Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 6-5-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for June 5, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Spring Hill Fire (MauryCountySource)

SHFD was alerted to a reported structure fire Monday afternoon in the 2000 block of Iroquois Dr. Units began arriving within seven minutes of dispatch to find a confirmed working fire. An alert neighbor seeing smoke, notified the occupants who were able to escape safely. The wind-driven fire quickly extended up the rear of the home and into the attic and living spaces causing catastrophic damage to the entire home. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the SHFD Fire Investigation Unit.

SHFD was assisted by numerous agencies including: SHPD, Williamson County Rescue Squad, Williamson County Fire-Rescue, Williamson Health EMS, Maury Co., Fire Dept., City of Columbia Fire Dept., Williamson ECOM, ATMOS, MTE and the American Red Cross.

One firefighter sustained a minor hand injury and was evaluated on scene, while another firefighter was transported to an area hospital and later released following an evaluation of heat exhaustion.

Homicide Details (NewsChannel5)

Authorities have released the details behind the deaths of two people after their neighbor shot them in a North Columbia neighborhood.

John Biddle and Stacie Wright died on Somerset Lane.

Byron Dean Childers is charged with two counts of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault resulting in death, aggravated assault, carjacking, possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony and simple assault.

The arrest affidavit painted a picture of what happened May 31.

Childers was carrying a rifle down the street when he saw Biddle standing outside his home. Childers called him a demon, according to the arrest affidavit and fired, hitting Biddle.

He shot Biddle more and proceeded to yell he was a "demon from hell" and "it was safe now" afterward. Biddle died outside his home. His wife, Amy, went to Biddle after he was shot. That's when Childers dragged Amy across the concrete, causing scrapes to her knees and elbows. He then grabbed her around the neck, where he restricted her airway. He then shoved a vape pen down her throat, according to the arrest affidavit.

Childers then punched Amy in her face.

Wright heard the commotion outside her door, and she opened her front door. Childers then shot her several times. While she was being treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, she died.

A third victim was shot in the hip while inside his ice cream truck, according to the arrest affidavit.

After the shootings, Childers jumped into a vehicle driven by an off-duty Metro Nashville Police Department officer. He punched the off-duty officer in the face and grabbed the steering wheel, trying to take control of the car. The off-duty officer grabbed his service handgun as Childers ran away, according to the arrest affidavit.

That's when the Columbia Police Department took Childers into custody.

Childers' court date is scheduled for June 18.

Mt. Pleasant Woman Faces Charges (MSM)

A Mount Pleasant woman faces charges of her own after allegedly following up on her husband’s own misdeeds by going after his victim.

Aldegonda Bienca Fletcher, 63, was arrested on the morning of May 7, 2025, and charged with vandalism, aggravated criminal trespass and felony retaliation. Her husband, David Fletcher, 57, was due to be arraigned that morning in Maury County general sessions court, on charges of disturbing the peace and reportedly vandalizing the property of an elderly woman in Mount Pleasant while drunk several months ago.

When Mr. Fletcher was called before the bench, a court official stood up and asked the judge to take his case straight to trial. The official announced that earlier that morning, Fletcher’s wife had allegedly “driven into the property” of his vandalism victim, apparently intending to commit revenge. The judge granted the request and set Mr. Fletcher’s trial date for Sept. 10, 2025, where he will face the same charges as his wife plus the violation of an order of protection.

Mrs. Fletcher was booked on May 15 and released on a $10,000 bond that night. At the district attorney’s request, the circuit court has sealed other details from the public for now.

Summertown Metals Expand East (CDH)

Summertown Metals, a major building materials supplier headquartered in Summertown, Tenn., is set to expand its operations to East Tennessee for the first time.

The Southern Middle Tennessee company will invest $22.6 million and create 170 new jobs through its expansion of distribution and manufacturing operations in Morristown in Hamblen County.

Upon completion, Summertown Metals will employ nearly 600 people across its facilities in Summertown, Hohenwald and Morristown.

Summertown Metals is a leading provider of metal building solutions for pole barns and barndominiums, "committed to delivering quality craftsmanship, customer service and value," the company touts.

Gov. Bill Lee, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Summertown Metals officials made the announcement June 4, through a state media release.

