Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-15-25

Ultium Cells to upgrade Tennessee plant for low-cost EV battery cell production (Press Release)

Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution,

will upgrade its Spring Hill, Tennessee battery cell manufacturing facility to scale production of low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells, building on a $2.3 billion investment announced in 2021. Conversion of battery cell lines at Spring Hill to produce LFP cells will begin later this year, with commercial production expected by late 2027.

“At GM, we’re innovating battery technology to deliver the best mix of range, performance, and affordability to our EV customers,” said Kurt Kelty, VP of batteries, propulsion, and sustainability at GM. “This upgrade at Spring Hill will enable us to scale production of lower-cost LFP cell technologies in the U.S., complementing our high-nickel and future lithium manganese rich solutions and further diversifying our growing EV portfolio."

GM’s flexible EV platform has been architected to enable the quick integration of multiple cell chemistries and form factors. The Ultium Cells plant in Warren, Ohio will continue producing cells with nickel cobalt manganese aluminum chemistry, which has been key to GM delivering a range of crossovers with more than 300 miles of range on a charge. With LFP battery technology, GM is targeting significant battery pack cost savings compared to today’s high-nickel battery pack while increasing consumer EV choice.

“The upgrade reflects the continued strength of our partnership with General Motors and our shared commitment to advancing EV battery innovation,” said Wonjoon Suh, executive VP and head of the Advanced Automotive Battery division at LG Energy Solution. “We will bring our extensive experience and expertise in U.S. manufacturing to the joint venture facility, further accelerating our efforts to deliver new chemistries and form factors that effectively capture the unmet needs in the EV market.”

The Spring Hill facility currently employs about 1,300 people. With the ability to manufacture battery cells in multiple cell chemistries, Spring Hill will help drive U.S. battery innovation, manufacturing, and consumer choice in the EV market.

  “Ultium Cells’ additional investment and commitment to innovating and enhancing its Spring Hill operations is a testament to the state’s longstanding, cohesive partnerships, which started with General Motors, and grew to include LG Energy Solution in 2021, and we stand ready to continue supporting these companies and their joint venture for years to come,” said TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter.

“We are grateful for the continued partnership and support we've received from the State of Tennessee as we continue to advance our lead in EV battery cell manufacturing,” said Kee Eun, President and CEO of Ultium Cells. “This investment expands our capabilities beyond a single battery cell chemistry, allowing us to produce new chemistries alongside our existing cells. Expanding our product portfolio ensures Ultium Cells will remain at the forefront of battery cell innovation and sustain our commitment to be a stable, long-term employer for the communities we serve.”

Missing Teen: 15-year-old Maleah Pillow of Columbia (Maury County Source)

The Columbia Police Department is trying to locate a 15-year-old runaway juvenile, Maleah Pillow.

She was last seen on July 5th, 2025, in the area of Timber Trail. Pillow is 5’08” tall and weighs 160 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Any person with additional information that may assist in this or any other investigation is encouraged to contact Columbia Police Department Dispatch (24 hours) at 931-388-2727, Maury County Crime stoppers at 931-381-4900, or Columbia Police SAFE Tip Email to SafeTips@ColumbiaTN.gov

‘Kamp Karlyn’ softball clinic comes to Columbia (MSM)

“Kamp Karlyn,” a two-day youth softball instructional camp held at Columbia’s Ridley Park, showcased the growing prominence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for female athletes, particularly for Tennessee’s record-setting pitcher Karlyn Pickens. By the end of the camp, merchandise featuring Pickens and her teammates was almost entirely sold out.

More than 400 campers, representing as many as 20 different states, participated in the event. This participation underscored the popularity of the Lady Vol Boost Her Club program and the broader growth of women’s sports. Former Lady Vol Rylie West, now working with the Boost Her Club, observed the wide geographic reach of the attendees.

