Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 8-19-25

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for August 19, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Today is Tuesday, August 19th and we start with local news…

CPWS Water Treatment Process (MSM0

With treated water supplies at the forefront of many minds across Maury County, a recent tour of Columbia Power and Water Services has given a look into how water is treated and distributed, as well as the impact $82 million worth of improvements is expected to have on the treatment plant.

The CPWS upgrades are split into about $30 million worth of improvements to the treatment facility and about $50 million to update the distribution systems that bring the water from the plant to CPWS clients across Maury County.

The treatment process starts when approximately 16 million gallons, on a typical summer day, is pulled from the Duck River behind a 101-year-old dam impoundment in the Riverside community near downtown Columbia. CPWS doesn’t capture rainwater and their storage tanks only hold a small fraction of the daily water demand; the flow of the Duck provides their product. With it, CPWS provides water to the Maury County Utility District, part of Spring Hill, most of Mt. Pleasant and to local factories whose water demands have passed state and municipal review, like the Ultium Cells battery factory, which requires a reserve tank that’s constantly kept full at one million gallons.

The first step after withdrawal is to purge the river water of foreign matter, of organic waste, mud and silt. CPWS injects coagulant substances into the pipeline (different coagulants, like alum or polyaluminum chloride, work better at different temperatures, pH values and seasons) to create ionic bonds between contaminants, causing them to clump together and fall to the bottom of the water. All of the five coagulant tanks, one of which was recently replaced, are tall enough to take a truckload of coagulant at a time, which saves CPWS money on shipping. The water-coagulant mix flows into the “flocculator,” a device which mixes them together properly before sending them on to the first real step of purification.

In the “settling basin,” the coagulated silt (or “floc”) settles to the bottom of the basin, and the water leaves the basin through “plate settlers” looking much purer than when it came out of the river.

“What comes out the other end looks almost like drinking water,” CPWS Vice President of Water Services Matt Wheeler said during a recent tour of the facility. “It’s really clean by the time all the solids that can, settle out.”

The “floc” settles on the floor of the basin and is sucked up by a vacuum, which works like a powerful, thorough pool cleaner. Not even the waste goes to waste, however, as CPWS spreads the rich river mud on its hay fields on the other side of the Duck, and a local cattle farmer under contract bales the hay for them to feed to his herd.

The water is further filtered by eight beds of sand and anthracite that catch contaminants. When the filter beds get clogged, CPWS personnel activate the “backwash” protocol, which pushes back reserved water at a rate high enough to dislodge the contaminants, but not the minerals in the filter beds.

The water passes out of the settling basin and into the CPWS building through “influent channels.” Channels numbers 3-8 have already been refurbished under the improvement program, and only No. 1 and No. 2 remain to be completed. The channels and basins will also receive repairs to their walls, pipes and drain systems, and replacements for their old valves, motors and mineral beds.

Inside the building, the final purification steps take place: disinfection. Water can be disinfected with chemicals, ultraviolet light, carbon beds or any combination (CPWS uses all methods), but federal law dictates that it must receive a final chlorine dose for its journey to the consumer, to kill bacteria and fungus in the 500 miles of CPWS tanks and pipes and pump stations it will pass through and, probably, spend days in.

CPWS and improvement program contractor personnel explained during the tour that the strong smell or taste of chlorine in a first draft of water comes from the chlorine gas built up in a closed pipe, not from a higher dose of disinfectant. CPWS recently re-lined the disinfectant tanks, which puts off the need to replace them for a few years.

At the end of the process, the “finished water” passes through four pumps (two of them now being replaced), which push 15-17 million gallons out each day to pump stations owned by CPWS and its clients, where new water pressure is added to reach the pump station’s particular region. A new pump is being built on Bear Creek Pike to service the growing arm of Columbia east of the city proper.

The capital outlay of $82 million for replacements and repairs is being funded by a water-rate increase recently passed by the Columbia City Council that went into effect Aug. 1. Each residential customer will receive an additional $5 monthly charge, bringing the minimum bill to $16.75 for those inside the city limits and $22.75 for those outside the city limits. City residents now pay $3.60 per 1,000 gallons up to 8,000 monthly gallons, while county residents serviced by CPWS pay $4.60 on the same scale. Commercial users saw their minimum bill increase by $10 per month to $26.25 for city residents and $32 for non-residents. The commodity charge is the same for commercial customers per 1,000 gallons as residential consumers.

