Photos by Mindy Schwartz
Monday, June 30, 2008
Samples of Photos from the Sunday June 29th, 2008 Dedication and Unveiling of the UNA Historical Marker
Photos by Mindy Schwartz
Metro gets head start in booking for proposed convention center
Bureau recruits conventions for 2013, beyondBy MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 30, 2008
It won't open for a few years and hasn't even been fully approved yet, but the Music City Center has already booked its first convention.
The Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention has agreed to hold its annual meeting at the proposed new downtown convention center in June 2013 — and again in 2019.
R. Clark Logan Jr., the Baptist group's vice president for business and finance and convention manager, said his organization is confident the new center is on schedule.
"We've been given every assurance it is," Logan said. "We feel pretty good about it."
Booking space several years in advance is the way of the conventions-and-meetings world. But the aggressive push by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau — with Mayor Karl Dean's blessing — also puts extra pressure on city officials and contractors to make sure the Music City Center opens on time.
If all goes well, the $595 million facility will open sometime in 2012. Supporters say it would allow Nashville to compete for 70 percent of the convention market, while the current Nashville Convention Center, with less than one-third the exhibit space, competes for 20 percent to 30 percent.
For now, the Convention & Visitors Bureauis booking groups for March 2013 at the earliest to give the massive construction project some wiggle room.
"The best window to grab some business for 2013 and even beyond is right now," said Butch Spyridon, the bureau's president.
The Metro Development and Housing Agency hired a team of architects last week to design the convention center. Construction firms and facility planners were already on board.
But the project still needs final approval from the Metro Council. Dean is expected to send the council a financing plan early next year, with city debt to be paid off by revenues from various taxes and fees targeting tourists.
Rich Riebeling, Dean's finance chief, said the bureau's strategy is sound.
"If you don't start booking now, you'll miss out on a lot of stuff that's coming up," he said.
Bureau offers 'outs'
The city is hedging its bets somewhat, however.
The Convention & Visitors Bureauis giving convention groups some chances to pull out of their commitments if the city's timetable is derailed. If the council doesn't approve the financing, architects don't finish their designs and construction workers don't break ground by next summer, the groups will "have some outs," Spyridon said.
If that were to happen, the Southern Baptists would move their 2013 convention to Baltimore, where they're planning to go in 2014, and meet in Nashville in 2014 instead, Logan said. Spyridon said the existing convention center wouldn't be able to accommodate the group, which can be as large as 12,000 Baptist "messengers."
Spyridon said the CVB has made pitches for 16 conventions to nine groups, including the Southern Baptists. The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance has committed to meet at the Music City Center in 2018, while the American Academy of General Dentistry is looking at Nashville or Toronto for 2013.
It probably will be too late to book large groups for 2012 by the time the city knows whether the convention center will be ready by then. But Spyridon said he would look to bring in multiple smaller groups, whose combined size could fill the facility.
In the meantime, the existing convention center has booked meetings as far out as 2016 and continues to beat the bushes nationally, Executive Director Charles Starks said. Those meetings would be able to move to the new facility or stay in the existing one if the city decided to keep it for smaller conventions, Starks said.
"We're still making sure the current one gets filled," he said.
A task force that studied the need for a new convention center in 2006 said the existing building's economic impact was $92 million a year. The group said the proposed facility would generate an additional $700 million annually, based on bringing in 1 million more people who would spend $700 each over three days on hotel rooms, food and other items.
It won't open for a few years and hasn't even been fully approved yet, but the Music City Center has already booked its first convention.
The Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention has agreed to hold its annual meeting at the proposed new downtown convention center in June 2013 — and again in 2019.
R. Clark Logan Jr., the Baptist group's vice president for business and finance and convention manager, said his organization is confident the new center is on schedule.
"We've been given every assurance it is," Logan said. "We feel pretty good about it."
Booking space several years in advance is the way of the conventions-and-meetings world. But the aggressive push by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau — with Mayor Karl Dean's blessing — also puts extra pressure on city officials and contractors to make sure the Music City Center opens on time.
If all goes well, the $595 million facility will open sometime in 2012. Supporters say it would allow Nashville to compete for 70 percent of the convention market, while the current Nashville Convention Center, with less than one-third the exhibit space, competes for 20 percent to 30 percent.
For now, the Convention & Visitors Bureauis booking groups for March 2013 at the earliest to give the massive construction project some wiggle room.
"The best window to grab some business for 2013 and even beyond is right now," said Butch Spyridon, the bureau's president.
The Metro Development and Housing Agency hired a team of architects last week to design the convention center. Construction firms and facility planners were already on board.
But the project still needs final approval from the Metro Council. Dean is expected to send the council a financing plan early next year, with city debt to be paid off by revenues from various taxes and fees targeting tourists.
Rich Riebeling, Dean's finance chief, said the bureau's strategy is sound.
"If you don't start booking now, you'll miss out on a lot of stuff that's coming up," he said.
Bureau offers 'outs'
The city is hedging its bets somewhat, however.
The Convention & Visitors Bureauis giving convention groups some chances to pull out of their commitments if the city's timetable is derailed. If the council doesn't approve the financing, architects don't finish their designs and construction workers don't break ground by next summer, the groups will "have some outs," Spyridon said.
If that were to happen, the Southern Baptists would move their 2013 convention to Baltimore, where they're planning to go in 2014, and meet in Nashville in 2014 instead, Logan said. Spyridon said the existing convention center wouldn't be able to accommodate the group, which can be as large as 12,000 Baptist "messengers."
Spyridon said the CVB has made pitches for 16 conventions to nine groups, including the Southern Baptists. The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance has committed to meet at the Music City Center in 2018, while the American Academy of General Dentistry is looking at Nashville or Toronto for 2013.
It probably will be too late to book large groups for 2012 by the time the city knows whether the convention center will be ready by then. But Spyridon said he would look to bring in multiple smaller groups, whose combined size could fill the facility.
In the meantime, the existing convention center has booked meetings as far out as 2016 and continues to beat the bushes nationally, Executive Director Charles Starks said. Those meetings would be able to move to the new facility or stay in the existing one if the city decided to keep it for smaller conventions, Starks said.
"We're still making sure the current one gets filled," he said.
A task force that studied the need for a new convention center in 2006 said the existing building's economic impact was $92 million a year. The group said the proposed facility would generate an additional $700 million annually, based on bringing in 1 million more people who would spend $700 each over three days on hotel rooms, food and other items.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sunday June 29 2008 At the Historic Ellis Garage
Mayor Karl DeanCouncil Member Vivian Wilhoite
and the
Una neighborhood Watch/Association
Invite you to the
Dedication and Unveiling of the UNA Historical Marker
Sunday June 29, 2008
3:00 PM
At the Historic Ellis Garage
Corner of Smith Springs and old Murfeesboro Roads
Parking available at UNA Elementary School
2018 Murfreesboro Road
We hope you will join us!
Photo by Mindy Schwartz
Davidson County crime log for June 19-23, 2008
CRIME LOG
These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported.
Antioch
1:15 a.m., residential burglary, 5100 block Rice Road
4:08 p.m., residential burglary, 1600 block Hickory Highlands Drive
Donelson
9:18 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 500 block Stewarts Ferry Pike
10:10 a.m., nonresidential burglary, at Old Lebanon Pike and Lebanon Pike
11:14 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Royal Crest Avenue
Downtown
10:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Ninth Avenue North and Broadway
Hermitage
3:43 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4800 block Lebanon Pike
8:01 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4700 block Lebanon Pike
Priest Lake
3:55 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block New Towne Road
South
2:44 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Air Lane Drive
7:06 a.m., shooting, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike
5:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Lebanon Pike
Una
8:22 a.m., residential burglary, 2200 block Smith Springs Road
6:47 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Nashboro Greens
6:51 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Nashboro Greens
7:58 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike
8:26 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike
9:46 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block Longhunter Lane
Antioch
6:21 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Piccadilly Row
10:12 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Dover Glen Drive
Donelson
4:48 p.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Hunters Hill Road
Priest Lake
1:01 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Rural Hill Road
South
1:45 a.m., residential burglary, 900 block Winthorne Drive
10:41 a.m., holdup/robbery, 6400 block Nolensville Road
11:06 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Mt. View Road
11:16 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1100 block Vultee Boulevard
12:46 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Fesslers Parkway
8:52 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Lebanon Pike
Una
2:57 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Doubletree Lane
Hermitage
5:47 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Old Lebanon Dirt Road
6:35 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Old Lebanon Dirt Road
Priest Lake
6:59 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block New Towne Road
South
8:21 a.m., residential burglary, 6400 block Sunnywood Drive
3:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Hickory Hollow Parkway
3:25 p.m., rape, at Chaparal Court
3:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch
11:27 a.m., residential burglary, 4700 block Lori Drive
9:59 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Murfreesboro Pike
Donelson
6:41 p.m., residential burglary, 3000 block Lebanon Pike
East
1:12 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3400 block Dickerson Pike
3:02 p.m., residential burglary, 2600 block Morganmeade Drive
4:26 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Luton Street
Hermitage
9:50 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1400 block Central Court
South
5:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Bell Road
5:57 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Plus Park Boulevard
10:30 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Mars Drive
11:46 p.m., shooting, 400 block Swiss Avenue
Donelson
1:47 a.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Knobview Drive
Hermitage
11:51 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5700 block Old Hickory Boulevard
Priest Lake
5:10 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Country Meadow Court
6:38 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Towneship Road
South
5:52 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike
7:08 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Cane Ridge Road
1:18 p.m., rape, at Murfreesboro Pike
4:09 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Saturn Drive
This list gets longer and longer every week.Let's try and take care of this and get
a Neighborhood Watch Group going in your area.
These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported.
Antioch
1:15 a.m., residential burglary, 5100 block Rice Road
4:08 p.m., residential burglary, 1600 block Hickory Highlands Drive
Donelson
9:18 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 500 block Stewarts Ferry Pike
10:10 a.m., nonresidential burglary, at Old Lebanon Pike and Lebanon Pike
11:14 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Royal Crest Avenue
Downtown
10:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Ninth Avenue North and Broadway
Hermitage
3:43 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4800 block Lebanon Pike
8:01 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4700 block Lebanon Pike
Priest Lake
3:55 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block New Towne Road
South
2:44 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Air Lane Drive
7:06 a.m., shooting, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike
5:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Lebanon Pike
Una
8:22 a.m., residential burglary, 2200 block Smith Springs Road
6:47 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Nashboro Greens
6:51 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Nashboro Greens
7:58 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike
8:26 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike
9:46 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block Longhunter Lane
Antioch
6:21 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Piccadilly Row
10:12 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Dover Glen Drive
Donelson
4:48 p.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Hunters Hill Road
Priest Lake
1:01 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Rural Hill Road
South
1:45 a.m., residential burglary, 900 block Winthorne Drive
10:41 a.m., holdup/robbery, 6400 block Nolensville Road
11:06 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Mt. View Road
11:16 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1100 block Vultee Boulevard
12:46 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Fesslers Parkway
8:52 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Lebanon Pike
Una
2:57 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Doubletree Lane
Hermitage
5:47 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Old Lebanon Dirt Road
6:35 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Old Lebanon Dirt Road
Priest Lake
6:59 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block New Towne Road
South
8:21 a.m., residential burglary, 6400 block Sunnywood Drive
3:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Hickory Hollow Parkway
3:25 p.m., rape, at Chaparal Court
3:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch
11:27 a.m., residential burglary, 4700 block Lori Drive
9:59 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Murfreesboro Pike
Donelson
6:41 p.m., residential burglary, 3000 block Lebanon Pike
East
1:12 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3400 block Dickerson Pike
3:02 p.m., residential burglary, 2600 block Morganmeade Drive
4:26 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Luton Street
Hermitage
9:50 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1400 block Central Court
South
5:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Bell Road
5:57 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Plus Park Boulevard
10:30 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Mars Drive
11:46 p.m., shooting, 400 block Swiss Avenue
Donelson
1:47 a.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Knobview Drive
Hermitage
11:51 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5700 block Old Hickory Boulevard
Priest Lake
5:10 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Country Meadow Court
6:38 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Towneship Road
South
5:52 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike
7:08 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Cane Ridge Road
1:18 p.m., rape, at Murfreesboro Pike
4:09 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Saturn Drive
This list gets longer and longer every week.Let's try and take care of this and get
a Neighborhood Watch Group going in your area.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Church holds car-bike show to counter perceptions of Antioch
Hello District "29" Neighbors:
The effort by the Living World Church to promote a positive image of Antioch with their "Car and Bike" show is awesome. check out Mindy's photos.
Come on Down the event will be going on til 5 PM today....
Gratefully,
Vivian
Event at Hickory Hollow Mall will be free to spectators on Saturday
By MARISSA DeCUIR mdecuir@tennessean.com 259-8203 • June 27, 2008
Living Word Community Church wants to rejuvenate Antioch's reputation.
That's why the church is hosting a car and bike show tomorrow, free to spectators, in Hickory Hollow Mall's parking lot.
Lewis BeCoats, elder at Living Word, said he was tired of hearing that Antioch was like "L.A." and was the "'hood."
"We had all this negative connotation about Antioch," BeCoats said. "So we said, let's do a car show to bring everybody together."
Living Word has only been in its new Antioch location, 5380 Hickory Hollow Parkway, for about three months. And those at the church wanted to host the event at a more established place.
BeCoats said he spoke with Nathan Thomas, the mall's marketing director, about working together on the show.
"He said, 'That vision is in line with our vision.' We talked for a second and realized we were in line with each other," BeCoats said.
Thomas said he was eager to help Living Word put on the event. Instead of renting the space to the church, the mall is donating it for free. Thomas said the added mall traffic Hickory Hollow expects to get is quite the bonus.
"Hopefully, we'll use this as a starting point to do more events like this in the future," Thomas said.
The event is meant to promote community and offer a safe environment for
families to enjoy themselves.
"We've had some perception problems in the past. We've done a lot to up security," Thomas said. "This will help even more."
Metro police instituted a curfew in 2006 to require those 18 years and younger to be accompanied by a parent at the mall after 6 p.m. each Friday and Saturday.
Car dealerships, bike shops and other local businesses are sponsoring the
community show. Various vendors will be on site selling food.
Proceeds from sponsorships, vendors and entry fees will go to Tennessee Baptist Children's Homes.
The entry fee for cars, trucks, bikes and SUVs is $20 before the show or $25 the day of. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded.
The effort by the Living World Church to promote a positive image of Antioch with their "Car and Bike" show is awesome. check out Mindy's photos.
Come on Down the event will be going on til 5 PM today....
Gratefully,
Vivian
Event at Hickory Hollow Mall will be free to spectators on Saturday
By MARISSA DeCUIR mdecuir@tennessean.com 259-8203 • June 27, 2008
Living Word Community Church wants to rejuvenate Antioch's reputation.
That's why the church is hosting a car and bike show tomorrow, free to spectators, in Hickory Hollow Mall's parking lot.
Lewis BeCoats, elder at Living Word, said he was tired of hearing that Antioch was like "L.A." and was the "'hood."
"We had all this negative connotation about Antioch," BeCoats said. "So we said, let's do a car show to bring everybody together."
Living Word has only been in its new Antioch location, 5380 Hickory Hollow Parkway, for about three months. And those at the church wanted to host the event at a more established place.
BeCoats said he spoke with Nathan Thomas, the mall's marketing director, about working together on the show.
"He said, 'That vision is in line with our vision.' We talked for a second and realized we were in line with each other," BeCoats said.
Thomas said he was eager to help Living Word put on the event. Instead of renting the space to the church, the mall is donating it for free. Thomas said the added mall traffic Hickory Hollow expects to get is quite the bonus.
"Hopefully, we'll use this as a starting point to do more events like this in the future," Thomas said.
The event is meant to promote community and offer a safe environment for
families to enjoy themselves.
"We've had some perception problems in the past. We've done a lot to up security," Thomas said. "This will help even more."
Metro police instituted a curfew in 2006 to require those 18 years and younger to be accompanied by a parent at the mall after 6 p.m. each Friday and Saturday.
Car dealerships, bike shops and other local businesses are sponsoring the
community show. Various vendors will be on site selling food.
Proceeds from sponsorships, vendors and entry fees will go to Tennessee Baptist Children's Homes.
The entry fee for cars, trucks, bikes and SUVs is $20 before the show or $25 the day of. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Metro to get more domestic violence detectives
By KATE HOWARD • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 27, 2008
Four detectives will be added to the city's domestic violence division by September to address one of the city's most frequent crimes, Mayor Karl Dean and Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas announced today.
With 10 detectives, the unit has less than half the staff it had in 1994. Police investigated more than 17,000 domestic incidents in 2007, according to a release.
“Domestic violence is a crime that affects not only individuals, but families and communities, as well,” Dean said in a prepared statement.
“During the 16 years I spent working as a public defender, I saw first hand how domestic abuse can lead to the offender committing other violent crimes, and how victims, including children, are often re-victimized or become offenders themselves. This was an issue affecting too many in our city then, and it is an issue that we need to address now.”
Dean has long considered combating domestic violence and crimes against children to be his public safety priorities.
The funding for the additional detectives -- three added on July 1 and one added in September -- will come from the money allocated in the 2008-2009 budget to increase Metro police staffing levels, said Janel Lacy, Dean's spokeswoman.
Four detectives will be added to the city's domestic violence division by September to address one of the city's most frequent crimes, Mayor Karl Dean and Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas announced today.
With 10 detectives, the unit has less than half the staff it had in 1994. Police investigated more than 17,000 domestic incidents in 2007, according to a release.
“Domestic violence is a crime that affects not only individuals, but families and communities, as well,” Dean said in a prepared statement.
“During the 16 years I spent working as a public defender, I saw first hand how domestic abuse can lead to the offender committing other violent crimes, and how victims, including children, are often re-victimized or become offenders themselves. This was an issue affecting too many in our city then, and it is an issue that we need to address now.”
Dean has long considered combating domestic violence and crimes against children to be his public safety priorities.
The funding for the additional detectives -- three added on July 1 and one added in September -- will come from the money allocated in the 2008-2009 budget to increase Metro police staffing levels, said Janel Lacy, Dean's spokeswoman.
Saturday June 21, 2008 Driving with Ms. Vivian Around her District "29" Part 2
On Saturday, June 21, 2008 Vivian and I drove around District "29". There were so many events going on around our District...
The first stop was a Fish Fry held by The Antioch-Canibeel Life Group of the Greater Nashville Church. This was a fundraiser to help raise funds to send preteens and teenagers to Summer Camp.
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All Photos taken by Mindy Schwartz
The first stop was a Fish Fry held by The Antioch-Canibeel Life Group of the Greater Nashville Church. This was a fundraiser to help raise funds to send preteens and teenagers to Summer Camp.
<
All Photos taken by Mindy Schwartz
Saturday June 21, 2008 Drive Around District "29" Part 2
We all stopped off ay a off at a"Tag Sale" also, with the money going to a good cause.
Jobless rate soars in region
Spike from April to May puzzles MTSU economist
By G. CHAMBERS WILLIAMS III • Staff Writer(Tennessean) • June 27, 2008
Davidson County's unemployment rate jumped nearly a full percentage point from April to May, to 5 percent from 4.1 percent, and similar increases were recorded in much of Middle Tennessee, according to figures released Thursday by the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The numbers are the latest sign that a tougher economy is taking a toll on the area's work force. About 2,800 more people were estimated to be out of jobs in May in Davidson County than a month earlier.
"The increase is so large that we have to wait and see if this is an aberration," economist David Penn of Middle Tennessee State University said. "It is inconsistent with the payroll numbers. We're seeing slow growth here, but no huge drop-off as suggested by these spiking unemployment rates."
The broader Nashville-Murfreesboro jobless rate for May was 1.6 percentage points higher than in May 2007, officials said, reaching 5.1 percent. That was up 0.8 percentage points from April to May, the labor department said.
Penn said the rate increases were "puzzling." When a manufacturing plant closes, the jobless rate in the area of the plant would spike but there would not be a widespread increase like the ones seen in the past month, he said.
"The only segment that has shown significant losses is manufacturing, but that has been going on for quite a while," Penn said.
The state labor department said 94 of 95 counties showed an increase in unemployment in May compared with a month earlier. The only exception was Trousdale County, where the rate dropped slightly to 7.6 percent.
Tennessee's statewide jobless rate for May, released last week, was 6.4 percent, up 1.7 percentage points from a year earlier. The U.S. unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in May.
Williamson County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state last month at 4.2 percent, up 0.6 percentage points over the past year.
Williamson was helped by the restart of the General Motors auto plant in Spring Hill, which is gearing up to make a new Chevrolet crossover utility vehicle. About 2,500 laid-off workers have been recalled there recently.
Maury County got a big boost from the GM assembly plant as well. The GM facility is actually in Maury County, but it's close to the Williamson County line.
Although Maury County's jobless rate climbed 0.4 percentage points in May from April, to 7.3 percent, the numbers were nearly a full point better than in May 2007 just after the GM workers had been laid off. Maury's unemployment rate at that time was 8.2 percent.
Other job losses continue to occur in financial services, as well as the restaurant and travel industries, Penn said. He blamed rising gasoline prices for much of the restaurants' woes. "People are eating out less, and that means we're going to have fewer restaurants," he said.
By G. CHAMBERS WILLIAMS III • Staff Writer(Tennessean) • June 27, 2008
Davidson County's unemployment rate jumped nearly a full percentage point from April to May, to 5 percent from 4.1 percent, and similar increases were recorded in much of Middle Tennessee, according to figures released Thursday by the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The numbers are the latest sign that a tougher economy is taking a toll on the area's work force. About 2,800 more people were estimated to be out of jobs in May in Davidson County than a month earlier.
"The increase is so large that we have to wait and see if this is an aberration," economist David Penn of Middle Tennessee State University said. "It is inconsistent with the payroll numbers. We're seeing slow growth here, but no huge drop-off as suggested by these spiking unemployment rates."
The broader Nashville-Murfreesboro jobless rate for May was 1.6 percentage points higher than in May 2007, officials said, reaching 5.1 percent. That was up 0.8 percentage points from April to May, the labor department said.
Penn said the rate increases were "puzzling." When a manufacturing plant closes, the jobless rate in the area of the plant would spike but there would not be a widespread increase like the ones seen in the past month, he said.
"The only segment that has shown significant losses is manufacturing, but that has been going on for quite a while," Penn said.
The state labor department said 94 of 95 counties showed an increase in unemployment in May compared with a month earlier. The only exception was Trousdale County, where the rate dropped slightly to 7.6 percent.
Tennessee's statewide jobless rate for May, released last week, was 6.4 percent, up 1.7 percentage points from a year earlier. The U.S. unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in May.
Williamson County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state last month at 4.2 percent, up 0.6 percentage points over the past year.
Williamson was helped by the restart of the General Motors auto plant in Spring Hill, which is gearing up to make a new Chevrolet crossover utility vehicle. About 2,500 laid-off workers have been recalled there recently.
Maury County got a big boost from the GM assembly plant as well. The GM facility is actually in Maury County, but it's close to the Williamson County line.
Although Maury County's jobless rate climbed 0.4 percentage points in May from April, to 7.3 percent, the numbers were nearly a full point better than in May 2007 just after the GM workers had been laid off. Maury's unemployment rate at that time was 8.2 percent.
Other job losses continue to occur in financial services, as well as the restaurant and travel industries, Penn said. He blamed rising gasoline prices for much of the restaurants' woes. "People are eating out less, and that means we're going to have fewer restaurants," he said.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Breaking News - Just In
Early this afternoon a van hit two houses on Anderson Road. The two drivers were taken to the hospital.
Luckily no one in the two houses were hurt.
Click the link below to see a video about the story on WKRN(right hand corner of the page the of their website)
http://www.wkrn.com/Global/category.asp?c=126083&nav=menu5_2_2_5
Will update as information becomes available...
Luckily no one in the two houses were hurt.
Click the link below to see a video about the story on WKRN(right hand corner of the page the of their website)
http://www.wkrn.com/Global/category.asp?c=126083&nav=menu5_2_2_5
Will update as information becomes available...
Castlegate Drive - Vivian Wilhoite
Dear District 29 Neighbors:
As you may be aware, a shooting occurred between yesterday and this morning on Castlegate Drive in District 29. Below is the news release provided by Commander Michelle Richter of the Hermitage Precinct. I will provide you update as more information is released.
This is an unfortunate incident but please also know that I continue to request more patrolling in all of District 29 and will continue to work with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD)-Hermitage Precinct to push for such patrolling in our District. As many of you may know, we recently passed a Budget that fully funded (MNPD) that also includes a local DNA Laboratory. After the next graduation police class, the MNPD will be fully staffed meaning more officers to patrol Nashville communities.
