Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 2-16-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for February 16, 2026

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

Head-On Collision (MauryCountySource)

Maury County Fire Department responded to a reported head-on collision on Dr. Robertson Road on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 3:39 p.m.

Units arriving on scene found a passenger vehicle and a semi involved in the crash, with one occupant trapped inside the car. Firefighters quickly removed a door to free the individual, who sustained apparent minor injuries.

Several bystanders told authorities the vehicle had nearly struck multiple other cars before colliding with the semi, whose driver reportedly attempted to avoid the crash.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

Illegal Burn Warning (MauryCountySource)

Maury County Fire Department is reminding residents to follow proper burn guidelines after crews responded to an illegal burn that impacted nearby medical facilities.

Officials say storm debris and burn piles must contain only natural wood materials. Plastics, building materials, dimensional lumber, and other prohibited items are not allowed.

The department’s tanker fleet, along with Columbia Fire & Rescue and Tennessee Tanker 1, worked to suppress the fire.

Residents are encouraged to obtain required burn permits through burnsafetn.org before conducting any outdoor burning.

Knox Fired As CA AD (MSM)

“Shocking” and “painful” were the words Pernell Knox used to describe his recent dismissal as athletics director at Columbia Academy after nine years.

Knox, a 1994 graduate of CA – where he helped the Bulldog baseball team to a Class A state title as a senior – and a 2014 inductee into the school’s athletic hall of fame, will continue his duties through the remainder of the school year at his request following the Feb. 4 notification of his firing.

“It’s tough, just from the simple fact that it was more than ‘a job’ to me, per se,” he said. “(It’s) a place I spent my high school and middle school years, a place where they voted me into the athletic hall of fame. 

“To come back and lead your alma mater and do some things that have never been done in school history – for them to all of a sudden say, ‘it’s time to have new leadership,’ it’s shocking. It is painful.”

Since his 2016 arrival as AD, Columbia Academy has won 23 of its 25 individual or team state championships, while the 2024 football team made that program’s first title game appearance, advancing to the Division II-A state finals.

“I am very thankful for Pernell Knox and his leadership of our program, and his dedication to our students, our coaches and our school,” CA president James Thomas said. “He is a Bulldog and will always be a Bulldog, and I am just thankful for all that he has done here. We have had some wonderful days in Columbia Academy athletics under his leadership, many highlights and championships and success.

“After a good deal of consideration, I felt like it was time for new leadership and a new direction.”

Knox assumed AD duties at Columbia Academy after spending the previous 17 years as a certified athletic trainer, the last nine at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., where he had continued his baseball career – earning NAIA all-American recognition – and is also a member of its hall of fame.

Through a series of conversations with longtime CA baseball assistant John Kodatt, the opportunity to succeed former school president and AD Bill Thrasher as the latter developed.

“I was perfectly fine doing what I was doing,” he recalled. “I enjoyed it, thought I was decent at it. Kodatt kept ‘harassing’ me, and Dr. Thomas asked if I’d come in for a formal interview. Never thinking I was going to get the job or wanted to do it or anything like that, out of respect for him and the school and the love I had for the school, I sat down with him and had a formal interview.

“Next thing I know, I’m the athletics director at Columbia Academy.”

With championships across eight different sports – including three each in baseball and softball – though, Knox is slow to take credit for that level of success.

“I don’t want to say that is Pernell Knox’s glory. That’s a testament to the coaches and the people around me to lead those teams,” he said. “Do I think it has to do with my leadership? Yes. But…I know a lot of that has to do with the people I place around me.”

Still, as Thomas assessed the situation, a change was necessary.

“The results were good, in most cases,” he said. “One other factor is our program has grown a lot and changed a lot in the last few years, in terms of a new division, getting bumped up (to Division II-AA) in football; more students and athletes in programs, that maybe contributed to it in some ways. Program growth led to some of that.

“I ultimately concluded that our leadership styles are somewhat different, or our vision for leadership is different. It’s not completely aligned may be a way to say it. That just finally convinced me to go in that direction.”

Moving up on the gridiron this past fall following the run to the finals in 2024, with a thin roster that became even thinner as it was beset by injuries, Columbia Academy finished 1-9 with eight straight losses and a forfeit to close the season.

