Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-16-24

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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 October 16, 2024

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Gas Leak in Spring Hill (MauryCountySource)
At 2:57pm, yesterday, the Spring Hill Fire Department reported that they were on the scene of a major gas leak on Buckner Lane near Wilkerson Place.
Residents in the immediate area were asked to shelter in place.
Buckner Lane was closed in both directions. Residents were asked to avoid the area as emergency officials worked the scene.
By 3:40pm, the leak was contained and residents were allowed to return to their normal activities.

Maury Animal Shelter Looks to Expand (MSM)
The director of Maury County’s animal shelter presented a $650,000 request for renovation and expansion of the facility to the Health & Environment Committee during its Oct. 7 meeting.
A motion by Patti Hollinsworth to recommend approval was advanced to the Building Committee. That committee opted to move a $150,000 request on to the Budget Committee and postpone a decision on the remaining $500,000 until November, after the bid opening.
Among the issues Kim Rattauf cited were safety concerns with outdated cages at the facility. Drainage issues would also be addressed as part of the renovation, she said. Bids are scheduled to be opened later this week, she said.
“We have drilled clips on these kennels to hold them closed. If we don’t put the clips on, they don’t stay closed,” Rattauf said. “The doors are bent… the screens are broke. They have done well for their lifetime, but they’re old and they’re worn out.”
Rattauf said she had been working for months on coming up with a design, after becoming director early in 2024. She said the design was similar to other kennels she had visited in Tennessee. She also suggested selling sponsorships for kennels in an effort to save taxpayer money, noting that a $140,000 amount placed in the current budget was not close to being enough. The extra $500,000 would be in addition to the already budgeted amount, for a total of $640,000. Rattauf said at the Building Committee that around $20,000 to $25,000 of that initial funding had been spent on shelter planning in order to provide a plan to commissioners.
Rattauf said the shelter took in 235 animals during the previous month and that the shelter was on pace to set an all-time high in animals collected, having taken in 1,858 so far during 2024 as of the end of September.
Commissioner Gabe Howard said he liked the renovation plan but that “we’ve got to get Columbia on board. This is not just a Maury County problem.”
“This is another essential service that the citizens of Columbia want,” Howard added.
Commissioner Eric Previti said he felt that Columbia needed to contribute, saying the city was responsible for nearly half of the animals taken in at the shelter.
“They need to ante up, otherwise it’s on the county,” he said. “Columbia has got to come to the table.”
Rattauf said she regularly attends Columbia City Council meetings, and felt the council was not aware of the extent of the problem because of a lack of communication from the county.
Committee chairman Gary Stovall said the Maury County Commission needed to worry about handling its own business, regardless of whether or not Columbia contributes.
Brandon Priddy, an architect with 906 Studio Architects, told commissioners the $500,000, if approved, would be an “efficient” renovation with block walls and epoxy floor.
“We want this facility to look in 20 years not dissimilar to what it’s going to look like now,” he said. “You’re essentially tearing out all the slab to fix the drainage issues… we want to make it as simple but functional as possible.”
Commissioner Jerry Strahan said the current facility was “worse than what you’re seeing” in photos presented to the committee by Rattauf.
“We need a place where people can come in, visit and look at the animals in an environment that’s conducive to adoption… (Animals) are coming in in droves, it’s inhumane. God asks us to take care of these animals,” Strahan said.
Strahan encouraged every commissioner, along with the public, to tour the facility if they had any doubts as to whether a renovation was necessary.

Republic Bank Sponsors Student Engagement at CSCC (CDH)
Columbia State Community College recently announced Republic Bank as the official sponsor of student engagement activities for the 2024-2025 academic year.
“We are so excited about the opportunity to partner with Republic Bank as a sponsor for the Student Engagement Department,” said Tia Miller, Columbia State Student Development coordinator. “Through their generous gift, we have been able to bring some exciting new programming initiatives to our students for this academic year.”
The “Adulting 101” workshop series, sponsored by Republic Bank, kicked off the semester with a lunch and learn session covering basic budgeting and details for students on how to check their credit scores for free. Other topics this academic year include car safety, insurance, filing taxes, healthy eating and first-time home buying.
“On behalf of Republic Bank, we're very excited about the partnership and to support the great work being done at Columbia State,” said Chad Hart, Republic Bank Tennessee Market president. “Just to be a part of these students’ experiences as they start their academic journey, or they continue that academic journey, and to bring some financial advice, guidance, education, as part of that. We just appreciate what you're doing and thank you so much for letting us be a small part of it.”
A second workshop series, “Coffee and Career Chats,” will cover topics such as negotiating pay and benefits, networking, asking for recommendations and dressing for success.
“We are also looking forward to having our friends from Republic Bank on our campuses to be able to interact with our students at many of our other events,” Miller said. “It was great having them at our School Supply Giveaway the first week of classes to greet students and promote our partnership and ‘Adulting 101’ sessions.”

