Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 8-21-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for August 21, 2026

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

We start with local news…

Man Arrested for Molestation (MSM)

A Columbia man has been charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor following a joint investigation by the Columbia Police Department, Shelbyville Police and the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office.

Brandon Zeigler, 45, of Columbia, was arrested as a result of an investigation that began with two Bedford County Sheriff’s Office detectives, Savanah Martin and Sgt. Chris Brown. The sheriff’s office is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, whose member agencies collaborate across departmental and county lines to investigate sex-offense suspects outside their jurisdictions.

The investigation identified two alleged minor victims. One victim was located in Columbia, where Columbia Police Department Investigator Jaimee Seltz assisted in arresting Allison Blair, one of two female suspects. Blair was charged with five counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.

Martin told Main Street Maury that Blair is charged with producing child-pornographic material found in Zeigler’s possession.

A second female suspect, Destiny Carswell, was charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. Martin told Main Street Maury that Carswell is suspected of giving Zeigler pornography of another minor victim. Carswell does not live in Maury County.

“The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize and thank Investigator Jamiee Seltz with the Columbia Police Department for her swift response and immediate action in assisting with the investigation and making an arrest… We are especially proud of the diligent work of Det. Sgt. Brown and Det. Martin and grateful for every investigator and agency whose cooperation helped identify these victims and bring this investigation to this point,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement on social media.

“We would also like to thank Detective Sergeant Samuel Campbell with the Shelbyville Police Department Digital Forensics Unit for his assistance and the critical digital forensic work conducted during this investigation.”

“Cases involving the exploitation of children rarely stop at jurisdictional boundaries. Investigations such as this demonstrate the importance of cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and the resources provided through the ICAC Task Force,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Investigators are asking anyone who may have additional information regarding Brandon Zeigler, or who believes they or someone they know may have had inappropriate contact with Zeigler, to contact the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office. Any information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, could be important to the ongoing investigation.”

Columbia Man Drowns in Buffalo River (MSM)

Mekhius Williams, 20, of Columbia, drowned during an Aug. 1 boating trip on the Buffalo River — but not before helping other boaters save his sister.

“[He died] trying to save his sister. He pushed her to the side and I guess he went down,” said Golden Assata, the grandmother of one of Mekhius’s friends who considered him a “bonus grandson.”

His mother, Tyrongela Williams, said the two siblings were swept away by the undercurrent together.

“They both got swept down with the undercurrent, and he was able to push her up out of the water,” she said.

When someone on a nearby boat grabbed his sister and pulled her to safety, Mekhius made clear where his priorities lay, his mother said.

“Mekhius told him, ‘Don’t worry about trying to get me out of the water, I’m okay, just make sure my sister is okay,'” she said.

Personnel from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) responded to the scene. The Lawrenceburg Fire Department’s dive team was also dispatched to recover Mekhius’s body, which the Lawrence County Advocate reports “disappeared beneath swift water while swimming across the river and never reappeared.”

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office requested an autopsy, but the Advocate reported that “no foul play is suspected.”

Maury Alliance Quarterly Report (MSM)

Maury Alliance CEO Wil Evans presented his organization’s latest quarterly report to the Columbia City Council at their meeting last week identifying economic development work, progress and plans.

Evans celebrated the falling of the county unemployment rate from 6.1 percent in April to 4.5 percent the next month and attributed it to the end of the furloughs and shutdowns that the General Motors and Ultium Cells factories took to retool their facilities and adjust to market demand. With the change, Maury County fell from the top to the middle of the state Department of Labor’s list of the ten counties with the highest unemployment rates, and it dropped off the list entirely in June at 4.4 percent.

Evans also touted two recent “big wins:” the plans to expand the Documotion facility in Columbia, and to move Medacta’s factory and American headquarters to Spring Hill. Maury Alliance has received 44 “leads” on other major business opportunities in 2026, a significant drop from recent years, and responded to 17 of them so far. Evans explained that the Alliance accepted projects at an unusually high rate during the 2021 boom, but since then they’ve shifted to choosing rather than begging for economic opportunities, weighing them carefully according to three criteria: whether they would diversify the county’s business portfolio, offer high-paying employment to locals, and use the county’s resources and infrastructure responsibly.

