Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 11-7-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for November 7, 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.

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.

First Fridays Rescheduled (Press Release)

Due to potential storm conditions forecast for Friday, Columbia Main Street, in partnership with the City of Columbia, has rescheduled the November First Fridays “Happy Feastmas” celebration to Saturday, November 8th, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the Christmas Tree Lighting at 6:30 PM on the Courthouse Square in Downtown Columbia.

This special edition of First Fridays combines the spirit of Thanksgiving with the joy of Christmas, celebrating community, generosity, and the start of the holiday season. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to support Harvest Share and The Well Outreach and to enjoy a shared meal from local food trucks or restaurants at communal tables on the square.

The evening will feature craft and food artisans, festive photo ops, live music, extended shopping hours, and a visit from Santa leading up to the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree, sponsored by Chris Jones State Farm Agent.

Join us Saturday for an evening of fellowship, fun, and the official start of the holidays in Columbia! This is a free event and open to the public. For more information, please visit our website at columbiamainstreet.com or contact us at 931-560-1507.

Miracle League To Add Playground (Press Release)

The Miracle League of Columbia at Maury County Park has unveiled plans for a new all-inclusive playground, a $1 million project that will sit alongside the Miracle League baseball field currently under construction. This initiative is a joint effort between The Miracle League and Maury County Parks, dedicated to expanding accessibility and inclusion for families across the region.

The playground will be named Taye’s Place in honor of Taye Ramer, nephew of Miracle League Founder and President Robin Estep. His ability to bring people together and remind others of the power of inclusion became the heart of The Miracle League’s mission — making it only fitting that this new playground carry his name.

“Taye has been the ‘why’ behind everything we’ve done,” said Robin Estep, Founding Member of The Miracle League of Columbia. “Without him, there wouldn’t be a Miracle League of Columbia. He brings such joy to everyone around him, and it’s so fitting that this playground be named in his honor. Announcing Taye’s Place truly feels like a dream come true.”

Designed by Landscape Structures, a Minnesota-based leader in inclusive playground design, Taye’s Place will feature vibrant, accessible play structures that invite children of all ages and abilities to play together. The playground’s design emphasizes both fun and functionality, ensuring an environment where everyone feels welcome.

“This playground represents so much more than play—it’s about belonging,” said Juli Beck, Board Chairman of The Miracle League of Columbia. “Its inclusive design ensures that every child, regardless of ability, can experience the joy of play. The bright, welcoming colors will make it a centerpiece of our community.”

Taye’s Place playground will be constructed alongside the Miracle League field currently under construction on the former site of the Babe Ruth Field, a community landmark that hosted youth baseball for more than 40 years. Hewlett Spencer holds the county contract, with Bell Construction Company overseeing the build.

To make Taye’s Place a reality, The Miracle League of Columbia is calling on the community to help complete the dream. Though construction plans are underway, additional funding and donations are needed to finish the project. Every contribution—big or small—brings them one step closer to creating a space where all children, regardless of ability, can experience the joy of play. For more information about the Miracle League baseball field or Taye’s Place playground, please visit www.columbiamiracleleague.com.

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.

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.

Sobriety Checkpoint (Press Release)

In compliance with a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling for all law enforcement to notify the public of when and where a roadblock will be held, the Tennessee Highway Patrol is advising all motorists of the following upcoming checkpoints. The courts require proof roadblocks are conducted in the best interest of overall public safety and THP’s checkpoint times and locations are strategically selected through crash and crime data collection to maximize their overall effectiveness and efficiency.

Recognizing the danger presented to the public by unqualified drivers, Troopers will concentrate their efforts on vehicles being operated by drivers who violate the driver license laws of Tennessee and take corrective actions for other violations observed.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has found these driver license roadside safety checkpoints to be an effective means of enforcing driver license laws of Tennessee while ensuring the protection of all motorists.

The next Sobriety Checkpoints will be on November 28, 2025, at 8 pm on State Highway 7 .1 miles south of Knob Creek Road in Maury County.

Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists. The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and an effective tool in the battle against impaired driving.

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/

Pancake Day (Press Release)

Since 1959, the Columbia Noon Rotary Club has been flipping pancakes and serving smiles across Maury County. This year’s Pancake Day will be held on Saturday, November 8th, from 6:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building on West 7th Street in downtown Columbia.

Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast of homemade pancakes, sausage, and a choice of beverage. Most folks enjoy dining in and visiting with neighbors, but carryout options will also be available.

“Pancake Day is the Noon Rotary Club’s largest fundraiser and allows us to serve youth and families in the Maury County community through our club projects,” said Connie Massey, Pancake Day Co-Chair. “This fundraiser is a long-standing tradition, and club members are proud to say we’ve made our pancakes from scratch for more than 60 years!”

Proceeds from Pancake Day help support some of the club’s most impactful service projects. Each year, Columbia Noon Rotary provides over $12,000 in scholarships to area high school students. The club also proudly sponsors Boy Scout Troop 103, which has produced more than 50 Eagle Scouts since 1960.

