Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-22-26

CPWS hosting ‘Stuff the Bucket’ as part of school supply drive for Highland Park Elementary School (Release)

Columbia Power & Water Systems (CPWS) is proud to announce the "Stuff the Bucket" School Supply Drive & Cook-Out, a community event dedicated to supporting the students at Highland Park Elementary School as they prepare for the new school year.

The toy drive is ongoing now through July 24, but community members can “drive-thru” the parking lot next to the main Highland Ave. entrance on Thursday, July 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to drop off the essential school supplies for local children, and — in a unique twist on a traditional donation drive —help "stuff the bucket" of a CPWS utility truck.

"We recognize that starting the school year with the necessary tools is vital for a student's confidence and success," said CPWS CEO Jack Baxter. "In fact, Highland Park Elementary is just a couple of blocks down the street from our office and CPWS trucks pass by the school often, allowing us to see the impact made to our closest neighbors on a daily basis.”

CPWS is asking the community to donate new school supplies, including: backpacks, No. 2 pencils, erasers, crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, bottles of glue, scissors, washable markers, EXPO dry-erase markers, tissues, sanitizing wipes and highlighters.

As a token of appreciation, any community member who donates during the event will receive a complimentary sack lunch, complete with an all-beef hot dog and bag of chips, served in a fun cook-out atmosphere. For those who choose to donate outside of the event, a donation drop box is located in the CPWS office lobby.

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 week, 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.

75K voters cast ballots in strong start for Tennessee early voting (Tennessee Lookout)

More than 75,000 Tennessee voters cast their ballots in the first two days of early voting for the August primary election, according to data released by the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office.

That outpaces the same early voting period in the 2022 primary election by nearly 24,000 voters — a 47% increase.

Maury County, a key middle Tennessee county, is mirroring the statewide momentum this year. Through the first two days, Maury County reported a 32% increase in overall turnout compared to August 2022. Driving much of that swell is a 94% surge in Democratic Primary turnout alongside a 14% increase in GOP turnout.

This year’s ballot includes multiple high-profile competitive primaries, including a gubernatorial race with no incumbent and several races for newly redrawn U.S. Congressional districts.

Republicans U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts are vying for a spot on the November gubernatorial ballot. Democratic primary contenders include Memphis City Council member Jerri Green, Memphian Carnita Atwater, farmer Tim Cyr and Nashville-based steel guitar player Adam Kurtz.

Statewide, voters submitted 48,378 Republican ballots and 24,520 Democratic ballots, according to state data.

In Maury County, while Republican ballots still outnumber Democratic ones roughly 2 to 1 in Maury County, that represents a significant shift from the 3.5-to-1 ratio seen during the same period in 2022.

The number of Democratic primary ballots eclipsed Republican ballots in four counties, including the state’s two most populous: Shelby County and Davidson County. Hardeman and Haywood counties in West Tennessee also saw more Democratic ballots pulled than Republican by a narrower margin.

Tennessee’s 17 urban counties saw primary voter turnout during the first two days of early voting increase 72% from 2022. Rural counties saw a 27% increase.

Notably, Gov. Bill Lee, the incumbent, ran unopposed in the 2022 Republican primary election, which may partly account for lower 2022 voter turnout. On the Democratic primary ballot, Jason Martin narrowly defeated Memphis Councilmember JB Smiley Jr.

But the 2022 primary also debuted a 5th U.S. Congressional district that broke the boundaries of Davidson County. Incumbent Jim Cooper, a Nashville Democrat who represented Nashville for two decades, bowed out of the race. State Sen. Heidi Campbell, a Nashville Democrat, ran unopposed on the Democratic primary ticket, but the Republican ticket was crowded with nine candidates. Maury County Republican Andy Ogles ultimately won the seat.

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 week’s event features Big E’s BBQ, My Brothers and Me Lemonade, This Turkey Here Gourmet Turkey and Frios gourmet popsicles.

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.

The next two weeks are the last of the series for the summer.

For updates on weekly food truck lineups and other downtown events, follow Columbia Main Street on social media.

Middle Tennessee volunteer fire departments awarded $1.35M in state grants (CDH)

More than two dozen volunteer fire departments in Lawrence, Wayne, Maury and Hardin counties have been awarded a total of $1.35 million in state grant funding.

"Volunteer firefighters are often the backbone of emergency response in rural communities, answering the call day or night," said Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown, who announced the recipients July 16. "These significant grants will help local departments purchase essential equipment to ensure they are prepared to respond quickly and effectively. I'm incredibly grateful to the men and women who selflessly give their time to serve their neighbors."

Volunteer firefighters play a crucial role in Tennessee's emergency response network. A recent survey found that 71% of Tennessee fire departments are staffed entirely by volunteers, with an estimated 12,460 of the state’s 21,075 active firefighters serving as volunteers, according to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

The program is administered by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance to purchase critical firefighting equipment, improving emergency response and enhancing firefighter safety.

Out of the 27 grants awarded in Lawrence, Wayne, Maury and Hardin counties, Maury County received three grants:

• Chestnut Ridge Volunteer Fire Department: $14,228

• Maury County Fire Department: $41,184

• Columbia Fire & Rescue: $9,450

Lawrence County departments received 15 grants, Wayne County seven and Hardin County, two.

