Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 11-10-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for November 10, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Columbia Installs Siren System (Press Release)

The City of Columbia has begun installation of a new citywide public safety siren system, marking a major step forward in strengthening community safety and emergency preparedness.

The project includes the installation of 12 strategically placed sirens across Columbia, featuring three electrical sirens equipped with both audible alarms and voice capabilities, along with nine mechanical sirens designed to deliver powerful audible alerts. Once completed, the system will serve as a vital tool for mass notification during severe weather events or other emergencies.

Mayor Chaz Molder said, “This new system represents an important step forward in protecting our residents and ensuring we are prepared for any emergency. It’s another example of how we continue to invest in the safety and well-being of our community.”

Sirens will be installed at key locations throughout the city, including:

• Fire Station 3

• Fire Station 4

• Fire Station 5

• Bear Creek Pike at Interstate 65

• Ridley Park

• Fairview Park

• Old Williamsport Pike at the Wastewater Plant

• Malibu Canyon

• Honey Farms

• East Burt Drive

• West 6th Street at Reservoir Hill

• The Farm at Golston Hill

Funded through a $420,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Imminent Threat Program, the project was made possible in partnership with the South Central Tennessee Development District (SCTDD). This funding supports the installation of a state-of-the-art siren emergency notification system designed to enhance the City’s response capabilities during natural disasters and other public emergencies.

City Manager Tony Massey emphasized the importance of this investment. “By implementing this state-of-the-art siren system, Columbia is taking proactive steps to ensure our community is well-prepared for future tornadoes or other natural disasters,” said Massey.

Fire Chief Chris Cummins highlighted the system’s life-saving potential. “When emergencies strike, every second counts,” said Chief Cummins. “This new siren system will provide real-time alerts that can help save lives.”

The City of Columbia extends its gratitude to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for their continued investment in local communities and to the South Central Tennessee Development District for their partnership and support in bringing this project to fruition.

Pancake Day (WKOM Audio 2:45)

Saturday was the Columbia Noon Rotary Club’s Annual Pancake Day. Hundreds of people showed up to eat and support the efforts of the Rotary Club. With more is Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy who attended the event…

Historic Courthouse Renovation (CDH)

When the new Maury County Judicial Center opened in October 2024, the question remained, what would become of the historic downtown Maury County Courthouse?

The courthouse, which began construction in 1904 and was completed in 1906, currently sits mostly empty, with offices vacated and courtroom benches, podiums and other interiors cleared out.

However, it will not be sitting that way for long. Plans are underway to renovate much of the building to one day house a county museum, the Maury County mayor's office, a conference room and a Maury County Commission meeting room, among other planned uses.

These planned future uses are only the beginning of what visitors can expect once the project is completed, said District 2 Maury County Commissioner Eric Previti, a leading voice for the project.

"This was one of the most beautiful courthouses in the state," Previti said. "And we are bringing it back."

The next step, Previti said, will be asbestos removal. The whole project, he said, is estimated to be completed in about 18 months.

In October, the Maury County Commission approved a $15.9 million design contract with Hewlett Spencer LLC for the project.

"This is a project that has been very passionate for me for over a decade, ever since I have been on the commission, but of course it takes the whole team to do anything," Previti said. "We have talked about plans for a county museum for years, and the time is now."

The centerpiece of the project will be the creation of a first-floor museum, depicting Maury County's history.

The museum will be a great opportunity to not only preserve local history but display it in a way not feasible before.

Maury County has never had a county museum. 

One of the museum's most-prized displays won't necessarily be an old photograph, jewelry or fine China, but the courthouse itself.

In addition to the museum and office/meeting spaces, the project's renovations will include opening up the center flooring on the second and third levels. That way, visitors can view the structure's ornate domed ceiling upon entering, as was the courthouse's original design.

The courthouse was the work of local architect J.E.R. Carpenter in 1906. Carpenter also designed the Columbia Arsenal, now Columbia Academy and Hermitage Hotel in Nashville before going on to great fame as the father of luxury apartments in New York City.

As a building which has stood for 120 years as a symbol of law and county business, the Historic Courthouse will still remain in use as an active courthouse in the event of any spillover from the Judicial Center.

The Maury County Grand Jury will also hold its hearings at the courthouse, Previti said. The courthouse will also be home to the county's Building and Zoning Department, as well as the office for District Attorney Brent Cooper.

The courthouse will also have two new ADA-compliant bathrooms installed on the first floor.

Having the county commission operate out of the second-floor's main courtroom is also a move which brings the board back to its original meeting space, but with a few upgrades.

"The current county commission room will only seat 80 people, but we can get 234 here," Previti said. "The county commission used to be called the county court, and we were all called magistrates back then. The county commission used to meet here, and so it is returning to the old courthouse building."

