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

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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 24, 2024

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Driver Center to Close for Upgrades (Press Release)
In Middle Tennessee, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Cookeville, McMinnville, Dickson, Fayetteville, Columbia and Shelbyville Driver Services Centers and 12 Driver Services partner locations will close this week for a one-day installation of new credentialing equipment and new self-service kiosks.

Columbia Driver Services Center - 1701 Hampshire Pike will be closed on Wednesday, September 25th.

The new self-service kiosks can be used to complete many Driver Services transactions including renewing or replacing a duplicate Driver License or ID Card, changing an address, updating emergency contact information, advancing a Teen/Graduated Driver License, paying reinstatement fees, and requesting a license reissue after reinstatement requirements are met. The new kiosks can take photos and process payments with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a credit or debit card.
For more information on Tennessee Driver Services including the new self-service kiosks visit tn.gov/safety/driver-services.html.

Apple Fest (Press Release)
Bright Apple is set to host the first ever Apple Fest on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, from noon-3 p.m. The event will take place at Iglesia Una Esperanza Viva Church, located at 2628 Pulaski Highway in Columbia. The event is being held to raise funds to support Bright Apple’s mission to provide healthy snacks for students in Maury County.
Attendees will enjoy tacos and dessert. They can also participate in an apple tasting of treats such as apple cider and donuts, apple butter, homemade applesauce and fried apple pies. There will be plenty of family fun with outdoor games and festivities, a fall-themed photo booth, live band, face painting and temporary tattoos. Kids can even try bobbing for apples!
“Our board of directors and volunteers are excited for this first ever Apple Fest and are rallying together to make it a special time for folks to get together for great food and good fun for our mission,” said Lisa Ciesliga, Director of Development for Bright Apple.
Bright Apple is a nonprofit organization that provides healthy snacks for students in Maury County each school day. The snacks help students concentrate during the school day as many students have lunch at school, but don’t eat again until the following day.
School schedules vary and some children eat lunch early or late in the day and feel hungry before or after lunch. It is Bright Apple’s mission to focus on feeding children so they can focus on learning.
“We conducted a survey earlier this year with our teachers and administrators,” Ciesliga said. “Out of the 103 responses we received, 100 percent said that the healthy snacks contribute to better student focus and attention in class.”
Since 2019, Bright Apple has provided over 850,000 healthy snacks to students in Maury County. Bright Apple proudly serves the students of J.R. Baker Elementary, Joseph Brown Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, Mt. Pleasant Elementary and Riverside Elementary. Bright Apple’s newest school, Randolph Howell Elementary, was added to the roster this school year.
Howell Elementary Principal Marisa Massey says the snacks have been very well received and the teachers are appreciative.
“It really equals the playing field when everyone has a healthy snack during the school day,” Massey said. “Kids can’t learn when they are hungry. As a school, we want to give students what they need academically, emotionally and physically. The snacks from Bright Apple help us do that. It truly makes a difference.”
It costs just $5 a month to provide snacks for one student each school day. Bright Apple has relationships with food distributors to have USDA Smart Snacks such as apples, bananas, pears and cheese and crackers sent directly to participating schools. The goal for Bright Apple’s first ever Apple Fest is to raise enough money to fund one school for the entire school year.
“Every contribution we receive from Apple Fest means so much more than a yummy fruit for our students in class. It means dignity staying intact, better classroom atmosphere, behavior issues decreasing, teacher satisfaction and most importantly, learning success for our students,” Ciesliga said.
Apple Fest Tickets can be purchased online for $25 per person/all ages. Table sponsorships are available for $200 and include admission for eight table guests as well as the opportunity to have an informational booth at the event. For more information about Apple Fest and to purchase tickets, visit BrightApple.org or send an email to [e-mail].

