WKOM/WKRM Radio
Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for February 19, 2025
All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
School Closures (WKOM)
Due to inclement weather, all Maury County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, February 19. Twelve-month employees should use discretion when reporting.
The Boys & Girls Clubs will be open at the following locations:
• Wayne Street
• 8th Street
• Marvin Wright Elementary
• Mt. Pleasant Elementary
Columbia Academy and Zion Christian Academies are closed.
All Columbia State Campuses are closed with a virtual/remote learning day scheduled.
Besides Maury, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Marshall, and Williamson County Schools are closed.
Finally, all Columbia City and Maury County government offices will be opening at 10:00am today.
Bill to Open Development on Duck Opposed (CDH)
A proposed bill that could remove a two-mile boundary between natural rivers and proposed landfills has drawn attention among preservation advocates, including those who have fought for the health of the Duck River.
House Bill 0895, sponsored by District 73 Rep. Chris Todd, R-Jackson, was introduced earlier this month.
The proposed bill, as currently written, challenges the previous bill passed in 2023 by the General Assembly expanding the Duck River's scenic status.
"As introduced, removes the two-mile buffer between class II scenic rivers and new and expanded landfill sites. — Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 13 and Title 68," the proposed bill currently states.
However, Todd said his intention is to amend the bill to "grandfather" the Duck River's Class II Pastoral River status passed last session.
The bill would also affect other rivers in Tennessee.
Todd said the bill's purpose is to protect property rights, and how the current law reads could be interpreted as violating them by limiting certain development near rivers.
"My intention around this bill is to correct something in the law around our Scenic Rivers Act that has been used in the past as a weapon in other situations to really infringe on property rights when it was never intended to be that," Todd said.
"I don't intend for this to be retroactive and affect anything in the past, it is strictly moving forward that the way it would be used in the future would strictly be a designation of a scenic river and wouldn't have any stipulations around that, restrictions or otherwise."
All of Maury County’s state legislators are opposed to Todd’s bill as are county and municipal leaders.
In 2023, the Tennessee General Assembly approved bipartisan legislation protecting a portion of the Duck River in Maury County, with 30 river miles designated as a Class II Pastoral River area.
Securing the designation was a grassroots community effort to protect the health of the river as well as block Louisiana-based Trinity Business Group from implementing a solid-waste landfill in Columbia at the federal superfund site of the now defunct Monsanto chemical plant.
The Duck River touches seven counties and is the most biodiverse river in North America, ranked among America's Most Endangered Rivers® of 2024, according to a 2024 American Rivers report.
Todd's proposed companion bill, Senate Bill 0725, was assigned to the Senate's Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee this week. Todd sits as chairman of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee.
The proposed bill also states, "It is also not the intent of this chapter to circumvent a law, zoning ordinance, or binding legal precedent related to property rights, expansion of boundaries, or land acquisitions."
Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, said the full committee would likely not pursue the bill until next year, and that it would be a while before it goes before a final House and Senate vote.
"I don't think [Todd] is going to try and move it this year, but certainly it's something we need to watch," Hensley said.
Hensley said if it were to go before a full Senate vote, he would "adamantly" oppose it.
"It would undo [as written] the work we did to pass the Duck River as a scenic river," Hensley said. "There is also another part of the river in Hickman County that we are trying to make a scenic river too. But this bill would allow a landfill to be placed on the Duck River if it passed."
Save The Duck, a grassroots activist organization key in passing the 2023 Duck River scenic river bill, now appears to be prepping for another battle.
"We are going to fight it and will have another grassroots effort," Save The Duck board member Gale Moore said. "We want the Duck River to be designated a scenic river for many reasons, and not having a landfill on the river is the big one."
Moore added that a fight against the bill is not only an effort to preserve the Duck's natural waterscape, but for all Tennessee scenic rivers.
"It would mean all of our rivers and all of our creeks," Moore said. "It's bad for all of our waterways."
Todd said if the bill moves forward, his intention is not to undo the past.
"First of all, I will say the way the bill is written probably could be retroactive, and I have no intention of running it that way," Todd said. "If I continue forward, it will be amended so that it's very clear that anything in the past is grandfathered in, this is not affecting anything that's happened previously, it would be, again, forward-facing only."
City Defining Short-Term Rental Policy (CDH)
Columbia City Council is currently in the depths of defining its regulations for allowing short-term rentals within the city limits, which has drawn a number of opinions on both sides.
The topic of short-term rentals, or properties typically used for things such as Airbnb or VRBO-type rental spaces, has been a topic of debate for quite a few months.
An ordinance to amend the city's Ordinance 4400 regarding short-term rental regulations, established in 2022, was a focal point of the council's Feb. 13 regular meeting.
"This is a very divided topic, and I don't know in my six years of doing this if I have been involved on an issue where it just seems equally divided," Mayor Chaz Molder said. "No matter what we are going to do, we are going to upset one crowd."
