Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-22-25

Group seeking to build Columbia Dam on Duck River teams with Ogles to pursue federal funds for study (Tennessee Lookout)

A group pushing to resurrect decades-old plans to build a dam on the Duck River in Columbia is working with U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles to secure congressional funding to fast-track a feasibility study.

Columbia Dam Now’s goal is evident in their name: they want the federal government to fund the reconstruction of the Columbia Dam (which was halted in the 1980s and eventually dismantled in 1990s) as soon as possible.

A spokesperson for Ogles confirmed he is “actively working” with U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann — a fellow Tennessee Republican and chairman of energy and water appropriations — and the House Appropriations Committee to “explore what steps can be taken at a federal level to allow for a dam to be built along the Duck River.”

A feasibility study would be the first step of that process. The spokesperson did not address questions about the amount of funding being sought or a decision timeline.

At a public meeting hosted by Columbia Dam Now on July 15, some attendees referred to the ongoing work of the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, a 19-person advisory group created by Gov. Bill Lee to shape a plan for the Duck River’s preservation and the fulfillment of regional water needs. That board has met twice and plans to release its first report to the state on Nov. 20.

The Duck River Conservancy, a coalition of landowners dedicated to preserving the river, opposes the revival of the dam project, with Chairman Doug Jones stating it “would completely undercut the Governor’s commitment to preserving the Duck River watershed.” The group cited concerns over ongoing water waste by utilities, drought, and environmental impacts.

Sarah Gilliam, a member of the Don’t Dam the Duck group (and distantly related to Jason Gilliam by marriage), disagrees. She said it’s not clear whose property might be taken if the project were to move forward, and questions remain about related infrastructure costs and legal obstacles.

“There are stakeholders in our community who believe that, based on data and research and known information, that having the dam is not the only feasible option,” Sarah Gilliam said. “We understand that people are frustrated and they need water now. But no matter what you do, it’s going to take time, and there’s a partnership very well-suited to do this work, and we would like to see them finish this work and hear what they’ve come up with.”

The Mallory Valley Utility District, which serves more than 5,000 customers in the Franklin, Brentwood and Cool Springs area, is in the process of completing a feasibility study for the pipeline, including its estimated cost, that is slated to conclude this fall.

Columbia Dam Now has spent the last several months collecting non-binding resolutions from various county and city governments in the area to take to congressional leaders as a show of support, Jason Gilliam said. The Columbia City Council and Maury County Commission are among the entities to pass such resolutions.

Should the congressional funding for the feasibility study receive approval, the study could shed light on the proposed footprint of the lake, the modern cost of building a dam in Columbia and the project’s potential benefits and drawbacks for surrounding communities.

Columbia State publishes clean audit (Release)

The Tennessee Board of Regents published a clean audit of Columbia State Community College, reporting to the state Comptroller's Office no misreporting or errors were found in the college's books for the fiscal years between 2022-2024, and that the institution is operating in a fiscally responsible manner.

The college collected more than $10 million in tuition in FY 2024, about a 40 percent increase over 2023, and managed to give its employees average raises of 4 percent in 2023 and 5 percent in 2024, to help cover inflation and cost-of-living increases.

CSCC has steadily paid off approximately $200,000 in outstanding debt each year, dropping it from $3.9 million in FY 2022 to less than $3.5 million at the end of FY 2024. The college holds top credit ratings from different agencies.

CSCC, MCPS partner for Pre-Apprentice Program (Release)

Columbia State Community College and Maury County Public Schools signed an agreement last week to start a new Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program that aids in preparing students for a future in education.

The program, set to launch in the fall of 2025, paves the way for high school and college students to gain real-world classroom experience, professional development and a pipeline to employment within the Maury County School System.

“In the Grow Your Own program, high school students have to be working for the district in some capacity,” said Kirstin Senske, Columbia State’s program director and associate professor of education. “If they’re coming out of high school, I keep them with me for a semester or two, and then they apply as a teacher assistant.”

Faculty and staff gathered July 16 at the Pryor Art Gallery on Columbia State’s campus for the signing of the agreement. Maury County Director of Schools Lisa Ventura spoke about the importance of the program, aiding in supporting students and helping with the teacher shortage.

“We’re excited to see this program grow, thrive and one day return our students to our schools fully licensed, highly qualified and highly impactful teachers,” Ventura said.

Columbia State President, Dr. Janet F. Smith and Maury County Schools Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Keith Stacey, emphasized the importance of having partnerships in Maury County and expressed gratitude for the process and the people who contributed.

“I think it's appropriate to say that Columbia State has always been a light in the realm of education, but in particular in the realm of educational training,” Stacey said.

With the program being the first of its kind in the state of Tennessee, Columbia State Community College and Maury County Public Schools are eager for students to get involved, become hands-on and build the next generation of teachers.

Higher Pursuits’ Sunset Paddle Offers Unique Enjoyment of Summer Evenings (MC Source)

Higher Pursuits, a female-owned business, started with a love of the Duck River and a passion for paddling. Building from there, Dawn Nelson and Jan Seufert have created a number of events on the river, including opportunities to enjoy the water as the sun is setting. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy an upcoming Sunset Paddle on August 6, 2025.

The guided Sunset Paddle will begin a few hours before sunset so participants can enjoy the changes on the river as the sun sinks and the moon rises. Higher Pursuits provides a guide and lights for the boats.

Participants will arrive at 5:00 p.m. and leave base camp at 5:30 p.m. The group will paddle until near sunset and then stop to have a snack and watch the sunset. The trip is completed during twilight and early darkness and ends at about 9:30 p.m.