CA Alum Honored (Press Release)
Columbia Academy is proud to announce Jeff Duncan as the 2024 Alumnus of the Year. A true servant to the community, Jeff has consistently led by example and has earned the respect and admiration of all who know him.
For 28 and a half years, Jeff served the citizens of Columbia as a member of the Columbia Police Department, where his commitment to public service shone brightly. Throughout his tenure, he received numerous awards and recognitions.
One of his most impactful initiatives is the "Shop with a Cop" program, which he founded in 2003. This program has positively touched the lives of hundreds of youth in our community, fostering meaningful connections between law enforcement and the families they serve. This initiative has grown over the years, inspiring other local agencies, such as the Maury County Sheriff’s Department, to implement similar programs.
Jeff, a member of the Class of 1993, was not just an outstanding student but also an active participant in school sports, serving as a four-year member of the varsity basketball team. His spirit and enthusiasm were recognized when he was voted "Most School Spirit" during his senior year. Today, Jeff continues to be an integral part of Columbia Academy, volunteering extensively in various sports programs and managing social media for both boys' and girls' basketball teams.
His commitment to law enforcement runs in the family. Following in the footsteps of his father, Frank Duncan, a dedicated officer for 40 years with the Columbia Police Department, Jeff began his own career in November 1995. After nearly three decades of service, he retired in May 2023, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and community engagement.
Throughout his career, Jeff received multiple accolades, including:
● Floyd Hines Memorial Award (2004) from the Fraternal Order of Police for his dedication in establishing the "Shop with a Cop."
● Officer of the Year (2005 and 2019) from the Knights of Columbus, making him the only two-time recipient of this honor in the department's history.
● Howard Allen Memorial Award (2007) for outstanding investigative work.
● Chief Ed Hilton Award for Community Service (2023) from the Columbia Noon Rotary Club.
In 2007, Jeff furthered his education by graduating from the University of Tennessee’s National Forensic Academy, known as “The Body Farm.”
Columbia Academy is proud to honor Jeff Duncan for his service to our community!

Columbia 101 a Success (Press Release)
The City of Columbia is proud to announce the successful completion of the inaugural Columbia 101 program, an initiative designed to engage residents with local government and community services. Held on September 17th and 18th, Columbia 101 provided participants with a unique, hands-on opportunity to interact with city officials, learn about municipal services, and explore avenues for community involvement.
Mayor Chaz Molder praised the program’s impact, stating, “Columbia 101 gives our residents an opportunity to go behind the scenes and understand the inner workings of their local government. It bridges the gap between our administration and the community, fostering engagement, collaboration, and a shared sense of responsibility. I am proud of the success of this inaugural program and excited to see it continue.”
The two-day program kicked off at the Columbia Police Department, where attendees were introduced to the city's twelve departments, including Development Services, Fire & Rescue, and Public Works. Participants also toured select facilities, gaining firsthand insights into how vital city services are delivered.
City Manager Tony Massey emphasized the long-term benefits of the initiative: “Columbia 101 is an integral part of the City of Columbia’s long-term strategic plan to build a well-informed and engaged community. By educating residents about city operations and resources, we empower them to contribute to the growth and development of Columbia.”
The program was created and facilitated by Marketing Coordinator Lexi Dearborn, who explained the vision behind Columbia 101: “The city is committed to strengthening transparency between residents and local government. Columbia 101 was designed with that goal in mind, providing an opportunity for residents to gain valuable insights into city operations. Our aim is to build a more informed and engaged community that plays an active role in shaping Columbia's future."
Participants shared positive feedback, with one attendee remarking, “There is so much to be proud of here in Columbia. There is an abundance of riches in the quality of government in all departments. Columbia 101 is an experience everyone should take advantage of."
Columbia 101 will be offered twice per year and is open to all City of Columbia and Maury County residents. The next session will be announced in the coming months, and those interested are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit the City of Columbia’s website at columbiaTN.gov.

DUI Checkpoint (Press Release)
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting sobriety roadside safety checkpoints during the week of October 4th on State RT. 50 at the 0 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.

