Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-17-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for September 17, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Mike Wolf Injured in Accident (CDH)

"American Pickers" star Mike Wolfe was reportedly hospitalized over the weekend after a violent car crash left his vehicle totaled.

Wolfe, 61, revealed the crash in an Instagram story Saturday, Sept. 13, Fox News and Parade reported. The incident, which left his blue vintage vehicle mangled, also injured his girlfriend, Leticia Cline.

"Leticia and I were involved in a car accident last evening in Columbia, TN," Wolfe wrote on Instagram, according to the outlets. "By the grace of God, we're both safe and okay."

"We are both receiving excellent care and while Leticia is still in the hospital, she is expected to make a full recovery," he continued. "Thank you for respecting our privacy at this time and we appreciate all of your love & prayers. God bless."

USA TODAY has reached out to Wolfe's reps for comment. Cline detailed the extent of the damage on her own Instagram stories, posting a photo of herself in a hospital bed with the caption: "Hopefully I get surgery tomorrow. Broken jaw (in a few places), broken ribs, sternum, collapsed lung and a lot of swelling on my spine. My mouth will be wired shut but I still got my brain and that's all that matters."

In a separate post, Cline shared a photo of the car's smashed windshield with a hand pointing emoji to a section of the damage, writing: "my jaw."

Wolfe, who has starred on the History Channel's "American Pickers" since 2010, began dating Cline in 2021.

Spring Hill Theft (MauryCountySource)

The Spring Hill Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect accused of stealing merchandise from a local store. You can view an image of the suspect at www.maurycountysource.com.

According to police, the individual allegedly took $2,600 worth of items from Old School Vapor early Friday morning.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Detective Thomas Gray at tgray@springhilltn.org

Spring Hill Planning Approves Growth (MSM)

Spring Hill’s Planning Commission Board advanced resolutions and rezoning initiatives to aid in growth and development for the city last week. 

A resolution to call a recommended performance bond for Kedron Road and School Street improvements has been passed on to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen after a year of incomplete and inactive work. 

Development Services Director Dara Sanders informed the board that School Street has been closed due to traffic issues, leaving the roadway in unacceptable conditions for residents and businesses. At the same time, Kedron Road has stormwater drainage concerns, safety issues and paving that does not meet city standards. 

If the improvements are not completed by Oct. 14, Sanders is requesting to call the performance bonds and use the allotted funds to cover the needed repairs and construction. 

Developer Peter Ripley requested a one-month defer on the vote, expressing that the project needs clarity on a sidewalk project from the city, which the city requested by Oct. 18, and time to gauge an estimated timeline on the end date. 

Ripley said both sites are actively being worked on and have had progress. 

Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fitterer recommended sending the resolution to BOMA, where more flexibility could be granted. 

Spring Hill Development Services is seeking a rezoning for the 60-acre property on the north side of Beechcroft Road to an institutional Campus District, relocating the city’s Public Works administration and fleet building to the property.  

Sanders said this crucial move is to expand the city’s water and sewage capacity. Relocating the Public Works Administration and the fleet building will allow the water and sewage operations to move to that spot, and eventually relocate additional city offices to the Beechcroft property to better serve residents and customers. 

During public comment, one resident voiced concerns about traffic and infrastructure impacts, saying they felt left out and given little information. 

Sanders responded that the rezoning would not impact or increase traffic volume and that the stormwater issues would be addressed as the property develops.

Residents voiced concerns for the Final Plat Modification to remove a five-foot walking trail in Copper Ridge, located along Boxbury Lane.

The trail removal, covering phases four, six and eight of Copper Ridge, appeared at the commission’s work session meeting on Aug. 25. 

Joann Martin, who lives off Morton Drive, told commissioners that neighbors worry about safety and maintenance concerns if the trail is removed. Martin said the area is hidden from police view and below street grade level. 

Martin submitted a petition with more than 130 signatures from neighbors opposing the resolution. 

The commission approved the three consent agenda items, sending them to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for consideration and voting.

Publix Opens in Spring Hill (MauryCountySource)

A new Publix is now open at 1021 Jim Warren Parkway in Spring Hill.

