Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 3-10-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for March 10, 2026

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

Columbia Man Placed on Sex Offender Registry (WilliamsonScene)

A Columbia man arrested in 2023 for grabbing a teen inappropriately in a Franklin movie theater was sentenced to time served in jail and placed on the sex offender registry following a plea deal.

Gabriel Jeremiah Ward, who was 27 at the time of his arrest, grabbed a then 14-year-old boy inappropriately in the bathroom of a Franklin movie theater in May 2023, according to Assistant District Attorney General Jennifer Mason.

Ward was later arrested and charged with sexual battery. According to a Franklin Police news release, Ward is a convicted felon who was on probation at the time of his 2023 arrest.

On March 6, Ward entered into a “best interest” plea deal, in which he did not admit guilt to the charge, but acknowledged that had the case gone to trial, the state would likely be able to secure a conviction.

“We've been in close contact with the family and the child, and they are very, very much relieved and happy for this resolution,” Mason told the Williamson Scene, calling the work by Franklin Police Department Detective Andrea Clark “phenomenal.”

Mason called it a “true stranger danger case,” adding that had the case gone to trial, Ward could have potentially been sentenced to only probation, with a maximum potential sentence of two years in jail.

“What's most important to me is that the family is thrilled with the outcome,” Mason said. “They are thrilled that their son is not going to be re-victimized or traumatized by court proceedings and the defendants on the sex offender registry. So I consider this a great, great win.”

According to court records in Wilson County, Ward was also charged in February 2025 with aggravated statutory rape, a charge which was later reduced to contributing to dependency/neglect by way of a plea deal. 

The Wiliamson Scene has learned he was sentenced to one year in jail, most of which he has served during the duration of that case. 

Spring Hill Discusses Funding Strategies for Projects (MSM)

Spring Hill City Administrator Carter Napier presented an updated Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, outlining project timelines, feasibility and potential funding strategies to support the city’s continued growth. 

City staff and BOMA have spent the past several months updating the plan, prioritizing non-utility projects and identifying funding sources for the next decade. Napier’s presentation focused on how available funds could help move forward with the board’s highest-priority projects. 

Projects in the plan were organized into several categories. Green projects represent active or fully committed work already underway, including Buckner Lane Widening, Community Service Annex (CSA) site and development and design, and the widening of U.S. 31 (Main Street). 

Yellow projects included committed initiatives that currently lack funding. These projects include the widening and realignment of Jim Warren Road from Port Royal Road to I-65, Community Service Annex building construction, improvements to Mahlon Moore Road and Battle Creek Way intersection and the proposed Battle Creek Parkland. 

A third category highlights work-in-progress projects, such as the Port Royal Road and Buckner Lane Intersection improvements, the Countess Roundabout and drainage improvements along Alex Drive. 

The final category, labeled 18-75 projects, included committed but unfunded priorities. The highest- priority project in this group is a new public library, estimated at $41.6 million. Other projects include Buckner Road widening, a new sports complex and Fire Station No.1. 

Napier also outlined the city’s available funding sources. The General Fund which is broken into various totals, with one for unassigned fund balance policy target with $19 million and another for committed monies with $6 million. Staff recommended setting the two funds aside to address emergency construction and Capital Improvement Plan projects. 

For capital projects within the 18-75 fund, approximately $38.4 million is available. Napier said those funds could help move projects forward or provide leverage for potential bonding. 

Additional funding sources include State Street Aid totaling $371,636, which Napier said is best suited for smaller roadway projects completed internally by city crews. 

Combined with other funding streams, the city currently has approximately $78.6 million available across all categories. 

Napier also provided a projected timeline for major construction projects over the next five to eight years: 

• Battle Creek and Mahlon Moore – 2026 completion 

• Kedron Road and Old Kedron – Winter 2026 completion 

• Community Services Annex (CSA) – 2028 completion 

• Library – 2030 completion 

• Jim Warren Road – 2033 completion

Staff also presented several recommendations for how to approach future funding. Those suggestions include avoiding commitment of project revenues from the impact fee fund and adequate facilities fund for the next year or two, limiting capital bonding commitments tied to the General Fund and using larger fund balances for site work, internally completed road projects and advancing the next highest-priority projects. 

