Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 12-4-25

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for December 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…

MCPS Achieves Advancing Public School Designation (Press Release)

Maury County Public Schools (MCPS) has earned an Advancing School District designation from the Tennessee Department of Education for the first time in the school district’s history!

 The designation is part of the state’s accountability system, which evaluates school districts on multiple indicators, including student academic growth, achievement, grade-band success rates, chronic absenteeism, English language proficiency progress, and graduation rates. The recognition follows several years of steady districtwide improvement, highlighted by rising achievement scores and stronger outcomes across grade levels.

 “This accomplishment reflects the hard work happening in every classroom across Maury County,” said Lisa Ventura, Superintendent of Maury County Public Schools. “Our students are learning and growing, and our teachers and staff are dedicated to ensuring every child succeeds. Achieving Advancing School District status for the first time in our history is a milestone that belongs to our entire community, and we are incredibly proud.”

 The state identifies districts across five accountability levels: Exemplary, Advancing, Satisfactory, Marginal, and In Need of Improvement. MCPS previously held a Satisfactory designation. Moving into the Advancing School District category demonstrates measurable gains in student achievement, effective district-level support, and the impact of strategic investments by the Maury County Public Schools Board of Education.

 In a press release, Maury County Public Schools said they will build on this momentum through data-driven instruction, continued investments in student support, and a commitment to ensuring every student can thrive academically and personally.

Development Changes Go To County Commission (MSM)

The Maury County Regional Planning Commission voted to recommend two important measures last Monday: a moratorium on building new “major subdivisions” and a revision of the allowance for “administrative splits.”

Both will require approval of the Maury County Commission.

The moratorium halts the construction of subdivisions which feature sub-five-acre lots and more than five lots. Permitting and review will still go on for development applications, whether new or already submitted.

Building and Zoning Director Robert Caldiraro stated that the county had approved an average of 200 permits per year (for individual buildings, not whole developments) since 2020.

“The developments that we’re seeing are a lot larger,” Caldiraro explained. “Five [or] six years ago, we had never seen a 300-lot subdivision; [now] we are seeing them consistently, and we’ve got one in the pipeline that may move forward that is quite a bit larger than that.”

Teresa Sparks, an organizer for the group “Stop the Sprawl, Y’all,” explained to the planning commission that surrounding counties have issued moratoriums to re-evaluate the patterns and allowances for growth in recent years.

“We’re working with some outdated information, and… we’re just saying give us a chance to catch up,” she said. “We need to align our zoning with our infrastructure and capacity, and make sure future development is planned, not reactive.”

Planning Commissioner Peder Jensen announced that he would abstain from voting. He thought that 200 buildings per year was a healthy rate and didn’t require a moratorium.

“I don’t see how that’s not smart growth… I think this commission has done a very good job putting together some very specific changes to our zoning,” he said. “I don’t see how this moratorium is going to do much for this county, in any way but to take away the property rights of the landowners.”

Administrative split

Under a former county law, an owner could perform an “administrative split” on a property, subdividing it into two or more lots in one fell swoop, which could be even smaller than five acres, when the county only intended that they be able to carve off one parcel each year from a parent property. Caldiraro explained that the new language passed by the planning commission closes the loophole.

The law became a target for activists after a developer performed an administrative split on an 80-acre property on East Sheepneck Road in Culleoka, dividing it into 16 residential lots, some of them less than five acres.

“Subdivisions of five-acre and larger tracts… without planning commission review… [have] been happening across the county, creating 15–20 new driveway connections on rural roads never designed for this level of traffic,” said “Stop the Sprawl, Y’all,” a local group opposed to overgrowth in the rural county, in an email update. “This new requirement adds transparency and gives the public a voice in these decisions.”

“With all of these developments going on, particularly on my road, I can’t haul hay [past] 14 or 15 new driveways,” said Chris Gramling, a livestock farmer on East Sheepneck, who claimed that his work truck almost collided with a developer’s speeding car one day. “The rural roads are not big thoroughfares. We all know each other on these roads… and we know, ‘Slow down at that particular area.'”

