Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 8-6-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for August 6, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Vape Shop Robbery (MauryCountySource)

Detectives with the Spring Hill Police Department are currently investigating a theft that occurred in July at King of Vape. The individual, whose image you can see at www.maurycountysource.com, is suspected of stealing $347 worth of merchandize.

Anyone with information that may help identify this person is encouraged to contact Detective Josh Weber at jweber@springhilltn.org

Spring Hill Mayor Gives State of the City (WillimasonScene)

Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fitterer kicked off the 2025 State of the City address by speaking about new city administrator Carter Napier. Napier is set to join the city later this month after serving as the city manager of Casper, Wyoming. Fitterer said that he believes Napier has the perfect skill-set and experience to lead Spring Hill through its ongoing growth.

“I did not know a lot about Casper, Wyoming, three-and-a-half months ago, but it is very similar to Spring Hill, as far as the infrastructure challenges and utility challenges,” Fitterer said. “Carter has accomplished a lot of the tasks we’re looking forward to addressing here in Spring Hill over the next five years.”

Fitterer also celebrated the opening of Spring Hill’s new police station and previewed its new fire station, which is set to open in November. The fire station will have 13 dorm rooms, seven bathrooms and state-of-the-art training facilities. It will be named for late Spring Hill firefighter Mitchell Earwood, who died in 2020 during a thunderstorm.

“Those of you that knew Mitchell knew what he was to the city," Fitterer said. "After his passing in 2020, this is something that will honor him, this is something that will allow the people of the future to understand what he gave to the city." 

Vice Mayor Trent Linnville then took the stage to give updates on ongoing road projects. He shared, to applause from the crowd, that the north section of the Buckner Lane widening project, spanning from Wades Crossing to Buckner Road, will be finished in September. The south section, from Wades Crossing to Duplex Road, is scheduled to conclude in December 2026.

The city is still in the right-of-way acquisition phase in its reconfiguration of the Port Royal Road/Buckner Lane intersection. Once construction begins, the city will add sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. Linnville also said that the long-awaited widening of Spring Hill’s main street has been reprioritized by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), and residents and commuters alike can now expect an earlier beginning to construction.

“This project has been prioritized at times by TDOT, deprioritized, and now we’ve got it back on the list,” Linnville said. “Preliminary engineering was not scheduled to start until 2028. The good news that we got here back in April is that the timeline for that project has actually moved up two years, so preliminary engineering is starting next year.”

Linnville added that the city has requested that the Greater Nashville Regional Council, which works with local governments to find grants for projects, to prioritize widening the section of I-65 between Interstate 840 and Bear Creek Pike.

“When we work together as regional partners, we have a much greater chance of reaching our shared goals,” Linnville said. “We’re continuing to try to push those solutions forward as quickly as we possibly can.”

Linnville emphasized that 75 percent of Spring Hill’s budget goes to public safety, roads and utilities, and that these are the utmost priorities for the city government and BOMA. 

Fitterer also gave updates on the city’s ongoing sewer issues. Because Spring Hill is in the Duck River watershed, the city and the state are part of ongoing discussions as to how to preserve the Duck River’s water. Since the city has not been able to grow its sewer capacity while also maintaining the river’s purity, the BOMA will meet Tuesday night to vote on a city-wide sewer moratorium, which would temporarily halt all new sewer connections. Fitterer does not know when the moratorium may end.

“It is going to be a performance-based moratorium and not a time-based moratorium, which means that I cannot stand up here today and tell you exactly how long it’s going to last,” Fitterer said. “We will move through this as quickly as possible. We will continue to work with the business community to ensure that there are onsite options and solutions available.”

Fitterer explained that the city is at an inflection point where they must make the decision to have a moratorium now to invest in more forward-facing solutions.

“This will be a very, very serious issue for the city of Spring Hill in the foreseeable future,” Fitterer said. “Ultimately, to lift the moratorium, we’re going to need to expand our sewer plant.”

For this expansion, the city will construct an Advanced Water Purification project. Under this new plan, sewage would be treated at a wastewater plant and then sent to a reservoir, where it is blended with water from the Duck River, and then sent back for treatment again. This method, known as water reclaim, significantly reduces the amount of water cities use and has a decreased environmental impact.

While this method has been used in other states and municipalities across the country, Spring Hill’s plant will be the first in Tennessee through a 12-month pilot program with the Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation. As a result of their involvement with the project, Fitterer said that he and Assistant City Administrator Dan Clausi were invited to Washington, D.C., to give testimony before the Senate Finance Committee about industrial tax credits for water reclamation

Linnville also announced that the city received a "Distinguished Submission" award for its fiscal year 2026 budget from the state comptroller’s office.

To close out the address, Ward 3 Alderman Erin Hartwell gave updates on other ongoing city projects. She shared that the city has reserved a piece of land next to City Hall to build a library, and that a foundation has been set up to fund its construction.

