Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 8-25-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for August 25, 2026

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

We start with local news…

John Colley Defense of Ryan Floyd (WKOM Audio 5:06)

Earlier this year, Columbia resident Ryan Floyd was charged with possession of fentanyl. Floyd was represented by attorney John Colley who fought the case in court. With more on the case is WKOM’s Delk Kennedy who spoke about the case with Attorney John Colley…

County Employee Accused of Timesheet Fraud (WKRN)

An employee with the Maury County Clerk and Master’s Office has been indicted after an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office determined she received more than $2,000 in pay for time not worked.

The investigation reportedly began after Maury County officials identified and reported questionable time reporting by Kim Davis, who logged at least $2,075.95 in illegally recorded paid time.

According to the comptroller’s office, between Oct. 14, 2024, and Dec. 17, 2025, Davis used a mobile timekeeping application on her personal cellphone without authorization to clock in before arriving at the Maury County Judicial Center in Columbia. According to the report, Davis was not issued a work cellphone with the mobile timekeeping application on it and was not authorized to use the application to clock in remotely.

Investigators compared Davis’ electronic time records with building entry records and found of 250 workdays reviewed, Davis clocked in before entering the building on 202 of them. The differences in time ranged between a few minutes to hours, totaling at least 83 hours, 25 minutes, and 14 seconds.

The comptroller’s office said these entries also increased Davis’ compensatory time balances by pushing her reported hours beyond a normal 40-hour workweek.

Davis was indicted by a Maury County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $1,000, one count of falsification of government records, one count of forgery, and one count of official misconduct.

“Employee time records must accurately reflect when people employees are actually working,” Comptroller Jason Mumpower said. “Clear policies for remote work and proper supervisory review of employee time records are important safeguards against inaccurate or unauthorized compensation.”

The comptroller’s report detailed how the county lacked proper policies for detailing work-from-home arrangements that could have helped prevent the time theft, noting employees would occasionally work from home or off-site for personal matters “rather than requesting sick or vacation leave.”

“The county should adopt a policy that establishes the circumstances under which employees may work outside their primary work location, including the approval requirements, work expectations, timekeeping procedures, and supervisory oversight,” the report detailed.

Additionally, the report noted the clerk “failed to provide adequate oversight of employee time entries.”

Investigators reportedly determined employees could record the beginning of their workday before they entered the building. They recommended officials implement new controls to “ensure employee time entries accurately reflect employees’ presence at their assigned work location.”

The Maury County Clerk and Master reportedly indicated he “has corrected or intends to correct” the deficiencies noted in the report.

Chaz Molder Rally (WKOM Audio 3:22)

Last weekend, a number of Columbians held a political rally at Greenway Farms for Chaz Molder who is the current City of Columbia Mayor and a candidate for the 5th Congressional District of the United States House of Representatives. Attending the rally was Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy, who spoke to Molder about his campaign.

Spring Hill Halts Centrifuge Project (MSM)

Spring Hill is putting the brakes on its proposed centrifuge project, with city staff recommending the city explore alternative wastewater solids management options before moving forward. 

During its Monday night meeting, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen considered a resolution that addresses the city’s proposed standalone centrifuge project estimated to cost between $25 million and $28 million. City staff recommended halting the project and incorporating permanent solids-dewatering improvements into the larger reclamation plant project. 

The centrifuge was initially proposed to address the wastewater treatment plant’s challenges with managing excess solids. However, in June, the city approved emergency biosolids services through H&A Resources Management to remove, dewater, transport and dispose of accumulated solids. 

Since then, a mobile belt press has been operating the plant. Staff said the equipment has performed well and, combined with improvements in plant operations, has raised questions about whether a centrifuge remains the most effective and cost-efficient option. 

“It is our team’s recommendation that we pull the plug on the centrifuge project, put the pencils down and say stop,” Assistant City Administrator Dan Allen said. “This will buy ourselves time, keep improving operations and roll this package into the larger and progressive design program that we’re putting together.” 

Under the resolution, the city will take a broader approach to determining its long-term dewatering needs. Rather than selecting equipment separately, staff will evaluate belt presses, centrifuges and other technologies as part of the larger reclamation plant project. 

The evaluation will consider current sludge characteristics, long-term operating costs, staffing needs, reliability, construction requirements and future plant expansion, as well as electrical, piping, controls and other infrastructure needs. 

The approach is intended to prevent the city from investing in equipment that could eventually be oversized, redundant or incompatible with future improvements to the plant. 

Financially, integrating the dewatering system into the larger reclamation plant project could save the city up to approximately $10 million in capital costs, according to city staff. 

