Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 8-14-25

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for August 14, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Spring Hill Fire (MauryCountySource)

Spring Hill Fire Department crews responded Tuesday to a reported structure fire in the Benevento East neighborhood. Upon arrival, firefighters detected an electrical odor and light smoke coming from the garage of the home.

During their investigation, crews removed the front panel of the hot water heater and discovered the unit had shorted out. Power was isolated to the appliance, and the situation was quickly brought under control.

The first fire apparatus arrived in just over eight minutes. Officials noted that once the new Fire Station 4 is operational, response times to this area will improve significantly, enhancing the department’s ability to protect the community even faster.

Victim Pulled From Duck (MauryCountySource)

On Tuesday, August 12th, 2025, at approximately 9:30am Columbia Police Department and Columbia Fire and Rescue responded to the area of the Duck River near the Hwy 31 bridge for a possible deceased person in the water.

Upon arrival, emergency personnel were able to remove the person from the water and confirm that he was deceased.

The identity of the person has been confirmed as an eighteen-year-old male from Columbia and next of kin have been notified.

This is currently an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

Any person with additional information that may assist in this or any other investigation is encouraged to contact Columbia Police Department Dispatch (24 hours) at 931-388-2727, Maury County Crime stoppers at 931-381-4900, or Columbia Police SAFE Tip Email to SafeTips@ColumbiaTN.Com

Arrest Made in SH Shooting (MauryCountySource)

The SHPD has identified a person of interest in the shooting death of a 17-year-old victim that occurred on August 10, 2025. This individual was recently arrested and is currently in custody out of state on unrelated charges.

Detectives have worked diligently and around the clock to advance this investigation. They remain committed to bringing justice for the victim and their family.

No additional details are being released at this time. Further information will be provided as appropriate without jeopardizing the ongoing investigation.

Drug Bust (MSM)

A Columbia man was taken into custody last week when Maury County Sheriff’s deputies reported finding several pounds of illegal and prescription drugs in his car and at a local residence.

The Sheriff’s Drug and Flex Unit reported seizing six pounds of methamphetamine, two ounces of cocaine, an ounce of fentanyl and a bag of pills from the car of Tom Brown Ray, 52, of Columbia.

During a search warrant at a “related residence,” deputies reported finding psilocybin mushrooms, promethazine cough syrup, a pound of marijuana and more pills and meth. They estimated the street value of the seized drugs at more than $80,000.

“To put it in perspective: just 1 gram of fentanyl can kill nearly 500 people,” a post by the Sheriff’s Department states. “Thanks to the swift action of our Drug and Flex Unit, these dangerous substances are off the streets.”

Brown was charged with Schedule I, II, IV, and VI drug violations and with driving with tinted windows and failing to stay in his lane. His bail was set at $1.6 million. His hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.

School Board Implements Tech Policy (MSM)

The Maury County School Board held its first meeting of the school year last week with Superintendent Lisa Ventura celebrating a “wonderful” opening day, a healthy enrollment of 13,000 students and far lower teacher and coach vacancies than at the beginning of last year.

“Our theme for this year is ‘So Much More,'” she said, “because… our schools are so much more than just our athletics… [and] our academics… Together we really are a tapestry of the community.”

Electronic devices

To comply with the recently passed state law HB0932/SB0897, the Maury County School Board passed a ban on the use of “wireless communication devices” during “instructional time.” A student may only use such devices (which include tablets, laptops, gaming devices, headphones and earbuds, but above all cell phones) in a class session for a few enumerated reasons: during emergencies, for special needs like the student’s health or learning plan or “when authorized by the teacher.” The board added the words “for educational purposes” to the last clause at the suggestion of member Sue Stephenson, to close a loophole for teachers who might make the rule a dead letter in their classrooms by “authorizing” all kinds of device use.

Most board members agreed that schools ought to crack down on the use of these devices, but they debated about the rightful extent of such a policy.

Ron Plageman asked what qualified as “instructional time,” prompting Ventura to define it as the class period “from bell to bell.” (Maury County elementary schools tend not to run on a timed “bell” system, but children of elementary age tend not to use or demand electronic devices at school as much.)

Brendan Babcock said he thinks the rule doesn’t go far enough, suggesting that device use be banned between classes too, allowed only at lunch.

“I think this would help the kids,” he said. “There’s been a lot of studies that we’ve heard on this, and it could reduce anxiety and bullying, improve focus.”

