Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-11-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for July 11, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Meth Bust in Maury (MauryCountySource)

A multi-agency investigation led by the 22nd Judicial District Drug Task Force resulted in a major narcotics bust this week in Columbia. With the assistance of the Spring Hill and Pulaski Police Departments, the Wayne and Maury County Sheriff’s Offices, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the DEA, agents executed a search warrant at a residence on East 9th Street.

Inside the home, authorities discovered a large cache of illegal drugs, including approximately 4.5 kilos (10 pounds) of cocaine, 8.5 ounces of methamphetamine, four pounds of marijuana, and hundreds of oxycodone pills. In addition to the drugs, agents seized more than $20,000 in cash and multiple firearms.

Law enforcement officials say the investigation targeted the illegal sale and distribution of narcotics in the region. Charges are expected, though specific arrests were not immediately announced.

The agencies involved emphasized their continued commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations and keeping dangerous substances off the streets.

TCAP Scores Increase in Maury (Press Release)

Maury County Public Schools (MCPS) saw an increase in proficiency across all subject areas in the 2025 TCAP assessment. Maury County Public Schools students grades 3-12 earned higher scores in English Language Arts 34.1%, math 30.2%, science 38.6%, and social studies 39.8%, compared to 2024 TCAP results based on initial data released earlier this week by the Tennessee Department of Education. Maury County Public Schools will use the data to evaluate improvement initiatives as schools prepare for the upcoming school year.

“I am pleased with the direction our school district is heading,” said Maury County Public Schools Superintendent, Lisa Ventura. “Maury County Public Schools has seen measurable improvement in TCAP scores since 2021, with a 13.1% increase in English Language Arts, a 12.4% increase in math, a 9.5% increase in science, and a 18.5% increase in social studies. I am so proud of the work of our students, teachers, staff, and all MCPS employees. They have worked tirelessly to ensure student success.”

The Tennessee Department of Education will release additional performance data, including school-level results and student growth information in the near future.

Full 2025 TCAP assessment data is available on the Tennessee Department of Education’s website at www.tn.gov/education

CSCC Names New VP (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College is pleased to announce Dr. Kevin Ratliff as the vice president for partnerships, workforce and southern campuses.

Ratliff previously served as dean of workforce and continuing education at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Virginia. The role of dean included overseeing approximately 40-50 adjunct instructors and directing the operations of credited and non-credited programs, enrollment management, financial aid disbursement and marketing, among other duties.

He began his education at Southwest Virginia Community College, where he earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in general studies and education. He then went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics/education at King College and later achieved a Master of Science degree in mathematics from East Tennessee State University. Ratliff then earned his doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Virginia.

His educational achievements also include being a co-author of a 2006 entry in the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges Review called, “Examining Students’ Conceptions Using Sum Functions.”

He has served in several leadership roles, including most recently being a member of Blue Ridge’s Research and Assessment committee from 2021 through 2023.

Ratliff was also selected to participate as a member of prestigious organizations, including participating in the American Association of Community Colleges’ John E. Roueche Future Leadership Institute in 2014 and participating in Lead Virginia, a statewide leadership program, in 2010. In 2003, he was also named a Chancellor Fellow while teaching at James Madison University.

As vice president for partnerships, workforce and southern campuses, Ratliff will collaborate with industries, businesses and community leaders for the implementation and alignment of workforce programs. Additionally, he will lead the enhancement of Columbia State’s high school programs and the ongoing outreach of educational opportunities provided by the Lawrence, Lewisburg and Clifton campuses. As a member of the president’s cabinet, he will advise as to changes, trends and opportunities that are occurring in workforce and outreach education programs; and will represent Columbia State at workforce meetings of the College System of Tennessee and other state agencies, among other responsibilities, including his service as a member of the board of directors and executive board for the National Council for Workforce Education.

“Dr. Ratliff’s background is diverse and well matched to the position responsibilities of the vice president’s position,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “His extensive experience in workforce development at the institutional and national level will be impactful for the alignment of programs with current and future skills requirements. We are excited that he will be joining our Columbia State family.”

Marshall Medical Center Gets CT Accreditation (Press Release)

 Marshall Medical Center (MMC) recently achieved accreditation in computed tomography (CT) by the American College of Radiology (ACR). This accreditation is on a three-year term, with Marshall Medical Center last receiving the certification in 2022.

