Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-27-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for October 27, 2026

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

We start with local news…

Pierce Death Considered Homicide (WSMV.com)

Investigators have confirmed they are investigating the death of 30-year-old Savannah Pierce as a homicide, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

Pierce was last in contact with her family on Sept. 7, 2026. Her family reported her missing on September 22, and deputies found her dead the next day, September 23.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office told WSMV4 Monday that investigators have identified persons of interest. No arrests have been made.

WCSO said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Maury County Sheriff’s Department led the initial search for Pierce. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office later joined the investigation after learning Pierce had reportedly lived in Williamson County.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing. WCSO also says additional details will not be released at this time to protect the investigation’s integrity.

Combine Explosion (MauryCountySource)

Fire crews responded to a combine fire on on Wednesday, Oct. 21, after the machinery caught fire following a explosion.

Units were dispatched to Mt. Joy Road at 11:12 a.m. and arrived to find the combine about 40% engulfed in flames. A large explosion occurred shortly after crews arrived, followed by several smaller explosions as the tires blew.

Firefighters extinguished the combine and the corn field before spending more than an hour overhauling the machinery.

No injuries were reported.

Former Columbia First Responder Indicted (WKRN.com)

 A longtime Maury County first responder is now in jail, accused of multiple counts of sex crimes against children.

On Thursday, a Maury County Grand Jury indicted Patrick Edward Ryan, 42, on eight counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Ryan is a former police officer, a former volunteer firefighter, a former corrections officer, and is currently a constable in District 7 in Maury County.

According to Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland, Ryan was a corrections officer at the Maury County Jail for a little more than a year. The sheriff confirmed he terminated Ryan on Thursday, the day he was indicted and then processed at the Maury County Jail.

According to Mount Pleasant Police Department, Ryan was an officer in the Maury County law enforcement agency from January 2013 until October 2015.

Police officials in Spring Hill told News 2 Ryan started with the Spring Hill Police Department in 2019 and was fired in 2023, when he was a K-9 officer.

According to an internal investigation from SHPD obtained by News 2, Ryan was terminated for “conduct unbecoming an officer, honesty and truthfulness issues, as well as false and inaccurate reporting.”

It all stems from an investigation in 2023, when K-9 Officer Ryan was questioned about his investigative techniques involving a drug case in the parking lot of a Home Depot.

“After watching Officer Ryan’s videos, I concluded that Officer Ryan is using Canine Narco to violate the rights of citizens of Spring Hill. Officer Ryan has had plenty of canine training. He was a canine handler for the Mt. Pleasant Police Department and is currently a canine handler for the Spring Hill Police Department,” the report concluded.

The internal report leading to Ryan’s termination also looked closely at other investigations and traffic stops made by the K-9 officer while employed by the department.

Ryan also spent years as a volunteer firefighter for the Maury County Fire Department. According to MCFD command staff, Ryan was fired Sept. 16, 2026, for failure to fulfill his duties.

According to the 16-count indictment, around January of 2024, Ryan “possessed and distributed multiple images depicting a child engaged in a sexual act.”

According to the district attorney’s office, if convicted of all 16 felony counts, Ryan could get between three and 80 years in prison.

The Maury County Jail confirmed to News 2 Ryan posted a $100,000 bond. He is due in court Nov. 3.

City to Support Inclusive Playground (Press Release)

The City of Columbia has invested $230,000 to help complete Taye’s Place, an all-inclusive playground planned next to the Miracle League of Columbia baseball field at Maury County Park.

Taye’s Place will provide a welcoming space where children of all abilities can play, explore, and build friendships. The playground will expand the mission of the Miracle League, which gives individuals with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball, be part of a team, and build lasting connections.

“Every child deserves a place to play and feel included,” said Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder. “The Miracle League has made a lasting impact on families throughout our community. The City is proud to support a project that will benefit families for years to come.”

The City's investment will help bring the playground closer to completion. The project will provide additional recreational opportunities for children and families beyond the baseball field.

“This investment reflects the City's commitment to improving quality of life for all residents,” said Columbia City Manager Tony Massey. “We appreciate the Council’s support of this important project and the dedication of everyone working to make this playground a reality.”

