Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-8-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for September 8, 2026

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

We start with local news…

Rollover Crash (MauryCountySource)

One person was airlifted Sunday after a rollover crash in Maury County.

Maury County Fire Department responded to the crash on Sunday, Aug. 23, with Brush 32 and Rescue 21. When crews arrived, they located the car in a deep ditch

The occupant had to be secured in a stokes basket and removed from the deep ditch. Firefighters used a ladder to access the vehicle and ropes to pull the stokes basket up to the roadway.

The occupant was then transported to Station 32 and airlifted by Air Evac Lifeteam 09 from Lewisburg.

Public Land Use Meetings Cancelled (MSM)

Maury County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan Advisory Committee, who had initially agreed to hold a series of weekly public work sessions in September before the subdivision moratorium expires on Oct. 1 to finalize a land use map for the county, now plan to have only one work-study session meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Barner-Primm County Commissioners’ Meeting Room, located on the first floor of the Hunter Matthews Complex, Building #6, Public Square, Columbia, Tennessee.

Liz Fields, of the consulting firm McBride Dale Clarion, showed the committee how her firm applied public input to create the zoning options and land use map she presented. Fields first relayed that the county presented McBride Dale Clarion with four goals they want the new categories and zoning map to facilitate:

1. To allow the county’s economic-development staff to court a sustainable, diverse portfolio of taxpaying businesses;

2. To create a range of “good job” opportunities for locals;

3. To improve relationships and collaboration with Maury County’s cities and with local, regional and state development organizations;

4. To add dollars to the “rural economy” by means like agritourism and farmland preservation.

To do this, McBride Dale Clarion proposed six land-use categories to apply to non-municipal county land. In ascending order of density and intensive use, the categories are as follows.

1. Agriculture and Conservation zoning for low-density, low-intensity rural and residential uses like farming and ranching, forestry, conservation and recreation, and residential lots with a five-acre minimum.

2. Rural Residential zoning allows for more residential density of one lot per acre, but its uses are almost identical to those of Agriculture and Conservation. The guidelines prescribe that it should “should maintain the County’s rural character by… limiting the intensity of development and providing transitions between more intensively developed areas and the county’s agricultural and conservation lands.”

3. Rural Community zoning is intended for what Fields called Maury County’s “crossroads communities” or “hamlets:” small historic settlements with clusters of housing and a main street or a few stores. Fitting development in a hamlet would facilitate life and work there without overwhelming its character.

4. Corridor Commercial zoning allows for islands of commerce and services that serve the needs of the nearby residents, but not major strip mall complexes like Cool Springs or the Crossings in Spring Hill.

5. Employment zones would feature more industrial and professional spaces, including offices, factories, warehouses and corporate campuses, than Corridor Commercial would.

6. Regional Interchange zones, restricted to areas surrounding the interchanges to major highways, would include amenities serving travelers and office, commercial and light industrial uses.

Committee members and public commenters at the meeting expressed strong opinions about some proposed new zonings and use restrictions, with several supporting the creation of green belts and preservation areas.

“Tennessee [is] an agriculture state, and we live in an agriculture county… A nation [or]… county that can’t feed people is a nightmare,” said preservation activist Teresa Sparks.

Sparks proposed the county allow for farm preservation by either creating a green belt or encouraging Agricultural Preservation easements, and called upon the county to simplify the application process for the latter.

“I’m pretty concerned that the Advisory Committee has been receiving a biased and incomplete picture of [public opinion],” countered Kevin Beier, a rancher of 18 years with 200 breeding cattle on 500 acres.

Beier predicted designating much of the county Agriculture and Preservation might be unnecessary or counterproductive. The deep county, far from most infrastructure and services, would be a poor place for cash-grab development, he argued, and a five-acre minimum too close to the municipalities would cause sprawl. “Downzoning” people’s land would also hurt resale value and could allow developers to scoop up artificially cheap land, he said.

“I don’t want my kids to lose a lot of potential funds in the future… [and] I think it may have the opposite [effect] of what people want,” Bier told the committee.

