Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-30-25

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for September 30, 2025

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

We start with local news…

Maury Regional Starts Residency Program (Press Release)

The leaders of Maury Regional Medical Center and Maury County gathered on the front lawn last Tuesday to announce that after seven decades, the hospital will finally open a medical residency program in summer 2026.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved Maury Regional two weeks ago to start serving as an Academic Health System, or “teaching hospital,” in partnership with University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center. The residency program complements the hospital’s ongoing expansions and improvements to the tune of $115 million.

“Our residents will be trained under the banner of one of the most celebrated institutions in Tennessee,” said Dr. Christina Lannom, the Chief Medical Officer at Maury Regional. “I’m proud to announce that this residency is officially affiliated with University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center.”

Program director Dr. Thomas Quinn and Dr. Deborah Goldsmith will supervise up to 30 physicians-in-training at a time, 10 per year of residency. The doctors will serve in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and can choose from among various subspecialties to practice after their residency. Prospective residents interested in the Maury Regional program should apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) by Jan. 12.

“This means we’re going to train doctors: not just medical students, as we’ve done in a good partnership with Lincoln Memorial University for several years, but resident physicians who wish to specialize in internal medicine,” said Dr. Martin Chaney, the CEO of Maury Regional. “It’s a dream come true for many of us.”

Maury Regional already hosts about 600 “medical learners” each year: from high-school students auditing a career in medicine, to nursing students from Columbia State Community College and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, to resident medical students.

However, Chaney said, none of these are enough to make it a “teaching hospital”; only doctors in residency can bring on “teaching” status, and the Medicare funding and prestige that come with it.

“Teaching and medicine have been intrinsically yoked since the dawn of medicine as a profession,” Chaney said in his speech. “For over 2,000 years we [medical professionals] have sworn this [Hippocratic] Oath: ‘I will teach this art if they will learn it, to impart precepts, oral instruction, and all other instructions to people who have taken the healer’s oath.'”

With its teaching status, Mayor Sheila Butt explained, Maury Regional can now participate in clinical trials for new drugs and techniques of healing. Teaching also reinforces the knowledge of the teacher, which helps the performance of the hospital’s current personnel.

When Chaney was chief medical officer, visiting residents told him that his hospital’s rare services and specialty care offered more “learning opportunities” than others they had worked in. He started to think about what Maury Regional and a residency program could offer one another.

“We decided we had reached a point where we can take a step to provide training to doctors in a way that we had never done before,” he recalled.

State Rep. Scott Cepicky, (District 64) recalled joining the conversation a few years ago about turning Maury Regional into a teaching hospital. Eventually they approached the University of Tennessee with the idea, and the school agreed to bring them into its residency system.

“It’s been killing me for two years to keep this quiet,” Cepicky joked. “[But] the importance of residency programs cannot be understated, and… the UT-Maury Regional residency program will produce workforce-ready physicians.”

“We are equally, if not more excited to be here at Maury Regional and partner with you,” replied Paul Wesolowski, the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships at UT’s Health Science Center. “From the first time I came out here and met Dr. Chaney and the other staff members, you could just tell it was the right institution to partner with. The people here are warm, receiving, friendly, and it’s a community we want to continue to help.”

They also hope that the program can funnel physicians into rural Tennessee. More than half of doctors practice in the state where they did their residency, and Maury Regional’s seven-county service area has a combined population of 250,000 people who are in need of primary-care doctors.

“We want to hopefully bring residents to Columbia, [so] they see what a good life [they can have] in Maury County and stay here,” said State Sen. Joey Hensley, M.D., who has practiced primary care himself in Lewis County for almost 40 years, after serving a residency in Memphis at the same UT program. “We believe southern middle Tennessee is the best place in the state, if not the country, to live, and we want to have good physicians in this area taking care of patients.”

“We will attract top talent, a culture of learning… We’ll find additional funding with grants and academic partnerships, we’ll raise the public profile of Maury County and enhance our reputation as a hospital,” summarized Butt. “We’ll train the next generations and… we will retain those people, which will make Maury County a fabulous place to live.”

“At the heart of medicine itself are people. This residency… is a commitment to those ahead of us who will shape the future of healthcare,” said Dr. Lannom. “Our residents will be more than learners as they walk alongside patients, families, nurses and doctors: they will become part of the relationships that matter to our community.”

