I swear, rarely a week goes by that I don’t get an email or call from someone asking me to look into something they have seen or heard or received a forwarded email about.

Sometimes they turn into “What’s Up with That?” columns. Sometimes I put them on my “to-do” list and never get to them; that happens more than I like to admit. Other times they are so ridiculous that they don’t even deserve the time of day.

For instance, did you hear that Dr. Mike Looney’s kids go to private school? That’s one of the rumors I was recently asked to investigate.

I went straight to the source on that one. The Williamson County Schools superintendent assured me his kids go to their districted public schools.

Which brings me to the point of today’s column. The school district’s In Focus online newsletter is a great source of information.  It’s put together by the infamous Carol Birdsong (don’t get excited yet kids; no snow is forecast anytime soon), Lydia Glenn and the rest of the communications crew in the Central Office.

It also has a section that's aptly called the “Rumor Mill.”

“The purpose of this section is to answer any questions parents, teachers or community members might have regarding the school district and to set the record straight in regards to any rumors that might be circulating.  If you have a question or have heard a rumor that you would like for us to address, simply SEND US your questions and we will respond to them in upcoming issues of IN FOCUS,” it starts out.

The current issue features a question about the status of a new Nolensville High School, a topic which should interest more than a few parents with kids at overcrowded Ravenwood.  There’s also one about the district’s grandfathering policy.

So, what’s up with that, anyway? Well, since I hate to spread rumors, I’ll let you go to the site and find out for yourself. And you may want to bookmark it. Who knows what the Rumor Mill will be up to next month …

Let’s put out some fires, shall we?

Speaking of misinformation, the city is reminding residents that your property taxes fund Brentwood’s Fire and Rescue Department. Several people have contacted the city about solicitation letters they have received for a donation to the Williamson County Rescue Squad, Inc.  

The letter indicates that this organization provides primary fire protection services in Brentwood. It doesn’t.

“None of the funds raised through these types of solicitation efforts ever goes to the Brentwood Fire and Rescue Department. The Brentwood Fire and Rescue Department will never directly solicit funds from residents either via mail or telephone,” a communication from the city stresses.

If you want to find out more about our full-time, professional department that’s celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year, don’t miss Tuesday’s Brentwood Home Page. We’re kicking off a two-part series on it!

Susan Leathers is editor of Brentwood Home Page. Click here to read previous columns. Email her at susan@brentwoodhomepage.com