Two notices for the slight hike have already been published by CPWS with little pushback. CPWS leaders touted that as proof of the very low water rates they command, lower than even in surrounding counties — rates that have been kept “artificially low,” to an extent, by deferring the maintenance that is being done now. Even this thorough overhaul, though, will lower rates by improving the facility’s performance.

“[The repairs] all add up to bring efficiency and redundancy systems,” said Wheeler.

The Duck River pipeline is capable of drawing 20 million gallons per day, the absolute upper limit of their TDEC permit, but the repairs will give the CPWS system better efficiency and less waste, bringing their “losses” below a million gallons for a day’s purification. (CPWS has kept a leak loss rate of around 10-15%, for which it was recently recognized as a leader in the region, and these improvements will only help that number to decrease.)

Water Production Director Tom Lunn joined CPWS in 2001, during a previous facility and infrastructure upgrade. He said he didn’t think he’d see that kind of extensive updating again in his career, but it was during his tenure leading the facility that key components reached the ends of their “useful lives,” prompting the need to do it all over again.

The high cost owes largely to two factors: component price increases (sometimes double and triple) in the last five years, and redundancy best practices which require having at least two of some systems in place in case one fails.

CPWS has been making other updates to software and hardware more slowly, like making the facility and pump stations SCADA-operated, and putting the treatment plant on a closed “dark fiber” network impervious to hacking.

“When I started here, everything was hand-operated,” Lunn reminisced. “[Now] it’s all programmed, CPUs control it one way or another. That takes a different skill set.”

While they have the momentum, CPWS are also expanding their storage and processing capabilities, to meet tomorrow’s demands in the way that far-thinking planners met today’s.

“We’re thinking about the future, not just what’s… nagging right now. We try to take that approach on any build,” Lunn explained. “Eyes to the future, not just on the present… Since the influx of all the people, I never thought it would be this busy. And it’s going to be busier than that before it’s all said and done.”

Breakfast with the Mayors (Press Release)

Join Maury Alliance for a special morning of breakfast, conversation, and community insight with our local mayors!

This annual gathering brings together local leaders for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and a shared vision for Maury County’s future. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to hear updates on local initiatives, ask questions, and strengthen connections that impact our region.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast provided by Puckett’s Restaurant.

Speakers:

• Moderator – Maury Alliance President Wil Evans

• Maury County Mayor – Sheila Butt

• City of Columbia Mayor – Chaz Molder

• City of Mt. Pleasant Mayor – Bill White

• City of Spring Hill Mayor – Matt Fitterer

The event will take place at the Memorial Building located at 308 W. 7th Street on Tuesday, September 9th from 7:30-9:00am.

The cost is $25 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members.

City Recognizes CA Baseball Champs (CDH)

The city recognized Columbia Academy's Bulldogs baseball team for its recent back-to-back Division II-A State Championship wins, proclaiming Aug. 15 as Columbia Academy Bulldogs Baseball Team Day.

The team was presented proclamations during Columbia City Council's Aug 14 regular meeting, highlighting the athletes' 2024 and 2025 accomplishments, which Mayor Chaz Molder described as "defying logic."

"We talk all the time about how the future of our community is really in the hands of our youth, and so I want you to learn to grow and love this community," Molder told the teammates. "Always be proud you are from Columbia, Tennessee, and be proud also, by the way, that you are state champions."

The Bulldogs' 2025 season, carrying the motto "Take Two," began with an 18-game winning streak, later extending to a school record of 28 consecutive wins, including an undefeated streak at the state's Final Four.

"I've told a lot of people that it is a very special feat," Bulldogs Coach Richie Estep said. "To win one time in our division is tough, and to do it back-to-back and not lose very many games is something that I will remember forever. I don't know if any team can duplicate what they have done."

The team achieved its victory over Clarksville Academy in a 2-0 win May 23 at MTSU.

