News - Murfreesboro News & Opinions

Michelle Willard

About

Michelle Willard is a freelance journalist and Award-winning newspaper reporter. Recovering archaeologist. Political nerd. True crime junkie. Local know-it-all.

Registered: Oct 04, 2017

Articles

Slideshows

Fill out your damn Census

Jun 29, 2020 at 10:00 am by Michelle Willard

As we celebrate Independence Day, Murfreesboro residents are reminded to "Be Counted" and fill out your damn census. The 2020 Census is a civic duty vital to the communi.... Read More

TBI Report: Crime in Rutherford County increased 8.9% in 2019

Jun 26, 2020 at 10:00 am by Michelle Willard

As a whole, Tennessee saw a 5 percent decrease in crime in 2019, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's 2019 "Crime in Tennessee" report. The report, released T.... Read More

UPDATED: Murfreesboro victim shot in arm in fifth shooting within a week

Jun 26, 2020 at 07:37 am by Michelle Willard

Murfreesboro Police officers responded the fifth serious shooting within a week on Wednesday. According to a press release, officers reported to a shooting at Forrest Oa.... Read More

UPDATED: Fourth shooting in a week in Murfreesboro puts 2 victims in hospital

Jun 22, 2020 at 06:30 pm by Michelle Willard

Murfreesboro Police Department Criminal Investigations Division detectives are investigating a botched drug deal and attempted robbery that led to the shooting of two men in t.... Read More

Murfreesboro's annual Juneteenth celebrate goes virtual

Jun 19, 2020 at 08:00 am by Michelle Willard

In honor of Juneteenth, CityTV hosted a virtual event at 8 a.m. June 19 on Facebook as well as the City’s YouTube channel. The virtual celebration also aired on Cit.... Read More

Murfreesboro attorney accused of coercing clients into sex as payment

Jun 17, 2020 at 02:29 pm by Michelle Willard

An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Rutherford County attorney, charged with multiple counts of rape..... Read More

Panther Crew Brews opens tap room June 20

Jun 15, 2020 at 11:25 am by Michelle Willard

The boys from Panther Creek Brews had aimed for March to open their new taproom on West Main Street, but, just like the rest of us, their plans were derailed by the global pan.... Read More

Murfreesboro wants to improve its 'brand' and other things from the city budget

Jun 12, 2020 at 09:00 am by Michelle Willard 2

One of the most interesting points in the budget is the city's willingness to use taxpayer money to "Establish a Brand." Just like a vaping high school student who wants to be.... Read More

Madelyn Scales Harris addresses racism during Murfreesboro City Council meeting

Jun 10, 2020 at 07:00 am by Michelle Willard 3

Murfreesboro Vice Mayor Madelyn Scales Harris spoke about her experiences with racism in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County at the City Council meeting on June 4. She sp.... Read More

Corona quarantine drains nearly $200M from state's coffers

Jun 09, 2020 at 09:57 am by Michelle Willard

Prepare for some belt tightening, Tennesseans. The good news is the state's revenue only dropped about 16 percent in April, the first full month that was Corona-canceled.... Read More

Gatsby Party goes virtual with a murder mystery

Jun 08, 2020 at 01:21 pm by Michelle Willard

Every year, hundreds gather in their best Roaring 1920s attire for the annual Gatsby Party of Rutherford County. But like many events this year, the Gatsby was canceled..... Read More

Tim Rudd speaking at the Tennessee General Assembly

Why does Tim Rudd want to hide campaign disclosures?

Jun 02, 2020 at 08:00 am by Michelle Willard 6

According to the Tennessee Journal, a bill sponsored by Murfreesboro State Rep. Tim Rudd would reduce the transparency on candidates' fundraising activity in the run-up t.... Read More

Murfreesboro mayor to address pandemic (but not anything else) in live briefing June 1

Jun 01, 2020 at 09:31 am by Michelle Willard 2

The city of Murfreesboro announced Mayor Shane McFarland will hold a live televised briefing at 6 p.m. Monday, June 1 to update citizens on Covid-19. "This Facebook Live.... Read More

Day in Corona: Nissan expects 20% decline in revenue in 2020, prepares to reopen Smyrna plant

May 29, 2020 at 09:13 am by Michelle Willard

Local carmaker Nissan Motor Co. has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Production has been halted for a couple of months now at the Smyrna vehicle assembly plant and no o.... Read More

Rutherford County marks 1,000 COVID-19 cases over Memorial Day Weekend

May 27, 2020 at 07:00 am by Michelle Willard

Rutherford County reached an unfortunate milestone over the Memorial Day holiday weekend as its number of COVID-19 positive cases rose to more than 1,000. The Tennessee Depar.... Read More