Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 3-9-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for March 9, 2026

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

Culleoka Fire (Tennessean)

A Maury County home was lost in a fire on Friday, March 6.

In a post on its Facebook page, the Maury County Fire Department said units were dispatched to a house fire on Baptist Church Road in Culleoka, at 7:23 p.m. March 6 after neighbors in the Glencoe Subdivision reported a large fire.

When the responding units arrived, the home was mostly destroyed. According to the department’s Facebook post, the front of the home was quickly knocked down, and firefighters proceeded to fully extinguish the fire.

“A search was negative and no civilian injuries occurred,” the post reads.

One of several photos included with the post appear to depict a firefighter with a bloodied lip, but the post gives no other indication that there were any other injuries as the fire department responded.

Polk Historic Marker Unveiled (CDH)

Columbia unveiled its 15th historical marker, adding to the history and legacy of James and Sarah Polk's former residence on West 7th Street prior to their time in the White House.

The marker was unveiled Wednesday, March 4 at what now sits as the Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home parking lot. While the former structure no longer stands, the original steps leading to the property still exist.

City Manager Tony Massey began the unveiling ceremony by saying how this particular marker dates back 10 years over lunch at Puckett's between he and the late former Maury County Archives Director Bob Duncan.

"Every time we do one of these ceremonies, I like to mention Bob's name," Massey said.

Vice Mayor Randy McBroom later shared that the date of the unveiling also marked the 181st anniversary of the day Polk was inaugurated as the 11th President of the United States on March 4, 1845, and it was on this site where he was delivered the news.

"It was here where James and Sarah Polk began building their life together," McBroom said. "While buildings may change, history does not disappear. It lives on in the stories we preserve and the places remembered. That is exactly why Columbia's historical marker program exists."

Ward 5 Councilman Brian McKelvy, who also serves as president of the Maury County Historical Society, said while Polk's one-term presidency might be considered brief, he is still revered as one of the best. Preserving the property's history also dispels the myth that "Polk never actually lived in Columbia."

"That is totally untrue, totally untrue," McKelvy said. "This is a very significant marker for this town."

Married on New Year's Day in 1824, the Polks first rented the modest one-story cottage for a year, later purchasing the property in 1825.

It was at the home where Polk successfully ran for seven consecutive times to the United States House of Representatives, was elected governor of Tennessee, and launched his campaign for presidency. He host notable guests, such as former Presidents Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson.

It was on Nov. 16, 1844, that an overnight rider traveled to Columbia from Nashville to inform Polk he had been elected president.

"He told him, 'Congratulations, you are the President of the United States,'" Massey said. "That happened right here."

The Polks eventually sold the home in 1847, choosing to spend their retirement years in Nashville in what was once called Polk Place. President Polk died just three months later, giving him the shortest retirement of all the presidents. The Columbia property changed hands a few times before ultimately being dismantled in 1961.

Legislative Breakfast (MSM)

With five weeks left in the 114th General Assembly, the state legislators representing parts of Maury County gathered for their annual panel hosted by Maury Alliance and the Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club. Over biscuits and muffins and coffee, District 28 Sen. Joey Hensley and Rep. Scott Cepicky and Kip Capley laid out the issues facing the state of Tennessee (especially Maury County) and explained what they and their colleagues are doing to address them.

The legislators first laid out their priorities. Capley focusing on fiscal responsibility, for which he serves on the Budget and Finance Committees; rural healthcare, which put him on the Health Committee; and the Republican Caucus committee.

Cepicky’s spoke to education, as he serves on the Education and Insurance Committees.

“We are having great success in that,” he said of student test-score improvements in recent years: the state reported in 2025 that the rates of student proficiency increased slightly in each discipline.

Hensley strikes a mean between his colleagues, working on the Finance Committee and its Revenue Subcommittee, the Health Committee and the Education Committee.

The legislators first spoke to the state’s efforts to create a “competitive, business-friendly environment.” They spoke highly of the relocation and expansion of large companies, which can create the most jobs at a fell swoop, and said that the Tennessee government has worked to tempt these operations away from other states with lower taxes, fewer regulations and updated infrastructure.