"The Columbia Academy Bulldogs displayed championship poise in the State Final Four in Murfreesboro, shutting out all opponents," Molder read from the proclamation.

"This historic accomplishment marks the first time a Columbia Academy baseball team has reached Murfreesboro two years in a row, the first Columbia Academy baseball team to win back-to-back state championships. And as you know, the Columbia Academy's program is a storied program."

Miracle League (Press Release)

The Miracle League of Columbia at Maury County Park is excited to announce its partnership with the Maury County Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Columbia to develop a $2.6 million all-inclusive baseball field in Maury County Park.

The project, designed by TKC Architecture and Heritage Civil and presented by Hewlett Spencer, was officially approved by the Maury County Commission in July. The new field will be built on the former site of the Babe Ruth Field, a longtime fixture of youth baseball in the community for over 40 years. Hewlett Spencer holds the county contract, and Bell Construction Company has been selected to oversee construction.

“We are thrilled to finally break ground on a project that has been years in the making,” said Robin Estep, Founding Member of The Miracle League of Columbia. “This partnership with the County provides a sustainable path to support our mission for years to come and will serve so many in our community. We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from County Mayor Sheila Butt, the County Commission, the City of Columbia and the Parks and Recreation Department. It is truly a group effort that has brought us to this point.”

The Miracle League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and operates fully accessible, custom-designed baseball fields for children and adults with disabilities. With over 350 locations nationwide, Miracle League fields feature rubberized turf surfaces that accommodate wheelchairs and assistive devices—removing physical barriers and helping prevent injuries.

The Miracle League of Columbia at Maury County Park was founded in 2021 by a group of Columbia natives with a shared dream of bringing an all-inclusive Miracle League field and playground to their hometown. Among the founding members were brothers Mike and Daniel Uggla, alongside Robin Estep. Daniel, a former Major League Baseball player, got his start in Columbia, and the Miracle League provides a meaningful way for him to give back to the community that helped shape his baseball journey.

The Babe Ruth Field, now the future home of the Miracle League, holds deep personal significance for the Uggla and Estep families and countless others in the area. For decades, it served as a hub for youth baseball and played a major role in Daniel’s early love for the game. Revitalizing this space into an inclusive community hub honors that legacy while creating new opportunities for connection and play.

“This is one of those projects that’s easy to get behind and lead a team on,” said Jamie Spencer of Hewlett Spencer. “It’s a unique build, incorporating a specialized surface for accessibility, but otherwise, it aligns closely with other athletic complexes we’ve delivered across the state. What’s made it especially rewarding is the overwhelming support from Maury County, the City of Columbia, and local professionals who’ve stepped up to bring this vision to life.”

The Maury County Parks Department will maintain the facility, while The Miracle League of Columbia will manage league operations.

“We’ve been waiting for the right project to breathe life back into this space,” said Al Ray, Director of Maury County Parks and Recreation. “Nothing felt quite right until City Mayor Chaz Molder introduced me to Robin and Mike. They shared the Miracle League vision, and a partnership was forged. This field is full of memories, and it’s exciting to see it reimagined as something that will benefit the entire community.”

In addition to the baseball field, plans are underway for a nearby all-inclusive playground, a joint initiative between The Miracle League and Maury County Parks, further enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for families throughout the region.

An official groundbreaking will take place on Wednesday, August 20th at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.columbiamiracleleague.com.

SH Safe Exchange Zone (MauryCountySource)

The Spring Hill Police Department is reminding residents about its Safe Exchange Zone, located at department headquarters at 800 Hathaway Boulevard.

The zone offers a secure, well-lit area for people to meet when completing legal transactions, such as buying or selling items from online marketplaces. By using the Safe Exchange Zone, residents can reduce the risks often associated with meeting strangers in unfamiliar locations.

Police encourage the community to take advantage of the service as an added layer of safety and peace of mind.

Street Resurfacing (MauryCountySource)

The City of Columbia will resurface Public Square along with sections of South Main Street, North Main Street, East 7th Street, and West 7th Street from Sunday, August 24, through Thursday, August 28. All work will take place overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to reduce daytime traffic disruptions.

During work hours, affected roads will be closed to through traffic, sidewalks within the work zones will be closed for safety, and parking will be prohibited in the construction area between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted in advance.

