Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 4-15-25

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for April 16, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Short-Term Rental Rules Change (CDH)

Columbia City Council has updated its ordinance for short-term rentals, a topic which has drawn strong and differing opinions, particularly how the changes could affect current operators.

The topic has been under discussion for several months, which came to a conclusion at the council's April 10 regular meeting after nearly an hour of citizen comments.

"I am glad that we have this problem, that we have a community that has a demand for short-term rental needs," Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder said. "That, to me, tells me we have a community that has people who want to come here, a community that has vibrancy and that people are earning income off of these short-term rentals."

The ordinance previously allowed STRs — or properties typically used for Airbnb or alternatives to traditional hotel/motel-type housing — in commercial district zonings of CD-4, CD-4c and CD-5. The ordinance also included a stipulation that those units were to be owner occupied.

The new ordinance now allows the same STR zonings, but without the owner occupancy requirement.

The ordinance to establish STR regulations was first approved in 2022, wherein STRs currently operating outside of the allowed zonings would be grandfathered in, per state law. This would also be the case with the new amendment as long as the STR has operated prior to the 2022 ordinance and is operating with a proper license, though an updated license must be acquired by the end of the year.

"The only thing that this amendment is doing is in addition to allowing short-term rentals without the owner occupancy requirement in CD-4, CD-4c and CD-5, this is saying if you are operating in any district ... preceding this date, that you will be grandfathered in and not have to cease to exist, so long as you follow the city's permitting requirements," Molder said. "You would have to provide that evidence to the city and come get your permit prior to the end of the calendar year, Dec. 31, 2025."

Prior to the April 10 meeting, the topic of STRs had been discussed at multiple council meetings, as well as the Columbia Planning Commission, wherein citizens also had the opportunity to weigh in.

Arguments presented addressed the benefits STRs provide as a business, as an alternative to the traditional hotel/motel experience and as a way to encourage tourism.

However, several STR owners currently under the CD-2 and CD-3 zonings shared concerns about how the new amendment could affect their abilities to operate, while also creating a potential double-edge sword to the city's revenue.

"There are 92 STRs that the city knows about ... and those 92 I assume are spread out throughout the city and not too many on top of each other," Eric Glass, one citizen said. "I urge everybody to really understand this situation, and that there is a lot of benefit. The city relies on revenue, and so why are we trying to cut off revenue?"

Stacy Glass, another citizen concerned about the proposed regulations banning CD-2 and CD-3 zonings, added that it could also affect jobs.

"We create jobs for people who are going in and cleaning houses, maintaining houses, that are going in and supporting some of our STR operators," she said. "We do this for the ratings, for the hospitality and we do this because we love this town, and we want others to love this town."

Prior to the April 10 vote, Councilman Charlie Huffman commented that, much like it is doing with the new amendment, the council can consider future amendments to the ordinance if needed.

"I know this is not going to suit everybody, but this council has got to start somewhere," Huffman said. "We can always amend what we are doing tonight, but if you start at the top, you can't bring it back. But if you start at the bottom, you can add."

TOA Breaks Ground in Spring Hill (MSM)

The Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance broke ground on its planned Spring Hill Clinic on Tuesday, April 8, its 23rd clinic in Middle Tennessee. The TOA employs 74 physicians, 41 physician assistants and nurse practitioners and 75 physical therapists, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The clinic, which was first conceived in 2021, will add more than 70 jobs to the Spring Hill area and serve as the city’s first comprehensive orthopedic clinic, offering walk-in clinics, physical therapy and rehab and sports services. For treatment it will have two X-ray suites, an MRI, a procedural suite for in-house musculoskeletal and small-time surgeries and a 5,500-square foot physical therapy/rehab department. To promote orthotic health in advance, the facility will also feature a 44,000-square foot sports-performance center for athletes, school classes and other exercisers.

“We’re super proud to have such a great facility offering the breadth of services we provide across TOA, from clinic to surgery to therapy [to] sports performance; all things that connect the dots to an active lifestyle,” organization CEO Rob Simmons said. He also thanked the staff and physicians: “Without them providing the high level of care over the years… the confidence to make this investment wouldn’t be possible.”

