(WTVF) — The search is on for the driver responsible for hitting and killing a man walking along Old Nashville Highway near Murray Lane early Thursday morning Family members have identified the victim as 67-year-old Orrin Craig Murray The fatal crash happened not far from his home in La Vergne “Craig lived right up the street in that house I knew him when he was born and when his brother was born.” their bond grew through shared memories and time spent in the same motorcycle club Christine keeps old photos of them together in a cherished album walking everywhere and often stopping by her house go up here to the store two and three times a day,” she said “We would talk about the old days and how we were doing and sat there.” Craig was struck by a vehicle between 1 a.m Friends said Craig would walk to a store down the road from his house multiple times a day They believe he was either on his way there or heading home when he was struck “I think that’s terrible because it’s terrible for anybody to do anything like that,” she said “I think they should serve time if they did that,” she added Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who has information about the driver or vehicle to contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol Emergency Dispatch Communications Center at 615-744-309 then press 0 and request to speak with Trooper Lloyd Elliott Do you have more information about this story You can email me at aaron.cantrell@newschannel5.com Rebecca: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/a2/d9/fb69982545c59e9836fbe80fe431/rebecca-recommends.png Carrie: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/2e/72/be0f23854c54a228c9d6138c9847/carrie-recommends-header.png Ben: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/df/c4/19fa7c504480938f39a431e3b276/ben-recommends-header.png Rhori: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/5b/25/a224d13d47739165c92b94e643db/rhori-recommends-header.png Lelan: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/af/54/833bf879454097a398bd44f723de/lelan-recommends.png I'm not sure there is a story that's brought a bigger smile to our faces than this one celebrating Ms The story of her service during World War II is amazing in itself — she is a true Rosie the Riveter What was also amazing was to see was how an entire community turned out to celebrate her — Authorities are investigating the death of an elderly man discovered early Thursday morning along a roadside in La Vergne La Vergne Police say the man's body was found around 6:00 a.m on May 1 along the 500 block of Old Nashville Highway approximately one mile northwest of Sam Ridley Parkway near Murray Lane Responding officers located the deceased man lying on the side of the roadway the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Fatal Accident Crash Team was requested to take over the investigation The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) later confirmed that preliminary information suggests the man was the victim of a hit-and-run Authorities have not released the victim’s name or a cause of death though police have confirmed that the man’s family has been notified Investigators are now seeking help from the public Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has information about the vehicle or driver involved is urged to contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol Emergency Dispatch Communications Center at 615-744-3091 and ask to speak with Trooper Lloyd Elliott WKRN News 2 A person is facing multiple charges after he reportedly led a police chase through La Vergne Wednesday night while two young children were in his vehicle mixed-use development is in the works on the south side of historic downtown Franklin President Trump has called for the reopening of the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary off the California coast President Trump said he has authorized the Commerce Department to place a 100% tariff on films produced overseas coming into the U.S Dozens of people gathered in South Nashville on Sunday May 4 outside of what’s listed as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reported a “Chickamauga boating fatality” Sunday involving a young man from Putnam County so does the number of people making travel plans A pursuit in Trigg County ended with a vehicle in flames after a crash A man accused of sending explicit text messages was taken into custody by Allen County authorities for promoting human trafficking Tennessee Highway Patrol confirmed troopers conducted roughly 150 traffic stops in Nashville this weekend during a "public safety operation" with federal authorities but immigrant advocates called the stops a form of profiling and discrimination Two people were injured after shots were fired during an attempted robbery at Riverfront Dog Park early Sunday morning Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLA VERGNE (WSMV) - The La Vergne Police Department shut down a main road after a man was found unconscious Thursday morning La Vergne PD said that they received reports of an unconscious elderly man around 6 a.m. so officers responded to the 500 block of Old Nashville Highway near Murray Lane to investigate Here are instructions on how to watch WSMV4 live on various platforms. Officers discovered that the man was struck by a vehicle and the vehicle did not remain at the scene The investigation was taken over by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (WTVF) — An elderly man was found dead along the side of a La Vergne road Thursday morning La Vergne Police say the man was found along Old Nashville Highway near Murray Lane about 6 a.m Officers say the man's family has been notified of his death Tennessee Highway Patrol have taken over the investigation The THP said preliminary information indicates that a hit-and-run driver struck the man between 1 a.m Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or may have any information about the whereabouts of the driver or vehicle is encouraged to contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol Emergency Dispatch Communications Center at 615-744-3091 You can email me at dalton.hammonds@newschannel5.com The La Vergne Police Department has announced a new initiative aimed at improving road safety in response to growing concerns from local residents the department confirmed that it will begin increasing traffic enforcement efforts throughout the summer is a coordinated campaign involving the La Vergne Police Department