According to www.dnj.com, "Developers may have missed their chance to have the entire Bible Park USA project considered by the Rutherford County Commission in May. Developers of the $175 million to $200 million Bible theme park had said they hoped the County Commission would approve the financing package at its May 15 meeting, when the commission is set to consider the zoning for the 282 acres in the Blackman community.Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess, who met with park developer Armon Bar-Tur Monday, said he anticipated a complete proposal for the public funding portion of the Bible Park USA project would be coming within the week. But he was doubtful that would be enough time to review the package before May 15, when the commission will consider zoning for the park. "There's pro... 04/22/2008

Wendy Haney and Cody Sullens already know what they are going to buy during next weekend's sales tax holiday - a Dell desktop computer. The couple will purchase their new computer at Wal-Mart, where they are employees. They are looking forward to saving even more money with their 10 percent employee discount.Haney and Sullens will join the ranks of other Tennesseans who will head shopping during the state's tax-free holiday that begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday and ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday. The holiday will lift Rutherford County's 9.75 percent sales tax from clothing priced at $100 or less, school and art supplies priced at $100 or less and computers $1,500 or less. Each of the two tax-free holidays last year saved taxpayers between $8 million to $10 million, said Glen Page, deputy commiss... 04/20/2008

Less than a month before developers of Bible Park USA hope to have the project approved by the Rutherford County Commission, many commissioners say they still don't know enough about the development. Developers of the $175 million to $200 million Bible theme park have said they hope the County Commission will approve the financing package and rezoning request at its May 15 meeting.The county is still waiting on a formal proposal from the developers as to how much of a tax break the developers will be asking for and what the details of that deal would be. The park, which developers hope to open by 2010 in the Blackman community, has raised opposition from many neighbors and others, but has received strong support from the business community. In a poll of county commissioners by The Daily... 04/20/2008

Nearly 400 people gathered Wednesday afternoon on Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro to celebrate a long-awaited birth. It was an ideal day to be born - the sun beamed, a cool breeze blew, fireworks were released and a jazz trio played smooth tunes.They were commemorating the birth of a new hospital - Middle Tennessee Medical Center. Hospital officials broke ground on the new $278 million, 560,000-square-foot facility, which is expected to be completed by August 2010. "Actually, if you think about it, today probably is very similar to a birth," said Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg. "Today we recognize that we are going to bring a new facility into the world, and it's going to be a world-class facility." The new hospital will replace the current 368,000-square-foot facility on North H... 04/17/2008

Voters changed the makeup of the Murfreesboro City School Board Tuesday by electing two new leaders, Butch Campbell and Nancy Youree Duggin. Campbell, who won the most votes, and Duggin, who was runner-up, joined incumbents Nancy Phillips and Susan Andrews in winning four-year terms on the seven-member school board.Incumbent Patrick McCarthy, however, came in seventh out of 10 candidates listed on the ballot with 1,067 votes (7 percent). The winners will be sworn in to begin service at the May 27 meeting. Each board member earns $200 per month when they attend any number of meetings. "It's something I wanted to do," said Campbell, a principal for Rutherford County Schools' Walter Hill Elementary School, to the north of Murfreesboro. Campbell had 2,802 votes, which represented 18.45 perc... 04/16/2008

It was another victory for the three incumbents in Tuesday's Murfreesboro City Council election, though one challenger made things close. Vice Mayor Chris Bratcher, Toby Gilley and Ron Washington defeated challengers Dave Beardsley, Eddie Smotherman and Jeff Weems to retain their seats on the council for another four years."I like to think that people trust us," said Washington, who led all vote-getters. "If they don't trust us, we have a problem." The 49-year-old district manager at Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp. said he hoped to continue the successes of the council in the coming term. Washington received 2,469 votes or 20 percent of the vote. Only 4,679 residents cast their votes in the election, the lowest number in at least the past 10 years. Washington, who has served ... 04/16/2008

The only post office in middle Tennessee that will be open late today is the Main Post Office in Nashville at 525 Royal Parkway. The office will close at midnight Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.All post offices in Rutherford County will close at their regular times.Beth Barnett, spokeswoman for the Tennessee district of the U.S. Postal Service, said last minute fliers should make sure they have the proper postage on their returns and check the posted collection time to ensure their returns are postmarked April 15.Fliers should make sure they have the proper IRS address and include a return address in the upper left-hand corner of their envelopes.Tax forms can be found at the Linebaugh Library at 105 W Vine St. in Murfreesboro. Returns can filed online at: http:/... 04/15/2008

