School Closings / Delays for Tuesday, February 2nd
January 31, 2010
Rutherford Co. Schools CLOSED
MURFREESBORO City CLOSED (Ext. Care Open)
PRIVATE SCHOOLS:
Providence Christian Academy CLOSED
Franklin Rd. Christian CLOSED
Lancaster Christian Academy CLOSED
Smyrna Christian CLOSED
OTHER:
MTA Buses on Snow Routes
Local Sports Talk Reigns Monday Nights On WGNS
January 31, 2010
The Middle Tennessee women’s basketball players, coming off a record-breaking 119-51 win Saturday against North Texas, will be in attendance Monday night at the weekly Rick Insell radio show at Coach’s Grill in Murfreesboroover WGNS (FM 100.5, FM 101.9; AM 1450, over-the-air TV 11, and worldwide at www.WGNSradio.com.
The women’s team will be there to sign autographs and take pictures at 6:00 o’clock with their fans and supporters, who have helped the squad to a 15-5 overall and 10-1 Sun Belt record thus far in 2009-10. The event is free and open to the public.
Monday night is a full-night of local sports-talk starting at 6:00 with Inside Sports, 7:00 Blue Raider Men’s Head Basketball Coach Kermit Davis and 8:00 Lady Raider’s Head Coach Rick Insell.
Women’s Basketball: MTSU 119 – N. Texas 51
January 31, 2010
Senior Brandi Brown became the program’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made, but it was just one of many school records which fell Saturday afternoon, as Middle Tennessee defeated North Texas 119-51 in Sun Belt women’s basketball action inside the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.
The Blue Raiders used a 28-0 first-half run after trailing early to put the Mean Green away and never look back. Among the 28 consecutive points was an 11-0 spurt in under a minute, capped off by Brown’s record triple from the right wing at 16:36.
(Photo ID) Freshman Kortni Jones hit the first two 3-pointers of her Blue Raider career in the win Saturday (1/30/10) over North Texas.
The Preseason First Team All-Sun Belt selection began her solid day by connecting on the first Middle Tennessee (15-5, 10-1 Sun Belt) points, a 3-pointer from the right corner at 19:10, after North Texas had jumped out to a 4-0 lead.
Brittany James then gave the Mean Green their largest lead on a jumper at 18:30 for a 6-3 edge, but senior Jackie Pickel answered with a layup 57 seconds later to start the 11-0 stretch. As the next minute passed, Brown lined up for the record-breaking shot and hit nothing but net to surpass Heather Prater (1993-96) for the all-time Blue Raider mark with her 225th career 3-pointer at 16:36.
Middle Tennessee continued to swarm defensively, forcing numerous turnovers by North Texas (6-16, 3-8 Sun Belt) over the course of the next five minutes, while not missing many opportunities of its own on the other end to mount the 28-0 run. The Blue Raiders converted 9-of-12 field goals and all five free throws during the stretch before Niq’ky Hughes ended the drought with a 3-pointer at 11:19.
The points continued to add up for MT, as Pickel and Brown hit back-to-back 3-pointers, pushing the advantage to 40, 51-11, with 7:50 remaining in the period. The Mean Green sliced the deficit to as close as 37, 56-19, for the closest margin the remainder of the stanza, but Anne Marie Lanning capped the Blue Raiders’ first half scoring with a 3-pointer with 28 seconds to play before Torrian Timms closed the session with a layup for a 64-26 halftime score.
The 64 first half points are the second most in school history, trailing only the 67 netted against Maryville Dec. 6, 1976. It is the second-straight game in which Middle Tennessee has posted at least 60 in the opening 20 minutes against North Texas, topping the 62 scored in last year’s meeting.
The Blue Raiders also hit a dozen first half 3-pointers, tying the school record set at New Orleans Jan. 28, 2006.
Middle Tennessee did not let up on the pedal in the second half, quickly jumping out to a 43-point lead on a Lymon 3-pointer with 16:39 to play. The teams would trade baskets over the next two minutes with All-American Alysha Clark against giving the Blue Raiders a 43-point edge, 79-36, with 14:56 left.
Clark’s basket ignited another long Middle Tennessee run, this time a 23-0 spurt covering the next four minutes. Fittingly, Brown capped this streak again with a 3-pointer, increasing the Blue Raider advantage to 100-36, a 64-point margin, with 10:45 to go.
Tamara Torru and Hughes then combined to tally seven of the Mean Green’s next nine points, closing the visitors within 59, 104-45, at 6:12. Middle Tennessee would go on a 15-2 spurt in the next four-and-a-half minutes, with a pair of Kortni Jones free throws extending the lead to a game-high 72 points, 119-47, with 1:54 remaining.
A basket each by Torrian Timms and Raquel Cuffie provided the team’s final points and 68-point margin.
The Blue Raiders set a single-game school record with its 119 points, surpassing the 116 set in the aforementioned Maryville contest. The 68-point victory is the third-largest in school history, falling five shy of the standard of 73 set in a 105-32 triumph at Alabama-Huntsville Feb. 3, 1988.
Middle Tennessee also tied its school standard for 3-pointers, nailing 20 from behind the mark. The total equals the Blue Raider effort at Louisville Dec. 9, 2009, and is one shy of the NCAA all-time record.
Hughes paced North Texas with 19 points on 9-of-13 field goals, while Timms hauled in a game-best 12 rebounds, including nine on the defensive glass.
Middle Tennessee was led by 28 points from Pickel, who had an all-around solid outing, adding seven steals, six assists and five rebounds in just 29 minutes. She drained 6-of-8 3-pointers, inching up the career 3-pointers list herself with 217 for third place.
Brown added 27 points in 30 minutes behind a 7-of-8 effort from long range and 10-of-13 overall from the field. The seven triples matches her career high, set against North Dakota State Jan. 2, 2007.
Clark chipped in 20 points, while matching Pickel for the team-best six assists and equaling Lanning for the team-high of six rebounds.
It is the second time in the last three games - also at Western Kentucky Jan. 24 - three Blue Raider starters have scored at least 20 points.
Lanning poured in 12 points, including nine from 3-point territory, while Lymon contributed nine to round out the starters’ 96-point outing.
Jones set a career-best with eight points, including the first two treys of her Middle Tennessee career, while Dymon Raynor grabbed a career-high tying five boards and blocked a career-best tying two shots.
Sophomore Molly McFadden grabbed a career-high four rebounds, while her three points equals her career best.
The Blue Raiders scored a season-high 53 points off 34 Mean Green turnovers. Middle Tennessee shot 43-of-86 (50.0 percent) from the field, 20-of-34 (58.8 percent) from 3-point land and 13-of-15 (86.7 percent) from the foul line to garner the convincing win.
The three-game homestand will conclude at 7 p.m. Wednesday when the Blue Raiders play host to Troy inside the Murphy Center. The Trojans will enter the contest with an 11-9 overall and 4-7 Sun Belt ledger.
Middle Tennessee Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Rick Insell
Opening comments
When we shoot and hit threes like we did today, we can play anybody in the country. If we can maintain that for another 10-to-12 games, that is going to be the difference in our basketball team. We are passing the ball a lot better now and we are getting a little healthier. That is the bottom line. Jackie felt better today, Brandi felt better today and Anne Marie felt better today. Alysha’s been banged up all year too and so has Chelsia. When we feel good, we can play a little better so I was real proud of them.
On the 40-point lead
We talked about it a bunch. The day after we came back, they were remembering it. It is pretty tough. We did not really work Jackie, Brandi, Alysha and Chelsia that day; we worked the freshmen. And it was a pretty intense workout. That is what we talked about. They played with a little more intensity today. We went after more rebounds, a few more deflections and was able to finish a little better.
On the comfort level of playing at home
I think it is these people; it is our fans. Our girls talk about that all of the time. Every time you interview them they talk about the fans. Those fans hang around, they talk to them and the girls go up in the crowd and sit with them. Our fans feel like this is their team and that is what I wanted when I came here. The kids like to play in front of those people.
