Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 3-16-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for March 16, 2026

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

Maury County Barn Fire (MauryCountySource)

Firefighters responded to a barn fire Thursday afternoon on Denning Lane in Maury County.

According to the Maury County Fire Department, crews were dispatched around 4:03 p.m. and arrived to find flames coming from the structure.

Firefighters began an offensive attack on the fire and conducted extensive overhaul operations. Spring Hill Fire Department also responded to assist through an automatic aid agreement.

Fire crews established a landing zone for Maury Regional EMS to airlift a burn patient from the scene. Officials did not release additional details about the patient’s condition.

Shoplifting in Spring Hill (MauryCountySource)

Officers responded to Walmart in Spring Hill on Feb. 27, 2026, after a subject attempted to pry open a jewelry display case, causing about $484 in damage.

Surveillance footage showed the suspect trying to open the case, briefly walking away when approached by an employee, then returning before leaving the store without taking any items.

The subject exited through the grocery-side doors, walked toward Andy’s Frozen Custard and was picked up by a red Honda CR-V.

Anyone with information regarding this case please contact Detective Gillam at sgillam@springhilltn.org or 931.797.9050 

A photo of the suspect can be viewed at www.maurycountysource.com.

Ogles Taking Heat on Muslim Comments (WilliamsonScene)

Tennessee's 5th Congressional District Rep. Andy Ogles made national headlines over the past week, prompting condemnation both locally and nationally. At an event Friday night in Williamson County, Ogles rebuked those who disagreed with him. 

Ogles declared in a March 9 social media post, “Muslims don't belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie.” He’s also making an effort to introduce a self-described “Muslim ban” bill in Congress.

The currently unfiled bill — titled the “Halt Immigration from Countries with Inadequate Verification Capabilities Act” — aims to stop immigration from Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen, following a deadly March 1 Austin, Texas, mass shooting that’s being investigated as a potential act of terrorism. 

Fears of domestic terrorism incidents have increased in the two weeks since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Just this week, alleged politically motivated attacks unfolded at a Virginia university and a Michigan synagogue.

Ogles’ recent comments are part of a pattern of anti-Muslim rhetoric and legislation that has slowly become highlighted on a national level.

In reaction to his posts, the Washington, D.C.-based Council on American-Islamic Relations — whose stated mission is “to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims” — called Ogles an “anti-Muslim extremist.” 

Two days later, the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville issued a public statement condemning Ogles’ comments, calling his posts “hateful rhetoric” that is “antithetical both to our American values and our Jewish values.”

“Ogles is an elected official who is tasked with representing all his constituents and upholding the principles outlined in the United States Constitution, which guarantees all Americans the right to the free expression of their beliefs," says the federation, in part. "To even suggest legislating one particular religious ideology runs counter to his very duty to our country."

“The Jewish people know all too well what it means to be ‘othered’ and rejected as outsiders in our own country. Today Ogles is calling for the total rejection of Muslims. Tomorrow it could be any one of us, our friends, and neighbors.”

On Friday, the Williamson Scene asked Ogles about the federation’s statement of condemnation at the Williamson County Republican Party’s Reagan Day Gala in Franklin.

“Their comments are stupid,” Ogles said while leaving the event, refusing to engage further as he walked to his car with an aide and security.

Ogles’ reputation has soured among some Tennessee Republicans, but his comments have not been condemned by his party’s leaders. House Democrats are looking to censure Ogles for his anti-Muslim rhetoric, according to a report by Axios on Friday. 

Ogles and his firebrand persona remain popular among some others in the state GOP — despite the congressional representative being the subject of a stalled 2024 FBI investigation, issuing “violent rhetoric” against Nashville judges and being at the center of a slew of other years-long controversies. 

Ogles is facing a 2026 Republican primary challenger in former Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. He’s also viewed as vulnerable by the national Democratic party, with several candidates vying for a spot on the ballot — most notably current Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, who hopes to flip the 5th District blue.

Maury County Attorney Resigns (MSM)

After more than 17 years as Maury County Attorney, Daniel Murphy has officially resigned his post and will finish his term at the end of this month.

Murphy, who served in an official capacity as county attorney and privately as counsel to Columbia Power & Water Systems, announced his resignation in a public comment before the March meeting of the county Health and Environment Committee. He did so because of two resolutions, which never passed, on the agenda of the county Administration Committee.

One resolution, brought by District 8 Commissioner Gabe Howard, formally objected to the city of Columbia’s approval for water rate increases that would pay for CPWS’s new water-intake pipeline and treatment facility. The other, brought by District 6 Commissioner Kathey Grodi, expressed the county’s “non-consent to [Murphy’s] concurrent representation of County Attorney and CPWS related to any matters regarding [the] planned water project.”

Several county commissioners have publicly questioned or objected to the downstream intake project, either in its different aspects or as a whole, and to how CPWS and the City of Columbia have proceeded without the consent of the county’s government and voters.

