Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 2-20-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for February 20, 2026

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

Duck River Intake’s Eminent Domain Gets Backlash (CDH)

A project costing an estimated $520 million to construct a new Duck River intake has caused concern for some landowners whose property will be directly affected by its construction.

On Jan. 8, Columbia City Council approved an ordinance that will raise Columbia Power & Water Systems (CPWS) customer's monthly rates by 20% in 2026 to help fund the project. Rates would then be compounded over a five-year period potentially equating to 149% higher water rates than customers pay today.

In early February, multiple landowners with property falling within the project's planned 17-mile pipeline were issued letters from CPWS requesting acquisition, or easement, some of which included a monetary offer, construction costs, as well as professional damage assessments.

If the landowners are unwilling to comply within 15 days, CPWS would consider eminent domain, a Feb. 3 letter obtained by The Daily Herald said.

The more-than-half-billion-dollar Long-Term Water Supply Program (LTWSP) is poised to create a new Duck River downstream intake in Williamsport, as well as expand the city's water treatment facility.

CPWS's single intake and current treatment plant are permitted at 20 million gallons per day capacity, which the utility stated operates at 93% during peak times.

"At that level, there is little margin, and that is a fact that a responsible utility cannot ignore," CEO Johnathan Hardin stated in a separate February letter issued to customers explaining the project.

"For more than 12 years, CPWS leadership and the Board have worked through the planning, engineering and permitting needed to address this problem in a durable way. This is why the LTWSP exists."

The CPWS letter, which was signed and issued by Maury County Attorney Daniel Murphy, who also serves as attorney for CPWS's Board of Public Utilities, has been met with backlash.

Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt made clear that she does not support the letter sent to residents.

"When I got the letter that talks about eminent domain twice in the letter and is signed by our county attorney, I just want people to know I am not complicit with this," Butt said at the Maury County Commission meeting Feb. 17.

In a copy of the letter acquired by The Daily Herald, sent Feb. 3 to one affected landowner, Murphy states LTL Schock Group is the organization engaged by CPWS to help with the acquisition of easements, emphasizing the "critical" need for the Community H20 Program.

"The easement needed are critical to the success of CPWS's Program, a key initiative to support the long-term water supply needs of the community," the letter reads.

The letter then outlines a 15-day deadline to comply or CPWS would consider the organization's right to eminent domain.

"Please be aware, CPWS possesses eminent domain authority to acquire the property rights needed for this project," the letter reads. "It is CPWS's intention to work with property owners to come to an agreement that is beneficial to all parties. If negotiations fail, acquisition under eminent domain may be considered.

"If you do not respond to this letter within 15 days, we will assume that you do not intend to cooperate voluntarily and legal action may become necessary in order to advance this program, which is vital to the community."

Santa Fe attorney Dustin Kittle, a prominent voice opposing the project, addressed the eminent domain letters in a lengthy post to X on Feb. 14, which has now garnered more than 346,000 views.

"There are numerous property owners that ultimately sold [CPWS] an easement under the fear of eminent domain," Kittle said in an interview with The Daily Herald. "That's obviously something that upsets a lot of people as far as from a property rights standpoint."

Kittle also claims that, for some landowners, the situation is not as simple as running a trench across a front-facing piece of property.

"In some of the ones we are dealing with, they are taking actual acreage," Kittle said. "One of them they want to go across their front yard, eliminate the trees and change the entire character of their property. And we've found out this pressure on these landowners has been going on for years."

Kittle said since the letters suggesting eminent domain were issued, some property owners could seek legal action through their right to condemnation.

"We are planning to file a legal action over the course of the next few weeks that is going to appeal the vote on the pipeline and the rate increase," Kittle said.

In a statement sent by a CPWS spokesperson to The Daily Herald on Feb. 16, CPWS clarified the need for the land acquisitions in association with the intake project.

As part of its Long-Term Water Supply Program, CPWS argues it is acquiring land easements just on road frontage for a raw water pipeline. The acquisitions are being sought in accordance with Tennessee law and professional standards, including appraisals and damage assessment, CPWS says.

