Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-15-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for October 15, 2026

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

We start with local news…

Wanted Man Caught (MauryCountySource)

A traffic stop for speeding led to the arrest of a 46-year-old Goodlettsville man who had multiple outstanding warrants and methamphetamine in his possession, according to the Mt. Juliet Police Department.

Officers stopped a vehicle after it was traveling 80 mph in a 70 mph zone.

During the stop, officers discovered the man, who was a passenger in the vehicle, had active warrants out of Lawrence, Robertson and Maury counties stemming from narcotics-related offenses.

Further investigation uncovered approximately one gram of methamphetamine and a glass pipe in his possession.

The man was taken into custody on the outstanding warrants and additionally charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

County Land Use Talks Continue (MSM)

The advisory committee working to shape Maury County’s new Comprehensive Land Use Plan met again on Sept. 24 to hear citizens’ input and try to come up with their next steps.

Liz Fields, the representative for the consultant firm McBride Dale Clarion, told the committee the firm has finished Phase 1 of its commissioned tasks, which focuses on gathering information about current conditions in county land use and development. McBride Dale Clarion published its Phase 1 results in a PDF at planmaurycounty.com.

Planning is now in Phase 2, which includes developing the overall public “vision” for development and a fiscal analysis of different growth scenarios. Representatives of the firm TischlerBice are expected to attend the next meeting to present the results of the fiscal analysis.

In Phase 3 all the data, input and ideas will be brought together to create the new comprehensive plan, which sets recommendations for the future zonings, uses and character of all non-municipal county land.

“Your future land use framework is a policy guide,” Fields explained. “Any recommendation that’s displayed in a future land use map does not change zoning, but it is used as the foundation for future zoning requests and changes.”

The county will hold more meetings before the end of the process. A public-engagement event will be held at the Memorial Building on an as-yet undetermined date and time. The advisory committee will meet again at the county meeting chamber for a work session at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Fields hoped that on a speedy timeline, the county commission could officially adopt the plan in December.

The meeting was the last before the county’s partial subdivision moratorium ended on Oct. 1. Now that the moratorium is over, land parcels can be subdivided again, with the approval of the Regional Planning Commission and County Commission, into residential lots of less than five acres.

County Commissioner Jerry Strahan expressed interest in extending the moratorium, but Building & Zoning Attorney Kristi Ransom informed the committee that late October is the earliest the planning commission could consider an extension, which would come before the county commission in the middle of November.

“It looks like we’re planning to work beyond the moratorium,” said Strahan.

Fields replied the delay was partly due to the lack of consensus and direction about the “vision” for the county.

“Based on last month’s decision and conversation, we don’t have a set direction for the future land-use map,” she said plainly. “I can put all the pieces together, but… we’ve heard a lot of mixed feedback based on the public meetings and tonight… Without you all and the community saying how you want to address the future land-use framework… this is, I think, where we’re going to be stuck until you all figure out how you want to move forward.”

Public commenters were divided over the minimum required lot size on county territory, whether it should be one or five acres. Several local homebuilders and realtors argued the market for five-acre lots is far smaller than that for one-acre lots, and five-acre minimum would only allow the wealthy to buy residential lots in the county.

“What you get in a one-acre development [is] families who care about each other, who play with each other. That’s what Maury County needs,” said Dave Townsend, a local realtor who lived in the one-acre Oak Lake Estates.

Independent homebuilder Craig Howell said, “I just ask that we not take away the choice of the people that want to live on a one-acre lot.”

Homebuilder Randall Shaw pointed out that only a small minority of subdivisions and housing units are being built on county turf. He credited the low rate to the county’s legislative and infrastructural constraints.

Some owners of large tracts complained that “downzoning” the recommended uses for their properties would tank their resale values. Others forecast that the cost of extending infrastructure would prevent one-acre subdivisions in the rural county. Still others urged the county not to rule out developments that might one day be feasible.

“You’re going to devalue it anywhere from 35-50 percent. You’re taking money out of [farmers’] 401(k)s,” said Jim Baker. “When you look at Williamson County… today all of those farms are covered up with houses. So at some point 20-30 years down the road, there’ll be a lot of land [of which] you say, ‘It’ll never be developed,’ but it will probably be, if growth continues.”

