Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-2-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for September 2, 2026

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

We start with local news…

EBike Accident (MauryCountySource)

A 16-year-old was reportedly injured in an electric motor scooter crash in Spring Hill. The crash happened in the 2900 block of Stewart Campbell Pointe near Jutes Drive. 

Police said the teen was traveling at least 40 mph on the sidewalk, which is illegal, when a vehicle turned into a driveway. The teen then crashed into the rear passenger side of the vehicle. Authorities said the teen did not have a license and was not wearing a proper helmet.

Stewart Campbell Pointe was closed between New Port Royal Road and Lantana Drive while investigators worked at the scene.

CSCC Announces Performance Series (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College is pleased to announce the artist roster for the 2026-2027 First Farmers Performance Series season. The 24th season of the Performance Series features an exceptional lineup of artists set to perform in the 500-seat Cherry Theater, celebrating 250 years of America through music on the Columbia Campus.

Across six concerts, the series showcases the sounds that have shaped America’s cultural heartbeat: jazz, soul, country and classic pop.

“As we honor Columbia State's 60th anniversary and America's 250th, this season offers a sampler of the songs, styles and stories,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “From jazz and folk to soul, pop and holiday favorites, this ‘American Playlist’ is a musical journey through the sounds that have moved generations that continue to move us, connect us and inspire us.”

“Every year we are excited by the lineup, and this year may be one of the best yet,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “Live entertainment has such a special feel to it, especially given today's streaming entertainment. Come interact with the artists and be a part of an engaged audience. You will leave feeling good!”

“It’s been such a blessing to get to work with the artists coming to the Cherry Theater stage this season,” said Tammy Rosson, Columbia State director of events and alumni relations. “They’re incredible musicians, but they’re also genuinely wonderful people who are excited to come to Columbia State and share their talents with our community. With tickets at $35, free and convenient parking and a free art exhibition in the Pryor Art Gallery before each concert, audiences can experience this caliber of artistry in an accessible and welcoming setting. We’re excited about this season, and I hope people will join us for each of the six performances!”

The Jazz Legacy Project Presents Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song | Thurs., Oct. 22 @ 7 p.m.

Through vivid imagery, compelling storytelling and timeless music, this dynamic concert honors the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald. Featuring The Jazz Legacy Project’s outstanding ensemble and acclaimed vocalist/actor Maria Howell (“The Color Purple”, “Hidden Figures”), the evening blends history and artistry in a way that feels both classic and fresh. From beloved standards to behind-the-music moments, this tribute celebrates a voice that shaped American music and still resonates today.

How Sweet It Is: Steve Leslie Sings James Taylor| Thurs., Nov. 19 @ 7 p.m.

Grammy Award-winning songwriter and recording artist Steve Leslie brings his full band to this heartfelt salute to James Taylor. With warm vocals, exceptional guitar work and an easy stage presence, Leslie captures the spirit of Taylor’s songwriting while making each song his own. It’s an evening devoted to Taylor’s most beloved songs, delivered with sincerity, masterful musicianship and heartfelt authenticity.

Suzy Bogguss: A Swingin' Little Christmas | Thurs., Dec. 17 @ 7 p.m.

Suzy Bogguss: “Swingin' Little Christmas” is a joyous, festive evening of traditional songs and spontaneity. The musicianship is jaw-dropping, and Suzy's rich, fluid voice takes us through sentimental songs like “I'll Be Home for Christmas” to her own spirited, “Two Step Round the Christmas Tree.” It's a fun-filled night featuring all the Christmas classics, sprinkled with some of Suzy's hits through the years and select songs from her recent releases, “American Folk Songbook” and “Aces Redux.” The whole family will enjoy this “Swingin' Little Christmas” show!

THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL | Thurs., Feb. 11 @ 7 p.m.

Bursting onto the 1960s scene with irresistible melodies and sunny harmonies, The Lovin' Spoonful became one of America’s defining pop bands. With hits like “Do You Believe in Magic” and “Daydream and Summer in the City,” they helped shape a generation of radio favorites and earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Touring today with founding member Steve Boone, the band keeps that vibrant, feel-good sound alive for longtime fans and new listeners alike.

Tap Into Soul with Solomon Jaye| Thurs., March 25 @ 7 p.m.

