Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 1-12-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for January 12, 2026

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.

We start with local news…

City Votes for Rate Increase (CDH)

Columbia City Council approved its final reading to raise Columbia Power & Water Systems' water rates in an effort to fund a more than half a billion-dollar project.

The controversial decision was made during the council's Jan. 8 meeting, which drew a packed house to city hall. It also came after nearly four hours of public comment, many of whom opposed the ordinance.

The final vote resulted in a 5-2 decision, with Mayor Chaz Molder and Ward 2 Councilman Charlie Huffman being the only opposing voices.

"It has been planned for decades, I just happen to believe personally, for the one vote I have on this council, that costs are at a point today where they are skyrocketing and those on a fixed income have been scared into oblivion out of the fear of potential increases here," Molder said. "That is why I cannot tonight justify a vote in favor, but it is not an indication as to my lack of confidence in the project itself. It's the timing of the project."

The ordinance, first introduced in December at its first of two readings, will raise CPWS water rates by 20% this year, which will then be compounded by additional increases of up to 20% for the next five years.

CPWS has previously stated the need for a long-term water solution isn't necessarily anything new, but dates back 25 years to 2001 when Tennessee Valley Authority identified the need for a new downstream intake.

There is also the 100-year-old infrastructure at the Columbia dam at the Duck River located off Riverside Drive, which CPWS CEO Jonathan Hardin said has reached the end of its life cycle. Not only is the structure in need of replacement, but it also poses a serious threat in the event of a catastrophic event, such as a drought.

"We have spent millions in reinforcing that dam to the best of our ability to make it last longer," Hardin said. "We understand if we had a 1988 or 2007-2008 drought again, we would have a very difficult time meeting that flow ... quite possibly wouldn't be able to use the intake and would have to incorporate drastic cutbacks to maintain service."

Hardin also said the 20% increases compounded year over year will be "worst case scenario" numbers, and that CPWS will conduct annual evaluations as to what future increases will total.

"We have to be prepared to serve, and this has been vetted as the best and least-cost option," Hardin said. "I'm excited to talk about how we can incorporate this into making sure we can execute it, and every year make sure the cost-of-service drives rate actions, and that we keep that as minimal as possible."

CPWS Vice President of Water Resources Matt Wheeler detailed the $520 million program cost and what it will fund, which in this case he said includes the total project estimate.

"That total program cost includes everything from design through the permitting, easement acquisitions, mitigations of environmental and historic properties, construction costs and engineering services during construction," Wheeler said. "It's an all-in cost for the program. Normally, when you hear people quoting the costs of pipelines and things like that, they are only giving you that construction cost."

In addition to the planned downstream intake, CPWS will also be using rate increase funds to expand its water treatment plant.

CPWS also has a Frequently Asked Questions page regarding the rate increases available on its website at www.CPWS.com. For additional information about the project, visit www.Communityh2o.org.

Many concerns from those opposing the rate increases stemmed from how seemingly quick the ordinance was introduced, despite the need for a new water source having been addressed 25 years ago.

There were also concerns shared at the Jan. 8 meeting about how rate increases will affect citizens on fixed incomes, small businesses and senior citizens.

"Do you know how much this is going to cost our assisted living? I do," Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, said. "Those are our most vulnerable people in our area, and you're going to put this burden on those assisted living and pass it onto those people going through end of life. How can you do that to them?"

Cepicky, who also chairs the Tennessee/Israel Caucus, urged council members to give him time to work at the state level to seek other funding solutions.

"There is a potential, but I need time, I might find a partner to partner with here for water treatment and delivery for the people of Maury County and Southern Middle Tennessee," Cepicky said. "What if we were able to save you hundreds of millions of dollars by finding you a partner in the State of Israel. All I am asking is to consider giving us time."

Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt, who sits on Gov. Bill Lee's Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, said, while the CPWS project can provide a short-term solution, the need for water stretches beyond Columbia and Maury County.

"The surprise to me is CPWS decided to place the huge cost of this project solely on the people of Maury County for 20, 30 or 40 years, many of whom are disenfranchised by this vote with no representation," Butt said. "I was also surprised as anyone that this rate hike was brought before this council before any recommendations of the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership were given to the governor.

"We gave them to him, and immediately they brought this raise hike, and none of those feasibility studies have been allowed to be done."