The second resolution especially objected to Murphy representing CPWS in its negotiations with private-property owners, many of them in the unincorporated county outside Columbia, to get pipeline easements and rights-of-way through their land. In their March board meeting, CPWS leadership noted that eight easements (of the 81 in the pipeline’s path) are now either “condemned” or on a watchlist for eminent domain.

Grodi later told Main Street Maury that Murphy’s representation of CPWS had led several county residents to think that the county government was on board with the project, and they complained in this mistaken belief to their representatives on the county commission.

“[T]he commission respectfully finds that there is a concurrent conflict of interest between the position of CPWS and the commission related to the Water Project, including the exercise of eminent domain related to such pipeline, and it does not consent to any joint representation of CPWS and the commission in such regard,” ends the second resolution, which argued that Murphy couldn’t adequately represent the interests of two government entities that are divided over the project. “Now therefore, be it resolved by the Maury County Commission that the county attorney is hereby respectfully notified that he may not represent CPWS related to the water project in any way, including any eminent domain matters related to the water project, either now or in the future.”

Murphy objected both to the commission trying to control his choice of private clients, which he said came from the prevalence of hostile, uninformed and bad-faith objections to CPWS’s project.

“I started writing down facts about that downstream intake, that many people have heard about but don’t really understand, in my opinion,” Murphy said, adding he was initially hopeful that he could make his points based on the facts established during preliminary studies for the pipeline, because all the public figures on both sides of the pipeline issue share a stated concern for the health of the Duck River. “Then I realized something… facts don’t seem to matter in the political [and] social-media world that we currently live in.”

Murphy accused unnamed parties of treating Columbia’s water supply as a political football, by curating the “facts” surrounding the downstream intake at best, omitting or distorting them at worst and personally attacking people, including him.

“Those methods, in my opinion, are terrible… [and] very sad for this community… In my position as county attorney, I have always tried to keep out of politics and treat everyone the same. I try to work with everyone, I get along with everyone,” Murphy said. “Now it seems that certain individuals desire to align the county attorney position, and aspects of his private practice of law, with their particular political agenda. I’m not going to be part of that process.”

Murphy threatened to resign before the end of March if the administrative committee passed the resolutions, and by the next night they had been struck from the committee’s agenda.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me during my time as county attorney. I have thoroughly enjoyed representing this county [and] I believe I’ve done a lot of good things for this county,” Murphy said. “But it’s clear to me that my time representing [Maury] County has come to an end.”

Even before the downstream intake had entered the public conversation, the county commission had questioned Murphy’s ability to represent the interests of both the Maury County government and CPWS. In March 2025, 11 county commissioners voted to retain Murphy, against nine who voted to replace him with District 9 Commissioner Jerry Bridenbaugh. The first-round vote ended in a 10-10 tie; in the second round, then-Chairman Kevin Markham changed his vote to keep Murphy. The stated concern of the side that narrowly lost the vote, was Murphy’s representation of CPWS.

“There is a major conflict of interest,” County Mayor Sheila Butt said in March 2025.

Columbia Central Grad Named Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner (MSM)

Matt Wilson, a 1994 graduate of Columbia Central High School, has been named the eighth full-time commissioner of the Brentwood-based Ohio Valley Conference.

Wilson, who has spent the previous 12 years as commissioner of the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference, will begin his new role in May. 

“After a national search that attracted outstanding candidates from across the country, Matt Wilson emerged as the clear choice to lead the Ohio Valley Conference into its next chapter,” said Dr. John R. Porter, Lindenwood University president and chair of the OVC Board of Presidents and Chancellors.

“Matt’s combination of Division I conference management experience, his track record of building consensus among diverse stakeholders and his strategic vision for conference growth made him the ideal candidate. We are thrilled to welcome him to the OVC family.”

Wilson fills the position vacated with the October 2025 resignation of Beth DeBauche after 16 years. DeBauche, the league’s first woman commissioner, stepped down following her father’s death earlier in the year. Greg Walter has served as acting commissioner in the interim.

In May 2014, Wilson was named the Gulf South’s seventh commissioner. Under his leadership, the league went from 14 championship sports to 19 while experiencing significant academic progress. Recently, the GSC became the first non-NCAA Division I conference to partner with FloSports on a media rights agreement.

“On behalf of the GSC Board of Directors, we wish Matt well in the next step of his career,” said Dr. Carl A. Stockton, chancellor of Auburn University-Montgomery and GSC Board chair. “For more than a decade, Matt has been instrumental in growing the Gulf South Conference and helping it develop into one of the best Division II conferences in the nation. He will be truly missed by everyone in the conference. We are happy for him and his family.”

Prior to joining the Gulf South, Wilson served in a senior leadership role with the Atlantic Sun Conference, where he was instrumental in strategic planning, championship operations, and conference development initiatives. His work at the ASUN provided firsthand experience navigating the complexities of Division I athletics, including media rights negotiations, NCAA governance, and membership strategy during a period of significant conference realignment.