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and electrifying tap dancer Solomon Jaye leads his full band in a high-energy celebration of soul and pop favorites. From James Brown and Stevie Wonder to contemporary chart-toppers, Jaye blends powerhouse vocals with thrilling footwork for a performance that bridges generations. Rooted in tradition yet unmistakably modern, this show invites audiences to feel the rhythm and join the celebration.

Electric Avenue: The 80s MTV Experience| Thurs., April 22 @ 7 p.m.

Electric Avenue recreates the bold sound and style of the 1980s with energy and precision. Featuring vintage synthesizers, authentic arrangements and a captivating stage presence, the band revives the era that changed pop culture through the rise of MTV. From new wave to arena anthems, this concert blends nostalgia with fresh excitement, perfect for those who lived it and those discovering the decade’s iconic soundtrack for the first time.

Tickets for each performance are priced at $35 and include all fees. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ColumbiaState.edu/PerformanceSeries.   Individuals may also call the Performance Series ticket line at 931.540.2879. The physical box office is only open beginning at 6 p.m. on the day of each performance and is not open other days for in-person sales.

On performance nights, the box office opens at 6 p.m. in the Kenneth and Ramona Cherry Theater, located in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and all shows begin at 7 p.m. The Columbia Campus is located at 1665 Hampshire Pike in Columbia. Parking is free.

Prior to performances, guests are encouraged to visit the Pryor Art Gallery, located across from the Cherry Theater in the Hickman Building, to see the latest exhibit.

Fruit Teaser (Press Release)

Columbia Main Street will host the Fruit Teaser a one-time-only community celebration to recognize a drink deeply connected to Columbia while celebrating the proclamation of Columbia, Tennessee as the “Fruit Tea Capital of the World” and “Fruit Tea as the official drink of Columbia”, on Saturday, September 12, from 3–8 p.m. in Downtown Columbia's Maury County Parking Lot (707 Woodland Street).

At the heart of the event is the $5 Fruit Tea Tasting, allowing guests to sample more than a dozen different Fruit Teas prepared by restaurants, caterers, and local businesses. Attendees will vote for their favorite Fruit Tea, while a separate panel of judges will select its favorite. Tickets are for sale at the event (cash/card). Attendees who pre-purchase a ticket on online (columbiamainstreet.com) are guaranteed a 16oz Fruit Tea collectible cup. 

The friendly competition continues with an adult Fruit Tea Chugging Competition, where one contestant will walk away with $100 and the title of Fruit Tea King or Queen. Columbia’s younger generation is getting involved through the Youth Fruit Tea Poetry Competition, with cash prizes awarded to the top three poems.

The Main Stage will feature three local performances throughout the afternoon. Laci, winner of Columbia Parks & Recreation’s Battle of the Bands, kicks off the music at 3:15 p.m., followed by Columbia youth band Speed Trap at 4:30 p.m. and David Rondoni at 6:30 p.m.

Local artist Susan Jones will also create a Fruit Tea-inspired painting live during the event, allowing guests to watch the artwork take shape throughout the afternoon before seeing the finished piece.

For families, the Game & Learning Zone will offer yard games, chalk art, temporary Fruit Tea tattoos and face painting provided by Junior Main Street volunteers. An interactive Fruit Tea learning area will take visitors through the story of how the water from the Duck River ultimately makes its way into the Fruit Tea served in our homes. Guests of all ages can also help complete large Fruit Tea-themed coloring posters, turning the educational area into a collaborative community art project.

Fruit Tea will even make its way into the event’s shopping experience. Specialty craft and bakery vendors will offer Fruit Tea-inspired products, flavors, scents and treats, while food and dessert trucks will serve additional menu options throughout the afternoon.

The celebration will include two proclamation readings from the City of Columbia recognizing Columbia’s Fruit Tea identity. The event will build toward its finale on the Main Stage with the Fruit Tea Awards, when Columbia will find out which competitors have officially earned bragging rights for having the Best Fruit Tea in Columbia, Tennessee.

The Fruit Teaser is hosted by Columbia Main Street with support from City of Columbia, Visit Columbia, TN, Tennessee Valley Authority, Renewal by Andersen, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury, State Farm – JennaLynn Drake, Agent, and Bostelman Automotive Group.

