Maury County Animal Shelter Seeks $650K for Critical Renovations

Issue #244

18 Oct

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☀️ Columbia Weather - Sunny with a high of 65

🐶 Maury County Animal Shelter Seeks $650K for Critical Renovations

📰 License Plate Readers Approved for Williamson County Highways

🎃 Multiple Local Fall Festivals This Weekend!

📌 Saturday in Murfreesboro: Fall Festival with Michael W. Smith & Jim Caviezel

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🍁 Check out The Ultimate Guide to Fall Fun Things in Middle Tennessee Here (Just Updated With More Events!)

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, October 18th

Saturday, October 19th

Sunday, October 20th

🍁 Check out The Ultimate Guide to Fall Fun Things in Middle Tennessee Here (Just Updated With More Events!)

Maury County Animal Shelter Seeks $650K for Critical Renovations

Credit: Friends of MCAS

Maury County's animal shelter is requesting $650,000 for renovation and expansion, as presented by the shelter’s director, Kim Raffauf, during an Oct. 7 Health & Environment Committee meeting. The proposal addresses pressing safety concerns and outdated infrastructure at the facility. The Building Committee decided to recommend $150,000 to the Budget Committee while deferring the remaining $500,000 request until after bid openings in November.

Key issues at the shelter include broken and outdated cages that pose safety risks for animals and staff. Additionally, the renovation would resolve long-standing drainage problems. Raffauf, who took over as director in early 2024, has been developing a design plan similar to other successful kennels in Tennessee. She also suggested selling kennel sponsorships to offset taxpayer expenses. While $140,000 had been set aside in the current budget, it is insufficient to cover the full cost, with an additional $500,000 required to meet the shelter’s needs.

In September alone, the shelter took in 235 animals, and by the end of that month, had collected 1,858 animals so far in 2024, putting the shelter on track to set a record for animal intakes. Despite the shelter's growing intake, Commissioner Gabe Howard emphasized the need for the City of Columbia to contribute financially, as nearly half of the animals at the shelter come from Columbia. Other commissioners echoed the sentiment, urging the city to share responsibility.

Architect Brandon Priddy of 906 Studio Architects explained that the renovation would be efficient, involving block walls and epoxy flooring. He also highlighted the importance of fixing drainage issues to ensure the facility's long-term functionality. Some commissioners, including Jerry Strahan, stressed that the current shelter conditions were even worse than what was shown in photos and called for urgent improvements to create a humane environment for the animals.

Strahan encouraged both commissioners and the public to visit the shelter and witness the need for renovations firsthand.

Find more information about Maury County Animal Services here.

License Plate Readers Approved for Williamson County Highways

The Williamson County Board of Commissioners approved a proposal to install license plate readers (LPRs) on state highway right-of-ways. The motion passed with 21 votes in favor, one opposing, and one abstention. Commissioner Jennifer Mason, who presented the proposal, highlighted the effectiveness of LPRs in aiding law enforcement by tracking vehicles involved in criminal activities, such as car theft and burglaries.

Concerns about data privacy were addressed by both Mason and Sheriff Jeff Hughes, who assured that LPR data would only be shared with law enforcement agencies and would not be accessible to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. Commissioner David O'Neil clarified that LPRs do not use facial recognition technology and are distinct from traffic cameras used for minor violations like speeding. The data collected by the LPRs is encrypted, stored for 30 days, and then deleted. The project is funded by a Homeland Security grant, but the data remains under the control of Williamson County law enforcement. The resolution allows the Sheriff's Office to install and operate the LPRs along state highways.

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Multiple Local Fall Festivals This Weekend!

Friday, October 18th

Location: Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Dealership
106 S. James Campbell Blvd, Columbia

Join us for a fun, family-friendly trunk-or-treat event! Our dealership will have decorated car trunks filled with candy and treats for the little ones, giveaways, and festive activities!

Saturday, October 19th

Friendship Fall Festival - 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location: 1239 Witherspoon, Columbia

Come join the FUN … BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR!!!

*Hayrides, Horseback Riding, Bounce House, Corn Hole, Horse Shoes, Trunk-A-Treat, Decorate a Pumpkin, Decorate a Cupcake, Cake Walk, Bingo, etc.

*S’mores, Popcorn, Snow Cones, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Taco Soup, Chili

Join us for our annual FALL FESTIVAL! We would love to meet you there!!

Harvest Glow at Row & Co - 4:00 - 9:00 PM

Location: 206 Depot Street

Get ready for a fun-filled evening of Pumpkin Carving, fall treats, and a movie on the Lawn! 

Pumpkin Carving Contest 4PM - 6PM

Movie: Monsters, Inc. 6:30PM

Come hungry! We’ll have:

- Cotton candy by Mama Milas
- Pizza Bagels by Bag of Joy
- Candy apples by Gold’s Deli
- Beer, wine, and coffee by Bradley Mountain

Don’t forget to bring your own chair or blanket for the movie!

Sunday, October 20th

5219 Main Street, Spring Hill

Join us on Sunday for our annual Fall Festival! Enjoy a day filled with fun activities, food trucks, games, and fellowship. Bring your friends, wear your favorite fall attire, and let’s celebrate the season together!

Saturday in Murfreesboro: Fall Festival with Michael W. Smith & Jim Caviezel

If you’re a fan of Michael W. Smith or Jim Caviezel, you might like to take the drive to Murfreesboro for World Outreach Church’s Fall Festival!

Michael W. Smith will be leading worship and performing in a post-service concert. Jim Caviezel from Passion of the Christ and Sound of Freedom will be the guest speaker.

4:00 - 7:00 PM
1921 New Salem Hwy, Murfreesboro

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, October 18th

Kiana Renee, Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Rory Feek, Hardison Mill, 7PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
David Isenberg Trio, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Wentzel Brothers Band, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, October 19th

Brunch with Miles Damaso Group, Puckett’s, 10AM-2PM
Kenny Durham Trio, Puckett’s, 7:30-9PM

Sunday, October 20th

Kenny Durham, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Emily Stevens, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM

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