and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Officials say the multi-agency effort is designed to reduce traffic violations and enhance safety for drivers and we’re responding,” the department stated emphasizing that public feedback directly shaped the decision to prioritize traffic safety To assist in identifying problem areas, residents are encouraged to participate in an online survey at this link Officials noted that the operation’s specific dates will not be disclosed in advance in order to preserve its impact The department thanked its partner agencies for their support and expressed appreciation to the citizens of La Vergne for raising concerns and helping build a safer environment for all Editorial Inquiries615-807-0805 Advertising Inquiries615-535-4554 All Other Inquiries615-899-2447 You Have Successfully Subscribed to the Newsletter © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Copyright Rutherford Source The Saks Global Tennessee Fulfilment Center in La Vergne will begin closure by June 30 The decision will impact 446 workers at the fulfillment center at 1 Walden Books Drive according to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development "The employees at the facility are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement,' the state report said The Northern Middle Local Workforce Development Area rapid response team has been notified to coordinate services with the employer and affected employees News about the Saks announcement follows the Bridgestone tie factory in La Vergne reporting in January plans to close operations by July and cut 700 jobs La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole provided the following statement to The Daily News Journal about the announcement from Saks "The closure of a landmark like Saks Fifth Avenue is undoubtedly a significant moment for our city," Cole said "While we are saddened by this decision and the impact it will have on the dedicated employees we remain committed to fostering a vibrant and dynamic economic environment We will actively explore opportunities to revitalize this space and attract new businesses that will continue to serve our community and contribute to our city's growth and prosperity." Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription (WZTV) — Middle Tennessee officers made made a heartfelt visit to Celina Tennessee this past week to visit a teenage boy battling leukemia La Vergne Police Department shared that their officers visited 14-year-old Evan Hayes bringing him surprises including Pokemon-themed gifts and a drone The officers made the visit after seeing a post about Evan's story Hayes has been battling leukemia for the past eight years The officers spent a few hours with Hayes and his family hanging out and and even letting the teen check out their patrol vehicle The police department says Hayes' name touches home to them because of their own Lt adding they "felt a profound connection to Evan and his family." The department says the boy has made a mark on the team through his courageous journey your resilience is nothing short of heroic," the police department wrote your La Vergne Police family stands proudly beside you Thank you to the Hayes family for welcoming us into your lives and to our officers for representing the very best of who we are through empathy Get reports like this and all the news of the day in Middle Tennessee delivered to your inbox each morning with the FOX 17 News Daily Newsletter. Mother’s Day has been a grand celebration at the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) and caregivers who persistently advocate not only for the wellbeing of their own loved ones but for all Tennesseans from Memphis to Mountain City With help from volunteer photographers across the state TJC provides our honorees with framed family portraits and more as a token of our gratitude for their efforts to make our state better for all Tennesseans These beautiful photos line the front wall of our office and their moving stories of love and devotion inspire us all year long the Tennessee Justice Center is honoring Ms Ira Beasley as a 2025 Grandmother of the Year Ira Beasley’s life is defined by resilience she has always been driven to care for others and persevere through challenges Beasley’s role as a caregiver took on a new meaning when she eventually gained legal custody of him But because of his grandmother’s unwavering support He was given new opportunities through quality education he suffered a seizure that resulted in an ambulance ride and a steep $11,000 hospital bill Beasley turned to the Tennessee Justice enter Cody was reinstated without a lapse in coverage He now has the chance to pursue a future full of opportunity Beasley cherishes the grandparent-grandchild relationship and considers each of her grandchildren a blessing she has cared for 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild always striving to instill self-worth and faith in their futures Beasley’s story is a powerful reminder that proposed Medicaid cuts threaten millions of families like hers who rely on these programs for stability and care These are not abstract policy changes; they are life-altering decisions with real human cost Beasley to ensure their families have the healthcare they need to thrive Read Ms. Beasley’s full story and the stories of all our Mothers and Caregivers of the Year by exploring the virtual version of the wall at www.tnjustice.org/cmoty Help TJC continue to fight alongside these moms and caregivers by donating at www.tnjustice.org/donate 2025 – A man found unconscious early Thursday morning in La Vergne has been pronounced deceased Officers responded to a call near the intersection of Old Nashville Highway and Murray Lane where an elderly male was discovered unresponsive on the ground Emergency personnel arrived shortly after and attempted life-saving measures The man was later declared deceased at the scene Officials have confirmed that the family has been notified The roadway surrounding the incident is currently shut down as police continue to investigate Drivers are urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes MORE CRIME NEWS Man dead after being found along La Vergne roadway "Nashville's wine country" sits about twenty minutes outside of Franklin Money could be flowing to fix major flood problems in Montgomery County Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have responded to the activity in South Nashville Tennessee state troopers worked with