Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 5-7-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for May 7, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Suspicious Spring Hill Fire (Fox17.com)

Fire investigators are looking into a suspicious structure fire that broke out early Monday morning on Jim Warren Road near Crafton Road in Spring Hill.

According to officials, the fire occurred directly across the street from another suspicious blaze reported on March 12. Investigators with the Spring Hill Fire Department were on scene throughout the morning gathering evidence.

Authorities have not released details on whether the two incidents are connected.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Fire Chief Temple at gtemple@springhilltn.org or call 931-451-0636. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017.

City of Columbia Seeks Help with Arson Investigation (Press Release)

The City of Columbia is requesting the public’s help in identifying those responsible for an act of arson that occurred on April 16, 2025, at New Life Ministries of Columbia, located at 317 East 18th Street.

Following a thorough investigation, Special Agent Fire Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), working in coordination with Columbia Fire & Rescue and the Columbia Police Department, have determined the fire was intentionally set.

The TBI is now seeking information from the public to assist in identifying the individual(s) responsible for this criminal act. Anyone with knowledge about this incident is encouraged to contact the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017.

Calls to the hotline can remain anonymous. Individuals who provide information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.

“This act of arson is not only a crime against property but also an attack on a place of worship and community gathering,” said Columbia Fire Chief Chris Cummins. “We urge anyone with information to come forward so we can ensure justice is served and continue to protect the safety and well-being of our residents.”

The City of Columbia values the partnership and coordinated efforts of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Columbia Fire & Rescue, and the Columbia Police Department in investigating this incident, and remains committed to supporting all efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

Spring Hill Police Station (WKOM Audio 1:21)

Yesterday, the new Spring Hill Police Department opened their new headquarters. Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy stopped by the grand opening and spoke to Police Chief Don Bright about what the new facility means to the city and citizens of Spring Hill…

Schools Awarded by Sec. of State (CDH)

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett recently presented Hampshire Unit School, Mt. Pleasant High School, and Santa Fe Unit School with the prestigious Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award for registering 100 percent of their eligible students to vote.   

“Achieving 100% voter registration clearly shows Hampshire Unit School’s, Mt. Pleasant High School’s, and Santa Fe Unit School’s commitment to being committed citizens,” said Secretary Hargett. “We appreciate these students, the faculty, and staff at these schools, and the Maury County Election Commission for their continued partnership in increasing voter registration within their communities.”   

Forty-two Tennessee schools earned the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Award, registering 100% of eligible students. Eighteen schools earned the Anne Dallas Dudley Silver Award, registering at least 85%.   

“Congratulations to the senior classes of Santa Fe Unit School, Hampshire Unit School, and Mt. Pleasant High School,” said Maury County Administrator of Elections Chris McKinlay. “I am proud to have participated in their receiving the Anne Dallas Dudley Award because it shows me that the next generation cares about their community, state, and nation.” 

The Anne Dallas Dudley Awards are open to all Tennessee public, charter/private school, and home school associations. This award is named in honor of renowned Tennessee suffragist Anne Dallas Dudley, who helped lead the successful effort to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. On Aug. 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and final state needed to give women the right to vote.   

For more information about the Anne Dallas Dudley Awards and other civic engagement efforts offered through the Secretary of State’s office, please visit sos.tn.gov/civics.

City Mulls Water Price Increase (MSM)

At its May 1 study session, the Columbia City Council discussed potential increases in water rates that Columbia Power and Water Systems is seeking to have approved.

Some of CPWS’ infrastructure is decades old and in dire need of repair, according to CPWS officials. In Hampshire alone, there have been 25 breaks in water mains over the last 30 years. The rate increases would help the agency complete these repairs in the city within the next five years.

Rates would increase by $5 per residential customer, $10 per commercial or industrial user, 30 cents per 1,000 gallons on commodity usage and 72 cents per 1,000 gallons on water for resale (i.e., the water CPWS sells to other utilities). The estimated $82.2 million collected over five years would go entirely toward maintenance, not towards new infrastructure.

According to CPWS, Wards 1 and 2 would benefit from Cayce Lane pump station upgrades to address peak demand capacity, Wards 3 and 4 would benefit from other improvements on the south side of town to improve fire flow and peak demand capacity, while Ward 5 would benefit from Bear Creek Pike pump station upgrades to improve fire flow and peak demand capacity.

The council will have a first reading and vote at its May 8 meeting. If approved after June’s public hearing, the increases would take effect on Aug. 1, 2025.

