Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 10-9-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for October 9, 2026

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

We start with local news…

Missing Teen (MauryCountySource)

The Columbia Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating 17-year-old Sergio Alexander Moreno, who was reported as a runaway.

Moreno was last seen in the area of School Street, according to police.

He is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information that could help locate Moreno is asked to contact Columbia Police Department Dispatch at 931-388-2727, Maury County Crime Stoppers at 931-381-4900 or Columbia Police SAFE Tips at SafeTips@ColumbiaTN.gov.

Spring Hill Fire (MauryCountySource)

Spring Hill firefighters handled a busy evening Monday, responding to a small apartment fire and an elevator rescue among several calls.

At Grand Reserve Apartments, Engine 64 was dispatched for a fire alarm when a second caller reported a sprinkler had activated on an apartment balcony, prompting the call to be upgraded to a possible structure fire.

Crews arrived and found a small fire burning in a flowerpot. The fire was caused by an improperly discarded cigarette, but the apartment’s sprinkler system quickly put it out before it could spread.

Around the same time, firefighters were called to the Tru Hotel on JW Parkway after a person became trapped in an elevator. Crews safely got the person out, and no injuries were reported in either incident.

The Spring Hill Fire Department shared the calls as a reminder of the importance of fire safety, especially during Fire Prevention Month.

5th Congressional Race Tight According to Poll (CDH)

With four weeks to go until Election Day, a new poll shows the race for Tennessee’s 5th District within 5 points — with Republican nominee Charlie Hatcher holding 46% of voter support, and Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder closing the gap with 41%.

In the race for Tennessee's newly drawn District 5, former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in a stunning upset in the August primary.

Now in the general — in a district redrawn by Republicans to give the GOP a political advantage — Hatcher has a built-in lead over his Democratic rival Molder.

Hatcher's lead has slimmed slightly since an August poll commissioned by the Molder campaign, which found Hatcher ahead with 48% to Molder’s 40%. 

Hatcher remains ahead overall, with 11% of voters undecided as of Oct. 6 in the new poll also commissioned by the Molder campaign. Among voters who said they are very motivated to vote, the race is split with 44% supporting Molder and 44% supporting Hatcher.

Impact Research conducted the poll, which surveyed 552 likely general election voters in the 5th District via phone and text-to-web interviews. It has a margin of error of 4.2 percentage points. 

“We’ve been putting in the miles across all 17 counties, listening to people and earning their support,” Molder said. “Voters are ready for change and a new generation of leadership that will end this war, reverse the tariffs and bring prices down. I won’t be a rubber stamp for failed policies.”

President Donald Trump is set to stop in Middle Tennessee this weekend on his national campaign to drum up support for Republicans ahead of the midterms.

Most voters in the 5th District have an unfavorable view of Trump, according to the new poll. 51% of voters said they disapproved of the president, and 47% classified their view as “very unfavorable.” 

While Hatcher has said he’ll be loyal to the president — and has earned Trump’s endorsement — he's been nuanced in his approach to Trump’s policies.

Hatcher debuted a general election TV ad on Oct. 6, highlighting his business and leadership experience. 

“Too many in Congress do too little,” the ad states. “Charlie knows hard work, from sun up to long after sun down. … Want a congressman to get things done and a work ethic to make Tennessee proud? Hire the farmer.” 

Hatcher has a name recognition advantage, particularly in rural areas of the district where farmers were already familiar with him from his years as state veterinarian and agriculture chief. But the poll shows that could be waning. 

The Impact Research poll found Molder’s name recognition has risen from 41% to 46% since August. 

Molder has earned some big endorsements, including from the Blue Dog Democrats coalition, and former U.S. Reps. Steve Cohen and Jim Cooper, and he’s drawn significant financial backing and organizational support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. 

Molder has launched a new wave of TV and radio ads to carry the race toward early voting, touting his stance against building new data centers. 

Hatcher and Molder have both said they are willing to debate, but Molder said Hatcher’s team has not agreed to a time or location.

“Charlie Hatcher agreed to a debate and now we can’t get him to confirm time, date or location," Molder said. "He says he’s a hard worker and shows up. Now is his chance to prove that, and to prove that he does what he says he will do. Show up and explain why voters should send you to Washington to defend policies that have made life harder here at home."