A 1998 Belmont University graduate, Wilson began his collegiate administrative career with his alma mater, ascending from assistant sports information director to assistant athletics director over six years.. 

“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next commissioner of the Ohio Valley Conference,” he said. “The OVC has a rich history spanning more than a century, and I have long admired this conference. 

“As someone who attended and worked six years in the athletic department at Belmont University, I viewed the OVC as an aspirational conference – one defined by competitive excellence, institutional integrity, and a genuine commitment to the student-athlete experience. To now have the opportunity to lead this conference is truly a privilege.”

Among his primary concerns stepping into his new role, Wilson said, will be addressing conference membership and visibility.

“My immediate priorities will be strengthening our existing membership, pursuing strategic expansion with institutions that align with our values and competitive aspirations, and ensuring that the OVC’s voice is heard in national conversations about the future of collegiate athletics,” he said. 

“I am excited to work alongside our outstanding presidents, chancellors, athletic directors, coaches, and staff to write the next chapter of OVC history.”

Youth Education Foundation Bestows Grants (Press Release)

The Youth Educational Foundation (YEF) has awarded $20,596 in grants to support innovative classroom projects across Maury County Public Schools (MCPS).

This funding will support 14 projects across nine Maury County public schools, providing educators with additional resources to enhance learning opportunities and bring creative ideas to life for students throughout the district.

The mini-grant program encourages teachers and staff to develop innovative projects that extend beyond traditional classroom activities and help students grow academically and personally. YEF provides funding to initiatives that inspire curiosity, creativity, and deeper engagement in learning.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Youth Educational Foundation for their continued investment in Maury County Public Schools,” said Lisa Ventura, superintendent of Maury County Public Schools. “These grants provide valuable resources that allow our educators to bring innovative ideas into the classroom and create meaningful learning experiences for our students. Our schools and students will benefit greatly from these projects, and we appreciate YEF’s ongoing commitment to supporting education in Maury County.”

YEF is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for students by funding innovative programs, projects and resources that might not otherwise be available through traditional school funding.

“YEF is proud to support the incredible educators and students of Maury County Public Schools,” said Travis Groth, chairman of the Youth Educational Foundation. “These grants represent the generosity of our community and the strong partnership we share with Maury County Public Schools. Together, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students’ educational experiences and help create opportunities that inspire learning and growth.”

The spring mini-grants reflect the continued partnership between YEF and Maury County Public Schools to empower educators, enhance classrooms and expand opportunities for students across the district.

Educators submit applications detailing how their proposed projects will support student learning, engagement and development. Selected proposals receive funding through YEF’s competitive grant process.

For more information about the Youth Educational Foundation and its programs, visit www.yefmaury.com.

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

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.

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…

State and National Gas Averages Up (Tennessean)

Tennessee school districts are out for spring break, meaning families are shuttling kids to camp, booking it to that beloved vacation spot or maybe the kids are providing an extra set of hands around the office.

Whatever spring break looks like for your family, it likely involves a car — and filling it up at the gas pump.

However, gas prices are still on the rise across the U.S. and in Tennessee.

Back on March 5, The Tennessean reported that the state's average fuel price was $2.84, according to the American Automobile Association.

Ten days later, the average now sits at $3.33 per gallon.

On March 12, AAA reported the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped nearly 35 cents since the week prior.

Today, consumers are paying $3.70 per gallon, the national average as of March 15, according to AAA Fuel Prices.

Though springtime price hikes for fuel are common, AAA says this jump is bigger than normal.

Gasoline demand typically increases this time of year as warmer weather brings more drivers out on the road, but crude oil prices play a major role in what drivers pay at the pump, according to an AAA release.

While prices have exceeded $100 per barrel in recent days, the U.S. has announced it will release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves over a four-month period to help offset the rising costs, the release said.

As of March 15, the average fuel price in Tennessee for a regular gallon of gas is $3.33, according to AAA.

That's nearly $1 more than it was a month ago, when the state average fuel price was $2.52.

Clay County tops the leader board with the most expensive gas at $3.54 per gallon, narrowly beating out the price for a gallon of regular gas in Williamson County at $3.52.

The cheapest gas comes from Perry County pumps at $3.16 per gallon.

• Maury County: $3.28

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Nashville Zoo is adding two capybaras to its ever-growing animal family for the first time in its history. The male is four months old and was born at Sacramento Zoo. The female is three months old and was born at Cape May Zoo. Andouille(m) and Brie(f) are a mated pair, and they will live in the Zoo’s HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center nursery until they are old enough to be introduced to a new mixed-species South American habitat. Guests can now see Brie through the nursery windows and via a live stream on the Zoo’s website, www.nashvillezoo.org. Andouille will arrive in the coming weeks.