‘Boro man shoots wife and then attempts suicide

Murfreesboro resident, 36 year old Michael Vance, 36, of 1737 Cozumel Court, has been accused of shooting his wife. Vance allegedly shot wife Suzanne in the head Thursday 2/28 morning, and then later attempted to commit suicide after a 21-minute car chase with police. Police say after spiking his tires and finally stopping the pursuit, Vance lifted a gun to his head and pulled the trigger twice; the gun did not fire either attempt. He is being held on a $413,000 bond in the Rutherford County adult detention center.

Oakland Certified as a Baccalaureate School

Oakland High School Principal Butch Vaughn and his staff were notified Friday that the school has been fully certified by the International Baccalaureate Organization. International Baccalaureate  — or IB as it is more commonly known — is a prestigious program that emphasizes well-rounded learning and it rigorously prepares high school students for college and challenges students to be successful by thinking globally.  The Oakland administration has scheduled an information meeting for any Rutherford County high school parent interested in learning more about the IB program. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. on March

Flu Update

Tennessee health officials are seeing a drop off in the number of flu cases after a spike earlier this month.  School districts report fewer absences and several hospitals and walk-in clinics say they’ve noticed a slowdown.  But officials warn that flu season in Tennessee lingers into April and there could be another spike before it’s over.  Flu plays a role in about 36,000 U.S. deaths a year, 90 percent of those among people 65 and older.

Sales Tax Holiday Could Be Moved

The state Senate has voted to move next month’s sales tax holiday so it won’t fall on Easter weekend.  The bill would make the new dates for the sale tax holiday April 25 through April 27. It is currently scheduled for March 21 to March 23.  The sales tax break applies to clothing, school supplies and computers.  The House Finance Committee was scheduled to take up the companion bill on Tuesday.

LaVergne Man Shoots Himself

A LaVergne man shot himself as he was being pulled over by local authorities on Thursday.  LaVergne Police Chief Ted Boyd says the man, whose name isn’t being released until his next of kin can be notified, was upset over family issues.  The man was taken to Stonecrest Medical, then taken by Lifeflight to Vanderbilt, where he is on life support.

S. Church @ County Farm Center Approved

The Murfreesboro City Council gave a thumbs up on the third and final reading for a big box project on the corner of South Church Street and County Farm Road.  The move brought an annexation of 28 acres into the City of Murfreesboro.  25.9 of those acres were rezoned.  M & W Joint Venture is calling the new shopping area Cannonsburgh Place.  The main store will be 204,000 square feet in size and have 977 parking places.  It will also include a gas station and space for additional retail shops. Tune to WGNS for interviews from Thursday (2/28/08) City Council meeting.

Three Region Champs…One Runner Up

Once again, WGNS has charted new waters in local sports coverage.  We broadcast some or all of three different basketball games from two different locations Thursday night.  Jeff Jordan was at Hillwood High School where the Region 5-A tournament was taking place.  The Lady Cougars of Middle Tennessee Christian trailed by only two at halftime to Forrest, but lost 51-42.  After Jeff completed that game, Bryan Barrett and Jon Dinkins broadcast from Shelbyville the Siegel boys versus White County.  T.J. Mitchell scored 18 and Marc Gooch had 17 to lead the Stars to their third Region 4-Triple-A Tournament title in four years.  The final was 83-75.  The action went back to Jeff for the last quarter of the Eagleville boys versus Nashville Christian.  The Eagles took the game 58-44.  The Smyrna girls also defeated Wilson Central 61-38.  WGNS will broadcast the Lady Bulldogs versus Hillsboro Saturday at 7pm in a girls substate game from Smyrna.  Monday, we will broadcast the Stars game versus the Cleveland boys from Siegel in a boys substate contest.  For the latest sports news and information, log-on to our sports website…goinsidesports.com.

City Council Overview (Thursday 2/28)

The Murfreesboro City Council passed a third and final reading ordinance to rezone an area along Shelbyville Highway. The area will be for yet another big box retailer along County Farm Road and Shelbyville Highway. The Council also passed a second reading ordinance on the continuing issue, of amending zoning regulations for sexually oriented businesses. Jobe, Hastings and Associates were present to summarize the city’s Tennessee Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Report for the Fiscal Year of June 2007. They reviewed the city’s government expenditures and revenues among other city statistics. There will soon be listings available for most information covered in the financial report on the Murfreesboro City website; www.murfreesborotn.gov.