Columbia State Opens SRTC First Floor (Press Release)

The Southern Regional Technology Center — a partnership between Columbia State Community College, TCAT Hohenwald and TCAT Pulaski — serves as a regional hub for education and training to meet the needs of both citizens and employers.

Through strong partnerships built around internships, apprenticeships, program development and job placement, pathways include diplomas, technical certificates and associate of applied science degrees. 

“This is the first of three introductions to some of the opportunities that exist within the SRTC,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “We want students and the community to benefit from this facility!”

TriStar Bank Community Room 

The TriStar Bank Community Room serves as a welcoming, versatile space for students, faculty, staff and the community. Featuring modular and moveable furniture, its multipurpose elements mean it can be used as a space to host everything from a student study group to workshops, as well as community gatherings and celebrations. This helps to strengthen ties between Columbia State and the community.

Landmark Ceramics Hall is the first dramatic view of the SRTC as one enters the front door. It features gathering and study spaces complete with beautiful tile that is found throughout the SRTC. It serves as a hub for students, faculty, staff and community members to connect with one another.

Within the Dr. Gary and Zobeida Podgorski Radiology Suite, students gain practical, real-world experience in essential radiology techniques and skills, from imaging procedures to equipment operation, helping them be fully prepared to enter the radiology profession with confidence.

Located in close proximity to the Radiologic Technology program is the Veterinary Technology program, training students to support veterinarians, biomedical researchers and to grow skills necessary for clinical pathology, radiology and surgical assisting within the office/animal hospital setting. The two programs are able to share the X-ray equipment.

Stretching the full length of the building from east to west, the Maury County Government East-West Hall houses state-of-the-art training labs for a variety of programs including Veterinary Technology, Engineering Systems Technology, HVAC, Welding, and Automotive Systems — equipping students across multiple fields. Students have excellent opportunities for employment given the high demand for these skills in the workforce.

The BMC Metalworks, LLC Welding Technology Lab houses state-of-the-art equipment for instruction. It provides necessary hands-on learning using various welding processes such as gas metal arc welding (MIG), gas tungsten arc welding (TIG) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), leading to high-demand careers.

Information and assistance are found immediately to the right of the main entrance. There is a large interactive monitor with room locations, campus events and many other helpful directions. Additionally, TCAT Hohenwald, TCAT Pulaski and Columbia State Health Sciences have offices with staff ready to assist. There is also a conference room.

To learn more about the Southern Regional Technology Center, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/SRTC.

Emerald Cake Company (MSM)

Sydni King and Hope Carter, the founders of Emerald Cake & Co., recently told Main Street Maury about their time in Culleoka and the support they have received from both pastry appreciators and the broader community they serve.

“Sydni and I met through a mutual friend. We really bonded over our love of books and baking!” said Carter. “We love bringing a unique little corner of space to the area… [by] combin[ing] our love of books [with] our love of baking and creating!”

Emerald Cake & Co. started as a home business in 2020 and became feasible enough by 2024 that King and Carter started making plans to move into a former gas station near the intersection of SR-50 and the Culleoka Highway, which has had several previous occupants.

“I think we hear new [stories about the building] quite frequently,” said Carter.

They opened for business in April 2025, offering the community a wide range of pastries and catering services.

“We do everything in-house, which a lot of people are shocked by. Everything from scratch… [Among] the different-flavored cupcakes, our most popular one[s] are carrot… and peanut butter; I really like the chocolate, that’s my favorite… [but] we try to rotate out different ones, we do seasonal things,” said King. “I feel like our most popular item in-store is our cinnamon rolls. We have people stop often just for those. We do a lot of custom cake orders for weddings and birthdays and baby showers… We can do custom cookies. Anything you throw at us, we’re willing to take it on.”

The shop founders offer cultural improvement as well as sweets. They stock books in a reading nook off to the side of the counter, and host arts-and-crafts classes once a month, including in the specialized pastry decorations that they use in-shop.

Their work has gotten Emerald Cake & Co. noticed both in and outside of Maury County. The Muletown Local magazine profiled the shop a while ago, and they were surprised to learn that the website Travelmag recently featured them on its list of “12 Tennessee Bakeries Tucked Away in Plain Sight with Seriously Incredible Pastries.” They experienced a traffic surge after the Muletown Local article, and can expect the same from the Travelmag listicle.

“We were surprised. The last time we were in a magazine or anything like that, they came in… It was exciting,” Carter recalled, expressing thanks for the recent recognition.

