Bible Theme Park announced information meetings

Officials with Bible Park USA have scheduled three open houses to inform area residents about the themed attraction planned for northwestern Rutherford County. The public sessions are set for Monday and Tuesday, February 11^th and 12^th. To assure that everyone has an opportunity to attend, there will be presentations in Murfreesboro, Smyrna and LaVergne. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions, provide comments, and obtain information about the proposed Bible theme park. Managing Director of SafeHarbor Holding, Inc. and developer of Bible Park USA Armon Bar-Tur said, “We want the community to see first-hand what the park is all about and how it will provide a positive, informative foundation for people of all religious traditions.” He noted that it will also provide a fun, educational and entertaining experience for all ages. “Not only will the park fit-in extremely well with the heritage tourism offerings already available in Rutherford County, it will also add a very strong economic boost to Rutherford County.” Consultants from across the country who make up the development team working on the park will be at each location to talk and discuss the various aspects of Bible Park USA. Bar-Tur noted that the public can give their email addresses and receive updates about the project. He stressed that planners have been working hard over the past several months, many one-on-one kitchen table conferences, to develop solutions to concerns about traffic, sound and light. Bar-Tur added, “Help from the Tennessee Department of Transportation along with local county and city officials, we have been able to develop a single direct entrance to Bible Park USA that will minimize traffic on local roads.” He stressed that top-tier light and sound consultants are employing the latest technologies to ensure that the illumination is sufficient and focused to avoid all light pollution. Additional barriers and technologies are being incorporated to minimize sound pollution, not only for the neighbors but for park visitors who are seeking a quieter experience. “The extra time spent finding these solutions to community concerns has been well worth it. We want to be a good neighbor to the nearby community as well to the entire population of Rutherford County.”  Bible Park USA is a non-denominational attraction providing Biblically-based history, education and entertainment to visitors.  The park will bring the Bible to life in six themed areas:  each will have an indoor anchor attraction; an outdoor covered amphitheater for concerts; a state-of-the-art recording studio; a Biblical museum with rotating exhibits; and a theatre where Broadway-quality productions of Biblical plays will be shown.  Bar-Tur said that Bible Park USA will provide a foundation for people of all faiths and beliefs to learn, experience and enjoy, while immersed in the history of those ancient times.  Plans call for the park to be located on 275 acres beside I-24 and State Route 840.  One-hundred and fifty acres will be dedicated to facility and visitor parking, while the remaining acreage will feature abundant natural green space.  For more information about the Bible Park USA, visit www.bibleparkusa.com.

Open house information
· Monday, February 11^th from 4:30 to 7:30PM at the City of LaVergne’s Multi-Purpose Building (5093 Murfreesboro Rd., behind LaVergne City Hall)

· Tuesday, February 12^th from 11AM to 1:30PM at the Smyrna Town Centre (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy.)

· Tuesday, February 12^th from 4:30 to 7:30PM at the Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd., just down from Sam’s in Murfreesboro)

Light refreshments also will be provided.

Whirlpool Closing Its LaVergne Plant

Bad economic news for LaVergne, as Whirlpool announced it will close their facility there. That will leave about five-hundred without a job – which is expected by the end of the year. This follows the layoff of just over three-hundred workers last year. Then, the company said they had no plans to idle the facility. Whirlpool has been in Rutherford County since 1986.

Shark bite student at MTSU

Craig Hutto is not an average college freshman. The MTSU student walks with a prosthetic leg after losing his biological right leg to a shark attack during his 2005 summer vacation in Florida. Hutto says he and his brother Brian were fishing a short distance off the coast when a bull shark sank its teeth into him.

Listen now to SHARK 1

The shark pierced Hutto’s right femoral artery, causing him to lose 3,500 cubic centimeters of blood. The fast action of medical personnel who happened to be vacationing on the same beach saved his life. In 2006, Hutto dared to get back into ocean water, competing in the swimming leg of a triathlon without his artificial leg. Hutto competed in the competition with his two brothers… It was his first foray with the ocean water since the attack.

Listen now to SHARK 2

Hutto completed the one-point-two mile swim in 35 minutes. He says swimming without one leg is a matter of rotating the hips and finding the right balance on top of the water. Hutto’s experience prompted him to change his major from computers to nursing at the local university.

