Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 1-14-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for January 14, 2026

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

We start with local news…

CSCC Pins New EMS Grads (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College recently recognized 13 emergency medical technicians and 28 advanced emergency medical technicians upon completion of their programs during the Fall 2025 EMS Pinning ceremony held in the Cherry Theater.

“The fall 2025 cohort earned every bit of this milestone,” said Greg Johnson, Columbia State EMS Academy program director. “They’ve trained hard, stayed focused and shown they’re ready to serve. We’re proud to welcome our new EMTs and AEMTs into the EMS profession.”

Fall 2025 EMT completers achieved a 100% first-attempt pass rate for the national registry. Students seeking the accelerated certificate received a 100% first-attempt pass rate on the EMT national registry.

An EMT provides basic life support at the site of illnesses and injuries, assisting with transport to the hospital. The Advanced EMT provides basic and advanced life support at sites of illness and injury through transport to the hospital.

The accelerated AEMT path is an academy-style, technical certificate program designed to educate and train students to serve as vital members of a pre-hospital EMS team in a single semester. Students must complete 144 hours of clinical rotations to earn a technical certificate in AAEMT.

EMT certificate completers also have the option to pursue the General Technology Associate of Applied Science degree by combining coursework from two certificates with general education courses to complete a personalized degree program.

“EMS completers are vital members of the healthcare team who provide essential pre-hospital care to patients and families,” said Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Sciences Division. “These new basic and advanced EMTs wisely chose Columbia State to take advantage of the best EMS education available in Tennessee!”

The program provides students with the necessary didactic and practical training to perform life-saving skills. Additionally, students learn to work alone, as well as in a squad-based (team) environment.

For more information about the EMS program, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/EMS or contact Johnson at 931.540.2792.

City Votes for Rate Increase (TNLookout)

Columbia’s City Council on Thursday approved water rate hikes of up to 20% per year over the next five years to fund a new $520 million intake on the Duck River and a new water treatment plant.

The rate increase will affect Columbia Power and Water Systems’ 27,000 customers, as well as thousands more served by other water systems that buy water from Columbia Power and Water. New rates go into effect on March 1, according to the new rate schedule.

The council approved the new rates 5-2, with Council member Charlie Huffman and Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder voting no. The council also unanimously approved an increase of the utility’s impact fee for new customers, creating potential future revenue that could reduce the need to raise customer rates, according to the utility’s CEO, Jonathan Hardin.

The vote followed weeks of intense debate and input from residents of Columbia and surrounding cities that purchase water from the utility. Dozens of people packed the Columbia Council’s chambers Thursday night to speak ahead of the vote, with the majority asking council members to delay the decision and examine alternatives in hopes of finding a cheaper option.

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Water Resources Division Director April Grippo said other ideas that have been pitched would require additional study.

“We are not aware of another alternative that is as mature as Columbia Power and Water’s that would be available for the next several years,” she said during a council meeting on Tuesday.

Staff from Columbia Power and Water Systems and the state’s water division said the project, which has been under consideration for at least 10 years and has cleared state environment and wildlife oversight, is necessary to ensure continued water delivery as the region’s needs grow. Water systems are required by the state to plan for expansion when they meet 80% of their capacity, and the Columbia utility is at 93% capacity now, Grippo said.

Elected officials representing Maury County residents opposed the rate increase or advocated for city leaders to delay the vote and explore other options, including Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt, multiple Maury County commissioners, and State Rep. Scott Cepicky, a Culleoka Republican. 

Maury County residents living outside of Columbia city limits repeatedly said they felt disenfranchised by the rate approval process. Columbia Power and Water Systems is a city utility that sells water at wholesale rates to other nearby water systems serving a combined 35,000 customers in Maury County, Spring Hill and Mount Pleasant, but rate changes are approved solely by the Columbia City Council.

A few speakers, including Trent Ogilvie, who sat on the Columbia utility’s board in 2018, recalled the project was estimated to cost $225 million at the time, compared to more than $500 million eight years later.

“But yet, we say, let’s continue to wait,” he said.

Plans for the project have been publicly available on the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s website since 2021, and the state has hosted nine public meetings on the project since 2020.

Ward 1 Council member Carl McCullen initially voted against the proposal in December, but supported the measure on Thursday. McCullen recalled discussions about persistent and intensifying water supply issues stretching back decades.

“Water’s a problem. You can’t keep putting it off, and pause it … I think it’s time for us to do something about that,” McCullen said.

What this means for water bills

The new water rate schedule allows Columbia Power and Water to increase rates up to 20% each year, but Hardin and Columbia Vice Mayor Randy McBroom have referred to this cap as the “worst case scenario.”

The low-interest federal and state loans that will fund the project require stress tests that do not allow the utility to assume any new revenue will come from a growing customer base or new customer impact fees. 