Above all though, the Emerald Cake & Co. founders are grateful for the support of the locals who buy their treats regularly.

“We are truly grateful for all the support we have received from our community. We are so thankful for our loyal customers some who have turned friends!” said Carter. “We appreciate everyone who walks in our door and chooses to spend their hard-earned money on us and our dream!”

“We’re just thankful that they keep coming in and they consider us for their events and stuff,” said King. “We have a lot of loyal customers and we’re really thankful for them as well… We enjoy seeing them every week.”

June Lake and More to Be Widened (MSM)

On Sept. 30, the Transportation Project Board (TPB) of the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) of municipal mayors voted to update the state’s Transportation Improvement Plan. The plan now includes funding to widen Interstate 65 between the I-840 interchange south of Franklin and the SR-396 to south Spring Hill.

“[We] allocated $150,000,000 to adding lanes to I-65 between Saturn Parkway and I-840,” announced Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fitterer, a member of the Transportation Project Board. “The project is now fully funded through construction.”

At the request of TDOT, the TPB appropriated $150 million of state money to add “additional through-lanes and auxiliary lanes” to the designated stretch of I-65, which has become notorious for the rush-hour traffic at its major interchanges. The TDOT plan promises “at least one additional lane in each direction.” Engineering and design is slated to start this year, and construction in 2028.

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.

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.

Carver-Smith Documentary (Press Release)

Columbia Peace and Justice Initiative (CPJI) is partnering with Columbia State Community College to host a screening of the documentary Carver-Smith: Told by Those Who Lived It. The screening will take place on Thursday, October 15th at 6:00pm in the Ledbetter Auditorium on the Columbia Campus. Admission is free.

The Columbia State History Department and the Office of Belonging and Student Resources will screen this new documentary about Columbia’s historic Black highschool, produced by the Columbia Peace and Justice Initiative and funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

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

Mr. Ryan VanAmburg Elliott, 43, a resident of Columbia, died Thursday, September 24. The family will visit with friends Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 noon at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home

Mr. Samuel McDaniel, 80, retired from Tennessee Farm Bureau, died Tuesday at his residence in Columbia.  Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 5:00 PM at New Lasea Church of Christ.  The family will visit with friends from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the church prior to the services.  Burial will follow on Monday at Jones Cemetery in Lexington, TN at 2:00 PM.

And now, news from around the state…

Judge Blocks Datacenter Next to Zoo (Tennessean)

The city has notched a win in court against Atlanta-based digital infrastructure company DC BLOX, the developer behind a controversial data center proposed for the property right next door to the Nashville Zoo.

On Oct. 6, U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson issued an opinion broadly dismissing all of the company’s claims, at least for now.

“Plaintiff may believe, and is entitled to believe and contend, that it received a raw deal from (or was sandbagged by), the imposition of the moratorium after it purchased the property,” Richardson’s opinion reads. “However, a raw deal or sandbagging — real or imagined, without more — does not a federal lawsuit make.”

This isn't the end of the road for the lawsuit, however. A spokesperson for DC BLOX said Oct. 8 that the company plans to file an amended complaint and "continue pursuing DC BLOX's legal rights."

DC BLOX filed the lawsuit Aug. 11 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, alleging that city officials deliberately blocked the project despite a determination that it had a vested right to move forward.

About a month earlier, the Metro Nashville Council took its final votes implementing new zoning regulations for data centers and a moratorium halting any new data center development through Dec. 1. The DC BLOX suit, in part, challenged the moratorium and sought to force the city to resume processing development permits for the proposed development.

The city, meanwhile, argued the lawsuit should be dismissed in its entirety. Richardson appears to have agreed, though the judge left the door open for DC BLOX to file an amended complaint reasserting its claims in the next 21 days.

“I am pleased with the ruling and remain confident that Metro has acted lawfully in its dealings with DC BLOX and in the enactment of the moratorium on data center permitting,” Metro Director of Law Tyler Yarbro said in a statement Oct. 7.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

A spooky night of movies, snacks and Halloween fun is coming to Rippa Villa in Spring Hill.

Spring Hill Parks & Recreation will host a free showing of the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus on Friday, Oct. 9, at Rippa Villa, 5700 Main St.

The movie will begin at dark, so guests can bring blankets, chairs and their favorite snacks, get cozy and enjoy the movie under the night sky.