Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 3-26-25

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for March 26, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Commission Recap (MSM)

The Maury County Commission reappointed Daniel Murphy as its county attorney and chose Rob Plageman to sit on the School Board and Carla Walker on the Library Board in their March meeting. The winning margins were mostly slim, and though the commissioners argued from values instead of mere personal preference, there were still moments when those values fired people’s comments with strong opinions and emotions.

The most charged and divisive was the contest for the position of Maury County Attorney, between incumbent Daniel Murphy and District 9 Commissioner Jerry Bridenbaugh, both of them very active colleagues of the other commissioners. The first voting round ended in a 10-10 tie, and only when Chairman Kevin Markham changed his second vote did current Attorney Daniel Murphy get to keep his job by an 11-9 margin.

“This is the hardest month ever. I have lost sleep over this,” Commissioner Eric Previti said of the interviewing and voting process. “Half the people are mad at you at a time, you just don’t know which half.”

To lighten the mood, he pulled out a Magic 8-Ball at the beginning of the vote and joked about using it to decide whom to vote for.

Murphy’s supporters cited his long record of municipal service, dating back to 2009.

“For me, this conversation still comes back to qualifications,” Commissioner Gabe Howard said. “Maury County is growing and we need somebody with county-government [legal] experience.”

Commissioner Gary Stovall insisted that the Commission retain Bridenbaugh in his position representing District 9, partly because naming him county attorney out would require them to appoint Bridenbaugh’s replacement on the Commission.

“Mr. Bridenbaugh’s a great choice, but we still need him on the commission,” Stovall argued. “Mr. Murphy himself is still doing a great job as our attorney.”

The other side argued that Murphy has a conflict of interest, because he also represents Columbia Power and Water Services.

“We want all of our entities to succeed as Team Maury working together,” County Mayor Sheila Butt said. “There is a major conflict of interest.”

Public commenter Chris Wilson cast Bridenbaugh as part of a perceived nationwide movement (symbolized by the election of Donald Trump) to eject career civil servants from all levels of government and replace them with new blood. He described school board candidate Rob Plageman as part of the same wave.

“You have an opportunity to act on that mandate by electing Jerry Bridenbaugh,” Wilson told the Commission.

During the meeting, neither Plageman nor Bridenbaugh endorsed this characterization of their candidacies.

The Commission also voted 12-8 for Rob Plageman to replace Frank Bellamy on the Board of Education, since health-related problems prompted Bellamy step down from his District 2 seat. Plageman had raised his profile above the other candidates by campaigning unsuccessfully for the school board and then the Columbia City Council in 2024. Commissioners Howard, Kathey Grodi and Aaron Miller said they voted for him at the behest of several of their constituents. Public commenters Chris Wilson, Shandra Cecil and Lonna Hines also supported his candidacy.

In his pre-vote speech to the Commission, Plageman touted the transferable skills he had learned as a U.S. Navy submariner and MBA holder. He said he wanted to train Maury County students for tomorrow’s workforce and keep the district financially responsible.

“When you’re responsible for maintaining and operating the systems of a nuclear-powered submarine, you learn quickly that discipline and accountability matter,” he said.

Commissioners Previti and Patti Hollinsworth, who jointly interviewed several candidates, endorsed two different ones. Previti chose Carey Powers, a former board member with experience in the county’s school system and Bellamy’s personal pick to replace him.

“Carey is the experienced one, the qualified one,” Previti said.

Hollinsworth nominated Darrell Ailshie, a former agriculture agent.

“I went over his resume, his love for our county, and everything that he’s done,” she said. “He was very involved when his children were in school, and now [that] he’s retired he has the time.”

The Commission voted in a lightning round to eliminate the candidate with the least votes, who turned out to be Powers, and then for Plageman as the winner of a simple majority over Ailshie. Commissioner Previti reminded everyone that the District 2 Board of Education seat would come up for re-election in 2026.

The third contested seat was on the Maury County Library Board, to replace departing member Mamie Gray Hunter. Carla Walker, whom Hunter herself recommended for the Board, won the Commission’s vote.

