Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 11-4-25

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for November 4, 2025

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

We start with local news…

County Agrees to Fund Major Renovations (MSM)

At its October meeting, the Maury County Commission voted overwhelmingly to set the Guaranteed Maximum Prices (GMP) to renovate three county facilities, which would allow their staff to borrow $26 million to fund the projects.

The commission approved GMPs of $15.99 million for the historic 1906 county courthouse, to remove asbestos from and renovate the interior; $10.79 million to build new facilities for the animal services shelter and campus; and $6.16 million to build a new county library for Mt. Pleasant in Howard Field. The renovation of the courthouse would also take $7 million from the fund dedicated to upkeep of it and the Memorial Building.

The votes to fund the animal shelter and the library elicited applause from the attending public, and some thanked commissioners during public comment.

“I wanted to say thank you for letting us come to the meetings,” said Marsha Frizzley, who works at the animal shelter. “Most of the people here are volunteers, we’re all just very passionate about the animals.”

“Thank you for considering this project, we’re really excited about this,” said Tracy Vogel, the chairwoman of the county Library Board.

Some commissioners revived their objections to aspects of the projects which they deemed unfinished or unnecessary. Commissioner Gabe Howard announced that he would vote against the courthouse renovation as presented, restating his committee-stage objections to the apparently expensive new museum.

“The historic courthouse is important to our community,” he declared, “[but] we don’t need that museum.”

Commissioner Connie Green, who sits on the Maury County Library Board, informed the rest of the commission that certain design and location choices for the Mt. Pleasant Library hadn’t been explained or resolved to her satisfaction, and possibly those of other board members, whose vote is needed for the Commission to proceed, according to county bylaws.

“I’m very much in favor of the Mt. Pleasant library, but questions have not been answered at all,” she said.

To these other commissioners replied — some with audible impatience — their concerns should’ve been brought up in committee, not at the last voting meeting on the calendar. Without addressing Howard’s specific objection to the museum, several stressed the urgency of voting to preserve the 120-year-old courthouse, which Commissioner Eric Previti claimed is “the most photographed building in the state of Tennessee.”

“I have to disagree with Mr. Howard on this, the courthouse is probably the biggest need for the community,” said Commissioner Scott Sumners.

“Not supporting the renovation of a piece of history is basically saying you don’t care about the history of our county,” said Commissioner Gwynne Evans. “If we don’t start conserving it for the future, nobody’s going to know where we came from.”

Commissioner Kenny Morrow made a motion to defer voting on the new library until the library board had officially approved George Nuber Architecture’s final building design, but other commissioners and county Finance Director Doug Lukonen responded that delaying the vote would force the county to bid out the project contracts and interest rates for a second time, incurring costs of up to $100,000. He also added that the library board had approved of almost all the design choices, with the main exception being the location of some bathrooms.

Based on these considerations, the commission voted instead to approve the GMPs and borrowing for all three projects, though they amended the Mt. Pleasant Library funding to be conditional upon library board approval of the final design. Several commissioners expressed their frustration that objections to some details had sidetracked the meeting.

“We have committee meetings for a reason,” said Chairman Danny Grooms. “The things that were brought up tonight should’ve been brought up in committee, and we wouldn’t have been near as long as we have been tonight.”

“If there’s a process that’s failed here somewhere, we need to make sure that process is done correctly,” Howard said. “I think we all assumed that it was done. Shame on us.”

The commission also debated what rate they should set to dispose of Columbia’s municipal waste. The resolution before them, set after County Mayor Sheila Butt met with Columbia officials, proposed charging $60 per ton of trash in the first half of 2026 and $65 starting next July.

Commissioners Howard and Sumners, who have argued before for raising the county’s waste charges on Columbia, proposed raising the rate to $62.50 in January and the full gate rate of $75 in July.

“When you’re losing money, I think we need to get that amount up as quick as possible,” Howard said.

“I just want the city council people to know, this is not a property tax issue, it’s a service-based fee,” said Sumners, replying to an objection the city’s mayor made months ago.

In May, Chaz Molder pushed back at claims that Columbia free-rides county services, from animal control to solid waste to ambulance services, by reminding the commission that the city already forwards almost two-fifths of its property taxes to the county government.

