Closures for the week beginning August 2, 2010

Leaf Avenue Storm Drain Improvement Project

All remaining work is on Leaf Avenue

State Street Sewer Replacement Project

Project completed and the road is opened to traffic

Manson Pike/Fortress Blvd Realignment Project

Expected No Lane Closures:  The work entails relocating the intersection of Manson Pike and Fortress Blvd further south along Fortress Blvd and re-aligning Gresham Lane to tie-in with the new intersection.  Work continues with no lane closures.

Fortress Blvd Widening Project (Between Blaze Drive and the new Manson/Fortress Intersection)

Expected Lane Closures:  The traffic has been reduced to two lanes (one lane each direction) on Fortress Blvd between Blaze Drive and Chippewa Place.  The work entails the widening Fortress Blvd from a three lane curb and gutter street to a five lane curb and gutter street with bike lanes and sidewalks.  Work also includes adding a right turn lane of Blaze Drive adjacent to the elementary school. Work continues with no lane closures.

Cason Lane (between Old Fort Parkway and Amber Glen Drive)

Expected Lane Closures:  Monday, August 2 through Saturday, August 7, 9 AM – 4 PM:  There will be lane closures, traffic shifts and traffic interruptions on Cason Lane for paving and striping operations.

Saint Andrews Drive (between New Salem Highway and Kimbro Wood Subdivision)

Project completed

Armstrong Valley Road (between New Salem Highway and City Limits)

Project completed

Annual City Street Paving Project

Expected Lane Closures:  Monday, August 2 through Friday, August 6, 9 AM – 4 PM:  City paving contractor will be milling and paving the following streets (Scotland Dr, Whitehall Rd, Halifax Ct, Hanover St, Brown Dr and Raleigh Ct and Kingwood Dr).  Expect lane shifts and traffic interruptions during the milling and paving operations.

Medical Center Parkway Bridge over CSXT Railroad

Project completed

Obrien Drive Sewer Construction Project (Between Bradyville Pike and Winston Place)

Expected Lane Closures:  For the next two months, August through September, Monday through Friday, 9AM – 3:30 PM:  Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department will be replacing the sewer main along Obrien Drive between Bradyville Pike and Winston Place.  There will be lane shifts and road closures on Obrien Drive.  Detours signs and appropriate traffic controls will be in-place.  The road will be opened to local traffic only and the property owners on Obrien Drive have been notified.

Date: Saturday October 16, 2010
Time: 7:00 a.m.; Wheelchair start at 6:55; Fun Run immediately after Half Marathon Start

Confirm Registration

If you registered and didn’t receive an email confirmation, it may have be sent to a spam folder, or your email address was entered incorrectly. Click here if you’d like to make sure your registration went through. You can also find out who is coming from your city by leaving off a first and last name when you search. Hint: make sure you enter the information EXACTLY like you did when you registered…even if you misspelled the city name.

Host Hotel

Embassy Suites Murfreesboro

Embassy Suites is offering a fantastic special price of $99/night for race participants. If you’ve ever stayed there, you know how nice, quiet and spacious the rooms are! Just off the interstate, it’s within walking distance to shopping at The Avenue and is just up the road from Fleet Feet Sports and many wonderful restaurants, including Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Que and Jason’s Deli (two of our event sponsors!)

Located just 12 minutes from the race start and finish (MAP)
Free breakfast
Free evening Manager’s Reception 
Free shuttle to/from race
Deadline for discount: September 23, 2010.

Make Reservation

Registration Reminders

The Murfreesboro Half Marathon does not offer refunds if you get hurt or can not participate for any reason. ONLY EXCEPTION: if you accidentally sign up twice, we will refund the latest registration.

There are no waiting lists, but some of our charity partners may have spots available after we reach the 2,250-runner limit.
If you are unable to participate, you can still pick up your shirt and goody bag during regular Packet Pickup days and times, or you may have a friend pick them up for you if you provide them with a copy of your ID and a note. DO NOT give your bib number and timing device to someone else to use on race day.

Pasta Dinner

The chefs at Maple Street Grill are preparing a special pasta dinner Friday evening, October 15. Carbo-load with fellow runners in a relaxing atmosphere on the historic downtown square in Murfreesboro. Plenty of easy-to-find parking, and the food is scrumptious!
If you did not purchase tickets during the registration process, it’s not too late. Send a check to: Murfreesboro Half Marathon, ATTN: Pasta Party, PO Box 11985, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Each ticket is $12, and there are a limited number available.