“She would be a great asset,” Commissioner Stovall said of Walker, especially in promoting the library among the black residents of Maury County.

Walker, a lifelong resident of Columbia, has spent her career so far as a CPS agent, and when she counseled single mothers like herself, she often sent them to their local library to make use of its services and resources.

“As a single mother, that was our happy place: the library,” she said, of herself and her children back in the day.

Dee Gear was the pick of a couple public commenters, for her lifelong patronage of the library and support for its director, while Michael Fulbright (a former chair of the County Commission and member of the Board of Education) was recommended for his administrative experience by Commissioners Howard, Previti and Scott Sumners. The Commission eliminated Gear and Fulbright from the lightning round and chose Walker 14-7 over Clayton Smith, the fourth candidate.

The commissioners and public attendees held a standing ovation for outgoing Building Maintenance supervisor Ronnie Bates, who had served 37 years at his post and helped design the new judicial center, and declared March 22, 2025, as “Ronnie Bates Day.”

They announced one new opening apiece on the Health Board, the Health and Safety Standards Board and the Planning Commission, and two on the Loss Control Board.

In its business, the Commission voted to begin work on both the old Columbia courthouse and the new judicial center. The courthouse renovations (totaling around $150,000) were uncontroversial – county Finance Director Doug Lukonen and several commissioners spoke about the need to “abate” the asbestos in the building before it could be put to any new use.

Columbia Undertakes Biggest Paving Initiative (Press Release)

The Columbia City Council has approved the largest paving initiative in the city’s history, allocating $4 million to improve 19.6 miles of streets across Columbia. This substantial investment is aimed at significantly enhancing the city's infrastructure, creating smoother, safer, and more efficient roadways for residents and visitors alike.

Mayor Chaz Molder expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “This paving plan is a major step forward for the City of Columbia. I’m especially proud of the technology we've introduced, which has streamlined the entire process. The computerized system that grades the streets ensures transparency and fairness, allowing us to make data-driven decisions that truly prioritize the most critical areas.”

The paving plan was developed following a comprehensive street assessment conducted in 2020 using RoadBotics, an advanced technology that leverages machine learning and high-resolution cameras to evaluate pavement conditions. This innovative approach allowed the city to identify streets with the most significant distress. Afterward, city officials personally inspected the most affected roads to ensure that the final list addressed the areas of greatest need. The plan prioritizes these roads to maximize the long-term impact of the project.

City Manager Tony Massey highlighted the thorough and strategic nature of the plan, stating, “This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to improving the city’s infrastructure and ensuring that our streets are in optimal condition.”

The paving work will be carried out in phases, with the city providing regular updates to residents about road closures, detours, and construction timelines to minimize disruptions. The city is dedicated to ensuring that the project is completed in a timely and effective manner.

This largest paving plan in Columbia’s history represents a critical investment in the city's infrastructure and will contribute to a more efficient transportation network for the entire community.

Mule Day is Coming! (CDH)

Mule Day will return for its 51st year in 2025, continuing one of Columbia's most celebrated annual traditions, which promises to include many old favorites, as well as popular returning events.

The annual festival will kick off Thursday, April 3 and conclude Sunday, April 6.

The Mule Day Wagon Train, which many consider Mule Day's "true start" begins with its multi-day trek on March 31.

"The Wagon Train typically gets here at the same time every year on Wednesday, about 2-3 p.m. most of the time," said Mule Day Committee Chairman Harv Spann, whose involvement with Mule Day dates back to its pre-revival in 1973.

Now more than half a century since Mule Day's 1974 renaissance re-established the iconic long-eared equine hybrid, much of this year's focus has been on the event's history, which can be found in the 2025 Mule Day magazine carrying the tagline, "Ears through the years."

The current Mule Day magazine features daily schedules, event highlights and sketches of Mule Days past. It is also a how-to guide on ways to explore various Columbia and Maury County hotspots, whether you are a local or an out-of-towner.

"You can read a lot about just about everything in there," Spann said.