Commissioner Jerry Strahan and County Mayor Sheila Butt favored leaving the rates where they were set during negotiations with the city, as a competitive bid in Columbia’s ongoing search for a waste-disposal service. Butt said in the meeting that the state’s rate formula was used to find the $60 and later $65 were fair tonnage rates. She reminded commissioners that city waste is easier to dispose of than that from non-municipal sources.

“I recently attended a meeting [where Columbia said], ‘Oh, we’re looking in the very near future at doing something quite different with another company,'” Strahan recalled. “It would favor us very well to have a relationship with the city at that point.”

State Rep. Scott Cepicky presented the Maury County Fire Department with a ceremonial check for $63,675. The state legislature has given their grant program for rural fire departments $10 million this year.

The City of Columbia and Maury County Water Services are entering arbitration for the lawsuit filed several months ago, over who should supply water to certain customers on Darks Mill Road. John Blankenship and Mark Travis will arbitrate at MCWS’s expense.

The county entered an agreement to give 87.88 acres in front of the Battle Creek schools to the City of Spring Hill, which would then work on traffic improvements. Sumners proposed to ask the city to name the bridge on the property after the Simmons family, the former owners, who generously sold it to the school district for $1 million less than the asking price.

Ultium to Lay Off Workers (CDH)

Ultium Cells will furlough about 700 of its employees as its Spring Hill, Tenn. plant braces for a temporary pause in production next year, Reuters reported Oct. 29. 

The Spring Hill battery assembly plant, a joint partnership between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, will halt production beginning in January 2026 through mid-year, Reuters reported.

The report followed a July announcement that outlined the latest steppingstone in the $2.3 billion partnership between LG Energy Solutions and GM to produce low-cost battery cells known as lithium iron phosphate, or LFP.

General Motors and Ultium Cells did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Additionally, Ultium Cells’ operations in Warren, Ohio will halt production similar to the Spring Hill plant, but will furlough 850 of its workers, and indefinitely lay off 550 employees. 

The report came on the heels of GM adapting to slower-than-expected electric vehicle demand, and a shifting regulatory landscape, Reuters reported.

Despite strong earnings following last week's quarterly earnings report, this week, the company has taken steps to trim its workforce, by laying off 300 and 200 employees in its Warren, Michigan Technical Center and Georgia IT Innovation Center, respectively, the Detroit Free Press reported. 

The automaker is in the midst of its annual review process, which will continue through the rest of the year, the company told the Detroit Free Press. 

In September, GM announced it would furlough half of its 1,400 shift workers as it rolls back production of electric vehicles at its Spring Hill plant. The plant implemented a month of downtime during a week in October, Thanksgiving and all of December. 

“General Motors is making strategic production adjustments in alignment with expected slower EV industry growth and customer demand by leveraging our flexible ICE and EV manufacturing footprint,” GM spokesperson Allison May told The Tennessean in a Sept. 4 statement.

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.

CSCC Hosts Engineering Systems Tech Open House (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College’s Lawrence Campus recently hosted an open house event to showcase new equipment and expanded educational offerings as part of the Engineering Systems Technology program.

Columbia State offers both a one-year technical certificate and a two-year Associate of Science degree in EST. The EST program is designed to prepare graduates for many different careers related to manufacturing with an emphasis on technology, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Students enrolled in the EST program take classes online with on-campus lab requirements. The expansion of the EST program to the Lawrence Campus allows for students to participate in on-campus labs closer to home.

During their training, students also have the opportunity to earn industry certifications, such as, Smart Automation Certification Alliance certification, OSHA 10 certification and FANUC robotics certification.

“Columbia State is proud to expand this program to Lawrence County, giving local students the same access as those at our Columbia Campus,” said Dr. Mehran Mostajir, Columbia State dean of the Business and Technology Division and assistant professor of Engineering Systems Technology.

Online classes coupled with hands-on lab work were created with schedule flexibility in mind. Students are able to reserve time to come to the lab on the Lawrence Campus to fulfill the required practical learning elements as part of their coursework.

Dual enrollment and dual credit learning options are also available for Lawrence County and other regional high schools.

The new lab features equipment from Amatrol that lets students work on various types of system workstations, including an AC/DC electrical, motor control system, hydraulic instrumentation module, electrical motors and a process control system.

