Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 1-27-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for January 27, 2026

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

Closures

Due to the inclement winter weather there are a number of closures for today. Both Maury County Government Offices and City of Columbia Offices will be closed today.

All schools in our listening area including Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Marshall and Williamson Counties are closed today.

Columbia Academy and Zion Christian Academy are closed today

All Columbia State Campuses are open virtually only today.

Winter Weather Recap (MSM)

Before the winter weather hit Maury County, municipal authorities at both the county and city levels began stocking up on supplies, preparing the roads, and advising people to prepare and stay safe over the weekend.

Officials predicted that freezing rain and cold temperatures would make roads difficult to drive, weigh down power lines and bring down limbs and even entire trees. Facilities including the Church of Christ and First United Methodist Church on West Seventh Street, the Family Center east of the Columbia Square, and Santa Fe Baptist Church generously opened their doors to serve as warming centers.

The warnings didn’t come a moment too soon. By 10 a.m. Friday, CPWS personnel were already responding to three reports of damage, and soon calls and posts about fallen limbs, lost power, downed lines and traffic collisions were pouring into emergency departments. People were advised to not drive if they could help it.

On Saturday, heavier snow and sleet began to fall in the morning; using Pivotal Weather models, Weather Down in Mule Town predicted and inch to an inch-and-a-half of precipitation in most of the county, and more in the northwest. Between the freezing rain and temperature drop documented by the National Weather Service on Saturday evening, a layer of ice began to form on the roads, infrastructure and trees throughout the county.

“I hear trees breaking,” reported Weather Down in Mule Town early Sunday morning. “We’re here, folks. Now in emergency mode.”

Sunday was the day of reckoning for all the emergency services and utility personnel throughout the county, and they rose to the task. CPWS began responding to outages early in the morning, which reached their peak around 9 a.m. when up to 8,000 customers had lost power all at once. Throughout Sunday the utility’s workers brought several primary distribution circuits back online, and they ended the day with zero broken water mains. Also at 9 a.m., the county Office of Emergency Management reported that 4,193 customers were without power throughout the county.

Many trees fell on roads in Spring Hill and the county. Duck River Electric reported that one large tree fall took out power to 830 customers in Maury County.

On one occasion, Maury County Fire responded to a tree-down call, only to find that six more had fallen while they were responding. They had to stop responding to reports that trees had fallen on power lines, in order to deal with more pressing tree falls, like the one that hit and injured a person in the early afternoon.

“We will do the best we can to reach you; however, conditions will worsen this afternoon as the roads refreeze,” they said. “Neighbors need to help neighbors.”

Neighbors rose to the task in many heartening ways. One tractor owner helped to clear a road out in the county, and Mount Pleasant firemen Phillip Counts and Homer Simmons were thanked by an elderly citizen for clearing her driveway.

By midday Sunday, Weather Down in Mule Town predicted, the freezing rain and ice buildup should taper off. The page and their commenters reported that “graupel” (mini-snowball precipitation, neither sleet nor snow) was falling on Columbia in the evening.

By the evening the National Weather Service cancelled the Winter Storm warning and replaced it with a Cold Weather Advisory (lows of 0 to -5 degrees Fahrenheit) for Monday and an Extreme Cold Warning (temperatures as low as -10 degrees with wind chill) from Monday evening to Tuesday. They also predicted strong winds and cold that would re-freeze the precipitation and buffet or weigh down the fragile infrastructure and trees.

The predicted temperature range for Monday was from 12-22 degrees. The city of Spring Hill reported that as temperatures dropped, road salt was losing its ability to melt the ice on roads.

As of Monday morning, CPWS’s total number of verified and predicted outage events was about 170; power was restored to 36,000 customers, and only about 1,100 remain without it. CPWS remains aware of broken poles, fallen lines and other hazards across the county, and they ask people to use their website or the SmartHub app to report problems. Mount Pleasant Power reported that power had been restored to all possible customers by 1 a.m.

The Family Center expressed gratitude for how well their weekend as a warming center went, and asked for volunteers for their Meal Train.

Electrical Fire Danger Alleged at Taylor Landing (MSM)

Advocates for the Taylor Landing subdivision in Columbia, where a rental home burned down last month in an electrical fire, are claiming that the residence is far from the only one in the neighborhood with dangerous electrical defects.

