Cool Cafe now serving Franklin; district to launch 2 online-only schools and more top area news

The Cool Cafe Burger ($14) features a cast-iron cooked beef patty topped with fried onions, provolone cheese and a housemade steak sauce. (Courtesy Cool Cafe)

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By CI Staff Compilation | 7:00 AM Apr 24, 2021 CDT

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

Cool Cafe in Franklin focuses on from-scratch fare

For Cool Café chef and owner Tim Ness, home cooking means cooking from scratch, which includes everything from making salad dressings to hand-peeling the 250 pounds of potatoes the restaurant goes through daily.

Williamson County Schools to launch two online-only schools for 2021-22

Following a unanimous approval from the school board April 19, Williamson County Schools will begin work to launch two online schools for the 2021-22 school year for students who wish to continue online learning: one for grades K-8 and one for grades 9-12.

Kate and Lulu's Kitchen closes in Westhaven

Kate and Lulu's Kitchen, located at 158 Front St., Ste. 110, Franklin, closed in early spring after five months of business.

Advanced Correctional Healthcare Inc. to relocate operations to Williamson County

Health care company Advanced Correctional Healthcare Inc. will relocate its offices to Franklin, according to an April 21 announcement from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

25% of Williamson County residents fully vaccinated as Tenn. works to reach those hesitant to receive doses

One in four Williamson County residents are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Health.

Wendy Sturges contributed to this report.

By CI Staff Compilation

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The next phase of Berry Farms, Chadwell, will be located south of Berry Farms and west of I-65. (Rendering courtesy Boyle, Gamble Design Collaboartive)

Franklin approves zoning for Chadwell, the next phase of Berry Farms

The mixed-use project will feature 1,650 dwelling units, 1.57 million square feet of commercial space and 450 hotel rooms.

Main Street Festival happens each summer along historic Main Street in downtown Franklin, Tennessee. (Courtesy Visit Franklin)

Outdoor concerts, festivals and more: 10 events coming to Franklin, Brentwood this summer

Check out which events are making a comeback this summer.

Big Bad Breakfast is now open in Cool Springs. (Wendy Sturges/Community Impact Newspaper)

Big Bad Breakfast now open in Franklin

The eatery offers signature dishes, such as shrimp and grits, house-cured Tabasco brown sugar bacon, and chicken and waffles.

Residents will have until May 2023 to obtain a Real ID. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Real ID deadline extended to 2023; Brentwood debuts new police HQ and more top area news

Read the top business and community news from the past week from the Franklin and Brentwood areas.

Williamson County Schools will not require face masks for summer programs. (Screenshot via wcs.org)

Williamson County Schools to make masks optional for summer programs; officials optimistic masks will not be needed this fall

WCS Superintendent Jason Golden said the district does not anticipate masks will be required this fall if trends continue and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to lessen restrictions.

CDC ends all mask requirements for fully vaccinated people

The guidance states fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks indoors or outdoors.

The city of Brentwood will host a vaccine pop-up event May 22. (Courtesy Texas Children’s Hospital)

Brentwood to host vaccine pop-up event for residents age 12 and older

The Tennessee Department of Health will be administering the Pfizer vaccine, which has been approved for those age 12 and older.

Masks will be optional during summer programming at Franklin Special School District. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Franklin Special School District to make masks optional for summer programming; discuss options for next school year

As of June 1, face masks will no longer be mandatory for students and staff attending summer programs.

Officials are urging residents not to hoard gas during a regional shortage. (Courtesy Fotolia)

Officials caution against gas hoarding amid outages in Middle Tennessee, plus resources on where to find fuel

According to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, drivers should only take what they need, so as not to cause more outages.

The company is expected to move 160 employees to the area over the next 2-3 years. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Radio network nonprofit Educational Media Foundation to relocate headquarters to Cool Springs

The organization operates KLOVE, a Christian radio station, as well as podcasts and Air1.

The city of Franklin approved a resolution May 11 to rename two street portions after Black leaders. (Wendy Sturges/Community Impact Newspaper)

Franklin renames two street portions after Black leaders

The streets will be named for Martin Luther King Jr. and ANC Williams, the first Black business owner in Franklin.

US Department of Homeland Security extends Real ID deadline until 2023

Drivers will have until May 2023 to get the Real ID, which will be required for adults boarding a U.S. commercial flight.