Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-24-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for October 24, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Tornado Siren Ground Breaking (MauryCountySource)

Maury County officials have officially broken ground on the community’s first tornado siren after months of planning and coordination.

Officials stressed that the siren is intended for outdoor use only and should not be relied on as the sole method of severe weather warning. Residents are reminded to continue using weather radios and other alert systems.

The county thanked the City of Columbia and the City of Mount Pleasant for their collaboration and support in making the project possible. Additional details about the siren will be shared in the coming weeks.

County Commission Debates Capital Funding (CDH)

The Maury County Commission has approved pricing on contracts regarding multiple projects related to the Mt. Pleasant Public Library, Maury County Animal Services and renovations to the Historic 1906 Maury County Courthouse.

The commission, which convened Oct. 20, to consider the items, discussed a proposed maximum pricing with county owner advocate Hewlett Spencer, LLC. All three received approval.

The Maury County Courthouse design contract to Hewlett Spencer, not to exceed $15,989,783, was approved.

However, not all commissioners were in agreement that spending the money on renovations, as well as establishing a museum at the courthouse should be considered a top priority at this time.

"To me, the historic courthouse is important to our community, but when you really look at the overall needs of what we have in our community, this is a want and not a need," District 8 Commissioner Gabe Howard said. "It is the most expensive project of the three projects we have approved tonight."

Howard added that some of the other needs include funding to improve the Maury County Senior Center.

District 5 Commissioner Scott Sumners argued that he believed the courthouse, in fact, is the most important of the three projects being considered.

"My reasoning for that is that the building was built in 1906, and so we as a commission up here, if we don't vote to renovate this building it's another year," Sumners said. "And what does it do? It falls into disrepair. And whose fault is that? It's our fault.

"And guess who's going to be complaining about that in the future if it falls apart? You people are, and it's because we let the crown jewel of this county fall into disrepair."

Discussion of the Mt. Pleasant Public Library, however, was met with some dispute pertaining to the plans presented by the library board.

Some commissioners took issue with last minute changes to the plans, including relocating the bathrooms.

The contract considered amounted to $6,157,777.

"We have had a similar situation of conflict with this library before, and it looks like it's shown its ugly face again, and I find that very frustrating, because there are some very good people trying to do a good job," District 9 Commissioner Jerry Bridenbaugh said.

The commission approved the library contract, though with the stipulation that the proposed changes be approved by the library board prior to any construction.

The Oct. 20 meeting also included approvals for Hewlett Spencer contracts to oversee renovations and expansions to the Maury County Animal Shelter.

The animal shelter contract, is valued at $10,791,459.

Patty Bass, representing the animal shelter, spoke at the meeting to the expansion's importance, recalling the facility's recent bake sale over the weekend and how children got involved conducting kennel tours.

"There was one little boy who came in who was seven years old, and he looked very sad and distant," Bass said. "A big smile came on his face ... and his dad told me he was autistic and that he had never seen him smile. We are more than about walking dogs, hugging kittens. We are role models in this community, and we thank you so much."

Pancake Day (Press Release)

Since 1959, the Columbia Noon Rotary Club has been flipping pancakes and serving smiles across Maury County. This year’s Pancake Day will be held on Saturday, November 8th, from 6:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building on West 7th Street in downtown Columbia.

Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast of homemade pancakes, sausage, and a choice of beverage. Most folks enjoy dining in and visiting with neighbors, but carryout options will also be available.

“Pancake Day is the Noon Rotary Club’s largest fundraiser and allows us to serve youth and families in the Maury County community through our club projects,” said Connie Massey, Pancake Day Co-Chair. “This fundraiser is a long-standing tradition, and club members are proud to say we’ve made our pancakes from scratch for more than 60 years!”

Proceeds from Pancake Day help support some of the club’s most impactful service projects. Each year, Columbia Noon Rotary provides over $12,000 in scholarships to area high school students. The club also proudly sponsors Boy Scout Troop 103, which has produced more than 50 Eagle Scouts since 1960.

Tickets are $10 each or three for $25, and can be purchased in advance from any Noon Rotarian or at the door on Pancake Day. Children ages 6 and under eat free!

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Columbia noon rotary started in 1924 and has served the Maury County community for over 100 years through community service projects and programs that enhance youth education and leadership training. To learn more about Columbia Noon Rotary, you can visit our website at www.columbianoonrotaryclub.com or on social media at Columbia Noon Rotary.

