WKOM/WKRM Radio
Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for February 13, 2025
All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Schools Closed for Illness (Press Release)
Due to illness, all Maury County Public Schools are closed today, Thursday, February 13. Twelve-month employees should report as usual.
For families in need, the Boys & Girls Clubs will be open at the:
Wayne Street,
8th Street,
Marvin Wright Elementary,
Mt. Pleasant Elementary locations
MCPS athletics will be permitted to continue. Coaches and Athletic Directors will provide updates directly to their teams regarding practices and games. Check school's websites or social media for updates.
Additionally, please note the following scheduled days off:
Friday, February 14 – No school for students
Monday, February 17 – Presidents' Day (no school or offices open)
Students will return to school on Tuesday, February 18
Controversial River Bill Decried by Local Government (MSM)
Leaders on the Maury County Commission and Columbia City Council spoke out last week against Tennessee House Bill 895 (Senate Bill 725), which proposes to delete the parts of the Scenic River Protections Act that currently ban a landfill Trinity Business Group wanted to dig next to the Duck River.
The bill would add a clause to the end of Tennessee Code § 11-13-101 that would prevent the Scenic designation (passed after Trinity bought the land intending to dig the landfill) from nullifying pre-existing property rights, and delete the portions of several other Tennessee Codes (§ 11-13-111, § 68-211-118, § 68-212-120, and § 68-211-223) that outlaw landfills and permits within two miles of Scenic rivers.
“[It] would, in my opinion, gut the substantive protections of the Scenic River Act.,” Mayor Chaz Molder of Columbia said in a Facebook statement. “This legislation is also contrary to the Governor’s recent Executive Order which included specific protections for the Duck River. It is my hope the Governor will… oppose this legislation as well.”
“This bill was written to undermine the hard work and protections that we… have put in place to continue to protect one of our greatest natural resources,” said Commissioner Gabe Howard, “not only here in Maury County but in North America. The Duck River matters to us and we must stand for it and protect it!”
“I have contacted our two state representatives and Sen. Hensley and am certain they will adamantly oppose this Legislation, which is in direct conflict with Gov. Lee’s recent Executive Order 108,” stated County Mayor Sheila Butt. “I will also be asking the Maury County Commission and each of our municipalities to pass resolutions against the legislation.”
The bill was introduced in the state House as HB0895 by Chris Todd (R-Madison County), chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and in the Senate as SB0725 by J. Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun), second vice chair of the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
Based on her contacts inside the state legislature, Butt said she believes people generally recognize that the proposal is a bad idea. At its next session the Maury County Commission will vote on resolution 02.25, which would state the Commission’s opposition to the state bill, and Butt encourages other local governing bodies to pass similar public statements.
“[N]o Scenic Class II river should have a landfill within two miles,” she stated. “There are many other locations in Tennessee for landfills. Legislators and investors should be seeking those out instead of spending millions of dollars and energy trying to change our laws.”
Spring Hill BOMA Discuss Water Co-op (MSM)
The Spring Hill Board of Mayor & Aldermen gave its blessing toward a proposed water project that would partner five different agencies in an effort to find a solution for Maury County’s ongoing water issues.
Board members agreed at their Feb. 3 meeting to fund its part of a feasibility study for a water pipeline from the Mallory Valley Utility District in Williamson County into Maury, that would serve Spring Hill, Columbia Power & Water Systems, Maury County Water Systems and Mount Pleasant by tapping the Cumberland River.
Mount Pleasant and the county utility would split the remaining share. By 2075 the planned pipeline could draw up to 50 million gallons per day from the Cumberland, giving Spring Hill the option to claim more than 17 million gallons daily.
“Everybody is very interested in trying to bring this project to fruition,” Assistant City Administrator Dan Allen said, noting that he had held discussions recently with Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt. “We’re very early in the process.”
Allen presented two payment options for the proposed partnership. One would have Spring Hill and CPWS pay 34.3 percent each with the remainder split between Maury County and Mount Pleasant. The other had Spring Hill and CPWS footing the entire cost of the feasibility study with no contribution from the other two.