The Hermitage Police Department have always cooperated with our community in doing all that they can to address these type of occurrences and more. We will continue this work. If you would like to contact me regarding this matter, as always, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss any concern that you may have.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Gratefully,
Vivian
As you may be aware, a shooting occurred between yesterday and this morning on Castlegate Drive in District 29. Below is the news release provided by Commander Michelle Richter of the Hermitage Precinct. I will provide you update as more information is released.
This is an unfortunate incident but please also know that I continue to request more patrolling in all of District 29 and will continue to work with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD)-Hermitage Precinct to push for such patrolling in our District. As many of you may know, we recently passed a Budget that fully funded (MNPD) that also includes a local DNA Laboratory. After the next graduation police class, the MNPD will be fully staffed meaning more officers to patrol Nashville communities.
The Hermitage Police Department have always cooperated with our community in doing all that they can to address these type of occurrences and more. We will continue this work. If you would like to contact me regarding this matter, as always, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss any concern that you may have.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Gratefully,
Vivian
Area Dillard's To Close; 76 Will Lose Job
5 Other Midstate Stores Remain- Channel 4 Nashville, TN
POSTED: 1:20 pm CDT June 26, 2008
UPDATED: 1:42 pm CDT June 26, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- More than 70 workers will lose their jobs when Dillard's at Hickory Hollow closes this summer.
Channel 4 News reported that the store will close on Aug. 2.
A company representative said it expects to lay off 76 workers.
A few months ago, Dillard's announced it would close stores that weren't making enough money.
POSTED: 1:20 pm CDT June 26, 2008
UPDATED: 1:42 pm CDT June 26, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- More than 70 workers will lose their jobs when Dillard's at Hickory Hollow closes this summer.
Channel 4 News reported that the store will close on Aug. 2.
A company representative said it expects to lay off 76 workers.
A few months ago, Dillard's announced it would close stores that weren't making enough money.
Feud Sends Two Teens To Vanderbilt Hospital
Story from Channel 5
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Thursday morning, two teenage boys were fighting for their lives after being shot overnight. A dispute between two teenage girls over a 21-year-old man started the fight.
Detectives learned that the two girls, who are in their late teens, had been sending provocative text messages to each other. They agreed to meet for a confrontation outside the man's home Wednesday night at 625 Castlegate Drive. Both girls brought friends along for the fight at 11:40 p.m. between more than ten individuals. Some of the people involved brought guns, including at least one pistol and one shotgun. Robert Lee Hamlett, who turned 18 Thursday, and Aaron Jamar McKee, 17, were shot.
When police got there, the crowd had scattered and some had left the scene. Hamlett was located in a nearby wooded area wearing an orange bandanna over his face. He was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to treat his gunshot wound.
McKee, who had gunshot wounds to his chest and arm, was dumped off at Southern Hills Medical Center by the driver of a red Chevrolet Cobalt. McKee was transferred to Vanderbilt. The driver of the Cobalt has been identified as a 19-year-old woman who was one of the two involved in the original dispute over the man who lives on Castlegate Drive.
The Cobalt was located Thursday morning in the 900 block of 33rd Avenue North. There are bullet holes in the body of the car and blood on the interior.
The car was impounded by police and is being processed for evidence.
To see and hear the video:http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=8557997
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Thursday morning, two teenage boys were fighting for their lives after being shot overnight. A dispute between two teenage girls over a 21-year-old man started the fight.
Detectives learned that the two girls, who are in their late teens, had been sending provocative text messages to each other. They agreed to meet for a confrontation outside the man's home Wednesday night at 625 Castlegate Drive. Both girls brought friends along for the fight at 11:40 p.m. between more than ten individuals. Some of the people involved brought guns, including at least one pistol and one shotgun. Robert Lee Hamlett, who turned 18 Thursday, and Aaron Jamar McKee, 17, were shot.
When police got there, the crowd had scattered and some had left the scene. Hamlett was located in a nearby wooded area wearing an orange bandanna over his face. He was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to treat his gunshot wound.
McKee, who had gunshot wounds to his chest and arm, was dumped off at Southern Hills Medical Center by the driver of a red Chevrolet Cobalt. McKee was transferred to Vanderbilt. The driver of the Cobalt has been identified as a 19-year-old woman who was one of the two involved in the original dispute over the man who lives on Castlegate Drive.
The Cobalt was located Thursday morning in the 900 block of 33rd Avenue North. There are bullet holes in the body of the car and blood on the interior.
The car was impounded by police and is being processed for evidence.
To see and hear the video:http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=8557997
Hello District 29 Neighbors:
Our neighbor, Susan needs your help to find her pets. Please help! Susan
of (mastmdsr@aol.com) writes:
From: mastmdsr@aol.com
To: rtatejohnson@comcast.net
Subject: Missing cat possibly cats
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:13:35 +0000
Hi Robin,
will you please forward this to the neighbors.
Our solid gray cat about 11 lbs green eyes, seems to be missing. He was in
our yard on Monday night. Tuesday morning he was not on the porch for feeding.
He never misses morning feeding. He was not seen all day Tuesday or this
morning. Also this morning the white cat with blue eyes sort of siamese appears
to be missing as well. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the cat or cats I
would be very grateful. Especially some of the kids, who are gone for the
week.. The white siamese looking one was here last night and usually hangs out
on the porch as well.
I will let you know when either or both of them show up.
Thanks, Susan Mast
Let's help Susan find her pets.....Gratefully, Vivian.
of (mastmdsr@aol.com) writes:
From: mastmdsr@aol.com
To: rtatejohnson@comcast.net
Subject: Missing cat possibly cats
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:13:35 +0000
Hi Robin,
will you please forward this to the neighbors.
Our solid gray cat about 11 lbs green eyes, seems to be missing. He was in
our yard on Monday night. Tuesday morning he was not on the porch for feeding.
He never misses morning feeding. He was not seen all day Tuesday or this
morning. Also this morning the white cat with blue eyes sort of siamese appears
to be missing as well. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the cat or cats I
would be very grateful. Especially some of the kids, who are gone for the
week.. The white siamese looking one was here last night and usually hangs out
on the porch as well.
I will let you know when either or both of them show up.
Thanks, Susan Mast
Let's help Susan find her pets.....Gratefully, Vivian.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Zoo welcomes "not-so-giant" anteater
The Nashville Zoo recently welcomed its eighth giant anteater, which isn’t so giant as of yet.
Consuela was born on Mother’s Day to Emilia, a wild-caught giant anteater that came to the Nashville Zoo in 2002.
The Nashville Zoo has been involved in giant anteater conservation for 10 years and has the largest collection of anteaters in the country.
The Nashville Zoo has been involved in giant anteater conservation for 10 years and has the largest collection of anteaters in the country.
The off-exhibit breeding facility, where Consuela was born, is also the only anteater breeding facility in the U.S.Consuela and the zoo’s dozen other anteaters will make their public debut in a multimillion-dollar, 4.5-acre South American exhibit being designed by zoo president Rick Schwartz.“The exhibit will feature tapirs, giant otters, jaguars, jabiru storks, saki and howler monkeys as well as giant anteaters and other South American animals,” said Schwartz.
“When complete, the new exhibit will double the number of animal species exhibited at the zoo.” With an All Access Expedition Tour or a Back Stage Pass Tour, curious guests will have the chance to view Nashville Zoo’s anteaters before their official debut.Visit http://www.nashvillezoo.org/ for more information on these special opportunities as well as anteater updates.
Rape victim recounts sexual assault and robbery
CHRIS ECHEGARAY • STAFF WRITER (Tennessean) • June 25, 2008
A woman was forced to perform oral sex on her attacker in her apartment while another robber took her boyfriend to an ATM machine to withdraw money, the woman testified in court this morning.
Jonathan Lawrence, 21, and Rickey Carr, 26, are facing indictment stemming from the robbery and rape after a judge found probable cause at the preliminary hearing in general sessions court.
It started when the men accosted Michael Ezekiel, who was alone, after a concert at 2:30 a.m. on June 16. Initially, they forced him to drive to a nearby ATM. Ezekiel couldn’t withdraw money, he testified, and they drove to the woman’s apartment on Hickory Highlands Drive.
Ezekiel offered the woman's laptop in the robbery and the men took it, he said. But they wanted $400, Ezekiel testified. The woman gave Ezekiel her ATM card. Carr stayed with her while Lawrence went back out with Ezekiel, she testified. Fighting through tears, the woman testified that Carr made her kneel and pointed the gun at her, forcing her to perform oral sex. She would stop and he moved her to the kitchen and her bedroom, where he attempted to rape her.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel struggled with Lawrence at a U.S. Bank ATM on Bell Road. Ezekiel was able to run from the robber and flag down a police cruiser.Police arrested both men. Carr is charged with two counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery. Lawrence is charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated robbery.
A woman was forced to perform oral sex on her attacker in her apartment while another robber took her boyfriend to an ATM machine to withdraw money, the woman testified in court this morning.
Jonathan Lawrence, 21, and Rickey Carr, 26, are facing indictment stemming from the robbery and rape after a judge found probable cause at the preliminary hearing in general sessions court.
It started when the men accosted Michael Ezekiel, who was alone, after a concert at 2:30 a.m. on June 16. Initially, they forced him to drive to a nearby ATM. Ezekiel couldn’t withdraw money, he testified, and they drove to the woman’s apartment on Hickory Highlands Drive.
Ezekiel offered the woman's laptop in the robbery and the men took it, he said. But they wanted $400, Ezekiel testified. The woman gave Ezekiel her ATM card. Carr stayed with her while Lawrence went back out with Ezekiel, she testified. Fighting through tears, the woman testified that Carr made her kneel and pointed the gun at her, forcing her to perform oral sex. She would stop and he moved her to the kitchen and her bedroom, where he attempted to rape her.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel struggled with Lawrence at a U.S. Bank ATM on Bell Road. Ezekiel was able to run from the robber and flag down a police cruiser.Police arrested both men. Carr is charged with two counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery. Lawrence is charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated robbery.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Nashville Shores announces special events for the Fourth
BY ANDY HUMBLES | AHUMBLES@TENNESSEAN.COM | 726-5939 • June 24, 2008
The Shores and Stripes Festival at Nashville Shores will include a fireworks show on Thursday, July 3 and the Shores and Stripes Boat Parade on Friday, July 4.
After 5 p.m. Thursday, July 3, a discounted rate of $20 per car will be allowed into Nashville Shores, 4001 Bell Road in Hermitage, with access to the water park from 5 to 7 p.m.
Other events are a Freedom Party at 6-10 p.m., and beach concert from 6 to 9 p.m. and 9:15 to about 10 p.m. with the fireworks at 9 p.m.
Events on July 4 will be the 2008 Shores and Stripes Boat Parade at 1-3 p.m. and the showing of Independence Day at 8:30 p.m. as the Dive-In Movie. Friday’s events are included in the regular admission.
All-day admission is $23.95 plus tax for people 48 inches and taller and $17.95 plus tax for persons shorter than 48 inches and ages 55-over. Admission after 3 p.m. is $11.95 plus tax.
Call 889-7050 for information.
The Shores and Stripes Festival at Nashville Shores will include a fireworks show on Thursday, July 3 and the Shores and Stripes Boat Parade on Friday, July 4.
After 5 p.m. Thursday, July 3, a discounted rate of $20 per car will be allowed into Nashville Shores, 4001 Bell Road in Hermitage, with access to the water park from 5 to 7 p.m.
Other events are a Freedom Party at 6-10 p.m., and beach concert from 6 to 9 p.m. and 9:15 to about 10 p.m. with the fireworks at 9 p.m.
Events on July 4 will be the 2008 Shores and Stripes Boat Parade at 1-3 p.m. and the showing of Independence Day at 8:30 p.m. as the Dive-In Movie. Friday’s events are included in the regular admission.
All-day admission is $23.95 plus tax for people 48 inches and taller and $17.95 plus tax for persons shorter than 48 inches and ages 55-over. Admission after 3 p.m. is $11.95 plus tax.
Call 889-7050 for information.
Preds investor Del Biaggio owes $88.4 million to creditors, bankruptcy filing shows
By BRAD SCHRADE • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 24, 2008
Nashville Predators investor William J. "Boots" Del Biaggio III owes creditors almost $35 million more than he owns, and he lists his $23.5 million stake in the team as his biggest asset, according to federal bankruptcy papers filed Monday.
Del Biaggio owes $88.43 million to creditors, including $10 million to former Preds owners Craig Leipold, according to a summary of his assets and liabilities filed in federal court in Northern California. He lists $53.9 million in assets, including $12.1 million in real property - all in California, as part of his assets.
Del Biaggio owns a 27% stake in the Predators, the second highest stake in the team. His financial implosion over the past month has clouded the off-season of Nashville's hockey club. Del Biaggio is facing a bankruptcy, a federal probe and a series of lawsuits claiming he defrauded creditors
The team is owned by a majority group of local investors led by David Freeman. Freeman has said Del Biaggio's problems will not impact the team operations.
A initial meeting with creditors is scheduled before a bankruptcy trustee next month. That will begin the process of dividing Del Biaggio's assets, including his stake in the team.
Nashville Predators investor William J. "Boots" Del Biaggio III owes creditors almost $35 million more than he owns, and he lists his $23.5 million stake in the team as his biggest asset, according to federal bankruptcy papers filed Monday.
Del Biaggio owes $88.43 million to creditors, including $10 million to former Preds owners Craig Leipold, according to a summary of his assets and liabilities filed in federal court in Northern California. He lists $53.9 million in assets, including $12.1 million in real property - all in California, as part of his assets.
Del Biaggio owns a 27% stake in the Predators, the second highest stake in the team. His financial implosion over the past month has clouded the off-season of Nashville's hockey club. Del Biaggio is facing a bankruptcy, a federal probe and a series of lawsuits claiming he defrauded creditors
The team is owned by a majority group of local investors led by David Freeman. Freeman has said Del Biaggio's problems will not impact the team operations.
A initial meeting with creditors is scheduled before a bankruptcy trustee next month. That will begin the process of dividing Del Biaggio's assets, including his stake in the team.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Metro sets early voting schedule
By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer • June 23, 2008
Metro voters who like to vote early will be able to go to the polls starting July 18 for the Aug. 7 county general and state primary election.
Early voting will be available for 14 days downtown at the Metro Office Building and for five days at four satellite sites, the Davidson County Election
Commission announced on its web site, www.nashville.gov/vote. (There will be 12 satellite early voting sites for the presidential election on Nov. 4.)
Five Metro school board seats and party primaries for various state and federal legislative races lead the Aug. 7 ballot.
Metro voters who like to vote early will be able to go to the polls starting July 18 for the Aug. 7 county general and state primary election.
Early voting will be available for 14 days downtown at the Metro Office Building and for five days at four satellite sites, the Davidson County Election
Commission announced on its web site, www.nashville.gov/vote. (There will be 12 satellite early voting sites for the presidential election on Nov. 4.)
Five Metro school board seats and party primaries for various state and federal legislative races lead the Aug. 7 ballot.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Preds investor Del Biaggio didn't arouse suspicion
By BRAD SCHRADE • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 22, 2008
The entry of William J. "Boots" Del Biaggio III into Nashville's hockey life, in retrospect, should have always seemed a little too good to be true.
A rich California venture capitalist and philanthropist with supposedly deep pockets, Del Biaggio swooped in last year to work with locals to save hockey in Music City.
But as the threads of that feel-good narrative have unraveled over the past month under the stress of lawsuits, a federal probe and a bankruptcy — all centered on Del Biaggio — a happy ending is on hold.
The sudden problems brought on by his financial implosion have focused unwanted attention on Metro's renegotiated lease agreement at Sommet Center, in which the city pledged millions more in tax dollars to help keep the Predators in Nashville.
They also have raised questions about the level of scrutiny the city performed on the new owners, particularly Del Biaggio — the lone major investor from out of town. A series of lawsuits alleges he, with the help of an employee at an investment firm, secured millions in loans fraudulently.
"The question is, 'What could you have done?'" asked Larry Thrailkill, the attorney who negotiated the new lease agreement with the team on Metro's behalf. Metro is just one of several entities — including banks, the team and a list of creditors — who were unaware of Del Biaggio's alleged scheme, he said.
Court documents claim fraud and deceit, portraying the would-be financial titan as a man stretched and borrowing millions last fall — against assets they say he didn't have — in an effort to secure his 27 percent stake in the Predators.
Del Biaggio's attorney on Friday said his client was unavailable for comment. A trustee in the bankruptcy case was appointed late in the week, and an initial meeting with creditors is scheduled for July 8 to begin the process of dividing up his assets. His one-fourth share of the team is at stake.
The Metro government and the team's majority local ownership group, led by David Freeman, are both hoping to replace the $9.8 million Del Biaggio pledged as part of his guarantee to the city. Del Biaggio didn't have to actually turn over that amount to the city, but the terms of the city's agreement with the new owners required him and others to have set amounts available.
He said he had money
Del Biaggio's $9.8 million was to be part of a $31.5 million guarantee put up by the new ownership group as collateral to the city in the event the team left town or failed to live up to the other terms of the deal.
As part of the lease the city renegotiated with the new Predators owners, the city required each owner to have an accountant vouch for his net worth. The goal was to ensure the owners had the money they said they had, while also shielding their personal financial records from public review.
But the city allowed the owners to choose their own accountants. The one who vouched for Del Biaggio, Jacqueline Singh of Burbank, Calif., was once an executive at the investment firm Del Biaggio co-founded in the 1990s, Sand Hill Capital.
The letter signed by Singh, dated Dec. 21, vouched that his net worth was at least twice his $9.8 million guarantee. Del Biaggio reinforced this statement just days after the Metro Council approved changes to the lease, when, on April 22, he signed a guarantee saying his net worth was twice the guarantee.
Public records from Metro do not indicate that the city required any other documentation or verification of the new owners' financial status, according to a review by The Tennessean.
"If an insider with a financial institution is willing to falsely certify the assets of a person with that institution, it's almost impossible for anybody to find that out," Thrailkill said. "That's what's alleged here. If you look at all the loans with Boots out there, they said they demanded to have collateral with that loan."
Few officials met him
Few officials with Metro government and its Sports Authority, which serves as the Predators' landlords at Sommet Center, ever met or talked directly to Del Biaggio, although his involvement was crucial to the team's purchase.
Mayor Karl Dean met with Del Biaggio once, in late October. Sports Authority board member Kevin Lavender, a former state banking commissioner, recalled meeting Del Biaggio in passing at a Predators game, but said the California businessman was more into the hockey game than small talk.
Dean's meeting with him took place after the mayor's office received a call from Freeman saying that Del Biaggio was in town for a Predators game, that he would be part of the investment group and that Freeman wanted him to meet the mayor.
The mayor's office had been hearing rumors that Del Biaggio was getting involved in the deal to buy the Predators from owner Craig Leipold so he could eventually move the team to Kansas City.
At the time, Del Biaggio had an agreement with the Kansas City arena to bring an NHL team there.
Dean made it clear the city's interest was in the long-term viability of hockey here, according to Greg Hinote, Dean's deputy mayor, who was in the meeting.
Hinote said he didn't recall much about Del Biaggio, except that he was quiet.
Del Biaggio "didn't say much," Hinote recalled on Friday. "He made a point to us he was invested in the transaction and he hoped it worked. He said he was keeping all his options open."
The Dean administration supported a renegotiated lease agreement with the team's new owners based on three major points, Hinote said: the personal guarantees of each owner, the commitment given by local ownership to make the team work here, and the penalties the city was negotiating in the event the team tried to leave within five years.
The administration was comfortable with the fact the local owners would be in control of the team, and Del Biaggio held a minority stake.
"At some point we got comfortable with the fact the local ownership group would have adequate time to make this work," Hinote said.
'No red flags'
In light of Del Biaggio's financial problems, Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said, it's easy to second-guess the city's actions, but at the time it relied on the NHL and the bank that lent the team money, CIT Group, to ensure the owners were financially viable.
"You've got to operate on some measure of good faith or you won't get anything done," Riebeling said. "At the time, we took care of it in a reasonable manner."
The NHL's background check is quite thorough. The league, which has approval rights on who buys an NHL team, typically checks the finances and character of a potential owner. The checks are designed to avoid the type of situation the Predators and Del Biaggio face.
The league has undergone four bankruptcies of its franchises — Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Ottawa and Buffalo — in the past two decades. None of those towns wound up losing their teams.
The Predators' situation is the first of its kind involving a minority ownership. In the other cases, bankruptcy trustees worked with the NHL to find a replacement owner, relying on the league to help with leads to potential buyers.
It's unclear whether Del Biaggio underwent the tough scrutiny of a background check in 2002 when he bought a small stake in the San Jose Sharks. The league confirmed that he underwent a background check for the Predators purchase.
"You do all the things you can do to verify certain things," said Bill Daly, NHL deputy commissioner. "You go through the checks. The bottom line is, no red flags came up."
The entry of William J. "Boots" Del Biaggio III into Nashville's hockey life, in retrospect, should have always seemed a little too good to be true.
A rich California venture capitalist and philanthropist with supposedly deep pockets, Del Biaggio swooped in last year to work with locals to save hockey in Music City.
But as the threads of that feel-good narrative have unraveled over the past month under the stress of lawsuits, a federal probe and a bankruptcy — all centered on Del Biaggio — a happy ending is on hold.
The sudden problems brought on by his financial implosion have focused unwanted attention on Metro's renegotiated lease agreement at Sommet Center, in which the city pledged millions more in tax dollars to help keep the Predators in Nashville.
They also have raised questions about the level of scrutiny the city performed on the new owners, particularly Del Biaggio — the lone major investor from out of town. A series of lawsuits alleges he, with the help of an employee at an investment firm, secured millions in loans fraudulently.
"The question is, 'What could you have done?'" asked Larry Thrailkill, the attorney who negotiated the new lease agreement with the team on Metro's behalf. Metro is just one of several entities — including banks, the team and a list of creditors — who were unaware of Del Biaggio's alleged scheme, he said.
Court documents claim fraud and deceit, portraying the would-be financial titan as a man stretched and borrowing millions last fall — against assets they say he didn't have — in an effort to secure his 27 percent stake in the Predators.
Del Biaggio's attorney on Friday said his client was unavailable for comment. A trustee in the bankruptcy case was appointed late in the week, and an initial meeting with creditors is scheduled for July 8 to begin the process of dividing up his assets. His one-fourth share of the team is at stake.
The Metro government and the team's majority local ownership group, led by David Freeman, are both hoping to replace the $9.8 million Del Biaggio pledged as part of his guarantee to the city. Del Biaggio didn't have to actually turn over that amount to the city, but the terms of the city's agreement with the new owners required him and others to have set amounts available.
He said he had money
Del Biaggio's $9.8 million was to be part of a $31.5 million guarantee put up by the new ownership group as collateral to the city in the event the team left town or failed to live up to the other terms of the deal.
As part of the lease the city renegotiated with the new Predators owners, the city required each owner to have an accountant vouch for his net worth. The goal was to ensure the owners had the money they said they had, while also shielding their personal financial records from public review.
But the city allowed the owners to choose their own accountants. The one who vouched for Del Biaggio, Jacqueline Singh of Burbank, Calif., was once an executive at the investment firm Del Biaggio co-founded in the 1990s, Sand Hill Capital.
The letter signed by Singh, dated Dec. 21, vouched that his net worth was at least twice his $9.8 million guarantee. Del Biaggio reinforced this statement just days after the Metro Council approved changes to the lease, when, on April 22, he signed a guarantee saying his net worth was twice the guarantee.
Public records from Metro do not indicate that the city required any other documentation or verification of the new owners' financial status, according to a review by The Tennessean.
"If an insider with a financial institution is willing to falsely certify the assets of a person with that institution, it's almost impossible for anybody to find that out," Thrailkill said. "That's what's alleged here. If you look at all the loans with Boots out there, they said they demanded to have collateral with that loan."
Few officials met him
Few officials with Metro government and its Sports Authority, which serves as the Predators' landlords at Sommet Center, ever met or talked directly to Del Biaggio, although his involvement was crucial to the team's purchase.
Mayor Karl Dean met with Del Biaggio once, in late October. Sports Authority board member Kevin Lavender, a former state banking commissioner, recalled meeting Del Biaggio in passing at a Predators game, but said the California businessman was more into the hockey game than small talk.
Dean's meeting with him took place after the mayor's office received a call from Freeman saying that Del Biaggio was in town for a Predators game, that he would be part of the investment group and that Freeman wanted him to meet the mayor.