Teacher in trouble with the law

A former Rutherford County Educator convicted of 5-counts of statutory rape and assault will spend the next two years behind bars. Former High School teacher Kenneth Anderson allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year old student. Anderson will be back in court in July as he will faces similar charges once again. Anderson has also been accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year old girl. Anderson previously denied allegations that he had a sexual relationship with any student.

Deputies fire on knife wielding woman – UPDATE

A grand jury will hear the case involving a Leeanna woman who was shot by Rutherford County Sheriff Deputies after she reportedly charged at them with a butcher knife. The female, who was reported to be emotionally unstable and attempting suicide, was arrested on attempted murder charges.

Authorities say when 41-year old Michelle Roderick came at them with a knife, they attempted to spray her with pepper spray. The woman allegedly responded, “THAT WON’T WORK.” The spray was caught in the wind and was ineffective according to officers. As Roderick neared the deputies, Lt. Glenn Morton fired his weapon twice striking Roderick once in the arm and a second round into her arm.

City Cafe Poll – UPDATED on 1/31/08

City Café straw poll released on the air

As heard on the Wednesday morning Action Line that was “LIVE” from the City Café, diners there chose Obama as the democrat leader and McCain as the republican nominee. WGNS broadcast “LIVE” from the City Café every Wednesday morning at 8:10. Café owner Scott Perkins reported the straw

poll is typically 96 to 97 percent correct. Mike Huckabee came in second to McCain and on the democrat ticket, John Edwards, who is now out of the race, was tallied at number two.

In local races, most of the attention was focused on the assessor of property. Current assessor John Barbee received a total of 46-votes. His opponent, Bill Boner, received 0. The same was true with the road superintendent race. Incumbent Mike Williams got 29-votes and Buddy Gambill came away empty handed.

Feds make another RATE CUT

The Federal Reserve sliced another half-point off interest rates Wednesday, the same day the government reported that the economy grew at an anemic six-tenths of one percent in the last three months of the year. Economist Bernard Baumohl says that though the growth means the country is technically not in a recession, there’s nonetheless a perception that it is:

Listen now to RATE

The economy has been battered by an ongoing NATIONAL housing slump that has resulted in credit crunch and loss of consumer confidence, spurring fears of a recession.

Do HAND GELS work in hospitals?

Hand gels don’t work as well as advertised, at least when it comes to reducing the spread of infections in hospitals, a new study has found.

Researchers at the University of Nebraska said that despite doubling the use of alcohol-based gels at the Nebraska Medical Center, there was no noticeable drop of infections among patients.
Often, physicians and nurses will forgo soap and water to quickly scrub with these gels that have become more prevalent in medical facilities over the years.

Yet while the gels do tend to make the hands cleaner, lead researcher Dr. MARK RUPP says that clean hands alone aren’t going to reduce the rate of infections.

Among other things, he said that hospital staff should remove rings from their fingers and trim their nails, which are notorious germ carriers. Furthermore, Rupp recommended more thorough cleaning of hospital units, proper maintenance of catheters and less frequent prescribing of antibiotics, which are becoming less effective.

The spread of infections in hospitals has grown considerably, with 1.7 million cases reported last year, including 99 thousand deaths.

3 Cannon Countians Arrested for TennCare Fraud

Three people in Cannon County have been charged with TennCare fraud. Two of them are accused of “doctor shopping,” or visiting different doctors in a short time span to get prescriptions for controlled substances paid for by TennCare. A third person is charged with TennCare fraud by obtaining a prescription paid for by TennCare with the intent to resell the drug.

§ Dolse E. Murphy, 33, of Woodbury, indicted on 17 counts of “doctor shopping” for controlled substances. He’s accused of failing to disclose to doctors that he had seen other physicians within a 30-day period and received similar prescriptions for Hydrocodone and Oxycodone, both powerful painkillers. All 17 physician office visits were paid for by TennCare.

§ James W. Prater, 52, of Woodbury, indicted on four counts of fraudulently obtaining controlled substances by “doctor shopping,” failing to disclose to doctors that he had recently seen other physicians and received prescriptions for Lortab, another strong painkiller, with TennCare paying for the doctor visits.

