Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-28-25

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for July 28, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Pannell to Retire from Farm Bureau (Press Release)

Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee (FBITN) has announced that Chief Executive Officer Jeff Pannell will retire effective December 31, 2025, after 39 years with the company. Pannell made the announcement at the company’s 76th annual Agents Conference, a yearly gathering of FBITN’s 500-plus agents to review strategy and the year ahead, hosted on Thursday, July 24.  

In his annual address to the company’s agents, Pannell highlighted the impending birth of his grandchild as the driving motivation for his retirement announcement.

“I made a promise to my daughter that, if God blessed her with a child, I would come home as soon as possible to help her raise that child,” Pannell said. “So today, I am announcing that I will be retiring at the end of the year. It has truly been the highlight of my career to serve as the CEO of this company. I have enjoyed my 39-year career, but these last nine years as CEO have truly been rewarding.”

In his address, Pannell also reflected on the power of prayer, God’s miracles and provision, and a focus on family, referencing a heart transplant and recovery that occurred in spring of 2025. Pannell cited a prayer that carried him through said recovery: “Dear God, I ask that you make it all happen in the most unimaginable way so that everyone will know it’s only YOU who could’ve done it!”

Pannell’s tenure as CEO has been marked by steady growth and financial strength. The company now has over 2.125 million units, maintains its position as the No. 1 writer of individual life insurance in Tennessee, and holds a surplus that remains among the strongest in the industry. Under his leadership, Farm Bureau Insurance has grown to be the financially strongest it has ever been, while navigating significant change and growth.

During his leadership, Pannell also guided the company through its largest business transformation so far. This includes the overhaul of its policy administration system, which modernized claims processing and operational efficiency, enhanced the agent and customer experience, and enabled online policy sales. The process began in 2018 and will be completed in 2026.

“It’s hard to believe we have been working on this project for seven years. When it is fully implemented, we will have a modern platform that we can utilize for a long time and something that everyone can be proud of,” Pannell said.

“Jeff Pannell has served our organization with vision and integrity,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry. “He’s led us through challenges with clarity and purpose, always rooted in our mission to serve Tennessee families. Jeff never lost sight of who we are or who we’re here for—our members. We thank him for his many years of service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Pannell began his Tennessee Farmers Insurance Companies (TFIC) career in 1986 as an agent in Fayette County and became agency manager in Houston County in 1989. He assumed the role of regional manager in Region 2 in 1997 and was named chief marketing officer in 2012. In 2016, he was named chief executive officer.

At the conference, Pannell also announced that current Chief Marketing Officer Bobby Pulley will take over as the sixth CEO of Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee on January 1, 2026. Pulley began his TFIC career in 2002 in his native Stewart County. In 2006, Pulley was named manager of the Gibson-Milan office, and in 2007, he returned to manage the office in Dover. He was named Region 7 regional manager in January 2019 and chief marketing officer in November 2021.

“I’m thankful for the trust President Mayberry and the board have placed in me,” Pulley said. “It’s a privilege to step into this role and continue the work that Mr. Pannell and so many others have led with care and dedication. We’ve built a strong company focused on serving our members and supporting our agents, and I’m committed to carrying that work forward,” Pulley said.

Chickens Hot Topic in SH (CDH)

The number of hens that can be housed on a property has become a top issue of discussion with the Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Some citizens are opposing a proposed amendment to the city's current code that would allow more than four hens to be housed on properties. The BOMA voted to defer the item until August after citizens expressed concern during a public hearing.

Neighbors in Hunter's Pointe say they oppose the ordinance that could potentially allow dozens of chickens, far exceeding the current limit of four, which could disrupt some neighborhoods.

Spring Hill resident Jean Tamburello, who lives in Hunter's Pointe, shared her concerns about the potential increase in the number of chickens in subdivisions like hers that back up to larger lots.

"We are a little confused by this amendment," Tamburello said during a public hearing July 21. "The one thing we are concerned about is the idea of having more chickens on property."

At her less-than-a-half acre residence, which abuts to a larger property with chickens, the new ordinance would allow even more. Tamburello said she also has concerns about the current code being followed with chickens on nearby properties.

She and other neighbors like Carolyn Noel have seen loose chickens on their properties, Tamburello said.

"The chickens are loose, are free range and coming into our yard," she said. "They are digging under my fence ... I don't understand why [the current code] is not being enforced. It's not supposed to be free range."

Tamburello concluded her comments stating that her concerns aren't just with how many chickens will be allowed, but how it could create a potential snowball effect.

"I don't have a problem with chickens, but I have a problem with a lot of chickens that are going to smell."

Tamburello cited that the city of Brentwood's ordinance only allows chickens only on properties with three or more acres.

