Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 5-14-25

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for May 14, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Road Closure (MauryCountySource)

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will conduct closures on SR 247 (Beechcroft Road) in Maury County.

From now through Wednesday, May 14, TDOT crews will close SR 247 (Beechcroft Road) between Town Center Parkway and Depot Street daily from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. TDOT is in close coordination with local authorities and the school system to plan this closure with the least amount of disruption to the community.

The closure is necessary for crews to mill and pave SR 247. Detour signage will be in place.

All work is weather-dependent. As always, drivers are reminded to allow additional time, slow down, and move over when traveling through a work zone. The Move Over Law was passed in 2006. The penalty for violating the law in Tennessee carries the possibility of up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of up to $500.

Mayor’s Youth Council Graduates (Press Release)

The City of Columbia is proud to announce the graduation of the 2024–25 Columbia Mayor’s Youth Council (CMYC), a group of outstanding high school students who have spent the past year actively engaging in local government and community initiatives.

This year’s CMYC class has exemplified what it means to be young civic leaders. Throughout the school year, council members attended city meetings, met with department heads, and participated in meaningful discussions about Columbia’s future. Their leadership has helped strengthen the connection between young residents and their city government while laying the groundwork for a more engaged and informed generation of Columbians. One of the most notable accomplishments of this year’s cohort was their work on the Riverwalk Park Sign Replacement Project. Over the course of several planning and research sessions, students collaborated in teams to gather historical, environmental, and cultural information that will be featured on nine new educational signs. These signs are replacing the original signage that was first installed along Riverwalk Park when it was built several years ago. The updated signs will highlight the Duck River’s rich history, native wildlife, and ongoing conservation efforts.

The city invites the community to attend the official unveiling of the first three of the nine new signs on Tuesday, June 3, at 4:00 PM at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion in Riverwalk Park. The event will celebrate the council’s hard work and the impact of youth involvement in shaping our city.

Mayor Chaz Molder offered his congratulations, stating: “This year’s Mayor’s Youth Council set a high bar. The Council not only observed how local government works—the Mayor’s Youth Council actively participated in it. Their work on the Riverwalk Park Sign Replacement Project will have a lasting impact on Columbia, and their passion for public service gives me hope for the future here at home and beyond. Columbia is a growing city, and programs like the Mayor’s Youth Council ensure that our next generation of leaders are ready to meet the moment. Congratulations to each member of the Mayor’s Youth Council. You made your community a better place.”

The City of Columbia extends its appreciation to these students for their dedication and service. Their contributions will continue to benefit the community long after graduation. For more information about the Columbia Mayor’s Youth Council please visit ColumbiaTN.gov.

City Okay’s Ridley Expansion (CDH)

Columbia City Council took its next step to develop a new 12-court pickleball facility at Ridley Sports Complex following a vote Thursday to approve a contract to begin initial construction designs.

The council approved a $79,000 contract with Lose Design, who specializes in architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture and land planning services.

According to the contract, Lose will develop construction documents for the facility, including court locations, while also providing adequate space for future expansions.

"It will be on the far football field and will allow for expansion as we need, but Lose Design is the absolute top of the line branch for recreation engineering and design," Columbia Parks and Recreation Director Mack Reagan told council members at the board's May study session.

Reagan added how the design documents, once completed, will allow the city to open the project for construction bids. He also expects a fairly swift turnaround to completion, partly due to the existing infrastructure and lighting already installed at the park.

"This will be a great way to get a jump on it and hopefully will be playing by the fall," Reagan said. "We will give them some direction as far as what we want as a community. I think this will be a big addition to our community and something we can get on and get started quick."

Reagan added there are a few remaining unknowns regarding what could potentially delay the project, but nothing out of the ordinary is to be expected.

"A lot of it will depend on how many courts are being built and how quickly we can get somebody in [to build them]," Reagan said. "A lot of it is also the brick and structure, what it requires because we will have to do some things like irrigation on the field and testing the soil. We want to make sure the soil is proper for however we want to go with it."