The new workstations help make coursework applicable to machinery in several fields of work, including programmable logic controllers, pneumatics, hydraulics, mechanical drive systems, electrical and robotics systems and more. This practical learning is also crucial in students’ earning certifications and being prepared for their current or future workplace.

“When you go to some places, they tell you to do this, and you just learn how to do one or two or three things, and that's it,” Mostajir said. “But sometimes, it's good to know the theory behind it. We're not going to go too deep into theory, but enough theory, so that way students can understand better. And if something other than what you have learned happened on the factory floor, then you can actually think and say, ‘Okay, I think now, based on this, I can advise or I can tell you what the problem is.’ And that's one of the major forces behind getting certifications.”

Columbia State’s ability to provide these new workstations and course offerings could not have been done without the partnerships of local governments and industry partners.

Some of those partners and collaborative members include the city of Lawrenceburg, Lawrence County, Lawrence County Schools, General Motors, Nissan, Ultium Cells, Columbia Machine Works, GCP Applied Technologies and many others. 

“When you're looking to grow, you don't just need workers today, even tomorrow; and when you get them tomorrow, you need entities like Columbia State,” said Ryan Egly, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. “And when companies come and they're looking to establish an operation in Tennessee, especially in Lawrence County, we always think about our partnership at Columbia State and with our local TCATs as well.”

The partnership between Lawrence County and Columbia State dates back to the 1970s and has grown throughout the years. The opening of the Southern Tennessee Higher Education Center in 2021 was another milestone in increasing educational opportunities in Lawrence County and the surrounding areas. The expansion of the EST program to the Lawrence Campus is another step in reinforcing that partnership and commitment to the community.

“This is just another exciting step in the process of what that group of people in the Lawrence County Higher Education Committee dreamed about having seven or eight years ago, and building the property, the classes that have continued,” said Jim Cone, chairman of the Lawrence County Higher Education Committee and member of the Lawrenceburg Joint Economic Development Board. “Thanks again to Columbia State for being an outstanding partner for such a long, long time. We look forward to that continuing for years to come.”

The new EST offerings on the Lawrence Campus are part of Columbia State’s commitment to continue to give students, stakeholders and community members a voice in how the college can best expand and adapt to fit the needs of the local area.

“We’re not just an institution planted on a piece of land where people come, learn and leave,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “We are, and must be, a part of the community—that’s central to our mission and to who we are, both personally and professionally. When we look at this campus and how it came to be, we see the contributions of individuals from across the community and the college. It’s truly a collective effort. The way we grow and provide education isn’t just Columbia State’s work—it’s the community’s work. We wouldn’t be here today if, four years ago, a group of community members hadn’t said, ‘We want higher education.’ They built a building, invited Columbia State in, and together, we began a partnership.”

Food Pantries Combine (CDH)

A newly consolidated food pantry in Maury County is prepping for the holiday season, expecting increased need in meals and other essentials.

Two nonprofits in Columbia, Harvest Share Food Pantry and The Family Center, have combined their efforts to provide a larger one-stop, community food pantry, operated at the Harvest Share Food Pantry location, 419 W. 9th Street.

Since January, Harvest Share Food Pantry has increased its customer base in partnership with The Family Center, allowing Harvest Share to provide food for new families, while also allowing The Family Center to place more focus on addressing local homelessness and housing issues, Harvest Share Director Amanda Taylor said.

"They are now pointing people in our direction, and we are pointing the homeless to them," Taylor said. "They also had churches and groups that would donate to them, but now they are pointing them in our direction. We have picked up a lot more clients."

Harvest Share now serves approximately 500-550 families per month, Taylor added.

"It is significant, and they can only come one time a month, and so it is a lot," Taylor said.

Taking on new customers hasn't been the only thing Harvest Share has been up to this year. The food pantry is currently in the process of installing a new walk-in cooler, as well as a mission to provide a bountiful Christmas for 500 families with its first Hustle for Harvest Share 5K fundraiser, which will take place Thanksgiving Day.

"The reason that we started the fundraiser is because for Christmas families get a ham and toys, but not the rest of the meal," Taylor said. "We are partnering together to feed people their full Christmas meal this year. The cost for that, on the low end, would be about $5,000, and so we need a decent fundraiser to make this possible."

