WKOM/WKRM Radio
Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for February 28, 2025
All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Missing Juvenile (MauryCountySource)
The Columbia Police Department is trying to locate a 16-year-old runaway juvenile, Zykerion Mandrez Martin.
Zykerion was last seen on February 26, 2025 in the area of Woodside St. wearing a blue jersey, white shirt, black pants, and red and black shoes. Zykerion is 5’06” tall and weighs 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
Any person with additional information that may assist in this or any other investigation is encouraged to contact Columbia Police Department Dispatch (24 hours) at 931-388-2727, Maury County Crime stoppers at 931-381-4900, or Columbia Police SAFE Tip Email to SafeTips@ColumbiaTN.Com
Boys and Girls Club Names Youth of the Year (Press Release)
The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee (BGCSCTN) proudly named Kelsey Judd as the 2025 Youth of the Year during a ceremony at Guitar & Cadillac Hall at Puckett’s in Columbia. A 15-year-old student at Central High School, Kelsey was selected for her resilience, leadership, and commitment to academic and personal growth.
The prestigious event welcomed an audience of more than 100 guests, including the seven Youth of the Year candidates, their families, Board Members, elected officials, and dedicated supporters of the Boys & Girls Club. A distinguished panel of judges oversaw the competition, featuring Demetrius Nelson, pastor at Carmack Boulevard Church of Christ; Rod Holliman, managing partner of Honest 1 Auto Care; and Elizabeth Gallegos, Align Maury Program Manager with the Maury Alliance.
Board Chair Gale Moore opened the event with a warm welcome, setting a celebratory tone for the proceedings. Junior C., a Youth of the Year candidate, followed with an invocation, offering attendees a moment of reflection. BGCSCTN CEO Ginny Wright then took the stage to highlight the significance of the Youth of the Year program and its role in developing young leaders. She also acknowledged the judges and local elected officials in attendance.
Each of the seven candidates was introduced through short interview videos, sharing their personal journeys with the Club before stepping onto the stage to deliver inspiring speeches. Following their remarks, BGCSCTN leadership presented each finalist with a certificate of achievement, recognizing their dedication, growth, and accomplishments in the Youth of the Year program.
The event concluded at 12:30 p.m., with Kelsey’s heartfelt remarks as the newly named Youth of the Year, followed by closing comments from BGCSCTN leadership.
For Kelsey, this honor represents the culmination of a journey marked by perseverance and self-discovery. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age, she often felt different from her peers. However, the Boys & Girls Club provided a space where she always felt included and supported.
“They always made sure I felt included, whether I was counting carbs during snack time or learning how to manage my insulin properly,” she shared in her speech.
Beyond her health challenges, Kelsey faced personal hardships, including her parents’ divorce, frequent moves, and the instability brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, the Club remained a constant source of stability and belonging.
“No matter where we moved or how many changes I went through, I could always count on the Club for stability and a sense of belonging,” she said.
She credits the Club’s SMART Girls program for helping her build confidence and develop positive relationships. She also acknowledges Ms. K, a former Club staff member, who played a key role in her emotional growth.
“She always made me feel heard and let me know it was okay to have emotions. I still use the breathing techniques she taught me when I’m feeling nervous.”
With aspirations of becoming a pediatric nurse, Kelsey plans to attend East Tennessee State University, inspired by her own experiences.
“I want to help children, especially those who might face health challenges like I have, and give them the same support the Boys & Girls Club has given me.”
As the 2025 Youth of the Year, Kelsey now embodies the Club’s mission—to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential.
The Youth of the Year program is the Boys & Girls Club’s highest honor, recognizing young people who exemplify leadership, service, academic achievement, and a commitment to healthy lifestyles. As this year’s winner, Kelsey will serve as the official youth ambassador for Giles and Maury Counties, speaking at community engagements and advancing to the Tennessee State Youth of the Year competition in March.
Mt. Pleasant to Upgrade Water Meters (MSM)
At their February monthly meeting, Mount Pleasant’s City Commission took up “new business” to invest $1.2 million in upgrades to its residential water meters. The prospect comes after months of complaints from residents, who theorized online that they were being billed incorrectly or charged for leaks in the city water lines.
USDA agreed to give the city a grant that would leave the city to supply $1 million for the upgrades. City Finance Director Shiphrah Cox expects to borrow that money from United Community Bank, in a loan which will “mature” in seven years but can be paid off free of penalties after three years.
Cox further reported that in the last year, Mt. Pleasant has invested $500,000 in capital improvements to its water system. Few of the current leaks were caused by freezing water, and 2024 leak fixes are saving the city up to 100,000 gallons per day.
“We’re using City of Mount Pleasant water; we’re not taking any more from the north side of town with CPWS water,” Cox noted. “We’ve been sustaining our own system for a year this month.”
The city also introduced a resolution to contract Civil and Environmental Solutions to create a stormwater utility for $57,000. The company, which has already analyzed Mount Pleasant’s watersheds, would begin to plan improvements to stormwater system and possibly build a separate municipal storm-sewer system. Eventually CES will deliver a report with their findings and a fee structure.