On the league race
I am not approaching it any different. We are talking about the NCAA Tournament right now. We are talking about having some tough games on the road with the two Florida trips, Mobile and Troy. Those have always been our toughest trips. People might think it is Little Rock, Arkansas State, Denver and North Texas, but it has not been. It has been those trips. I do not know if it is because we are a little fatigued at the end of the year, but it is always been at the end of the year that we have to take those trips. The only time we did not falter in going down there was when we did not have to take it at the end of the year. We know what we have to do and we know we still have a tough conference schedule left. We will have to play a really tough game Wednesday night against Troy.
Brandi Brown
On setting the all-time 3-point record
It is just an honor. We are not focused on records; we are focused on winning. But it is an honor to do something like that.
On being in a good place in the last month of the regular season
I think getting the younger girls some experience is going to help us out a lot, and they played really well tonight. We have had a few practices where they have had really good opportunities to step in there and show what they are capable of.
Jackie Pickel
On today’s game approach and what was said at halftime
Coach mentioned that last time we had a 40-point lead and only ended up winning by 18, and if we are going to be a great team, we have to go out there and play our game no matter what the score is. He always brings up UConn and how they never let go of anybody. If they have a 30-point lead, they are still diving on those balls and that is the kind of team we want to be and what we want to be remembered as.
On the reason for playing so well at home
Those people out there that are yelling and getting on their feet is the reason. It is such an honor to play in front of this crowd because women’s basketball is not a top priority in a lot of schools. I think we are very fortunate here because when we travel around the Sun Belt and play in front of crowds of just a couple hundred and it is very disheartening. The seniors were talking about how we only have a couple of more games to play in front of this crowd. It is just fun.
North Texas Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Shanice Stephens
On the game
Our team was just overwhelmed. It was disappointing to have that kind of showing. Middle Tennessee is a great team. But we gave them a leg up with not being able to handle the pressure. Thirty-four turnovers, getting out rebounded and letting them shoot 50 percent from the field and 58 percent from 3-point. It was just a really disappointing showing tonight.
On a lot of clean looks at the basket for MT
They got some incredibly clean looks. To shoot 58 percent, you have to have daylight. Our game plan was not to give them daylight. We kept one down on Clark and people were just falling asleep. They had some really good movement on the perimeter and was really just too easy for them.
Basketball: MTSU 69 – N. Texas 64
January 31, 2010
Senior Calvin O’Neil (left photo) guided Middle Tennessee throughout the night as the Blue Raiders defeated North Texas 69-64 on Saturday night.
O’Neil ended the game with 13 points, after going 5-9 from the field, four rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals in 35 minutes of action. His pass to junior Rod Emanuel with 41 seconds to play put Middle Tennessee (13-10, 8-3) up by four and forced North Texas to start fouling to get the ball back.
All total four players scored in double figures with senior Montarrio Haddock leading the way with 15 while Emanuel and senior Desmond Yates added 12 each.
“Rod Emmanuel off the bench was just great. We beat a really tough, well-coached team tonight and it was a physical game. We really handled a lot of adversity and this was a good win for us,” head coach Kermit Davis said.
Freshman David Murray entered the game after Middle Tennessee got into foul trouble. In seven minutes Murray went 2-3 from the field and 3-4 at the charity stripe to score seven points in addition to two steals and a rebound.
“I told myself just go out there, play basketball and don’t get nervous. It’s something you like doing, you’ve been playing your whole life so have fun with it. Just play ball,” Murray said.
“We talked about, going into the game that the bench would be the key. With David Murray, it just shows that you never know when your time gets called. He’s been our most improved player over the past few weeks and came in and played with such confidence,” Davis said.
The Blue Raiders shot 46.2 percent from the field as North Texas (13-8, 6-5) shot 37.5 percent but the defense was strong throughout the night. Middle Tennessee’s bench outscored the Mean Green 24-15 and the Blue Raiders scored 21 points off turnovers.
With the win, Middle Tennessee extended its win streak to five games and is tied for first-place in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference with Florida Atlantic.
As a team, Middle Tennessee had 33 rebounds with Haddock pulling down a team high eight while junior Trevor Ottley grabbed five of his own. The Blue Raiders also had six blocks and 11 steals on the night. Ottley block three shots while Emanuel had a team high three steals.
Middle Tennessee used a 5-0 run to take a 13-6 lead at the 12 minute media timeout. The Blue Raiders kept rolling taking a 12-point lead, 22-10 after a three-pointer by Gallman.
North Texas closed the gap to four, 28-24, with two minutes to play in the first half. O’Neil’s three-point play gave the Blue Raiders a 35-31 lead at the half.
Middle Tennessee shot 46.2 percent from the field in the first half led by O’Neil who posted 10 points.
UNT shot 31.8 percent from the field as the Blue Raiders played good defense with 17 rebounds, five blocks and five steals. Ottley had three of Middle Tennessee’s five blocks in the first half while Sulton had two steals.
The two teams traded points to begin the second half with Middle Tennessee maintaining a two point lead. A three point play by Ottley put the Blue Raiders up by four, 42-38 with 13:31 to play in the game.
A three-pointer by the Mean Green’s Shorter cut the Blue Raider lead to two, 66-64, but Emanuel dunked a ball after a pass from O’Neil extending it to four, 68-64, with 41 seconds on the clock.
Middle Tennessee wraps up its three-game home stand on Feb. 4 when it plays host to Troy at 7 p.m.
Shot Put-Weight Throw: MTSU’s Brittany Cox Breaks Records
January 31, 2010
LEXINGTON, KY - Brittany Cox continued her dominant senior campaign at the Rod McCravy Memorial meet as she broke her own school and conference records in both the shot put and 20 lbs. weight throw.
The Antioch, Tennessee, native’s toss of 52-10.75 (16.12m) in shot put bested Melissa Gibbons of Louisiana Tech’s Sun Belt indoor standard of 50-10.75 (15.51m), thrown nine years ago. With this throw, Cox moves to ninth on the 2010 NCAA descending order list with her second NCAA Provisional in the event this season. Also, her mark of 66-8.75 (20.31m) in the weight throw breaks her own Sun Belt record of 62-8 (19.10m) set last weekend at the Blue Raider Invitational and places her fifth in the NCAA on the descending order list.
Zamzam Sangau won the 800 meters in 2:10.32 with teammate Kayla Bryan placing 18th in 2:31.05. Sangau also placed fifth in the mile run in a time of 4:53.72. Stephanie Smith placed 24th in 5:11.38 for her fastest time of the season.
Marla Bailey placed seventh in the 3,000 meters in 9:59.73 smashing her career best of 10:23.36 set a week ago. Jackie Serem placed 14th in 10:21.63, setting a lifetime best.
Nyeisha Wright finished fifth overall in the triple jump with a mark of 38-11.5 (11.87m). The Colorado Springs, Colo. native, ran her fastest 200 meters of the year in 25.0, placing 11th. She also placed 16th in the 60 meters in 7.77. Cherice Robertson came in eighth, and Kortney Thurman placed 11th in the triple jump with respective marks of 37-0.25 (11.28m) and 35-4 (10.77m). Robertson came fourth in the high jump with a leap of 5-6 (1.68m).
For the men’s team, hurdlers Roscoe Payne and DeRay Sloss finished eighth and 11th in the 60 meter hurdles. Payne finished in a time of 8.34 with Sloss clocking in at 8.43.
Freshman Vincent Johnson was third best collegiate finisher in the long jump, recording a leap of 22-0.5 (6.71m) for a career best.
Festus Chemaoi placed ninth in the mile run, finishing in a time 4:09.67. The Kenya native also ran the 800 meters in a 1:54.95, placing 12th. David Emery came in 14th and Isaac Biwott finished 26th with respective times of 4:13.79 and 4:20.91.
Chris Mason ran a career best 8:45.68 in the 3,000 meters, finishing 28th.
The teams will return to action next weekend as they will host the Middle Tennessee Classic at Murphy Center.