The majority of citizen comments at the Jan. 8 meeting urged the council to deny, defer or even table the ordinance to provide a pause to consider other options.

However, there were also voices in favor of the ordinance, emphasizing the issue is much more urgent than people realize, but also want an opportunity to better utilize and protect the Duck River.

Vice Mayor Randy McBroom said he had received many emails and phone calls from citizens supporting the rate increases, but were hesitant to make their voices heard due to conversations on social media, which he said has caused undue damage.

"My integrity has been questioned, and my family's integrity has been questioned, and that's not right," McBroom said. "I took over 100 calls in the last three days, and only had one person that was against it, because they were too scared to come and talk."

Gale Moore, who has been a leading advocate for protecting the Duck River, also supported the proposed rate increases.

"This is not anything new, and nobody has not been transparent," Moore said. "Columbia Power has to provide water for us. That's their job, and they are doing what they can. This does not need to divide our community. This is the best solution for short-term."

Moore added that the short-term is crucial in order to achieve a true long-term solution in the future.

"If we don't do this, we are going to be sad in about two or three years, because all of the other things we need to do you need to go through so many processes that Columbia Power has done over the last 10 years," Moore said.

City Honors Chief Alsup at Retirement (CDH)

Columbia City Council bid farewell to one of its leaders as Police Chief Jeremy Alsup officially retires from the Columbia Police Department.

Council members presented Alsup with a retirement plaque in appreciation for his 27 years of service to the department.

"We are losing a very fine man, and a very good police chief for our department at the city of Columbia Police Department," Mayor Chaz Molder said. "There will have been three police chiefs during my office of mayor, and Chief Alsup will be the one who served the longest, and so therefore the chief I have gotten to know the best.

"His core mission was to keep this community safe, and in turn make it a better place."

Last month, the city announced Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Haywood has been appointed as Alsup's successor in the position.

"I want to thank Columbia for allowing me to participate in the greatest profession," Alsup said. "I can assure the citizens of Columbia that Haywood is the right man. I feel confident leaving him in charge and the leadership he will provide the police department. He's ready to roll."

As far as retirement plans and what comes next, Alsup said they "are to be announced later."

Alsup first came onboard the CPD in 1997 as a reserve officer, becoming a full-time patrol officer in 1998.

He was later promoted to detective in 2006 and has served in various positions ever since, including a sergeant in the Criminal Investigation Division in 2009, lieutenant in 2011 and captain status in 2013.

Alsup was promoted to assistant chief in 2018 before becoming Chief of Police in 2020, taking over after former Chief Terry Potts.

During his time as an officer, Alsup received several awards and recognitions, including the Knights of Columbus CPS Officer of the Year and the Fraternal Order of Police Officer of the Year.

"I want to thank the chief, and the last thing he would always say is, 'Call me if you need me,' and that meant a lot to me," Vice Mayor Randy McBroom said.

In 2024, Alsup was presented the distinguished Department of Defense Patriot Award by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Dean Dickey Passes (CDH)

Former Columbia Mayor Dean Dickey passed away Jan. 8. He was 92.

Dickey's service to Columbia began in 2008 after being elected to Columbia City Council. He was later elected Mayor in 2010, serving two terms until 2019.

As news spread regarding the former mayor's death, many former colleagues, friends and those who knew Dickey shared their reactions on social media.

"Dean and I always had a great relationship when I was serving in the State House and I appreciated him very much," Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt posted Thursday. "He was a community servant. One might even say, a Statesman."

In addition to his service to the community, Dickey was a retired veteran, serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was also a dedicated member of Columbia Kiwanis for more than 40 years.

"He was a gentleman and genuinely cared for the community and, most of all, about people," Historian and Sons of Confederate Veterans Executive Director Adam Southern posted. "He took interest in this old Culleoka boy and wrote a glowing recommendation letter for me that I'm still trying to live up to."

Dickey’s history with Columbia dates back to the 1970s, moving his family to the area to manage a chain of Giant Food and Piggly Wiggly grocery stores. Dickey told The Daily Herald previously he wants to be "known for more than my time as a grocery manager," but rather for his love in helping Columbia reach its potential, while also maintaining its integrity and charm.

