Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 6-29-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for June 29, 2026

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

GM Investing in Spring Hill Plant (MauryCountySource)

General Motors is investing $275 million in its Spring Hill manufacturing complex to support future vehicle production and continue its 2.7-liter engine program.

The investment includes $150 million for Spring Hill Assembly to prepare for the production of a future Cadillac vehicle with an internal combustion engine and $125 million for Spring Hill Global Propulsion Systems to refurbish equipment and extend production of the 2.7-liter turbo engine.

Company officials said the investment reflects GM’s long-term commitment to the Spring Hill facility and its workforce while strengthening the company’s manufacturing operations.

Once the new Cadillac model is added, Spring Hill Assembly will produce five vehicles, joining the Cadillac LYRIQ, LYRIQ-V, VISTIQ, next-generation XT5, and the Chevrolet Blazer, which is scheduled to begin production in 2027.

The investment in the propulsion plant will help continue production of the 2.7-liter turbo engine, which powers several Chevrolet and GMC trucks, including the Colorado, Canyon, Silverado, and Sierra.

GM said the announcement is part of a larger effort to strengthen U.S. manufacturing. The company expects to invest about $9 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations this year, in addition to more than $7 billion in U.S. research and development.

The latest investment follows several major commitments to the Spring Hill campus in recent years, including a $2 billion investment in Spring Hill Assembly announced in 2020, a $2.3 billion battery plant announced with LG Energy Solution in 2021, and the addition of Chevrolet Blazer production announced in 2025.

Hygrade to Expand in Mt. Pleasant (Press Release)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Hygrade Components CEO Randall D. Gottlieb announced today the company will expand its operations through a strategic, long-term lease commitment in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee.

Hygrade Components will invest over $1.6 million and create more than 30 new jobs in Maury County at its North Main Street location, which will directly support growth into new markets.

In total, the company will add approximately 100,000 square feet to its existing plant in Mount Pleasant where it will employ 100 people following completion of the project.

Founded in 1939 in Long Island, New York, Hygrade Components expanded to Mount Pleasant in 1994 where the Company continues to manufacture an array of metal components primarily used in the fabrication of windows and doors. Since its founding, the Company has grown organically and through acquisitions, with each successful acquisition expanding its manufacturing capabilities. Hygrade Components prides itself on delivering the fenestration industry’s highest quality products, customer service and lead times. The company maintains its corporate headquarters in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and it has additional manufacturing facilities in Arkansas and Oregon and additional warehousing facilities in Texas.

“Tennessee continues to attract companies like Hygrade Components due to our highly skilled workforce and business-friendly climate. This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening communities and supporting job creation statewide, and I am grateful for the opportunities this project will create for families across Maury County.” – Gov. Bill Lee

“When a company chooses to do business in our state, it speaks to the strength of our workforce and the business climate we’ve built to support growth and expansion. We thank Hygrade Components for more than 30 years of commitment to Tennessee and stand ready to support this company’s success for the next 30-plus years.” – Deputy Gov. and TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter

“On behalf of Hygrade Components’ management team, I am thrilled to announce our strategic lease agreement at 1319 North Main Street. This long-term commitment not only expands our operational footprint but also empowers us to innovate faster, scale our services and better serve our growing client base over the next decade. This milestone guarantees our presence in the community for years to come, allowing us to build deeper relationships, create lasting local jobs and deliver sustained excellence.” – Randall D. Gottlieb, CEO, Hygrade Components

“Hygrade Components has built a strong reputation as a quality manufacturer and valued employer in Maury County, and I am proud to see the company continue to grow in Mount Pleasant. This $1.6 million investment and the creation of more than 30 new jobs demonstrate Hygrade Components’ long-term commitment to our community and the skilled workforce that helps drive Tennessee’s manufacturing success.” – Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) 

County Commission Nixes Development (MSM)

The Maury County Commission voted unanimously against rezoning 1,339 acres of the old 5,000-acre Monsanto property in Santa Fe, blocking the mixed-use Crosswaters Reserve development proposed for the site.

Reed Martz, the attorney for Crosswaters, LLC, defended the project as he has at previous meetings of the county commission and Maury County Regional Planning Commission. He denied public commenters’ claims that Agent Orange or arsenic were produced, released or buried at the old Monsanto facility. He also advised the development would be separated by the Duck River from the acreage of the actual Monsanto plant, which was never on the infamous Superfund list, and repeated that none of Barge Design’s tests detected harmful levels of any toxic substances on the Crosswaters site.