“Your vote tonight is a strong and necessary step,” Sparks said. “It introduces long-overdue regulation for five-acre and larger lots, and creates a foundation that the county can improve on [in] the Comprehensive Land-Use Plan.”

Glen Alexander, a surveyor in Culleoka, spoke on behalf of some of his clients, who had been at work for two years on projects that depend on the administrative splitting of their property. Though they ultimately got permission to proceed, since they had submitted their application before the split privilege was revoked, he and his clients had worried about it ending.

“My clients are very concerned about things moving under their feet… I will say, this has come mighty fast, and it’s gonna put [the plans of] some of my people I’ve been working for… in danger,” he told the planning commission. “These are just Tennessee landowners, not developers… All I’m asking [is to] just consider [giving them] a little time… and leeway.”

Spring Hill Calls for Third EMS Team (MauryCountySource)

Spring Hill leaders are moving forward with plans to add a third dedicated EMS unit to better meet the city’s growing emergency response needs.

Mayor Matt Fitterer said the newly opened Mitchell Earwood Fire Station 4 was built with extra space and bunk rooms specifically to house an additional EMS unit. Spring Hill is currently served by two units, but call volume and population growth show a clear need for a third.

The City of Spring Hill, TN Board of Mayor and Aldermen will pass a resolution formally requesting that a third EMS unit be dedicated to the city and based at the Earwood station. Final approval must come from the Williamson County Commission and Williamson Health.

City officials are asking residents to contact county commissioners in Districts 1, 2, 3, and 9 to voice support for the additional unit. Leaders say adding an EMS unit in Spring Hill would also improve coverage in nearby areas like Thompsons Station and Bethesda.

The board is also continuing work on major wastewater infrastructure projects, including new decentralized systems, lift station upgrades, and advanced purification planning.

Mt. Pleasant Fire Receives Grant (MSM)

The Mount Pleasant Fire Department recently received a grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which will be used to purchase three state-of-the-art Amkus Rescue Tools, fulfilling a critical need within the department.

The $39,791 grant upgraded battery-operated extrication tools that include a cutter, spreader, ram and extended tips that don’t require the gas engine and hydraulic connections of the old extrication unit.

“[The old setup] process often required one to two people and took two to four minutes before the tool was ready to operate,” firefighter Eric Barnett said. “The new electric tools, powered by DeWalt batteries, eliminate all of that setup. Deployment is now as simple as picking up the tool and pressing the power button — ready to work in seconds instead of minutes.”

Mount Pleasant Fire used the machines in a real-life extrication shortly after receiving them.

“The new Amkus extrication tools are a true game-changer for our department,” said firefighter Caleb Clayton. “With increased power, speed, and precision, these tools make vehicle extrications safer and far more efficient. Their lighter weight reduces physical strain on our crews, helping prevent exhaustion during long or complex rescues.”

“Thank you to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, our local Firehouse Subs restaurant in Columbia, and the generous donors who made this possible!” a statement from the Mount Pleasant Fire Department said.

Night to Honor Ceremony (MSM)

22nd Judicial District Attorney Brent Cooper has announced the return of Night to Honor, an annual event dedicated to supporting families who have lost a loved one to homicide in Giles, Lawrence, Maury and Wayne counties.  

The observance, which is open to the public, will take place in Lawrenceburg at First Baptist Church, 2100 Springer Road, on Monday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. Guests should begin arriving at 5:15 p.m. for registration, with the program beginning at 6 p.m.  

“We hold this event each year with the hope of providing even a small measure of comfort to these families,” Cooper said. “The Christmas season can be an especially difficult time for those experiencing such a profound loss, and our goal is to make the holidays a little brighter for them. We sincerely invite any family member who has lost a loved one to homicide to attend. This night is dedicated to honoring their loved ones and letting them know they are not alone.”

This year’s event will include the testimony of Elizabeth Bargen, the mother of Misty McWhorter, who was a teenager that lost her life as the result of a car crash due to an intoxicated driver on Nov. 26, 2010, in Lawrence County. The driver was convicted and sentenced to a prison term. 

