Monthly Archives: December, 2011
Happy Hour: All Washed Out
- Though parts of East and North Nashville saw some pretty significant flooding today, we made it out relatively unscathed this time around. [WTVF]
- The folks in Franklin County weren’t so lucky, though. A tornado likely touched down and did some serious damage in the area, killing one and injuring others. [WKRN]
- Metro Development and Housing Agency hopes to eventually make all of Metro’s public housing smoke-free. The effort will start with a pilot program at Parthenon Towers. [WSMV]
- The Preds reached the NHL trade deadline at 2pm this afternoon and managed to trade no one. [City Paper]
Photo by John Cade.
Though parts of East and North Nashville saw some pretty significant flooding today, we made it out relatively unscathed this time around. [WTVF] The folks in Franklin County weren’t so lucky, though. A tornado likely touched down and did some serious damage in the area, killing one and injuring others. [WKRN] Metro Development and Housing [...]
Bright & Early: When The Clouds Roll In Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Things are already quite nasty outside, as you probably deduced from your morning commute. Numerous flash flood warnings are in effect for Middle Tennessee through the early afternoon, along with a tornado watch or two. So keep an ear out for those sirens and drive safely! After all the nastiness clears out, expect temperatures to drop into the upper-50s.
- Moving and shaking. The folks in West Tennessee have experienced some minor earthquakes over the past 24 hours, all based near Greenbrier, Arkansas. The first happened around 11pm last night with a magnitude of 4.7 and was felt in four states. At least three others have been recorded in the same area since then.
- All roads lead to White Castle. If you thought you saw a couple of weddings happening this weekend at the Nolensville Pike White Castle, you aren’t crazy. The restaurant was transformed into a chapel and two local couples were married there on Sunday thanks to a contest that ran a few months back.
- Bits & pieces. Metro Schools officials may consider instituting single-sex classrooms … The window is now open for potential Metro Council candidates to submit their paperwork. Let the games begin! … The Spring Hill GM plant is slowly coming back to life, but UAW still wants an assembly assignment.
Photo by Denise Mattox.
Good morning, Nashville. Things are already quite nasty outside, as you probably deduced from your morning commute. Numerous flash flood warnings are in effect for Middle Tennessee through the early afternoon, along with a tornado watch or two. So keep an ear out for those sirens and drive safely! After all the nastiness clears out, [...]
Happy Hour: Twister And Shout
- The National Weather Service confirmed that two tornadoes touched down last night–one out by Percy Priest and the other in Lebanon. [WTVF]
- The Rutherford County Education Association is threatening to revoke Sen. Jim Tracy’s Friend of Education award because he voted for the controversial proposal to eliminate collective bargaining rights for teachers’ associations. [WSMV]
- Belmont University finally chose to recognize Bridge Builders, a gay student group, as an official student organization. The group played a key role in discussions with the administration that led to the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the school’s non-discrimination policy following the departure of Coach Lisa Howe. [Tennessean]
- Mayor Karl Dean and Titans running back Chris Johnson have joined forced to film what will most likely be the world’s awesomest PSA on fighting homelessness on behalf of The Key Alliance. [City Paper]
Photo by Eva Maria.
The National Weather Service confirmed that two tornadoes touched down last night–one out by Percy Priest and the other in Lebanon. [WTVF] The Rutherford County Education Association is threatening to revoke Sen. Jim Tracy’s Friend of Education award because he voted for the controversial proposal to eliminate collective bargaining rights for teachers’ associations. [WSMV] Belmont [...]
Bright & Early: Dreary Friday Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Last night’s storm system dumped about 1-3 inches of rain on us here in Middle Tennessee, bringing some strong winds and tornado scares along with it. The Nashville Electric Service reported that there were an estimated 24,500 people without power last night, but had restored all but about 1,140 as of this morning. A couple of stoplights were still out during the morning commute and debris reportedly littered the roads, though we suspect that most of it is clear by now. If you see any major blockages, though, call 862-8750 to report it to Metro. The folks in Antioch seemed to get battered the worst with several churches and homes damaged, but fortunately no one was hurt! So we’ll see you next week, thunderstorms.
- Budget woes continue for Metro Schools. Metro Schools Director Jesse Register anticipates some serious budget issues for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Because they’ve used up all their stimulus funds and depleted their reserves, they could be looking at a budget gap in the tens of millions.
- Changing course. The Country Music Marathon folks have made some updates to the race course. We’re not sure if these are the same updates they were talking about a few weeks ago or new ones, but either way, here’s some details and the new route map.
- Bits & pieces. A Saudi Arabian college student in Texas who was arrested for plotting terrorist attacks took some English classes at Vanderbilt … State senators are hesitating a bit on a bill that would start tracking people who buy meth ingredients (like cold medicine) in a statewide database … The Bridgestone plant in Wilson County was evacuated due to a gas leak caused by last night’s storm … The Preds lost to the Blackhawks last night, falling out of the top 8 in the conference standings.
Photo by Paul Beavers.
