Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 3-5-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for March 5, 2026

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

Maury County Fire (MauryCountySource)
Firefighters battled a structure fire Tuesday night that spread from a back deck into a home, prompting a large multi-agency response.
The Maury County Fire Department was dispatched around 8:20 p.m. on March 3 to Lisa Lane after reports of a back deck on fire. While crews were en route, the homeowner called to report that the fire had extended into the house.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions at the rear of the home, with flames involving the first floor and extending into the attic. Crews launched an offensive interior attack and performed coordinated vertical ventilation 
Three animals — a snake, a turtle and a caiman alligator — were safely rescued from the home. No injuries were reported.
Officials also recognized an off-duty Franklin firefighter and former Maury County firefighter, Josh Cole, who assisted crews on scene.

Flooding Addressed in Mt. Pleasant (MSM)
After years of overwhelming stormwater drainage issues, Mount Pleasant held a Town Hall meeting Feb. 19, to discuss the issues and propose long-term solutions to aid in the city’s growth. 
City Manager Phillip Grooms recapped the city’s ongoing stormwater challenges, which date back to 2014. He referenced a Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) study conducted in April 2021 that identified significant drainage concerts throughout the city. The most impacted areas included Wall Street, Locust Street, West Cooper Street, North Main Street and Railroad Street, where flooding has been a persistent issue. 
Following the study, MTAS recommended several long term solutions, including the development of a comprehensive drainage map and master plan, the establishment of permanent drainage easements and the exploration of sustainable funding options. The city was also advised to consult with an engineering firm and consider implementing a dedicated stormwater utility. 
In 2022, the city moved forward with a proposal for a professional engineering service to evaluate existing stormwater infrastructure and develop conceptual improvements for flood relief. The six month project cost $100,000 and provided updated cost estimates for priority areas. 
The total projected cost for improvements is $14,732,016. 
Currently, the city relies on general funds to address the needs, but officials say relying on the general fund is not financially sustainable and does not provide long term stability. 
JJ Thornton with Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. presented the benefits of establishing a stormwater utility, noting it would create a dedicated funding source to improve infrastructure, address regulatory requirements and support future growth. 
A proposed five-to-10-year funding plan would begin with a residential monthly fee of $3.50 in the first year, gradually increasing to $9.75 over time. Fees would apply to properties with higher amounts of impervious surface, including roofs, driveways, decks, pools, sidewalks, patios and other paved or compacted areas that contribute to runoff.
According to research presented, the city has approximately 1,900 residential properties and 360 nonresidential properties with impervious areas. Revenue projection and other operating expenses along with capital costs are factored into the proposed fee structure, with a targeted year end balance of $3.2 million to sustain ongoing improvements. 
If approved by the Planning Commission and City Commission, the stormwater utility fee could take effect as soon as Sept. 1. City leaders say the goal is to strengthen infrastructure, reduce flooding concerns and position the community for responsible growth while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Spring Hill Student Receives DAR Award (MSM)
Last week Benny Jett, a 16-year-old from Spring Hill, was awarded the prestigious Mary Desha Medal for Youth by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
With this medal, according to the D.A.R. website, the organization honors young people for “outstanding service to community, state or nation through participation and/or leadership.” Jett was awarded for his civic participation and extensive volunteer work.
“He has a passion for history, he has a remarkable civic spirit,” said Vicki James, a friend of Jett’s who introduced him to the Regent of the local Brigadier General Richard Winn chapter of the D.A.R. “He was this last year’s recipient of our DAR community service award recognizing his exceptional unpaid contributions to culture, educational, humanitarian, patriotic and citizenship work.”
Several people spoke in Jett’s praise, including Regent Carolyn Smith, Spring Hill Library Director Dana Juriew, former Spring Hill mayors Brandon McCulloch and Jim Hagaman, and representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and Congressman Andy Ogles. Even more attended, including State Sen. Joey Hensley, members of the Williamson County Commission and Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen, and James Ritter, the state librarian and archivist.
Jett’s public career started when he used his allowance to bid on several boxes of surplus books that the Maury County Archives was auctioning off. He offered to donate the spare copies to the Spring Hill Library; in response, the library staff invited him to join the history small group that meets at the library. As a member of that body, he’s already compiled and written one book about Spring Hill’s military veterans and contributed a great deal to another, a pictorial history of the town.
“He researches every topic we ever discuss,” recalled Juriew. “Anytime we would pause on a picture, he would note it… come back to the next meeting, and tell us exactly who was in the picture and what the engagement was.”
Because of Jett, the library created its own archive of historical Spring Hill sources, and the city bestowed its first “Heart for History” award on him. He’s also given talks in the library’s series of featured speakers, read to small children at Boys & Girls Club meetings of the “Raider Readers,” and founded the official Spring Hill Historical and Genealogical Society.
“He had people of all ages… in tears laughing because of some of the things he said,” said Hagaman. “[His] presentation skills are outstanding.”
Jett now works as an intern for Spring Hill Alderwoman Erinn Hartwell, who attended the meeting, and runs a blog called the “Ancestor Detector.” He still volunteers with the Friends of the Library, the Tennessee Youth Employment Program, the Boys and Girls Club and the historic cemetery.
“I tell him all the time that he’s wise beyond his years. Who else at his age could do a book [and] have his own business booth at Experience Spring Hill as the Ancestor Detector?” said McCulloch, who also praised Jett’s common touch: “He doesn’t mind talking to state reps… [or] little people or kids… The kids look up to him, and they flock to him.”
“As a member of the DAR myself, I know how important your work has been,” wrote U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, in a letter read aloud by her field representative Jay Strobino. “You have continued the legacy of our nation’s founding and exhibited patriotism’s selfless service and respect for our national heritage. These guiding principles are key to preserving the civic spirit that has made our country great, and I am pleased to see the torch being carried by a new generation.”
When Jett received the award, he himself made a few remarks thanking people for their help and encouragement.

