Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 1-7-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for January 7, 2026

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

We start with local news…

Leaders Look Ahead (MSM)

Main Street Maury asked local leaders what issues they believed would be the most important in the year 2026. Several local leaders responded including:

Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt

The four most important issues in Maury County right now are water supply, land, roads and solid waste. All have become priorities because of fast, uncontrolled growth. I could elaborate on the reasons why, but looking back or placing blame will not solve the current issues or create the Maury County that we want in the future, and these are my real goals.

First, on water, we need to recognize right now that issues of shared resources that don’t stop at county lines. It is imperative that we begin working, planning and communicating regionally with our neighbors. That is ultimately the only way that the resource will be protected and shared, when no one provider has a monopoly to the detriment of everyone else in the region.

In forming a Regional Water Commission, the state government has no more direct authority over the water than they do now. Such a commission can be created and its responsibilities set by either an act of the General Assembly or an agreement among the providers; either way, the providers work together within the new commission to set policy. The Duck River Utility Commission and the Dickson Water Authority are examples of providers working together in that manner.

Another model is provided by the GNRC (Greater Nashville Regional Council), whose mission is to work with members in the region to guide their growth and development. The GNRC facilitates policy making to prioritize state and federal investments, especially infrastructure needs. There is power in numbers.

A water commission would be composed of members of every utility involved and give every provider a voice and a share of any debt the commission assumes. No one provider monopolizes. On economies of scale, the rate payers win.

I have been in meetings recently with several neighboring water providers who are very interested in forming a commission. Some are concerned with the integrity of the Duck River, and others are currently studying many options for connectivity and cost sharing.

There is only one provider who is telling Maury County that they have the only option and are willing to put all of Maury County on the hook for over $500 million in loans before exploring any other options currently being considered.

As most of you know, I am a Team Maury proponent and I appreciate those who serve our municipalities. However, in this instance, it appears that the Columbia City Council and CPWS want to be the only players on a team that is making huge commitments for every one of us.

As I mentioned earlier, land use, roads, and solid waste are three other issues we must be dedicated to planning now for the future. At a recent regional summit, a county mayor pointed out the following: “No single community can address growth challenges alone. We must collaborate and communicate, help one another, and share resources.”

In sum, many critical issues do not stop at the county line. Working together when at all possible is the most efficient, cost effective, common sense way to address these needs for our future. Communities who do not see the value of working together on common problems are going to be left in the dust and holding the bag!

County Commission Chairman Danny Grooms

Growth, Water and Representation:

A Defining Year for County Leadership

Water is not optional. It is a basic necessity for families, businesses and the future growth of our county. Yet today, many county residents who rely on Columbia water service face rising water rates without meaningful representation in the decisions that set them.

That authority rests solely with the Columbia City Council. County residents — who neither vote for city council members nor have a formal seat at the table — are directly impacted by rate increases they have no power to influence. As water costs climb, this disconnect raises a fundamental question of fairness and governance — how do we ensure accountability when decisions affecting thousands are made by officials elected by only a portion of those affected?

This issue arrives at a particularly consequential moment. We are entering a new property reappraisal year, which historically brings increased property tax assessments for many homeowners. Even when tax rates remain unchanged, higher appraisals often result in higher tax bills. For families already stretched by inflation, insurance increases, and rising utility costs, this combination can be destabilizing.

Water rate increases layered on top of higher property taxes create a compounding effect, especially for fixed-income residents, young families and small businesses. These pressures don’t exist in isolation, and their cumulative impact must be considered holistically by those tasked with governing.

This is also an election year in which all 22 county commission seats, as well as the County Mayorship, will be up for re-election. Elections are not just about personalities or party labels; they are about priorities. Voters deserve to know whether their commissioners are focused on the real, immediate challenges facing the county, or distracted by issues that fall outside their scope while foundational concerns go unresolved.

Now more than ever, the county commission must remain laser focused on the issues directly before it — infrastructure capacity, affordability, representation and sustainable growth.

Growth is not new to our county, but how we manage it remains one of our most urgent challenges. Residential development continues to expand, commercial projects are on the horizon, and demand for water, roads, schools, and emergency services grows alongside them.