“From 2022 onward… we got much more selective on the types of projects we responded to,” Evans said. “Our pond from which we’re fishing is not quite as large, but we’re still fishing.”

Corporations also continue to expand or invest in their Maury County facilities, he added, highlighting General Motors’ pouring $275 million into the production of the Cadillac XTS, Documotion’s plans to add 40,000 square feet to the facility where it makes point-of-sale stickers for clients like Chik-fil-A, and TVA’s work to extend power lines across a 50-acre parcel of the Columbia Rail Site.

When Councilwoman Cheryl Secrest asked how locals can apply to work at these new or expanding facilities, Evans recommended that they put in a word with Maury Alliance, though most of the projects are a long way from opening for business.

City council’s other business

The city also appropriated $396,761 to purchase a Wittke Superduty garbage truck, $135,925 for Civil & Environmental Consultants’ stormwater consultation, $107,485 for CSL Services to monitor wastewater flows for a year, and $133,500 for 20 Axis CCTV cameras and $76,514 for 60 “conflict monitors,” both to be installed at traffic-light intersections.

City HOME Grant (Press Release)

A longtime Columbia resident is safely back in the home he has known for more than 40 years following an extensive rehabilitation made possible through the HOME Grant Program.

The City received a $750,000 grant in 2024 from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of single-family homes for qualifying low-income households. Following the grant award, applications were opened, and participants were reviewed and selected in accordance with THDA and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. The South Central Tennessee Development District (SCTDD) administers the program on behalf of the City.

Among the residents selected for assistance was Mr. Angus, whose longtime home had developed significant safety and accessibility concerns, including damaged flooring, roof leaks, water intrusion, lead hazards, and an inaccessible bathroom. Blind since young adulthood, Mr. Angus relies on the familiarity of his home to navigate independently.

Following an assessment, approximately $100,000 of the City’s $750,000 HOME grant award was invested in necessary rehabilitation and accessibility improvements to Mr. Angus’ home.

Today, Mr. Angus is back home, with improvements that provide greater safety and accessibility while helping him maintain his independence.

“All of these improvements have helped me immensely,” said Mr. Angus. “I have fewer falls now that my home is more accessible. Thank you to SCTDD, my family, and my caretakers for all of their support.”

Vice Mayor Randy McBroom pointed to Mr. Angus’ experience as an example of the meaningful difference the City’s housing initiatives can make in the lives of residents.

“This is exactly the kind of impact we want to see from our housing initiatives,” said Vice Mayor Randy McBroom. “By actively pursuing and leveraging grant opportunities, the City can build on our local efforts and bring additional resources to Columbia that directly benefit our residents. This project is a great example of the success of these efforts.”

In total, the grant is helping six families within the City of Columbia, with each household receiving assistance for extensive housing needs. Projects include substantial rehabilitation and, in some cases, home reconstruction. All available grant funds have been committed to the six selected projects and are actively being used to complete the work.

“We appreciate every opportunity to work with our partners at THDA and the South Central Tennessee Development District to deliver impactful results for Columbia citizens like Mr. Angus,” said Assistant City Manager Thad Jablonski. “Programs like the HOME Grant Program are game changers for residents who qualify for assistance.”

The City of Columbia appreciates the South Central Tennessee Development District for its partnership, administration of the HOME Grant Program on behalf of the City, and for providing information and background that contributed to this article.

City Accepts Donation to K-9 Program (Press Release)

The Columbia City Council has approved a resolution accepting a donation from Sutton Circus K-9 Academy for professional K-9 training services valued at $4,270 in support of Columbia Fire & Rescue’s Emotional Support K-9 Program.

The department’s newest Emotional Support K-9, Blaze, was donated through a partnership with the Maury County Animal Shelter and will continue the department’s commitment to supporting the mental health and well-being of its firefighters.

Blaze joins the department following the passing of Darby, Columbia Fire & Rescue’s previous support K-9. During her time with the department, Darby provided a calming presence for firefighters and helped demonstrate the positive role a support K-9 can have in the fire station.

Firefighters routinely experience high-stress and traumatic situations as part of their service to the community. Emotional Support K-9s can provide comfort following difficult calls, help reduce stress and anxiety, improve morale, and encourage healthy conversations surrounding mental health.