Tennis: Blue Raiders perform well against No. 8 Texas
January 30, 2010
The Middle Tennessee men’s tennis team had strong performances from a number of players in a 4-0 loss to No. 8 Texas on Saturday.
Juniors Victor Melo (left photo) and John Peers went toe-to-toe with No. 22 Dimitar Kutrovsky and Josh Zavala leading 7-6 before play was suspended after Texas won the doubles point.
Sophomores Richard Cowden and Matthew Langley fell 8-5 to Jean Anderson and Daniel Whitehead while junior Kyle Wishing and freshman Shaun Waters lost their match 8-4 to Vasko Mladenov and Jon Wiegand.
In singles action, Peers, Melo and Cowden performed well in the top three spots with each forcing a third set before play was suspended.
Senior Alex McCann fell to Mladenov, ranked 104th in singles, 6-1, 6-2 while Langley lost his match 6-3, 6-1 to Anderson. Waters performed well in his first collegiate match forcing extra sets before falling 7-5 in the second set to Ben Chen.
The Blue Raiders will be back in action on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. when they face the loser of the Texas Tech vs. California match in the second day of play at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend.
ITA Kick-Off Weekend
Penick-Allison Tennis Center – Austin, Texas
#8 Texas 4, Middle Tennessee State 0
Doubles – Order of Finish: 3, 2
1 #22 Kutrovsky/Zavala (UT) vs. Melo/Peers (MTSU) – 6-7, susp.
2 Andersen/Whitehead (UT) def. Cowden/Langley (MTSU) – 8-5
3 Mladenov/Wiegand (UT) def. Waters/Wishing (MTSU) – 8-4
Singles – Order of Finish: 5, 4, 6
1 #5 Dimitar Kutrovsky (UT) vs. John Peers (MTSU) – 6-3, 4-6, susp.
2 #9 Ed Corrie (UT) vs. Victor Melo (MTSU) – 4-6, 6-2, susp.
3 #38 Josh Zavala (UT) vs. Richard Cowden (MTSU) – 6-3, 4-2, susp.
4 Jean Andersen (UT) def. Matthew Langley (MTSU) - 6-3, 6-1
5 #104 Vasko Mladenov (UT) def. Alex McCann (MTSU) – 6-1, 6-2
6 Ben Chen (UT) def. Shaun Waters (MTSU) – 6-1, 7-5
Greenhouse Ministries Opens Thrift Store Wednesday
January 30, 2010
Greenhouse Ministries is pleased to announce the grand opening of its new thrift store, the Garden Patch. The public is invited to join Greenhouse Ministries and the Garden Patch for its ribbon cutting on Wednesday, February 3 at 11:00 a.m. Light refreshments will be served following the ribbon cutting.
The Garden Patch features gently used clothing, household items, and furniture among many other unique finds. Hours of the store will be Tuesday-Friday, 10:00-5:00. Furniture sales will be held once a month. Dates for upcoming furniture sales are posted on the Greenhouse Ministries website (www.greenhousemin.org). Profit from the thrift store will be used to support the services and programs offered at Greenhouse Ministries.
Greenhouse Ministries is a human services agency that seeks to plant “HOPE in the ‘Boro” by offering assistance with adult education, food, furniture and homeless housing. Greenhouse Ministries is located at 309 South Spring St. in Murfreesboro. For more information about how you can get involved, please contact Greenhouse Ministries (615) 494-0499, or visit www.greenhousemin.org.
TSSAA Bowling Tournament Postponed…Snow Causes Roof To Collapse
January 30, 2010
Heavy snow caused a very large section of the roof at the Smyrna Bowling Center to collapse sometime early Saturday morning (1/30/2010). The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s State Bowling Tournament is indefinitely postponed. (Photo) This shows the large gapping hole in the roof of the structure and the insert is the impacted area inside the Smyrna Bowling Center at 95 Weakley Lane.
State High School Bowling Tournament Indefinitely Postponed
Matt Gillespie told WGNS News, “Multiple lanes are damaged, there is a large amount of water damage, and the building is without water and power at this point. The damage to the facility is so extreme that no one is permitted to enter the bowling center.”
Gillespie stressed that any decisions regarding future plans for the continuation of the tournament will be communicated to schools as soon as a decision has been made.
Snow Keeps Falling…Your "Snow Pics" Here!
January 29, 2010
(Left) bob-tailed kitty in the snow.
(right) that’s a snowman in the back of a pickup truck parked near Premiere 6 Cinema.
(above) children and snow go hand-in-hand…(below) a big child and reclining snowman.
E-mail you “snow shots” to news@WGNSradio.com
Recipe For Snow Cream
Need: 1 gallon of snow, 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, 2 cups of milk.
Directions: stir the sugar and vanilla extract into the snow and then add enough milk to create the thickness you desire with the snow cream, ready to enjoy immediately.
(below) and fresh snow cream is sometimes best in its natural state as this ‘Boro child attests.
(above) sitting snowman in south Murfreesboro. (below 2 pics) snow fall in Readyville, TN.
Dismissal Of Ron Killings “Reckless Homicide” Charges Requested
January 29, 2010
Former Rutherford County Sheriffs Detective Ron Killings (left photo) goes to trial February 8th on “reckless homicide” charges in connection with the death of 11-year old Lakeisha White. As you recall, Killings’ unmarked police vehicle struck the child as she reportedly darted into the traffic on Bradyville Pike around 9:00 o’clock on the night of July 11th, 2008. Killings’ attorneys are filing a pre-trial motion to drop the “reckless homicide” charges. Ben Parsley and Terry Fann indicate that a study of 58 other fatal accidents that were investigated locally over the past five-years and in which alcohol was not found to be present resulted in only one such charge. They also wish to exclude the statement from Critical Incident Response Team member Trooper Allen Brenneis, because his investigation took place several months after the incident. The motion also asks that his crash scene photos not be used, since they too were made long after the fatal accident and that roadway improvements had been made. A brief is expected to be filed on Killings’ behalf this coming Monday (2/1/2010) at a motions hearing before Circuit Court Judge David Bragg. That case was to have been heard Friday, but postponed as a result of the winter storm. Special Prosecutor Joe Baugh released information earlier that indicated evidence taken from the black-box in the detective’s vehicle showed he was traveling at 62 miles per hour when the child was hit. The jury will be made-up of persons from Hamilton County to assure a fairer trial, since there has been so much pre-trial publicity about the case locally. They are scheduled to be chosen on February 8th. WGNS News will keep you informed.
Slight-Of-Hand Scheme Gets Cash From KFC
January 29, 2010
Around 2:13 Friday afternoon (1/20/2010) two males entered Kentucky Fried Chicken on Chaffin Place at Old Fort Parkway and attempted a “slight of hand” scheme.
Murfreesboro Police spokesperson Kyle Evans told WGNS News that one person attempted to confuse the clerk by saying he gave a different amount of money. At one point, the KFC employee said the man reached behind him as if to get a gun from his pants. No gun was actually seen.
The two men fled outbound on the Old Fort Parkway in a gray Olds Cutlass.
Description: One was a light complexion Black male about 6-feet 3-inches tall and wearing a blue zipper jacket. The other had a darker complexion and was about 6-feet tall with a goatee. If you have information, please contact the Murfreesboro Police at 893-1311.
Game time shifted for Saturday’s women’s game
January 29, 2010
Middle Tennessee athletics has announced Saturday’s women’s basketball game against North Texas has been moved to a 4 p.m. start, creating a true doubleheader of Blue Raider hoops against the Mean Green.
See Both Games…Back To Back
The time change will make it easier for Blue Raider fans to attend both games without having to travel two different times during the day. It will also allow game referees more time to travel to Murfreesboro.
Great Deal…Once Ticket…Two Games
One ticket will allow admittance to both games, with the men’s basketball team to follow as scheduled at 7 p.m., also against North Texas.
Hear Game 3:30PM Saturday on WGNS
As always, hear the games on WGNS, your Blue Raider connection (FM 100.5; FM 101.9; AM 1450; over-the-air TV channel 11; worldwide at www.WGNSradio.com.