Hartwell also gave an update about the city’s talks with Kings Hammer, a youth soccer organization that has expressed interest in a public-private partnership to develop 10 of 60 city-owned acres off of Hurt Road.

“We’re right at the beginning stages of it, just having conversations about it," Hartwell said. "But we’re excited to even have the opportunity for someone to not even know really who we are, but be ready to invest in us and grow with our community." 

Game Knight Grand Opening (WKOM 1:23)

Yesterday afternoon, Game Knight, a table-top game store held their ribbon cutting in the Northway Shopping Center in Columbia. Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy attended the grand opening and spoke to shop proprietor Stephen Hendrix to learn about what the store offers its customers…

Scholarships for New Teachers (MSM)

The road to teacher certification in Maury County just got a lot easier, thanks to a partnership between Maury County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Youth Educational Foundation (YEF). The Tennessee educator preparation program through iteach, allows individuals to become a teacher without a traditional education degree. MCPS and YEF are offering up to 40 iteach scholarships, worth a total combined value of up to $112,000 to qualified Maury County Public Schools employees who desire to become a teacher. 

iteach is a nationally recognized job embedded program that allows an individual with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and meets certain criteria set by the state  of Tennessee to become a teacher. Individuals can take the program before becoming a teacher or  can complete it after obtaining a teaching role with Maury County Public Schools while going  through the online program (working on a permitted status through the state of Tennessee). 

“This inclusive and affordable pathway towards a teaching certification makes it accessible to any Maury County Public Schools employee who aspires to positively impact the world through education,” said Maury County Public Schools Superintendent, Lisa Ventura. “Teachers are leaders, mentors, and role models. They don’t just prepare students for tests – they prepare them for life. We are so appreciative of YEF’s willingness to invest in Maury County Public Schools.”  

“YEF is proud to partner with MCPS to bring up to 40 newly certified teachers into Maury County Public Schools classrooms,” said YEF Chair, Renee Adams. “We are grateful to our donors for enabling the organization to make this historic investment in the community’s future. We understand the importance of having motivated, qualified, and caring teachers in the classroom.  Scholarship recipients will have received recommendations from their principals and committed to at least three years of service with MCPS. We look forward to the positive impact this will have on Maury County Public Schools students and to strengthening our partnership with MCPS”. 

To apply, visit www.iteach.net.

Mt. Pleasant Reopens Bridge (MSM)

On July 24, on budget and more than two months ahead of schedule, the Tennessee Department of Transportation fully reopened the bridge over Sugar Creek north of Mt. Pleasant. Workers for the Dement Construction Company removed the old bridge and built a brand new one in its place, 157 feet long and 46 feet wide. At the end of the work, they installed guardrails and joint work, paved the bridge, painted stripes on the pavement and built up the ramps at the ends of the bridge.

Both lanes of the Sugar Creek bridge were closed in November to conduct the work, and traffic was redirected onto the Highway 43 bypass in the months between. Local business owners complained that the closure reduced their customer traffic, and a thrift store near the last exit to SR-43 was shuttered permanently soon after the bridge was closed. Tim Davis, the owner of the Pizza Place in Mt. Pleasant, was very vocal about the impact of the closure on his business; when the bridge reopened, he posted a celebratory Facebook reel which racked up more than 57,000 views.

“While TDOT understands that any full bridge closure can be an inconvenience, it’s important to note that fully closing the bridge — compared to a phased or partial closure — decreased the total construction timeline of this project by eight months to a year,” said Erin Zeigler, TDOT’s communications officer for Region 3. “This new bridge has a lifespan of 75 years. The department is thankful for the cooperation of Maury County residents and local leaders for their patience in this process… Bridges like this one connect communities, and TDOT is proud to improve these structures in ways that will benefit Tennesseans for generations to come.”

GM Expanding XT5 Production (Tennessean)

General Motors plans to produce the Cadillac XT5 past 2026, according to a UAW memo sent to workers at the automaker’s Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant. 

The change extends the life of the vehicle beyond what the Detroit automaker told employees this spring, that production of the five-seat SUV, initially slated to end in August 2025, would “continue into 2026” without confirming a timeline. 

“Today, we’re excited to share that the XT5 legacy will continue as a next-generation gas vehicle beyond 2026, proudly built at Spring Hill Manufacturing,” said the memo sent Aug. 1 from UAW Local 1853 to manufacturing staff. “A refreshed XT5 will launch in 2027.”

The Detroit Free Press obtained a copy of the document.

A refreshed vehicle may undergo changes to the interior and exterior redesign, but it is not necessarily considered a new model. An all-new vehicle, for example, may experience changes that impact performance or underlying architecture.

GM sold 12,727 Cadillac XT5s in the first half of this year, up 4% compared with 2024. Cadillac sales in total were up 16% in the first half of the year with 86,104 vehicles.

GM issued a statement when contacted by the Free Press.