Fall Fest (CDH)
Organizers and fall enthusiasts are prepping to kick off the city's second annual Fall Fest later this month as temperatures begin to dip, signifying the first celebration ahead of a slew of holiday events in Maury County.
After embarking upon bringing a brand-new community event to downtown in 2023, Columbia Main Street and Kiwanis Club of Columbia will bring back their Fall Fest and Chili Cook-off from 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.
This year's festival promises to be even bigger and better, including closing down the entire downtown Columbia square to open up more space for the Chili Cook-off, more pedestrians, more food trucks and more activities.
"I'm excited that Fall Fest is back in town because it provides more space for the community to come down, to be together and to hang out while enjoying so many local things, whether that's businesses, interacting with nonprofits or shopping," Columbia Main Street Director Kelli Johnson said. "It's just that time of year when people want to get out and about and enjoy life together as a community."
Visit www.VisitColumbiaTN.com for more information, such as entry forms for Miss Fall Fest and the Kiwanis Chili Cook-off.
To newcomers or anyone unfamiliar with Fall Fest, Johnson describes it as "kind of like First Fridays, but on steroids."
This includes constructing a main stage for live music, as well as a "Fun Zone" and the annual Columbia Kiwanis Chili Cook-off. With October and the Halloween season just around the corner, this year's Fall Fest will also feature a pumpkin decorating contest for downtown small businesses with the theme "Falling in Love with Columbia."
"The contest gives these businesses the opportunity to be at the event in a different way," Johnson said. "They can paint, carve, decorate with accessories and bring it to Fall Fest, where attendees get to vote on their favorite. Everything we did this year was in how we can touch all of the local organizations in town, and so it looks like a true community event."
For the kids, Fall Fest will also have about 300 mini pumpkins to decorate provided by sponsor Wire Masters. Tri-Green will also provide a tractor photo booth.
Live music will be sponsored by Atmos Energy and feature performances by Catapult, The Exotics and headliner Deondra & 46 Story.
Another new change this year will be the Miss Fall Fest Pageant sponsored by Britt's of Columbia, which last year took place prior to the Fall Fest event. This year's pageant will be featured at the festival and is open to anyone up to age 18.
"I'm excited to see the pageant take place at the actual event, because that's going to bring it all together full circle under one roof," Johnson said. "It'll be exciting to see everyone from 0 to 18 years all dressed up and hanging out."
Whether it's ax throwing, snow cone eating or plunging a person in a dunk tank, one of the big highlights of fall fest is what can be discovered in the event's Fun Zone.
This year's Fun Zone is sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Columbia, which promises there will be something for everyone, and for all ages, this year. Much like the festival itself, it will also be bigger.
"I'm thrilled for the community to have Fall Fest, and we have wonderful sponsors who have sponsored not only Fall Fest, but also Kiwanis," Columbia Main Street Chair Suzanne Ganser said. "They made it so we could fund the Fun Zone, which this year included McDonald's of Columbia, Tenn Pin Alley and Caledonian Financial. We couldn't have done it without them."
After making quite the splash last year, the Fall Fest dunk tank returns once again, this year featuring representatives from various local nonprofits raising money per pitch.
The Kiwanis Chili Cook-off will also return, this year boasting a record 20 entries and lots of spices, with one space still available.
"This year's event will be on the entire square, as opposed to last year when we only had half. So that has given us some more room and could allow for more teams," Ganser, who also chairs the cook-off, said. "Our primary beneficiary this year will be Maury County Schools through the Youth Education Foundation."
Putting on a festival in a place like downtown Columbia involves a lot of work and a lot of manpower, but the work has drawn a fall enthusiast crowd of all ages organizers say.
Johnson said the response to last year's inaugural Fall Fest has been nothing but encouraging, especially in the weeks leading up to the Sept. 28 event. It has also inspired organizers to come up with new ideas to make Fall Fest even better than before.
"We've had so many people want to be part of this event because they know this will be a huge event," Johnson said. "That's the exciting part, because we are baby-stepping this event.
"We are going to keep changing and transforming the event each year in a way that makes sense for the community. For example, this year we are opening the back side of the square, which was an easy next step because more people can be at the event."
Johnson is also making extra sure the event will fall on a nice, comfortable day for attendees to get into the fall mood together.
"I've also ordered perfect weather for this year," Johnson said. "I'm really excited for Fall Fest, and I think the community is excited for it. Just be sure to wear a good pair of walking shoes, because you'll be doing a lot of walking."