The mayor's office had been hearing rumors that Del Biaggio was getting involved in the deal to buy the Predators from owner Craig Leipold so he could eventually move the team to Kansas City.
At the time, Del Biaggio had an agreement with the Kansas City arena to bring an NHL team there.
Dean made it clear the city's interest was in the long-term viability of hockey here, according to Greg Hinote, Dean's deputy mayor, who was in the meeting.
Hinote said he didn't recall much about Del Biaggio, except that he was quiet.
Del Biaggio "didn't say much," Hinote recalled on Friday. "He made a point to us he was invested in the transaction and he hoped it worked. He said he was keeping all his options open."
The Dean administration supported a renegotiated lease agreement with the team's new owners based on three major points, Hinote said: the personal guarantees of each owner, the commitment given by local ownership to make the team work here, and the penalties the city was negotiating in the event the team tried to leave within five years.
The administration was comfortable with the fact the local owners would be in control of the team, and Del Biaggio held a minority stake.
"At some point we got comfortable with the fact the local ownership group would have adequate time to make this work," Hinote said.
'No red flags'
In light of Del Biaggio's financial problems, Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said, it's easy to second-guess the city's actions, but at the time it relied on the NHL and the bank that lent the team money, CIT Group, to ensure the owners were financially viable.
"You've got to operate on some measure of good faith or you won't get anything done," Riebeling said. "At the time, we took care of it in a reasonable manner."
The NHL's background check is quite thorough. The league, which has approval rights on who buys an NHL team, typically checks the finances and character of a potential owner. The checks are designed to avoid the type of situation the Predators and Del Biaggio face.
The league has undergone four bankruptcies of its franchises — Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Ottawa and Buffalo — in the past two decades. None of those towns wound up losing their teams.
The Predators' situation is the first of its kind involving a minority ownership. In the other cases, bankruptcy trustees worked with the NHL to find a replacement owner, relying on the league to help with leads to potential buyers.
It's unclear whether Del Biaggio underwent the tough scrutiny of a background check in 2002 when he bought a small stake in the San Jose Sharks. The league confirmed that he underwent a background check for the Predators purchase.
"You do all the things you can do to verify certain things," said Bill Daly, NHL deputy commissioner. "You go through the checks. The bottom line is, no red flags came up."
Friday, June 20, 2008
What are they Building Near the Airport on FairCloth Road @ Murfreesboro Road?
At the first sign of tractors back in April 2009, like you, I was very curious as to what was being constructed at this intersection. Below is the email response that I received from Mark Macy, Assistant Director of Public Works. The airport is building a 1200 – car employee parking lot.
Call me if you have further questions at 589-2003. Gratefully, Vivian!
From: Macy, Mark (Public Works)Sent: Fri 4/11/2008 11:00 AMTo: Wilhoite, Vivian (Council Member)Subject: FW: Faircloth Rd
Here is information you requested. Mark Macy mark.macy@nashville.gov ph. 615.862.8764 fax 615.862.5568
-----Original Message----- From: Smith, J. Andrew (Public Works) Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 8:15 AM To: Hasty, Charles (Public Works); Macy, Mark (Public Works) Cc: Doyle, Devin (Public Works) Subject: RE: Faircloth Rd
The airport authority has applied for a grading permit to construct a 1200-car employee parking lot at Faircloth Lane and Knapp Blvd, near where Old Murfreesboro Road joins Murfreesboro Road.
The plans do not include relocated Faircloth Road.
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Call me if you have further questions at 589-2003. Gratefully, Vivian!
From: Macy, Mark (Public Works)Sent: Fri 4/11/2008 11:00 AMTo: Wilhoite, Vivian (Council Member)Subject: FW: Faircloth Rd
Here is information you requested. Mark Macy mark.macy@nashville.gov ph. 615.862.8764 fax 615.862.5568
-----Original Message----- From: Smith, J. Andrew (Public Works) Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 8:15 AM To: Hasty, Charles (Public Works); Macy, Mark (Public Works) Cc: Doyle, Devin (Public Works) Subject: RE: Faircloth Rd
The airport authority has applied for a grading permit to construct a 1200-car employee parking lot at Faircloth Lane and Knapp Blvd, near where Old Murfreesboro Road joins Murfreesboro Road.
The plans do not include relocated Faircloth Road.
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District 29 Families, Come One, Come All to
Mayor Karl Dean’s
Sunday, August 3 from 2 to 5 pm at the Sommet Center (formerly the Nashville Arena), 501 Broadway in Downtown Nashville. This is a great event and my sons truly enjoy this day tremendously. A day of fun that is filled to gear up for a successful school year! Don’t forget, Mayor Dean asks that you please bring one or more non-perishable food item to help feed the hungry in Nashville. Stop by the Metro Council members table for giveaways and to say hello to your favorite councilmember. I will be there for sure! What a great way for Davidson County families to start the school year! For more 1st Day activities information click here for Mayor Dean’s at http://www.nashville.gov/mocy/firstday/2008/index.htm
See you at the festival!
Vivian!
Sunday, August 3 from 2 to 5 pm at the Sommet Center (formerly the Nashville Arena), 501 Broadway in Downtown Nashville. This is a great event and my sons truly enjoy this day tremendously. A day of fun that is filled to gear up for a successful school year! Don’t forget, Mayor Dean asks that you please bring one or more non-perishable food item to help feed the hungry in Nashville. Stop by the Metro Council members table for giveaways and to say hello to your favorite councilmember. I will be there for sure! What a great way for Davidson County families to start the school year! For more 1st Day activities information click here for Mayor Dean’s at http://www.nashville.gov/mocy/firstday/2008/index.htmSee you at the festival!
Vivian!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Metro Council OKs budget; schools get bulk of new money
By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 18, 2008
Metro Nashville will start a new fiscal year next month with an almost $1.58 billion budget that pumps new money into schools but makes it tougher to catch a bus or make a living as a city employee.
The Metro Council voted unanimously Tuesday for the 2008-09 operating budget, which will take effect July 1, after considering Mayor Karl Dean's recommendations for almost three months. The available funds will be only slightly more than this year, reflecting conservative revenue estimates in a tight economy.
Metro schools, Dean's top priority, will get $22 million more, an increase of more than 3.6 percent. But most other departments will receive less money, and almost 30 city employees will be laid off.
While as many as 200 workers could have been laid off, "that's not a consolation to those 30 families and individuals," said Councilman Erik Cole, who led the council through the budget process.
The remaining employees won't get an across-the-board pay raise to help cope with rising gas prices or grocery bills. And people who ride several Metro bus routes won't be able to anymore because of the city's own struggles to pay for diesel fuel.
Councilwoman Vivian Wilhoite said she was disappointed that some Metro firefighters would see their jobs "rolled back," or reduced in stature and pay. She said council members were reneging on a commitment to public safety.
"I can't see how we can live with this," Wilhoite said.
Cole acknowledged that the budget reflects some "very painful" choices. But he said he was proud the council could put its stamp on the spending plan by shifting $1 million to the Metro Transit Authority so there will be fewer cuts in bus routes. Dean's proposal would have cut MTA by $400,000; now the authority will gain $600,000.
"To be able to do one major priority was a real success," Cole said
Metro Nashville will start a new fiscal year next month with an almost $1.58 billion budget that pumps new money into schools but makes it tougher to catch a bus or make a living as a city employee.
The Metro Council voted unanimously Tuesday for the 2008-09 operating budget, which will take effect July 1, after considering Mayor Karl Dean's recommendations for almost three months. The available funds will be only slightly more than this year, reflecting conservative revenue estimates in a tight economy.
Metro schools, Dean's top priority, will get $22 million more, an increase of more than 3.6 percent. But most other departments will receive less money, and almost 30 city employees will be laid off.
While as many as 200 workers could have been laid off, "that's not a consolation to those 30 families and individuals," said Councilman Erik Cole, who led the council through the budget process.
The remaining employees won't get an across-the-board pay raise to help cope with rising gas prices or grocery bills. And people who ride several Metro bus routes won't be able to anymore because of the city's own struggles to pay for diesel fuel.
Councilwoman Vivian Wilhoite said she was disappointed that some Metro firefighters would see their jobs "rolled back," or reduced in stature and pay. She said council members were reneging on a commitment to public safety.
"I can't see how we can live with this," Wilhoite said.
Cole acknowledged that the budget reflects some "very painful" choices. But he said he was proud the council could put its stamp on the spending plan by shifting $1 million to the Metro Transit Authority so there will be fewer cuts in bus routes. Dean's proposal would have cut MTA by $400,000; now the authority will gain $600,000.
"To be able to do one major priority was a real success," Cole said
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tennessee mails out buyout offers
By THEO EMERY • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 17, 2008
State workers will begin checking mailboxes after buyout packets went out Monday to about 12,000 employees, an effort to trim about 2,000 positions and cut $64 million from next year's budget.
Cleatrice McTorry, director of pre-release services at the Department of Correction, wasn't sure she would get an offer but said she would consider it if she did, particularly given the tuition assistance in the package.
"My initial impression when I saw the buyout plan was very positive," said McTorry, 58. "Other people have felt the same way."
The buyouts are part of a broader budget-cutting for the administration, which found itself about $468 million short of what it projected for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
The administration hopes that more than 2,000 workers, or about 5 percent of the work force, will take the buyouts. If more apply, they will be chosen by seniority. If not enough apply, layoffs could follow.
The package includes four months of base salary, $500 for each year of service, six months of subsidized health coverage and an option to pay for an additional 12 months.
The packages also include tuition aid up to $10,800 at Tennessee colleges and universities, and a one-time $2,400 payment for those 65 and older.
"We feel like we've come up with a really good offer," said state Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz.
Zoyle Jones, president of the Tennessee State Employees Association, said his organization will be carefully watching.
"As long as the selection process is fair and equitable, then we will be happy if people take it," he said.
State workers will begin checking mailboxes after buyout packets went out Monday to about 12,000 employees, an effort to trim about 2,000 positions and cut $64 million from next year's budget.
Cleatrice McTorry, director of pre-release services at the Department of Correction, wasn't sure she would get an offer but said she would consider it if she did, particularly given the tuition assistance in the package.
"My initial impression when I saw the buyout plan was very positive," said McTorry, 58. "Other people have felt the same way."
The buyouts are part of a broader budget-cutting for the administration, which found itself about $468 million short of what it projected for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
The administration hopes that more than 2,000 workers, or about 5 percent of the work force, will take the buyouts. If more apply, they will be chosen by seniority. If not enough apply, layoffs could follow.
The package includes four months of base salary, $500 for each year of service, six months of subsidized health coverage and an option to pay for an additional 12 months.
The packages also include tuition aid up to $10,800 at Tennessee colleges and universities, and a one-time $2,400 payment for those 65 and older.
"We feel like we've come up with a really good offer," said state Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz.
Zoyle Jones, president of the Tennessee State Employees Association, said his organization will be carefully watching.
"As long as the selection process is fair and equitable, then we will be happy if people take it," he said.
Help sell Garcia's $1.25 million home and get free airline tickets
By JENNIFER BROOKS • Staff Writer (tennessean)• June 17, 2008
Former Metro Schools Director Pedro Garcia and his wife are what you might call motivated sellers.
Garcia, who was bought out of his contract by the Metro school board in January, is ready to leave town with his six-figure severance package, but first he needs to find a buyer for his $1.25 million, five-bedroom, 6,500-square-foot, Radnor Lake-area house in the middle of a recession and a real estate slump.
To get prospective buyers through the door — you can't appreciate the hardwood floors, or the two fireplaces, or the waterfall or the pool if you don't at least get through the door — the Garcias are ready to sweeten the deal.
"We will give two round-trip tickets to anywhere Southwest flies and a box seat for four at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood to anyone whose recommendations lead to a direct sale of this house," Priscilla Partridge, Garcia's wife, wrote in an e-mail to friends and acquaintances on Monday. She did not respond to The Tennessean's request for an interview.
Her Realtor, Mara Thompson of Zeitlin & Co., said more and more sellers are turning to incentives. She has seen people offer cars, a year of free gasoline, cruise vacation packages and even — in the case of one $2.2 million home for sale in Green Hills — college tuition for the buyer's kids.
"A lot of people are doing it," Thompson said. "With the market as it is today, I think people are just trying to be a bit creative."
Thompson said the free airfare and tickets to the storied outdoor amphitheater were the Garcias' idea, and she has yet to see an incentive actually seal the deal for a homebuyer.
The house, which the Garcias bought in 2003 for $957,000, has been appraised by the Davidson County property assessor's office for tax purposes at $996,400. It's an 11-year-old brick home with six bathrooms and a much-sought-after Brentwood address.
This article has been amended from a previous version.
Former Metro Schools Director Pedro Garcia and his wife are what you might call motivated sellers.
Garcia, who was bought out of his contract by the Metro school board in January, is ready to leave town with his six-figure severance package, but first he needs to find a buyer for his $1.25 million, five-bedroom, 6,500-square-foot, Radnor Lake-area house in the middle of a recession and a real estate slump.
To get prospective buyers through the door — you can't appreciate the hardwood floors, or the two fireplaces, or the waterfall or the pool if you don't at least get through the door — the Garcias are ready to sweeten the deal.
"We will give two round-trip tickets to anywhere Southwest flies and a box seat for four at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood to anyone whose recommendations lead to a direct sale of this house," Priscilla Partridge, Garcia's wife, wrote in an e-mail to friends and acquaintances on Monday. She did not respond to The Tennessean's request for an interview.
Her Realtor, Mara Thompson of Zeitlin & Co., said more and more sellers are turning to incentives. She has seen people offer cars, a year of free gasoline, cruise vacation packages and even — in the case of one $2.2 million home for sale in Green Hills — college tuition for the buyer's kids.
"A lot of people are doing it," Thompson said. "With the market as it is today, I think people are just trying to be a bit creative."
Thompson said the free airfare and tickets to the storied outdoor amphitheater were the Garcias' idea, and she has yet to see an incentive actually seal the deal for a homebuyer.
The house, which the Garcias bought in 2003 for $957,000, has been appraised by the Davidson County property assessor's office for tax purposes at $996,400. It's an 11-year-old brick home with six bathrooms and a much-sought-after Brentwood address.
This article has been amended from a previous version.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Grief, anxiety, depression in women subject of seminar at Summit
BY ANDY HUMBLES AHUMBLES@TENNESSEAN.COM 726-5939 • June 16, 2008
The causes of grief, anxiety and depression in women will be the program topic for the next Just for Women seminar series at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 26, in Classroom C at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage.
The monthly series is free and for women of any age. Amy Johnson, Ph.D., with Tennessee Oncology, will lead the program.
Reservations are required. Call 342-1919.
The causes of grief, anxiety and depression in women will be the program topic for the next Just for Women seminar series at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 26, in Classroom C at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage.
The monthly series is free and for women of any age. Amy Johnson, Ph.D., with Tennessee Oncology, will lead the program.
Reservations are required. Call 342-1919.
Antioch Couple Survive Kidnapping
Suspects Force Man To Withdraw Cash From ATM
POSTED: 7:42 am CDT June 16, 2008
UPDATED: 5:50 pm CDT June 16, 2008
Channel 4 News
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Police said an Antioch man was kidnapped overnight at gunpoint and robbed by two men.
Michael Ezekiel, 27, said that at about 3 a.m. Monday he was standing in the parking lot of the Mission of Hickory Highland apartment complex.
At that time, Ezekiel said two men, Rickey Carr, 25, and Jonathan Lawrence, 21, approached and forced him to drive to a nearby Suntrust automatic teller machine to withdraw cash.
When they arrived at the bank, the ATM was out of order, so the suspects forced Ezekiel to come back to the apartment complex.
"I couldn’t get any money out. My hands were shaking. I was nervous and terrified, and none of the ATMs were working," he said.
Ezekiel said the accused robbers then drove back to his girlfriend's apartment and got her debit card. One of the men stayed with the girlfriend, while the other suspect took Ezekiel to a U.S. Bank.
"It was terrifying. I had never seen a gun outside a gun store," he said.
Ezekiel was eventually able to break free from his captor.
"I got a hold of his head, and I pulled him out, and I knew his torso was bent here, so I squatted down on him," he said. "I had him in a guillotine, and he was slipping. I tried to force him out, and I just put all my weight on him."
He was able to steal his captor’s cell phone and call police.
"I clocked him pretty good. I pulled him out of my car, like, by his neck. I really wanted to break his head off," he said.
Authorities arrested both Carr and Lawrence, who have been charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated robbery.
Lawrence's bond was set at $600,000.
Additionally, Carr is charged with aggravated rape and attempted rape. His bond is set at $1 million.
Police are also trying to determine if Carr and Lawrence may be linked to other crimes in the area.
Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
Video: Antioch Man Attacks, Escapes Kidnapper
POSTED: 7:42 am CDT June 16, 2008
UPDATED: 5:50 pm CDT June 16, 2008
Channel 4 News
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Police said an Antioch man was kidnapped overnight at gunpoint and robbed by two men.
Michael Ezekiel, 27, said that at about 3 a.m. Monday he was standing in the parking lot of the Mission of Hickory Highland apartment complex.
At that time, Ezekiel said two men, Rickey Carr, 25, and Jonathan Lawrence, 21, approached and forced him to drive to a nearby Suntrust automatic teller machine to withdraw cash.
When they arrived at the bank, the ATM was out of order, so the suspects forced Ezekiel to come back to the apartment complex.
"I couldn’t get any money out. My hands were shaking. I was nervous and terrified, and none of the ATMs were working," he said.
Ezekiel said the accused robbers then drove back to his girlfriend's apartment and got her debit card. One of the men stayed with the girlfriend, while the other suspect took Ezekiel to a U.S. Bank.
"It was terrifying. I had never seen a gun outside a gun store," he said.
Ezekiel was eventually able to break free from his captor.
"I got a hold of his head, and I pulled him out, and I knew his torso was bent here, so I squatted down on him," he said. "I had him in a guillotine, and he was slipping. I tried to force him out, and I just put all my weight on him."
He was able to steal his captor’s cell phone and call police.
"I clocked him pretty good. I pulled him out of my car, like, by his neck. I really wanted to break his head off," he said.
Authorities arrested both Carr and Lawrence, who have been charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated robbery.
Lawrence's bond was set at $600,000.
Additionally, Carr is charged with aggravated rape and attempted rape. His bond is set at $1 million.
Police are also trying to determine if Carr and Lawrence may be linked to other crimes in the area.
Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
Video: Antioch Man Attacks, Escapes Kidnapper
Tennesseans urged to vacation in state
Associated Press • June 16, 2008
Looking to compensate for declining attendance, state officials are marketing state parks to locals looking for cheaper vacation destinations.
"I think the fuel prices are going to affect our out-of-state travelers coming to see us this year," said Murray Crow, the state's regional park manager.
Instead of a long-distance trip to the beach, park officials want Tennesseans to consider a cool mountain stream. Travelers can check out a new feature, "Less Than One Tank Trips," on the state parks Web site.
"Economically, I think we're a really good bargain, especially for individuals within a 50- or 100-radius of a park," Crow said.
Tennessee has 53 state parks, including six resort parks with inns, cabins, restaurants and golf. Records show that attendance at the resort parks — Fall Creek Falls, Henry Horton, Montgomery Bell, Natchez Trace, Pickwick Landing and Paris Landing — was low but steady as gas prices rose over the past two years.
Park Manager Jim Hall at Fall Creek Falls said he noticed a bit of a difference in visitors over the Memorial Day weekend, but said the park stayed busy.
"Just driving through looking at license plates, I did observe fewer out-of-state and more Tennessee," he said. "Every parking place was full. The park was very active and we had a lot of folks over the holiday."
Fall Creek Falls pumped $1.8 million into renovations last year designed to increase recreational vehicle attendance. Hall said the improvement could attract more people, but given the high price of gas, it's still a guessing game.
"Memorial Day, the Fourth of July are probably going to be busy, regardless," he said.
"The proof will be what the visitation looks like on a non-holiday, regular summer weekend outing.
Looking to compensate for declining attendance, state officials are marketing state parks to locals looking for cheaper vacation destinations.
"I think the fuel prices are going to affect our out-of-state travelers coming to see us this year," said Murray Crow, the state's regional park manager.
Instead of a long-distance trip to the beach, park officials want Tennesseans to consider a cool mountain stream. Travelers can check out a new feature, "Less Than One Tank Trips," on the state parks Web site.
"Economically, I think we're a really good bargain, especially for individuals within a 50- or 100-radius of a park," Crow said.
Tennessee has 53 state parks, including six resort parks with inns, cabins, restaurants and golf. Records show that attendance at the resort parks — Fall Creek Falls, Henry Horton, Montgomery Bell, Natchez Trace, Pickwick Landing and Paris Landing — was low but steady as gas prices rose over the past two years.
Park Manager Jim Hall at Fall Creek Falls said he noticed a bit of a difference in visitors over the Memorial Day weekend, but said the park stayed busy.
"Just driving through looking at license plates, I did observe fewer out-of-state and more Tennessee," he said. "Every parking place was full. The park was very active and we had a lot of folks over the holiday."
Fall Creek Falls pumped $1.8 million into renovations last year designed to increase recreational vehicle attendance. Hall said the improvement could attract more people, but given the high price of gas, it's still a guessing game.
"Memorial Day, the Fourth of July are probably going to be busy, regardless," he said.
"The proof will be what the visitation looks like on a non-holiday, regular summer weekend outing.
Council looking to restore $1 million to MTA
By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• June 16, 2008
The Metro Council is poised to restore $1 million to the Metro Transit Authority's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a move that would save some public bus routes from the chopping block.
Councilman Erik Cole, chairman of the council's Budget and Finance Committee, said the substitute budget the council plans to vote on Tuesday night would reflect the high priority the council is placing on public transportation at a time of bruising increases in gas prices.
"It would be a terrible year to send a signal that we didn't care about public transportation," Cole said. MTA's board voted last month to raise bus fares and eliminate seven routes to help make up a $2.9 million shortfall driven by spikes in the cost of diesel fuel.
Mayor Karl Dean's budget proposal for the year starting July 1 would cut MTA's funding by $400,000 even as the authority said it needed $2.5 million more than it's getting this year.
Dean, who planned to increase funding to public schools and not much else in a tight fiscal year, has said he wishes he could have done more for MTA. Paul Ballard, MTA's chief executive, said the authority would wait to see the final numbers approved by the council before announcing the routes it would restore.
"But it's good news," Ballard said. "It's great news." Any shift in budget funds comes with a cost, however.
Cole said the $1 million would come from an assortment of "administrative accounts and contingency funds," including money set aside to help some Metro departments relocate before a capital funding shortage forced the city to reconsider those plans.
The mayor's office, the council office and the Metro Arts Commission also would see their funding reduced somewhat beyond what the mayor proposed, Cole said.
"We really wanted to demonstrate that we could spread out the impact," he said. The $1 million includes $200,000 Dean had already committed to MTA, Ballard said. Those funds would let MTA continue serving Metro magnet school students, who don't receive transportation from the school district.
The council's Budget and Finance Committee meets at 4 p.m. today in the council chamber at the Metro Courthouse. The full council meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
The Metro Council is poised to restore $1 million to the Metro Transit Authority's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a move that would save some public bus routes from the chopping block.
Councilman Erik Cole, chairman of the council's Budget and Finance Committee, said the substitute budget the council plans to vote on Tuesday night would reflect the high priority the council is placing on public transportation at a time of bruising increases in gas prices.
"It would be a terrible year to send a signal that we didn't care about public transportation," Cole said. MTA's board voted last month to raise bus fares and eliminate seven routes to help make up a $2.9 million shortfall driven by spikes in the cost of diesel fuel.
Mayor Karl Dean's budget proposal for the year starting July 1 would cut MTA's funding by $400,000 even as the authority said it needed $2.5 million more than it's getting this year.
Dean, who planned to increase funding to public schools and not much else in a tight fiscal year, has said he wishes he could have done more for MTA. Paul Ballard, MTA's chief executive, said the authority would wait to see the final numbers approved by the council before announcing the routes it would restore.
"But it's good news," Ballard said. "It's great news." Any shift in budget funds comes with a cost, however.
Cole said the $1 million would come from an assortment of "administrative accounts and contingency funds," including money set aside to help some Metro departments relocate before a capital funding shortage forced the city to reconsider those plans.
The mayor's office, the council office and the Metro Arts Commission also would see their funding reduced somewhat beyond what the mayor proposed, Cole said.
"We really wanted to demonstrate that we could spread out the impact," he said. The $1 million includes $200,000 Dean had already committed to MTA, Ballard said. Those funds would let MTA continue serving Metro magnet school students, who don't receive transportation from the school district.