Maury Regional Breast Cancer Seminar (Press Release)
On Sunday, Oct. 27, Maury Regional Health will host a free seminar led by surgeon Amy Vertrees, MD, about the advanced technology used to detect and treat breast cancer followed by a health fair dedicated to breast cancer resources.
The seminar, titled “What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer,” will begin at 3 p.m. in the Maury Regional Annex located at 1223 Trotwood Avenue in Columbia (across from the hospital). RSVP is required at MauryRegional.com/BreastSeminar or by calling 931.490.7011.
“I often hear in my clinics, ‘I wish I knew that about breast cancer,’” said Dr. Vertrees. “I want to share what I know before you need to hear it.”
Dr. Vertrees is a board-certified surgeon specializing in surgery, breast surgery and robotic surgery. Dr. Vertrees served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army for 17 years, with three war deployments, including Iraq and Afghanistan. She received her medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, and completed an internship and residency at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. She has been on the medical staff at Maury Regional Health for the past seven years and is associated with Columbia Surgical Partners, which she co-founded.
Before and after Dr. Vertrees’ presentation, representatives from community organizations will be on site to discuss resources for women and breast cancer patients. These groups include:

Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program (Tennessee Department of Health)
Maury Regional Women’s Center
Maury Regional Physical Therapy
Maury Regional Health Care Foundation
Maury Regional Medical Group Primary Care | Columbia

“Breast cancer is a journey — from diagnosis to treatment,” said Administrative Director of Oncology Dana Salters, MBA, R.T.(R)(M). “Our patients don’t have to navigate that journey alone. There are a number of resources available to assist women in our community as they seek the vital care they need, and we are thrilled to have them join us for this afternoon dedicated to women’s health and wellness.”
To register for this free seminar, visit MauryRegional.com/BreastSeminar or call 931.490.7011.
Maury Regional Health offers mammography services at locations throughout southern Middle Tennessee, including the Maury Regional Women’s Center in Columbia, Lewis Health Center in Hohenwald, Marshall Medical Center in Lewisburg, Wayne Medical Center in Waynesboro and Spring Hill Imaging Center in Spring Hill. To schedule a mammogram at any Maury Regional Health location, call 931.380.4044. To learn more, visit MauryRegional.com/Mammogram.

DUI Checkpoint (Press Release)
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting sobriety roadside safety checkpoints during the weekend of October 18th on the 0 Mile Marker of State Rt. 50 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.

Maury Regional Medicare Seminar (Press Release)
Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) will host the free Your Medicare in 2025 seminar on Friday, Oct. 25, from 2-3 p.m., featuring an explanation on Medicare plan changes for the coming year.
The event will be held in the Maury Regional Annex at 1223 Trotwood Ave. in Columbia. To register, visit the Classes & Events page at MauryRegional.com or call 931.381.1111, extension 7011.
Sherri Craig with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) will provide information on what changes could be made in the Medicare Part D (prescription drug benefit) and Medicare Advantage (supplemental) plans in 2025. The seminar will also address the importance of performing an annual plan comparison and changes in Medicare costs.
The Medicare open enrollment period is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to review your current coverage, ensure that your preferred providers are still in-network and determine what Part D plan will best cover your prescription medications. Plan changes go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
The “Medicare and You” book that beneficiaries will receive by mail contains information about Medicare coverage and plans available in your area. For more information, visit MauryRegional.com/Medicare.
SHIP volunteers are trained to offer assistance to Medicare recipients who would like their Medicare Part D options reviewed. To make an individual appointment, visit MauryRegional.com/Medicare to obtain a form and return it to the Senior Center in Columbia located at 1020 Maury County Park Drive. Once the form is returned, individuals will be contacted to schedule an appointment for a one-on-one review.
Maury Regional Health also has enrollment counselors available to answer questions. Schedule a meeting by calling 931.381.1111, ext. 7262. Appointments are available (including by phone or teleconference) during regular business hours.