Allen said with Spring Hill and CPWS being full members of the Duck River Agency, splitting the cost evenly might allow for some reimbursement down the line.
The ultimate cost of a pipeline remains to be seen, but Allen estimated it would be over a billion dollars, calling it “a significant regional effort.”
The BOMA approved the first cost-sharing option at 34.3 percent, which has been estimated at between $130,000 to $140,000.
In the work session portion of the meeting, BOMA members discussed a potential application for funding through the state’s Revolving Loan Fund for sewer and water projects.
Providing sewer service on the east side of I-65 in Williamson County was one of the potential projects such an application could be used for, Allen said, along with creating a stormwater management plan.
“We’ve dealt with a number of issues over the last few years related to flood plain modeling. We’ve had a lot of projects come in or already approved,” Allen said.
Allen said a resolution would be brought forward at the BOMA’s Feb. 18 meeting to authorize application for the loan program.
MRMC to Host Coaches Clinic (MSM)
Maury Regional Health athletic trainers will host a coaches’ clinic for all sports coaches in the area to learn more about preparing athletes for their season.
The clinic will be held Feb. 22 at 9 a.m. at the Maury Regional Annex, which is across the street from Maury Regional Medical Center at 1223 Trotwood Ave. in Columbia. It is meant for coaches of any age group (youth, middle school, high school, college or volunteer) or for anyone else who wants to learn about coaching, leadership, athlete safety and more.
A group of speakers are slated to present, including:
Jon Erhardt, PT, MBA, MS, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT, administrative director of therapy services at Maury Regional Medical Center, will present: The future of sports leadership.
Zach Pharr, MD, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine at Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance Columbia, will present: Throwing injuries in athletes.
Dustin Ritchie, a regional overdose prevention specialist at the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, will present: Youth substance use: Trends, school collaborations and available resources.
Tammy Stokes, MSN, RN-BC, CHPN, director of diabetes education, dialysis, palliative care, PICC nursing and wound care at Maury Regional Medical Center, will present: Supporting athletes beyond the game: Advocacy, resilience and letting go of outcomes.
Coaches from Maury County Public Schools will also receive in-service credit for attending.
The clinic is free to attend. Registration is not required, but anyone attending is asked to RSVP by emailing dhightower@mauryregional.com.
MCPS Students Celebrate Perfect TCAP Scores (MSM)
An unusually large crowd showed up to the Maury County School Board meeting last week. The new attendees were the families of 34 students who were being recognized for earning at least one perfect score on the TCAP subject tests. Assistant Superintendent Keith Stacey gave a congratulatory speech before reading off the names and subjects of each perfect scorer.
“It is very rare in life that we get to celebrate perfection. We live in a flawed world, we all have our own flaws, and the word ‘perfection’ is something that we rarely get to actually see, experience and celebrate,” he said. “But tonight, we are here to celebrate the perfect scores of several students… We are honored… and privileged to be able to recognize you.”
Stacey also thanked the School Board for keeping everything running, their teachers and administrators for creating learning environments in the schools, and parents for fostering the same at home.
The students shook hands and took pictures with the administrators before posing for a group photo. Katrina Tosh announced that each student would receive a $10 gift card to her store, the Nutrition Hub.
Soup N’ Bowl (CDH)
For the past 14 years, the annual Soup 'N' Bowl has remained a pre-Super Bowl tradition for Harvest Share Food Pantry, as well as the nonprofit's biggest fundraiser.
The Soup 'N' Bowl returned over the weekend at the National Guard Armory, this year featuring 13 gourmet soups provided by local restaurants, chefs and food vendors.
As an organization that relies 100% on donations, Harvest Share Director Amanda Taylor said the Soup 'N' Bowl tends to bring in about $5,000-$6,000 each year either through attendance numbers, auction items or direct donations.
"This is an opportunity to help us feed the members of Maury County who need assistance," Taylor said. "This has the potential to be so much greater, it just depends on the amount of people who show up, and what we have available at the auction. $6,000 is really a good number for us, but anything we raise is successful because it all helps feed the residents of Maury County who need to be fed."
In addition to feeding families, Harvest Share also has a "paw pantry" for pet food donations, which John Collier of Paw Pantry said began about a year-and-a-half ago.