Cost for the trip is $75 per person, this includes rental of a kayak or canoe, a life jacket, oars and the guide. It is suggested that guests bring plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, preferably water or a sports drink, to stay hydrated. Tennis shoes or sandals that attach to the foot are suggested instead of flip flops which fall off and can get lost. Also, a light jacket and lightweight pants may be desired after sunset when the temperature drops.

Sunset Paddles do depend on the weather. A clear night is required to take advantage of the illumination of the moon, that is why the event takes place near a full moon.

The Duck River is rich in biological diversity, being home to more than 500 species of aquatic plants as well as 60 species of mussels, 151 types of fish, and 22 different kinds of snail. Bordered by thick forests, steep rock cliffs, and scenic pastoral lands, the activity along the river shifts as the sun fades below the horizon offering a view of the river that few see.

Nelson and Seufert founded Higher Pursuits initially to provide team-building experiences for businesses, schools and other organizations. Then in 2009, the economy shifted and they expanded their business plan to build a canoe basecamp and to provide kayak and canoe rentals, opening to the public a year later.

“Many of you have been with us since the beginning and have watched our operation grow from operating out of a tent to what you see today,” says the duo on their website. “We have been so fortunate to have a wonderful staff throughout the years and an even better group of loyal customers.”

For more information about this activity, visit the Higher Pursuits website at https://higherpursuits.com.

And now a look at your hometown memorials, brought to you by Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home…

Mrs. Katherine June Underwood Henson, 78, longtime resident of the Hollywood Community of Culleoka, passed away on July 16 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mrs. Henrietta Cochran McKennon Ward, 80, resident of Duck River, died Thursday, July 17 at her residence. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 12:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mr. William Edward “Bill” Sanders, 68, retired Environmentalist for Smelter in Mt. Pleasant, and resident of Hampshire, died Friday at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mrs. Deborah Kaye “Debbie” Andrews Locke, 68, resident of Culleoka, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 10:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mrs. Lisa Ann Johnson Tubville, 66, lifelong resident of Columbia, died Friday, July 18, at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

State park lake set to be drained and closed—for now (NC5)

Lake Woodhaven in Montgomery Bell State Park will close Monday, July 21, 2025, as officials begin draining the lake as part of a long-range project to improve fishing conditions.

According to officials, the lake will be closed for at least a year as part of a joint effort between the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, Tennessee State Parks, and the Bill Dance Signature Lakes initiative.

"This is one of the small lakes that we're trying to do some intensive management of fish populations to improve the fishery," said Jason Henegar, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Chief of Fisheries.

The project aims to address declining fishing conditions at the lake.

"The quantity of fish caught has seemed to decrease quite a bit over the years," said Destiny Adcox, Montgomery Bell State Park Manager.

Officials will drain the lake down to the stream that feeds it.

Draining the water will provide a chance to essentially start over with the lake's ecosystem.

"That will allow us to remove the remaining fish and start from really square one in our fisheries management of Lake Woodhaven," Henegar said.

After completing work on the empty lake, officials will allow it to fill back up from the stream, creating an environment designed to support more desirable fish species.

"Our end goal here is to provide a forage base that will support a trophy bass fishing lake," Henegar said.

The project could also have significant economic benefits for the surrounding area.

Henegar noted that fishing, particularly for largemouth bass, contributes substantially to Tennessee's economy.

Henegar said in a recent survey done near a different state park, Fall Creek Falls State Park, it was determined that fishing brought around $450,000 in economic activity to the area.

"There's a lot of money that goes into the Tennessee economy based on fishing, and a lot of that is targeted toward largemouth bass," Henegar said.

Tourism officials expect the improved fishing conditions to also benefit local businesses once the lake reopens.

"We really see the dollars multiply as they come into these areas. They stay in hotels, eat in local restaurants, they visit the state park lodge," Henegar said.

While Lake Woodhaven will be closed, park officials say the trails nearby will remain open, and other lakes within Montgomery Bell are available for those looking to spend time on the water.

Spring Hill Planning passes June Lake development (MSM)

The Spring Hill Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for June Lake Windfall Phase 1, a 141-lot residential development, during its July 14 meeting.

Located east of Summit High School and Spring Station Middle School and west of I-65, the plat will feature 60 single-family homes, 26 duplex units and 55 townhome units.

The development was originally proposed at the commission's June 23 work session, but was not approved due to Development staff asking for a trigger point on amenities construction, landscape plans, excessive parking, traffic interference and what the developer’s contribution to an overpass would be.

With the updated changes, a 50 percent trigger point agreement has been settled, excessive parking has been avoided and construction traffic will not interfere with peak times on Spring Station Drive — 7:15-9 a.m. and 2:15-3:50 p.m.

Kimley Horn and Associates’ proposal was also approved for Chase Bank Lot 4, located at the southeast corner of Port Royal and Saturn Parkway.

The initial proposal was flagged with concerns about 90-degree parking stall angles instead of 45, the layout matching with the Publix and Starbucks nearby, excessive parking and concern about drive-throughs and lots of both spaces overlapping.

“We wanted to work with everyone on the BOMA mishap, so we took the spaces [parking] down from 25 to 18,” stated Nick Madonia, employee of Kimley-Horn.

The commission approved a new $79,439 bond for the Kedron Square’s School Street project. The original bond was set in February 2021 for $302,500.00 on its installments of curbs, gutters and sidewalks

Although construction did begin, the city engineering staff sought to increase the bond due to the project becoming inactive, to ensure that the city is protected and the project will be completed