The City extends its appreciation to Maury County Parks & Recreation, the Miracle League Board, and the players and families who have helped make this project possible.

The City of Columbia is proud to support this project and the partnerships that make it possible. Taye’s Place will create lasting opportunities for children of all abilities to play, connect, and feel included.

5th Congressional Candidates Answer MSM (MSM)

Continuing yesterday’s coverage of the Fifth Congressional District candidates Charlie Hatcher and Chaz Molder answers to a series of questions submitted to them from Main Street Media of Tennessee ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3. 

The candidates were asked what policies would they support to make homeownership more accessible to Tennesseans?

Charlie Hatcher stated that homeownership has long been part of the American Dream, but too many young families and first-time buyers are finding that dream increasingly difficult to achieve. Our children and grandchildren should have the opportunity to own a home, raise a family and build a future in the communities where they grew up.

We need policies that encourage the construction of more affordable starter homes, reduce unnecessary federal regulatory costs associated with development and expand access to responsible mortgage financing. We should strengthen existing programs that help qualified first-time homebuyers and rural families purchase homes, while maintaining sound lending standards.

We need to work with local communities and the private sector to increase housing availability without imposing one-size-fits-all federal zoning mandates.

Molder responded that people who grow up here should be able to live, work and raise a family here. I came home to Columbia and had that opportunity. It is becoming harder for the next generation to do the same. 

We need more homes people can afford to buy, especially starter homes. I support reversing tariffs on building materials, improving access to financing for smaller builders, and helping communities pay for the water, sewer and roads needed to support housing. We should also eliminate duplicative federal delays while respecting local planning – in homebuilding, time is money. 

Targeted help with first-time buyers’ upfront costs can make a difference, but it has to accompany more housing. A buyer needs a home to buy. 

Next, the candidates were asked how Congress can improve rural residents’ access to healthcare?

Hatcher: Having spent much of my life working in rural Tennessee, I understand the challenges facing communities where access to healthcare may require traveling long distances.

Rural hospitals and clinics are essential, and we need to ensure they have the resources and flexibility to remain viable.

I support expanding tele-health, encouraging healthcare professionals to practice in underserved communities, reducing unnecessary administrative burdens and strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure.

I also believe we need to focus more on preventive healthcare, nutrition and addressing chronic diseases before they become more serious and expensive to treat.

Congress should ensure that the Rural Health Transformation Program delivers measurable improvements in access to care for communities like those throughout the 5th District.

Where someone lives should not determine whether they can receive timely, quality healthcare.

Molder: The Big Beautiful Bill instituted the biggest cuts to Medicaid in the program’s history. They should reverse those cuts and provide stable Medicare support to rural hospitals. When a hospital closes, a community loses emergency care, jobs and essential services that families and employers depend on. 

We also need more providers. I support expanding student-loan repayment for doctors and nurses who commit to serving communities with shortages, along with dependable coverage for telehealth when a specialist is hours away.

Insurance matters, too. Tennessee’s coverage gap leaves people who do not qualify for TennCare but earn too little to receive assistance in a bad spot. Tennessee should expand TennCare, as Governor Haslam tried to do. If the state continues to refuse, Congress should provide a way for those families to get coverage directly. 

Healthcare is a basic human right. People can reasonably be expected to contribute what they can afford, but we should not accept a system that leaves so many uninsured or paying for insurance they are afraid to use. Having an insurance card is not enough if the deductible keeps you from seeing a doctor. 

The candidates were then asked what steps can Congress take to lower costs for Tennessee families, and what specific policy would you support to accomplish it? 

Hatcher: One of the most important things Congress can do is address the rising cost of energy because energy costs affect virtually everything families purchase. Higher fuel and electricity costs impact farmers, manufacturers, truck drivers, small businesses and ultimately consumers.

I support policies that expand reliable American energy production, modernize energy infrastructure and streamline permitting for responsible energy development.

Specifically, I would support legislation that reduces unnecessary federal permitting delays for energy infrastructure projects while maintaining appropriate environmental and safety protections.