Local realtor Dave Townsend said while he likes the idea of agricultural preservation, imposing a five-acre minimum on most of the county — as the initial draft of the map proposed — would cause suburban sprawl to explode outward and make residential lots radically unaffordable for most people, since he’s seen five-acre lots listed for $250,000 or more.

“Property rights don’t exist in a vacuum,” replied Chris Gramling, another preservationist. While he agreed with Townsend that lots nearer to cities shouldn’t be subject to a five-acre minimum, Gramling pointed to Leiper’s Fork as an example of a place where “downzoning” created one of the most desired and highly valued living places in the state. He also pointed out that the Agriculture and Preservation zoning doesn’t carry an absolute five-acre minimum, since it allows tract owners to carve off smaller lots for family divisions like inheritance and family housing.

Environmental attorney Dustin Kittle argued the county should draw the land use plan based on data from ground-level research and aerial photography. “I think we need to do an audit of what we’ve got now, as far as the land’s concerned,” he said.

Fields suggested the committee draw one or two maps, based on data, with either hard borders or wide buffers between zones that should and shouldn’t be developable.

District 1 County Commissioner Jerry Strahan declined to draw such borders or buffers or fix the classification of each parcel at their Aug. 25 meeting. “This group is not a planning commission… [with] the experience… to put [a perfect land use map] together,” he reminded his colleagues.

Maury Regional Launches Residency Program (Press Release)

 Maury Regional Health celebrated a historic milestone on August 11, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony recognizing the launch of the University of Tennessee Health Sciences–Maury Internal Medicine Residency Program and the opening of newly renovated space designed specifically to support the organization’s inaugural cohort of 10 resident physicians.

The ceremony marked a defining moment in Maury Regional Health’s 73-year history as the organization expands its role in physician education through a partnership with the University of Tennessee Health Sciences (UTHS). The inaugural cohort kicked off July 1, establishing a new chapter for Maury Regional Health and a long-term investment in strengthening the physician workforce across southern Middle Tennessee.

To support the new academic program, Maury Regional Health renovated dedicated space for resident education and daily needs. The facilities include classrooms, laboratory areas and spaces for residents to eat, rest and sleep during extended and overnight shifts. The Maury Regional Health Care Foundation provided critical funding for a state-of-the-art simulation lab, giving resident physicians hands-on experience in a controlled learning environment. The renovated facilities support residents throughout their clinical training at Maury Regional.

“For decades, Maury Regional has continually evolved to meet the changing health care needs of our region,” said Martin Chaney, MD, chief executive officer for Maury Regional Health. “As access to specialized care becomes more challenging across the country, we’ve remained focused on bringing more care closer to home. Celebrating the launch of this residency program is a historic moment — not only for our organization, but for the communities we serve. By investing in physician education today, we’re investing in healthier communities for generations to come.”

The UTHS–Maury Internal Medicine Residency Program is a three-year graduate medical education program designed to prepare physicians for careers in internal medicine through comprehensive inpatient and outpatient training, faculty mentorship, research opportunities and continuity of care with patients.

Through its partnership with UTHS, Tennessee’s largest educator of health professionals, Maury Regional combines the personalized learning environment of a community health system with the academic resources and expertise of a nationally recognized medical school.

“Residency is where physicians take the knowledge they gained in medical school and become confident, compassionate clinicians,” said Thomas Quinn, MD, program director of the UTHS–Maury Internal Medicine Residency Program. “The depth of clinical experiences our residents receive prepares them to provide exceptional care in whatever setting they choose.”

Throughout the three-year program, residents will train in both hospital and outpatient settings. The first year emphasizes inpatient internal medicine while providing foundational four-week rotations in pulmonology, cardiology, infectious disease, gastroenterology and nephrology — core specialties that prepare physicians to manage a broad range of health conditions.

"Training more physicians in Tennessee is essential to meeting the growing need for medical care, particularly in rural areas where access can be more limited,” said Michael Hocker, MD, executive dean of the University of Tennessee Health Sciences College of Medicine. “Residency programs like this give physicians the opportunity to learn in the settings where they are needed most and build deep, meaningful connections with the patients they serve. Our partnership with Maury Regional Health is an important step in preparing the health care workforce to practice throughout all parts of Tennessee.”