The expansion marks the company's first time to add additional locations outside of Southern Middle Tennessee.

“We are ecstatic that Summertown Metals has chosen Morristown and Hamblen County to be its latest expansion location," Hamblen County Mayor Chris Cutshaw said.

"East Tennessee is an epicenter for growth. The site chosen is adjacent to the interstate and also part of the redevelopment of our Lowland area, making it a great fit for everyone. We are glad you are here with your many great products and, in the words of Summertown Metals, ‘Building Dreams That Last.’”

Founded in 2006, Summertown Metals is a Tennessee-based company that has expanded from a single building materials supplier into a custom building materials distributor.

The expansion to East Tennessee will allow the company to better meet customer demand, providing additional space for metal roll forming, wood and steel truss manufacturing and warehousing and distribution, the state media release said.

“We are honored by the trust our clients place in our services and products and are excited about the opportunity to serve our clients better with our new East Tennessee location," Matt Stoll, CEO Summertown Metals, said.

"We are committed to continuing to provide exceptional value to everyone we are privileged to serve, along with providing so many new career opportunities.”

The company mission is "to maximize the team’s God-given abilities and experience in ways that positively benefit customers, team members, and the community by providing exceptional and affordable building products and services," the media release said.

Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney welcomed continued industrial growth.

“It is always exciting when Morristown is chosen to be part of new journeys in present-day industrial growth. Summertown Metals embodies a company tuned into the needs of both small and large operations representing a wide variety of interests."

Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, attributed the state's business-friendly environment to the expansion decision.

“Tennessee’s conservative policies and hard-working residents continue to attract and retain quality businesses, strengthening our state’s economy," Faison said.

Since 2020, TNECD has supported 61 economic development projects in East Tennessee, resulting in nearly 11,000 job commitments and approximately $3.4 billion in capital investment.

County Commission Hears Legislative Update (MSM)

The Maury County Commission heard some important reports from the state legislature during its Monday, May 19, meeting. Attorney James Dunn, who has significant experience lobbying the state legislature, read off the update because County Mayor Sheila Butt was unable to attend the meeting.

Sen. Joey Hensley and Rep. Kip Capley are sponsoring a bill, HB0083/SB0160, requiring cities to reimburse counties for their share, up to 50 percent, of ambulance services. Hensley got the Senate to pass it, but before the House could do so, the state comptroller said there wasn’t enough statewide data on which local governments are directly providing or contracting out their ambulance services. They couldn’t determine the prudence of passing such a requirement, so the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations has taken up the study of the matter.

HB1329/SB1315, a bill to return another 0.5 percent of local county taxes and fees from the state to their counties of origin, has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action. It would send $17 million, mostly to more populated counties like Maury.

Finally, HB0895/SB0725, which would have taken away the prohibition on landfills from around Class II Scenic Rivers like the Maury County stretch of the Duck River, has stalled. Sponsor Chris Todd agreed to not attempt to move it forward procedurally in this session, though it could still be pushed at another time.

“I think these lawmakers are really listening to you,” said Dunn to the Commission, “and the governor is supporting this.”

County Attorney Daniel Murphy asked about the progress of HB0773/SB0760, which would require the county to publish notices only on websites that don’t charge a fee or a subscription. An amendment to the bill would require the municipality to publish notices in yet another “third party” medium that will charge per word, which Murphy found burdensome. He had also heard that the bill grew out of a “fight” between a newspaper and a radio station in East Tennessee.

Dunn replied that it hasn’t made it to public chapter through the Senate, though it’s passed the House, but he hadn’t researched it for the legislative update and would have to find out more.

Rep. Scott Cepicky notified the Commission and everyone in attendance that he, Capley and Hensley would hold a town-hall event at the Cherry Theater at Columbia State Community College, at 6 p.m. on June 9.

Spring Hill Adopts Budget (CDH)

The Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted Monday upon second and final reading Spring Hill's budget and static property tax rate for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The budget includes total appropriations of approximately $61.3 million.

Spring Hill will maintain its current property tax rate of $0.739 per $100 of assessed property value and will be uniform across both Maury and Williamson County, with the Williamson expected to generate an increased $3.7 million for the General Fund due to a recent property reassessment.