federal agents in South Nashville A new police department is officially opening its doors in Spring Hill Rich with history and full of opportunities for recreation the Natchez Trace is a perfect place for Williamson County residents and visitors alike to explore Some Cottontown residents have complained of frequent flooding along Highway 25 for years and Sumner County commissioners will discuss plans to fix the problem One county trying to keep up with growth is searching for ways to cash in on new development Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced a fund to help migrants affected by ICE actions Governor Bill Lee promised state support for President Donald Trump's immigration roundup and he delivered Wilson County Schools are once again in the middle of a culture war as an insurance policy chance on gender reassignment for employees is up for discussion Immigrant rights groups are reporting ICE activity in South Nashville Man found unconscious along La Vergne roadway NYC-based department store company will cease operations at facility as part of larger downsizing Saks Fifth Avenue parent company Saks Global will lay off 446 employees at its La Vergne distribution facility A Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development document notes the layoffs will begin June 4 and continue through Nov The workers did not have union representation Work undertaken at the La Vergne facility will eventually be handled in Pottsville The La Vergne facility is located at 1 Walden Books Drive and sits adjacent to the structure housing Ingram Content Group Bloomberg reported in late February that Saks Global is laying off about 5 percent of its U.S with the move following the New York-based department store company's $2.65 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus in late 2024 The layoffs follow Bridgestone Americas officials having announced in January the company is closing (effective July 31) its Tennessee Truck and Bus Radial Tire Plant in La Vergne. That move (read here) will result in the laying off of about 700 hourly and salaried employees In addition, and as the Post reported in January, Nashville-based retail company Bargain Hunt Stores is ceasing operations of an Antioch distribution and storage facility, a move that will result in 294 layoffs (read here) Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: La Vergne's new girls basketball coach is very familiar with the Murfreesboro area Not only was Shanice Cason on the Stewarts Creek girls staff this past season, but she also grew up in the area, playing high school ball at Siegel and then Middle Tennessee State "I think we'll be fully prepared," said Cason who was hired on April 28 to replace former coach Steve Carter "I have an understanding of what the district looks like and the competition that Rutherford County has It will be about understanding how to compete game preparation and understanding what we need to do to accomplish what we need." It's the first head coaching job for the 32-year-old Cason, who was a standout player at Siegel. She led the 2011 Lady Stars to a 24-8 record, earning all-state honors. She was inducted into the Siegel Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022 At MTSU she started 114 of the 134 games from 2011-15 The point guard averaged six points and three assists during her four years and was named team captain her senior season After college Cason was an assistant under Chad Hibdon at Trevecca for a season La Vergne principal Theowauna Hatchett said Cason's "knowledge of the game" was a big plus during the hiring process "She's always played the point guard position and comes with a wealth of knowledge," Hatchett said "She has great relationships with student-athletes and can relate to them I love the fact that she's played the game and directed the floor She's done a lot of things in regards to coaching the high school level and does a lot in the AAU world." falling to Wilson Central in the first round of the District 7-4A tournament FOOTBALL: Why Riverdale football provided Ravenwood transfer Gavin Hampton best chance to play in 2025 The district will look different in 2025-26 Stewarts Creek and Smyrna in the four-team 9-4A The district will match up against Oakland Rockvale and Siegel (10-4A) in region play "I always say you need three things − teamwork or leadership within the team," Cason said "If I can provide those three things and structure we will be a good team who's going to step on the floor every single possession and give 110% effort "Just my championship mindset is going to also go a long way to help them understand what it's like to win and feel good about winning and things like that." La Vergne is also in the process of hiring a boys basketball coach after Tony Rutland was hired to take over the boys program at Oakland recently Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X (WZTV) — Bridgestone Americas announced Thursday it will close its La Vergne plant resulting in approximately 700 workers losing their jobs the company said the difficult decision is part of its strategy to enhance competitiveness Bridgestone's mission is to continuously add to the U.S including investments in tire plants in Warren County See a statement on the closure from Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr below: “I’m sorry that closing this facility will impact the lives of 700 Bridgestone employees,“ said Mayor Carr “Business decisions like this are never easy to make and this decision will affect the community in a myriad of ways.” According to a media release distributed by Bridgestone the decision to close the facility located at 1201 Bridgestone Pkwy was due to a need to operate more efficiently and strengthen its competitiveness Additional operations in the United States and facilities in Latin America are also expected to have cost optimization measures This closure is the second part of a strategic initiative the company announced in 2024 “This facility has provided employment for many in the La Vergne community for decades as it was the first Bridgestone plant in the United States Rutherford County remains a great place to live As these citizens struggle to find work by the summer I have full faith the community can come together to help our fellow citizens find job opportunities." Get reports like this and all the news of the day in Middle Tennessee delivered to your inbox each morning with the FOX 17 News Daily Newsletter. (WZTV) — Saks Global Tennessee Fulfillment