Blaze will be assigned to Fire Station 3 for her daily care and will serve as a resource not only for Columbia Fire & Rescue personnel, but also for other emergency service agencies and first responders who may benefit from her support. Blaze will also participate in community outreach and public education opportunities. 

“Our firefighters are there for our community on some of life’s most difficult days,” said Fire Chief Chris Cummins. “It’s just as important that we take care of them. This program is another way we’re investing in the health and well-being of our personnel.”

Columbia Fire & Rescue thanks Sutton Circus K-9 Academy for providing Blaze’s professional training and the Maury County Animal Shelter for donating Blaze. Their generosity and partnership will help Columbia Fire & Rescue continue supporting those who serve our community every day.

Spring Hill Starts Military Banner Program (MauryCountySource)

The City of Spring Hill is accepting applications for its Service Member Banner Program, which honors local military members with banners displayed along roadways throughout the city. 

The program recognizes Spring Hill residents who are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.

Each approved banner will feature the service member’s name and be displayed along a thoroughfare within Spring Hill city limits as a public tribute to their service.

Residents interested in honoring an eligible service member can download the Service Member Banner Application through the City of Spring Hill’s website or social media pages.

SRTC Grand Opening (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College, alongside partners, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology - Hohenwald and Pulaski, will host a grand opening and drone show for the new Southern Regional Technology Center on Friday, Aug. 21.

The community is invited to attend this celebration, which will be packed with innovation, live music and a spectacular 300-drone light show over the Columbia Campus.

“The SRTC reflects what can happen when communities come together around a shared purpose,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “This facility will serve students across southern Middle Tennessee while bringing together Columbia State and our TCAT partners under one roof to create unprecedented opportunities for technical and workforce education. The impact of this investment will be felt for generations through stronger families, stronger businesses and stronger communities.”

The new SRTC will serve as a regional hub for hands-on training and career education in high-demand fields like nursing, welding, HVAC, automotive technology, respiratory care, engineering systems technology and more. 

“TCAT Hohenwald is delighted and honored to be joining the Columbia State SRTC to offer Automotive Technology and Practical Nursing to our region,” said Dr. Kelli Kea-Carroll, TCAT Hohenwald president. “Both TCAT programs are defined as ‘in-demand’ career occupations programs, which offer the competencies, certificates and industry credentialing necessary for student completion and student success to contribute to our southern Middle Tennessee workforce development needs associated with business and industry.”   

Built through a partnership between Columbia State, TCAT Hohenwald and TCAT Pulaski, the center is designed to strengthen workforce development across the region.

“The SRTC represents a transformational partnership that expands access to workforce training where students need it most,” said Mike Whitehead, TCAT Pulaski president. “By bringing TCAT Pulaski's Welding and HVAC/R programs to Columbia, we're removing barriers to education while strengthening the skilled workforce across southern Middle Tennessee.”

The evening will feature:

•    Live music by Merchants of Cool

•    Open house tours of the new facility

•    Celebratory drone light show 

Event schedule:

•    6:30 p.m. — Grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting

•    7–8:15 p.m. — Explore the new center, enjoy live music and learn about the exciting career programs coming to our region through this partnership.

•    8:30 p.m. — Evening ends with a 300 drone light show celebrating the grand opening, Columbia State's 60th Anniversary and America's 250th birthday! 

Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets and are welcome to bring food, as they celebrate a special evening that marks a milestone for the region.

New Spring Hill Playground Construction Begun (MSM)

Construction has begun on a new playground at Harvey Park in Spring Hill, the city announced Aug. 10, with accessibility for disabled children serving as a primary driver of the redesign.

Kayce Williams, director of Spring Hill Parks & Recreation, described the project’s scope and intent.

“The new playground is larger than the current playground, is completely fenced, and was designed with inclusivity as a significant driver in the design choices,” Williams said. “I believe there are a minimum of 17 specific pieces for children with above-average needs, but they are incorporated in a way that children of all levels of ability can easily play together.”

The park’s new amenities include play structures, umbrella-like shade canopies, a shaded seating area for parents and guardians, and a fenced-off area for toddlers.

To allow disabled children to play alongside their peers, the ground will be resurfaced with synthetic turf and many of the play structures equipped with wheelchair ramps.