While the tax rate will remain the same, the estimated property value increase in Williamson could mean some residents would in turn end up paying more in taxes, which was a concern Alderman John Canepari shared with board members.

"Because of the reassessment, my personal case is that my property taxes, if this is approved tonight, will go up 50.5%," Canepari said. "I've had residents email me and comment personal messages on Facebook, and one resident actually calculated it at 63%. I just want people to know that the money is needed, but I don't want you to be hoodwinked into thinking that because the rate has stayed flat at $0.739, we are not going to see a property tax increase."

Prior to Monday's budget vote, Spring Hill Vice Mayor Trent Linville proposed an amendment to add $60,000 using tourism budget funds for Spring Hill Welcome Center's annual operating costs in partnership between the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau, which was also approved.

Alderman Jaimee Davis later commented on the Welcome Center's funding, which was approved as a separate resolution later in the meeting.

"I am supportive of this, and I know the money is coming out of tourism and it needs to be used for that," Davis said. "I know they are going to partner with the city to help move us forward. I look forward to this."

Later in Monday's meeting, BOMA members turned to a discussion regarding the city's current ordinance for chicken ownership at residential properties.

According to the current ordinance, residents are only allowed four hens despite the size of the property, unless the property is zoned for agriculture. Alderman Vincent Fuqua suggested the ordinance be amended for property owners with larger land parcels, and that they should be able to own more chickens than the city currently allows.

"What I would like to do is amend the ordinance to have one hen, or chicken, per 1,500 feet of grazing space," Fuqua said. "For most residents in the city of Spring Hill, it does not change. However, those who have half-acre lots, or three-quarter acres are then allowed more chickens as the space increases."

Spring Hill Development Services Director Dara Sanders, whom Fuqua referred to as "the chicken expert on staff," said the proposed amendment is something many cities have adopted.

"This ordinance would do something that many states are doing currently who have tested their 'four hens per lot' ordinance," Sanders said. "In this case, we would start with four hens, but if you have a 10,000-square foot lot, this calculation gives you 6.67 hens, which we would round down to six hens."

Sanders added that the ordinance would recognize that those with larger lots can also provide larger separation from neighboring property owners.

"Staff is supportive of this request, and it is consistent with national standards and trends, and I think it speaks to the roots of Spring Hill being an agricultural community that has grown up around celebrating agriculture, and it meets the needs of our residents," Sanders said.

No votes were taken Monday, but Fuqua said he would submit the item for a BOMA vote at its next meeting, scheduled Monday, June 16.

MRMC New FNP (Press Release)

Mary Alice Spaulding, FNP, has joined Maury Regional Medical Group (MRMG) and will provide services at MRMG Primary Care Mt. Pleasant.

Spaulding received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Prior to joining Maury Regional Medical Group as a family nurse practitioner, Spaulding worked as a registered nurse at Maury Regional Medical Center for eight years.

At MRMG Primary Care Mt. Pleasant, Spaulding joins Raymond Michael Brewer, MD, Dianne Davis, FNP-C and Martha Kristin Woodside, FNP. To learn more about MRMG Primary Care Mt. Pleasant and the services available, visit MauryRegional.com. or call 931.379.5821.

Leadership Maury (Press Release)

Leadership Maury is a countywide personal development program designed to motivate participants to develop and enhance the quality of their leadership in addressing pertinent community needs. The program is open to people who live, work, or make a significant contribution to Maury County through volunteer work. Class members meet with local decision-makers in several sectors of the community, such as business, government, health, public services and agriculture. Participants will visit places all over the county to hear speakers and participate in activities to help them learn about Maury County and how to positively impact where they live, learn, work and play. 

Applications are available now!

Visit www.mauryalliance.com to apply.

Deadline to apply is July 15, 2025.

The purpose of the Leadership Maury program is TO:

• Help leaders prepare for volunteer responsibility in the community.

• Provide these leaders with a practical and sophisticated understanding of major problems and opportunities facing Maury County.

• Facilitate access between emerging leaders and the current leadership of the community.

• Improve the communications network among leaders with diverse backgrounds and interests.

• Create a setting for persons of demonstrated commitment to the community to meet and exchange ideas.

• Stimulate increased community participation and commitment.