State Farm Donates Van To Local Red Cross

State Farm Insurance has donated a Dodge Caravan to the local Red Cross Chapter here in Murfreesboro.  Heart of Tennessee CEO Greg King said, “This van will enable our volunteers to respond to the many emergency situations in this area.”  The local organizations serves Rutherford, Bedford and Cannon Counties.  In addition to the mini-van, State Farm also gave the local Red Cross a check for $5,000.  

(L-R Photo ID) Greg King, Roy Boyd, Andy Womack, Deb Insell, Judy McConkey, Laura Sanchez-Slate, and Debbie Rutland.

Multi-agency pursuit ends with suspect captured

36-year old Michael Vance of Cozumel Court in the Blackman community is charged in the death of his 31-year old wife, Suzanne early Thursday morning (2/28/08). She died of gunshot wounds at Middle Tennessee Medical Center. Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans says when they arrived, Vance was not there…

(((Click for Audio))) MPD spokesman Kyle Evans

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Detective, Sergeant Dan Goodwin, tells WGNS News a deputy spotted the suspect, Michael Vance, in the Walter Hill area…

(((Click for Audio))) RCSO spokesman Dan Goodwin

Goodwin says deputies saw the suspect put a weapon to his head and squeeze the trigger several times, but it didn’t go off. He was apprehended after the crash and taken to MTMC for evaluation before being transported to the county Adult Detention Center. Officer Evans says several schools were placed on lockdown…

(((Click for Audio))) MPD spokesman Kyle Evans

Blackman Elementary and Middle were placed on lockdown, because that’s where the Vance’s children go to school. The others were Wilson and Walter Hill Elementary Schools, because of their proximity to the chase.

100-mph Pursuit – Man wanted in Rutherford Co.

 

A man wanted in Rutherford County was arrested in Nashville after leading authorities on a pursuit that reached speeds of up to 100-miles per hour. Apparently the chase started after a traffic stop in Brentwood. When Jeffery Cunningham allegedly fled from police there was luckily little traffic on the roadway. The incident occurred just after 1:00 in the morning. After officers finally caught Cunningham near Hickory Hollow Mall, he was arrested and transported to Rutherford County. Cunningham faces felony charges from a non related crime in Rutherford County and now he faces several felony crimes in Nashville after the pursuit.

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Election for 48th House Seat

Re-occurring health concerns may mean that former State Senator Andy Womack does not run for the 48th House District State Representative seat. The 48th District Seat is currently held by Representative John Hood (pictured) who announced last year that he did not plan to seek re-election. Hood and Womack, both Democrats, have been long time friends in Rutherford County both making education a top concern during their terms in office.

New reports indicate that Rutherford County Election administrator Hooper Penuel may seek the 48th seat. Penuel will likely make a decision to run or not run by mid March. If Penuel did run, he would run as a democrat.

Another question remains… If Penuel runs for state representative, who will operate the election office in Rutherford County?

Nashville: Strip club visitors may pay $5-TAX

Not that anyone would visit such an establishment but, strip clubs in neighboring Davidson County may soon be forced to charge their patrons an extra $5-dollars at the door.

State Representative Mike Turner, a democrat, wants to see a $5-tax charged to those who visit adult entertainment venues. A similar tax is climbing up a legal wall in Texas. There, the tax is being seriously questioned.

If the $5-tax on strip club visitors were to pass in Tennessee, it would be the first time in our state that persons are charged an added and somewhat high fee for a form of entertainment. While everyone does not agree with the entertainment it is categorized as just that, “entertainment.”

Turner, who lives in the Nashville area, says the money generated from the tax would go into a fund for domestic and sexual abuse programs.

So far – the added $5-charge has not passed in Tennessee but could in the near future.

FIRE at Jr’s Foodland – Store re-opening soon

A small fire has damaged the front portion of Jr’s Foodland on East Main Street in Murfreesboro. Evidently, the blaze started behind the Foodland sign. It is believed that a short in the wiring started the fire. Fireman had to tear open a section of the roof in order to fully extinguish the blaze. Jeff Davis with Jr’s Foodland told us…

Jr’s Foodland (Listen to soundbyte by clicking this link)

The locally owned grocery store will be closed today while repairs are being made.