The store opened to the public on Saturday, September 13th. “We are thrilled to welcome customers to their newest Publix in Spring Hill,” said Nicole Krauss, Publix media relations manager, in a statement. “Customers, both old and new, will enjoy some of the special features of this brand-new location, and we’re excited to provide our customers with the quality, convenience and service they know and love.”

Publix is open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Pharmacy hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The new store is 48,387 square feet.

Columbia Dam (CDH)

The solution in addressing Maury County's need for additional water sources to combat growth and development is drawing different opinions about whether revisiting Columbia's former dam project is the answer.

The Columbia dam project, which originated in the early 1970s — a long dead project — has been resurrected as a possible solution, though a potential feasibility study is needed to determine if it can be done, or redone.

Columbia Dam Now, a nonprofit grassroots committee, has led the charge in raising awareness about revisiting the project, which was unprecedentedly scrapped in the 1980s after approximately $85 million was spent and nearly 400 families left without land, originally acquired by Tennessee Valley Authority.

Construction of the dam began in 1973, but was halted in 1983. As the dam stood more than halfway complete, a solid concrete wall, at The Duck River in southeast Columbia, TVA unprecedently demolished the structure, beginning in 1999.

The dam aimed to provide flood control, water supply, hydroelectric power and recreational opportunities for the region. However, the construction was abruptly stopped due to environmental concerns, particularly the potential impact on endangered freshwater mussel species, such as the birdwing pearly mussel and the Cumberland monkeyface, according to Columbia Dam documents.

"These ecological considerations, coupled with escalating costs and shifting political priorities, led to the project’s suspension," the Columbia Dam Now ​website says.

Jason Gilliam, who is spearheading Columbia Dam Now, says rebuilding a dam is the "only affordable solution."

Not new to the subject of the Dam and lingering confusion over the decades about its demolition, Gilliam's family relinquished part of their farm to TVA in the 1970s to make way for the original structure.

"It is absolutely, unequivocally, 110% the only affordable solution, and when I say 'affordable,' I'm talking about the people who pay for the water when it comes time to turn your faucet on, and we pay our water bills for these projects they are trying to do," Gilliam said.

"Columbia Power & Water has a $600 million intake they are trying to do, and there are ideas about building this billion-plus dollar pipeline. Then if we were to buy water from Mallory Valley Utility District, our bills here are going to go up four-to-five times what they are now. That's been my motivation."

Gilliam said he envisions the lake to be located adjacent to Fountain Creek southeast of Columbia, which abuts onto his family farm, one of many affected by the original project.

"TVA took part of my mother's land for that project, and there were 380 other families who lived around this area and this community who lost their farms, and that's a lot of people," Gilliam said. "And then to have the project halted and scrapped, it was just a bad deal all the way around."

Maury County Archivist Cindy Grimmitt has been compiling documents, newspaper articles and property deeds related to the former dam project, which now sit in multiple binders and folders at the Archives building.

Her research began, she said, when the Archives was temporarily shutdown for renovations and the staff was tasked with researching a "special project." She chose the Columbia Dam because of her family's ties to the project, as her father was one of its engineers.

"I was kind of on the opposite side of where Jason was, because he is looking at it from a family farm perspective," Grimmitt said. "But we have a family farm, and I could not imagine if they took that from us and then never did anything with it. That's insult to injury."

In addition, Spring Hill is also facing a potential water crisis, with the city's Board of Mayor and Aldermen finalizing plans to build a water reservoir, a project that began in 2023 after Assistant City Administrator Dan Allen determined the city's growth was estimated to exceed its water services "in three years."

On Aug. 27, 2024, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation approved Spring Hill's Advanced Water Purification pilot project. This project, according to Spring Hill city staff, "outlines how the City of Spring Hill can maximize its fair share of water from the Duck River through extensive treatment processes at an expanded Wastewater Treatment Plant and an accompanying reservoir."

The proposed Columbia Dam feasibility study would require federal approval and be the only true indicator in the new dam's potential.

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tennessee, 5th Congressional District, who has been in discussions with dam supporters, said he is actively pursuing the study, because it is what is needed to ensure momentum.

"We know we have a water crisis here in Southern Middle Tennessee and it's only going to get worse," Ogles told The Daily Herald. "The true long-term solution appears to be a reservoir and a dam, but we need data to back that up, which is why I am working on the feasibility study."