The clinic marked the third in as many years for the Boost Her Club, an organization founded in 2021 by Terri Holder. Its mission is to create and develop NIL opportunities for Lady Vol student-athletes and to facilitate interactions between club members and athletes. Holder started the club after noticing a disparity in NIL deals between male and female athletes, drawing inspiration from the legacy of former Tennessee coach Pat Summitt. Holder had previously owned Orange Mountain Designs, a retailer specializing in Lady Vol merchandise.

Initially, the club supported four athletes, including softball standouts Kiki Malloy and Ashley Rogers. Now, 72 current Lady Vols across all University of Tennessee women’s athletic programs are involved with the Boost Her Club. Holder highlighted the increasing visibility of women’s sports, citing a popular sweatshirt slogan, “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports.”

She commended the University of Tennessee administration for prioritizing women’s sports alongside successful football, men’s basketball, and baseball programs. The Lady Vols softball team’s two Women’s College World Series appearances in three years further attest to this growth. The recent camp drew attendees from as far as Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida, and even from Pickens’ hometown of Weaverville, North Carolina, with strong local support from Columbia residents.

Pickens, the Lady Vols’ top pitcher, headlined the clinic. She recently set an NCAA softball record by throwing the fastest pitch in history at 79.4 miles per hour during a Super Regional win against Nebraska on May 24, surpassing her own previous record of 78.2 mph set in March against Arkansas. Pickens earned Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year honors for the second consecutive season, finishing with a 25-10 record, three saves, a 1.17 earned run average, and 297 strikeouts over 220⅔ innings. Ten-year-old Avery Mullens from Summersville, West Virginia, who attended the camp with her father, Chad, demonstrated the enthusiasm for Pickens, noting her collection of Pickens t-shirts and attendance at games.

“Kamp Karlyn” followed “Kamp Kiki” clinics held in Knoxville in 2023 and 2024. The camp featured several of Pickens’ teammates, including Saviya Morgan, a Columbia Central alumna, and former Forrest High School standout Laura Mealer. Pickens expressed her excitement about sharing softball with young girls in the middle of the state and acknowledged the unique experience of seeing her name widely recognized. She hoped every participant would learn something, make new friends, and meet their favorite player.

The weekend provided ample opportunities for these interactions. Friday’s “chalk talk” session focused on Pickens sharing pitching tips with a smaller group of aspiring athletes. Saturday was divided into two four-hour forums involving numerous other Lady Vols, including Morgan and Mealer, with nearly 350 total attendees.

Morgan emphasized that the true value of the camp extended beyond NIL benefits. She highlighted the importance of teaching younger athletes who aspire to play at the next level, viewing NIL as a perk rather than the primary focus. She expressed joy in spending the entire day playing with and teaching children the fundamentals to help them achieve their dreams.

In her freshman year, Morgan played in 62 of the Lady Vols’ 63 games, starting 59. She finished second on the team in batting average (.340) and runs scored (48), while leading the team with 25 stolen bases, as UT reached the Women’s College World Series Final Four in Oklahoma City. Morgan reflected on her unexpected success in her freshman year, exceeding her own initial expectations. She expressed the team’s continuous drive for improvement and her hope for a national championship in the coming years.

Despite a season that might have been considered mildly disappointing for a program consistently reaching NCAA Super Regionals, Pickens viewed it as a foundational experience. She believed the season prepared the team for an even better performance next year. Pickens discussed the importance of mental toughness, especially during postseason play, and maintaining a clear end goal throughout the season. She stressed the value of experience, noting that many players on the team had competed at the highest collegiate level, which is crucial for continued success. Pickens anticipated applying the lessons learned from the past season to foster further growth.

Spring Hill Names New Manager (Press Release)

Last Monday, the City of Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen reached a deal with Carter Napier to name him the new City Administrator. Napier was selected following a nationwide search that concluded with in-person interviews on June 13-14.

Napier comes to Tennessee by way of Wyoming. He has served as the City Manager for Casper, Wyoming since 2017.

