Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 6-17-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for June 17, 2026

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

City of Columbia Adopts Budget (CDH)

The city has adopted its fiscal year budget for 2026-2027 after a recent vote by Columbia City Council.

The total proposed budget, according to city staff, totals $84,466,601, with about $51.4 million designated to the city's general fund.

The general fund also includes a $1.5 million (3.3%) increase due to local economic growth.

"This is the eighth budget that I will have been a part of over the last eight years, and of all the things we do, unless we pass a robust, balanced budget, not a whole lot really matters," Mayor Chaz Molder said. "This budget is an opportunity for us to invest in our community, invest in our citizenry and do everything we can to make this place we call home better to live, work and raise a family."

In January, Columbia was once again awarded for excellence in public finance, earning the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) prestigious Triple Crown designation for the sixth consecutive year.

“The City’s Finance Department is committed to producing high quality and transparent financial documents that provide Columbia citizens with information on how the government is funded and where funds are spent,“ said Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Thad Jablonski. “Awards such as these demonstrate the hard work and commitment of City finance personnel again in 2025.”

The Triple Crown distinction is awarded to governments that receive all three of the GFOA’s top honors:

• the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award.

• the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting,

• the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

During the June 11 meeting, where the budget was passed, councilors also voted to establish property tax rates at $0.6068 per $100 of assessable property.

"I am proud that this is our eighth budget that we are passing without a property tax increase over the last eight years at all," Molder said. "I am proud that this is another budget that exercises fiscal responsibility with an eye towards the future. I want to say, 'thank you' to our city staff, beginning with our city manager, our assistant city manager and everybody in the building and across city government that are responsible for putting forth a budget that we can all be proud of."

In addition, the 2026-2027 fiscal budget also includes a 4% increase to all city employee salaries.

"We have made a concerted effort to make sure we are taking care of our employees," Molder said. "They are our people, and if we don't take care of them, then they won't take care of others. I am proud this [budget] includes yet another increase in pay. I think we have done a very good job over the last several years in making sure we are increasing our employees' pay so that not only we continue to recruit the best and brightest, but that we are also retaining those who have committed their life to public service for this community."

Other key points from the city's budget also highlighted Columbia's continued growth, with a 2025 special census reporting a 17.3% population increase since 2020.

Columbia as a tourism destination was also recognized, with Columbia Main Street receiving one of the first six state accreditations, while also ranking among eight semifinalists for the 2026 Great American Main Street Awards.

Columbia State Receives Donation (Press Release)

The Columbia State Community College Foundation recently received a large gift during a luncheon held at Graymere Country Club. The gift was given unrestricted. This means the Columbia State Foundation Board can have flexibility in using the funds to meet the needs identified by the College and the Foundation.

Clay Buttrey, vice president and associate financial advisor at Baird Wealth Management, gave a personal contribution to the Columbia State Foundation to support the college and its impact on the students and communities of southern Middle Tennessee. 

“Clay has talked to me over the years about his support for what Columbia State means to the community,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for Advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “We are appreciative of this significant gift.”

The check was presented to Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, during a luncheon hosted by Buttrey. Columbia State Foundation Board chair, Stacey Shedd, Lay and other community members and friends were present. 

“As board chair, thank you, Clay, for helping the Foundation support the work of the college,” Shedd said. “As a former Columbia State student, I know what a difference this college can make.”

“Your gift makes a difference in the lives of students,” Smith said. “It provides an opportunity that sometimes they can't get anywhere but here. Education changes lives. We know that's what getting an education does, that it opens doors. This provides an opportunity for our students to go and to grow. One, go to college, and two, is to grow to become who they want to be. Through this gift, you are giving back for years to come. It's a continual thing. It continues to grow, and as we have one student grow, then hopefully they will help someone else to grow along the way.” 

Buttrey began his career in mechanical engineering following his graduation from Tennessee Technological University. He then transitioned careers to begin financial advising with Merrill Lynch and then became a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in 1999. Now a resident of Columbia, he joined Baird Wealth Management in 2020.

