Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-16-26

Early voting begins Friday, here’s what you need to know (Release)

Early voting in Maury County-level elections starts this Friday, July 17. Accordingly, the county Election Commission and the candidates themselves have helpfully provided the following information to help early voters pull the lever.

Early voting locations

Voters can cast their 2026 ballots at one of the two early-voting precincts, which will be open from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays.

The two precincts are:

Maury County Election Commission office

1207 Tradewinds Drive

Columbia, TN 38401

Early voting dates: July 17-Aug. 1

Spring Hill Community Center — Winchester Building

563 Maury Hill Street

Spring Hill, TN 37174

Early voting dates: July 22-25, 2026

Maury County candidates address growth issues at NAACP-Think Tank forum (MSM)

NAACP Chapter 5584 and the local Think Tank Foundation held a forum June 30 for candidates seeking a county office. Dr. Christa Martin, formerly the vice-mayor of the city of Columbia and a library board member, posed policy questions to the 12 candidates, one of them running for the Board of Education and the rest for the County Commission.

The candidates who attended the forum were:

Jamila Brown, running unopposed for reelection to represent District 3 on Board of Education

Jennifer Garrard, candidate for District 3 on County Commission

Winston Harlan, District 3 candidate

Gary Stovall, the current District 3 county commissioner

Mike Kuzawinski, District 4 county commissioner

James Dallas, District 4 candidate

Richard Baud, District 7 candidate

Bradley Coutts, District 7 candidate

Kevin Markham, District 9 county commissioner and former County Commission chair

Jacqueline Marshall, District 9 candidate

Adam Southern, District 9 candidate

Danny Grooms, District 10 commissioner and current County Commission chair

The candidates were divided over whether the county’s development and population growth are on “the right trajectory.” Most praised the direction of county growth and wanted to see more of it in certain sectors, even if some found aspects of it inconvenient or unsightly.

“I think the key word on this question is balance,” said Mike Kuzawinski, who recommended leaning on the comprehensive land-use plan and collaboration with the cities to channel growth rather than quash it. “You’re not going to stop growth… [Like water,] you’ve got to have flow to keep it fresh.”

“This is a great place to live, [and] we’ve made it a point to advertise that, so we can’t expect that to stop now,” said Bradley Coutts. “[Let’s] bring in and incentivize not only business activity, but responsible growth with that, having those conversations with those developers and… industry… Utilizing local, state and federal grant money as much as we can.”

“I know that density can be very scary for some people, but when you have to build fewer roads and fewer pipelines to get people moved in, I think [density] can help,” said James Dallas, though he acknowledged it’s not easy to answer a question that’s been driving county politics for decades. “And we have to keep in mind that commercial, industrial and agricultural zones typically bring in more tax revenue than they cost in services. I want to have respect for everybody, but also… look at the basic math of the situation.”

Some candidates expressed cautious or negative attitudes towards growth, especially those running to represent District 9.

“I don’t believe our growth is balanced,” said Richard Baud, running for District 7. He pointed out that Maury County has added 60,000 people since he came in 1998, more than the population of 29 counties in Tennessee. “Ask yourself, have we planned around that extra population, to leverage that towards… opportunities?… The new technology, robotics, AI, that’s coming down the line? Have we added different businesses that would give our county opportunities to shop here, to dine here, to be entertained here?”

“Our schools are full, traffic is unacceptable,” said Marshall, who suggested imposing impact fees to rein in growth and make it responsible to existing infrastructure capacity. “I just think it’s important that we keep something sacred, something that is going to stay the way that we’ve always known it.”

“We’re traveling on a dirt road [when it comes to growth]… If you go fast, you’re going to end up spun out in a ditch,” quipped Southern, who proposes the county preserve “greenbelt” areas of forest and farmland to give future generations perspective on the area’s history. “We can’t stop growth [entirely] but we can slow it down… [because] it’s important that we keep our local identity and our culture.”

“People in my community have [said] at town-hall meetings, we don’t want high-density housing in a rural setting,” said Commissioner Markham. “That being said, I don’t have any way to prevent the city of Columbia [from building it] — the only thing I can do is speak respectfully to the city council persons and the mayor, and that’s what I try to do.”

“As far as growth goes, the horse is out of the barn,” agreed Grooms. Since 2019, he testified, Spring Hill and Columbia have added more than 5,000 housing units, Mount Pleasant about 70, and the county about 1,200. “We have to [do balanced growth] not only as a county, but with the three municipalities… There has to be an open line of communication [with the cities and with county services].”