The hospital administrators who spoke thanked all their predecessors and current staff for their hard work to make the residency program happen and to keep Maury Regional a destination and benchmark for medicine.

Thurgood Marshall Statue Unveiling (MSM)

A statue of civil rights attorney and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall will be unveiled on Friday, Oct. 3 in downtown Columbia, commemorating his role in defending those charged in what became known as the 1946 Columbia Race Riot — a prelude to the Civil Rights Movement. The unveiling will take place at 5 p.m. at the roundabout on Main Street and East Eighth Street. The statue is a gift from Columbia Peace and Justice Initiative (CPJI) to the City of Columbia.

“The Thurgood Marshall Roundabout will stand as a powerful symbol of Columbia’s role in the broader struggle for civil rights and we are proud to partner with CPJI to bring greater awareness to our community’s history,” Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder said.

CPJI and Columbia city leaders worked collaboratively on this project, fittingly located at the entry to the city’s historically Black district. The statue will be complemented by four markers memorializing the racial tensions leading to this fateful day, the names of those brought to trial and those who died in police custody or prior to trial.

“This event turned the tide against violence and segregation both locally and nationally as Columbia’s Black community declared that there would be no more social lynchings,” CPJI co-founder Trent Ogilvie said.

Fellow CPJI co-founder Russ Adcox added, “We believe that the Thurgood statue and markers commemorating that fateful uprising will spark visitors’ curiosity, instilling a desire to explore Columbia’s…role in Civil Rights more completely.”

What sparked the February 1946 event was a confrontation between Gladys Stephenson, her son James and a store clerk regarding the repair of a radio. As the argument escalated, the store clerk struck James and a fight ensued. Following the arrest of the Stephensons, a white mob formed and rumors of lynching spread; two prominent Black businessmen quickly posted bail to save them as residents began to arm themselves, preparing for a mob confrontation. Law enforcement arrived, shots were fired, and the confrontation resulted in the arrests of 100 Black men.

As chief counsel for the NAACP, Marshall came to Columbia to defend the 25 individuals who went to trial. Illness sidelined Marshall for most of the trials in Lawrenceburg, but he returned to Columbia in November 1946 to defend the two additional defendants.

Marshall would go on to build a distinguished career as a civil rights attorney, arguing such cases as Brown v. Board of Education before the Supreme Court, which ended segregation in public schools. In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Marshall as the first African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. President Johnson’s appointment occurred just months after he himself visited Columbia to dedicate Columbia State Community College.

“To officially recognize those involved in turning the tide against violence and segregation, both locally and nationally, with the installation of this statue and historical markers is both an emotional and fulfilling experience,” CPJI President Demetrius Nelson said. 

Renowned artist David Alan Clark designed the sculpture, inspired by an iconic 1956 Associated Press photo. Marshall will be shown striding uphill from East Eighth Street toward the Maury County Courthouse, a symbol of his battle against racial violence and oppression.

Spring Hill News (MSM)

Residential expansion continues to rise in Spring Hill as the Planning Commission reviewed several preliminary plat requests during last week’s work session. 

The board introduced a new city employee, Tobias Faucher. Faucher will take on the role as the city’s assistant planner. 

The City of Spring Hill submitted a detailed site plan for the new Public Works administration and fleet buildings. 

The plan calls for a 25,000-square-foot administration building and a 33,220-square-foot fleet building, with parking and supporting infrastructure on the 62-acre property at 458 Beechcroft Road. The site is currently going through a rezoning process to an Industrial Campus (IC) district. 

Site plans show the northwest portion of the property accommodates the new buildings, parking and storage areas, with improvements set back 890 feet from the street. As for the east portion, it has to remain underdeveloped for at least five years. 

The project also includes 96 parking spaces for the fleet building and 83 for the administration building, both meeting code requirements. 

City staff requested clarification on items before approval is granted, including firetruck access plans, bicycle parking, document revisions and other items. 

Alicia Fitts, Spring Hill resident and chair of the Historic Commission, addressed two historic properties that are in proximity to the Beechcroft site. The Ewell Farm, opposite of the CSX Railroad and a two-story Victorian house, both are historic properties. 

Fitts asked the board to take them into consideration when considering the next phases of buffers and lighting as they are significant to Spring Hill’s history. 