CT imaging, also known as CAT scanning, is a noninvasive procedure that produces images of the inside of the body to help physicians diagnose and tailor treatment plans for various medical conditions.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is only awarded to facilities meeting ACR practice parameters and technical standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed.

“At Marshall Medical, we are committed to providing high-quality imaging services and care to our patients,” said Phyllis Brown, CEO of rural hospitals for Maury Regional Health. “This reaccreditation is a testament to our team members’ continued dedication and focus on providing enhanced care for our community.”

CT is among a range of diagnostic imaging services offered by Marshall Medical Center, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, 3D mammography, ultrasound and bone densitometry. Imaging studies are conducted by skilled radiologic technologists, with results interrupted by board-certified radiologists on the Maury Regional Health medical staff.

To learn more about the services provided at Marshall Medical Center, visit MauryRegional.com/MMC. To schedule an imaging study at any Maury Regional Health location, including Marshall Medical Center, call 931.380.4044.

Sheriff’s Rodeo Coming This Weekend (MSM)

Cowboys and cowgirls from Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota and other states are circling the barrels again in Columbia, getting ready to compete in the annual Sheriff’s Rodeo Friday and Saturday. 

The Maury County Sheriff’s Department is rounding up the talent for its 21st rodeo, that’s billed as a fun event for the whole family. 

This year’s specialty act is trick roper, Lucas Maynard with returning funny man, Trent McFarland also joining again to entertain guests. 

Sheriff’s Department Lt. Kyle Cheek, who is tasked with taking charge of the event with others from MCSD said the rodeo is a sanctioned International Professional Rodeo Association event with nearly 400 participants. 

“All of them are trying to make it to rodeo finals,” Cheek said. “There is a lot of local talent, with several contestants from this area.” 

Elizabeth Gallegos, Program Manager for Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance said her love of rodeos goes back to her time growing up in Texas. 

“I’m always impressed by the skills that cowboys and cowgirls need to compete,” Gallegos said. “Riding a mechanical bull is one thing, but staying on an actual bull for eight seconds is a different story!”

Her favorite part of the competitions is barrel racing but she loves every moment of the fun.

“I’ve attended the sheriff’s rodeo for five years now and each year it seems to get bigger and better,” Gallegos said. “It’s very family friendly and hosted in a fantastic location at the Maury County Park. 

“It’s a time for new and old friends to enjoy an evening together, while supporting future programs with a positive impact on the community through the sheriff’s department.”

The rodeo, hosted by MCSD and Parks and Recreation, will begin at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12, with gates to the Maury County Park Arena opening at 5 p.m. 

A petting zoo, pony rides, bounce house, face painting, food vendors and merchandise vendors will all add to the options of fun for everyone. 

“We want it to be a family event,” Cheek said, adding that there is a planned fireworks show after the rodeo is done. 

The entire show is comprised of eight events: bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, cowboy tie down, women’s breakaway roping, team roping, cowgirl barrel racing, bull riding and calf roping. 

To draw more participants, Cheek said MCSD adds $1,000 to the event prize monies to pool with the total prize package. 

“I was amazed to find out the total prize money was over $50,000 last year,” Cheek said. 

Additionally, he said that some of the younger participants can get college scholarship funds for competing. 

Somewhere between 5,000-6,000 guests are expected to attend both nights, Cheek said. 

Proceeds from money raised will go to help with Maury County Sheriff’s Department community outreach programs like Shop with a Cop.

Tickets are $15 before the event and $20 at the gate. Children under the age of 11 are free with a paid adult ticket and the first 150 kids will take home a free cowboy hat. 

If it’s your first Sheriff’s Rodeo, Cheek cautioned guests to stay aware of ticket scams and people trying to sell tickets on Facebook. 

“If you’re not dealing with a sheriff’s department employee, it’s a scam,” Cheek said. 

For more information visit the Maury County Sheriff’s Rodeo page on Facebook or call (931) 375-6101.       

Habitat for Humanity to Build Sixteen Houses (MSM)

Habitat for Humanity of Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) is hard at work planning a new full-size subdivision in northwest Columbia: 16 new single-family homes off Hiwassee Drive, built by and for those who need the most help finding housing.