The council's Budget and Finance Committee meets at 4 p.m. today in the council chamber at the Metro Courthouse. The full council meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Metro police to test for steroids
By KATE HOWARD • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 16, 2008
Metro police announced today that they've added anabolic steroids to their random drug testing policy, spurred by an international investigation into steroid use and sales that has led to the decommissioning of three Metro officers.
The addition will more than triple the cost of each of the 300 random drug tests the police department completes each year, according to a release today.
Previously, the department tested for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates and PCP.
“This police department insists on the highest standards of behavior from our employees in providing the most professional police services possible," Police Chief Ronal Serpas said in a statement. " It is imperative that the communities we serve have strong confidence that this is an agency totally committed to a drug-free work force. That drug-free definition includes anabolic steroids.”
Three veteran Metro officers have been on paid administrative leave since February, when police officials said they were implicated in a wide-ranging federal investigation into anabolic steroids. Police officials have not said whether they're suspected of using or involved in the sale of steroids.
A police trainee resigned after he was questioned in connection with the investigation.
Metro police announced today that they've added anabolic steroids to their random drug testing policy, spurred by an international investigation into steroid use and sales that has led to the decommissioning of three Metro officers.
The addition will more than triple the cost of each of the 300 random drug tests the police department completes each year, according to a release today.
Previously, the department tested for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates and PCP.
“This police department insists on the highest standards of behavior from our employees in providing the most professional police services possible," Police Chief Ronal Serpas said in a statement. " It is imperative that the communities we serve have strong confidence that this is an agency totally committed to a drug-free work force. That drug-free definition includes anabolic steroids.”
Three veteran Metro officers have been on paid administrative leave since February, when police officials said they were implicated in a wide-ranging federal investigation into anabolic steroids. Police officials have not said whether they're suspected of using or involved in the sale of steroids.
A police trainee resigned after he was questioned in connection with the investigation.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Second Harvest in Need of Baby Items
Reported of WKRN (Channel 2 News)
Second Harvest Food Bank is feeling the effects of the struggling economy.
While donations are down and demand is up across the board, the need for items like baby formula is almost at its greatest in 11 years.
Second Harvest has been forced to start rationing the small amount of baby formula they have left.
Kelli Garrett, Second Harvest , said, "We used to be able to give out maybe three or four when we had more formula on hand but we've had to cut back on what we can give to those families."
Garrett said what supply they currently now, will probably only last a few more months.
Second Harvest said baby formula isn't one of the popular items to be donated, part of the reason being people who go to the grocery store and don't have kids don't go down the baby food isle.
"It's very difficult for those families having to choose, do they feed their children or feed themselves, and who wants to make that decision," said Garrett.
While Garrett said she never wants to turn people away, it could soon become a reality.
Second Harvest Food Bank is feeling the effects of the struggling economy.
While donations are down and demand is up across the board, the need for items like baby formula is almost at its greatest in 11 years.
Second Harvest has been forced to start rationing the small amount of baby formula they have left.
Kelli Garrett, Second Harvest , said, "We used to be able to give out maybe three or four when we had more formula on hand but we've had to cut back on what we can give to those families."
Garrett said what supply they currently now, will probably only last a few more months.
Second Harvest said baby formula isn't one of the popular items to be donated, part of the reason being people who go to the grocery store and don't have kids don't go down the baby food isle.
"It's very difficult for those families having to choose, do they feed their children or feed themselves, and who wants to make that decision," said Garrett.
While Garrett said she never wants to turn people away, it could soon become a reality.
Owners can no longer afford pets, shelter faces overcrowding
Reported on WKRN News (Channel 2)
Pets are the latest victims of the struggling economy.
The Metro Animal Shelter is reporting a jump in the number of surrendered or abandoned animals, as fewer people can afford them.
Typically, most of the animals that come into the shelter are picked up by animal control.
Recently, however, shelter officials said they have seen more animals coming through their front doors dropped off by people who just can't afford to keep them anymore.
Director Jude Ladebauche, Metro Animal Control, said, "They aren't animals we're picking up in the field they're animals that people are surrendering to us for one reason or another and it's heartbreaking."
Dogs like Harley and Rocky are newcomers to the shelter and face greater odds. Harley is five-years-old, not as popular an age for adoption as some of the puppies.
Ladebauche said because the shelter is so full, it can only support the dogs and cats for one to two weeks, maximum, before they have to make room for new ones.
She said, "It's extremely difficult to know so many of them really won't ever find a second home."
Still, shelter officials encourage those who can no longer afford their pets to bring them in so they have a chance to find a new owner.
The shelter has taken in almost 12,000 animals this year, 1,500 of which last month.
Ladebauche said she expects to break a record this year for the number of animals coming into the Metro Animal Shelter.
Pets are the latest victims of the struggling economy.
The Metro Animal Shelter is reporting a jump in the number of surrendered or abandoned animals, as fewer people can afford them.
Typically, most of the animals that come into the shelter are picked up by animal control.
Recently, however, shelter officials said they have seen more animals coming through their front doors dropped off by people who just can't afford to keep them anymore.
Director Jude Ladebauche, Metro Animal Control, said, "They aren't animals we're picking up in the field they're animals that people are surrendering to us for one reason or another and it's heartbreaking."
Dogs like Harley and Rocky are newcomers to the shelter and face greater odds. Harley is five-years-old, not as popular an age for adoption as some of the puppies.
Ladebauche said because the shelter is so full, it can only support the dogs and cats for one to two weeks, maximum, before they have to make room for new ones.
She said, "It's extremely difficult to know so many of them really won't ever find a second home."
Still, shelter officials encourage those who can no longer afford their pets to bring them in so they have a chance to find a new owner.
The shelter has taken in almost 12,000 animals this year, 1,500 of which last month.
Ladebauche said she expects to break a record this year for the number of animals coming into the Metro Animal Shelter.
Apartment fire reported in South Nashville
Reported in the Tennessean
The Nashville Area Red Cross is on the scene of a three-alarm fire at the Gazebo Apartments on Neese Drive in South Nashville. The Red Cross is working to determine how many residents are displaced and providing assistance as needed.
The Nashville Area Red Cross is on the scene of a three-alarm fire at the Gazebo Apartments on Neese Drive in South Nashville. The Red Cross is working to determine how many residents are displaced and providing assistance as needed.
District 29 Cleanup Thank you!!!
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Thank you!
Metro Beautificatiom
Goodwill Industries
Public Works Department
Shred It
Starbucks (kept everyone awake)
Kirspy Kreme (kept every one's bellies full)
Council Woman Vivian Wilhoite (District "29")
And of course all the people that helped to make the cleanup a success.
Good time had by all!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Davidson County crime log for June 5-8, 2008
These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported.
Antioch
3:50 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Bell Road
Donelson
8:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2800 block Lebanon Pike
Downtown
2:25 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 200 block Printers Alley
5:42 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Division Street
9:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Fourth Avenue North
Priest Lake
3:03 a.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Country Lawn Drive
South
3:08 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Harold Drive
10:42 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike
10:55 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Air Lane Drive
11:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Fesslers Lane
5:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Airpark Center Drive
6:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Airpark Center Drive
11:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block Portland Avenue
Antioch
7:02 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5200 block Hickory Hollow Parkway
Hermitage
2:31 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5900 block Old Hickory Boulevard
5:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4700 block Lebanon Pike
South
8:20 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Zermatt Avenue
12:27 p.m., residential burglary, 4100 block Murfreesboro Pike
11:35 p.m., shooting, 2700 block Glenrose Avenue
Una
8:33 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Murfreesboro Pike
10:02 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch
2:29 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2200 block Murfreesboro Pike
Downtown
12:01 a.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Church Street
3:07 p.m., rape, James Robertson Parkway
Hermitage
6:39 a.m., residential burglary, 4000 block Bell Road
12:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5700 block Old Hickory Boulevard
South
7:32 a.m., rape, Drummond Court
1:36 p.m., rape, Drummond Court
6:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike
7:32 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Plus Park Boulevard
Una
4 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Village Green Drive
Antioch
6:09 p.m., residential burglary, 4800 block Jason Drive
Donelson
10:23 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Claridge Drive
Downtown
4:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Lafayette Street
6:56 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Church Street
Hermitage
12:48 p.m., residential burglary, Remington Park Road and Griffin Circle
South
3:25 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Harold Drive
5:51 p.m., residential burglary, 13900 block Old Hickory Boulevard
8:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Plus Park Boulevard
Antioch
3:50 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Bell Road
Donelson
8:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2800 block Lebanon Pike
Downtown
2:25 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 200 block Printers Alley
5:42 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Division Street
9:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Fourth Avenue North
Priest Lake
3:03 a.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Country Lawn Drive
South
3:08 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Harold Drive
10:42 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike
10:55 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Air Lane Drive
11:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Fesslers Lane
5:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Airpark Center Drive
6:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Airpark Center Drive
11:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block Portland Avenue
Antioch
7:02 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5200 block Hickory Hollow Parkway
Hermitage
2:31 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5900 block Old Hickory Boulevard
5:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4700 block Lebanon Pike
South
8:20 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Zermatt Avenue
12:27 p.m., residential burglary, 4100 block Murfreesboro Pike
11:35 p.m., shooting, 2700 block Glenrose Avenue
Una
8:33 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Murfreesboro Pike
10:02 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch
2:29 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2200 block Murfreesboro Pike
Downtown
12:01 a.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Church Street
3:07 p.m., rape, James Robertson Parkway
Hermitage
6:39 a.m., residential burglary, 4000 block Bell Road
12:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5700 block Old Hickory Boulevard
South
7:32 a.m., rape, Drummond Court
1:36 p.m., rape, Drummond Court
6:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike
7:32 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Plus Park Boulevard
Una
4 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Village Green Drive
Antioch
6:09 p.m., residential burglary, 4800 block Jason Drive
Donelson
10:23 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Claridge Drive
Downtown
4:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Lafayette Street
6:56 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Church Street
Hermitage
12:48 p.m., residential burglary, Remington Park Road and Griffin Circle
South
3:25 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Harold Drive
5:51 p.m., residential burglary, 13900 block Old Hickory Boulevard
8:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Plus Park Boulevard
Dog team to entertain at Nashville Shores
BY ANDY HUMBLES | AHUMBLES@TENNESSEAN.COM | 726-5939 • June 13, 2008
The Purina Incredible Dog Team will entertain and perform acrobatic tricks at Nashville Shores, 4001 Bell Road in Hermitage, on the dates of June 20-22 and June 27-29.
Performances are scheduled at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day.
Shows are included in admission to the water park. Admission is $23.95 plus tax for persons 48 inches or taller and $17.95 for persons shorter than 48 inches and ages 55-over.
Call 889-7050 or visit www.NashvilleShores.com
The Purina Incredible Dog Team will entertain and perform acrobatic tricks at Nashville Shores, 4001 Bell Road in Hermitage, on the dates of June 20-22 and June 27-29.
Performances are scheduled at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day.
Shows are included in admission to the water park. Admission is $23.95 plus tax for persons 48 inches or taller and $17.95 for persons shorter than 48 inches and ages 55-over.
Call 889-7050 or visit www.NashvilleShores.com
Friday, June 13, 2008
Metro Council gets new staff director next week
Jon Cooper, assistant director of the Metro Council staff since 2001, is set to become the staff director next week.
A council resolution on Tuesday's meeting agenda will make that official, while current director Don Jones, who officially retired and went to part-time status two years ago, will stay on as special counsel to the council. Jones, a former Metro law director, has been the council staff director since 1986.
Cooper and Jones are attorneys. Cooper, 33, writes most of the legislation introduced by council members and advises them on legal points. He is a graduate of Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School, Middle Tennessee State University and Nashville School of Law.
— MICHAEL CASS (Tennessean)
A council resolution on Tuesday's meeting agenda will make that official, while current director Don Jones, who officially retired and went to part-time status two years ago, will stay on as special counsel to the council. Jones, a former Metro law director, has been the council staff director since 1986.
Cooper and Jones are attorneys. Cooper, 33, writes most of the legislation introduced by council members and advises them on legal points. He is a graduate of Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School, Middle Tennessee State University and Nashville School of Law.
— MICHAEL CASS (Tennessean)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
New Orleans Manor serves full crowd its last night
Marissa DeCuir • June 11, 2008
Doug Wright waves to customers leaving the New Orleans Manor restaurant on its last night Tuesday, June 10, in Nashville, Tenn. Wright's mother opened the restaurant in 1977 and the family lived in the upstairs of the manor for the first ten years. Wright is not sure what he will do after the restaurant closes and speculates he will need to find a job.
New Orleans Manor turned down about 200 people hoping to eat at the seafood restaurant one last time Tuesday night.
The restaurant was alive as ever, but owner Douglas Wright said that shouldn’t be mistaken for a retirement party.
Plagued with seven years of nearby road construction and most recently the smoking ban, the Wrights couldn’t keep the family business alive after more than 30 years.Wright’s mother opened the restaurant in 1977.
The final decision to close came Monday morning, and Wright was hoping to last until today.But because the restaurant received so many calls for reservations, it served its last meal Tuesday night instead.Wright said he was not sure what would happen to the Colemare Mansion, which housed the Manor since its opening.
Wright said he would be interested in subletting the remainder of his lease, two and a half years, with the mansion's owner, the Nashville International Airport.
Doug Wright waves to customers leaving the New Orleans Manor restaurant on its last night Tuesday, June 10, in Nashville, Tenn. Wright's mother opened the restaurant in 1977 and the family lived in the upstairs of the manor for the first ten years. Wright is not sure what he will do after the restaurant closes and speculates he will need to find a job.
New Orleans Manor turned down about 200 people hoping to eat at the seafood restaurant one last time Tuesday night.
The restaurant was alive as ever, but owner Douglas Wright said that shouldn’t be mistaken for a retirement party.
Plagued with seven years of nearby road construction and most recently the smoking ban, the Wrights couldn’t keep the family business alive after more than 30 years.Wright’s mother opened the restaurant in 1977.
The final decision to close came Monday morning, and Wright was hoping to last until today.But because the restaurant received so many calls for reservations, it served its last meal Tuesday night instead.Wright said he was not sure what would happen to the Colemare Mansion, which housed the Manor since its opening.
Wright said he would be interested in subletting the remainder of his lease, two and a half years, with the mansion's owner, the Nashville International Airport.
Report: Tennessee ranks 42nd for kids' well-being
Associated Press • June 12, 2008
Tennessee still ranks among the bottom 10 states for children's health and well-being, but its high-school dropout rate has improved dramatically, a national report shows.
The annual Kids Count report measures each state's progress in 10 areas, including infant mortality, poverty rates, single-parent families, teen death rates and low birth weight babies. This year Tennessee improved to 42nd overall from 43rd.
Despite some improvement, Tennessee ranks in the bottom 10 states for infant mortality, low birth weight babies, children living in poverty and teen births, the report shows.But high school dropouts decreased 45 percent between 2000 and 2006 and both the child and teen death rates improved.
Only 6 percent of teens in Tennessee left school without getting a diploma compared to 7 percent for the nation. Tennessee's dropout rate ranks 15th in the U.S."Tennessee has implemented good public policies and strategies to improve outcomes for older children, resulting in more children graduating and fewer adolescents dying," said Linda O'Neal, executive director of the state Commission on Children and Youth.
Tennessee has received national attention for the quality of its pre-kindergarten
programs, but Gov. Phil Bredesen had to trim a planned expansion to the program as part of budget cuts this year.
The state has also started providing more pre-pregnancy health programs that make sure women have a proper diet and avoid smoking and using drugs or alcohol.
"Tennessee must continue and strengthen significant emphasis on improving preconception maternal health to reduce the number of low birth weight babies and infant death, efforts that take several years before the outcomes are reflected in data reported in the book," O'Neal said
Tennessee still ranks among the bottom 10 states for children's health and well-being, but its high-school dropout rate has improved dramatically, a national report shows.
The annual Kids Count report measures each state's progress in 10 areas, including infant mortality, poverty rates, single-parent families, teen death rates and low birth weight babies. This year Tennessee improved to 42nd overall from 43rd.
Despite some improvement, Tennessee ranks in the bottom 10 states for infant mortality, low birth weight babies, children living in poverty and teen births, the report shows.But high school dropouts decreased 45 percent between 2000 and 2006 and both the child and teen death rates improved.
Only 6 percent of teens in Tennessee left school without getting a diploma compared to 7 percent for the nation. Tennessee's dropout rate ranks 15th in the U.S."Tennessee has implemented good public policies and strategies to improve outcomes for older children, resulting in more children graduating and fewer adolescents dying," said Linda O'Neal, executive director of the state Commission on Children and Youth.
Tennessee has received national attention for the quality of its pre-kindergarten
programs, but Gov. Phil Bredesen had to trim a planned expansion to the program as part of budget cuts this year.
The state has also started providing more pre-pregnancy health programs that make sure women have a proper diet and avoid smoking and using drugs or alcohol.
"Tennessee must continue and strengthen significant emphasis on improving preconception maternal health to reduce the number of low birth weight babies and infant death, efforts that take several years before the outcomes are reflected in data reported in the book," O'Neal said
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Millions in Preds loan under cloud
By Brad Schrade • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 11, 2008
A national arena management company is suing Predators minority owner William J. “Boots” Del Biaggio III, claiming he misled and defrauded them in a $7 million loan last year to help buy the team.
The lawsuit by AEG Facilities, Inc. is the fifth suit filed against Del Biaggio in the past two weeks, each claiming he defrauded lenders. The AEG suit is the second related directly to the purchase of the Predators last December. Modern Bank filed suit June 2 to recover $10 million it loaned Del Biaggio to help purchase the team last year.
AEG Facilities is a division of AEG, a worldwide entertainment company which manages numerous sports facilities and owns pro teams, including the Los Angeles Kings hockey team. Del Biaggio until last year had an agreement with AEG to try to move a hockey team to Kansas City, where the company manages and owns a stake in the new Sprint Center.
AEG’s suit filed Friday in Superior Court in Santa Clara, California came the same day Del Biaggio filed for bankruptcy in Northern California. He owes approximately $70 million to creditors, but has only about $50 million in assets, according to his attorney.
A copy of the lawsuit claims that on Oct. 29 last year, AEG loaned Del Biaggio the money.
He used various securities he claimed to owned as collateral, the suit claims. Two of the three investment accounts Del Biaggio claimed to own were not his and documentation was
“fraudulently altered” to make it appear he owned them, the suit claims. Merriman, Curhan, Ford & Co, an investment company, and Scott Cacchione, are named co-defendants in the lawsuit. Del Biaggio is also facing a federal investigation into his dealings.
Del Biaggio owns a 27 percent stake in the Predators. He was the only major out-of-town investor in a group led by local businessman David Freeman. The group bought the team from Craig Leipold last December.
The bankruptcy filing Friday revealed that he also owed Leipold $10 million. It was unclear in the bankruptcy documents whether that money was related to the Preds purchase. Leipold and the team would not comment about the details of that debt.The team maintains that Del Biaggio’s troubles will not impact the Predators operations.
The team is reportedly seeking to buy him out or find other investors to purchase his stake. That process could be complicated by the bankruptcy filing last week.
Metro could face exposure if his troubles impact the team.
The city owns the Sommet Center and restructured the team's lease just months, offering favorable terms to help the team operate. In exchange, Del Biaggio and other owners personally guaranteed money to Metro in event they default on the lease or leave town early.
Metro Sports Authority, the city’s landlord for its pro sports facilities, will meet Friday to discuss what legal options it may pursue in the wake of Del Biaggio's financial problems.
A national arena management company is suing Predators minority owner William J. “Boots” Del Biaggio III, claiming he misled and defrauded them in a $7 million loan last year to help buy the team.
The lawsuit by AEG Facilities, Inc. is the fifth suit filed against Del Biaggio in the past two weeks, each claiming he defrauded lenders. The AEG suit is the second related directly to the purchase of the Predators last December. Modern Bank filed suit June 2 to recover $10 million it loaned Del Biaggio to help purchase the team last year.
AEG Facilities is a division of AEG, a worldwide entertainment company which manages numerous sports facilities and owns pro teams, including the Los Angeles Kings hockey team. Del Biaggio until last year had an agreement with AEG to try to move a hockey team to Kansas City, where the company manages and owns a stake in the new Sprint Center.
AEG’s suit filed Friday in Superior Court in Santa Clara, California came the same day Del Biaggio filed for bankruptcy in Northern California. He owes approximately $70 million to creditors, but has only about $50 million in assets, according to his attorney.
A copy of the lawsuit claims that on Oct. 29 last year, AEG loaned Del Biaggio the money.
He used various securities he claimed to owned as collateral, the suit claims. Two of the three investment accounts Del Biaggio claimed to own were not his and documentation was
“fraudulently altered” to make it appear he owned them, the suit claims. Merriman, Curhan, Ford & Co, an investment company, and Scott Cacchione, are named co-defendants in the lawsuit. Del Biaggio is also facing a federal investigation into his dealings.
Del Biaggio owns a 27 percent stake in the Predators. He was the only major out-of-town investor in a group led by local businessman David Freeman. The group bought the team from Craig Leipold last December.
The bankruptcy filing Friday revealed that he also owed Leipold $10 million. It was unclear in the bankruptcy documents whether that money was related to the Preds purchase. Leipold and the team would not comment about the details of that debt.The team maintains that Del Biaggio’s troubles will not impact the Predators operations.
The team is reportedly seeking to buy him out or find other investors to purchase his stake. That process could be complicated by the bankruptcy filing last week.
Metro could face exposure if his troubles impact the team.
The city owns the Sommet Center and restructured the team's lease just months, offering favorable terms to help the team operate. In exchange, Del Biaggio and other owners personally guaranteed money to Metro in event they default on the lease or leave town early.
Metro Sports Authority, the city’s landlord for its pro sports facilities, will meet Friday to discuss what legal options it may pursue in the wake of Del Biaggio's financial problems.
Summer Solstice benefit at Nashville Shores
By ANDY HUMBLES ahumbles@tennessean.com 726-5939 • June 11, 2008
Nashville Shores at 4001 Bell Road will hold its fourth annual Summer Solstice Celebration, 6:30-11 p.m. Friday, June 20.
The event is for ages 21-over.
The Summer Solstice will include a series of bonfire barges on Percy Priest Lake as a backdrop. Burning Las Vegas will play live music and paddleboat cruises will be offered on the Nashville Shoreliner.The event is free with a suggested donation of $10 and all proceeds benefiting local charities.The hosts and benefiting organizations include the Nashville Area Junior Chamber of Commerce benefiting the Nashville Junior Chamber Charities and Team Green benefiting environmental nonprofit organizations in Middle Tennessee.
Nashville Shores at 4001 Bell Road will hold its fourth annual Summer Solstice Celebration, 6:30-11 p.m. Friday, June 20.
The event is for ages 21-over.
The Summer Solstice will include a series of bonfire barges on Percy Priest Lake as a backdrop. Burning Las Vegas will play live music and paddleboat cruises will be offered on the Nashville Shoreliner.The event is free with a suggested donation of $10 and all proceeds benefiting local charities.The hosts and benefiting organizations include the Nashville Area Junior Chamber of Commerce benefiting the Nashville Junior Chamber Charities and Team Green benefiting environmental nonprofit organizations in Middle Tennessee.
Nashville ranks 4th on FBI list for violent crime
By RACHEL STULTS • Staff Writer • June 11, 2008
Nashville ranked 4th in violent crime last year among cities with populations of 500,000 or more, despite a nationwide drop in violent crime, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics released this week.
Nashville, which showed 8,513 violent crimes in 2007, ranked behind Detroit, Memphis and Baltimore. Some of the nation’s largest cities, such as New York City, were not included in the report.
The FBI considers violent crime to include murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
Nashville ranked 4th among 33 cities with populations of 500,000 or more. On the list of all cities that reported to the FBI, Nashville ranked 12th out of 257.
Despite Nashville’s ranking on the list, the city showed a slight drop from 2006 in every violent crime category except for robbery, which rose from 2,425 to 2,516 robberies.
Preliminary figures show the nation, on average, reported a decrease of 1.4 percent in the number of violent crimes in 2007 compared to 2006.
Detroit, which took the No. 1 spot on the list for violent crimes, showed 19,683 violent crimes in 2007
Nashville ranked 4th in violent crime last year among cities with populations of 500,000 or more, despite a nationwide drop in violent crime, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics released this week.
Nashville, which showed 8,513 violent crimes in 2007, ranked behind Detroit, Memphis and Baltimore. Some of the nation’s largest cities, such as New York City, were not included in the report.