Dustin Kittle of the Humble Law Firm filed an Urgent Life Safety Notice to the City of Columbia on Jan. 15, announcing that homes in Taylor Landing are in ongoing danger from electrical hazards. Representing the Wiley family, whose rented house burned down on Dec. 14, and the Taylor Landing Homeowners’ Advocacy Group, Kittle claims that many homes are missing their records of HVAC electrical inspections, which should have been prerequisites for both state fire marshal approval and the city’s Certificates of Occupancy.

“Neither entity caught the lapse,” Kittle said. “[This matter] should not be delayed by intergovernmental finger-pointing between the city and the state or by litigation posturing.”

Joshua Moore, a resident of and advocate for the neighborhood, uncovered the lapses. He points out that a separate inspection of a house’s HVAC electrical system, on top of the “standard electrical” inspection, is required for state electrical approval. In public comment at the September meeting of the Columbia Planning Commission, Moore put the number of missing HVAC inspection records at 90 of the 299 houses in Taylor Landing, based on his research.

Kittle went on to claim that there have been 18 “reported electrical incidents” in Taylor Landing, one of which caused the fire which burned up the Wiley family’s belongings and their landlord’s house on Dec. 14. In response to the 18 incidents, the state fire marshal has performed fire-safety reinspections for 88 houses so far, of which Kittle said 62 have “failed” reinspection and only 26 passed.

In February 2025, Joshua Moore said, he brought notice of systemic fire dangers in his neighborhood to the City of Columbia, the developer, Meritage Homes, and their property managers Ghertner and Company. The pattern came to his attention after a fire started in one of his neighbors’ attics, and he testified that he discovered a number of hazards and noncompliance, including missing labels, oversized breakers, and burnt-up HVAC disconnect boxes. At a March meeting of the city council, he claimed that 6 percent of the houses in Taylor Landing had experienced either fires or fire hazards.

He brought them up again to the city planning commission in September, and said that by that time more than 30 of the examined homes had failed state reinspection for fire safety. Moore later told Main Street Maury that they didn’t feel the commission took their concerns seriously. As of the time of publication, the video of the September meeting of the planning commission has not been posted to the city’s website, though the audio and minutes have been turned over to the Taylor Landing advocates as requested.

In the complaint, the advocates ask the city to first inform all Taylor Landing residents that their houses might have electrical hazards, and that they should take appropriate precautions and apply for voluntary reinspection by the state fire marshal. They also ask the city to arrange a public-safety meeting with state officials and send out continued updates as needed. Finally, they formally request that the city preserve all records related to Taylor Landing’s fire safety and confirm their intent to carry out all these steps by Jan. 22.

Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder told Main Street Maury that the city has taken preliminary action on the life-safety notice, by communicating about safety with the state fire marshal’s office and mobilizing city officials to look into the matter.

“Passing the electrical inspection is a precursor, among many, to receiving a certificate of occupancy from the City of Columbia,” the mayor said. “The safety of Columbia residents is my top priority and we want to facilitate an outcome that ensures the safety and security of all.”

Mid-State Classic to Return (Press Release)

Columbia will once again take center stage for collegiate softball as the Midstate Classic returns on March 10, 2026, marking the 11th year the City of Columbia has hosted the popular tournament at the Ridley Sports Complex.

Presented by the City of Columbia, the Midstate Classic has grown into a marquee spring sports event, drawing athletes, fans, and families from across the region. Known for its competitive matchups and welcoming atmosphere, the tournament showcases all levels of the game—from high school to NCAA Division I.

The 2026 schedule features three games throughout the day:

• 10:00 a.m. – Columbia Central High School Lions vs. Spring Hill High School Raiders

• 1:30 p.m. – Columbia State Community College Lady Chargers vs. Calhoun Community College Warhawks

• 5:30 p.m. – University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers vs. Austin Peay State University Governors

City Manager Tony Massey said the tournament reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to athletics and community engagement.

“The Midstate Classic remains a signature event for our community,” Massey said. “It reinforces Columbia’s role as a destination for high-caliber athletic competition while providing residents the opportunity to experience exceptional sports programming close to home. Columbia always looks forward to hosting the Lady Vols softball team.”

Parks and Recreation Director Mack Reagan noted that the event has become a signature event for Ridley Sports Complex.