Public hearings gave residents a voice in the design before the Spring Hill Parks & Recreation Commission approved the project’s features. The project cost just under $1 million and was fully funded by a vote of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA).

Williams said community feedback shaped the final design.

“If memory serves, the feedback showed the favorites were the fencing, the toddler area, the number of slides, and all of the shade we incorporated,” Williams said.

“We are very grateful to our citizens for their interest in the project and for engaging with us… I’m very proud of our staff, our Commission, and the BOMA for their hard work on this project,” Williams said. “Harvey Park is one of the busiest parks in Spring Hill so we wanted to make sure we gave the public as much as we possibly could in this design.”

The Spring Hill Parks & Recreation Department plans a grand reopening ceremony at a date yet to be announced. Residents are encouraged to follow the department’s Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on events at Harvey Park and other locations.

“Our next big event is Campin’ in the Park, which will take place Sept. 19-20 at Fischer Park,” Williams said. “Registration opens soon, so make sure to follow us!”

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

Mrs. Clara Brady Stewart, 84, resident of Williamsport, died Tuesday at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Santa Fe Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12:00 noon until time of the services at the funeral home.

And now, news from around the state…

State Suplus (TNLookout)

Tennessee’s next governor will enter office with a $1.2 billion surplus, after the state finalized the books on its most recent fiscal year. 

State Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson said in a news release that the surplus was partly driven by inflation and higher-than-expected corporate tax collections. 

“It’s important to remain cautious,” Bryson said. “These corporate estimated payments may require some adjustments.”

Tennessee had a budget of nearly $60 billion in 2025-26, about half of which is covered by state tax revenue. The state is currently in the 2026-27 budget year and the surplus revenue from last year’s budget will factor into the 2027-28 budget.

The budget process for that starts in November and is finalized at the end of the legislative session in the spring of 2027. 

In November, Tennessee will elect a new governor to replace term-limited Gov. Bill Lee. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is the Republican nominee, Memphis city councilwoman Jerri Green is the Democratic nominee, and two prominent independent candidates, David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston, are running. The state’s surplus is not an indication of the state’s economy, according to Mandy Spears, the executive Vice President at The Sycamore Institute, a nonpartisan think tank that tracks Tennessee’s budget.

“A surplus is almost always driven by estimations, which most years is done conservatively to create this scenario,” Spears said.

During Lee’s eight years in office, he’s largely overseen a growing state budget with yearly surpluses sometimes in the billions.

Lee has used past surpluses to create a new education funding formula, expand private school vouchers, cut business taxes and provide additional funding for road construction. 

Blackburn’s Senate Replacement Dilemma (CDH)

Republican gubernatorial nominee Marsha Blackburn has said that if elected in November, she intends to remain in the U.S. Senate until her inauguration in January, enabling her to personally choose who fills her Senate seat.

Whenever there's a vacancy in one of Tennessee's U.S. Senate seats, the state constitution allows the governor to choose a person to fill the seat until the next statewide general election — which for Blackburn's seat will be in 2028. If Blackburn was elected governor and then resigned her seat before her inauguration, Gov. Bill Lee would make the pick.

Republicans are seeking to defend their razor-thin Senate majority during midterm elections this year. President Donald Trump will likely weigh in on who should replace Blackburn.

Blackburn has remained in office while campaigning for Tennessee governor and told the Nashville Banner earlier this month that she would remain in the Senate until her inauguration, giving herself the power to choose her replacement.

With Blackburn a favorite in the governor's race since before she announced her bid, speculation has swirled about who will take her place.

Three names are considered to be top contenders: U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett of Knoxville, former CoreCivic CEO and major Republican donor Damon Hininger, and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.

All three were considered potential primary rivals for Blackburn before she made her campaign official.

And all three have been vocal supporters of Blackburn, and familiar faces at campaign appearances and official events.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning vocal group Pentatonix has announced a new leg of its popular Christmas in the City Tour, including a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, December 9. 

The 2026 tour will bring Pentatonix’s signature harmonies and holiday production to 28 arenas across North America throughout November and December. 

The tour coincides with the release of the deluxe edition of Pentatonix’s 2025 album, “Christmas in the City.” Inspired by Christmastime in New York, the group’s eighth holiday album blends seasonal standards and original songs with a warm, jazz-influenced sound.

Tickets on sale at PTXOfficial.com.