The candidates all agreed they ought to help bring jobs to the area, insofar as it’s in their power. They supported the efforts of Maury Alliance to specifically attract diverse and high-paying employment.

“The days of just moving [a factory] in and [considering that] a success are over. They need to invest in this community,” said Commissioner Grooms. He and Kuzawinski encouraged people to come to the land use planning meetings set up by the county’s consultants, to give their opinions on what the growth of the county should look like.

Several suggested the county should invest more in the “jobs of the future,” not only in manufacturing. As examples, Richard Baud suggested opening an air traffic control academy at the county airport or bringing in a slaughterhouse to work directly with local livestock farmers.

“[People are] talking about… current jobs being replaced by robotics, automation, AI,” he said. “We need to look at the jobs of the future and start being creative.”

“There’s no one ‘character’ to Maury County’s community… and we certainly [shouldn’t restrict ourselves to] what currently exists here — we do need to diversify the economy, and be willing to embrace somethings that in the past, we might not have been willing to,” said Dallas. “Since I’ve moved here, I’ve been involved in opposing the mega-dump out west of Columbia, and… spoke on the data center issue. But I think it’s very important that we keep the list of industries we don’t want as short as possible… We also have to keep in mind that small businesses are the engine of our economy, and [while we mostly] talk about bringing in big companies [and] 100 or 1,000 jobs, bringing in one job still matters, and we need [affordable] commercial real estate to do that.”

Kuzawinski agreed with Dallas, adding that the county couldn’t afford to give away all their “upsides” and tax dollars in deductions and incentives just to bring in employers.

“We do need to allow for growth from inside-out… for small businesses to grow and flourish, to hire and train,” he said. “We also cannot give away the farm with all the deductions and taxes… We need to get the industries to buy into this community as well.”

Education and vocational training also came up as important factors in improving the county’s material prospects. Garrard pointed out that businesses take the state of the education system very seriously when deciding whether to set up shop in Maury County.

“One thing [Maury Alliance uses] to attract other businesses to come to Maury County, is how our schools are doing,” she said, “[and] we’re moving the needle, we’re going places with the schools… [We should also] chang[e] our own rhetoric, because we do offer great things: great schools… great jobs and… opportunities.”

Markham praised Columbia State’s technical schools, which graduate tradesmen who sometimes “make more than lawyers,” and which will be greatly augmented by the Southern Regional Technology Center scheduled to open this fall. He also explained that the county Industrial Development Board has been preparing 300 acres on the east side of Highway 31 to serve as white-collar office complexes.

“It’s the goal of the IDB to bring office-type, professional workers like you might see in the area around Cool Springs,” he said. “You don’t necessarily need [another] manufacturing plant there.”

“If we educate the people and [send them] to vocational school… and bring corporate jobs here… this whole area will keep its character,” said Harlan, who said his wife has spoken about the need to siphon “corporate” jobs from up north down to Maury County. “The ‘character’ is us! Once the people are getting jobs, the character will stay here.”

Asked how they should recruit quality teachers, Jamila Brown said they need to pay them a living wage and make them feel respected. As a great step towards the former, she thanked the Board and the County Commission for approving a $50,000 starting salary for all teachers the previous school year.

“We must focus on both compensation and culture when it comes to our teachers,” she said. “We have a lot of qualified educators that are leaving the school system because they do not feel respected: by the students they teach, by the parents… and sometimes by the administrators.”

Tennessee’s largest orthopedic group opens Spring Hill facility, surgery center to follow (MSM)

Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance opened the doors to its new Spring Hill location July 1, bringing a 57,000-square-foot orthopedic campus to one of Middle Tennessee’s fastest-growing communities.

The facility at 2160 Reserve Blvd. consolidates subspecialty orthopedic care, advanced imaging, physical therapy, occupational therapy, urgent care, and sports performance training under a single roof. A formal ribbon cutting is scheduled for July 24. A surgery center on the building’s second floor is expected to open in 2027.

TOA, founded in 1926, is Tennessee’s largest orthopedic practice with more than 100 physicians across 33 locations statewide. The Spring Hill clinic marks the group’s continued push into Williamson and Maury counties as population growth in the region has accelerated demand for specialized medical services.

