Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-23-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for October 23, 2026

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

We start with local news…

Columbia Approves Wastewater Agreement with Spring Hill (MSM)

The Columbia City Council passed a 30-year agreement Oct. 8 to accept up to 1.5 million gallons of wastewater daily from Spring Hill and collect between $21 million and $62 million in the first decade.

Spring Hill will pay Columbia up to $12 million to build a five-mile pipeline, from Spring Hill’s treatment plant to Columbia’s gravity sewer main at Rutherford Creek, and upgrade the pump station at Carter’s Creek Pike. The infrastructure will belong to Columbia when it is finished.

City Manager Tony Massey called the agreement “historic.”

“This is going to be the most financially significant partnership deal in the history of the city of Columbia,” he said.

Spring Hill sought the deal in December when City Administrator Carter Napier and other officials met with Columbia to divert wastewater to Columbia’s new plant. Spring Hill needed additional sewer capacity while working on its Pure Water Spring Hill water-recycling project. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation imposed a moratorium on new sewer connections in mid-2025 after Spring Hill’s wastewater system became overloaded and noncompliant.

“I appreciate this opportunity to partner with you. I think it’s neat that we get to blaze a trail [with] a partnership that is as rich as this,” Napier said at the city’s study session the previous week. “Having been in this business 30 years, I can’t think of a more productive… win-win for both parties.”

The pipeline could convey 500,000 to 1.5 million gallons of Spring Hill’s wastewater per day to Columbia’s new treatment plant, which could process 17 million gallons per day (MGD) when complete. Each day Columbia will collect either a minimum fee for 500,000 gallons or the corresponding charge for an amount between 500,000 and 1.5 million gallons, at the sewer rate per 1,000 gallons that Spring Hill charges its own customers.

“We couldn’t be any more fair to our neighbors up north than to charge the same rate they charge to their customers,” Massey said.

Critics raised concerns that Columbia’s current plant cannot handle the new load or that it would raise sewer rates for Columbia customers.

Columbia citizen Joshua Moore pointed out online that Columbia’s Wastewater Department received Notices of Violation from TDEC between winter 2025 and summer 2026. On several occasions, TDEC found that Columbia Wastewater had released treated wastewater into the Duck River that contained more of certain substances than their permit allows for: suspended solids, ammonia nitrogen, treatment byproducts, and in one case E. coli bacteria.

“Columbia cannot handle its own capacity, yet is planning to take on Spring Hill’s,” Moore objected.

“Columbia ratepayers are NOT Spring Hill’s bailout plan!” posted former County Commissioner Gabe Howard. “Spring Hill approved the growth without planning for it. Columbia residents got the rate increases, and now we’re helping clean up their mess.”

At the city council’s study session the week before the vote, Massey and Columbia Wastewater head Donnie Boshers assured the city council that Spring Hill’s wastewater would never overwhelm Columbia’s treatment capacity. Massey told the city council that the pipeline’s “service commencement date” is the day that Columbia Wastewater confirms in writing that both their treatment plant and the pipeline are ready for service. The new Columbia treatment plant will also be much larger than the old one.

“We can handle twice the city of Columbia’s current capacity [of 7MGD] and still treat Spring Hill’s load,” he calculated.

“It could possibly be two years… before we would see any flow from Spring Hill,” said Boshers. “We should be operating our new facility [in summer 2027], at least one year before we accept any of their material… It looks like July ’28 is the date that they anticipate [starting up the Spring Hill pipeline].”

Though TDEC won’t review the interlocal agreements that Columbia and Spring Hill just signed, they will have to sign off on the design plans when they’re ready. TDEC’s permit writers, Boshers said, were relieved to learn that the pipeline wouldn’t move any wastewater until the new treatment plant was done. They also proposed that the scheme, which is similar but not identical to existing interlocal agreements, could serve as an exemplar for future work.

“When [Columbia Wastewater engineers] told them we would accept no new material from Spring Hill until our new plant was finished, you could see the angst [melt off of their faces],” he chuckled. He also dismissed the recent effluent violations as “mechanical failures, not a capacity issue.”

The Spring Hill load would even help the treatment of Columbia’s wastewater, by giving the treatment microbes more waste to digest and more water to live in, Boshers said.

