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

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for September 9, 2026

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 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.”

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.

First Friday (WKOM Audio 4:16)

Last Friday evening was Columbia’s First Friday event. Front Porch Radio’s intern, Andreana Carroll attended and spoke to a number of organizers, attendees, and vendors about their experience with the monthly event in historic downtown Columbia…

Off-Duty Police Available (Press Release)

 The Columbia Police Department is announcing a new program that will allow off-duty Columbia Police officers to be hired for approved events, activities, traffic control, security and other services throughout the community.

Beginning September 2026, those seeking an additional law enforcement presence for an event or other approved need will be able to request an off-duty Columbia Police officer through the Off-Duty Management platform.

The new program provides the community with another public safety resource, offering access to trained Columbia Police officers when an additional law enforcement presence may help enhance safety at an event, gathering or other activity.

All costs associated with the service are paid by the party requesting the officer. This includes the officer’s time and any equipment or resources used for the assignment. No taxpayer dollars are used to cover the cost of the requested service.

“This program provides our community with an additional resource when there is a need for a law enforcement presence beyond the services provided through our officers’ regular duties,” said Columbia Police Chief Jeremy Haywood. “Whether helping with traffic control or providing an added presence at an event, this gives people another option to help make safety a priority.”

The Columbia Police Department will partner with Off-Duty Management to coordinate requests and administer the program through OfficerTRAK®. The service provides 24/7 customer assistance and handles scheduling, invoicing and other administrative aspects of each request.

Those interested in hiring an off-duty Columbia Police officer can submit a request through Off-Duty Management via ColumbiaTN.gov or contact Off-Duty Management directly at 1-877-636-8300.

250th Lecture (Press Release)

The Maury County 250th Commemoration Committee will continue the Lecture Series on September 17, 2026 at 6pm in the Ledbetter Auditorium at the Columbia State Community College. It is free and open to the public.

The speaker will be Dr. John Vile who will discuss “An Enduring Legacy: How the U.S. Constitution Was Drafted and Ratified.”

Vile is a Professor of Political Science and Dean of the University Honors College at MTSU who has written and edited more than 50 books, including a two-volume encyclopedia on The Constitutional Convention of 1787; A Companion to the United States Constitution and Its Amendments (now in its 8th edition); The Men Who Made the Constitution; The Encyclopedia of Constitutional Amendments, Proposed Amendments, and Amending Issue (now in its 5th edition); and books on great American symbols (the flag, the bald eagle, the National Anthem, and the Liberty Bell), religion and politics, and presidential speeches.

Vile is the recipient of MTSU’s Career Achievement Award and was named by the national Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society as its Phi Kappa Phi Scholar for 2020-2022.

The Maury County 250th Committee includes representatives from the African American Heritage Society of Maury County, Columbia State Community College, Maury County Archives, Maury County Historical Society, and City of Mt. Pleasant and Spring Hill Library. “In addition to the lectures series, this committee has scheduled programs and events that will amplify the diverse voices and connect local and state history to the broader American story,” said Jo Ann McClellan, Project Director and Maury County Historian.

For more information about the schedule of events, please visit maury250.com.

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 .

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

Zenita Ann Bartlett, 83, of Columbia, Tennessee, died Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Graveside services will be conducted Friday, September 11at 1:30 PM at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Friday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 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.

Mr. Earnest Allen Bailey, 72, of Culleoka, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mrs. Elissa Ann Emerson Seals, 72, of Columbia, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

And now, news from around the state… 

Williamson County Breaks Tourism Record (Tennessean)

Williamson County set a record in 2025, generating $1.38 billion in direct visitor spending, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

The 1.33% increase from 2024 breaks down to visitors spending $3.79 million per day in the county.

“Visit Franklin is built to generate visitor spending and champion our destination’s identity,” said Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO Maureen Thornton. "This success is made possible by the dedication of our hospitality partners across Williamson County."

Williamson County ranked six among Tennessee's 95 counties for the most visitor spending last year. Davidson County and Nashville ranked first with $11.61 billion. According to additional data from Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) and its research partners, the county welcomed 8.83 million visitors in 2025, a 0.31% increase, and nearing the 2019 benchmark of 8.95 million. 

Locally, roughly 36% of tourism spending was on food and beverage. Hotels and lodging made up 22%, while amusement and recreation made up 16%, transportation 14% and retail 13%.

“The local tourism attractions that invest in Williamson County are all great benefits that residents can take pride in," Visit Franklin Board Chair, The Circle of Giving, Inc. President & CEO and City of Franklin Alderman at Large Brandy Blanton said. "The incredible benefit that it brings to residents of our county is poised to continue through 2026 and beyond."

Due to the tax revenue visitors generate, each household in Williamson County pays $1,621 less in combined state and local taxes, officials said.

Specifically, visitor spending throughout the county generated $93.4 million in state- and $56.2 million in local-tax revenues while $18.79 million of the generated revenue went directly to public schools in Williamson County. These funds were also used to create 179 new jobs in 2025, a 2% increase over 2024.

Learn more about how other counties compare to Williamson at TN.gov/tourism. 

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Nashville Zoo opened a new South American multi-species habitat on Friday, Sept. 4, featuring capybara pups Andouille and Brie, a giant anteater, three common rhea and two crested screamers. 

The redesigned habitat was created to resemble a South American grassland and includes artificial termite mounds, expanded foraging areas, a modified pool and a remodeled bridge with glass panels to improve visibility and accessibility.

“By housing compatible species together, we created a more dynamic experience for both the animals and our guests,” said Nashville Zoo President and CEO Rick Schwartz. “The new habitat illustrates the interconnectedness of species within ecosystems and allows us to tell a more complete conservation story.”

For more information on Nashville Zoo and its conservation efforts, please visit www.nashvillezoo.org/conservation.