I would also push for responsible federal budgeting that reduces wasteful spending and helps address long-term inflationary pressures.

We need to remember that every dollar Washington spends ultimately comes from the American people, either through taxes or borrowing.

Molder: Congress should reassert its authority and reverse the blanket tariffs raising prices on household goods and the supplies businesses need. 

I also support expanding the number of prescription drugs Medicare can negotiate and making those negotiated prices available to people with employer-sponsored and private insurance. The goal should be cheaper prescriptions for everybody, with savings reaching people at the pharmacy counter. 

Restoring the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits would provide another direct form of relief by lowering monthly insurance premiums. There are plenty of changes Congress can make that families would see in their household budgets. 

Mainstreet Media then asked how the candidates plan to bring lawmakers together to address bipartisan concerns? 

Hatcher: As Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, I worked with farmers, business leaders, state and federal officials and legislators on issues that affected our entire state.

Agriculture, infrastructure, rural healthcare, economic development and protecting our food supply are issues that should bring people together regardless of political party.

I will always stand firm on my conservative principles, but I also recognize that accomplishing meaningful things requires listening, building relationships and finding common ground where possible.

The people of Tennessee aren’t sending us to Washington simply to argue. They’re sending us there to work and get things done.

Molder: I always say that potholes don’t have partisan labels. People just want them fixed. As mayor, I have worked with people who disagree with me politically because we share a responsibility to get things done. That includes working with Gov. Lee’s administration and local partners to bring JC Ford’s manufacturing operation and good jobs to Columbia. 

In Congress, I would build those relationships early and find people willing to work on specific problems, whether that is keeping a rural hospital open or helping farmers repair their own equipment. 

I’m proud to have the Blue Dog PAC’s endorsement and would carry forward that tradition of independent, fiscally responsible leadership. 

Howard Baker understood that “the other fellow might be right,” and I do, too. I know that listening does not require giving up your principles. It requires accepting that someone from another party may have a good idea, and being willing to help them get it done regardless of who gets the credit.

Mr’s Hatcher and Molder were asked what their greatest strengths and weaknesses that they will bring to the U.S. House of Representatives?

Hatcher: My greatest strength is my combination of real-world business experience and public service.

I’m a farmer, veterinarian and small-business owner. I’ve managed employees, met payrolls, dealt with government regulations and made difficult decisions that affect people’s livelihoods.

As Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture and previously as State Veterinarian, I gained experience working with government at multiple levels, managing complex challenges and building relationships to accomplish important objectives.

I understand both the private sector and government, and I know the importance of bringing people together to get results.

I’m naturally impatient when it comes to getting things accomplished. I’ve spent my life in farming and business, where problems have to be addressed and decisions have to be made. Government doesn’t always move at that pace. I’ve learned that patience, persistence, and building relationships are essential to achieving lasting results.

Molder: My greatest strength is bringing people together to solve problems. As mayor, I’ve learned how to listen, make difficult decisions and stay accountable for the results. I’ve helped pass eight balanced budgets without raising our property tax rate, and I know how much it matters to answer people and follow through. I think that skill set will be instrumental to succeeding in the House of Representatives. 

The hardest adjustment for me will be spending so much time away from Tennessee. My family and my life are here, and this is where I want to be. I will fulfill my responsibilities in Washington, but whenever the work allows, I’ll want to be back home with the people I represent. 

The final question stated, if elected, what is one promise voters can hold you accountable for in a year?

Hatcher: My promise is that I will be an accessible, hardworking congressman who never forgets whom he represents.

Within my first year, I will hold public meetings throughout the district, establish regular communication with constituents, and provide a public accounting of the issues I’ve worked on, the legislation I’ve supported, and the progress we’ve made.

I will listen to people whether they voted for me or not, and I will make sure that the concerns of our rural communities and small towns receive the same attention as those of our larger cities.

As Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture, I had three key principles that I believe not only made our agency a success, but also guided me in my life and career as a farmer, a veterinarian, a businessman, and a public servant. These principles are to work hard, get things done, and the importance of serving others. That’s the standard I will bring to Congress, and that’s the standard I expect the people of Tennessee to hold me to.