Maury Regional Makes Forbes Best List (MauryCountySource)

Maury Regional Medical Center has been recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Employers 2025. This recognition reinforces Maury Regional Medical Center’s position as a leader in employee satisfaction in the state, region and nation and reflects the health system’s commitment to workplace excellence. Maury Regional Medical Center is also ranked first among 14 health care companies in Tennessee on the Forbes 2025 America’s Best Employers by State list.

Forbes, in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, selected America’s Best-In-State Employers 2025 through an independent survey from a vast sample of more than 160,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 500 people. The survey asked employees to evaluate their workplace on a variety of criteria like work culture, professional development and acceptance. The final score is based on two types of evaluations: personal, which are those given by employees themselves, and public, those given by friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry.

“We are honored to receive this recognition, which reflects Maury Regional Medical Center’s commitment to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, supported and empowered,” said Maury Regional Health CEO Martin Chaney, MD. “Our inclusion on this list affirms our ongoing efforts to set new benchmarks for workplace excellence and create an environment where both the organization and our team can thrive.”

Maury Regional provides one of the most comprehensive and competitive benefits packages in Middle Tennessee, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans; merit-based pay increases; flexible shift options; an on-site daycare center; access to earned wages before payday; financial counseling; local discounts; and more.

The organization also provides an environment where employees can grow and excel in their chosen or desired profession, offering a variety of unique programs and resources to support team members’ advancement within their current position, exploration of opportunities in other areas of the organization or expanding their skill sets through continuing education. Additionally, Maury Regional offers industry-recognized, competency-based apprenticeship programs that allow employees to combine paid work with hands-on training, working alongside experienced preceptors and offers a variety of financial assistance programs for continuing education.

Maury Regional also offers a variety of robust resources and programs specific to fostering the growth of nursing professionals at all levels and provides residency training programs designed to bridge the gap between education and professional practice. These include the UTHSC-Maury Internal Medicine Residency Program which helps to train the next generation of internal medicine physicians, as well as residency programs for registered nurses, pharmacists and more.

For more information about Maury Regional Health and our commitment to a thriving workplace culture, please visit MauryRegional.com/Careers.

Education Luncheon (Press Release)

Join Maury Alliance on Wednesday, November 19 at 11:30 am for our annual Education Lunch featuring a State of Public Education and the 2025 Education Report. 

During this year's event, Maury Alliance President & CEO, Wil Evans, will lead a panel discussion with representatives from Maury County Public Schools. They will discuss the current state of public education, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs and the 2025 Education Report. 

Panelists include: 

• Lisa Ventura, MCPS Superintendent

• Keith Stacey, MCPS Assistant Superintendent of Instruction

• Amy Roberts, MCPS Career & Technical Education Supervisor 

• Michelle Gilbert, MCPS Director of Teaching, Learning & Assessment 

The event will be held at the Memorial Building located at 308 West 7th St.

The cost is $25 for chamber members and $30 for non-members. Lunch is included. The event is sponsored by Halifax Hospitality

Have a question you’d like the panel to address? Submit your questions in advance to help guide the conversation and ensure your voice is heard. Learn more by visiting www.mauryalliance.com.

Junior Main Street Event (Press Release)

 Columbia Main Street’s youth leadership program, Junior Main Street, is thrilled to announce its first-ever Muletown Movie Night, featuring a showing of The Hannah Montana Movie, filmed in downtown Columbia 16 years ago! The free, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, October 25th, from 3:00 to 8:00 PM in the Maury County Parking Lot (behind the courthouse).

The evening kicks off at 3:00 PM, with themed craft vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment. Vendors will showcase items inspired by both “Hollywood Glam” and “Crowley’s Corner,” selling everything from handmade crafts and jewelry to baked goods and sweet treats.

Attendees can also enjoy the FUN ZONE, sponsored by Customize It and Columbia Noon Rotary, featuring a train ride through the event site, yard games, and sidewalk chalk. The Live Entertainment Stage, sponsored by the National League of Junior Cotillions – Maury County Chapter, will include live music performances, Disney trivia by DJ Garlic, and a crowd-favorite line dance lesson for The Hoedown Throwdown!

“Everyone should come to the Muletown Movie Night,” said Joy Velasquez, a Junior Main Street student. “Bring your family and friends to watch The Hannah Montana Movie! You can dress as Team Miley or Team Hannah, or wear your favorite Halloween costume!”