Yet growth cannot be managed effectively by any single entity operating in isolation. It is vital for the county and its three municipalities to work together — intentionally, transparently, and consistently — to find a path forward. Water infrastructure planning, rate structures, development approvals, and long-term capacity decisions must be aligned, not fragmented.

When coordination breaks down, residents pay the price: through higher costs, strained infrastructure and decisions that feel disconnected from those most affected. Collaboration is not about surrendering authority; it’s about recognizing shared responsibility.

In short, the coming year will test our local leadership. Decisions made now will shape affordability, livability, and trust in government for years to come.

County residents deserve:

• A voice in decisions that directly affect their household costs

• Transparent communication about water rates and infrastructure planning

• Careful consideration of how tax reappraisals and utility costs intersect

• Leaders who prioritize problem-solving over politics

This is not the time for distractions or division. It is a time for focus, cooperation and accountability. As voters prepare to evaluate every commission seat on the ballot, the message should be clear: managing growth responsibly, protecting residents from compounding financial pressures, and working collaboratively across jurisdictions are essential.

The decisions ahead are complex, but the responsibility is simple — serve the people, plan for the future and work together to get it right.

Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder

As I look to my final year of my two terms in office, I am determined to race to the finish line of the best job I’ve ever had, a dream come true. There is much that has been accomplished, but still more to do. We’ve made historic investments in infrastructure, brought in and developed a variety of small, medium, and large businesses, invested in our people to equip them to keep our community safe and government operating day-to-day, and worked each day to make Columbia, Tenn., the best place in America to live, work and raise a family. There’s a reason Columbia is a place folks want to visit and live, and I take great pride in knowing Columbia’s reputation at home and beyond is the best it’s ever been. 

Over the last year, we saw a historic investment in street paving, and we look to continue to the huge strides we’ve made at improving city streets. We are hopeful that our state roads and highways will also continue to get attention from our partners at TDOT.  We particularly hope to continue to advocate for and encourage the state to expand I-65 to four lanes from June Lake Blvd. to the Bear Creek Pike Exit in Columbia. This expansion would meet a huge need, solve a problem, and allow for expedited access to and from Nashville.

The expansion and renovation of our Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest capital improvement project in city history, which will provide and ensure adequate wastewater services for the next generation, continues on schedule and under-budget. The project is approximately 25 percent complete and we look forward to that facility coming on-line in early 2027.

The city’s acquisition of the Aquatics and Recreation Center has proven to have been a wise investment, most of all, for our efforts to be a healthy and welcoming community. The center had more than 31,000 visits in our first 12 months of ownership, and that’s because our team has made a commitment to the facility and what it can provide to our community. There will be continued investments in this facility, including expansion of the facility and improvements upon the grounds that will continue to make our community proud. 

We look forward to construction beginning on our championship pickleball facility at Ridley Park that will make Columbia a destination for pickleball players across the region but, best of all, offer a first class facility to Columbia pickleball players of all age and skill. 

Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fitterer

The most important issue in Spring Hill for 2026 will continue to be the TDEC Consent Order and the related challenges that come with it. Spring Hill’s focus will remain on Project SWIFT and the Advanced Water Purification project as it provides the pathway for exiting the consent order and providing a generational solution to Spring Hill’s wet utility capacity needs.

Mule Drop Recap (CDH)

Columbia rang in New Year's Eve 2026 with its 10th annual Mule Drop on the downtown square, which was highly attended, capping off the year with a two-minute firework show.

The event, which has been hosted by nonprofit Center of Hope since 2018, brought hundreds of attendees to the historic square, which featured a live DJ throughout the night, vendors, food trucks and more.

"The fireworks were great, weren't they?" Center of Hope Director Cindy Sims told The Daily Herald. "It was the first year we did it for two minutes and to music. I thought they were beautiful."

The annual Mule Drop also serves as a fundraiser for Center of Hope, again partnering with Baxter Management to host the event.