Walkers

The Murfreesboro Half Marathon welcomes runners and walkers, but we require that every participant maintain at least a 15-minute/mile pace, which is a brisk walk, up to Mile 6. Why? In order to conduct the race, we promised city officials that downtown streets would reopen 90 minutes after the race starts*. Anyone not able to keep this pace will have an opportunity to ride back in a race shuttle bus to the start area.  (*And yes, we start counting when the last runner crosses the start line, to make it fair)

Runners will line up at the Start area by estimated finishing time. Look for the sign with your estimated finish time (2:30, 3:00, Walkers, etc.) Faster runners will be in the front; walkers will line up in the back. Lining up in this manner keeps faster runners from zig-zagging around slower participants, thus preventing possible injuries at the beginning of the race.

Technical Race Shirts

Most of you know, our race shirts ROCK! Because we order the exact size that you ordered, no exchanges are available until after Packet Pickup at 6:30 a.m. on race day. At this time, we may have shirts that were not picked up, and you may swap shirts from the sizes that are available. The shirt booth will also be available at the post-race area.
A limited number of "vintage" technical shirts (from past races) will be offered free at Packet Pickup when you make a small donation to The Murfreesboro Half Marathon. Be sure to bring your checkbook…other items will also be available.

Training

There’s still time to get help with your training! Check these out:

Run for A Cause with one of our Charity Partners
Half Marathon Training Program by Fleet Feet Sports, Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro Parks & Rec Training Program

"We are very excited about the academic success our student-athletes achieve on an annual basis. It starts with their commitment to excellence in all areas," Director of Athletics Chris Massaro said. "Our coaches also do an outstanding job recruiting student-athletes who not only succeed on the field or court, but also in the classroom."

Soccer set the pace for Middle Tennessee student-athletes on the Commissioner’s List with 12, just ahead of nine by both baseball and football. Women’s track and field/cross country had eight members of its squad represented.

Football led the Blue Raider Academic Honor Roll recipients with 21, followed by 12 from baseball and six each by soccer and softball.

"It is great for the system as a whole," Director of the Student-Athlete Enhancement Center Todd Wyant said. "When you look at the entire program with the success we have had by winning the Bubas Cup, we are definitely proving we can do it athletically, but it is also nice to see we can do it academically. It shows we have a complete program.

"The student-athletes need to be commended for their efforts in the classroom. The support we get from the coaches and the faculty, along with the expectations of Mr. Massaro, we have an all-around strong program, which means in the classroom along with on the field or court."

Overall, the Sun Belt set a conference record with 1,710 student-athletes from all 13 institutions on the two lists, raising the bar for the fourth-consecutive year. Seven hundred ninety-five were tabbed to the Commissioner’s List, while 915 were selected for the Academic Honor Roll. The record 1,710 student-athletes tops the previous mark, set in 2008-09, by 10.

2009-10 Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List (3.5+ GPA)