“This site is not the [elemental phosphorus] processing facility… [in fact it’s] a mile, mile and a half north of the Monsanto plant (site),” he said. “Washed dirt was moved to [the reservoir on the Crosswaters site] from… south of the river.”

On the topic of zoning and land use, Martz pitched the project as a fulfillment of the county commission’s stated goals. He pointed out that it’s already surrounded by rural residential zoning; would preserve at least 277 acres of rural forest and the old 325-acre tailings pond for character and recreational use; would add diverse, affordable housing units and taxable businesses that would employ locals; and might even supply its own water from the tailings pond and dispose of its own wastewater via STEP systems.

“Doing nothing with this property is not a viable option… If not [this], then what do you want to do with it?” he asked the commission rhetorically. “Is [heavy industrial use] what you want to see? If not, what would you suggest?”

“The political environment is such that this project likely will not receive a fair consideration, and certainly not a favorable vote,” predicted Bruce Peden, an attorney who made the only pro-Crosswaters public comment. “People are moving here… [and] there is not a single public report of any tests… which demonstrate the presence of any contaminant or toxic substance at any unsafe level… [Furthermore] there is not a single reported instance of any pollution or contamination of the Duck River or any groundwater from this site.”

Most public commenters insisted the site for the development was contaminated by Monsanto operations and even kicking up the dust would pose a hazard to public health.

“There are contaminated railroad cars, tools, trucks, chemicals, chemical containers… buried in the land or dumped in the ponds. The supervisor told me that was the directive… Just get rid of it, bury it, dump it… and don’t keep any record of what you bury… or where. They didn’t want… a paper trail,” said Sue Stephenson, a former county commissioner who interviewed ex-Monsanto workers for a 2020 report. “They never took their clothing or their boots home for fear of fire. They didn’t ride in there in their own automobiles or trucks, they rode in… and left there on a bus. They said they would never eat any of the fish in those ponds, and they would never build a home on that property.”

“I have seen cattle across all the Monsanto sites that come out with three legs, four ears, deformed in every way possible. The hay that’s fed off of this site is extremely toxic,” said Trevor Pennington, who farms his beef herd in nearby Williamsport, who also predicted developers would violate environmental restrictions as a matter of course. “No construction site is contained or mitigated the way that SWPP or TDEC calls for these days. As a former homebuilder and developer, I have seen [that] those practices… are never followed by developers or homebuilders.”

“This is not something that fits with the rural character of Maury County… This is Franklin, this is Brentwood, this is Williamson County,” said Jordan Rouden, a candidate to represent District 9 on the county commission.

Rouden pointed out the neighborhood covenants of Crosswaters would ban down-home activities including yard sales, repairing cars and open-carrying guns, and that it would add at least 3,000 permanent residents to the historically rural area.

“It’s essentially a small town being dropped in [Santa Fe],” he said. “The scale of it will leave us paying for this mismatch for generations, despite the $5 billion in economic growth, in ways that can’t pay for.”

Ahead of the public hearing and vote, Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt urged the commissioners to focus on facts.

“I know some things are very emotional, but I want you to understand that our words here tonight have ramifications,” she warned. “What matters are the facts and consistency. Listen and consider your vote. The planning commission made their recommendation on the facts, and we want to make sure, when we’ve listened to both sides, that we make our recommendation on the facts as well.”

The county commissioners leaned toward reasoning like Rouden’s in their unanimous vote against the project, citing the planning commission’s recommendation against it; its incompatibility with the Santa Fe’s rural character and the county’s land-use plan; and the fact that a new county land-use plan is still being drafted.

County Budget to be Finalized Monday (MSM)

It’s budget season, and the Maury County budget committee’s next move is a special called meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 29 to finalize the budget for fiscal year 2027. The full Maury County Commission will then consider the budget at 6:30 p.m.

Mayor Sheila Butt reported that the county is making progress on securing ambulance services and getting fair reimbursement from municipalities. She said that the findings of a long Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) study on ambulance cost-sharing would be reviewed starting June 18, with recommendations to follow.

Commissioner Gabe Howard raised his concern that Williamson County might not continue to send ambulances to the Maury County side of Spring Hill in six months, which he learned that morning from Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fitterer. Butt replied that she had taken part in the negotiations that guaranteed the next six months of ambulance service to south Spring Hill, and that the TACIR study will help determine the correct balance of service and reimbursement among the two counties.