Turnout at the polls appears to be slow in Murfreesboro today.City voters have the opportunity to choose three members of the city council and four city school board members."The general consensus is it's very slow," said Hooper Penuel, administrator of elections just before noon Tuesday. "But that could pick up later in the afternoon."As of noon today, 687 voters had cast votes today, Penuel said. No major problems were reported at any of the polls, which opened at 7 a.m. Penuel said 4,819 city voters who normally vote at a county precinct were notified in advance of the today's election which nearby city precinct to vote at.For voters who have moved or had a name change which may not have been updated at the election commission office are being referred to the annex at 426 E. Vine St.... 04/15/2008

The Rutherford County Planning Commission voted 8-7 to deny a rezoning request to allow the development of Bible Park USA. Steve Sandlin, Robert Stroop, Bob Farris, Will Jordan, Lou Ann Zelenik, Rhonda Allen, Craig Lynch and Steven Barnes voted to deny the zoning.Richie Bolin, Mike Vaught, Gary Farley, Jeff Phillips, Allen Swader, Mike Kusch and Talmadge Gilley voted in favor of the zoning for the development. Phillips said he voted for the zoning because the developer had adequately addressed all the land use issues with the development. Sandlin, who is a Rutherford County commissioner representing Blackman, said he voted against the development for many reason, including the negative impact it would have on the neighbors and traffic The vote followed a five-hour public hearing before ... 04/15/2008

A public hearing and vote on the proposed Bible Park USA in the Blackman community will be held tonight. The Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission will consider the rezoning request for 282 acres to allow the $175 million to $200 million park at 5 p.m. at the County Courthouse.The public hearing will be held after other business on the commission's agenda. The county's Future Development Committee passed the zoning on to the Planning Commission without a positive or negative recommendation two weeks ago. The Rutherford County Commission, which has the final say on the issue, is set to consider the issue May 15. Many Blackman residents and others have organized to oppose the park, while the developers and business leaders have touted the economic benefit the park will bring. Dev... 04/14/2008

As most parents know, now is the time to find a summer program for your school age children.  You definitely want to find a facility that you are comfortable with and register before school gets out for the summer.  The best places fill up quickly and nobody wants to be a waiting list.  Last year was my daughter Ryane's (sounds like a boy's name Ryan) first year in the Murfreesboro TN Parks and Recreation Summer Camp program.  She loved it and I was very happy with it as well.  The program was very reasonably priced, especially for an entire summer program and the locations changed weekly to give the kids a little variety in their schedules.  It was especially wonderful because five minutes after I would pick her up from camp in the evening, she was unconscious in the back seat.  When w... 04/12/2008

One of the easiest ways to be a blessing to others is by donating blood.  Schedule yourself a date and time to be a donor and give the gift of life. April 14th - StoneCrest Medical Center at 200 StoneCrest Blvd, Smyrna from 8 am - 1 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm.April 14th - North Rutherford YMCA at 2001 Motlow College Blvd, Smyrna from 2 pm to 7 pm. April 15th - Smyrna Church of Christ at 112 Division St, Smyrna from 1 pm to 7 pm.April 16th - MTSU Keathley University Center at 130 E. Main St, Murfreesboro from 10 am to 4 pm.April 20th - North Boulevard Church of Christ at 1112 N. Rutherford Blvd, Murfreesboro from 8 am to 12 noon.April 26th - Highland Heights Church of Christ at 785 S. Lowry St, Smyrna from 9 am to 1 pm.April 28th - Mcfadden School of Excellence at 221 Bridge Ave, Murfreesboro f... 04/12/2008

Here is the current real estate market report for Murfreesboro, Tennessee reflecting March 2008 sales:There are currently 1778 residential listings on the market There are currently 274 residential sales pending, up 29 pending sales from October 2007237 properties were sold during the month of March, down 12% from October 2007Average listing price per square foot was $97.33 - down nearly 11% from October 2007 Average sales price per square foot was $99.44, down from $104.37 per sq foot in October 200776 days on market was the average sales time It's a buyer's market.  Don't miss your opportunity of a lifetime.  Visit our website to find your perfect home.  04/12/2008

