Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 3-13-25

First Farmers names Giles as Chief Financial Officer (Release)

First Farmers and Merchants Corporation, the holding company for First Farmers and Merchants Bank, recently announced that Jill A. Giles was named Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Corporation, effective immediately. The positions were formerly held by Robert E. (“Bobby”) Krimmel, who is leaving the bank to pursue another career opportunity.

“I am pleased to announce the promotion of Jill Giles to Chief Financial Officer of First Farmers and Merchants Corporation,” stated Brian K. Williams, First Farmers’ Chairman and CEO. “Jill has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Bank and previously served as the Bank’s Chief Accounting Officer and Controller. She has worked closely with Bobby Krimmel who previously served as the Bank’s CFO, and I expect a smooth transition of these responsibilities to her.”

Giles will continue as Chief Financial Officer of the Bank. Her additional responsibilities will include Corporate Secretary for the bank and Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Corporation. She joined First Farmers in 2013 as Controller for the Bank. She was promoted to Chief Accounting Officer where she was responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the accounting function at the Bank. After serving as Chief Accounting Officer until 2020, Giles was promoted to Chief Financial Officer of the Bank on Jan. 1, 2024. She was awarded the First Farmers Innovation Award in 2018 in recognition of her leadership in implementing more efficient accounts payable solutions for the Bank.

Prior to joining First Farmers, Giles worked in public accounting as an audit manager and provided internal and external audit services for community banks. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from The University of Tennessee at Martin and a Master of Science degree in accounting from Middle Tennessee State University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She is a past board member for Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury and remains an active supporter in the community.

First Farmers and Merchants Corporation is the holding company for First Farmers and Merchants Bank, a community bank serving the Middle Tennessee area through 22 offices in seven Middle Tennessee counties. As of Dec. 31, 2024, First Farmers reported total assets of approximately $1.8 billion, total shareholders’ equity of approximately $138 million and administered trust assets of $6.2 billion. For more information about First Farmers, visit myfirstfarmers.com.

Legacy Pointe Project To Proceed Without Tennis Facility (Release/MSM)

SouthStar, LLC, the Franklin-based real estate development company behind the Legacy Pointe project in Spring Hill, Tennessee, has been informed by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) of their withdrawal from the project due to fundraising issues.

“We’ve been working with the USTA for almost three years to bring the regional tennis facility to fruition,” said Glenn McGehee, president of SouthStar. “Unfortunately, it’s a tough fundraising environment out there right now and the organization was unable to secure the funds necessary to move forward with the project. We are all disappointed as this project would have been a great addition to Legacy Pointe and the Spring Hill community.”

In a letter to Spring Hill mayor Jim Hagaman, USTA Tennessee executive director Michael Chamberlain wrote, "After two and a half years of dedicated effort, extensive planning, and collaboration, USTA Tennessee has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Spring Hill tennis complex project at Legacy Pointe. This decision follows countless hours of meetings, reports, analysis, and travel, as well as an exhaustive exploration of all possible avenues to bring a state-of-the-art tennis center to the heart of Spring Hill."

In 2022, SouthStar, at the city’s request, agreed to provide the opportunity for a USTA tennis facility in its proposed development in Spring Hill. As part of this opportunity, SouthStar agreed to provide a location in the Legacy Pointe development to construct a USTA tennis facility. This would allow USTA to bring local, regional and national tournaments to the area, significantly impacting the development and community. In return, and in order to construct and support operations for the project, USTA had to raise several million dollars.

“While this outcome is not what we had envisioned, we want to express our sincere gratitude to SouthStar and the city of Spring Hill for their support and partnership throughout the process,” said Carol Wrinn, USTA Tennessee President. “USTA remains committed to promoting and developing the game of tennis, and we look forward to finding new ways to work together in the future.”

Chamberlain's letter praised the city's leadership and enthusiasm, and did not rule out a future project in the city.

"The enthusiasm from your administration and the community reinforced our belief that Spring Hill would be an ideal location for expanded tennis facilities," he wrote. "While we are disappointed that we cannot bring this particular tennis complex to fruition, USTA Tennessee remains committed to promoting and developing the game of tennis throughout Tennessee. Should alternative funding models, public-private partnerships, or phased development approaches emerge that might make a tennis facility viable in Spring Hill, we would enthusiastically welcome those conversations."