“That flow is really going to help us. Those oxidation ditches [in our new plant] are big,” he said. “[Extra wastewater] helps during low-flow times like this, and during high-flow times… the new plant will be more than able to handle that.”

Massey said Columbia won’t lose money or raise sewer rates because of the interlocal line. He projected that the minimum daily fees could bring the city of Columbia between $21 million and $62 million in the first decade alone, depending on how much wastewater Spring Hill sends.

“It could very well prevent a sewer rate increase due to the extra revenue… It’s going to allow us to do a lot of infrastructure improvements… and maybe even pay the debt service down.”

Spring Hill Planning Approves Business Plans (MSM)

The Spring Hill Planning Commission approved design modifications for Medacta’s Project Blue and an updated site plan for Enterprise Rental Car at its Oct. 12 meeting. Sidewalk requirements sparked debate on the Enterprise project.

Medacta returned to the commission seeking approval of design modifications and building elevations for Project Blue, an industrial building planned east of Interstate 65 and south of Jim Warren Road. The 184,239-square-foot building appeared before the commission during its Sept. 28 work session, when the board advanced the proposed facade changes toward the consent agenda.

At the Oct. 12 meeting, the commission approved the revised plans after the applicant addressed city staff’s comments and concerns.

Enterprise Rental Car also returned to the commission with a site plan for a property along North Old Port Royal Road. The approximately 6.6-acre site is zoned for light industrial use.

The project was presented during the commission’s Sept. 28 work session, but staff identified several concerns that needed to be addressed before it could advance. While the applicant resolved most of those issues, the proposed sidewalk remained an issue. Under Spring Hill’s city codes, sidewalks are required as part of new site plans, but one was not included in Enterprise’s original proposal.

City staff presented two potential sidewalk locations for the commission and applicant to consider. The first option would place the sidewalk within the future right-of-way, requiring street improvements that include curb and gutter considerations and addressing drainage concerns. The second option would place the sidewalk between the drainage well and the front parking area. Staff indicated that space appeared to be available without interfering with the drainage well.

In a Facebook post, Mayor Matt Fitterer said the applicant indicated that customers could arrive on foot because the property would be within walking distance of a nearby body shop.

During the meeting, the applicant expressed concerns about installing a sidewalk before the future widening of Old Port Royal Road is determined. However, the applicant said it was willing to negotiate a solution that would accommodate the project and the city’s requirements.

Fitterer emphasized the importance of following city codes while accounting for the uncertainty surrounding the road’s future improvements.

Several commissioners expressed support for the first sidewalk option, which would place the sidewalk within the future right-of-way.

Following further discussion, the commission approved Enterprise’s site plan in a 7-1 vote, with the condition that a five-foot sidewalk be installed and that its placement receive city staff approval. If staff does not approve the proposed sidewalk placement, the item will return to the planning commission for further consideration.

Maury Regional Drug Take-Back (Press Release)

Maury Regional Health, in partnership with the Maury County Sheriff’s Office and Maury County Prevention Coalition, will host a free drug take-back event Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering community members a safe and anonymous way to dispose of expired, unused or unneeded prescription medications.

A drive-thru drop-off will be available in the Building B parking lot on the Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) campus at 1222 Trotwood Ave. in Columbia. Members of MRMC’s security team and the Maury County Sheriff’s Office will collect medications directly from vehicles for proper disposal. The service is free and anonymous, with no personal information required.

The event will also feature family-friendly activities hosted by the Maury County Prevention Coalition and Maury County Sheriff’s Office, including face painting, a slide and a free lunch of grilled hot dogs.

The drug take-back will be held rain or shine. Family activities will be available weather permitting.

“We are pleased to once again offer our community a convenient and safe way to dispose of unused, expired or unneeded medications,” said Scott Nations, MRMC security director. “We encourage residents to take advantage of this important opportunity.”

Proper disposal of unused or unwanted medications can help prevent accidental poisoning and misuse while also helping protect the environment.

Only medications in pill or patch form will be accepted. Items should remain in their original containers, if possible. Liquids, needles and sharps cannot be accepted.

For more information, contact the Maury Regional Medical Center Security Department at 931.381.1111, ext. 4327.

Maury County GFWC Presents CSCC with Check (Press Release)

The Columbia State Community College Foundation recently received a check from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Maury County Women’s Club for the Karen Spencer Brooks GFWC Memorial Scholarship. 