“Most every community our size… in this [region] that we’re in already has this,” argued Mayor Bill White. “It’s a real need.”
The Commission deferred voting to approve the agreement to next month.
Road Named in Honor of Superintendent Boshers (MSM)
The main event at the Maury County Commission’s February meeting was the dedication of a stretch of Wheelerfield Road to Van Boshers, who led the county’s Highway Department for almost 20 years.
When Boshers took office in 1996, the county had 400 miles of unpaved roads; when he retired in 2024, the county had 820 miles of paved road, with only 20 miles remaining unsealed. His actions in saving tax payers money while getting the job done was one of his legacies. Commissioner Gwynne Evans told the story of how Boshers had taken over some bridge projects from the state, which had done little with eight years and $800,000, and fixed the bridges up in less than a year for $360,000. Boshers was also known for his integrity and leadership: the state associations of County Services and County Highway Officials both elected him their president, and in 2018 he received the Robert M. Wormsley award for Outstanding County Official.
Commissioner Patti Hollinsworth volunteered to read Resolution 02-25-20, which had a long list of “whereas” reasons why the road was being named for Boshers. The other commissioners were also highly complimentary.
“This is a fitting honor,” said Commissioner Eric Previti, who lives near Boshers on Whitney Drive. “If we wanted to change Whitney Drive at some point to your honor, I would be willing to do that as well.”
“You can’t always make everybody happy, [and] you’ve stood up here many times and taken those shots. It takes a special person to do that,” said Commissioner Scott Sumners, who then quipped, “I just want to thank you for always answering your phone… and for not getting too mad at me when we tried to cut your budget.”
“[For] 26, 27 years… you could find him at Hardee’s before he went to work,” said Commissioner Carl McCullen. “Hardee’s ain’t the same when you’re not at breakfast.”
Boshers, a lifelong Maury County resident, said that the stretch of Wheelerfield being renamed, between Old Polk Lane and Arrow Mines Road, had great personal meaning for him. As a boy in the late 1940s and ’50s, he had walked along the unpaved road many times to reach the school bus stop.
“We walked the dinky track, trying to keep our shoes half-decent, three miles to the bus at Arrow Mines. I pretty much know about every rock that I stumped my toes on, going barefoot [on] that dinky track,” he said with emotion. “And I just can’t say ‘Thank you’ enough… to this commission, for being in favor of naming that road in my honor.”
He thanked Ken McKee and the other Highway Department employees, and entrusted the county’s roads to them, saying, “I wanted to leave it better than I found it, and Jerry and I feel like we did.”
Kedron Square Development Stalls (MSM)
One of the most anticipated development projects in Spring Hill hit a roadblock in February when the city’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen were forced to discuss calling in the performance bond for Kedron Square. Ultimately, the full $7,395,300 bond for Phase 1B of the project was not called in full, but did see questions raised on the city’s policies regarding development bonds.
Kedron Square, originally approved in 2019, has been behind schedule due to COVID-19 and subsequent supply chain issues that followed immediately after the pandemic. Due to the development having the entire project on a performance bond, it allowed the project to develop more quickly in the beginning, but can cause some issues with deadlines, according to Spring Hill CIP Director Missy Stahl.
“The (Unified Development Code) does not have provisions for partial releases or reductions,” she said.
Because the deadline of March 1 is quickly approaching, the developer’s bank advised the city it did not intend to reissue the full bond, Stahl added. The developer expressed displeasure with the city not having provisions in place to accommodate for infrastructure that had been completed.
Stahl and city staff, along with the city’s Planning Commission, resolved to reduce the bond to 30 percent as a maintenance bond, following the UDC’s guidelines, reducing the bond to $2,218,590 for one year. The $7.4 million bond is only one of several performance bonds held on the project.
Most of the phase is completed, but still missing are: sidewalks, storm water, curbing, signage, binder, asphalt topping, water lines, sewer lines and street lights, according to the planning commission’s resolution allowing for the reduction.
Additionally, a performance bond of $27,500 was required in cash for the installation of some sidewalks, crosswalks and ADA compliant ramps, and a certified check was delivered at the BOMA meeting on Monday, Feb. 17.
The project is broken down into four phases, originally set to all be completed by 2030. The first phase consists of 81 single-family homes, and the third and fourth phases consist of the commercial, hotel and office space, though a hotel now appears to be off the table due to several hotels being approved in the city within the past year.
Main Street Maury Ribbon Cutting (WKOM Audio 1:54)
Yesterday afternoon, Main Street Maury Newspaper held a grand opening for their new offices in the Arts District of Columbia. Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy attended the ribbon cutting and spoke to MSM publisher Scott Stewart…
Maury Regional Foundation Announced Board (Press Release)
The Maury Regional Health Care Foundation announced appointments to its board of directors for 2025 during the group’s recent January meeting.