"We get sponsors, who pay for the workings and everything, and then all of the overage," Sims said. "It's one of our biggest fundraisers for the year."

Prior to Center of Hope hosting the annual Mule Drop, the event was held originally at The Athenaeum and was overseen by Adam and Kayla Southern.

"They actually had the original little mule beside the stage," Sims said. "It was the original they dropped at The Athenaeum, which was pretty neat."

Baxter Management President David Baxter applauded Center of Hope's efforts to provide services to victims of domestic violence. The annual Mule Drop is a way to not only raise awareness but also allow the community to pitch in during the season of giving.

"This is their biggest fundraiser every year, and if you get a chance go to their website, check them out, donate to them, offer to volunteer, whatever you can," Baxter said. "My hope and my prayer for each and every one of you is that you have a blessed, healthy and prosperous 2026. If 2025 was bad to you, I hope 2026 is much better."

Spring Hill BOMA Approves Sewer Moratorium (CDH)

The Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 25-29 to establish a citywide sewer moratorium in its second and final reading Monday, Jan. 5.

The vote also included finalizing any remaining sewer capacity allocated to developers, while also lifting a prior suspension of development applications enacted in October of last year.

"This was a serious and necessary action to protect the long-term health of our water reclamation system and ensure we remain in full compliance with our obligations to the State,” said Mayor Matt Fitterer in a press release following the vote.

“BOMA is fully committed to addressing this challenge responsibly, and we recognize that our private-sector partners are essential participants in the solution. I want to thank the development community for working constructively with the city as we prioritize reliable water reclamation service for current residents while establishing a fair, transparent path forward for remaining capacity.

"BOMA is committed to providing near term additional water reclamation capacity through public delivery of decentralized systems, interlocal agreements, or both. We recognize that this action will have negative local economic implications and are focused on minimizing the impact.”

During the Jan. 5 meeting, Spring Hill Development Director Dara Sanders later explained how the moratorium will take shape over the next week in regard to developers submitting applications.

"We will be asking anyone submitting a planning commission application, construction plan review application or building permit application [to include] the property owner's consent to drawing down from their allocation," Sanders said. "That is so we can preserve the integrity of the assignment you are granting to each project, and also to ensure we are effectively tracking the allocation and the individual draws for each allocation you are assigning."

In addition, all projects, buildings or tenant spaces receiving sewer allocation under Ordinance 25-29 are required to install flow meters to monitor sewer flows.

The city will host a public developer community stakeholder meeting from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28 at City Hall, 199 Town Center Parkway.

"If you are in the development community and you are looking for an opportunity to interact with our professional staff and get an understanding of how this will functionally work, that is an opportunity for you that you might want to put on your calendar," Fitterer said.

On Aug. 5 of 2025, the BOMA approved terms to a Consent Order issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).

The issuance was made after 29 violations had been found at Spring Hill's Water Treatment Plant, tracked between 2023-2025 and resulting in a total civil penalty of $65,700.

Per TDEC's Consent Order, the city agreed it would enact a sewer connection moratorium for all projects which do not have vested sewer rights under applicable Tennessee law. The moratorium, according to the Aug. 8, 2025 release, would be lifted only after Spring Hill is found to be in compliance with the Consent Order for a period of 12 consecutive months.

"Spring Hill takes full responsibility for these violations and have been transparent with TDEC throughout this process by self-reporting these issues. We are committed to bringing our sewer treatment plant into full compliance with state standards,” Fitterer said in the Aug. 8 release. “Ensuring the safety and health of our community is our top priority. Our focus is on implementing lasting solutions to prevent future violations and deliver safe and reliable utility systems."

Maury County Retired Teachers Give (MSM)

The Maury County Retired Teachers Association donated $900 to the school district's Students in Crisis program late last year. They also gave more than $200 in gift cards to the district's teacher-appreciation program.

Superintendent Lisa Ventura of Maury County Public Schools spoke at the donation event. Also in attendance was Elouise Jones, a retired Maury County teacher and the current state president of the Tennessee Retired Teachers Association. The Maury County Retired Teachers Association is currently led by Scott Gaines, retired teacher, administrator and assistant director of Maury County Public Schools. MCRTA has 151 members, 30 of whom were in attendance.

