HELPING TORNADO VICTIMS GREEN HILLS Tennessee Robotics Club Page Page 13 NEWS 14 VOLUME 32 MARCH 5, 2020 NUMBER 8 Storms Damage Nashville and Mid-State Opponents say bill before state legislators is book censorship The scene of Donelson Christian Academy after the tornado. - photos by Anthony Cunningham A tornado and heavy storms ripped through Nashville and Middle Tennessee early Tues- day morning, causing damage and at least 22 reported deaths in the state as of press time, with more injured. Winds of - photo by Matthew Feeney more than 136 miles per hour were reported. Wanda Southerland Nashville Public Library Various sources put the Contributor to The News also stands in opposition to number of buildings damaged Two library associations the bill. in Nashville at more than 40, oppose a proposed bill being The bill amends Ten including homes and business- considered by members of nessee Code Annotated es, with significant destruction the 111th General Assembly (TCA), Title 10, Chapter 3, downtown, and in East Nash- that they say threatens citi- by adding a section known ville, Donelson, Hermitage and zens’ freedom to read and as the “Parental Oversight Mt. Juliet. Trees were uprooted advances censorship under of Public Libraries Act.” the guise of parental con- See Book Censorship Page 3 See Tornado Page 13 trol. Likewise, Metro Metro Health Department responds to latest CDC Coronavirus COVID-19 update The Metro Public Health Preparing for and respond- Health, MPHD is taking an titis A and measles. primarily on symptoms and Department is following the ing to outbreaks of diseases is approach to COVID-19 similar As part of the effort to pre- travel history, and/or close Centers for Disease Control a routine part of Health to that used for other potential vent local transmission of exposure to a known positive and Prevention’s (CDC) newest Department’s activities. In threats such as the H1N1 flu COVID-19, Health Depart- ment case. None identified locally guidance to plan for the likeli- close and continuing consulta- virus, SARS, Ebola and Zika, officials have been monitoring have had the virus. There has hood of local transmission of tion with the CDC and the and the re-emergence of more Davidson County residents who the virus that causes COVID-19. Tennessee Department of endemic diseases such as hepa- meet CDC’s guidelines, based See Coronavirus Update Page 3 4-DAY Thu. 3/5 61ºF Fri. 3/6 49ºF Sat. 3/7 54ºF Sun. 3/8 62ºF FORECAST Rain 20% 38ºF Rain 0% 30ºF Rain 0% 35ºF Rain 0% 47ºF # 338 # NASHVILLE, TN PERMIT PERMIT TN NASHVILLE, E-MAIL: [email protected] www.gcanews.com TICKED OFF HOT-LINE: 615-298-5597 U.S. POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE U.S. PRESORTED STANDARD PRESORTED NEWS/SOCIAL NEWS/ADVERTISING: 615-298-1500 TICKED OFF E-MAIL: [email protected] Page 2 The News, March 5, 2020 Mayor works with state legislators to regulate slow-moving transpotainment vehicles downtown Mayor John Cooper said his lators to file a bill providing “transpotainment” industry. cles. “However, the complete lack of office, in cooperation with cities and municipalities Examples include tractor-pulled “We want to ensure that local control over these enter- Nashville Downtown Partner- statewide with reasonable regu- hot tubs, repurposed fire-trucks, everyone who visits Music City tainment vehicles in one of ship, has worked with state legis- latory authority related to the and similar slow-moving vehi- has a great time,” said Cooper. our busiest neighborhoods has created safety concerns and tremendous headaches for both downtown brick-and-mor- EUROPEAN • DOMESTIC • ASIAN • DIESEL & HYBRIDS tar businesses, residents, and local commuters. By working with the state, we hope to ensure that downtown Nashville re- mains a fun, world-class tourist destination while implementing commonsense policies that pre- vent traffic jams and distur- bances to local residents and businesses.” Tennessee municipalities currently have no authority to regulate slow-moving vehicles. SB2513, sponsored by Senator Steve Dickerson, adds trans- 60156015 HIGHWAYHIGHWAY 100100 || 615.353.5666 potainment to the list of passen- Monday-FridayMonday-Friday 7am-6pm;7am-6pm; SaturdaySaturday 7am-4pm 7am-4pm ger transportation service vehi- TIRE & cles for which municipalities are empowered to regulate, includ- AUTO ing: safety policies for both par- ticipants and residents; the pres- ence of industry vehicles on SERVICE local roads during peak com- mute times; and, preventing local business disturbance by WHILE YOU WAIT: loud music during normal hours of operation. • FREE WIFI “These vehicles initially added to the character and fun of • COMFORTABLE the city, but with our rapid WAITING AREA growth has come the unintended consequences of growing pains,” 60086008 CHARLOTTECHARLOTTE PIKEPIKE || 615.356.6367615.356.6367 said Butch Spyridon, president Monday-FridayMonday-Friday 7am-7pm; 7am-7pm; Saturday 7am-6pm7am-6pm midas6008.com and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “While no one intends to elimi- TIRES nate this aspect of our entertain- TIRES