Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 11-19-25

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for November 19, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Spring Hill Discusses Capital Projects (MSM)

The Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen discussed strategies to reassess its 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), including major infrastructure and city facility investments, at a strategic planning session Nov. 8. 

CIP Director Missy Stahl and City Administrator Carter Napier presented the project outline during a called meeting. 

The CIP was divided into five categories: completed projects, ongoing projects, committed but not yet allocated (18-75 funding), not committed and not allocated projects, and developer-funded projects. 

Stahl and the board focused on the not-yet-allocated projects and the “not committed and not allocated” groups. To help staff with guidance, a survey was distributed to board members to rank the projects from the two categories based on importance. 

The survey results were presented during the Nov. 8 meeting, showing the new library as the top- ranked project, funded by the 18-75. Buckner Road widening ranked second, followed by the U.S. Highway 31 (Main Street) widening third. 

Altogether, the top 10 ranked projects total an estimated $201.35 million. The two most expensive projects, Mahlon Moore Road widening and Port Royal Road widening, combined estimates to $94.9 million. Overall, the 10-year project will be approximately $542.79 million dollars.

Due to the funding challenge of the two widening projects, staff recommended choosing several low-cost projects including: 

• Evan’s Park lighting – approximately $5 million

• Bellagio Village drainage/street improvements – approximately 3.55 million

• New playground equipment and resurfacing at Fischer Park – approximately $ 1.8 million

The creation of an in-house construction crew within the Public Works Department to handle site work on the projects instead of leasing equipment or outside contractors was discussed. Projects that could benefit include the Kedron Road/ Mahlon Moore Road improvement, City Hall basement renovations and CSA phase 2. 

The estimated cost to establish an in-house construction crew is approximately $5.1 million with approximately $2.7 million from the General Fund and $2.38 million from the Stormwater Fund. 

This plan was projected to possibly save roughly $1.3 million through reduced equipment rental and contractors. 

City staff also sought advice on how to amend Resolution 18-75, which governs funding for certain projects. Staff plans on developing a timeline for the board presenting the amendment proposal.

Moving forward, city staff will prepare a financial plan which includes existing underway projects, shovel-ready projects and top-ranked requested projects, with a timeline for completion, for the board to review. 

Columbia State Hosts College Fair (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College recently hosted a college fair for Maury County high school students.

The Maury County College Fair was a unique chance for local students to explore their post-high school options.

The event, hosted by Columbia State Community College in partnership with Maury County public and private schools, connected over 500 juniors and seniors with representatives from more than 30 colleges and universities, both in and outside of Tennessee. With many schools in attendance, the overarching goal was to help students dream big and plan for the future while not having to travel outside of Maury County.

“We want students to explore their options, ask questions and take the next step toward their future after high school,” said Yolanda Ogilvie, Columbia State enrollment recruiter. “The Maury County College Fair is a fun, hands-on way for juniors and seniors to ask questions, get advice and start planning their path after high school.”

Several schools from around the state attended, including Austin Peay State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (Hohenwald and Pulaski), Tennessee Technological University, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Vanderbilt University and more. Out-of-state schools were also present, including Crowley’s Ridge College (Paragould, Arkansas), Mississippi State University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Western Kentucky University and others.

Jackson McCalmon, a junior from Agathos Classical School in Columbia, said that even with his main career interest in aerospace engineering, having access to meet recruiters and get information from many colleges was a highlight of the event.

“I've looked at the University of Alabama, Huntsville, specifically for their aerospace engineering program. I've also looked at a couple of schools for ministry, specifically Mid-America College for Apologetics. I plan to look at a few more schools for engineering and just exploring to see what else is out there. Thank you to Columbia State for welcoming us and letting us come and visit.”

Not only was the fair about allowing students to learn more and explore their options on which institutions they could attend, but it was also to learn about the admissions and financial aid process and gaining the confidence to take the next step toward their future.