It’s the first Habitat-exclusive development in Maury County — though they’ve built houses in the gaps in the mixed-income Fairview neighborhood — and they hope it will be the first of several. HFHWM is looking to build more large subdivisions if they can: Columbia has approved a 27-lot subdivision called Fieldstone Farms, but utility expenses are prohibitive, and they’re trying to learn all the lessons they can from the Hiwassee development first.

Sixteen families who live in Maury or Williamson counties will be selected from among their client pool, for houses ranging in size from 3-bedroom/2-bathroom to 5-bed/2-bath, depending on family size. After being selected, the families will be educated in the ins and outs of homeownership and help to build the development, before moving into their homes in approximately a year and a half. The houses will be built in spring and summer, to avoid subjecting the workers to the worst extremes of seasonal weather.

“They go through a very rigorous program [of] sweat equity: they help build their homes, they help build everyone else’s homes in the area, they do financial literacy classes,” said Lexi Bolinski, HFHWM’s Director of Operations. “There’s a ton of work that they put in.”

For this development, HFHWM received a great deal of monetary support from sponsoring businesses and volunteer work from local businesses and nonprofits. Publix Supermarket Charities and Nissan Motors each donated $70,000 to the project, and State Farm gave $10,000, while other corporate sponsors send their employees to work on Habitat homes for “team-building volunteer days.”

Meanwhile Barlow Builders, Inc. and Gray’s Mulching and Excavating, two regional grading companies, blasted rocks and graded the soil without charge to develop the lot into buildable land. Barlow estimated the value of their services at $198,000.

“They’ve been great through the process at giving back when they can, donating work, material, time,” HFHWM’s Senior Construction Manager Zach York said in praise of Gray’s Excavating. “They’ve taken it from trees to what you see now. They also dig our footings, do all of our utility work, all of our grading — anything that has to do with dirt, these guys take care of for us.”

Other utilities and corporations worked with HFHWM to improve the homes in key ways. Atmos struck a deal with them on gas utilities, and TC Energy provided an offsetting grant to make the homes energy efficient (maybe even net zero), which will also save the owners on bills. The city of Columbia and CPWS have also worked with them to make the development happen.

These organizations’ help was not only greatly appreciated: it was necessary to make the homes happen. The greatest cash-sinks that Habitat faces with each project are the price and development of land, and they accept all the gifts they can to be able to afford more.

“Land is the most expensive part of what we do, unless a tract is donated or comes in at a really affordab[le price]” Bolinski said. “We [build on] a lot of infill lots in pre-existing neighborhoods, or help to repair homes that are in Columbia already, and from there it’s either financially in-house, we cover it, or we offset it with our sponsors. It’s very community-driven, we wouldn’t be able to do it without the community.”

Habitat for Humanity also thanked their smaller community partners, which include the Rotary Club, First Presbyterian Church and other civic and religious nonprofits. Volunteers from these organizations work on the construction proper: siding, trim, painting and other tasks.

“If people are interested in getting more involved with Habitat, especially in Maury County, we’re always looking to get people plugged in,” said Bree DeMoss, the nonprofit’s marketing and events manager. “Whether it’s churches, civic groups, or just people looking to come out and lay their hands on the house, we’re always in need of that kind of support.

For more information about HFHWM or to get involved, visit hfhwm.org.

Grant Writing Workshop (Press Release)

Join Maury Alliance on Monday, July 14 for a comprehensive Grant Writing Workshop for Nonprofits led by Patrick McElhiney, Director of Grants at Columbia State.

Whether you're new to grant writing or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop will provide valuable tools to help your organization successfully secure funding.

Patrick will walk you through the full grant process—from identifying opportunities to crafting compelling proposals—and even explore how AI can support your efforts.

Topics include:

• Researching & Identifying Funding Opportunities

• Understanding Grant Guidelines & Requirements

• Planning, Research, and Proposal Development

• Writing Tips & Using AI in the Process

• Grant Submission, Follow-up & Implementation

This workshop is free to attend but space is limited! (RSVP required)

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the field and strengthen your organization’s funding strategy!