Night to Honor provides an opportunity for families to come together, reflect and receive support from the community and local victim assistance services. The event includes moments of remembrance, words of encouragement and space for families to gather in solidarity.

For additional information about this year’s event, call the District Attorney’s office at 931-766-1453 Ext. 6107 or email Kendra Cannon at klcannon@tndagc.org. They have asked attendees to RSVP to the email address by Dec. 3, including a picture of your loved one to be used in the ceremony. Anyone attending the ceremony is invited to bring an ornament in remembrance of your loved one that will be placed upon a Remembrance Wreath.

Maury Alliance Annual Meeting (Press Release)

Join Maury Alliance on Thursday, January 29th, for their most anticipated event of the year, the Maury Alliance Annual Meeting! Celebrate the successes of 2025, honor the transition of their volunteer leadership, and discover their exciting strategic goals for 2026.—all while continuing to commemorate over 100 years of growth, innovation, and community impact in Maury County.  

Enjoy an evening filled with entertainment and networking celebrating business and industry in Maury County with a social hour, elegant dinner and live music.

Purchase tickets now to guarantee a seat at Maury Alliance’s biggest event of the year.

Registration will close January 19 at 5:00 pm. 

Get tickets and learn more by visiting www.mauryalliance.com.

Columbia Christmas Parade (Press Release)

Columbia Main Street, in partnership with the City of Columbia, is thrilled to announce a record-breaking year for the 39th Annual Columbia Christmas Parade, taking place Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM. More than 140 parade entries will roll through downtown Columbia, marking the highest participation in the event’s history.

The free holiday celebration will follow the traditional route down West 7th Street and into Columbia’s historic downtown. The first float will feature the parade sponsor, Stan McNabb of Columbia, chauffeuring our Grand Marshals, Austin and Colin, and the final float will showcase Santa and Mrs. Claus on their brand-new sleigh. In between those floats, attendees will see a showcase of creative floats, marching bands, tractors, local businesses, churches, civic groups, and holiday characters.

Pre-parade festivities will begin at 5:30 PM with Kaliente Conway Glenn leading interactive holiday fun, and Junior Main Street Volunteers distributing glow sticks to the first 500 children along the route.

For those who can’t attend in person, the parade will be streamed live on the Columbia Main Street and City of Columbia YouTube channels, with links posted on Facebook. A rain date is set for Saturday, December 13, at 6:00 PM.

The Columbia Christmas Parade is just one of many holiday happenings taking place throughout the season. From downtown markets and extended shopping hours to Santa sightings and community celebrations, there’s something for everyone in Muletown. A full list of Christmas events can be found online at ItsChristmasInColumbia.com.

Join us as we celebrate the most magical and most attended Columbia Christmas Parade in history—because it’s officially Christmas in Columbia!

For more information, visit columbiamainstreet.com or contact Columbia Main Street at 931-560-1507.

Short-Term Rental Nonconformity Applications (Press Release)

The City of Columbia is issuing a public reminder to property owners operating short-term rentals (STRs) that nonconformity (grandfathering) applications must be submitted by December 31, 2025, to remain eligible for continued operation in areas where STRs will no longer be permitted by zoning beginning January 1, 2026.

Short-term rentals are permitted (with an STR permit) only in the CD-4, CD-4C, and CD-5 zoning districts. Property owners may use the City’s online zoning map at www.ColumbiaTN.gov to verify the zoning of their property. STRs located outside these permitted districts may still qualify for nonconforming status only if a Nonconformity Application is submitted along with a Short-Term Rental Application by December 31, 2025.

A property may continue operating as a short-term rental if it was in use before April 10, 2025, and the owner remitted required state taxes for at least six months within the 12 months preceding that date. Continued operation remains valid unless the property is sold or transferred, STR use ceases for 30 consecutive months, or the property receives three or more violations of applicable local laws. Eligible owners must still obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit and provide documentation of tax remittances.

