Good morning, Nashville. Spring Hill rejected the zoning request for Festival Tennessee, a proposed theme park that started arousing suspicion from the moment it was announced last month. Though developers promised roller coasters, a water park, the largest hotel complex in the world, a sportsplex, an NBA team and 15,000-20,000 jobs, digging into their past a bit revealed bankruptcy, revoked business licenses, scam accusations and a track record of failed projects of all shapes and sizes. The zoning proposal would’ve allowed them to use their 1,500 acres with minimal accountability to the city of Spring Hill, and leaders weren’t comfortable with it. The developers are not expected to file another request, so hopefully we can finally put this thing to rest.
- Ride to the ‘Roo. A couple of Tennesseans are organizing a Ride to the ‘Roo 60-mile bike ride from Smyrna to Bonnaroo in an effort to avoid traffic, benefit a good cause and make the festival a little more green. Check out their website for details and registration.
- HIV on the rise for young Tennesseans. Metro health officials are struggling to deal with a surge in HIV cases amongst young Tennesseans. Between 2005 to 2009, new HIV infections jumped 39% for Tennesseans ages 15-24.
- Bits & pieces. The three teens charged with shooting a Pearl Cohn student on school grounds appeared in court yesterday … The Father Ryan High School Marching Band will be marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year … An Alabama family is threatening to sue Williamson County Schools for not letting the kids register even though they live in, well, Alabama. The family was also escorted off Brentwood High School grounds wearing “God Hates Gays” shirts … Parthenon Towers has some fancy new solar panels … The Tennessean was named a Pulitzer finalist for their flood coverage … More severe weather in the forecast tonight.
Photo by Tyler Neu.