With the withdrawal of the USTA from the project, SouthStar is exploring replacement options that would be beneficial to the community.

“We have already had positive conversations with several entities that are very interested in having a presence in Spring Hill,” said McGehee. “Our main priority is identifying potential partners and tenants that would bring unique value, services and amenities for the entire community. From family recreational opportunities to major retailers and restaurants, we have some great options we hope to announce soon.”

SouthStar broke ground on the 213-acre mixed use development in Maury County in May 2024. The development will feature residential, commercial, office, green space and community amenities, and also includes a critical four lane road connecting Crossings Boulevard to Kedron Road that is scheduled for completion in 2025.

As new tenants are signed, SouthStar will provide additional information.

Calling all folks interested in agriculture in southern Middle Tennessee (MSM)

A new lunch event has been scheduled for March 19, 2025, in Pulaski for those interested in agriculture in Middle Tennessee’s southern counties.

“We are not exactly sure what to call it or how to describe it,” said Rob Holland, director of the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture. Holland is among the meeting planners. “It is a lunchtime gathering designed partly as an agricultural reunion group as well as an educational, informative and a networking event all rolled into one.”

Keith Carver, UT Institute of Agriculture senior vice chancellor and senior vice president will be the featured speaker for the inaugural luncheon.

The luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the Giles County Agri-Park, 2030 Elkton Pike, in Pulaski.

“There are various agriculture clubs in other communities and regions of the state where folks interested in supporting Tennessee agriculture connect each month and have a brief program focused on agriculture. We are modeling this gathering after those clubs,” said Lettie McCord with the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, one of the event’s hosts.

“We have planned this event for March 19 to coincide with National Ag Week and National Ag Day, which is the day prior,” added Dan Strasser, McCord’s colleague at the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and another member of the planning team. “This luncheon is just another way to highlight agriculture, celebrate farmers and recognize the value of collaboration within the agriculture industry in southern middle Tennessee,” Strasser said.

Scott Lewis with Farm Credit Mid-America and another member of the planning team, said, “The event targets anyone interested in agriculture – primarily, current and retired farmers, current and former agricultural leaders, current and former Extension workers, rural leaders and anyone interested in connecting with and advancing Tennessee agriculture.”

For those who pre-register by noon on March 17, there will be no cost to attend. Pre-registration is possible online at forms.office.com/r/xNqjCY2A0E or by calling the UT Extension Giles County office no later than noon on March 17 at (931) 363-3523.

“Attendance at this first event is important because we plan to survey the attendees to see if there is interest in the group continuing to gather on a regular basis,” said Boyd Barker with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Barker is another member of the event planning team.

For additional information, reach out to Holland at rwholland@utk.edu.

Keep Tennessee Beautiful Month Launched With Special Rally (Release)

Gov. Bill Lee has once again designated March as Keep Tennessee Beautiful month. To officially kick-off the activities, including the state’s participation in Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup®, KTnB hosted a rally and awards luncheon at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort in Pigeon Forge. James Lewellen, town administrator (retired) for Collierville, brought the keynote address.

“March is the perfect time to spotlight the essential work of both the Keep Tennessee Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful local affiliates as well as our state-wide partners,” Executive Director Missy Marshall, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, said. “We are grateful to Gov. Lee for supporting this month-long celebration and excited to have a spotlight shine on litter prevention, education and community greening.”

Program highlights included the presentation by Missy Marshall of KTnB’s Leader Against Litter Award to Knox County Commissioner Carson Dailey. The organization’s Love Where You Live Award was presented to super volunteer Carrie Hovie from Erwin, Tenn. This award is given to a Tennessee resident who takes pride in their community and supports KTnB's mission. The Leader Against Litter Award is given to an elected official who has gone above and beyond their job description to involve citizens in environmental improvements.

Additionally, the announcement of nine $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors took place at the event. The Keep Tennessee Beautiful Three Grand Divisions Scholarships support graduating Tennessee high school seniors who demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability through academic pursuits to positively impact the planet.

KAB’s Great American Cleanup®, is an annual, nation-wide effort rallying community leaders and litter grant coordinators throughout the U.S. KTnB staff joined Keep Sevier Beautiful and local volunteers in a community-wide cleanup along the iconic “Spur” between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to officially kick-off the GAC.

Keep Tennessee Beautiful Month and the Great American Cleanup® help accomplish the mission of KTnB: to educate and inspire Tennesseans to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment.

