June 20, 2024

BY ELI MOTYCKA

The Metro Council officially approved Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Tuesday night without fanfare at a special-called meeting. The budget, which includes $18.3 billion in total requests, functions as a planning tool for facility and equipment upgrades eyed by the city over the next six years. School expansions and renovations, new and improved libraries and park land acquisition make up the bulk of the budget.

City officials describe the annual CIB as Metro’s running “menu” of upgrades. A line item can sit here for years or receive direct

funding via intermittent Capital Spending Plans, which green-light priority projects roughly every year. O’Connell’s most recent CSP came in January.

Most new requests added to a long list of school expansions and renovations on the horizon for Metro Nashville Public Schools. Those includes $535 million for HVAC updates, $176 million for elementary schools in Cane Ridge and Antioch, and $6.3 billion for “district-wide projects” and “school renovations.” Park maintenance, greenway land acquisition and community center improvements claim another $2

billion. The CIB also includes various other small-dollar projects, like sidewalks and crosswalks, that typically come from district councilmembers hoping to secure funding for their neighborhoods.

O’Connell can choose to elevate any of these projects onto the next CSP. Most are funded by general obligation bonds, which allow the city to borrow against its tax base on the bond market.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

This story is a partnership between the Nashville Banner and The News. The Nashville Banner is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization focused on civic news. Visit nashvillebanner.com for more information.

The battle over the writings of the Covenant School shooter took a turn last week when a conservative outlet involved in the case was ordered by Chancellor I’Ashea Myles to show cause why they are not in contempt of court.

In response, the Tennessee Star requested an emergency hearing on the constitutionality of the judge’s request.

Last week, the Star published multiple stories using leaked documents from MNPD, not from court records. Chancellor Myles filed a motion last Tuesday ordering Michael Patrick Leahy of the Tennessee Star to appear in court on June 17 and show why his publishing of leaked information “does not violate the Orders of this Court subjecting them to contempt proceedings and sanctions.” Conservative media outlets have published a number of stories over the past year built around leaked police documents, generally focusing on the shooter’s gender identity.

Last Wednesday afternoon, Leahy’s attorney responded to Myles’ order.

Chancellor, Tennessee Star

“The strong implication from this statement is that the Court believes an earlier order entered in this case restricted Mr. Leahy — a reporter — from publishing lawfully obtained documents to his readership,” the filing reads. “None of this Court’s earlier orders appears — at least to the undersigned — to contemplate such a drastic restriction. If this Court interprets one of its earlier orders that way, though, then the order is a prior restraint that suffers from serious constitutional infirmities and is presumptively unconstitutional.” Leahy is represented by First Amendment attorney Daniel Horwitz.

(Editor’s note: Horwitz has represented the Nashville Banner on First Amendment issues.)

“Her question is whether the police department is required under the public records law to release the information and when, that’s her job,” says Deb Fisher, executive director of Tennessee Coalition for Open Government. “But it’s not her job, in my view, to determine what anybody publishes of any information about the Covenant shooting.”

On March 27, 2023, three children and three adults were killed by a lone shooter at the Covenant School. Since then, there has been a yearlong legal fight over the release of the shooter’s journal, with Metro police and families of the Covenant victims on one side trying to prevent it, and The Tennessean, the Tennessee Firearms Association, Tennessee Star and others petitioning to have the journal released to the public.

MNPD says it can release the documents

at the conclusion of its investigation. But the Covenant families who intervened in the case as a third party argue the shooter’s journal should never be released due to the trauma it could cause survivors.

Myles’ order for a show cause hearing does not specify what previous order Leahy may have violated. In Leahy’s response, it is assumed that Myles was referencing an order from Feb. 25 that addressed leaked documents.

“The Court is concerned that the filing of such leaked information in the record of the Court may encourage the additional illegal leakage of documents by anyone who may have access to those documents and would wish to influence the outcome of these proceedings, usurp the rule of law and/ or circumvent the legal process,” reads that order, which banned leaked documents from being filed in the court.

“To me, it’s really about the First Amendment, freedom of speech and freedom of the press to publish,” says Fisher. “And can the judge issue a gag order on a plaintiff who is a member of the press to not publish something about the case they’re in. And you know what? They’re in the case, because they’re trying to get access to the records.”

Leahy’s motion argues not only that Myles’ motion is potentially unconstitutional, but that it violates Tennessee’s shield law, “contravenes Tennessee’s contempt law” and “deprives Mr. Leahy of minimum due process guarantees.”

“Court orders like this one have the potential to chill the speech of those you order and others who are similarly situated,”

Investigation Division that the information in the Tennessee Star stories is the same information that was in the case file in November 2023 when I gave it to Mr. Davidson to store in his office at OPA,” reads a declaration by MNPD Lt. Alfredo Arevalo, who was a sergeant in the OPA at the time Davidson was there.

Arevalo’s declaration claims the Covenant shooting criminal investigative case file was given to him on Nov. 7, and that he immediately delivered it to Davidson, who kept it stored in a locked safe in his office, which only Davidson had access to. Arevalo goes on to claim that the file remained in Davidson’s possession for 13 days before being returned to the MNPD homicide unit.

Arevalo does not say whether homicide unit officers could have leaked the information. To be clear, three pages of the shooter’s journal were leaked to a conservative talk-show host prior to Davidson receiving the file on Nov. 7. This leak spawned an OPA investigation. After that initial leak, not only did more leaked information get published in the Tennessee Star earlier this month, but Davidson appeared for multiple interviews discussing the contents of the Covenant shooting case file.

says Paul McAdoo, a local attorney at Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. “Such orders are also concerning for press freedom to the extent they seek to punish truthful speech about a matter of public concern based on lawfully acquired information, which the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held is not consistent with the First Amendment.”

A two-day hearing was held in mid-April over the release of the documents and a decision is expected from Myles soon.

MNPD alleges Covenant leak could have come from whistleblower

A former Metro Nashville Police Department lieutenant, who made headlines after accusing department leadership of lobbying to eliminate oversight, has been connected to leaked documents related to the Covenant School shooting, according to a Friday morning court filing.

A 61-page complaint by Garet Davidson, who retired as an MNPD lieutenant in the Office of Professional Accountability in January, surfaced at the end of May, accusing MNPD’s top brass of successfully working with state Republicans to eliminate the Community Oversight Board, among other things.

Now a sworn declaration filed in the Davidson County Chancery Court case over the release of the Covenant documents claims these two stories could be connected.

“In attempting to identify the source of this leaked information, I have learned from Covenant school investigative supervisors assigned to the Criminal

“On June 4, 2024, Michael Patrick Leahy interviewed Garet Davidson, as Tennessee Star reported,” reads the declaration. “The interview included Mr. Davidson acknowledging having access to and having seen the Covenant School criminal investigative case file, and Mr. Davidson discussed his perceptions regarding the contents.”

This, along with a broadcast interview with conservative radio host Brian Wilson, kicked off a string of leaks that included various pieces that came from the Covenant shooting case file Davidson had access to, Arevalo says.

Following the stories the Star published based on leaked information, Myles ordered Leahy to appear in court on June 17 and show cause why they are not in contempt of court. In response, Leahy requested her order be set aside over questions about its constitutionality. Myles denied his request, and just hours later on Thursday afternoon, Leahy appealed to the Tennessee Court of Appeals.

Late Thursday night, Myles filed an additional order clarifying: “The Court will not hear live from any witness on Monday, June 17, 2024.”

On Friday morning, state House Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he would file “proper resolutions to remove judges engaging in abuse like this.”

“The TN legislature will not stand for an activist judge who weaponizes their courtroom,” Faison wrote. “@michaelpleahy is the press and does not have to prove to any courtroom that he is innocent.”