"We don't want more chickens around us," she said. "Where we are, and where our properties are abutting to these other properties, if all of these people decided, within an acre, to get more chickens, we are talking about 27 chickens on each property ... and the smell is very bad.

"We are hoping for some happy medium here," she said.

She said it's hard to currently have "use and enjoyment" on their property.

Noel reiterated the same concerns.

"From what I understand in reading [the amendment], the purpose for this was to allow people to enjoy Spring Hill," Noel said, who also said she's worried about the enforcement of the current code due to some properties potentially exceeding the amount.

Spring Hill's current ordinance states that no more than four hens are allowed per household regardless of property size and that "no person shall keep any animal or fowl" within 1,000 feet of any residence, place of business or public street without a permit from the "health officer."

The proposed amendment would adjust the number of hens allowed to one per 1,500 square feet of an outdoor lot area with permits issued by the Development Services Director, but with no maximum limit.

Some members of the BOMA said the ordinance needs more clarification before a vote could be cast.

Spring Hill Development Services Director Dara Sanders suggested to include a set of performance standards, which could be presented to the BOMA at its next meeting.

"We would be happy to do that and wouldn't be the first city to adopt such performance standards for compatibility purposes," Sanders said. "There are a lot of options here, and not just 'yes' and 'no.' There is a lot of in-between."

Sanders that she had never seen a "massive influx of hen permits" and that "28 is a lot of darn chickens," responding to Tamburello.

Alderman Jaimee Davis said having a clear set of performances standards would be beneficial.

"A lot of our neighborhoods are governed by HOAs, and HOAs are not going to allow that anyway," Davis said. "That is going to be another thing to take into consideration when we are looking at this."

Alderman Scott Wernert agreed, saying more information would be needed prior to any BOMA approval.

"We need more specificity to it to narrow that in," Wernert said. "It needs to be more specific on what we are going to agree on."

Davis later motioned the item be deferred and brought back at the BOMA's Aug. 18 meeting, which Wernert seconded.

Spring Hill 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, 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. 

Fire Station 1 Dedication (Press Release)

The City of Columbia will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand reopening of the newly renovated and expanded Fire Station No. 1. This important project enhances the City’s ability to serve the community with modernized facilities and improved operational space.

The event will take place on August 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM at Fire Station No. 1 located at 1000 S Garden Street in Columbia. The public is invited to attend.

Citizens’ Fire Academy (Press Release)

Columbia Fire & Rescue is now accepting applications for the 2025 Citizens Fire Academy—a free, hands-on learning experience for adults age 18 and older. More than just an educational program, the Citizens Fire Academy is a unique opportunity to build relationships, educate citizens, and showcase the outstanding work performed daily by Columbia Fire & Rescue personnel.

This six-week program offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at life in the fire service—providing firsthand insight into the operations, challenges, and teamwork that define the department’s commitment to protecting the Columbia community.

 Interactive activities include:

• Live equipment demonstrations

• CPR training

• Station tours

• Presentations from CFR’s Emergency Management, Fire Marshal, and Training divisions

• A hands-on mock fire scene drill featuring hose deployment, ladders, and search-and-rescue tactics

Led entirely by CFR personnel, the Citizens Fire Academy is designed to strengthen the department’s bond with the community through education, transparency, and engagement.

The program begins Monday, August 11, 2025, and runs through Monday, October 13, 2025, with sessions hosted at various Columbia fire stations.

Applications are now available at www.ColumbiaTN.com through August 4, 2025. For more details and to view the full agenda, please visit the City’s website or contact Columbia Fire & Rescue directly at 931-560-1700.

Teacher Pre-Apprenticeship (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College recently hosted a signing event with Maury County Public Schools that establishes a pre-apprenticeship program designed to foster the next generation of local teachers.

This state-certified program was designed to streamline a path to transition current educational and teacher assistants into becoming certified teachers through the partnership of Columbia State and the Maury County Public Schools District. The partnership offers students the ability to earn an associate degree at Columbia State, continue to a four-year school to further their education, and ultimately, receive in-classroom experience and employment opportunities at Maury County Public Schools.

“This is more than a signing—it’s the beginning of a long-term vision to nurture talented teachers, support students and ensure every child in Maury County learns from someone who believes in their potential,” said Kirstin Senske, Columbia State program director and associate professor of education.

Columbia State’s pre-apprenticeship education program partnerships, first with Lawrence County Schools and now with Maury County Public Schools, is the first of its kind in Tennessee.

“We are, as we speak, investing in our future, in our children and in our community,” said Lisa Ventura, Maury County Public Schools superintendent. “This agreement will establish a program that will foster the next generation of teachers. This partnership will be a model for innovation in teacher preparation, in our community and in our state. We're not only investing individually, but also in the long-term strength of the educational system at large.”