Developers sought approval for the next phases of Royalton Woods, sections III and IV. The 60.22-acre property, situated between Port Royal Road and I-65, intended to accommodate 121 single-family homes. 

This project is part of the Royalton Woods master plan, which proposes 432 lots, with sections I and II approved and under development. 

The developer noted, however, that the proposal differs from the original 2017 plan. He explained that the changes were made to address environmental concerns, Tennessee Valley Authority easement requirements, and updated landscaping and construction plans. 

However, Spring Hill Mayor Matt Fitterer spoke against the revisions, noting the impact the traffic and construction has on the current residents, and how it deviates from the major thoroughfare plan. He said the plans should be reworked if the developer wants to see an approval.

Due to incomplete information and staff requests for clarification, the planning commission recommended deferring the request to the next work session. The developers were asked to provide updated information before the Sept. 29 voting meeting. 

Another plat approval request was presented for Arbor Valley Phase II. The 18.14-acre property, located north of Beechcroft Road and west of the CSX Railroad proposes 42 residential lots, three open space tracts and dedicated right-of-way and easements. 

The site was approved in 2023 and meets codes and standards requirements. However, city staff noted the elevation and landscaping plans are missing, as well as certain easement details and building setbacks. Additional information was requested before the Sept. 29 voting meeting. 

The planning commission agreed to advance the request to the consent agenda for the voting meeting.

Mulehouse Reenvisioned (CDH)

The Mulehouse, in downtown Columbia has begun a new chapter in its already storied history of revival as a long-standing former Baptist church turned premiere event venue.

Now a new owner wants to carry that initial vision forward with even more growth and revitalization to come. The new chapter was celebrated with the public Sept. 24 at the venue's grand reopening.

New owner Daniel Medina said his decision to purchase The Mulehouse was a case of divine intervention, that he simply, "Woke up from a dream, and had a feeling the Lord wanted me to redeem this building."

Medina had also never attended a concert, wedding or special event at The Mulehouse since its May 2021 debut. He simply felt compelled to fulfill the vision spearheaded by former owners Blair and Eric Garner, while also seeking to grow on a grander scale.

"I want to create this as a gathering place, obviously to gather and to see the Holy Spirit work in their life," Medina said. "This whole building was originally a church, and a lot of people gave their lives and their money in order for this to be a church, and so I want to make sure I keep the original vision about the place intact."

The grand re-opening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance, attended by a crowd of business professionals, elected officials and supporters.

While The Mulehouse has maintained a steady lineup of concerts, private events and even country line dancing, the grand reopening event was the first true peek into what has been happening behind the scenes.

Overall, the venue itself will remain as it has been, featuring the main concert hall, cocktail lounge and expansive backstage area with various amenities for visiting artists.

"I used to go to church here ... and I have a lot of great memories in this place. My sister got married here," Columbia Vice Mayor Randy McBroom said. "This is exciting. The Mulehouse has not changed, and that's what's so nice for Columbia. We need this venue and appreciate this venue."

When The Mulehouse announced it was facing liquidation, and later bankruptcy in 2023, the fate of the venue was in a balance, whether it would continue under new ownership or be put up for auction.

While concerts and special events continued, the mystery surrounding The Mulehouse's new ownership and vision remained under wraps. Medina explained he and his staff were hard at work planning for a proper reemergence.

"We are going to do private events, keep the music going and we are going to build out the adjacent building to create more gathering spaces for people to come," Medina said. "I think this will be a good model for a lot of churches in general, where they can start using their facilities to generate income in other ways."

Gary Chapman, who is a regular of The Mulehouse's Songwriter Series, said the mission to save The Mulehouse was also felt among the local arts community.

"There are so many stories of people I have talked to that are now involved here who have had the exact same experience," Chapman said. "We are going to do something different with this place."

Chapman added that the venue will also begin hosting regular worship events open to the public.

"We'll just open the doors and let people come on in and do nothing but lift up the Lord," Chapman said. "I know what can happen, and I think it's going to be an amazing start to something really special here."

Mulehouse Director of Events Amy Fish added that while the venue provides a state-of-the art concert experience, is a popular site for weddings and other private events, a whole lot more is on the way.

"This has been a long time coming," Fish said. "There were a couple of times walking around this building today where the emotion just overtook me because of how excited we all are to be in this moment we have dreamt about for a long time."