Center has filed an official WARN notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor indicating that 446 jobs will be lost at its La Vergne location The mass layoff will get into effect when the permanent closure starts June 4 "The Northern Middle Local Workforce Development Area rapid response team has been notified to coordinate services with the employer and affected employees." It further explains that "The Northern Middle Local Workforce Development Board will be responsible for the oversight and continued follow-up of Rapid Response and Dislocated Worker services associated with this event." an additional 446 jobs are set to be cut in La Vergne and all separations with Saks Global Tennessee Fulfilment Center will be final by Nov Saks Global provided FOX 17 News with the following statement on the layoffs: we are continuing to take steps to optimize our fulfillment network to ensure we are best positioned to serve our customers We have made the decision to close operations at our La Vergne we will be shifting inventory volume to Saks Global’s Pottsville which is well-equipped to scale to handle the additional volume We are grateful to our TNDC colleagues for their contributions and are committed to supporting them through this transition.” If you need information or have any questions you can contact the Dislocated Worker Unit at (615) 253-6355 Download the FREE FOX 17 News app to get push alerts sent to your iPhone, iPad or Android (WSMV) - A man was injured in an apparent road rage shooting in La Vergne on Monday according to the La Vergne Police Department (LPD) LPD is investigating a shooting that occurred at about 1:30 p.m the preliminary report indicates the shooting was a result of a road rage incident Police said a 39-year-old man suffered a single gunshot wound and was taken to a local hospital with non-critical injuries Police said they are working to identify the suspect(s) in the road rage shooting “There is no threat to the public and people are asked to avoid the area while we continue our investigation,” The LPD said The LPD said the road will be closed from Southlake Drive to Heritage Circle Shirley Maxine Winfree, La Vergne's first female mayor Roselawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens is handling the arrangements A gathering of family and friends will be from 3 p.m The celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens Election 2018: La Vergne Alderman Jason Cole tops incumbent Dennis Waldron in mayor's race Winfree served as La Vergne's mayor from 1990 to 1994 Two other female mayors followed: Sherry Green from 2004 to 2006; and Senna Mosley from 2010 to 2014 Current La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole commented on Winfree's legacy calling her a "passionate public servant." "Shirley Winfree was a passionate public servant who fought for the betterment of La Vergne in our formative years and cared greatly for the city and its residents," Cole said "Mayor Winfree's tenacious leadership and bold vision for the city during her tenure will always be remembered." Aldi store plan: La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole says he's excited about international grocery for his city La Vergne City Administrator Bruce Richardson also provided a statement to the DNJ about the former mayor tirelessly fighting for what she believed in and never backing down from a challenge," Richardson said "She was not only the city's first woman mayor Like all of the mayors who have served La Vergne her legacy will forever be a part of the framework of our community." In addition to Winfree serving as an elected La Vergne official she was known for owning Winfree Employment Agency for many years and being an active member of La Vergne First Baptist Church according to her Roselawn Funeral Home obituary Haven Michelle Winfree and Wyatt Wesley Winfree Waldron Road development: Arbor Ridge plan with 571 homes and grocery store backed by La Vergne elected board Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. La Vergne boys basketball seniors walked off the court for the final time Monday having taken the 36-year program to new heights That was small consolation in the moment for senior leaders like Landon Bryant after falling two points short of a TSSAA state tournament trip following the Wolverines' 63-61 loss to Walker Valley in the TSSAA Class 4A sectional "It's my last time playing at this high school Bryant and his fellow seniors did anything but let the school down during their four years with the program La Vergne (21-9) has made three consecutive sectional appearances and reached the TSSAA state tournament for the first time in program history last season "We started from the ground up and built this program up," said Bryant La Vergne was 5-20 in Rutland's first year Then players like Bryant (a 2023 all-area player of the year and two-time all-state player) and Cam Samuel came up from the middle school ranks and began what has been four years of winning Nobody wanted us to come here when we were in middle school Shout out to Coach and all the veterans that graduated I feel like the community has been behind us They've made us feel like we've done something special." La Vergne's success shouldn't end with graduation to players like Bryant arguably one of the top 2-3 players to don a Wolverine uniform "They laid the foundation," said La Vergne coach Tony Rutland who was hired while this senior class was in eighth grade his record against Rutherford County opponents is immaculate It's probably one of the winningest classes we've had for four years (79-47) There's nothing for him to hold his head down for MORE: How to buy tickets for TSSAA girls basketball state tournament Walker Valley (30-4) had a 19-2 first-half run that was answered by an 18-0 run by the Wolverines It was a one- to two-possession game for most of the second half Siegel boys fall step short of state: Siegel's boys also ended its season in the section round Monday La Vergne Fire Rescue dispatched units to the Mission Hills developments on Waldron Road That is where a neighborhood shopping center is being developed on Waldron Road at Blair Road The development is on 21-acres in La Vergne The construction site is between Old Nashville Highway and Mason Road and near Rock Springs Elementary School La Vergne Fire Rescue units were on-the-scene along with Almaville Volunteer Fire department providing mutual aid with a water tender and brush truck at the mulch fire Training