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

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for August 25, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Lewisburg City Manager Arrested (NewsChannel5)

The city manager of Lewisburg was arrested after being investigated by the TBI for stalking and theft allegations.

Friday night, the city of Lewisburg called a special meeting to address the employment of Roy “Bam” Haislip.

After a long meeting, the council decided to suspend Haislip for one month without pay. They plan to use those funds to perform an outside investigation during that month.

This comes after a May investigation by the TBI found Haislip repeatedly contacted a city employee despite being asked to stop and allegedly broke into their home and took some of their things. He was arrested and charged with burglary, theft and stalking.

Haislip spoke at the meeting, saying the allegations are just that — allegations — and that he’s led the city with fairness thus far.

While many in attendance came to support him, saying there has not been a conviction yet, others argued he should have to face more consequences.

Moving forward, the city council will have to call a special meeting to hire an interim city manager and hire a law firm to conduct the outside investigation.

Eleven Acres of Spring Hill Battlefield Saved (WKRN)

An historic battlefield in Spring Hill will be preserved forever, once the Battle of Franklin Trust closes on the property on Tuesday.

The 11 acres of land were part of the Battle of Spring Hill, which happened on Nov. 29, 1864, and ended in a stalemate between Union and Confederate soldiers, and eventually led to the Battle of Franklin.

The land sits alongside other nearby historical landmarks including the Rippa Villa plantation and surrounding land protected by the American Battlefield Trust.

“There’s no better way to understand our past than to actually come and visit a place where it happened,” Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric Jacobson stated.

Jacobson explained how preserving the land will also be a good move economically.

“Heritage tourism is a huge boon to the area,” he said. “We have almost 100,000 visitors a year, and most of those people aren’t even from Tennessee; so they come in, they spend money, and they visit places like Rippa Villa and walk the battlefield.”

Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fitterer said the city will use its hotel/motel tax to contribute to the land’s purchase.

“When we have an opportunity to protect that battlefield land from development and turn it into a city asset and a cultural asset where that history can be shared and celebrated, we’re going to try to encourage those opportunities,” Fitterer explained.

Efforts are also being made to honor the approximately 75 slaves who lived at Rippa Villa at the time. Just last week, a bust of Anna Bunch, a former slave at the plantation, was unveiled.

“We have to understand what happened in the past, and not just because it happened, because it’s also clear warning signs about what not to do in the future,” Jacobson added.

Jacobson said the immediate goal is to preserve the historic battlefield — trees and all — but more may be in the land’s future.

“Interpretive signage, maybe a walking trail, but the initial first step is to save it,” he said.

Maury County Rescue Dog in Superman Movie (NewsChannel5)

The latest installation of the Superman franchise continues to dominate as a summer blockbuster, and there is a previously unknown actor featured in the movie with pretty remarkable local ties to Maury County.

Her name is Sparrow, and her notoriety is now helping others in her similar situation.

Back in 2023, Sparrow, then just a four-year-old dog, came into the care of Maury County Animal Services under a difficult situation. "We were called by police authorities -- there were circumstances we can’t really talk about," said Kim Raffauf, the director of Maury County Animal Services.

Eventually, CASA Transport out of Columbia agreed to take on Sparrow and found her a new forever home with one of their partner agencies. Raffauf didn't find out any more details on what happened to the 20-pound rescue dog until about a week ago. "I don’t believe this, there’s no way," she remembered saying over the phone.

The update? Life had really taken Sparrow "up, up and away!"

Now, just to clear up some social media confusion, Sparrow did not play Superman's beloved dog Krypto in the film. That dog is actually computer-generated and modeled after director James Gunn's rescue dog. But Sparrow did have another scene-stealing moment.

Sparrow can be seen barking at one of the monsters attacking Metropolis. Right before the monster crushes Sparrow, Superman saves the day and blocks the monster's foot from crashing down. Sparrow continues to bark bravely, as Superman urges the dog to get out of the way. "Get! Get out of here," yells Superman in the movie.

Eventually, the caped hero blows the dog out from under the monster's foot. (We're told the scene where Sparrow rolls across the ground from Superman's breath was computer-generated so that no harm was done to the Maury County native.)

Kim Raffauf expected Sparrow's appearance to get the shelter a little attention, but she never imagined this. "Our adoptions have been up since that movie came out," she said.

Many animal lovers drove to Maury County just because they heard about Sparrow's story.

So the staff decided to fly headfirst into all of this new publicity. Volunteers did a photo shoot with some of their current shelter residents with superhero capes tied around their necks.

Granted, some of the pups have their own form of kryponite. "[Bert] came back because he was chasing the neighbor’s chickens, so no chickens for Bert," said Raffauf with a chuckle. "[Ozzie] does not like cats, so that would be his weakness."

