Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 7-8-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for July 8, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Giles County Trafficking Charges (Fox17.com)

The Giles County Sheriff's Department has announced an investigation that resulted in the rescue of eight victims and multiple charges, including trafficking for forced labor.

Detectives have announced an investigation into James and Kelli Hewitt, one that involved 15 different agencies as well as search and arrest warrants.

The Hewitt's face charges of trafficking for forced labor, involuntary labor servitude, three counts of animal cruelty and one count of aggravated animal cruelty.

Police say eight victims of various ages have been rescued and placed in a safer environment.

The investigation is ongoing with detectives reporting they anticipate more victims and charges. If anyone has any information on the case, they are encouraged to call the sheriff's department at 931-363-3505.

Sheriff’s Rodeo Coming This Weekend (MSM)

Cowboys and cowgirls from Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota and other states are circling the barrels again in Columbia, getting ready to compete in the annual Sheriff’s Rodeo Friday and Saturday. 

The Maury County Sheriff’s Department is rounding up the talent for its 21st rodeo, that’s billed as a fun event for the whole family. 

This year’s specialty act is trick roper, Lucas Maynard with returning funny man, Trent McFarland also joining again to entertain guests. 

Sheriff’s Department Lt. Kyle Cheek, who is tasked with taking charge of the event with others from MCSD said the rodeo is a sanctioned International Professional Rodeo Association event with nearly 400 participants. 

“All of them are trying to make it to rodeo finals,” Cheek said. “There is a lot of local talent, with several contestants from this area.” 

Elizabeth Gallegos, Program Manager for Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance said her love of rodeos goes back to her time growing up in Texas. 

“I’m always impressed by the skills that cowboys and cowgirls need to compete,” Gallegos said. “Riding a mechanical bull is one thing, but staying on an actual bull for eight seconds is a different story!”

Her favorite part of the competitions is barrel racing but she loves every moment of the fun.

“I’ve attended the sheriff’s rodeo for five years now and each year it seems to get bigger and better,” Gallegos said. “It’s very family friendly and hosted in a fantastic location at the Maury County Park. 

“It’s a time for new and old friends to enjoy an evening together, while supporting future programs with a positive impact on the community through the sheriff’s department.”

The rodeo, hosted by MCSD and Parks and Recreation, will begin at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12, with gates to the Maury County Park Arena opening at 5 p.m. 

A petting zoo, pony rides, bounce house, face painting, food vendors and merchandise vendors will all add to the options of fun for everyone. 

“We want it to be a family event,” Cheek said, adding that there is a planned fireworks show after the rodeo is done. 

The entire show is comprised of eight events: bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, cowboy tie down, women’s breakaway roping, team roping, cowgirl barrel racing, bull riding and calf roping. 

To draw more participants, Cheek said MCSD adds $1,000 to the event prize monies to pool with the total prize package. 

“I was amazed to find out the total prize money was over $50,000 last year,” Cheek said. 

Additionally, he said that some of the younger participants can get college scholarship funds for competing. 

Somewhere between 5,000-6,000 guests are expected to attend both nights, Cheek said. 

Proceeds from money raised will go to help with Maury County Sheriff’s Department community outreach programs like Shop with a Cop.

Tickets are $15 before the event and $20 at the gate. Children under the age of 11 are free with a paid adult ticket and the first 150 kids will take home a free cowboy hat. 

If it’s your first Sheriff’s Rodeo, Cheek cautioned guests to stay aware of ticket scams and people trying to sell tickets on Facebook. 

“If you’re not dealing with a sheriff’s department employee, it’s a scam,” Cheek said. 

For more information visit the Maury County Sheriff’s Rodeo page on Facebook or call (931) 375-6101.       

Spring Hill Update (MSM)

Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fitterer took the opportunity of a rare fifth Monday last week to provide a social media update highlighting development, improvements and projects. 

In a follow up interview, Fitterer said that while Highway 31 and I-65 improvements are likely top of mind for most Spring Hill residents, Tennessee Department of Transportation’s timeline suggests years before any construction would begin. 

