Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-5-24

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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 September 5, 2024

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Culleoka Fire (MauryCountySource)
Maury County Fire Department responded to a possible electrical fire on Cantebury Drive in Culleoka Tuesday at 5:42PM.
Upon arrival, heavy fire was showing from a bedroom and a portion of the attic. Firefighters commenced with an offensive attack with two hand lines and quickly made it into the attic space and controlled the fire that had extended across the attic.
The family is displaced and is being assisted by the American Red Cross.
One person was transported with smoke inhalation and one firefighter was treated on scene for minor injuries.

Ultium Workers Join UAW (WSMV)
About 1,000 workers at a General Motors joint venture electric vehicle battery plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, will get big pay raises now that they have joined the United Auto Workers union.
GM and LG Energy Solution of Korea, which jointly run the plant, agreed to recognize the union after a majority of workers signed cards saying they wanted to join, the UAW said Wednesday.
Both sides will bargain over local contract provisions, but worker pay and other details will fall under the UAW national contract negotiated last fall, the union said in a prepared statement. Starting pay which was $20 per hour will rise to a minimum of $27.72. Over three years, minimum production worker pay will rise to $30.88, the contract says.
The joint venture, Ultium Cells LLC, said in a release that the union recognition came after an independently certified process that ended Tuesday. “We believe this will support the continuity of operations, drive innovation, and enhance world-class manufacturing,” the release said.
Representation of the battery plant gives the UAW another foothold in U.S. southern states as it tries to organize non-union auto plants. Workers at a 4,300-employee Volkswagen assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, voted in April to join the union, and contract bargaining is expected to begin this month.
But the union lost its first organizing vote in May at a Mercedes assembly plant and other facilities near Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Spring Hill is the second GM joint venture battery plant to join the union and fall under the national contract. Workers at a plant near Warren, Ohio, voted to join the union in 2022.
Battery cell production began in Spring Hill earlier this year.

Columbia Central’s New Principal (MSM)
As the new school year begins, Columbia Central High School welcomes a new principal who hopes to kick off her tenure strong. Principal Shanda Sparrow-Lang has had a long career in education up to now, and she intends to draw from her experiences to lead Columbia Central.
When she was at college on a basketball scholarship, Sparrow-Lang wanted to practice sports medicine; her dream was to be a physical therapist for the then-ascendant Tennessee Titans. But after working in a hospital, she felt more desire to work with students than even with professional athletes.
She became a teacher in 2001 and served for about eight years, where she focused especially on special education and “struggling” students.
Sparrow-Lang started working in the schools of Marshall County, where she was made an administrator in 2008. Later she worked at Spring Hill Middle School as principal for 10 years, where she was named Maury County’s “Principal of the Year” in 2018-19 and 2023-24. She aims to bring that same excellence to Columbia Central.
Her secret? Learning from her superiors and servant leadership. She remembers having great administrators for mentors and taking notes on what worked for them as well as what didn’t. She also puts students first.
“A lot of people say that, but I ask them, ‘Do you really believe it?'” she said. “We are in customer service. I’m a servant leader. I work for [the students], they don’t work for me.”
Principal Sparrow-Lang’s goals for Columbia Central are to restore the academic performance of recent peak years and to build trust between administrators, teachers and students. She’s optimistic about both.
“We have some excellent teachers here,” she said, noting that there is still a need for teachers at the school. “We have a great central-office staff. Superintendent (Lisa) Ventura, she’s wonderful to work with. She is a visionary and a forward thinker, which I feel I am too.”
She admits that the school faces challenges, especially since her administration is the fourth in five years.
“They’ve seen a lot of turnover. That is hard for education… because of different leadership styles and different expectations,” she said.
The school has also been on the state ATSI list for two years, on account of a group there with persistently low test scores. Sparrow-Lang wants to return to the “stride” that the school was hitting by 2022, with the help of the specialist hired with state ATSI grant money.
Ultimately, Sparrow-Lang knows that she first has to win the hearts and minds of students and staff, which will take time. #RestoringTheRoar is her chosen hashtag, for returning to a good status quo and building up school spirit.
“I have six more years to retirement. I’m not saying that because I’m counting down the days,” she said. “I started in 2000 and I still have the passion, I still love students, I still feel that way. The day I stop feeling that way, I’m gone.”

Maury County Fair Recap (CDH)
Thousands attended the Maury County Fair over the holiday weekend, which offered rides, food, livestock competitions and a top-class rodeo.
On opening night, crowds gathered at Maury County Arena to watch the rodeo, which included local and area cowboys, who rode broncs and bulls, while cowgirls participated in barrel racing.
Fair Board President Randy Zeigler greeted the crowd at the rodeo, explaining that the fair has grown to become bigger and better each year. Last year, $75,000 was raised and donated to various charities around Maury County, he said.
The My Day at the Fair program, which is a day children with special needs or disabilities and their caregivers can attend for free, has grown from just over 100 participants to over 1,000 this year.
The action-packed rodeo, presented by RodeoAir in Middle Tennessee, included local cowboys from Tennessee to Kentucky, even youngster and bull rider Wyatt Reed Conner, 11, a sixth grade student at Hampshire Unit School, who wowed the crowd.
Rodeo clown Johnny Allen led the laughs in the arena.
After the rodeo, attendees hit the midway, filled with rides, games, food and fun.