Grounds: In an unrelated story from LaVergne officials with the fire department announced in January they are continuing construction of new training grounds they have completed the initial construction phase of a new temporary training facility near Mason Road and Bain Drive According to La Vergne Fire Rescue’s social media pages “This facility will provide our firefighters space to conduct live burn as well as routine training evolutions.” More than 400 people in La Vergne will lose their job by November due to the closure of a fulfillment center La Vergne boys basketball coach Tony Rutland didn't hesitate when asked if Wolverine senior Landon Bryant is someone whose name should be in the mix for the TSSAA Class 4A Mr. Basketball award who won his share of big awards in high school and in college at Wake Forest "He's been able to change his position from (No 2 guard) to (point guard) and he's doing a great job One thing the 6-foot-3 point guard has done is put La Vergne back among the top teams in Class 4A Bryant scored 24 points in a 57-56 win over rival Smyrna in a key league game Friday night who reached the TSSAA Class 4A state tournament last season for the first time in program history "We've turned it up on defense," Bryant said "Everybody has figured out their role and our bigs (A.J Tarskil Jones) have really picked it up from last year to now While others are settling into roles to fill voids left by graduation Bryant has been the key cog after moving to point guard a role in which Xialin Lenoir excelled last season The move hasn't hurt Bryant's scoring. In fact it's up from his sophomore season (14.4 points), when he earned the player of the year award on the DNJ's all-area team He entered Friday's game averaging 20 points He's averaging 22 points per game during the current winning streak What Landon Bryant's move to point guard has meant to La Vergne basketball"For Landon going to point guard was a lot," Samuel said He was our main scorer (the last two seasons) I didn't know how he was going to score and dish I feel comfortable with him having the ball at the end of the game Bryant played point guard most of his younger years prior to entering high school "He's doing a great job being the point guard," said Rutland "Hopefully that will give him exposure to college coaches that he can play both the 1 and the 2." in which he's had a big hand the past two seasons He's gotten plenty of practice mentoring his younger cousins who play elementary and middle school ball MORE: Murfreesboro area TSSAA basketball Week 11 top performers: La Vergne teams sweep Smyrna from the basics all the way to skill moves and stuff like that," Bryant said whose college offers are primarily junior college and small universities said the Wolverines are primed for another state tournament run if they continue improving on some key elements of the game MORE: Siegel basketball star Carter Webb available to cut hair or score points. He can do both "It's all about attention to details," he said "That's the only thing that really bugs us The passenger of the Mercury Mystique killed in Thursday’s 6:30 a.m crash on Donelson Pike at the I-40 East entrance ramp has been identified as Kimberly Odell The preliminary investigation indicates a Chevrolet Silverado was traveling northbound on Donelson Pike when it approached a yellow light and the Mercury turned left in front of it causing the Silverado to strike the passenger’s side door of the Mercury was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she died Neither driver was wearing their seatbelts Both were transported to Vanderbilt with non-life threatening injuries Toxicology testing will be conducted on the 41-year-old driver of the Mercury to determine whether impairment played a role in this fatal crash La Vergne football coach Mike Woodward said the decision to resign Friday after five seasons at the helm of the Wolverines was "a personal decision." the last four years have been miserable for me personally," Woodward said It's just the obstacles I continued to face there at La Vergne We all know there's a big difference between coaching football and running a program What I've learned is there's a big difference in running a program and running a program at La Vergne." Woodward took La Vergne to the state playoffs during his first season (2020) despite taking over during the COVID-19 pandemic and not having a spring practice 2024 TSSAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: TSSAA football brackets for 2024 playoffs. See the first-round pairings here in the past four seasons the Wolverines combined to go 6-34 with no playoff berths ending the season Thursday with a 55-6 loss to Antioch "I appreciate Coach Woodward's dedication and commitment to our program," La Vergne principal Theowauna Hatchett said "His efforts to support our student athletes and his contributions to our program are greatly appreciated I wish him all the best in his next endeavor." Hatchett said she and the administration are "moving pretty swiftly to find a new coach." MORE: TSSAA football playoff brackets: What to know about Tennessee high school football playoff matchups Woodward will continue teaching at La Vergne through Thanksgiving and then transfer to Nashville's James Lawson High as a teacher only "I won't be doing any coaching there," Woodward said of the transfer I have every intention of taking next season off MORE: Murfreesboro area high school football Week 11 top performers: Smyrna's Carver nets 110 yards who was the offensive coordinator for three seasons at La Vergne before taking over as head coach in May 2020 had previously coached at Antioch (2006-12 while also serving as defensive coordinator at Overton An investigation by the La Vergne Police Department led to the arrest of a man accused of distributing drugs La Vergne officers seized cocaine during a welfare check. "Nashville's wine country" sits about twenty minutes outside of Franklin, TN. Money could be flowing to fix major flood problems in Montgomery County. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have responded to the activity in South Nashville. Tennessee state troopers worked with federal agents in South Nashville. A new police department is officially opening its doors in Spring Hill. Rich with history and full of opportunities for recreation, the Natchez Trace is a perfect place for Williamson County residents and visitors alike to explore. Some Cottontown residents have complained of frequent flooding along Highway 25 for years and Sumner County commissioners will discuss plans to fix the problem. One county trying to keep up with growth is searching for ways to cash in on new development. