Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 4-11-25

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for April 11, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Operation Impact I-65 (MauryCountySource)

On Saturday, April 12th, State and Local Law Enforcement agencies will partner with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) for “Operation Impact I-65” to reduce traffic fatalities on Interstate 65. From midnight on April 12 until 11:59 p.m., state troopers, deputies, and officers will increase traffic enforcement from the Kentucky-Tennessee state line to the Tennessee-Alabama state line. Agencies will crack down on distracted driving, speeding, seat belt use, impaired driving, and other hazardous moving violations.

Lieutenant Michael Foster says, “By uniting the efforts of state and local law enforcement, we can create a stronger, more effective strategy to combat traffic fatalities on I-65. This partnership allows for better coordination, enhanced visibility, and a shared commitment to the safety of all travelers. Together, we will implement targeted enforcement and community education efforts to reduce wrecks and save lives.”

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office provides grant funding to support State and Local agencies for increased enforcement during this campaign. For more information about the THSO, please visit http://www.tntrafficsafety.org.

Rose Hill Cemetery Look For City/County Support (CDH)

One of Columbia's oldest cemeteries is currently facing funding issues for its seasonal lawn care, with the city now seeking a partnership with the county to preserve its future.

The 40-acre Rose Hill Cemetery, which first opened in 1853 and includes gravesites of American Revolution veterans, currently sits in a state of overgrowth. Like many lawns this time of year, and especially after a round of severe weather, it is due for a fresh cut.

The only problem is finding the money to pay for it, which costs approximately $80,000 annually.

The Maury County Health & Safety Committee discussed Rose Hill, as well as adjacent 20-acre African American Rosemount Cemetery, this week when it was presented a potential opportunity to partner with the city to provide this year's lawn care funding needs.

Adam Southern, who regularly hosts guided tours and has been overseeing much of Rose Hill's upkeep along with his wife Kayla Southern, said "both cemeteries need help."

"When this current board took over, there was enough money to get us through one year, but through a lot of hard work we were able to stretch through that money and get us through the next four years," Southern said. "And that's 13,000 graves we have to trim around ... and it is not an easy job."

Southern added that numerous fundraisers, sponsorships and donations have been held to raise funding to cover the annual lawn care maintenance, but never enough to meet the $80,000 needed. Only about $20,000 remains in the bank.

Monday's meeting was attended by many members of Columbia City Council, including Mayor Chaz Molder and City Manager Tony Massey, who presented a potential partnership between city and county to provide a one-year buffer for both Rose Hill and Rosemount until a more permanent solution to the problem can be found.

"It is at risk, and it is up to us, the leaders of today, to save it, lest we do our forefathers a disservice," Molder said. "The local governing bodies of the boards of these cemeteries could explore ways to get these cemeteries on the National Registry, which would in turn allow for grant funding and other opportunities that may be had."

Another possible avenue is utilizing the city and county's hotel/motel tax, since cemeteries fall within the tourism industry, Molder added.

The proposed estimate for both cemetery lawn care services is $112,000, in which the city and county would ideally split with a $56,000 match a piece.

"My biggest fear is this ... these cemeteries, their foundations and boards will ultimately fold, and if that happens these properties will most likely, at that point, go into becoming what would be abandoned property owned by the State of Tennessee," Molder said.

"In which case, we are doing another disservice by not keeping these cemeteries open for those who have family members buried there. In addition, it would be doing a disserve by creating an eyesore in our community, otherwise leaving a treasure to sit there gated up and locked up, not allowing for future burials and loved ones to pay their respects."

The proposal was met with an enormous amount of support from county commissioners, who ultimately voted in favor.

However, before any checks can be signed, the proposed $56,000 from the county must also receive approval from the Maury County Budget Commission and the full Maury County Commission, who will have the final vote.

Despite the committee's favorable recommendation, the idea of using taxpayer money on cemeteries owned by neither the city nor county raised concerns.