Dogwood Lane Opening (WKOM Audio 1:28)
Yesterday, Dogwood Lane, a new home décor store opened on Pulaski Pike in Columbia. Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy attended the store’s grand opening and spoke to the proprietors about what they have to offer…
National Recovery Month (CDH)
The month of September is set to focus the microscope of addiction awareness from the international to the local in Maury County as National Recovery Month aims to raise awareness of the dangers of substance abuse.
Promising news in overdose deaths has come slowly in recent years, but in May, the Centers for Disease Control reported its first annual drop in overdose deaths since 2018, with a 3% decline in deaths from 2022 to 2023.
In 2022, 111,029 lives were lost to overdose addiction with a decrease to 107,543 people who died as a result of drug overdose last year.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, since 1989 has observed National Recovery Month every September to “promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery possible.”
Spots of light in the fight continue locally in Maury County with campaigns and efforts that are ever more increasing.
September promises to bring National Recovery Month into focus again.
International Overdose Awareness Day was Aug. 31, marking another year for Light From the Darkness, a survivor support group, which held a candlelight vigil hosted by Fresh Start Recovery Church at its new home base Columbia First United Methodist Church.
Speakers and community awareness groups gathered for a night to share their stories, educate the community and participate in a candlelight vigil for those lost to drug overdose deaths.
Sept. 14 will see Recovery Fest return to Riverside with a gathering of organizations and groups who seek to celebrate the community of recovery in Maury County.
Filling up the downtown side of Riverwalk Park, organizers will pitch tents, share stories of hope and educate others, cook food, play games and even create a family atmosphere with plenty of events for kids such as a bouncy house.
The event will begin at 2.p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14 at 102 Riverside Dr. in Columbia, ending at 8 p.m.
The need to gain ground in addiction awareness and resources is as urgent as ever, says Maury County Prevention Coalition directors, Carla Walker and Amanda Schmith, as they shared recently updated statistics from around the region.
As long-time treatment pioneers in the Maury County area, A Place of Hope will cap off Addiction Awareness month in September with a tent revival for their clients and for the outside community to join the faith-based treatment center in its annual revival.
The Coupe family has made the annual festival a constant for their facility, inviting a different church every night for two weeks to bring a message of hope and a time of spiritual refreshing to clients, their families and friends.

Former Mayor Honored (Press Release)
The City of Columbia celebrated the dedication of the Championship Field at Ridley Park on Friday, August 30th, in honor of former City Mayor Dean Dickey. The ceremony, which coincided with Mayor Dickey’s birthday, was a fitting tribute to his enduring commitment to public service and his numerous contributions to the community.
Mayor Chaz Molder remarked, “Dean Dickey’s legacy was already destined to live on for many reasons. Today’s dedication confirmed that his legacy with respect to Ridley Park will never be forgotten. I’m grateful for his service to our community and hope that our city can continue to cultivate leaders who care about their community like Dean Dickey has.”
Mayor Dean Dickey began his journey in public service in 2008 when he was elected to the Columbia City Council. He served as the Mayor of Columbia from 2010 to 2019, during which time he led several significant capital projects, including the development of the Ridley Sports Complex. His leadership, dedication, and vision have left a lasting impact on the community he so dearly loves. “Dean Dickey has always been a leader in our community,” said City Council Member Debbie Wiles.
Mayor Dickey's contributions extend beyond his time in office. He has served on the boards of several community organizations, including the United Way, American Red Cross, and the Maury Alliance Executive Committee. He has also been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Columbia Rotary Club and received the George F. Hixon Fellowship from the Columbia Kiwanis Club.
City Manager Tony Massey stated, “The Ridley Sports Complex is the realization of the dream Mayor Dickey and other City Council members had some years ago. It is here today in large part due to his support and commitment to see it built. It is an example of his leadership making Columbia better.
The Championship Field dedication is a testament to Mayor Dickey’s tireless work to enhance the quality of life in Columbia. The field will stand as a symbol of his commitment to fostering community spirit and supporting youth sports and recreation. Reflecting on the dedication, Mayor Dean Dickey stated, “It is a tremendous honor to have the Championship Field named in my honor. I’ve always believed in the power of sports to bring people together and build a stronger community. This field represents not just my work, but the collective effort of many dedicated individuals who share the same vision for our city.”
The ceremony was attended by city officials, community members, family members, and many others who have been touched by Mayor Dickey's work. As the city looks to the future, the Championship Field at Ridley Park will continue to serve as a reminder of the values and vision of a mayor who dedicated his life to his community.