§ Jeffery R. Shelton, 45, of Woodbury, indicted on two counts of TennCare fraud and two counts of sale of a controlled substance. On two separate occasions Shelton fraudulently obtained prescriptions for Hydrocodone and paying for them with TennCare. The indictment further alleges that Shelton obtained the prescriptions for Hydrocodone with the intent of selling a portion of the medication.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison. District Attorney General William C. Whitesell, Jr. is prosecuting.

City Cafe Straw Poll Results

It’s generally an indication how elections will go in Rutherford County.  The City Cafe straw poll on the presidential primary was announced “LIVE” on WGNS Wednesday morning.  Republican John McCain took the GOP vote with 30-percent of the total vote.  Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Fred Thompson all tied for second, indicating how close things really are on the Republican side.  Democrat Barack Obama won the City Cafe straw poll.  John Edwards, who ironically dropped out of the race Wednesday, was a close second.  Hilleary Clinton only received 4 votes of the 71 cast.  More people voted the Democrat ballot in the City Cafe poll, which is a 20-year tradition at the iconic downtown Murfreesboro eatery.

National News on McCain

Arizona Senator JOHN MCCAIN has gotten that much-needed bounce going in to the Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses February 5th.

The Republican presidential hopeful placed first in yesterday’s crucial Florida primary, picking up about 36 percent of the vote to fend off a late challenge from former Massachusetts Governor MITT ROMNEY, who came in second with 31 percent.

McCain, whose campaign looked dead in the water last fall, has now won three primaries, while Romney scored victories in Michigan, Nevada and Wyoming. In the winner-take-all Florida contest, McCain gets 57 delegates.

Meanwhile, the GOP candidate who campaigned the longest and hardest in Florida is calling it quits.

ABC News has learned that former New York City Mayor RUDY GIULIANI will drop out of the race today and throw his support behind McCain.

McCain stated:  McCain – Listen on Mp3 now

Giuliani virtually ignored the other primaries and caucuses this month to bank all his hopes on winning Florida, where many transplanted New Yorkers live.

That questionable strategy backfired, as he only won 15 percent of the vote in Florida while former Arkansas Governor MIKE HUCAKBEE was fourth with 13 percent.

Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucuses, hasn’t been much of factor since then and paid little attention to Florida to concentrate more of his funds on states where he might have a chance on Super Tuesday.

The candidates debate tonight at the Reagan Library in California. Giuliani is expected to fly there tomorrow, but only to announce his intentions to drop out and endorse McCain.

Police find man with knife in back

A Shelbyville man involved in an argument Sunday has been taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville for treatment of a stab wound. Tiffany Shane Eddings, age 26, of Shelbyville has been charged with aggravated assault.

The victim, Dewayne Starr was found by officers with a kitchen knife stuck in his back.

Eddings admitted to stabbing Starr with a steak knife. She alleges that he slapped her.

Eddings has been released on $7,500 bond.

Story from our partner station WMSR

New program at MTSU

MTSU is the birthplace of a new academic journal that promises to go against the conventional wisdom. A call to papers will be issued soon for submissions to the Journal of Sport Administration & Supervision. The journal is the idea of Dr. Colby Jubenville of the Department of Health and Human Performance.

SPORTS – Listen to mp3

Jubenville says sport practitioners will be allowed to review scholars’ works, examine the research and assess whether it is useful to them. That’s the twist. The journal’s review board will seek to make to make athletic research accessible and user-friendly to sport practitioners.

Over 50 Crowd Not Getting Flu Shots

A recent survey shows that half the people age 50 or older did not get flu vaccination last year. Dr. Brian Thames with A-A-R-P….

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(((AUDIO))) Dr. Brian Thames   :12    Out Cue: preventable disease

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The flu virus results in 36,000 deaths each year in the United States. 

Citizens Police Academy

The Murfreesboro Police Department continues their educational Citizens Police Academy Courses. Public Information Officer Kyle Evans explains what each class entails…

POLICE – Listen now

To enroll in a police academy course, contact the Murfreesboro Police Department at 895-3874.

