Latest news with #RutherfordCounty
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rutherford Commission seeks successor of District 3's Wrather after standing ovation
Rutherford County Commissioner Michael Wrather told fellow commissioners July 17 that he's resigning for pressing personal reasons and family. "It's been an honor to serve District 3," Wrather said. Wrather said his resignation effective July 18 is in the best interests of his district in the northern part of the county, including the rural Leanna community. He won his seat in 2018 in an uncontested race as a Republican, replacing former GOP Commissioner Will Jordan, who retired rather than seek another term. Wrather captured reelection in 2022 with 66.4% of the vote in a contested general election. 'I have thoroughly enjoyed serving Rutherford County," Wrather said. Wrather's final speech as commissioner entices standing ovation The present county officials at the July 17 meeting gave Wrather a standing ovation after he spoke to announce his resignation. Commissioner Pettus Read, chairman of the commission's Public Safety Committee, mentioned how Wrather had served as vice chairman for seven years. There were times when Wrather was "not feeling the best," but he still came to meetings "to represent the people of Rutherford County," Read said. "Thank you, Michael, for everything you've done," Read said. "You're a good friend." Applications being accepted until Aug. 1 Those interested in replacing Wrather have until Aug. 1 to obtain and submit an application to the Rutherford County mayor's office on the first floor of the County Courthouse in the center of Murfreesboro's downtown Square, County Attorney Nick Christiansen told the commissioners. The commission's seven-member Steering, Legislative and Governmental Committee led by chairman Craig Harris will interview the applicants during a 5:30 p.m. Aug. 4 meeting at the County Courthouse. The committee can recommend a nominee or slate of nominees for the full 21-member commission to consider during a 6 p.m. Aug. 14 meeting at the courthouse, Christiansen said. Wrather comment on landfill: 'We need to handle our own business. We've been other people's solution for a long time.' Commission expects to replace Wrather by Aug. 14 Commissioners during the Aug. 14 meeting could offer nominations for the seat, the county attorney added. Christiansen recommends that people interested in applying contact the Rutherford County Election Commission staff led by Election Administrator Alan Farley to learn about eligibility requirements to represent District 3. The chosen applicant will complete the remainder of Wrather's four-year term through the end of August 2026. Voters by August 2026 will elect 21 candidates to each of the commission districts to serve four-year terms that will start by September 2026. A party primary prior to the election will be in May. Who's running for mayor in 2026: Rutherford County Commissioner Craig Harris announces mayoral campaign We have been overtaken by the growth': Rutherford, TN, officials want to preserve farmland Funding decisions for schools, projects mark tenure Commissioner Trey Gooch read a resolution of recognition of Wrather's leadership in helping the county decisions to fund Public Health and Safety buildings that include stations for fire rescue trucks and ambulances, the solid waste transfer station, the One Stop building for driver licenses and county clerk services, a future forensic center for autopsies, a couple of new schools and school expansion projects. "I convey to you a heartfelt appreciation and commendation for your dedicated service to the citizens of Rutherford County," Gooch told Wrather. "I sincerely wish you much success, health and happiness in all of your future endeavors." Commission chairman Jeff Phillips offered similar praise to Wrather. "Michael, I know that whatever life holds for you from this point on will be process that will be in the best interests of you and your family," Phillips said. "That's our wish for you tonight (July 17). We wish you the very best in whatever the future has to offer." 2022 election results: 21-member Rutherford County Commission will see new faces with 9 elected officials Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. Kay dates in replacing Wrather on Rutherford County Commission Aug. 1: Deadline to apply for vacated Rutherford County Commission District 3 seat during business hours with the County Mayor's Office in the County Courthouse in the center of Murfreesboro's downtown Square Aug. 4: Rutherford County Commission seven-member Steering, Legislative & Governmental Committee interviews applicants for District 3 seat during 5:30 p.m. meeting at the courthouse and considers recommendation to nominate applicant for seat Aug. 14: Full 21-member Rutherford County Commission considers appointment of nominee to District 3 seat during 6 p.m. meeting at courthouse Source: Rutherford County Attorney Nick Christiansen This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Rutherford County Commission District 3 seat open after resignation Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Yahoo
I-24 in Rutherford County reopens after driver killed in shooting
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Drivers experienced hours-long delays Saturday after all lanes of Interstate 24 were closed during an investigation into a deadly shooting near the Davidson-Rutherford County line. A shooting and a multi-vehicle crash were reported around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 12 in the area of I-24 West near mile marker 64. However, Lt. Steve Craig with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said the shooting happened at approximately 7:51 a.m. on the interstate toward Nashville. According to authorities, a Rutherford County man died after being shot while driving on I-24 near Waldron Road. Law enforcement will not release the man's identity until his family is notified. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → Officials said the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Nashville Fire Department initially responded to the scene because the original call came to MNPD. Then, after the incident was determined to be on the Rutherford County side of the line, the sheriff's office and the La Vergne Police Department responded to the scene with Rutherford County Emergency Services while Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Department of Transportation closed the highway during the investigation. All lanes were blocked at approximately 8:30 a.m., so traffic was diverted at Waldron Road in La Vergne for nearly five hours. The roadway reopened shortly after 1 p.m. ⏩ No additional information has been released about this active investigation. If you may have seen the shooting or have information about the case, you're asked to call Detective Thomas Burnett at 615-904-3052 and leave a message. 📲 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.📧 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.💻 for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Interstate 24 East closed due to multi-vehicle crash