"Sending taxpayer dollars to nonprofits, I don't necessarily agree with that, but I don't want these historic features in our community to be padlocked or have six-feet tall of grass and be a blight," District 5 Commissioner Scott Sumners said. "You want to make sure you can do what you're supposed to do and help the families there. I understand that too."

There were also concerns this could lead to other cemetery nonprofits in need of funding to seek similar city and/or county help.

"I understand this is a very important project, a considerable amount of the history of Maury County and Columbia, however I have a serious concern," District 10 Commissioner Tommy Wolaver said. "Are we setting a precedent here that we are going to go around and fix up cemeteries in Maury County? I'm wondering if we are setting a precedent, and if we are, that's going to come back to haunt us."

District 1 Commissioner Jerry Strahan said he too shared similar concerns, and that there needed to be a clear outline that this would be only a one-year agreement.

"There are a multitude of cemeteries in this county, and many of them are a mess," Strahan said. "We need to separate somehow those cemeteries and support whatever necessary, at least or the first year."

Prior to Monday's vote, Southern expressed his gratitude for the city and county's consideration for the project.

"This is a great idea by the city and county working together," Southern said. "If we can get this one year of breathing room, we can work on a plan to where we aren't coming to you every year for additional funds."

City Receives Grant for Siren Project (MSM)

The City of Columbia announced last week that it has had been awarded a $420,000 grant for public tornado safety, through the 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Imminent Threat Program.

This critical funding will support the installation of a state-of-the-art emergency siren notification system across the city. Twelve tornado sirens will be placed strategically throughout the city. Nine of them emit the standard siren wail and three also have the capability to broadcast voice alerts.

The project will improve Columbia’s emergency-response efforts and ensure timely communication during severe weather or other emergencies. The city thanked the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the South Central Tennessee Development District for supporting the effort to get the sirens and will provide further updates as they make progress.

Spring Hill Battlefield Receives Grant (MSM)

The Tennessee Wars Commission, the Tennessee Historical Commission division responsible for preserving the state’s significant military history, recently announced the Civil War Sites Preservation Fund (CWSPF) grant recipients for Fiscal Year 2025. This fund, which was established in 2013, is provided by legislation to the Tennessee Historical Commission, who approves and awards CWSPF grants. The Tennessee Wars Commission administers the application and grant processes.

With this round of grants, the Civil War Sites Preservation Fund has now allocated $20,312,188.32 in matching funds for the acquisition and preservation of over 1,100 acres associated with the 38 most significant Civil War sites in Tennessee. Grants can also assist in funding the acquisition and protection of Underground Railroad sites eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, or eligible for designation as a National Historic Landmark.

“In addition to saving irreplaceable historic places, this valuable program has helped create parks and preserve open space and wildlife habitat, including in urban areas where there is significant development pressure,” Tennessee Historical Commission Director Patrick McIntyre said.

Grant funds totaling $1,935,250 were awarded to six applicants during the 2025 fiscal year, saving approximately 81.4 acres of battlefield lands.

Middle Tennessee Recipients were:

Franklin’s Charge, Inc., $1 million for the acquisition of the 13.89-acre Hillhaven Tract on Ropers Knob at the Franklin Battlefield (Williamson County);

Battle of Nashville Trust, Inc., $505,000 for the acquisition of the 1.03-acre Shy’s Hill Tract at the Nashville Battlefield (Davidson County); and

Franklin’s Charge, Inc., receives $95,000 for the acquisition of the 11.57-acre Smith/McKee Tract at the Spring Hill Battlefield (Maury County).

Applications for next year’s grant cycle will run from August 11, 2025 to October 31, 2025.

Maury Regional Nurses Achieve Magnet Status (MSM)

Maury Regional Medical Center has attained Magnet® recognition for the second time, reflecting the medical center’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, implementing advanced nursing practices and adopting a positive work environment for nursing professionals.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for nursing practice and follows an extensive application and evaluation process.