Battle of the Branches Blood Drive (Press Release)

Vet2Vet in collaboration with Blood Assurance is hosting a Battle of The Branches Blood Drive on Wednesday, May 14th.

The mission of Vet to Vet TN is to provide peer support for Veterans recovering from mental health issues and substance abuse, and offers strategies and coping skills for living a healthy lifestyle.

Donors can come in and donate in honor of their favorite branch of the military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force. It’s happening this Wednesday from 10am-6pm at The Memorial Building (308 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN)

All donors will get a special “Follow My Lead” Memorial-themed t-shirt.

For more information, visit www.bloodassurance.org/battleofthebranches.

City Purchases New Tanker (Press Release)

Columbia Fire & Rescue is proud to announce the addition of a new 2025 Fire Master Tanker to its fleet—a proactive investment aimed at strengthening the department’s capacity to respond to structure fires throughout the city.

The new vehicle, built on an International chassis, includes a 2,000-gallon water tank and a 1,250 GPM Hale QFlo pump. In addition to transporting water, the tanker is equipped with fire hoses and other firefighting tools, allowing it to serve as a secondary pumper when needed. The $468,100 purchase marks the first tanker of its kind for the department and reflects ongoing efforts to enhance fire suppression capabilities in a variety of emergency situations.

“Preparedness is a responsibility we take seriously,” said Fire Chief Chris Cummins. “While we hope we never face a situation where water supply becomes an issue during a fire response, this tanker ensures we’re ready if that moment comes. It’s about supplementing what we already have and giving our crews every possible advantage when lives and property are at risk.”

The purchase comes amid continued collaboration between the City of Columbia and Maury County Fire Department through an Automatic Aid Agreement, which ensures mutual assistance and resource-sharing during emergency responses. Under the agreement, Maury County Fire will continue to dispatch their tankers to assist with water supply for structure fires within city limits, further strengthening the region’s collective emergency response network.

“Our fire department is well-prepared and well-equipped to respond to emergencies,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. “This tanker is not about filling a gap—it’s about building on our strengths. It adds another layer of support to ensure our firefighters have every advantage when protecting the safety of our community.”

City Manager Tony Massey emphasized that the decision to add the tanker was made with long-term community needs in mind. “Every major equipment purchase involves careful consideration,” said Massey. “This tanker will serve Columbia for many years to come, and we believe it will prove to be a valuable asset in protecting both our residents and our firefighters.”

The tanker is expected to be placed into service May 12, 2025 following equipment installation and personnel training.

MRMC Lawrence Celebrates Topping Out (Press Release)

As progress continues on Maury Regional Health’s new health center in Lawrence County, construction reached a new milestone on May 7: the “topping out” and placement of the final beam in the building’s structural framework.

In November 2024, Maury Regional Health broke ground on Lawrence Health Center, a new outpatient facility on Highway 43 in Lawrence County. The three-story 60,000-sq.-ft. medical office building across from the FedEx Distribution Center will be home to Maury Regional Medical Group physicians and advanced practice providers, including primary, pediatric and specialty care. Additional services will include imaging, physical therapy, pharmacy, occupational health, a sleep center and leased space for specialty care partners.

“Maury Regional Health continues to look ahead to the future as we reimagine health care for our region,” said CEO Martin Chaney, MD. “In addition to caring for Maury County for more than 70 years, we have long served our neighbors in Lewis, Marshall and Wayne counties. Now, we are elated to embark on this new chapter alongside the Lawrence County community.”

Construction is expected to be completed in late 2025, pending weather delays. Maury Regional Health worked with MPA Developments on the launch of the project, with Davis-Stokes serving as the architect and Pellicano Construction leading the building process.

Lawrence Health Center is among several expansion projects underway or in the planning phases at Maury Regional Health. Improvements at the main campus in Columbia include the development of an Orthopedic Surgical Institute to accommodate the growing number of joint replacements, renovation of the emergency department, expansion of the heart center, parking and thoroughfare improvements, additional childbirth beds and expansion of the front entry to relocate key patient and visitor services toward the main entrance.