The 5K kicks off at 8 a.m. at the Pillow Springs golf course, 119 Stoneybrook Road. Runners can sign up online for $43.40, with an additional $3.40 fee.

Harvest Share has also grown in additional ways to better serve clients, including a cargo van.

"We got a cargo van that was donated to us, and it's amazing how it has made a huge difference in how we pick food up, though we could also use another vehicle," Taylor said. "We have a lot of pickups, and we have to pick up all of our orders. We would also love to do renovations to our building, but that's more of a want ... because feeding for the Christmas dinner is a big project itself.

"We have a lot going on and are just trying to make it happen."

While the momentum to grow and increase the services local food pantries provide clients, there is also a concern as to how the current government shutdown could affect families, particularly those who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Though there is no estimated amount regarding how many will be affected, Taylor said she expects the impact to hit local families.

Now, news from around the state…

Christmas At The Governor’s Mansion (MauryCountySource)

Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee are inviting Tennesseans to celebrate the holiday season at the 2025 Tennessee Residence Christmas tours.

The Governor and First Lady have welcomed more than 22,000 guests into the Tennessee Residence through Christmas tours since 2019, with 5,400 more guests expected this year. This Christmas season will mark the final year of Governor and First Lady Lee’s Christmas tours at the Tennessee Residence.

The Governor and First Lady are continuing their Christmas tradition of encouraging guests to participate in giving back during the holiday season by bringing requested items to support the work of five nonprofits across the state. The nonprofits selected this year include Memphis Child Advocacy Center, Reelfoot Rural Ministries, Graceworks Ministries, Helping Mamas Knoxville, and Cumberland Children’s Center House of Hope.

“We’re honored to partner with First Lady Lee and Tennessee Serves to highlight the importance of meeting families’ basic needs,” said Tess Frear, Executive Director of Helping Mamas Knoxville. “This partnership shines a light on how simple acts of giving can change lives and strengthen communities across Tennessee.”

The Tennessee Residence will be open to the public for Christmas tours from Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7, and from Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14. All tours are self-guided, free to the public, and require a reservation.

To schedule a tour and find additional information and requested nonprofit donations, visit the Tennessee Residence website at www.tn.gov/residence.

Clouded Leopards Thrive in Nashville Zoo (Tennessean)

Fall foliage flew through the air as leopards Gemma and Meru recently pounced on piles of leaves inside a playroom at Nashville Zoo.

The two leopards chased each other through the leaves and even nibbled on a few.

Roars from leopards have been a welcomed addition to the zoo.

Gemma, a clouded leopard, was born in August was once snuggling a lamp plush and bottle feeding on milk.

She is one of the newest additions to a zoo that is becoming a leader in rebuilding the leopard population.

Nashville Zoo has unlocked a successful mating rate by keeping cubs together at a young age, going from 20% to 40% to a 95% success rate as part of its effort to protect animal species.

"We have the most the most clouded leopards of any institution in the country, and we dedicate space for them and have multiple breeding pairs within the zoo," veterinarian Heather Schwartz previously told The Tennessean.

One day, Gemma will grow to weigh up to 35 pounds and have the agility, speed and power to take down a wild boar.

The animals are at Nashville Zoo as part of the Leopard Forest exhibit.

It's June opening was among the most popular ever, with 22,000 guests attending the ceremony.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Battle’s Eve Dinner is set for Saturday, November 22nd, 2025, at 6 pm at the Historic Elm Springs (2357 Park Plus Dr, Columbia, TN 38401).

In late November of 1864, the Confederate Army of Tennessee neared Columbia. The Federals arrived just ahead of the Confederate troops and aimed to make a stand on Columbia’s southside. Elm Springs found itself in the crosshairs of history.

Enjoy light refreshments and free time in the home from 6 pm until the dinner bell rings around 6:30 pm. Assemble in the dining room of the historic home for a traditional Southern meal served family-style. While you eat, hear the story of the home and its role in the Tennessee Campaign. Following dinner, a special low-light tour of the home will be given.

Tickets are $50 per person and are only available on the Battle’s Eve Dinner Facebook Page.