Chris Gramling said, “Owning agricultural land does not mean that someone is automatically entitled to whatever subdivision density, infrastructure or land-use change would maximize its resale value. Agricultural preservation… is recognition that the property rights of the people who are already here matter, too.”

“It seems that most laypeople are very much in favor of five acres for one reason or another, [while] many developers or real-estate agents are in favor of one acre,” claimed attorney Ryan Dugger. “I think everyone’s concern… is that a big developer is going to come in right across from your house… and I think as long as there’s a process to intensely scrutinize those, you may not even have to [decide] the one-acre or five-acre [debate].”

Other data-minded commenters, both committee members and public commenters expressed a desire for more data-fed ARC-GIS “overlays” on the county zoning map, which would show the different qualities of the land, from its existing uses and zoning to its waterways and geology. More data, they said, would help determine the character and zonings for geographically distinct parts of the county.

“I think y’all need to start over… We don’t need [a single zoning category] for our entire county, except for our urban growth boundaries,” said Peder Jensen, a former planning commissioner. He suggested drawing overlays would be easy if they started from the most basic publicly available data. “Why are we putting the cart before the horse?… We have the technology, it’s 2026. Let’s get the data right and then start [to] build a plan.”

“Obviously we’ve got to get these maps. We have to get the data,” Gramling agreed. “[And] I am not for any homogenization of Maury County through [a uniform lot minimum]… Each area has its own character, and I think we need to stick with that as a guiding principle.”

“We need that data. It’s invaluable, the layers,” agreed committee chairman Eric Previti, who asked for overlays of everything from rocky terrain to industrial corridors to old industrial pollution sites.

Public commenter Jordan Rouden, himself a consultant, pointed out that some of McBride Dale Clarion’s “deliverables” contained grammatical errors and obvious copy-pastes from their work with at least one other municipality, Tate Township in Ohio.

Fields told the committee and their audience they had only copied and pasted some “graphics” from the Tate Township presentation as a template, without erasing any of the local data or public input. On Sept. 28, the page which appeared to contain Tate Township data was replaced with one featuring Maury County’s public input results.

“I still want [McBride Dale Clarion] here, I think you do good work, but you need to do something to resurrect your credibility a little bit,” said public commenter Bob Crichton.

Crichton also stated, “This project needs a project manager… We’ve gone a whole month… spinning our wheels… We don’t have an end goal, we don’t have a final map… Someone needs to step up and say, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do.'”

City to Help Fund Inclusive Playground (CDH)

Columbia City Council has approved a $230,000 donation to the Miracle League of Columbia, giving the nonprofit a leg up to begin a second phase of development at Maury County Park.

The $2.7 million project first broke ground in August 2025 with a vision of repurposing the park's Babe Ruth Field, providing a place for children with special needs to participate in America's national pastime, though the field, itself, was only the first step in a much grander vision, officials say.

"This year, we celebrated our inaugural season with 61 amazing players who stepped onto our field, made new friends, heard their names announced and experienced the joy of being part of a team," Miracle League Founder and President Robin Estep said in a statement presented to council members. "Our fall season now has 78 players registered, and we couldn't be more excited about what lies ahead. But our mission doesn't stop at the ball field."

The second phase will see the construction of a playground, Taye's Place, next to the field. It will be specially designed for children with disabilities and other needs, organizers say, but the league's ability to fund the project has run into financial issues after completing the first phase.

According to a presentation by the league submitted to city leaders, Taye's Place is estimated to cost $728,469. The remaining funds available for completion through the county had only totaled $230,000.

The city's new donation has doubled the remaining funding amount.

"I couldn't be more proud," Mayor Chaz Molder said. "Every child deserves a place where they feel included and can enjoy the simple joys of childhood. This investment reflects our commitment to creating accessible recreational opportunities, and to ensuring Columbia remains a community where everyone has the opportunity to participate and belong."

While the city's donation brings the Miracle League's funding closer to its estimated goal, there is still a need to ensure the project can be completed.

It's about $268,469, to be exact, organizers say.

Phase 1's $2.7 million was made up of a $1 million donation from Maury County Parks & Recreation along with $1.7 million in donations gathered by grassroots fundraising efforts from sponsors, individual donors and members of the community.

With the Taye's Place funding goal, the overall project investment would be $3.4 million.

