Good morning, Murfreesboro.

The 50th annual Harvest Days festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct.

24, at Cannonsburgh Village. The event features blacksmith demonstrations (by the Rutherford County Blacksmith Association), live music, clogging, a car show, food trucks, and crafts with free admission.

On Friday, Sept. 11, three Murfreesboro Fire Rescue firefighters and 15 new MFRD recruits climbed 110 flights at the Doug Young Public Safety Training Center to honor the 343 firefighters who died 25 years ago in the September 11 tragedy.

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, Eagleville firefighters rescued a 100-pound tortoise found deep in a culvert near a home—returning it to its relieved owner around 12:06 p.m. without injuries.

On Sept. 10, MTSU’s Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment hosted a 9/11 remembrance panel where panelists Ray Di Pietro, Leon Alligood and Ben Hall shared their firsthand reflections from covering the attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, with Emily West moderating the discussion.

MTSU will launch a biweekly pay schedule for hourly and student employees in January when its new True Blue Fusion payroll system goes live—after a three-year push by United Campus Workers.

The Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department recently promoted Brandon McCullough to captain, Kelson Mulcahy to safety officer, Christopher Spencer to engineer, and Luke Zimmerman to engineer—each having served between 5 and 11 years.

Fire Chief Mark McCluskey said the promotions reflect their commitment + hard work.

The first-ever Hops Half Marathon runs on Oct.

24 at Hops Springs with a 13.1-mile course and a one-mile family run option starting at 7 a.m., followed by a fall festival at 11 a.m.; the event benefits the Child Advocacy Center serving Rutherford and Cannon counties.

Middle Tennessee volleyball returns home Friday at Alumni Memorial Gymnasium to host Georgia State and Murray State in its first home series after six road matches.

The team is ready to build on its 4-2 start.

Rockvale remained undefeated at 4-0 after beating Stewarts Creek 49-7 on Friday night in a Region 3-6A game.

The Rockets are the only unbeaten team in the county, with Jamarcus Brown and Romeo George each rushing for over 100 yards in the win.