In August of 2024, coinciding with Dickey's 91st birthday, the city dedicated Championship Field at Ridley Park in his honor, as construction of the thriving sports complex was one of several major city projects championed under his leadership.

Dickey was also an advocate for what he called "smart growth," one that leads to better paying jobs, affordable healthcare and improving quality of life for Columbia and Maury County citizens, he previously said.

"As long as they keep creating good jobs, we can handle the growth," Dickey told The Daily Herald in 2023. "Growth is good if you control it. We could have a problem soon with traffic, but we've got lots of people coming down here, and I think Maury Regional is a big draw for healthcare. It's going to continue."

MCPS Recognizes Teachers/Principal of the Year (MauryCountySource)

Maury County Public Schools is recognizing its Teachers and Principal of the Year, honoring educators who go above and beyond to support and inspire students across the district.

District leaders praised the recipients for their dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence, noting the lasting impact they make in both classrooms and the community. Officials say their work helps shape the future of students and reflects the highest standards of MCPS.

Congratulations to all Teachers of the Year!

Battle Creek Elementary School – Tabitha Bilbao

Highland Park Elementary School – Katie Reed

J. E. Woodard Elementary School – Whitney Andrews

Joseph Brown Elementary – Macy Andrews

J. R. Baker Elementary – Casey Rubolin

Marvin Wright Elementary – Allyn Welscott

Mt. Pleasant Elementary – Danielle Roberts

Randolph Howell Elementary School – Brooke Fincher

Riverside Elementary School – Kylie La Porte

Spring Hill Elementary – Connie Holland

Battle Creek Middle School Bears – Spring Hill, TN – Ashley Lauer

EA Cox Middle School – Amanda Gregory

Mt Pleasant Middle School of the Visual & Performing Arts – Julia McCalip

Spring HILL Middle School – David Robbins

Whitthorne Middle School – Leigh Anna Pollard

Battle Creek High School – Christian Carr

Columbia Central High School – Rebecca Witherow

Mt. Pleasant High School – Jessica Stockdale

Spring Hill High School – Laura Purtle

Culleoka Unit School – Jackie Fuller, Sara Harwell, Katy Cross

Hampshire Unit School – Bethany Ring, Beth Marks, Darah Owens

Santa Fe School – Jan Crutcher, David Parks, Amy Parks

Horace O. Porter at College Hill – Katye Lacasse

Northfield Academy – Bill Riley

Virtual Academy of Maury County – Carolyn Keysaer

District Teachers of the Year

Elementary – Bethany Ring – Hampshire Unit School

Middle – David Robbins – Spring HILL Middle School

High School – Laura Purtle – Spring Hill High School

District Principal of the Year:

Randolph Howell Elementary School – Marisa Massey

CSCC Graduates Nurses (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College recently celebrated 40 nursing graduates in a pinning ceremony in the Webster Athletic Center.

“The pinning was a memorable occasion which offered the opportunity to celebrate our graduates and acknowledge their hard work,” said Dr. Loretta Bond, Columbia State nursing program director. “The evening culminated with the graduates reciting the Nightingale Pledge as they accepted their solemn responsibility as nurses. A wonderful way to welcome our graduates into the nursing profession.”

Columbia State nursing graduates completed four semesters of classroom instruction and 540 hours of clinical instruction to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing.

Next, graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination in order to earn licensure, which is required to practice as a registered nurse. The most recent data available demonstrate a 98% first-attempt NCLEX pass rate for Columbia State nursing graduates in 2024, as compared to the national average first-attempt pass rate of 90.8% for associate degree nursing graduates the same year.

Nursing students are prepared to provide direct patient care in various areas, including medical, surgical, pediatrics and more. After graduation, these nurses will work in various settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, schools and home health care.

In 2023, Columbia State's in-field placement rate within 6-12 months of program completion was 99%.

“These Nursing AAS completers are poised to take on critical patient care roles,” said Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Sciences Division. “In the coming months, these graduates will faithfully care for and about patients, making a difference in the healthcare community!”

The Columbia State nursing program is committed to excellence in nursing education. It has received full approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Columbia State’s nursing program has a competitive admission process with applicants admitted twice per year. For more information about applying to the program, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Nursing.