“I remember in 2003 when I was playing here, we were making T-shirts when we’d make the playoffs,” CA football fourth-year coach Seth Anderson said. “And then coach (Mike) Mizer and coach (Charlie) Lansdell got it going there in 2012, 2013 and we started experiencing some sustained success, and the expectations change a little bit. 

“To see the development of the football program has been great, but you’re always trying to get better. This year, we faced some challenges that are well known. … All the injuries, which you can’t prevent that, you can’t predict that – that’s something I’ve never seen in 20 years. From a football standpoint, the results aren’t what we wanted, but I feel like the process was still moving in the right direction.”

Thomas expressed hope for filling the vacancy before the end of the school year, while acknowledging that Knox – his former basketball teammate – will be a hard act to follow.

“I don’t have any one person picked out, for sure, but I obviously always have candidates in mind like we do for all our coaching positions, potential people,” he said. “We’re going to look far and wide to try to find the best person for the job.

“There is a deep love and appreciation for Pernell. He’s a person that’s easy to love. People love and respect him. There’s certainly people that will miss his presence.”

Knox, meanwhile, admitted he’s in a bit of a second-guessing mode.

“The hardest thing for me is thinking I let down folks who believed in me – Kodatt being one of those folks, Dr. Thomas being one of those folks, the late Dr. Thrasher,” he said. “The success I’ve had if my life is because I’m tough on myself.

“I wasn’t perfect. Did I make mistakes? Do I make mistakes? Absolutely. Part of me thinks if I had done this different or done that different, the result’s different, because I’m probably harder on myself than anyone.”

Cepicky’s Fitness Test Bill Advances (Fox17)

A proposal to bring back the Presidential Fitness Test in Tennessee public schools moved forward this week, as lawmakers continue to focus on student health and wellness.

The House Education Administration Subcommittee advanced House Bill 1466, sponsored by Maury County Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka. The measure would require public schools to administer the Presidential Fitness Test to evaluate students’ strength, endurance, and flexibility.

“Tennessee is setting the standard by helping students become healthier and more successful,” Cepicky said in a statement. He said the test would help build a “culture of wellness” in schools and support academic achievement by encouraging active lifestyles and balanced diets.

If approved, the Tennessee Department of Education would provide guidance to local school districts and public charter schools on how to implement the test.

Students who meet benchmarks established by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition could earn the Presidential Fitness Award.

Under the bill, students with individualized education programs would receive reasonable accommodations and would not be required to participate if doing so would be unsafe. Test results would not negatively affect a student’s grades.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on July 31 reviving the Presidential Fitness Test, which was first established in 1956 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The assessment historically included events such as a one-mile run, pull-ups or push-ups, sit-ups, a shuttle run, and a sit-and-reach test. It was discontinued during the 2012-13 school year.

Cepicky said the measure comes as Tennessee faces concerning student health trends. According to a joint report from the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Department of Education, nearly 40% of Tennessee students were classified as overweight or obese during the 2023-24 school year.

Last year, Cepicky sponsored legislation increasing the minimum daily recess time in Tennessee schools from 15 minutes to at least 40 minutes.

House Bill 1466 is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on Feb. 17. Cepicky represents District 64, which includes part of Maury County, and chairs the House Education Instruction Subcommittee.

Habitat For Humanity Fundraiser (MauryCountySource)

After a record-breaking year, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury’s signature fundraiser, Hammers & High Heels, returns to The Factory at Franklin on March 27th.

In 2025, the event surpassed a major milestone, raising more than $200,000 for the first time in its 17-year history. Those funds directly support Habitat’s mission to build affordable homes for local families across Williamson and Maury counties.

Presented by Community Health Systems, Hammers & High Heels will welcome 400 guests for an elegant evening of dinner, dancing, and purpose. This year’s theme, “Making Dreams Come True,” embraces celestial inspiration to reflect the organization’s work to help families turn the dream of homeownership into a lasting reality. For many families, that dream is deeply personal. One Habitat homeowner shared, “My prayer was for me to find a permanent place…a home for my kids and to build a hope for the future.” Proceeds from the event help make stories like this possible.

Guests will bid on unforgettable live auction experiences and explore a curated silent auction featuring hometown favorites and sought-after brands. The evening will also feature beer sponsored by Curio Brewing Company, signature cocktails sponsored by William Grant & Sons, and a thoughtfully selected wine offering. This is a 21+ event.

