Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 6-9-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for June 9, 2026

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

Spring Hill Advances Budget (MSM)

The City of Spring Hill’s $151.7 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget moved one step closer to adoption last week, as the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved its first reading following months of preparation, review and financial planning. 

City Administrator J. Carter Napier, department heads and city staff have been developing and refining the city’s financial and operational plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, since January. 

With the budget process now entering its final stage, several major funds show varying levels of stability, growth and planned investment heading into FY2027. 

The city’s General Fund is projected to rebound following significant reserve use in FY2026. It will open the fiscal year with $27.4 million and is expected to close at $28.3 million, representing 42.9 percent of annual expenditures. Revenues are projected at $66.9 million against $60 million in appropriations, resulting in an estimated surplus of approximately $918,000. 

The Water and Sewer Fund is expected to generate approximately $36.2 million in operating revenues. While operations are projected to produce an income of roughly $11.3 million, the fund’s net position is expected to decline by about $4.8 million due to more than $16 million in capital investments and ongoing debt service obligations. The fund will begin the year with $160 million and is projected to end at $156 million. 

Capital project funds, which support major infrastructure and construction initiatives, are projected to begin with $48.7 million and end with $47.7 million. Staff anticipates expenditures will overtake revenues by $960,247. 

Key projects funded in this cycle include $6.6 million in capital financing, $3 million for the Community Service Annex (CSA) Project and $1.5 million for the new library project. Additional planned work includes improvements to Buckner Lane and Port Royal intersection, the Harvey Greenway, City Hall basement renovations and Jim Warren Road. 

The State Street Aid Fund is projected to begin with $1.5 million and finish the fiscal year in a stronger position, with revenues expected to exceed expenditures by $338,533. The fund balance could rise to approximately $1.85 million, representing about 92 percent of one year’s expenditure. 

During the meeting, the board also approved a resolution acknowledging the certified tax rate required under Tennessee law following property reappraisal. The certified rate is intended to keep property tax revenue from existing properties roughly level with the year prior.

A two-step process will follow, including introduction of an ordinance to be incorporated into the FY2027 budget establishing a property tax rate of $0.739 per $100 of assessed value. The adjustment is expected to generate an additional $2 million for the General Fund and $1.2 million for the capital projects funds. 

With minor adjustments across several funds and final discussions, the second reading of the budget ordinance is scheduled for June 15.

MCWS Seeks Intake Permit (MSM)

At the June meeting of the Maury County Health and Environment Committee, the Maury County Water System unveiled their draft permit for a water intake capable of drawing three million gallons of water per day (MGD) from the Duck River. Water Board Chair Todd Shultz answered the committee’s questions about the proposal, which will come before the next session of the County Commission.

The intake would be located upstream from the site of the first, demolished Columbia Dam, and could draw water for the eastern half of the county whether or not another dam ever gets built. With extra treatment and pumping infrastructure, the intake could draw up to six MGD, but Shultz predicted from studies that the intended three MGD ought to cover the county’s water demands up to the year 2045. Even though MCWS expects to need another one MGD by late 2027, he told the committee that they shouldn’t hurt for water even if it takes another three to five years to get the project permitted and built.

Shultz also argued that it would help MCWS’s finances to get an independent water source. The utility now spends 32 percent of its budget on purchasing water, which to his knowledge is the highest percentage in its history.

All of its current suppliers, including Columbia Power & Water Systems, Hillsboro Burwood & Thompson’s Station Utility District, and Spring Hill Water, also charge MCWS $4.50 per thousand gallons. Shultz told the committee that a feasibility study found their water charges rose $2.50 per thousand gallons between 2021 and 2025; two CPWS rate increases, one of 67 cents in August 2025 and one of 75 cents in March 2026, account for almost all of the $1.51 rate increase that MCWS will have to institute on July 1.

“You always have your initial investment, but normally, as a rule, it is cheaper to treat your own water than it is to continue to purchase,” the board chair said.

Shultz said MCWS filed for a permit at about the same time that CPWS did, in 2021, and received a draft permit back from TDEC in December 2023, but since then has received no further approval or denial.