“As Cadillac evolves, we will continue to make necessary adjustments to our portfolio to meet customer demand,” said the memo from spokesman Kevin Kelly. “The current-generation Cadillac XT5, an important part of our global portfolio, will remain in production until the end of 2026. The XT5 will continue to live-on as a next-generation gas powered vehicle beyond that timeframe.”

Additional details about the next version of the vehicle and its features will be shared later, the statement also said.

With the change, GM’s Spring Hill plant aims to construct the 2027 Chevrolet Blazer, 2027 Cadillac XT5, the Lyriq and Lyriq V, the all-new Vistiq and Acura ZDX.

Mayor’s Youth Council (Press Release)

The City of Columbia is now accepting applications for the 2025–26 Columbia Mayor’s Youth Council (CMYC). Open to all high school juniors and seniors in Maury County—whether public, private, or homeschooled—the CMYC offers students a unique opportunity to explore the inner workings of local government and gain valuable leadership experience.

The program provides students with a behind-the-scenes look at how elected officials and municipal departments serve the Columbia community. Participants will engage with all 12 City departments and tour select municipal facilities, such as the Columbia Police Department, Fire Department and Public Works. Through these hands-on experiences and guided discussions, students will gain a deeper understanding of how city services are delivered and how local government impacts their daily lives.

“Columbia is a growing city that values the voice and energy of its youth,” said Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder. “The Mayor’s Youth Council not only gives students a seat at the table but also empowers them to play an active role in shaping the future of our city.”

Students accepted into the program will attend monthly meetings throughout the school year, typically held on the second Tuesday of each month. Each session will include interactive learning opportunities and direct engagement with city leaders and staff.

“Providing students with a first-hand look at how our departments work fosters meaningful civic engagement,” said City Manager Tony Massey. “The Youth Council helps connect young residents to the everyday operations of city government and strengthens the shared commitment we all have to our community.”

Applications will be accepted from August 4 through August 22, 2025, and must include a completed application form, photo ID, and current high school transcript with unweighted GPA. Selected participants will be notified by September 1.

To learn more and apply, visit the City of Columbia’s website at: www.columbiatn.gov

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

William Franklin Tankersley, age 98, a longtime resident of Columbia, died Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Lewisburg.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Now, news from around the state…

Franklin Increases Police Force (Tennessean)

After receiving dozens of applications from Williamson County and beyond, the Franklin Police Department says it has welcomed the largest recruitment class in the department's history. 

“Our department is growing stronger than ever,” Franklin Police Chief Deb Faulkner said. “The fact that we had nearly 200 people apply to join our team shows just how special this department is.”

The new class comes after the department announced a need for more officers In April. At that time, Franklin PD employed 143 officers.

Franklin's police force is considered average for the size of the population it serves, figures show.

Lebanon in Wilson County, of similar size to Franklin, employs 140 officers.

Murfreesboro, in nearby Rutherford County, employs 177.

As an added incentive for the new officers, Franklin PD said entry-level officers who previously made $50,000 would now make $65,000 while lateral officers with P.O.S.T. certification will make $68,000.

The department welcomed 14 new members on Aug. 4. Some of the new officers come from other agencies, including the Lewisburg Police Department, Columbia (TN) Police Department, Brentwood (TN) Police Department, New York City Transit Police and Sewanee Police Department. 

Two of the laterals are joining Franklin from Lewisburg.

“We are proud to have these recruits join our police family, and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on our city,” Faulkner said.

During the next eight weeks, the newest members of the police department will participate in hands-on, extensive training designed to prepare them for the unique challenges of serving the Franklin community, officials said.

Lateral officers will then transition to the department’s Field Training Program, while new officers will head to the police academy before returning for field training.

“Investing in our police officers is investing in the safety and future of Franklin,” City Administrator Eric Stuckey said of the new recruits.

Gas Prices (MSM)

The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.76 which is one cent less than last week, but 32 cents less than this time last year.

“With students returning to school, we expect to see less demand for gasoline,” said Stephanie Milani, spokeswoman for AAA — The Auto Club Group. “Although gasoline demand declines in the fall, crude oil prices are already low and we haven’t seen the typical summer spike. Gas gas prices will likely remain stable and low in the coming weeks barring any wild swings in the price of crude oil.”

Tennessee has the fifth-lowest average gas price in the country.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Nashville Zoo is celebrating International Clouded Leopard Day with the birth of a female clouded leopard cub, born on July 18. Weighing just over a pound—about the size of a teddy bear—she marks the 45th clouded leopard cub born at the Zoo since 1991.

Due to the species’ declining population, her survival is especially important. Following the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP), Zoo staff have chosen to hand-rear the cub to give her the best chance at a healthy future. Guests can watch her development through the viewing windows at the HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center.

In addition to the new arrival, the Zoo recently welcomed a 10-week-old brother-sister pair of clouded leopards from Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Once the new cub is old enough, she’ll be introduced to the pair to help her socialize and grow.

Every cub is a vital step in protecting the future of this vulnerable species.

For more information, visit www.nashvillezoo.org.