All customers will see a 20% hike in their water bill in the first year, according to the utility, but Columbia Power and Water expects increases in years three through five will be lower.

Annual cost of service studies will determine increases for each type of customer — including industrial customers, wholesale customers, and customers inside and outside of the city limits — for years two through five.

For an average monthly bill for 5,000 gallons for a Columbia Water and Power System customer inside city limits, a customer paying a $34.75 water bill might pay up to $86.47 by 2030, according to the utility. An average customer outside city limits may go from paying $45.25 for 5,000 gallons to as much as $112.60 by 2030. 

Multiple speakers at Thursday’s meeting said those higher rates will be detrimental to farmers, elderly residents, those on fixed incomes and households that are already struggling to keep up with bills. Several lamented that “past sins” and continued approval of new development without matching infrastructure are to blame.

“If you don’t have the resources, you can’t have the people here,” Joey Davenport said. “If I have an empty glass of water and I have a full glass of water, what does it matter if you can’t afford that full glass? It’s no different than the empty glass.”

Maury County Water System customers already pay higher rates than Columbia Water and Power customers, because the county utility buys its water from Columbia’s utility at wholesale prices and sells it to county customers after adding on additional costs. This particularly concerned farmers and those who live on rural land outside of the reach of the city’s utility. 

Jason Gilliam, a member of the Maury County Water System Board, said the extra cost for county water system customers has to do with economy of scale. Columbia has about 500 miles of pipe in the ground and about 27,000 customers, while Maury County Water System has 475 miles of pipe in the ground and serves 8,800. Gilliam, who also chairs the county’s Republican Party and leads a group advocating for the construction of a new dam in Columbia, also urged the council to vote against the raise.

“I’m not going to waste any more time discussing the enormous cost of the project or the detriment it would cost to so many people that live here — those who have spent their entire lives here, making this place what it is,” he said. “I want to remind you … of your role on the city council … you said that you wanted to serve your community.”

Molder, who voted against the increase, said “this is the right project at the wrong time,” and he could not justify a vote in favor due to concerns about skyrocketing costs of living.

Molder is also in the running to represent Tennessee’s fifth Congressional district, which covers portions of Maury, Davidson, Lewis, Marshall, Wilson and Williamson counties.

Columbia Power and Water will send out sample bills to each ratepayer so they know what to expect on their bills after March 1.

Project details

The higher impact fee and water rates will allow Columbia’s water utility to secure low-interest, long-term loans from the state and federal governments. The $520 million price tag includes all project costs, including design, construction and mitigation, according to Columbia Power and Water.

The new intake will be located downstream from the utility’s current intake at Riverside Drive. The new intake can withdraw up to 32 million gallons of water per day from the Duck River, 12 million gallons more than the current intake is permitted to withdraw.

Grippo said the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation would not approve raising the withdrawal cap at the Riverside Drive intake because water flow at that portion of the river is too low to sustain it. Flow is higher downstream.

The utility has already secured 63% of the land easements needed for the project, and anticipates it will hold 75% in the next two to three weeks, Hardin said.

Work on the intake and water treatment plant is slated to begin in Spring 2026 and conclude in summer 2029.

Cities Look to Partner Over Wastewater (MSM)

The City of Spring Hill is exploring a potential partnership with the City of Columbia to conduct a wastewater feasibility study aimed at addressing Spring Hill’s near-term sewer capacity needs.

Spring Hill City Administrator Carter Napier presented two related resolutions during last week’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.

Columbia, which currently has available capacity and is in the process of expanding its wastewater treatment facility, has been in discussions with Spring Hill about the possibility of sharing resources.

The study would examine whether sewage from Spring Hill could be treated by Columbia’s system. The first resolution authorizes a reimbursement agreement in which Spring Hill would repay Columbia for the costs of hiring engineers and evaluating the study.

The feasibility study would assess the ability to transfer up to 1.5 million gallons of wastewater per day, identify potential pipeline connection locations and determine what infrastructure improvements could be needed. Under the agreement, Spring Hill would fund Columbia’s hiring of an engineering company to conduct the study.

The study and potential infrastructure improvements are projected to cost approximately $120,000. “I am committed to working regionally and collaboratively wherever possible, and the potential arrangement between Columbia and Spring Hill is a real win/win,” Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fritterer said via Facebook.

The second resolution would provide a framework to head start future approvals related to construction timelines, costs and wastewater volumes if the study proves feasible.

Napier said the arrangement could offer temporary relief for Spring Hill’s capacity constraints. If the study confirms feasible, the two cities would consider a formal agreement.

Dark Promoted to Assistant Chief (MauryCountySource)

The City of Columbia’s Police Department is pleased to announce the promotion of Captain Jason Dark to Assistant Chief of Police, effective January 11, 2026.

