Local News
The City of Clarksville will eliminate roadway fatalities and traffic deaths by 2050. City officials want your input on the best way to do that through an online survey, which will go live on Thursday, April 4. In the past five years, Clarksville has averaged 22 deadly and 80 serious injury crashes each year. “Safe Streets 4 All” grant funding will come from the federal government, and is meant to supplement projects already in the works with the city’s Transportation 2020+ plan.
An attorney representing Daniel Riley, the St. Louis man convicted for causing a February 2023 crash in St. Louis that cost Smyrna teen Janae Edmondson her legs, has filed a motion for a re-trial. Riley was found guilty on March 7 on all but one count: second-degree assault, armed criminal action, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on April 18. Riley was out on bond at the time of the crash in a pending robbery case, even though he had violated the conditions of his release many times.
Four people were found guilty Tuesday of charges related to the blockade of a Mt. Juliet reproductive health care clinic three years ago, officials said. A federal judge found Eva Edl, Eva Zastrow, James Zastrow, and Paul Place guilty of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The four defendants and other protesters allegedly filled the interior hallway of the clinic, which was located on the second floor of a medical building. In addition, the defendants positioned themselves directly in front of the main clinic door for more than two hours, physically blocking access to the clinic and preventing patients from accessing it.
A man on MNPD’s Most Wanted list was arrested on Wednesday night. 24-year-old Aury Newsom is a convicted felon out of Sumner County, with 13 outstanding warrants, including eight burglary counts. Detectives found Newsom at a home on Buchanan Street. Police recovered two guns, one of which was reported stolen in La Vergne in 2021, at the home. Newsom is also charged with two counts of felon in possession of a handgun. He is being held on $463,500 bond.
Lawmakers are close to passing a bill that could arm teachers with guns. HB1202/SB1325 would not require but would allow people who work at schools to carry concealed guns on school property. The bill was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) presented the bill, that will allow certain staff members to carry concealed guns in schools. They would also have to get a psychological evaluation, background check, and 40 hours of training per year. The bill is on target to clear the Senate but is held on the desk in the House. That means it’s not going anywhere, but that could change — it could be amended or added to another bill.