"Girls Gone Wild" Bill

A proposal in the state legislature to change what you see on late-night television has been stalled.  WGNS’ Andrea Diebold (DEE-bold) has the story…

(((AUDIO))) Andrea Diebold Report

New science building a no go for now at MTSU

A NEW Science Building on the MTSU campus was not earmarked in Governor Phil Bredesen’s funding plan on Monday. The $132-million dollar project may have to be pushed back by a year or more. The local university already has $15-million dollars to begin the proper planning and foundation work in the near future. The current science building was built in 1967 and is less then half the size needed according to MTSU officials. Middle Tennessee has the states largest undergraduate enrollment.

High Winds Slam Rutherford County

Highs winds with a line of storms that blew through Rutherford  County Tuesday night left a mess in its wake. The storms, with reported wind gusts up to 60 miles-an-hour, howled  around 7:40, with widespread damage reported to both the National Weather Service and emergency personnel. Most of the damage was reported in southern Rutherford County, in the Christiana and Barfield areas, along with areas to the east like Kittrell. Power was lost in downtown Murfreesboro for about 45-minutes.  Power crews with both Middle Tennessee Electric and Murfreesboro Electric were very busy overnight. Downed power lines were reported countywide.  How strong was the cold front?  Temperatures dropped from 62-degrees at 5pm to 35 just four-hours later at 9pm.

DAMAGE REPORTS TO THE NWS FROM STORM SPOTTERS
· a utility pole was snapped at the intersection of Highway 96 and Kingwood Road

· a utility pole was snapped on Barfield-Crescent Road

· numerous trees were reported down in eastern Rutherford County

· trees blow down on Versaille Road

Man Confesses To Lewd Behavior Around MTSU

WGNS News has learned that the MTSU Police Department apprehended a Murfreesboro resident early Tuesday (1/29/08). Matthew Skaggs allegedly confessed to committing at least five acts of lewd and lascivious behavior in Murfreesboro and on the MTSU campus since last September. These acts included driving his vehicle near females and exposing himself in their presence. Beginning last fall, MTSU Police received three official reports of a white male driving an older-model, red vehicle around the Fairview Avenue area of campus.  During the first part of this month, Murfreesboro Police and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office each received similar reports of indecent exposure which occurred at separate locations. Undercover MTSU Police officers spotted the 28-year old man’s car on Monday (1/28/08) in the area around Fairview Avenue. He was identified by police and later questioned about the incidents. Matthew Skaggs reportedly confessed to committing all five acts, and he has been charged with the three incidents on the MTSU campus. A court date has been set for March 3rd. Skaggs was released, but he has been barred permanently from the MTSU campus.

Local Engineer Home After Working In Iraq

A Rockvale engineer is enjoying some R&R time at home after spending approximately 7-months in Iraq.  On Tuesday (1/29/08) Mike Gamble told the Murfreesboro Rotary Club that he enjoyed working with a firm that was contracted by the Army Corps of Engineers.  He worked to assist the Iraqi government in managing, operating and maintaining hundreds of water and wastewater treatment plants.  Gamble told the noon-time gathering at the Stones River Country Club that working conditions improved after the U.S. troop surge.  He noted that the increase in troops not only improved commerce, but Iraqi and US citizens are now working together much better.  Rotary members were able to ask questions, and one brought a surprising statement from the Rockvale resident, “The more we do for them, the less they are inclined to do for themselves.”  He explained that Iraqi natives don’t seem to take personal responsibility for things in which they are involved.  Gamble noted, “They are very intelligent people, who are set in their ways.  They just learned about computers a few years ago.  And our biggest source of misunderstandings are cultural differences.”  When asked if he wished to return to the Middle East, Gamble quickly replied “YES”! 

Note:  You may recall the broadcast on WGNS in which Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg interviewed an engineer working on water projects in the Baghdad area.  That was Mike Gamble.  By the way, his wife of 29-year, Christi, said her husband has a love for others and always wants to help.  The couple met at the University of Maryland.  Mike has undergraduate degrees in Civil Engineering as well as Business Management; along with a graduate degree in Construction Management. 

Tree theft

Theft has come to….trees? Three large walnut trees were stolen from the edge of a yard on Lascassas Pike. The trees are valued at about $1,500 a piece; so the theft seems a little odd but may carry FELONY charges of grand theft. The neighbor also reported having missing foliage from her property.