“Over the years, I've invested my money and done well,” Buttrey said. “And it's allowed me to do this. I'm happy to give, and I hope to continue to be able to do so.”

The Columbia State Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and partners with the college to positively impact student success and the communities in which it serves. For more information, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Foundation. 

Maury County School Receives Award (Press Release)

The Tennessee Tiered Supports Center (TSC), in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), has announced that Maury County Public Schools (MCPS) has been named a 2025-2026 RTI²-A+B Change Makers Award recipient.

The Change Makers Award honors Tennessee school districts that have strengthened and aligned their Response to Instruction and Intervention for Academics and Behavior (RTI²-A+B) tiered support systems while creating lasting, sustainable improvements that positively impact every student. The recognition celebrates school districts that lead RTI²-A+B implementation with vision, purpose, and dedication.

Maury County Public Schools earned the distinction through its commitment to building strong, responsive systems of support that help ensure every student has access to the academic and behavioral interventions needed to succeed.

"This recognition reflects the dedication of our educators, administrators, and support staff who work every day to ensure students receive the support they need to thrive," said Maury County Public Schools Superintendent, Lisa Ventura. "Our RTI²-A+B framework helps us identify student needs early, provide targeted interventions, and create opportunities for success. We are honored to be recognized as a Change Maker and remain committed to helping every student reach their full potential."

Change Makers Award school districts exemplify excellence through high-quality coaching, meaningful professional learning, and strategic implementation practices that empower school communities to thrive. By building strong, responsive systems of support, Maury County Public Schools is advancing student achievement and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

City Acquires Police Tactical Vehicle (Press Release)

The City of Columbia has strengthened its public safety capabilities through the addition of a new tactical response vehicle for the Columbia Police Department and a new fire engine for Columbia Fire & Rescue. The investments represent the City's continued commitment to equipping first responders with the resources necessary to protect residents, respond to emergencies, and maintain the highest level of public safety service.

“Every day, our police officers and firefighters answer the call to serve and protect our community,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. “Providing them with modern equipment and advanced resources is one of the most important investments we can make. These additions strengthen our ability to respond to emergencies, protect lives and property, and provide peace of mind for the residents of Columbia.”

The Columbia Police Department recently added a Ford Transit 350 HD 4x4 tactical van to its fleet. The vehicle, which seats up to 12 personnel and features A9-level ballistic protection, was purchased for $259,200 through funding provided by the State of Tennessee’s Violent Crime Intervention Fund (VCIF) Grant. The tactical van will support SWAT Team deployments, narcotics operations, violent felony arrest and search warrants, and other specialized law enforcement missions. It will also be featured at community events, providing residents an opportunity to learn more about the department’s specialized equipment and public safety operations.

“As we make advancements in today's Law Enforcement World, it is imperative to provide advanced protection for the men and women who are responsible for protecting our citizens and community,” said Police Chief Jeremy Haywood. “This tactical van does just that, and I am thankful to our Mayor, Vice Mayor, members of council, and City Manager for seeing the need for this level of protection for our men and women, and approving this new addition to our fleet.”  

Columbia Fire & Rescue has placed into service a new $925,000 KME Panther pumper designed to support fire suppression, rescue operations, and a wide range of emergency responses. The apparatus is equipped with a 1,000-gallon water tank, a 1,500-gallon-per-minute fire pump, and a Class A foam system, providing firefighters with enhanced capabilities when responding to emergencies throughout the city.

“This new apparatus is an investment in both our firefighters and the community we serve,” said Fire Chief Chris Cummins. “As Columbia continues to grow, it is important that we provide our personnel with reliable equipment and modern technology. This new engine will help us respond more effectively to emergencies while continuing to provide the high level of service our citizens expect.”

City Manager Tony Massey said the investments underscore the City’s ongoing investment in emergency services.

“These investments support the first responders who serve our community every day,” said Massey. “They reflect our commitment to preparedness and the safety of our residents.”