For more information, such as a full schedule of Mule Day events, as well as a copy of this year's Mule Day reader, visit www.MuleDay.com or stop by the Mule Day Office at Maury County Park, 1018 Maury County Park Drive.

As a festival steeped in tradition, many of Mule Day's main events will be returning, although there will be a few new things to expect.

"We don't change it a whole lot because then it wouldn't be Mule Day," Spann said. "We have to have our traditional mule shows, like Mule Pulling, the Gaited Mule Show, which is actually the state championship Mule Show. There are several around the country, but this is Tennessee's."

Organizers have made a bigger push to include activities like arts and crafts, as a way to provide fun hands-on opportunities for visitors.

"That's one of our biggest assets for Mule Day, the ladies especially love going through the arts and crafts, since mules aren't necessarily everyone's bag, so to speak," Spann said. "We concentrate on that area to have a variety of different things."

Other newer events have now become annual traditions, such as the popular Mule Day Dog Show and Little Miss Mule Day Pageant.

"The dog show is very popular, where everyone gets to bring their little pooch out and there is no pressure," Spann said. "I've tried to get them to have the ugliest pooch, but nobody wants to have the ugliest pooch in there. It's a fun show."

This year's festival also welcomes world-renowned mule trainer, Steve Edwards, whom Spann said will conduct multiple clinics throughout the weekend.

"Steve will be coming from Arizona and will be putting on demonstrations on how to handle mules with bad habits, saddle fitting, things like that," Spann said.

Bridle & Saddle Club member Tommy Boyd was also named this year's Mule Man.

Each night will also feature much of the same fun and entertainment Mule Day veterans have come to know and love, such as the Bluegrass Music Fest or the popular Liar's Contest at Central High School, as well as the Mule Town Stompers & Urban Cowboy Line Dancing at the Ridley 4-H Center.

"Square dancing at the 4-H Center is always a big hit with people," Spann said. "You don't have to know how to dance to go, just go. Somebody will jump in line and teach you how."

Mule Day's highest attended event is the beloved Mule Day Parade on Saturday, which will make its traditional route starting north on U.S. Highway 31 before making its way down West 7th Street.

Spann said this year's parade will feature "more entries than we've ever had."

In the past, Mule Day parades have been led by a grand marshal, often somebody local who has made an impact on Columbia and Maury County.

However, the Bridle & Saddle Club and Mule Day Committee chose to do something a little different, and it comes with a familiar set of crooked ears.

"In my opinion, this year has the best Grand Marshal we've ever had, and it is the owners of the mules who packed into North Carolina and East Tennessee after the storms," Spann, a former Grand Marshal in 2017, said. "They are going to be our Grand Marshals this year and are true heroes. That's certainly a plus for us to have them here.

In addition to leading the parade as this year's Grand Marshal, Mountain Mule Packers trainers Mike and Michelle Toberer will also be at Maury County Park on Friday and Saturday. There, visitors can get an up-close look at these animals, hear their story, as well as see how the mule remains a steadfast tool for saving lives during a disastrous time.

"People can look at and take pictures with those mules if they want to," Spann said. "It's a shame we had the storms, but the mules were very 'Johnny on the spot' helping a lot of people during their times of need," Spann said.

While Mule Day is an event that attracts thousands of people to Maury County each year, it sure isn't an easy feat to pull off, nor is it cheap.

Mule Day organizers are also still feeling some remaining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the event to cancel in 2020 and 2021. Not only did the pandemic cause an unexpected break in tradition but was also very damaging financially.

"We had a really hard time during COVID and had to find another revenue source to help with the cost of things, which is why we've started to reach out to other sponsors," Span said.

Some of these bigger sponsors include Hiller and Ascend Federal Credit Union, though Spann said the vast majority of sponsorships are given by local businesses, which will remain an annual tradition.

"We have always had sponsors from out of town, but almost 90-plus percent of our sponsors are local businesses," Spann said. "Most of them are local, and that hasn't changed a whole lot."