Fish added that she considers The Mulehouse "The best kept secret, but the word is getting out."

"Nashville is learning about us, artists are walking in, private events are expanding, concerts are getting stronger and stronger, and it's because of you all that are out there bragging about the team, the sound," Fish said. "I mean, look at this place. There is nothing matched, and so we appreciate the word of mouth, because we are on a roll."

As an economic driver for Columbia, Maury Alliance President Wil Evans said The Mulehouse has been a way to bring the city's arts scene to the forefront, and will provide a beneficial asset to the city's growth and tourism.

"When it was first introduced, it was such a gem and a great concept for our community knowing the music scene that already existed here was kind of under the radar," Evans said.

"When we heard it might be closing, of course, nobody wanted to hear that. We are really excited to see a new investor come in that wants to do more than just keep it as it was but make it even better. That's going to go a long way and continue to help the growth and livability here."

Maury County Clerk Satellite Office (Press Release)

The Maury County Clerk’s office can now help residents with renewals of license plates or placards each Wednesday from 8am to 3:30pm at the Maury County Senior Center located at 1020 Maury County Park Dr.

Please drive around to the back of the building and look for the car tag renewal sign near the back door.

Forms of payment include credit/debit card or check – no cash.

Any Maury County Resident can use this office.

All other transactions will still need to be done through the main office located at 10 Public Square.

Also, you can renew online at TNCountyClerk.com or at kiosks in Spring Hill City Hall or Mt. Pleasant Courthouse.

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

Willis E. “Sonny” Jones, Jr., 88, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025, in Columbia, Tennessee.

Funeral services for Mr. Jones will be conducted on October 3, 2025, at 3:00pm at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family will host a Celebration of Life immediately after the service at Puckett’s Restaurant, 15 Public Square, Columbia, TN.

Alana Jaye Ingram Minor, 72, a lifelong resident of Columbia, died Saturday, September 13, 2025 at NHC HealthCare Columbia.

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. A private inurnment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the funeral home.

Now, news from around the state…

National Guard Deployment in Memphis (TNLookout)

Tennessee National Guard troops will be deputized as part of an “accelerated” crime-fighting effort set to start next week in Memphis but will not make arrests or carry weapons unless requested by police, Gov. Bill Lee said Friday.

“Information from the police department … on what support they need will determine and drive whether or not a particular National Guardsman is armed,” he said. 

The governor announced the state will direct $100 million toward a state, federal and local partnership to crack down on crime. Some 300 Tennessee Highway Patrol officers will be assigned to the city along with an undetermined number of Guard personnel and more than a dozen federal agencies, including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The anti-crime task force will operate “as long as it takes” to make Memphians feel safe to go to a Grizzlies basketball game at the FedEx Forum or Beale Street without fear of being a victim of crime, the governor said.

Even though Lee told reporters a month ago that National Guard deployment wasn’t being considered, he said planning for the operation with Mayor Paul Young and the Trump administration has been taking place for months. 

National Guard troops are to be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service, which will oversee the operation, and will play a support role as a “force multiplier,” Lee said. He did not detail the tasks they would take up.

“Never before has a city in the country had access to these resources,” Lee said.

The crime-fighting effort is necessary, he said, to boost economic recruitment and to give relief to residents such as a mother who described to him the loss of her son to street violence.

The governor didn’t declare a state of emergency activating the National Guard but authorized the deployment at the request of the federal government. President Donald Trump recently signed a memorandum directing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to approve the plan and use of Guard troops.

Asked about the potential for friction between troops and neighborhood residents, Lee said people will understand the support role troops will play when they see them “on the ground.” 

Young said he wants to sustain gains made in cutting crime such as a 13% reduction in overall crime in 2024, a 19% cut in violent crime and 29% reduction in murders, followed by similar figures in 2025.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Back by popular demand! Come hear the stories of Maury County and Columbia’s early residents as only they can be told at the Rose Hill Cemetery Tour on Saturday, October 25th, 2025, from 7-9 pm on Cemetery Street in Columbia, TN.

Costumed re-enactors, fun for the whole family. This is a fundraiser to benefit the Athenaeum Rectory’s perpetual upkeep.

$10 per ticket. Children ages 5 and under free.

Bring a flashlight for increased safety.

More information can be found on the Rose Hill Cemetery Tour Facebook Page.