Previti said by relocating all of these entities to the courthouse, it will create new space for growth and businesses on the square.

"Hopefully, the goal is to have a new admin center, and to move all of these [county offices] off that corner and sell it," Previti said. "We could sell it and let private enterprise takeover."

Citizens can also preserve a piece of the courthouse's legacy, as much of the furniture and fixtures removed are listed for sale on GovDeals.com. Most of the pieces are not original to 1906…many of those will be part of the new museum.

"If anybody wants to buy an old piece of the courthouse, the old chairs are being sold, and so are the podiums and some of the benches," he said.

Ashwood Development (MSM)

The Mt. Pleasant City Commission has scheduled public hearings on the proposed John Maher Builders development of 247 houses on a 106-acre property on Trotwood Avenue across from Historic St. John’s Church and Polk Memorial Gardens. Public comment will be taken at 6 p.m. on Nov. 24 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 8, before the second and final vote on the matter scheduled for Dec. 16. The resolution before them would rezone the property to the dense residential R3 category, the plan of services to the neighborhood, and annex the site and some surrounding land parcels and stretches of road to the city of Mt. Pleasant.

According to the plan of services, Mt. Pleasant would service the neighborhood with emergency response, waste removal and electricity. Columbia Power and Water Systems would supply potable water. Edge Wastewater, a private entity under the supervision of TDEC, would install, operate and maintain the neighborhood’s Septic Tank-Effluent Pump (STEP) system, which would pump wastewater (not solid waste) from household septic vaults to a facility at the north end of the property for treatment and reintroduction to the environment.

In three previous public hearings, more than 60 people have voiced their objection to the development citing historical integrity, traffic concerns, a high rate of failure in the STEP system, and lack of infrastructure and safety. In the public hearings, no one has spoken in favor of the development.

According to Main Street Maury interviews with the City Commissioners, Mayor Bill White and Commissioner Pam Johnston, who is also on the Planning Commission are in favor of the development. Commissioners Mike Davis and Loree Knowles are solidly against the development. Commissioner Willie Alderson states that she has not made a decision about her vote.

East Columbia Small Area Plan (Press Release)

The City of Columbia invites residents to participate in a public open house to review and provide feedback on the draft East Columbia Small Area Plan. The event will take place on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Dr. Christa S. Martin Community Center at Fairview Park, located at 871 Iron Bridge Road.

The East Columbia Small Area Plan is designed to identify projects and priorities that help implement the City’s Comprehensive Plan, focusing on enhancing community connections, improving health and walkability, and addressing facility and service needs across East Columbia neighborhoods.

The open house format will allow attendees to drop in at any time between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. to review displays, share feedback, and speak directly with City staff and planning consultants. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

For more information about the East Columbia Small Area Plan or upcoming community meetings, please contact the City of Columbia Planning Department at (931) 560-1531.

Movie Night to Benefit Kids Place (Press Release)

You’re invited to join the Maury Alliance Young Professionals for a Community Movie Night benefiting Kid’s Place: A Child Advocacy Center!

 Date: November 21

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: The Well Church, Columbia, TN

Bring your family and friends for a heartwarming holiday showing of The Polar Express and enjoy delicious popcorn! 

Please bring a wishlist donation item to support local children in need! Financial donations will also be accepted. To see a list of items on the wishlist, click the button below.



Let’s kick off the season of giving together and make a meaningful difference in our community!

About Kid’s Place:

Kid’s Place is the Child Advocacy Center serving Maury, Giles, Lawrence, and Wayne counties. They provide hope, help, and healing for children who have experienced severe child abuse. By uniting professionals in law enforcement, child protection, medical care, mental health, and victim advocacy, Kid’s Place ensures children and their families receive comprehensive, trauma-informed care in one supportive location.

To learn more about Kid’s Place, visit https://www.kpcac.org/.

We hope to see you there for this special night of community and giving!

No Trash November (Press Release)

The City of Columbia, in partnership with Keep Maury Beautiful, is proud to announce the launch of its No Trash November Litter Awareness Campaign, a month-long initiative focused on sustainability, beautification, and community pride. These activities are part of the City’s broader Clean Up Columbia Litter Awareness Initiative, which engages residents, schools, and community groups in efforts to reduce litter, enhance public spaces, and promote environmental stewardship year-round.

“No Trash November is about more than just cleaning up,” said Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder. “It’s about coming together as a community to take pride in the place we call home and to set an example of civic responsibility for future generations.”

Throughout the month, residents are encouraged to participate in community events that highlight creativity, service, and environmental awareness. The Trash to Treasure Art Exhibit will be on display from November 10 through 30 at the Columbia Aquatic & Recreation Center (ARC). Students from Maury County Public Schools will showcase artwork made from recycled and repurposed materials, demonstrating their innovation and commitment to sustainability. An opening reception will be held on Monday, November 10, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the ARC, featuring refreshments and opportunities for community engagement centered on waste reduction and creative reuse.