SERVICES ment, we need to make sure that downtown remains a great place BridgestoneBRIDGESTONE • Cooper •• FirestoneCOOPER • EXHAUST & CATALYTIC to live and work, as well as CONVERTER visit.” Goodyear• • FIRESTONE BF Goodrich • GOODYEAR • Michelin “The proposed legislation • BF GOODRICH • MICHELIN • BRAKES allows Nashville the opportuni- Brakes, Exhaust, Fluids, Factory Scheduled Maintenance, Suspension, Wheel Alignments, Belts, Hoses, • TIRES & BALANCING ty to create reasonable policies GREAT SAVINGS Headlamps, Bulbs and More. • ALIGNMENT to improve safety, mobility and Discount off regular price. Consumer pays all tax. Cash value 1/300th of 3¢. Coupon required at time of purchase. One quality of life,” said Tom $10 OFF $20 OFF $30 OFF coupon per total invoice. Not valid with other offers. Valid at participating location below. Void if sold, copied or transferred • BATTERIES Turner, President and CEO of SERVICES OVER $100 SERVICES OVER $200 SERVICES OVER $300 and where prohibited by law. excludes tax excludes tax excludes tax 6008 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209 • SHOCKS STRUTS Nashville Downtown Partner- • ELECTRICAL ship. “This will provide a health- 95 INCLUDES FREE • DIAGNOSTIC ier balance for those that live, OIL CHANGE $24. TIRE ROTATION! work and play in downtown Most Vehicles • AIR CONDITIONING Nashville and ensure a more Full synthetic oils extra. Shop fee extra, where permitted by law. Fee represents cost and profits. See manager for shop fee calculation. Plus applicable tax. Free tire rotation at time of service. • Oil and Filter Change robust and sustainable center Cash value 1/100th of 1¢. Coupon required at time of purchase. Not valid with other offers. Valid at - up to 5 quarts of synthetic blend oil • CHECK ENGINE participating locations listed below. Void if sold, copied or transferred and where prohibited by law. • Rotate and inspect 4 tires city.” 6008 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209 • OIL CHANGES SB2513 was introduced on FREE BRAKE FREE TIRE February 5, 2020 and has been COMPLIMENTARY including Visual Brake Check referred to the Senate Transpor- 3 Fluids 3 Antifreeze Level and Strength EVALUATIONS ROTATION tation and Safety Committee. COURTESY CHECK 3 Air Filter 3 Lights 3 Hoses & Belts 3 Battery WITH OIL CHANGE HB2381, sponsored by Rep. Patsy Most vehicles Complimentary Courtesy Check at time of service. Valid at participating locations listed below. Hazlewood, was crossfiled on 6008 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TINA 37209 FLEETS WELCOME February 2, 2020 and has been referred to the Safety & Funding Subcommittee. LIFETIMELIFETIME WARRANTY! WARRANTY!BRAKES, BRAKES, SHOCKS SHOCKS, MUFFLERS MUFFLERS $20 OFF Installation of 2 Tires Midas Touch Oil Change Package: Announce or $50 OFF 4 Tire Package $39 Semi Synthetic Oil $69 Full Synthetic your event in The News! FREE Rotation - Brake Check - Top Off All Fluids FREE Battery Testing • FREE Antifreeze Testing [email protected] March 5, 2020, The News- Page 3 From Page One but at press time voting results the proposal, if enacted, would already have in place the tools Once a year, “on or before were not available. mandate unnecessary and and procedures that will assist June 30”, library personnel Book Censorship... Metro Nashville Public duplicated legislation, placing parents in selecting materials must verify that the library is Library spokesperson George an added burden of govern- that fit their family’s informa- in compliance and post the ver- Representative Andy Holt Brown said the library is in a ment oversight on local library tion needs, while not censoring ification “in a conspicuous (R-Dist.76) sponsored House holding pattern to see how the boards.” materials or infringing upon place for public viewing at the Bill 2721 that would require a bill process progresses. The American Library the rights of other families or library.” parental oversight board to “Our opposition [to the bill] Association (ALA) also re- patrons to choose and access Failure by any public replace policies and library is twofold,” Brown said in a leased a statement saying they the resources and programs library personnel who inten- experts in the development of telephone interview. “Metro “vigorously opposes this and they want and need.” tionally violates this law, “com- library collections and servic- Nashville Library welcomes other bills like it that advance HB 2721 states that “to make mits a Class A misdemeanor es. Libraries that fail to comply and values all viewpoints and censorship under the guise of such determinations, the board subject to a fine of not more with the proposed law could political views. We also respect parental control. shall convene public hearings than five hundred dollars ($500) lose local funding, incur fines, the rights of parents to help “If adopted, the bill would at which members of the com- or term of imprisonment or and librarians and library select age-appropriate books establish ‘parental oversight munity may present concerns both.” Consequently, that workers may face jail time.