ENT Specialists Join MRMC (CDH)
The team at Middle Tennessee Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists has joined Maury Regional Medical Group, creating a new practice under the Maury Regional Health system.
The practice, now known as MRMG Ear, Nose & Throat, includes Shaun C. Corbin and Stephen E. Parey, both board-certified in oto-laryn-gology and sleep medicine, according to a Friday, Feb. 27 press release. Ashley Perez, who joined Maury Regional Medical Group in 2023, will provide audiology services.
Dr. Corbin also serves as the medical director of sleep medicine.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Corbin and Dr. Parey to Maury Regional Medical Group,” MRMG President Nathan Miller said, according to the announcement. “While both have long served on the Maury Regional Health medical staff, this new partnership restores the vital specialist of oto-laryn-gology to the MRMG physician practice network. By integrating their expertise with Ashley Perez’s existing audiology services, we are creating a more cohesive health care journey for our patients.”
The doctors will treat a wide range of conditions, including hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, chronic infections, nasal allergies, sinus infections, swallowing problems, hoarseness, throat cancer, sleep apnea, snoring and tumors in the head and neck area.
The doctors also see patients at Maury Regional Health’s sleep center locations in Lewisburg and Lawrenceburg, with Dr. Corbin serving as the medical director of sleep medicine for the health system. The centers provide diagnostic testing for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome, using in-person sleep lab suites and at-home testing options. At-home testing is also available for pick-up at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia.
MRMG Ear, Nose & Throat is at 927 N. James Campbell Blvd., Suite 101, in Columbia. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Bright Apple Expands (MSM)
Bright Apple, a local nonprofit organization that provides healthy snacks to students in elementary schools in Maury County, has added Battle Creek Elementary as the 10th Bright Apple School. Since 2019, Bright Apple has delivered nutritious snacks like apples, bananas and pears to students to help them thrive academically.
Other schools Bright Apple serves include J. R. Baker Elementary, Joseph Brown Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Randolph Howell Elementary, J.E. Woodard Elementary, Mount Pleasant Elementary, Spring Hill Elementary, and Marvin Wright Elementary. Bright Apple is now serving more than 2,000 snacks every school day!
“We are incredibly grateful for Bright Apple’s generous support in providing healthy snacks for our students at Battle Creek Elementary,” said Laura Duncan, principal of Battle Creek Elementary School. “These snacks help ensure our students have the nourishment they need to stay focused and ready to learn each day. We are also proud to partner with Bright Apple and help expand their reach in combating food insecurity, strengthening support for our families and community while removing barriers to student success.”
Removing barriers to student success is at the core of Bright Apple’s mission. The organization aims to help close the achievement gap among food insecure students in the community.
“Food insecurity is a reality for many children in our community,” said Charity Kimes, one of the founders of Bright Apple. “When children are hungry, they cannot learn to the best of their ability. A simple snack can make all the difference!”
Bright Apple has served more than one million snacks to students in Maury County Schools. Schools are added as funds become available. Their goal is to eventually serve all the elementary schools in Maury County and then grow to serve surrounding counties.
“Our community makes our mission possible,” said Melissa Webb, director of Development for Bright Apple. “Bright Apple is still a grassroots effort. We are so thankful for all the businesses, individuals, churches, and organizations that give so generously to help us serve children in our community. We especially want to thank our Diamond Apple sponsors including Ford of Columbia, Hyundai of Columbia, Columbia Collision, United Way of Maury County, Zion Christian Academy, the Mount Pleasant Benefit Ball and the Franklin Noon Rotary Foundation.”
Bright Apple, Inc., is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization in the State of Tennessee. Bright Apple was founded in 2019 on the belief that no child should go without food. The organization’s mission is to ensure that every elementary school student in Maury County receives a snack during the school day to help them concentrate longer and improve their academic success. For more information about Bright Apple, visit BrightApple.org.

