Daily News from MuleTown to Music City and beyond. Listen to Tom Price read the news of the day from Kennedy Broadcasting, WKOM & WKRM Radio.
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Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for February 5, 2025
All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Person Killed in Spring Hill (MauryCountySource)
Spring Hill Police are investigating a fatal crash that killed a pedestrian early Monday morning.
According to SHPD Capt. Justin Whitwell, the adult man, who has not yet been publicly identified, was walking on the on-ramp of Saturn Parkway at Main Street when he was struck by a Chevy Malibu around 5:10 a.m.
The unidentified driver of the car traveled about a mile from the scene before pulling into a gas station. Whitwell told the media that foul play, including alcohol or drug use, are not suspected in the crash, adding that while charges are not anticipated, the investigation is still ongoing.
The onramp was closed to pedestrians, and SHPD is asking that anyone who witnessed the collision to email Lt. Tommy Barber at tbarber@springhilltn.org.
City Engages Community on East Side (MSM)
Columbia’s Planning Department hosted a forum at the Dr. Christa Martin Community Center in Fairview Park, where they registered people’s ideas about how to make the city’s east side more “walkable” and healthier, as well as how to stimulate social interaction and the local economy. The forum was funded by the South Central Tennessee Development District, which gave the city a $50,000 “Healthy Built Environments” grant with which to begin brainstorming and to hire an engineer to draft a plan. More funds will have to be found in the future, once the city has settled on which improvements to make.
Some of the most popular ideas for making the east side healthier and more communal included: putting up distance signs, exercise stations and challenges along the walking paths; building more things at Fairview Park, including a splash pad and play equipment for toddlers and kids with special needs; special programming for teenagers, adults and the elderly at the Martin Community Center; enclosing facilities like a walking track, a sports court, or even a pool or skating rink; hiring black staffers to represent the interests of the mostly racial minority east side; and building and maintaining trails for pedestrians and bicycles.
City Planner Kevin McCarthy and city councilman Danny Coleman wrote the grant application before they both left their positions in December. Coleman, who now works for the state’s Development District, said that the East Columbia Redevelopment Project has been in the works since 2011, when the city recognized that its different areas needed specially tailored development plans. At that time, it yielded updates to Fairview Park and new neighborhood walking paths and streetlights, but the Redevelopment Project got put on the back burner until last year.
“This will be a new, more updated plan,” Coleman promised.
He especially favored the original plan to tie the east side together with a footpath which would lead not only from the downtown to Fairview Park but continue along Iron Bridge Road to Yanahli Park.
“If the county will work with the city, then we can go a little further and connect Yanahli to Fairview,” he proposed. “I’d like to… get that connection going, so that people can get on their bikes and [ride or walk] all across town.”
County Commissioner Gary Stovall, who represents east Columbia (District 3) alongside Talvin Barner, attended the forum. He wanted the city to consider installing sidewalks, repaving the streets, widening the Iron Bridge and encouraging the building of affordable housing.
Glenn Harper was at the forum, presenting the city engineering department’s plan to put in a new Iron Bridge. The Iron Bridge itself, for which the road is named, is a little more than one lane wide, and has been repaved so many times that the road level is visibly raised. The city hopes to remove the old bridge and install a replacement that will feature two lanes, stronger railings, and a side lane for the walking path.
“At the end of the day, we’ll have a nice structure that’s safe and will handle all the traffic that it meets,” Harper said.
The city plans to start working on the new bridge, which will last six to nine months to finish, in the summer or early fall, hopefully when work is finished on the Tom J. Hitch bridge just north of it.
Spring Hill Considers State Grant (CDH)
Spring Hill leaders continue to seek solutions to the city's water concerns, this time in the form of $35 million in state funding for multiple water and sewer projects.
Assistant City Administrator Dan Allen, who has been overseeing the city's pursuit in solving a potential water crisis due to rapid growth, presented the idea of a State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) application Monday to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
"Now that we've gone through a pretty significant replanning exercise, the capacity study has a whole package of projects," Allen said. "Outside of plant expansions and big stuff there is a lot of small stuff that needs to be done as well."