“Achieving Magnet designation for the second time is a profound honor that underscores the unwavering dedication and exceptional skills of our nursing team at Maury Regional Medical Center,” said Chief Nursing Officer Cathy Malone, MMHC, BSN, RN. “This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment to delivering the highest standard of nursing excellence and reinforces our focus on ensuring optimal patient outcomes. It is a testament to the continuous hard work and collaboration across our entire organization. I am incredibly proud of our nurses, whose compassion and expertise shine through every interaction with patients and their families. This achievement reflects the culture of excellence we strive to foster and the deep-rooted values that guide our care practices.”

Maury Regional Medical Center first earned Magnet designation in 2020. To achieve initial recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years. An organization reapplying must repeat the initial steps in addition to providing documented evidence to demonstrate how staff members sustained and improved Magnet concepts, performance and quality over the four-year period since the organization received its initial recognition.

In this most recent application cycle, Maury Regional Medical Center outperformed the benchmark and comparison cohort for the majority of eight quarters on 100 percent of inpatient units in the following exemplars:

Central line-associated blood stream infection

Device-related hospital-acquired pressure injuries

Patient experience data for careful listening, patient education, responsiveness and safety

Vesicant extravasation rate (specific to the Emergency Department rather than all units)

“Our team gathered and submitted extensive evidence of our continued dedication to nursing excellence over the last four years, which spanned an unprecedented period of time in the health care space,” said Magnet Coordinator and Nurse Retention Specialist Hannah Hogan, MSN, MBA, RN, CWOCN. “I am grateful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise and passion to ensure we are meeting the highest standards of nursing care for our patients and our staff.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, including higher job satisfaction among nurses and higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.

More than 30 percent of employees at Maury Regional Medical Center are nurses. As a Magnet organization, the medical center utilizes a shared governance nursing practice model that empowers nurses to participate actively in decisions that shape their practice and is committed to encouraging ongoing professional development — ranging from an ANCC-accredited RN residency program for new graduate nurses to mentorship opportunities and clinical advancement programs. In addition, the organization is a leader in the region for implementing advanced technology, including robotic surgery capabilities, a state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, modern Critical Care Unit and more.

“Trust is imperative in the health care space, and nurses play a fundamental role in ensuring our patients trust that they are receiving the best possible care,” said CEO Martin Chaney, MD. “Each and every day, our nursing team is responsible for caring for patients in their most vulnerable moments. For this team to have achieved the national gold standard of nursing is a testament to their commitment to delivering clinical excellence and compassionate care and to ensuring our patients can trust that those who care for them have their best interests in mind. I am extraordinarily proud of this team — from the frontline nurses to our nursing leaders and educators — for their service to our patients throughout the region as evidenced by this prestigious recognition.”

Spring Hill GM Plant Adjusts Production (Tennessean)

Cadillac is ending production of the gas-powered, six-row SUV XT6 sooner than planned and will extend production of its smaller XT5 model through 2026 due to strong customer demand, according to an internal memo sent to employees of General Motors’ Spring Hill Assembly plant in Tennessee.

Production of the XT6 at the Spring Hill plant will be replaced by the Cadillac Vistiq, the new all-electric six-row SUV, GM confirmed.

The memo obtained by the Detroit Free Press also said Spring Hill will undergo planned downtime the week of May 12, and anyone required to work during that time would be notified by a supervisor. 

“This is a testament to our team’s commitment to building vehicles that our customers love and our overall manufacturing flexibility,” the memo said. 

In a statement emailed to the Free Press, a GM spokesperson said the company introduced six new products in less than a year that represent the future of the brand: Escalade IQ, Escalade MCM, Optiq, Vistiq, Lyriq-V and Cadillac CT5.

“We will continue to make the necessary adjustments to the portfolio to maintain growth in critical luxury segments,” the statement said. 

The XT6, introduced in 2020, is a three-row SUV with target demographics similar to the Escalade, meaning an annual household income of at least $200,000.