TOA officials thanked the city for incubating the facility, Oman-Gibson for serving as the developer, Batten-Shaw Construction, Tri-Star Bank and Maury Regional Medical Center for their support.

“It’s really easy to get up here, recognize the new jobs, the investment, all the fun stuff that comes with new projects and groundbreaking, but this particular project is a little bit more than just that,” said Wil Evans, president of the Maury County Chamber of Commerce. “This project is vital for being able to recruit new businesses… [and] having the workforce for us to be successful.”

Rod Holliman, head of Spring Hill’s Chamber, reminisced about an early job as head administrator of a hospital in the mountains of Colorado, where he was in charge of 26 beds and three doctors.

“It taught me one thing: healthcare is all about caring for people,” he said. “TOA is a great example of that kind of quality.”

Dr. Lee Hunter, an orthotic surgeon, credited several “younger surgeons” with having a “vision” of the clinic long before it happened. Among them he named Dr. Christopher Loftis, Dr. Carson Strickland, Dr. Bartley McGehee, Dr. Kenneth Sykes, Dr. Jonathan Pettit and Dr. Willie Porter, who “backed the whole design, working with the architects and the team.”

“I appreciate the sacrifice that they have made,” Hunter said, “the thought process, the creativity to bring something like this to life.”

Dr. Christopher Loftis, one of the young surgeons and a native of Middle Tennessee, also spoke. He felt “lucky” to have landed near his home and parents, beating the willy-nilly odds of medical job and residency placement.

“You’ve got to take the job that’s available,” he said, “but I got to come home… and I’m not the only one.”

Loftis said he was looking forward to building relationships with the city and community.

Spring Hill Election Results (WilliamsonScene)

The unofficial vote tally from Spring Hill’s municipal election came in Thursday night with an almost complete turnover among Board of Mayor & Aldermen personnel.

“I don’t think it’s an elevation,” said Alderman Matt Fitterer, who was elected mayor and displaced incumbent Jim Hagaman by 400 votes. “The mayor will continue to be one of nine, but it allows me to better lead the board and better build the relationships across regional and state partners. All of Spring Hill’s largest challenges are gonna be solved in cooperation and partnership with other people, and this very clearly puts me in a position where I can help lead those partnerships and take a more active role.”

“I had to deal with a lot of misinformation and misrepresentations of me personally and of what I’ve done for this community,” he said of the race, “but to see the community come out strong and support me… is very rewarding, and very clearly indicates that we as a community are on the right track.”

One of the regional partners Fitterer hopes to improve relationships with is neighboring town Thompson’s Station.

“I can work with Matt, and we can grow the relationships between the two municipalities,” Thompson’s Station mayor Brian Stover said. “I think we can get more goals achieved with our infrastructure needs, while also partnering to get our interlocal projects moving forward.”

Fitterer will vacate his seat as alderman to become mayor. Among the new BOMA’s first tasks are to nominate his replacement and elect the new vice-mayor, for which Fitterer intends to nominate Trent Linville.

Linville kept his seat by a margin of almost 1,000 votes.

“I’m honored that Spring Hill would trust me with four more years,” Linville said. “It’s an honor that I don’t take lightly. We’ll continue making smart decisions to bring Spring Hill forward… [like] infrastructure, building roads, and bringing in projects that support Spring Hill.”

New aldermen Alex Jimenez won by 600 votes, Jaimee Davis by approximamtely 100 and Erinn Hartwell by almost 400.

“I am so honored and humbled that our community rallied behind me,” Davis said. “I am so excited to listen to everybody to champion the change that they want, and to create a stronger, better community voice within our city and our BOMA.”

“I don’t even know where to start,” said Jimenez of his election. “It demonstrates that… the community has faith in my abilities… to deliver a future that the people of Spring Hill are wanting… [and] to stop the curve of high-density housing.”

