Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-13-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for July 13, 2026

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

Mt. Olivet Bridge Closure (Press Release)

The City of Columbia is notifying residents that the Mt. Olivet Bridge at Bear Creek Pike will close effective Monday, July 13, 2026, due to structural concerns.

The Mt. Olivet Bridge replacement project is a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) project funded by the State of Tennessee and is currently scheduled for 2029. Due to the impact the closure could have on and daily local travel, the City of Columbia has requested that TDOT evaluate opportunities to expedite the project timeline.

The City of Columbia will continue coordinating with TDOT and sharing information as it becomes available regarding the project timeline, detour routes, and future construction schedule.

Motorists are encouraged to follow posted detour signage and allow additional travel time while the bridge remains closed.

The City appreciates the public’s patience and understanding during this closure and will provide updates as additional information is made available.

Hygrade to Expand (MSM)

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 recently that the company will expand its operations through a strategic, long-term lease commitment in Mount Pleasant.

“I am thrilled to announce our strategic lease agreement at 1319 North Main Street. This milestone guarantees our presence in the community for years to come,” Gottlieb said. “This long-term commitment… empowers us to innovate faster, scale our services and better serve our growing client base over the next decade.”

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.

“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,” said State Sen. Joey Hensley. “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.”

“With more than three decades in Mount Pleasant, Hygrade Components has deep roots in our community and remains a trusted member of our local economy,” said Representative Kip Capley. “This significant announcement is great news for Maury County families, and I wish the company continued success as it expands operations in Middle Tennessee.”

Columbian Drafted into MLB (CDH)

For the first time in over a decade, a Columbia Central graduate has been taken in the MLB draft.

The Lions' Jack Beck was selected 391st overall in the 13th round by the Houston Astros in the 2026 MLB Draft on July 12.

Beck becomes the first Columbia Central player selected in the MLB draft since Heath Slatton, who was picked out of MTSU in the 18th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants.

Beck has signed with Georgia Southern, but ahead of the draft told The Daily Herald, "getting drafted right now is the biggest (goal). Whatever it takes to play pro baseball.”

Beck shot up draft boards throughout the spring with a dominant campaign at the plate, being named District 12-4A Player of the Year while earning spots on The Daily Herald's All-Area and TSWA's all-state teams. He batted .413 with 32 RBIs, 10 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs and 25 stolen bases.

Upon the conclusion of the season Beck was in constant contact with MLB organizations, attending June's draft combine while also competing in the Appalachian League.

Jones and Lang Anniversary (WKOM Audio 2:35)

On Friday, Jones and Lang Sporting Goods Store in Columbia celebrated their 60th Anniversary. We have some audio from the event that features Maury Alliance’s Director of Member and Community Engagement, Kara Williams and store proprietor Daniel Pollard…

Happy Days Star to Appear at Mulehouse (CDH)

Makky Kaylor and his Swanky Southern Nights co-host Brenda Lynn Allen are bringing back their popular live show to The Mulehouse in August, and they are bringing a TV star with them.

The duo will present Happy Days and Swanky Southern Nights on Saturday, Aug. 8, with special guest actor and singer Donny Most.

The show will feature Kaylor and Allen's unique blend of one part talk show, another part live concert, chock full of stories, surprise guests and more, organizers say.

Kaylor said he is excited because not only are live shows a lot of fun, but they allow audiences an in-person experience, especially when it is with a star like Most and the legacy of "Happy Days."

"We are going to be talking about Happy Days, but we will also do a Q&A with the audience too if anybody wants to ask him any questions, and then he will do a meet-and-greet afterwards," Kaylor said. "It should be a lot of fun."

Guests are also encouraged to dress for the occasion, which can range from 1950s-style attire to the Swanky South brand's signature mix of jazz, country and blues combined with an afternoon of sipping mint julips at the Kentucky Derby.

"You can don your Happy Days attire or your derby duds," Kaylor said. "We are combining both brands, which is really great."

Most had previously been scheduled as a special guest with Swanky Southern Nights on Feb. 6 at The Franklin Theater, but the event was postponed. Kaylor said having it rescheduled for Columbia makes it all the more special.

The show will also coincide with Most's 73rd birthday.

"We said, 'You know what, we aren't going to reschedule it there. We are going to bring Ralph Malph here,'" Kaylor said. "We told him, 'You have to experience our town,' and it's on his birthday."

Allen added that Most's visit to Tennessee will also include a guest spot on what many consider Nashville's most historic music stage.

"We are helping get him on the Grand Ole Opry the night before, and so he is coming from Colorado and is going to be on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time, where he will sing two songs and be a guest announcer, and then he is coming here," Allen said.