"To be clear, the easements we need are for land along roadway, within existing setbacks, and will not unduly burden or permanently alter working farm operations," the statement reads. "Most landowners CPWS has contacted have been open and willing to negotiate, and we've been able to reach fair settlements with them."

CPWS also acknowledged the potential of facing legal action from some landowners.

"Any time a utility project of this size is taking place, however, the likelihood of at least some condemnation proceedings rises. While we hope to reach fair settlements with each landowner and Tennessee law allows for the use of eminent domain to secure essential infrastructure, the law dictates it should be used 'sparingly,' and CPWS views these proceedings as a last resort," the statement said.

CPWS concluded by saying the utility remains committed to working one-on-one with every affected landowner.

"We believe following both the spirit and the letter of Tennessee law, we can build this essential infrastructure while maintaining the trust of the community we serve," the statement said.

City Recognizes First Responders (MSM)

First Responders, the Columbia Power and Water System (CPWS) and the city Public Works Department were recognized for their distinguished service during Winter Storm Fern during last week’s City Council meeting. 

As the winter storm moved through the city, many residents lost power, were confined to their homes and faced hazardous conditions. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of first responders, CPWS and Public Works crews, power was restored to many, roads were cleared and treated and residents were kept informed with critical safety updates. 

From Jan. 24-27, public works crews worked 12-hour shifts, spreading more than 400 pounds of salt and treating approximately 480 lane miles across the city. 

“We’re really proud of our team, and everyone did a great job,” said Public Works Director Jeff DeWire. 

The Columbia City Council formally honored the teams for their efforts. Mayor Chaz Molder shared his appreciation during the presentation and online, praising the Public Works Department as “the best in all the land” and expressing pride in the city’s first responders. 

Resolutions 

In other business, a resolution was passed during last week’s meeting, authorizing the city to apply for the Financial Excellence Award from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office. The award recognizes organizations and professionals for outstanding achievement in financial management, reporting and transparency. 

In January, the city earned its sixth consecutive year of financial recognition by receiving the Government Finance Officers Association’s Prestigious Triple Crown designation. Columbia remains one of the only cities in Tennessee to achieve this distinction. 

The resolution confirms the city has reviewed and complied with its financial policies. As part of eligibility, the city remains subject to the State Comptroller’s audit and budget oversight. 

Ordinances 

In a 6-0 vote, the council approved Ordinance No. 4578 on first consideration. The ordinance revises the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, including updates to the general, capital projects and grant funds. 

The Columbia Police Department was awarded $1.3 million through the State of Tennessee’s Violent Crime Intervention Fund (VCIF). As a result, the overall fiscal budget shows a $1.34 million increase. 

Under the revised ordinance, most departments will receive increased funding, while two departments will see reductions. A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for March 12 before final consideration.

City Recognized for Sports Tourism (MauryCountySource)

The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department has been recognized as a 2025 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, honoring the exceptional performance and national impact of the Ridley Sports Complex.

Ridley Sports Complex was honored in the Small Market category, highlighting Columbia’s continued rise as a premier destination for sports tourism. Across all 2025 champions, more than $1.4 billion in economic activity was generated nationwide over the past year, underscoring the powerful role sporting events play in strengthening local economies.

“This award reinforces what so many teams and event organizers already know — Ridley Sports Complex is a top-tier venue,” said Mack Reagan, Director of Columbia Parks and Recreation. “Our staff works hard to deliver exceptional tournament experiences, and we’re thrilled to see the positive effects that sports tourism continues to bring to Columbia.”

With high-quality fields, versatile facilities, and a strong track record of hosting major regional and national tournaments, Ridley Sports Complex attracts thousands of athletes, families, and spectators each year. These events provide measurable benefits to the community by supporting local hotels, restaurants, retailers, and small businesses.

“This recognition proves that Columbia is competing and winning on a national stage,” said City Manager Tony Massey. “We are proud of this achievement and excited for what’s ahead.”

Sports Destination Management is the most widely circulated publication for sports event planners and tournament directors in the country, focusing on destination selection, venue management, and industry innovation. Columbia’s inclusion among the 2025 champions showcases the city’s leadership and competitiveness in this growing industry.

