Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 3-2-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for March 2, 2026

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

Legislative Breakfast Recap (CDH)

The 2026 Maury County State Legislative Breakfast tackled many issues regarding state leaders and how their decision making will affect Maury County over the next year and beyond.

This year's panel, featuring Tennessee State Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka; Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown and Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, focused on three main topics - building a prosperous business climate, securing a strong future workforce and providing a higher quality of life for residents.

Maury Alliance President and CEO Wil Evans, who moderated the discussion, said Maury County continues to strive to be an economic competitor for investors.

Just last week, the organization announced Documotion Research's $9.1 million investment to expand its Columbia manufacturing plant, creating 48 new jobs, as well as Recticel Group announcing its first U.S. location in Mt. Pleasant, a $49.6 million investment and creating 78 new jobs.

Hensley said attracting investments and creating new jobs is encouraged by Tennessee having a low-tax rate compared to other states.

"Not having a state income tax is very helpful for businesses and people coming to Tennessee," Hensley said. "Making it a low-tax state, a low-regulation state makes it a good place for businesses. We've seen a lot coming here from California, New York and some of these places that have high regulations."

Cepicky added that tax rates at the state level are "beyond compare."

"We have companies coming from all over the country to Tennessee to invest in us," Cepicky said. "We have governments in the country that aren't as friendly to business as we are.

"What we have to do at the state level is make it as friendly an environment as we can without overtaxing you at the local level, overburdening you at the local level, and that's a fine balance you have to do."

Cepicky also cited Senate Joint Resolution 1, which will allow Tennessee voters to decide in November to amend the state's Constitution to permanently ban state property taxes.

"You will be voting to determine whether we will ever potentially have a state property tax in the state of Tennessee," Cepicky said. "That's very big, creates a better environment for Maury Alliance to recruit more businesses here. We won't continue to dip into their pockets, or your pockets."

Another key aspect to a prosperous industry landscape is having a strong workforce to employ.

Cepicky, who also chairs the House Education Instruction Committee, said ensuring a strong work force starts with education.

"We have reached a tipping point with higher education that has to align more to a job waiting for them," Cepicky said. "And it needs to go down to the high school level to start showing these high school kids, 'Hey here are these opportunities for you,' ... and our guidance counselors understanding and learning that every student is different in how they are wired for success."

In Maury County, Cepicky said this alignment through education has been accomplished through programs at Tennessee College of Applied Technology campuses, as well as trade programs at Columbia State Community College.

However, there is a growing need for younger generations to fill certain trades, such as health care, construction, home repairs and other contract work.

"The generation that builds it, fixes it and maintains it in our country is the fastest retiring segment we have, and those employment gaps continue to grow and grow," Cepicky said.

Cepicky emphasized that success can be achieved outside of a traditional four-year college path.

"This started a long time ago, when the only way to be successful in this world was to have a four-year degree, period, and we drove [away] so many kids that could have had fantastic lives and fantastic careers in the build it, fix it, repair it segment of our country. If your AC goes out in July, it ain't cheap to fix it, and the person fixing it is making a lot of money."

Supporting a higher quality of life for residents, businesses and workers was another key aspect in creating a prosperous community.

When it comes to housing affordability, Hensley said keeping interest rates low, as well as having enough housing available are ways to address the struggles many Tennesseans face.

"Mainly just trying to keep the environment so people are building homes and making apartment spaces more available, especially in big cities like Nashville where the apartment rates are outrageous," Hensley said.

Access to affordable childcare is another challenge facing quality of life, with the state now considering lowering certain regulations to allow more facilities and childcare workers.

"Part of the problem is finding adequate childcare facilities because there are a lot of regulations that go along with childcare agencies and facilities, and sometimes it's hard for them to find workers," Hensley said. "It is a problem across the country, especially with low-income families ... and many times childcare may cost more than a student going to college."

Agriculture and preserving Tennessee's remaining farmland while maintaining industrial growth was another issue discussed during the Legislative Breakfast.

Hensley noted Gov. Bill Lee's Tennessee Farmland Preservation Act, a $25 million trust fund adopted in 2025 to help farmers preserve their land through permanent conservation easements, as a big part of the state's efforts to preserve the ag industry and Tennessee's green space.