BASEBALL (9) Tyler Acker Junior Physical Education
Hunter Dawson Senior Construction Management
Zach Hudson Senior Special Education
Justin Jones Graduate Health, Physical Ed & Rec
Alex McClure Junior Organizational Communication
Blake McDade Senior Liberal Studies
Kenneth Roberts Senior Physical Education
Will Skinner Junior Liberal Studies
Jud Stoltz Junior Biochemistry
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (3) Brandi Brown Graduate Business Administration
Alysha Clark Graduate Special Non Degree Seeking
Jackie Pickel Senior Interdisciplinary Studies
FOOTBALL (9)
Jeremiah Black Sophomore English
David DeFatta Graduate Engr Tech & Industrial Studies
Gene Delle Donne Senior Health Education
Jeremy Kellem Senior Organizational Communication
Jamal Lewis Senior Liberal Studies
Jeremy Michel Senior Business Administration
Phillip Tanner Senior Liberal Studies
Spencer Wise Freshman Undeclared
Adam Wood Senior Physical Education MEN’S GOLF (2)
Kent Bulle Senior Physical Education
Andrew Green Senior Psychology
WOMEN’S GOLF (3)
Stephanie Gough Sophomore Geoscience
Morgan Hale Junior Nutrition & Food Science
Clara Leathers Senior Geoscience
SOCCER (12)
Paige Goeglein Freshman Undeclared
Emily Harris Junior Sociology
Whitney Jorgenson Freshman Health Education
Laura Lamberth Sophomore Physical Education
Sarah Beth Lee Senior History
Luisa Moscoso Sophomore Economics
Vanessa Mueggler Junior Marketing
Alyssa Palmacci Freshman Nursing
Elisabeth Sikes Sophomore Undeclared
Emily Snowdon Junior English
Allison Stallard Freshman Undeclared
Jen Threlkeld Senior Mass Communication
SOFTBALL (4)
Kelsey Dortch Senior Physical Education
Caty Jutson Sophomore Mass Communication
Caitlin McLure Senior Special Education
Lindsey Vander Lugt Senior Interdisciplinary Studies MEN’S TENNIS (2)
Richard Cowden Senior Psychology
Matthew Langley Sophomore Physical Education
WOMEN’S TENNIS (4)
Marietta Bigus Sophomore Information Systems
Alex Dachos Sophomore Undeclared
Carla Nava Sophomore Finance
Yuiri Nomoto Freshman Physical Education
MEN’S TRACK & FIELD/XC (5)
Philip Benavides Senior Business Administration
David Boiywo Freshman Biology
Jarell Dorsey Sophomore Criminal Justice Admin
Phillip Tanner Senior Liberal Studies
Andrew Wagner Freshman Aerospace
WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD/XC (8)
Kayla Bryan Sophomore Criminal Justice Admin
Ashley Comstock Senior Health Education
Amber Kassuba Freshman Physical Education
Rispah Sang Freshman Biology
Zamzam Sangau Senior Interdisciplinary Studies
Stephanie Smith Freshman Political Science
Caroline Tanui Freshman Mathematics
Kristen Tithof Sophomore Biology
VOLLEYBALL (3)
Izabela Kozon Junior Psychology
Morgan Peterson Freshman Undeclared
Halie Vannoy Sophomore Finance

2009-10 Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll (3.0-3.49 GPA)

BASEBALL (12) Hunter Adkins Freshman Undeclared
Chad Edwards Senior Agribusiness
Ryan Ford Freshman Undeclared
Eric Gilley Junior Liberal Studies
Justin Guidry Sophomore Mathematics
Brandon Hall Freshman Undeclared
Dalton Henzman Freshman Concrete Industry Management
Joey McClung Sophomore Undeclared
Marshall Mears Senior Recording Industry
Stuart Meinhart Senior Marketing
Paul Mittura Freshman Engineering Technology
Davis Pearce Junior Liberal Studies MEN’S BASKETBALL (5) Zane Gibson Freshman Undeclared
Jason Jones Sophomore Undeclared
Calvin O’Neil Senior Health Education
James Washington III Senior Liberal Studies
DeMario Williams Sophomore Undeclared WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (3) Dana Garrett Senior Health Education
Anne Marie Lanning Junior Physical Education
Emily Queen Junior Physical Education
FOOTBALL (21) Jared Bamber Junior Physical Education
Colin Boss Junior Liberal Studies
Jamar Brown Junior Management
Danny Carmichael Senior Physical Education
Nicholas Coleman Graduate Health, Physical Ed & Rec
Antwan Davis Junior Criminal Justice Admin
Marquise Dixon Freshman Undeclared
Mark Fisher Senior Biology
Jesse Grisham Freshman Undeclared
Chris Hawkins Senior Concrete Industry Management
Rod Issac Junior Organizational Communication
Tavarres Jefferson Freshman Undeclared
Logan Kilgore Sophomore Business Administration
Kennedy McGruder Sophomore Marketing
William Pratcher Freshman Undeclared
Jamal Ramsey Freshman Physical Education
Stephen Roberts Freshman Art
Alex Suber Graduate Health, Physical Ed & Rec
Nate Toulson Junior Liberal Studies
Adam Wade Senior Physical Education
Tyler Watson Freshman Management MEN’S GOLF (1) Dane Voss Sophomore Physical Education
WOMEN’S GOLF (2) Karisa Akin Sophomore Undeclared
Ashley Haggard Freshman Marketing SOCCER (6) Charity Blair Sophomore Nutrition & Food Science
Jenna Bowers Sophomore Science
Jaimee Cooper Senior Nutrition & Food Science
Rebecca Cushing Sophomore Business Administration
Emily Hancock Sophomore Athletic Training
Hope Suominen Senior Psychology SOFTBALL (6) Jessica Couch Junior Biology
Kristi Marquez Freshman Undeclared
Kailey McDougald Sophomore Science
Janele Robinson Freshman Recording Industry
Abbey Sanders Sophomore Undeclared
Kandra Singleton Junior Management MEN’S TENNIS (3) Victor Melo Sophomore Finance
Shaun Waters Freshman Construction Management
Kyle Wishing Junior Finance WOMEN’S TENNIS (1) Taylor Coffey Sophomore Physical Education MEN’S TRACK & FIELD/XC (3) Michael Harris Sophomore Accounting
DeRay Sloss Senior Liberal Studies
William Songock Senior Nursing WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD/XC (5) Marla Bailey Junior Accounting
Sarah Nambawa Senior Liberal Studies
Cherice Robertson Senior Liberal Studies
Alissa Ruggle Freshman Biochemistry
Jackline Serem Sophomore Nursing VOLLEYBALL (5) Leslie Clark Senior Interdisciplinary Studies
Sasha McGlothin Senior Liberal Studies
Ashley Waugh Senior Biology
Courtney Wilson Sophomore Physical Education
Alyssa Wistrick Junior Liberal Studies