A memorial site at the Covenant School following the March 27 shooting PHOTO: HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Nashville experts reflect on James Lawson’s lasting legacy

The civil rights leader died June 9 at age 95

BY KELSEY BEYELER

Among the photos lining the Civil Rights Room in the Nashville Public Library downtown is one of a young James Lawson being arrested in 1960 outside the First Baptist Church. Lawson was arrested after co-coordinating nonviolent protests seeking to desegregate lunch counters in downtown Nashville. Despite vicious verbal and physical attacks from white hecklers, the protests were ultimately successful. The demonstrators remained nonviolent, and Nashville became one of the first major Southern cities to begin desegregating public spaces.

Those sit-ins, and the techniques protesters used, helped establish Lawson as a prominent civil rights leader. He died at age 95 on June 9 in Los Angeles. Just three months ago, Lawson filmed a video message that was shared during a Nashville event honoring fellow civil rights leader Diane Nash, who attended Lawson’s nonviolent training sessions many decades ago. Elliott Robinson — program specialist in the Special Collections Division at the Nashville Public Library — tells the Scene that Lawson visited the room in 2022 and shared his memories about the day those photos were taken.

The Rev. Lawson dedicated his life to nonviolence and social justice through his teachings as a college professor, his ministry as a Methodist pastor and his activism — including not only the Nashville sit-ins, but also the Freedom Rides, the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike (during which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated) and much more.

Lawson was studying theology at Oberlin College in Ohio when he met King, who encouraged him to immediately come to the South after learning about his dedication to nonviolent protest tactics — tactics that were impelled by Lawson’s mother and inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. Lawson answered the call, and enrolled in Vanderbilt University’s Divinity School in 1958. Around this time, he began teaching nonviolent direct action workshops to Nashville students from Black colleges and universities and helped form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The workshops used intensive role-playing and preparation to prepare students to face intense racism, harassment and violence, using the tactic of nonviolent resistance.

“We used the movement as a training ground,” Lawson told fellow civil rights figure Bill Barnes in a 2003 interview provided to the Scene by Robinson. “We continued workshops, we continued mass

meetings, we continued teaching about nonviolence. We encouraged our people to take their personal experience on the front lines and appropriate and understand them in terms of themselves, their own growth, and the nonviolent strategy. I think that this was a better preparation than even I had known, though I think that what I did was at least very, very good for the time. And the net result was that it persuaded a number of people that this was a work that they could do, and it must be done. So we produced a quality of leadership that no other movement had produced. And that’s the other thing that Nashville people ought to take some pride in, and that is that we — that for the next decade or more, so many people out of the Nashville scene became some of the vanguard people, in Birmingham, the Freedom Ride campaign in ’61.”

Among Lawson’s trainees were John Lewis, C.T. Vivian, Bernard Lafayette and James Bevel. But their activism came with a cost. Not only were protesters maliciously harassed and assaulted by white counterprotesters — many were also arrested, and Lawson was expelled from Vanderbilt, where students and Divinity School faculty protested the expulsion.

From 2006 until 2009, Lawson returned to Vanderbilt as a distinguished visiting professor. In 2022, the university launched the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements. Included among the institute’s teaching are trainings that follow the same model Lawson used. Metro Nashville Public Schools’ new high school in Bellevue was also named after Lawson in 2023.

So much has changed since the Nashville sit-ins, yet so many of the same racial and socioeconomic struggles remain — and there are new challenges.

“In some ways, the methods don’t change,” says Phillis Isabella Sheppard, executive director of the James Lawson Institute. “But … because access to weapons of destruction and death are so accessible, it changes the questions in terms of preparing students to be engaged in nonviolent work.”

The culture of youth activism remains strong in Nashville, and the proliferation of gun violence has been a huge driver of that — particularly in the wake of last year’s Covenant School shooting. Other youthled demonstrations have included students protesting in support of Palestinians in Gaza, protests organized by a group of

James Lawson

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

teens in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, and young activists’ occupation of Legislative Plaza for 62 nights, demanding, in part, that a bust of a former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard be removed from the state Capitol.

Writing about Lawson in 2021, Scene contributor Betsy Phillips reminded us that, while we need to remember Lawson’s contributions, we also need to remember all the ordinary people who did the work before his time here. Likewise, Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School Yolanda Pierce reminds us that dedicating a life to social change and justice doesn’t mean just going to protests, but also means taking all kinds of continuous action.

“We really honor his life by doing the work locally,” says Pierce. “For me, it starts right here, thinking about Vanderbilt, thinking about Nashville, thinking about the ways that justice and love and nonviolence and those ethics of compassion can really mean something for my neighbors right here in the city in which I live. And

then it expands from there. But I hope that this is a moment that is a clarion call to the city of Nashville to say, ‘We honor him by being compassionate and just to our neighbors.’ And that means things like affordable housing and more public transit. The things that make for human dignity, because that is really what Lawson represented — human dignity.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

James Lawson at First Baptist Church in Nashville, March 1960

PHOTO: NASHVILLE BANNER ARCHIVES, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DIVISION, NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Oversight coalition demands stronger city response to MNPD allegations

Complaint against police department takes toll on community-police relations

BY ELI MOTYCKA

The several prominent Black leaders who spoke at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church Wednesday at noon had one theme in common: betrayal. Organizer Timothy Hughes, Community Review Board executive director Jill Fitcheard, the Rev. Aaron Marble, TSU professor Sekou Franklin, Sheila Clemmons Lee and others spoke about how cautious hope turned to shame and embarrassment when allegations by a retired Metro Nashville Police Department lieutenant came to light two weeks ago.

“It was very disappointing to learn that there was, within our police department, people who sit at the table with us, negotiated with us, who looked in my face and called me on the phone and talked about how well we were doing and how they wanted to do this work together — and it was all lies,” Fitcheard told the room. “Alleged lies.”

Fitcheard and others specifically referenced the allegation that MNPD’s top brass lobbied state lawmakers on a bill passed last year to hamstring local police oversight boards — one of many accusations made against MNPD in a recent complaint from retired Lt. Garet Davidson. Fitcheard also shared that another complainant who currently works at MNPD had come forward with additional information condemning the department.

The group published next steps to

properly address Davidson’s complaint, asking Mayor Freddie O’Connell to initiate a Department of Justice investigation. Recent federal probes into Memphis, Minneapolis, Phoenix and Louisville police have uncovered systemic malfeasance similar to the allegations made by Davidson and prompted mandated reforms. The city has indicated a forthcoming investigation into the allegations led by former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton. Community advocates are asking for a number of actions: for O’Connell to put Chief Chris Gilder, Assistant Chief Mike Hagar and public relations director Don Aaron on administrative leave until its conclusion; reopen investigations into officer-involved shootings occurring under the tenure of MNPD administrator Kathy Morante; create a robust whistleblower reporting system; and sign a strong MOU between the CRB and MNPD. Two more requests are aimed specifically at Metro Legal: externally review the department’s potential complicity in alleged misconduct and allow the CRB to hire its own counsel, Brazil Clarke, for legal advice.

After the press conference, Fitcheard told the Scene that Metro Legal should face scrutiny for its role defending other city agencies from state overreach while lawmakers successfully targeted the COB.

“As the COB legislation was advancing in the legislature, I met with several attorneys in the Department of Law plus former Attorney General and Metro Law Director Bob Cooper to discuss possible litigation,” Metro Law Department director Wally Dietz says in a statement provided to the Scene.

“We reluctantly but unanimously agreed that we lacked grounds to file a lawsuit.”

Dietz and the mayor’s office say they support the CRB’s pursuit of independent counsel.

Speakers and their associated organizations loosely reassembled the Community Oversight Now coalition (MNCO) that helped pass the local referendum creating a civilian oversight board in 2018. The coalition helped publicize the event. A rousing speech from Franklin and direct appeal from Lee, whose son Jocques was shot and killed by police in 2017, echoed the many rallies that led to MNCO’s short-lived victory.

The nascent Community Oversight Board ran into frequent roadblocks during its five-year run, only to be stripped of formal power by state lawmakers in 2023, eventually morphing into the Community Review Board with far reduced power. The CRB currently holds no formal MOU with the police.