David Moore, on the other hand, said he believes the ban is heavy-handed and a slight to teachers’ abilities to manage their own classrooms.

“I personally have no problem with a teacher letting a child use a device,” he said, during downtime or a lull in schoolwork.

“I hate to say it, but who’s going to follow it anyway?” asked Darryl Martin.

“Regardless of whether you agree, every teacher’s going to be different, every school’s going to be different,” agreed Jamila Brown.

“We’ve got to have some consistency,” Stephenson replied, to which Plageman and others agreed.

She foresaw “scandal” in having radically different policies from teacher to teacher: students would miss the point of the restrictions if some teachers were lax and other strict about device use. Some defiant teachers had already told the district that they wouldn’t impose a uniform device ban on their students, no matter the terms.

Ventura agreed that enforcement would vary for such a rule, which isn’t life-or-death or already ingrained in a school’s culture. Even so, she continued, similar rules are already on the books, even if they get ignored; the state mandate gives the district additional legitimacy in enforcing them, up to “disciplining” teachers who are found allowing non-academic device use during instructional time.

“I’m never going to take away a teacher’s own ‘flavor’ away from them,” she said, but “bell to bell… is the message we will send.”

Other schools and districts across the state have received more or less resistance or praise for their tech bans. Liberty Tech High School in Jackson established a policy in 2024 of putting students’ phones in sealed bags all through school hours, which according to the principal, Dr. LaDonna Braswell, created good social and academic results and won broad parental approval. By contrast, the Bradley County School Board responded to parental criticism by lightening its proposed penalties for device use, though its policy ended up including confiscation for 7-14 days and fines of $50-100 if the parent wanted the device back earlier.

Bonuses and holiday pay

The school board also discussed whether to award bonuses and federal holiday pay to non-certified teachers, or “professional staff,” and how much. The state General Assembly passed a requirement for districts to raise minimum teacher pay and give out bonuses, but at the same time took away $900,000 in funding for Maury County because of the year-over-year increase in its assessed “ability to pay.”

The Maury County Board had some difficulty deciding how to give a meaningful bonus out of the budget granted them by the county Budget Committee, who had to be persuaded to add $5.3 million to the school district’s budget this year to secure a $50,000 teacher minimum wage and across-the-board raises.

“This is why I wish, sometimes, that the state would stop trying to define everything for us,” said board member Jackson Carter.

“This is the problem with the state throwing things at us without input,” agreed Moore, who wanted to balance fairness with fiscal responsibility. “I think that unfortunately we have to just do what the state says.”

Ventura added that the district had discretion to distribute bonuses in different amounts to certified teachers and “professional [non-certified] staff,” like Lawrence County did recently, or give them only to certified teachers. Board member Jamila Brown, on the other hand, suggested giving the same bonus amount to both kinds of teachers, and maybe even to aides, cooking, maintenance and other staff, to recognize their effort and keep them from going to nearby counties.

“It doesn’t have to be $2,300 — it could be $500, $750,” she said. “I don’t know anybody [who works in the schools] that clocks out at 3 p.m. and goes home.”

“Our budget’s already starting out at a deficit,” added county Finance Director Doug Lukonen, who noted that the board had limited discretion before they would start having to pay new expenses out of the general fund. “You could [spend] up to $2 million, but you would really handcuff yourselves for the rest of the year.”

Brown moved to defer the vote to the next month, to which the board agreed, and asked Lukonen to crunch the numbers and present the best options at a later board meeting. They passed a resolution to take away holiday pay for “professional staff.”

Rippa Villa Unveils Bust (MSM)

A bronze bust of former slave Anna McKissack Bunch was unveiled at the historic Rippa Villa plantation last week.

The bust was a joint project between the City of Spring Hill and the Battle of Franklin Trust, with the hope of publicizing the importance of ordinary people — especially those who were enslaved — to the history and racial relations of the area.

Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric Jacobson worked with Bunch’s living descendants on the exhibit.

Anna Bunch was born into slavery in the home of William McKissack, whose daughter Susan married into the Cheairs family that owned the Rippa Villa estate. Bunch was enslaved by the family until the Civil War, and lived in Spring Hill all her life, including in Rippa Villa itself in the 1880s, where she worked as a cook and her husband as a sawyer.

Last year Bunch’s grave was found in the Spring Hill Cemetery, and genealogical research found that her family history “runs parallel” to local race relations all through the 19th and 20th centuries.

