Forecast:

Thursday, May 24: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange), OZONE

WHO IS AFFECTED?

People with lung disease (including asthma), active adults and children are most affected by ground level ozone. Individuals in the above groups should consider cutting back or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities until air quality improves. If you are sensitive to air pollution, check with your doctor for more specific steps you should take on Air Alert days.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION

LOSE THE CAR KEYS - Share a ride to work or use public transportation.

PACK YOUR LUNCH- Avoid that extra trip out in the middle of the day to get lunch & eat in the office with co-workers.

DRIVE SMART - Combine errands, skip the drive thru, limit engine idling, and avoid rush hour.

DON'T GET FIRED UP IN THE YARD - Avoid using gas-powered yard equipment, and save the grilling out for another day.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH

This Air Quality Alert can include predicted high levels of ozone.

The highest ozone levels usually occur from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Middle Tennessee, so reschedule or cut back on outdoor activities, particularly during these times. Active children, active adults, and people with respiratory diseases are the most vulnerable.

A middle school football coach in Cheatham County faces a charge of sexual battery by an authority figure for allegedly having inappropriate relations with a 15-year-old girl.  See Full Aricle

Courtesy of Nashville's News 2 WKRN

Picture courtesy of WKRN Nashville News 2, Karen Higbee

There's something fishy about Brad Chapman who has become the unofficial "catfish chunker" for the Nashville Predators.

Chapman told Nashville's News 2 it is a tradition each time the Preds score a goal to throw out a catfish on the rink's ice, where it remains until one of the ice girl's removes it. See Full Story

Courtesy of Nashville's News 2 WKRN

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will close a three mile section of I-24 near downtown Nashville this weekend for a major bridge rehabilitation project over Main and Woodland Streets.

I-24 eastbound and westbound will be closed from the I-24/I-65 split north of downtown to the I-24/I-40 split east of downtown beginning Friday May 4th, at 9:00 p.m.  The interstate will open no later than Monday May 7th, at 5:00 a.m.

In addition, Main Street and Woodland Street, from South 5th Street to Interstate Drive, will be closed to perform bridge repairs. Detours will be in place.

*All work is weather dependent.

This is the project’s second closure and workers will be removing deteriorated concrete from the bridge decks and setting pre-fabricated deck panels in place. The repairs are part of an $8.7 million project to rehabilitate bridges that were built in 1961. The project will require the total closure of a section of I-24 for 13 weekends this spring and summer.

Drivers passing through downtown Nashville will follow detour signs instructing them to take the west loop (I-40/I-65) around downtown.  Project closures and detour maps are available at http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/i24bridges/maps.shtml. A new East Nashville specific map, along with other maps to access downtown has recently been added.

TDOT will use its overhead Dynamic Message Signs and portable message boards to direct motorists around the closure. Drivers are advised to be alert and follow the posted directions. Law enforcement officers will be on site in the work zone to provide traffic control as the work is being completed. TDOT also asks drivers to use caution, reduce their speed and be alert to changing traffic conditions in work zones across the state.

For more information on TDOT construction project activity visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/.  Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information or can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel information or www.twitter.com/Nashville511 for traffic information in the Nashville area.  Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly.  Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle.  TDOT advises drivers to “Know before you go!” by checking traffic conditions before leaving for their destination.

Metro police on Thursday arrested a Brentwood man found earlier this month hiding in the closet of a home in the Bradford Hills subdivision of south Nashville... See Full Article

Courtesy of WKRN.com

Reported By Tiani Jones, Reporter

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka (www.sperka.biz). Enjoy!

Tennessee’s History Festival will be held Nov. 11-12 at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville. With a focus on Civil War history, the event blends education and entertainment, allowing school groups and families to experience day-to-day soldier life during this important time in history. In year’s past, the festival has drawn more than 6,000 visitors to the park.

"Tennessee’s History Festival offers something for the entire family and all age groups,” said Park Manager Mike Cole. “As we continue to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Tennessee’s involvement in the Civil War, I encourage everyone to join us for an up-close look into what military life was like during the 1860s.”

With its “Struggle for the Heartland” theme, the two-day festival will feature multiple displays and demonstrations by re-enactors and living history interpreters. A highlight of this year’s festival will be a re-enactment of a Civil War skirmish between Northern and Southern troops, demonstrating black-powder weaponry. Visitors will get an opportunity to observe how cannons were loaded and fired by Porter’s Battery of Clarksville, Tenn.

Civil War stories will come alive as participants see and hear from Generals Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee and George H. Thomas, along with special appearances by the 13th United States Colored Troops and the 19th Alabama civilian encampment. Infantry and artillery demonstrations will include how to march in formation, inspections and drills.

The festival is free and open to the public. Activities will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. School groups are encouraged to plan their visits for Friday, Nov. 11, and must register in advance. Educators may arrange for bus parking and special informational packets for their visits. School group reservations may be made by contacting Park Manager Mike Cole at (615) 741-5800.

Tennessee’s History Festival is made possible by the generous support of Tennessee State Parks and Bridgestone Americas.

The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is located at the foot of the State Capitol in downtown Nashville. The 19-acre park was designed to complement the Capitol and give visitors a taste of Tennessee's history and natural wonders, while serving as a lasting monument to Tennessee's Bicentennial celebration. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park recently celebrated recognition as one of the American Planning Association’s Top 10 Great Public Spaces for 2011.

Additional details about the park can be found at www.tnstateparks.com/Bicentennial. For more information about Tennessee’s History Festival, please call the park office at (615) 741-5280.

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