All officers have been reappointed into their roles, including Kelley McCall as chair, Emily McKnight as secretary, Stephen Hughes as treasurer and Maury Regional Health CEO Martin Chaney, MD, in an advisor role for the Foundation.
“The leadership from the Foundation board of directors is critical to the success of the Foundation,” said Dr. Chaney. “Their guidance and financial support have assisted us in advancing the mission of the Foundation since its inception in 2006. I am very grateful for all board members.”
During the board’s January meeting, the Foundation also recognized board members that are transitioning to board ambassadors, thanking them for their many years of service. These board ambassadors include Chaz Molder, Edward Moore, Ty Cobb, Tom Grosko and David Baxter.
The board also welcomed five new members:
Brent Allred serves as associate general counsel for the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee. Allred has 15 years of experience managing legal and human resources affairs in the areas of agriculture, insurance or real estate law. He completed his bachelor’s degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Forrest B. Bruch, Jr., is retired after working more than 30 years in investment management and private equity investing. Bruch most recently served as the director and chief financial officer of an educational software company. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, with a bachelor’s degree in economics and received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas.
David Locke currently serves as vice president of state government relations for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. Locke has worked in health care and government relations for more than 40 years. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Kristi Martin is retired after serving as the executive director of Columbia Main Street Corporation for 24 years. She serves on the James K. Polk Steering Committee and the Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals in addition to working for her family business: Carmer Corporation. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Gaye Pike is a certified financial planner with decades of experience in accounting and working in the brokerage industry. She has served on several boards, including Columbia Noon Rotary, United Way of Maury County and Blood Assurance. She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.
The board of directors for the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation consists of 23 voting members, 14 board ambassadors and nine emeritus members. View the full roster at MauryRegional.com/Foundation.
The Foundation works to expand health care services and community outreach programs throughout southern Middle Tennessee. Established in 2006, it provides support, health care services and a caring environment for individuals not able to obtain appropriate care. Since its formation, the Foundation has provided more than $5.1 million in programs and services.
And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Mr. James Wayne Malugin, 76, retired employee of L & N Railroad and lifelong resident of Columbia, died Thursday, February 20 at his residence. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 8th, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home, with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The Family will visit with friends Saturday, March 8th, 2025 from 12:00 PM until the service time at the funeral home.
Earl Thomas "Tommy" Pilkinton, Jr., 86, of Columbia, Tennessee passed away at his residence on February 26, 2025.
Graveside services will be conducted Monday, March 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Friendship Cemetery. A visitation will be held Monday, March 3, 2025 from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.
And now, news from around the state…
All Kids Bike Donation (Tennessean)
Kindergarteners at Norman Binkley Elementary School were the first to try out a newly donated fleet of Strider bikes on Thursday morning.
A total of 24 balance-to-pedal bikes, along with helmets, pedal conversion kits, bike racks and other equipment, was given to the school by All Kids Bike, according to a news release sent by the national nonprofit Thursday. The donation came with funding and other resources to teach the kids to ride the bikes as part of their physical education at the school. Glengarry Elementary School also received bikes through the program.
In the release, the organization said its goal is to "impart the joy of bike riding and promote essential life skills among young learners." The two Nashville schools are among 36 nationwide that received the same donation, which was made possible by a $324,000 gift to All Kids Bike from the HDR Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American design and engineering firm.
a national engineering firm with an office in Brentwood.
Norman Binkley Elementary Principal James Urquhart said he's excited to see the school's kindergarteners and first graders learn through the new program.
"A very special thank you to HDR, our students will now have the opportunity to develop important physical skills, foster healthy habits, and build confidence through the All Kids Bike Program,” Urquhart said in the release.
Over the last three years, HDR has donated more than $800,000 to All Kids Bike.
"As a 100% employee-owned company, HDR is dedicated to this cause. It’s close to home and to our hearts," Kyle Guthrie, who manages HDR's operations in Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas, said in the release. "With this grant, we’ll assemble bikes and racks, deliver them to schools and join in the announcement. Seeing the joy on those faces when they see this gift to their school is priceless."
Gas Prices (MSM)
Tennessee gas prices fell four cents, on average, over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.75 which is two cents less expensive than one month ago and 20 cents less than one year ago.
“Tennessee gas prices are continuing their pattern of fluctuating up and down within the same range of pricing,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Right now, the state gas price average is cheaper than last week, one month ago, and one year ago. This is a nice break for drivers ahead of an expected seasonal rise in gas prices over the next few months as Spring refinery maintenance season usually peaks in late February and into March.”
Tennessee is fourth least-expensive state in nation for gas prices
Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
The All American Circus will be back in town with an exciting, not to mention affordable, weekend of entertainment for the whole family.
Presented by Oscar Garcia, the All American Circus will host performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the National Guard Armory, 844 N. James M. Campbell Blvd.
Bypass the line and receive presale discount ticket prices starting at $5 per person by purchasing online at www.AllAmericanCircus.com/tour-dates.
Arrive one hour before showtime and enjoy a kids fun zone, which includes bounce houses, camel rides, unicorn photos, face painting and circus treats.
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