The Karen Spencer Brooks GFWC Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of Karen Brooks, a past GFWC Maury County club president, founding member and Columbia State graduate.

The scholarship is awarded each year to the Columbia State student with the highest GPA who is graduating and transferring to a four-year institution, lives in Maury County, is a single parent and has financial need.

GFWC Maury County Women’s Club, established in 2019, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works on projects to improve and support the community.

The Columbia State scholarship was one of its first projects and was funded through donations and fundraising activities.

“GFWC Maury County Women's Club's commitment to our community is reflected in the work the members do to make our community a better place,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for Advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “The Karen Spencer Brooks GFWC Memorial Scholarship is an important part of that commitment and is greatly appreciated.”

The club’s other activities include fundraising, cooking and serving meals at the People’s Table, a soup kitchen based out of Columbia First United Methodist Church. Members also donate regularly to food banks such as Paw Pantry and Maury County Veteran Services, and each fall they give a supply basket to a school nurse in Maury County. The club also donated two trees to the new Miracle League baseball field and playground at Maury County Park.

The GFWC is a global organization with federations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It has 21 affiliate clubs in 15 countries.

GFWC members serve as community leaders. Volunteers focus on their local communities while considering global perspectives. Their activities include supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging civic engagement.

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.

Maury Alliance Candidate Guide (Press Release)

The Maury County Candidate Guide for the November General election is available now!

This is a great resource for Maury County residents to learn more about the candidates running for:

• Tennessee House - District 64

• Tennessee House - District 71

• Columbia City Mayor

• Columbia Vice Mayor

• Mount Pleasant Commission

Read about each candidate, learn their vision for Columbia, Mount Pleasant, and Maury County, and make an informed decision before Election Day.

View the guide online by visiting www.mauryalliance.com.

Just a reminder: early voting is October 4th-October 29th, and election day is Tuesday, November 3rd.

Maury Regional Foundation to Host Survivor Lunch (Press Release)

The Maury Regional Health Care Foundation invites breast cancer survivors and community members to come together for a special luncheon celebrating survivorship, connection and hope on October 30 presented by Maury Regional Medical Group (MRMG) OB-GYN and Plastic Surgery.

The luncheon will be open starting at 11 a.m. at Antrim Celebrations, located at 2759 Pulaski Highway in Columbia with the program beginning at 11:30. The featured speaker, Brenda Frierson, is a 21-year breast cancer survivor who will share her personal journey of hope and survivorship.

Breast cancer survivors in attendance will also receive special recognition as the event celebrates their individual milestones and the community of support surrounding them.

“This event is about celebrating the courage, strength and resilience of breast cancer survivors, as well as the support networks that have stood by them through their journey,” said Foundation Executive Director Rita Thompson. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for making this celebration possible and, through their generosity, helping to provide vital support to more individuals facing a breast cancer diagnosis.”

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation’s Breast Center Fund, which provides resources and support for women during and after breast cancer treatment. The fund helps provide comfort items, such as wigs, head coverings, camisoles and lymphedema garments, as well as educational resources and programs designed to enhance care and quality of life.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 4.3 million women in the United States were living with a history of breast cancer as of January 2025. By 2035, that number is projected to grow by approximately 1 million — the largest increase among the 10 most prevalent cancers.

Individual tickets are $40 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available. To purchase tickets, learn more about sponsorships or support the Breast Center Fund, visit MauryRegional.com/SurvivorLunch or contact the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation at 931.380.4075. R.S.V.P. by October 16.

Maury County Library to Reopen (MSM)

The Maury County Library will cut the ribbon on its renovated main floor at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, celebrating a remodeling project that has been ongoing since October 2025.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett will speak at the ceremony, along with County Mayor Sheila Butt, County Commission Chairman Danny Grooms and Library Director Meghan Cyr.

“We are excited for the Columbia community to join us in seeing the wonderful updates to our library,” said Cyr. “Thanks to a grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development facilitated through South Central Tennessee Development District and matching funds from the County Commission, we have been able to make these much-needed updates to our facility.”

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett will speak at the ceremony, as will County Mayor Sheila Butt, County Commission Chairman Danny Grooms, Library Director Meghan Cyr and other local dignitaries.