Columbia 101 (Press Release)
The City of Columbia announces the return of Columbia 101, an interactive civic engagement program designed to give residents an inside look at how local government operates. After three successful installments, the city is now accepting applications for the next Columbia 101 session, scheduled for Tuesday, April 28th and Wednesday, April 29th. 
Developed to strengthen transparency between citizens and their city, Columbia 101 offers participants a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at how municipal departments serve the community. Over the course of two consecutive days, participants will begin each morning at City Hall before engaging with all 12 city departments and touring select municipal facilities, such as the Police and Public Works Departments. 
“An informed community is essential to a strong city. Columbia 101 helps residents gain a deeper understanding of city operations, encourages civic participation, and supports continued progress through shared knowledge and engagement,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. 
A Fall 2025 participant shared their experience, saying, “The Columbia 101 class was a great way to learn about how the city government works and also to be able to meet some of the key people who make things happen. I have a much better understanding and appreciation for all of the things that the city does to make Columbia a good place to live. I highly recommend this class.”
Applications for Columbia 101 are available now and will close on Friday, March 20th at 4:00 PM. The program is open to all City of Columbia and Maury County residents and is held twice per year. There is a $25 program fee for all accepted applicants to cover program costs, including food and transportation. 
“Columbia 101 provides residents with a structured overview of how city departments operate and collaborate to deliver essential services,” City Manager Tony Massey stated. “It is a valuable opportunity for participants to learn more about the planning, resources, and coordination required to serve a growing community.”
Lexi Dearborn, Program Director, added, “We’re excited to welcome a new group of participants this spring. Columbia 101 offers a meaningful way for residents to learn more about the city they call home and become more involved in its future.”
Columbia 101 applications are available at www.ColumbiaTN.gov or at the reception desk on the 3rd floor of City Hall. Follow the City of Columbia on Facebook and Instagram at “CityofColumbiaTN” for updates. For questions, please contact Lexi Dearborn at [e-mail].

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

Kay Derryberry Rodgers, 83, a resident of Columbia, TN died Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care.
A Memorial Service will be conducted Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church. A private burial will occur at Lone Oak Cemetery in Lewisburg. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12 PM until the service time at the church. 