The application would be made to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), which has awarded Spring Hill similar loans in the past, most recently with the city's previous sewer expansion, which concluded in 2014, Allen added.
The $35 million would not be received all at once, but as part of a recurring payment over a period of five years, which Allen said is the kind of application TDEC has shown interest in.
"They are looking for cities to put some programs together with them more along the lines of allocating some recurring funding," Allen said. "There is a lot of money available, and these funds are coming typically in the form of very favorable terms, from interest rate as well as payback terms and things of that nature. Obviously, we have lots of projects with lots of funding needs, so there's not going to be a shortage to pull from our list."
Some of these potential projects include updating facility plans for both Spring Hill water and sewer plants to include advanced purification concepts, which Allen said were finalized by the city in 2019.
"There are some pretty significant components to those plans that need to be updated, particularly membrane filtration at our water plant," Allen said.
"The Grassy Branch 30-inch parallel trunk sewer line, that's a significant project if you want to talk providing long-term sewer service to the east side of I-65 in Williamson County. That's what opens things up and you've got to get sewer up there, and to do that you have to upgrade the sewer line all the way down through the city."
Another project city staff is considering is applying for funding to create a true long-term stormwater master plan, Allen added.
"There have been a number of issues over the last few years with floodplain modeling," Allen said. "That is oftentimes a very long-process and, in many instances, has added over a year or two to timelines of people just trying to do routine stuff."
The item appeared Monday as part of the BOMA's work session discussion and did not go to a vote. However, Mayor Jim Hagaman said he expects the item to appear as a resolution at the BOMA's next meeting in two weeks.
Once a resolution is approved, the process would include submitting applications to the state over the next month, which will then be ranked by the state. Allen said the state is estimated to release its priority list in the fall, which would include the cities chosen to receive funding.
"It's not a terribly fast process, but we've got to start now," Allen said.
UT Hosts Equine Field Day in Spring Hill (MSM)
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is planning three in-person field days focused on horse management. Presentations and hands-on educational materials will be of interest for equine owners of all experience levels and useful for all breeds, ages, and types of equids.
Presentations will be provided by faculty from the UT Department of Animal Science, UT Extension and the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. The topics this year will focus on nutrition, reproduction, social license to operate and more. Trending topics in the equine industry will also be discussed with a Q-and-A session.
“There is something for everyone at these events and they are a great opportunity to learn applicable information for equine owners,” says Jennie Ivey, associate professor and equine Extension specialist. “Improving management through best practices is a key component of the Horse Management Field Days.”
One field day will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 5 p.m. CST – Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, 1000 Main Entrance Drive, Spring Hill
The event will include dinner and is open to the public. All ages are welcome to attend.
On-site registration is permitted for $20 per person.
Events will be held indoors and outdoors, weather permitting.
Contact Sawyer Main at smain@tennessee.edu or (865) 974-7294 for questions or for group pricing information.
CPD Names Officer of the Year (MauryCountySource)
The Columbia Police Department recognized Field Training Officer Michael Schmidt a five year veteran as its “Officer of the Year” on February 1, 2025, during the Knights of Columbus annual law enforcement dinner.
The event was held at Saint Catherine Church in Columbia. Each year, the Knights of Columbus sponsors an appreciation dinner to honor local law enforcement.
In 2024, Schmidt was named Officer of the Month twice in 2024. In September, a routine encounter led to a significant arrest. What began as an investigation into an illegally parked motorcycle, resulted in Schmidt making contact with the owner and discovering that the individual was wanted by another agency. Further investigation led to the seizure of a felony amount of methamphetamine and crack cocaine packaged for distribution.
Schmidt has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and dedication in the Patrol Division. As a Field Training Officer, he instills in new officers the importance of being proactive, compassionate, and professional.
Throughout his career, FTO Schmidt has proven to be a self-motivated officer committed to serving both the citizens of Columbia and the Columbia Police Department.
