News of the Week: Murfreesboro City Council defers vote on whiskey distillery

Murfreesboro City Council was set to get an earful Thursday night, April 12 about planning from the Sazerac Company to build a $86 million liquor-making facility on 55 acres on Asbury Lane off Medical Center Parkway.

But the developers decided to delay the vote "to give the Murfreesboro City Council time to research the neighbors' concerns about whiskey fungus getting on homes," according to The Daily News Journal.

Neighbors of the proposed distillery will present their best arguments against the proposed spirit-making facility at Thursday night's City Council meeting.

According to The Daily News Journal, their arguments hinge on impact to local wildlife around the quarry lake that sits at the center of the property on Asbury Road. The man-made lake is connected to two underground springs, neighbor David Colin told reporter Scott Broden.

When the plans were considered by the Murfreesboro Planning Commission, neighbors aired their concerns about "whiskey fungus."

It's entirely likely that the City Council will side with the developers, as they are wont to do.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Thursday and can be watched live in the Council Chambers at City Hall or on Channel 3.

Realtor Howard Wall pays Tina Jones's back taxes

Murfreesboro Realtor Howard Wall has paid the property taxes owed by his sister-in-law Tina Jones, according to The DNJ.

The Murfreesboro Post reported last week that Jones "had delinquent county property taxes of $5,670 for 2017 and $6,661 for 2016 on the property at 3200 Manchester Pike, according to the trustee’s office."

Wall reportedly paid the entire $12,331 of the back taxes, the Trustee Teb Batey told The DNJ.

Wall's wife Sally is the sister of Jones's late husband Johnny Jones.

Jones served as a county commissioner for 12 years through 2006 and most recently worked as a field representative for U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Jasper.

Rutherford County's oldest person dies

Mabel Elizabeth Tolbert Robertson who was believed to be Rutherford County’s oldest resident died Wednesday morning, according to the Post. She was 107 years old.

A native of the Dilton community in rural (in 1911) southeast Rutherford County, Robertson lived through a century of change. She outlived 19 presidents and her own life insurance policy.

“She was always smiling,” said Bill Wilson, a family friend. “She never had anything bad to say about anybody. She brought a lot of joy to people.”

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. The funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Other stuff

Bethel United Methodist Church turns 200 years old (WGNS)

Rutherford County school board offers Bill Spurlock $156K salary to be next director (DNJ)

Sunday wine and liquor sales bill heads to governor (TN Journal)

Poll: Trump approval in TN higher than Alexander or Corker; lower than Haslam (TN Journal)

Michelle Willard is a freelance journalist who fills her days with social media marketing, politics, true crime, and taking complaints. You can complain to her on Twitter @MichWillard or by email michelle(at)murfreesborovoice.com.