The existing library building at 211 West 8th Street was built in 1968, and during a 1994 renovation the Children’s Library was added in the basement. The 2026 renovations to the main level gave the library state-of-the-art technology and new facilities for patrons’ use: a teen center, study rooms, a new classroom, a demonstration kitchen, technology for telehealth appointments, adult education and workforce development classes, and two areas that will accommodate small groups.

The public library grew out of the oldest literary club in Tennessee, which was formed in 1896. Over time the literary club became the Students’ Club and continued to grow, moving from the old Memorial Building to the old Post Office building (the current Memorial Building) to two rooms in the old Columbia Institute.

In 1951, largely through the efforts of the Students’ Club, the library was accredited and became affiliated with the State of Tennessee Library System. Mrs. May Evelyn Bell Stevenson became full-time librarian and Miss Elizabeth Caperton, who had been Students’ Club librarian before the accreditation, served as assistant librarian to the new Maury County Public Library.

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

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.

And now, news from around the state…

Former Mayor’s Son Sues Sitting Mayor (Tennessean)

Former Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr's son recently filed a federal First Amendment lawsuit after being fired by a newly sworn-in Mayor Randy Allen last month.

Joe Carr Jr. held his job for 16 days until Sept. 2, the day after Allen took his oath of office, according to the lawsuit brought by Nashville attorneys Wesley Clark and Frank Ross Brazil with the firm Brazil Clark.

"Randy Allen, on his second day as county mayor, called the County Engineer (Mike Hughes) to (the mayor's) office and ordered Mr. Carr fired," reads the lawsuit, filed Oct. 19 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

"Mayor Allen had just unseated Mr. Carr's father, and Mr. Carr had campaigned for his father. The mayor's explanation, in his own words, was that 'elections have consequences' and that Mr. Carr had 'the wrong last name.'"

The Daily News Journal left a message for Allen seeking comment about the lawsuit on Oct. 20, but the newspaper has not received a response as of press time for this story.

The Carr lawsuit notes that the First Amendment has forbidden firing decisions like Allen's for 50 years.

"Mr. Carr brings this action to get his job back and to hold the mayor and the county to account," the lawsuit reads.

Joe Carr Jr. also wants economic damages for lost wages and benefits for a job with a base salary of $60,490, reputational harm, mental suffering and emotional distress, reasonable attorney fees, costs and expenses, according to the lawsuit.

"Mayor Allen acted with unconstitutional motive or intent, or with reckless or callous indifference to Mr. Carr's federally protected rights, entitling Mr. Carr to an award for punitive damages against Mayor Allen individually," the lawsuit stated.

Amounts were not specified in the lawsuit.

Allen won his seat Aug. 6 as an unopposed Republican nominee. He previously captured the May 5 GOP primary with 36.16% of the vote while Carr was runner up with 34.12%, and former County Commissioner Craig Harris placed third with 29.51%, according to Rutherford County Election Commission records.

Joe Carr Jr. filled a position after his father, acting on the request of the county engineer, recommended approval of the budget committee June 17 for the creation of an engineering technician job.

The added job would help cover for an experienced inspector on family medical leave, Carr told the budget committee.

The "most experienced inspector suffered a heart attack," according to the lawsuit.

The full 21-member County Commission in a 20-1 June vote followed the budget committee's recommendation by approving a $989.9 million budget that included the added job for a fiscal year that began July 1.

The job offer to Joe Carr Jr. came one day before the inspector on family medical leave returned to work Aug. 5, according to the lawsuit and county public records obtained by The Daily News Journal.

The former mayor's son applied for the engineering technician job in July, the lawsuit said.

Joe Carr Jr. had experience as a heavy equipment operator with a subcontractor in following the county's rules and regulations to subdivisions under development, including reading site plans and survey stakes, subgrade and grade work in road construction, and storm drain construction, according to the lawsuit.

Prior to interviewing for the job, the former mayor's son knew the county Engineering Department's senior inspector Darrin Boman, according to the lawsuit.

"On July 28, 2026, Mr. Carr was interviewed, along with several applicants, by a four-member panel from the (Engineering) Department: Mr. Hughes, Assistant County Engineer Jared Bonar, Senior Engineering Inspector Darrin Boman, and Duncan Cox," the lawsuit states.

