Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-11-24

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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.

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for September 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…
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.
A #TNMostWanted Alert has been issued for Van Dobbs.
A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
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].

School Board Members Take Oath (MSM)
The Maury County School Board held its first meeting last week with newly elected members Frank Bellamy (District 2), Darryl Martin (4), David Moore (5), Sue Stephenson (6), Brendan Babcock (8) and Lesa Webster-Dawson (10).
The six were sworn in by County Mayor Sheila Butt and join incumbent members Kristen Shull (District 1), Jamila Brown (3), Will Sims (7), Steve McGee (9) and Jackson Carter (11).
Superintendent Lisa Ventura welcomed the new members and thanked them for taking on the board’s responsibilities.
“The jobs that you all do while you are on this dais are so important to the lives of the children of Maury County. And not only do you represent every family in your district, but once you’re on this dais you do represent 13,000 children and 2,000 employees,” she reminded them. “Sometimes it’s a thankless job, and sometimes more difficult than it looks… but… I appreciate you all so much.”
Stephenson thanked the district’s IT and HR departments for onboarding the new board members so quickly.
“I just really want to compliment those departments for all that they’ve done for us so far,” she said.
Chairman Will Sims was re-elected by acclamation, as was Vice Chairman Jackson Carter. David Moore was elected as chairman pro tempore, Steve McGee as Tennessee legislative liaison, Jamila Brown as sick-bank trustee and Kristen Shull as alternate sick-bank trustee.
The School Board passed several budget amendments and determined to vote on four new ones at the next meeting. They also voted to sell surplus electronic equipment on GovDeals and destroy computers that were damaged or contained sensitive information. Stephenson asked why some computers that were in “Good” or “Excellent” condition were included in the surplus; Superintendent Ventura replied that some were desktop monitors which the students and teachers now couldn’t use.
“In matters of technology, it’s mostly that we have evolved to newer, better, higher-quality technology,” she clarified.
The Board also approved the Touchdown Club and Baseball Booster Clubs at Battle Creek High School. These support clubs would have normally had to wait at least a month for approval because they hadn’t submitted the approval request by Aug. 1, but the board agreed to waive that timing requirement to allow them to start operating, since they were certified with the state and the IRS and Battle Creek wasn’t yet open on Aug. 1.

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.

Mt. Pleasant Bicentennial (Press Release)
In honor of Mount Pleasant’s 200th anniversary, the community will host a Bicentennial Home Tour on September 27 and 28, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This special event will offer an exclusive look inside some of the town’s most beautiful and historic buildings providing a unique opportunity to experience the rich history and charm of Mount Pleasant.
The Bicentennial Home Tour will feature a carefully curated selection of homes that represent the diverse architectural heritage of Mount Pleasant.
“This tour is not just about viewing beautiful homes; it’s about celebrating our community’s legacy and the people who have shaped it over the past 200 years,” said Haverly Pennington, Director of Main Street Mount Pleasant. “We’re excited to share Mount Pleasant’s history with residents and visitors alike.”
Event Details:
Dates: September 27 & 28, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Various homes throughout Mount Pleasant
Tickets: Available for purchase at Mount Pleasant Visitors Center and Maury County Visitors Center for $35. 

Proceeds from the event will benefit Main Street Mount Pleasant. For more information on Main Street Mount Pleasant, tickets, or volunteer roles, please visit the Mount Pleasant Visitors Center at 205 N. Main Street Mount Pleasant, TN.
“We are grateful for the support of our Co-Chair Jennifer Graham and volunteers who are helping to make this event a success,” said Haverly Pennington. “Their commitment to Mount Pleasant’s future is a testament to the spirit of our community.”
Come celebrate Mount Pleasant’s rich past and bright future!

Spring Hill Food Truck Regulations (CDH)
As with many cities and small towns, Spring Hill is facing rapid growth, especially in the popular food truck industry.
Spring Hill's current laws regarding mobile food vendors were established when the population was much smaller, and food trucks as they are known today had not yet caught on as a viable form of business, city elected officials say.
This has prompted Spring Hill leadership to address the issue, discuss potential solutions and create a plan that best suits not only the food truckers, but also citizens, customers and local government.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen was presented the topic this month for discussion. No votes were taken, but the BOMA will hold a joint meeting with the city's planning commission Monday, Sept. 30 to discuss the topic.
Monday's meeting began with comments and concerns from a few local food truck owners, each sharing concerns ranging from the cost of special permit fees to operate, which food truck owners say would have a negative impact.
"These food trucks are a compliment to the area because we are able to go into the communities and people seem to love them," Ed Curry of Gia's Kitchen said.
One of the bigger concerns was in regard to the permit fee and application process. Currently, the cost is $200 if a mobile food vendor wishes to apply for a temporary use permit on commercial property, per location.
"If I paid $200-$300 to get into the event, my food costs are at 30% and my overhead is another $100, I'm basically making $400 for my time out there. And now I'm partnered with Spring Hill because they want $200, and that's every event every time," Curry said. "Another thing is they want a 30-day notice, and sometimes we get a call saying there was a cancelation ... and this would squash all of those events."
Eric Mark, who operates Spring Hill-based The Spice Is Right food truck, said he too was concerned about the $200 fees.
"I estimate that we operate about 20 locations in Spring Hill throughout the year. I'll let you do the math, but that's a lot of money," Mark said. "Food truck owners, unfortunately, aren't wealthy people. A couple thousand dollars in fees every year actually means something to me and my family."
Spring Hill Development Director Dara Sanders said one of the main goals of the discussion was to create a clearer picture regarding the permit application process.
This not only includes application fees, but things like traffic flow, public safety, parking, and whether the site can provide an efficient power supply.
"There are certain things that we are looking out for as the permitting agency for temporary use permits," Sanders said. "And these are far less restrictive than our neighbors in Columbia, Brentwood, Mt. Juliet and Smyrna."
When the discussion was brought to BOMA members, some suggested there be a simpler, more streamlined approach when it came to the application process.
"When we wrote and updated the [Unified Development Code], we did it before food trucks were prevalent, and so the fact we have an ordinance that doesn't fit food trucks very well is understandable," Alderman Matt Fitterer said.
"I think it is in the city's best interest and the residents' best interest that we have ample parking, that we don't impede traffic or create emergency response conditions. I would encourage staff, and I think staff will, come back with something that's the least invasive as possible."
City Administrator Pam Caskie concluded the Sept. 3 discussion by summing up the basic idea of what the BOMA intends to discuss at the upcoming Sept. 30 joint BOMA/Planning Commission meeting.
"So, what I'm hearing from the board is you would like to see some streamline approach that is relatively straightforward paperwork, but does take into consideration health, safety, transportation, parking, traffic circulation," Caskie said. "And then you would like a fee recommendation that is more reasonable than the $200 every time something changes."

