Local News
Two young heroes in Clarksville are being recognized and celebrated for their acts of bravery that are credited for saving their grandfather’s life. Clarksville Cub Scouts Christopher and William Schroeder were recently awarded the Medal of Merit during Cub Scout Pack 503’s annual Blue and Gold Banquet held on Friday, Feb. 9. for their courage and quick thinking. In May the boys’ grandfather went from feeling ill to full cardiac arrest. The scouts sprang into action and advised their grandmother to call 91. William instructed her where to put her hands and together they performed CPR for three minutes and 42 seconds before first responders arrived. Christopher — who was in kindergarten at the time — ran outside and directed emergency responders to their locations. Since the incident, the boys’ grandfather has since recovered and even participated in a canoe trip and several campouts with his grandsons.
A man is being charged in connection with that Wednesday head-on collision in Rutherford County that resulted in a woman’s death. The Tennessee Highway Patrol says a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling southbound in the northbound lane on Highway 231 near Old Lebanon Pike while trying to pass another vehicle. A 2021 Toyota Corolla was heading northbound in the correct lane, so the Chevrolet reportedly hit the Toyota head-on. The driver of the Toyota — 51-year-old Maria Valadez— was wearing a seatbelt, but she was killed in the crash. The driver of the Chevrolet now identified as 51-year-old Miguel Medina Isaac was injured but no word on the nature of those injuries or his current condition. It is also unclear if he was wearing a seatbelt.
A former associate pastor at St. Philip Catholic Church has been indicted on sexual abuse of a child charges by the Williamson County grand jury. The Nashville Catholic Diocese says Rev. Juan Carlos Garcia was removed from his position at the parish and public ministry during the Franklin Police Department’s early investigation —following reports of sexual misconduct in early January. The Diocese of Nashville said that in November of 2023, St. Philip officials reported that a teen in the parish told officials about improper touching involving Father Garcia, sparking the initial investigation.