Rick Williams, Ogles' field representative for the 5th District, has also been a voice for pushing the feasibility study forward, especially on behalf of the families whose land was initially taken decades ago.

"People who had their land taken feel very strongly about seeing the dam built," Williams said. "It would be a completion to finally have what it was taken for. I would say the majority of the people feel that way, that the land was taken for a reason, and they would like to see that reason completed."

However, additional solutions have been suggested to allow for more water. After all, a dam project will take a lot of time and governmental approval, along with growth continuing, Gilliam said.

One immediate solution, Gilliam suggests, is raising the 3,048-acre reservoir at Normandy Lake, located in Normandy, Tennessee and resides on the Duck River. The TVA-owned lake's dam was completed in 1978.

"What we are really doing now is that everybody involved in trying to get this lake and reservoir built, the very first thing is we have to raise Normandy Lake," Gilliam said. "If not for that lake, the river here would be a trickle. Shelbyville and Columbia would not be anywhere near as successful without the water from Normandy Lake."

In 2024, American Rivers listed the Duck River among the most endangered rivers in the U.S. In his 2025 State of the State Address, Gov. Bill Lee proposed $100 million be budgeted to the Duck River Planning Partnership "to create a regional water supply strategy that will solve this problem once and for all."

Legislators would later approve $65 million of Lee's $100 million proposal for projects related to the river.

"Our state is home to the most biologically diverse freshwater river in all of North America. The Duck River is a scenic, natural treasure," Lee said in his address. "It’s also the sole water source for more than 250,000 Tennesseans who live in one of the fastest growing regions in the country. This presents a complex problem."

Gilliam says the $65 million budgeted, for example, could be used for a project like Normandy, as it utilizes the Duck River directly and is the kind of thing the funds were budgeted for.

"The money is already there to cover the expense, and it is an 18-month project (estimated)," Gilliam said. "It's $32.4 million, and the money is already sitting there, but it would put 21 million gallons of water every day in Columbia. That would help us for maybe the next 10-15 years."

While support for the dam project continues to gain momentum, so has the voices of those who oppose it.

Don't Dam The Duck, another grassroots committee, has been on the forefront in raising awareness about how the project could present many potential issues, such as environmental impact and additional roadway projects needed.

"When they originally built the dam, they spent $85 million, but they hadn't built the roads that have to go around it," said Gale Moore, one of the leading voices behind Don't Dam The Duck. "If this happens, three bridges will be under water. There are 25 roads that will be under water that have to be replaced, two bridges, six current access points to the river and then the interstate has to be raised, and that's on top of building it."

Though she agrees that there is a water crisis in Maury County, Moore said there are alternatives to consider, including the "more immediate solution" such as the raising of Normandy Lake.

"There are alternatives, such as building a pipeline to the Cumberland [River], a pipeline to the Tennessee River," Moore said. "Everyone agrees we should raise Normandy. That's got to happen and will get us 10 years."

There is also the land itself to consider, and whether it would be viable to hold water.

"The lake, if we have it, would be a use for our water supply, but in order to do that they draw it down during the winter, and there will be acres and acres and acres of mudflats when it is drawn down," Moore said.

A Change.org petition opposing the dam was also launched in July, which has garnered nearly 600 signatures by the start of September.

"Moreover, the construction of the dam could have dire consequences for our community and environment," the petition states.

"Inundation of the river's natural course would likely lead to increased flood risks in surrounding areas, potentially damaging homes, businesses, and agricultural land. It could also diminish the water quality, affecting not only the residents of Columbia but wildlife that depend on this essential resource."

Maury Regional Offers Caring Cradles (Press Release)

The loss of a newborn is a profound tragedy. While stillbirth rates have slowed in the United States, approximately one in 175 births are stillborn and nearly as many children are lost during the first year of life. *

One meaningful way the care team at Maury Regional Medical Center supports families experiencing such loss is by offering precious time they otherwise would not have with their child by using Caring Cradles®, which is funded by the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation. These specialized cooling cradles, one being for children up to one year old and the other for preemies weighing four pounds or less, allow families more time to hold their baby, create video or photo memories and allow travelling out-of-town family members the opportunity to see the child.

