Good morning, Murfreesboro.

Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation will bring back its buy one, get one deal on Individual Yearly and Individual Monthly passes at Patterson Park Community Center and Sports*Com, running from Monday, Dec.

15 through Jan. 18 at 5 p.m. Passes must be bought in person.

Jim Demos, the founder of Toot’s and Demos’ Restaurant, died Dec.

10 at 91 (he was known for his family recipes and community mentorship) and his restaurants remain local favorites in Murfreesboro, Lebanon and Hendersonville.

In-N-Out opened a new restaurant in Middle Tennessee on Dec.

10, including the Murfreesboro location at 2508 Medical Center Parkway, and is hiring part-time staff with wages from $17.50 to $21.75 an hour (four sites across the region).

Teachers nominated by local school staff in Middle Tennessee are competing in The Tennessean Best Teacher poll for the fall semester — community members can vote online until noon Dec.

17.

At its Dec. 9 meeting, the Murfreesboro City Schools board discussed new state laws that require a charter school review team to evaluate any charter school applications.

No intent letters were received by the Dec. 3 deadline, but the school district will keep the team ready to review future proposals.

Many states will raise the minimum wage in 2026 — Tennessee will remain at the federal rate of $7.25 with no new increase, as a recent bill to raise wages failed.

Rick Hall announced his reelection bid for District 3 today.

He was appointed in August 2025 to fill Michael Wrather's term and will run in the primary on May 5, 2026, aiming to boost public safety & improve fiscal management.

Local food establishments in Rutherford County earned perfect health scores of 100 from inspections conducted Dec.

4-11, including O2B Kids Murfreesboro, Samurai's Cuisine Bar, and Bella Brows Tattoo Studio. Inspections occur twice a year (reports are publicly posted) to maintain safety standards.

Cracker Barrel is celebrating the holiday season with offers (free toys with kids' meals until Dec.

24) and weekday Meals for Two specials, plus Heat and Serve holiday meals available for pickup Dec. 21-28. These family-friendly deals help locals plan festive meals without holiday stress.

Former Smyrna Bulldog star Arion Carter (a junior linebacker at Tennessee) was named second-team all-SEC after he recorded 76 tackles this season; he will play in the Music City Bowl against Illinois at Nissan Stadium on Dec.

30.

Paskong Pinoy 2025

6-11 p.m. — Clarion Inn Murfreesboro — Free entry — Celebrate Christmas with the Filipino American community through food, music, and joy.

POWER HOUR Networking - Murfreesboro

9-10 a.m. — Steak 'n Shake — Free entry — Connect with fellow Christian professionals to build valuable relationships and exchange referrals.

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders vs. Cumberland University Phoenix

1-2:30 p.m. — Murphy Athletic Center, 2650 Middle Tennessee Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN — Tickets available — Witness an exciting matchup between the Blue Raiders and the Phoenix in a thrilling basketball showdown.

Coco Fest Fundraiser

5-11 p.m. — Hop Springs — Tickets starting at $0.00 — Enjoy live music from local bands while supporting a cause to provide instruments and lessons to underprivileged children.