And in keeping with the America's 250th theme of 2026, a portion of the show will also be dedicated to Tennessee State Songs, including Kaylor's own "Tennessee, In My Dreams," which Gov. Bill Lee designated in 2024 as the Volunteer State's 14th official song.

"It's going to be a multi-media event, which concludes with my state song," Kaylor said. "After that, we will bring our special guest out. He sings, and then we bring him over to the Swanky South Lounge for an interview. And he will stay and sign autographs after the show."

There are also opportunities for sponsorships available for local businesses and organizations.

Businesses interested in sponsoring the Aug. 8 show can do so by contacting Don McClain at TheSwankySouth@gmail.com.

"We want to give them a lot of advertising," Allen said. "We are looking for people who will get excited about this."

Tickets start at $34.30 for individual seats, with tables for group seating, as well as VIP priority seating also available at www.TheMulehouse.com.

City Calls for Community Involvement in Branding (Press Release)

The City of Columbia invites residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to attend a public informational session to learn more about the City's comprehensive branding initiative and how they can participate in shaping Columbia's future.

The meeting will provide an overview of the branding process, explain opportunities for public involvement, and outline how community input will help define Columbia's identity for years to come.

Informational Session

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location: Columbia City Hall – Council Chambers

700 N Garden Street

Columbia, TN 38401

The City has partnered with Chandlerthinks, a nationally recognized branding and strategic communications firm, to lead the project. Throughout the process, the firm will engage the community through a variety of outreach efforts, including:

• Stakeholder interviews

• Community focus groups

• Online surveys

The information gathered through these engagement opportunities will be combined with market research and strategic analysis to develop a unified brand that authentically represents the City of Columbia.

A strong community brand serves as an important economic development tool. It influences how residents, visitors, businesses, entrepreneurs, and industries perceive Columbia and helps position the city to compete for investment, tourism, talent, and new opportunities while strengthening community pride.

The City encourages all interested community members to attend the public informational session.

Blood Donors Needed (Press Release)

Local hospitals are using blood faster than donations are coming in. That’s why Blood Assurance is offering $40 e-gift cards to all donors who give between June 29 and July 7.

The call for donors comes as the July Fourth holiday approaches, a time when hospitals must be ready for trauma patients while blood donations are often slow because of travel, vacations and holiday plans.

Blood Assurance needs donors of all blood types. The nonprofit has had several recent days with less than a one-day supply of blood, platelets and plasma. A two- to three-day supply is needed to more comfortably meet the needs of local hospitals and patients. Blood Assurance is the primary supplier for most of the hospitals in Middle Tennessee, so donations help local patients.

Donors will be able to choose their e-gift card from a list of participating retailers, including gas stations and grocery stores.

Eligible type O donors can earn even more through Blood Assurance’s Hero Club, including a $50 gift card for double red cell donations. That means O donors could receive up to $90 for one double red cell donation during the June 29-July 7 promotion.

O-negative blood can be used for emergency transfusions when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type, and O-positive blood is the most common blood type and is heavily used by hospitals. Donors must sign up for the Hero Club at bloodassurance.org/blood-donation-education/types-of-donations/hero-club/.

After July 7, donors will receive a $25 e-gift card for donating.

Donors can schedule an appointment at bloodassurance.org, call 800-962-0628, or text BAGIVE to 999777.

Food Truck Thursdays (Press Release)

Columbia Main Street is inviting the community this summer to “Food Truck Thursdays,” a new weekly event series taking place every Thursday in June and July from 4 – 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Park in Downtown Columbia. 

Located right off the Downtown District, the Farmers Market Pavilion at Riverwalk Park will be transformed into a gathering space for Food Truck Thursdays. This event will feature a rotating lineup of local food trucks, offering residents and visitors a variety of food options each week. 

In addition to great food, Columbia Main Street will provide a variety of free yard games for attendees to enjoy while spending time with family and friends. Games will include Connect 4, Tic-Tac-Toe, Ring Toss and more. 

The event is being spearheaded by Columbia Main Street Board Members Marvin Brooks and John “Tee” Davis.

“Food Truck Thursdays were created to give the community a common space where people can gather and show support for the local food trucks that are such an important part of Columbia’s community,” said Brooks and Davis said in a joint statement. 

Food Truck Thursdays will take place on the following dates: June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23 and July 30. 

Food truck operators interested in participating in the series are encouraged to contact Columbia Main Street Manager Kelli Johnson at kjohnson@columbiatn.gov for more information. For updates on weekly food truck lineups and other downtown events, follow Columbia Main Street on social media.