Spring Hill Local Passport (Press Release)
The Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Listerhill Credit Union, is excited to announce the launch of the "Think, Shop, Explore Local Passport" campaign, an initiative designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore and support the diverse range of local businesses in Spring Hill. This exciting campaign will run from October 1 to October 31, 2024, offering participants a chance to win a grand prize haul valued at thousands of dollars!
How to Participate: Starting October 1st, visitors can pick up their Local Passport at any participating business or the Spring Hill Chamber Welcome Center, located at 5326 Main Street, Suite G. To qualify for the grand prize, participants simply need to collect stickers from a minimum of 15 participating businesses and return their completed passports by October 31, 2024, to the Welcome Center. Those who complete their passports entirely will be entered into the grand prize drawing twice – doubling their chances of winning!
Participating Businesses: The campaign features an array of local stops, including restaurants, retail shops, health centers, and more. Some of the featured stops include:
Aha Indian Grill
The Awaken House
The Spot Burgers & Beers
Hampton Inn Spring Hill
Lighthill Meats
TriStar ER Spring Hill
Williamson Health / Bone and Joint Institute
And many more!
A comprehensive list of all participating businesses and an interactive map is available online, guiding participants on their local adventure.
Community Photo Stops: For an extra entry into the grand prize drawing, participants can take photos at designated community photo stops, including the Spring Hill Library, City Hall, and Fischer Park. Simply post your photo on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #SHPassport24 to earn an additional chance to win!
Grand Prize Details: The grand prize haul includes an incredible assortment of gifts and vouchers from participating businesses, offering one lucky winner a prize worth thousands of dollars! This includes gifts from notable local businesses such as Listerhill Credit Union, Towhee Club & Birdsong Social, Brunch Collective, and many others.
How to Submit Your Passport: Once you have collected at least 15 stickers, return your passport to the Spring Hill Chamber Welcome Center (5326 Main Street, Suite G) by October 31, 2024. A dropbox is available for after-hours submissions, ensuring that everyone has a chance to participate.
Get Ready to Think, Shop, and Explore Local! The "Think, Shop, Explore Local Passport" campaign is an excellent way to discover new businesses, support our local economy, and engage with the Spring Hill community. So grab your passport, explore all that Spring Hill has to offer, and get ready for a fun-filled October with plenty of opportunities to win big!
For more information, visit www.springhillchamber.com or contact the Spring Hill Chamber Welcome Center at [phone].

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].
And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Duralee Gail Sharpton Thomason Thornburg, 76, former owner and operator of Santa Fe Diner, died Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at her residence in the Glendale Community surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the funeral home.

And now, news from around the state…
Hagerty Calls on FEMA to Prioritize ETN (Tennessean)
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty is calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make hurricane response its top priority, as Tennesseans in impacted areas continue to wait for federal relief.
“The basic mission of FEMA is disaster recovery. They are understaffed,” Hagerty, R-Tennessee, told The Tennessean on Friday. “They are distracted fulfilling other missions, like moving people that have come into this country illegally into housing. They need to get back to the core. They need to make this their top priority.”
Hagerty has spent days in heavily impacted counties in Northeast Tennessee, reviewing damage with Gov. Bill Lee and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley, as well as Tennessee Valley Authority leadership.
“These communities, some of them, are landlocked or now they are because the one bridge or road that made it accessible has been washed out. Infrastructure is gone,” Hagerty said. “It's going to take extensive work to rebuild. People have lost lives, they've lost friends, they've lost their properties, they've lost their livelihoods.”
FEMA and the White House have pushed back on claims that hurricane-relief funds have been diverted to help undocument immigrants, something the agency's director called “frankly ridiculous and just plain false.”
The agency's Disaster Relief Fund received $20 billion as part of the bill Congress passed to fund the government through Dec. 20, although the Biden administration has said more may be needed.
FEMA does have a housing program, the Shelter and Services Program, that provides “financial support to non-federal entities to provide humanitarian services to noncitizen migrants following their release” from detention facilities, according to its website. It has $650 million in funding this year. But that money is separate from disaster relief funds.
Meanwhile, Hagerty expressed frustration with the response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, from which he said he expects “an instant response.”
“I would expect an instant response as soon as we could get people on the ground, not saying, 'Well, you were further back in the queue,” he said. “These are people's lives, their livelihoods, their property and their well being. And to be told that you're stacked up in a queue. There shouldn't be a queue if you're a rapid response emergency disaster relief organization.”
In the two weeks since the flood surge ripped through the area, FEMA has delivered $5.2 million in relief funding. Hagerty said that’s not enough.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
The Spring Hill Police Department will host a Trunk-or-Treat on October 26, 2024, from 5 PM to 8 PM at Fischer Park, located at 4285 Port Royal Rd, Spring Hill, TN 37174.
Bring your family and friends for an evening filled with fun and plenty of candy! Decorated booths and a safe environment for trick-or-treating will be waiting to delight your little ghouls and goblins.
Mark your calendars and come celebrate Halloween! Don’t forget to wear your favorite costume!