The city’s proposed 2025-26 budget will also be up for an initial vote before a June 12 public hearing, if approved Thursday. The proposed $88.891 million budget contains a four percent increase in pay for city employees but leaves the property tax rate unchanged at 0.8251 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Columbia has also applied for funds under the 2025 Waste Reduction Grant Program through the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation. This grant, if approved, would fund the purchase of a recycling truck for the city at a cost of $425,199.60. The city would be responsible for 30 percent, or $127,559.88. A resolution up for consideration will commit the city to funding if the grant is approved.

The council will also consider amending the Honey Farms Planned Unit Development off Nashville Highway and Honey Farms Way, by adding a 45,000 square foot Walmart to the master plan, as well as creating an easement to Ridley Road for adjacent property owners who asked for one.

Finally, Meritage Homes of Tennessee, Inc. plans on developing a residential subdivision adjacent to Ridley Park Road. The ordinance would approve an access easement agreement that would allow vehicular and pedestrian access from Trotwood Avenue on, over and across Ridley Park Road to the land owned by Meritage Homes.

Jefferson’s Honors Teacher (Press Release)

Jefferson’s Restaurant is pleased to announce the first-ever Nashville area Jefferson’s Teachers of the Year winners. Each Jefferson’s location in the Nashville area has honored a local winner:

• Brentwood: Rachel Lytle

• Fairview: Angela Campbell

• Murfreesboro: Rickey Field

• Columbia: Will Walker teaches sixth grade English Language Arts at Mount Pleasant Middle School for the Visual and Performing Arts and has been teaching for over 12 years. Before becoming an educator, he served in the US Air Force. Mr. Walker was chosen for his storytelling, humor, and enthusiasm in the classroom, which have allowed him to connect academically and personally with his students.

Each teacher was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by students and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Teachers’ Day on May 6, aims to recognize a few of the many deserving teachers in the Nashville area. Jefferson’s selected Lytle, Walker, Campbell, and Field as the Teachers of the Year for their commitment to not only teaching their students, but also changing their lives for the better.

"Our educators Lytle, Walker, Campbell, and Field are all teachers that are beloved by their communities," said Jefferson's President Brandon Graham. “They’re selfless and passionate about meeting each student where they are. Our nominators told us stories of our winners serving as parent figures for children who lost parents, organizing class trips to local bookstores, dressing up as book characters, and working long hours to ensure that their students love learning. We’re honored to recognize them for their outstanding service to their students and communities.”

Each teacher will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and their achievement will be commemorated with a "Jefferson's Teacher of the Year" plaque for all restaurant patrons to see.

This year is the pilot run for the Jefferson's Teacher of the Year award, launched as a sister program to Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award, which runs in the fall. The teachers’ initiative was open to teachers working with students of any age, and candidates could be nominated by students, parents and guardians of students, school officials, or other community members.

New Butcher Shop Opens in Columbia (CDH)

Some small-town staples never go out of style, such as having a good place to shop among a prime selection of meats cut fresh from the farm.

The Ridge Butcher Shop & Fresh Market in downtown Columbia, which opened in September at 1109 S. Main St., is offering up choice cuts of beef, lamb, pork, as well as seafood, most of which are locally sourced.

Owner Keith Cannon, who operates Southern Ridge Farm in Columbia, said the decision to move operations from the farm to downtown was to reach a larger customer base.

"People come and visit a farm when they want to feel nostalgic, but not necessarily to buy meat," Cannon said. "We've been farming for over 28 years, all-natural and pasture-raised regenerative farming with my wife and our five kids."

It was also a way to provide an even fresher and more transparent product now that all processing is done in-house at the farm.

"About three years ago, we decided it was time to bring our boys on full-time and that it was time to build our own state-of-the-art processing facility," Cannon said. "That way, we can have all of our meats processed on the farm rather than sending it to a slaughterhouse. That's how we did it before and would get our meat back frozen."

It has also added to the variety of products, which can be made available for customers.

"We make our own sausage and bacon, snack sticks and summer sausage," Cannon said. "Anything you can make, we can make on our farm now. The butcher shop now is kind of a natural extension, where to go next in providing a food source for people, and it's been great for the community."

This even includes treats for dogs, which are processed from grass-fed beef liver.

In addition to the fresh meats offered daily, The Ridge also sells ingredients such as local honey, canned goods, farm fresh eggs, butter, pastas and seasonings one might need to make a meal.

"We want to have stuff where people can come in and say, 'I have a pound of meat and want to make tacos, but I have no shells and other ingredients,'" Cannon said. "We try to have everything available at the store, and that it is good quality, local stuff."