Attire is “business cocktail”—where polished meets playful. Guests are encouraged to embrace cocktail attire with a professional flair and add a touch of celestial sparkle.

Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury CEO, Kim Randell, shared “Hammers & High Heels is more than a celebration, it’s an investment in safe, affordable housing for families in our community. Thanks to local supporters, parents can provide stability for their children, and families can enjoy the security of homeownership. We can’t wait to gather again and make the dream of homeownership come true.”

Tickets and tables are available now at hfhwm.org.

Both Maury Political Parties to Hold Caucuses (MSM)

Republican and Democratic nominating caucuses for the 2026 county elections will both happen in the second half of February.

Candidates hoping to qualify as official party candidates for races in Maury County must win the in-person vote of a majority of bona fide party voters. Voters hoping to vote in each party’s primary must register to vote by certain dates and register separately (preferably beforehand) specifically for their respective caucus.

The parties will put forward candidates for the county offices that are up for election in 2026: County Mayor, all 22 County Commission seats, County Trustee, Sheriff, Circuit Court Clerk, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, 11 Constables and the Board of Education seats in odd-numbered districts. The county-level parties will not run candidates for federal and state positions, nor for the seats of the mayor and vice-mayor of Columbia, nor for the two Mount Pleasant City Commission seats up for election.

Republican caucus

The Republican caucus will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Well Church, 1421 Trotwood Avenue, in Columbia. Caucus voting registration will be open until voting begins at 10:30 a.m. The party recommends registering for the caucus online with the state-level party beforehand.

All bona fide voters (who have voted in at least three of the last four statewide Republican primaries, in August 2020, August 2022, March 2024 and August 2024) will receive a postcard in the mail, with a QR code leading to the registration site.

At the caucus there will be two check-in tables, one for pre-registered voters and one for as-yet unregistered. After checking in, each caucus voter will be given a colored armband representing their voting district and seated with other voters from that district.

Voters will nominate candidates for the county and their district from the floor for one office at a time. Candidates in the caucus will need to bring proof of their own bona fides and be nominated by another bona fide voter. Each voter can vote for the county and district offices that will represent them, including for up to two county commissioners. The votes will be counted and the winner announced for each office in succession at the caucus. Republican Party Chairman Jason Gilliam will collect the names of the winners and send them to the Election Commission as the Republican Party’s official candidates.

Democratic caucus

The Democratic caucus will be held Feb. 28, at the Ledbetter Auditorium in the Frank G. Clement Building (1665 Hampshire Pike) at Columbia State Community College. The doors will open at noon and participants must be in line by 1 p.m. Primary voters are encouraged to pre-register for the caucus online.

All Democratic Party members may participate in the caucus as long as they were registered to vote before Feb. 1 and are bona fide. Normatively, this means they must have participated in the August 2024 primary election, but the requirement isn’t absolute.

“We also may admit voters who don’t meet our ‘guaranteed entry’ criteria based on personal recommendations of other Democrats,” Party Chairman James Dallas told Main Street Maury. “We will probably be fairly generous toward new voters who show up on Caucus Day and sincerely want to participate.”

To be vetted by the party in time, aspiring candidates must declare their intent to run for the nomination by Feb. 22, using an online questionnaire form. They must also fulfill all requirements to run for county office, except that they won’t need to file their own petitions with the county Election Commission. The party’s district committees will recommend candidates for each district seat.

At the convention, each Democratic candidate will be able to make a two-minute pitch to the convention, before the attendees vote by show of hands. Independent candidates may be granted the privileges of addressing and being considered by the convention, but only in races in which no Democrats are running. The caucus’ votes will determine the Democratic candidate for each county seat.

Though the Maury County Democrats won’t discuss their party’s state and federal candidates at the February convention, Dallas hopes some of them will attend anyway, to “do a little politicking… build the party and have a lot of fun.”

Maury Regional Offers Pavers as Fundraiser (MSM)

As Maury Regional Medical Center continues its expansion and renovation, the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation invites the public to be a part of this historic moment by purchasing a custom engraved paver to be installed around the iconic front lawn fountain.