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced a fund to help migrants affected by ICE actions. Governor Bill Lee promised state support for President Donald Trump's immigration roundup and he delivered. Wilson County Schools are once again in the middle of a culture war as an insurance policy chance on gender reassignment for employees is up for discussion. Immigrant rights groups are reporting ICE activity in South Nashville. President Donald Trump participates in a National Day of Prayer at the White House. WATCHMan found dead along Old Nashville Highway; investigation underwayby Jerry Craft (WZTV) — An investigation is underway after an elderly man was found unconscious early Thursday morning along Old Nashville Highway and later pronounced dead La Vergne police say officers were dispatched to the area near Murray Lane around 6 a.m after reports of an unresponsive man on the ground The roadway remains shut down as investigators work the scene Authorities are urging drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes Details surrounding the circumstances of the man’s death have not been released Police say the investigation is active and ongoing Updates will be provided as more information becomes available La Vergne law enforcement said they took a "dangerous driver" off the road following an attempted traffic stop last week La Vergne law enforcement said they took a "dangerous driver" off the road following an attempted traffic stop last week (WTVF) — The Tennessee Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission voted unanimously Thursday to decertify former La Vergne Police Chief Burrel Davis Doing so means Davis cannot serve as a police officer in the state of Tennessee or likely any other state Commissioners told Davis that his conduct before and during a sexual harassment investigation involving his officers did not uphold the professional standards of an officer or police chief Davis had argued that he had no knowledge of a sexual relationship between officers until an investigation was launched in December 2022 That’s when Davis said city officials asked about graphic images of officer Maegan Hall and others Davis said he cooperated with the city’s investigators and when they allegedly couldn’t find any wrongdoing on his end He said it wasn’t until an outside investigator was involved that blame was now pointed in his direction Davis was later fired and sued the city of La Vergne claiming racial discrimination for his firing He told commissioners on Thursday that the lawsuit was denied because he filed one day too late “All these things they came up with the second time I didn’t sexually harass anybody for receiving a picture If you go back and look at the other transcripts they will tell you that (Hall) was sending pictures to him and other people saying if you want a booty call Hall argued that she was manipulated into sexual acts by her colleagues and superiors She sued the city for creating a hostile and sexual workplace environment The $500,000 settlement — which includes no admission of guilt on the city's behalf — settled Hall's lawsuit against the city and three of her former superiors Davis pointed blame back at Hall several times during the hearing and at one point suggested that this should have been a criminal investigation with Hall as the suspect with “many victims.” all of this stems from a private party on a houseboat and had nothing to do with the PD other than the fact that an officer was there well my head of internal affairs had sex with her on the boat Davis did not deny receiving racy pictures of Hall from former Sgt Commissioners pressed Davis on his text responses One image allegedly sent by McGowan to Davis appeared to show a Black man's foot in Hall’s mouth Investigators said McGowan told Davis that the foot belonged to one of their colleagues “she has a tight little a** though” and Davis responded Davis argued this was a private conversation between two friends who’ve known each other for over 16 years “This is how you talk to your friends,” commissioners asked that’s why I don’t understand why they say I mislead or lied or anything What I’m trying to say is the findings they came up with are false,” Davis said Davis spent the next several minutes telling commissioners that had they seen all the evidence they would know that some messages are missing which would prove that he had no idea who was in the photos with Hall Meaning that he wouldn’t have known at the time whether Hall was in an inappropriate relationship with her colleagues POST investigators responded by saying the only reason why some messages were missing is because Davis at first denied having another phone and deleted many of the messages in question These text messages get deleted when I get them It had nothing to do with this investigation They were gone well before that,” Davis said came back to the podium and laid out in graphic detail several messages from Davis which they said showed he knew which officers were having sex and did nothing to stop them “These are text messages between two friends that were not on city phones did I let my hair down and have trust in a friend Am I going to be responsible and accountable for my text messages Commissioners told Davis that it didn’t matter if these were messages with people he trusted as friends “you’re a police officer 24/7 and you’re a chief 24/7 I think your conduct was very unbecoming.” UPDATED DEC 18: — Suspect Deshawne James Trimble was found and charged Monday for vandalism and burglary -- The La Vergne Police Department has identified the suspect in the recent vandalism and burglary of the La Vergne Public Library was found using citizen tips following the release of the library's surveillance footage the La Vergne Public Library canceled their scheduled "Storytime with Santa" event The event has been rescheduled for Saturday If you see Trrimble or have more information regarding this case -- A man is wanted for breaking into the La Vergne Public Library Surveillance video captured images of a man who on Friday just before 9 p.m by using a large rock to gain entry into a back door He walked around inside the building until 2 a.m he went to the 7/11 at 4198 Murfreesboro Pike where he reportedly attempted to steal candy bars The suspect is described as a