The Feb. 13 meeting began with a public hearing, which included nearly an hour of citizen comments.
"Residents have become concerned about the impact of transient rental accommodations, voicing concerns including traffic noise and mostly safety and security," former Maury County Commissioner Sue Stephenson said. "Who is monitoring, or who is vetting, particularly if it's not under a platform?"
Stephenson added that another concern is that many of these properties are often owned and operated by out-of-town investors, rather than local property owners, while posing a potentially negative effect on neighboring homeowners.
"They are coming in to buy multiple, single-family homes particularly on the north end, in some cases buying up entire blocks to use as short-term rentals for employees that are commuting in and out of town," Stephenson said. "But then there are others in those subdivisions who have bought and invested in homes to build equity, watch the value of their homes appreciate, not depreciate and want to raise a family in those homes.
"They do not want to be surrounded by revolving doors of short-term rentals."
David Gephart, a Columbia citizen in favor of the regulations allowing short-term rentals, said that while incidents do happen, studies have shown the frequency is actually less than people might think.
"I think the record you have established with this [amendment] and the previous legislation is that short-term rentals have fewer issues, are better maintained and have fewer noise and traffic complaints than long-term rentals or sometimes even owner-occupied properties," Gephart said.
"It's the kind of business that brings wholesome tourism to the city of Columbia, inspires investment and the support of local businesses. It's just human freedom, the right thing to do."
Last week's meeting resulted in the approval of the ordinance's proposed amendments, which appeared as the first of two readings.
The second reading, which will likely go before a council vote in March, would be the final vote before the amendments would take effect.
The current ordinance states that properties used as short-term rentals are required to be owner-occupied in certain mixed-use districts. The new ordinance would eliminate that requirement, Development Services Director Paul Keltner said.
"Those would be allowed outright, and so no owner-occupied provisions inside the limited-use standard," Keltner said. "At the same time, open it up to all of the main districts except for heavy manufacturing and civic, and have those as a conditional use."
There are also grandfathering provisions in place, which would allow short-term rentals currently in use to remain, even if the new ordinance does not allow it. However, the grandfather clause would only be granted to those who are registered legally, Keltner said.
Molder added that the districts being considered to allow short-term rentals amounts to about 3,600 acres out of more than 20,000 acres within the Columbia city limits.
"We are approving a small amount, and there is always the ability to open it up and to do more, but it would be difficult to allow it all and go backwards," Molder said.
Columbia Vice Mayor Randy McBroom said he supported the changes as presented, which were recommended by the city's planning commission prior to the Feb. 13 meeting.
"My opinions are that neighborhoods are for neighbors, and not short-term rentals, and that's why I support what the planning commission recommended at this time," McBroom said.
"But everybody is looking at it as if it's right now and not five, 10 or 15 years down the road. I've seen in these cities where they want to pull it back because short-term rentals have taken them over. Columbia is not like that, and we might get like that, but we can always change it later, because once you let it out of the box, you can't let it back in."
The final vote regarding the proposed ordinance's first reading resulted in unanimous approval.
Farm at Golsten Hill (WKOM Audio 1:38)
Yesterday, the apartment complex called The Farm at Golsten Hill in Columbia held a grand opening for phase 2 of their development. Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy stopped by and spoke to Brittany Robinson to learn more about the development…
City to Honor Morgan Family at Mid-State Classic (Press Release)
The City of Columbia is excited to honor the local Morgan family during this year’s Midstate Classic Collegiate Softball Tournament on March 18, 2025. Willie Morgan, former City of Columbia Parks & Recreation Director, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, while his granddaughter, Saviya Morgan, a 2024 graduate of Columbia Central High School, will take the field as a standout player for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols in an NCAA matchup against Eastern Kentucky University.
Mayor Chaz Molder shared his pride in the Morgan family, stating, “Willie Morgan was a trailblazer in our community, not just in the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Columbia which he served as Director, but also across the entire spectrum of the City of Columbia. He is a towering figure in many respects, not just his height, but in his presence, his demeanor and his contributions to his city. I can’t think of a better nod to Mr. Morgan than to throw the first pitch at the Mid-State Classic, where his highly touted granddaughter, one of the best ever softball players to ever play in Columbia, will be in the starting line-up for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols. This is a nod to Mr. Morgan, to his family, and to everyone who believed in Saviya Morgan every step of the way.”
Willie Morgan, who dedicated 40 years to shaping Columbia’s parks and youth programs, will proudly watch as Saviya, ranked #10 in the Extra Elite 100 National Rankings, takes the field for the UT Lady Vols. Saviya, who holds multiple school records, including the state record for stolen bases (75), most runs scored in a season (66), and a career-high 222 hits, is a 2024 graduate of Columbia Central High School. Her achievements mirror the same commitment to excellence and community that her grandfather displayed through his work expanding Fairview Park, building new ball fields, and developing the Armory Recreation Center—all of which continue to positively impact Columbia’s youth.