“I enjoy meeting the students and learning what they are thinking about doing next,” said Emily Frisch, Columbia State enrollment recruiter. “Some of the students at this event may have already decided that they will attend Columbia State Community College, where they can take advantage of Tennessee Promise. Tennessee Promise is the financial aid program for students just out of high school that covers the cost of tuition as students work on completing an associate degree. This event allows those students to talk to both Columbia State and the four-year colleges that they may transfer to after they graduate from Columbia State.”

Columbia State thanks their partners, including Maury County public and private schools, as well as the colleges and universities that attended for their commitment to helping local students make informed decisions about future steps on their educational path.

“Each year, our goal is to empower students with the knowledge and access they need to pursue their future goals,” said Crystal Creekmore, Columbia State assistant director of admissions and recruitment. “The enthusiasm of our students and the support from so many colleges remind us of the power of collaboration and community.”

MRMC Receives “A” from LeapFrog (MauryCountySource)

Maury Regional Medical Center has earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the fall 2025 period from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization focused on patient safety.

Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 evidence-based measures of patient safety focused on errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

“This recognition highlights Maury Regional’s strong commitment to delivering patient safety,” said CEO Martin Chaney. “It stands as a testament to the hard work of our physicians and clinical care teams, and their unwavering dedication to being a leader in patient care and clinical safety.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that impact more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“Earning an ‘A’ Grade means Maury Regional Medical Center made a true commitment to put patient safety first,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We congratulate the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers that all had a role to play in this achievement.”

To learn more about Maury Regional Medical Center’s commitment to quality — including accreditations, certifications and recognitions — visit MauryRegional.com/Quality. Visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org for more information about the Hospital Safety Grade, including details on individual hospital grades and rankings.

Columbia to Host Pancake Breakfast (MauryCountySource)

The City of Columbia will hold a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, November 29, to support the Columbia Police Department’s annual Shop with a Cop program.

The initiative gives children the chance to shop for holiday gifts alongside local police officers, helping build positive connections between law enforcement and the community.

Tickets for the breakfast are $10 and can be purchased from any Columbia Police officer, at CPD headquarters at 707 N. Main Street, or at the door on the day of the event.

Event Details:

• Date: November 29, 2025

• Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Location: Memorial Building, 308 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN

Those unable to attend can still contribute to the program through donations via Venmo or CashApp. All proceeds go toward making the holiday season brighter for families in need.

Columbia Mall Taking Shape (MauryCountySource)

A major retail project in Columbia is gaining momentum as redevelopment efforts at the Columbia Mall property continue to take shape.

Highland Capital, the site’s new owner, has invested heavily in transforming the property into a modern, appealing shopping destination. Working with Retail Strategies, the consulting firm hired by the City of Columbia Industrial Development Board, the company has secured a lineup of new tenants that includes Beall’s, Five Below, Ulta, and Academy Sports.

City leaders say the project marks a significant investment in Columbia’s growth, expanding local shopping choices while supporting long-term economic development.

Summertown Kid Participates in Titans Coin Toss (Press Release)

Summertown, Tenn., local third grader Carter Patrick was selected as a winner of Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee’s annual Tennessee Titans’ Kids Captain Contest. The 9-year-old had a moment to remember Sunday as he stood alongside Tennessee Titans captains at midfield for the pregame coin toss ahead of the team’s matchup with the Houston Texans.  

The experience was part of the Titans’ Kids Captain Contest, which gives young fans between the ages of 6 and 12 years old four lower-bowl tickets, a parking pass, red Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee cap, an official Titans Jersey, and most notably, the rare chance to step onto the field as an honorary captain. 

According to his mom, Jessica Guajardo, Sunday’s game was extra special for Carter—not only did he get to take the field, but it was also his very first NFL game. For a kid who loves football, it was a dream come true. When he is not cheering on the Titans, you can find Carter playing basketball or spending time with his family.  

Sunday’s game was the Titans’ annual Salute to Service game, where the team honored military members and veterans throughout the game.  

“It was an honor to see Carter join his favorite team on the field during Sunday’s Salute to Service game,” said Josh Webb, a Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee agent in Columbia, Tenn. “As the Titans paid tribute to our veterans and active-duty military, it was especially meaningful to watch a young fan like Carter experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Giving back to our communities and supporting Tennessee families is what Farm Bureau Insurance is all about.” 