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

Amy Mae Ingram, 80, died Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Levine and Dickson Hospice House in Charlotte, North Carolina after a brief battle with cancer.

A graveside service will be conducted Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Bryant Cemetery in Mooresville, Tennessee. Oakes & Nichols is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Now, news from around the state…

Vying for Ogles’ Seat (CDH)

Metro Nashville Council member Mike Cortese has joined the field of candidates looking to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, in Tennessee House District 5.

Cortese filed his statement of candidacy on July 9. He represents District 4 on the Nashville Council, which includes part of Brentwood and sits on the southern border of Davidson County. Cortese was elected in 2023, and he’s now about halfway through his four-year term, which ends in 2027. The primary election for the U.S. House seat is scheduled for Aug. 6, 2026.

Cortese is one of four candidates seeking to oust Ogles, according to Federal Election Commission candidate filings.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has indicated Ogles is a top target next year — his seat in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District landed on a list of competitive districts held by “vulnerable Republicans” identified by national Democrats.

While Ogles remains the only Republican vying for the seat so far, Cortese is the third Democrat to throw his hat in the ring. Cortese joins nonprofit leader and health care executive James Torino, of Columbia, and Joyce Neal, an adjunct professor of psychology based in Nashville, on the ballot. Another candidate, Kenneth Brown, has also filed to run out of Nashville, but his filing lists no party affiliation.

Career Criminal Bill (Tennessean)

Two Tennessee members of Congress filed a bill to impose mandatory 15-year minimum sentences on people with three or more serious felony convictions who are found guilty of illegal firearm possession.

The legislation, dubbed the "Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act," reworks a 1984 "three strikes" law partially struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015.

Tennessee Republicans Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. David Kustoff, whose district covers Memphis, introduced the bill July 10 along with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas. The bill is endorsed by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, as well as three national police organizations.

Blackburn said "violent, repeat offenders have no business being back on our streets" in a news release sent by her office. Kustoff similarly said “career criminals are a danger to our citizens and our communities."

“The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act will reinstate a critical tool that allows prosecutors to seek tougher penalties for violent career criminals," Kustoff's statement in the news release says.

Skrmetti praised the bill as a "common-sense approach" to keeping "violent criminals off our streets."

The Armed Career Criminal Act, a controversial federal law passed in a sweeping package of crime legislation in 1984, imposes 15-year mandatory minimum sentences for illegal firearm possession. It applied to people with three or more "serious drug" or "violent felony" convictions.

That law was seriously weakened in 2015. That year, the Supreme Court struck down a portion of the law that gave federal judges wide discretion in determining what constitutes a violent felony.

The bill filed July 10 simplifies what triggers the mandatory minimum sentence. It does away with the categories of "violent felony" and "serious drug" convictions and replaces them with "serious felonies," which the bill defines as crimes punishable by at least 10 years in prison.

Under the bill, anyone with three serious felonies found guilty of a federal illegal firearm possession charge would be sentenced to 15-30 years in prison. The current version of the law carries no maximum prison sentences.

"This legislation restores prosecutors' ability to seek appropriate enhanced penalties for dangerous repeat offenders while ensuring the law meets constitutional standards," Skrmetti's statement in the news release says. "This common-sense approach will keep violent criminals off our streets."

The original Armed Career Criminal Act was criticized for several reasons, including because it lumped together those with varying levels of culpability for their underlying convictions, resulting in disproportionate sentences for some "treated on par with the worst offenders Congress had in mind," a 2019 Harvard Law Review article states.

The new legislation is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations and the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, according to the news release.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Paul McCartney is set to bring his Got Back 2025 Tour to Nashville's The Pinnacle on Nov. 6. The tour will feature music from the Beatles' catalog, McCartney's band Wings and his solo material.

The show coincides with an art show. Paul McCartney's photography exhibition, "Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64, Eyes of the Storm" is slated to open at The Frist Art Museum in Nashville on Nov. 7 and run through Jan. 26, 2026.

Despite canvassing the globe his entire career, McCartney has only played Nashville shows twice in his career, both at Bridgestone Arena. Once in 2010 and again in 2014. He headlined Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN, in 2013. The closest The Beatles came to a Nashville stop was in Memphis in 1966.

Visit www.paulmccartneygotback.com. There is a two-ticket per household maximum.