March 15-April 16, 2008: Hoofbeats in the Heartland: The Tennessee State Museum's Traveling Exhibit about civil war cavalry in Tennessee will be at the Oaklands Historic House Museum in Murfreesboro from March 15 until April 16. The traveling exhibit explores the impact of mounted warfare on the state through the use of graphics, maps, photographs and original reproduction artifacts. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615)893-0022April 4-6, 11-13, 2008: Agatha Christie's Mousetrap will play at the Lamplighter's Theatre from April 4 to 6 and April 11-13. This mystery show opened on London's West End November 25, 1952. It's still running over 50 years later. The Lamplighter's Theatre is located at 14119 Old Nashville Highway at the corner of Rock Springs Road in Smyrna, TN. Contact... 04/12/2008

Murfreesboro is a city in Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. According to the 2007 census estimate the city had a total population of 92,559. It is the county seat of Rutherford County. The center of population of Tennessee is located in Murfreesboro.[2] Although Murfreesboro is sometimes considered a suburb or exurb of Nashville, Tennessee, it is far enough away [about 35 mi (56 km)] and has a large enough population to maintain a separate identity from its larger neighbor. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, with a population growth from 46,000 to 69,000 between 1990 and 2000, a change of 66%. The city is also home to Middle Tennessee State University, the largest undergraduate university in the state of Tennessee, with a current undergraduate population ... 04/12/2008

The Murfreesboro Bark Park is the perfect place for any dog owner to take their dog out to play and socialize with other dogs.  Simply follow the rules and regulations and etiquette guidelines and your dog will enjoy all the benefits that the Murfreesboro Bark Park has to offer. All dogs, large and small, need room to run and access to other dogs to socialize with.  The Bark Park is a large enclosed area for dogs to to run and play and even toys are provided for the dogs to play with.  The Bark Park is also a great tool to use for getting your dogs well socialized towards strangers. The Bark Park is also a great place for the dog owners to socialize.  The love for dogs reaches far beyond any barriers and helps to foster a stronger sense of community. Directions to the Murfreesboro Bark ... 04/12/2008

ROSCOE - ID#A035891 My name is ROSCOE. I am a male, black and tan Rottweiler. The shelter thinks I am about 5 years old. I have been at the shelter since Apr 10, 2008. I was surrendered to the shelter by my owners, and I am up for adoption. I need a new home ... soon. I have NOT been neutered, so I will have to see a Vet before I go home with you. They will make all the arrangements for that at the front desk when you get here, and then you can pick me up at the Vet's office when the surgery is done. My adoption fee is only $80 w/ approved application, and that includes my first shots, a heartworm test, a rabies shot voucher for $11, a neuter surgery voucher for $32, and my transportation to the Vet. My Contact InfoRutherford County P.A.W.S. Murfreesboro, TNPhone: (615) 898-7740  04/12/2008

Destination Rutherford, an economic development initiative for Rutherford County, announced today it endorses the proposed Bible Park USA project currently being considered by the Rutherford County Commission and several of its committees. According to Bill Jones, chairman of Destination Rutherford, the project meets many of the objectives of Destination Rutherford.He noted the importance of business development and attraction, tourism, job creation and the diversification of the local economy to Rutherford County and its economic base. "We endorse the continued informational processes currently underway through the Commission and its committees and encourage the County Commission to vote in favor of the economic diversification and substantial new revenues this project will create for ... 04/08/2008

Two public hearings and two votes into the Bible Park USA deal, and the picture is about as clear as the Book of Revelation. The county's Industrial Development Board passed a resolution giving the Rutherford County Commission the opportunity to set up an economic impact zone in the Blackman community under which property taxes could be garnished to pay back bonds used to build the park. But it made no recommendation to the commission on the proposal to forgo $27.9 million in property taxes in increased property and sales taxes from the Bible Park and other businesses that would pop up in the zone. Projections based on the developer's numbers show the county could receive $122 million extra over 22 years as a result of the Bible Park.Instead, the IDB left that decision up to the County ... 04/08/2008

A lot of attention in the past weeks and months in Rutherford County has been focused on the proposed Bible Park USA. There are valid questions from many perspectives about the project, as there are with any large-scale development. From a tourism standpoint, the Bible Park would mean a huge boost to our economy. The goal of the Convention and Visitors Bureau is to bring more visitors into the county. Tourism is one of the largest industries in Tennessee. Employing 381,400 individuals and generating $13.4 billion in revenues in 2006, tourism indeed has become one of Tennessee's most important "cash crops."What does this mean to us? The dollars that travelers spend are re-circulated back into the local, state and national economies and directly benefit other related industries, which rel... 04/07/2008