To learn more, visit MauryRegional.com/StrategicPlan.

Local Dems to Hold Dinner (Press Release)

The Maury County Democratic Party (MCDP) will hold its annual fundraiser, the Progress Banquet, on Saturday, June 7. The event will be held at the UAW Local 1853 Hall at 125 Stephen P. Yokich Parkway in Spring Hill. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the event will begin at 6 p.m.

State Senator Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) will be this year's keynote speaker. Justin Kanew of the Tennessee Holler and Brandon “Tennessee Brando” Fuson, a prominent social media influencer, will also speak.

Originally called the Heritage Dinner, the Maury County Democratic Party has held an annual fundraising dinner for over 20 years. The Party will also name recipients of several awards at this event.

Party Chair James Dallas said: “Our event planning committee wanted to emphasize the Democratic Party’s bright future, and what we want to contribute to Maury County and Tennessee in the coming years.”

Tickets are $50 per person, and eight-person tables are available for $400. Sponsorship opportunities also still exist. Ticket sales are donations to the Maury County Democratic Party, which operates as a political action committee under Tennessee state law.

More information about tickets can be found on the MCDP website. Those seeking more information can contact the event organizers by e-mailing banquet@maurydems.org.

Rev War Traveling Exhibit (Press Release)

The Tenassee Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring “The American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibition,” an innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation

Curated by the American Battlefield Trust, the exhibition will be on display from May 16 - 25, at the Maury County Public Library located at 211 West 8th Street in Columbia

The exhibit hours are Monday - Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Thursday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Historic Marker Unveiling (Press Release)

The community is invited to attend an unveiling ceremony for historical markers honoring the Memorial Building and Viscaya naval gun.

The event will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM at the Memorial Building, 308 W 7th Street, Columbia, TN

Constructed in 1909 as Columbia’s original Post Office, the Memorial Building has played a vital role in the city’s civic and cultural life for over a century. It has served as a public library, Chamber of Commerce, and home to veteran services and other local organizations. Its legacy as a public gathering space continues today.

The site also features a 14 cm Hontoria quickfire gun from the Spanish cruiser Viscaya, which sank during the Battle of Santiago in the Spanish-American War. This rare artifact is one of only eight such guns that were aboard the ship. It has been displayed in numerous locations around Columbia.

Mt. Pleasant Touch-A-Truck Event (Press Release)

The Mount Pleasant Main Street is excited to announce its upcoming Touch-A-Truck event, taking place on Friday, June 7th at 10:00 AM at the library grounds at 200 Hay Long Ave Mount Pleasant, TN. This fun, family-friendly event invites children of all ages to get an up-close look at a wide variety of vehicles — from emergency response units and construction equipment to service trucks and more!

Kids will have the chance to meet the people who operate these vehicles, learn about how they work, and even climb aboard for a hands-on experience. It’s a fantastic way to spark curiosity and learning through play and exploration.

“We’re thrilled to offer a day of discovery and fun for the families in our community,” said Mount Pleasant Library Director April White. “Touch-A-Truck events are always a big hit with children, and we’re grateful for the support that makes it possible.”

Leadership Workshop (Press Release)

Maury Alliance is hosting a leadership workshop. Join Chris Coyne, President of Modeof8™ Leadership and Co-owner/CFO of Muletown Coffee LLC, for a transformative half-day experience designed to equip you with the essential leadership skills needed to thrive in today’s workplace.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

TIME: 8:00 AM – Noon

WHERE: Maury Alliance Classroom 106 W. 6th Street

COST: $499 (includes coaching follow-up + materials + books + lunch)

What You’ll Gain:

This isn’t your typical lecture. Expect interactive dialogue, small-group discussion, and actionable insights on the four foundational leadership skills:

• Emotional Intelligence – More than a soft skill—it’s the foundation for trust and success.

• Expectation Management – Clarify context and needs for stronger communication.

• Mentoring vs. Coaching – Learn the difference and when to use each for impact.

• Team Dynamics – Avoid the traps that hold teams back and learn how to unlock next-level performance.