"We have come so far because our community believed in this dream," Estep said. "Now, we are asking our community to help us finish what we started. We are incredibly grateful for every sponsor, donor, volunteer, player, coach, family member and friend who has helped us make The Miracle League of Columbia what it is today.

"Every cheer from the stands, every player who crosses home plate and every family who finds a place where they truly belong reminds us why this work matters."

For those interested in donating to The Miracle League for Taye's Place or getting information on volunteer opportunities, visit ColumbiaMiracleLeague.com.

"If you have an organization or anyone who wants to give or donate any additional funding to get more equipment, or to upgrade some that is going to be put there, that is welcome," Councilwoman Cheryl Secrest said. "Get with the board and let them know if you want to donate to get some equipment. Put your name on it and tag it."

Columbia State Announces Endowed Scholarship (Press Release)

The Columbia State Community College Foundation has recently received funds that will help support nontraditional nursing students’ educational journey at the college.

The Mary Alyson Carter Nursing Scholarship is established by Patrick M. Carter in honor of his wife, Mary Alyson, in celebration of her personal and professional journey.

The endowed scholarship is intended to encourage and support nontraditional students at Columbia State who have the courage to begin again, so that they, like Mary Alyson, may fully realize their potential. The endowment also commemorates Oct. 6, a date of special importance to the Carter family.

For Mary Alyson, enrolling at Columbia State as a nontraditional student was a lifeline. There, she found the foundation, confidence and opportunity to begin again. That start set her on a path that led to Lipscomb University, then Vanderbilt University and ultimately to a distinguished career as a nurse practitioner.

“It is a meaningful full-circle story: Mary Alyson benefited from the support she received at Columbia State, and today, future students will benefit from the success she has achieved,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for Advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “We appreciate her family honoring her with this endowed scholarship.”

The endowment is an expression of the family's pride in Carter’s skill, intellect, integrity, compassion and above all, in the perseverance that has defined her life.

She has faced challenges that would have stopped many people, including the long road of recovery from alcoholism, the demands of being a young single mother and the loss of a beloved aunt to violence. Rather than being defined by those hardships, she rose through them.

Through the scholarship, the Carter family hopes to extend that same lifeline to others.

The Columbia State Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and partners with the college to positively impact student success and the communities in which it serves. For more information, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Foundation.

In other Columbia State news…The Columbia State Community College Finney Memorial Library and the Career, Veteran and Transfer Center recently partnered with Middle Tennessee State University and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to provide students with an innovative virtual reality career training experience.

A dozen Columbia State students participated in the hands-on career exploration event, using virtual reality headsets to experience immersive career simulations across a variety of industries. Participants also enjoyed complimentary pizza and refreshments while learning about potential career pathways and educational requirements.

The VR simulations allowed students to explore occupations in fields such as healthcare, information technology, agriculture, hospitality and other high-demand industries. Through immersive experiences lasting four to six minutes, students gained valuable insight into daily job responsibilities and career opportunities.

“Through immersive VR technology, this on-site career simulation at Columbia State's CVT Center gave participants an engaging and interactive opportunity to explore career pathways and better understand the education and training requirements associated with their areas of interest,” said Freda Leslie Pillow, Career, Veteran and Transfer Center coordinator.

The VR Career Training Project is a $549,560 federal grant initiative administered by Middle Tennessee State University and funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The three-year project examines how virtual reality career exploration and training programs offered through libraries can contribute to positive workforce outcomes for participants.

Through the grant, public libraries in economically distressed, at-risk and transitioning communities receive VR technology equipped with workforce simulations that help individuals explore careers, develop job-specific skills and increase workforce readiness.

The project includes:

• Career exploration simulations featuring immersive scenarios across several industries.

• Virtual training facility simulations that demonstrate job tasks and allow users to practice workplace skills and prepare for certifications.

• Professional development for librarians, providing VR literacy and workforce simulation training to better support patrons and job seekers.

In addition to delivering career training opportunities, the project gathers feedback from participants, library staff, educators and community stakeholders to assess VR's impact on workforce skills, credential attainment and employment outcomes. Findings will be shared through publications, presentations, podcasts, testimonies and a best-practice guide to encourage adoption by libraries and workforce development organizations nationwide.