“Maury Regional Health has served our region for more than 70 years and touched countless lives,” said Foundation Executive Director Rita Thompson. “This is a special opportunity to honor those who helped shape the organization as it evolved from a 50-bed hospital to a health system with more than 500 providers across 60 clinical specialties.”

Pavers may be purchased to honor a variety of individuals, including administrative leaders, physicians, employees, retirees and supporting businesses. Quantities are limited and available in two sizes. The large 12-by-12-inch pavers are available for $300 and can accommodate five lines of type, 20 characters per line. The smaller 8-by-4-inch paver provides three lines of type, 13 characters per line, at a cost of $150. Installation is projected to begin in late spring.

“This project is an excellent way to honor our history while embracing our future,” said Maury Regional Health CEO Martin Chaney, MD. “These pavers will acknowledge those who paved the way for our success while creating a modern new outdoor space for our patients, visitors and colleagues.”

To purchase a paver, visit MauryRegional.com/PaveTheWay or contact the Foundation at 931.380.4075 or email MRHFoundation@MauryRegional.com.

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

Frank Thomas Uzzell Sr., 87, resident of Columbia, died February 12, at his residence.

Funeral services will be conducted at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friend Monday February 16, 2026 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Now, news from around the state…

Ten Commandments Bill Progresses (Tennessean)

The Tennessee House of Representatives has approved a bill allowing all public and charter schools to prominently display the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

The religious text must be displayed alongside key founding documents such as the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, the Tennessee Constitution or the U.S. Constitution — all of which are already allowed to be displayed in schools.

House members voted mostly along party lines to approve House Bill 47, sponsored by Rep. Michael Hale, R-Smithville, on Feb. 12, despite constitutional objections from some in the Democratic caucus.

Similar laws in Texas and Louisiana have drawn legal challenges that remain ongoing.

The vote was 75 to 17 with Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, abstaining. Democratic Reps. Jesse Chism, D-Memphis, Larry Miller, D-Memphis, Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, and Johnny Shaw, D-Boliver, all supported the bill. 

Companion legislation sponsored by Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, has not yet moved in the Tennessee Senate. 

"This would give our local schools the choice to display the Ten Commandments along with other historical documents in their schools as long as they're displayed in their historical context," Hale said. "It does not require our schools to display anything, but adds the legal protection for those that choose to do so."

Hale’s bill frames the Ten Commandments as a document of significant cultural heritage offered in the context of history, civilization, ethics or other secular subjects.

Flu “Very High” In Tennessee (Tennessean)

As flu activity remains elevated across much of the country, Tennessee continues to feel the impact of a particularly active season.

Federal and state health data show rising outpatient visits for influenza‑like illness and pockets of "very high" activity throughout the Volunteer State.

With the CDC reporting millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations nationwide, health officials are urging residents to take precautions, including vaccination, testing and preventive measures, to help slow the spread as flu and other respiratory viruses continue circulating.

So far this season, the CDC estimates at least 18 million illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations, and 9,300 deaths from influenza. Health officials continue to encourage vaccination, noting that flu shots reduce the risk of illness and serious complications.

About 130 million doses have been distributed in the U.S. this season.

According to CDC data, Tennessee is experiencing "very high" levels of influenza activity for the week ending Jan. 31, 2026. Other states reporting very high flu activity include South Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Oregon is experiencing the highest levels nationwide.

BREAK 3 at:57

Let’s take one last break. When we come back, we’ll cover the final story of the day. You’re listening to Southern Middle Tennessee Today.

Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee Today!

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Nashville Symphony and Symphony Fashion Show co-chairs, announced that the reigning two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson, will perform at the 2026 Symphony Fashion Show. The Grammy-winning country superstar will take the stage at the Nashville Symphony’s annual spring fundraiser on April 28, 2026, at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Presented by Gus Mayer, the Symphony Fashion Show will also feature a runway presentation of the Fall 2026 collection from the legendary fashion house Oscar de la Renta.

“With Oscar de la Renta returning to the Symphony Fashion Show after 14 years, we knew we needed an equally iconic entertainer,” said Nashville Symphony President and CEO Alan D. Valentine. “Lainey Wilson is one of the most significant and influential women in country music today, and we could not imagine a better musical partner for Oscar de la Renta’s runway magic.”

Packages for the 2026 Symphony Fashion Show are on sale now at nashvillesymphony.org/sfs.