Property owners seeking to maintain eligibility must submit all required applications no later than December 31, 2025.

Information on zoning, STR permits, and nonconformity applications is available on the City of Columbia’s official website. For questions, contact Planning & Zoning at 931-560-1560 or visit 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. Janet Marie (White) Rogers, age 93, passed away peacefully November 28, 2025 at

Birmingham, Alabama. Funeral services will be conducted December 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM, at Columbia First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends at the church for 2 hours prior to the service. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Mr. Hubert Marshall Cheek passed away peacefully on November 29, at the age of 84. A celebration of life will be held at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday, December 4th, 4pm-8pm and the service will be Friday at 10am.

Mrs. Mary Katheryn Edwards McKinney, 95, former longtime resident of Columbia, died Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Senior Rehab & Recovery Center at Limestone Health Facility in Athens, Alabama. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Friday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mr. James Wilbur “Jimmy” Rodgers, 76, lifelong resident of Columbia, died Monday, November 17, 2025 at his residence. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Columbia Elks Lodge with a Masonic Service at 5:00 PM and with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19

Mrs. Clara Durand Ledbetter, 89, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 10:00 AM.

Now, news from around the state…

State Appeals Guard Injunction (Tennessean)

The State of Tennessee has officially appealed a Nashville chancellor's ruling that temporarily blocked the National Guard deployment in Memphis. The appeal was filed Dec. 2.

The appeal asks three questions: if the plaintiffs invoked an available waiver of sovereign immunity, if they have standing and if Gov. Bill Lee violated state law in deploying the National Guard to Memphis.

A fourth question was added to the appeal by the plaintiffs, which asks an appellate court whether a court is likely to agree with the plaintiffs that the National Guard's deployment violates the Tennessee Constitution.

The appeal comes weeks after Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal granted a temporary injunction against the National Guard deployment.

However, that injunction will not be effective while the appeal is pending since Moskal also placed a stay, which triggered when a request to appeal the case was filed.

"A single chancery court judge cannot override the governor's mobilization of the National Guard without appellate review," the state's appeal began. "The court below issued an unprecedented injunction that substitutes its own judgement for the commander in chief's. The separation of powers implications of that move alone justify intervention. And that's to say nothing of the actual, on-the-ground harms if this court doesn't intervene."

The appeal focuses heavily on Memphis' reputation as a dangerous and crime-ridden city. It cites articles and statistics about Memphis' crime rate, including that Memphis had the worst violent crime rate in America in 2024.

In her ruling, Moskal said Lee's authority to deploy the National Guard is "not unfettered." The state did not agree with her on this issue.

"The governor has authority... to call up the National Guard to respond to, among other things, 'combination[s] to oppose the enforcement of the law by force and violence' and 'other grave emergenc[ies].' And as defendants explained below, Memphis is presently facing both circumstances. Still, the court issued an unprecedented injunction replacing the commander in chief's judgement with its own. And its reasoning comes up woefully short," the appeal read.

The appeal goes on to claim that gang activity is a satisfactory opposition to the enforcement of the law in Memphis. It also claimed Memphis' crime rate was a form of "grave emergency," which Moskal did not agree with in her ruling.

"Despite the statute's general 'emergency' terminology, the court surmised that only certain 'type[s]' of emergencies merit National Guard attention and held that 'ongoing criminal activity' was not one of them," the appeal said. "The court sought to bolster that conclusion by pointing out that National Guard members aren't training in law enforcement. The problem is that none of this — neither the slicing and dicing of 'emergency' nor the training-based limits on the Guard's operations — has any basis in the statutory text. And the commander in chief's determination that an emergency exists is owed great deference."

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Spring Hill will celebrate the holiday season with its 2025 Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 13.

The parade kicks off at 5 p.m. and travels down Main Street, starting at Spring Hill Elementary School and ending at Miles Johnson Parkway.

Families and friends are invited to bring their holiday cheer and enjoy floats, decorations, and festive fun as the community comes together to welcome the season.