Snow Causing Driving Nightmares
January 29, 2010
It goes without saying…if you’ve been on the roads…you know travel is not easy…
Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans says many accidents have been reported and traffic is moving very slowly around town. He says if you are one of the unfortunate accident victims…
With temperatures expected to stay below freezing throughout the weekend, road conditions will be hazardous for several days.
MTSU Game time shifted for Saturday’s women’s game
January 29, 2010
Middle Tennessee athletics has announced Saturday’s women’s basketball game against North Texas has been moved to a 4 p.m. start, creating a true doubleheader of Blue Raider hoops against the Mean Green. Chip Walters with MTSU tells WGNS News the time change will make it easier for Blue Raider fans to attend both games…
One ticket will allow admittance to both games, with the men’s basketball team to follow as scheduled at 7 p.m., also against North Texas. Blue Raider Network coverage on WGNS begins at 3:30pm with a 4pm tipoff for the women’s game. The men’s coverage will follow on FM 100.5, FM 101.9, AM 1450 and streaming online at wgnsradio.com.
PHOTO: Snowfall outside the Murphy Center on the MTSU campus
Hugs for Haiti Moved to Monday
January 29, 2010
With the bad weather, the Hugs for Haiti fundraiser that was to take place at Blackman High School Friday has been moved to Monday. Daryl Mackin says the event is scheduled to begin 1 Monday afternoon. In the event school is out on Monday, then the event will be rescheduled for Friday, February 5th. Mackin and history teacher W.T. Johnson hope to break the Guinness World record for the most hugs given during a one-hour period. Proceeds from the event will aid Haiti earthquake victims.
State Bowling Tournament Changes – Smyrna Bowling Center
January 29, 2010
Due to weather concerns, the schedule for state bowling tournament Saturday has been changed to 11:00 a.m., with championship finals to follow at approximately 1:30 p.m. The tournament is being played at the Smyrna Bowling Center on Weakley Lane, just off Sam Ridley.
MTSU Classes/Offices Closing at 1pm TODAY
January 29, 2010
Due to inclement weather, all MTSU classes and offices will close at 1 p.m. today, Friday, Jan. 29, and will remain closed on Saturday, Jan. 30. All university events scheduled for tonight have been canceled. The university will return to its normal schedule on Sunday unless otherwise announced.
MTSU men¹s and women¹s basketball games for Saturday are still scheduled.
Extremely Slippery Roads…I-24 Being Closed
January 29, 2010
Slippery roads are worsening across Rutherford County as the winter snow moves through. What started shortly before 11:30 Friday morning (1/29/10) as a 4-car crash on I-24 near the Joe B. Jackson Parkway dramatically increased as other vehicles were unable to stop. Initial reports show persons were ejected with the possibility of victims being hit by other vehicles. The Special Operations Unit is now on the scene, and some victims are also complaining of chest pains. WGNS News will keep you informed.
And at 11:52 Friday morning, the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office received a call for help to a 3-vehicle crash with injuries on I-24 under the Buchanan Road overpass. One person is entrapped.
I-24 Being Closed At This Time
There is an 18-vehicle crash on I-24 between Buchanan Road and Beechgrove exits at the 91-mile marker…five tractor trailer rigs are involved in that crash. A jeep type vehicle has slipped off the roadway and slipped down the embankment on Warrior Drive at the New Salem Highway.
Emergency Vehicles Having Trouble Getting Through Traffic
Other crashes at County Farm Road and South Church Street, the New Nashville Highway, Windrow Road at Walter Leathers Drive where a vehicle has flipped and one person is trapped, plus emergency responders report that they too are having difficulty staying on the icy roadways.
And in Jackson Heights Shopping Center on Northwest Broad Street, the Murfreesboro Fire Department received a call that shortly before noon Friday the sprinkler system was on the business was flooded.
Several vehicles are involved in a crash at North Rutherford Boulevard at Greenland Drive. In addition, some of the county salt trucks are having difficulty staying on the icy roads.
WGNS News urges motorists not to travel at this time until salt-crews get better control of the roadways. At this time, there are so many crashes that emergency responders are having to work them as they come across them.
Blue Raiders ready to begin challenging spring schedule
January 29, 2010
One of the nation’s toughest schedules, loaded with ranked teams, will be the challenge that head coach David McNamara has arranged for his Middle Tennessee tennis team for the spring of 2010.
Starting with what McNamara calls “a pretty good field”, the Blue Raiders will face No. 8 Texas in the first round of the National Indoor Qualifying tournament in Austin, Texas. The opening tournament features the 64 top-ranked teams in the country, and it doesn’t get any easier from that point on.
Immediately after that, Middle Tennessee will play seven consecutive ranked teams on the road, starting with Tennessee. The rugged stretch of matches also includes Denver, New Mexico and South Florida.
McNamara believes that strong competition is the key to success.
“In the National Indoors, we were allowed to pick where we wanted to go, and I picked Texas,” said McNamara. “I like playing a strong schedule, playing the best. I think, individually, it helps the guys. Even if we don’t win, we get to play two matches against two very good teams, and that helps us down the road.”
Middle Tennessee begins the 2010 spring season ranked 56th in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Preseason Poll.
Middle Tennessee loses only one senior, Morgan Richard, off of last year’s team that finished with a 16-10 record and swept thru Sun Belt Conference opponents to claim the league championship in May. Overall, the Blue Raiders finished 57th in the national rankings, their highest since 2006.
Returning are junior John Peers (above left photo) and sophomore Victor Melo who led the Blue Raiders to the Sun Belt Conference title. Peers, a junior from Melbourne, Australia, won at No. 1 singles, then Peers and Victor Melo took the No. 1 doubles. Peers was named SBC Player of the Year.
Peers and Melo teamed up a number of times during the season in doubles and ranked at the #59 position. The duo is ranked 23rd in the ITA Preseason Poll. Peers ended singles play 24-3 overall, and 20-1 in duals.
“Peers has been great for us the last two years,” said McNamara.
McNamara’s Blue Raiders face the season with optimism, but also with some areas of concern, particularly with injuries.
Redshirt junior Richard Cowden, from Durban, South Africa, has been injury plagued his entire MTSU career. He tore an ACL two days into what would have been his freshman year, then suffered a wrist injury early in his second year and had a cyst removed from his wrist last spring.
“Although he is a junior in eligibility, he has never been thru a full spring, or a conference tournament,” noted McNamara. “Athletically, Richard is a sophomore. Academically, he is going to graduate in May. He is healthy now, and I am looking for him to play a big role on this team.”
Matthew Langley, a sophomore from West Beach, Australia, is another Blue Raider that McNamara hopes is healthy and ready to play. Langley came in last spring, but missed most of the spring with a stress fracture, then developed Mono in the fall, but seems to have regained his health now.
Melo, from Maringa, Brazil, was also in and out of the lineup last spring with a hamstring strain.
“He comes with a very good resume, and has already played in a lot of big tournaments. He is 22 and has more experience than most sophomores. He’s in and out of the rankings, and he is the real deal,” said McNamara.
Melo has impressed McNamara with his improved work ethic since he arrived at MTSU.
“He had never spent much time off the court improving his game, and now he is working hard in the gym and getting stronger and losing weight. He has been very committed the last six months, and I am excited to see what he can do this spring.
The lone newcomer, joining the team this spring, is freshman Shaun Waters a native of Melbourne, Australia.
“I’m excited about him being here. Watching him in practice, I am impressed by him,” noted McNamara. “He has a strong serve, a good forehand and backhand, and volley’s well. You never know for sure about freshmen, but I feel like he can help us. We lost Morgan (Richard) from last year, but I think Shaun can help us replace him.”
Overall, McNamara sees a tough schedule being a real challenge for his team.
“I think we may be better individually than as a team in a lot of matches,” pointed out McNamara. “And we need to keep everybody well this season.”