The city would still have interim costs while a permanent system is developed. Staff recommended entering into a minimum three-year agreement for ongoing dewatering and biosolids services during the design and construction process. 

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the resolution.

Mr. York’s Birthday (WKOM Audio 1:38)

On Friday, our own Mr. Jim York celebrated his 80th birthday. There to celebrate with him was owner-operator Delk Kennedy.

America 250th Lecture (Press Release)

The Maury 250th Commemoration Committee will continue the Lecture Series on August 29, 2025 at 10am at the West 7th Church of Christ located at 405 West 7th Street in Columbia, TN. It is free and open to the public.

The speaker, Dr. Lynn Nelson, will discuss President George Washington and some of the challenges he faced as this country’s first president.

Dr. Nelson is a Professor of History at Middle Tennessee State University. His research and teaching specialties are in Revolutionary America, the early American frontier, and environmental history. He has a Ph.D. from the College of William and Mary; a MA from the University of Kansas; and a BA from the University of Chicago.

He is the author of “Pharsalia: An Environmental Biography of a Southern Plantation, 1780-1880” (University of Georgia Press, 2007).

The Maury County 250th Committee includes representatives from the African American Heritage Society of Maury County, Columbia State Community College, Maury County Archives, Maury County Historical Society, and City of Mt. Pleasant and Spring Hill Library. “In addition to the lectures series, this committee has scheduled programs and events that will amplify the diverse voices and connect local and state history to the broader American story,” said Jo Ann McClellan, Project Director.

For more information about the schedule of events, please visit maury250.com.

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

Thomas Michael Long, 85, died Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Poplar Estates in Columbia, Tennessee, where he had recently made his home after moving from Dixon, Illinois, where he had lived for many years.

No arrangements have been planned at this time. 

George M. Neenan, 72, of Clarksville, TN passed away at home from natural causes.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Haynes Cemetery in Culleoka with military honors provided by the Fort Campbell Funeral Detail. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 1:00 PM until the time of service at the Funeral Home. 

Catherine Burns Choate, 96, a lifelong resident of Columbia, passed away Friday, August 21, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A graveside service will be conducted Friday, August 28, 2026, at 1:30 PM at Jones Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Friday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Pauline “Polly” Carpenter Rankin, 96, a resident of Columbia, passed away Friday, August 21, 2026, at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with David Morris officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 1:00 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. 

And now, news from around the state…

Tourism Breaks Records in Tennessee (MauryCountySource)

Tennessee’s tourism industry posted a record-breaking year in 2025, with visitor spending climbing to $32.5 billion and growth nearly doubling the national average, state officials recently announced.

Tennessee Tourism Brings in Record $32.5 Billion in Visitor Spending

Tennessee welcomed 150 million visits in 2025, with visitors spending about $89 million per day across the state.

Tourism, the state’s second-largest industry, generated $3.3 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2025, including $2 billion in state revenue and $1.3 billion in local revenue. The increase represents nearly $700 million more in annual taxable revenue for Tennessee compared with 2018.

The state said tourism saves each Tennessee household an average of $1,180 in taxes each year.

The tourism industry also helped support education funding. Leisure and hospitality businesses contributed about $2 billion in state sales tax collections in 2025, with $874 million going directly to the state’s education fund.

Visitors also spent more than the national average on shopping and dining while in Tennessee, particularly at locally owned businesses and local or unique restaurants.

The State says the Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues to play a major role in the state’s tourism industry as the most visited national park in the country. The park remained open for 40 days during last fall’s federal government shutdown after state, local, nonprofit and tribal partners worked together to keep it operating. More than 2.4 million people visited during that period.

The full 2025 economic impact report, including visitor spending data for all 95 Tennessee counties, is expected to be released in September.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Kiwanis Club of Columbia Annual Chili Cook-Off is set for Saturday, September 26th, 2026, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Maury County Parking Lot, Corner of Woodland Street & East 7th Street, Columbia, TN.

This event is being held in conjunction with Experience Maury’s Fall Fest with vendors, food trucks, and live musical entertainment.

Get ready for one of Columbia’s tastiest community traditions! Join the annual chili cook-off, where local cooks compete for bragging rights and the title of Best Chili in Town.

Your ticket includes:

Chili tastings from competing teams

The opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award

Family-friendly atmosphere

The chance to support local youth and community service projects

Kids Fun Zone

Access to Fall Fest Vendors and additional food trucks plus live music

All proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club of Columbia’s programs and initiatives that improve the lives of children and families throughout our community. 2026 beneficiary will be: A Kid’s Place Child Advocacy Center

More information at the Kiwianis Annual Chili Cookoff Facebook Page.