Latest news with #Bransford
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Franklin begins construction on inclusive park named after former alderman
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — After ten years of planning, the City of Franklin has started construction on 'The Pearl,' an inclusive park named after former Alderman Pearlene Bransford. Phase one of the project will include a playground for children of all abilities, lacrosse fields and football fields, which will serve as the home for the Franklin Cowboys. VIDEO: City of Franklin, TN introduces new chatbot 'Her [Alderman Bransford's] spirit is here and happy for this,' Jessica Bransford, Alderman Bransford's daughter, said. '…She was an outdoorsy person. She loved nature. She loved people. She loved all people and this is what this park is going to stand for and we're glad to be a part of it.' The park's inclusive playground will be called Ellie G's Dream World and is named after a girl born with a terminal form of dwarfism. She passed away when she was four years old. Her legacy will live on in Franklin for years to come. 'Our boys know that she [Ellie G] is very much a part of our family … It's also going to be relevant to everyone in the community,' said Ellie G's mother, Samantha Castro. NOVEMBER 2023: Franklin nonprofit raising money for city's first inclusive playground 'Whether you're a 10-year-old and maybe you have a 15-year-old brother who is in a wheelchair — you guys can come and you can play together,' said Brandon Castro, Ellie G's father. 'If you have a father — maybe he's paralyzed from the waist down — it gives him the ability to come do stuff with his children also. It really provides an ability for all ages to come and play together.' Construction of the park has been made possible by nearly $1 million in donations from people in the community. Future phases of the park will feature sand volleyball courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts and an educational walking trail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Franklin to name new 233-acre park after former Alderman Pearl Bransford
The Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen recently voted to name its new 233-acre municipal complex after a former alderman who died in 2020. The Southeast Municipal Complex and Robinson Lake will be known as 'The Pearlene M. Bransford Complex' once it opens to the public. An exact construction timeline has not yet been released for the project, but the complex is expected to break ground later this month, according to city officials. Despite having West Tennessee roots, Bransford was a Franklin resident for more than 35 years and held elected office for almost 25 of them. At the time of her death, she was serving the city as an at-large alderman, a position she'd held since 2007. Bransford had also served as a member of the Franklin Special School District Board of Education for 11 years. 'Pearl brought immense energy to her work as an alderman and there was never a question as to where she stood on issues when she voiced her opinion," Franklin Mayor Ken Moore said. "She knew how to stand firm, and at the same time, be flexible. Placing her name on the Southeast Park recognizes her passion for community parks but also her broad contribution as an elected leader. "Her council is still missed every day.' Bransford championed historic preservation, especially in Franklin's traditionally Black neighborhoods. She was serving her fourth term as the only Black member of the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen when she died. In 2002, she established Natchez Place Inc. and worked to place the Natchez Street area on the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, Bransford was an advocate for affordable housing and served on the City's Housing Commission. When she wasn't serving as an elected official, Bransford was championing healthcare workers. She earned at bachelor's degree in nursing from Tennessee State University, another bachelor's degree in health arts from the University of St. Francis in Illinois and a master's degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University before embarking on an 18-year nursing career at Vanderbilt Medical Center. In 2021, Bransford's family and Franklin Tomorrow partnered to create a scholarship in her honor with funding to support students pursuing degrees in the health sciences at Columbia State Community College. The Pearl Bransford Memorial Scholarship Fund was endowed with $50,000 thanks to local and global donations. At the time, the scholarship was hailed as an expression of love for a woman who loved her community. The new complex is just another way Franklin intends to honor Bransford, the city noted. Once completed, the newly-named Pearlene M. Bransford Complex will feature an inclusive playground, football and lacrosse fields, Clean Water Facility, educational walking trail along the Harpeth River and other amenities, plans show. This story includes prior reporting from Tennessean staff. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: New Franklin park to be named for former Alderman Pearl Bransford
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woodbury teen killed in Friday crash ‘so beloved' by all who knew her
A Woodbury teen who died in a car crash last week was remembered Monday as a 'beloved' member of her school community with a generous, contagious and authentic smile. Elizabeth 'Libby' Radecki, 17, died in a car crash Friday in West Lakeland Township. One of the teachers at St. Croix Preparatory Academy, which Radecki attended said that the 17-year-old was 'so beloved!' 'She had the most contagious, authentic smile, and she was generous with it. Her optimism and enthusiasm brightened every space she entered, and our small community feels her loss profoundly,' said Elaine Bransford, the Upper School Teaching and Learning Coordinator at the school. Radecki had many interests, Bransford said, including Mock Trial 'where she dominated the courtroom,' the philosophy club 'where she raised profound and interesting questions about the world' and track and field, which she had been missing since being sidelined by an injury. In addition, Radecki had a 'deep and authentic faith,' she said. 'The unimaginable loss of this brilliant, inspiring young woman has shaken us deeply. There simply are not the right words to express to her family how saddened we are by this tragedy, and how grateful we are that you allowed us the privilege of knowing Elizabeth Radecki,' Bransford said in an email. Camp Daniel, a Wisconsin church camp where she volunteered as a counselor posted about her on social media, saying 'Libby was someone who was easy to love. She had a big, bright, loving personality. With a servant's heart and a positive attitude, she embraced every task, whether scrubbing toilets or caring for her camper. She made countless friendships and left a lasting impact on those around her.' Her mother responded to that post and commented how important the camp had been to the teen. In her own post, her mother, Dawn Radecki said, 'Words cannot express our family's brokenness. Thank you to our village for all of the love and support and Rest in Peace until we're all united again in Christ my Libby Lu.' Shortly after 4 p.m., Friday deputies were called to a two-car crash on Stagecoach Trail North and 10th Street North in West Lakeland Township. Deputies and personnel from the Bayport Fire Department and Lakeview EMS attempted life-saving measures but Radecki died at the scene. The other driver was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. There were no passengers in either vehicle. The Minnesota State Patrol is helping to investigate the crash. Authorities say it appears that Friday's weather was a factor in the crash. Crime & Public Safety | A Vermont border agent's death, a MN native, was the latest violence linked to the cultlike Zizian group Crime & Public Safety | In a year of sorrow, the women closest to Burnsville's fallen first responders lean on each other Crime & Public Safety | 2 charged after Minnesota residents scammed out of $50,000 Crime & Public Safety | Woodbury teen killed in Washington County crash Friday afternoon Crime & Public Safety | 2021 police shooting of Winston Smith justified, Hennepin County attorney says