Staff further recommended using 18-75 funds for the design and site development of the new public library, contributing toward CSA construction and supporting road work that could potentially be completed in-house. 

The General Fund balance could also be used to help launch projects such as Jim Warren Road, the second phase of Battle Creek improvements and additional in-house roadway design and construction where feasible. 

Looking ahead, Napier said the next step will be for BOMA to determine how the city should fund its major Capital Improvement Plan projects over the next decade while maintaining healthy cash reserves and potentially exploring new revenue strategies. 

CPWS Tree Trimming (MSM)

To ensure continued service reliability and public safety, Columbia Power & Water Systems (CPWS) said authorized contractors will continue scheduled vegetation management and tree trimming services throughout its service area.

As the spring storm season approaches, recent winter storms served as a powerful reminder of how vulnerable the power grid can be to falling limbs and ice-laden branches. Analysis of the most recent severe weather events shows that areas with consistent, proactive tree maintenance experienced significantly fewer outages and faster restoration times. By clearing the right-of-way, CPWS aims to minimize future disruptions before the next storm hits.

Understanding the Right of Way

Maintaining a clear zone around electrical infrastructure is our primary defense against power outages. CPWS follows strict guidelines to balance the health of our local canopy with the necessity of uninterrupted power: There are guidelines for:

• Manicured Areas (Residential Yards): In well-maintained lawns, CPWS maintains a 10-foot clearance zone around poles and power lines. This “box” allows for safe operation while respecting the aesthetics of residential landscaping.

• Non-Manicured Areas (Wooded/Rural): In unmaintained or rural areas, the clearance extends to 20 feet on either side of the lines. This wider “ground-to-sky” clearance is vital for preventing fast-growing wilderness from encroaching on primary voltage lines.

• Safety Buffer: No woody-stemmed plants or trees should be planted within 20 feet of utility poles or pad-mounted equipment. Keeping this space clear ensures our crews can access equipment quickly during emergencies.

Working with Contractors

Residents may see crews from CPWS-authorized contractors, such as Kendall Vegetation Services, working in their neighborhoods. These professionals are trained in proper pruning techniques to maintain tree health while achieving necessary safety clearances.

“Our goal is to be proactive rather than reactive,” CPWS Vice-President of Power Operations Ryan Massey said. “While we value the beauty trees bring to Maury County, keeping limbs away from high-voltage lines is the single most effective way to prevent the flickering lights and prolonged outages that often follow Tennessee’s unpredictable weather.”

For more information regarding the trimming schedule or to view our full vegetation management policy, please visit www.cpws.com/power/vegetation-management/.

Spring Hillian Turns 100 (MSM)

On March 20, James Cammuse of Spring Hill will turn 100 years old. To celebrate, the Spring Hill Historical and Genealogical Society threw him a party at the town’s First Presbyterian Church.

“I didn’t think I’d know anybody here, but I guess I know two-thirds of you,” he told the assembled crowd, who nearly filled the church pews. “I’m blessed to have all the people [and] friends I know.”

Cammuse was born in Spring Hill and, aside from his Army service and a short stretch in Columbia, has lived in Spring Hill for most of his American century.

“I’ve been in a good many states, a good many countries overseas,” Cammuse told the audience, “but I’ve never been nowheres that I’ve liked better than Maury County and the surrounding counties.”

Cammuse was born March 20, 1926, to Luther Jack and Musie Johnson Cammuse. His mother died when he was 20 months old, and he was sent to live with Maury and Rosie Lunn until he was 19.

“They fed me good,” he chuckled. “I’m a big eater.”

When he was in school, the county doctor would do annual physical exams on the students and award blue ribbons to the children in perfect health. Cammuse never earned one on account of his tonsil problems, but at 100 years old he had the last laugh on the doctor and all of his classmates.

