Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 2-10-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for February 10, 2026

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

Mersen Layoffs (CDH)

Union workers at the Mersen plant in Columbia walked out Friday, Feb. 6, holding up signs and shouting a message to the company regarding pending layoffs set to take effect this month.

For nearly a half-hour, workers circled the plant's entrance repeatedly chanting, "What do we want? Good jobs! What's disgusting? Union busting!"

The information picket, they said, was because workers felt "unfair" treatment on behalf of the company, and that the layoffs were targeting union workers specifically.

"Mersen is a global giant based in France with over $1 billion in annual sales, yet they are choosing to displace six local families and ship their livelihoods out of state,” said union representative Orvin Caraballo. “After taking taxpayer money and promising long-term growth in this community, turning around and cutting these jobs is a slap in the face to every resident of Maury County.”

The impending layoffs, scheduled to take effect Feb. 27, are allegedly due to Mersen's plans to shut down its LWG Department and relocate those jobs, about six total, to Pennsylvania, according to a press release from the Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA).

“Columbia residents deserve to know why their tax dollars are supporting a company that is actively eliminating local livelihoods,” Mersen process operator Rickey "Fry Daddy" Frierson said. “We’re fighting to protect Tennessee jobs for us and future generations and to hold this company to the promises it made when it took our public money.”

The workers are now fighting to keep those jobs in Columbia.

"We are children of this place, and we came back to get this facility started back up from nothing, since we had the know-how for how to do it," Robert "69" Fox, a Merson worker, said.

"We unionized in 2024, and guess what has happened ever since? And this facility used to be the No. 1 supplier in the world."

The French multinational conglomerate specializing in electrical power and advanced materials located to Maury County starting in 2019 in collaboration with Columbia and Maury County's industrial development boards, known as Project Bravo.

The plant later opened in 2023 at the former Union Carbide and Graphtech Advanced Tech site located at 795 Santa Fe Pike.

On Dec. 15, 2024, Mersen announced it would furlough 80% of its Columbia workforce. This news also broke shortly after Mersen workers had become certified to join the IUE-CWA in November.

In September of 2025, Mersen workers were informed there would be additional layoffs in December, though the company ultimately decided to not go through with the decision.

On Dec. 1, 2025, the company announced a three-year, $10 million U.S. Defense Logistics Agency contract. This comes almost two years after Merson announced it was awarded a $505,000 Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development infrastructure grant.

These funding announcements coupled with the impending layoffs, some workers say, doesn't make sense.

"They are also still doing hiring, and so why would you require training at the company for these new hires and letting your experienced senior-level staff go?" Andrew Lara representing IUE-CWA said.

Fox added that he believes the point is to, again, target union workers, as new hires would not be required to become union members.

"I believe it is from union busting, or whatever you want to call it," Fox said. "That's not why we did this. We gave the company a gift by bringing this facility back up with our knowledge, and now they pretty much, if you want to say it nicely, don't care."

Some workers, like Jeremiah Morales, described their experience as "being used and then cycled out."

"It's cutting us down piece by piece, first one department and then another guy's department, and who knows if mine might be next?" Morales said. "We all care about everybody here, even if we have our differences. We want work to be here, but it just doesn't seem they want to work with us.".

Caraballo said the workers will continue to picket and fight for a new contract and hopes their message will pick up traction from other community supporters.

"I'm just happy to see that we all came out here to demonstrate that we are not afraid, and we want the company to come to the table and give us a fair union contract," Caraballo said. "That's what we are here for. We want workers to have a good job in Columbia, Tennessee and no other place."

Mt. Pleasant Mulls Community Grant (MSM)

The city of Mount Pleasant sought public input on which major project to tackle next, with the help of a Community Development Block Grant for up to $1 million.

As work winds down on their most recent grant-funded project, an improvement to their water-rehabilitation system, the city becomes eligible once again for a block grant from the South Central Tennessee Development District, for which they’d need to match funds to only 16 percent of the project total. The county has applied for grants on Mount Pleasant’s behalf in the past, but this year the city can ask in its own name once again. They’ll be competing with other municipalities for the pot of money in the block-grant program.

Since the grant is set aside to “improve the health and safety of moderate-income people,” the city solicited the public’s opinions on what to fund with it. During a public-comment session in the afternoon on Feb. 3, public commenters and city officials volunteered ideas for what to fix. These included improving the stormwater system, paving streets, refurbishing the Sheepneck pump station, providing sewer service to households on Tulip Street and advancing the self-sufficiency of the city’s water system.

Mount Pleasant Mayor Bill White supported using the money to make the city water-independent, and others in attendance agreed in light of the rate increases and uncertainty associated with CPWS’s current water-supply project. White also pointed out that drilling through rock to give sewer service to Tulip Street would be difficult, and wouldn’t serve as many people as other projects would.

“I think that we need to look at the most people we can help for the least amount of money,” he said. “[We] need to continue to work as hard as we have… and are going to continue to work, to become self-sufficient on our own water sources.”