Taxpayers won’t pay for Bible Theme Park

Rumors have been circulating that if a Bible Theme Park were built in the Blackman Community, taxpayers would have to pay for it.  That information in after it was suggested the company behind the plan would use a bond to cover construction expenses. County Mayor Ernest Burgess says tax payers won’t be the ones paying the bond amount back.

COUNTY MAYOR (Listen to soundbyte by clicking this link)

Those who visit the theme park will be the ones who ultimately pay the bond back through ticket purchases. As far as the actual park goes… Plans for construction are not yet chiseled in rock.

LaVergne closer to solving murder

LaVergne Police are close to solving a murder. Authorities there recently found a skull while searching for the body of a woman tied to a totally unrelated crime. The skull was found near Percy Priest Lake in a heavily wooded area late last year. A forensic artist from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville has carved a sculpture of what the victim looked like prior to her death.

Joanne Hughes with UT says the victim was a black female in her mid 30’s to her 40’s. She was approximately 5-foot 6.

Boys and Girls Club raises money

Over 600-people dined at the annual Boys and Girls Club Steak and Burger dinner on Tuesday night. The Rutherford County program had a goal of $150-thousand dollars which was believed to have been met. The Boys and Girls Club works with over 1,500 children throughout the school year on a daily basis.

This was the 21st year of the annual dinner. Titans head football coach Jeff Fisher was the keynote speaker. The money raised will go into the Clubs general operating fund.

New retailers for The Avenue

Seven new retailers have been announced for The Avenue Murfreesboro. New additions include American Eagle Outfitters, Old Navy, Haverty’s, Hollister, Newk’s Cafe Express, and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry. The new adds mean that The Avenue is now 80 percent committed. Vice president of leasing, Darryl Bonner says that adding great retailers like these to the already impressive merchant roster speaks volumes about this center and community.

United Way reaches 2007 campaign goal & beyond

The Rutherford and Cannon County United Way programs broke their 2007 campaign goal of $2.6 million. They announced the campaign total was $2,670,053.58 after the Tuesday celebration at Park Place in Murfreesboro. A Murfreesboro U.S. Bank teller won the Tracker boat and trailer drawing that was for selected United way contributors.

Murfreesboro man accused of interstate sexual misconduct

A Murfreesboro man has been accused of having sexual relations with a teenage girl in Illinois. John R. Barner, 52, of 2435 Dilton Mankin Road was arrested in January on the charge of interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Barner and the 15 year old girl were seen engaged in sexual activity on a park bench in Northbrook, Illinois in October of 2007. When police arrived Barner and the girl told police they only had been talking about an upcoming missionary trip; he was not arrested at that time. Upon further investigation, a U.S. postal inspector said the teenage girl revealed she had met Barner in an online chat room three months prior; and they had been exchanging explicit videos of themselves over the Internet. Barner is awaiting a hearing in federal court.

More homes for the ‘Boro

The south side of Murfreesboro may soon be developed faster then many expected. Over the next 3 to 5-years a total of 1500-new homes, a big box retailer and more could be built. A new proposal by a developer calls for nearly 900-new homes in Glen Oaks Farm off Barfield Crescent Road. 601 homes are also planned for a new neighborhood off Rucker Road which is directly off of 231-South.

New homes in new neighborhoods are already being built along Kimbro Road which is in the process of being widened. Kimbro Road connects Barfield Road to Highway 99 in Murfreesboro. As heard previously on WGNS, plans for a large retailer are also on the drawing board at the intersection of 231-South and County Farm Road.

Walking in the NUDE in Murfreesboro

Its not the best idea to drink too much alcohol and then go on a walk… Especially if you are naked! That is exactly what was reported at a hotel in Murfreesboro off Old Fort Parkway. Hotel guest say the 31-year old suspect went from room to room knocking on doors in the nude. After the man was placed in cuffs, his clothes were located under a nearby bush. The man was charged with public intoxication and indecent exposure.

Dump truck accident

A dump truck struck a car and then a telephone pole on Manchester Highway (HWY 41 South) Tuesday 2/26 morning. The truck driver, Leland Wade Dodson,  age 46, of Mankin-Mcknight Road was driving behind 59-year old Mildred Parker of Manchester Highway when the wreck occured. Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Shawn Boyd witnessed the accident and said the truck rearended the car, then left the road destroying a utility pole in its path. The wreck brought down power lines along the highway that emergancy personel say fell on the cars involved. Traffic had to be redirected and electricity was cut while debris from the accident was cleared. There were no serious injuries reported.