“This softball showcase is a point of pride for our department,” Reagan said. “From high school athletes to nationally recognized collegiate programs, the Midstate Classic delivers a full day of exciting softball and an exceptional fan experience. We expect strong attendance once again.”

Mayor Chaz Molder emphasized the broader impact of the tournament on the community.

“Hosting the Midstate Classic for the eleventh year speaks volumes about Columbia’s reputation as a sports-friendly city,” Mayor Molder said. “Events like this strengthen our community, support local tourism, and create memorable experiences for families and fans throughout the region.”

Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event. General admission is $10, which includes access to all three games. Complimentary ADA transportation will be available before, during, and after the tournament to ensure accessibility for all attendees.

Tickets are available now at columbiatn.gov.

For additional information, call (931) 388-8119.

Shelter Seeks Donations (CDH)

Temperatures continue to drop following the weekend snowstorm, which left thousands without power, many fallen trees and continued work by emergency responders assessing damage and clearing Columbia's roadways.

The Family Center, 921 S. Beckett St, along with West 7th Church of Christ, 405 W. 7th St. and The People's Table located at West 7th United Methodist Church, 222 W. 7th St., have been hard at work providing warming shelters, food and relief for those displaced during frigid temperatures.

"I am just praying that when we thaw out, everybody's okay," Family Center Executive Director Dawn Taylor said.

Taylor added the Family Center has seen an average of about 22 people use the facility, where guests can not only receive warmth, but also a shower and get fed a meal.

West 7th, she said, has averaged between 10-12 people per day, with The People's Table's food distribution center also receiving about 12 people per day.

"We expected more, because we know there are more homeless out there. I'm just praying they found places to stay, that folks let them in," Taylor said. "We tried to spread the word as much as we could ... and we could have taken more."

The snowstorm also led The Family Center, which originally operated in the evenings, to become a 24-hour operation.

And it was because there really wasn't any choice. To enter The Family Center's parking lot, vehicles must drive up a hilly driveway, parts of which still contained patches of ice Monday morning.

"It's mainly because when they got there, they could not get back out," Taylor said.

"We didn't know what's going to happen, so we just said, 'Let's stay here tonight,' and that was three days ago. I have two staff members who agreed they would stay until they weren't needed, and so they packed their suitcases and have been taking turns taking naps."

Cora Williams, one staff member overseeing the shelter, said she will stay as long as necessary, keeping guests warm at a steady 72 degrees.

"We were only supposed to be open for three days, but we are still here," Williams said. "It just became complicated, and we don't know how long we will be here, but I'm not leaving here until the ice leaves."

Taylor added that plans for the next week remain uncertain, but The Family Center will remain open in the meantime.

"I'm hoping to get back to rotating [shelters] to churches, but we will have to see if we can even get to the churches, or if the churches can even open," Taylor said. "If we have to stay at The Family Center, we will stay at The Family Center."

Being snowed in for multiple days has also increased the need for things like food, toiletries and basic supplies.

Taylor said The Family Center is currently seeking donations and volunteers, as long as they are able to get out and travel safely.

"Folk have been stopping by in their Jeeps, dropping off things like granola bars, water, clothes and blankets," Taylor said. "I don't want people to get out who can't get out."

The Family Center also partners with Meal Train to raise funds for food donations, which is something Taylor said the nonprofit does whenever the temperature drops to 32 degrees.

"We've had some donations come in, but we could use more food," Williams said.

Anyone can donate to the Meal Train Plus for Family Center Warming Station online, with a goal to raise $2,500. As of Monday, the account has raised $735.

"It's usually a day here, a day there, not usually this huge," she said. "Fifteen days, it looks like, we will be below 32 degrees. So, we opened it to the community, and if we don't [raise enough], we will find food somewhere.

"I feel like when we get in tomorrow, if we get in tomorrow, everything we had stored up will be gone, because it's 22 people for four days. We just hope the community will help with whatever is coming next, or replenish what we already used."

Donations to The Family Center may also be made online at www.FamilyCenter.org or by calling (931) 388-3840.

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

Marjorie Imogene “Jean” Wilson Childrey, passed away at her home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on January 20, 2026, following a short illness.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, January 30, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. at Highland Park Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home and Friday from 12:00 P.M. till the time of service at Highland Park Baptist Church.

