TriStar Baby Box

TriStar staff pose with the recently unveiled Safe Haven Baby Box. 

 Courtesy of TriStar Nolensville

TriStar Nolensville has installed a Safe Haven Baby Box, marking the first of its kind in Williamson County. 

There are more than 300 baby boxes nationally, in an effort to prevent abandoning of infants. Before the Nolensville addition, the closest baby boxes were located at the Murfreesboro Fire Department and a Hendersonville fire station. 

Under Tennessee law, mothers can surrender babies anonymously up until they are 45 days old. The state presumes that the infant’s parent terminates their parental rights, though the parent can change their mind within 30 days and work with Department of Children's Services to reunite with the child. 

“This Safe Haven Baby Box represents what can happen when a community speaks up about what it needs,” said Nick Howald, chief executive officer at TriStar Southern Hills. “Nolensville leaders expressed a desire to bring this lifesaving resource to the area, and we listened. We are honored to help provide a safe option for parents in crisis and, ultimately, to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”

TriStar opened its Nolensville emergency department in October 2025, and plans another freestanding emergency room in Fairview (along with Ascension Saint Thomas).  

Whataburger to open second Williamson location  

Whataburger is set to open its second Williamson County location. 

The latest Whataburger location is set to open on Tuesday at 3075 Mallory Lane, the former site of a Fifth Third Bank, which has since been demolished.  

The Texas-based chain also has a location in Brentwood at 5004 Maryland Way as well as locations in Hermitage, Gallatin, Lebanon, Murfreesboro, Smyrna and Madison. 

“We want this restaurant to be more than just a place to grab a burger — our team is committed to showing up for Franklin, supporting local schools and organizations, and building genuine connections with the neighbors we’re proud to serve,” Operating Partner Jorge Palma said in a press release.  

California-based In-N-Out Burgers recently opened a Franklin location, with plans to add 277 jobs at the corporate headquarters in Franklin.

TEDxFranklin plans March event 

 TEDx Franklin is set to produce a live speaking event featuring local leaders this month.  

On March 28 at Columbia State Community College’s Williamson Campus, 12 people are set to speak for 12 minutes each, including Pam Lewis of PLA Media, Chris Whitney of OneGenAway and realtor Erin Krueger. Executive coach Dan Ryan has served as an organizer of the event since March 2025. 

The first TEDx Franklin event, an independently run local faction of TEDx, took place in March 2022.  

“This will be a great opportunity for community members to hear from a wide range of voices about how we develop and grow community here, and it will also be an opportunity for speakers to improve their skills and deliver their messages,” according to a press release.