The Midstate Classic, hosted by the City of Columbia at the Ridley Sports Complex, marks its tenth year celebrating both athletic achievement and community spirit. The tournament will feature three exciting matchups: the Columbia Central Lions vs. the Spring Hill Raiders at 10:00 AM, the Columbia State Lady Chargers vs. the Calhoun Community College Warhawks at 1:30 PM, and the UT Lady Vols vs. the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at 5:30 PM, with both teams coming off impressive 40-win seasons last year.
This year’s Midstate Classic offers a full day of competitive softball and historic moments, including the Morgan family’s spotlight on the field. Gates open at 7:30 AM, with general admission tickets available for $10, providing access to all three games. Complimentary ADA transportation will be available throughout the day. Tickets can be purchased online at ColumbiaTN.gov.
Join the City of Columbia and fans from across the state as we celebrate a legacy of athletic excellence and community pride at the Midstate Classic!
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.
Learn more by visiting www.mauryalliance.com.
And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Muriel Faye Hancock Ingram, 95, passed away peacefully at her residence in Columbia, TN on Friday, February 14, 2025.
A private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Pleasant Mount Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the “Large Print Section” at Maury County Library 211 West 8th Street Columbia, TN 38401. Online condolences may be made at www.oakesandnichols.com.
Richard “Rick” Jenkins, 76, passed away Friday, February 14, 2025, after battling cancer for several years.
The memorial service will be Sunday, February 23rd at Pleasant Heights Baptist Church. The family will visit with friends from 1:00 until 3:00 with the service to follow.
Roy Henry Mitchell, 93, resident of Culleoka, died Sunday, February 16, 2025, at his residence.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, February 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery in Culleoka with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Monday, February 24, 2025 from 12:00 PM until the service time at the funeral home.
Donald Lentz “Gator” Galbreath, passed away on February 17, 2025, at the age of 87.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 4:00 PM till 7:00 PM with a Masonic Service to follow at 7:00 PM, and on Sunday from 1:00 PM till the time of service at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.
And now, news from around the state…
Housing Coalition Pressures Legislature (Tennessean)
April Riddle's landlord stood on her porch with an ultimatum: Pay $250 more in rent per month, or get out in 30 days.
That happened about six years ago and it was a 25% hike for her and her son, who lived in Gallatin on a fixed income and couldn't afford the rent increase.
On Tuesday, Riddle joined a coalition of affordable housing and tenant rights advocates at the Tennessee State Capitol for the third annual "Day on the Hill for Housing and Homelessness." It was the first time an organized statewide coalition has officially presented policy recommendations to lawmakers.
The coalition includes Open Table Nashville, Tennessee Renters United, the Tennessee Solidarity Network for Housing and Homelessness, Statewide Organizing for Community Empowerment, Memphis Tenants Union and the Greater Memphis Housing Justice Project. Several other grassroots organizations have signed on as supporters of the coalition.
Riddle's experience is a common one for Tennessee renters who have helplessly watched costs skyrocket over the past decade.
Navigating that rent hike sparked her passion for connecting people with resources like food, transportation and other essentials in times of need or financial insecurity. But for the tens of thousands of people struggling to pay for housing in Tennessee, Riddle said there aren't enough resources.
"Housing insecurity is something I'm passionate about because it hit my home," Riddle said. "I had to leave my home and move into a friend's basement. I came to understand there was a gap between the resources that were available and the need."
Gov. Bill Lee highlighted the skyrocketing cost of housing in his recent State of the State address before a joint session of the Tennessee General Assembly and proposed a $60 million Starter Home Revolving Loan Fund to incentivize building with 0% interest construction loans. He also suggested funding a 2024-approved housing tax credit for rural and workforce housing development.
Advocates argue that action around affordable housing has not encompassed both urban and rural communities though the crisis is dire statewide. The coalition intends to organize a united front to drive change forward.
"We're all Tennesseans," said Allie Cohn, of Knoxville. "The issues affect all of us, urban and rural. The housing market is unattainable for people in all parts of Tennessee."
Buying or renting a home in Tennessee has become significantly more expensive over the past 10 years.
One recent estimate found the cost of buying a home in Tennessee has increased almost 123% over the past decade, with cities Knoxville, Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga and Memphis all seeing prices increase more than 100%. Around half of Davidson County residents are cost-burdened to afford rent, meaning they spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing, according to Metro Nashville Social Services.
Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
The Lumineers announced the North American leg of the Automatic 2025 World Tour, including a Nashville stop.
Bridgestone Arena shared on social media, “JUST ANNOUNCED: The Lumineers are heading to Nashville! Don’t miss The Automatic World Tour at Bridgestone Arena with special guest Chance Peña on October 3rd.”
Tickets will be available to the general public on Friday, February 21 at 10AM local time. Get them at www.thelumineers.com/tour.
Comments