Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 1-30-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for January 30, 2026

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

CPWS Still Working After Storm (MauryCountySource)

Columbia Power & Water Systems reports that power restoration efforts following the winter storm are nearly complete, with only a handful of customers still without service.

At the storm’s peak on Sunday, 8,500 customers were without power. By Thursday morning, that number had dropped to just 16 customers, with 9 remaining outages confirmed.

Officials say the final outages are the most difficult to reach. Some locations have been inaccessible due to steep, icy terrain, requiring crews to salt paths or carry equipment by hand to complete repairs. Residents who are still without power are asked to call 931-388-4833 to ensure no homes are missed.

Columbia Power & Water cautions that outage numbers may fluctuate as private electrical repairs are completed and crews work to reconnect customers. Even after power is fully restored, crews will continue repairing secondary damage across the system for days or weeks.

The utility also thanked Lewisburg Electric System for their assistance during the restoration effort, noting that their crews were released Wednesday night after completing their work.

City Recognizes Public Works (Press Release)

The City of Columbia extends its sincere appreciation to the Public Works Department for its exceptional response during the recent snow and ice event caused by Winter Storm Fern. Despite hazardous conditions and extended shifts, Public Works crews worked around the clock to help keep residents safe and roadways passable.

Throughout the storm, Public Works personnel treated and plowed city streets, assisted with state routes, and responded to storm-related hazards. Their coordinated efforts played a critical role in maintaining access for emergency services, commuters, and residents during challenging winter conditions.

“Thank you to our Public Works winter response teams—your long hours, quick action, and dedication keep our community safe when it matters most,” said Jeff Dewire, Director of Public Works.

During the response, crews applied 450 tons of salt to City of Columbia streets and an additional 80 tons of salt to State Routes within the city. Public Works vehicles traveled 4,850 miles while treating and plowing city streets and 750 miles on state routes. Crews also removed tree debris from 48 locations across city streets, restoring safe travel and reducing further risks.

City Manager Tony Massey praised the department’s efforts, noting the importance of preparation and teamwork during severe weather events. “Our Public Works employees exemplify professionalism and commitment to service,” said Massey. “Their response to Winter Storm Fern reflects careful planning, strong leadership, and a deep dedication to the well-being of our community.”

The City of Columbia extends its gratitude to the Public Works Department for their continued service and thanks residents for their patience and cooperation during winter weather conditions.

Mt. Pleasant Native Inducted into Florida Coaches’ Hall of Fame (MSM)

Richard Pettus may have been young, but back in 1993, the budding football coach recognized the difference in Centerville, Tenn., and Ocala, Fla.

Nearly four decades later, the Mount Pleasant native received further validation that he made the right decision and went in the right direction as he was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame during a January ceremony.

A former three-sport athlete at Mt. Pleasant High School, Pettus played under three different coaches as a walk-on at Memphis State before embarking on his own coaching career – first as a volunteer graduate assistant at Memphis State, then as a GA at Livingston (Ala.) University (now West Alabama).

“I had applied and was offered the Hickman County position, or I could come to Lake Weir (Fla.) in Ocala. I could have stayed at the University of West Alabama,” Pettus recalled. “I had a couple of options.

“Now, 32 years later, here we are.”

Pettus spent seven years at Lake Weir, the last three as head coach, before a stint at nearby North Marion and later getting the opportunity to start the program at The Villages Charter High School. Since taking over in 2002, his teams have gone 138-89 with three unbeaten regular seasons, three district titles and three region championship game appearances.

“Richard was an outstanding young man and student, and a heck of a good little football player,” former Mt. Pleasant football coach Tommy Wolaver said. “He did a lot of things for us when he played. He loved the game, and once he got out and started coaching, it was obvious he was going to be a success somewhere.”

A quarterback and safety on the gridiron, Pettus also played basketball under W.C. Johnson and caught for Eddie Bassham prior to his 1985 graduation. At Memphis State, he committed to the late Rex Dockery and transitioned to receiver under Rey Dempsey, Charlie Bailey and Chuck Stobart.

“I went through three head coaches in five years,” he said. “Playing-wise, it didn’t help when as a walk-on you’re trying to prove yourself to three different coaches, but I had a chance to meet a lot of coaches and learn a lot of ball and a lot of concepts and good ideas and three different playbooks.” 

Like Wolaver, Bassham – who attended the induction ceremony for Pettus and eight others in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – was hardly surprised at the career path Pettus took.

“Richard was a good athlete, but he was going to compete every time he went out,” Bassham said. “He was a competitor, and he teaches that same thing in his coaching. 

“Through Memphis State, not getting to play much, but his endurance there, you could tell … He was kind of destined to go into athletics and the success he’s had, that’s just a tribute to his dedication, his hard work.”

