By JENNIFER HORTON 
The Wilson Post
 
Lebanon Police are seeking information regarding the assault of a female juvenile that occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 20. The assault on the victim, who is 17, reportedly occurred at Don Fox Park in Lebanon at about 4:40 p.m.

Chief Scott Bowen said officers responded to the Sonic Drive-In on West Main Street where the victim works to investigate the assault after the girl’s mother called police.

The girl, according to a news release, told officers that she was jogging on the track at the park and noticed a turtle was in her path. She stopped to pick it up and take it back to the creek, she said, when two unidentified white males approached her from behind and hit her, knocking her down and causing her to become dizzy.

From Post Staff Reports

Kevin Beaty has been named the new Chief Operating Officer at Wilson County Motors.

A native of Lebanon, Beaty began his career in the automotive industry in 1996. In January 2004, he took on the position of National Product Specialist for Buick and GMC, rising to the top of his field. He played a lead role in all major launch events for Buick-GMC, Chevrolet and Cadillac, most recently the 2013 Buick Encore National Media Event. 

He noted he is excited to once again be working in the community, as COO for Wilson County Automotive (Motors), which allows him to go home every night to his wife Melanie and three children, Bryce, 16; Brandon, 11; and Grayce, 9. They are members of the Lebanon First Baptist Church.

By SABRINA GARRETT
The Wilson Post 

Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead proclaimed Feb. 21 as "Doug Shepherd Day" in honor of longtime Walmart Super Center Manager Doug Shepherd. Shepherd has been with Walmart for 25 years, beginning with a position as a cart associate while working on his college degree.

He is officially resigning from his current position Friday to take on another role as a regional manager with the company.

From Post Staff Reports

Michelle Hill, executive director of Empower Me Day Camp, accepted a check for $750 from Clark Boyd, president of the Rotary Club of Lebanon.

The donation helped underwrite the cost of the organization’s annual Christmas Day Camp which serves more than 60 children from the community. The Rotary Club of Lebanon gives grants through its own “Rotary Club of Lebanon Foundation.” The Rotary Club of Lebanon meets weekly on Tuesdays at 12:30p.m. at the Lebanon Golf & Country Club.

For more information on applying for a Rotary Club of Lebanon grant, visit www.lebanontnrotary.org. 

By SABRINA GARRETT
The Wilson Post

Wilson County Joint Economic & Community Development Executive Director G.C. Hixson declined to confirm if Duke Realty’s plans for a 688,000-square-foot warehouse development at Park 840 in Lebanon will indeed be a Starbucks’ distribution center – but one thing is for certain – whatever company that plans to occupy the space has promised local folks new jobs.

While Hixson would not confirm that Starbucks would be the new occupant at Park 840, two other local officials have both said Starbucks is locating a distribution center here. 

“They are getting close to doing a lease deal, but to my knowledge they have not yet signed. I cannot confirm who it is,” Hixson said, adding that steps have been taken in the city and county to make the spot more attractive to the company in a competitive market.

On Tuesday night, the Lebanon City Council approved a six-year tax abatement for the unnamed company, provided they create 150 new jobs over a three-year period.

Hixson explained that they are using conservative numbers and only consider full-time jobs when it comes to qualifying for a tax abatement program. However, the actual number of new hires could be more if the company chooses to hire temporary or seasonal employees.

“There will be 150 new jobs over a three-year period, 120 temp-to-hire and almost 300 full-time employees brought in from an existing Middle Tennessee location,” Hixson said.

According to a company website, Starbucks runs five regional distribution centers in the U.S.; two are company-owned and the other three are operated by third-party logistics companies.

The company also has two distribution centers in Europe and two in Asia, all of which are managed by third parties.

Coffee, however, is only one of many products held at these warehouses. They also handle other items required by Starbucks' retail outlets—everything from furniture to cappuccino mix.

The Wilson Post first reported the Project Zinc plan in the Jan. 25 edition of the newspaper.