This sense of emotional whiplash set the mood of the room.

Fitcheard went on to lay blame with Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the Metro Law Department for what she described as their roles in facilitating or failing to adequately respond to the various allegations made by Davidson. The Metro Law Department has also been criticized by individuals involved in ongoing drama within the Metro Arts Commission. In both situations, the department and Dietz have drawn ire for what critics say is a mandate protecting institutional actions by Metro.

Fitcheard appeared alongside Alisha Haddock (a fellow CRB member) and both spoke as members of the body. The CRB, however, is still carving out its role in investigating a complaint that presents its own conflicts of interest.

The police department has put its faith in Stanton’s investigation and backs Gilder and Hagar.

“This police department looks forward to Counsel Edward Stanton’s review of the assertions and opinions in Mr. Davidson’s complaint,” an MNPD statement provided to the Scene reads, in part. “Gilder and Assistant Chief Mike Hagar reject as false any assertions that they were involved in the process of crafting legislation concerning the CRB or lobbying for it.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

BY JOHN GLENNON

Nashville’s Gretchen Walsh qualified for her first Olympics in record-setting fashion over the weekend.

The Harpeth Hall School graduate set a world record in the 100-meter women’s butterfly on Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, capturing her semifinal heat in 55.18 seconds at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

She broke Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjöström’s 55.48 mark from 2016.

“I didn’t think I was going to do it tonight,” Walsh told the press after the race. “I just knew that I wanted to go a best time, and now, here I am, world record holder. It’s actually insane.”

But there was still work to be done.

The 21-year-old Walsh followed up her record-shattering performance by winning the 100-meter women’s butterfly final on Sunday, posting a time of 55.31 and automatically qualifying her for the Paris Olympics beginning next month. She

finished ahead of Torri Huske (55.52) and Regan Smith (55.62).

Walsh had failed to qualify for the 2021 U.S. Olympic team and 2022 World Championships.

She credited the support of her sister, Harpeth Hall grad Alex Walsh, as well as USA Swimming Women’s Olympic head coach Todd DeSorbo. The latter is also the head coach at the University of Virginia, where both Walsh sisters swim.

“Alex and Todd have been with me every step of the way since last Trials, and this was a full-circle moment for me and for them,” Walsh said. “This whole journey has been full of ups and downs. But I’m just really happy to be on such a high right now and have them alongside me experiencing it.”

Walsh is also entered in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle at the trials, which run through June 23.

Alex Walsh, meanwhile, is scheduled to compete in the 200-meter individual

medley, the 100-meter breaststroke and the 200-meter breaststroke. The 22-year-old won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, finishing second in the 200-meter individual medley. She also competes for DeSorbo at Virginia, which has won four straight NCAA championships.

A total of five Harpeth Hall grads qualified for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in swimming.

In addition to the Walsh sisters, Ella Nelson, a 2019 Harpeth Hall graduate and 2024 Virginia graduate, will compete in the 200-meter breaststroke and the 400-meter individual medley; Alex Massey ‘20, currently swimming at Yale University, will participate in the 200-meter butterfly; and Maggie Petty ‘24, a University of California-Berkeley signee, will enter the 50-meter freestyle.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Gretchen Walsh PHOTO: HARPETH HALL

Ascension reveals how ransomware attackers infiltrated

Hospital system admits files that could contain personal information were stolen

BY HANNAH HERNER

Ascension hospital system said a “small number” of files that may contain patient personal health information was taken by cyberattackers.

In addition, the company announced that attackers were able to infiltrate the system because an employee downloaded a malicious file.

“We have no reason to believe this was anything but an honest mistake,” Ascension said in a statement.

Ascension is offering patients free credit monitoring and identity theft protection while identifying how many patients were affected and the extent of the data stolen.

“Right now, we don’t know precisely what data was potentially affected and for which patients,” the company wrote in a Wednesday statement. “In order to reach those conclusions, we need to conduct a full review of the files that may have been impacted and carefully analyze them. While we have started this process, it is a significant undertaking that will take time.”

A ransomware attack shut down the patient portal, electronic health system in early May and forced the hospital to move to paper systems and divert some services to other area hospitals. Patients experienced delays in service.

Ascension was able to restore access to EHR in Tennessee on June 6, with plans to restore it in all areas by June 14. The company has also since restored its patient portal. Ascension said in a Wednesday statement that there is “no evidence that data was taken” from the EHR.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Nashville General extends coverage to state employees

BY HANNAH HERNER

Nashville General Hospital will offer increased benefits for state employees, due to a law passed this year and set to go into effect July 1.

The bill, introduced as HB1960/SB2007, passed unanimously, with sponsors Rep. Jason Powell (D-Nashville) and Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville.) The Healthcare Incentive Program waives out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance for medical, surgical and mental health care, the hospital announced Monday.

The city’s safety net hospital has had a similar deal with Metro Nashville employees for 15 years, according to a press release.

“By removing out-of-pocket costs for state employees, this legislation aims to level the health care playing field,” said Dr. Joseph Webb, CEO at Nashville General Hospital.

“Ensuring equitable access to medical services for all state workers, particularly those who are of a minority background, is a critical step towards reducing disparities and improving long-term health outcomes, thus contributing to increased longevity and reduced health care complications among Tennessee’s minority populations.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Long-planned project still viable for White Bridge Road site

Efforts could eventually be jump-started on mixed-use

development to sit near Target, offer two buildings

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

A development eyed for a Lions Headarea site in West Nashville and located near a Target remains viable nearly 2.5 years after details originally emerged.

As the Post reported in December 2022, citing a multi-page document submitted to the Metro Planning Department, the project is planned for a three-parcel site with a main address of 21 White Bridge Road. The original plan was for a ninestory office building and an eight-floor apartment structure.

The 4.29-acre property is home to a freestanding building housing a First Horizon bank branch (located at 23 White Bridge Road) and a large retail building with tenants including Five Guys and Half-Priced Books and a structure home to Chuy’s.

Individuals involved in the project could not be reached for comment. However, a source who asked to go unnamed said the effort was shelved and is expected to be resumed by year’s end.

The document from late 2022 notes ESa will serve as architect, with RaganSmith handling civil engineering and land-planning work. Both companies are locally based. The Nashville office of KCI Technologies has been enlisted to undertake traffic studies.

An entity affiliated with Martin Silverman owns the three-parcel site and seeks to redevelop it. Silverman, who seemingly had ownership in the site’s since-closed Porta Via, has enlisted veteran land-use attorney Tom White, a partner with Nashville-based Tune Entrekin & White, to assist in the effort.

If the project materializes as originally planned, the 167-unit apartment building will sit on the site of the current retail strip center and at the intersection of White Bridge and Post roads, while the office structure would replace the First Horizon building. The two proposed buildings would offer retail spaces, with a parking structure to sit behind the residential building. The working name is White Bridge & Post.

Of note, the two buildings would be positioned at the sidewalk in an urban orientation and offer no surface parking. All other large-scale buildings located within this general segment of White Bridge Pike are “severed” from the sidewalk, in a suburban manner, with surface parking.

In December 2021, Charlotte-based

Crescent Communities placed on indefinite hold its efforts to undertake a residential project next to the Target because of citizen pushback.

Crescent had planned the 285-apartment unit Novel Lion’s Head for a 3.5-acre site, home to a structure that most recently accommodated a Steinmart store and with an address of 40 White Bridge Road. Now, Crescent is preparing to jumpstart that effort.

The property eyed for the planned mixed-use project sits within Metro Councilmember Brenda Gadd’s District 24. This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Westlawn at 5127 Veterans Parkway in Murfreesboro. PHOTO: HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Samaritan Recovery Community, Mental Health Coop to lead pilot program

BY HANNAH HERNER

Local nonprofits Samaritan Recovery Community and Mental Health Cooperative have been chosen to head up a 15-month pilot program using some of Metro’s opioid abatement funds.