 Mmm, imagine going to jail for stealing trees. It could happen if the culprit is caught.

Family that lost home in fire loose dogs – UPDATED

UPDATE: DOGS FOUND – Read past news story below

Previous news story: The McBurney family that lost their home to fire in Christiana on  Sunday, are now experiencing more troubles. After saving their two German Shepard’s from the burning Crab Apple Lane home, the two dogs are now gone. Neighbor Erica Dawson told us the dogs escaped from their hotel room on Monday. The family is temporarily staying at a South Church Street hotel while deciding what move will be made next.

Dawson says the dogs are about 12-years old and may have fled the room when a maid opened the door.

 

Good News:  Neighbor Erica Dawson has good news for WGNS listeners.   She went to PAWS (Pet Adoption Welfare Services) and both dogs were there safe and sound!  The family’s prayers were answered!

City worker fired for alcohol

Big changes have been made in the City of Murfreesboro Codes Department. Building and Codes Director Betts Nixon has been dismissed. Nixon had been with the department for the past 23-years. According to a recent article in the Daily News Journal, Nixon was accused of inappropriately using alcohol. Nixon was on paid administrative leave for two months prior to her dismissal. The city remains tight lipped about the firing and a hearing for Nixon who is fighting to get her job back will be held at a later date.

Red Light TRAFFIC VIOLATION cameras – UPDATE

We are about two months away from the new red light traffic violation system. A system that is made up of cameras that catches those who run a red-light at busy intersections throughout the city. Murfreesboro Police Officer Kyle Evans told us no one will receive an actual citation during the first 30-days of operation.

TICKET

The first three cameras at 3-separate intersections in Murfreesboro will be operational the first of April.

MAN gunned down in ‘Boro (UPDATE)

A 24-year old man was gunned down on State Street around 4:30 Monday afternoon (1/28/08). Victim Shelton Hall was  evidently walking down the street when a culprit fired multiple shots at him. Officer Kyle Evans told WGNS News, “We believe there was only one shooter.”  Evans said  the motive was not clear, and it is not known if it was related to gang shootings that resulted in two deaths here in Murfreesboro a few months ago.  Hall was hit several times in the abdomen.  He tried to run for cover behind a house.  That is where paramedics found the 24-year old male on the ground.  Hall was flown by Life Flight helicopter to the Trauma Center at Vanderbilt Hospital. 

Hall is no stranger to trouble… his criminal history shows that he has been arrested before on cocaine related charges. In fact, Hall was just released from the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center in December.

The Murfreesboro Police Department ask the public to call with any information they might have seen or heard.  Evans notes, “Residents want to get criminals off the streets and make neighborhoods safer.”  Call the Murfreesboro Police Department at 893-1311 and ask to speak with a detective.  You can also phone CrimeStoppers at 893-STOP (7867) and be eligible for a $1,000 cash reward if your tip leads to an arrest and conviction.  No one, not even the police, know your identity if you call the CrimeStoppers program.

Bush – State of the Union Speech

President Bush delivered his final State of the Union address Monday night. President Bush urged members of Congress to act quickly to pass an economic stimulus package, the centerpiece of which is a tax rebate for most Americans. Bush acknowledged the challenges facing more and more Americans, rising energy costs and a failing housing market among them:

BUSH 1 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid yesterday said he’s looking forward to Senate action on the economic stimulus package worked out by the Bush administration and House leaders:

BUSH 2

For the long term, Bush advised lawmakers to extend his tax cuts past the 2010 expiration to prevent 116 million Americans from paying more to the government. In a joking aside, he said to those willing to pay an increase that, quote, “the IRS accepts both checks and money orders.”

Another State Street Shooting

A Monday afternoon drive-by shooting on State Street leaves a local in very critical condition.  24-year old Shelton Hall was shot multiple times around 4pm as he was standing outside.  The victim was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center by Lifeflight helicopter ambulance.  Murfreesboro Police spokesman Officer Kyle Evans says they’re looking for a greed Intrepid and they’ve following several leads in the case.  Witnesses, Evans says, have given them names of several possible suspects.

