Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-6-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for October 6, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Duck River Access Points Opened (Press Release)

The City of Columbia officially celebrated the opening of two new paddle craft access points along the Duck River with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Riverwalk Park on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

The project, funded through a $200,000 State Tourism Enhancement Grant with matching contributions from the State of Tennessee and the City of Columbia, was designed to expand outdoor recreation opportunities and create easier access to one of the community’s most treasured natural assets.

“Outdoor recreation is essential to building a healthy, connected community,” said Parks and Recreation Director Mack Reagan. “These new access points give our residents and visitors more opportunities to enjoy the Duck River, stay active, and experience the natural beauty that makes Columbia special.”

The new facilities include two designated paddle craft launches, one located near the Columbia Dam and another under the 5th Street Bridge inside Riverwalk Park. Together, the access points form a convenient thirty-minute float route, offering a family-friendly way to experience the Duck River without committing to a full-day trip.

Mayor Chaz Molder highlighted the importance of the river to Columbia’s identity. “The Duck River is one of the most biodiverse rivers in North America, and it’s right here in Columbia’s backyard,” said Molder. “These access points give us a new way to connect with the river and showcase the importance of preserving and celebrating this incredible re-source. I am proud of the vision that brought this project to life, the latest example in our efforts to make Columbia the best place in America to live, work and raise a family.”

Columbia City Manager Tony Massey emphasized the importance of long-term planning. “The Duck River has always been one of our greatest natural treasures,” said City Manager Tony Massey. “This paddle craft launch is a great way for our citizens to enjoy that treasure.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony drew community members, local officials, and representatives from the State of Tennessee to Riverwalk Park, where brief remarks were followed by the ceremonial ribbon cutting and a demonstration of the new launches.

The City of Columbia continues to prioritize investments in parks, recreation, and natural resources as part of its broader vision to make Columbia one of the most livable and family-friendly communities in the state.

Thurgood Marshall Statue Dedication (WKOM Audio 5:14

On Friday, the City of Columbia and Columbia Peace and Justice Initiative dedicated a statue of first black United States Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. With more on the event are Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy and Elizabeth Blackstone…

CPWS Extends Mt. Pleasant Water Agreement (CDH)

Columbia Power & Water Systems, by unanimous vote of the Board of Public Utilities, has extended its partnership with Mt. Pleasant Water for an additional 24 months.

The current agreement was signed in 2023 and allows CPWS to provide 100,000 gallons of water per day, and more as capacity allows, to residents in Mount Pleasant, ensuring water service is not disrupted for those customers.

The agreement will last through Oct. 1, 2027.

“Being good regional partners in our community is something we have been striving to accomplish, and this only continues to prove that we are putting our words into action,” CPWS CEO Jonathan Hardin said.

CPWS and Mount Pleasant Water have been working actively to reduce water loss in Mt. Pleasant, and have made significant strides in that regard, reducing their rolling water loss average by as much as 10%.

“We are grateful for the support of CPWS to help us with whatever we need when it comes to water in Mount Pleasant,” mayor Bill White said. “Having partners who are willing to step up when necessary is a blessing for our community and our county.”

To make space for the expansion of its water treatment plant, the CPWS board also voted to demolish the structure that once housed American Legion Post 19.

The American Legion Post 19 building is located adjacent to the current Water Treatment Facility on Nashville Highway.

A plan was already in place to demo the building, according to CPWS spokesperson Chris Yow.

"It is the site where we will build a 12 million gallon per day treatment facility as part of our long-term water supply project in conjunction with the downstream intake in Williamsport," Yow said.

After clearing all the State Historic Preservation Office requirements, CPWS is now ready to move forward with site abatement and demolition, Yow added in a CPWS media release.

“The American Legion building and site served this community for many years,” CPWS Vice President of Power Ryan Massey said. “Due to its age, maintenance on the building became cost-prohibitive for the organization, and CPWS is proud to honor the site by having it continue to serve Columbia and Maury County with the expansion of our Water Treatment Plant.”

Abatement and demolition processes will be handled by the project’s Construction Manager at Risk for the Long-Term Water Supply Project, Brasfield and Gorrie.

The process is set to begin in the next few weeks.

Kiwanis Chili Cookoff (Press Release and Audio 3:26)

The Kiwanis Club of Columbia is excited to announce its annual Chili Cook-Off, which will be held in downtown Columbia on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 3 PM to 5 PM. This year's event will be held in conjunction with the much-anticipated Columbia Fall Fest.

With more on the event is our own Delk Kennedy who spoke to the Chili Cookoff organizer Suzanne Ganzer to learn more about what all will be happening downtown next weekend…

Whole Hog Festival (Press Release)

October has arrived, which means it's getting to be time for the largest annual one-day event in Spring Hill!  You are invited to join us for the 20th Annual John Maher Builders Whole Hog Festival.

The event will take place on Saturday, October 11 from 10am-5pm at Oak Lawn Mansion in Spring Hill. Tickets are available at the front entrance. Children five and under are free, students 6-18 are $5, Adult tickets are $10.

The event will feature live music all day, 40 craft vendors, 20 food trucks, a kid’s zone, a bacon eating contest, hog calling contest, antique tractor exhibit, petting zoo and a chill zone.