Three weeks of continuous investigation by Detective Robert Anderson and his colleagues, which included numerous interviews, led to the identification of Alexander as the suspected gunman. Upon learning of last evening’s issuance of a Juvenile Court arrest order, Alexander’s mother surrendered her son to detectives at 11 p.m.

The investigation into the homicide is continuing. Robbery may have been a motive.

Pictured: Donquise Alexander

Archivists will be at the Rutherford County Archives, 435 Rice Street in Murfreesboro, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. that day. During that time, they invite area residents to bring in photographs, documents and other artifacts related to the Civil War.

Individuals may call (615) 253-3470 or e-mail civilwar.tsla@tn.gov to schedule a reservation with the archivists. Reservation forms and available times may be found on the State Library and Archives’ section of the Department of State website at http://tn.gov/tsla/cwtn/events.htm.

The archivists will scan or take digital photographs of the materials, some of which will be featured in an upcoming exhibit titled, “Looking Back: The Civil War in Tennessee.” The archivists will not actually take possession of the items from their owners.

“This is an important project for the Tennessee State Library and Archives,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “The Civil War was a major event in our state’s history so we need to take appropriate steps to make sure these treasures are properly preserved for future generations.”

Attendees at the event will receive copies of the digital photographs and tips on how to preserve their Civil War memorabilia.

Archivists plan to visit all 95 of Tennessee’s counties in search of material for the exhibit, which will commemorate the Civil War’s 150th anniversary.

Coming up on Mondays beginning August 30^th, Rick Stockstill “LIVE.” Chip Walters will talk to the coach from 7-8 every Monday through football season. Plus, you’ll have the chance to call in and talk about the Middle Tennessee football team.

This season, we’ll have every football game broadcast with Chip Walters and Kelly Holcomb and also three hours of pregame before each home game from the tailgate area. The first game is Thursday, September 2^nd and our coverage begins at 3pm.

Back to the preps…where this season’s football will be one of the most competitive we’ve seen. Yeah, we say that every year, but it’s been true every year! Our first Prentice Alsup Heating and Air Coaches Corner will be Saturday, August 14^th, the week before week zero’s games. You’ll get a preview of all the local high school teams. Jon Dinkins and I will be at the South Church Street Shoney’s for the 2 ½ of conversation each Saturday beginning at 9am.

The kickoff week of high school football on WGNS will feature two games. On Thursday, August 19^th, we will follow the Smyrna Bulldogs to Beech as the ‘dawgs battle the defending Class 5-A state champions. Then, Friday the 20^th, Oakland entertains Ensworth in a public versus private battle on the gridiron.

You can keep up with all the prep sports at goprimetimesports.com and Middle Tennessee sports at goblueraiders.com. WGNS…with an even bigger signal at FM 100.5…ready to bring you the biggest and most competitive season of local sports coverage ever on the radio!