Together, these additions enhance Columbia’s emergency response capabilities and reinforce the City’s commitment to continuing to provide reliable, professional public safety services to residents and visitors alike.

Fathering The Fatherless Non-Profit (MSM)

Maury County veteran Douglas Androsky’s passion for children and families is the driving force behind Fathering the Fatherless, a nonprofit with a mission to educate fathers, mentors and the institutions that support them in Middle Tennessee with an eye to spread across Tennessee, the United States and ultimately the world.

Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt supported Androsky’s work by designating every Saturday before Fathers’ Day, starting in 2026, as “Fathering the Fatherless Day.”

Androsky grew up in Superior, Wisc., spending much of his childhood in a single-parent household. After his biological father left when he was 3, he spent a year in foster care, and his mother and stepfather divorced when he was a young teenager. While applying to join the U.S. military, Androsky discovered that he had lived at 36 different addresses in Superior alone before the age of 18 — and those, he said, are just the ones he remembers.

“I was the second-youngest [child], but I feel like the oldest,” he said. “[But] God put five men in my life at the right times.”

Androsky joined the military in 2006, deployed with the Minnesota National Guard to Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, and became an intelligence analyst with a strong grounding in statistics. His 20-year career made him the first veteran, college graduate and homeowner in his family, and he’s been married nine years and become an involved father himself to three girls. But he wanted to do something for the many American families as broken as his — especially for their children.

“One of the men in my life said [in 2012], ‘Your purpose and passion in life is fathering the fatherless,'” he recalled. “I didn’t know what that meant… [but recently another mentor told me], ‘Doug, just do what you’re passionate about,’ and that’s when the door opened.”

In December 2024, Androsky answered the call by founding Fathering the Fatherless, with himself as the leader and his wife Andrea as the official secretary, in the hope of spreading the word about the meaning of good fatherhood and the consequences of its absence.

His statistical background helps him to frame the urgency of the issue: according to his independent research, fatherless children face measurably worse life outcomes on interaction with the criminal-justice system, behavior, education and economics. A child with no father is three to five times more likely to live in poverty; a child with separated parents is twice as likely to drop out of high school or cause a teenage pregnancy; 70 percent of incarcerated youth didn’t live with both parents; and 60 percent of “latchkey kids” with uninvolved parents will use drugs recreationally.

Androsky believes both Maury County and the state of Tennessee are slightly above the American average for the prevalence of single-parent households. According to his research, single parents lead 33.57 percent of households in the state of Tennessee: the 16th-highest rate among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, which average about 32 percent. Maury County ranks 43rd among Tennessee’s 95 counties: single-parent households make up 32.7 percent of those in the county, which are two and a half times more likely to be led by single mothers than single fathers. About one in three American children live in such single-parent households; at 35.27 percent, Tennessee ranks 15th in the country.

“I didn’t realize how high up Tennessee is in [the prevalence] of having families with fatherless children,” said Butt, who learned from the Pew Research Center that the United States has the highest rate of single-parented children in the world. “This is a call to action for us to be able to help the fatherless children in Maury County.”

“The stats alone people can question: ‘What do I do with this?’ And that’s where my book comes in,” Androsky said. “It’s one thing to find the data, it’s another to extrapolate it and make it make sense, and it’s [yet] another thing to find a way to make it better… Fatherlessness is a problem, and here is the solution.”

Father the Fatherless’s core offering is a trilogy of books: Built to Father: A Man’s Guide to Leaving a Lasting Legacy, which sets out his Eight Pillars of Biblical Fatherhood under the acronym “S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D.”; When the Framework Fractures, a reading guide to Built to Father; and a small-group study guide. Androsky hopes to spread the books’ methods and knowledge via fatheringthefatherless.org, speaking engagements, training sessions and other awareness-raising methods, and his goal is to reach every fatherless household in the country.

“I love questions and I love… people asking about it,” he said.