Curves annual food drive

Curves Fitness Club for Women is holding their annual food drive to benefit local food banks. The drive will begin March 3rd and run through March 15th. Curves of Murfreesboro will be celebrating the community’s generosity by offering a discounted service fee of $30 for any new member who brings in a bag of non-perishable groceries and commits to a 12-month CD membership. In 2007, Curve’s food drive collected nearly 11 million pounds of food around the world. This year they have set their goal at 15 million pounds. 

REMINDER: Kittrell Country Ham Breakfast

The Kittrell Volunteer Fire Department is holding a Country Ham Breakfast this Saturday (3/1/08). The breakfast is a long time tradition put together by the volunteers at the fire department. The breakfast is always enjoyed enjoyed by many.

The Country Ham Breakfast benefits the volunteer fire department that serves several thousand residents each and every year throughout the Kittrell and surrounding community of Rutherford County.

The Country Ham Breakfast is in the old Kittrell School off the Old Woodbury Highway. The breakfast begins at 6 this Saturday morning (March 1, 2008).

Owning a car – not as cool as it once was

Back in the day when owning a cell phone was still pretty rare and the iPod was just a glimmer in Apple’s eye, teens used to do wacky things like drive cars.

Sure, they’re still doing it, but not nearly as much as ten years ago. In fact, statistics from the Federal Highway Administration show the national rate of licensed 16-year-olds plummeted from 43.8 percent in 1998 to just 29.8 percent in 2006. MICHAEL MARSDEN, an expert on automotive culture, doesn’t get it. The ritual of the 16-year-old-to-be waiting for months, if not years, to go for that road test seems to have taken a back seat to other pursuits, like the Internet.

Parents also appear to be all too willing to chauffeur their kids to their various activities so the need for wheels doesn’t seem as urgent.

Another huge difference from a generation ago is the way teens are learning how to drive, according to ALLEN ROBINSON, who heads the American Driver and Traffic Association.

Whereas 90 percent of high schools offered driver’s education classes during the 1980s, only about 20 percent do so now. That means it’s up to mom or dad to teach their teen, or shell out several hundred dollars to a driving academy. Another factor in the decline of teen driver: insurance costs. Insurers used to charge a nominal fee for an additional driver but now policies can be anywhere from 80 to 100 percent higher.

Dam being helped by Corps of Engineers

In Smithville, Tennessee, a popular destination is being repaired. The Center Hill Dam at Center Hill Lake is in the midst of an ongoing, $240-million dollar renovation. The Army Corps of Engineers has just announced plans to lower the level of the lake which will make 11-boat ramps unusable. The lake level will vary between 618 feet and 630 feet. That level will be raised this summer.

The dam is being repaired due to ongoing water seepage that has been occurring since the dam’s completion in 1951.

2-Killed in recent accident

A total of two people died in a single car accident early Monday morning in Murfreesboro. The wreck occurred on 231 North at the Old Lebanon Highway. Deceased are 25-year old Martin Johnson and passenger Ahmad Smith, age 26. Authorities responded the wreck just after 5-AM, Monday. The two men were not wearing their safety belts when the crash occurred.

Student accused of sexual assault on BUS – MORE

This story is a follow up from the previously posted information…

Murfreesboro Police Officer Kyle Evans told WGNS that 18-year old  Brandon Stover posted bond and was released from jail on Friday. Stover is the former Riverdale High School Senior accused of sexually fondling a 14-year old freshman female on a county school bus. Stover is pictured to the right.

MPD 1 (Listen)

Approximately 60-students were on the school bus when the alleged assault took place…

MPD 2 (Listen)

Rutherford County Schools spokesman James Evans told us that Stover has been dealt with on the school level. The 18-year old has been expelled.

Schools (Listen)

It will now be up to the courts to decide what to do next in this case. Stover will appear before the courts in April.

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Spring Break almost here! Travel Update

We are only a couple of weeks away from SPRING BREAK here in Rutherford County and WGNS continues to update you on any stories related to spring travel. We have recently learned that an illness has broken out on a vacation cruise line. With more, here’s Alex Stone…

CRUISE (Listen now) “…return to SanDiego.”

The illness was reported on a ship stationed along the West Coast. WGNS will continue to follow vacation related stories as we near Spring Break.