State of the State Address

Governor Bredesen delivered his 2008 State of the State A ddress to the 105th Tennessee General Assembly Monday.  In the speech, he outlined his budget…

(((AUDIO)))  Governor Bredesen

Bredesen commits the majority of new state dollars to education and job creation.  For the second consecutive year, the largest portion of the 27-point-8 billion dollar budget – including nearly 14-billion in state dollars – will fund Pre-K-12 and higher education. Education represents 30 percent of the total budget.

Other features of the budget proposal include:
• $12 million to expand home and community based health care services
• $29.3 million for an economic development jobs package

Bredesen emphasized he will resist efforts to raid the state’s reserves or “rainy day fund,” which he says would retreat back to the fiscal policies that once threatened to bankrupt the state.

At the beginning of his speech, he recognized two Tennessee soldiers who served in Iraq.  One of those was from Murfreesboro…

(((AUDIO))) Governor Recognizes Murfreesboro soldier

Since the Iraq conflict, 95 Tennesseans have lost their lives in combat.

Portions of the “State of the State” speech and Bryan Barrett’s interview with Governor Bredesen can be heard on WGNS at 3pm Tuesday afternoon.

EDUCATION BUDGET OUTLINE:

Bredesen’s proposed budget commits $287 million in improvements for education, including:
• $25 million to fund up to 250 new Pre-K classrooms
• $5.3 million to increase retention of HOPE Scholarships by adjusting the required GPA for scholarship recipients to 2.75
• $27 million to establish an endowment to provide need-based financial aid to 15,000 more Tennesseans who want to go to college
The total fiscal year 2008-2009 budget is a point-61-percent decrease over last year’s budget.

Family looses home to fire

A family who had lived in a home off the Shelbyville Highway for the past 12-years lost their home to fire on Sunday. The home, belonging to Terry McBurney, his wife and children, lost nearly everything in the blaze. The Crab Apple Lane house saw devastating damage to the kitchen, living room and master bedroom. This children’s rooms were damaged by a mixture of smoke and water. The McBurney family says they saved one cat but lost a second.

The fire is believed to have started in the utility room, the dryer was possibly the source of the catastrophe.

Bible Theme Park UPDATE

A fight against a Bible Theme Park in the Blackman Community looks to be dimming. Bible Theme Park developer Armon Bar-Tur recently held a public hearing on the planned park and only 3-citizens attended the meeting. A meeting that was addressed days prior in BOTH the Daily News Journal, the Murfreesboro Post.

Bar-Tur readdressed the fact that his company, SafeHarbor Holding, LLC wants to build a 50-acre theme park on a 300-acre site in Blackman. The cost, between $150 and $200-million dollars. Plans for the Bible Theme Park will soon be submitted to the County Commission.

Treasury Dept. gives nod on stimulus package

Treasury Secretary HENRY PAULSON told the Senate yesterday not to dilly-dally about passing an economic stimulus package approved by PRESIDENT BUSH and House leaders last week.

There have been rumblings that some Senate lawmakers aren’t happy with the package because it excludes benefits for lower income families and the unemployed.

Paulson, who is Bush’s point man on the issue, says the public won’t, quote, “have much patience for anything that would slow down the process.”

Even if everything were to quickly fall into place, the first of the rebate checks to 117 million families wouldn’t be sent until May at the earliest. A protracted congressional battle could delay the give-backs for weeks or months.

Nevertheless, Paulson expressed optimism that Senate leaders will ultimately keep things simple and agree to the deal that would provide $100 billion in rebates to individuals and married couples and another $50 billion in tax breaks for large and small businesses.

Truck driver under the influence

A dangerous mix of painkillers and illegal drugs was cause for the erratic driving of an 18-wheeler in Murfreesboro, according to police reports. The tractor-trailer truck in question was traveling on Highway 231 South when it crossed over into oncoming traffic giving one woman the fright of her life.

Officer Terry Spence of the Murfreesboro Police Department witnessed the incident and pulled over to help the shaken woman. While Spence was helping calm her down, the two spoted the truck coming back down the highway. Spence noted that he saw the truck cross 3-lines of traffic and eventually stop next to a light pole.