“I think everybody here will agree tonight, something was wrong with that doctor, because you needed a blue ribbon,” said Corrinne Tomlinson, the Vice-President of the Historical and Genealogical Society and a lifelong friend of Cammuse’s family.

After he married his wife Susie in September 1944, Cammuse volunteered for the Army and was made a military policeman in the 263rd Infantry, 66th Division, Company F. In Southampton, England, his unit was given Christmas Day dinner on Christmas Eve 1944 because they were scheduled the next day to be shipped out to the ongoing Battle of the Bulge. However, in keeping with Cammuse’s lifelong good luck, the ship that was supposed to pick them up was torpedoed in the English Channel, and they waited a few days while the British and American navies cleared the Channel of German submarines.

When he was discharged, Cammuse came straight back to Spring Hill, where he and Susie had three children: Jeff Cammuse, Teresa Beard and Dreama Carol Hazelwood, whose striking name he got from the wife of a soldier he knew. They were married for almost 63 years, until she died in April 2007.

“The first 80 years since I was born, every day was like Christmas coming. And the last 20 years haven’t been good, but they could be worse,” Cammuse said with a smile. “I’ve enjoyed it all a lot.”

Cammuse worked for Avco in Nashville for a short time, and at Union Carbide from 1951 to 1986. He reminisced about what Spring Hill was like back in the day: his father drove a steel-topped “peddler wagon” around the town, which had one general store, a “world-famous” military academy, and a downtown’s worth of affordable and delicious barbecue joints.

“Spring Hill was about like the Andy Griffith show [town of] Mayberry,” he recalled. “I watch that five times a week.”

Cammuse and the other presenters also related the many automobile-enabled hijinks that people got up to back then: the story of a road trip to Florida, with several of his daughters’ girlfriends riding in a homemade plywood hutch on his truck bed; a terrifying ride down a steep hill after his brakes failed; a supply run that ended with a beer-drinking friend antagonizing a pig into tearing up the back seat of Cammuse’s truck; and his high-school classmates’ efforts to get home when their bus driver was too drunk to drive.

“The man driving the school bus, he would stay about half tight all the time, and sometimes he’d get too tight,” Cammuse recalled to howling laughter from the audience. “The high-school boys would take him to the back of the bus and lay him down. And there was a high-school girl, she knowed how to drive a big truck, and she’d take over the bus… It was [amazing] what we were doing back then.”

“You couldn’t do that these days,” agreed Corinne Tomlinson.

The toast of the evening remembered some of the landmark natural disasters in Spring Hill’s history: the Main Street fire of 1938, the hard freeze of 1940 when you could drive a car over the Duck River, the 1963 tornado and the flood of 1948, when he rode down the swollen river in the rubber boat of a Navy veteran nicknamed “Bear Trap.”

“I just want you to sit here and think for a second. A century has passed before his eyes; can you imagine what they have seen?” Tomlinson asked the crowd. “His modes of transportation have gone from a mule to a horse and wagon [to] a buggy, a bus, a train, a car, a boat and a plane. He’s gone from using candles, oil lamps, wood heat, to electricity… The technology he has seen and embraced [include] landlines, cell phones, radios, motion pictures, black-and-white TVs, color TVs… [and] at 97 years old James learned how to use a computer. He’s seen them all.”

“I don’t remember when [electricity] come to Spring Hill, but I remember when it came to me,” Cammuse said humorously.

Mid-State Classic to Return (Press Release)

Columbia will once again take center stage for collegiate softball as the Midstate Classic returns on March 10, 2026, marking the 11th year the City of Columbia has hosted the popular tournament at the Ridley Sports Complex.

Presented by the City of Columbia, the Midstate Classic has grown into a marquee spring sports event, drawing athletes, fans, and families from across the region. Known for its competitive matchups and welcoming atmosphere, the tournament showcases all levels of the game—from high school to NCAA Division I.

The 2026 schedule features 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

City Manager Tony Massey said the tournament reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to athletics and community engagement.