Pending Metro Council approval, Samaritan Recovery will receive $1.6 million and Mental Health Coop has been allotted $2.4 million, Anidolee Melville-Chester, Metro Health Department Behavioral Health and Wellness Division director, announced during a Thursday Board of Health meeting.

The funds are part of more than $23 million coming directly to Nashville over the next 18 years from various lawsuits against companies that made, distributed or sold opioid painkillers, including Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson and Walmart. Earlier this year, the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council awarded $81 million in opioid abatement funds statewide, with Nashville organizations receiving a chunk of that money.

The number of fatal drug overdoses in Davidson County has grown over the past several years, with 346 suspected fatal overdoses in 2018 and 745 in 2023.

For the pilot program, Mental Health Coop will focus on outreach, education, medication-assisted treatment and the deployment of certified peer recovery specialists. Part of that outreach will be through REACH and Partners in Care, 911 co-response programs for which Mental Health Coop trains and manages mental health clinicians, Melville-Chester said. Samaritan Recovery will offer transitional care, transportation respite care, working especially with the unhoused population and inpatient beds.

Samaritan Recovery Community moved locations and expanded earlier this year, growing the number of inpatient beds from 65 to 130. The organization also received $350,000 out of the state-level opioid abatement dollars.

Mental Health Coop also received state dollars, $2.3 million to pay for services for those in need. The organization named Michelle Shafer the new CEO in January, when Pam Womack left the role after 31 years. This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Williamson County Republicans, Democrats hit campaign trail as historic election year heats up

BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

The 2024 election cycle is in full swing as Williamson County Republicans and Democrats vie for votes (and money) in what is being described as a “consequential” and potentially historic political moment.

On May 9, the Republican Women of Williamson County held its traditional Just Desserts fundraiser at Franklin’s Old Natchez Country Club.

The event drew more than 100 voters and candidates, including U.S. Rep Andy Ogles (R-Columbia) and his Republican challenger Courtney Johnston, state House District 65 candidates Brian Beathard and Michelle Foreman, and sitting District 61 state Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood), as well as other party leaders including Williamson County GOP Chairman Tracy Miller.

The event saw the auctioning off of baked goods from candidates and raised more than

$8,000 for the party. The GOP has held other events, including a recent forum with District 65 House candidates.

“This party and these people are more engaged than ever before,” Miller told The News, adding that the county GOP had tripled its funds since he was elected to the lead the party just over one year ago.

“When things are going so wrong nationally, and internationally for that matter, it makes what we do in our state, and our county, critical,” Miller said.

“I encourage everyone to help all our Republican candidates—give to their campaigns, educate yourselves and your neighbors about where they truly stand on the issues, knock on doors, send emails, host coffees, or put up signs. Brave people have stepped forward to run, let’s help them to sprint across the finish line.”

The importance of this year’s election is one thing that both parties agree on, with Democrats (and many Americans, in general) arguing that “democracy is on the ballot,” a claim also made by former President Donald Trump when he spoke in Nashville earlier this year.

On Thursday, U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) called the 2024 election “the most consequential election, certainly of our lifetimes, probably, and maybe of the last century or more in America.”

The ongoing and evolving historic moment was most recently highlighted by the May 30 criminal conviction of former President Trump and the subsequent threats from Trump and his loyalists to enact revenge through the power of the presidency.

Just over one week before Trump’s conviction, Williamson County Democrats

rallied voters at Franklin’s Fieldstone Park as part of their state-wide 2024 Campaign Kickoff Tour featuring a traveling yellow school bus.

The May 21 event drew dozens of voters and candidates and was hosted by the Williamson County Democratic Party. Featured guests included sitting District 20 state Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) and District 56 state Rep. Bob Freeman (D-Nashville).

Freeman is the son of Bill Freeman, the owner of The News’ parent company FW Publishing.

“Sometimes we love being in bubbles; we love being around people who think like we do, but you know what? We are dead last for voter turnout,” Campbell told the crowd. “We’re dead last, and if we raised voter turnout by 10 percent, we could turn this state blue. So let’s talk to people who we don’t normally talk to. We’re raised not to talk about politics and religion. Let’s talk about politics and religion.”

A slew of local Democratic candidates also spoke including District 61 state House candidates Claire Jones and Kurt Kosack, District 92 state House candidate Teri Mai, District 64 state House candidate Alex Pierce and District 28 state Sen. candidate James Dallas.

On June 5, the WCDP also held a meet and greet with their endorsed school board candidates.

“Most people in Tennessee do not know this is happening, and we need to tell them that their vote matters because it does,” Campbell said. “I know people who have lost by two votes; their vote matters.”

LISA

ELIZABETH

TODD

District 20 state Sen. Heidi Campbell (far left) speaks on May 21, 2024, during a Williamson County Democratic Party event at Franklin’s Fieldstone Park.

PHOTO: HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

The Republican Women of Williamson County held their traditional ‘Just Desserts’ fundraiser on May 9, 2024. PHOTO: HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

A Republican supporter sports a “Free Trump” pin and a GOP necklace during the May 9, 2024, ‘Just Desserts’ Williamson County GOP fundraiser in Franklin.

PHOTO: HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security offering

gun locks to residents

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is offering free gun locks to residents.

The locks are equipped with keyed deadbolt locking mechanisms with a 4-pin cylinder and designed to secure most shotguns, rifles, semi-automatic pistols and revolvers by threading through the barrel or action of the firearm, preventing it from being fired.

Residents can receive the 15-inch cable locks from locations across the state.

“Safe firearm storage saves lives, and as a gun owner, the safe storage of your firearm is your responsibility,” Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long said in a news release.

“Safe storage can prevent accidental shootings, suicide, and theft. I encourage all Tennessee gun owners to use our free gun lock to store their firearm safely.”

Davidson County pickup locations include:

• Davidson County Clerk -

700 President Ronald Reagan Way #101, Nashville

• Nashville/Downtown Express Services Center312 Rosa Parks Avenue

• Nashville/Hart Lane Driver Services Center

- 624 Hart Lane

• Nashville/Hickory Hollow Driver Services and Reinstatement Center5216 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Antioch

• Nashville Sheriff’s Office Headquarters710 South 5th St.

• Tennessee Highway Patrol District Three Headquarters1603 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville

• Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Headquarters600 Murfreesboro Pike

• Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

Midtown Hills Precinct1441 12th Avenue South

• Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

Madison Precinct400 Myatt Drive

• Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

North Precinct2231 26th Avenue North

• Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

South Precinct5101 Harding Place

• Metropolitan Nashville Police Department East Precinct936 East Trinity Lane

• Metropolitan Nashville Police Department West Precinct5500 Charlotte Pike

• Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Hermitage Precinct3701 James Kay Lane, Hermitage

• Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Records Division811 Anderson Lane, Madison

Williamson County pickup locations include:

• Franklin Driver Services Center3830 Carothers Parkway, Franklin

• Williamson County Clerk1320 West Main Street Suite 135, Franklin

• Williamson County Sheriff’s Office408 Century Court, Franklin To date, the state reports that it has distributed 69,500 gunlocks to citizens.

BELLE MEADE

NSC defender Shaq Moore named to USMNT squad for 2024 Copa America

BY LOGAN BUTTS

The United States Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) announced its final 26-man roster for the 2024 Copa America on Friday, and Nashville SC defender Shaq Moore made the cut.

The 27-year-old has made 19 appearances for the USMNT since first being called up for the senior team in 2018. The Georgia native was named to the 2022 World Cup squad alongside fellow NSC defender Walker Zimmerman and earned Best XI honors during the United States’ 2021 Gold Cup title run.

Moore is one of just three MLS representatives on the USMNT roster. He is joined by FC Cincinnati defender Miles

Robinson and Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson. NSC midfielder Anibal Godoy will also be participating as Panama’s team captain, and winger Jacob Shaffelburg was named to Canada’s squad.

The 48th edition of the quadrennial tournament, which features the top men’s national teams from North and South America, is set to take place in 14 host cities across the United States from June 20-July 14.