"The whole mission behind it was that people who needed assistance were going in to get human food, but then they were just feeding their animals the human food, or they were surrendering their animals because they didn't have an opportunity to give or provide for the animals," Collier said.
"Paw Pantry's mission is to keep animals in their homes with their loved ones, because these people are already having a big impact on their life and seeking help, and now they're having to give away a part of the family? This allows animals to stay with the family."
Harvest Share has also greatly expanded its storage space for more options, as well as a more convenient experience for visitors.
"We've still got our big walk-in cooler, but now we also have some glass-front coolers and freezers to where people can pick out their own stuff," Taylor said. "They can select what's going to go home with them, and so it's really awesome for them to have ownership and also plan their meals based on what they want to feed their families."
Harvest Share Food Pantry is located at 419 W. 9th St. For more information, or to donate directly, call (931) 381-4285 or email vendors@harvestshare.com.
Kids Fun City (WKOM Audio 1:32)
A new children’s play place called Kids Fun City held their grand opening on James Campbell Boulevard in Columbia. Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy stopped by the ribbon cutting and spoke to proprietor Michelle Lee, about what the new venue has to offer…
City Partners With Safe Haven Baby Boxes (Press Release)
The City of Columbia is proud to announce a partnership with Safe Haven Baby Boxes (SHBB) to install a life-saving Baby Box at the newly renovated Columbia Fire Station No. 01. This installation provides an anonymous, safe, and secure option for parents in crisis to surrender their newborns, ensuring that each infant receives immediate medical care and the opportunity for adoption.
The Tennessee Safe Haven law allows mothers of newborns to surrender unharmed babies to designated facilities—such as fire stations, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies—within two weeks of birth without fear of prosecution. As long as the baby is unharmed and the child is surrendered within this timeframe, the mother—or parents—will not face prosecution and are assured complete confidentiality. This law was enacted to reduce unsafe abandonment of infants, providing parents with a safe and compassionate alternative.
Designed with innovative safety features, Safe Haven Baby Boxes are installed on the exterior walls of approved infant surrender locations. Each box features a locking exterior door that automatically engages when a newborn is placed inside, and an interior door allows medical personnel to promptly retrieve the infant, ensuring immediate attention and care. This system offers both safety for the baby and peace of mind for the parents, providing a lifeline during a difficult time.
Every year, countless infants are abandoned across the United States. These heartbreaking situations often arise when parents face emotional and practical challenges that lead to desperate decisions. The installation of Safe Haven Baby Boxes addresses this critical need by offering an anonymous, secure way for parents to surrender their infants, giving newborns a chance for a safe beginning and a brighter future.
“We are proud to be part of this vital mission to protect the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Nick Brown, Deputy Chief of Columbia Fire & Rescue. “The Baby Box represents a compassionate and immediate solution for parents who find themselves in crisis, and we are committed to ensuring that this service is available to those in need.”
Since its founding, Safe Haven Baby Boxes has been dedicated to raising awareness about the Safe Haven Law and installing Baby Boxes in locations across the United States. Through this initiative, SHBB helps ensure that no child is left without care and that no parent feels hopeless in a time of crisis. The partnership with the City of Columbia represents another step toward saving lives and offering a compassionate alternative for both parents and their newborns.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes is leading the installation of the Baby Box at Fire Station No. 01, with support from the City of Columbia. To support this life-saving initiative, Safe Haven Baby Boxes is encouraging donations from the community. Contributions can be made directly to Safe Haven Baby Boxes. For more information on how to contribute, visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/donationsfortennessee.
State Eggs and Issues (Press Release)
Please join us at the Maury County Memorial Building, located at 308 W. 7th Street in Columbia on February 21st for the Annual State Eggs & Issues event, hosted by Maury Alliance and Breakfast Rotary, where you'll have the unique opportunity to hear our state legislators share their legislative priorities for 2025.
This year's event includes an engaging panel discussion with Senator Dr. Joey Hensley, Representative Scott Cepicky, and Representative Kip Capley. Followed by a Q&A. To submit a question or topic in advance for consideration, please email cdavis@mauryalliance.com by February 14th.