“Anna was a woman of strength and resilience. She embraced freedom with all its privileges and challenges and built a good life for her family,” a post on Rippavilla’s Facebook page states. “Her story is an important part of the Rippa Villa story, and we are very excited to have her as a visible presence in the home once again.”

“This morning, the City of Spring Hill and the Battle of Franklin Trust proudly unveiled the brand-new bust of Anna Bunch,” the city announced last week. “Spring Hill and the Battle of Franklin Trust are proud to be able to properly tell the history of this area, being able to shine a light on those who may have been lost throughout the years. Anna will now be forever immortalized in Rippa Villa.”

Metallica Scholars Program (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College is proud to announce its selection as one of the community colleges invited to join Year 7 of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI).

This year marks Columbia State’s third year of participation in the Initiative, supported by a generous $25,000 grant aimed at enhancing access to the Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy.

The college is the first, and only, community college in Tennessee that has received an MSI grant in the 7 years of the Initiative.

“The renewal of our Metallica Scholars Initiative grant represents another year of opportunity for aspiring lineworkers in Middle Tennessee,” said Patrick McElhiney, Columbia State director of grants. “This year’s focused investment in our Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy removes financial obstacles that might otherwise prevent talented individuals from pursuing this rewarding and essential career path. Every scholarship recipient has the opportunity to become part of the workforce that keeps our communities powered and connected.”

During the 2024-2025 academic year, Columbia State provided MSI-funded scholarships to 48 students across two high-demand career programs. Twenty-six students in the Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy received scholarships covering a significant portion of their program tuition costs. Additionally, 22 dual-enrolled students in the emergency medical technician program at East Hickman, Fairview and Creek Wood high schools received comprehensive "last dollar" scholarships that eliminated all out-of-pocket expenses. These EMT scholarships covered tuition and fees not addressed by the state's Dual Enrollment Grant, as well as additional program costs including background checks, uniforms, boots and access to an online scheduling and skill tracking platform for hands-on training experiences.

All Within My Hands (AWMH), the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, recently announced its Year 7 of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) with its largest grant to date, totaling approximately $3M. MSI now has a presence in 75 colleges across all 50 United States and the territory of Guam and is expected to reach approximately 10,000 students.

“I could not be any prouder of our Metallica Scholars. We know that our country needs millions of skilled tradespeople, and it warms my heart to know that our Foundation’s efforts are making a positive impact and putting hard-working people on the path to careers in the trades. Whether it’s a school visit or a meet and greet before a show, there is no better feeling than meeting our Metallica Scholars in person and hearing their stories of grit and determination firsthand, along with their pride and commitment. It is truly inspiring. To think we started with a few schools and a couple of hundred students, and we’re now in 75 schools nationwide, about to reach 10,000 students. It’s just incredible.”

-Robert Trujillo, Metallica Band Member

Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), MSI began with 10 colleges focused primarily on Manufacturing programs. The workforce initiative has since expanded to offer opportunities in diverse fields for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to establish meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages. 

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Metallica Scholars Initiative," said Tiffany Odom, Columbia State Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education coordinator. “As the only community college in Tennessee participating in this transformative initiative, Columbia State is proud to remove financial barriers for students pursuing high-demand careers in our Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy. The testimonials from our Metallica Scholars speak volumes about the life changing impact of this partnership. Students are able to focus entirely on their education without the stress of financial burden, ultimately launching successful careers in essential industries that serve our communities. This renewed commitment from Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation demonstrates their dedication to workforce education and creating sustainable career pathways for students who might not otherwise have these opportunities.”

To evaluate the program's efficacy, the University of Southern California (USC) Sol Price School of Public Policy independently researched and quantified MSI’s impact on the skilled trades and the return on investment (ROI) earlier this year. The research extended into all Year 6 community colleges, covering more than 350 fields of study at these institutions, measuring the cost of completion and anticipated salaries post-graduation. The key observation is that the ROI – the ratio of a program’s cost to anticipated median wage – across all MSI-supported programs is a very high and cost-efficient 8.3X. This means that on average, MSI graduates can expect to earn 8.3X the upfront cost of their program during their first year in the workforce.

“2025 is a watershed moment for the Metallica Scholars Initiative,” stated Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, All Within My Hands. “With the addition of 15 new schools this fall and USC’s independent research articulating the strength of our results, we are eager to tackle the quantifiable shortage of skilled labor our nation faces. If we extrapolate these ROI numbers over a career, it demonstrates how effective and profitable learning a trade can be for the individual, and how society as a whole also benefits from community college graduates. This insight will profoundly affect MSI going forward, impacting how people view careers in the trades, encouraging more corporate and individual sponsorship, and driving its advancement across the country. We're thrilled to incorporate these findings into this year’s planning and expansion.”