A few local sponsors featured this year include Columbia Academy, Maury Regional Heath and Tenn Pin Alley, as well as other small businesses like The Trailor Store, Bobcat of Maury County and Lynch Equipment Sales. There are also local tourism sponsorships from Visit Columbia and the Maury County Visitors Bureau.

Prime & Pint also played host to the 2024 Mule Day WORKS Recipients Luncheon, which recognizes the need to not only honor Mule Day's legacy but also recognizing the shortage of trades people in Maury County.

The program offers "blue collar" sponsorships to young people in the community seeking careers in a wide range of skills, such as welding, auto mechanics, HVAC and medical certification, just to name a few. Emma Parks received Mule Day WORKS first scholarship in 2024 and is now studying medical sonography at Weatherford College in Weatherford, Texas.

"If you are one of those who may not be a Mule Day fan, we get it — but please remember the bigger the crowd, the longer the lines, the more times you must sit through that stoplight equal more young people we can impact," Mule Day WORKS Committee Chairman Brady Carr wrote in the 2025 Mule Day reader.

And now, news from around the state… 

Juvenile Shooter Records Bill Passes (Tennessean)

Following the deadly shooting at Antioch High School, a bill seeking to make public, deceased school shooters’ juvenile records, passed the Tennessee House with bipartisan support on Monday. 

State law currently requires juvenile law enforcement and court records to remain confidential to protect the future of youth offenders. 

The legislation will unseal juvenile records of court proceedings, mental health issues, and interactions with the Department of Children’s Services if a minor commits a school shooting and subsequently dies. A homicide conviction would not be required to make the records public.

House Bill 1038 passed the House on Monday afternoon with bipartisan support in 88 to 4 vote. Reps. Gabby Salinas, D-Memphis, Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville, Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, and Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, voted against the bill. Reps. Shaundelle Brooks, D-Nashville, and Justin Jones, D-Nashville voted present. 

House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, pushed for the legislation in response to the Antioch shooting, during which a 17-year-old opened fire in the school’s cafeteria, killing 16-year-old student Josselin Corea Escalante, and injuring another student.

“There is a very disturbed and evil young man that went into a high school in Davidson County and shot and killed a sweet young lady who was there just to learn,” Lamberth said. “I believe that if a juvenile goes into a school and commits a homicide, upon their death, everybody in this state ought to know what their history is.” 

Two months before the shooting, the shooter allegedly threatened another student with a box cutter, and his case was set to go to Davidson County Juvenile Court, WKRN first reported. The other student’s family ultimately decided not to press charges.

Lamberth said his amendment is an effort to better equip policymakers to prevent similar attacks in the future. 

“That child never should have had a gun. That child never should have had a gun in school. That child never should have been in that school based on their history,” Lamberth said. “Once this is public, everyone will know exactly what that history was, and we all can have a conversation on how to make sure that this never happens again.”

Originally, the bill – backed by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts – simply required juvenile court records statewide to be managed by one central system. 

That version has already passed the Senate, and does not include the provision requiring school shooter records to be made public.

The bill will now go back to the Senate, where members can either concur with the House version, or the bill would go to conference committee to hash out the differences between the two chambers.

Gas Prices (MSM)

Gas prices across the state held steady over last week. We’re starting this week with the same state gas price average as last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average remains at $2.70 which is five cents less expensive than one month ago and 49 cents less than one year ago.  

“Tennessee currently has the third least expensive state gas price average in the country,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “While gas prices across the state remain low, we’re heading into a time of expected seasonal upward pressure on pump prices. Factors like refinery maintenance, increasing demand for gasoline, and the switch to summer blend gasoline typically keep upward pressure on pump prices throughout Spring.”

Tennessee is third least-expensive state in nation for gas prices.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Nashville Zoo’s Eggstravaganzoo, presented by Twice Daily®, returns Saturday, April 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The annual spring celebration features egg hunts, face painting, keeper chats, animal encounters, and themed animal enrichment. This egg-citing event is included with general admission tickets or Zoo membership. Member reservations are no longer required.

Purchase tickets at www.nashvillezoo.org/eggzoo.