"We understand agriculture is important to this state, important to our country that we continue to make agriculture profitable, and Maury County does depend on agriculture," Hensley said.

Cepicky added that one of the big hurdles for many starting in agricultural business is the capital cost compared to most other industries, as well as rising costs in beef.

"The capital cost to get into agriculture is astronomical," Cepicky said. "It is getting harder and harder to feed America on less and less land. We are in a crisis right now.

"This is going to be a crisis, and it's going to come very quickly, and as a state we have to figure out how we are going to protect farmland to make sure we have enough land to feed you."

Unemployment Spike Not Long-Term (CDH)

Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance's latest quarterly report shows a rising unemployment rate, due to temporary layoffs at General Motors and furloughs at Ultium Cells in Spring Hill during the start of the year.

Maury Alliance President Wil Evans delivered the quarterly presentation to members of Columbia City Council on Feb. 12.

Most recent data as of December 2025 shows that Maury County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, or 5.7%, primarily due to temporary layoffs, affecting 700 workers at GM due to changes in its manufacturing process during the first part of the year.

"It is still a good unemployment rate compared to where we were back in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 when we were in the double digits, oftentimes close to 20%," Evans said.

"Some of that is being impacted by General Motors and the suppliers there. We know both Ultium Cells and General Motors have pulled back to one shift, while they are retooling and getting ready for some new product, which is ultimately going to be a positive."

Over 700 Ultium Cells workers have also experienced furloughs. Ultium produces the battery for the GM Lyriq.

The layoffs at GM began in January with a return date of May 11, while the plant alters its production cycle, including ceasing production of the Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq, produced in Spring Hill. Production changes also include the addition of new 2026 products, such as the next generation Cadillac XT5 and gas-powered Chevrolet Blazer.

Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance's January economic development dashboard reflects 20 current major projects with an investment reaching $474 million.

Evans also highlighted the top industry workforce populations in Maury County.

He said manufacturing and trade services currently draw the largest workforce in the county, while agriculture consists of only about 1% of the overall workforce, even though it is Maury County's No. 1 economic producing industry.

"If you look at a farm operation compared to a large manufacturing operation, you have hundreds of people, sometimes thousands of people, whereas on a farm operation you just have a smaller number of people there, and often a lot falling under that five-person threshold," Evans said.

A few other 2025 economic highlights include employers taking a non-traditional approach to the workforce.

"There are people who may be leaving incarceration or may be dealing with issues but are really striving for opportunities to better their lives," Evans said. "We are trying to connect the dots there."

Evans concluded by acknowledging Maury Alliance's Enhance Maury campaign, which began in 2025.

"Our focus moving forward is to focus on community enhancement," he said. "We are striving not to just make things bigger, but better as a community."

Documotion Expands in Maury County (Press Release)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Documotion Research Inc. officials announced today the company is expanding its manufacturing operations in Maury County.

Documotion Research will create 48 new jobs and invest $9.1 million in Columbia as the company expands by adding approximately 40,000 square feet of space for manufacturing and maintenance operations.

Founded in Santa Ana, California, in 1998, Documotion Research expanded to Maury County in 2020 where the company produces and distributes StickyPOS® liner-less labels to over 50,000 locations a day. StickyPOS® is a liner-less label product for point-of-sales systems and restaurants that was first introduced in 2014 and has sold more than 50 billion labels worldwide.

Quotes

“Tennessee is leading the nation as the best state to do business because of our low-tax environment and highly skilled workforce. I’m grateful to announce Documotion Research’s expansion, which is a direct result of the strong statewide ecosystem we’ve built, and I look forward to seeing the success that follows.” – Gov. Bill Lee

“When a company chooses to expand here, it’s not only a testament to our state but also to the community that company calls home. I thank Documotion Research for tis continued investment in Tennessee and commitment to Columbia and Maury County.” – Deputy Gov. and TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter

“Expanding our operations to Maury County in 2020 was one of the best decisions our company has ever made. We have been extremely happy with the help and support from the county and state as we have grown, which is the main reason why we decided to expand our operation here instead of opening another facility in a different region. We are truly thankful for the welcome that we were given when we first arrived in Tennessee and the continued support we have been provided.” – Joel Van Boom, President, Documotion Research

“Since its announcement in 2021, Documotion Research has been an especially good fit for the community, as its operations have created local diversification of industry, high-quality job opportunities and limited impact on local utilities. Additionally, it is extra exciting to celebrate an existing member of Team Maury as it reinvests in Maury County. I congratulate Documotion Research on their expansion announcement and look forward to their continued success.” – Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt

Judge to Rule on Landfill Near Duck River (CDH)

A Nashville judge is weighing what to do with a proposal to expand a landfill on a former Monsanto chemical plant near the Duck River in Maury County.