Assistant Chief Dark brings 28 years of dedicated service to the Columbia Police Department. His connection with the department began in 1993 when he joined CPD as a Police Explorer. He later served as a Reserve Officer in 1997 before being hired as a full-time Patrol Officer in 1998.

Throughout his career, Assistant Chief Dark has served in numerous leadership roles, including Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant of Support Services, and Patrol Captain. His extensive experience across multiple divisions of the department has prepared him well for this leadership role.

Assistant Chief Dark’s professional development includes completion of the FBI–LEEDA Trilogy Certification, reflecting his commitment to leadership excellence and continuous improvement.

“We look forward to Assistant Chief Dark’s continued service as he steps into this new role and leads the department with integrity, experience, and his commitment to public safety,” the Columbia Police Department said.

CSCC Reconnect (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College will host virtual Tennessee Reconnect information sessions during January.

Tennessee Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship that provides free tuition for adults to attend a community college. The initiative is designed to help adults enter college to gain new skills, advance in the workplace and fulfill lifelong dreams of completing a degree or credential.

“Tennessee Reconnect provides a wonderful opportunity for eligible adult learners to attend Columbia State tuition-free,” said Joni Allison, Columbia State coordinator of Adult Student Services. “We offer multiple information session dates each month to allow easy access for prospective students who would like to begin or return to college.”

To be eligible for Tennessee Reconnect, students must meet the following requirements:

• Haven’t earned an associate or bachelor’s degree.

• Have been a Tennessee resident for at least one year.

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and be determined as an independent student.

• Be admitted to Columbia State and enroll in a degree or certificate program.

• Must attend at least part-time (6 credit hours).

To view the full list of steps to apply or to sign up for an information session, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Reconnect.

January 15 2 – 3 p.m. Virtual

January 22 2 – 3 p.m. Virtual

January 24 10 – 11 a.m. Virtual

January 26 6 – 7 p.m. Virtual

January 29 5 – 6 p.m. Virtual

For more information, contact Allison at 931.540.2655 or by email at jallison6@ColumbiaState.edu. 

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…

Mrs. Kathy Belinda Wakefield Drewett, 65, resident of Culleoka, passed away Sunday, January 11 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Lynnwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

Mrs. Delvene Warren Beard, 93, longtime resident of the Santa Fe community, died January 13 at The Bridge assisted living.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Santa Fe Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Friday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mr. Bobby Donald Neese, 87, a resident of Columbia, died January 11 at Maury Regional Medical. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 3:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

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…

Legislative Session Begins (Tennessean)

Shouts of “Whose House? Our House! Whose House? Our House!” could be heard from a throng in the state Capitol rotunda as House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, called the legislature to order at noon on Jan. 13, formally beginning the 2026 legislative session.

Amid a national outcry over the shooting death of 37-year-old Minneapolis mother Renee Good by an ICE agent last week, immigration is becoming a central issue during this year’s session. 

Republican leadership has been working with the White House on a package of bills focused on supporting federal immigration enforcement, Sexton confirmed to reporters last week.

Details of the wide-ranging eight- or nine-bill package are being kept firmly under wraps by Republican leadership.

Legislation is expected to be unveiled later this week.

But tensions started high both inside and outside of House and Senate chambers on the first day of session.

During the first minutes of House business, Republicans and Democrats made charged comments recognizing people injured by immigration enforcement officers and victims of crimes committed by people inside the U.S. unlawfully.

Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, recognized Good's death and described her as “murdered by an ICE agent here in the United States of America.”

“It is shameful that in 2026 we have masked agents, an American Gestapo terrorizing its citizens,” Jones said. “Renee Good should be with us. … We must abolish ICE now and forever.”

Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mt. Juliet, asked the body to stand and pray for the safety of ICE agents and National Guard officers, “who are very brave to be doing the very important work of protecting the people of our nation,” sparking audible laughs from the gallery.

At least four individuals were removed by state troopers for yelling out disruptively from the House gallery during the session proceedings.

Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, asked members to stand to recognize the lives of 10 young women, including Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley, “all who were murdered by illegal criminals in our country that our federal government is trying to fix.”

Conversations between House and Senate speakers and Stephen Miller, President Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff and architect of the president’s deportation initiatives, began before the federal law enforcement operation dubbed the "Memphis Safe Task Force" began last year, Sexton said.

“We’ve had a lot of conversations with the White House since session last year, and we hope to roll out an immigration package next week on the direction that we want to go,” Sexton told reporters in Nashville last week.

Multiple rank and file Republicans, and at least one member of leadership, were unaware of the details of the immigration package as of Jan. 13.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum and award-winning artist, producer, musician and songwriter Charlie Puth announced the Whatever’s Clever! 2026 World Tour, revealing headline dates across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. The tour will span nearly 50 shows, including a performance in Nashville at Ascend Amphitheater on June 9th.

General onsale starts Friday, January 16 at 10 am local time at www.charlieputh.com.