Year 7 also marks the renewal of AWMH’s partnership with the Lowe’s Foundation, which has provided $1 million in support as part of its five-year, $50 million commitment to prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers.

It takes a village to achieve these results, including the continued support from many long-time corporate partners of AWMH, notably workwear manufacturers Carhartt, Wolverine, and CNH, a global leader in agricultural and construction equipment. The aforementioned along with the extended Metallica Family of fans have staunchly supported AWMH from day one and worked tirelessly to advance its mission.

For a complete list of all 75 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.

For more information on Columbia State’s partnership with the Metallica Scholars Initiative, please visit columbiastate.edu/metallica/metallica-scholars.

And for more information on Columbia State Workforce & Continuing Education’s pre-apprenticeship lineworker academy, please visit columbiastate.edu/workforce-continuing-education/lineworker-academy.

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

Bobby Joe Spires, 74, lifelong resident of Columbia, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 11, 2025 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Per Bobby’s wishes, there will be no services. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Lavonda Faye Blocker Green, 79, resident of Summertown, died Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at her daughter’s residence in Harrison, TN.

A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rose Hill cemetery. The family will visit with friends Friday, August 15 2025 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home

Jane Elizabeth Walker Howard, 64, retired counselor with Hattie Cotton Elementary School in Davidson County, died Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at St. Thomas West in Nashville.

A private graveside service will be at St. John Episcopal Churchyard in Columbia, TN with The Reverend Chris Bowhay officiating.

Now, news from around the state…

Opry Meets Hallmark (Tennessean)

The Hallmark Channel is partnering with Brad Paisley and many more to be among the latest outlets joining in to help the Grand Ole Opry celebrate its 100th birthday and beyond.

Christmas 2025 will feature "A Grand Ole Opry Christmas," a new, original movie starring Nikki DeLoach and Kristoffer Polaha. The film will premiere during the Hallmark Channel's 16th annual Countdown to Christmas programming event occurring at a yet-to-be-disclosed time later this year.

Production begins later this month at the Opry House.

The film tells the story of the daughter of a country music icon who distanced herself from her father's legacy after he tragically died. The Grand Ole Opry invites her to represent him at their centennial Christmas celebration, but she's hesitant to return. Once she does, she's transported back three decades prior. A press statement adds that "some Christmas magic" allows father and daughter to spend time together. The result? She's inspired to finish a song she began working on decades earlier as a teenager.

Grammy-winning Opry member Brad Paisley will be busy during Hallmark's holiday season.

Not only will he record the official anthem for the Hallmark Channel's 2025 "Countdown to Christmas" on-air campaign, but he will also contribute original music for "A Grand Ole Opry Christmas" and appear in the film.

"The Hallmark Channel to me is a major part of finding the joy and the spirit of the holidays. We turn it on and leave it on in our house like Christmas tree lights or decorations, it’s a major part of the atmosphere for us," Paisley said in a press statement.

The "Whiskey Lullaby" performer added that he "loved the challenge of creating that same magic with this music by letting it take you to the same place that these movies and this world Hallmark has built."

"Our goal in this milestone year is to put the Opry, its artists and the rich songwriting traditions that have made country music a global sensation in front of more people than ever before," added Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of Ryman Hospitality Properties, the Opry's parent company.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

As crisp air moves in and leaves start to change, the fall season shines at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. In addition to the stunning display of fall colors courtesy of thousands of colorful pumpkins and chrysanthemums in the gardens, the festivities continue with new evening activities for the whole family.

Cheekwood Harvest runs from September 13 until October 30, 2025. New this year, the fun continues after dusk at Harvest NIGHTS on Thursdays throughout the festival. A towering Jack-o’-Lantern Topiary, adorned with an estimated 160 faux jack-o’-lanterns will be front and center in the Bradford Robertson Color Garden. Enjoy a spooky Scarecrow Trail complete with perfect photo opportunities next to jack-o’- lanterns, large cauldrons, and magic lanterns. Musical performances, food trucks and seasonal libations complete the perfect fall evening.

The popular Pumpkin Village returns to Arboretum Lawn. More than 75,000 pumpkins provided by local farms will be nestled throughout the gardens.

Learn more at www.cheekwood.org.