Tickets are $10 each or three for $25, and can be purchased in advance from any Noon Rotarian or at the door on Pancake Day. Children ages 6 and under eat free!

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Columbia noon rotary started in 1924 and has served the Maury County community for over 100 years through community service projects and programs that enhance youth education and leadership training. To learn more about Columbia Noon Rotary, you can visit our website at www.columbianoonrotaryclub.com or on social media at Columbia Noon Rotary.

Education Luncheon (Press Release)

Join Maury Alliance on Wednesday, November 19 at 11:30 am for our annual Education Lunch featuring a State of Public Education and the 2025 Education Report. 

During this year's event, Maury Alliance President & CEO, Wil Evans, will lead a panel discussion with representatives from Maury County Public Schools. They will discuss the current state of public education, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs and the 2025 Education Report. 

Panelists include: 

• Lisa Ventura, MCPS Superintendent

• Keith Stacey, MCPS Assistant Superintendent of Instruction

• Amy Roberts, MCPS Career & Technical Education Supervisor 

• Michelle Gilbert, MCPS Director of Teaching, Learning & Assessment 

The event will be held at the Memorial Building located at 308 West 7th St.

The cost is $25 for chamber members and $30 for non-members. Lunch is included. The event is sponsored by Halifax Hospitality

Have a question you’d like the panel to address? Submit your questions in advance to help guide the conversation and ensure your voice is heard. Learn more by visiting www.mauryalliance.com.

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

Mr. Tim Henderson, 67, retired truck driver, died Tuesday at Magnolia Health Care. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 6:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Family will visit with friends Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Burial will be Saturday at 10:00 AM at Polk Memorial Gardens.

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.

Hatcher Launches Campaign for 5th (WilliamsonScene)

Former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher kicked off his campaign for the 5th Congressional District on Tuesday, setting up a primary challenge with incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in 2026.

Several hundred supporters packed a Battle Mountain Farm barn in College Grove, including numerous members of the Hatcher family who own the farm.

Hatcher, a first-time candidate, said that he’s been approached about running for numerous offices over the years, mainly for Congress, and called politics “the nastiest thing I've ever done.”

He’s leaning into both his experience serving in Gov. Bill Lee’s administration with agriculture policy and his actual farming experience to set himself apart in what he acknowledges will be a tough race against the scandal-plagued and Trump-endorsed Congressman.

“It’s always hard running against an incumbent there. It's gonna take a grassroots campaign. It's gonna take a lot of work, which I'm willing to do, and President Trump, I mean, the Hatchers have been huge supporters of President Trump,” Hatcher told the Williamson Scene.

“I saw firsthand under the Biden administration as Commissioner of Agriculture, dealing with all those federal agencies under Biden, the inefficiency in the waste and the money falling from the sky, and [Trump's] turned all those things around, as well as closing the border in a few months. So he’s doing all the right things he needs, but he needs more help down there to get it done, and less talk and more action,” Hatcher said. “I'm going to be a workhorse, not a show horse.”

Hatcher said that his top priorities, if elected, would be to draft and pass an “American Food Security Act,” which he said would “prohibit China [from] owning farmland and taking that back and putting the proceeds of that into back to the American farmer,” through agriculture programs or tax credits.

He also said that he’s concerned broadly about American food security, calling it a national security issue, citing challenges and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We're losing family farms at record pace, especially in Tennessee,” Hatcher said. The data shows that we've been losing 10 acres of farmland per hour. So it's a tragic loss of family farms.

“We have to begin to slow that pace, or we have to begin to recruit farmers from all walks of life, urban, it doesn't matter race, color, creed or anything like that. We've got to begin to track those into family farming operations or start their own or we're going to be in real trouble.”

Hatcher said that he supports Trump’s ongoing international trade negotiations, specifically citing recent deals between the U.S. and China, UK, European Union and Japan.

“We have to have that correct balance of international trade that supports American farmers, and at the same time, international trade supports a high percentage or a significant percentage of every commodity dollar in the US, so they're both important to just have that right trade balance.”

Hatcher acknowledged that he and his team have been in contact with Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston, who unsuccessfully challenged Ogles in the 2024 Republican Primary.

“We've had multiple conversations with candidates in the previous election, and they've been very supportive, [we’ve] gained a lot of information, and we'll continue to work those relationships,” Hatcher said.

“The Hatchers have been in the 5th district as we know it today for 206 years. I think I know the issues. I think I know the people,” Hatcher said. “I'm going to go to every county and talk with the people and go to all the events that I can and get the feedback from them, and see what really matters. … This is a long haul mission for me — I'm not a flash in the pan.”

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

With Veterans Day next week, support the troops this weekend at The Factory at Columbia, 101 N. James M. Campbell Blvd.

The Factory's Veterans Celebration event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, will feature special food vendors, live entertainment, and a Quilts of Valor ceremony.

The event will also serve as a spotlight to local veteran-focused organizations and nonprofits.

Learn more at www.factoryatcolumbia.com.