Spring Hill: The Event (Press Release)

The Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce is excited to invite the community to Experience Spring Hill, The Event—a free, family-friendly celebration presented by TriStar Spring Hill ER. Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Battle Creek High School, where local innovation, culture, and community come together under one roof.

Experience Spring Hill, The Event is a showcase of local innovation, where neighbors and newcomers unite to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and vibrant culture that define our community.

“This event is all about connection—connecting families to fun, businesses to customers, and neighbors to each other,” said Rebecca Melton, former Executive Director of the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce. “Whether you're new to the area or a long-time resident, you'll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the people and businesses that make our community thrive.”

Event Highlights Include:

• 150+ Local Vendors spotlighting the businesses and organizations that power Spring Hill’s growth

• Touch-a-Truck Zone with emergency vehicles, construction equipment, and more

• Live Performances from local dance, fitness, and martial arts groups

• Family Activities like face painting, balloon art, games, and special character appearances

• Food Court featuring a variety of local flavors

• Giveaways & Prizes throughout the day

• City Showcase & Tennessee Travels highlighting local services and travel ideas

Who Should Attend?

• Families looking for a fun and meaningful day out

• Local residents eager to support and explore their community

• Newcomers hoping to feel more at home in Spring Hill

• Admission is Free – RSVP Today!

Visit www.experiencespringhill.com/experience-spring-hill-event to learn more and RSVP.

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

Mr. Herman Lee “Pete” Woodward, 98, retired shift foreman for Peabody Coal, and lifelong resident of Columbia, died Tuesday, June 3 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, June 6 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Friday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mrs. Kathryne Sue Burris, 65, resident of Columbia passed away, June 1 at her residence. A Memorial Service will be conducted Saturday, June 7 at 12:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mrs. Nancy Kennedy Page, 94, beloved wife and mother, passed away peacefully May 28 in Katy, TX. A graveside service will take place Saturday, June 7th at 2:00 PM at Kittrell Cemetery in Hampshire, TN. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

And now, news from around the state…

Chattanooga Student Wins Suit (Tennessean)

A Chattanooga school agreed to pay $100,000 to the family of a boy who said the school wrongfully reported him to police for threatening mass violence.

The payment is part of a settlement filed on May 23 in a federal lawsuit by the 11-year-old student's family against Chattanooga Preparatory School, an all-boys public charter school in East Tennessee. A final hearing on the settlement is set for July 1.

The suit, which refers to the boy under the pseudonym John Doe, stated he has autism and overheard one student ask another if they were going to "blow up the school" during a conversation on Sept. 25. Though the question was not addressed to the boy, he answered "yeah" — a response the suit said "was limited by his social awareness and his disability of autism."

Other children then told a teacher that the boy himself was threatening to blow up the school, which was passed along to the school principal and then the school resource officer. The officer later tracked the boy down at a local restaurant, arrested him and took him to juvenile detention, according the suit.

"This illustrates the importance of procedure and training," the suit stated. "John Doe made no real threat. He couldn't due to his disability."

The settlement also includes a plan for the school to institute training and policies on how to assess threats, their context and their validity, and what to do in response.

Justin Gilbert, a lawyer representing the family, said he hopes this settlement will bring attention to the need for clarity and better training for schools on Tennessee's strict but complex laws around school threats.

"Obviously we want to eliminate school shootings," Gilbert told The Tennessean. "What we don't want to do is handcuff, arrest and expel children who are not truly threatening, and that's the case with most threats. They are teenagers mouthing off ... or innocently using words. Sometimes they're children with disabilities that don't even know or have any appreciation for what they're saying."

Final Story of the Day (Press Release)

Experience the groundbreaking celebration where Black country pioneers and rising stars converge to reclaim Nashville's musical heritage during CMA Fest 2025.

National Museum of African American Music is hosting this

CMA Fest Ancillary Event

Celebrate the rich legacy and vibrant future of Black artists in country music during this special CMA Fest event at NMAAM. "BEEN COUNTRY: Black Roots and Rhythm" honors the often-overlooked contributions of African American artists to country music's development while showcasing today's emerging Black voices in the genre.

Find out more and get tickets by visiting the National Museum of African American Music website at www.NMAAM.org