Still, Raffauf is confident some lucky families will love having these pups as the newest members of their family. "The great part is sometimes we can’t change their past, but we can change their future," she said.

Fire Volunteer Shortage (MauryCountySource)

Maury County Fire Department is drawing attention to the realities of volunteer fire service following a tractor fire Monday afternoon at Hampshire First Baptist Church.

Crews were dispatched at 1:44 p.m., with Engines 21 and 22, Tanker 21, Squad 21, and Deputy 20 responding. The first unit arrived about 20 minutes after dispatch from Station 22 in the Cherry Glenn Business Park, with headquarters units from Tom J. Hitch following shortly after. By that time, the fire had spread from the tractor to the baler, destroying both.

Bystanders used garden hoses from the church to keep the flames from spreading further. Farmers on scene expressed frustration that the closest fire engine, located less than a mile away at Station 25, did not respond. According to the department, volunteers assigned to that station were unavailable due to work or other obligations.

The department said the incident underscores a nationwide decline in volunteerism. Employment changes, longer commutes, and increasing call volumes have made it more difficult to maintain coverage. Maury County Fire Department expects to respond to more than 2,000 calls this year.

Currently, the department staffs six full-time personnel, with two on duty per shift at headquarters on Mapleash Avenue, supported by 175 volunteers, about 60 of whom are highly active. Thirteen stations cover 560 of Maury County’s 612 square miles, responding to fires, vehicle accidents, rescues, and high-priority medical calls alongside Maury Regional EMS.

The department noted the support of the county commission and mayor’s office but said continued growth in staffing is necessary to meet rising demands. Citizens may share concerns at county meetings, and the department reports monthly to the safety committee.

Spring Hill Development Could Spur Improvements (WKRN)

A new development could mean the widening of one Spring Hill roadway, but not all residents are on board.

Eastport Farms is on about a 40-acre site near the intersection of Port Royal Road and Saturn Parkway. Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fitterer said the developer has been working on the project there for a couple of years, and they want to anchor the space with a major retailer. The developers have proposed taking portion of the sales tax revenue generated there to fund improvements needed along Port Royal Road.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen needs to decide whether or not to refer the applicant to the city’s industrial development board to see if it’s a viable economic situation or not — mainly seeing if there would be enough sales tax revenue generated to fund the roadway’s needs.

Even though the developer has formally made the request to the board, some residents haven’t been sure that it’s a smart move.

“I think the residents have generally been indifferent towards this right now,” Fitterer told News 2. “Port Royal definitely needs improvements. The interest, I think, to the city lies in the fact that if we can leverage a private development to make the public improvements, that’s a win for the citizens.”

Fitterer said the city’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen seemed to be open to the idea of voting on the resolution, which would likely happen in early September.

Columbia Fall Fest (MauryCountySource)

Columbia Main Street is proud to present Fall Fest 2025, returning to the Public Square on Saturday, October 11th, 2025, from 3:00 to 8:00 PM for an unforgettable autumn celebration in the heart of downtown Columbia.

This free, family-friendly event brings together residents, visitors, and small businesses for an evening filled with live music, local flavor, and festive fun.

Fall Fest has become one of the most anticipated community events of the season. This year’s celebration will feature:

Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off – Sample and vote for your favorite chili recipes in this ticketed tasting event supporting Kiwanis of Columbia and their local initiatives.

Live Entertainment – Enjoy performances throughout the day from talented local bands, including high-energy headliner, Deandra & 46 Story, bringing danceable classics and R&B favorites to close out the night.

Miss Fall Fest Pageant – Hosted by Britts, this beloved tradition returns to the stage, celebrating charm, confidence, and community spirit. Early registration is available now.

Columbia’s Fruit Tea Throwdown – Local restaurants will compete to claim the title of Best Fruit Tea in Town—and your votes will decide the winner!

Kid Zone Fun – Families will love the expanded children’s area, featuring inflatables, face painting, games, and balloon artists, all located safely within the closed downtown square.

Local Vendors & Food Trucks – Discover unique handmade goods from regional artisans and enjoy delicious bites from a curated lineup of food trucks and local favorites.

Photo Ops Galore – Don’t miss festive displays and photo stations, including the return of the Tri-Green Tractor Booth, perfect for family memories.

Fall Fest 2025 is made possible by generous sponsors, and Columbia Main Street is currently seeking partners who want to be part of this impactful event. Sponsorship opportunities are now open and offer businesses premium exposure and meaningful community engagement.

For sponsorship inquiries, vendor registration, or full event details, visit columbiamainstreet.com or contact:

Kelli Johnson

Columbia Main Street Manager

kjohnson@columbiatn.gov

Spring Hill Water Tank Being Built (WKRN)

A new water tank is coming to Spring Hill, and the mayor says the tower will help countless residents with their water supply.