The initiative aligns with Institute of Museum and Library Services Workforce Development priorities, which support libraries in connecting job seekers with training opportunities, employment services and digital literacy programs. The VR Career Training Project demonstrates how emerging technology can expand access to career exploration and workforce preparation, particularly in underserved communities.

By combining innovative technology with educational support, Columbia State continues to provide students with opportunities to discover career possibilities, strengthen workforce readiness, and make informed decisions about their futures.

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

Mrs. Camille Wyman Allen, 79, formerly of Columbia, passed away on October 8. A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 16 at 11:00 AM with a visitation one hour prior at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Camille will be laid to rest in Mount Hope Cemetery in Franklin.

Mrs. Nancy Susan Cromwell Wiser, 80, a longtime resident of Columbia died Friday, October 9, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be conducted Friday, October 23, at 5:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM at the funeral home.

Patricia Lou Spencer Hill passed away peacefully on October 12, 2026, in Columbia.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, October 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM at South Gate Church of Christ. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

And now, news from around the state…

Franklin Growth (Tennessean)

Williamson County's growth shows no signs of slowing, with a boutique hotel at The Factory, a $165 million mixed-use district and a sprawling new municipal complex among the major projects reshaping Franklin.

The growth comes as U.S. Census Bureau data shows Williamson County has added 24,335 residents since 2020.

The Factory Hotel, which will be part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, is expected to break ground near the end of 2026 and open in spring 2028.

The 120-room boutique hotel is part of an expansion at The Factory at Franklin that will include a new parking lot.

Inspired by The Factory's history and character, hotel officials said it will offer guests an experience that blends Southern hospitality with modern amenities. Plans call for Building 10 to serve as the hotel's main lobby, while Building 9 will be transformed into a pool courtyard.

Additional amenities will include event and meeting space, a full-service restaurant and bar, a private dining room and a fitness center.

The Carter House, the historic farm built in 1830 that became one of the central sites of the Battle of Franklin, is undergoing an $8.5 million expansion with the construction of a new visitor center.

Announced in 2025, the project is funded through $6.5 million approved by state legislators and an additional $2 million from the Tennessee Historical Commission Board.

The existing visitor center has served the site since the early 1980s and will be replaced by a new multi-use building named in honor of Herbert Harper, former executive director of the Tennessee Historical Commission and a Franklin resident.

The completed facility will also feature new interpretive exhibits sponsored by the Battle of Franklin Trust. No completion date has been announced.

In late 2024, Beacon Group of Tennessee and Fridrich & Clark Realty unveiled plans for the Margin District, a mixed-use development that aims to complement Franklin's historic character.

The project will include 50,000 square feet of retail space for luxury shops and restaurants, as well as more than 50,000 square feet of Class A+ office space and a dedicated parking garage. Office suites will start at 2,500 square feet.

The $165 million development will also feature 25 luxury residential units priced at more than $2 million each.

Homes will range from approximately 2,000 to just over 3,000 square feet and will include two secure parking spaces in a residents-only gated section of the garage, along with access to a private storage unit.

Retail construction is currently underway, with completion expected in 2027. Tenants for the retail and office spaces have not yet been announced.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Yanahli Park in Columbia will host a free lantern hike on Saturday, October 24, 2026, giving Maury County residents a chance to explore the trails after dark. The guided night hike starts at 8 p.m. and covers the park’s history and the nocturnal animals and insects that become active at night. There may also be a ghost story or two along the way.

The hike takes place Saturday, October 24, beginning at 8 p.m. Participants will meet at the trailhead at Yanahli Park, located at 922 Iron Bridge Rd., Columbia, TN 38401.

The route covers about 1 mile and is rated easy, so it works well for beginners and families. Plan on the hike lasting between one and two hours, with stops along the trail for stories and wildlife talk.

Guides will share details about the history of Yanahli Park as the group walks. The hike also focuses on the nocturnal wildlife and insects that come out once the sun goes down. The evening may include a few ghost stories to fit the Halloween season.

Lanterns will be available for hikers to use during the program. Anyone who prefers their own light is welcome to bring a headlamp or flashlight.

The lantern hike is free, but advance registration is requested. Follow the link in this broadcast transcript to register at www.frontporchradiotn.com. Sign up HERE. More event details are available HERE.