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Evelyn Jett Brewer, 83, and resident of Columbia, died Friday, September 20, 2024 at Poplar Estates Assisted Living.
Funeral arrangements and a complete obituary will be realeased at a later date. Oakes and Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family. 

And now, news from around the state…
Teens Learn to Drive on Racetrack (NewsChannel5)
Bridgestone Americas was putting teens behind the wheel at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, where new drivers between the ages of 15 and 21 were invited to test their defensive driving and decision-making skills with specialized trainers.
"This is an extension of everyone's efforts to make sure all teens are safe on the road," said Wade Munday of Bridgestone Americas Corporate Philanthropy.
At "Teens Drive Smart," instructors set up a course showing the dangers of driving distracted. On golf carts, teens drove through cones looking at a phone in their hand to see how risky it is to not look at the road.
"This really teaches me to stay alert while driving," said James Wilson, a senior from Maplewood High School.
Teens also learned about what to do in bad weather and accident prevention overall.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in Tennessee. The state's fatality rate for 16-year-old and 17-year-old drivers is the 12th highest in the country.
"I'm a native Tennessean. From the 6th grade to 12th grade, there was a fatality every year in my school due to a traffic accident," recalled Munday.
Teens learned safe driving skills alongside professional racecar drivers. Myles Rowe, who competes in the INDY NXT by Firestone series, said it's important to be confident behind the wheel.
"Just make sure you know you have the right skills and foundation under you to make sure you and everyone out there on the road is safe," Rowe said. "That's what we're doing out here today. Very basic simple exercises making sure they have the right knowledge to go there and be comfortable."

National Hunting and Fishing Day (Press Release)
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be celebrating 2024 National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) on Saturday, Sept. 28. This special day recognizes generations of sportsmen and women for their contributions to the rich tradition of wildlife conservation funded by hunting, fishing, and boating license sales.
One of the main goals of National Hunting and Fishing Day is to recruit new hunters and anglers by encouraging participation and increasing public awareness of the connection between hunting, angling, and conservation. 
“We encourage people of all ages to go outdoors and experience the mental and physical benefits of outdoor recreation,” says TWRA Executive Director Jason Maxedon. “TWRA offers events throughout the year to teach people the skill they need to enjoy hunting and fishing, and we are grateful for license buyers who support wildlife conservation through their purchases.”
Wildlife and fisheries conservation in Tennessee is primarily funded by the sales of hunting and fishing licenses, boating registrations, and a portion of the Real Estate Transfer Tax. In addition to license sales, TWRA also receives federal grant funding from excise taxes on the sale and manufacturing of certain outdoor recreation gear, firearms, ammunition, and fishing equipment.
National Hunting and Fishing Day was established by the U.S. Congress in 1972 to recognize hunters and anglers for their financial contributions to wildlife conservation. The event is celebrated in all 50 states annually on the fourth Saturday in September.
September 28 is also the launch of the statewide fall archery season for deer and the fall archery season for turkey in select counties. Check the 2024-25 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Guide for specific season regulations and visit TNWildlife.org for more information on events and opportunities to get involved.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
Columbia Parks and Rec invites young royalty to a magical afternoon of fun and fantasy. On September 27th, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, the department will host a “TuTu Tea Party” at Fairview Park, 871 Iron Bridge Road.
This enchanting event promises a variety of princess-themed activities for children. Participants will have the opportunity to create their very own tutus and tiaras, transforming into the princesses of their dreams. The party will also feature dress-up sessions, allowing young attendees to mingle with fellow princesses in their royal attire.
Adding to the fairytale atmosphere, the event will include a sing-along of beloved Disney songs, sure to delight fans of classic animated films.