Mount Pleasant City Manager Philip Grooms said he would prefer to refurbish the Sheepneck pump station, which needs $1-1.5 million worth of repairs to bring sufficient water pressure back to the 300 Mount Pleasant Water customers that it serves. He explained that some projects suggested by the public, like overhauling Haylong Avenue or creating a stormwater utility, are more long-term and are already on the city’s radar.

Lorie Fisher of the Development District pointed out that the grant money wouldn’t go far if they chose to pave city streets with it. She also said that the city should survey their utility customers outside the city too (of whom there are about 1,000), if they were to apply for money to improve the utilities that serve them.

The staff in attendance recorded four final ideas on a list, some of them already accounted for: extending sewer service to Tulip Street, fixing up the Sheepneck pump station, stormwater improvements and putting up a sign at the Community Center, for which the city has already approved a bid of approximately $50,000.

The city commission will pick the final project at its March meetings and send the application to the state for consideration before March 20.

CSCC’s CCMA Program (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program is preparing students for hands-on, entry-level careers in healthcare through condensed, skills-focused training designed to meet industry needs.

The CCMA program trains students to assist physicians and healthcare teams in medical offices and clinical settings. Coursework includes preparing patients for examinations, performing routine laboratory procedures and diagnostic testing, basic phlebotomy, taking and documenting vital signs, pharmacology, cardiology procedures and professional workplace behavior in healthcare environments. In-person instruction is currently offered at the Williamson Campus, with expansion to other campuses under consideration.

The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on laboratory experience and offers an optional clinical externship with local healthcare providers. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to sit for the National Healthcareer Association’s CCMA exam, a nationally recognized credential.

“Partnerships like those with our local healthcare providers and the HCA Healthcare Foundation allow us to create life-changing opportunities for students,” said Dr. Kevin Ratliff, Columbia State vice president for partnerships, Workforce and southern campuses. “As we expand the number of CCMA offerings this year, our focus remains on equipping students with the skills, support and hands-on experiences they need to step confidently into essential roles in our region’s healthcare workforce.”

Student outcomes from the program have been strong. During the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters, students achieved a 96% pass rate on the national certification exam. By comparison, the national average pass rate for the NHA CCMA exam is approximately 81%, placing Columbia State students about 15 percentage points above the national average.

The program is currently offered in the spring and fall semesters, serving approximately 26 students annually, with plans to expand in the future.

After completing coursework and earning certification, students may choose to participate in a clinical externship through partnerships with Williamson Medical Center and Maury Regional Health. The externships allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world healthcare settings. These community partners, in addition to the HCA Healthcare Foundation, help support the CCMA program and student outcomes.

The program is taught by Trishta Alvarado, whose professional experience and dedication have made a significant impact on student learning.

“She is an incredible asset to the program,” said Tiffany Odom, Columbia State Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education coordinator. “Her dedication to her students is evident every day, and it truly enhances the learning experience.”

Visit the CCMA program for more information. A waitlist for the CCMA program with additional details is also available. To contact the Columbia State Office of Workforce and Continuing Education, email WorkforceDev@ColumbiaState.edu or call 931.540.2688. 

African American Tissue Donors Needed (Press Release)

Tennessee Donor Services (TDS), the nonprofit organ procurement organization dedicated to saving and enhancing lives through organ, eye and tissue donation, is proud to join the national conversation recognizing Black History Month throughout the month of February. This year, we honor the selfless efforts and life-saving decisions donors and their families make to give the gift of life by reaffirming our commitment to addressing the critical need for diverse organ, eye and tissue donors in communities of color.

Throughout February, Tennessee Donor Services will shine a spotlight on the significant contributions Black American donors, recipients, and advocates have made in advancing and improving the health and well-being of our communities through transplantation. In addition, TDS will raise awareness about the critical need for more donors from communities of color and share educational resources that encourage conversations about donation. These communities are often underrepresented in organ, eye and tissue donation programs, which create challenges in matching patients with compatible donations. Currently, 45% of Tennessee's 3,000 residents waiting for transplants are African Americans, highlighting the need and urgency of fostering greater representation in the donation process.

“Black History Month is not only a celebration of achievement, but a reminder of the responsibility we share to ensure equitable access to donation and transplantation,” said Jill Grandas, Chief Executive Officer of Tennessee Donor Services. “We are committed to listening, learning, and working with Black communities to ensure donation and transplantation are accessible, respectful, and equitable for all.”

Tennessee Donor Services' dedication to improving the lives of individuals in need of life-saving and life-enhancing donations spans Black History Month and extends long after. Through its partnership with Meharry Medical College, a local historically Black medical school, Tennessee Donor Services provided medical students with early, foundational exposure to organ donation and transplantation. TDS is also proud to collaborate with the Tennessee Donor Services Black Family Health Advisory Council, a group of distinguished leaders in Nashville, TN, dedicated to promoting wellness and improving health outcomes through community-centered care.

In honoring Black history, Tennessee Donor Services reaffirms its commitment to saving and healing lives while advancing a more inclusive future for donation and transplantation. TDS works tirelessly to facilitate the donation of organs, corneas, and tissue, ensuring every gift is treated with the highest level of care and respect.