The program also represents an opportunity to address physician workforce needs throughout the region. Physicians are often more likely to establish their practices in or near the communities where they complete residency training. By providing residents with experience caring for patients in community and rural settings, Maury Regional Health and UTHS aim to develop physicians who understand the unique needs of these communities and may ultimately choose to build their careers in the region.

“Training in a community health system offers experiences that are both professionally rewarding and deeply personal,” said Deborah Goldsmith, MD, associate program director. “Here, you’re caring for neighbors, friends and family while becoming part of a community that values compassion, collaboration and service. We hope many of our residents will build lasting connections here and choose to continue serving communities like ours.”

The inaugural class of the UTHS–Maury Internal Medicine Residency Program includes:

• Saboor Ahmed

• Muhammad Sheheryar Javed

• Hafsa Khan

• Sudhesh Kumar

• Muhammad Hussnain Sadiq

• Usama Saeed

• Alshaimaa Salman

• Mohammad Maroof Shahid

• Sarah South

• Syed Zawwar Zia

A new cohort of residents will join the program each year, creating a sustainable pipeline of highly trained physicians equipped to care for patients throughout Tennessee and beyond.

“This is only the beginning,” Dr. Chaney said. “We hope our residents discover not only a passion for practicing medicine, but also a passion for serving communities like ours. If they choose to build their careers here, the impact of this program will be felt for generations.”

To learn more about the UTHS–Maury Internal Medicine Residency Program, visit MauryRegional.com/internal-medicine-residency.

CPWS Loan Parity to Save Millions (CDH)

Columbia Power & Water Systems has secured financing expected to save ratepayers about $50 million in interest costs while supporting investments in water infrastructure.

The Tennessee Local Development Authority approved a plan to place the utility's $75 million state loan on parity with its federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act debt. This move unlocks lower-cost financing for its Long-Term Water Supply Program, according to a recent news release.

The financing will support Columbia Power & Water Systems’ long-term capital improvement and water infrastructure initiatives, which are designed to increase treatment capacity, enhance regional system reliability and meet the needs of residential and commercial customers throughout Middle Tennessee.

“Our top priority is ensuring our community has safe, reliable water infrastructure for generations to come, while keeping costs as manageable as possible for our customers,” Jack Baxter, interim president and CEO of Columbia Power & Water Systems, said in the release.

The loan parity allows the utility to maximize the cost-saving benefits of both state and federal funding programs.

“We are deeply grateful to the TLDA board and our state and local partners for working with us to secure this historic $50 million in savings for Columbia’s ratepayers,” Baxter said.

By leveraging subsidized low-interest state and federal financing structures in tandem, Columbia Power & Water Systems continues its strategy to minimize long-term borrowing costs and protect local utility rates.

For more information about the project, visit CommunityH2O.org.

Conference on AI at CSCC (Press Release)

Columbia State Community College will host "AI for Small Business," a one-day conference designed to help entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals learn how to leverage artificial intelligence to streamline operations, strengthen marketing efforts and improve productivity.

The conference will take place Friday, Oct. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Columbia State's Williamson Campus in Franklin. Registration is $75 per person and includes lunch.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the business landscape, small businesses are increasingly looking for practical ways to incorporate AI tools into their daily operations. The conference will provide attendees with real-world strategies and demonstrations focused on improving efficiency, enhancing customer engagement and supporting business growth.

“Artificial intelligence is no longer a technology reserved for large corporations,” said Dr. Mehran Mostajir, Columbia State dean of the Business and Technology Division and assistant professor of Engineering Systems Technology. “This conference is designed to help small business owners and professionals understand how AI can be applied in practical ways to save time, increase productivity and strengthen their competitive advantage.”

Conference topics will include:

•    Creating marketing materials with AI

•    Customer communications

•    Back-office operations

•    Teaching AI to build and transform websites with personality

•    Solving business problems using AI

The conference keynote address, “Recent Developments in AI Applied to Your Practice,” will be presented by Dr. Jesse Spencer-Smith.

The event is intended for small business owners, entrepreneurs, startup founders, self-employed professionals, managers, team leaders and professionals working in marketing, operations and sales. Individuals interested in learning more about the business applications of artificial intelligence are also encouraged to attend.