The FBI considers violent crime to include murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
Nashville ranked 4th among 33 cities with populations of 500,000 or more. On the list of all cities that reported to the FBI, Nashville ranked 12th out of 257.
Despite Nashville’s ranking on the list, the city showed a slight drop from 2006 in every violent crime category except for robbery, which rose from 2,425 to 2,516 robberies.
Preliminary figures show the nation, on average, reported a decrease of 1.4 percent in the number of violent crimes in 2007 compared to 2006.
Detroit, which took the No. 1 spot on the list for violent crimes, showed 19,683 violent crimes in 2007
Metro sidewalks plan draws comments, criticism
By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 10, 2008
A draft revision of Metro Nashville's strategic plan for sidewalks and bikeways has been released by Metro Public Works, which is accepting comments and questions - and getting some criticism - about the plan.
The draft is available at the Nashville Public Library and at http://www.civicinc.com/MetroStratPlan/ProposedUpdatesSPSB_5-30-2008.pdf. To comment or ask questions, send an e-mail to info@nashvilleplan.com.
Bell Lowe Newton, president of the Woodlawn Area Neighborhood Association, said some parts of the plan make little sense to her and her neighbors. Sidewalks are planned for some side streets where there's little vehicular traffic, but not for the busier roads that lead to them, she said. But city officials and consultants seem to be listening to the neighbors' concerns, Newton said. "We're looking forward to working with Metro," she said.
The city completed its original strategic plan in 2003. Mayor Karl Dean called for an update last fall, and five community meetings were held earlier this year. The draft plan says Public Works has built or repaired 124 miles of sidewalks and constructed 94 miles of bikeways since 2003.Jim Snyder, who oversees capital projects for Public Works, said the city plans to start giving more weight to existing sidewalks' physical condition and the possibility of coordinating improvements with other Metro projects, such as schools and parks.
Residents who attended the community meetings said they'd like to see more sidewalks near greenways, schools, retail centers, hospitals, parks and community centers, Snyder said.
Here are some tips for viewing the plans:
1) Go to www.nashvilleplan.org and click on "View Sidewalks Project Information and Maps"
2) Click on "Funded Projects:Maps & Schedule" (right corner)
3) Click on "Project Search" (right corner) for proposed projects or "Interactive Viewer" to see what is already funded.
4) Once you're in Interactive Viewer:- Go to fourth box on left, "Find"- Click "By Address"
5) Go to bottom of page (scroll) and type in street and cross street
6) Hit the Locate button7) Go to magnifying glass icon
A draft revision of Metro Nashville's strategic plan for sidewalks and bikeways has been released by Metro Public Works, which is accepting comments and questions - and getting some criticism - about the plan.
The draft is available at the Nashville Public Library and at http://www.civicinc.com/MetroStratPlan/ProposedUpdatesSPSB_5-30-2008.pdf. To comment or ask questions, send an e-mail to info@nashvilleplan.com.
Bell Lowe Newton, president of the Woodlawn Area Neighborhood Association, said some parts of the plan make little sense to her and her neighbors. Sidewalks are planned for some side streets where there's little vehicular traffic, but not for the busier roads that lead to them, she said. But city officials and consultants seem to be listening to the neighbors' concerns, Newton said. "We're looking forward to working with Metro," she said.
The city completed its original strategic plan in 2003. Mayor Karl Dean called for an update last fall, and five community meetings were held earlier this year. The draft plan says Public Works has built or repaired 124 miles of sidewalks and constructed 94 miles of bikeways since 2003.Jim Snyder, who oversees capital projects for Public Works, said the city plans to start giving more weight to existing sidewalks' physical condition and the possibility of coordinating improvements with other Metro projects, such as schools and parks.
Residents who attended the community meetings said they'd like to see more sidewalks near greenways, schools, retail centers, hospitals, parks and community centers, Snyder said.
Here are some tips for viewing the plans:
1) Go to www.nashvilleplan.org and click on "View Sidewalks Project Information and Maps"
2) Click on "Funded Projects:Maps & Schedule" (right corner)
3) Click on "Project Search" (right corner) for proposed projects or "Interactive Viewer" to see what is already funded.
4) Once you're in Interactive Viewer:- Go to fourth box on left, "Find"- Click "By Address"
5) Go to bottom of page (scroll) and type in street and cross street
6) Hit the Locate button7) Go to magnifying glass icon
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Rally June 13
Janet Lamb • Reader Submitted • June 9, 2008
A World Elder Abuse Awareness Day rally will be held on June 13 at the War Memorial Plaza from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m, sponsored by the Tennessee Vulnerable Adult Coalition and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability.
Organizations, including Nashville Metropolitan Police Department, United States Postal Inspections Service, YWCA, Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, Adult Protective Services and Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, will have booths to distribute information on financial exploitation, postal fraud, home and community based services and more.
General Sessions Judge Daniel Eisenstein, who presides over Mental Health Court, will speak on elder abuse issues.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day has been recognized by Governor Bredesen and the State Legislature on June 15. The rally is to bring awareness to the crimes of physical, emotional and financial abuse of elder and vulnerable adults.
A World Elder Abuse Awareness Day rally will be held on June 13 at the War Memorial Plaza from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m, sponsored by the Tennessee Vulnerable Adult Coalition and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability.
Organizations, including Nashville Metropolitan Police Department, United States Postal Inspections Service, YWCA, Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, Adult Protective Services and Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, will have booths to distribute information on financial exploitation, postal fraud, home and community based services and more.
General Sessions Judge Daniel Eisenstein, who presides over Mental Health Court, will speak on elder abuse issues.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day has been recognized by Governor Bredesen and the State Legislature on June 15. The rally is to bring awareness to the crimes of physical, emotional and financial abuse of elder and vulnerable adults.
Renamed Sexual Assault Center moving to Metro Center
By LEA ANN OVERSTREET • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• June 11, 2008
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Center at 25 Lindsley Ave. is moving and changing its name.
Now known as the Sexual Assault Center, it will move into a 16,000-square-foot facility at 101 French Landing in Metro Center on June 17.
The center celebrates its anniversary this fall.
For almost 30 years it has provided counseling, support, education and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault.
Since 1978, it has helped more than 15,000 children and adult victims of sexual abuse and assault.
According to Stephen Lackey, associate director of development, the center's counselors see more than 700 people a year, with more than half that number being children.
"Our facility now is just not adequate. There's not enough room to do what we want to do," Lackey said.
For 15 years, therapist Eric Fogle has worked with assault survivors, and he said the time has come for a larger site.
"We serve a lot more people than we used to, but we're busting at the seams. We're busting out of this building," Fogle said.
Center representatives said the new building will provide more space for individual therapy, increased areas for educational development, and a room able to seat more than 80 people for community outreach and education programs.
Therapist Char Creson said the changes would not undermine the help she and others are prepared to provide to sexual assault survivors.
"Through it all, we keep the clients' needs in mind. That's a consistent thing. Our expertise has been a constant," Creson said.
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Center at 25 Lindsley Ave. is moving and changing its name.
Now known as the Sexual Assault Center, it will move into a 16,000-square-foot facility at 101 French Landing in Metro Center on June 17.
The center celebrates its anniversary this fall.
For almost 30 years it has provided counseling, support, education and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault.
Since 1978, it has helped more than 15,000 children and adult victims of sexual abuse and assault.
According to Stephen Lackey, associate director of development, the center's counselors see more than 700 people a year, with more than half that number being children.
"Our facility now is just not adequate. There's not enough room to do what we want to do," Lackey said.
For 15 years, therapist Eric Fogle has worked with assault survivors, and he said the time has come for a larger site.
"We serve a lot more people than we used to, but we're busting at the seams. We're busting out of this building," Fogle said.
Center representatives said the new building will provide more space for individual therapy, increased areas for educational development, and a room able to seat more than 80 people for community outreach and education programs.
Therapist Char Creson said the changes would not undermine the help she and others are prepared to provide to sexual assault survivors.
"Through it all, we keep the clients' needs in mind. That's a consistent thing. Our expertise has been a constant," Creson said.
Clinic will offer free legal aid at Donelson Station
By ANDY HUMBLES • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• June 11, 2008
The Donelson Station will be the location of the third in a series of free legal aid clinics for those age 50 and over, 1-3 p.m. Friday, June 13.
Drafting wills and living wills, establishing durable powers of attorney, and advice on issues such as health care, credit matters, denial of benefits, Social Security or mortgages will be covered. If necessary, a case can be referred to a volunteer attorney for future work.
"We get calls all the time from people that have legal questions, and it can be very expensive" to hire legal counsel, FiftyForward Donelson Station Executive director Jane Schnelle said. "I know it will be very well attended.''
The Nashville Pro Bono Program that operates as part of the Legal Aid Society of Nashville and the Cumberlands is sponsoring the Senior Adult Legal Clinics.
The first free legal aid clinic with FiftyForward, formerly known as Senior Citizens Inc., was in April at the FiftyForward in Bordeaux. The second was in May at the FiftyForward Knowles Center.
The first two clinics have been the first Friday of a month. There was a conflict at the FiftyForward Donelson Station on the first Friday of June, which is why it's the second Friday this month. The FiftyForward Donelson Station had been known as Donelson Senior Center until a recent name change.
The first two clinics had 38 seniors attend and more than 60 issues handled; said Nashville Pro Bono program director Lucinda Smith.
The plan is to have one senior clinic most months at each of the five Davidson County senior centers, said Knowles Center director Sally Solesby.
"It's a great service for people that may have not gotten around to writing a will or establishing a power of attorney,'' Solesby said. "The response to the first two were successful. My hopes are that they continue.''
The Nashville Pro Bono Program has partnered with the in-house legal department of Caterpillar Financial Services based in Nashville and Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz for the senior clinics.
Nashville Pro Bono also has commitments from Corrections Corporation of America and LP Building Products to have company attorneys participate. Other legal firms and departments could also be involved, Smith said.
"It's good for us as an engagement tool and makes people glad about what they do,'' said Mike Sposato, general counsel of Caterpillar Financial who helped coordinate that company's involvement.
Brett Parks of Caterpillar Financial was one of several volunteer lawyers participating at the FiftyForward Knowles clinic in May. Paralegals and an information technology person have also participated at the clinics.
"The clients I served had different needs,'' Parks said. "One didn't need us to create any documents, but recently had her husband pass away and was interested in things she should be doing, and we were able to advise her.
"Another lady did need some documents and a living will and had limited means, and we were able to create those documents.
"It's not an issue many want to deal with — their own demise. But seniors need to think of . . . what needs to happen.''
The senior legal clinic grew out of other free clinics offered to the public, including one at the Legal Aid Society office on Deaderick Street the fourth Saturday of the month and another offered the third Friday of the month at Woodbine Community Center.
Contact Andy Humbles by telephone at 726-5939 or by e-mail at ahumbles@tennessean.com.
The Donelson Station will be the location of the third in a series of free legal aid clinics for those age 50 and over, 1-3 p.m. Friday, June 13.
Drafting wills and living wills, establishing durable powers of attorney, and advice on issues such as health care, credit matters, denial of benefits, Social Security or mortgages will be covered. If necessary, a case can be referred to a volunteer attorney for future work.
"We get calls all the time from people that have legal questions, and it can be very expensive" to hire legal counsel, FiftyForward Donelson Station Executive director Jane Schnelle said. "I know it will be very well attended.''
The Nashville Pro Bono Program that operates as part of the Legal Aid Society of Nashville and the Cumberlands is sponsoring the Senior Adult Legal Clinics.
The first free legal aid clinic with FiftyForward, formerly known as Senior Citizens Inc., was in April at the FiftyForward in Bordeaux. The second was in May at the FiftyForward Knowles Center.
The first two clinics have been the first Friday of a month. There was a conflict at the FiftyForward Donelson Station on the first Friday of June, which is why it's the second Friday this month. The FiftyForward Donelson Station had been known as Donelson Senior Center until a recent name change.
The first two clinics had 38 seniors attend and more than 60 issues handled; said Nashville Pro Bono program director Lucinda Smith.
The plan is to have one senior clinic most months at each of the five Davidson County senior centers, said Knowles Center director Sally Solesby.
"It's a great service for people that may have not gotten around to writing a will or establishing a power of attorney,'' Solesby said. "The response to the first two were successful. My hopes are that they continue.''
The Nashville Pro Bono Program has partnered with the in-house legal department of Caterpillar Financial Services based in Nashville and Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz for the senior clinics.
Nashville Pro Bono also has commitments from Corrections Corporation of America and LP Building Products to have company attorneys participate. Other legal firms and departments could also be involved, Smith said.
"It's good for us as an engagement tool and makes people glad about what they do,'' said Mike Sposato, general counsel of Caterpillar Financial who helped coordinate that company's involvement.
Brett Parks of Caterpillar Financial was one of several volunteer lawyers participating at the FiftyForward Knowles clinic in May. Paralegals and an information technology person have also participated at the clinics.
"The clients I served had different needs,'' Parks said. "One didn't need us to create any documents, but recently had her husband pass away and was interested in things she should be doing, and we were able to advise her.
"Another lady did need some documents and a living will and had limited means, and we were able to create those documents.
"It's not an issue many want to deal with — their own demise. But seniors need to think of . . . what needs to happen.''
The senior legal clinic grew out of other free clinics offered to the public, including one at the Legal Aid Society office on Deaderick Street the fourth Saturday of the month and another offered the third Friday of the month at Woodbine Community Center.
Contact Andy Humbles by telephone at 726-5939 or by e-mail at ahumbles@tennessean.com.
Council may finalize budget next week
By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer • June 10, 2008
The Metro Council may approve Nashville's 2008-09 operating budget on June 17, a week ahead of schedule, the council's budget chairman said today.
The council has been planning to take its third and final vote June 24, with the $1.576 billion budget taking effect July 1. But Erik Cole, chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, said there's no point in waiting an extra week if the council is ready before then. He said no decision has been made yet.
Cole said the council might still try to find more money for the Metro Transit Authority, which is planning to cut seven bus routes and raise fares by 25 cents to help make up a $2.9 million budget gap.
But doing so could add to the pain for other agencies that are already scheduled to see their funding reduced. "If there's a single priority that kind of cuts across the board, it's MTA," Cole said. "But there's not a lot of room." It would take more than $1.5 million to restore all seven bus routes, according to MTA calculations.
The Metro Council may approve Nashville's 2008-09 operating budget on June 17, a week ahead of schedule, the council's budget chairman said today.
The council has been planning to take its third and final vote June 24, with the $1.576 billion budget taking effect July 1. But Erik Cole, chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, said there's no point in waiting an extra week if the council is ready before then. He said no decision has been made yet.
Cole said the council might still try to find more money for the Metro Transit Authority, which is planning to cut seven bus routes and raise fares by 25 cents to help make up a $2.9 million budget gap.
But doing so could add to the pain for other agencies that are already scheduled to see their funding reduced. "If there's a single priority that kind of cuts across the board, it's MTA," Cole said. "But there's not a lot of room." It would take more than $1.5 million to restore all seven bus routes, according to MTA calculations.
Nashville schools' top staffing faces overhaul
State to order changes under No Child Left Behind law
By JAIME SARRIO • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 11, 2008
Major changes to the structure of the Metro schools central office will be forced by the state this week, an official said Tuesday.
Connie Smith, executive director of accountability and improvement for the Tennessee Department of Education, told Metro school board members the state will announce changes this week that will shake up staffing assignments at the top level and affect the district's curriculum.
The state has the power to make changes because local officials failed to keep the district in good standing under the No Child Left Behind law.
Smith wouldn't go into specifics about the changes but did mention that the state plans to hire a gifted-education specialist to restructure the county's advanced learner program.
Parents of gifted students were upset at the end of the school year when Metro said it would no longer offer algebra to seventh-grade students. But Smith said schools were letting students take algebra without really teaching it. "I want it known that we're not only restructuring the way we teach math, we're really going to tailor-make something that challenges these kids above and beyond what they can get anywhere," she said.
Since last fall, state agents have been embedded in the district, making changes and reporting to state officials about Metro's problems.
Smith said the state could not wait for the district to hire a new director of schools to introduce an overhaul such as the one coming this week. She expects the new director to work with the state and back the changes. "We couldn't wait and allow things to languish," she said.
"Whomever comes in will be thankful to examine the infrastructure that's in place to support curriculum.".
By JAIME SARRIO • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 11, 2008
Major changes to the structure of the Metro schools central office will be forced by the state this week, an official said Tuesday.
Connie Smith, executive director of accountability and improvement for the Tennessee Department of Education, told Metro school board members the state will announce changes this week that will shake up staffing assignments at the top level and affect the district's curriculum.
The state has the power to make changes because local officials failed to keep the district in good standing under the No Child Left Behind law.
Smith wouldn't go into specifics about the changes but did mention that the state plans to hire a gifted-education specialist to restructure the county's advanced learner program.
Parents of gifted students were upset at the end of the school year when Metro said it would no longer offer algebra to seventh-grade students. But Smith said schools were letting students take algebra without really teaching it. "I want it known that we're not only restructuring the way we teach math, we're really going to tailor-make something that challenges these kids above and beyond what they can get anywhere," she said.
Since last fall, state agents have been embedded in the district, making changes and reporting to state officials about Metro's problems.
Smith said the state could not wait for the district to hire a new director of schools to introduce an overhaul such as the one coming this week. She expects the new director to work with the state and back the changes. "We couldn't wait and allow things to languish," she said.
"Whomever comes in will be thankful to examine the infrastructure that's in place to support curriculum.".
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Video of District "29" Cleanup - Did not think they could do it
This is a video....Click the arrow to watch..enjoy
Davidson County crime report for May 26-28
The most serious calls handled by Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported.
Antioch
9:29 a.m., residential burglary, 300 block Pocono Road
9:51 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Hampstead South
Hermitage
11:16 a.m., rape, at Burning Tree Drive
5:08 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Burning Tree Drive
Priest Lake
11:56 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Bell Road
12:26 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Bell Road
South
2:50 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Massman Drive
3:20 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 15100 block Old Hickory Boulevard
9:52 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Air Lane Drive
4:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Harding Industrial Drive
6:14 p.m., holdup/robbery, 40 block Millwood Drive
11:37 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Wexford Downs Lane
11:37 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Wexford Downs Lane
Downtown
7:38 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Eighth Avenue South
Hermitage
8:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Central Court
Priest Lake
10:24 a.m., residential burglary, 4600 block Buckpasser Avenue
3:05 p.m., residential burglary, 2900 block High Rigger Drive
South
7:02 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Harding Industrial Drive
9:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
11:15 a.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Laurinda Drive
3:06 p.m., residential burglary, 4200 block Sandstone Drive
Antioch
8:57 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Murfreesboro Pike
Donelson
6:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 20 block Rachel Drive
Downtown
12:16 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Second Avenue North
4:50 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Rosa L Parks Boulevard
6:59 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1700 block 25th Avenue North
South
3:37 p.m., residential burglary, 7400 block Maggie Drive
6:50 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
7:15 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
11:23 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch
9:29 a.m., residential burglary, 300 block Pocono Road
9:51 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Hampstead South
Hermitage
11:16 a.m., rape, at Burning Tree Drive
5:08 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Burning Tree Drive
Priest Lake
11:56 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Bell Road
12:26 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Bell Road
South
2:50 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Massman Drive
3:20 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 15100 block Old Hickory Boulevard
9:52 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Air Lane Drive
4:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Harding Industrial Drive
6:14 p.m., holdup/robbery, 40 block Millwood Drive
11:37 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Wexford Downs Lane
11:37 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Wexford Downs Lane
Downtown
7:38 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Eighth Avenue South
Hermitage
8:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Central Court
Priest Lake
10:24 a.m., residential burglary, 4600 block Buckpasser Avenue
3:05 p.m., residential burglary, 2900 block High Rigger Drive
South
7:02 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Harding Industrial Drive
9:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
11:15 a.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Laurinda Drive
3:06 p.m., residential burglary, 4200 block Sandstone Drive
Antioch
8:57 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Murfreesboro Pike
Donelson
6:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 20 block Rachel Drive
Downtown
12:16 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Second Avenue North
4:50 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Rosa L Parks Boulevard
6:59 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1700 block 25th Avenue North
South
3:37 p.m., residential burglary, 7400 block Maggie Drive
6:50 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
7:15 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
11:23 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike
2 arrested after lengthy police pursuit
Metro police arrested two suspects after a lengthy police pursuit overnight that ended when the women's car got stuck in a parking lot off of Elm Hill Pike in Donelson and police had to force entry.
Metro police Capt. Randy Hickerson said that shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday an officer attempted to stop a silver Oldsmobile Alero because police believed that the car and tags were stolen and that the suspects and/or vehicle possibly may have been involved in a robbery.
The car did not stop for the officer and a pursuit began with speeds staying very low, Hickerson said. On Briley Parkway, speed reached 50 mph. Police were able to lay down spike strips two times, which deflated the suspects' tires, but the driver continued to travel with three of her tires flattened.
After about 35 minutes police vehicles were getting in position to block the vehicle as they were in the Elm Hill Pike and Donelson Pike area.
However, the Alero pulled into a parking lot at Airport Center Drive and Elm Hill Pike and then got stuck on top of a curbed dirt mound.
Officers approached, telling both suspects to exit the vehicle, but they refused. Their doors were locked. Officers broke out windows and gained access to the suspects and took them into custody, Hickerson said.The driver faces charges of motor vehicle theft, theft of a tag, revoked driver's license, and felony evading. The passenger had an outstanding parole violation warrant. The suspects' names were not released.
Police believe the women were using drugs prior to the pursuit.Police learned that the vehicle had not been involved in a robbery as earlier suspected.—
LEIGH RAY (tennesean)
Metro police Capt. Randy Hickerson said that shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday an officer attempted to stop a silver Oldsmobile Alero because police believed that the car and tags were stolen and that the suspects and/or vehicle possibly may have been involved in a robbery.
The car did not stop for the officer and a pursuit began with speeds staying very low, Hickerson said. On Briley Parkway, speed reached 50 mph. Police were able to lay down spike strips two times, which deflated the suspects' tires, but the driver continued to travel with three of her tires flattened.
After about 35 minutes police vehicles were getting in position to block the vehicle as they were in the Elm Hill Pike and Donelson Pike area.
However, the Alero pulled into a parking lot at Airport Center Drive and Elm Hill Pike and then got stuck on top of a curbed dirt mound.
Officers approached, telling both suspects to exit the vehicle, but they refused. Their doors were locked. Officers broke out windows and gained access to the suspects and took them into custody, Hickerson said.The driver faces charges of motor vehicle theft, theft of a tag, revoked driver's license, and felony evading. The passenger had an outstanding parole violation warrant. The suspects' names were not released.
Police believe the women were using drugs prior to the pursuit.Police learned that the vehicle had not been involved in a robbery as earlier suspected.—
LEIGH RAY (tennesean)
Monday, June 9, 2008
Did you know?
If you work for $8.00 an hour and your car has a 13 gallon tank, it will cost you 6 hours of work
to pay for that tank of gas.
to pay for that tank of gas.
Gas hits record, won't ease up
Tennessee prices remain below $4 U.S. average
By JOHN WAGGONER • USA Today • June 9, 2008
U.S. gasoline prices shot above $4 a gallon for the first time Sunday, and drivers will be shelling out even more for gas this week.
By JOHN WAGGONER • USA Today • June 9, 2008
U.S. gasoline prices shot above $4 a gallon for the first time Sunday, and drivers will be shelling out even more for gas this week.
The national average price of a gallon of regular gas hit $4.005 Sunday, up from $3.988 Saturday, and $3.105 a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.
But that's just the average. Drivers in California are paying an average of $4.44 a gallon, AAA says. In Visalia, Calif., a gallon of regular unleaded averaged $4.50.
Missouri had the lowest average price, at $3.80.
Tennessee was below the national average at $3.85 on Sunday. The average price in Nashville was $3.88.
But that's just the average. Drivers in California are paying an average of $4.44 a gallon, AAA says. In Visalia, Calif., a gallon of regular unleaded averaged $4.50.
Missouri had the lowest average price, at $3.80.
Tennessee was below the national average at $3.85 on Sunday. The average price in Nashville was $3.88.
A gallon of diesel averaged $4.762, versus $2.902 a year ago. Premium gas averaged $4.80, vs. $3.605 last year.
The rise in gas prices follows an unexpected $10.75 jump in the price of oil Friday, to a record close of $138.54 a barrel. It had spiked up as high as $139.12.
Sending oil soaring:
• Israel's transportation minister said Friday that an attack on Iran was "unavoidable." Iran, which produces 4 million barrels of oil a day, is the world's second-largest producer, behind Saudi Arabia .