For more information, visit https://www.keeptnbeautiful.org/

WHAT Tennesseans Need to Know before the May 7 REAL ID Implementation Deadline (Release)

To ensure that residents can fly domestically and access certain federal facilities without any disruptions, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) is urging individuals to prepare for the new requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005, which will take effect on May 7, 2025.

Beginning May 7, Tennessee driver licenses and identification cards that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted to enter certain federal buildings, military bases, nuclear power plants, or board commercial flights within the United States.

Tennesseans can apply for a REAL ID before or after the May 7 implementation date. If you are not planning to travel in the near future, you may choose to wait to get a REAL ID. If you think you might need a REAL ID to travel, TDOSHS encourages you to apply for your new credential well before your planned trip. Getting the hard copy of your new ID in the mail can take up to 20 business days.

Obtaining a REAL ID is optional. Non-REAL ID licenses will continue to be accepted for general identification purposes such as driving, purchasing alcohol or tobacco products, applying for federal benefits, voting, or accessing hospitals, post offices, banks, federal courts, etc.

After the REAL ID implementation, Tennesseans who choose not to get a REAL ID may use a valid passport or other federally issued photo ID to fly domestically. For the complete list of acceptable IDs, visit the Transportation Security Administration's website, tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.

Last year, TDOSHS began issuing new driver licenses and ID cards with a fresh design and improved security features. New REAL ID compliant credentials feature a black circle with a star in the top right corner. Legacy REAL ID compliant credentials have a gold circle with a star in the top right corner. The new and legacy versions of REAL ID both comply with the REAL ID Act and are valid until their expiration date.

To apply for a REAL ID, customers must bring proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, proof of their Social Security Number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency. If your name has changed, you must also bring certified legal documents supporting the name change(s). This could include marriage licenses, divorce decrees, etc. All documents must be original or certified copies. Photocopies are not accepted.

To ensure you’re bringing the correct documents, TDOSHS encourages you to have your REAL ID required documents pre-approved online. Pre-approved documents can save you in-person processing time at the Driver Services Center and may eliminate repeat trips. A complete list of accepted documents and the pre-approval portal are available at tnrealid.gov.

Federal law requires REAL ID applications to be made in person. If you already have a Tennessee driver license or ID, you can apply for a REAL ID at one of the 46 Driver Services Centers or 38 participating County Clerk offices across the state. If you do not have a Tennessee Driver License or ID, you must apply for a REAL ID at a Driver Services Center. To find a Driver Services Center or participating County Clerk, go to tnrealid.gov.

Tennesseans can save time at the Driver Services Center by scheduling an appointment for a REAL ID. To meet demand, TDOSHS added 1,432 additional REAL ID-specific appointment slots per day at Driver Services Centers across the state. Tennesseans can schedule an appointment at tnrealid.gov.

If you are getting a Tennessee license for the first time or it is time to renew your license, the cost to get a REAL ID is $28.00. If you get a REAL ID outside of your renewal period, there is a duplication fee of $8 or $12, depending on your license classification.

Most credentials, including REAL ID, renew on an eight-year cycle. The cost to renew a REAL ID is the same as the non-REAL ID version of that credential. Tennesseans with a valid REAL ID do not need to present documents to renew it.

For more information about Tennessee REAL ID, visit tnrealid.gov.

Cepicky announces creation of bipartisan Tennessee-Israel Legislative Caucus (Release)

State Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, last week announced the creation of the Tennessee-Israel Caucus in the Tennessee General Assembly.

The Tennessee-Israel Caucus will work to strengthen political ties between the state of Tennessee and the state of Israel through bilateral trade, educational collaboration and enhanced cultural understanding.

“Israel has been a great friend and ally to the United States and it’s important that we continue furthering our relationship,” Cepicky said. “The Tennessee-Israel Caucus will foster an environment of collaboration and allow for an incredible exchange of ideas to make life better for Tennesseans and Israelis. I look forward to this partnership strengthening our political ties while promoting progress and prosperity.”

The bipartisan caucus will help further collaboration between Tennessee and Israel by building on shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to innovation and progress.

Cepicky is co-chair of the 60-member caucus, which is open to all members of the General Assembly. Legislators on Monday were joined by Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States Anat Sultan-Dadon to formally establish the caucus.

Cepicky represents House District 64, which includes part of Maury County.