Be sure to stop by the photo booth sponsored by Children’s Dental Columbia to snap a picture before the movie begins at 6:00 PM and grab a selfie in front of the big screen for the perfect Muletown memory!

“Our high school students have worked incredibly hard to plan this event,” said Kelli Johnson, Columbia Main Street Manager and Director of the Junior Main Street program. “Their creativity, teamwork, and passion for our community have made this project special. We chose The Hannah Montana Movie because it celebrates Columbia’s charm and history in a fun, nostalgic way. We can’t wait for everyone to experience it together!”

Columbia Main Street launched the Junior Main Street Program in 2025 to give high school students real-world experience in community engagement, marketing, tourism, and event planning. The program’s inaugural class includes 25 students from public, private, and online schools across Maury County who are already making a positive impact in downtown Columbia.

Wiremasters Supports Amuseum with Memberships (MSM)

Maury County families stand to benefit from Columbia Children’s Museum, aMuse’um’s partnership with WireMasters in the form of one-year free of memberships to the Children’s Museum of Columbia.

aMuse’um announced the new membership initiative in partnership with WireMasters, a global leader in wire, cable and interconnect products headquartered in Columbia. WireMasters has extended their commitment to community by sponsoring the local program to support children and families.

The new program, titled “Launch into Play with WireMasters,” is part of aMuse’um’s broader Access Membership Initiative — aimed at removing barriers so more children and families in the community can learn, play, and explore together. Through the partnership, participating families will receive a free one-year family membership to aMuse’um.

Thanks to the WireMasters’ partnership, the first wave of foldable “Launch Tickets to Play” has been distributed to students at six local elementary schools: Baker, Brown, Highland Park, Howell, Mt. Pleasant and Riverside. Additional elementary schools in Maury County, as well as local Head Start programs, will receive certificates later this month.

Each certificate invites creativity and connection:

• Families are encouraged to fold the ticket into a rocket, plane, or glider of their own design.

• When they bring their creation to the museum, it can be redeemed for a free one-year family membership with unlimited admission, discounts on event tickets and birthday parties, and early access to programs.

• QR codes link families to aMuse’um’s event calendar, donation page, newsletter signup and social media.

“This initiative is about more than admission — it’s about opening doors and creating space for families to play and learn together in meaningful ways. We’re thankful to WireMasters for helping us break down barriers and bring the gift of play to more children in our community,” aMuse’um Executive Director Maeghan Wall said.

The program was further supported by the generosity of the local UPS Store, which printed the first wave of certificates in full color and two-sided at no cost.

Certificates began going home with students the week of Sept. 8, and families are encouraged to bring their folded rocket or plane to the museum to launch their membership.

Mt. Pleasant Citizens’ Police Academy (MSM)

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is making plans to start a Citizens’ Academy program. The department hopes to consolidate their relationships with the people of the city they serve and give them more understanding of daily police operations.

“I feel like we have a good rapport with the citizens of Mt Pleasant currently, based on mutual trust and respect,” Officer Cory England said. “Ideally, both the citizens and the police department should see each other working towards the same goals: a safe and supportive community.”

The Citizen’s Police Academy is a four-week program that meets at the police department from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24, and one Saturday which hasn’t yet been picked. At classes, participants will learn about the responsibilities of law enforcement, from fieldwork like patrolling and criminal investigations, to clerical work including hiring, communications and law. Participants will also get familiar with police equipment and do hands-on activities; if the program is successful, they might start taking citizens on ride-alongs and other, more involved missions.

“This academy is by no means certifying anyone to be a police officer, only a small look into what we do,” England said. “[But] it may help recruit people who want to be officers in the long run, not only for Mt Pleasant but other agencies.”

The academy is open to everyone 21 years or older, though preference will be given to applicants who work or live in Mt. Pleasant city limits. A paper application form must be printed off the police department’s website and mailed to: Mount Pleasant Police Department, 100 Public Square, P.O. Box 426, Mt. Pleasant, TN 38483, Attn: Cory England

Questions about the Academy can be asked of Officer England at cengland@mtpleasant-tn.gov or (931) 379-3201.

Columbia State Performance Series (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College welcomes Scott Mulvahill to the Cherry Theater on November 13 as part of the Performance Series sponsored by First Farmers and Merchants Bank.