Casper has an estimated population of nearly 60,000, similar to Spring Hill. During his tenure, Napier oversaw an aggressive capital improvement program, planned upgrades to a wastewater treatment plant, and facilitated public-private partnerships through development agreements — mirroring major issues and opportunities currently being discussed and acted upon here in Spring Hill.

"Mr. Napier brings exactly the kind of proven leadership and infrastructure expertise that Spring Hill needs as we continue to grow," said Mayor Matt Fitterer. "His track record of managing aggressive capital improvement programs and facilitating public-private partnerships in Casper directly aligns with our priorities in Spring Hill. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen are excited to work with him to deliver the infrastructure wins our citizens deserve."

Napier is also a Credentialed Manager through the International City County Management Association — the highest level of recognition through the most respected local government organization in the country.

Previously, Napier served as City Administrator for Gillette, Wyoming from 2011-2017 and City Administrator for Riverton, Wyoming from 2003-2011.

Napier will begin his new role on or before August 20, 2025.

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.

Operation Southern Slow Down Targets Speeders July 14–20 Across TN & Southeast (Press Release)

Drivers across Tennessee and the Southeast will see an increased police presence on the roads next week as law enforcement agencies launch Operation Southern Slow Down, a week-long initiative aimed at curbing speeding-related crashes.

Running from July 14 to July 20, this regional enforcement effort will involve officers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Highway Safety Office, and multiple local agencies. They’ll be joining counterparts in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, focusing patrols on both interstates and local roads.

This year’s campaign comes in response to a troubling trend: speeding-related fatalities are on the rise. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 11,400 people died in speeding-related crashes across the U.S. in 2022—a 25% increase from 2018. Within the five Southeastern states participating in this initiative, speeding killed 1,610 people in 2022, up from 1,410 deaths in 2018.

While interstates are often associated with high-speed driving, most speed-related fatalities in the region are actually happening on non-interstate roads. In 2022, 91% of speeding-related crashes in the five participating states occurred off the interstate—an increase from 88% in 2018.

With summer travel at its peak and millions expected to hit the road, officials are urging drivers to slow down and stay alert. Officers will focus their efforts on corridors with high crash rates in hopes of reducing fatalities during this high-risk travel period.

25th Annual Lynnville Blackberry Festival Approaches (Pulaski Citizen)

This year’s annual Blackberry Festival, held each July in Lynnville, is set for Saturday, July 19.

“We are really excited because this will be the 25th Lynnville Blackberry Festival,” organizer Gordon Gregory said. “We’ve got more music this year and more vendors than we’ve had in the past.”

Gregory said one of the highlights of this year’s festival will be national country recording group Herrick, which will perform as part of their “Midnight Radio” five-state

tour.

Also performing will be Worley McKinney and Southern Crossroads Band, along with various other local country music artists.

The festival will feature more than 60 vendors providing food, crafts, clothing and more, alongside a Tennessee National Guard Obstacle Course for both kids and adults attending, Gregory added.

A chainsaw carver will also be present, and those in attendance can watch as a tiger is carved to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of Jones High School in Lynnville, Gregory said.

Other activities will include: a petting zoo, pony rides, a blackberry baking contest and a Little Miss Lynnville beauty contest.

The Main Stage events schedule includes:

• 10:30-11:30 a.m. — Little Miss Lynnville Beauty Contest

• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Shelbyville Cloggers

• 2-3 p.m. — Herrick

• 3:30-4:30 p.m. — Worley McKinney and Southern Crossroads Band

• 4:30-5 p.m. — Nicole Smith

• 5-6 p.m. — Robert Heller

Activities kick off at 8 a.m. and will run throughout the day for all to enjoy. Parking, at the Lynnville ball park off Mill Street, is $5.

“All proceeds from the festival will be used to purchase new playground equipment at the park to support the growing number of Lynnville residents with small children,” Gregory noted.