State preps to expand hospital capacity, plus four other Nashville updates

Gov. Bill Lee’s economic recovery group announced plans to lift capacity restrictions on restaurants and businesses in Tennessee as well as to reopen larger, noncontact attractions by May 22. (Dylan Skye Aycock/Community Impact Newspaper)

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By Community Impact staff | 7:00 AM May 30, 2020 CDT

Here are five recent updates from the Nashville area on businesses reopening, the path to economic recovery and more.

Capacity restrictions lifted from restaurants, retailers in Tennessee; large attractions can also reopen

Beginning May 22, restaurants and retail businesses throughout the state can reopen at full capacity while continuing to maintain safety practices outlined in the Tennessee Pledge,

Shalimar Fine Indian Cuisine in Green Hills to close at end of May

After three decades in Green Hills, Shalimar Fine Indian Cuisine will permanently close May 26 at 3711 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville.

Long road to economic recovery begins in Williamson County

Following Gov. Bill Lee’s announcement of the Tennessee Pledge on April 24, restaurants, businesses and local municipalities in Williamson County have begun work to reopen during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Tennessee preps alternate care site in Nashville to increase COVID-19 hospital capacity in region

Tennessee's COVID-19 Unified Command Group announced plans May 28 to establish an alternate care site at Nashville General Hospital to expand hospital capacity for the treatment of coronavirus patients.

Businesses slowly reopen according to Metro Nashville guidelines

After 53 days of being closed down, city officials allowed restaurants and retail businesses in Nashville to reopen May 11 at half capacity, initiating the phased reopening of the state’s largest economic area.

Dylan Skye Aycock and Wendy Sturges contributed to this report.

By Community Impact staff

MOST RECENT

A new alderperson will be sworn into the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Feb. 9. (Screenshot via City of Franklin)

Franklin BOMA appoints former Mayor John Schroer to vacant city seat

Schroer served as mayor from 2007-11 and will fill an at-large seat left vacant following the death of former Alderperson Pearl Bransford in November.

Outdoor dining rules for businesses in Brentwood have been extended. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Brentwood extends temporary outdoor dining guidelines through April

The resolution extends rules on outdoor dining spaces through April 30.

DATA: Williamson County's population grew by 16% in 5 years; plus more community data for Franklin, Brentwood

Williamson County's population growth over the last five years was more than four times the state's growth rate of 3.9%.

The Tennessee Department of Health issued an update to its vaccine plan Jan. 22. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Tennessee Department of Health updates COVID-19 vaccine plan to move up families of medically fragile children, correctional officers

The TDH has also updated preliminary timelines on when those who qualify for the vaccine based on age could receive it.

Chrysalis Modern Italian now open in Cool Springs

A new eatery is now open on Carothers Parkway.

The state has taken steps in the past weeks to vaccinate at-risk populations. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Vets age 65+ can get VA vaccine; Perry's Steakhouse to open and more top Franklin, Brentwood news

Read the top stories from the past week from the Franklin and Brentwood areas.

Williamson County Schools has named 21 open-zoned schools for the 2021-22 school year. (Wendy Sturges/Community Impact Newspaper)

Williamson County Schools approves open zoning for select campuses

For parents of students who wish to change schools before the start of the 2021-22 school year, the Williamson County Schools board of education has approved 21 open-zoned schools.

Tennessee VA now offering COVID-19 vaccine for veterans age 65 and older

Veterans in Tennessee age 65 and older may now qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine through the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

A number of parents and community members have called for more parental involvement and district training regarding racism in schools. (Community Impact staff)

Parents, teachers call for more training to address racism in Williamson County Schools

During the WCS Board of Education meeting Jan. 19, a number of community members spoke about a lack of training and resources to address racial tension at schools, as well as a need for the district to more directly address incidents.

Williamson County active COVID-19 cases drop more than 20% in past week

Active cases have been consistently above 2,000 in recent weeks.

Williamson County Schools, state address effects of COVID-19 on learning loss

According to preliminary data from assessments given to students in the fall, Williamson County Schools officials calculated that some students have lost as much as 9% proficiency in reading and math as a result of school closure last spring. This number is lower than the 50%-65% decreases estimated by the Tennessee Department of Education officials in September; however, local officials said, there is still catching up to do.

The shop is expected to hold open house events Feb. 5-6 to celebrate its opening. (Courtesy Pexels)

New boutique Valentine House now open in Westhaven in Franklin

The shop is expected to have open house events Feb. 5-6 to celebrate its opening.