Who Should Attend?

Whether you're new to leadership or a seasoned pro, this experience is for YOU. Come ready to engage, share, and grow alongside others in a dynamic, collaborative setting.

For more information, visit www.mauryalliance.com.

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

Mr. Quentin Pye, 47, died Monday May 5 at TriStar Medical Center.  Visitation will take place on Friday, May 16th at 11am at Carmack Blvd Church of Christ with funeral to follow at 12 noon.  Burial will happen at Pinecrest Cemetery. Baxter Bros. Funeral Home is assisting family with arrangements.

Rickey Allen Peden, 69, resident of Culleoka, died Sunday, May 11, 2025 at his residence.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 from 4:00 PM till 8:00 PM and Thursday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mildred Hartsfield, 92, a longtime resident of Columbia died Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Goldton Assisted Living and Memory Care in Spring Hill.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.  The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the funeral home. 

And now, news from around the state…

Nissan Making Heavy Cuts (Tennessean)

Nissan announced that it's cutting 11,000 jobs and closing seven of its manufacturing plants. This news comes after the Japanese automaker reported a devastating 88% drop in operating profit year-over-year.

Chief Financial Officer Jeremie Papin said the company expects a 200 billion yen ($1,352,111,000) operating loss in the first quarter, according to Reuters. Several factors including past leadership, weakening demand, and a failed merger attempt have all contributed to Nissan's dire straits.

In 2024, Nissan announced that it would be cutting 20% of its global manufacturing capacity and 9,000 jobs, as reported by Reuters. Now, the total planned workforce reduction number stands at 20,000 between 2024 and 2027 as Nissan more than doubles job cuts in response to a nightmarish fiscal year.

Weak sales in China and the United States contributed to Nissan's initial workforce reduction announcement. Former CEO Makoto Uchida also admitted that the company misread demand for hybrids in America during a press conference.

Nissan is in deep trouble if the company can't significantly reduce operating expenses and boost sales soon. How did Tennessee's favorite automotive brand end up in such a tight spot?

Former Chairman Carlos Ghosn focused too heavily on sales volume and not enough on keeping the company's portfolio modern and competitive, said analysts. As a result, Nissan is losing sales to rival automakers. CEO Ivan Espinosa called full-year financial results "a wake-up call" during a press conference, Reuters reported.

Espinosa went on to say "our fixed costs are higher than our current revenue can support. FY2025 is a year of transition," echoing the sentiments of the Chief Financial Officer after a grim fiscal year 2024 review.

The current market presents several challenges such as tariffs, weakening sales due to demand, and competition from popular Chinese automakers. Merger talks with Honda fell through, causing some serious setbacks for the company.

Nissan is experiencing a perfect storm of issues causing the automaker to struggle with sales and operating profit. So how (if at all) does this affect Tennesseans?

The automaker's Smyrna plant currently employs over 5,700 workers.

"Our manufacturing operations in Tennessee and Mississippi are strategically important to the company’s future in this crucial market," Nissan Americas Corporate Communications Director Kyle Bazemore said to The Tennessean in the wake of the job cuts announcement.

Nissan Smyrna produces popular models like the Nissan Leaf, Pathfinder, Murano, Rogue, and Infiniti QX60. The company employs around 21,000 workers in the United States. Nissan has not specified which plants will be closing.

Welcome back to Southern Middle Tennessee Today!

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Gardens of Columbia returns with nine exceptional local gardens, expert lectures & demonstrations. This event will be held May 16th & 17th from 9:00-4:00 pm at President James K. Polk Home & Museum (301 W. 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401).

Included with admission:

-Self-guided access to featured gardens Friday & Saturday

-Full schedule of lectures and demonstrations on-site at the Polk Home & Museum Friday & Saturday

-Gardens of Columbia magazine featuring tour guide, local resources, and additional content

Full schedule and details at www.jameskpolk.com.

All proceeds benefit the James K Polk Memorial Association, the nonprofit organization that operates the President James K. Polk Home & Museum.