Good morning, Nashville. Last night’s storm system dumped about 1-3 inches of rain on us here in Middle Tennessee, bringing some strong winds and tornado scares along with it. The Nashville Electric Service reported that there were an estimated 24,500 people without power last night, but had restored all but about 1,140 as of this morning. [...]
Bright & Early: Endless Road Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Things have been quiet on the Opry Mills front lately, leaving us to to wonder what the timeline for reopening might be. The answer? They still don’t know. The mall and its owner, Simon Property Group, are still locked in a court battle with the insurance company over the insurance money which is slated to go to trial in February 2012. Even if they were to get the money, they’d likely spend months completing the renovations. Folks are now questioning whether or not it’s even worth reopening when enclosed malls are falling further and further out of style. Meanwhile, all the sales tax revenue is going to surrounding counties like Williamson and Wilson to which Opry Mills’ tenants have scattered since May.
- He hung his head. Johnny Cash’s younger brother Tommy had a mix-up involving his pocket knife that caused a bit of a problem at the Nashville International Airport. Cash says he merely forgot to pack his knife in his shaving kit, and after asking if he could mail it back home, an airport staff member offered to help him get it through security. The airport staffer was later arrested and Cash was questioned upon his arrival in Atlanta.
- Good thing it’s not snow, right? Nashville is expected to get up to four inches of rain today, but is still only at a “slight” risk of experiencing the severe weather that West Tennessee will face this afternoon. However, we’re being urged to keep an eye out in the event that things do get nasty.
- Bits & pieces. Ex-Vanderbilt grad student Jeffrey Ewers was indicted on 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor after Cafe Coco staff found a memory card full of child porn he left behind on a table last year … The State Senate approved a bill refusing to implement federal health care reform in Tennessee … Spring Hill accidentally set off their tornado sirens last night and gave residents a bit of a scare … Vanderbilt is investigating the Mister C mascot incident that left one fan with a bloody nose.
Photo by B to the T.
Good morning, Nashville. Things have been quiet on the Opry Mills front lately, leaving us to to wonder what the timeline for reopening might be. The answer? They still don’t know. The mall and its owner, Simon Property Group, are still locked in a court battle with the insurance company over the insurance money which [...]
Happy Hour: Teach It!
- Hundreds of teachers spent the day at Legislative Plaza protesting new legislation that they feel attacks teachers’ unions and collective bargaining rights. [WPLN]
- Tennessee had its first statewide tornado drill for state schools and businesses today, marking the start of this charming time of year we call Tornado Season. [WKRN]
- Sen. Bill Ketron out of Murfreesboro has proposed a new law that would ban the practice of Sharia Law. He says it would only apply to the political part and “does not go against anybody who practices the religious tentacle of Sharia.” [WSMV]
- Franklin teachers would like to assert that they have not been exchanging candy for shoulder rubs from students, thank you very much. [Tennessean]
- The days of free street parking may be limited for Hillsboro Village. Starting next month, the city will be installing 43 new parking meters along Belcourt Avenue that will cost $1 per hour between 8am and 6pm. [WSMV]
- Always on the lookout for sinkholes around here, we felt the need to point out this SUV-sized one out in Bellevue that has residents understandably concerned. [WKRN]
- Tim McGraw still says he won’t be getting into politics anytime soon, as he’s been saying for many years, but he’s still interested in running for governor or state senator someday, maybe. [WSMV]
Photo by Nathan T. Baker.
Hundreds of teachers spent the day at Legislative Plaza protesting new legislation that they feel attacks teachers’ unions and collective bargaining rights. [WPLN] Tennessee had its first statewide tornado drill for state schools and businesses today, marking the start of this charming time of year we call Tornado Season. [WKRN] Sen. Bill Ketron out of [...]
Bright & Early: You’re Doing It Wrong Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Things got a little rowdy at the Vanderbilt-UT game last night when Vanderbilt mascot Mister C totally decked a Commodores fan in the face. A Commodores fan! The guy left the arena with a bloody nose and presumably a bruised ego, having been betrayed by one of his own. And in that moment, Mister C went from slightly scary to downright terrifying in the spectrum of school mascots. Anyway, the punch was allegedly accidental and Mister C says he was only trying to “energize the crowd.” And then Vanderbilt still lost.
- Happy Severe Weather Awareness week! A nasty line of storms is forecast to rumble through Middle Tennessee tomorrow afternoon, bringing strong winds, several inches of rain, possible hail and maybe an isolated tornado or two along with it.
- Snow makeup days scheduled. After mulling it over and even polling parents, Metro Schools officials have decided to schedule a snow makeup day during Spring Break on March 14th. An additional three days will be tacked onto the end of the year, which means it will stretch into June.
- Bits & pieces. Metro is searching for a firm to do the research for a possible new Nashville Sounds stadium … UT is facing some new NCAA violation allegations and they can’t even blame Lane Kiffin this time … Some folks are calling for new incentives to be offered to television and film projects that are shot in Tennessee … A new bill was proposed that would allow handgun permit holders to be exempt from criminal background checks when buying a new weapon.
Photo by whatisbeef.