Moore has scored one goal and tallied one assist in 11 appearances for NSC this season, eight of which were starts. He is expected to miss up to seven Nashville matches while on USMNT duty.

How homegrown talent has helped No. 1 Vols reach College World Series

A look at the 15 Tennessee natives who’ve helped the team

earn

55 wins, including Franklin’s AJ Russell and Lipscomb

Hunter High

BY JOHN GLENNON

The No. 1-ranked Tennessee baseball team will be competing in the College World Series with a roster that features plenty of homegrown talent.

A total of 15 of the 40 players on this season’s Vols roster are from the Volunteer State. That group includes the likes of pitcher Drew Beam of Murfreesboro, who has an 8-2 record, as well as pitcher Andrew Behnke of Nashville (3-1 record) and outfielder Kavares Tears of Lewisburg (.330 batting average).

One local player who won’t be available for the Vols at the CWS is Franklin native AJ Russell, as the talented sophomore is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery, per the Knoxville News Sentinel.

The 6-6, 207-pound Russell, who began the season as the Vols’ Friday night starter, wound up pitching just 14-1/3 innings, surrendering 12 hits and eight runs while posting an ERA of 5.02. Russell returned from a two-month injury absence in late May and made two brief appearances, but Tennessee coach Tony Vitello had said prior to Tennessee’s Super Regional that Russell was likely done for the season.

Russell was named a first-team freshman All-American by the National Collegiate

Baseball Writers Association in 2023, posting a 2-0 record and 0.89 ERA in 30-1/3 innings over 24 appearances. The righthander allowed just four runs on nine hits, striking out 47 of the 105 batters he faced and walking seven.

Here’s a quick look at how each of the Tennessee-born players have fared for the Vols (55-12), who will open play Friday at 6 p.m. CT in Omaha against eighth-seeded Florida State (47-15):

Player: Colby Backus

Position: Outfield

Class: Redshirt junior

Where from: Johnson City native and Daniel Boone High alum

What he’s done: The 6-4, 223-pound Backus has played in 27 games, starting five. He’s hitting .400, with 12 hits in 30 at bats. Backus has five home runs, three doubles and a 1.000 slugging percentage.

Player: Drew Beam

Position: Pitcher

Class: Junior

Where from: Murfreesboro native and Blackman High alum

What he’s done: The 6-4, 207-pound

Academy alum

Beam has made 17 starts, tied with Zander Sechrist for the most on the team. He’s 8-2, with the third-most wins for the Vols. Beam’s 93 1/3 innings pitched lead the team, as do his two complete games. The right-hander is second on the team with 85 strikeouts, while surrendering 96 hits and 23 walks. Beam has a 4.44 ERA, but has held opponents to a .263 batting average.

Player: Andrew Behnke

Position: Pitcher

Class: Sophomore

Where from: Nashville native and Donelson Christian Academy alum

What he’s done: The 5-10, 181-pound Behnke has made 21 appearances this season, posting a 3-1 record and 3.12 ERA. In 26 innings pitched, Behnke has allowed 20 hits and nine runs, striking out 36 and walking eight.

Player: Kirby Connell

Position: Pitcher

Class: Graduate

Where from: Johnson City native and Blacksburg High (South Carolina) alum

What he’s done: The 5-11, 196-pound Connell has made a team-high 30

appearances this season, and he ranks third on the team with four saves. Connell is 4-1 with a 3.98 ERA in 43 innings pitched. He’s surrendered 41 hits and 19 earned runs while striking out 42.

Player: Matthew Dallas

Position: Pitcher

Class: Freshman

Where from: Memphis native and Briarcrest Christian School

What he’s done: The 6-5, 192-pound Dallas has made 15 appearances this season, starting two games and producing a 1-0 record. In 17 innings pitched, he’s struck out 22 while walking 10, allowing 11 hits and nine earned runs.

Player: Hunter Ensley

Position: Outfield

Class: Junior

Where from: Huntingdon native and Huntingdon High alum

What he’s done: The 6-1, 196 Ensley has started 54 of the 62 games he’s played this season, and he has a .292 batting average. Ensley is seventh on the team in home runs (11) and seventh in RBI (45).

Shaq Moore (center)

PHOTO: NASHVILLE SC

SPORTS

Player: Hunter High

Position: Infielder

Class: Freshman

Where from: Nashville native and Lipscomb Academy alum

What he’s done: The 6-0, 198-pound High has played in 11 games, recording five hits in 13 at-bats for a .385 average.

Player: Austin Hunley

Position: Pitcher

Class: Redshirt freshman

Where from: Mt. Juliet native and Mt. Juliet High alum

What he’s done: The 6-3, 196-pound Hunley made eight appearances this season, allowing 12 hits and six earned runs in 8-2/3 innings pitched. He has five strikeouts and one walk, with a 1-0 record and a 6.23 ERA.

Player: Dylan Loy

Position: Pitcher

Class: Freshman

Where from: Pigeon Forge native and Pigeon Forge High alum

What he’s done: The 6-0, 194-pound Loy has made 19 appearances, including five starts, and has a 2-0 record with a 2.25 ERA. In 28 innings pitched, Loy has struck out 33 and walked 10, surrendering 19 hits and seven runs.

Player: Ethan Payne

Position: Utility

Class: Graduate

Where from: Memphis native and Germantown High alum

What he’s done: The 6-4, 211-pound Payne has played in 22 games, starting two. He’s hitting .278, with five hits in 18 at-bats. Payne also has four walks.

Player: Luke Payne

Position: Pitcher

Class: Freshman

Where from: Gallatin native and Goodpasture Christian School alum

What he’s done: The 6-4, 191-pound Payne has made four relief appearances this season, producing a 4.91 ERA in 3-2/3 innings pitched. The left-hander has allowed two hits and two earned runs, striking out nine and walking three.

Player: Brady Robertson

Position: Pitcher

Class: Redshirt freshman

Where from: Humboldt native and Trinity Christian Academy alum

What he’s done: The 6-3, 199-pound Robertson made five appearances this season, allowing two hits and one earned run while posting a 2.70 ERA in 3-1/3 innings pitched.

Player: A.J. Russell

Position: Pitcher

Class: Sophomore

Where from: Franklin native and Franklin High alum

What he’s done: As referenced above, the 6-6, 207-pound Russell — who is currently injured — pitched 14 1/3 innings this season, surrendering 12 hits and eight runs while posting an ERA of 5.02 and a record of 0-1. He struck out 21 batters and walked eight.

Player: Cal Stark

Position: Catcher

Class: Senior

Where from: Knoxville native and Farragut High alum

What he’s done: The 6-1, 200-pound Stark has played in 47 games, starting 40. He’s hitting .231, with 10 home runs and 28 RBI. Stark has been hit with a teamhigh 11 pitches.

Player: Kavares Tears

Position: Outfielder

Class: Redshirt sophomore

Where from: Lewisburg native and Columbia Academy alum

What he’s done: The 6-0, 200-pound Tears has started 63 of the 65 games he has played, and his .330 average is third among the Vols’ regular starters. Tears ranks second on the team in hits (70) and walks (45), fifth in home runs (18) and RBI (55).

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post. All figures from prior to the start of the College World Series

AUCTION

Imagine living on a charming street, surrounded by a picturesque community that feels like a scene from a fairy tale. Find this historical 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with a basement, in this enchanting neighborhood, & now available at public auction. This estate home in Cherokee Park offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of history. With 4 spacious bedrooms, perfect for a growing family or creating guest rooms or home offices, and 2 bathrooms ready for your personal touch, this home has incredible potential. The sizable basement offers space for a recreation room, additional storage, or workshop. Unique historical features preserve its timeless charm. Conveniently located near West End and vibrant Sylvan Park, with a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options, and just a short distance from the scenic Richland Greenway, perfect for outdoor activities. Although the home needs updates and remodeling, it’s a blank canvas waiting for your creativity and vision. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own a historical home in Cherokee Park. Be ready to bid and bring your dreams to life!