white male in his 20s with a slim build Anyone with information on the identity of the burglar is asked to contact the La Vergne PD at 615-793-7744 or the Rutherford County Crime Stoppers at 615-893-STOP(7867) (WZTV) — A man is facing multiple charges after fleeing from La Vergne police during a traffic stop a foot chase and a failed escape attempt from a hospital The incident began the night of April 8 when a La Vergne Police Department officer noticed a suspicious vehicle parked outside a closed business the officer observed several open containers of alcohol in plain view As the officer made contact and informed the driver that he was not free to leave initiating a brief pursuit that ended when he crashed into a parked car The driver then attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended While receiving medical treatment at a local hospital police say the man attempted to escape a second time but was again restrained La Vergne Police K9 FTO Fesmire conducted a traffic stop on Murfreesboro Road for failure to maintain lane FTO Fesmire recognized the male driver from a previous arrest although the driver initially provided a false name which was later discovered to belong to a deceased individual The driver admitted to having narcotics in the vehicle A subsequent search led to the discovery of 18 grams of heroin and 10 grams of methamphetamine Further investigation revealed the driver had outstanding warrants and is now facing additional local charges including felony charges in relation to the narcotics 2025 – La Vergne Police Department responded to a residence on Old Nashville Highway to serve a felony warrant for violation of probation on Tuesday afternoon officers made multiple announcements identifying themselves as law enforcement The suspect was seen moving inside the kitchen area but refused several verbal commands to exit the residence officers observed the suspect making movements towards his waistband which prompted a heightened sense of caution When the individual finally exited the home he began concealing his arms underneath his body He was taken into custody without further issue EMS responded promptly to provide medical care on scene and the suspect was transported to StoneCrest Medical Center for a thorough evaluation he was booked at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office for his warrant and an additional charge of resisting arrest Saks Fifth Avenue's global fulfillment center in La Vergne is closing Saks Fifth Avenue's global fulfillment center in La Vergne is closing The LaVergne mayor is calling on the Rutherford County School Board to rescind a recent vote Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that Bridgestone purchased the plant from Firestone Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas plans to shutter its La Vergne tire plant later this year which will leave 700 workers based in Rutherford County without jobs arm of Japanese manufacturing giant Bridgestone Corporation explained the decision on Thursday as part of a plan to "optimize its business footprint" and strengthen competitiveness in the automotive parts industry Bridgestone has been "updated and optimizing" its business across the U.S. Forthcoming workforce reductions will impact the U.S Bridgestone is also paring down its Des Moines tire plant's capacity The La Vergne plant's last day will be July 31 after over five decades in operation La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole said he was sad to hear that one of the first industrial manufacturers to come to La Vergne is shutting down we are committed to continuing our work with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and other partners to bring new high quality industrial and commercial businesses to La Vergne," Cole said Prior to Bridgestone owning the tire factory Firestone opened the manufacturing operation in 1971 Firestone built the manufacturing plant on 150 acres of La Vergne farmland before the operation became Bridgestone's first U.S. factory total workforce numbers at the plant have dropped by about 300 people over the last two years Bridgestone profits decline ahead of closure“Decisions like this are not easy because of the impact it has on our teammates and their families and at the same time we are optimizing our business footprint for the future,” CEO Scott Damon said in a statement “We are confident that this decision will strengthen our core business the company reported an increase in revenue but a decrease in profit through the first three quarters of fiscal year 2024 compared to the year prior sales that the company credited to "maintaining and reinforcing a solid foundation of premium tire business." Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said his office learned about the layoffs in the aftermath of the Antioch High School shooting on Wednesday That’s meant he hasn’t yet had an opportunity to discuss the situation with Jamari Brown Metro’s director of economic and community development that the mayor’s office has engaged in ongoing discussions with executives at Bridgestone and is still analyzing the local impact "We know that there are a number of Antioch residents who have been employed there," O’Connell said "I think it’s always tough when an economic environment results in layoffs but I will say Bridgestone has been a significant economic partner to both Nashville and Middle Tennessee." there are about 87,000 manufacturing jobs in the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area and it is historically one of the industries with the highest unemployment rate in Nashville Planning for the facility's future“It’s a tough day when an announcement like that gets made,” Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce President Paul Latture said adding that the organization is working with the company to help displaced employees Latture said he spoke to a Bridgestone official about marketing the factory on Waldron Road in La Vergne for a potential user of the property Among La Vergne's partners in attracting new business is the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board which has the authority to offer tax incentives for businesses adding or expanding operations and jobs in Rutherford County “I always hate to see any of our long term existing business decide to cease operating,” Board Chairman Bill Jones said “It impacts the community and the people who work for that company That’s why we continue to recruit new businesses to the community