Maury Alliance Annual Meeting (Press Release)

Join Maury Alliance on Thursday, January 29th, for their most anticipated event of the year, the Maury Alliance Annual Meeting! Celebrate the successes of 2025, honor the transition of their volunteer leadership, and discover their exciting strategic goals for 2026.—all while continuing to commemorate over 100 years of growth, innovation, and community impact in Maury County.  

Enjoy an evening filled with entertainment and networking celebrating business and industry in Maury County with a social hour, elegant dinner and live music.

Purchase tickets now to guarantee a seat at Maury Alliance’s biggest event of the year.

Registration will close January 19 at 5:00 pm. 

Get tickets and learn more by visiting www.mauryalliance.com.

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…

Joseph Perko, 90, passed away Monday, January 6, 2026 at his residence.

A funeral mass will be conducted Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 11:30 AM at St. Catherine Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 10:00 AM until time of the services at St. Catherine Catholic Church.

Mayor Dean Dickey, a devoted public servant, respected business leader, and lifelong advocate for his community, passed away on January 8, 2026.

Dean’s family will receive friends January 22, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at First Family Church in Columbia, Tennessee. Friends can visit prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., January 23, 2026 at First Family Church.

Now, news from around the state…

Budget Submitted to Governor (Tennessean)

To close out 2025, Tennessee’s various state departments put in their budget requests to Gov. Bill Lee’s administration, totalling $4.72 billion for fiscal year 2026-27. Lee is set to propose a budget taking all of the requests into account on Feb. 1. 

Requests include more staff for the Department of Children’s Services and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, as well as money to give private prison company CoreCivic a raise and absorb federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. 

The Tennessee Department of Education has requested $37.92 million in recurring and $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds for summer learning camps, paid parental leave and teacher salary increases, as well as its school turnaround program. However, the department declined to include any funding requests for its K-12 student funding formula or the state’s universal school voucher program in its presentation. Gov. Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act, which allows the use of public dollars to go toward private school tuition, was one of the biggest stories of 2025’s legislative session. That program is facing a lawsuit arguing that it violates the Tennessee Constitution. 

Affordable Care Act Fallout Hits Tennesseans

The Department of Children’s Services requested a total of $151.6 million, which includes an additional 153 staff positions in an effort to mitigate high caseloads. A team of national child welfare attorneys in May filed a lawsuit against the DCS on behalf of 13 children they allege are being denied education, health care and stable homes. As recently as October, at least 10 Tennessee foster children were sleeping in DCS offices. 

For the Tennessee Department of Health, the largest line item is for dental care — including $27.6 million out of the total $56.59 million request to continue expanded dental classes at Meharry Medical College and make a pilot program at Lincoln Memorial University permanent. Of note, Tennessee is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid, leaving a gap that is set to widen due to federal cuts to Medicaid and an increase in pricing for the Affordable Care Act. Because of this, the health department is asking for $9 million more for county health departments to assist a growing uninsured population. The state already spends $31 million annually on care for people without insurance. 

The Department of Human Services is also absorbing federal cuts, budgeting $97.1 million to offset cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding, which amounts to $77.7 million in new recurring money and $19.4 million in one-time funding to keep the program running this year. 

The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, which manages Tennessee Highway Patrol and driver services centers, is seeking the highest number of additional staff out of all the departments: 212. Sixty-eight of those will serve in driver services centers, and the rest will work in trooper, supervisor and support staff positions.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is also seeking to add 74 staff members. Of those, 20 are set to work on crime scene response, 13 in the drug investigation division focusing on drugs delivered by mail, and 10 in elder financial abuse prevention. The department is also asking for $13 million to purchase a second single-engine aircraft. 

As part of the Tennessee Department of Correction’s $84.19 million budget request — which includes the highest line item of $14.2 million for facility maintenance — CoreCivic would receive a $13 million pay bump. The state renewed its $168 million three-year contract with the private prison company last year, despite a growing number of deaths in their facilities.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

As Tennessee icon Dolly Parton prepares for another milestone year, the global ambassador graces the cover of the official 2026 Tennessee Vacation Guide, unveiled by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD). The free planning resource highlights the people, places and experiences that define the Volunteer State and invites travelers to explore all 95 counties through music, food, history, outdoor adventure and more. Available now, travelers can order a free printed copy and download the guide at TNVacation.com, or pick one up in person at any of Tennessee’s 16 Welcome Centers.