Androsky is already using his connections and statistical skills to reach, inform and help organizations that concretely help families in straits. Fathering the Fatherless has partnered with the Columbia-based Journey to Jericho, a mentorship program for young men, and he’s met with the founder of the Rutherford County-based organization A Soldier’s Child. As a “girl dad,” he also wants to focus specially on girls’ issues, since the problems of fatherless boys get relatively more attention.

“A father in the home is vital for both girls and boys, but in the context of the oversexualized culture, girls’ [vulnerabilities] definitely carry more weight,” he said.

To that end he organized the “Boots and Braids Country Night” father-daughter dance on May 3, 2026, which was “planned” with the help of his 7-year-old daughter Abigail. The dance was so well-received that they’re already planning the next one for May 2027.

“The feedback I received was phenomenal. Every mom, every dad, said that their girls loved it,” he said. “[They said] this is one of the only daddy-daughter dances that provided value.”

Androsky started his work in Maury County as a necessary launching point: not because it has an abnormally high rate of single-parent households, but because it’s where he’s found himself, and because every good work starts somewhere with real people.

“I can’t go to another county and do real work until I have a foot in the door here, and Sheila Butt has opened up that door,” he said proudly. “We have a big initiative to get this book into the hands of the single-parent households in Tennessee, but I’m not stopping there — it’s going to the nation… If you would like to join this movement, feel free to reach out to me. I’m available through the website.”

The county mayor signed a proclamation, at a ceremony held by the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce on June 9, 2026 endorsing the mission of Fathering the Fatherless and declaring an annual “Fathering the Fatherless Day” on every Saturday before Fathers’ Day.

“I call upon the residents, faith communities, schools and civic organizations of this county to mark this day with intention,” she said: “to remember the fatherless, to mentor the young, to take up the work, all of us together, of fathering whenever we find a child in need of it.”

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

Mr. Ronald Everette Young, 81, of Pelham, Alabama, passed away peacefully on June 7. A private graveside service will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Columbia, Tennessee. A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, June 21 at New Hope Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Mrs. Monnette Fulcher Bruner, 62, passed away Thursday, June 4 at Camden General Hospital. Memorial services will be conducted on Sunday, June 28 at 4:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends on Sunday from 2:00 PM till the time of service at the funeral home.

Mrs. Helen Marie Jones Coble, 60, a resident of Santa Fe, TN, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, June 9. A Celebration of Life will be conducted on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00 PM at Santa Fe Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The family will visit with friends on Sunday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at the Church.

Robert Grey Scott of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on June 11, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia.

A private family graveside service will be at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Martha Ann Allen Covington, 69, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Life Care Center of Columbia.

Funeral service will be conducted Friday, June 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family ask those attending the funeral service, please bring you Bibles to the service. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

And now, news from around the state…

Let Freedom Sing Lineup Announced (Fox17.com)

Nick Jonas, Brothers Osborne and Lauren Daigle are among the stars set to headline Nashville’s July 4 celebration "Let Freedom Sing!"

The free celebration will take place in downtown Nashville Friday, July 3 through Saturday, July 4 and is expected to be the largest fireworks and drone show in city history for America 250. Organizers announced Monday that "Let Freedom Sing!" on Saturday will feature an all-star concert lineup including big names The All-American Rejects, Boyz II Men, Brothers Osborne, Clint Black, Lauren Daigle, NE-YO, Nick Jonas and Sublime.

Rising country artists Emily Ann Roberts and Elizabeth Nichols are also scheduled to perform, with more than 30 artists performing across five stages.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Fans of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will soon have a chance to relive some of the group’s biggest hits when Jersey Boys returns to Nashville this fall at TPAC.

Jersey Boys tells the behind-the-music story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, tracing the group’s rise from four young men from New Jersey to international music stars. Along the way, audiences hear many of the band’s most recognizable songs, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night),” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Beggin'” and “Working My Way Back to You.”

Since opening on Broadway in 2005, Jersey Boys has been seen by more than 30 million people worldwide. 

For tickets and additional information, visit TPAC.org.