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.

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.

Maury County Fire Dept. struggles to cover service area (MSM)

Emergency calls to the Maury County Fire Department have almost tripled since 2020 — and the all-volunteer department is struggling to keep up, Deputy Chief Richie Schatz told Main Street Maury.

The department covers 560 square miles of Maury County, over 90 percent of its total area. They received 878 emergency calls in 2020, and after steadily climbing over the last few years, Schatz said they responded to 2,209 last year.

County Fire is on track to cover more this year as they report they have already taken more than 1,300 calls in the first half of 2026.

The greatest share of the calls come from the more densely populated northeastern quadrant of the county, with County Fire call records noting they responded to 11 incidents on one recent particularly taxing day.

The department responds to the variety of calls – their service goes beyond just battling a house fire or saving a burning building. Recent calls include a hay bale fire, ATV fire and vehicle accidents requiring extrication. Last week, MCFD members were called in to help free a man’s arm stuck in a dough sheeter.

Aside from six full-time staff, Maury County Fire is an all-volunteer department. Of its roster of 170 firefighters, about 80 active members do the bulk of the work. County Commissioner Gabe Howard recently noted that the department is also a standalone nonprofit, not an official county department, and maintains its own facilities.

Staffing fluctuates throughout the year, and because volunteers tend to sign up at the station closest to them, the most rural areas struggle most to find firefighters.

“[The shortage] is in areas that have a smaller population that don’t have as many people to pull from,” Schatz said.

Meanwhile, volunteer numbers have remained flat. Schatz reported that rising living costs have forced volunteer firefighters and their spouses to take on multiple jobs, work outside the county, and give up discretionary driving — devouring the free time they would otherwise spend protecting their neighbors.

“[In fact,] we’ve probably seen a slight decline over the years in volunteer activity levels,” he said.

County Fire is working to address the problem through incentives and systemic changes. Schatz thanked the County Commission for providing county firefighters a uniform budget for the first time last year, in addition to protective equipment the commission has already purchased for them.

Looking ahead, the Safety Committee heard Schatz’s July 7 request that the county purchase land for an additional fire station on Santa Fe Pike. Unlike the current facility, the proposed station would include dormitories, better truck access and indoor bathrooms. County Fire is also considering hiring more part-time and full-time staff, a significant shift for the historically volunteer department.

“This Commission has been very supportive of the Maury County Fire Department, and we’ve made major strides in the last four years … [like] the hiring of our first six full-time firefighters [in October 2024],” Schatz said. “We’ve definitely improved coverage with some full-time staffing.”

To volunteer with the Maury County Fire Department (MCFD), submit an interest form on the Maury County Fire Department website. The all-volunteer department offers an in-house Recruit Academy for beginners with no experience, and a Lateral Academy for certified firefighters. Both programs feature free training and certification.

Time now for a look at your hometown memorials…

Ramon “Ray” Harry Sanderson, 91, a longtime resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Life Care Center of Columbia.

Services will be conducted on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Columbia First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Stephen Sauls officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00am -1:00pm followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00pm. Military honors will be provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Weather Report

Now for news from around the state…

John C. Tune Airport Celebrates 40 Years of Service and Growth (MC Source)

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) today commemorated the 40th anniversary of John C. Tune Airport®, also known as JWN®, marking four decades of service, growth and economic impact since its opening on July 20, 1986. The milestone highlighted JWN’s evolution from a dedicated general aviation facility into a modern, resilient asset that plays a vital role in supporting Middle Tennessee’s business and aviation needs.

“For four decades, John C. Tune Airport has supported businesses, strengthened our regional economy and served as a trusted partner to the aviation community,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of MNAA. “JWN has continually grown, adapted and rebuilt with remarkable resilience. We’re proud of its legacy and even more optimistic about the opportunities ahead as we continue investing in its future.”

MNAA executives, staff and members of the MNAA Board of Commissioners gathered to celebrate the milestone and recognize JWN’s enduring impact on the region. David Tune, John C. Tune’s son, and John C. Tune II, his grandson, were both in attendance, honoring the legacy and namesake of the airport. The celebration highlighted JWN’s economic impact, underscoring the airport’s vital role in regional business activity, job creation and community connectivity.

A commemorative 40th birthday cake was presented and ceremonially cut by MNAA leadership and board members, marking the airport’s history and continued momentum.

AAA: Tennessee gas prices rise 12 cents

Gas prices across the state moved 12 cents more expensive, on average, over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.61 which is eight cents more expensive than one month ago and 86 cents more expensive than one year ago.

“Geopolitical tensions are still placing upward pressure on crude oil prices, which is causing pump prices to fluctuate higher,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Market uncertainty mixed with strong summer travel demand means that it’s likely we’ll see another round of increases in our local gas prices this week.”

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up 13 cents since last week to $4. Instability along the Strait of Hormuz is contributing to the increase at the pump and pushing crude oil prices toward $80 per barrel. Most states are still averaging less than $4 per gallon.

Earlier this year, the national average remained in the $4 range all of April and May and most of June. The last time the national average was $4 or above was on June 17 when it was $4.02.

Here in Maury County, local drivers are getting a slight break compared to the state norm. The local average is sitting around $3.60 a gallon.