• The U.S. dollar fell. A euro cost $1.5768 Friday, versus $1.5593 Thursday. Oil is priced in dollars, and when the dollar falls in value, oil prices rise.
• Investment bank Morgan Stanley predicted that oil prices would hit $150 by July.
• Israel's transportation minister said Friday that an attack on Iran was "unavoidable." Iran, which produces 4 million barrels of oil a day, is the world's second-largest producer, behind Saudi Arabia .
• The U.S. dollar fell. A euro cost $1.5768 Friday, versus $1.5593 Thursday. Oil is priced in dollars, and when the dollar falls in value, oil prices rise.
• Investment bank Morgan Stanley predicted that oil prices would hit $150 by July.
Trading is also a factor
Experts also blamed a technical factor, called short-covering, for the big rise in oil prices. Making a bet on falling prices is called shorting. Traders who take short positions in the futures market have to buy oil futures to close their positions.
Sometimes that leads to a big spike upward in prices. "Short sellers have gotten squeezed," said Michael Hoover, manager of Columbia Energy and Natural Resources fund.
"I think anyone who says they are not shocked would be being untruthful," said Fred Fromm, manager of Franklin Natural Resources fund.
"I think anyone who says they are not shocked would be being untruthful," said Fred Fromm, manager of Franklin Natural Resources fund.
For roughly two decades, prices have tapered off in late May, sometimes dropping far enough to provide motorists a significant summer respite.
"We are cautioning gas station owners around the country not to overreact to one day of trading," said AAA spokeswoman Yolanda Cade.
A slowdown in price increases last week prompted predictions that although the timing seemed late, the pattern would reassert itself. But even if fuel prices fall a bit this summer, that's unlikely to last long.
"I still worry about late July and August when there will be plenty of hurricane hype," Tom Kloza, veteran analyst at consultant Oil Price Information Service, said in an e-mail last week.
Forecasts of hurricanes send prices up because energy operations in the Gulf of Mexico could be slammed. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, prices rose to an average of about $3.06, a record at the time.
Forecasts of hurricanes send prices up because energy operations in the Gulf of Mexico could be slammed. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, prices rose to an average of about $3.06, a record at the time.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Tabs for Ronald McDonald House
No one has forgotten about all of you that have been saving those tabs...A date will be coming up soon. If you have a lot of the tabs or you need some more boxes to distribute, email me atmssphotography@aol.com to make arrangements.
Thanks!
Let's show the Ronald McDonald house that "District 29" can make a difference!
Did you know?
This Blog is not only being looked at in the United States. People are looking at this blog all over the world.
The blog is being looked at in :
Germany
India
Great Britain (UK)
Canada
Nigeria
Ireland
Australia
Singapore
Bulgaria
Mexico
China
Spain
Costa Rica
Malaysia
Turkey
Austria
Switzerland
Chile
Greece
Saudi Arabia
France
Ghana
Italy
Norway
Mauritius
Benin
Sweden
Honduras
Iran
Argentina
South Africa
Latvia
Thailand
Ukraine
Brazil
Egypt
Indonesia
Netherlands
Togo
Japan
Belgium
Poland
Kenya
Philippines
New Zealand (Aotearoa)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Malta
Colombia
Peru
The blog is being looked at in :
Germany
India
Great Britain (UK)
Canada
Nigeria
Ireland
Australia
Singapore
Bulgaria
Mexico
China
Spain
Costa Rica
Malaysia
Turkey
Austria
Switzerland
Chile
Greece
Saudi Arabia
France
Ghana
Italy
Norway
Mauritius
Benin
Sweden
Honduras
Iran
Argentina
South Africa
Latvia
Thailand
Ukraine
Brazil
Egypt
Indonesia
Netherlands
Togo
Japan
Belgium
Poland
Kenya
Philippines
New Zealand (Aotearoa)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Malta
Colombia
Peru
Help is out there if you need it...
Thank you to everyone leaving comments with help lines that are available.
With the gas prices higher then ever, financial problems, layoffs from your jobs, cutbacks, some of us feel like you just cannot take it anymore and need someone to talk to or you might be looking to join a support group.
Well, with help from the community and the NAMI Tennessee there are many resources for those looking for help.
The following links are to sites that are available through the Tennessee area. I will also post these sites also on the side of the blog. The listing from the NAMI has a long list of resources available...You might want to print and keep handy.
http://www.namitn.org/resources.htm
- The state's voice on Mental Health
http://www.alcoholaddiction.org/tennessee/ -1-800-559-9503 - Nationwide Addiction Treatment Assistance Alcohol and Substance Abuse
http://www.drugrehabcenter.com/ - Holistic Drug Rehab Center
With the gas prices higher then ever, financial problems, layoffs from your jobs, cutbacks, some of us feel like you just cannot take it anymore and need someone to talk to or you might be looking to join a support group.
Well, with help from the community and the NAMI Tennessee there are many resources for those looking for help.
The following links are to sites that are available through the Tennessee area. I will also post these sites also on the side of the blog. The listing from the NAMI has a long list of resources available...You might want to print and keep handy.
http://www.namitn.org/resources.htm
- The state's voice on Mental Health
http://www.alcoholaddiction.org/tennessee/ -1-800-559-9503 - Nationwide Addiction Treatment Assistance Alcohol and Substance Abuse
http://www.drugrehabcenter.com/ - Holistic Drug Rehab Center
Metro's gas-saving plan
Reported on WKRN (Channel 2)
The city of Nashville is tightening its belt even further, and you won't be seeing as many Metro vehicles around town.
Monday, Mayor Karl Dean cut the city's fleet of cars and trucks by 10-percent, or 400 vehicles. It's all about saving money - mostly on fuel.
The Mayor also wants department heads to re-evaluate how many of the 900 take-home vehicles can be used less.
Metro expects to spend $2-million more for gas this year than they budgeted.
General Services Director Nancy Whittemore said, "It's something we all have to deal with at home or at work and it's something that's gone beyond what we thought it would."
Metro also plans to replace ageing cars and trucks with smaller vehicles and hybrids. Right now, there are only six hybrids in the fleet.
In Metro's Fire Department, 17 employees will lose their take-home cars -- and Metro's fire chief insists the move will not affect public safety.
"We're not taking away a car that that's critical to our response for major fire department operations," Fire Chief Steve Halford told News 2.
Metro's firefighters will also be encouraged to make fewer trips to grocery stores and restaurants during their extra long shifts. They must use Fire Department vehicles in case a call comes in during their meal.
The city of Nashville is tightening its belt even further, and you won't be seeing as many Metro vehicles around town.
Monday, Mayor Karl Dean cut the city's fleet of cars and trucks by 10-percent, or 400 vehicles. It's all about saving money - mostly on fuel.
The Mayor also wants department heads to re-evaluate how many of the 900 take-home vehicles can be used less.
Metro expects to spend $2-million more for gas this year than they budgeted.
General Services Director Nancy Whittemore said, "It's something we all have to deal with at home or at work and it's something that's gone beyond what we thought it would."
Metro also plans to replace ageing cars and trucks with smaller vehicles and hybrids. Right now, there are only six hybrids in the fleet.
In Metro's Fire Department, 17 employees will lose their take-home cars -- and Metro's fire chief insists the move will not affect public safety.
"We're not taking away a car that that's critical to our response for major fire department operations," Fire Chief Steve Halford told News 2.
Metro's firefighters will also be encouraged to make fewer trips to grocery stores and restaurants during their extra long shifts. They must use Fire Department vehicles in case a call comes in during their meal.
Teen shot overnight while walking with friends
Reported by WKRN (Channel 2)
Metro police are looking for the person who shot a teenager just south of downtown overnight.Officers responded to 1216 Lewis Street, near Murfreesboro Pike, just before 12 midnight Monday.
A 16-year-old told officers he was walking with friends near the J. C. Napier Housing Complex on Fairfield Avenue when three men approached him and started firing shots.The teen was struck by a bullet in the lower part of his body.
Police said they had reason to believe that the shooting could have been gang-related, but that is under investigation.Captain David Imhof, Metro police, said, "We weren't 100% sure of that, but just because we were getting some information that it may be gang-related, we went ahead and called the gang unit out there to investigate." Police said the shooting victim's injuries are not life-threatening. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME.
Metro police are looking for the person who shot a teenager just south of downtown overnight.Officers responded to 1216 Lewis Street, near Murfreesboro Pike, just before 12 midnight Monday.
A 16-year-old told officers he was walking with friends near the J. C. Napier Housing Complex on Fairfield Avenue when three men approached him and started firing shots.The teen was struck by a bullet in the lower part of his body.
Police said they had reason to believe that the shooting could have been gang-related, but that is under investigation.Captain David Imhof, Metro police, said, "We weren't 100% sure of that, but just because we were getting some information that it may be gang-related, we went ahead and called the gang unit out there to investigate." Police said the shooting victim's injuries are not life-threatening. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME.
Metro assistance agency short on funds
Posted on WKRN (Channel 2)
As we head into the warm summer months, the Metro Action Commission is a frequent source of relief for families in need.
But this year, the agency is dealing with a tighter budget than usual.
Last year Metro Action received $3.4-million to help assist families with energy costs. This year that number was cut to $1.8-million.
Those funds have been depleted since January -- and families are in need of assistance now more than ever.
Dub Campbell says he and his wife are barely getting by. He had to stop working because of a medical condition and his wife recently lost her jobs.
He said, "We're in kind of a tailspin situation and frankly I don't know how we're going to pull out of it."
He's dreading the hot summer months and the energy costs that are sure to come with them. Normally the couple waits until July to begin cooling their home. Lisa Gallon with the Metro Action Commission says need for assistance is on the rise, but there isn't enough money to go around.
According to Gallon, "We have been out of funding for quite some time with our energy assistance program."
Campbell receives disability pay and isn't eligible for government assistance. Recently, he's had to turn to loved ones for help.
He said, "My sister in Texas, she's sent us a few bucks here and there. Never had to do that before. The last year has been especially rough."
The Metro Action Commission can accept new applications for assistance starting July 1st.
As we head into the warm summer months, the Metro Action Commission is a frequent source of relief for families in need.
But this year, the agency is dealing with a tighter budget than usual.
Last year Metro Action received $3.4-million to help assist families with energy costs. This year that number was cut to $1.8-million.
Those funds have been depleted since January -- and families are in need of assistance now more than ever.
Dub Campbell says he and his wife are barely getting by. He had to stop working because of a medical condition and his wife recently lost her jobs.
He said, "We're in kind of a tailspin situation and frankly I don't know how we're going to pull out of it."
He's dreading the hot summer months and the energy costs that are sure to come with them. Normally the couple waits until July to begin cooling their home. Lisa Gallon with the Metro Action Commission says need for assistance is on the rise, but there isn't enough money to go around.
According to Gallon, "We have been out of funding for quite some time with our energy assistance program."
Campbell receives disability pay and isn't eligible for government assistance. Recently, he's had to turn to loved ones for help.
He said, "My sister in Texas, she's sent us a few bucks here and there. Never had to do that before. The last year has been especially rough."
The Metro Action Commission can accept new applications for assistance starting July 1st.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Preds investor files bankruptcy
By BRAD SCHRADE • Staff Writer(Tennessean) • June 6, 2008
Predators minority owner William “Boots” Del Biaggio III financial troubles got worse today as he filed Ch. 11 bankruptcy in northern California.
The development ends a tumultuous week in the life of a key investor in the Predators group that purchased the team in December from Craig Leipold.
Del Biaggio’s bankruptcy filing in the Northern District of California came at 12:27 p.m. central time signals further financial trouble for a man that owns a 27% percent stake in the team purchased for $193 million.
Del Biaggio is facing a series of lawsuits filed this week claiming he defrauded lenders. He is also reportedly facing a federal probe.For more details on this story, come back to Tennessean.com.
Predators minority owner William “Boots” Del Biaggio III financial troubles got worse today as he filed Ch. 11 bankruptcy in northern California.
The development ends a tumultuous week in the life of a key investor in the Predators group that purchased the team in December from Craig Leipold.
Del Biaggio’s bankruptcy filing in the Northern District of California came at 12:27 p.m. central time signals further financial trouble for a man that owns a 27% percent stake in the team purchased for $193 million.
Del Biaggio is facing a series of lawsuits filed this week claiming he defrauded lenders. He is also reportedly facing a federal probe.For more details on this story, come back to Tennessean.com.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Ms. Cheaps free Summer Fun
With the weeknight around the corner, I figured i would give you some links to websites for finding cheap things to do:
www.nashvillesymphony.org
www.nashville.gov/parks
www.nashville.gov/greenways
www.library.nashville.org
www.tennessean.com
www.nashvillesymphony.org
www.nashville.gov/parks
www.nashville.gov/greenways
www.library.nashville.org
www.tennessean.com
Sports Authority to review legal options on Preds investor
Brad Schrade • Staff Writer (Tennnessean) • June 5, 2008
Metro Sports Authority will explore what legal course, if any, to take in the wake of a series of lawsuits against Predators minority owner William “Boots” Del Biaggio III, who is also facing a federal investigation.
Authority Chairman Kevin Lavender called a special meeting for next week to discuss possible legal action to take in light of multiple lawsuits and a federal probe. A portion of the meeting may be conducted behind closed doors because the public body will be exploring its legal options, Lavender said.
“This obviously causes concern for all of us,” Lavender said today. “We’re going to have a special called board meeting next Friday. We’ve got to determine is there a breach. There probably is. What are the ramifications for that and what are the cures?”Del Biaggio, a San Jose investor, was a key figure in a group of mostly-local investors that purchased the team for $193 million from Craig Leipold in December. Del Biaggio, who owns about 27% of the team, and the other investors made personal guarantees to Metro designed to protect the city if the team defaults on its obligations under the lease at the Sommet Center.
Over the past week a series of lawsuits have been filed in Northern California claiming Del Biaggio misled lenders around the time the deal for the Predators was going down.
Metro Sports Authority will explore what legal course, if any, to take in the wake of a series of lawsuits against Predators minority owner William “Boots” Del Biaggio III, who is also facing a federal investigation.
Authority Chairman Kevin Lavender called a special meeting for next week to discuss possible legal action to take in light of multiple lawsuits and a federal probe. A portion of the meeting may be conducted behind closed doors because the public body will be exploring its legal options, Lavender said.
“This obviously causes concern for all of us,” Lavender said today. “We’re going to have a special called board meeting next Friday. We’ve got to determine is there a breach. There probably is. What are the ramifications for that and what are the cures?”Del Biaggio, a San Jose investor, was a key figure in a group of mostly-local investors that purchased the team for $193 million from Craig Leipold in December. Del Biaggio, who owns about 27% of the team, and the other investors made personal guarantees to Metro designed to protect the city if the team defaults on its obligations under the lease at the Sommet Center.
Over the past week a series of lawsuits have been filed in Northern California claiming Del Biaggio misled lenders around the time the deal for the Predators was going down.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Are there any photographers out there?
Get published! Upload your photos you feel best capture the heart
of Music City and you can be published in their coffee-table style book. Reader's
votes determine which photos publish and which photos win prizes. Log on to CaptureMusic City.com today.
This is presented by The Tennessean....Who knows you might find some photos from the District "29" cleanup......
of Music City and you can be published in their coffee-table style book. Reader's
votes determine which photos publish and which photos win prizes. Log on to CaptureMusic City.com today.
This is presented by The Tennessean....Who knows you might find some photos from the District "29" cleanup......
Photos by M. Schwartz
Metro Council urged to find the money to keep 7 targeted bus routes
Residents tell concerns at public hearing
By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 4, 2008
Nashville bus riders and others urged the Metro Council on Tuesday to restore funding for seven bus routes that would be dropped as a result of the city's proposed budget for 2008-09.
Most speakers at a public hearing on the budget said the city shouldn't remove some people's only transportation option.
"Please don't take that away from us, and please don't leave us stranded," said Sheila Hansen, a legally blind woman who said the quality of the bus system was one reason she moved to Nashville from Florida in the 1980s.
Mayor Karl Dean has proposed a $400,000 cut to the Metro Transit Authority's budget, but skyrocketing diesel prices caused MTA to ask the city for $2.5 million more than it received this year.
The Transit Authority plans to cut its seven least-productive bus routes and raise fares July 1 to help make up the $2.9 million shortfall.
Susan Duvenhage, president and CEO of the Adventure Science Center, said some of the museum's staff, volunteers and visitors could be affected by the cuts.
"Eliminating routes could have an unintended impact on businesses and nonprofits whose customers rely on them," Duvenhage said.
Residents also spoke out against proposed cuts to the Fire Department, reduced hours at some libraries and community centers, and a lack of raises for school support employees such as custodians.
Some criticized the city's recent decision to amend the Nashville Predators' lease of Sommet Center and give the Predators' owners millions of additional dollars, though that money is not coming from property tax revenues, which fund most Metro services.
Meanwhile, a handful of residents asked the council to approve Dean's proposal, saying it would be good for the arts.
In other business, the council approved a change to the "capacity fees" new restaurant owners must pay to hook up to the water and sewer systems.
Entrepreneurs now will be able to spread payments that can run as high as $42,000 over 36 months instead of putting the entire amount up at one
By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 4, 2008
Nashville bus riders and others urged the Metro Council on Tuesday to restore funding for seven bus routes that would be dropped as a result of the city's proposed budget for 2008-09.
Most speakers at a public hearing on the budget said the city shouldn't remove some people's only transportation option.
"Please don't take that away from us, and please don't leave us stranded," said Sheila Hansen, a legally blind woman who said the quality of the bus system was one reason she moved to Nashville from Florida in the 1980s.
Mayor Karl Dean has proposed a $400,000 cut to the Metro Transit Authority's budget, but skyrocketing diesel prices caused MTA to ask the city for $2.5 million more than it received this year.
The Transit Authority plans to cut its seven least-productive bus routes and raise fares July 1 to help make up the $2.9 million shortfall.
Susan Duvenhage, president and CEO of the Adventure Science Center, said some of the museum's staff, volunteers and visitors could be affected by the cuts.
"Eliminating routes could have an unintended impact on businesses and nonprofits whose customers rely on them," Duvenhage said.
Residents also spoke out against proposed cuts to the Fire Department, reduced hours at some libraries and community centers, and a lack of raises for school support employees such as custodians.
Some criticized the city's recent decision to amend the Nashville Predators' lease of Sommet Center and give the Predators' owners millions of additional dollars, though that money is not coming from property tax revenues, which fund most Metro services.
Meanwhile, a handful of residents asked the council to approve Dean's proposal, saying it would be good for the arts.
In other business, the council approved a change to the "capacity fees" new restaurant owners must pay to hook up to the water and sewer systems.
Entrepreneurs now will be able to spread payments that can run as high as $42,000 over 36 months instead of putting the entire amount up at one
Charity event includes Nashville Shores discount
By ANDY HUMBLES ahumbles@tennessean.com 726-5939 • June 4, 2008
The American Heart Association is hosting a Healthy Living Day at Nashville Shores from 10:30 a.m.– 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 18.
Activities include tips and healthy living information including habits that can curtail the spread of childhood obesity.
A local Jump Rope for Heart team is also scheduled to perform.The American Heart Association is also offering a discounted admission price of $14 for that day. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the American Heart Association.All orders must be purchased in advance. No orders for discounted tickets will be taken after June 11. Call 340-4100 to pre-order.
The American Heart Association is hosting a Healthy Living Day at Nashville Shores from 10:30 a.m.– 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 18.
Activities include tips and healthy living information including habits that can curtail the spread of childhood obesity.
A local Jump Rope for Heart team is also scheduled to perform.The American Heart Association is also offering a discounted admission price of $14 for that day. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the American Heart Association.All orders must be purchased in advance. No orders for discounted tickets will be taken after June 11. Call 340-4100 to pre-order.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Shooting in fast-food parking lot investigated
Shooting in fast-food parking lot investigated
A man was shot in a parking lot of a fast-food restaurant Sunday night, police said. The victim's injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Metro police Capt. Randy Hickerson said this is what police have learned:
At about 10 p.m. Sunday officers responded to the McDonald's at 524 Murfreesboro Pike and located one victim, 30, who had been shot at that location. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
A silver four-door Lexus, possibly a 2004 model, had been sitting in the back parking lot for about 45 minutes, according to what witnesses told police. Inside the Lexus were four men.
A GMC SUV with two men and two women pulled in next to the Lexus. Two people got out of the SUV and one or two got out of the Lexus. They went to the back of their vehicles to exchange bags of clothes. One of the men from the Lexus fired a shot, striking the victim.
The possible shooter from the Lexus is described as a black man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 160 pounds, wearing a white T-shirt and using a large black revolver.
The second suspect from the Lexus is described as a black man, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 165 pounds, with dreadlocks and wearing a black shirt.The Hermitage Precinct is handling the investigation.
— LEIGH RAY(tennesseean)
A man was shot in a parking lot of a fast-food restaurant Sunday night, police said. The victim's injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Metro police Capt. Randy Hickerson said this is what police have learned:
At about 10 p.m. Sunday officers responded to the McDonald's at 524 Murfreesboro Pike and located one victim, 30, who had been shot at that location. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
A silver four-door Lexus, possibly a 2004 model, had been sitting in the back parking lot for about 45 minutes, according to what witnesses told police. Inside the Lexus were four men.
A GMC SUV with two men and two women pulled in next to the Lexus. Two people got out of the SUV and one or two got out of the Lexus. They went to the back of their vehicles to exchange bags of clothes. One of the men from the Lexus fired a shot, striking the victim.
The possible shooter from the Lexus is described as a black man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 160 pounds, wearing a white T-shirt and using a large black revolver.
The second suspect from the Lexus is described as a black man, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 165 pounds, with dreadlocks and wearing a black shirt.The Hermitage Precinct is handling the investigation.
— LEIGH RAY(tennesseean)
Metro won’t contract out social services
Despite a 2004 audit that called for Metro Social Services to outsource its nutrition and homemaker services, the public agency announced Monday that it will continue to provide both services directly.
The Metro Social Services Board of Commissioners made the decision after it determined that contracting out the two programs would not produce significant savings, according to an agency news release.
A pilot private service provider project also revealed that clients were satisfied with Metro's programs.
Through its homemaker program, the agency provides household and personal care help to 450 elderly, mentally and physically challenged adults. The agency's nutrition program provides a midday meal for 1,400 senior citizens at community centers and individual homes daily.
Board Chairwoman Gwen Harris said disruption of the programs would be a disservice to the elderly in Nashville.
— JANELL ROSSjross1@tennessean.com
The Metro Social Services Board of Commissioners made the decision after it determined that contracting out the two programs would not produce significant savings, according to an agency news release.
A pilot private service provider project also revealed that clients were satisfied with Metro's programs.
Through its homemaker program, the agency provides household and personal care help to 450 elderly, mentally and physically challenged adults. The agency's nutrition program provides a midday meal for 1,400 senior citizens at community centers and individual homes daily.
Board Chairwoman Gwen Harris said disruption of the programs would be a disservice to the elderly in Nashville.
— JANELL ROSSjross1@tennessean.com
Competition, crime drive stores from Antioch mall
Dillard's is latest retailer to flee Hickory Hollow
By WENDY LEE • Staff Writer (Tennessean)) • June 3, 2008
Dillard's Inc. confirmed Monday that it will close its Hickory Hollow Mall store in August, becoming the latest tenant to leave a once vibrant Nashville shopping center that has found itself caught in the grip of neighborhood crime and increased retail competition from nearby suburbs.
Leased mall space at the 428,000-square-foot Antioch shopping center has declined about 10 percent since 2005, losing anchor tenants such as J.C. Penney and Hallmark along the way. Now, Dillard's, and later this year, Linens 'n Things, will be added to that list.
In the past, Metro police have identified Hickory Hollow Mall as a location with significant gang activity, but recent efforts to curtail crime in the area — including a 2006 curfew to require everyone 18 years and under to be accompanied by a parent in the mall after 6 p.m. each Friday and Saturday — seem to have shown some improvement. While robberies are still up at the mall this year, petty thefts like shoplifting are down, according to numbers provided by Michael Alexander, commander of the South precinct.
"We're trying to be very proactive to address the issues at Hickory Hollow Mall," he said.
Mall nearing its end?
Still, for retailers trying to attract a reliable base of customers, the increased police attention may not be enough.
"The life cycle may be over for that mall, or getting close," said Steve Rudd, a partner with Nashville-based Restaurant Retail Properties, a commercial real estate company. "Their market has just really slimmed down."
In addition, the mall faces tough new competition from places like Providence MarketPlace in Mt. Juliet, which offers a J.C. Penney, and The Avenue, a new shopping center in Murfreesboro that includes a Belk department store.