Residents and property owners who need access during the closures will be assisted by the on-site contractor. The work will involve milling and paving, which may cause increased noise and dust. Property owners are asked to remove personal items from sidewalks before work begins.

The schedule is weather-dependent and may change. City officials thank the community for their patience as the project aims to improve safety and street quality downtown.

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…

Amy Mae Ingram, 80, died Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Levine and Dickson Hospice House in Charlotte, North Carolina after a brief battle with cancer.

A graveside service will be conducted Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Bryant Cemetery in Mooresville. Oakes & Nichols is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Now, news from around the state…

Attorney General Subpoenas Hospital Abortion Records (CDH)

The state Attorney General’s Office has filed subpoenas compelling abortion information from four Tennessee hospitals as part of an ongoing lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s abortion ban.

The group includes Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Heritage Medical Associates, Women’s Group of Franklin and Ascension St. Thomas Medical Partners UT OBGYN Center, according to Davidson County Chancery Court records.

The subpoenas filed earlier this year request broad information including the number of abortions performed, policies and guidelines under the state’s abortion law and documents and communications relating to abortion care.

At Vanderbilt, for example, the subpoena asks for information from the medical center’s Abortion Committee regarding its final decisions and the medical conditions involved in cases considered for abortions since July 2022.

The subpoenas allow the hospitals to preserve patient confidentiality “as necessary.”

A protective order bars the information from being used outside of the lawsuits, and hospitals have pushed back on the subpoenas citing patient privacy laws and other concerns.

The Tennessee Attorney General's Office in a statement said it asked to pause discovery, but "the plaintiffs insisted on moving forward," adding that subpoenas are an "unremarkable part of civil litigation."

"The plaintiffs’ lawsuit asserts that Tennessee doctors cannot know how to follow Tennessee’s abortion law, so evidence of how doctors have followed Tennessee’s abortion law is highly relevant to the case."

Vanderbilt University Medical Center declined comment.​​ Representatives for the other facilities could not be reached for comment.

Filed in 2023, the lawsuit comes from a group of Tennessee women who say their lives were endangered after they were denied emergency abortions under the state’s ban. The lawsuit also includes the American Medical Association and two Tennessee physicians who say they fear persecution if they provide lifesaving care.

The group is represented by the Center for Reproductive Health, a New York-based nonprofit law firm.

Tennessee has had a near-total abortion ban since August 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion in its Dobbs v. Jackson decision.

State law includes some exceptions for medical emergencies, but there are no exceptions for pregnancies with fetal abnormalities nor for victims of rape and incest.

The lawsuit, one of the first major challenges to the state’s ban, argues that the law is too restrictive about when doctors can legally terminate a pregnancy in medical emergencies.

They say the law is so vague that physicians are not performing medically necessary abortions out of fear of repercussions.

As the battle plays out in court, the Attorney General’s Office is fighting to have the case dismissed following a new state law that went into effect this year adding exceptions for medical emergencies. 

State attorneys arguing before a three-judge panel in July said the new law gives more clarity for doctors and makes the lawsuit unnecessary. 

Attorneys for the plaintiffs said the law does nothing to clarify when Tennesseans can get the care they need.  

The three-judge panel has yet to rule.

Linda Goldstein, Senior Counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights in a statement said doctors “are still confused and scared, and pregnant people are still suffering.”

“The state seems less concerned about protecting patients than about creating a smokescreen to obscure the devastating impact of Tennessee’s criminal abortion ban,” she said. “Doctors need reassurance that they won’t be thrown into jail for providing their patients with medically necessary care. Patients need to know that they will be taken care of instead of being forced to get sicker or travel to another state for care.”

The case is set for trial next year.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Columbia Comic Book & Toy Expo takes place on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10 AM-5 PM at the National Guard Armory (844 N James Campbell Blvd, Columbia, Tennessee).

It is a family-friendly event for anyone who likes comic books and toys.

Comic books 1940-present, toys, Pokémon, horror items, Funko Pops, and a whole lot more.

Tickets $5 at the door.

More information is found on Columbia Comic and Toy Festival Facebook Page.