Over his coaching tenure, Pettus has sent more than two dozen players to the collegiate ranks, with numerous players returning to coach under him – including five members of The Villages’ staff last fall. He also coached his son, Gunnar, a 2018 graduate.

In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Pettus has chaired the FACA football committee and has served on the football advisory committee of the Florida High School Athletic Association. As athletics director at The Villages, he has helped host the FACA All-Star Football Classic each of the last 10 years and the FHSAA Rural Football State championships for the past two years.

Pettus was among seven FACA Hall of Fame inductees honored at its 50th annual luncheon.

“I’d just credit all my coaches, from my youth coaches all the way up,” he said. “Just the impact of those guys.

“I’ve been gone from Mount Pleasant basically since 1985, but I’ve never forgotten my roots, the impact and the relationships and being able to stay in contact with all of them still to this day. I’m a lucky guy.”

Spring Hill Reapproves CIP (MSM)

The Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen clarified the status of the

city’s long-term Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects last week.

The CIP was originally adopted in 2018 and includes 22 projects. Over the past eight years, eight projects have been completed, nine remain underway or not started yet and five water and sewer projects are being addressed separately, as they aren’t funded under general funding. 

In 2019,  a funding source was established for the CIP by utilizing a portion of property tax revenue. The increase and usage of property tax remains in place until all projects are completed. 

“It’s important that BOMA continues to be transparent as to where the 2019 property tax increase is going and to continue to show delivery and completion of the projects,” Mayor Matt Fitterer said in a Facebook post. 

Last week’s vote is touted as helping keep the city’s CIP current and transparent for residents, while ensuring the city stays committed to completing its long-term infrastructure improvements.

MRMC Receives Women’s Choice Awards (MSM)

Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) received six 2026 Women’s Choice Awards®, earning designation as one of America’s Best Hospitals™ in Patient Safety, Women’s Services, Cancer Care, Knee and Hip Replacement, Orthopedics and Obstetrics. The Women’s Choice Award is the only national designation that combines clinical performance, patient satisfaction and women’s health care preferences to identify top-performing hospitals.

“These recognitions underscore Maury Regional Health’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care and maintaining the highest standards of patient safety,” said Maury Regional Health CEO Martin Chaney, MD. “We are honored by the trust our community places in our experienced physicians, nurses, technicians and dedicated team members who strive to provide exceptional, patient-centered care to women in our community and their families every day.”

MRMC was recognized with six separate Women’s Choice Awards in the following areas of specialized care among more than 4,600 U.S. hospitals reviewed:

• Best Hospitals for Patient Safety: Top 2 percent for patient safety in surgical practices and infection prevention

• Best Hospitals for Women’s Services: Top 5 percent for the highest standards for comprehensive women’s services

• Best Hospitals for Cancer Care: Top 6 percent for range of treatment services and low infection rates

Best Hospitals for Knee & Hip Replacement: Top 9 percent for surgical outcomes and patient-centered care

• Best Hospitals for Orthopedics: Top 9 percent for exceptional care tailored to women’s health and healing

• Best Hospitals for Obstetrics: Top 9 percent for quality care and patient experience

Maury Regional offers an array of services in obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics and cancer treatment as well as advanced services in other areas of specialty care. To learn more about the services Maury Regional Medical Center provides and its medical staff of more than 500 providers, visit MauryRegional.com/OurServices.

TDEC Lifts Mt. Pleasant Consent Order (MSM)

After two decades of infrastructure improvements, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) lifted a consent order against Mount Pleasant’s wastewater system on Dec. 16.

In 2002, when the consent order was first entered, the City of Mount Pleasant amended its Facilities Plan to incorporate new techniques like wastewater lagoons and spray fields. From 2004-09, $8 million was borrowed from the State Revolving Fund and used it to rehabilitate the city sewer system, build a lagoon and spray fields, which came online in 2009, and divert excess wastewater to them.

In July 2010, TDEC and the city entered into a second consent order. In 2012 TDEC approved the city’s second plan to use the lagoons and spray fields as a temporary solution, while ultimately planning to move away from them.

A third consent order in 2018 settled on a new treatment plan, and at the beginning of 2020 the city started to use a “membrane bioreactor” system that more effectively filtered out the substances capped by state permits: ammonia, nitrogen, phosphorus, suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand. Lagoon return operations have also been managed in accordance with regulatory requirements.

“Since the new treatment plant came online, the city has experienced no NPDES permit violations,” City Manager Philip Grooms said. “As of Dec. 16, 2025, TDEC confirmed completion of all consent order requirements and closed the case.”

City employees have continued to work hard at rehabilitating the Mount Pleasant sewer system, and they recently completed a Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study (SSES) funded by a planning grant.