The XT5 is a smaller, five-seat SUV that was slated to end production in August 2025, but that will continue into 2026, a GM spokesman confirmed.

Opened in 1990, the Spring Hill plant is 11 million square feet and rests on 2,100 acres — enough space to produce both electric vehicles and internal combustion-powered cars. The all-electric Cadillac Lyriq is also produced at Spring Hill.

Both vehicles contain three rows but have a large price difference. The XT6 starts at around $52,590, while the Vistiq starts at $78,790, including a $1,395 destination charge.

Cadillac is continuing its plan to convert XT6 buyers to the Vistiq, but not all dealers are happy with the shift.

A Cadillac dealer told the Free Press that he was concerned about the change, particularly because demand for electric vehicles in his market is not catching up to internal combustion.

The average lease payment for the XT6 is about $600, the dealer said, compared with about $1,100 to $1,200 for the Vistiq. While the brand courts a luxury buyer, the competitive nature of the segment makes a price increase of nearly $500 per month harder to swallow. The dealer, who is not authorized to disclose product plans but agreed to speak anonymously to protect his relationship with GM, said he is concerned that his XT6 customers may defect to another brand.

“People still feel more comfortable with gas-powered cars,” he said. “I do believe it's going to hurt us.”

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

Mr. Garry Lewis Farris, 71, resident of Nashville, died Saturday, March 29 at TriStar Skyline Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12:00 PM till 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Marilyn L. Frierson passed away on Wednesday, April 9th. Funeral services for Mrs. Frierson will be held at Heritage Funeral Home of Columbia, on Sunday, April 13th at 1:00pm. Visitation with the family and a graveside service will follow. 

Mary Louise Gray Young, 87, died Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at her residence surrounded by her devoted family.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Pastor Lane Ingram officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

And now, news from around the state…

EFS Applications to Begin (Press Release)

Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released the Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) Program student application checklist and encouraged interested families to begin gathering required documentation to submit when the application launches in May. The department will announce the program’s launch date in the coming weeks. Families can access the checklist for Education Freedom Scholarships, Tennessee’s landmark universal school choice plan, here. 

“For the first time, Tennessee parents in all 95 counties will have the opportunity to enroll their child in the school of their choosing, regardless of income level or ZIP code,” said Gov. Lee. “Nearly 200 schools have already signaled intent to participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship program, and I have full confidence in the Tennessee Department of Education’s ability to process applications and deliver excellent educational choices for parents in the coming school year.” 

Interested Tennessee families are also encouraged to sign up for regular email updates here and make plans for the 2025-26 school year by viewing the most updated list of schools intending to participate, totaling 198 eligible schools, here. Additionally, the department continues to invite eligible and interested schools to signal their intent to participate. 

“At the department, we are hard at work to provide essential resources for families, so they are prepared and know what to expect once the application window opens later this spring,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “Ensuring parents are at the forefront of their child’s education is essential, and I encourage all interested Tennessee families to remain engaged, sign up for our newsletter, and get prepared for when the application window opens.” 

To learn more about the EFS Program and access additional resources, visit https://www.tn.gov/education/efs.html. If you are a Category I, II, or III school interested in participating in the EFS Program, please email EFS.Questions@tn.gov. 

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Arrington Vineyards sits in Williamson County on a picturesque 95 acres showing off the rolling hills of Tennessee.

There are 16 acres of vineyards, tasting rooms, shaded picnic areas, and a country music connection, making it a spot not to miss and a place for the whole family.

The vineyard recently announced on social media the grand opening of the Wine Club House at Arrington Vineyards. It will take place on April 19 from 11 am to 8 pm. During the grand opening event, there will be complimentary charcuterie by Simply Living and a trucker hat pop-up as you take a look at the renovated clubhouse. They also teased country legend and co-owner of the winery, Kix Brooks, might stop by to welcome wine club members.

No reservations are needed for the special event; you can join at www.arringtonvinyards.com if you are not a wine club member.