Highway 31 construction is currently slated for 2033, according to the most recent information, the mayor said, though there is no current timeline for I-65 improvements. 

“That is what causes the most inconvenience for people on a daily basis,” Fitterer said. “But that is TDOT’s plan. The city will work with that plan.” 

Development, Buckner

Most immediately, the Legacy Pointe Wholesale Club plan will likely see action this summer, the mayor confirmed. 

“That’s probably the one thing people will see the most action on the soonest, due to timing,” Fitterer said. 

The project is still awaiting a site plan, but the planning commission is anticipating that this summer, with construction timing still uncertain. 

June Lake Commercial Development has new additions planned with a credit union, salon and day care, all approved for the northeast corner of Buckner Road and Buckner Lane, according to the mayor’s statement. 

Additionally, an approved site plan for Hy-Vee’s has expired, requiring the developers to submit a new site plan before any construction can move forward. 

Mitchell Earwood Fire Station Number 4, at the corner of Buckner Lane and Duplex Road is also expected to be completed by this November. 

Current construction on Buckner Lane is set to finish by September this year with the southern portion of construction beginning this summer and its expected finish date to be December 2026. 

Improvements to Buckner Lane that have been in the works since 2023 reach from Duplex Road to Buckner Road and will widen the two-lane road to five lanes. 

Water, sewer

With recent sewage capacity concerns addressed at a BOMA work session, the mayor said a first and second reading is possible for an ordinance that would prohibit further development projects without vested property rights. 

The halt on further projects would remain until the water reclamation project is completed and online. 

During the time period set in place by the ordinance, developers would need to look into onsite treatment options, private development could put in a step system — a bridge option for treating the increased sewage flow. 

Earlier in June, the city purchased 112 acres to house a 200-million-gallon reservoir to increase the water capacity for Spring Hill, the mayor’s update stated. 

“This will provide decades worth of sewer and water capacity for every Spring Hill utility user,” Fitterer said. 

Cumberland Pipeline? 

The city is also considering the building of approximately 30 miles of pipeline that will feed the Cumberland River into Northern Maury County, according to the mayor. 

Fitterer said the concept report is expected later in the year and that more answers about the feasibility of such a structure would come to light at that time. 

“We couldn’t guess at the timeline yet, since we are waiting to see what they found,” Fitterer said. “We need to see if it’s even constructable. Is it possible to get a water pipeline down to Maury County? 

If the project is determined to be feasible, Fitterer said that everyone in Maury County will benefit from the project. 

City Begins New Fiscal Year (MSM)

Having passed in votes held May 8 and June 12, the city of Columbia’s 2025-26 budget went into effect Tuesday, July 1. Last week the city published its $89M budget for the new fiscal year, and a budget in brief summarizing the most important points.

“This year’s budget marks a major milestone as the largest operating budget in our city’s history, and I couldn’t be more proud of what it represents. It reflects a solid financial foundation, a strong commitment to improving infrastructure, and a clear focus on serving our residents,” Mayor Chaz Molder said via a city press release. “This plan will touch every corner of our community, and I look forward to seeing its impact through the many projects it will bring to life.”

The general fund’s contribution to the budget will total $51.77 million (approximately 58 percent) for city administrative business, emergency services and public and development services, including a 4 percent pay increase for city employees across the board. The general fund saw a $4.5 million increase in revenue this year, and the city aims to augment it further with targeted investments.

“By investing in our workforce and critical infrastructure, we are ensuring Columbia can consistently provide exceptional services to its residents,” City Manager Tony Massey remarked. “This budget demonstrates our strong commitment to strategic planning and responsible financial stewardship.”

The general fund is made up of mostly taxes, with some fees and grants too. Local sales taxes (34.4 percent) and property taxes (24.6 percent) make up most of the contributions, with the majority of the rest coming from other taxes, prior years’ revenue and intergovernmental funds.

The new Capital Improvements Program, which is entering the first of its five years, is now worth $52.7 million and will invest $124.6 million in city, state and federal funds to upgrade and expand Columbia’s infrastructure. Its municipal facilities, transportation, wastewater, vehicles and technology will all receive a cash boost.