As far as Dillard's closing, company spokeswoman Julie J. Bull said simply, "The company is closing underperforming stores, and this is an underperforming store." The Antioch store is one of eight underperforming locations nationwide that will be closed by the Little Rock, Ark.-based department store. The store's 90 employees will be transferred to four other Dillard's in the Nashville area, Bull said.
Crime worries linger
Katie Reinsmidt, spokeswoman for CBL & Associates Properties Inc., which owns Hickory Hollow Mall, said the company is determined to "continue to try to make Hickory Hollow the best destination it can possibly be."
Reinsmidt said Dillard's leaving will open new possibilities for the mall, adding that other CBL properties have replaced vacant spaces with new department stores or alternative stores such as a Burlington Coat Factory. CBL & Associates also owns RiverGate Mall and CoolSprings Galleria.
Some retailers and shoppers said they were saddened by the department store's departure, as concerns about crime at the mall continue to linger. This year, Hickory Hollow Mall has had 54 reported thefts, 30 burglaries and 13 robberies, according to police statistics.
"People don't want to come to Hickory Hollow anymore because of" the crime, said Melody Taft, a manager at women's apparel store 5-7-9. Taft said she has witnessed her share of fights around the mall's food court.
"It was awful," Taft said of the mall's tense atmosphere, adding that it made her not want to work there.
And mall customers like Becky Oliver said now that Dillard's is leaving, the mall will become a less attractive place to shop. "It's really going downhill," Oliver said. "It's really sad."
Oliver's comments were cut short when a mall security officer ordered a Tennessean reporter and photographer off the mall property.
Competition hurts, too
Increased competition from retailers opening in the suburbs where Hickory Hollow Mall once drew shoppers, has also contributed to its declining performance.
Quincy Johnson, a 48-year-old Antioch resident, said without a Dillard's he probably won't visit Hickory Hollow Mall twice a week as he does now, going instead to CoolSprings Galleria.
Mall sales per square foot at Hickory Hollow continue to decline, coming in at $226 per-square-foot last year. Its occupancy rates have also suffered compared to its peers. Last year, Hickory Hollow had an 84 percent occupancy rate, compared to CoolSprings Galleria at 99 percent and RiverGate Mall at 97 percent, according to CBL & Associates' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mojeeb Ansari, a partner at Universal Imports, which sells items such as knives and figurines, said that sales were up when his store opened at Hickory Hollow 11 years ago. Now his sales are down 30 percent, Ansari said. "It's slow," Ansari said. "CoolSprings and Opry Mills kill this mall."
From a real estate point of view, Rudd said even the physical topography of the place — the hills — don't break in the mall's favor. Poor visibility from the road makes it difficult to recruit retail tenants there.
"I bet (CBL) would love to (sell the mall), but I don't think they will," Rudd said. "Who would buy it?"
Not everyone has given up on Hickory Hollow Mall. City Councilman Sam Coleman, who represents the area, said a plan of action between businesses, city and state officials will help revitalize the area.
"We're just transitioning and we're just hitting a tough little skid here," Coleman said. "We're going to get it right. We're not going to let Hickory Hollow fail."
Lisa Green and Chas Sisk contributed to this report. Wendy Lee can be reached at 259-8092.
By WENDY LEE • Staff Writer (Tennessean)) • June 3, 2008
Dillard's Inc. confirmed Monday that it will close its Hickory Hollow Mall store in August, becoming the latest tenant to leave a once vibrant Nashville shopping center that has found itself caught in the grip of neighborhood crime and increased retail competition from nearby suburbs.
Leased mall space at the 428,000-square-foot Antioch shopping center has declined about 10 percent since 2005, losing anchor tenants such as J.C. Penney and Hallmark along the way. Now, Dillard's, and later this year, Linens 'n Things, will be added to that list.
In the past, Metro police have identified Hickory Hollow Mall as a location with significant gang activity, but recent efforts to curtail crime in the area — including a 2006 curfew to require everyone 18 years and under to be accompanied by a parent in the mall after 6 p.m. each Friday and Saturday — seem to have shown some improvement. While robberies are still up at the mall this year, petty thefts like shoplifting are down, according to numbers provided by Michael Alexander, commander of the South precinct.
"We're trying to be very proactive to address the issues at Hickory Hollow Mall," he said.
Mall nearing its end?
Still, for retailers trying to attract a reliable base of customers, the increased police attention may not be enough.
"The life cycle may be over for that mall, or getting close," said Steve Rudd, a partner with Nashville-based Restaurant Retail Properties, a commercial real estate company. "Their market has just really slimmed down."
In addition, the mall faces tough new competition from places like Providence MarketPlace in Mt. Juliet, which offers a J.C. Penney, and The Avenue, a new shopping center in Murfreesboro that includes a Belk department store.
As far as Dillard's closing, company spokeswoman Julie J. Bull said simply, "The company is closing underperforming stores, and this is an underperforming store." The Antioch store is one of eight underperforming locations nationwide that will be closed by the Little Rock, Ark.-based department store. The store's 90 employees will be transferred to four other Dillard's in the Nashville area, Bull said.
Crime worries linger
Katie Reinsmidt, spokeswoman for CBL & Associates Properties Inc., which owns Hickory Hollow Mall, said the company is determined to "continue to try to make Hickory Hollow the best destination it can possibly be."
Reinsmidt said Dillard's leaving will open new possibilities for the mall, adding that other CBL properties have replaced vacant spaces with new department stores or alternative stores such as a Burlington Coat Factory. CBL & Associates also owns RiverGate Mall and CoolSprings Galleria.
Some retailers and shoppers said they were saddened by the department store's departure, as concerns about crime at the mall continue to linger. This year, Hickory Hollow Mall has had 54 reported thefts, 30 burglaries and 13 robberies, according to police statistics.
"People don't want to come to Hickory Hollow anymore because of" the crime, said Melody Taft, a manager at women's apparel store 5-7-9. Taft said she has witnessed her share of fights around the mall's food court.
"It was awful," Taft said of the mall's tense atmosphere, adding that it made her not want to work there.
And mall customers like Becky Oliver said now that Dillard's is leaving, the mall will become a less attractive place to shop. "It's really going downhill," Oliver said. "It's really sad."
Oliver's comments were cut short when a mall security officer ordered a Tennessean reporter and photographer off the mall property.
Competition hurts, too
Increased competition from retailers opening in the suburbs where Hickory Hollow Mall once drew shoppers, has also contributed to its declining performance.
Quincy Johnson, a 48-year-old Antioch resident, said without a Dillard's he probably won't visit Hickory Hollow Mall twice a week as he does now, going instead to CoolSprings Galleria.
Mall sales per square foot at Hickory Hollow continue to decline, coming in at $226 per-square-foot last year. Its occupancy rates have also suffered compared to its peers. Last year, Hickory Hollow had an 84 percent occupancy rate, compared to CoolSprings Galleria at 99 percent and RiverGate Mall at 97 percent, according to CBL & Associates' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mojeeb Ansari, a partner at Universal Imports, which sells items such as knives and figurines, said that sales were up when his store opened at Hickory Hollow 11 years ago. Now his sales are down 30 percent, Ansari said. "It's slow," Ansari said. "CoolSprings and Opry Mills kill this mall."
From a real estate point of view, Rudd said even the physical topography of the place — the hills — don't break in the mall's favor. Poor visibility from the road makes it difficult to recruit retail tenants there.
"I bet (CBL) would love to (sell the mall), but I don't think they will," Rudd said. "Who would buy it?"
Not everyone has given up on Hickory Hollow Mall. City Councilman Sam Coleman, who represents the area, said a plan of action between businesses, city and state officials will help revitalize the area.
"We're just transitioning and we're just hitting a tough little skid here," Coleman said. "We're going to get it right. We're not going to let Hickory Hollow fail."
Lisa Green and Chas Sisk contributed to this report. Wendy Lee can be reached at 259-8092.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Metro will trim fleet to save gas
Fewer cars can be driven home
By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer •(Tennessean) June 2, 2008
Metro Nashville will reduce its vehicle fleet by 10 percent and make other changes to try to gain ground in an ongoing battle against the high price of gas, Mayor Karl Dean will announce today.
The elimination of 400 vehicles should save the government more than $1.4 million a year, the mayor's office told The Tennessean Friday.
"We're already in tight financial times," Dean said. "When you add in the increasing cost of fuel and growing concerns about the environment, it's clear these changes need to be made."
Dean also will order department heads to:
• Reduce the number of vehicles taken home by employees. More than 900 vehicles are assigned to employees 24 hours a day, but they shouldn't be without "strong justification," Dean's office said.
Most of the take-home vehicles are in the Metro Police Department. Dean expects patrol officers to continue to take their cars home at night, while police administrators probably won't have the same need, spokeswoman Janel Lacy said.
• Try to buy smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrids, when it's time to replace old ones.
• Require employees to turn off their engines rather than leaving them idling during brief stops.
Metro is making the changes as fuel prices continue to rise. An average gallon of regular unleaded gas cost almost $3.84 in the Nashville area Friday, according to AAA.
Metro Councilman Mike Jameson said the changes would be good for the environment as well.
"It's important that the city demonstrate by example," he said. "And this certainly seems to be in that vein."
Councilwoman Megan Barry said she'd like to see the city use the savings to help the Metro Transit Authority, which plans to cut bus routes and raise fares to deal with a $2.9 million budget shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year.
"My hope is that those dollars might help other Nashvillians get from Point A to Point B in a cost-efficient way," Barry said.
MTA will add six hybrid-electric buses, which will cut gas and maintenance costs, to its fleet by the end of the year.
Departments cut back
A few Metro departments have already implemented some of the changes Dean is calling for.
Fire Chief Steve Halford said he cut back on his department's take-home vehicles after taking the job in 2001.
"When I got here, it seemed like everyone had a take-home vehicle," he said.
Halford, who also is the acting director of the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, said he's planning cuts in both departments in the next two weeks. Fire will reduce its take-home vehicles from 55 to 38, and OEM's after-hours fleet will drop from 13 to eight.
The two departments, which have nearly 1,200 employees, also will eliminate 12 vehicles altogether from their combined fleets.
"It's the first time since I've been in Metro that I've seen this degree of trying to reduce costs," Halford said. "It's a good thing, and we all have to contribute."
Metro Water Services used to let its engineers take vehicles home at night so they could go straight to inspection jobs in the morning. Now that only happens if an engineer's first job of the day is near his or her home.
"We've essentially removed them from the take-home vehicle list unless there's just a good demand for it," said Deputy Director John Kennedy.
Kennedy said he expects the department to make other changes eventually.
In response to questions from council members at a budget hearing Thursday, Parks Director Roy Wilson said park police officers are his only employees who take city vehicles home.
Parks also has a no-idling policy "during these difficult times with fuel prices," Wilson said.
By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer •(Tennessean) June 2, 2008
Metro Nashville will reduce its vehicle fleet by 10 percent and make other changes to try to gain ground in an ongoing battle against the high price of gas, Mayor Karl Dean will announce today.
The elimination of 400 vehicles should save the government more than $1.4 million a year, the mayor's office told The Tennessean Friday.
"We're already in tight financial times," Dean said. "When you add in the increasing cost of fuel and growing concerns about the environment, it's clear these changes need to be made."
Dean also will order department heads to:
• Reduce the number of vehicles taken home by employees. More than 900 vehicles are assigned to employees 24 hours a day, but they shouldn't be without "strong justification," Dean's office said.
Most of the take-home vehicles are in the Metro Police Department. Dean expects patrol officers to continue to take their cars home at night, while police administrators probably won't have the same need, spokeswoman Janel Lacy said.
• Try to buy smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrids, when it's time to replace old ones.
• Require employees to turn off their engines rather than leaving them idling during brief stops.
Metro is making the changes as fuel prices continue to rise. An average gallon of regular unleaded gas cost almost $3.84 in the Nashville area Friday, according to AAA.
Metro Councilman Mike Jameson said the changes would be good for the environment as well.
"It's important that the city demonstrate by example," he said. "And this certainly seems to be in that vein."
Councilwoman Megan Barry said she'd like to see the city use the savings to help the Metro Transit Authority, which plans to cut bus routes and raise fares to deal with a $2.9 million budget shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year.
"My hope is that those dollars might help other Nashvillians get from Point A to Point B in a cost-efficient way," Barry said.
MTA will add six hybrid-electric buses, which will cut gas and maintenance costs, to its fleet by the end of the year.
Departments cut back
A few Metro departments have already implemented some of the changes Dean is calling for.
Fire Chief Steve Halford said he cut back on his department's take-home vehicles after taking the job in 2001.
"When I got here, it seemed like everyone had a take-home vehicle," he said.
Halford, who also is the acting director of the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, said he's planning cuts in both departments in the next two weeks. Fire will reduce its take-home vehicles from 55 to 38, and OEM's after-hours fleet will drop from 13 to eight.
The two departments, which have nearly 1,200 employees, also will eliminate 12 vehicles altogether from their combined fleets.
"It's the first time since I've been in Metro that I've seen this degree of trying to reduce costs," Halford said. "It's a good thing, and we all have to contribute."
Metro Water Services used to let its engineers take vehicles home at night so they could go straight to inspection jobs in the morning. Now that only happens if an engineer's first job of the day is near his or her home.
"We've essentially removed them from the take-home vehicle list unless there's just a good demand for it," said Deputy Director John Kennedy.
Kennedy said he expects the department to make other changes eventually.
In response to questions from council members at a budget hearing Thursday, Parks Director Roy Wilson said park police officers are his only employees who take city vehicles home.
Parks also has a no-idling policy "during these difficult times with fuel prices," Wilson said.
Briefs: Agape offers divorce support for kids, adults
Briefs taken from the Tennessean
DivorceCare and DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K) are support groups for people experiencing the pain of separation and divorce. DC4K serves children of elementary school age.
Agape, 4555 Trousdale Drive, is offering an abbreviated version of the program starting June 2. Groups will meet concurrently for eight weeks at 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays.
Cost for the entire series of DivorceCare is $20, and for DC4K it is $25.
For registration, or for more information, call Diana, Jennifer or Vickie at 781-3000.
Community theater troupe holds auditions
Community Players announces that Mark Brown's adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days will be presented Aug. 1-15.
Auditions will be 6:30-8:30p.m. Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, at Cedar Ridge Community of Christ Church, 3220 Bell Road. Thirty-nine roles are available for men and women, with an age range of 13 to 90. Most characters have multiple parts.
Auditions will include readings from the script. For details, send an e-mail to director David McGinnis at Onstage3@aol.com.
DivorceCare and DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K) are support groups for people experiencing the pain of separation and divorce. DC4K serves children of elementary school age.
Agape, 4555 Trousdale Drive, is offering an abbreviated version of the program starting June 2. Groups will meet concurrently for eight weeks at 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays.
Cost for the entire series of DivorceCare is $20, and for DC4K it is $25.
For registration, or for more information, call Diana, Jennifer or Vickie at 781-3000.
Community theater troupe holds auditions
Community Players announces that Mark Brown's adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days will be presented Aug. 1-15.
Auditions will be 6:30-8:30p.m. Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, at Cedar Ridge Community of Christ Church, 3220 Bell Road. Thirty-nine roles are available for men and women, with an age range of 13 to 90. Most characters have multiple parts.
Auditions will include readings from the script. For details, send an e-mail to director David McGinnis at Onstage3@aol.com.
Hickory Hollow Mall's Dillard's to close in August
By WENDY LEE • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 2, 2008
Dillard's Inc. confirmed on Monday it will be closing its Hickory Hollow Mall location in early August, as part of the company's plans to close eight underperforming stores nationwide.
The 90 employees at the Antioch location will be transferred to Dillard's other four stores in the Nashville area, said Julie J. Bull, Dillard's Inc. spokeswoman.
Dillard's opened its store in Hickory Hollow Mall in 1991, Bull said.
Dillard's Inc. confirmed on Monday it will be closing its Hickory Hollow Mall location in early August, as part of the company's plans to close eight underperforming stores nationwide.
The 90 employees at the Antioch location will be transferred to Dillard's other four stores in the Nashville area, said Julie J. Bull, Dillard's Inc. spokeswoman.
Dillard's opened its store in Hickory Hollow Mall in 1991, Bull said.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Keith Brooks of Antioch prepares for real-world experience
Keith Brooks of Antioch prepares for real-world experience
Yvette Hayward • Reader Submitted • May 27, 2008
As of May 23, the office had 76 College of Engineering students scheduled to head out for their first work assignment this summer. Among them is Keith Brooks of Antioch.
Brian Crawford, corporate recruiter for DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc., Maryville, spoke on company expectations and how to make a positive impression. DENSO works with automakers throughout their vehicle development process and has been placing UT College of Engineering students in co-op and internship positions for several years.
In addition, experienced co-op students shared lessons they learned in the field, giving the "first timers" a peer perspective and affording them an opportunity to ask questions of those with first-hand experience in the program.
For more information about the UT College of Engineering, Office of Professional Practice, visit www.coop.utk.edu on the Web or call (865) 974-5323.
Yvette Hayward • Reader Submitted • May 27, 2008
As of May 23, the office had 76 College of Engineering students scheduled to head out for their first work assignment this summer. Among them is Keith Brooks of Antioch.
Brian Crawford, corporate recruiter for DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc., Maryville, spoke on company expectations and how to make a positive impression. DENSO works with automakers throughout their vehicle development process and has been placing UT College of Engineering students in co-op and internship positions for several years.
In addition, experienced co-op students shared lessons they learned in the field, giving the "first timers" a peer perspective and affording them an opportunity to ask questions of those with first-hand experience in the program.
For more information about the UT College of Engineering, Office of Professional Practice, visit www.coop.utk.edu on the Web or call (865) 974-5323.
Time to sign up for Summer Reading program
The annual Summer Reading program at Nashville libraries June 2-July 12 has a space theme, "Starship Adventure."
Summer Reading includes reading goals and objectives that result in prizes and an end-of-year party.
The goals are:
• Preschoolers/listeners: Listen to 20 books• K-2: read 15 books• Grades 3-4: 10 books• Grades 5-6: 5 books• Ages 12-up: Read 18 hours• Adults: 5 books (audio books and program attendance count toward goals)
Children who sign up by June 23 get a game night package to a Nashville Sounds baseball game.
When reading logs are completed, children get a pin and may choose a prize that includes one free admission to Cheekwood, Wave Country, Nashville Shores, The Hermitage, Adventure Science Center, or Grand Old Golf.
Those in the 12-up division who complete their reading logs may choose from a prize that includes one free admission to Laser Quest, Wave Country or Nashville Shores.
Adults will get a travel tote bag and be entered into grand prize drawing for a vintage travel trunk filled with travel accessories. Libraries will hold programs for different ages the upcoming weeks.
Check with. your local library to see what summer time programs they have available
Summer Reading includes reading goals and objectives that result in prizes and an end-of-year party.
The goals are:
• Preschoolers/listeners: Listen to 20 books• K-2: read 15 books• Grades 3-4: 10 books• Grades 5-6: 5 books• Ages 12-up: Read 18 hours• Adults: 5 books (audio books and program attendance count toward goals)
Children who sign up by June 23 get a game night package to a Nashville Sounds baseball game.
When reading logs are completed, children get a pin and may choose a prize that includes one free admission to Cheekwood, Wave Country, Nashville Shores, The Hermitage, Adventure Science Center, or Grand Old Golf.
Those in the 12-up division who complete their reading logs may choose from a prize that includes one free admission to Laser Quest, Wave Country or Nashville Shores.
Adults will get a travel tote bag and be entered into grand prize drawing for a vintage travel trunk filled with travel accessories. Libraries will hold programs for different ages the upcoming weeks.
Check with. your local library to see what summer time programs they have available
Summit Medical Center Wins an Award
Summit Medical Center recognized for cancer care
By ANDY HUMBLES ahumbles@tennessean.com 726-5939 • May 30, 2008
Summit Medical Center has been presented with the 2007 Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
Only 66 programs nationwide received the Outstanding Achievement Award from surveys performed in 2007.
Consideration for the award included an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a Commendation level of compliance with seven standards measuring the full scope of the cancer program.Facilities surveyed also receive a compliance rating for the remaining 29 standards.
By ANDY HUMBLES ahumbles@tennessean.com 726-5939 • May 30, 2008
Summit Medical Center has been presented with the 2007 Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
Only 66 programs nationwide received the Outstanding Achievement Award from surveys performed in 2007.
Consideration for the award included an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a Commendation level of compliance with seven standards measuring the full scope of the cancer program.Facilities surveyed also receive a compliance rating for the remaining 29 standards.
State workers must wait to receive buyout plan
Packets set to go out week of June 16By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II • Associated Press • May 31, 2008
More than 11,700 state employees will have to wait almost two weeks longer to receive a buyout plan expected to save nearly $64 million amid a shortfall in the upcoming budget year, Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz said Friday.
He told reporters the informational packets are now targeted go out the week of June 16 instead of June 6.
"This is a very complex process," Goetz said. "So in order to make sure that we're going to do it right, it requires significant legal review and quality control. To do that, we've had to delay slightly when the information will go out to employees."
Gov. Phil Bredesen is cutting $468 million from the spending plan that begins July 1 because revenue collections are projected to fall far below expectations.
The governor is hoping 2,000 employees will voluntarily accept the plan, which administration officials estimate will save the state
$64 million annually.
Goetz said he's confident the state will reach its goal.
"We have modeled it as much as we know how," he said. "We have brought in experts in legal and human resources areas to work with us, to give us a sense of if we're going to hit the mark, and they all do."
The packets include program details, application forms and information on benefits.
Goal: Cut work force 5%
With cash incentives, 18 months of health insurance benefits and two years of tuition to a state community college or university, the plans will be worth between $23,000 and $47,000, depending on a worker's length of employment, according to administration officials.
They have said workers near retirement and those with less than 10 years of service are the ones most likely to take the buyout. The goal is to reduce the state work force by 5 percent, but layoffs will begin in January if enough workers don't accept the package.
The deadline to respond is Aug. 5. Starting Aug. 11, workers will be notified whether they've been accepted into the plan.
Goetz said a Web site, call center and special e-mail address will be set up to provide information and field questions from workers. Administration officials will also host a series of town hall meetings across the state.
"We will be doing all we can to communicate and explain what will be a fairly complex set of documents," Goetz said.
The cuts to the state work force represent less than half of the growth in state employees since Bredesen took office in 2003.
The state employed 41,990 full-time workers in 2003. Since then that number has grown by 5,089 workers, or about 12 percent.
For the most part, the voluntary buyouts have drawn the support of the Tennessee State Employees Association and lawmakers.
"The governor is doing everything possible to make government smaller in way that makes sense both for the employee and for the taxpayer," said Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga.
Woman in iron lung 'had strength, honor'
The following story inspired me very much the other day so I posted to show a Woman's strength and what she was up against.
By TYRONE TONY REED JR. • Gannett Tennessee • June 1, 2008
JACKSON, Tenn. — Family and friends celebrated the life of Dianne Odell on Saturday, not because she was the nation's longest survivor in an iron lung, but because she did not let her situation get her down.
"She was a woman of noble character, who had strength, was not afraid, had honor, wisdom and kindness," said Ray Hawk, minister of Campbell Street Church of Christ.
Hundreds of people attended Odell's funeral, which was held at the church. She was buried at Nebo Cemetery in Henderson County.
Odell died at age 61 on Wednesday after a power failure caused her iron lung to shut down. A generator the family had on hand to power the iron lung in case of an outage did not come on.
Odell was diagnosed at the age of 3 with bulbar polio, which left her paralyzed and unable to breathe on her own.
But she did not let her condition keep her from living life to the fullest and reaching out to others, Hawk said.
Odell wrote a book, Blinky Less Light, about the smallest star in heaven. The children's book, which took her 10 years to finish, has almost sold out of the 100,000 copies printed.
"There are many children who will be helped by her writings," Hawk said. "She was known by folks, literally, all over the world."
Hawk added, "She had a beauty that did not fade away. She never lost her true beauty or her real charm."
James Meadows, former minister of East Chester Street Church of Christ, said Odell learned to be content in her iron lung and decided to have a positive outlook on life for herself and others around her.
"She was a friend because she showed herself to be friendly," Meadows said.
Meadows said he talked to Odell's family and asked them what they would remember most about her.
"Her sisters, Donna (Lewis) and Mary Beth (Beyer), said that they were sisters who had little squabbles and their differences, but they loved each other," Meadows said. "Her father, Freeman, said that he will remember that she wanted a kiss every night. Her mother, Geneva, said that she will remember that Dianne never complained about her condition and that she was pleasant."
Hawk said the family appreciated the community's support in Odell's life and her death.