“The Midstate Classic remains a signature event for our community,” Massey said. “It reinforces Columbia’s role as a destination for high-caliber athletic competition while providing residents the opportunity to experience exceptional sports programming close to home. Columbia always looks forward to hosting the Lady Vols softball team.”

Parks and Recreation Director Mack Reagan noted that the event has become a signature event for Ridley Sports Complex.

“This softball showcase is a point of pride for our department,” Reagan said. “From high school athletes to nationally recognized collegiate programs, the Midstate Classic delivers a full day of exciting softball and an exceptional fan experience. We expect strong attendance once again.”

Mayor Chaz Molder emphasized the broader impact of the tournament on the community.

“Hosting the Midstate Classic for the eleventh year speaks volumes about Columbia’s reputation as a sports-friendly city,” Mayor Molder said. “Events like this strengthen our community, support local tourism, and create memorable experiences for families and fans throughout the region.”

Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event. General admission is $10, which includes access to all three games. Complimentary ADA transportation will be available before, during, and after the tournament to ensure accessibility for all attendees.

Tickets are available now at columbiatn.gov.

For additional information, call (931) 388-8119.

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

Michael Timothy "Spike" Jones, 66, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Columbia where he has been a lifelong resident.

A celebration of life for Michael will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. Inurnment will follow in Arlington Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 11:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Ernest Giddens “Pete” Sloan, 76, retired Petroleum Geologist for the United States Dept. of Interior, and resident of Columbia, died Friday, March 6, 2026 at his residence.

A memorial service will be conducted Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM at St. Peter's Episcopal Church with The Reverend Chris Bowhay officiating.

The family suggests memorials may be made to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 311 W. 7th Street in Columbia, TN 38401. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Susan Piesch Dobbins, 74, passed away peacefully at her residence in Culleoka on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

A public memorial service will take place at Hopewell ARP on March 21, 2026 at 4:00p.m. A private burial will take place at Hopewell Cemetery.

And now, news from around the state…

Road Closures on I-840 (MauryCountySource)

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will conduct lane closures on Interstate 840 in Williamson County.

Beginning Tuesday, March 10, until at least Sunday, March 22, crews with Volunteer Paving will begin intermittent closures of lanes and ramps on I-840 from near Lewisburg Pike (US 431) to the bridge over Harpeth School Road in Thompson’s Station (red line on map below). Nighttime closures will be conducted on weekdays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to mill the roadway, while daytime closures from as early as 7 a.m. to as late as 6 p.m. will be conducted on weekends and Monday, March 16 (until 3 p.m.) for paving. Paving cannot be completed at night due to low temperatures during this time of year. For the materials to properly cure and achieve long-term durability, consistently warmer outside temperatures are required.

These closures are necessary for crews to begin milling and making spot repairs on I-840 to prepare for a resurfacing project. The full resurfacing on I-840 from just west of State Route 6 (US 31/Columbia Pike) to near Arno Road is in TDOT’s 3-Year Pavement Plan for this year (blue line on map). Full project construction is tentatively scheduled to begin this July.

Gas Prices (MSM)

Tennessee gas prices surged 42 cents higher, on average, over last week in response to the conflict in Iran. The state gas price average also moved above $3 per gallon for the first time since August 2024. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.03 which is 48 cents more expensive than one month ago and 35 cents more than one year ago.  

“With crude oil prices surging again over the weekend, Tennessee drivers should prepare for another round of increases at the pump in the coming days,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “About 60% of what we pay at the pump is in direct correlation to the price of crude. Because of this, any time we see sharp rises in the price of crude oil, we typically expect to see our gas prices rise as well.”

Tennessee is sixth least-expensive market in the nation

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

As "Dancing with the Stars" closed out its 34th season in November of 2025 with record-breaking ratings, voter interaction the show has never seen before (some 500 million votes over the season), plus raging social media growth (109%). Next, professional dancers from the reality show are embarking on a massive 97-city tour.

The 2026 "Dancing with the Stars Tour" sashays in to Nashville's Opry House March 11, 2026, with special guest and Tennessee native Elaine Hendrix.

Get your tickets by visiting www.dwtstour.com.