From now until mid-December, Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee will choose two more winners to be a Kids Captain for each of the following home games: 

• Dec. 21 vs. Kansas City Chiefs 

• Dec. 28 vs. New Orleans Saints 

Contest entries open three weeks prior to the Titans’ home football games mentioned, and contestants can enter to win anytime throughout the fall season. Entrants must be residents of Tennessee, be between ages 6 and 12, and have parental consent to participate. Winners will be notified approximately two weeks before their assigned game and must respond within 24 hours to claim their opportunity to shine on the field. 

Entries for the next game against the Kansas City Chiefs can be submitted here: https://info.fbitn.com/titansvschiefskidscaptain  

Spring Hill Looking at Easport Farms Subdivision (MauryCountySource)

Spring Hill’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen is expected to take another look at the Eastport Farms proposal at their next work session, focusing on whether the city should commit future sales tax revenue to help fund improvements along Port Royal Road.

Mayor Matt Fitterer says the project, which has shifted slightly in design but still centers on a major national retailer as its anchor, would require upgrades to Port Royal Road — a corridor already in need of improvements. The applicant has proposed making improvements from Jim Warren Parkway to Longhunter Chase Dr., funded in major part by future sales tax excepted to be generated by the project.

City leaders will weigh whether the upgrades are significant enough to justify dedicating 20 years of revenue toward the costs. The plan currently falls short of Spring Hill’s arterial road standards, with 10-foot lanes instead of 12-foot lanes and missing pedestrian facilities along part of the roadway. Even with the proposed work, roughly 65 percent of Port Royal Road would remain unimproved.

If the board chooses to advance the proposal, it would be sent to the Industrial Development Board for financial validation and potential bonding. The project would still need to complete its site plan review and finalize an on-site water reclamation plan.

Later this week, regional transportation discussions continue as the GNRC Transportation Policy Board prepares to release a draft update of the Regional Transportation Plan. The document outlines long-term transportation priorities across the Nashville area and could influence future TDOT decisions. Early drafts show favorable rankings for I-65 and Highway 31 improvements in Spring Hill.

Firefighter Recognized and Other City Business (MSM)

At its voting session Thursday night, the city of Columbia recognized Owen Sumners, a city firefighter, for his service. The young firefighter had just served a year overseas as a National Guard, and upon returning to Columbia he plunged into his work again for the city fire department.

“It’s a pleasure to recognize him and his service… working in the fire service away from his family, and also his time away serving the great state of Tennessee,” said city Fire Chief Chris Cummins. “It’s a big sacrifice for him and… his family.”

“I appreciate everybody’s support [while I was] gone,” Sumners said. “It means the world to me.”

Cummins presented some periodic updates to the city fire code, based on the 2024 ISO code, to the council. He explained that the fire department is trying to give developers and owners more discretion about how to fireproof their buildings.

“[We’re] trying to put some common sense back into it,” he explained, “[by asking], ‘What’s the best-case scenario here… that we can work with people on?'”

In response to questions from Ward 4 Councilor Kenny Marshall, Cummins also revealed that the city would return to some of its previous standards once CPWS completed the $520 million Williamsport intake and the $82 million updates and repairs to its water-delivery pipes. When the edges of town get an adequate firefighting water supply, Columbia Fire plans to lean far less upon its new tanker truck.

“Right now we’re well above [the safety regulations that] the state requires,” the chief reassured the council.

The council also agreed to issue up to $30 million of revenue anticipation notes to fund CPWS’s projects. CPWS is currently seeking federal funding for the Williamsport intake, since federal agencies (namely the Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Fish & Wildlife and the Army Corps of Engineers) strongly approved of the plan to move the intake to a more environmentally friendly spot downriver, but nothing definite has been approved yet.

Two residents of Taylor Landing showed up to protest the Waters Edge at Taylor Landing development and its late addition to the agenda. The city council voted against the apartment complex 2-2 (with two abstentions) at its October meeting, but a councilman moved to bring it back for consideration after hearing more information in the meantime. The council voted to put the first reading of Waters Edge on the agenda for the December-January meeting.