Fruit Teaser | Saturday, September 12 | 3–8 p.m | Downtown Columbia’s Maury County Parking Lot | 707 Woodland Street

Event information and Fruit Tea Tasting details are available at ColumbiaMainStreet.com/fruit-teaser. Follow us on social media at @columbiatnmainstreet .

City Manager Massey Appointed to State Board (Press Release)

The City of Columbia is proud to announce that City Manager Tony Massey has been appointed to the Public Entity Partners (PEP) Board of Directors, where he will serve a three-year term helping guide an organization that serves municipalities and public entities across Tennessee.

The Columbia native’s appointment was announced during Public Entity Partners’ Risk & Insurance Symposium at the Insured Organizations Meeting.

Public Entity Partners is a nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors made up of elected officials and city managers from across Tennessee. The organization provides liability, workers’ compensation, property and crime coverage to more than 90 percent of Tennessee municipalities while also offering risk management, safety, training and educational resources to its members.

“Tony’s appointment to the Public Entity Partners Board of Directors is a tremendous reflection of the leadership and experience he brings not only to the City of Columbia, but to municipal government across Tennessee,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. “Columbia has benefited greatly from Tony’s steady leadership and commitment to public service, and we are proud to see that expertise recognized at the state level. I know he will represent Columbia and municipalities throughout Tennessee exceptionally well.”

Massey’s appointment continues a longstanding connection between the City of Columbia and Public Entity Partners dating back to the organization’s beginnings. Former Columbia City Manager Barrett Jones was a founding leader of what was then the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) Risk Management Pool and served as chairman of its inaugural Board of Directors. Massey began his own career in municipal government as an intern under Jones, establishing a personal connection to that history early in his career.

Columbia’s tradition of leadership within the organization continued through former Vice Mayor Dr. Christa Martin and former Council Member DaVena Hardison, both of whom served on the Public Entity Partners Board of Directors. Massey’s appointment marks the latest chapter in Columbia’s longstanding relationship with the organization.

A 1982 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Massey began his public-service career in 1983 as a community development specialist with the South Central Tennessee Development District. His career has included leadership positions in Tullahoma, Savannah, Kingsport, Bristol, Tennessee; Frankfort, Kentucky; and Lee County, Georgia.

Massey also brings direct experience in public-sector risk management to the Board. From 1989 to 1993, he served as a loss control consultant for the TML Risk Management Pool, working with municipalities across Tennessee. He earned an Associate’s degree in Risk Management from the Insurance Institute of America in 1994.

After approximately 30 years of serving communities across Tennessee and beyond, Massey returned home to Columbia in 2013 to serve as City Manager. For more than 13 years, he has overseen the City’s day-to-day operations and worked alongside the Columbia City Council and City departments to serve residents and advance the City’s long-term priorities.

“After more than 40 years in municipal government, I have seen firsthand how important Public Entity Partners has been to local governments,” said City Manager Tony Massey. “I am honored to bring that experience to the PEP Board and look forward to serving.”

As he begins his three-year term on the Public Entity Partners Board of Directors, Massey looks forward to drawing on his decades of municipal leadership and risk management experience to support communities across Tennessee while continuing his dedicated service to the City of Columbia.

Siren Test (MauryCountySource)

The City of Columbia will conduct a citywide tornado siren test Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m.

The test will be a brief, low-volume “growl” test designed to make sure the city’s outdoor warning sirens and related equipment are working properly.

Columbia will now conduct tornado siren tests on the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. Future test dates will be announced by the city.

The sirens are used during tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service and when a specific threat has been identified. Because the sirens are designed to warn people outdoors, they may not be heard inside buildings.

The city encourages residents to use multiple ways to receive emergency alerts, including the free Hyper-Reach emergency alert system, which sends severe weather and other emergency notifications to mobile phones and landlines.

Mayoral Forum (Press Release)

Maury Alliance will be hosting a Columbia Mayoral Candidate Forum on Tuesday, September 22nd from 5:30-7:00 at the Cherry Theater of Columbia State Community College located at 1665 Hampshire Pike.

Mayoral Candidates include:

       Timothy Johnson

        Jolita Lipscomp

        Stewart Parker

        Eric Previti

        Ashley Townsend

The event will be moderated by Wil Evans, President & CEO, Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance

Maury County Candidate Guide coming soon!

Early voting will take place October 14-29

November 3rd is Election Day.