Thursday afternoon Dale Frame was attempting to remove his boat from the waters of Normandy lake. He backed his 2004 Dodge with trailer into the water at Barton Springs Boat Dock. While the motor was still running he got out of the truck and walked away from the drivers door. The truck motor stalled and the truck rolled back into the water, completely submerging it. A diver and tow truck were called to pull the truck and trailer from the drink.

After the diver got the truck hooked up the wrecker began pulling the water-logged Dodge from the murky depths. The wrecker sputtered and began rolling backwards. The wrecker driver, who was at the winch controls, ran and dove into his wrecker and saved it. The wrecker rear end was almost completely submerged when he got it stopped. After that the rescue was successful, but uneventful. Coffee County Deputies were on the scene investigating the case of "The water-logged Dodge". - WMSR

Photos by: Barry West

At first it appeared that the dog nosed something as the German Shepherd ran his leashed partner into a wooded area. That did not last long. Murfreesboro Police spokesperson Kyle Evans said, “The K-9 was unable to develop a track.” The suspect was wearing a white shirt and blue jean shorts. If you heard or saw anything, phone your tips to CrimeStoppers. You’ll be anonymous, and not even the police will know your identity. If your tip leads to an arrest and conviction, you’ll be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Phone CrimeStopper at 893-STOP (7867).

As part of the “Hide, Flight or Fight” program, SROs simulated a school terrorist attack to allow students and teachers to learn how to be safe. Their efforts earned the division the 2010 National Exemplary School Safety Award from the School Safety Advocacy Council this week at the National School Safety Conference and their partners, the U.S. Department of Justice and Penn State University.

Selection committee members stated Sheriff Truman Jones and his staff have long supported keeping children safe and secure.

A selection committee member stated in 25 years of law enforcement “I have never seen one agency devote so many resources toward school safety. What a commitment by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.”
Jones said schools Director Harry Gill, the principals, teachers, students and parents cooperate with the SRO program.
“Without that type of cooperation, it just doesn’t work,” Jones said.

SROs are extremely innovative in developing programs for the schools and operate at the highest level.
“If you want to make the bar higher, look at Rutherford County,” Jones said.

SROs developed site plans for every school, participate in mock table top exercises with the schools’ crises response teams, teach educators about the incident command program and conduct safety drills twice a year.After rising reports of school violence and requests for help from educators, Jones initiated the School Resource Officer program in 1993, the first such program in Tennessee.

The program started with SROs assigned to Riverdale, Oakland and La Vergne High Schools, as well as Smyrna and Central Middle Schools.

Forty-five officers are assigned to the SRO Division, covering all Rutherford County Schools. Since Jones introduced the program, similar programs have started in most of the state’s 95 counties, with approximately 650 officers in schools between Bristol and Memphis.

Besides the award, RCSO’s SRO Division has also been recognized by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) for being an “SRO Model Program”, “Presidential Citation for Best SRO Division” and “Best Start-up Agency.”

Lt. Bill West is a past-president of National Association of School Resource Officers and a current board member for the organization.

Maj. Bill Kennedy, who supervises the SRO Division, said he was extremely proud of the reward.

“We are looking forward to the new school year and developing new and original techniques to continue to keep our kids and our schools and educators safe,” Kennedy said.

SROs sponsor more than 50 proactive programs to keep children safe. The programs include “Keeping Kids S.A.F.E.,” Operation Integrity Boot Camp and Parent Education, RAD Kids and RAD Women, Special Needs Kids Rodeo, Teen Education Alcohol Management store beer buys, and Collision Avoidance.

Gill said School Resource Officers have become invaluable in the schools and have greatly contributed to maintaining a safe environment for learning. “The SRO program has proven to be a beneficial partnership for both our school district and the Sheriff’s Department, and I hope to see that partnership continue to thrive as our county grows,” Gill said. This is the second time the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Officer School Resource Officers have been nationally recognized for their outstanding program. In 2000, NASRO honored them with the SRO Model Program.

PHOTO (Click for Enlargement):

First row, L to R:

Bill Kennedy, Shawn Jones, Jackie  Bauer, Phil Brooks, John Heath, Dustin Cox, Coleman Murdock, Curtis Lavarello (see above)

Second Row:

Ken Travis, Brian McNeal, David Crim, Dr. David Benke (Jefferson County, CO Schools), George Brown