MRMC Opens Outpatient PT (Press Release)
Maury Regional Health (MRH) is pleased to announce the opening of a new outpatient physical therapy (PT) location in Mount Pleasant.
“The opening of Maury Regional Physical Therapy in Mount Pleasant represents another important step in our ongoing mission to make high quality health care accessible to all communities we serve,” said CEO Martin Chaney, MD. “This new location allows us to deliver specialized rehabilitation services closer to home for the residents of Mount Pleasant.”
Maury Regional Physical Therapy in Mount Pleasant is MRH’s eighth physical therapy location and currently offers a range of specialized therapy services including physical therapy, hand therapy, spine therapy, sports therapy and work conditioning. The facility is comfortably equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to comprehensively service individualized care needs. 
“We are thrilled to be in Mount Pleasant and to continue our commitment to providing high-quality care to our patients,” said Brent Barker, lead physical therapist at Maury Regional Physical Therapy in Mount Pleasant. “I have been working in orthopedics, spine therapy, sports medicine and vestibular rehabilitation for over 36 years, and I am excited to bring this experience to the Mount Pleasant area. My family and I have been a part of the community since 1999, and I’m blessed to serve our neighbors in this capacity.”
Mount Pleasant Physical Therapy is located at 200 South Cross Bridges Road in Mount Pleasant, conveniently located in the same building as Maury Regional Medical Group Primary Care, providing easy access to comprehensive care in the community. The therapy center will be open from 1 to 6 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. There are future aspirations and plans to expand services and operating hours driven by patient and community need.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Mount Pleasant Physical Therapy at 931.380.4014.
Learn more about MRH’s comprehensive rehabilitation services across southern Middle Tennessee at MauryRegional.com/Therapy.

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Helen Morgan Brunson, age 95, longtime resident of Columbia, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at her home.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Following the service, she will be laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. A visitation will be held on Saturday at 1:00 PM, immediately preceding the funeral service.

Dr. Sami Badie Naddy, 59, father, husband, son, and beloved pharmacist of Columbia, died Friday, August 30, 2024 surrounded by his whole family at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, September 7th 2024 at 12:00 PM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with the Reverend Chris Bowhay officiating. Inurnment will follow at St. John’s Episcopal Church Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 10:30am until 12:00pm in the Parish Hall at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

And now, news from around the state…
The Tennessee State Library & Archives wants to remind all citizens they still have an opportunity to view the historic “Dear Governor” exhibit through October. 
“This exhibit profoundly demonstrates the importance of preserving and sharing historical documents with current and future generations,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “It is a collection that helps capture the sentiment of certain timeframes in Tennessee history while reminding each of us that our written words impact current and future generations.” 
Unveiled at the Library & Archives during June’s Statehood Day Celebration, “Dear Governor” remains available for public viewing in the Interactive Exhibit Lobby through October. This exhibit features rare correspondences from constituents during the tenures of various Tennessee governors. These communications date back to the earliest days of the state’s history and provide an incredible glimpse into the moments and events that shaped the tenures of Tennessee’s leaders.
“Dear Governor provides a unique opportunity for all Tennesseans to learn more about the constituent communications that shaped the decision-making of our former governors,” said State Librarian & Archivist Jamie Ritter. “This incredible collection at the Tennessee Library & Archives is one of our most popular and celebrated, and we urge all Tennesseans to make plans to visit while they still can.”
Former Governors Lamar Alexander, Phil Bredesen, and Bill Haslam were the first to see the “Dear Governor” exhibit during a private viewing back in May. During their visit, the former governors sat down with us to discuss these communications, the memories they generated, and the impact some of these correspondences had on their decisions while in office. You can watch these interviews by clicking here.
The Library & Archives is located at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N. on Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, across from the Tennessee State Museum. The facility’s garage is on Junior Gilliam Way. 
For the latest information, follow our social media channels: Facebook: Tennessee State Library & Archives

TWRA Boating Fatality Update (Press Release)
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is happy to report, that for the third consecutive year, there were no boating-related fatalities over the Labor Day holiday period from Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
There were two separate minor injury incidents which occurred on Chickamauga Lake and Dale Hollow Lake in TWRA Region III and a single property damage incident.
Boating officers made five boating under the influence (BUI) arrests, four coming in the Middle Tennessee region and one in East Tennessee.
For the year, there have been 16 boating-related fatalities. The total is four less than through the same period in 2023.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
The Haley Gallery at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum presents Movies & Mayhem by Madmen: Inspired Sin-arama by Carlos Hernandez and John Hancock, an art exhibit showcasing the works of printmakers John Hancock and Carlos Hernandez. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public beginning the evening of Sept. 26 through Nov. 1, will include letterpress prints, collages and screenprints by the printmakers.
The exhibition draws inspiration from the legacy of Hatch Show Print, which has a long history of creating movie posters for horror films, westerns, film-noir and more. Hernandez and Hancock produced a collection that blends their personal styles with Hatch Show Print’s distinct typography and textures. 
Learn more at www.countrymusichalloffame.org.