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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 November 22, 2024
All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Spring Hill Teen Dies in Accident (CDH)
A Spring Hill teen died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a bus while traveling down Campbell Station Parkway and Main Street, according to Spring Hill Police Department.
The victim has been identified as Jacob Crawford, 19, of Spring Hill. Crawford was struck by a bus carrying eight passengers. Officers responded to the scene at 5:45 p.m., where Crawford was pronounced dead at the scene.
"A 19-year-old Spring Hill man lost his life in a bicycle crash on Campbell Station Parkway Wednesday evening," Spring Hill Public Information Officer Lt. Michael Foster issued in a statement released Thursday.
"The preliminary investigation shows that Jacob Crawford was on a bicycle, facing east towards Main Street, in the continuous turn lane section of Campbell Station Parkway. Jacob was stopped for traffic. A 50-plus-seat Prevost passenger bus stopped in the parking lot where Publix was located, preparing to exit onto Campbell Station Parkway.
"The bus made a left turn onto Campbell Station Parkway and collided with the bicyclist, resulting in his fatal injuries."
Foster added the crash, as well as what caused it, remain under investigation.
"The cause of the crash is being investigated by officers who have interviewed many witnesses and collected all available evidence at this point in time. Following the investigation, the 21st District Attorney’s Office will receive the findings and determine whether any criminal laws were broken," Foster said.
"Our deepest condolences go out to Jacob’s family and friends."
Newly Elected City Councilman Resigns Seat (MSM)
One of Columbia’s newly elected City Council members has already made the decision to step down.
Andy Hart, who was elected to the Ward 5 seat in the Nov. 5 election, submitted a letter of resignation to City Manager Tony Massey on the morning of Nov. 18.
In the letter, Hart stated, “Due to family considerations, I will be unable to be sworn in and serve my term as 5th Ward City Council member. I am grateful to have had the city of Columbia believe in me enough to vote me in. However this is not a good season for me and my family at this time.”
City Recorder Thad Jablonski stated that the vacancy will be filled by appointment from the City Council members. When such an appointment might be made was not immediately known.
MRMC Breaks Ground in Lawrence (Press Release)
Maury Regional Health (MRH) held a groundbreaking ceremony in conjunction with the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Nov. 21, to celebrate construction on a new health park on Highway 43 in the Ethridge community north of Lawrenceburg.
The three-story 60,000-sq.-ft. facility across from the FedEx Distribution Center will be home to Maury Regional Medical Group physicians and providers, including primary care and specialties. Additional services will include imaging, physical therapy, pharmacy, occupational health and a sleep center. Several independent providers on the medical staff at MRH have also expressed interest in leasing space in the new facility, bringing even more specialty services to the health park.
“Maury Regional Health has long served southern Middle Tennessee through our facilities in Maury, Marshall, Lewis and Wayne counties,” said MRH CEO Martin Chaney, MD. “Our neighbors in Lawrence County have entrusted us with their care for decades, and we are committed to offering them more services, close to home.”
According to Chief Administrative Officer Charlie Brinkley, MRH purchased 14.8 acres in February 2024 with plans to utilize approximately 6.4 acres for the facility, leaving space for future growth.
“When we look at the health care needs of the region, the largest volume of patients we serve resides in Maury County followed by Lawrence County,” said Brinkley. “We look forward to expanding the services offered locally to residents in this growing community.”
Site preparation began in October and construction is expected to take approximately one year to complete, pending weather delays. MRH worked with MPA Developments on the launch of the project, with Davis-Stokes serving as the architect and Pellicano Construction leading the building process. The estimated construction cost is $24 million.
The Lawrence County health park is among several expansion projects underway or in the planning phases at MRH. Improvements at the main campus in Columbia include the development of an Orthopedic Surgical Institute to accommodate the growing number of joint replacements, renovation of the emergency department, expansion of the heart center, parking and thoroughfare improvements, additional childbirth beds and expansion of the front entry to relocate key patient and visitor services toward the main entrance.
Small Business Saturday (Press Release)
The City of Columbia invites residents to participate in Small Business Saturday® on November 30, 2024, and to continue supporting local businesses throughout the holiday season. Recognizing the vital role small businesses play in the community, Mayor Chaz Molder has officially proclaimed November 30th as Small Business Saturday in Columbia. Celebrated annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday was established in 2010 by American Express to encourage shoppers to support small, independently-owned businesses and help communities thrive. As an alternative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which focus on big-box retailers and online shopping, Small Business Saturday shines a spotlight on the unique charm and economic importance of small businesses. Local businesses are essential to Columbia’s economy, hiring locally, reinvesting earnings back into the community, and offering distinctive goods and services. Shopping locally keeps tax dollars in Columbia, directly funding schools, public safety, infrastructure, and other vital services.
“Small Business Saturday is more than just a shopping day—it’s an opportunity to make a real difference in our community,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. “By choosing to shop local, we help keep Columbia’s economy strong and ensure that the unique businesses we love continue to thrive. I encourage everyone to shop small and show their support for the heart of our city.”
The event encourages shoppers to explore Columbia’s downtown area and discover its diverse range of small businesses offering one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, delicious dining options, and exceptional services. The impact of shopping small is significant. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community, creating an additional 48 cents in local business activity. Small businesses also represent 99.7% of firms with paid employees in the United States, employing nearly half of the private-sector workforce.
City Manager Tony Massey emphasized the economic importance of local businesses: “Local businesses provide jobs, invest in Columbia, and contribute to the community’s identity. Supporting them isn’t just good for business—it’s essential for our city’s growth and sustainability.”
As the holiday season kicks off, Columbia residents are encouraged to make Small Business Saturday a priority by visiting local shops, restaurants, and service providers. By shopping small, residents play a crucial role in ensuring the continued growth, prosperity, and unique charm of Columbia.
“Downtown Columbia offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience,” said Columbia Main Street Director Kelli Johnson. “From boutique stores to specialty shops, our small businesses have something for everyone. Shopping small keeps our downtown lively and strengthens the bonds that make our community special.”
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 30, and join the movement to shop small and support Columbia’s vibrant small business community.
For more information about Small Business Saturday in Columbia, visit www.columbiatn.com.
Public School Achieve 92% Grad Rate (CDH)
Maury County Public Schools has reached a significant milestone, achieving a 92% graduation rate for the 2023-24 academic year, aligning with Tennessee's record-breaking state average.
The rate marks a steady increase from 86% in 2021-22 and 89% in 2022-23.
The milestone also coincides with the district's TCAP scores seeing improvements in areas of reading, math, and science over 2023 scores.
MCPS Superintendent Lisa Ventura said she is proud of the accomplishment.