The Marshall/Maury Municipal Solid Waste Planning Region Board denied Louisiana-based Trinity Business Group's application to reopen and expand the old Monsanto landfill on April 10, 2023, after fierce community pushback. The proposed landfill would lie less than two miles from North America's most biologically diverse freshwater river and take in 1,000 tons of waste per day, most of which would come from outside the region, according to Lisa Helton, an attorney representing the board.

The judge, Davidson County Chancellor I'Ashea Myles, could affirm the board's decision to deny Trinity Business Group's application, reverse the decision and provide preliminary approval for the landfill, or send the application back to the board to hold another vote. Myles did not indicate at a hearing Feb. 20 when she might rule.

A reversal of the board's vote would not be an immediate green light for the landfill to be built. Katherine Barnes Cohn, an attorney representing Trinity Business Group, said the process is "almost comically complicated" and that it would take years to get final approval from the appropriate agencies.

Barnes Cohn said sending the issue back to the Marshall/Maury Municipal Solid Waste Planning Region Board would likely result in the application getting voted down again. But Myles questioned how she could reverse the board's vote.

"The court has a limited jurisdiction," Myles said. "I can't substitute my judgment for that of the board."

Barnes Cohn indicated that Trinity Business Group may change course if the board's vote is not reversed.

"It's become a business decision for Remedial Holdings on how to proceed," Barnes Cohn said, referring to the local subsidiary of Trinity Business Group. "We're just not sure that where we go from here is the same as where we've been."

Stephanie Sparks-Newland, who attended the Feb. 20 hearing and is secretary for the community group Friends of the Duck River, said "it's sad we have to fight so hard to save the environment." Sparks-Newland said she sees the landfill proposal as a money-making operation that is opposed to the community's interests.

"This is our yard, but you want to bring everybody else's garbage to us," Sparks-Newland said.

Monsanto once made fertilizers and chemical weapons at the Maury County site. It had one landfill that was used solely for Monsanto waste, Helton said. When the company stopped operating in 1989, it left Columbia with four Superfund sites, areas designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as particularly hazardous and contaminated.

Trinity Business Group's proposed landfill facility would include one 305-acre site for household waste and a 79-acre site for construction waste, Helton said.

Community members protested in outrage at the proposal at the Marshall/Maury Municipal Solid Waste Planning Region Board meeting in April 2023, Sparks-Newland said. Community members voiced concerns over the landfill's potential impact on drinking water, including on a new water intake downstream of the proposed landfill. Board members voted down the application 7-1.

Trinity Business Group's local subsidiary Remedial Holdings sued the board a month later. The case finally had its final hearing Feb. 20, where arguments centered around whether the board complied with the Tennessee Open Meetings Act when it voted against the application.

After hearing public comment, board members immediately voted down the application without deliberation, Barnes Cohn said. She argued the Tennessee Open Meetings Act requires board members to deliberate and discuss their reasons for voting against an application.

On April 22, 2023, Gov. Bill Lee signed into law a bill designating the Duck a Class II scenic river. This classification prohibits the development of a landfill within two miles of the river.

Laws Saving Paws Awareness Drive (Press Release)

Laws Saving Paws (LSP), a Tennessee-based nonprofit advocating for stronger animal welfare and humane laws, is proud to announce the Protect the Bond initiative, taking place March 14–30, 2026.

This community-focused campaign aims to raise awareness and support for families and pets who experience domestic violence, recognizing the powerful connection between human safety and animal welfare.

“Too often, people who abuse their partners target their pets as a means of control,” said Meaghan Thiede, Founder of Laws Saving Paws. “Protect the Bond exists to spotlight this reality, educate the public, and bring communities together to ensure both people and animals can live free from fear.”