“It will be determined by what’s best for the people in Spring Hill. If [continued Williamson County service] will [save lives], then Williamson will work with us on that,” the mayor reassured her listeners. “There are just a lot of things to be said and done in the next few months with that. So, we certainly are working… for the safety of those citizens. That’s what matters.”

The county approved the Maury County Regional Planning Commission-recommended rezonings of the 89-acre Metz property on Dowell Branch Road and the 63.5-acre Sullivan property on Lick Creek Road in Primm Springs. They also endorsed Maury County Water System’s standing application to TDEC for a 3MGD intake in the Duck River and gave the Maury County Animal Shelter permission to shorten its minimum animal-holding period from 10 days to five.

The county commission took Mark Dobies off of interim status and made him the permanent county attorney.

“It’s been a challenge, I’m not going to lie… but this is my new home now,” Dobies said. “I’m grateful to be here.”

The commission also approved a three-percent raise for county employees and acknowledged that four terms are expiring on the County Board of Equalization, which hears property reassessment claims.

Finally, the commission voted to rename its meeting chamber the Barner-Primm Commission Room, in honor of recently deceased District 3 Commissioner Talvin Barner. The name will follow the commission to the second floor of the renovated courthouse when their meetings move there.

Historic Marker Dedication (Press Release)

The City of Columbia recently unveiled a historical marker commemorating the Maury County Jail Fire of 1977 during a ceremony held on the 49th anniversary of the tragedy, preserving the history of one of the most significant events in the community's past through the City's Historical Marker Program.

On June 26, 1977, a deadly fire broke out inside the Maury County Jail, claiming the lives of 42 people, including inmates and visitors. The fire remains the deadliest jail fire in Tennessee history and the second deadliest in the nation.

The tragedy began when padding inside a jail cell was set ablaze, causing smoke to rapidly spread throughout the building. Despite heroic efforts by local law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency personnel, and volunteers to rescue those trapped inside, many victims were unable to escape in the first critical moments of the fire.

The disaster prompted significant changes in jail design and construction standards across the country, helping improve safety measures in correctional facilities nationwide.

“This marker serves as a permanent reminder of a tragedy that forever changed our community and influenced correctional facility safety across the nation,” said Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder. “While we cannot undo the pain experienced by so many families, we can ensure that the lives lost are never forgotten. Preserving and sharing these stories is an important part of remembering our past and educating future generations.”

Following the fire, the building was restored and continued to serve as the Maury County Jail until 1998. In 2001, it was converted into the Maury County Archives, and in January 2025, the facility was renovated, expanded, and rededicated, continuing its role as a place where local history is preserved and shared.

City Manager Tony Massey, who established the City of Columbia Historical Marker Program with the assistance of the late Bob Duncan, said the program was created to preserve the people, places, and events that have shaped Columbia's history.

“As a young man living in Columbia I recall the tragedy," said Massey. “The Maury County Jail Fire left an indelible mark on Columbia, and it is important that future generations understand both the tragedy itself and the lasting impact it had on public safety throughout the country. Through our Historical Marker Program, we are committed to preserving the stories that define Columbia’s heritage.”

Since its creation, the City of Columbia Historical Marker Program has recognized 14 sites of local historical significance, including the Bethel Hotel/Princess Theatre, Union Station Train Depot, Columbia Fire & Rescue, and Fairview Park with additional markers currently in development. The program complements historical and commemorative markers installed by the Tennessee Historical Commission, Tennessee Civil War Trails, and other local organizations, creating a lasting record of the people, places, and events that have shaped Columbia while preserving those stories for future generations.

Maury Regional Recognized for Orthopedics (Press Release)

Maury Regional Medical Center has earned multiple 2026 recognitions from Healthgrades, including designation as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery for the fifth consecutive year (2022–2026) and one of the top three in Tennessee for orthopedic surgery. The medical center also received Five-Star ratings for treatment of heart failure, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hip fracture, as well as for gallbladder removal surgery and outpatient total hip replacement.

These distinctions build on Maury Regional Medical Center’s longstanding record of clinical excellence, including six consecutive years (2021-2026) as a Five-Star recipient for hip fracture treatment and multiple consecutive years of Five-Star recognition for the treatment of heart failure (2025-2026) and gallbladder removal surgery (2024-2026). Together, the awards reflect the organization’s commitment to delivering high-quality care and achieving strong patient outcomes across a broad range of specialties.