“A program of this magnitude cannot be undertaken with local resources alone,” the city’ press release states’s budget in brief release states. “Therefore, local funding is being strategically used to leverage additional state and federal aid, particularly for transportation improvements.”

The city is hard at work on achieving the goals in its comprehensive plan. Three of its top priorities — improving the Aquatic Recreation Center, paving the streets and upgrading the bridges on Iron Bridge, East Seventh Street and Mt. Olivet Road — are funded for the coming fiscal year, and several more projects, including water supply, state roads, collaborating more with the county and “continu[ing] positive, smart growth,” are “in process.”

The city is also addressing fiscal-responsibility measures, projecting to pay off $2.6 million of its debt in 2025-26 and maintaining an AA+ credit rating. According to a graph published in the “budget in brief,” the city plans to reduce its municipal debt by $2 – $3.5 million every year from 2027 to 2035, and this year’s full budget document discloses plans to pay down $1.11 million in principal and $207,919 in interest, against its total general-fund debt of $8.79 million. Wastewater, which is run separately as an enterprise fund according to state law, also has $79 million in outstanding bonds.

“The local economy continued robust growth without pause during the last year,” the budget press release stated, returning property taxes of about $13.5 million without any increase in its rate of 82.51 cents per $100 of assessed value. They budgeted for another year of comparable growth at $12.75 million, a 2 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.

The local economy does indeed seem to be booming. SmartAsset ranked Columbia the fourth-best city in Tennessee for incoming investment, and 25th in the state for business growth. The city’s residential population has grown 17.3 percent since 2020, 3 percent of it in the last year, and to accommodate them and the new business, the city issued 9,500 building permits, valued at almost $800 million, in the last four years.

“This budget maintains existing tax rates and fees with no increases. The city continues to maintain historically strong reserves and a healthy, low and manageable level of debt,” Assistant City Manager and CFO Thad Jablonski noted. “By combining disciplined financial management with targeted investments in infrastructure, we are building a strong foundation for the city’s continued prosperity.”

Pucketts to Feed Thousands (MauryCountySource)

Puckett’s Restaurant is hosting Puckett’s Love: Feed the Community, a program for nonprofit organizations providing nearly 4,000 free meals this summer. With locations in Nashville, Chattanooga, Columbia, Franklin, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro and Pigeon Forge, as well as Cullman, Ala., Puckett’s is providing breakfast or lunch for children at organizations near each respective Puckett’s location during the months of June and July.

“The Puckett’s brand and our associates have been blessed by the communities we serve. I am absolutely humbled that our team members came up with this idea of loving them back through a pop-up summer meal program.” said Andy Marshall, A. Marshall Hospitality

CEO and proprietor. “Our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee over the years has been so rewarding, not just to me personally but to the entire AMH team. We are thrilled and honored to help provide delicious, nutritious meals to so many children this summer.”

Puckett’s estimates to feed nearly 4,000 children this summer through their feeding program efforts. The family-owned and operated restaurant will be donating breakfasts and lunches for members of Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee, City of Hendersonville’s Parks

and Recreation Program and City of Cullman’s Parks & Recreation Program. Through their donation value of nearly $40,000 in meals, Puckett’s Love is helping combat the food insecurity that many families face during the summer months.

“At Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, the safety and well-being of our youth is our top priority. Every day, we provide a safe, supportive environment where young people can thrive—physically, emotionally and socially. Through our commitment to healthy lifestyles, we serve thousands of nutritious meals and snacks each year, especially during the summer months when many families face food insecurity,” said Eric Higgs, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. “We’re proud to be a reliable source of nourishment and care for the kids who need us most. We’re especially grateful to Puckett’s Restaurant for their generous collaboration in helping us make this possible.”

A. Marshall Hospitality’s involvement with local Boys & Girls Clubs goes back many years, and the hospitality group has presented the nonprofit with percentage donations, restaurant promotions and more throughout their partnership. In 2024, Andy Marshall was

inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame for his long-term generosity and dedication to the organization.