State Offices Closing Because of Snow
January 29, 2010
Due to the winter weather we are experiencing, the decision has been made to close affected state offices as follows:
Offices located in the Central Time Zone may close at 12:00 Central Time.
Offices located in the Eastern Tim Zone may close at 2:00 Eastern Time.
The policy regarding inclement weather states that in instances of extreme inclement weather, the Governor or his designee, in consultation with Safety, Transportation and TEMA, may make the decision to close state offices on a county-by-county basis and the closures should be countywide.
Blue Raiders ready to begin challenging spring schedule
January 29, 2010
One of the nation’s toughest schedules, loaded with ranked teams, will be the challenge that head coach David McNamara has arranged for his Middle Tennessee tennis team for the spring of 2010.
Starting with what McNamara calls “a pretty good field”, the Blue Raiders will face No. 8 Texas in the first round of the National Indoor Qualifying tournament in Austin, Texas. The opening tournament features the 64 top-ranked teams in the country, and it doesn’t get any easier from that point on.
PHOTO: Junior John Peers will help guide Middle Tennessee during the 2010 spring season
Immediately after that, Middle Tennessee will play seven consecutive ranked teams on the road, starting with Tennessee. The rugged stretch of matches also includes Denver, New Mexico and South Florida.
McNamara believes that strong competition is the key to success.
“In the National Indoors, we were allowed to pick where we wanted to go, and I picked Texas,” said McNamara. “I like playing a strong schedule, playing the best. I think, individually, it helps the guys. Even if we don’t win, we get to play two matches against two very good teams, and that helps us down the road.”
Middle Tennessee begins the 2010 spring season ranked 56th in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Preseason Poll.
Middle Tennessee loses only one senior, Morgan Richard, off of last year’s team that finished with a 16-10 record and swept thru Sun Belt Conference opponents to claim the league championship in May. Overall, the Blue Raiders finished 57th in the national rankings, their highest since 2006.
Returning are junior John Peers and sophomore Victor Melo who led the Blue Raiders to the Sun Belt Conference title. Peers, a junior from Melbourne, Australia, won at No. 1 singles, then Peers and Victor Melo took the No. 1 doubles. Peers was named SBC Player of the Year.
Peers and Melo teamed up a number of times during the season in doubles and ranked at the #59 position. The duo is ranked 23rd in the ITA Preseason Poll. Peers ended singles play 24-3 overall, and 20-1 in duals.
“Peers has been great for us the last two years,” said McNamara.
McNamara’s Blue Raiders face the season with optimism, but also with some areas of concern, particularly with injuries.
Redshirt junior Richard Cowden, from Durban, South Africa, has been injury plagued his entire MTSU career. He tore an ACL two days into what would have been his freshman year, then suffered a wrist injury early in his second year and had a cyst removed from his wrist last spring.
“Although he is a junior in eligibility, he has never been thru a full spring, or a conference tournament,” noted McNamara. “Athletically, Richard is a sophomore. Academically, he is going to graduate in May. He is healthy now, and I am looking for him to play a big role on this team.”
Matthew Langley, a sophomore from West Beach, Australia, is another Blue Raider that McNamara hopes is healthy and ready to play. Langley came in last spring, but missed most of the spring with a stress fracture, then developed Mono in the fall, but seems to have regained his health now.
Melo, from Maringa, Brazil, was also in and out of the lineup last spring with a hamstring strain.
“He comes with a very good resume, and has already played in a lot of big tournaments. He is 22 and has more experience than most sophomores. He’s in and out of the rankings, and he is the real deal,” said McNamara.
Melo has impressed McNamara with his improved work ethic since he arrived at MTSU.
“He had never spent much time off the court improving his game, and now he is working hard in the gym and getting stronger and losing weight. He has been very committed the last six months, and I am excited to see what he can do this spring.
The lone newcomer, joining the team this spring, is freshman Shaun Waters a native of Melbourne, Australia.
“I’m excited about him being here. Watching him in practice, I am impressed by him,” noted McNamara. “He has a strong serve, a good forehand and backhand, and volley’s well. You never know for sure about freshmen, but I feel like he can help us. We lost Morgan (Richard) from last year, but I think Shaun can help us replace him.”
Overall, McNamara sees a tough schedule being a real challenge for his team.
“I think we may be better individually than as a team in a lot of matches,” pointed out McNamara. “And we need to keep everybody well this season.”
Spring 2010 Heritage Lecture Series Kicks Off February 18th
January 29, 2010
FROM MTSU PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE…
The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, along with the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, invite the public to attend the first program of its spring 2010 series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.
The free lecture, Shades of Gray and Blue: What Art and Material Culture Can Tell Us About Life in Civil War Era Tennessee, will be led by Susan W. Knowles, a Ph.D. candidate in public history.
For the past year, Knowles and collaborator, Celia Walker, a former museum curator now working as director of special projects, Vanderbilt University Libraries, have traveled the state identifying significant objects that help tell the story of life in Tennessee during the Civil War.
Knowles and Walker are working in partnership with MTSU’s Walker Library and a panel of museum curators and educators from across the state. The virtual gallery of objects and the stories behind them will be published as a Web site so students and teachers may dig deep into the rich history of Tennessee as it was 150 years ago.
“For the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in 2011, we are using works of art and artisanship to open the door to hidden aspects of our state’s Civil War history,” said Knowles, who has worked as an independent curator for more than 20 years, has organized exhibitions for the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, The Tennessee State Museum and National Museum of Women in the Arts.
The Community Heritage Lecture Series will be held at The Heritage Center, located just off the downtown square in Murfreesboro at 225 West College St. The Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, which is a partnership unit of the National Park Service, sponsors the free program.
The Heritage Center is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays, and features guided walking tours of the town square on the hour. Group tours are available Monday through Saturday by advance reservations. Admission is free.
The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County is a joint venture between the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, Main Street: Murfreesboro/ Rutherford County, the City of Murfreesboro and the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU. Additional support comes from the Rutherford County government and State Farm Insurance.
For more information on the Community Heritage Lecture Series, please call 615-217-8013 or e-mail to jbutt@mtsu.edu.
IRS Encourages Awareness of Valuable Tax Credit, Free Tax Help Sites
January 29, 2010
FROM THE IRS…
An expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) means larger Tennessee families will qualify for an increased tax credit, offering even greater relief for people who struggled through difficult financial times last year, the Internal Revenue Service said today.
The IRS and the Treasury Department mark EITC Awareness Day as tax partners nationwide worked to highlight the availability of this important tax credit. EITC, which is in its 35th year, is one of the federal government’s largest benefit programs for people who work but who don’t earn a lot of money.
Nationwide, nearly 24 million people received $50 billion in EITC benefits last year. The average credit was more than $2,000. Last year in Tennessee, nearly 608,000 tax filers received almost $1.3 billion in benefits and the average credit was $2,106.
But the IRS estimates that up to 25 percent of those eligible for EITC fail to claim it. And many who are eligible may not even know the credit exists.
"EITC awareness is especially important now because people who worked part of the year but were laid off or who went from full-time to part-time work could be eligible for the first time," said IRS spokesman Dan Boone.
Eligibility for EITC depends on earned income and family size, among other tests. However, single people and childless workers also are eligible, although for smaller amounts. For tax years 2009 and 2010, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act created a new category for families with three or more children. (See EITC Eligibility and Credit Amounts for 2009 below)
Free help is available to EITC-eligible taxpayers at about 180 tax help sites in 57 counties in Tennessee. Trained volunteers at these sites will prepare tax returns to claim EITC and, at most sites, will e-file the returns at no cost. Taxpayers can find the closest site by calling United Way at 2-1-1 or by calling the IRS toll-free at 1-800-906-9887.
People who want to prepare their own tax returns can visit Free File on IRS.gov. This free tax software and free electronic filing program will walk taxpayers through a question and answer format and help them claim the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible.
EITC-eligible taxpayers also can seek assistance at one of the six IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers in Tennessee. Those are located in Chattanooga, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville and are generally open weekdays (except holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check IRS.gov for local office addresses and to confirm hours or call 1-800-829-1040.