“We see a lot of businesses moving from other states… with high regulation,” Hensley said, praising Maury Alliance’s work to attract and develop them. “We want to make it attractive… so they’ll come to rural places like Maury County.”

Capley called attention to HB1913/SB2199, the “Regulatory Freedom Act,” which would raise the bar for new regulations, streamline the repeal process and make regulatory agencies more accountable to both the industries they govern and to review by the state government. He hopes the bill would facilitate business and prevent “fluff” from bloating the state’s regulatory apparatus.

“We have one of the most attractive states in the country, and the world, to relocate to, if you’re a business,” Cepicky said.

He reminded the attendees that the continuation of this policy depends on how Tennesseans vote this November. He and Capley are up for re-election as state representatives, but Cepicky pointed out that the new governor, who will set the state’s annual budget and political priorities, will be Tennessee voters’ most economically consequential ballot choice.

The state has also kept personal taxes low, with no state income or property taxes and a pending constitutional amendment (Senate Joint Resolution #1) to ban state property taxes in perpetuity. The bill would not ban local governments from collecting property taxes, only the state government.

“We have to make it as [business-]friendly an environment as possible without over-taxing you at the local level,” Cepicky said.

The legislators stressed the importance of a skilled workforce for attracting employers. Hensley and Cepicky praised the vocational programs at the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology and the branches of Columbia State Community College, for teaching trades that are a necessary part of the economy and a good path to earning decent wages.

“We have to [reform] higher education so it aligns more to a job,” Cepicky said, adding that the process starts with making sure Tennessee’s primary students can read and do basic math, then counseling them in high school to find a career path that aligns with their aptitudes and interests, long before jobs-based training enters the picture.

Fixing both early learning and career paths holds existential urgency for the state of Tennessee: Cepicky reported that fully half of its high-school students are failing to get a passing score of 31/99 on the ASVAB.

While the state hopes to fill up projected shortfalls in the fast-aging and retiring workforces of the trades and skilled labor — “We drove [away] so many kids that could have had fantastic lives in the build-it, fix-it [sector],” Cepicky lamented — he himself also wants to diversify the workforce. This includes channeling students with rare aptitudes and skills towards the careers that suit them, from the arts and culture that helped put Nashville and Memphis on the map, to the engineers and other hard scientists that Tennessee currently struggles to produce.

Cepicky criticized one unnamed school superintendent from East Tennessee, who admitted on a hot mic that he didn’t want his high-scoring seventh-graders to advance to challenging Guaranteed Math classes: “they won’t go into the factory I need them in,” the superintendent allegedly said, if they go to college to become engineers.

“We have to demand that our students be able to show us that they know what they need to know, stacking year… over year of information,” Cepicky said, “so that when they get to high school… they can start to have discernment of what interests them, then have the academic ability to go and pursue that.”

To improve education outcomes and return on investment, Cepicky prioritizes tracking and facilitating student success, and holding individual teachers and district superintendents responsible for it. He highlighted the ongoing audit of the Memphis-Shelby County School district, which receives $1.3 billion of the state’s $12 billion education budget — most of it ponied up by Tennessee taxpayers — and yields some of its worst test scores in return.

On the infrastructure front, the legislators said the state makes generous amounts of grants available to local governments for projects. Cepicky highlighted the $2 million that Maury County has received for its library and $500,000 for the renovation of the courthouse.

Hensley announced that there’s already money in the budget to widen Highway 31 as it passes through Spring Hill. The state is also considering ways to alleviate traffic from Nashville to Columbia, like widening Interstate 65 or allowing a private company to build a tolled “choice lane” parallel with the interstate, and TDOT has also streamlined the administrative process for road projects.

“Our Highway Department is always looking at ways that we can do the projects better,” Hensley said. “All of us see the congestion, and we are working on [that].”

Among their other bills and priorities, the legislators mentioned the governor’s budget item for interest-free loans for first-time home buyers; the state’s existing childcare credit program; the possibility of doubling the state’s 20,000 Education Freedom scholarships; managing the water supply responsibly; returning half of real-estate transfer tax revenue to the municipalities; and preserving American farmland through agricultural trusts.