Spring Hill License Kiosk (MauryCountySource)

The Spring Hill Police Department has introduced a new Driver License Self-Service Kiosk in the lobby of its headquarters at 800 Hathaway Blvd. The kiosk is open to all Tennessee residents—regardless of county—and offers a convenient alternative to visiting the DMV.

Available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the kiosk allows users to:

* Renew a driver license

* Obtain a duplicate license or state ID

* Change their address

* Pay reinstatement fees in full

The kiosk does not accept cash or checks; payment must be made using a credit or debit card.

No appointment is necessary. For more information about the service, visit www.tn.gov/content/tn.

Maury County Clerk Satellite Office (Press Release)

The Maury County Clerk’s office can now help residents with renewals of license plates or placards each Wednesday from 8am to 3:30pm at the Maury County Senior Center located at 1020 Maury County Park Dr.

Please drive around to the back of the building and look for the car tag renewal sign near the back door.

Forms of payment include credit/debit card or check – no cash.

Any Maury County Resident can use this office.

All other transactions will still need to be done through the main office located at 10 Public Square.

Also, you can renew online at TNCountyClerk.com or at kiosks in Spring Hill City Hall or Mt. Pleasant Courthouse.

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

Klaus Lachmann, 78 of Columbia, passed away on July 8th. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM at St. Peters Episcopal Church with Father Chris Bowhay officiating. Burial will follow at St John's, Ashwood. The family will visit with friends on Monday from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mr. James David Wilburn, 86, passed away peacefully at his residence in Columbia, Tennessee, on Thursday, July 9, 2026.Graveside services will be conducted Tuesday, July 14 at 2:00 PM at Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:30 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mrs. Bobbie Lou Collins Baker, 82, a longtime resident of Columbia, TN, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Poplar Estates. A graveside service will be conducted on Thursday, July 16 at 11:00 AM at Rose Hill Cemetery.

And now, news from around the state…

Governor’s Race (Tennessean)

In the Republican primary for Tennessee governor, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has out-fundraised her rival U.S. Rep. John Rose, bringing in $2.8 million in contributions – more than 10 times more than Rose’s $259,227 haul. 

But while 97% of Rose’s donations came from inside Tennessee, just 28% of Blackburn’s donors live here.

Meanwhile, Blackburn has spent only $1.1 million compared with Rose’s $7.2 million in spending. The senior senator has benefitted from more than $2.5 million in spending by out-of-state funded political action groups.

While Rose’s highest costs have been TV airtime, mailers and digital ads, Blackburn’s camp has spent little on TV time, canvassing and mailers, as PAC spending has largely covered those expenses. 

Whoever wins the primary will likely face Memphis council member Jerri Green, the democratic frontrunner. Green raised $303,817 in contributions during the last quarter, and spent $179,000. 

Blackburn’s lead in the GOP primary may have slipped to just 15 points — after she's held a commanding lead of at least 42 points since last year, according to internal polling released by Rose.  Blackburn still holds a double-digit lead with 44% of the vote, followed by Rose with 29% and Rep. Monty Fritts with 12%. Another 15% say they’re undecided.

President Donald Trump has not endorsed in the race, and has said he does not intend to. 

Here’s what to know from leading candidates’ most recent finance disclosures filed with the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance. 

Early Voting Begins (Press Release)

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today reminded all registered Tennessee voters that the early voting period for the August 6 State Primary and County General Election begins next week, on Friday, July 17.

“Early voting makes it easy for registered Tennesseans to participate in the electoral process,” said Secretary Hargett. “With early voting beginning next week, now is the time to make a plan to vote. I encourage every eligible voter to take advantage of this convenient opportunity and participate in shaping the future of their communities, state, and nation.”

Early voting runs through Saturday, August 1. Registered voters can find polling locations and hours, view sample ballots, check their voter registration status, and much more by downloading the free GoVoteTN app or visiting GoVoteTN.gov.

Those voting early or on Election Day must present a current or expired photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government when you vote in person. College student IDs, non-U.S. Citizen ID’s and IDs issued by local governments or other states are not accepted. To learn more about exemptions and how to get a free photo ID, along with more information about early voting, visit your trusted source for election information, GoVoteTN.gov.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Nashville Symphony will host a free Labor Day concert at Walk of Fame Park with actor-turned-philanthropist Gary Sinise, best known for his iconic roles in the 1994 film "Forrest Gump" and the 1995 drama "Apollo 13."

The Nashville Symphony is hosting a free concert in downtown Nashville on Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m., to celebrate Labor Day and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The concert will feature Sinise's live narration of "American Mosaic," a new composition by Peter Boyer and photographer Joe Sohm. The piece combines orchestral music, live narration and 4K video from all 50 states to celebrate the people, places and spirit of the United States.

For more information about the concert, visit nashvillesymphony.org/AmericanMosaic.