AJ Russell PHOTO: TENNESSEE ATHLETICS

Tell Us About it!

Are you in the know about what’s going on down the street or on the corner?

Anyone ever call you nosy?

Have good writing skills?

Five free and cheap family things to do in Middle Tennessee

BY AMANDA HAGGARD

This week we take your family down to Murfreesboro for a couple of events. If you’ve never had the pleasure of checking out Cannonsburgh Village, it’ll give you millennial field trip vibes. And a couple days later, a learning center invites families for a sensory-friendly event. Over in Brentwood, the fourth annual Brentwood Summer Concert Series will bring Cruzin Keys Dueling Pianos and the Spazmatics out for a show. And then there’s the chance to see the story of how Nashville turned into Music City, all in a puppet show put on in collaboration between the Nashville Public Library and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

BRENTWOOD SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: CRUZIN KEYS DUELING PIANOS & THE SPAZMATICS

Brentwood’s fourth annual summer music festival at Crockett Park will have its third iteration of the year on June 22. The event includes food trucks, a beer garden and a kids fun zone.

Performances begin at 5 p.m.; Cruzin Keys Dueling Pianos opens and the Spazmatics will get started at 6 p.m.

STRING CITY: NASHVILLE’S TRADITION OF MUSIC AND PUPPETRY

Be a neighborhood news ambassador for

Looking for a few neighbors who want to write about interesting things happening in your neighborhood. Specific neighborhoods of interest are Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, Nolensville, Bellevue, West Meade, Green Hills.

Yes, you need to have some writing chops; extra credit if you’ve contributed to a newspaper at some point! Interested?

Email neighbornews@theNEWStn.com and let us know what neighborhood you are interested in and include a few writing samples.

As part of our series on free cheap things to do with the family, here is our weekly roundup of places to spend time together over the next week:

SUMMER FUN WITH GAMES AND ACTIVITIES AT CANNONSBURGH VILLAGE

At Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro, they’re hosting a Summer Fun Day on June 20. Family and friends are welcome to come play yard games, enjoy a snack at the picnic tables, explore the village by doing a scavenger hunt and more. If it’s too hot out in the sun, there’ll be a group working a puzzle on the porch of the log cabin in the village. Festivities begin at 10 a.m.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY SUMMER FEST

ABS Kids welcomes families for a free Sensory-Friendly Summer Fest on June 22 beginning at 9 a.m. The event will be geared toward giving little ones the time and space they need to have fun. The day includes face painting, arts and crafts, and more.

This co-produced show by the Nashville Public Library and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum includes marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow animation and more. The show tells the story of Nashville’s transformation into Music City using nearly one hundred puppets, ranging from the Staple Singers to Johnny Cash to Taylor Swift. The show is free, but seating is limited. It takes place from June 24-29 at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater.

NASHVILLE SCENE’S MOVIES IN THE PARK

Our sister publication the Nashville Scene is hosting its 30th Movies in the Park this summer season. So far, they’ve shown The Super Mario Bros. Movie and 13 Going on 30 and up next is Barbie (June 20) and Shrek (June 27). Ahead of the movies, there are local vendors on site as well as food, drinks and more. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own snacks, blankets and chairs to hang out on the lawn at Elmington Park. Movies begin around 8 p.m.

Amazon extends affordable housing commitment by $1.4M

Nashville remains one of three target areas for company’s Housing Equity Fund

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

Amazon has announced an additional $1.4 billion in funding to create 14,000 affordable homes across three target communities.

The company launched its $2 billion Housing Equity Fund in 2021 and earmarked $75 million of that for the creation of affordable housing in Nashville. The rest of the funds also went to homes in the Seattle area-Puget Sound region of Washington as well as Arlington, Va. a Washington, D.C. suburb. At the time of the announcement, Amazon was building its 5,000-employee corporate office in Nashville Yards where it now occupies two buildings owned by Southwest Value Partners.

With two years left in the five year commitment, Amazon said in a release on Tuesday it had already exceeded its multibillion dollar goal by $200 million and created a total of 21,000 homes in three years.

“We hope that our additional commitment — coupled with other public and private resources — will help make a meaningful difference for thousands more people and enable these regions to thrive,”

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said in a release.

Amazon has not said how the additional $1.4 billion will be split among the three communities. The release did include information about how the initial funding has been used up to this point.

Nashville has seen the least amount of

housing among the three areas with more than 3,100 homes funded by the company. In the Puget Sound region, Amazon has funded more than 8,600 homes while the Arlington area has had the most investment with more than 9,500 homes.

The Housing Equity Fund’s goal is to invest in affordable housing developments for those who earn 30 to 80 percent of the median income in the area. Amazon said in the release 92 percent of the homes it has funded are near transit stations and 41 percent have two or more bedrooms.

Local developers who work on affordable housing initially expressed skepticism over Amazon’s planned investment in Nashville.

In response to Amazon’s continued investment Mayor Freddie O’Connell told the Post: “Nashville is fortunate to be a place that both individuals and businesses want to call home, and we know that our affordable housing stock must keep up with that demand. Nashville should be a city that is accessible to everyone — and everyone who works here should know they have a place here. I’m grateful for Amazon’s commitment through the Housing Equity Fund which supports our efforts to create and preserve more affordable homes for families.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

INVITATION TO BID

The City of Forest Hills will accept sealed bids for PW 2024-02 Street Paving. This Invitation to Bid is subject to the instructions, conditions, specifications, addenda, and other elements, including those incorporated by reference.

ISSUE DATE: June 20, 2024

BID TITLE: PW 2024-02 Street Paving

CONTACT: Brad Bivens, City Engineer of the City of Forest Hills

TELEPHONE: (615) 383-8420

E-MAIL ADDRESS: brad.bivens@neel-schaffer.com

BID OPENING: Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. CST

LOCATION: City of Forest Hills City Hall

6300 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215

Copies of this solicitation may be obtained from the City of Forest Hills Vendor Registry. You may register your business, and obtain the solicitation at the link below: https://vrapp.vendorregistry.com/Bids/View/BidsList?BuyerId=bb43feeb-0407-4794-836c-a1aa4278eac4

Bids must be received by the City of Forest Hills Office on or before Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. CST (Bids received after that time will not be considered), at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

SUBMIT BID via electronic submission using the City of Forest Hills Vendor Registry link. Vendor Registry Link: https://vrapp.vendorregistry.com/Bids/View/BidsList?BuyerId=bb43feeb-0407-4794-836c-a1aa4278eac4

All bids must be made on the forms included in this solicitation. All bids must be signed. Unsigned bid forms or bid proposals will not be considered. The City will not accept faxed, mailed, hand delivered, or emailed.

INVITATION TO BID

The City of Forest Hills will accept sealed bids for PW 2024-01 (2024-2025) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract for Construction of Miscellaneous Street and Drainage Projects for a one (1) year period from the effective date of contract. This Invitation to Bid is subject to the instructions, conditions, specifications, addenda, and other elements, including those incorporated by reference. This is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract.

ISSUE DATE: June 20, 2024

BID TITLE: PW 2024-01 (2024-2025) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract for Construction of Miscellaneous Street and Drainage Projects

CONTACT: Brad Bivens, City Engineer of the City of Forest Hills

TELEPHONE: (615) 383-8420

E-MAIL ADDRESS: brad.bivens@neel-schaffer.com

BID OPENING: Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. CST

LOCATION: City of Forest Hills City Hall 6300 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215

Copies of this solicitation may be obtained from the City of Forest Hills Vendor Registry. You may register your business, and obtain the solicitation at the link below: https://vrapp.vendorregistry.com/Bids/View/BidsList?BuyerId=bb43feeb-0407-4794-836c-a1aa4278eac4

Bids must be received by the City of Forest Hills Office on or before Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. CST (Bids received after that time will not be considered), at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

SUBMIT BID via electronic submission using the City of Forest Hills Vendor Registry link. Vendor Registry Link: https://vrapp.vendorregistry.com/Bids/View/BidsList?BuyerId=bb43feeb-0407-4794-836c-a1aa4278eac4

Amazon Tower 1 as seen from Church Street PHOTO: MARK HOLLINGSWORTH

Federal lawsuit alleges illegal seizure of more than $1M of hemp from Columbia business

22nd Judicial District Attorney Brent Cooper, Spring Hill Police Department named in lawsuit

A Federal lawsuit alleges that 22nd Judicial District Attorney Brent Cooper and the Spring Hill Police Department illegally seized hundreds of pounds of hemp from a Columbia-based company, resulting in more than a $1 million of damages to their inventory.