Columbia 101 (Press Release)

The City of Columbia announces the return of Columbia 101, an interactive civic engagement program designed to give residents an inside look at how local government operates. After three successful installments, the city is now accepting applications for the next Columbia 101 session, scheduled for Tuesday, April 28th and Wednesday, April 29th. 

Developed to strengthen transparency between citizens and their city, Columbia 101 offers participants a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at how municipal departments serve the community. Over the course of two consecutive days, participants will begin each morning at City Hall before engaging with all 12 city departments and touring select municipal facilities, such as the Police and Public Works Departments. 

“An informed community is essential to a strong city. Columbia 101 helps residents gain a deeper understanding of city operations, encourages civic participation, and supports continued progress through shared knowledge and engagement,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. 

A Fall 2025 participant shared their experience, saying, “The Columbia 101 class was a great way to learn about how the city government works and also to be able to meet some of the key people who make things happen. I have a much better understanding and appreciation for all of the things that the city does to make Columbia a good place to live. I highly recommend this class.”

Applications for Columbia 101 are available now and will close on Friday, March 20th at 4:00 PM. The program is open to all City of Columbia and Maury County residents and is held twice per year. There is a $25 program fee for all accepted applicants to cover program costs, including food and transportation. 

“Columbia 101 provides residents with a structured overview of how city departments operate and collaborate to deliver essential services,” City Manager Tony Massey stated. “It is a valuable opportunity for participants to learn more about the planning, resources, and coordination required to serve a growing community.”

Lexi Dearborn, Program Director, added, “We’re excited to welcome a new group of participants this spring. Columbia 101 offers a meaningful way for residents to learn more about the city they call home and become more involved in its future.”

Columbia 101 applications are available at www.ColumbiaTN.gov or at the reception desk on the 3rd floor of City Hall. Follow the City of Columbia on Facebook and Instagram at “CityofColumbiaTN” for updates. For questions, please contact Lexi Dearborn at LDearborn@ColumbiaTN.gov.

Maury Regional Foundation to Host Mule Kick (Press Release)

The Maury Regional Health Care Foundation, in partnership with First Farmers and Merchants Bank for the fifth consecutive year, will host the 26th annual Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot on Saturday, April 11, at Riverwalk Park in Columbia.

 Proceeds from the 2026 Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot provide funding for Maury Regional Health’s mobile health unit, which delivers health care services to at-risk and underserved individuals throughout southern Middle Tennessee by providing basic health screenings, education and resources. A portion of the proceeds from the Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot will also support the Foundation’s Wellness and Aquatics Complex Healthy Living Endowment and the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, the Maury County school with the most participation in the 5K will receive a donation to their P.E. program from the Foundation.

 “The Mule Kick 5K is more than just a race; it is a community-wide effort to bring life-changing health care directly to those who need it most,” said Foundation Executive Director Rita Thompson. “By participating, you are putting our mobile health unit on the road to provide screenings and education for at-risk individuals across our region. We are incredibly grateful to First Farmers and Merchants Bank, who has served as our presenting sponsor for five years, and all our supporters for helping us stride toward a healthier community.”

The race will begin on Saturday, April 11, at Riverwalk Park in Columbia with an 8 a.m. start time for the 5K and a 9:15 a.m. start time for the 1-Mile Trot. Both runners and walkers are encouraged to participate. Participants may register for the race online at runsignup.com/MuleKick5K.

 “Partnering with the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation reflects our deep commitment to the health of our communities,” said Brian K. Williams, chairman and CEO of First Farmers. “We are honored to support this event and to help provide essential health care resources to those who need it most.”

 In addition to presenting sponsor First Farmers and Merchants Bank, sponsorships ranging from $350 to $2,500 are still available for those who are interested in marketing exposure at this event. For additional information, contact the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation at 931.381.1111, ext. 1012.

 To learn more about the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation, the Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot or to make a donation to the community health fund, which supports the mobile health unit, visit MauryRegional.com/Foundation.

Maury County Clerk Satellite Office (Press Release)

The Maury County Clerk’s office can now help residents with renewals of license plates or placards each Wednesday from 8am to 3:30pm at the Maury County Senior Center located at 1020 Maury County Park Dr.