As Columbia continues to build on this momentum, Ridley Sports Complex will once again host the Midstate Classic on March 10, 2026, marking the 11th year of the popular collegiate softball tournament. Events like the Midstate Classic further demonstrate how sports tourism continues to generate economic activity and community engagement throughout the year.

The Midstate Classic will feature three games throughout the day:

10:00 a.m. – Columbia Central High School Lions vs. Spring Hill High School Raiders

1:30 p.m. – Columbia State Community College Lady Chargers vs. Calhoun Community College Warhawks

5:30 p.m. – University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers vs. Austin Peay State University Governors

Gates open at 7:30 a.m. General admission is $10 and includes access to all three games. Complimentary ADA transportation will be available before, during, and after the tournament. Tickets are available now! Click here to get your tickets today! For additional information, call (931) 388-8119.

The City of Columbia looks forward to continued growth in sports tourism and ongoing improvements that will ensure Ridley Sports Complex remains one of Tennessee’s premier sports destinations.

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…

Edward Allen “Toby” Clark, 87, resident of McMinnville, passed on February 15, 2026.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. Burial will follow at Giles Memory Gardens in Pulaski, TN. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Judy Marie Miller Carter, 77, of Spring Hill, TN passed away peacefully on February 16th. 

A funeral mass will be conducted Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Catherine Catholic Church.

Betty Jean Hume Rash, 94, a resident of Columbia, TN died Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at The Bridge.

A Graveside service will be conducted Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Wilkes Cemetery in Culleoka. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Kay Derryberry Rodgers, 83, a resident of Columbia, TN died Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care.

A Memorial Service will be conducted Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jeff Kane officiating. A private burial will occur at Lone Oak Cemetery in Lewisburg. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12 PM until the service time at the church. 

Now, news from around the state…

Elephant Santuary Benefits from Storm Relief (Tennessean)

A recent winter storm provided an unexpected windfall for elephants at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

The ice storm left many Middle Tennessee residents without power and water for several days and created a significant amount of debris. Instead of hauling the branches and limbs away, the sanctuary turned the storm's aftermath into enrichment for its residents, according to a Feb. 17 media release.

Browse, which refers to fresh-cut branches, twigs and leafy vegetation, is a natural part of an elephant's diet. It provides essential fiber and nutrients while encouraging foraging behaviors.

“We have a long list of contacts in the community that we have worked with for years,” said Kristy Eaker, senior manager of elephant care at The Elephant Sanctuary. “After the storm, we reached out to everyone that might be clearing brush.”

Community members responded by delivering trailer loads of limbs to the sanctuary or allowing staff members to pick up debris from their properties.

Local businesses and partners, including a golf course, the Lewis County Public Library and courthouse, the local airport and Ross’s Family Tree Service also contributed.

The largest cleanup effort took place at the library, where multiple Bradford Pear trees lost significant limbs. In one day, staff members collected nine trailers and truck loads of limbs, according to the announcement.

Additional community members contributed multiple trailer and dumpster loads, and staff members made multiple daily runs.

“It was a great feeling,” said Seth, a member of the facilities team. “Knowing all the downed trees would be put to good use rather than just tossed out meant a lot. We enjoyed answering the community’s questions about our elephants and sharing our favorite stories with them as we worked.”

For the elephants, the impact is immediate. Fresh browse is scattered throughout habitats and barns, encouraging exploration and choice. Elephants carefully select preferred branches, snap larger limbs, peel bark and carry pieces to favorite resting spots.

“We are incredibly grateful to our neighbors,” Eaker said. “This was truly a community effort. What began as storm cleanup became enrichment that benefits the elephants every single day.”

Community members who have downed limbs from untreated trees and would like to contribute browse can contact The Sanctuary through elephants.com for guidance on appropriate species and drop-off procedures.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Mulehouse, 812 S. High St., will host a fun spin on going to a concert, where in this case the audience calls the shots.

The Mulehouse presents Music City Dueling Pianos, an interactive sing-along show featuring world-class entertainers Chris Hatfield, Rachel Solomon and Mitch Martin showcasing a wide variety of genres, including country, pop, rock anthems and throwback classics, all performed by the request of audience members.

Music City Dueling Pianos will perform starting at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $39.50 and available at www.TheMulehouse.com.