“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our physicians, nurses and care teams who work every day to provide safe, compassionate and high-quality care,” said Martin Chaney, MD, chief executive officer for Maury Regional Health. “Achieving this level of performance across multiple specialties—and sustaining that performance over multiple years—is a testament to the teamwork, expertise and commitment that define our organization.”

Each year, Healthgrades evaluates risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to identify the top hospitals in key specialty areas. Through easy-to-understand, objective measures of hospital performance, Healthgrades empowers patients with the information they need to find a hospital that excels in their procedure or condition.

“Healthgrades’ specialty awards identify the nation’s top-performing hospitals in key service areas, helping consumers find high-quality care tailored to their specific needs,” said Alana Biggers, MD, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. “We’re proud to recognize Maury Regional Medical Center for its consistently superior outcomes in key service areas, including orthopedics, cardiovascular care and surgical services.”

These honors reinforce Maury Regional Medical Center’s role as a trusted hospital dedicated to advancing patient care through clinical expertise, innovation and a focus on excellence. To learn more about Maury Regional Medical Center and the services offered, visit MauryRegional.com.

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

Willie Leon “W.L.” Boshers, 82, a resident of Columbia, TN, passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Life Care Center of Columbia.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home.

And now, news from around the state…

Gubernatorial Candidates Make Pitch (CDH)

GOP candidates for Tennessee governor made their pitches to hundreds of Republican VIPs at the party’s annual Statesmen's Dinner fundraiser on Saturday — a back-to-back look at the contrasts between candidates that may be rare this cycle, as there's still no sign the trio will debate.

As guests entered the Music City Center on June 27 for the party's annual Nashville soiree, they were greeted by a wall of large signs and a throng of campaign staffers for U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Rep John Rose – who are both vying for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

Blackburn, Rose and longshot candidate state Rep. Monty Fritts have yet to actually share a debate stage. Rose and Fritts have both challenged Blackburn to debate, but so far none have been scheduled. Blackburn has held a strong, consistent lead in virtually all reputable polling in the contest. Rose has declined to debate Fritts without Blackburn present.

But on June 27, all three gave 15-minute speeches to the crowd of party leaders and donors — each making an effort to stand out.

An impeccably coiffed Blackburn pitched “a conservative reset” for Tennessee. But while her carefully worded pitch included some new ideas for the state, Blackburn’s campaign platform included many policies that are already law in Tennessee.

Blackburn said she is “all in” on an idea of a “Tennessee DOGE” – alluding to the bureaucracy-cutting efforts of the second Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. She did not offer specifics on which departments, initiatives, or programs she feels should be eliminated.

“Marsha’s got a big red marker. And we’re going to start marking through things in that state budget, and get that state budget under control,” she said. While the state budget has grown, Gov. Bill Lee has cut 366 agency staff positions since 2019.

Rose touted his eight-generation family history in Tennessee, and his campaign's engagement in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Then, taking a not-so-veiled swing at Blackburn – who has not held public town halls or widespread campaign events open to the general public – Rose said voters are looking for “a governor who listens.”

“They’re done with Washington politicians who come in, give a scripted speech, take scripted questions and give scripted responses,” said Rose, who, like Blackburn, has served in Congress.

Rose said voters with whom he’s spoken want a governor who will protect the state’s natural resources, fund good education, address the state’s infrastructure backlog, expand access to healthcare, and expand Tennessee’s energy production.

“These are the challenges they want the next governor to take on,” he said.

Rose touted his experience running a business, and his 100% lifetime voting score from the conservative think tank Heritage Action. Blackburn’s lifetime score is 88%.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Humanities Tennessee, in partnership with Vanderbilt University, announced the initial lineup of award-winning, bestselling authors who will headline the free 38th Annual Southern Festival of Books, taking place Oct. 17 – 18, 2026, at Bicentennial Mall, the Tennessee State Museum, and the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Click for More Events

One of the oldest and largest literary events in the country, the festival will be open to the public from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, welcoming crowds of more than 25,000 attendees for panel sessions, discussions, book signings, and readings. 

Leading the robust lineup for the 2026 festival will be Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ayad Akhtar, bestselling authors Kathryn Stockett, Allegra Goodman, Elizabeth Kostova and Maria Semple, memoirist Belle Burden, poet Claudia Rankine, award-winning Nashville favorites Ann Patchett and Margaret Renkl, and former Tennessee Governor and US Senator Lamar Alexander, with additional authors added throughout the summer.

For a full lineup of festival authors, visit sofestofbooks.org.