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.

Fall Festival to Return (Press Release)
Columbia Main Street is thrilled to announce the return of the highly anticipated Second Annual FALL FEST, scheduled to take place on September 28th 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! Additionally, attendees can support local businesses by shopping with artisan-craft vendors, eating from delicious food trucks, purchasing a ticket for the Kiwanis Chili Cook Off 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.

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’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, news from around the state…
Tennessee Growth to Stabilize (Fox.com)
Tennessee’s population is predicted to reach nearly 8 million in less than two decades.
According to researchers at the University of Tennessee’s Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, Tennessee is on track for the amount of adults 65 and older to increase by 25% by 2040. They say this is actually expected when comparing it to the trends we’ve seen the past few decades.
The biggest driving force of this increase is “net migration” or new residents moving into the state. The recent net migration influx happened between 2020 and 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But in years ahead, Matt Harris with University of Tennessee’s Boyd Research Center, predicts that migration into Tennessee will be more spread out statewide.
“Where growth has been very explosive the last decade, it looks like it’s going to be a little more stable,” explains Harris.
Researchers also predict the volunteer state is expected to grow more racially and ethnically diverse as years go on.

Poll Workers Needed (MSM)
Ahead of the Nov. 5 State and Federal General Election, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett is encouraging Tennesseans to consider becoming poll workers later this fall.
“Our poll workers are critical to a successful election,” said Secretary Hargett. “We anticipate a robust voter turnout, and there is always a need for poll workers, especially during a presidential election cycle.” 
During early voting and on Election Day, poll workers conduct various tasks — including greeting voters, answering questions, explaining how to cast a ballot, and counting votes at their community locations. They are paid for their work and for attending required training sessions.
Most citizens are eligible to work at polling locations, regardless of political affiliation. The minimum age is 16, and anyone over 18 must be a registered voter in the county where they desire to serve.
Other qualifications include:
1.       Be able to read and write in the English language.
2.       Cannot be a candidate or close relative of a candidate.
3.       Cannot be supervised by a county or municipal elected official on the ballot.
All City, County, and Metropolitan government employees (unless working directly under the supervision of an elected official on the ballot) are eligible, as are state employees. Federal employees should consult with their individual Human Resources Department to determine eligibility.
“Poll workers are the backbone of elections,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. “These individuals and their efforts ensure all citizens know that Tennessee’s results are accurate and our elections remain secure.”
Tennessee has been ranked number one in election integrity for three consecutive years; the Secretary of State’s office is also the trusted source for all election information. For more information about becoming a poll worker, please visit sos.tn.gov/pollworkers.

Gas Prices (MSM)
Tennessee gas prices continued to decline over last week, falling nine cents on average. Tennessee also moved to the third least expensive market in the country. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.82 which is 20 cents less expensive than one month ago and 55 cents less than one year ago.  
“Declining oil prices are helping to fuel the declines in pump prices that we’re seeing,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Unless oil prices reverse course, pump prices should move even lower this week. One factor we are keeping an eye on this week is Tropical Storm Francine in the Gulf, however, it’s too early to know what the full impact might be on the market until the storm makes landfall.” 

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
SiriusXM announced that country music superstar Eric Church will perform a special concert for SiriusXM live from his Nashville venue Chief’s on Broadway on Monday, September 30.
The exclusive-for-listeners full-band show will feature Eric Church on the stage of the Neon Steeple within Chief’s, harkening back to the in-demand club shows that defined the early days of Church’s career.
Church previously took to the Neon Steeple stage for a series on 19 solo acoustic To Beat the Devil residency shows, making this one-night-only event the first time he will play the venue with a full band.
SiriusXM subscribers can enter for a chance to win a trip to this once-in-a-lifetime event beginning now. For all entry details and official rules and to sign up for SiriusXM, click www.siriusxm.com/ericchurchatchiefs.