Also in attendance was Veneeda Jernigan, a retired Maury county teacher and a current leader of the non-profit, Maury County Students in Crisis. Students in Crisis is a non-profit, founded by retired and current teachers, which offers financial support of up to $300 in utility and rent assistance to the families of currently enrolled MCPS students. Jernigan told the MCRTA members how severe the financial need is in Maury County, and how many of its students are close to becoming homeless.

The MCRTA agreed to donate $200 to this program as an organization, then "passed the hat" at the meeting and raised almost $700 more from individual donations. MCRTA has posted the MCSIC website and donate tab on their Facebook site, and is spreading the word in our community that financial donations are desperately needed.

MCRTA donated gift cards to MCPS's teacher/support staff appreciation program, which awards three employees (a teacher, a teaching assistant and a support staff member) each month with small tokens of appreciation. MCRTA will continue to donate to this program.

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

Eleanor Beauchamp Morgan, age 96, passed away Friday, January 2, 2026.

A Graveside service will be held January 31, 2026 at 4:30 PM at Rose Hill Cemetery in Columbia, TN with Rev. Chris Bowhay officiating. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Glenda South Lunn, 82, died Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Country Cottages in Lawrenceburg, TN.

A graveside memorial service will be conducted Monday, January 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Kinnard Cemetery on Clara Mathis Road in Spring Hill, TN. The family will visit with friends at the cemetery. 

Now, news from around the state…

Lee Opts Out of Federal Food Program (Tennessean)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has opted not to seek about $84 million in federal food assistance to provide summer food aid to about 700,000 needy children statewide.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer EBT program offers about $120 in food benefits to school-aged children that qualify for federal food assistance and do not have access to free or low-cost school meals during the summer months.

Tennessee was one of 13 states that did not seek the funding in 2025, but several of those states reversed course and applied to participate in the program this year. 

Tennessee did not apply for the funding by the Jan. 1 deadline. 

Instead, Lee will seek new funding for the state’s smaller-scale summer feeding programs when he proposes the state budget next month, spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson told The Tennessean.

“Gov. Lee’s FY27 budget proposal will include further investments in Tennessee’s existing summer food assistance programs that effectively reach underserved families while stewarding taxpayer dollars responsibly,” Johnson said.

Johnson called the Summer EBT program, which was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to supplement existing programs, “mostly duplicative.”

“As a greater share of the cost burden shifts to states, Tennessee is well-positioned to ensure children are fed in the summer months by bolstering our existing programs,” Johnson said.

Tennessee’s Department of Human Services ran a $3 million program to offer some food assistance to children in 15 rural counties. The program reached only 18,000 in 2025. 

TDHS did not respond to a request for comment from The Tennessean. 

Mayors from at least 38 counties called on Lee to participate in the federal program in 2026, calling the federal aid “proven, vital support” in the fight against child hunger. 

House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons called Lee’s decision “heartless and hypocritical.” 

“Lee professes to govern through his faith, but here he is once again depriving hungry children of food while almost 20% of Tennessee children are experiencing food insecurity,” Clemmons said. “There is no sound fiscal or policy rationale for this cruelty.”

Food access advocates criticized the state program, saying Tennessee could have leveraged available federal funding and served far more children by participating in the USDA’s Summer EBT program. While the federal program cost the state less than $6 per child in 2024 and served about 700,000 children in all 95 counties, the state program cost the state more than $120 per child and served about 18,000.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

David Lee Roth announced a 2026 tour, with a stop at The Ryman on Wednesday, May 6th.

The tour kicks off in April in Spokane, Washington, and continues until June. Titled “A Night with David Lee Roth,” the show promises to bring Van Halen classics and more.

Former Van Halen frontman Roth helped define an era with anthems like “Jump,” “Panama,” “Hot for Teacher,” and “Runnin’ with the Devil.”

Roth had previously announced he would retire from touring in 2021, but returned to touring in 2025. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 9th at 10 am. Find tickets at www.ryman.com.