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Interstate 24 East was temporarily completely closed in Rutherford County due to a multi-vehicle crash. ⏩ According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation's SmartWay map, a multi-vehicle crash was reported at mile marker 65.8 around 10:55 a.m. Erin Zeigler, a spokesperson for TDOT, posted to social media that the crash involved an SUV and a semi-truck. A LifeFlight helicopter is landing at the scene. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office also posted to social media about the crash, asking drivers to be patient as emergency crews investigate and clear the scene. Zeigler said that two lanes of four have reopened as of 11:49 a.m. 📲 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.📧 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.💻 for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC Senate, after monthlong pause, passes billions in Helene aid — without business grants
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors sort debris pulled from the bottom of Lake Lure in Rutherford County, North Carolina on April 14, 2025. Vegetative and man-made debris was washed into Lake Lure after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis) North Carolina senators approved a massive hurricane relief package Monday, thawing out a bill that had been frozen for a month and passing it with major changes. Senate Republicans' proposed aid for western North Carolina lays out vastly more money than the bill passed by the House in May — around $2.46 billion in total. And it makes changes to several major line-items in the House version's, which totaled $464 million. Among the most notable changes: the removal of a $60 million grant program for small businesses, a longtime request as many storefronts struggle to reopen due to flooding and lost tourism. In the new bill, $700 million in spending is sent to the state's Helene recovery fund. Of that money, $465 million is appropriated, leaving the rest for future aid. The remaining money includes federal funding and money to qualify municipalities for competitive grants, among other purposes, according to Fiscal Research Division staff at the General Assembly. Lawmakers have redirected more than half a billion dollars from local aid, road repairs and other state programs toward Helene relief. House lawmakers and advocates in the region have for weeks requested that the Senate take up the bill and pass it, as the mountains continue to recover from Helene. The aid package sat in committee for a month as leaders in the House and Senate negotiated the state budget; they have yet to come to an agreement. On Monday, they got their wish, as Senate Republicans fast-tracked it through committee and onto the floor. The aid package passed in a unanimous vote. But the removal of business grants, as well as an array of other differences, will spark frustration — and could lead to even further delay. 'This allows us — on transportation funds, on private roads and bridges — to address some of those issues,' Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) said. Senate Democrats said they had reservations about the changes to the House's bill, which received unanimous support. And they were dubious that House Republicans would agree to the Senate's changes. 'I certainly don't think the House is going to concur with them, because they haven't been pre-negotiated with the House,' said Sen. Graig Meyer (D-Orange) in an interview. 'They've basically admitted that.' If the bill clears the Senate this week, it will return to the House, who must agree to the changes to send it to Gov. Josh Stein's desk. Both chambers will debate a flurry of legislation this week in what is widely viewed as a final push before they leave Raleigh for weeks. Hise, asked by reporters Monday about why the Senate had removed money for small business grants, cited the state's 'emoluments clause.' The North Carolina constitution declares that 'no person … is entitled to exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges from the community but in consideration of public services.' Hise argues that includes a grant program, in which the state would select specific businesses to receive money, falls under that umbrella. 'We have not found a way to successfully get around that concept,' Hise said. He said he planned to bring forward a constitutional amendment on the matter, which would require approval from the legislature and a majority of voters. It's unclear what that timeline would look like. Senate Democratic leader Sydney Batch (D-Wake) said in an interview that if Republicans 'were that concerned,' they should have discussed the issue with the House 'instead of just jettisoning the entire bill.' 'This is literally playing with our western North Carolinian neighbors' lives and livelihoods and welfare,' Batch said. 'Only to get political chips and negotiations while we go into a budget debate.' Past legal analyses of the state's emoluments clause have come to different conclusions than Hise. The North Carolina attorney general's office under Mike Easley, a Democrat, wrote in a 1999 opinion to legislative leaders that natural disaster grant programs for farmers, homeowners and small businesses would benefit 'the public good.' And a 2019 legal review from UNC professor John Orth found that 'emoluments … may include benefits or privileges granted in consideration of public services more generally.' One western Democrat, during floor debate Monday, pointed out that one private business in the region — the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad — was set to receive money in the same bill. 'That is something this body has refused to do since last October,' said Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe).
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Shooting confirmed at Forest City amphitheater: Deputies
FOREST CITY, N.C. (WSPA) — Officials are investigating a shooting that occurred at the Pavilion on Park Square (POPS) Amphitheater on Friday night. Rutherford County deputies confirmed the shooting to 7NEWS, but did not share details about what led to the shooting. According to the venue's website, no events were scheduled. The Forest City Police Department has not shared what led up to the shooting. This is a developing story. Stay up to date with 7NEWS on the air and online as more information is made available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