“This new facility represents TOA’s continued commitment to making expert orthopedic care more accessible to the communities we serve,” said Rob Simmons, chief executive officer of TOA. “With walk-in urgent care and sports performance training, we’re meeting patients where they are, both in moments of injury and throughout their recovery journey.”

A centerpiece of the new location is its orthopedic urgent care, which accepts walk-in patients with acute injuries including fractures, sprains, strains, and sports-related conditions. The service is designed as a specialized alternative to hospital emergency rooms, connecting patients directly with orthopedic expertise rather than general emergency staff.

The facility also includes an on-site MRI and a dedicated Sports Performance Center built to serve athletes at every level, from youth players to adults returning from injury. Programming spans individualized training, team services, and return-to-play protocols intended to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and full athletic performance.

Specialist coverage at the Spring Hill location includes hand, wrist and elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and sports medicine physicians.

TOA broke ground on the facility in 2025 after identifying Spring Hill as an underserved market for orthopedic care. The group covers more high school and college sports teams than any orthopedic practice in Tennessee, and the new Sports Performance Center is expected to deepen that presence in Williamson and Maury county athletics.

The Spring Hill location is open at 2160 Reserve Blvd. More information is available at toa.com.

Applications Open for Fall 2026 Columbia 101 Program (MC Source)

The City of Columbia is accepting applications for its Fall 2026 Columbia 101 program, giving residents a behind-the-scenes look at how local government operates.

The two-day program will take place Sept. 22-23, 2026, and will include meetings with city leaders, tours of municipal facilities and opportunities to learn how city departments serve the community.

Participants will explore areas including public safety, infrastructure, parks and public services while meeting with city staff, asking questions and learning about current projects and future plans.

“Columbia is an incredible community because of the people who call it home,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. “Columbia 101 gives residents a chance to see firsthand how their local government works, meet the people behind the services they rely on every day, and discover new ways to get involved. Whether you’ve lived here your entire life or recently made Columbia your home, this program offers a unique opportunity to connect with your city.”

Columbia 101 is open to residents of both the City of Columbia and Maury County and is offered twice each year.

A $25 fee is required for accepted applicants to help cover the cost of meals, transportation and program materials.

Applications are available at Columbia City Hall or online, and the deadline to apply is Friday, Aug. 7.

Major Drug Bust in Maury (MauryCountySource)

A two-month drug investigation in Maury County ended with the seizure of suspected fentanyl pills, cash, firearms and narcotics, according to the Maury County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies with the agency’s Vice and Narcotics Unit executed search warrants on July 10 as part of the investigation.

Investigators seized more than 2,000 pills, including approximately 1,500 suspected fentanyl or fentanyl-laced pills, along with nearly $58,000 in cash, multiple firearms, a GMC truck, cocaine and other illegal narcotics.

The investigation was conducted with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime and Digital Evidence Unit.

The Maury County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains part of its ongoing efforts to target drug trafficking and remove illegal narcotics from the community.

Man Rescued From Dough Sheeter (MauryCountySource)

Firefighters responded to a rare rescue Friday after a man’s arm became trapped in a bakery dough sheeter at Savarino’s Market.

According to the Maury County Fire Department, crews were called to the business on July 10 after receiving reports of a worker whose arm was stuck in the machine used to prepare dough.

Firefighters said the worker was in pain but remained calm throughout the rescue. Employees had already unplugged the machine and attempted to free the man’s arm using oils, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

Crews first tried disassembling parts of the equipment and using wooden wedges to separate the rollers, but the machine would not release the worker’s arm. Firefighters then brought in a hydraulic spreader to move components of the machine and create enough space for the rollers to move vertically. Pry bars and wedges were reinserted, allowing crews to successfully free the worker.

According to firefighters, the worker’s first words after being rescued were, “Time to get back to work.”

The rescue damaged the dough sheeter, and the fire department is encouraging the community to support the locally owned business as it works to replace the equipment.

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.

Now a look at your hometown memorials, brought to you by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home

Mrs. Margie Dawson Hinson Jones, 84, widow of Willie E. Hinson and Wilkey M. Jones, Sr., passed away Monday, July 13, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Brother Lee Shadrick officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 12:00 noon until the service time at the funeral home.

Norma Johnson Rosson, 96, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at The Bridge, where she had made her home for the past several years. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:00 a. m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Andrew Phillips officiating. The family will receive friends Friday from 10:00 a. m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens.

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, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Rose Hill Cemetery with Pastor Bob Vassar officiating.