This is truly an event for the whole family - kids, parents and grandparents!  Please join us for this annual occasion that welcomes us into autumn and provides important fundraising for The Well Outreach.

Spring Hill License Kiosk (MauryCountySource)

The Spring Hill Police Department has introduced a new Driver License Self-Service Kiosk in the lobby of its headquarters at 800 Hathaway Blvd. The kiosk is open to all Tennessee residents—regardless of county—and offers a convenient alternative to visiting the DMV.

Available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the kiosk allows users to:

* Renew a driver license

* Obtain a duplicate license or state ID

* Change their address

* Pay reinstatement fees in full

The kiosk does not accept cash or checks; payment must be made using a credit or debit card.

No appointment is necessary. For more information about the service, visit www.tn.gov/content/tn.

Maury County Clerk Satellite Office (Press Release)

The Maury County Clerk’s office can now help residents with renewals of license plates or placards each Wednesday from 8am to 3:30pm at the Maury County Senior Center located at 1020 Maury County Park Dr.

Please drive around to the back of the building and look for the car tag renewal sign near the back door.

Forms of payment include credit/debit card or check – no cash.

Any Maury County Resident can use this office.

All other transactions will still need to be done through the main office located at 10 Public Square.

Also, you can renew online at TNCountyClerk.com or at kiosks in Spring Hill City Hall or Mt. Pleasant Courthouse.

Now, news from around the state…

President Backs Van Epps (TNLookout)

President Donald Trump endorsed former state General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps in the crowded Republican field for Tennessee’s 7th U.S. Congressional District, four days before the primary election.

Trump in his endorsement, called Van Epps a “MAGA Warrior.”

“A West Point Graduate, and Combat Decorated Army Helicopter Pilot, Matt knows the WISDOM and COURAGE required to Defend our Country, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” Trump said in a statement.

Shortly after Trump’s endorsement became public, Rep. Lee Reeves, a Franklin Republican, announced he was backing Van Epps and dropping out of the race, citing the endorsement.

“Today, the President called a play I did not expect,” Reeves said in a statement, comparing Trump to a football quarterback.

There were 11 GOP candidates running in the Republican primary to replace former U.S. Rep. Mark Green, who retired in July. Van Epps and state reps. Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso and Lee Reeves were widely considered the frontrunners in the race.

The 7th District is a Middle Tennessee-based seat that runs west of the Tennessee River, covering about a dozen rural counties, before taking a claw-like bite out of a third of north and west Nashville and the western half of Williamson County. It’s considered a Clarksville-based congressional district, and the Cook Political Index rated it as a “solid Republican” seat.

Trump’s endorsement of Van Epps  follows Gov. Bill Lee, who publicly backed his former cabinet member’s congressional bid earlier in the week.

Most of the outside spending in the race has focused on Van Epps and Barrett, a Dickson Republican, who opposed Lee’s signature private-school voucher plan.

The Republican winner will face the winner of the Democratic Primary between businessman Darden Copeland and Nashville state reps. Aftyn Behn, Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchtell.

The primary election will be held on Oct. 7, and the general election scheduled for Dec. 2.

Skydiving Accident (Tennessean)

A skydiving instructor is dead after he became separated from another skydiver during a tandem jump in Nashville on Oct. 4, the Metro Nashville Police Department said.

Police said they found the 35-year-old instructor's body via helicopter in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, around 6:45 p.m. They believe he fell without a chute.

The other skydiver became lodged in a tree with an open parachute in the woods in the 4500 block of Ashland City Highway, which is in northwest Nashville, according to police. Rescue crews were able to get him down safely from the tree after an hours long effort. He was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, according to Nashville Fire Department spokesperson Kendra Loney.

"Three other skydivers who jumped moments earlier landed safely," MNPD said on X. "The plane landed safely at Tune Airport."

MNPD Sgt. Douglas Sykes said it appears the instructor came loose from the harness while the other person remained attached to the parachute.

Loney said the man rescued was suspended in a tree. Crews had to work their way through three miles of densely wooded area off Ashland City Highway using chainsaws to clear a path to reach him. The crews rigged up several ladders to reach high enough to get the person, who was alert and able to use his legs, down.

Romulus Rood was driving by when he saw the emergency vehicles lining the road and stopped to see what was happening. After an officer learned Rood had tree climbing gear in his truck, Rood said the crew enlisted his help to get the stranded skydiver out of the tree.

While he didn't climb the tree, he was on site as rescuers worked to bring the man to safety. Rood said the man told him it was his first time skydiving.

"And his last," Rood added.

The Federal Aviation Administration will be investigating the incident, according to police. No other details, including the identity of the instructor or the man who was rescued, were available as of 8 p.m.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winning music icon James Taylor will make his Grand Ole Opry debut Tuesday, November 11, as part of the Opry’s ongoing 100th anniversary celebration.

Longtime Opry legend George Hamilton IV is credited as the first country artist to champion the songs of James Taylor, recording covers of ‘Carolina in My Mind’ in 1969 and ‘Sweet Baby James’ in 1971, helping introduce Taylor’s music to country audiences.

For a full Opry 100 schedule, tickets, and more info on the Opry’s anniversary year, visit opry.com.