For updates and more information about Puckett’s and the AMH family of restaurants, visit www.amarshallhospitality.com.

Grant Writing Workshop (Press Release)

Join Maury Alliance on Monday, July 14 for a comprehensive Grant Writing Workshop for Nonprofits led by Patrick McElhiney, Director of Grants at Columbia State.

Whether you're new to grant writing or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop will provide valuable tools to help your organization successfully secure funding.

Patrick will walk you through the full grant process—from identifying opportunities to crafting compelling proposals—and even explore how AI can support your efforts.

Topics include:

• Researching & Identifying Funding Opportunities

• Understanding Grant Guidelines & Requirements

• Planning, Research, and Proposal Development

• Writing Tips & Using AI in the Process

• Grant Submission, Follow-up & Implementation

This workshop is free to attend but space is limited! (RSVP required)

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the field and strengthen your organization’s funding strategy!

Maury County Clerk Satellite Office (Press Release)

The Maury County Clerk’s office can now help residents with renewals of license plates or placards each Wednesday from 8am to 3:30pm at the Maury County Senior Center located at 1020 Maury County Park Dr.

Please drive around to the back of the building and look for the car tag renewal sign near the back door.

Forms of payment include credit/debit card or check – no cash.

Any Maury County Resident can use this office.

All other transactions will still need to be done through the main office located at 10 Public Square.

Also, you can renew online at TNCountyClerk.com or at kiosks in Spring Hill City Hall or Mt. Pleasant Courthouse.

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

Mrs. Dorothy Anne Dalton Pruitt, 84, a resident of Columbia, died Saturday, July 5 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July 9 at 10:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Historic Spring Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday, July 8 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mrs. Deborah “Debbie” Frances Ballard, 72, a resident of Spring Hill died Friday, July 4 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July 9 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Concord Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM at the Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Deborah McIver King Molder, 72, resident of Columbia, passed away on July 6th.

The family will host a visitation at Columbia First United Methodist Church (Atrium) from 10:00-12:30 p.m., on Thursday, July 10, 2025. A private service will be held and a private burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

And now, news from around the state…

BNA Opens New Concourse (Fox17.com)

An extension to Concourse D has been unveiled at Nashville International Airport (BNA). It will open today, July 8.

In partnership with BNA and Arts at the Airport Foundation, Concourse D has many innovative and artistic features. The record node has a panoramic view, including a view of the airfield and downtown Nashville. Travelers can also access an outdoor terrace to take a step outside after a long travel day.

Five new gates have been opened, as well as eight new locations to shop, eat, and drink.

The concourse also features three unique pieces of art you can enjoy while waiting for your flight.

“Twine with my Mingles” by Nashville-based artist Elizabeth Williams of New Hat Projects, a 180-foot-long piece that lines the moving walkway created by loom-style weaving custom-printed wristbands.

“A Thread Without End” by Los Angeles-based artist Benjamin Ball of Ball-Nogues Studios, comprised of 620 stainless steel spheres suspended in the concessions area between gates D7 and D8.

“Our Radiant City” by Nashville-based artist Brenda Stein encircles the center of the record node, featuring depictions of some of Nashville’s most recognizable buildings in shimmering terrazzo, acting as a focal point when passengers enter.

Designed by world-renowned architectural firms Hensel Phelps and Fentress Architects, the concourse has many windows and is a place to unwind.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Get ready for an action-packed evening as the annual Skate Jam rolls back into Spring Hill on Saturday, July 12. The event will be held at Walnut Street Skate Park, 114 Walnut Street, with the competition kicking off at 6 p.m.

Skaters of all ages and skill levels are invited to compete or simply enjoy the show. Contest divisions include Beginner (ages 5-13), Intermediate (ages 14-17), and Advanced (18+), along with an Overall Best Trick contest that’s open to everyone eager to show off their best moves.

The event is free to attend and promises a night full of high-energy tricks, friendly rivalries, and strong community spirit. Whether you’re dropping in to land a trick or just want to cheer on local talent, organizers say it’s shaping up to be a night to remember.

For more information, look up Skate Jam 2025 on Facebook.