Jimenez also wants the city to do more long-term planning and expressed interest in reviving the 2040 Spring Hill Rising plan, first adopted in 2015.

“We need a lot of people to… understand what the mission is for our bedroom community,” said Hartwell, who named the welfare of local children and attracting corporate offices among her high priorities. “We need to [persuade] businesses to bring their offices in, so we can live, work, play in Spring Hill.” She named a few corporations that she would invite to relocate, but Spring Hill can work with “any company that would want to be in a small town, and have a community love on them, and be a part of something special.”

Those elected are expected to be sworn in at the next meeting of the Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen if the results of the election are certified by the Maury County Election Commission by then. The results reported Thursday are unofficial until the election is certified.

Columbia Clean-Up (Press Release)

The City of Columbia is pleased to announce the launch of its Clean Up Columbia campaign in recognition of Litter Awareness Month this April. This initiative highlights the critical importance of community collaboration, education, and proactive efforts to create a cleaner, more sustainable environment for all residents.

“We are thrilled to bring the community together to participate in Litter Awareness Month,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. “The Clean Up Columbia campaign reflects the importance of teamwork and education in fostering a cleaner Columbia. We encourage everyone to join us in these efforts to reduce litter and help protect our local environment.”

As part of the campaign, the City is partnering with local litter mitigation organizations, Keep Maury Beautiful and the Triple C’s (Columbia Community Clean-Up Team), to host two community clean-up events in Columbia:

Columbia Arts District Clean-Up

Date: April 26, 2025

Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Meet-Up Location: Maury County Public Library - 211 W 8th St.

All necessary litter clean-up supplies will be provided. In addition to these efforts, the City will host two Litter Awareness Education events for young children at the Maury County Public Library. The events will take place on April 15th and April 26th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. During the events, city officials will read Catch That Litter Bug, a children’s book by local author Michael Fulbright, to teach kids about the importance of managing litter in their community.

The City’s Public Works Department will also conduct recycling truck demonstrations and discuss waste management practices in Columbia. Keep Maury Beautiful and the Triple C’s will lead interactive, hands-on activities that help families and children understand their role in maintaining a clean environment.

By uniting as a community, the Clean Up Columbia campaign presents a powerful opportunity to create a lasting impact on the environment. Through active participation in clean-up events and educational programs, residents can foster a greater sense of responsibility for their shared spaces and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the city.

For more details about these events and to find out how you can get involved, visit ColumbiaTN.gov.

Saturday Appointments for Real ID (Press Release)

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security announced today that it will begin offering additional Saturday appointments at 14 Driver Services Centers across the state for current Tennessee credential holders who want to get a REAL ID.

Saturday appointments are now available at 13 participating Driver Services Centers, including the Columbia Driver Services Center located at 1701 Hampshire Pike.

To take advantage of the new expanded Saturday appointments, applicants must already have a valid Tennessee driver license or identification card. REAL ID applicants who do not currently hold a valid Tennessee credential will be served during regular, Monday to Friday hours.

 Saturday hours are available by appointment only. Applicants without a REAL ID appointment will not be served during the new Saturday hours. Schedule your REAL ID appointment now at tnrealid.gov.

 REAL ID applicants must bring proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, proof of their Social Security Number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency. If your name has changed, you must also bring certified legal documents supporting the name change(s). This could include marriage licenses, divorce decrees, etc. All documents must be original or certified copies. Photocopies are not accepted.

 The TDOSHS encourages all applicants to have their REAL ID required documents pre-approved online. Pre-approved documents can save you in-person processing time at the Driver Services Center and may eliminate repeat trips.  A complete list of accepted documents and the pre-approval portal are available at tnrealid.gov.

 For more information about Tennessee REAL ID, visit tnrealid.gov.

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

Mrs. Katherine Yarbrough Rogers, 87, resident of Maury County, Died April 12, at her residence. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home and again on Thursday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Jo Carolyn Allen Lovell, 81, died Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

And now, news from around the state…

Legislature Deep Diving Into Budget (TNLookout)

Scurrying to pass a budget this week as the Tennessee legislature prepares to adjourn, lawmakers are putting their own stamp on the state’s budget despite being hampered by federal cuts that eat into the spending plan.

