Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-17-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for September 17, 2026

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

We start with local news…

Spring Hill Mulls Parks Plan (MSM)

Spring Hill city staff is recommending that the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approve a $99,435 contract with Hodgson Douglas Landscape Architects to develop a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

The plan would serve as a 10-year roadmap for Spring Hill's park and recreation system, guiding future decisions about park development, land purchases, recreational programs, facilities and capital investments. The city's current master plan was created in 2012 and updated in 2020.

The city received nine proposals after issuing a request for qualifications in March 2026. After reviewing the submissions and interviewing the top three firms, city staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission selected Hodgson Douglas Landscape Architects as the highest-ranked firm.

The project would include community input through focus groups, workshops, stakeholder interviews and an online survey. The firm would conduct a statistically valid community survey with at least 400 responses, targeting a 95 percent confidence level and a positive or negative 5 percent confidence interval.

The master plan would examine current and future recreational needs as Spring Hill's population grows. It would assess parks, facilities and programming gaps, accessibility and geographic distribution of parks, and existing recreation programs. The plan would also analyze opportunities to improve participation, staffing, maintenance, equipment and operations. It would include comparisons with up to three similar communities and identify future park and facility improvements and potential land acquisition. The plan would examine funding sources, including grants, sponsorships, partnerships, fees and development agreements, and provide estimated project costs and timelines for future improvements.

The proposed contract is $19,435 more than the $80,000 budgeted for the project. Staff recommends carrying the existing $80,000 into the 2026-27 fiscal year and covering the additional amount through Budget Amendment No. 1.

Mayor Matt Fitterer and Vice Mayor Trent Linville voted against the resolution. Fitterer said the proposal could conflict with the city's ongoing and planned strategic planning efforts.

The resolution passed by a 7-2 vote.

Columbia Paint Celebrates 80 Years (WKOM Audio 5:47 and 2:37)

Yesterday, Columbia Paint and Wallcover celebrated their 80th birthday. Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy stopped by the business to help recognize that milestone. He spoke to proprietor Zeke Maddux about the history of one of Maury County’s staple businesses…

Delk Kennedy also got to speak with Zeke’s son, Zach Maddux to hear more about the future of Columbia Paint and Wallcover.

Spring Hill Addresses Sewer Moratorium (MSM)

Spring Hill’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved a $3 million contract Tuesday night with Black & Veatch Corporation to oversee planning and design for the city’s SPARTAN Capital Program, a collection of major infrastructure projects to expand water and wastewater capacity.

The sewer moratorium, in effect since August 2025, has halted or limited development projects as the city works to address wastewater capacity.

Under the contract, Black & Veatch will provide planning and project controls, coordinate SPARTAN projects and develop a Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Plan and Capital Improvement Strategy during an initial one-year term. The contract is capped at $3 million and will be paid on a time-and-expense basis using Black & Veatch’s 2026 rates.

The SPARTAN Capital Program includes water and wastewater treatment, water supply, advanced water purification, reservoir and dam infrastructure and linear infrastructure projects.

Mayor Matt Fitterer said in a Facebook post the agreement could provide decades of additional utility capacity and help end the sewer connection moratorium.

The board approved the contract 9-0.

Watercolor Society Exhibit (WKOM Audio 5:14)

Yesterday, the Tennessee Watercolor Society opened their newest exhibition at Columbia State Community College’s Pryor Art Gallery. WKOM’s Delk Kennedy attended their opening reception and spoke to gallery curator Tori Zemer and Watercolor Society member Wendy Latimer to learn more about the exhibition and the society…

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

Mrs. Carey Warren Hight, 50, resident of Columbia passed away on Wednesday September 9 at her residence. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Columbia Academy Vest Hall multipurpose room. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a service beginning at 6:00 p.m.  

Mr. Terry Rogers Greenway, 73, resident of Columbia, passed away Sunday, September 13 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, September 18 at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Memorial Park. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM and again Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. 

And now, news from around the state…

Nine Krooks Barred from Downtown Nashville (Tennessean)

Nine people, authorities say, that are members of a street gang have been barred from entering the Downtown Nashville Entertainment District, including one section of Broadway, according to a Sept. 11 press release from Metro Nashville Police.

"The nine, eight adults and one juvenile, are alleged to be part of the Krooks gang, whose members have been known to target intoxicated persons, tourists and others under the pretext of selling clothing or other merchandise with the objective of gaining possession or control of the victims’ cell phones," the release said. "Once that occurs, they are alleged to use a mobile payment app to transfer money away from victims’ accounts. If a victim detects/objects to the scheme, Krooks members are reported to have escalated encounters to intimidation and even assault."

The injunction created an exclusion zone (whose borders include Union Street, Korean Veterans Boulevard, Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, and the Cumberland River) which the nine are barred from entering, as well as restricting members from performing or assisting in the scam.

Three of the nine listed in the injunction have previously been convicted of robbery, the release said. They range in age from 16 to 24.

"Special THANKS to the District Attorney’s Office, Criminal Court Judge Dozier and EDU’s Sergeant Quigley for making our downtown community’s safety and wellbeing a priority," the Nashville Metro Police said in an Instagram post announcing the initiative.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Kenny Chesney is the first headliner announced to perform at Nashville’s new Nissan Stadium for his Original Vibe Room Tour 2027 on July 3, 2027.

The Tennessee native has a long history with Nissan Stadium, making six tour stops at the current venue more than any other artist.

Joining Chesney for the full tour will be Eric Church and Sheryl Crow, with East Tennessee singer-songwriter Greylan James opening the shows.

The Nashville concert will also mark one of the first major shows announced for the new Nissan Stadium, which is scheduled for completion in February 2027. Major concerts and events are expected to begin at the stadium in April, with additional announcements expected in the coming months.

Fans can register now at KennyChesney.com