Joshua Moore, who appears frequently at meetings when Taylor Landing comes up, and Christy Dawes brought a petition against Waters Edge which had been signed by 166 of their neighbors. They raised concerns about the prospects of traffic and road safety, lower property values and changed neighborhood character and overloading the drainage pond.

They also objected to the city adding Water’s Edge to the agenda the week of the voting meeting, without discussing it at the study session. City Attorney Jake Hubbell replied that the issue was added to the agenda on Monday, which constituted “adequate notice” under the state Open Meetings Act, and that the city was within its rights to add an item back to the agenda within the year after it was first rejected.

Finally, a developer withdrew a request to annex 12.4-acre property on Lasea Road, where they plan to build 31 houses, after the city declined to grant a CD-3 zoning they asked for. The city had amended the resolution after their application, offering to approve the less dense CD-3L category (which is the default for the area and would allow for about 24 houses), but the developer insisted on CD-3, which is permitted under the Connect Columbia plan for the area.

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

James Wilbur “Jimmy” Rodgers, 76, lifelong resident of Columbia, died Monday, November 17, 2025 at his residence with his family by his side.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Mary Laverne Pilkinton, 90, retired elementary school teacher and a resident of Columbia, died Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, November 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Friday from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Now, news from around the state…

State to Appeal National Guard Injunction (Tennessean)

The State of Tennessee will appeal Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal's ruling that effectively paused the National Guard's deployment to Memphis, Gov. Bill Lee said on Nov. 18.

The appeal has not yet been filed, but once it is filed, a stay will be placed on the temporary injunction Moskal granted.

"Memphians know their city is facing a violent crime emergency that the state must address, and we're confident higher courts will ultimately recognize this as well," Lee said in a press release. "The state will appeal, and the Tennessee National Guard will continue to operate as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force while the case is on appeal, per the judge's order."

Moskal's order granted a collective of Democratic officials' request for a temporary injunction on the National Guard's deployment. In the order, she said Lee violated state law by deploying troops to Memphis.

The injunction also came with the requirement that the plaintiffs post a $50,000 bond for the injunction to be effective. Moskal added a stay that would trigger upon appeal to her ruling as well.

Moskal's ruling was met with scrutiny from Republicans, who pointed to the work the task force has done since touching down in Memphis, and gratitude from Democrats who have repeatedly said the manner in which the National Guard was deployed is at issue.

Leonid Meteor Shower (Tennessean)

If you missed the peaks for the Northern and Southern Taurid meteor showers, you may soon get another chance with the Leonid meteor shower.

The Leonid meteor shower, which is active from Nov. 6 to Nov. 30, will peak this week, according to the American Meteor Society. And the moon, which will be a waning crescent around and around, at about 9% full, will not spoil the view.

The shower comes from debris from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle as it passed by Earth, and is known for producing meteor showers, during which hundreds to thousands of meteors can be seen every hour. But that may not happen again until 2099.

Around 10 to 15 meteors an hour can be observed under dark skies at the showers' peak every year, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting.

The last time the comet passed by Earth and produced a meteor storm was in 2002, according to the American Meteor Society.

Previously, it created storms in the following years:

• 1833

• 1866

• 1966

• 1999

• 2001

• 2002

One of the most famous storms occurred in 1966, when the comet created a meteor storm that produced at least 1,000 meteors an hour, according to NASA.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Yesterday, at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ conference, Stand-Up Comedian and Entertainer, Nate Bargatze announced that his company Nateland is partnering with Storyland Studios, a themed entertainment architecture and design firm based in Southern California, to explore the concept and feasibility of a Nashville-based theme park. In announcing his project, Bargatze has further demonstrated to the world just how serious he is about his desire to bring family fun to his hometown of Nashville, TN.

Working closely with state and local officials, the Nateland Experiences division of Nateland and the Storyland design team are reviewing possible sites in the greater Nashville area for the planned 100+ acre park. In addition to the entertainment offerings in the good, clean family fun park, key amenities such as retail, dining, and even a hotel are being considered.