Spring Hill License Kiosk (MauryCountySource)

The Spring Hill Police Department has introduced a new Driver License Self-Service Kiosk in the lobby of its headquarters at 800 Hathaway Blvd. The kiosk is open to all Tennessee residents—regardless of county—and offers a convenient alternative to visiting the DMV.

Available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the kiosk allows users to:

* Renew a driver license

* Obtain a duplicate license or state ID

* Change their address

* Pay reinstatement fees in full

The kiosk does not accept cash or checks; payment must be made using a credit or debit card.

No appointment is necessary. For more information about the service, visit www.tn.gov/content/tn.

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

Buford Wayne Moss, 62, of Columbia, passed away Monday, August 31, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, September 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Brother Randy Isabell and Brother Bob Vassar officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Thursday, September 3, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Glen Dorris Rodgers passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 82 years old.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 5th at 2:30 PM at the Hendersonville Church of

There will be a visitation for family and friends at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee on Sunday, September 6th from 1:00-2:30 PM. Interment will follow the visitation at Delk Cemetery in Williamsport, Tennessee 

Margaret Susan Kinzer Ivey, age 85, passed away on August 28, 2026, at Poplar Estates in Columbia, Tennessee.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 5, at Williamsport United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Williamsport Cemetery, located behind the church. Visitation will be held at the church for two hours prior to the service.

Raymond Bryan McElroy, 62, of Winchester, passed away Friday, August 28, 2026, at Bethany Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Nashville.

A Celebration of Life for Bryan will be held Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 1st Ave NW, Winchester, Tennessee. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Keilyn Marquise Osborne, 23, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

And now, news from around the state… 

Secretary of State’s Office Offers Help with Amendments (Press Release)

 Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today announced that summaries of the three proposed constitutional amendments that will appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot is now available on the Secretary of State's website, GoVoteTN.gov. The summaries, prepared by Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti pursuant to Tennessee law, are intended to help voters better understand each proposed amendment before Election Day. Tennessee voters are encouraged to review the summaries and proposed amendments and plan ahead for the November 3, 2026, election.

Each amendment will appear on the ballot as a separate yes-or-no question.

"Providing voters with accessible information about proposed constitutional amendments is an important part of ensuring a well-informed electorate," said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Each Tennessee voter should review the three constitutional amendments before Election Day so they can make informed decisions when they vote."

"Taking a few minutes to learn about the proposed amendments before heading to the polls can help voters feel confident and prepared," said Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. "We encourage voters to review the summaries, familiarize themselves with the amendments, and make a plan to vote on November 3."

In Tennessee, a constitutional amendment must receive more "yes" votes than "no" votes and must also receive a number of "yes" votes greater than one-half of all votes cast for governor in order to become part of the Tennessee Constitution.

For more information about the November 3, 2026, election, visit GoVoteTN.gov.

Holiday Construction Stoppage (Press Release)

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state routes for the Labor Day holiday travel period. Construction crews will stop all lane-closure activities at noon on Friday, September 4, and resume at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists traveling during the Labor Day holiday.

 “The Labor Day holiday is always a busy travel time,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid, P.E. “We want to ensure that the thousands of travelers using Tennessee’s roadways during this period arrive at their destinations quickly and safely without being impeded by road construction delays. We also want to ensure the safety of our HELP Truck drivers who will be working in urban and rural areas. Please pay attention, move over, and slow down for all first responders. It’s the law!”

 While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers will still be on-site in many construction zones, and drivers are urged to obey posted speed limits. Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possibly increased insurance premiums. 

 Get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras from your desktop or mobile device at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 for statewide travel information. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and to Know Before You Go by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination.  Drivers should never text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The Tennessee Titans are offering fans a special way to honor franchise great Chris Johnson while supporting ALS research during the team’s 2026 season opener. 

Fans can purchase $28 tickets to the Titans’ game against the New York Jets at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, September 13, with $5 from every ticket sold through the offer donated to the Vanderbilt ALS Research Center.

The ticket price is a nod to Johnson’s No. 28, which he wore during his six seasons with the Titans.

Johnson will also be inducted into the Titans Ring of Honor during a halftime ceremony at the season opener. The team announced the honor in July, just weeks after Johnson publicly revealed that he is living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Johnson said he was diagnosed with the disease in 2025.

Tickets for the special offer are available here at pa.exchange/marketplace.