Molder: I will hold at least one public town hall in every one of our district’s 17 counties during my first year. You will be able to ask me questions, disagree with me, and tell me what needs attention. 

I will also establish district offices serving Memphis, Northwest Tennessee and Middle Tennessee. People should not have to drive halfway across the state to get help with a veterans benefit or a Social Security issue. I have already visited every county at least twice, and I’ll come back again before the end of the campaign. But getting elected will not be an excuse to stop showing up.

Spring Hill Receives Grant for Slave Cabin (WKRN.com)

The City of Spring Hill has received an $87,025 grant from the Tennessee State Museum for the restoration of a former slave cabin.

The cabin sits on the property of Rippavilla, a plantation built on enslaved labor. The site is now a museum managed by The Battle of Franklin Trust.

Following the Civil War, a small Black community called Cheairs Quarters lived on the property until the 20th century, according to the American Battlefield Trust. The Franklin Trust believes there were once as many as 15 cabins, but this is the only one that remains.

Rippavilla also received a $100,000 grant for this project from the State of Tennessee last October. With those funds, the cabin’s chimney and fireplace were reconstructed, and new limestone steps were installed. Photos below depict the cabin prior to recent renovations.

“We are grateful to the Tennessee State Museum for their Capital Improvement Grant which helped fund this worthy project and to Midwest Maintenance who carefully and capably executed the work,” the Franklin Trust wrote in a July 13 Facebook post.

According to the Franklin Trust, the next step is to address the wood elements to make the space safe for staff and guests to step inside for tours about slavery and the enslaved in Middle Tennessee.

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

Mr. Louis Ellis Jarratt, 67, resident of the Theta Community, died Saturday, October 24 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, October 28 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Cave Springs Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and Wednesday from 1:00 PM until time of the service at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mrs. Shirley Geneva Wright Clanton, 88, resident of Pulaski, passed away on Thursday, October 22 at Maury Regional Medical Center Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. on November 7 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Pulaski

Mr. Larry Stephen Whitehouse, 76, a long-time resident of Columbia, TN passed away Monday, October 26 at Maury Regional Medical Center.  Funeral services will be conducted Friday, October 30 at 1:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens.  The family will visit with friends Friday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Deborah “Dee” Dunn, 71, resident of Summertown, died Tuesday, October 13 at Maury Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be conducted Friday, October 30 at 4:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

Mrs. Shelby Campbell Thomas, 79, resident of Columbia, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2026, at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center. A memorial service will be conducted at a later date. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

And now, news from around the state…

Oracle to Break Ground (Tennessean)

More than five years after Metro Council cleared tech giant Oracle Corp.'s Nashville development plan for the East Bank, the company will finally break ground on its world headquarters Nov. 10, according to a source behind the event. It will also open its doors to the community for the first time since the company moved to Tennessee.

While the groundbreaking is invite only, Oracle will welcome Nashville residents to celebrate the progress with three days of events from Nov. 12 to 14. Locals can explore three-dimensional models of the 82-acre campus, meet with company leadership, try out Oracle artificial intelligence simulations and grab snacks from a lineup of food trucks.

“Our groundbreaking marks an important milestone in Oracle’s commitment to Nashville," Oracle development senior vice president Scott Twaddle said. "We are excited to be a part of this community and we want to share that excitement with our neighbors while giving them a chance to get to know us better. We hope everyone will join us to celebrate along with local vendors, non-profits, a fantastic line up of live music, and a full slate of activities that are fun for people of all ages.”

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Country music icon Wynonna Judd will headline Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium for the first time with two performances scheduled for March 26 and 27, 2027. 

The Grammy Award-winning artist will perform fan favorites from her more than four-decade career, along with songs from her latest album, The Hard Truth.

The performances will mark a significant milestone for Judd, who previously appeared at the Ryman to honor her late mother and musical partner, Naomi Judd.

Judd said the upcoming Ryman shows will let her reflect on her musical journey while sharing longtime hits and new music with fans.

“It’s a chance to celebrate every chapter of my story, from the songs that brought me here to the hard truths that have shaped who I am today,” she said.

Tickets on sale now, find tickets at www.ryman.com.