and encourage the expansion of existing businesses in the community so that we can hopefully provide opportunities for those employees who are going to be looking for new work.” La Vergne, in recent years, has added to its business roster with frozen beverage giant Icee relocating its headquarters and a distribution center to the city from California Two Amazon operations and a BJ’s Wholesale Club store have also have opened in La Vergne The city's other large industrial and commercial workforce operations include Ingram Content Group Cardinal Health and Saks Fifth Avenue Distribution Center Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr said Bridgestone's decision to close the Middle Tennessee plant will deeply affect La Vergne and the employees made the first tire," Carr said in a statement "Rutherford County remains a great place to live As these citizens struggle to find work by the summer I have full faith the community can come together to help our fellow citizens find job opportunities." In addition to the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce The Nashville Chamber of Commerce is also working with community partners to help impacted workers ahead of the July 31 shutdown date "Bridgestone has had a positive impact on our region for over 50 years and we are committed to working with Bridgestone state and local agencies and community partners to support impacted workers by connecting them with local resources workforce development initiatives and job placement opportunities across the region," Chamber Director of Communications Malick Gaye said in a statement "We remain confident in Middle Tennessee's economic vitality and ability to adapt to evolving industry needs.” — Austin Hornbostel contributed to this report Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. (WZTV) – The Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Unanimously voted to decertify former La Vergne police chief Burrel Davis meaning Davis can no longer be an officer in Tennessee This comes after five La Vergne officers were fired after revelations that they had sex with officer Megan Hall and shared nude photos and videos Davis and the five officers involved were fired But the former chief went on defense at the hearing where he was decertified “I didn’t sexually harass anybody for receiving a picture if you go back and look at other transcripts with (person) (same person) would tell you that she was sending pictures to him and other people saying ‘if you want a booty call hit her up’ so somebodies sending pictures how does a chief get fired for sexual harassment,” he said” If Davis wants to become an officer in Tennessee again TN - Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr is saddened by the news that Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) Thursday announced its decision to close its La Vergne Truck and Bus Radial Tire Plant effective July 31 “I’m sorry that closing this facility will impact the lives of 700 Bridgestone employees,” said Mayor Carr “Business decisions like this are never easy to make and this decision will affect the community in a myriad of ways.”  Additional operations in the United States and facilities in Latin America are also expected to have cost optimization measures.  This closure is the second part of a strategic initiative the company announced in 2024.    “This facility has provided employment for many in the La Vergne community for decades as it was the first Bridgestone plant in the United States and the employees made the first tire.  Rutherford County remains a great place to live and do business.  As these citizens struggle to find work by the summer I have full faith the community can come together to help our fellow citizens find job opportunities,” Carr said.  MORE / PREVIOUS REPORT: In a significant blow to the local economy Bridgestone Americas announced the impending closure of its Truck and Bus Radial Tire Plant on Thursday which has operated for 4-decades and was the first Bridgestone plant in the United States will cease operations this summer on July 31 Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr emphasized the importance of the community uniting as the workforce seeks new employment opportunities in the wake of the closure Bridgestone’s decision to close the La Vergne facility is part of a broader strategic initiative aimed at optimizing business operations and enhancing competitiveness According to a media release from the company the closure is driven by a need for increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness with additional reductions expected in operations across the United States and in Latin America the La Vergne plant has played an important role in the local community’s economy and marked a significant milestone in Bridgestone’s history the company didn’t begin manufacturing tires in America until 1983 when they took over the Firestone Tire & Rubber plant in Rutherford County Fifty-two years after Bridgestone made its first tire in Japan the first "made in America" tire rolled out of the La Vergne plant at 1201 Bridgestone Parkway The four decades that followed that historic day supported several thousand local families injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy through salaries The plant also helped stimulate demand for manufacturing materials and services used in Rutherford County contributing to economic growth throughout the South in retail tire sales Because the plant manufactures bus and truck tires its local presence has played a vital role in both passenger and product transportation sectors Chief Executive Officer of Bridgestone West and Group President of Bridgestone Americas “Decisions like this are not easy because of the impact it has on our teammates and their families we are optimizing our business footprint for the future We are confident that this decision will strengthen our core business enabling us to operate more efficiently.” As Bridgestone moves forward with its strategic initiatives including workforce reductions at other plants the impact on the local economy of Rutherford County remains a significant concern The community now faces the challenge of addressing the employment needs of those affected by the plant’s closure while supporting the company's mission of contributing to society and the economy at large the coming months will be critical as residents navigate the transition and seek to rebound from the job losses associated with this significant corporate decision