Please drive around to the back of the building and look for the car tag renewal sign near the back door.

Forms of payment include credit/debit card or check – no cash.

Any Maury County Resident can use this office.

All other transactions will still need to be done through the main office located at 10 Public Square.

Also, you can renew online at TNCountyClerk.com or at kiosks in Spring Hill City Hall or Mt. Pleasant Courthouse.

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.

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…

Security Threat Diverts Flight (Tennessean)

Passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight from Nashville to Fort Lauderdale experienced tense moments Friday night after a man’s behavior prompted the crew to divert the plane to Atlanta, where a tactical team then boarded and removed him.

The flight, Southwest Airlines Flight 2094, departed Nashville International Airport and was en route to Florida when passengers say a man began praying aloud while his cellphone alarm repeatedly sounded.

The plane was diverted to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where law enforcement officers, with guns drawn, boarded the aircraft and escorted the man off.

One passenger, a high school student from Williamson County who asked that his name be kept private, recorded the moments before officers entered the cabin.

“(The man) has a timer going off on his phone every 10 minutes and he’s praying in a foreign language,” the passenger said. “He’s sweating. He keeps asking the flight attendant where his bag is- multiple times.”

A source within Southwest airlines confirmed the man was praying aloud.

Within about an hour, after passengers and crew members became uneasy about the man’s behavior, the pilot decided to divert the flight to Atlanta.

The passenger said the plane taxied to a remote area of the tarmac and was surrounded by emergency vehicles. After more than an hour of waiting, a tactical team with Atlanta police, entered the aircraft.

Passengers said officers shouted commands such as “Stand up!” as they approached the man and escorted him off the plane.

Hours later, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said there was no credible threat and no charges would be filed.

In a statement, Southwest Airlines released the statement, "The Southwest Airlines Crew of Flight 2094 on Friday made the decision to divert to Atlanta out of an abundance of caution due to what turned out to be a misunderstanding of a Customer’s behavior. We sincerely apologize to our Customers for the misunderstanding and the significant delay. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees."

Pot for Potholes Legislation (NewsChannel5.com)

Two Tennessee lawmakers are launching a campaign to build support for legislation that would legalize marijuana and use the tax revenue to help fund road and infrastructure repairs.

Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, and Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, announced the “Pot for Potholes” campaign Friday alongside their bill, the Pot for Potholes Act (SB 2440/HB 2525). The proposal would legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older and tax sales, with most of the revenue directed toward transportation projects.

Under the bill, adults could legally possess up to 60 grams of marijuana and grow up to 12 plants for personal use. It would also establish a regulated system for cultivating, processing and selling cannabis in Tennessee.

The proposal would impose a 15% tax on marijuana sales. Lawmakers say most of that revenue would go toward the state highway fund, with additional money distributed to counties and administrative costs.

The bill’s sponsors say the measure could help address Tennessee’s transportation funding needs while capturing revenue currently going to neighboring states where marijuana is legal.

Campbell and Behn introduced the Pot for Potholes Act in the Tennessee House and Senate last year, but the effort failed to advance.

The campaign includes a public petition and a series of promotional videos hosted on Pot4Potholes.com aimed at raising awareness about the legislation.

The campaign launch also comes ahead of “Cannabis Day on the Hill” scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, when advocates are expected to gather at the state legislature to push for cannabis reform.

Marijuana remains illegal in Tennessee for recreational use, and the state does not have a comprehensive medical cannabis program.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, has announced that Grammy award-winning entertainer Reba McEntire will join the lineup for the second annual “Band As One Nashville Concert for the Cure: Trisha Yearwood & Friends”. Reba will join music icon Trisha Yearwood and a star-studded lineup of artists at the historic Opry House for one night to raise critical funds for those impacted by breast cancer on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Every two minutes, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer. The American Cancer Society’s annual Cancer Facts and Figures report estimates that 321,910 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2026, up from 316,950 in 2025. 

Tickets for Band As One Nashville are now available for purchase. For complete details please visit www.komen.org/bandasone.