The IRS centers in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville will also be open three Saturdays — Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and Feb. 20 — from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Johnson City center will be open Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There is also an EITC Assistant online tool available on IRS.gov which can help taxpayers and tax preparers determine eligibility.
More than 65 percent of EITC returns are prepared by a tax preparer. The IRS urges taxpayers to choose a reputable preparer to avoid problems that come with an inaccurate tax return. The agency also urges tax preparers to follow due diligence requirements when preparing an EITC tax return. More information is available at www.irs.gov/eitc.
EITC Eligibility and Credit Amounts for 2009
Earned Income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than:
- $43,279 ($48,279) married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children (NEW category)
- $40,295 ($45,295 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children
- $35,463 ($40,463 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
- $13,440 ($18,440 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children
Tax Year 2009 maximum credit:
- $5,657 with three or more qualifying children (NEW category)
- $5,028 with two qualifying children
- $3,043 with one qualifying child
- $457 with no qualifying children
Fire Calls…Give Emergency Vehicles The Right of Way
January 29, 2010
The Murfreesboro Fire Department received an early Friday morning call about a kitchen fire at the Grove Apartments on Halls Hill Pike. As the first unit arrived in the early 4:00 o’clock hour, emergency responders had to treat one victim for smoke inhalation. Quick response kept damage only to smoke issues.
Another issue facing emergency responders is difficulty in getting through traffic. In addition to fighting fires, Murfreesboro sends fire trucks to other incidents as trained first responders. A WGNS listener took these photos with his cellphone camera on Thursday (1/28/10) night around 5:45. It shows a unit with red lights flashing having difficulty getting through traffic on the Medical Center Parkway. State law requires vehicles to pull over to a stop and allow emergency vehicles to pass. In addition, the observant listener voices concern of a lack of pull off room on the new Medical Center Parkway to allow emergency vehicles to pass.
Although the picture is shows rain on the windows, it clearly shows how vehicles are not moving over to allow the large fire truck the needed room to maneuver through the crowded area. Listeners have raised this issue many times, and now someone took photos of the problem as it was happening.
Share Your Concerns
When you are concerned about situations that impact your life, please let WGNS Talk Radio know. Phone the radio station at 615-893-1450 or e-mail your concerns to news@WGNSradio.com.
Winter Driving Tips from AAA
January 29, 2010
Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA reminds motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather. For more information on winter driving, the association offers the How to Go on Ice and Snow brochure, available through most AAA offices. Contact your local AAA representative for more information.
AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:
- Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
- Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
- Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
- Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
- If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
- Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
- Always look and steer where you want to go.
- Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
Tips for long-distance winter trips:
- Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
- Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
- Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
- Pack a cellular telephone with your local AAA’s telephone number, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
- If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
- Don’t over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
- Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
- Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
- Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
- If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.
Tips for driving in the snow:
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
- Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
- The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
- Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
- Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
- Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
- Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
- Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.
Winter Weather Safety and Survival
January 29, 2010
FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE…
So, what can we do now to get ready for winter weather?
Have a plan –
Each family should have a plan of how you will deal with a major winter storm. Think about it now before you really need to put the plan into action.
Keep up with the weather if you have travel plans –
With holiday travel season coming up, it’s more critical than ever to keep up with the weather, from home to your destination and everywhere in between. If winter precipitation is forecast, you might consider delaying the trip to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation. Even small amounts of freezing drizzle, sleet or snow can cause significant travel problems.
Develop and maintain an emergency supplies kit –
An winter storm safety kit will be critical to your safety should a major winter storm cause you to lose electrical power and/or water service. A three-day supply of essential supplies, including water and food for the family, batteries, flashlights and medical supplies, should be in place and checked frequently. This supply kit will be the same one you should have on hand during tornado season. In addition, if you have to travel this winter you should have an emergency survival kit in your vehicle as well.
Get a battery operated weather radio –
One of the items that should be in everyone’s disaster supplies kit is a battery operated weather radio. Weather radio is a service of your National Weather Service office and provides round the clock weather information, including all the latest winter weather information.
Friday Swap’n Shop
January 29, 2010
For Sale: 11 x 11-foot storage building, 14 x 70 mobile home 865-789-4406
For Sale: antique couch, table and chair 542-3003
Moving Sale: many antiques 895-5880
Additional School Closing: Bellwood Christian Academy
For Sale: 1974 AMC Hornet; antique Coke machine; 25 windows (6-ft. tall) 896-4261
For Sale: 30-30 over 20 gage shotgun; ammo; DVD’s $2 each 663-3077
For Sale: trolling motor with foot pedal control; big trailer 962-7136
Wants: chest of drawers and small table with 4 chairs for someone on disability income 904-0591
Wants: pre-paid cell phone with touch screen and key pad; clothes dryer 569-6843
For Sale: box of women’s size 3X, 26-28 clothes ($20 for box); mantle and fireplace inserts (in the box) $300 319-8508
For Sale: Earnhardt collectibles and old Lionel trains 569-0947
Service wanted; someone to alter bride’s dress and bride’s maid dresses 895-1046
For Sale: digital converter box with remote 618-0476
20-30 Cars Burglarized Early Friday Morning
January 29, 2010
Early Friday (1/29/10) morning an alert citizen gave police the description of a suspicious auto including its license tags in an area where several car break-ins were reported. Murfreesboro Police cruised the Cason Lane and St. Andrews area where thefts from twenty to thirty vehicles were reported. Officers also went to the address in the Franklin Heights area where the owner of a white Nissan Maxima lived. Shortly before 4:30 Friday morning the car pulled up. Police quickly moved-in…one suspect was arrested and the other fled on foot into the dark 28-degree early morning hours. A check of the vehicle’s trunk revealed a cache of GPS systems, X-Box games, guitar, boom boxes and other items. Police continue to look for a 5-foot 11-inch tall black male who weighs around 215 pounds and is around age 20. If you see this person in the Bridge Avenue area, please call the Murfreesboro City Police at 615-893-1311.
Wei Chuan USA, Inc. Bringing 317 More New Jobs To ‘Boro
January 29, 2010
The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce reports that Wei Chuan USA, Inc. will be creating 317 new jobs in Murfreesboro by establishing a world-class manufacturing and distribution facility here. The firm will is purchasing an existing facility and relocating the Spring Roll shell line from the pilot/test facility. The initial capital investment is over $19 million and the company will employ 317 new employees, including 20 salaried employees.
Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg commented “We are happy to welcome Wei Chuan to our community. The City of Murfreesboro has deep roots in food manufacturing and we welcome the addition of over 300 new jobs to the area.”
“This is a positive win for the community,” stated Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess. “We are creating jobs and continuing to market the community to other prospective companies.”
Based in California since 1972, Wei Chuan is a leading manufacturer, import/exporter and distributor of Asian foods. The company has one manufacturing facility in California, a pilot/test facility in Tennessee and six distribution centers in New Jersey, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The company is not prepared to answer any additional questions at this time and plans to release a more inclusive press release in the future including information on career opportunities.
United Way: 77.1% Toward Goal!
January 29, 2010
United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties are in week twenty-one of their annual campaign. The local group that serves 45 non-profits in this community is at 71.1 per cent of its $2.8-million goal. Director of Resource Development Carolyn Tumbleson reports that $ 2,160,076.51 has been collected. This year’s drive continues through Valentine’s Day. For more information, please call (615) 893-7303 or visit www.uwrutherford.org.