Be a part of this life-changing legacy. Register today at TennesseeDonor.org

Funds Being Raised for Yanahli Shelter (MSM)

The family and friends of Kyle Harris, with the help of the Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club and the Maury County Parks Department, are raising $200,000 to build an outdoor shelter in his memory at Yanahli Park in east Columbia.

Harris, who died at age 33 in a rock-climbing accident in 2021, worked as the minister at Berea Church of Christ in Franklin and with his father Kerry at Keller Williams Realty. He served as a missionary in the Republic of Georgia, Turkey and parts of the Middle East, and travelled on his own time to many other countries. He was also an avid outdoorsman, with hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, camping, scuba diving and other activities under his belt. He attended the opening of Yanahli in 2019 and appreciated the “uniqueness” of the park at the time.

“Kyle’s love of outdoors and his support of the park on opening day make the location of this shelter extra special!” said Drew Love, a friend of Kyle’s and one of the main organizers of the fundraising drive.

The shelter would stand next to the roundabout at the Yanahli parking lot. Kyle’s parents Kerry and Leisa Harris, his friend Drew Love, and the Breakfast Rotary Club of Columbia are trying to raise the donations needed to build the shelter. The $85,000 concrete pad for the shelter has already been poured, and the fundraisers need another $200,000 to build the shelter itself. Several large individual and corporate donors have already supported the project, but more funds are needed before it can move forward; the ribbon-cutting could happen anytime between late spring and fall 2026.

“This shelter is meant to be a place of gathering, reflection, and connection for years to come, and we hope you’ll join us in bringing it fully to life,” Love said. “Thank you for helping honor Kyle’s memory and for supporting a space that will serve our community for generations.”

For updates, follow the “Kyle Harris Memorial Shelter” Facebook page. Sponsors hoping to donate $5,000 or more should message the page or text (931) 797-4951.

Williamsport Lakes Reopen (Press Release)

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announced that Williamsport Lakes and Wildlife Management Area (WMA) reopened to the public on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.

Work crews have completed efforts to clear and address damage caused by recent severe winter weather, allowing the area to safely reopen for public use. TWRA appreciates the public’s patience during the closure.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.

Maury Alliance Legislative Breakfast (Press Release)

Join Maury Alliance and Breakfast Rotary for their Annual State Legislative Breakfast. The event will take place on Friday, February 27th from 6:45-8:00am at the Memorial Building located at 308 West 7th Street in Columbia. Senator Joey Hensley, Rep. Scott Cepicky, and Rep. Kip Capley will be on hand to update the public and answer their questions related to legislation that affects us.

Admission is $25 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members.

*If you are a member of Breakfast Rotary you do not need to purchase a ticket for this event.*

For more information, visit www.mauryalliance.com.

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

David Allen Caskey, 58, resident of Culleoka, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral home. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Joan Kirk Brown Aydelotte, 93, resident of Columbia, died February 7, 2026 at Maury Regional Transitional Care.

A private graveside service will take place at a later date at Rose Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Now, news from around the state…

TN Ranked in Top 10 Relocation Destinations (Tennessean)

U.S. News & World Report ranked the most popular states to move to, and it may come as little surprise that Tennessee is among the top 10.

Six of the top 10 states in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 report are in the South. The low cost of living, mild weather, outdoor activities, affordable housing and growing job opportunities make the region appealing.

U.S. News’ research examined online search trends and population-adjusted move-in-to-move-out ratios to reveal which states, counties and cities Americans are actively considering for relocation. 

In U.S. News' report, Tennessee ranked as the sixth most popular state to move to in 2025, and recent population trends indicate this popularity will continue into 2026. Other Southern states include Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Delaware, which is classified as part of the South region by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Volunteer State has been on the rise over the past decade, with its population steadily growing. Between 2024 and 2026, the state is projected to increase by 1.5% and by 2028, it is expected to increase 2.9%.

Along with being one of the most popular states to move to, Tennessee had one of the most popular counties and cities. Johnson City was the second most sought-after city in the country, and Washington County was the third most desired county in 2025.

ere are the top 10 most sought-after states to move to, according to U.S. News:

1. South Carolina

2. Idaho

3. Alaska

4. North Carolina

5. Maine

6. Tennessee

7. Delaware

8. South Dakota

9. Alabama

10. Arkansas

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Sam Watkins Book Festival is set for Saturday, March 14th, 2026, at 10 am at Historic Elm Springs (2357 Park Plus Drive, Columbia, Tennessee 38401).

Sam Watkins, a “high-private” in the Confederate Infantry, returned home to Maury County, Tennessee, and wrote his memories of the War Between the States. Together, these writings form “Company Aytch (H): Or a Side Show of the Big Show.” This book has become known and beloved around the world.

To celebrate Sam Watkins’ literary achievements, a book festival will be held at Historic Elm Springs on March 14th. Attendees will be able to meet and hear authors and shop THOUSANDS of gently used books.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the Sam Watkins Book Festival Facebook Page.