The conference supports Columbia State's growing leadership in artificial intelligence education and workforce development. Earlier this year, the college received a $2.02 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education to establish a new AI division through the COMPASS initiative, or Community College Operational Model for Promoting AI Student Success. The initiative is designed to build institutional capacity for AI while expanding AI literacy, workforce readiness and community engagement opportunities throughout the region.

“Through initiatives like COMPASS and events such as AI for Small Business, Columbia State is helping ensure that students, employees and business leaders have access to the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy,” Mostajir said.

Registration is now open at https://qrco.de/bgsVsw. To learn more about our Workforce and Continuing Education programs, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Workforce. For more information, contact Mostajir at mmostajir@ColumbiaState.edu or by phone at 931.540.2710.

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

Mr. Jamie William Randolph Hawkins, 53, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Herman Cleatus Howell, 88, retired General Motors employee and resident of Columbia, passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

No services are scheduled at this time. Oakes and Nichols are assisting the family with arrangments.

And now, news from around the state… 

Hickman Students Fix HVAC (WSMV.com)

As some Middle Tennessee schools continue to struggle with their central air conditioning amid extreme heat, one campus has recruited some unexpected help — its students.

Hickman County High School said Sunday that they are using the opportunity for some “hands-on learning.” The school said that some of its students helped to successfully repair three HVAC units that weren’t cooling properly. More HVAC units are still being assessed and repaired.

The students are part of the HVAC Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.

“These students aren’t just learning about HVAC systems in a textbook — they are rolling up their sleeves, putting their skills to work, and making a real difference right here at HCHS,” the school said. “...THIS is Career and Technical Education at its best — real equipment, real problems, real solutions, and skills that can lead directly to great careers.”

Secretary of State Encourages Poll Vols (Press Release)

Secretary of State Tre Hargett today encouraged eligible Tennesseans to consider serving as poll workers in preparation for the November 3, 2026 State and Federal General Election. 

“Holding an election depends on Tennesseans who are willing to step up and serve their communities,” said Secretary Hargett. “Poll workers are essential to creating a secure, orderly, and welcoming experience for voters, and I encourage eligible Tennesseans to consider serving during the November 2026 election.”

During early voting and on Election Day, poll workers perform a variety of important duties at polling locations across Tennessee. Responsibilities may include greeting voters, checking voter registration information, answering questions, explaining voting procedures, assisting voters as needed, and helping process ballots at the close of polls. Poll workers are compensated for their service and receive all required training prior to Election Day. 

Qualifications to Serve as a Poll Worker 

To be eligible, individuals must: 

•    Be at least 16 years old  

•    Be a registered voter if 18 years of age or older  

•    Be able to read and write the English language  

•    Not be a candidate on the ballot or a close relative of a candidate 

Government Employees Eligible to Serve 

The following government employees may also serve as poll workers: 

•    City, County, and Metro employees (unless employed directly under the supervision of an elected          official appearing on the ballot)  

•    State of Tennessee employees  

•    Federal employees, subject to approval and guidance from their Human Resources Department 

“By serving, citizens can help voters in their own community confidently cast their ballots while reinforcing the transparency, accuracy, and security of Tennessee elections,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins.  

Tennessee has been ranked number one in election integrity for five consecutive years. The Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office is the trusted source for all election resources. For more information about becoming a poll worker, visit: https://pollworkers.govotetn.com/. For information about November 3, 2026 election State and Federal General Election, visit: GoVoteTN.gov. 

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

The 3rd Annual Silver Guardians 5K is set for Saturday, September 26th, 2026, from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Riverwalk Park Rotary Shelter (102 Riverside Drive in Columbia)

The Silver Guardians 5K is more than just a race—it’s a community effort to protect and honor our older adults. Each year, this event raises awareness about elder abuse in all its forms, and the proceeds benefit the South Central TN Adult Abuse Coalition. The Coalition is dedicated to protecting older adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, working tirelessly to ensure that seniors in our community are treated with the dignity and safety they deserve.

More information can be found on the 3rd Annual Silver Guardians Facebook page.