City Council, 1-28-10
January 28, 2010
With the threat of severe winter weather looming on the horizon, the Murfreesboro City Council met on Thursday, January 28th to take care of business. The group extended a “no rent” lease with the Rutherford County Child Advocacy Center, where the city maintains all exterior walls and the roof of the Center if the Center maintains the rest of the property and pays utilities. The Murfreesboro Police Department requested payment of the annual Prisoner Processing Agreement, which comes out of the current budget, and also requested to purchase 6 new rifles and a new Crown Victoria model vehicle. Those expenses will come from the Federal Equitable Sharing Account and Risk Management Funds respectively. The council also heard from Jobe, Hastings, and Associates, who reported on the City’s financial report for the year ending June 30, 2009. The City Engineer outlined his recommendations for the construction of a drainage system for the Leaf Avenue area, a project expected to cost an estimated $950,000. Finally, a request by the International Folkloric Society’s Planning Council was approved, allowing them to hang a banner across East Main Street advertising their International Folkfest 2010 celebration, which will be held this summer, June 11th through the 21st.
Women’s Basketball: MTSU 78 – New Orleans 60
January 28, 2010
Middle Tennessee shot 51.4 percent during the opening 20 minutes to take a 24-point halftime lead and knocked off visiting New Orleans, 78-60, Wednesday night in Sun Belt women’s basketball action inside the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.
The Blue Raiders connected on 18-of-35 field goals, including 6-of-13 from behind the arc, to go with 6-of-7 free throws, en route to doubling up the Lady Privateers, 48-24, in the first stanza. The effort may not have been as strong in the second period, shooting just 37.9 percent compared to a 50.0 percent outing from UNO, but Middle Tennessee (14-5, 9-1 Sun Belt) also utilized its entire bench with 11 of the 12 active players scoring at least two points.
Senior Jackie Pickel missed the contest due to injury. It marks the first career game she has not played in since joining the Blue Raiders and snaps a consecutive game streak of 120. She was dressed and able to play if needed.
All-American Alysha Clark led all players with another double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, her 11th of the season, 29th at Middle Tennessee and 67th overall in her career. The 67 career double-doubles moves her in to a three-way tie for eighth on the NCAA’s all-time list with Louisiana Tech’s Venus Lacy (1988-90) and Wichita State’s Angela Buckner (2001-04). Clark hit one-half of her 14 field goal attempts, while draining 8-of-9 free throws, swiping two steals, handing out two assists and blocking one shot in 29 minutes. Clark also has now scored in double figures in 43 consecutive games.
Fellow senior Brandi Brown, a member of the Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team, was the only other Blue Raider in double figures with 18 points behind a team-best 4-of-9 from 3-point territory. The four triples increase her career tally to 223, one shy of the school-record 224 set by Heather Prater from 1993-96.
Sophomore Tina Stewart (above photo) swiped a career-best five steals and added seven points to lead the bench players in just 19 minutes. Freshman Jamila Ajanaku netted a career-high four points in six minutes of action, while fellow rookie Kortni Jones matched Ajanaku with a career-best four points. Sophomore Molly McFadden tied her career high with three rebounds, tops among the bench players, and contributed a career-best two steals in a career-high nine minutes.
Senior Dana Garrett, who garnered her second career start in place of Pickel, filled the stat sheet with four points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals in 21 minutes.
New Orleans (7-14, 1-9 Sun Belt) was led by 14 points from Nicole Holmes and 12 by Amanda McCarthy. The pair combined for six of the team’s eight 3-pointers, including a 4-of-4 performance by McCarthy off the bench.
Juanita Cochran hauled in a team-high eight rebounds, helping the Lady Privateers to a 35-30 edge on the glass. UNO, however, could not control the ball offensively as Middle Tennessee forced 32 turnovers on 21 steals.
The Blue Raiders jumped in front early, taking a 4-3 lead on a pair of Clark free throws at 18:25 and never looking back. Junior Anne Marie Lanning then registered the first of her three triples over the next five minutes, with the last coming at 12:52, providing MT with a 10-point, 21-11, cushion.
D’Mesha Hewett trimmed the margin to 10, 26-16, with 9:11 remaining after Brown pushed the lead to 13, but the Lady Privateers would get no closer. Middle Tennessee rattled home 11 of the next 13 points, capped by a Brown triple at 5:09 for a 37-18 advantage.
A 6-0 run again closed the gap to a baker’s dozen, 37-24, on an old-fashioned three-point play from Brittney Helm, but the final 11 points of the opening period went to the Blue Raiders.
Senior Chelsia Lymon then began the second session with back-to-back 3-pointers, followed by a pair of free throws from Clark and another Brown trey as Middle Tennessee built a 35-point edge, 59-24, with 17:48 left.
The lead grew to 40, 67-27, after a layup by Icelyn Elie and a jumper via Jones capped another 8-0 Blue Raider spurt with 14:27 to play.
New Orleans then used a 23-2 run over the next nine minutes, which featured the four McCarthy 3-pointers, to cut the deficit to less than half, 69-50, on her fourth triple with 5:24 remaining. The streak came during a time in which Middle Tennessee was using various combinations of younger players on the floor.
The Blue Raider lead was sliced to 18 three times before the end of the game, the last coming on a pair of Holmes free throws with 26 seconds left to decide the final score.
Middle Tennessee will return to action at 2 p.m. Saturday when it plays host to North Texas for the second contest of a three-game homestand. The game has been designated as Hoop and Hollar for a Dollar Day with all tickets available for $1.
Middle Tennessee Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Rick Insell
On staying focused after an emotional win
They knew how we handled New Orleans there and also knew all of the challenges. The thing about our basketball team is that they are very intelligent and know what is happened down in that area. They have been here for four years and been through it with them in the conference. If you ask our players, they will tell you they have some feelings about the fact that this is it for New Orleans as far as our conference is concerned. It is hard to really go into a game like this when you know this is one of the factors. Amy (Champion) is a good coach, good person and has good assistants. We are going to miss her in the conference, I can tell you that.
On the early lead
Chelsia came out and put the ball in the hole. I let the young ones play a little bit with Alysha and Brandi so they could get an idea of what was going on. It is tough to play with each other, but if they play with one of the seniors, that helps them a little bit.
Alysha Clark
On setting the tone from the beginning of the game
We wanted to come out and make sure we executed with focus and intensity. Coach tells us that we do not need to drop levels of competition depending on the opponent. So we had to come out like we were playing Tennessee. We did a good job with that.
On the difficulty of coming off Sunday’s big win
It is not difficult at all because you do not ever want to get content and complacent with where you are. It was a big win on Sunday, but tonight was also a big win for us. Once we are done with one game, we have to move on and focus on the next.
Brandi Brown
On being two away from the all-time 3-point record
I was not aware of it until Heather Prater, who currently holds the record, sent me a Facebook message about it. I did not know about it. (Assistant) Coach (Allison) Clark had to inform me.
MTSU: Women’s Tennis Set To Open
January 28, 2010
Believing that the 2010 women’s tennis team is "potentially the best we have had at Middle Tennessee since I’ve been here," Blue Raider coach Alison Ojeda will take her squad to Nashville Friday to play Belmont in the season opener. The match will be indoors at the Wildwood Club and will start at 4 p.m.
Ojeda, in her fifth year leading Blue Raider women’s tennis, will put a young and inexperienced, though talented, team on the courts.
Senior Natalie Araya, along with four sophomores and a freshman, will take the court against the Bruins. Ojeda has not finalized her lineup yet, but has indicated that Araya, sophomore Marietta Bigus and freshman Yuiri Nomoto will play in the top three spots, while sophomores Taylor Coffey, Alex Dachos and Carla Nava, a transfer, will fill the rest of the singles positions.
Ojeda will likely pair Araya with Bigus as one doubles team and Nomoto with senior Anna Djananova as another tandem.
"Past that, we just don’t know yet." said Ojeda.
Despite being a senior, Araya is in only her second year at MT, having transferred from Lee College prior to last year. Araya and Djananova were highly ranked in doubles at Lee College in Texas, but Djananova has had health issues the last 18 months. Although she is regaining her health and strength, her playing time may be limited this spring as she continues to recover.
Bigus, Coffey and Dachos all played against Belmont last spring as freshmen, but it will be the first spring outing for Nava and Nomoto as Blue Raiders.
Middle Tennessee holds a 7-0 series record against Belmont, including a 5-2 win last spring. The Raiders will open the home season on Feb. 5 against Chattanooga at the Nashboro Village indoor facility.