Worker in school building accused of fake prescription

A “CareHere” employee was allegedly terminated after filing a false prescription. The employee worked at a medical clinic inside of county operated Blackman Elementary School. A Police Report filed in Murfreesboro on the 21st of February shows the former employee filed a prescription for herself that included at least 4-refills of Hydrocodone. The drug Hydrocodone is a powerful pain killer that is said to be highly addictive. Although a prescription, its illegal use has spiked in recent years across the U-S. WGNS is not releasing the name of the now terminated employee.

CareHere is a clinic that has operated in county school buildings since December of 2004. The program has effectively reduced healthcare costs in throughout the county by nearly 2%.

South Carolina person says ID stolen in ‘Boro

Its never fun to find out your identity has been stolen, but imagine finding out through the I-R-S.  A Camden, South Carolina resident just received word that he did not pay taxes on income earned at a MURFREESBORO factory between the years of 2002 through 2007. The case is now being investigated by the Murfreesboro Police Department.

Man arrested on DUI Charge #3 after wrecking

A 36-year old man in Murfreesboro was arrested after being involved in an automobile accident. Carlos Esparza of the New Lascassas Highway was charged with his 3rd DUI as the result of the crash. He was also charged with driving on a revoked license.

Police reports indicate no one was injured in the crash.

Esparza was arrested two times before after receiving a DUI once in 2002 and a second time in 2003. Esparza will appear before the courts on April 17th.

Man wanted in Smyrna apprehended in ‘Boro

A man wanted by the Smyrna Police Department on Aggravated Burglary and Kidnapping charges was apprehend in Murfreesboro. 30-Year old Eugene Porter was captured at an apartment complex on Chariot Drive. Police knew of his whereabouts thanks to information from a confident informant. Porter was wanted in connection with a 2006 home invasion.

You may recall in 2007, Porter’s twin brother Elgene was arrested for assaulting a female in Murfreesboro. During the attack, Elgene allegedly stabbed the victim in the throat. She recovered after the attack.  Elgene Porter is believed to have been an accomplice in the home invasion of 2006 as well.

Riverdale Freshman Allegedly Raped on a Bus

An 18-year old Riverdale student has been charged with sexually assaulting a freshman student on the bus last Wednesday afternoon. Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans tells WGNS News 18-year old Brandon Stover (pictured right) is now facing rape and sexual battery charges. A warning, some of the information may be offensive to some listeners…

(((AUDIO))) Kyle Evans, Murfreesboro Police

Officer Evans says several students were on the bus when the alleged assault took place…

(((AUDIO))) Kyle Evans, Murfreesboro Police

Rutherford County Schools spokesman James Evans says Stover has been permanently suspended from any K-12 school…

(((AUDIO))) James Evans, Rutherford County Schools

Stover is free after posting 19-thousand dollars bond. He’s scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on April 29^th.

Smyrna Kidnapping/Burglary Suspect Caught

A man wanted for a kidnapping and burglary in Smyrna has been captured by police there. 30-year old Eugene Porter of Chariot Drive was taken into Smyrna Police custody Friday without incident. He was taken to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and will be in Smyrna General Sessions Court this coming Friday.

Shoney’s on S. Church Donating to Tornado Relief

Mid-state Shoney’s Restaurants are donating 10-percent of all of their nightly sales to Tennessee tornado victims. And for every dollar that’s raised, Shoney’s C-E-O David Davoudpour has pledged to match it. Through Thursday, from 6pm until close, 10-percent of each check will go directly to tornado relief. The company-owned Shoney’s on South Church Street is participating.

Teen dies in wreck – UPDATE

16-year old Kayla B. Wells of Cannon County died in a one-car crash around midnight Friday.  The former Oakland High School student who now lives in the Liberty Community was traveling along Bivins Hill Road in rural Rutherford County.  According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, her 1998 Chevy Cavalier left the roadway and slammed into a tree.   She was not wearing a safety belt, however the trooper indicates that probably would not have made a difference.  He listed speed and driver inexperience as contributing factors in this county’s sixth fatal crash of 2008  She is survived by a young daughter, Haley Wells. 

Visitation for Kayla B. Wells will be tonight (MONDAY) at 6:00 at Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Murfreesboro.

Cell phone numbers placed on DO NOT CALL list

Under new rules in the state of Tennessee, you will soon be able to add your cell phone number to the Tennessee DO NOT CALL registry. That information according to Congressman Bart Gordon. The registry is enforced by the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. For more on this story and to register your phone number, visit www.donotcall.gov.