“Columbia’s been issued a new intake, and every system between Normandy and Columbia has [been given] an increase in their intakes,” the chairman said. He relayed that in their “last correspondence,” TDEC said they were “afraid of getting sued” for giving MCWS a 3MGD permit against the 13MGD in remaining river capacity. Even so, the agency judged in the draft permit that “the authorized activities represent the least impactful practicable alternative to [get adequate water supply]” and “will not result in an appreciable permanent loss of resource values.”

Hatcher 5th District Campaign (MSM)

Charlie Hatcher, the former state Commissioner of Agriculture, gave Main Street Maury an interview about his campaign to represent District 5 in the U.S. Congress.

Hatcher grew up on his family farm on Arno Road in Williamson County, where his ancestors have lived since 1819, and where his mother-in-law, three of his four siblings, his two children and his grandchildren now live with him and his wife Sharon. He graduated from MTSU in 1980 and from the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. He worked first in Manchester and then for 10 years in Russellville, Kentucky, under Dr. Jenks Britt, whom he considered “the best veterinarian in the country at the time.” He moved back to his family farm and in 1992 opened his own practice there, Rock-N-Country Veterinary Services, which was taken over in 2005 by his daughter Jennifer.

With backing from MTSU, the Hatcher family debuted their branded dairy products in 2007, which, Hatcher said, “saved the farm and kept us in business.” They started out by selling at venues like College Grove Grocery and the Franklin Farmer’s Market, and Hatcher’s son Charles now runs the on-premises Hatcher Family Dairy Store. The success of the dairy brand allowed the Hatchers to buy the nearby Battle Mountain Farm in 2014, where they now host about 80 events per year.

Hatcher has helped lead several national agricultural associations. He’s been president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials, the United States Animal Health Association, and the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and chaired the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s Animal Agriculture Committee.

Hatcher has also worked for 10 years as the official State Veterinarian. In this role he was responsible for all animal-related welfare issues in the state, from the health of domestic and imported animals to the safety of the consumers of animal products. His service to the state of Tennessee also includes terms on the UT Board of Trustees and the state Board of Regents.

In 2019 Gov. Bill Lee crowned Hatcher’s work by naming him the state’s sole Commissioner of Agriculture.

“The greatest honor of my life was to serve as Commissioner of Agriculture, to serve the industry that I’m part of,” Hatcher told Main Street Maury. “Governor Lee had great trust in me and allowed me to follow his lead, and during the Lee administration there’s been record investment in rural communities, [which depend on] ag and forestry. He ran on rural matters and he delivered on that, and I helped him on the ag and forestry side.”

Hatcher and his Department of Agriculture set to work governing agriculture and forestry, which together comprise the largest industry in the state of Tennessee and contribute significantly to the world supply of certain goods. Their responsibilities are extensive: certifying the quality of gasoline, making sure dairy products live up to their tight regulations, overseeing forestry in the state which consistently exports the second- or third-most hardwood in the country, and vetting the quality of instantly recognizable Tennessee products like Jack Daniels liquor.

All of this combined experience — doctor, farmer, store owner, state official — gives Hatcher the confidence to run for federal office.

“[I have] a unique combination of state-level executive experience at the highest level, small business owner [experience]… and the problem-solving abilities of a farmer, veterinarian,” Hatcher said. “People are hungry for effective, honest congressional representation. And with me, what you see is what you get.”

He believes that first and foremost, voters want to see political results in their daily lives, and he plans to work on those issues: living expenses and inflation, infrastructure and traffic, and the availability of food, potable water and energy. He hopes to improve these for Middle Tennessee specifically, by coordinating the work among local, state and federal governments.

He also wants to reduce federal regulatory burdens, investigate and cut wasteful spending, to help make the long-term plan to balance the national budget, and to make the United States more materially independent from other countries, and secure against attacks.

“Food security is national security. Our enemies could take us down without firing a shot if they disrupted the food supply… We saw what that looked like during COVID, where the grocery store [shelves] were almost bare. Imagine if they were actually bare,” he said. “And the huge gorilla in the room is national debt. It’s not sustainable and it’s not fair for our kids and our grandkids… to be hung with that debt.”