This initiative will mobilize the community through direct, hands-on opportunities to give back. Local businesses across the area will partner with LSP by hosting donation collection boxes at their storefronts, making it easy for customers and community members to contribute throughout the campaign. In addition, LSP will host a dedicated in-person donation collection day in Franklin, offering supporters the opportunity to give directly and engage with the organization’s mission. The initiative will culminate in a volunteer packing event, where community members will come together to assemble donated supplies into ready-to-distribute support packages for survivors and their pets.

LSP encourages community members, partner organizations, and local businesses to engage with the initiative by participating in the donation collection, sharing information, and contributing to the conversation to advance policies that protect both people and companion animals.

For more information on Protect the Bond, including donation drop-off locations or if your business has an interest in hosting a donation collection box on-site during the campaign, please visit lawssavingpaws.org/protectthebond.

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

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. 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. 

James Michael “Mike” Ervin Sr., 70, retired mechanic for LiftOne Nashville, and resident of Columbia, TN died Monday, February 25, 2026 at his residence.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. 

Now, news from around the world…

Doctor Fakes Cancer, Credentials (Tennessean)

A doctor faked cancer while working at a Middle Tennessee medical center, prompting hospital leaders to fire him after discovering this deceit and learning he misrepresented his medical training, according to sources including the state Board of Medical Examiners.

Dr. Christopher David Adams treated patients for five years while working as a cardiologist for Tennessee Heart at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, about 80 miles west of Nashville, until his firing in late 2023 for claiming to have cancer and lying about his medical training, according to hospital records and state medical board findings. The hospital notified state regulators, who conducted an investigation.

Adams ultimately voluntarily surrendered his medical license, according to a consent order approved Jan. 20 by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, responsible for regulation and supervision of medical doctors. Adams waived his right to hearing and judicial review.

When a Tennessean reporter contacted Adams, he deferred to his current attorney, Chris Tardio.

"Dr. Adams has admitted to his personal failings in a public filing and is trying to get his life back on track with his family and his faith," Tardio said.

Neither Tardio nor Adams wanted to discuss what led to Adams' actions.

Hospital officials also didn't respond to calls seeking comment.

Adams can no longer practice medicine in Putnam County or anywhere in Tennessee, according to state records made public in January that reveal his elaborate hoax.

Hospital leaders in Cookeville celebrated Adams' hire in social media posts in 2018, saying he specialized in interventional cardiology, structural heart disease and peripheral intervention.

In July 2023, the hospital began an interview review of his cases after two patients under his care died within two days, and a third patient Adams was helping another doctor care for also died. The records didn't disclose patient names or details about their deaths.

After that, Adams' troubles snowballed quickly.

Iran Affair (Tennessean)

Three American service members have been killed and five others seriously wounded during the U.S. attacks on Iran, the military said Sunday, marking the first American casualties in a major offensive that has sparked retaliation from the Islamic Republic.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, announced the deaths in a post on X but did not say when and where they occurred. The statement said “several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions” and were going to return to duty.

Central Command described the situation “as fluid” and said it would withhold the identities of the service members who were killed for 24 hours after their families were notified.

The U.S. military also denied Iranian claims that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was struck with ballistic missiles, saying on X that the “missiles launched didn’t even come close.”

President Donald Trump had warned that American troops could be killed or injured in the operation.

“The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties,” the Republican president said in a video address released early Saturday. “That often happens in war. But we’re doing this not for now. We’re doing this for the future.”

Following the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other leaders, Iran’s counterattacks have struck U.S. bases in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has threatened to launch its “most intense offensive operation” ever targeting Israeli and American military installations.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The EAGLES have announced “The Long Goodbye, Act III” with three stadium dates, with one in Nashville at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University.

Over 50+ years of touring, the Eagles have performed more than 1,000 concerts around the world, accounting for 16 million tickets, and have consistently ranked in the Top 10 of both concert industry publications, Billboard and Pollstar. The Eagles – Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, with Vince Gill and Deacon Frey – are welcoming GRAMMY Award-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band as special guests for these shows.

Tickets go on sale this week. Get yours by visiting www.eagles.com.