“No matter the circumstances or preparation, the grief of losing a child is forever life-changing,” said Nurse Manager Lacy Estes, BSN, RNC-OB. “At Maury Regional, we surround these families with love and support, providing for their physical and emotional well-being.”

Jodie and Owen Lewter are among those who have experienced the loss of a child. In 2023, they were informed during their pregnancy that their daughter, Heidi Faith, would not survive. They delivered at Maury Regional Medical Center and the family was able to spend 31 precious hours of life with Heidi Faith before saying goodbye.

“Lacy and her team were so compassionate and accommodating during my family’s experience and that time with Heidi Faith meant so much to us,” said Jodie Lewter.

The Lewter family turned grief into purpose by forming Heidi Faith’s High Five Memorial Foundation. The mission of the organization is to help other families experiencing the loss of a child by assisting them with funeral expenses, headstones and precious shadow boxes with bronze casts of their child’s hands and feet.

When the Lewters learned the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation was going to fund new Caring Cradles, they wanted to help families who were experiencing tragedies like theirs with a generous donation of $5,000. This donation will help ensure that families have access to Caring Cradles during the difficult time of losing a child while in the hospital.  

“The Lord always provides exactly what we need in life. Not only did He give me peace and a deeper understanding of how Heaven changes everything, He provides angels on earth. I know He sent Lacy and her staff to make those 31 hours the sweetest and perfect,” said Jodie. “Now, I am far from a nurse, but I want to be an angel on earth for grieving families. The Lord guides and provides, using us as a vessel to bless others. We are so grateful to be able to contribute.”

According to Estes, the new Caring Cradles are a significant improvement compared to previous options that are offered to families experiencing a loss, providing them with more time with their child in a comfortable setting. The cradles are also easy for the staff to use, as they resemble a standard bassinet. “These cradles will be a blessing to grieving families. We are immensely grateful to the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation donors and the Lewter family whose generosity helps makes compassionate care possible,” said Estes.

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

Cindy Lane Hallmark West, 68, resident of Columbia, died Sunday, September 14, 2025 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Now, news from around the state…

National Guard in Memphis (Tennessean)

In an address from the Oval Office on Sept. 15, President Donald Trump officially announced plans to deploy the National Guard, along with a surge of federal law enforcement, to Memphis.

The task force, Trump said, will be a "replica" of the federal deployment seen in Washington, D.C. — a mixture of troops from the National Guard, agents from the FBI, Drug Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security and U.S. Marshals Service. It also will see more federal prosecutors in Memphis.

Trump's fully revealed plan came after a week of speculation and reporting that Memphis would be the next destination for National Guard troops. In a Sept. 12 appearance on Fox News, Trump confirmed Memphis would see a deployment, but did not provide any details about when or how many troops would be deployed.

"Today, at the request of Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee, who's standing with us, as you know, I'm signing a presidential memorandum to establish the Memphis Safe Task Force," Trump said during the Sept. 15 press conference. "It's very important because of the crime that's going on, not only in Memphis, in many cities. We're going to take care of all of them step-by-step."

He also left the question about who would be leading the troops in question. National Guard troops, but for select circumstances, cannot act as law enforcement. One of those exceptions is if they are led by a state's governor.

During the press conference, he said the Tennessee National Guard would be deployed, the indication being that they would be under Lee's command. The presidential memorandum signed by Trump further said troops will be deployed "in such numbers and for such duration as the governor may deem necessary and appropriate to assist with the activities of the task force."

Additionally, the memo said Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will be able to "request such National Guard support as necessary and appropriate to accomplish this mission."

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Get ready for a deliciously good time! aMuse’um Children’s Museum is rounding up some of the region’s best food trucks for an evening full of flavor, fun, and community spirit at the 13th Annual Food Truck Festival on Saturday, September 20th, 2025, at 6 pm at Downtown Columbia on the Square.

This is an 18+ Event — leave the kids at home, this night is just for the grown-ups!

Your $50 all-inclusive ticket includes:

Sampling from all featured food trucks

Craft beer from Taps Off Main

Fun music to keep the vibes going all night, compliments of Brooks Herring Music!

Eat, drink, and enjoy—all while supporting a great cause! aMuse’um is 100% community-funded, and this event helps us continue providing a safe, educational, and fun space for children all year long.

Learn more by visiting Amuseum Food Truck Festival on Facebook.