"Dianne is free from her pain, free from the iron lung and free from a body that no longer served her well," Hawk said. "She is now free to enjoy heaven for eternity."
By TYRONE TONY REED JR. • Gannett Tennessee • June 1, 2008
JACKSON, Tenn. — Family and friends celebrated the life of Dianne Odell on Saturday, not because she was the nation's longest survivor in an iron lung, but because she did not let her situation get her down.
"She was a woman of noble character, who had strength, was not afraid, had honor, wisdom and kindness," said Ray Hawk, minister of Campbell Street Church of Christ.
Hundreds of people attended Odell's funeral, which was held at the church. She was buried at Nebo Cemetery in Henderson County.
Odell died at age 61 on Wednesday after a power failure caused her iron lung to shut down. A generator the family had on hand to power the iron lung in case of an outage did not come on.
Odell was diagnosed at the age of 3 with bulbar polio, which left her paralyzed and unable to breathe on her own.
But she did not let her condition keep her from living life to the fullest and reaching out to others, Hawk said.
Odell wrote a book, Blinky Less Light, about the smallest star in heaven. The children's book, which took her 10 years to finish, has almost sold out of the 100,000 copies printed.
"There are many children who will be helped by her writings," Hawk said. "She was known by folks, literally, all over the world."
Hawk added, "She had a beauty that did not fade away. She never lost her true beauty or her real charm."
James Meadows, former minister of East Chester Street Church of Christ, said Odell learned to be content in her iron lung and decided to have a positive outlook on life for herself and others around her.
"She was a friend because she showed herself to be friendly," Meadows said.
Meadows said he talked to Odell's family and asked them what they would remember most about her.
"Her sisters, Donna (Lewis) and Mary Beth (Beyer), said that they were sisters who had little squabbles and their differences, but they loved each other," Meadows said. "Her father, Freeman, said that he will remember that she wanted a kiss every night. Her mother, Geneva, said that she will remember that Dianne never complained about her condition and that she was pleasant."
Hawk said the family appreciated the community's support in Odell's life and her death.
"Dianne is free from her pain, free from the iron lung and free from a body that no longer served her well," Hawk said. "She is now free to enjoy heaven for eternity."
Davidson County crime log for May 22-25, 2008
CRIME LOG
These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported.
I know many of the listings below are not part of the District "29", but, some of us work in these areas or have family and friends that live in these ares and do not read this blog...Pass it along because I will be posting the update every week...
May 25
Antioch
2:43 p.m., rape, Chimney Top Drive
Central
5:24 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Murfreesboro Pike
6:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Murfreesboro Pike
1:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, Charles E. Davis Boulevard and Cannon Street
9:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Martin Street
10:11 p.m., shooting, Pennock Avenue and Douglas Avenue
Crieve Hall
8:42 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 5500 block Edmondson Pike
Downtown
1:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, First Avenue North and Gay Street
East
12:22 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 800 block Granada Avenue
12:59 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Cherokee Avenue
8:35 p.m., rape, Oakwood Avenue
Hermitage
4:40 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5900 block South New Hope Road
7:39 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 4400 block Lebanon Pike
Madison
3:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block North Gallatin Pike
9:52 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block May Drive
11:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block South Gallatin Pike
North
5:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1700 block Jenkins Street
Oak Hill
4:13 p.m., kidnapping, 100 block East Park Drive
Old Hickory
8:31 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 4300 block Saundersville Road
1:47 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Lawrence Street
South
3:13 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 300 block Fesslers Lane
10:26 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Bell Road
Trinity Hills
1:46 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block West Trinity Lane
Tusculum
3:25 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3900 block Apache Trail
8:10 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Delvin Drive
West
7:50 a.m., holdup/robbery, 7000 block Highway 70 South
11:41 a.m., residential burglary, 3700 block Park Avenue
Woodbine
2:21 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 3700 block Nolensville Road
5:28 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block McIver Street
May 24
Bordeaux
5:58 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 4200 block Ashland City Highway
10 p.m., shooting, 3200 block Mexico Drive
Central
1:43 a.m., rape, 14th Avenue South
2:06 a.m., shooting, Wilburn Street and Meridian Street
3:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, Fesslers Lane and Murfreesboro Pike
11:49 a.m., residential burglary, 2500 block Glenrose Avenue
2:42 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Meridian Street
10:49 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike
Charlotte Park
12:27 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Annex Court
Donelson
10:12 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Percy Priest Drive
East
1:47 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 100 block Dellway Villa Road
2:20 p.m., shooting, 1500 block Rosedale Avenue
2:22 p.m., shooting, 1500 block Rosedale Avenue
3:54 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Joseph Avenue
9:17 p.m., shooting, 3400 block Dickerson Pike
9:25 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Gallatin Pike
11:49 p.m., holdup/robbery, Marie Street and Meridian Street
Hermitage
2:24 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 4700 block Old Hickory Boulevard
J.C. Napier
6:39 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Claiborne Street
6:43 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Claiborne Street
Madison
12:01 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block South Gallatin Pike
8:04 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1800 block North Gallatin Pike
8:09 p.m., rape, Brink Haven Avenue
Neelys Bend
7:41 p.m., residential burglary, 1100 block Bubbling Well Road
North
5:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Meharry Boulevard
12:25 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 700 block Freelands Station Road
11:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block 21st Avenue North
11:49 p.m., residential burglary, 1600 block 16th Avenue North
South
11:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
11:53 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
11:53 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Antioch Pike
6:18 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
Tusculum
12:15 a.m., shooting, 4500 block Packard Drive
6:49 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Creekside Drive
Una
10:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike
West
1:36 a.m., holdup/robbery, Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard and Charlotte Pike
6:46 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 600 block 42nd Avenue North
1:26 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Woodmont Boulevard
2:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4100 block Hillsboro Pike
5:12 p.m., shooting, 1700 block Jefferson Street
10:24 p.m., shooting, 2200 block Childrens Way
Woodbine
9:55 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3700 block Nolensville Road
May 23
Bordeaux
11:58 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3700 block Clarksville Pike
Central
1:44 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Frith Drive
4:07 a.m., rape, Shelby Avenue and South Fifth Street
10:01 a.m., residential burglary, 400 block North Second Street
1:45 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block South Eighth Street
4:11 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Fatherland Street
5:48 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Polk Avenue
Charlotte Park
2:47 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Westboro Drive
Donelson
7:58 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Shady Grove Road
9:05 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Donelson Pike
East
7:55 a.m., residential burglary, 1600 block Sunset Circle
3:56 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3200 block Gallatin Pike
7:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3000 block Gallatin Pike
9:31 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Vailview Drive
11:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3600 block Gallatin Pike
Hermitage
6:10 p.m., residential burglary, 4300 block Andrew Jackson Parkway
J.C. Napier
5:15 p.m., residential burglary, 60 block University Court
11:29 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 100 block Charles E. Davis Boulevard
Joelton
3:01 p.m., residential burglary, 6200 block Old Hickory Boulevard
Madison
9:27 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Welworth Street
12:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2300 block North Gallatin Pike
North
12:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, Buchanan Street and Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard
6:29 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Jefferson Street
6:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 30th Avenue North and Albion Street
7:10 p.m., shooting, I-65 South and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard
7:19 p.m., shooting, I-65 North and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard
10:14 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1700 block Rosa L. Parks Boulevard
Old Hickory
8:05 p.m., rape, Scenic View Road
Priest Lake
4:12 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Castlegate Drive
6:45 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Schoolhouse Court
Providence
8:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4400 block Nolensville Road
South
4:21 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Harding Place
8:16 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Patricia Drive
1:48 p.m., holdup/robbery, Dell Parkway
2:41 p.m., residential burglary, 9200 block Thomason Trail
4:33 p.m., residential burglary, 8400 block Lawson Drive
Trinity Hills
4:05 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 400 block West Trinity Lane
6:33 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Revels Drive
Tusculum
8:09 a.m., kidnapping, 15500 block Old Hickory Boulevard
2:18 p.m., residential burglary, 4800 block Cimarron Way
2:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4700 block Nolensville Road
3:36 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Chrishall Court
9:02 p.m., residential burglary, 4900 block Cimarron Way
West
1:54 a.m., residential burglary, 5500 block Kentucky Avenue
6:41 a.m., holdup/robbery, 7100 block Charlotte Pike
8:09 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3700 block Hillsboro Pike
12:07 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5900 block Charlotte Pike
12:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1400 block Hynes Street
1:26 p.m., residential burglary, 6900 block Sonya Drive
1:27 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2800 block West End Avenue
2:04 p.m., residential burglary, 4500 block Tennessee Avenue
2:44 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Woodmont Boulevard
4:39 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Church Street
6:01 p.m., shooting, 1200 block Medical Center Drive
8:57 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Wildberry Lane
10:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4400 block Tennessee Avenue
May 22
Belmont
2:05 p.m., shooting, 1000 block Acklen Avenue
Bordeaux
8:25 a.m., residential burglary, 4400 block Sumatra Road
2:39 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Buena Vista Pike
Central
4:58 a.m., residential burglary, 400 block North Second Street
12:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2300 block Brittany Drive
Donelson
8:27 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Lebanon Pike
East
4:40 p.m., shooting, 3100 block Robwood Drive
7:45 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1300 block Jones Avenue
9:24 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Gatewood Avenue
Madison
12:54 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 500 block Charles Drive
1:59 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Sealey Drive
5:49 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Welworth Street
North
1:28 p.m., residential burglary, 2300 block 14th Avenue North
6:41 p.m., residential burglary, 3900 block Alameda Street
Priest Lake
1:38 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Grovedale Trace
Providence
12:24 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4900 block Edmondson Pike
South
12:21 a.m., rape, Murfreesboro Pike
12:50 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike
3:04 p.m., residential burglary, 4200 block Sandstone Drive
7:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Mt. View Road
West
2:30 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 5700 block Charlotte Pike
3:03 p.m., residential burglary, 6000 block Don Allen Avenue
10:03 p.m., residential burglary, 4600 block Kentucky Avenue
Woodbine
7:25 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Neese Drive
5:08 p.m., shooting, 3700 block Nolensville Road
These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported.
I know many of the listings below are not part of the District "29", but, some of us work in these areas or have family and friends that live in these ares and do not read this blog...Pass it along because I will be posting the update every week...
May 25
Antioch
2:43 p.m., rape, Chimney Top Drive
Central
5:24 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Murfreesboro Pike
6:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Murfreesboro Pike
1:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, Charles E. Davis Boulevard and Cannon Street
9:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Martin Street
10:11 p.m., shooting, Pennock Avenue and Douglas Avenue
Crieve Hall
8:42 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 5500 block Edmondson Pike
Downtown
1:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, First Avenue North and Gay Street
East
12:22 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 800 block Granada Avenue
12:59 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Cherokee Avenue
8:35 p.m., rape, Oakwood Avenue
Hermitage
4:40 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5900 block South New Hope Road
7:39 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 4400 block Lebanon Pike
Madison
3:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block North Gallatin Pike
9:52 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block May Drive
11:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block South Gallatin Pike
North
5:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1700 block Jenkins Street
Oak Hill
4:13 p.m., kidnapping, 100 block East Park Drive
Old Hickory
8:31 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 4300 block Saundersville Road
1:47 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Lawrence Street
South
3:13 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 300 block Fesslers Lane
10:26 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Bell Road
Trinity Hills
1:46 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block West Trinity Lane
Tusculum
3:25 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3900 block Apache Trail
8:10 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Delvin Drive
West
7:50 a.m., holdup/robbery, 7000 block Highway 70 South
11:41 a.m., residential burglary, 3700 block Park Avenue
Woodbine
2:21 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 3700 block Nolensville Road
5:28 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block McIver Street
May 24
Bordeaux
5:58 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 4200 block Ashland City Highway
10 p.m., shooting, 3200 block Mexico Drive
Central
1:43 a.m., rape, 14th Avenue South
2:06 a.m., shooting, Wilburn Street and Meridian Street
3:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, Fesslers Lane and Murfreesboro Pike
11:49 a.m., residential burglary, 2500 block Glenrose Avenue
2:42 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Meridian Street
10:49 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike
Charlotte Park
12:27 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Annex Court
Donelson
10:12 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Percy Priest Drive
East
1:47 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 100 block Dellway Villa Road
2:20 p.m., shooting, 1500 block Rosedale Avenue
2:22 p.m., shooting, 1500 block Rosedale Avenue
3:54 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Joseph Avenue
9:17 p.m., shooting, 3400 block Dickerson Pike
9:25 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Gallatin Pike
11:49 p.m., holdup/robbery, Marie Street and Meridian Street
Hermitage
2:24 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 4700 block Old Hickory Boulevard
J.C. Napier
6:39 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Claiborne Street
6:43 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Claiborne Street
Madison
12:01 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block South Gallatin Pike
8:04 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1800 block North Gallatin Pike
8:09 p.m., rape, Brink Haven Avenue
Neelys Bend
7:41 p.m., residential burglary, 1100 block Bubbling Well Road
North
5:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Meharry Boulevard
12:25 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 700 block Freelands Station Road
11:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block 21st Avenue North
11:49 p.m., residential burglary, 1600 block 16th Avenue North
South
11:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
11:53 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
11:53 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Antioch Pike
6:18 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike
Tusculum
12:15 a.m., shooting, 4500 block Packard Drive
6:49 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Creekside Drive
Una
10:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike
West
1:36 a.m., holdup/robbery, Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard and Charlotte Pike
6:46 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 600 block 42nd Avenue North
1:26 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Woodmont Boulevard
2:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4100 block Hillsboro Pike
5:12 p.m., shooting, 1700 block Jefferson Street
10:24 p.m., shooting, 2200 block Childrens Way
Woodbine
9:55 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3700 block Nolensville Road
May 23
Bordeaux
11:58 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3700 block Clarksville Pike
Central
1:44 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Frith Drive
4:07 a.m., rape, Shelby Avenue and South Fifth Street
10:01 a.m., residential burglary, 400 block North Second Street
1:45 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block South Eighth Street
4:11 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Fatherland Street
5:48 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Polk Avenue
Charlotte Park
2:47 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Westboro Drive
Donelson
7:58 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Shady Grove Road
9:05 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Donelson Pike
East
7:55 a.m., residential burglary, 1600 block Sunset Circle
3:56 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3200 block Gallatin Pike
7:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3000 block Gallatin Pike
9:31 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Vailview Drive
11:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3600 block Gallatin Pike
Hermitage
6:10 p.m., residential burglary, 4300 block Andrew Jackson Parkway
J.C. Napier
5:15 p.m., residential burglary, 60 block University Court
11:29 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 100 block Charles E. Davis Boulevard
Joelton
3:01 p.m., residential burglary, 6200 block Old Hickory Boulevard
Madison
9:27 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Welworth Street
12:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2300 block North Gallatin Pike
North
12:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, Buchanan Street and Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard
6:29 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Jefferson Street
6:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 30th Avenue North and Albion Street
7:10 p.m., shooting, I-65 South and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard
7:19 p.m., shooting, I-65 North and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard
10:14 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1700 block Rosa L. Parks Boulevard
Old Hickory
8:05 p.m., rape, Scenic View Road
Priest Lake
4:12 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Castlegate Drive
6:45 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Schoolhouse Court
Providence
8:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4400 block Nolensville Road
South
4:21 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Harding Place
8:16 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Patricia Drive
1:48 p.m., holdup/robbery, Dell Parkway
2:41 p.m., residential burglary, 9200 block Thomason Trail
4:33 p.m., residential burglary, 8400 block Lawson Drive
Trinity Hills
4:05 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 400 block West Trinity Lane
6:33 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Revels Drive
Tusculum
8:09 a.m., kidnapping, 15500 block Old Hickory Boulevard
2:18 p.m., residential burglary, 4800 block Cimarron Way
2:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4700 block Nolensville Road
3:36 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Chrishall Court
9:02 p.m., residential burglary, 4900 block Cimarron Way
West
1:54 a.m., residential burglary, 5500 block Kentucky Avenue
6:41 a.m., holdup/robbery, 7100 block Charlotte Pike
8:09 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3700 block Hillsboro Pike
12:07 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5900 block Charlotte Pike
12:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1400 block Hynes Street
1:26 p.m., residential burglary, 6900 block Sonya Drive
1:27 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2800 block West End Avenue
2:04 p.m., residential burglary, 4500 block Tennessee Avenue
2:44 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Woodmont Boulevard
4:39 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Church Street
6:01 p.m., shooting, 1200 block Medical Center Drive
8:57 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Wildberry Lane
10:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4400 block Tennessee Avenue
May 22
Belmont
2:05 p.m., shooting, 1000 block Acklen Avenue
Bordeaux
8:25 a.m., residential burglary, 4400 block Sumatra Road
2:39 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Buena Vista Pike
Central
4:58 a.m., residential burglary, 400 block North Second Street
12:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2300 block Brittany Drive
Donelson
8:27 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Lebanon Pike
East
4:40 p.m., shooting, 3100 block Robwood Drive
7:45 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1300 block Jones Avenue
9:24 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Gatewood Avenue
Madison
12:54 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 500 block Charles Drive
1:59 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Sealey Drive
5:49 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Welworth Street
North
1:28 p.m., residential burglary, 2300 block 14th Avenue North
6:41 p.m., residential burglary, 3900 block Alameda Street
Priest Lake
1:38 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Grovedale Trace
Providence
12:24 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4900 block Edmondson Pike
South
12:21 a.m., rape, Murfreesboro Pike
12:50 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike
3:04 p.m., residential burglary, 4200 block Sandstone Drive
7:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Mt. View Road
West
2:30 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 5700 block Charlotte Pike
3:03 p.m., residential burglary, 6000 block Don Allen Avenue
10:03 p.m., residential burglary, 4600 block Kentucky Avenue
Woodbine
7:25 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Neese Drive
5:08 p.m., shooting, 3700 block Nolensville Road
Nashville celebrates Great American Cleanup Month… May 2008
The Alliance of District 29 Cleaned-up and Cleaned-Out, May 24th and May 31st, 2008.
Give yourself a big round of applaud for the outstanding turn-out for our May 24th Great American Clean-Up Day. Close to 200 residents turned out for the Greatest Clean-up Day in District 29 history. Simply Awesome!! On this day, you re-painted your street numbers, picked up trash, shredded your confidential documents, donated clothing and cell phones and threw away unneeded large appliances and furniture that was not worth giving to anyone.
What a day. Everyone enjoyed the fried fish cooked right before your hungry eyes (next year the food will be ready right at the beginning of eating time and don’t forget, we will need a first aid kit too for an even better clean-up). To all the neighborhood watches, associations and neighbors, you get and deserve a standing ovation.
We concluded our Great American Clean-Up efforts with “Sign-Off” Day on Saturday, May 31st at 6 am in the morning (yes you read it right 6 AM. Ok I got there at 6:30 AM). I guess you are wondering what is Sign-Off Day? Sign-Off Day is when a group of neighbors or neighborhood group get together and remove signs out of the right-of-ways and off of poles and stop signs.
A group of us, Lena, Ann, Mike, James, Mark, Gloria and yours truly removed signs from the public right of ways. I think that we should make this a monthly event, what do you think? Ok we will. You must agree that all of these signs in the right of ways are an eyesore and many times they look tacky. Email me if you would like to join us for our next “Sign-Off” morning.
Thank You Friends of the Alliance of District 29
Thank you! to the following community businesses that helped make our Alliance of District 29 Great American Clean-Up Day and Sign-Off Day a B-I-G S-U C C E S S.
Metro Beautification Commission (Thank you Veronica and Lawrence), Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods, Starbucks Coffee, Kryspie Kreme, Sambucka Barbershop, Shred-It (Thank you Decosta), Goodwill Industries, Call to Protect and especially to Ms. Phyllis’s husband for being the impromptu fish fryer at the picnic after the clean-up.
A Very Special Thank-You to Una Church of Christ
A Special thanks to the entire congregation of Una Church of Christ for providing the location. It was absolutely a great location. Sister Tanner and Brother were wonderful with their help with the logistics, truly God sent. Everything ran very smooth. Thank you Ms. Lena for proposing this location.
Thanks to Fire Engine 33/35 for stopping by. You were a big help!
Here are a few highlights of the Clean-up day:
Bayview held a successful neighborhood yard sale the week prior. I found some good deals. My dog Feebie is enjoying the mats
Castlegate spruced up their gateway entrances. The Sharps really do have green thumbs. I hope those shrubs worked out! Smile!
Cedar Cliff NW re-painted street addresses. Jerry is a Rembrandt I hear.
Edge O Lake pack picked up debris in the area. Vicky provided morning refreshments.
Forest View/ Forest Pointe combined their efforts and picked up debris in the area and held a yard sale one week prior.
The Greens residents organized the McDonald House drink tabs collection.
Nashboro Woods held an awesome neighborhood yard sale. Re-painted entrance signs (unexpected, I would say).
Percy Priest Meadows lent a hand to area neighbors by bring items to the drop-off for those who could not get to the clean-up. Jerry you can really drive a truck.
Priest Lake Park NW provided logistics and organization.
Una NW picked up debris in the area one week prior.
The "GREEN"S" represented by Mindy Schwartz and Taryn Simpson.
Thank you to Mr. Leon.
A great and hard-working time was held by all. Check out the pictures (taken by Mindy Schwartz)! Thank you once again!
Vivian!
Give yourself a big round of applaud for the outstanding turn-out for our May 24th Great American Clean-Up Day. Close to 200 residents turned out for the Greatest Clean-up Day in District 29 history. Simply Awesome!! On this day, you re-painted your street numbers, picked up trash, shredded your confidential documents, donated clothing and cell phones and threw away unneeded large appliances and furniture that was not worth giving to anyone.
What a day. Everyone enjoyed the fried fish cooked right before your hungry eyes (next year the food will be ready right at the beginning of eating time and don’t forget, we will need a first aid kit too for an even better clean-up). To all the neighborhood watches, associations and neighbors, you get and deserve a standing ovation.
We concluded our Great American Clean-Up efforts with “Sign-Off” Day on Saturday, May 31st at 6 am in the morning (yes you read it right 6 AM. Ok I got there at 6:30 AM). I guess you are wondering what is Sign-Off Day? Sign-Off Day is when a group of neighbors or neighborhood group get together and remove signs out of the right-of-ways and off of poles and stop signs.
A group of us, Lena, Ann, Mike, James, Mark, Gloria and yours truly removed signs from the public right of ways. I think that we should make this a monthly event, what do you think? Ok we will. You must agree that all of these signs in the right of ways are an eyesore and many times they look tacky. Email me if you would like to join us for our next “Sign-Off” morning.
Thank You Friends of the Alliance of District 29
Thank you! to the following community businesses that helped make our Alliance of District 29 Great American Clean-Up Day and Sign-Off Day a B-I-G S-U C C E S S.
Metro Beautification Commission (Thank you Veronica and Lawrence), Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods, Starbucks Coffee, Kryspie Kreme, Sambucka Barbershop, Shred-It (Thank you Decosta), Goodwill Industries, Call to Protect and especially to Ms. Phyllis’s husband for being the impromptu fish fryer at the picnic after the clean-up.
A Very Special Thank-You to Una Church of Christ
A Special thanks to the entire congregation of Una Church of Christ for providing the location. It was absolutely a great location. Sister Tanner and Brother were wonderful with their help with the logistics, truly God sent. Everything ran very smooth. Thank you Ms. Lena for proposing this location.
Thanks to Fire Engine 33/35 for stopping by. You were a big help!
Here are a few highlights of the Clean-up day:
Bayview held a successful neighborhood yard sale the week prior. I found some good deals. My dog Feebie is enjoying the mats
Castlegate spruced up their gateway entrances. The Sharps really do have green thumbs. I hope those shrubs worked out! Smile!
Cedar Cliff NW re-painted street addresses. Jerry is a Rembrandt I hear.
Edge O Lake pack picked up debris in the area. Vicky provided morning refreshments.
Forest View/ Forest Pointe combined their efforts and picked up debris in the area and held a yard sale one week prior.
The Greens residents organized the McDonald House drink tabs collection.
Nashboro Woods held an awesome neighborhood yard sale. Re-painted entrance signs (unexpected, I would say).
Percy Priest Meadows lent a hand to area neighbors by bring items to the drop-off for those who could not get to the clean-up. Jerry you can really drive a truck.
Priest Lake Park NW provided logistics and organization.
Una NW picked up debris in the area one week prior.
The "GREEN"S" represented by Mindy Schwartz and Taryn Simpson.
Thank you to Mr. Leon.
A great and hard-working time was held by all. Check out the pictures (taken by Mindy Schwartz)! Thank you once again!
Vivian!
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