Construction has just begun on Spring Hill’s Southside Water Tank, and leaders said the new tank will help long-term.

The 2-million-gallon storage tank will serve the southern side of Spring Hill. The tank is being constructed near the Stonegate Subdivision, off Mahlon Moore Road. The tank’s shape and size will be similar to the Hardin’s Landing Water Tank.

Funding for the project is coming from the fiscal year 2025 budget of over $2 million. The project was approved by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen last year.

Ultimately, it’s going to allow the city to have more resiliency within the water supply and allow the city to maintain adequate pressure throughout its water system.

The new tank will bring Spring Hill’s water supply to 12 million gallons of storage throughout the city.

Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fitterer said that with the sewer moratorium slowing down growth, he doesn’t anticipate more residents moving to the area. But he’s looking forward to seeing it help the community.

“We feel good about where this will take us from a storage capacity standpoint,” Fitterer said. “Obviously, we’ll build additional storage facilities as time goes on and as we advance our water reclamation project, which will be a $200 million storage facility in the reservoir, so we feel good about where this is taking us both in the short-term and the direction it’s pointing us in the long-term as well.”

An existing tower sat in the same location, which held around 300,000 gallons of water. The new tower will replace the existing tower and hold a higher capacity for residents.

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.

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 now 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…

Mr. James Wesley Dickey, 79, lifelong resident of Columbia, died Wednesday, August 20 at his residence. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Monday from 4:00 PM till 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Mr. Roy Wayne Houser, 85, resident of Columbia, and former resident of Chicago, IL, died Thursday, August 21 at Maury Regional Medical Center. No services are scheduled at this time.

Mr. Rickey Wayne Davidson, 65, resident of Mt. Pleasant died Thursday, August 21 at Maury Regional Medical Center. The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.

Blackburn Builds War Chest (WilliamsonScene)

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has disbursed more than $6 million across three political accounts so far in 2025, spending down balances ahead of her return to state politics.

A small portion of this money includes transfers between accounts, which include two PACs — Blackburn’s Tennessee Victory Fund and the Making A Responsible Stand for Households in America (MARSHA) PAC — and her principal Senate campaign committee Marsha for Senate. In all, Blackburn’s totals ended about $750,000 shy of where they started across all three accounts so far this year. 

Blackburn, now shifting focus from D.C. toward a recently announced 2026 gubernatorial run in Tennessee, must navigate different campaign finance rules governing federal and state races. Each PAC, as well as her Senate finance account, has slightly different campaign finance restrictions and different purposes, with money frequently moving between all three.

Midyear reports show that Blackburn has spent her ample Senate fundraising dollars around the state. Her leadership PAC cut a flurry of checks — $77,298 in July alone — to local groups, including 16 county Republican parties, just before she announced a run to succeed Gov. Bill Lee. More than a dozen other county parties received checks this year, as did sitting state Sens. Jack Johnson, Bo Watson, Brent Taylor, Adam Lowe and Mark Pody, and state Reps. Rick Scarborough and Mark Cochran — all Republicans.

Digital ads and fundraising made up more than $2 million of Blackburn's spending. Consultants are also big beneficiaries of the spending spree, topped by Ward Baker’s The Baker Group, which received more than $400,000 in consulting fees across all three accounts. Baker is a longtime fixture in the national GOP and helped Blackburn first win her senate seat in 2018.

Blackburn’s Senate account still had $4.4 million in cash at the beginning of July. The Tennessee Victory Fund reported $371,000 and the MARSHA PAC had $156,344.36, giving the senator almost $5 million in the bank absent any new fundraising.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Nashville Humane Association’s annual Dog Day will return on Saturday, October 18, with a day-long pup celebration.

Join over 4,000 dog lovers and their furry friends to enjoy live music, contests, games, and more. This will be the 36th year of the festival, which is Nashville’s longest-running pet festival. Admission is $5 per person, with all proceeds from the event going to support Nashville Humane Association’s mission.

Dog Day is a dog and family-friendly festival that takes place in Centennial Park from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and is presented by Mars Petcare and Beaman Toyota. Throughout the day, there will be activations throughout the park, including the event’s first-ever Wiener Dog Race, live music from San Rafael Band, dog-friendly games and treats in the Dog Zone, plus food and alcohol for purchase from more than 40 vendors. Pups have the chance to win big with this year’s costume contest, with categories including Best Large Dog, Best Small Dog, Best Dog & Owner, and Best Group Costumes.

Dog Day will take place on Saturday, October 18, at Centennial Park, admission is $5 per person. For more information, visit: https://nashvillehumane.org.