Republican chairs of the House and Senate finance committee remain uncertain about the impact of reductions in the $24.5 billion the state receives from the federal government.

Similarly, Democrats are asking Gov. Bill Lee’s administration to clue them in on federal cuts that could affect the proposed $59.6 billion spending plan, which is undergoing a bit of transformation as lawmakers put their own ideas into the budget. 

With federal funds making up nearly 42% of the state’s budget, Democrats sent a letter Monday to Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson notifying him that lawmakers need a “clear understanding of current and anticipating reductions” to make decisions.

Federal funds make up 93.4% of Human Services funding, 78.4% of the Department of Military, 61% of the TennCare Bureau, 51.5% of the Transportation Department and 57.8% of the Health Department.

“Understanding the depth and scope of these changes is imperative, not only for budgetary accuracy but also for anticipating impacts on essential services and public trust,” the letter signed by House and Senate Democrats says.

House finance committee Chairman Gary Hicks said this week he is hearing continually from departments about budget cuts emanating from Washington, D.C. He could not pinpoint any large items but said reductions have been made across several areas, such as the Department of Health, forcing the state to find funds to keep programs going. Lawmakers put $4 million Monday into county health departments to make up for grant reductions from the Centers for Disease Control.

As lawmakers started adding their own touches to the budget Monday, they removed $179 million from the governor’s proposals and added items such as $3 million to an audit of Memphis Shelby County Schools, which would come on top of $3 million already in the governor’s plan for an audit, increased the Attorney General’s Office budget by $4.5 million and inserted $35 million to extend a tax break to broadband internet companies.

The biggest item lawmakers removed from the governor’s budget plan was $60 million for a starter home revolving fund, the Tennessee Journal reported. That was followed by a $35 million reduction in funding for the Duck River water project, $20 million for a Nashville Zoo grant, $20 million for a north data center relocation, $10 million for Youth Villages Memphis Allies and $5 million each for artificial intelligence and Moore Tech.

Lawmakers inserted $78 million for TennCare services through the state’s annual hospital assessment, $37.5 million for a college of applied technology in Robertson County, $20 million for Hurricane Helene relief, $20 million for grants to volunteer fire departments, $20 million to replace the Erwin sewage treatment plant and $10 million to replace equipment at University of Tennessee medical and veterinary schools.

“We’re all watching to see what the federal government’s going to do, because quite frankly we don’t know what that’s gonna look like,” Hicks said. “I certainly support what they’re doing up there with trying to make cuts where it’s necessary. So we’ll have our nose pressed to the glass like everybody else to see how that will affect (the state).”

Lyrid Meteor Shower (Tennessean)

April's pink full moon has already passed, but there are plenty of celestial events Tennessee stargazers can catch throughout the rest of the month.

From planetary alignment to a particularly active meteor shower, the night sky has plenty to entice people to stay up a bit later in April. The biggest celestial event stargazers can see in Tennessee will be the Lyrid meteor shower, started on April 15. But don't worry about rushing out tonight to catch a glimpse; the meteor shower's peak isn't for a few days still.

The Lyrid meteor shower will be active from April 15-29, with the peak happening in the late evening of Monday, April 21 into Tuesday, April 22.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Athenaeum Rectory, one of Columbia’s premier historic sites, is hosting their "Free Day in May" Event on Sunday, May 25th from 2-4 PM. Free tours of this historic house. 

The Athenaeum was completed in 1837. The building originally served as the rectory for the Columbia Female Institute and as the residence of the school's first president, the Reverend Franklin Gillette Smith. The structure was designed by Adolphus Heiman, an architect of the early 19th century who designed many buildings in the Middle Tennessee area. Nathan Vaught, a master builder from Maury County, was responsible for construction of the building. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

For more information, visit historicathenaeum.com/