Betty Lynn Brooks passed away peacefully on January 21st in Nashville at age seventy-five.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on February 21, 2026, at Belmont United Methodist Church, 2007 Acklen Ave., Nashville, TN 37212. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Afterwards, a private interment for the family will be held in Santa Fe.

Now, news from around the state…

Storm to Cause Delivery Delays (Tennessean)

Following the weekend winter storm that slammed a large stretch of the U.S., roads are extremely hazardous to drive on, and it is likely Tennessee will see shipment delays this week.

Several companies have announced that customers should expect shipment delays due to dangerous roadways covered in ice from winter storms that left several inches of ice and snow. Tennessee Department of Transportation crews have been working through the weekend to clear roads and help life return to normal as soon as possible, but there is no timeline for when all roads will be clear.

Drivers for all regions, especially Middle and West Tennessee, have been advised to check road conditions before heading out and to use extreme caution when traveling.

Over the weekend, the United States Postal Service issued a statement saying 30 states, including Tennessee, would likely see delays due to weather impacts on mail and package processing, transportation and delivery. There was no estimate on how significant the delays would be.

Amazon, FedEx and UPS all announced probable delays in shipping this week due to the winter storm.

Amazon shared an in-app message for customers expecting deliveries in the coming days.

"Some deliveries may take longer than usual due to winter storms,” Amazon wrote in the message.

FedEx wrote on its alerts page that the company is expecting national disruptions to delivery services due to winter storms affecting the Memphis and Indianapolis hubs.

UPS has issued a statement saying there would be delays, but it does not list Tennessee as part of the impacted area on its service alert page. The states listed as affected are Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas.

Plan for Pennyless Transactions (MSM)

A Tennessee bill would guide businesses on how to handle the disappearing penny.

The federal government ended penny production in 2025. States have autonomy on how to handle cash transactions.

Rep. Charlie Baum, R-Murfreesboro, introduced a bill Tuesday that would allow public and private entities to round transactions to the nearest nickel.

House Bill 1744 says that transactions that are 1 to 5 cents or 5 to 6 cents would be rounded down to the nearest five-cent interval. Anything 3 cents or more, or between 7 and 9 cents, would be rounded up to the closest 5-cent interval, according to the bill.

The bill does not apply to electronic transactions.

Taxes would be assessed on the exact amount of the transaction, not on what was rounded up or down, according to the bill.

Comptroller of the Treasury Jason Mumpower is advising local governments to encourage customers to give the exact change when paying with cash. Governments could also consider not accepting noncash payments or adjusting fees and charges to the nearest 5-cent interval.

“Each community is different, and local leaders should adopt policies that make sense for their residents while staying within their legal authority,” Mumpower said.

The end of penny production presents a dilemma for state legislatures, which could need bills that would address “rounding clarity” and legal risks, the National Conference of State Legislatures said in a report.

“Notably, the federal government did not issue any regulations around the end of production, continued to treat the penny as legal currency and initially expected that the Federal Reserve would continue to accept and supply pennies while supplies last,” the report said. “Finally, states will need to consider whether federal guidance and/or regulation and legislation is necessary to meet their objectives,”

The U.S. Mint cited cost as the reason for ending penny production, saying each penny costs 3.7 cents to produce.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

A middle Tennessee missionary with a heart for war orphans is making an extraordinary difference in Ukraine — just when it mattered most.

Hickman County pastor Stu Martin and his small but determined ministry, Wings of the Wind, have once again answered a call that seemed almost impossible. Thanks to the generosity of donors, hundreds of Ukrainian war orphans will survive this brutal winter with warmth, light and hope.

And six weeks ago, none of this seemed likely.

Some orphanages in Ukraine are without electricity for 10 to 14 hours a day. In the dead of winter, that means darkness, bitter cold and no reliable heat. The need was staggering: 1,200 children, many living in bomb-damaged facilities, facing one of the coldest winters of their lives.

Between Dec. 1 and mid-January, the donations poured in. Churches, families and individuals from across Tennessee and around the country stepped up.

“Oh, it feels wonderful,” Martin said. “From the first of December to the middle of January, all the money came in. That’s God.”

The result:

• 1,000 winter blankets

• Four large generators to power heaters during extended blackouts

• Every dollar raised — just in time

Churches from across the country contributed, including a congregation in White Bluff, Tennessee, which alone donated nearly $3,000.