The driver, James Perkins, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, driving under the influence, possesion of a drug paraphernalia and communicating a threat.

Governor says we will manage

Governor Phil Bredesen will present his 2008-09 budget plan Monday 1/28. Bredesen is expected to include a few ideas on some program funding and expansion. He does not plan on bringing any major expense suggestions to the table, and says the continued funding of the Education Department’s BEP will be the most expensive program supported this year. Bredesen says that education underlies everything else and will also discuss expanding the number of college scholarships available to Tennessee students. This may help bring more opportunity for low-income students in receiving the scholarship.

John Goodman Joins Red Realty

Fifteen-year local real estate veteran John Goodman has joined Red Realty as a firm partner and firm vice-president. Goodman holds a Tennessee Real Estate Affiliate Broker License, and is an active member of the National Association of REALTORS, the Tennessee Association of REALTORS, and the Middle Tennessee Association of REALTORS. He is a lifelong resident of the Milton farming community. John graduated from Campus School and the Webb School in Bell Buckle, and studied business and real estate at the University of Mississippi. While growing up, Goodman managed a 1300-acre farm, a 300-head cattle operation, five rental homes and three commercial/office spaces. He is married to Heather McKee Goodman, and the couple has three children: Grace, Annabelle and John Jr. “Jack”. Murfreesboro based Red Realty has three locations in Rutherford County

MTSU School of Nursing Needs Support In Writing

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education will be conducting an accreditation site visit for the baccalaureate degree in nursing program on the MTSU campus from April 14^th through the 16^th. University President Sidney McPhee is encouraging the public to send written and signed third-party comments to this commission before March 15^th. That correspondence should be addressed to Ms. LiAnn Shepard, Accreditation Assistant, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, Suite 530, Washington, D.C., 20036-1120.

Legislators Back On Monthly WGNS Talk Show

The Rutherford County delegation to the 105^th General Assembly interacted with local residents Friday (1/25/08) morning on a WGNS call-in program. State Senator Bill Ketron said there are several key issues on tap this year including immigration reform, open government, DUI laws, lottery scholarships, school funding, abortion, election reform, and competitive cable television, to name a few.   Senate Senator Jim Tracy noted that committees had already adopted several bills, including a resolution to amend the state constitution to allow commonsense protections on abortion.  That resolution has now gone to the full Senate and will be debated next week. Representative Kent Coleman noted that the state budget is always the top priority for the General Assembly, as Tennessee’s constitution requires a balanced budget.  “It looks as if we may need to review the budget and trim waste, since tax collection trends so far indicate we may have to tighten our belts.” Last year’s budget totaled $27.9 billion. State Representative John Hood told listeners, “One area of the budget that will not be trimmed is education, as spending for Tennessee schools is a top priority for state government.” The major overhaul in funding kindergarten through 12^th grade began last year, and the second phase is about to become effective. The lottery has been so successful that it now has excess reserves of $410-million.  As you recall, the lottery was established to fund education for students who graduate from high school who have achieved specific grades and met other qualifications.  State Representative Donna Rowland vowed to continue to push for legislation that would reduce problems with illegal aliens. This year’s general assembly will again look at laws that would give consumers more choice when it comes to television services.  Currently, cable franchises are granted by local city and county governments.  The results have been that companies awarded contracts by the locals have widely enjoyed a monopoly on wire services within those areas. The Rutherford County delegation will be on WGNS on the last Friday of each month (8:10-9:00am) to answer questions from constituents and update us on activities on capital hill.

Chamber of Commerce Banquet Huge Success

On Friday (1/25/08) night the Tennessee Room at Middle Tennessee State University held a capacity crowd for the Annual Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Banquet.  As noted in earlier WGNS Newscasts, Jerry Benefield received the BUSINESS LEGEND AWARD; the BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR went to Bill Jones; Ed Laughry was presented the LEADERSHIP RUTHERFORD AWARD; the CHAIRMAN’S AWARD went to John Hood; and Kendra Cooke was the DIPLOMAT OF THE YEAR. 

Special presentations were made to the three Chamber directors who are retiring from the board.  Bill Jones, Dr. Sidney McPhee and Terri Sterling came forward and received a framed certificate.