Good morning, Nashville. Things got a little rowdy at the Vanderbilt-UT game last night when Vanderbilt mascot Mister C totally decked a Commodores fan in the face. A Commodores fan! The guy left the arena with a bloody nose and presumably a bruised ego, having been betrayed by one of his own. And in that [...]
Happy Hour: True Blood
- The Nashville Red Cross estimates they’ve missed out on about 1,700 blood donations thanks to the winter weather that’s been battering us over the past few months. Get thee to a blood bank! [WTVF]
- Those pesky bedbugs are back! Or maybe they just never left? Either way, local inspectors have noticed a spike in bedbug reports lately. [WSMV]
- The Cupcake Collection has whipped up a special blue velvet cupcake for TSU, which they’ll be selling between now and next Tuesday. A portion of the proceeds from the TSU cupcakes will help fund TSU students whose tuition dollars are coming up short. [WTVF]
- Murfreesboro is backpedaling a bit on a new policy that would require people to pay late water bills within 10 days in addition to a late fee, or their water will be shut off. The policy change would likely result in about 1,700 people losing water service, so officials are meeting this afternoon to reexamine it. [WPLN]
- Former Metro Councilwoman Pam Murray, who was unseated from East Nashville’s District 5 by Jamie Hollin in a controversial recall election, hopes to regain her seat in this year’s race. Constituents voted her out after she was accused of living part-time in Detroit and rarely being available to assist her constituents. [City Paper]
- Nashville currently ranks 7th in the nation for most plastic surgeries per capita. [WSMV]
Photo by Paul Nicholson.
The Nashville Red Cross estimates they’ve missed out on about 1,700 blood donations thanks to the winter weather that’s been battering us over the past few months. Get thee to a blood bank! [WTVF] Those pesky bedbugs are back! Or maybe they just never left? Either way, local inspectors have noticed a spike in bedbug [...]
Bright & Early: The View From Here Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Ever since the May flood, the folks at Gaylord have been working with the Army Corps of Engineers to figure out a way to better protect the Opryland Hotel and surrounding properties from future flooding. They’re now proposing to raise the levee enough to keep the water out during a 500-year flood, but neighbors are concerned that it could send the water back into their homes since it would have nowhere else to go. However, engineers argue it would only raise the river 1/64th of an inch. Several Metro Council members will be holding a public meeting to discuss the issue tonight at 6:30pm at Jackson Park Church of Christ.
- Good Samaritans. Two cyclists are being credited with saving a runner’s life at Shelby Bottoms while he was training for the marathon. He asked them to take him home because he thought he was horribly dehydrated, but it turns out that he was actually having a heart attack and was able to call 911 after he got home. If you have any idea who these two kind strangers were, he’d love to thank them.
- Gas prices skyrocketing. Some economists are predicting that gas prices could hit $5 per gallon over the summer due to all the turmoil in the Middle East. Yikes! And speaking of that, here’s a great way to brush up on your Middle East stuff.
- Bits & pieces. A Belmont freshman made a half-court shot on Saturday night that earned him $11,000 in free tuition … Hillsboro High School students held a candlelight vigil last night for three students who died last year … After successfully completing substance abuse treatment, Preds forward Jordin Tootoo has been cleared to play … In honor of Tennessee’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, become a trained storm spotter! … 1,300 people received care at a volunteer-run free medical clinic over the weekend … A suspicious envelope was found outside of Rep. Jim Cooper’s office yesterday morning, but it turned out to just be a bundle of brochures.
Photo by Paul Beavers.
Good morning, Nashville. Ever since the May flood, the folks at Gaylord have been working with the Army Corps of Engineers to figure out a way to better protect the Opryland Hotel and surrounding properties from future flooding. They’re now proposing to raise the levee enough to keep the water out during a 500-year flood, [...]
Happy Hour: You Go Girls
- A recent survey found that Tennessee has “at least one female CEO” these days, and she leads Regal Entertainment in Knoxville. Less than 10% of Tennessee’s corporate board positions are held by women. [WPLN]
- A temporary free medical clinic will be set up at McGavock High School this weekend, staffed by hundreds of awesome volunteers. [WKRN]
- Metro is still trying to figure up how to make up all those snow days, so they’re surveying parents to help determine the best option. The current options are listed out on MNPS’ website. [WSMV]
- Mayor Dean has once again voiced his support for the proposed nondiscrimination ordinance, which would require all Metro contractors with more than 15 employees to institute a nondiscrimination policy that covers sexual orientation and gender identity. [WPLN]
- Interim TSU president Portia Holmes Shields is making a ton of changes at the university to hopefully help get things back on track. While we’re not sure that requiring staff to answer the phones with, “Good morning, TSU, the land of golden sunshine” will do a whole lot to help, it sure does make us want to call them. [WSMV]
Photo by Sara Figal.
A recent survey found that Tennessee has “at least one female CEO” these days, and she leads Regal Entertainment in Knoxville. Less than 10% of Tennessee’s corporate board positions are held by women. [WPLN] A temporary free medical clinic will be set up at McGavock High School this weekend, staffed by hundreds of awesome volunteers. [...]
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