Good morning, Murfreesboro.

On Saturday, 7/25, Murfreesboro’s Historic Downtown Square hosted the 5th Annual Hot Chicken Festival (free admission, live music, and seven vendors competing with Nashville-style recipes) as guests sampled dishes and voted for Best in the BORO, Hottest of the Hot, and Most Creative.

MTSU, Shelbyville and Hoar Construction celebrated last Tuesday the topping-out ceremony for the new 52,000 sqft flight training center (with an evergreen tree and flag) located near U.S. 231 in Bedford County, and the project will complete in spring 2028 to support a growing pilot training program.

National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) celebrated its 55th anniversary this week at its Murfreesboro headquarters, marking decades of senior care service that began in 1971 and now includes 35 facilities across 11 states.

Layne-Watkins, a local expert, advises residents to store at least one gallon of water per person daily for emergencies and to use clean, food-grade containers to treat water by boiling or adding bleach.

He recommends replacing stored water every six months to help maintain a safe supply.

A national study of 300 cities names Murfreesboro tenth for first-time homebuyers — its real estate market ranked 14th, though affordability and quality of life scored 71st and 114th — and city officials say upcoming roadway projects may help ease congestion.

Columbia Academy football coach Rob Phillips faces a challenging 2026 season with seven road trips and three home games after losing key players (Wyatt Ayers, Alex Heffington) and with Nixon Love recovering from shoulder surgery.

The Bulldogs will start on Aug. 21 at Fayetteville as Phillips rebuilds the team.

Friday Night Live on the Square

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Main Street Murfreesboro — Free entry — Experience an evening of live music and dancing in the heart of downtown Murfreesboro.