Charles Sloan Delk, born on April 23, 1939, in Columbia, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at his residence on July 14, 2026. A retired engineer from L&N/CSX Railroad, Charles was a cherished member of his community in Columbia. He will be laid to rest at Polk Mausoleum on Saturday, July 18, at 11:00 AM.

News from around the state…

Tennessee's tax-free weekend is coming (CDH)

Tennessee's tax-free weekend is this month, giving families an opportunity to save on back-to-school shopping.

Qualifying clothing, school supplies and computers can be purchased tax-free during the sales tax holiday, including eligible online purchases.

Tennessee is among the states with the highest average combined state and local sales tax rates. Nationwide, the population-weighted average combined sales tax rate is 7.53%, according to the Tax Foundation. Tennessee's combined rate is 9.61%, the second highest in the country, behind only Louisiana at 10.11%.

Here's everything to know.

When is tax-free weekend in Tennessee?

Tennessee's 2026 tax-free weekend begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 31 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 2.

What qualifies for Tennessee's sales tax holiday?

Here's a look at what qualifies for tax exemption and what doesn't.

Eligible

Clothing: General apparel that costs $100 or less per item, such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, dresses.

School and art supplies: To be exempt, items must have a purchase price of $100 or less per item, such as binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils, and rulers, and art supplies such as glazes, clay, paints, drawing pads, and artist paintbrushes.

Computers: Computers for personal use with a purchase price of $1,500 or less. Laptop computers, if priced at $1,500 or less, also qualify as well as tablet computers.

Non-eligible

Clothing: Items priced at more than $100. Items sold together, such as shoes, cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 limit. Items such as jewelry, handbags, or sports and recreational equipment are also not eligible.

School and art supplies: Items priced at more than $100 are not eligible. Items that are normally sold together cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 limit.

Computers: Storage media, individually purchased software, printer supplies, and household appliances are not eligible.

Free Back to School Bash Brings Fun & Resources to Riverwalk Park (FPR)

Families gearing up for the upcoming school year have a great opportunity to stock up on essentials and connect with local resources this Friday.

The Mental Health Cooperative of Columbia is hosting a Back to School Bash and Resource Fair. The event takes place this Friday, July 17th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Riverwalk Park in Columbia.

This is a completely free community event designed to serve families across Maury, Giles, Marshall, Lawrence, Lewis, and Williamson counties.

Parents and students can pick up free school supplies and backpacks, and learn more about available local resources. There will also be plenty of fun for the kids, including a Touch-A-Truck display, children's activities, giveaways, food, and music from a live DJ.

Again, that’s the Back to School Bash and Resource Fair, happening this Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Columbia's Riverwalk Park.

Other stories as needed:

Sweetwater Park Welcomes the Community for Grand Opening Festivities (FPR)

If you’re looking for a great way to get outside with the family later this month, a brand-new community space is officially making its debut.

Maury County Parks and Recreation has announced the grand opening of Sweetwater Park in Culleoka. The official celebration kicks off on Saturday, July 25th, starting at 9:00 AM.

The morning will feature a formal welcome, a park dedication, and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Neighbors and visitors can be among the first to check out the new amenities, including a brand-new playground area.

To help celebrate, the Culleoka Community Club will be serving up hot dogs, and you can cool off with a snow cone from Kona Ice. Complimentary coffee and water will also be available while supplies last.

The event runs for three hours, from 9:00 AM until noon. Sweetwater Park is located at 2420 Mooresville Pike in Culleoka. Everyone in the community is invited to come out, support the new park, and enjoy a morning outdoors.

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 now, 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.

Free Back to School Bash Brings Fun & Resources to Riverwalk Park (FPR)

Families gearing up for the upcoming school year have a great opportunity to stock up on essentials and connect with local resources this Friday.

The Mental Health Cooperative of Columbia is hosting a Back to School Bash and Resource Fair. The event takes place this Friday, July 17th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Riverwalk Park in Columbia.

This is a completely free community event designed to serve families across Maury, Giles, Marshall, Lawrence, Lewis, and Williamson counties.

Parents and students can pick up free school supplies and backpacks, and learn more about available local resources. There will also be plenty of fun for the kids, including a Touch-A-Truck display, children's activities, giveaways, food, and music from a live DJ.

Again, that’s the Back to School Bash and Resource Fair, happening this Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Columbia's Riverwalk Park.