"The panel selected Mr. Carr. Mayor Carr was not on the panel and did not make the hiring decision. On Aug. 4, 2026, Mr. Bonar told Mr. Carr he had been selected, and the county's Human Resources Department sent (Joe Carr Jr.) new-hire paperwork."

Joe Carr Jr. disclosed in his new-hire paperwork that he had a family member in Rutherford County government, according to the lawsuit.

The former mayor's son served in the Engineering Department's "lowest-ranking position" as a probationary, entry-level trainee, the lawsuit noted.

"Mr. Carr spent his mornings in the office studying TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation) road and bridge construction manual, construction drawings, and the county's GIS (geographical information system) maps, and then went into the field with Mr. Boman," the lawsuit stated.

The lawsuit noted that Joe Carr Jr. had no authority to approve plans, sign permits, issue stop-work orders, or make any decisions on the county's behalf.

"Mr. Hughes holds the department's approval stamp, and final decisions were his," the lawsuit stated.

Joe Carr Jr. had no contact with the county mayor's office in his work, including the two weeks his father remained in office, the lawsuit noted.

"Political affiliation has no bearing on the duties of an engineering technician," the lawsuit stated. "Mr. Carr was good at his job. No one in the department corrected, criticized or disciplined him."

The firing decision occurred soon after Hughes and Boman discussed putting Joe Carr Jr. in a county work truck and getting him an employee number to buy fuel, the lawsuit added.

Prior to 12:45 p.m. Sept. 2, Hughes met with Mayor Allen in the mayor's office. County Human Resources Director Sonya Stephenson was present, according to the lawsuit.

"Mayor Allen told Mr. Hughes that the firing was 'political,'" the lawsuit said.

The litigation document noted that the new mayor provided "no reason connected to Mr. Carr's work, conduct or qualifications," and added that "Ms. Stephenson said that the county could fire Mr. Carr because he was still on probation and that probation would be the stated reason for the termination."

Joe Carr Jr. learned from Hughes about the firing decision while Bonar was present.

Hughes said Carr Jr. would have to be let go because Allen wanted the former mayor's son gone and that the decision was "100% political," the lawsuit said.

Hughes, according to the lawsuit, said he told Carr Jr. that the firing would be understandable if the former mayor's son had been a slacker or insubordinate.

"Mr. Bonar said the decision had nothing to do with Mr. Carr's performance," the lawsuit said.

Hughes called former Mayor Carr at 1:08 p.m. Sept. 2 to relay the news.

When asked by Joe Carr Sr. if the firing was because Joe Carr Jr. was the son of the former mayor, the county engineer answered, "Yes, sir," the lawsuit said.

"Mr. Hughes told Mayor Carr that (Joe Carr Jr.) 'was exceeding expectations,' showed an eagerness to learn, took notes often, was easy to work with, and 'was a good employee,'" the lawsuit said.

The litigation complaint also suggested the engineering technician position remains open and unfilled.

Rutherford County Attorney Nick Christiansen informed former Mayor Carr by Sept. 18 that the firing decision would not be reversed, according to the lawsuit.

Since the firing, Joe Carr Jr. has worked catering shifts and day labor for a fraction of his annual pay and benefits for the engineering technician job, the lawsuit noted.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Nothing says fall like a trip to a pumpkin patch. Middle Tennessee has plenty of pumpkin patches to meet all your fall needs. Looking for carving pumpkins? Smaller pumpkins to use as decor? Many of these pumpkin patches also offer other fall activities for the entire family. Two local pumpkin patches include:

Pumpkin Paradise (Maury County)

3005 Sheegog Lane, Columbia, TN 38401

Open through October 31, Friday 2 pm-6 pm, Saturday 9 am-6 pm, Sunday 1pm-6 pm

Pumpkin Paradise offers a fun-filled farm experience. The farm offers swings, slides, a corn box, pedal track, climbing tires, an inside hay maze, sit n’ play, flying pigs, gravel pit, and much more. Stop by the farmer’s garden and see what is growing. The hayride around the farm is a good way to spot some cows and learn a few things about them. Don’t forget to read the signs posted around the field and see what you can learn about being a farmer.

For more information, go to www.pumpkinparadisetn.com.