Outgoing Chairman Andy Womack personally thanked each member of the Chamber’s staff for specific achievements that resulted from their individual leadership.  Then Mona Herring was asked to step forward, and was presented a gift for her 20-years of service.

Incoming Chairman Shane Reeves received the gavel from retiring Womack.  Reeves announced many exciting opportunities for the coming year.  Obviously, one is that the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce will be enjoying next year’s banquet in the new Murfreesboro Conference Center, a dream that ironically was born when his father was this city’s mayor.  A second highlight of 2008 will be the soon to occur ground breaking on a new 35,000 square foot Chamber headquarters in the Gateway Project on Medical Center Parkway.  And a cheer rang out as he said, “We are always proud of the new corporate neighbors who are joining us.  But we must always be mindful of the fact that it was the hundreds of small family businesses that made possible the community we now love.”  Reeves introduced a new chamber program that will honor these pioneer family firms who paved the way for today.

Chamber Honors Steve Benefield

After a decade at the helm, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce President Steve Benefield retired to join the private sector. 

Congressman Bart Gordon brought to life the day Coach Jimmy Earle visited the Benefield farm in Maury County to meet the prospective MTSU pitcher.  Moments before a cow knocked the skinny high school senior into a pile of manure.  Coach Earle invited him to get in the car, and the soon to be Raider knew he had found a home.  The Sixth District U.S. Representative said, “Steve’s ability to lead and build a powerful team is his legacy.  It is now recorded forever in the Congressional Record.” 

Roger Haley came to the podium next and told how Steve phoned during his early days at the Chamber and asked if the City of Murfreesboro would buy some local history books the chamber had produced.  He told Haley they didn’t have enough money to make payroll, and Roger said, “We’ll take 60.”  Minutes later, 60 cases, not books, arrived and the enthusiastic young Benefield waited for a check.  Haley said the city still has many of those books, and he presented Steve with an autographed copy.  Haley chuckled and said, “I’ve gotten publicity before for giving watches to retirees.”  The Murfreesboro city manager quickly said, “I paid for this myself.”  Steve opened the sack and held up a Superman watch.

Jerry Benefield stepped up next and gave a steady stream of creative one liners about Steve.  The audience went wild when Jerry proclaimed, “I think this is a great community to live in.  I’d hate to live in a community where they didn’t have any traffic.  I like the traffic.  I’d hate to live in a community where you went to the restaurant, and had all the places to park you wanted to.  I’d hate to live in a community where your kids couldn’t find a job when they got out of school and had to move away.  I like what’s happening here in this community and I hope it stays that way.”  He noted that Steve helped to bring this growth.  He then commented on Steve’s ability to build a team and do outstanding marketing.  The former Nissan CEO quipped, “I once wondered if he knew marketing.  Then as I drove into town, every corner had a beautiful woman holding up a sign that said YES.”  He quipped, “Steve still attracts beautiful women, pointing to the all female staff of leaders at the Chamber.”

Despite suffering from a cold, Steve Benefield delivered a gracious and very moving THANK YOU message.  As he credited the staff and army of past volunteers, it was clear how his leadership catapulted the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce to having the second largest membership in the entire state. 

Thank you Steve Benefield for your leadership that has benefited all of us in the Heart of Tennessee.  We wish you well in your new position of leadership with Murfreesboro based Mid South Bus Center.

Suspects charged in second Subway hold up

There have been several arrests made this week in the Subway Robbery’s. Suspects Ronall J. Smith, 20, and girlfriend Brittany D. Harrell, 18, both from Bell Buckle, and Cornelius K. Humphries, 19, of Murfreesboro were charged with the June 18 robbery of a Subway restaurant. Now, Smith, Harrell and another suspect, Ashley Glover have been charged with a second Subway robbery that occurred Monday 1/21. It was during this investigation that detectives discovered Smith and Harrell’s involvement in the June robbery.

Clinton coming to Nashville this weekend

Senator Hillary Clinton will be coming to Nashville this Saturday 1/26. Where and when she will appear has not yet been announced. Her appearance is probably due to a planned appearance by John Edwards in Nashville on Monday 1/28. There has also been news circulating that candidate Mike Huckabee will be coming to the state in the near future.