Scott Mulvahill doesn’t just play the upright bass—he reinvents it. A genre-blending singer-songwriter, he fuses Americana, folk, jazz and experimental sounds into something truly original.

“Scott Mulvahill has reimagined what the upright bass can do, even pioneering his own DataBass instrument,” said Tammy Rosson, Columbia State director of events and alumni relations. “Joined by his incredible band, he delivers a sound that’s as inventive as it is soulful, and we’re honored to welcome him back to the Cherry Theater stage.”

A former member of Ricky Skaggs’ Kentucky Thunder, Mulvahill struck out on his own with Himalayas and his groundbreaking DataBass project. Encouraged by Bruce Hornsby, he’s since taken the stage on NPR’s Tiny Desk, Mountain Stage, and TEDxNashville, collaborating with Cory Wong, Lauren Daigle, and Keb’ Mo’. Don’t miss this musical innovator live in concert.

“Scott was well-received the first time he performed in the Cherry Theater, and we are delighted to welcome him back to Columbia State,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “He has continued to hone his craft through reimagining the sounds his instruments can produce; our audience will enjoy the evening!”

Tickets for each performance are priced at $35 and include all fees. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ColumbiaState.edu/PerformanceSeries.

Individuals may also contact the Performance Series ticket line at 931.540.2879, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On performance nights, the box office opens at 6 p.m. in the Kenneth and Ramona Cherry Theater, located in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and all shows begin at 7 p.m. The Columbia Campus is located at 1665 Hampshire Pike in Columbia.

For more information, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/PerformanceSeries.

Maury Business Guide (Press Release)

Explore why Maury County is an ideal destination for businesses, professionals, and families in the latest issue of Maury County Business! This annual guide highlights our vibrant community, thriving business scene, and enviable quality of life. Whether you're a prospective resident, entrepreneur, or site selector, this must-read publication offers insights into what makes our region special.

Here’s how you can connect:

• Read Online: Visit [livability.com/maury-county] to explore unique stories about living, working, and thriving here.

• Print Copies: Contact the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance located at

Join us in celebrating and sharing Maury County’s remarkable qualities, and thank you to our advertising sponsors for making this possible!

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

Mr. David West, 70, retired owner and operator of West Painting Company, died Tuesday at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12:00 noon until time of the services at the funeral home.

Mr. David Bratton, 70, husband of Judy Bratton and a resident of Columbia, died Wednesday at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 1:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Monday from 12 noon until time of the services at the funeral home.

Mr. Pete Konesky, 90, resident of Columbia, died Wednesday October 15th at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday October 28th at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Now, news from around the state…

Gas Hits Lowest Mark Since Covid (Tennessean)

The national gas average could soon drop to the $3 mark — or below — for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a report from Oct. 16, AAA stated that the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline could reach $3 for the first time since May 2021. It attributes lower prices to factors like falling crude oil prices, lower gasoline demand and cheaper winter-blend petrol at the pump.

Data from the Energy Information Administration showed that the gasoline demand decreased from 8.91 million barrels per day the week of Oct. 6 to 8.45 million the week of Oct. 11.

According to a report from Forbes, "The national average is down 14.9 cents from a month ago and is 14.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago."

On Oct. 20, The White House released a statement titled "Gas Prices Hit Four-Year Low Under President Trump."

"Americans are seeing some of the lowest prices at the gas pump in more than four years as President Donald J. Trump’s relentless commitment to American energy production pays off," the release stated.

According to the release, GasBuddy, an app that shows the price of gas at the pump, reported that the nationwide average for gasoline dropped under the $3 mark to $2.98 per gallon. While not all gas price agencies have reported the same number, it is true that the cost of gas is nearing the $3 mark, if it hasn't already reached it.

Tennessee is among the cheapest states for gas in the country, with an average statewide price of $2.66 per gallon on Oct. 22. The only states with lower averages for the cost of a gallon are Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, respectively.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Foo Fighters announced they will head out on tour in 2026 with a stop in Nashville at Nissan Stadium. It’s been a while since Foo Fighters have been in Nashville; they last performed at Bridgestone Arena in 2018, headlined at Pilgrimage Festival in 2019, and performed at Bonnaroo in 2023.

The band will take the stage on August 15th with special guests Queens of the Stone Age.

General ticket sales for the concert take place on Friday, October 31st at 10 am. 

Find out more at www.ticketmaster.com.