Columbia State Collects Veteran Stories (Press Release)

In continuing Columbia State Community College’s commitment to serving and recognizing service members, the college recently collaborated with the Library of Congress in a project aimed at capturing interviews of local veterans.

Columbia State’s Career, Veteran and Transfer (CVT) Center worked alongside the Humanities and Social Sciences Division’s History Department and the Written, Oral and Digital Communication Division’s Film Crew Technology Program to host interviews that are to be included in the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. 

“The U.S. Library of Congress Veterans History Project preserves veterans’ stories for generations,” said Freda Leslie Pillow, coordinator of the CVT Center. “As the daughter of a U.S. Army military police officer, I am especially honored to help amplify the voices of Giles County veterans through film.”

Established by the U.S. Congress in 2000 as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, the Veterans History Project is a national initiative dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the firsthand accounts of America’s military veterans from World War I through modern conflicts. 

The video interviews were held at the HCCF Community Life Enrichment Center in Pulaski. Participating veterans included:

•    Paul E. Adderley, Army

•    Robert Lee Cross, Air Force

•    David Harris, Air Force

•    Paula Harris, Air Force

•    Dr. Brian Puckett, Navy

•    Valencia Puckett, Air Force

This marks the fourth time Columbia State has hosted this event to record veterans’ stories, and the first time in Giles County.

One interviewee shared her thoughts on being interviewed. 

“This was such a great and vital project because our military stories need to be heard and appreciated,” Harris said. “Heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the members of this project.”

Columbia State’s interview and film team was led by Gregory Mewbourn, associate professor of history; Dr. Thomas Flagel, professor of history; and Freda Leslie Pillow, CVT Center coordinator. Beyond documenting these local stories, the team also worked to connect participating veterans with available resources. 

This initiative marks a meaningful expansion of the project both within and beyond Columbia State’s service area to reflect the college’s ongoing commitment to honoring those who served and ensuring their legacies endure.

For more information on the Veterans History Project, and to watch previous veteran interviews, visit www.loc.gov/collections/veterans-history-project-collection. 

These documents and interviews will become part of the permanent collections of the Library of Congress and will be made available to researchers and the general public via the American Folklife Center Reading Room and the VHP website. For more information about the Veterans History Project, visit www.loc.gov/vets/. 

VHP also collects oral histories with Gold Star Family members, defined as a parent, spouse, sibling or child of members of the Armed Forces who died as a result of their service during a period of war.

(Mayoral Forum (Press Release)

Join Maury Alliance on July 9th at 5:30pm to hear from the two Maury County Mayoral candidates: Sheila Butt and Gabe Howard. This moderated Q&A session with the candidates will give attendees an opportunity to learn more about each candidate and their vision for the future of Maury County. If you would like to submit a question for consideration, please send them to Alyssa at atate@mauryalliance.com. This event is open to the public and free to attend!

Doors open at 5pm, and the program will begin promptly at 5:30pm.

Mt. Pleasant Defers Zoning Overhaul (MSM)

The proposed overhaul of Mount Pleasant’s zoning ordinance drew concern from both city commissioners and residents, ultimately leading officials to defer the item until next month. 

The proposed ordinance change would completely repeal and replace Mount Pleasant’s current zoning ordinance in an effort to modernize land use regulations and better align development standards with the city’s long-term planning goals. 

The proposed change comes as a recommendation by the Mount Pleasant Planning Commission following a May 12 public hearing and includes several major changes. Among those changes are the creation of a new Large Lot Residential and agriculture zoning district, the establishment of a Planned Unit Development overlay district and allowing accessory dwelling units in R1 Low Density Residential zones. 

Additional proposed changes include revising the R3 High Density Residential district description, reducing certain permitted uses within the Light Industrial district, updating application fees and reorganizing ordinance language, tables and references for clarity. The proposal would also remove sections related to irrigation, landscaping, screening and tree preservation from the ordinance appendix. 

Several commissioners voiced concerns during the discussion, saying portions of the proposal remained unclear and required further review before moving forward. 