And now, news from around the state…
Legislative Update (MSM)
The Tennessee House of Representatives paused committees last week to focus on the state’s budget, working with departments and agencies to understand priorities and how proposals will benefit all Tennesseans.   
Twenty-two agencies appeared before the Finance, Ways and Means Committee, led by Rep. Gary Hicks, to update lawmakers on spending, program outcomes and future funding needs. The hearings are part of continued Republican efforts to ensure public funds are being spent wisely by promoting transparency, accountability and oversight. 
Earlier in February, Gov. Bill Lee presented his $57.9 billion budget proposal to members of the General Assembly, including $339 million to strengthen public schools and $425 million for transportation projects. Last week’s hearings will help Hicks and other Republican leaders review these proposals and make budget recommendations to guarantee all state expenditures reflect the priorities of Tennessee families. 
Lawmakers will discuss budget items over the following weeks to cut any potential waste while forging Tennessee’s continued leadership in effective governance and proactive fiscal stewardship. 
Education Investment 
Leaders of the Tennessee Department of Education (DOE) appeared before the Finance Committee to highlight recent student successes and to pitch additional opportunities to build on this progress.
Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds outlined several key improvements to Tennessee’s educational landscape in recent years, including significant increases in per-pupil funding and starting and average teacher pay between 2020 and 2026. During that period, recurring state education funding increased by $2.3 billion, or 44 percent. At the same time, scores in English language arts and math for grades 3-8 also rose by 5.2 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.
Reynolds shared that more than 98 percent of all funding appropriated by the General Assembly goes directly to districts, families and education partners in communities across Tennessee. The DOE’s budget request for fiscal year 2027 would benefit three main categories, including maintaining the legislature’s continued priorities, supporting student access and infrastructure, and ensuring the department can efficiently operate as the state grows. 
Budget requests include:
• $170 million for the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) funding formula 
• $112 million to expand Education Freedom Scholarships to meet student demand
• $5 million for summer learning camps and transportation
• $2.6 million for paid parental leave
• $484,500 for the school turnaround program to set all students on a path to success
• $2.8 million for information technology operational funding
• $210,000 for AI training
Efficiency
The Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration (F&A) outlined key priorities to advance its vision to help make the Volunteer State the best-managed in the nation. 
Gov. Lee has proposed more than $81 million for the department’s Office of Criminal Justice Programs (OCJP) for crime intervention and prevention in Memphis, as well as anti-human trafficking initiatives across the state. A total of $80 million would go toward work-centered training, focused deterrence and public safety initiatives in downtown Memphis. 
The OCJP will also use the proposed funding to administer hundreds of grants across Tennessee for domestic violence shelters, sexual assault programs, drug task forces and data-driven policing strategies. As part of continued efforts to cut waste, the F&A department is eliminating nine vacant positions and making additional spending reductions. 
This includes more than $4 million from the department’s Strategic Technology Solutions budget, which will be accomplished by concentrating dollars in infrastructure, limiting recurring growth, avoiding future capital spikes, continuing to implement strong cybersecurity tools and modernizing dated enterprise systems. 
Natural Resource Management
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) detailed their budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year highlighting the Volunteer State’s beauty and abundant natural resources. 
Additional state parks, capital projects and water resource management are among the requests TDEC placed before the committee. The Volunteer State has 68 state parks, including 62 currently operating, with plans to create additional parks this year. The TWRA is requesting funds to continue supporting several vital programs and services, including fish stocking, shooting ranges, boating safety and education, boat ramps, and purchasing wetland habitats. It is asking for $2.5 million to offer sportsman licenses to Tennessee National Guardsmen at no cost to honor their service and sacrifice. 
Another key request is $100,000 for the Hunters for the Hungry program, which allows hunters to donate field-dressed deer to be processed, packaged and distributed to hunger relief organizations to help feed food-insecure Tennesseans.   

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
One of music’s most anticipated summer events is ready to take over Music City as CMA Fest presented by SoFi returns June 4–7, transforming downtown Nashville into the global epicenter of Country Music. Hosted by the Country Music Association, the four-day celebration will once again culminate each night inside Nissan Stadium with unforgettable performances from the genre’s biggest stars and breakout talent. 
The lineup for the nightly concerts includes Bailey Zimmerman, Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Deana Carter, Ella Langley, Gretchen Wilson, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, The Red Clay Strays, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, Shaboozey, Tim McGraw, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top. The Band Perry and Stephen Wilson Jr. will also bring dynamic mid-field performances to the heart of Nissan Stadium.
Fans can secure their place inside Nissan Stadium by purchasing Four-Night Stadium Passes, on sale now at CMAfest.com/tickets.