SAK Wholesale and the associated business Old School Vapor, which has retail locations in Spring Hill, Columbia and Franklin, filed the suit on May 20, alleging violations of its Fourth Amendment and 14th Amendment rights.

Defendants in the suit include Cooper, SHPD Chief Don Brite, and SHPD Sgt. Andrew Burdett.

Other unidentified defendants, listed as “John Does 1-10,” include 22nd Judicial District assistant district attorneys, Drug Unit officers from both SHPD and the Columbia Police Department, deputies with the Maury County Sheriff’s Office, and agents with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, all of whom were present when the hemp was seized. Hemp containing less than 0.3% of THC is legal in Tennessee.

According to the complaint, on May 9, law enforcement officers “seized their entire inventory of hemp flower without probable cause” and without the presentation of a search warrant that

related to hemp or cannabis.

SHPD obtained five search warrants for the five Old School Vapor locations, the details of which have not been made public, but the plaintiffs argue that officers also searched the SAK Wholesale warehouse, which they said was not included in the warrant

“Although the SAK warehouse was located in the same building as one of the Old School Vapor retail locations in Columbia, Tennessee, the two businesses were separate and separated by a wall and door, which was closed at the time the officers entered,” the complaint reads.

“In other words, to access the SAK warehouse, officers opened a nonpublic door that they had no authority to open. In addition, at the time officers attempted to enter the SAK warehouse, a SAK Wholesale employee told officers that the warehouse was not part of Old School Vapor. In response, the entering officers said they were authorized to search it anyway. Those officers did not produce a warrant authorizing their entry or otherwise explain the basis for their claim of authority.”

The lawsuit also alleges that officers at first said that their search of the businesses was “unrelated to hemp flower or HDC products,” but then officers proceeded to “demand entry” into large safes that stored

the hemp inside of the warehouse.

“Sergeant Burdett told S.O. [warehouse employee] that the Fire Department was on its way to the warehouse to cut the safes open. So, if S.O. refused to open the safes, Burdett said, the safes would be destroyed,” the complaint reads. “Faced with this threat to SAK’s property, S.O. was coerced into opening the safes for Sergeant Burdett, and he did so.”

The exact amount of hemp seized was not disclosed but described in the complaint as “hundreds” of pounds with a value of $1.35 million.

While not listed as defendants, according to the complaint, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office also took part in the raids, but they “refused to seize any hemp flower from Old School Vapor’s Franklin location” because hemp “wasn’t in the warrant.”

“The Defendants did not seize the hemp pursuant to any claim of civil asset forfeiture, nor as part of a criminal forfeiture proceeding,” the complaint reads.

“Rather, they generically claimed that the hemp was ‘evidence’ of a crime. But none of the Plaintiffs nor anyone associated with them was charged with any criminal offense—because, again, the possession and sale of hemp is legal under Tennessee and federal law.”

Police used a testing device on the hemp,

which they believe tested positive for illegal amounts of THC, but the plaintiffs argue that there is “no evidence” that the tests police used could distinguish between hemp and cannabis.

The plaintiffs also argue that they had “valid Certificates of Analysis” that showed that the hemp contained legal levels of THC.

The defendants allege that Cooper refused to return the hemp and argue that the help is likely being improperly stored, increasing the “likelihood that the hemp will be ruined and unavailable for future retail sale.”

“The Defendants in this case chose to ignore the law and illegally seize more than $1.35 million of hemp based on their misguided (and unreasonably wrong) belief that it was ‘the same damn thing’ as marijuana. It is not, and the Defendants’ defiance of the law violated the Plaintiffs’ rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution,” the complaint reads.

The owners of Old School Vapor and SAK Wholesale are seeking damages no less than $1,350,607.00, a declaratory judgment that their rights were violated, and an unspecified award of punitive damages against the defendants.

Stately west side apartment building sells for $2.75M

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

One of Nashville’s more elegant apartment buildings has sold for $2.75 million, with the buyer a member of a long-

standing local real estate investing family.

According to a Davidson County Register of Deeds document, an LLC managed by

Melanie Hirt now owns the three-story structure. The address of the Whitland neighborhood property is 3810 Whitland Ave.

Hirt is the sister of Frank May and Jack May, who have bought and sold properties — with a particular focus on West Nashville — since the 1970s.

Opened in 1946 and designed in the Tudor revival architecture style, according to online sources, the building offers six large apartments units (three two-bedroom and three three-bedroom). As such, the transaction is the equivalent of about $458,300 per residence.

The seller was The Whitland LLC managed by Bronson Lankford, president of Nashville-based Lankford Decorating and Construction Inc. The LLC paid $2.1 million for the property in September 2022, Metro records show.

The apartment building, which seemingly offers no formal name, is a component of the Whitland Area Neighborhood listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Mays have undertaken multiple real estate transactions the past few years, including the sale of some SoBro property and the Belle Meade Plaza, the latter to Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners.

Jack May is listing a stately West End Avenue building, which most recently accommodated the library of the sincerelocated Welch College, for sale for $4.5 million. The address is 3630 West End Ave.

The News sister publication the Nashville Post was unable to determine if brokers were involved in the Whitland Avenue transaction.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

3810 Whitland Ave. PHOTO: GOOGLE EARTH

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Metro Health Department director to leave post

Gill Wright served one three-year term, handling pandemic restrictions, resignations

BY HANNAH HERNER

Gill Wright, director of the Metro Public Health Department, announced at a Thursday Board of Health meeting that he would not continue with the organization.

Wright will leave the role at the end of August after serving one three-year contract. He had been with MPHD since 2017, starting as civil service medical examiner and working as associate medical director and chief medical officer during his tenure. He stepped in as interim director in 2020 after former director Michael Caldwell was asked to resign following concerns about his response to COVID-19.

Wright oversaw the opioid abatement processes, contributed to pandemic guidelines and fielded a $10 million grant

from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under Wright, the department has also seen resignations of senior staff, “reverse racism” claims, and the folding of the department’s Bureau of Health Equity.

Wright does not have another job lined up but is nearing retirement, he said at the meeting. An interim director is set to be appointed, with board chair Tené Hamilton Franklin suggesting Joanna Shaw-KaiKai, an infectious disease expert who serves as medical director for MPHD.

The role is set to be discussed further at the Board of Health’s July 12 meeting.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

VUMC names chief revenue officer

BY HANNAH HERNER

According to a press release, the position is expanded from previous iterations. Kidder most recently worked as vice president of enterprise revenue cycle management at Johns Hopkins Health System in Baltimore.

In her new role, Kidder will oversee the hospital system’s integrated revenue cycle, pricing strategies and governmental reporting, among other responsibilities.

“The continued growth of our health system necessitates coordinated strategic leadership and broad expertise in revenue management functions,” said Cecelia Moore, VUMCs chief financial officer and treasurer.

“Lakmini was selected for this vital expanded role based on her extensive experience and background in revenue-related leadership and consulting roles in previous organizations.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

CITY OF OAK HILL PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Oak Hill, Tennessee, hereby provides certain financial information for the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget in accordance with the requirements of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 6, Chapter 56, Section 206. There will be a public hearing concerning the budget at City Hall, on JUNE 25th, 2024 at 6:00 PM. All citizens are welcome to participate. The budget and all supporting data are a public record and are available for public inspection by anyone at the City Hall.