The benefits of the program are wide-ranging. Students will not only gain real experience toward their teaching goals at an affordable price, but their future employment opportunities will also help alleviate Tennessee's teacher shortage.

“We are always looking to prepare qualified teaching candidates,” Ventura said. “Maury County Public Schools will benefit from a pipeline of qualified, trained educators who are familiar with the Maury County Public Schools System­—the culture and our values—and what our community values. We will be better positioned to retain great teachers, reduce our vacancy gaps and improve student outcomes. We're excited to see this program grow, thrive and one day return our students to our schools as fully licensed, highly qualified and highly impactful teachers.”

With this program now in place, the need for teachers in Maury County and Middle Tennessee will be especially helped by the supply of freshly graduated educators entering the workforce.

“I don't know how many partnerships exist in this world where both sides see the same benefits, they see similar benefits and the return on the investment goes both ways,” said Keith Stacey, Maury County Public Schools assistant superintendent of instruction. “Oftentimes, partnerships lean more towards one side than they do the other. One side may benefit, maybe slightly more than the other. However, I truly think in this partnership, we will see a true flow between the two programs.”

“Our unity with Maury County Public Schools is ingrained with who we are as a community, as a college and how we work together for the citizens of this area to improve educational opportunities,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president.

Student requirements for the program include a recommended 21 ACT score or passing scores on the Praxis CORE exam and a 2.75 GPA.

Some of the hands-on training students can experience while in the program include:

• Early childhood centers: Gaining experience with younger children in preschool and early childhood education centers.

• Special education settings: Working with students who have special needs, learning how to adapt instruction and provide appropriate support.

• Educational support roles: Exploring roles such as instructional coordinators, school counselors, and educational technology specialists through short-term observations.

• K-12 education settings: Gaining experience with school-age children in both public and private school settings.

The program also offers several options for career preparedness and exploration within the education field, including:

• Guest speakers and panels: Bringing in experienced educators, administrators and education specialists to discuss their career paths and daily responsibilities.

• Career fairs and networking events: Hosting events where students can meet potential employers, learn about different education careers and explore job opportunities.

• Workshops and seminars: Offering sessions on resume writing, interview skills and job search strategies tailored to the education field.

All program offerings are geared towards expanding possibilities for careers in education that are simultaneously self-enriching and community-reinforcing.  

“We know that education builds all communities, and a community that does not have a strong educational system or a strong educational foundation does not progress,” Smith said. “They're not as economically viable as communities that are educationally grounded. And through this partnership, we are building opportunities for individuals to increase their income by increasing their education.”

For more information on the new program, please contact Kirsten Senske by email at ksenske@ColumbiaState.edu or by phone at 615.465.5762.

And for additional details on Columbia State’s teaching degree pathway, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Teaching.

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

Peggie Anne Wallace England, 80, resident of Columbia, died Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at her residence.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 1, 2025 at 1:00 PM at The Church at West End.

James Wiley Reedy, 87, retired millwright for Occidental and resident of Columbia, died Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Wednesday, July 30, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. 

Now, news from around the state…

Trump Releases Education Funds (Tennessean)

Nearly $119 million in frozen K-12 public school funds for Tennessee will soon be released, according to President Donald Trump's administration.

The funds primarily support underserved children through things like after-school and summer learning programs, English learner resources and more. They were in limbo after the U.S. Education Department missed a key deadline to allocate the money earlier this month.

The move sparked anxiety, confusion and intense pushback from public school districts and advocates nationwide. An estimate from U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, said Tennessee stood to lose $118,985,396 this fiscal year if the funds remained frozen.

Nationwide, the funds added up to $6.2 billion and were part of a budget passed by Congress and signed by Trump. The Education Department previously said the money, which was set to be administered July 1, was under review because of the change in presidential administrations.

The Trump administration later announced that more than $1 billion of the paused funding would be released for after-school and summer learning programs. It was not clear how much of the initial $118 million set aside for Tennessee was released at that time.

On July 25, a spokesperson for the Education Department told USA TODAY that the review is now complete and that remaining funds will start flowing to schools next week.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) launched the brand-new Guide to Birding in Tennessee, a statewide resource highlighting the diverse birdwatching experiences found across the state. 

The 30-plus-page guide offers seasonal tips and regional recommendations for spotting everything from bald eagles and sandhill cranes to colorful warblers, waterfowl and rare migratory visitors. It also highlights birding festivals, responsible conservation practices and a curated list of accessible trails, boardwalks and scenic overlooks that put a feather in Tennessee’s hat as a prime birdwatching destination.

Whether birding on backcountry trails, lakeside boardwalks, or even your own backyard, this new guide highlights why visitors are flocking to Tennessee as a birding destination. Download it now at TNVacation.com.