Rutherford County Volunteer Fire Dept. Receives Federal Grant
January 28, 2010
RELEASE FROM CONGRESSMAN BART GORDON’S OFFICE…
Congressman Bart Gordon announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program will be awarding $78,000 to the Rutherford County Volunteer Fire Department for new breathing apparatus and essential safety equipment.
“Every day, countless lives are saved by the courageous efforts of Tennessee’s firefighters,” Gordon said. “Programs like the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program ensure our first responders have the equipment they need to work as quickly and safely as possible.”
The Rutherford County Volunteer Fire Department will put the funds toward the purchase of 11 new Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses, or SCBAs, which provide firefighters with breathable air during fire calls. The new SCBAs have a number of potentially life-saving safety features, including couplings that allow for easy resupply of clean air in the event that a firefighter becomes trapped and requires rescue. The funds will also provide for the air compressor required to refill the devices, according to Chief Matthew Young.
“I can’t tell you how much this grant is going to help our department and our ability to respond,” Young said. “The SCBAs we’ve been using are from 1991, and they’re serviceable but don’t meet new federal standards. The new equipment is much safer and more firefighter-friendly.”
Gordon has been a strong supporter of the AFG program, which has awarded more than 1,300 grants to Tennessee first responders since 2000, totaling more than $108 million. As chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee, Gordon helped to pass the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act in November, strengthening the AFG program and making it more accessible to stations and departments suffering economic hardship.
January 28, 2010
Send us your snow/ice pictures:
news@wgnsradio.com
Church SNOW SCHEDULE for Sunday, January 31, 2010
Advent Lutheran Church - all services and events CANCELED
Allen Chapel AME services CANCELED
Antioch Primitive Baptist CANCELED
Believer’s Chapel (1820 S. Rutherford Blvd.) all services CANCELED
Bellwood Baptist services CANCELED
Bethel Baptist services CANCELED
Branden Chapel services CANCELED
Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist CANCELED
Cedar Grove Primitive Baptist CANCELED
Cherry Grove Primitive Baptist CANCELED
Connection Hill Primitive Baptist CANCELED
Emery United Methodist - all services and events CANCELED
Faith Chapel services CANCELED
1st Baptist (200 E. Main) all services and events CANCELED
1st Baptist (East Castle St.) 12 Noon service will continue
1st Presbyterian (College @ Spring) all services and events CANCELED
Notice: Chile Cook-Off moved to 5PM next Sat. (2/6/10)
Freedom of Worship has 10AM service only
Full Gospel Assembly in Woodbury services CANCELED
Hickory Grove Baptist (Readyville) CANCELED
Isrialite Primitive Baptist services CANCELED
Key United Methodist Church (806 E. State St.) will have Sunday School at 10:00 am with service at 11:00 am
Lillard Chapel United Methodist Church - all services and events CANCELED
Mt. Harmon Baptist all services CANCELED
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist (228 Main St.) all services CANCELED
Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church (510 Mason Ct.) all services and events CANCELED
Mt. Zion Rucker Baptist CANCELED
New Beginnings Christian Center services CANCELED
New Hope Church of God in Christ (303 South University) all services and events CANCELED
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church - All services CANCELED
New Vision Baptist (1750 N. Thompson Ln.) only 11AM service, all other events CANCELED
Olive Branch Church - 7:30 am and 12:30 pm services CANCELED
Original Church of God (424 Castle St.) CANCELED
Providence Baptist OPEN as usual
Riverdale Baptist (307 Warrior Dr.) all services CANCELED
River Rock Baptist (2248 Highway 99) all services CANCELED
Rockvale Original Independent Church of God CANCELED
St. Marks United Methodist Church all services and events CANCELED
St. John’s United Methodist CANCELED
Silver Springs Missionary Baptist CANCELED
Spring Hill church services CANCELED
Temple Baptist services CANCELED
Trinity United Methodist CANCELED
Walnut Grove will have 10AM service, but Sunday School is closed
CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENTS
Several businesses are closing. If you have business you must take care of, it’s advised you call ahead before you go.
TSSAA Bowling Tournament INDEFINITELY POSTPONED (Smyrna Bowling’s roof collapses, see story)
County Convenience Centers closed this weekend
Girl’s Day at Walter Hill Church of Christ moved to Saturday, Feb. 6th
Driving in Winter Weather
January 28, 2010
WGNS’ Bryan Barrett talked to Todd Hayes at Hayes Bros Auto Care (six-miles out John Bragg Highway past Wal-Mart) about getting your car ready for winter weather and driving in ice and snow…
Road Crews Hope to Keep Main Thoroughfares Passable
January 28, 2010
State and local road crews have been busy getting ready for the anticipated winter storm on Friday. Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesman Julie Oaks says they will be out working as hard as they were applying the salt brine to the roads if wintery precipitation begins to stick on the roadways…
In Tennessee, residents can call 5-1-1 for information on state road conditions.
Gordon Announces $1.4 Billion Loan for Smyrna Nissan Plant, Creating up to 10,000 Tennessee Jobs
January 28, 2010
RELEASE FROM CONGRESSMAN BART GORDON’S OFFICE…
Congressman Bart Gordon announced today that the Department of Energy has awarded a $1.4 billion loan to Nissan North America to expand production in its Smyrna, Tennessee, plant. The proceeds of the loan will be put toward the launch of a new battery manufacturing facility at the Smyrna site and accelerated production of the new all-electric Nissan LEAF. The project will create up to 10,000 new jobs in Tennessee.
“This investment will be an incredible boon to thousands of Tennesseans and their families, and it will cement our status as a leader in advanced manufacturing and green industry,” Gordon said. “This commitment to green job creation could not come at a better time for Tennessee or for our country.”
Nissan will use the funds to invest heavily in expansions to its Smyrna plant. The centerpiece of the new project will be the construction of a state -of-the-art battery manufacturing facility, which will produce 200,000 battery packs annually for use in the Nissan LEAF and other electric vehicles, as well as in other applications.
Nissan will hire 1,300 workers to launch the facility and accommodate accelerated production on the LEAF. According to Nissan’s filing with the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board, construction of the new battery plant and improvements to the existing infrastructure will also create 500 construction jobs over two years and 150-250 support jobs. The filing estimates the project will ultimately create an additional 8,000 jobs in the local service and supplier sectors, bringing the total as high as 10,000 new jobs in Tennessee.
Gordon joined U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu in announcing the loan at the Washington, DC Auto Show, where the all-electric LEAF is being previewed before its launch in Tennessee and other select markets later this year.
“These are exactly the kinds of jobs that I have fought to bring to Tennessee: high-tech, high-paying and close to home. The impacts of this funding will be felt for years to come in Smyrna,” Gordon said. “This loan will put Tennessee on the front lines of an industry that is projected to grow exponentially in the coming decades as we shift toward a green energy economy.”
Gordon has championed investments in Tennessee’s industry and green jobs sector throughout his career in Congress. As Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, Gordon has promoted legislation to increase investments in solar power production and energy innovation through the groundbreaking ARPA-E program, which is dedicated to high-risk, high-reward research to produce energy technology breakthroughs.
Unemployment in Rutherford Jumps .4% in December
January 28, 2010
The unemployment rate for Rutherford County jumped point-four percent in December to nine-point-seven-percent. 12-thousand, 470 of the county’s over 128-thousand workforce was unemployed in December. The unemployment rate in December a year ago was six-point-seven percent. The state’s unemployment rate jumped by point-seven percent from November to December.
Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 7.1 percent, up 0.4 from its November rate. Lauderdale and Marshall counties had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18.9 percent. Lauderdale was up 0.4 from the November rate, and Marshall County increased from 16.8 percent in November.
Gearing Up For Winter Weather
January 28, 2010
Salt trucks have been out for the past couple of days, pre-treating roads for winter weather, expected Friday. Lines at area gas stations and grocery stores have been long in anticipation of snow, sleet and freezing rain.
WGNS Weather Eye Forecast
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