NOTICE OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

City of Oak Hill

5548 Franklin Rd Suite 101

Nashville, TN 37220

Sealed bids for public works services to include mowing services, disposal of trees, brush and leaves as well as pickup/removal of brush trimmings, for the City of Oak Hill will be received by the City of Oak Hill at the City Office, Nashville, TN until 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 11, 2024 and then at said time and location, publicly opened and read aloud.

The CONTRACT DOCUMENTS

may be examined at the following location: Oak Hill Office 5548 Franklin Rd, Suite 101 Nashville, TN 37220

Copies of the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be obtained at the City Office, at the above address. The City of Oak Hill reserves the right to reject all bids and to waive all technicalities in bidding.

City of Oak Hill

J. Steven Collie, City Manager

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has named Lakmini Kidder to the role of senior vice president for finance and chief revenue officer.

Lakmini Kidder PHOTO: VUMC

Metro Nashville Public Health Department PHOTO: METRO HEALTH

Summer Salad with Wheat Berries, Feta, and Herbs

BY EDIBLE NASHVILLE

Tired of the same salads? Wheat berries are chewy, healthy, and make great cold onedish meals perfect for toting on a picnic or to a potluck. A great way to use in season cucumbers, herbs, greens and cantaloupe

ACROSS

1 Befitting the circumstances

Recipe excerpted from The Modern Larder: from anchovies to yuzu, a guide to artful and attainable home cooking by Michelle McKenzie.

WHEAT BERRIES

fine sea salt

1 cup wheat berries or farro

1 teaspoon Banyuls or sherry vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

SALAD

1 teaspoon Banyuls or sherry vinegar fine sea salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 firm, ripe melon, such as cantaloupe or Charentais, cut into 1-inch pieces

5 small tomatoes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

1 small Persian or Armenian cucumber, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

8 Padron peppers, thinly sliced

3 generous handfuls summer greens, one or a mix of arugula, sunflower sprouts, purslane, mache, or watercress

1/4 cup thinly sliced chives or thinly sliced green onion, white and light-green parts

3 cups loosely packed torn or coarsely chopped fresh herbs such as basil, dill, tarragon, flat-leaf parsley, mint, or cilantro

6-8 ounces feta cheese, thinly sliced or crumbled flaky sea salt

Follow Edible Nashville on instagram @ediblenashtn and their website ediblenashville.com.

To subscribe to the magazine that comes out 6x/year, go to ediblenashville.com.

6 SERVINGS

To prepare wheat berries, fill a pot three-quarters full with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add generous pinch of salt and add wheat berries. Lower heat and simmer 35-60 minutes; different wheat berries will vary. Drain and return to pot. Off heat, toss stillwarm grains with vinegar, another pinch salt, and olive oil. Let cool.

To prepare salad, whisk vinegar, 2 pinches salt, and olive oil in large mixing bowl. Gently toss melon, vegetables, and cooled wheat berries in vinaigrette with greens and half the herbs. Turn out salad on wide serving platter and top with feta and remaining herbs.

The salad - without melon, herbs, and cheese - can be cooked and dressed up to 2 days in advance; let come to room temperature before adding the reserved ingredients and serving.

4 “Belling the Cat” stor yteller

9 Bing Crosby’s record label

14 Bovine expression

15 “Borat” follow-up from Sacha Baron Cohen

16 Belief system

17 Buzzer you wouldn’t want to hit?

19 Budweiser beer is aged using this wood

20 Break up, as a knot

21 Barrier for an aspiring D.A.

23 Biathlete’s need

24 Byron, by ancestry

25 Breast milk container

28 Bottom of a dress

29 Beatles hit “And I Love ___”

30 Beldames

31 Big name in D.C.

34 Burst, as of wind

35 Brewer’s implement

38 Bad-tempered sor t

40 Blasphemes

41 Bacterium requiring oxygen

44 “Born in the ___” (Bruce Springsteen hit)

45 Block, in a way

48 Blissful soak

51 Blind, to a duck

52 Benedict follower?

53 By the 1980s, this sea had become two lakes

54 “Behold, the kingdom of God is in the ___ of you”: Luke

55 Batter y type

57 “Best wishes for your once-a-year celebration!” (and a wish for solvers of this puzzle)

60 Bach exercise

61 Buy a drink for, say

62 Body par t with a ball and socket

63 Brims (with)

64 Break into pieces

65 Bar ley brew DOWN

1 Blindside, say

2 Big cats and oppor tunists both do this

3 Basic dr um

4 Blessed with skills

5 Before, in verse

6 Benchwarmer

7 Box of spaghetti’s weight: Abbr.

8 Burns books?

9 Bondser vant, often

10 Bordeaux summer

11 Brownish-red shade

12 Bivalve mollusks

13 Beyond the pale?

18 Bridle attachment

22 “Bachelor in Paradise” network

25 Bieber’s “That Should ___”

26 Bedouins, e.g.

27 “Ben-Hur” getups

29 Bears, as a child

31 Beef on a skewer, e.g.

32 “Buckle up! It’s the ___”

33 Bering Sea islander

35 Backyard gettogether

36 Bind with rope

37 Bali product

38 Biden’s advisers

39 Bring back together

42 Business ends of swords

43 Bard’s “always”

45 Bo tree meditator

46 Beset

47 Bang out again, as a text

49 Bangkok coins

50 Burglar deterrent

51 Bone in a cage

54 Belief that bulls hate the color red, e.g.

56 Byrd’s rank: Abbr.

58 Black-eyed ___

59 Ballet step

ANSWER TO PUZZLE

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 9,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/ crosswords ($39.95 a year).

Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.

Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/ studentcrosswords.

PUZZLE BY MARYELLEN UTHLAUT

EDITED BY JOEL FAGLIANO

SERVICE & MAINTENANCE

WOODMONT BAPTIST CHURCH

Impact100 Nashville

PHOTOS: KPL PHOTOGRAPHY

Impact100 Nashville, an organization that empowers women to make transformative changes in their community, hosted The Big Reveal on Thursday, June 6th at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The organization announced it will award $216,000 in grants to area nonprofits in 2024. Impact100 Nashville has awarded $1.05 million in total giving to 21 nonprofits in Middle Tennessee since its inception in 2014.

Members and guests heard from Ms. Andrea Blackman, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, City of Nashville, who was the featured speaker for the evening. Eligible nonprofits may begin the Impact100 Nashville grant application process by visiting https://nashville. impact100council.org/grants/eligibility/.

Impact100 Nashville members and guests celebrate The Big Reveal grant amount.

Robinson Regen, Jackie Kar, Tara Waters and Wendy Huffman

Kristen Phillips, Grants Committee Chair, explaining the grants process.

Audrey Anderson, Julie Lilliston and Ginger Duncan

Elizabeth Fulton, Katharin Dyer and Jackie Thomas

Dawn Riddle, Jill Pepper and Asha Nivison

Andrea Blackman, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, City of Nashville, was the featured speaker for the evening.

Trish Smith, Lisa Link and Shelby Moody

Cathy Werthen, Janet Walls and Teresa Zhang

Amanda Phillips, Angela Vogeli and Rahwa Mahari

Mimi Special, Maureen Neukirch and Ellen Blix

JUNE 6JUNE 13JUNE

Graham Healthcare Capital Masters Party and Open House

PHOTOS BY GRAHAM HEALTHCARE CAPITAL

Graham Healthcare Capital hosted its 3rd Annual Masters Open House at its offices on Hillsboro Pike. Guests enjoyed refreshments, and beverages, and participated in a long drive contest.

Lisa Piercey and Kolin Holladay

Yeenee Leri and Jon L’Heureux Scott Bowers, Jonathan Barnes, Caleb Graves, John Miller, and Ashok Sudarshan

Keith Hinkle and Charlie Walker

Bob Leonard and Nate Bard

David Curtis, Aaron Frye, and Josh Frye

Ashok Sudarshan, Jim Ward, Jon L’Heureux, and Scott Bowers

rent/Lease

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