th anniversary of the can’t-miss Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, the official 2024 lineup schedule is announced. Dave Matthews Band and Noah Kahan will take on the Midnight Sun Stage, while Hozier and NEEDTOBREATHE will hit The Gold Record Road Stage.
Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival will begin the two-day weekend on Saturday 28th with live music starting at 12:15 p.m. at the Americana Music Triangle (AMT) presented by Hardee’s™ from Wyatt Ellis. Sunday, September 29th kicks off with Down Home Church at AMT. Check out the full lineup at www.maurycountysource.com.
Limited tickets remaining are on sale now at PilgrimageFestival.com, including two-day general admission, two-day VIP, single-day general admission, single-day VIP tickets, parking passes, and travel packages. Children under the age of seven are free with an adult GA ticket holder.
The 2024 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival app (for Apple and Android) is available for download today.