And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
John Ryan "JR" Massey, 20, died unexpectedly Tuesday, February 11, 2025 in Marshall County from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM at South Gate Church of Christ. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Friday, February 14, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at South Gate Church of Christ. Online condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
And now, news from around the state…
Bill Prohibits DEI Considerations (Tennessean)
A bill to prohibit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has been introduced to the Tennessee General Assembly by Rep. Aron Maberry, R-Clarksville.
On Feb. 2, freshman legislator Maberry, District 68, introduced the "Dismantle DEI Act," or House Bill 0622, into the state legislature that would prohibit Tennessee's local governments and higher education public institutions from using DEI-influenced hiring metrics.
"I introduced The Dismantle DEI Act because I believe that our public institutions and government agencies should base their hiring decisions solely on merit and qualifications—not on any other factors," Maberry told The Leaf-Chronicle. "This bill, and The Dismantling DEI Departments Act (House Bill 923), are a bold step to restore fairness, merit, and academic integrity in Tennessee’s local governments and higher education institutions. This bill eliminates identity-based hiring mandates and prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to promote DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in public universities."
Maberry's resolution comes on the heels of Clarksville City Council's decision to keep an employment position related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in city government as well as implement DEI initiatives, an opposite take from city officials in Maberry's district.
The Dismantle DEI Act prohibits "local governments and public institutions of higher education from basing hiring decisions on any metrics that consider an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, or hiring a particular candidate in order to achieve any goals to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion in the workplace."
"My concern is that as we’ve added DEI initiatives into our hiring practices, it has diverted us from the clear mandate of assessing candidates solely on their qualifications while constantly changing based on political and ideological pressures," Maberry said.
Maberry said institutions are still welcome to promote professional development and to create an environment that supports all employees, but this bill will ensure tax dollars aren't going towards anything not based on merit.
"As a state, we welcome diversity, which happens naturally through fair hiring practices void of identity politics. HB622 ensures that when it comes to making hiring decisions, the sole focus is on merit and qualifications. HB923 will remove DEI departments from government and colleges," Maberry said.
The bill was introduced on Jan. 30 and passed on consideration.
On Feb. 5, it was assigned to the Cities and Counties Subcommittee and introduced to the State Senate. On Feb. 10, the bill was passed by the Senate on its first consideration.
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump ended Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the federal government.
Many companies, including Walmart, Meta, and Target, have rolled back DEI initiatives, while Costco and Apple have stood firm on their DEI positions.
In Tennessee, Nissan changed its DEI policy. Tractor Supply also announced last summer it would get rid of its diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
Gas Prices (MSM)
Gas prices across the state fell four cents, on average, over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.76 which is three cents more expensive than one month ago but nine cents less than one year ago.
“For the last three weeks, Tennessee gas prices have stuck to a trend of either rising or falling by four cents each week,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “A handful of states saw significant movement in their state gas price averages over last week. However, many states, like Tennessee, saw more minimal changes in pump pricing. Tennessee is starting the week as the fifth least expensive market in the nation.”
Tennessee is fifth least-expensive state in nation for gas prices
Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
PopStroke Entertainment Group, a national leader in golf entertainment owned by Greg Bartoli, Tiger Woods, and TaylorMade Golf Company, is excited to announce its new Nashville location’s debut. The venue broke ground in the first week of February and will open in early 2026. Located in Century Farms, 4221 Century Farms Terrace, a mixed-use master development 10 miles southeast of Downtown Nashville, PopStroke Nashville will be the first of its kind, offering an exciting blend of outdoor and indoor mini golf, along with a wide array of family- friendly amenities and dining options.
The first PopStroke All Seasons Prototype will feature a traditional 18-hole outdoor mini-golf course and two 18-hole courses indoors, providing year-round entertainment, regardless of the weather, a fully enclosed children’s playground and outdoor table games such as ping pong, foosball, and cornhole.
PopStroke Nashville will be a local game-changer, offering endless entertainment, great food and drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere for families, friends, and sports fans. For more information and updates, follow PopStroke on social media and visit www.popstroke.com.
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