The first reading of the proposed ordinance change ended in a 2-2 tie. Commissioner Mike Davis, who voted against the measure, then moved that the issue be reconsidered and deferred to next month for additional discussion. 

Meanwhile, commissioners approved the first reading of another ordinance, which would establish a stormwater management program for the city and grant Mount Pleasant authority to exercise management powers outlined in the Tennessee Code Annotated. 

City officials say the ordinance is designed to protect public health, safety and overall community welfare by strengthening oversight of drainage, erosion control and stormwater infrastructure throughout the city. 

If approved on second and final reading, the ordinance would require developers and property owners to implement erosion prevention and sediment control measures, maintain stormwater facilities and submit inspection and maintenance records to the city. 

The ordinance is expected to return for a second and final reading at a future meeting.

In separate issue before the city commission, Concerns over rock blasting operations near residential neighborhoods are rising in Mount Pleasant, as Attorney Dustin Kittle addressed the board. He argued that the ongoing blasting may exceed zoning limitations while posing a safety risk to the community.

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

Betty Carolyn Cheek, 84, a long-time resident of Culleoka, Tennessee, passed away on June 7th.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, June 10, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Wilkes Campground Cemetery in Culleoka, Tennessee.

Charles Matthew "Matt" Phillips, 49, of Hickman County, TN, passed away on June 4, 2026.

Graveside services will be conducted at a later date at Old Well Cemetery in Hickman County.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Monnette Fulcher Bruner, 62, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Camden General Hospital.

No services are scheduled at this time. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Joelene Goodwin Parks, 85, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at NHC Columbia.

Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Mount Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Don McKee officiating. The family will visit with friends at the cemetery following the service. 

And now, news from around the state…

Dolly’s Tennessee Travel Stop (MauryCountySource)

Travelers across Tennessee and beyond will soon have a new reason to look forward to their next stop on the open road. Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop is officially set to welcome guests on June 24, introducing a travel experience built around the idea that every stop on the highway should feel a little more like home.

Created as a welcoming destination for all who travel the road, from professional drivers to families and everyday road-trippers, Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop is located at exit 22 off of I-65 in Cornersville, TN, approximately one hour south of Nashville and one hour northwest of Huntsville. It is built on the belief that every traveler deserves comfort, good food, and a genuine welcome.

Guests can stop by to relax, shop custom merch, and eat, including standout barbecue offerings from DLY BBQ, a fresh cup of Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee, and a full-service sit-down cafe & restaurant. Whether stopping in for fuel, a hot meal, or a moment to stretch and recharge, visitors will find a space designed with real care and Tennessee hospitality.

Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop will also feature an original mural commissioned as a permanent love letter to Cornersville, Tennessee, making this flagship location one-of-a-kind. A tour bus inspired by the one Dolly has traveled in for years will also be on-site, providing a fun, photo-worthy way for guests to connect with her life on the highway.

A true gathering place for both travelers and the local community, the travel stop is the first of many planned locations, born from the partnership between global superstar Dolly Parton, her manager Danny Nozell, and Gregory H. Sachs, who has owned and operated the trusted Tennessean Travel Stop brand since 2017. Inspired by Dolly’s lifelong connection to the open road, from her childhood in the hills of East Tennessee to decades spent touring the world by bus, the venture reimagines what a roadside stop can be.

The grand opening event will be a large-scale celebration, and all are welcome to attend and experience the travel stop firsthand. For more information about Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, please visit www.dollystravelstops.com.

Calling All Local Musicians:  Local musicians and bands interested in being considered for booking at the flagship Cornersville location for Grand Opening Week and beyond are encouraged to submit their information.

Learn more at www.dollystravelstops.com.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

CMA Fest might be over, but music plays on in Music City. Tonight, Charlie Puth will be at Ascend Amphitheater at 310 1st Avenue in Nashville.

Charlie Puth is bringing the “Whatever’s Clever” tour to Ascend this week in support of his fourth album, Whatever’s Clever. Special guests will be Lawrence and Ally Salart.

Find your tickets at www.ascendamphitheater.com.