On Saturday, November 15, residents can volunteer during Parks Clean Up and Beautification Day, a citywide effort to beautify local parks. Clean-up times and locations include Riverwalk Park from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Fairview Park from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., and Woodland Park from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Supplies and instructions will be provided on site, and participation is open to individuals, families, and community groups.

The month concludes with a Community Clean-Up Event on Saturday, November 22, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in East Columbia. Volunteers will meet at the corner of Woodland Street and East 7th Street to pick up supplies and route maps before joining neighbors and city staff to help remove litter, protect local waterways, and strengthen community pride.

“The City is committed to maintaining clean, safe, and welcoming public spaces,” said City Manager Tony Massey. “While our crews work year-round to keep Columbia beautiful, initiatives like No Trash November give residents the opportunity to partner in that effort and take pride in the results we achieve together.”

For more information, visit www.ColumbiaTN.gov.

Youth Leadership Maury (Press Release)

Applications are now open for Youth Leadership Maury! Youth Leadership Maury is a county-wide program for high school juniors designed to foster leadership skills, community development, and networking.

Class members meet with local decision-makers in several sectors of the community, such as business, government, health, public services and agriculture.

Participants will visit places all over the county to hear speakers and participate in activities to help them learn about Maury County and how to positively impact where they live, learn, work and play.

2026 Program Dates:

Thursday, January 22nd - Team Building Day

Tuesday, February 10th - Economic Development

Thursday, March 12th - State Government

Tuesday, April 14th - Government / Tourism / Health

Wednesday, April 29th - Agriculture / Graduation

Apply online by visiting https://mauryalliance.com/youth-leadership/

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

Mrs. Juanita Smith Neelley, 100, resident of Columbia, died Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at NHC Place Cool Springs. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, November 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM at New Lasea Church of Christ. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Monday from 11:00 AM until service time at the church.

Now, news from around the state…

Williamson County Veterans Day Parade (WilliamsonHerald)

The Williamson County Veterans Day Parade will take place this upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 11, in downtown Franklin at 11 am.

Featuring local high school marching bands, ROTC units, civic clubs, veterans' organizations, and more, the 24th annual parade will be a year to remember.

According to Tom Lawrence, chairman of the Veterans Day parade committee, approximately 50,000 spectators crowd the streets of Franklin each year for this notable event, honoring U.S. veterans who served the country or gave their lives to protect it. He said about 5,000 participate in the parade itself.

Attendees are welcome to bring their flags and families to the patriotic parade.

Kicking off the event, a reception honoring veterans will take place from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Louise Lynch County Archives and Museum, where Sonic will provide refreshments.

Lawrence said the reception brunch is open to the public and honors several hundred veterans, along with their families.

"It has been designed by Williamson County and for Williamson County, but all comers are welcome," he said.

The parade will begin at Fifth Avenue and W. Main Street on Tuesday morning, stretching north for three blocks, and then turn left on Second Avenue to conclude at Bicentennial Park.

The event is presented by WAKM Radio, the City of Franklin, the Williamson County Archives and Museum, the Franklin Special School District, Williamson County Veterans Affairs, and Williamson County Schools.

"A lot of people put a lot of work into this, so it's definitely a team effort," Lawrence said. "It's not the biggest Veterans Day parade in Tennessee, but it's the best one."

The parade will be led by six grand marshals: Gene Hunter, 98, who served in WWII and was a US Army Airborne; Jay Opie, 104, who served in WWII and was stationed in the "Forgotten Theater," where Chinese and Indian troops were stationed to defend against the Japanese Empire; and Lisa Harting, who joined the US Navy in 1998 and was awarded Safety Petty Officer of Vp-4, as well as many Navy ribbons for her squadron's success; Timothy Molyneux, a Major in the US Army who earned the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service; Joe Gualtieri, a US Navy veteran who received the Vietnam Service Medal and two Bronze Stars, as well as the Vietnam Campaign Medal; and Joseph Moss (96), a Franklin native who served in the US Navy as a radio Technician.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, announced it will host the second annual Band As One Nashville Concert for the Cure, headlined once again by country music icon Trisha Yearwood. The concert will take place on March 22, 2026, at a new location — The Opry House — bringing together artists, survivors, and supporters for an evening of songs, stories and solidarity for those impacted by breast cancer.

Following the success of the inaugural event that brought together some of the biggest names in music and raised over $700K for those impacted by breast cancer, this year will include even more surprises, heartfelt stories, and uplifting melodies to raise funds for those impacted by this disease.

Tickets are available at www.komen.org/bandasone.