Cannon said there are many ways he hopes The Ridge can grow as a shop, such as offering fresh wild caught seafood during certain days of the week.

"We try to get as much seafood as we can bring in here every Thursday," Cannon said. "We are working with a farm in North Carolina that provides us trout. I grew up on the beach and really love seafood, and so we are hoping to build our seafood market and hope it catches on."

There are also plans to expand the shop to provide an area where customers could grill up their meats onsite.

"We are getting ready to build an awning outside and put in a deck, hopefully to have a place people can come and linger," Cannon said. "We've got a lot of grass in the back we need to utilize. We want to be a place people can gather, maybe grab some smoked barbecue, or a few brats and grill themselves. We are very community oriented."

And as far as his own personal favorite cut of meat, Cannon said it tends to go with a classic.

"If I were to sit down with a steak, I would like a ribeye," Cannon said. "The flavor is in the fat and is very well marbled. That's what you want."

The Ridge's business hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. To place an order, call (931) 922-6855.

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.”

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

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

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

And now, news from around the state…

State Invests in Infrastructure (Press Release)

Today, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced that for the first time in history, the state’s annual budget includes additional dedicated, recurring General Fund dollars for transportation. The $80 million in recurring and $1 billion in non-recurring dollars will allow the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to accelerate, leverage, and add new projects to the department’s fiscally constrained 10-Year Plan.

 These funds build on the historic investments and authority granted to TDOT by the Tennessee General Assembly during the past three years, reinforcing the need to build efficiently and effectively to accommodate Tennessee’s exceptional growth. Today, TDOT also released its updated annual plan to include these added funds outlined in the recently passed budget.

 “Tennesseans and all who travel through our state will benefit from the historic infrastructure investments we’ve made in partnership with the General Assembly,” said Governor Bill Lee. “I’m grateful for their partnership and willingness to strategically fund transportation projects without raising taxes or going into debt, and this 10-year plan is a bold approach to funding new projects while maintaining our aging infrastructure.”

 The first-of-its-kind recurring General Fund dollars are made possible by reallocating a portion of the existing Tire Sales Tax revenue to TDOT. This innovative funding approach doesn’t raise taxes but does increase TDOT’s ability to deliver a higher level of service across Tennessee. This additional money is primarily planned for state-of-good-repair maintenance of pavement and bridges, ensuring the state’s existing infrastructure is properly maintained for years to come.

 "This budget and these new investments in transportation and infrastructure will be a game-changer for our state,” said Lt. Governor Randy McNally. “Without raising taxes or debt, we’re accelerating projects, improving safety, and preparing our roads for the future. The General Assembly’s commitment ensures Tennessee stays strong, connected, and economically competitive."

 “Thanks to the strong partnership between TDOT and the General Assembly, we’ve made strategic, fiscally responsible investments that have helped accelerate key transportation projects across our state, without raising taxes or taking on debt,” said House Speaker Cameron Sexton. “This budget keeps Tennessee moving forward.”

 The $1 billion non-recurring funding will be allocated to additional statewide projects, plus one-time investments in the department’s pavement, bridges, and the Spot Safety Program, and funding into the State Infrastructure Fund for local partnership transportation investments. The $80 million in recurring dollars will be allocated as follows:

◦ Pavement Preservation Program, leading to an additional 130 lane miles resurfaced annually.

◦ Bridge Preservation Program, leading to an additional 700,000 square feet of bridge deck treatment being repaired annually.

◦ Mowing and Litter Program, adding a mowing and litter cycle on interstates and state routes, improving service levels and safety for citizens.

◦ Spot Safety Program to address transportation safety concerns more efficiently and effectively for taxpayers.

◦ Rural Service Patrol, expanding our popular urban Help Truck Program to cover an additional 46 counties of rural Tennessee highways, increasing safety and service for all who traverse Tennessee’s rural interstates.

The updated 2025 10-Year Plan contains 96 projects, including Tennessee’s first new interstate trade route in 45 years. Additionally, TDOT introduced something new to the 10-Year Project Map: the checkered flag, which indicates projects delivered to construction.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Benson Boone is taking his show on the road.

The backflipping, Grammy-nominated pop artist announced the American Heart Tour on May 5, ahead of an upcoming album of the same name, which will drop June 20.

The American Heart run, which will kick off on Aug. 22 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, will stop in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on September 9th.

Find tickets starting May 9th at www.bridgestonearena.com.