Regular business

The Mount Pleasant City Commission made several civil-service appointments during its January meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, new officers Trever Roberts and Halkawt Chamsayidi were sworn into the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

The commission appointed new members Katie Martin to the Communication Committee and Jim Brown to the Historic Zoning Commission. They also reappointed the members of several other city committees, including John Hunter and Jennifer Graham to the Planning Commission, Bedford Smith to the Recreation Commission, and all other current members of the Beer Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, Communication Committee and Historic Zoning Commission.

Mayor Bill White announced that on Jan. 8, Gov. Bill Lee and TDEC Water Resources Chief April Grippo asked him to serve on a study that would look into regionalizing projects to get water supply. The study would cover the costs to access and treat water from different sources, possible regional solutions and how to fund them, asset optimization, annexation concerns, remediating water loss, and resolving inter-municipal differences in rates and regulations.

“It’s quite an honor to be asked by the governor to serve on that board,” the mayor acknowledged. “What’s going on [with Mount Pleasant’s own water supply]… doesn’t just touch the city of Mount Pleasant; if we think about all the people we serve, it goes far beyond the city limits.”

Budget Director Shiphrah Cox reported that the city’s new accounting firm is almost done with its annual audit. They’re on their third auditor in three years: small firms are either getting bought out by larger ones, fleeing the burdensome new regulations on municipal audits, or charging higher fees as their competitors disappear. Commissioner Mike Davis and White confirmed that this is happening to many small cities and firms, and the state has no plans yet to start capping audit fees or respond in another way.

City Manager Grooms announced a public hearing on Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m., where public commenters can weigh in on the stormwater utility and changes to the zoning ordinance. The Communications Committee meets on Feb. 30 at 5:30.

The city commission also adopted the county’s Emergency Operations Plan, changed the scope of Civil and Environmental Consultants’ improvements to their water system, and heard public comment questioning a resolution (not on the agenda) to pay Visit Mount Pleasant $25,000 to advertise local businesses. Visit Mount Pleasant intends to highlight enterprises and seek placements beyond Main Street, on which community development has previously focused.

“The intent is… to get away from [only Mount Pleasant’s] Main Street… [to] all the businesses in town,” said Mayor White.

“A lot does come out of that program… [like] tourism, trying to get people here to have functions,” added Vice Mayor Willie Alderson.

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.

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

Michael Udo Stephens, 49, died Thursday, January 29, 2026 at his residence in Columbia.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Mylan Coble officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Friday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Sandra Sue Moore Haywood, 88, died Sunday, January 25, 2026 at her residence in Columbia.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Monday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home and Tuesday from 10:00 AM until time of the services at the church.

Now, news from around the state…

Governor Asks For Expedited Disaster Relief (WilliamsonScene)

On January 28, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee requested President Donald J. Trump grant an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for 23 Tennessee counties following significant impacts from Winter Storm Fern. The request seeks both Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance and Individual Assistance to support response and recovery efforts across the state.

The expedited request includes counties where damage is already evident and expected to easily exceed assistance thresholds, allowing federal resources to reach Tennesseans as quickly as possible. Damage assessments remain underway, and will determine whether additional counties may qualify.

“Winter Storm Fern has created significant damage in communities across Tennessee, and state and local officials, first responders, and volunteers continue to provide critical support,” said Gov. Lee. “I’m grateful to President Trump for granting federal resources to support Tennesseans, and am hopeful our Major Disaster Declaration will be approved quickly.”

The Expedited Major Disaster Declaration request includes the following 23 counties for both FEMA Individual and Public Assistance: Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Maury, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson, Wilson.  

FEMA Assistance

Individual Assistance would make federal aid available directly to Tennesseans to help with temporary housing, home repairs, and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. For more information about Individual Assistance, visit FEMA’s webpage.  

Public Assistance would provide reimbursement to state and local governments, as well as eligible nonprofit organizations, for emergency response costs and repairs to damaged public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, utilities, and public buildings. For more information about Public Assistance, visit FEMA’s webpage. 

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is coordinating response and recovery efforts with local, state, and federal partners to support counties as response and damage assessments continues.

Up-to-date information recovery resources, and guidance for Tennesseans can be found on TEMA’s dedicated Winter Weather webpage. 

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The 14th annual Winterfest Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival for Columbia CARES returns this weekend, featuring a wide variety of regional breweries, wineries, distilleries and more.

This year's Winterfest will take place from 6-9 p.m. at The Memorial Building, 308 W. 7th St.

In addition to a night of mingling, sampling and enjoying the flavors made in Middle Tennessee, Winterfest serves as an annual fundraiser for Columbia CARES.

The nonprofit has operated in Columbia for more than 30 years as an advocate and resource for individuals with HIV/AIDS, serving clients 12 Southern Middle Tennessee counties. These services range from HIV/AIDS testing to counseling and medical aid.

Tickets to the 2026 Winterfest Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival are $48.39 and are available at www.SimpleTix.com.

The event is 21 and up to attend.