State Eggs and Issues (Press Release)
Please join us at the Maury County Memorial Building, located at 308 W. 7th Street in Columbia on February 21st for the Annual State Eggs & Issues event, hosted by Maury Alliance and Breakfast Rotary, where you'll have the unique opportunity to hear our state legislators share their legislative priorities for 2025.
This year's event includes an engaging panel discussion with Senator Dr. Joey Hensley, Representative Scott Cepicky, and Representative Kip Capley. Followed by a Q&A. To submit a question or topic in advance for consideration, please email cdavis@mauryalliance.com by February 14th.
Night of Hope (Press Release)
The Well Outreach is pleased to present their 2025 "Night of Hope" on February 22nd, 2025 at Worldwide Stages featuring Christian Contemporary Artists, We The Kingdom! It's going to be an evening full of inspiring live music, worship, and hope - plus, your ticket helps feed local families in need.
What's Included:
- Your ticket feeds a family of four with groceries for a week
- VIP/Meet & Greet opportunities (with upgraded ticket)
- Small bites and tastings before the show
- A live auction to support The Well Outreach’s cause
- A powerful concert and worship experience with We The Kingdom
This event raises important funding for the rest of the year so that The Well can meet the needs of thousands of families coming to their food pantry with food insecurities. This is more than just a concert - it's a night to come together in faith and make a tangible impact on the lives of those who need it most.
Tickets are still available, including limited seats to a special meet-and-greet with We The Kingdom plus tickets by the seat or table.
For more information on the work and mission of the Well Outreach, please visit their website: thewelloutreach.org
Black History Expo (Press Release)
In celebration of Black History Month, Maury Regional Health is proud to announce its 3rd annual Black History Expo vendor fair. This event will take place on Wednesday, February 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Maury Regional Medical Center in the Auxiliary Conference Room. This event is open to the public.
This special event is an opportunity to celebrate and support the achievements of Black entrepreneurs in our community. The fair will showcase an array of vendors offering products and services, including food, jewelry, clothing, custom merchandise and more.
“We are excited to bring together Black-owned businesses to celebrate their contributions and share their talents with the community,” said Dennis Fisher, chief human resources officer at Maury Regional Health. “This is an opportunity to foster connections in our community and celebrate the talents of our entrepreneurs.”
Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs are encouraged to participate in this event. For more information about attending or being a vendor, please reach out to kbrady@mauryregional.com or call 931.381.1111, ext. 1026.
Sobriety Checkpoint (Press Release)
In compliance with a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling for all law enforcement to notify the public of when and where a roadblock will be held, the Tennessee Highway Patrol is advising all motorists of the following upcoming checkpoints. The courts require proof roadblocks are conducted in the best interest of overall public safety and THP’s checkpoint times and locations are strategically selected through crash and crime data collection to maximize their overall effectiveness and efficiency.
The next sobriety checkpoint will take place on February 28, 2025, at 10 pm on State Route 50 East .2 miles east of the 19 mile marker in Maury County.
Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists. The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and an effective tool in the battle against impaired driving.
Columbia State Pryor Art Gallery Exhibit (Press Release)
Visit Columbia State Community College’s Pryor Art Gallery for their new exhibition, “Admiral Radio: Echoes of the Past,” supported in party by Columbia Antique Marketplace.
Step back in time and discover the fascinating history of radios, from the sleek Art Deco designs of the 1930s to today’s digital devices. This exhibition highlights how radios shaped communication, culture and technology across decades.
Explore iconic radios, vintage ads, and more—each piece tells a unique story of its era. Don’t miss this visual journey through sound, history, and innovation now through February 13!
Pryor Art Gallery hours:
Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This exhibit will coincide with the February 13 concert featuring Admiral Radio!
Inspired by their 1941 wooden Admiral radio, and an inspiration to Columbia State to design their Admiral Radio exhibition in the gallery, this South Carolina-based husband and wife duo creates an Americana sound rooted in tradition that touches the heartstrings of the modern-day listener.
The concert will take place at Cherry Theater in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus on Thurs., Feb. 13 @ 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 (includes all fees).
Learn more by visiting www.columbiastate.edu/pryor-gallery.
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…
William House Dale, Jr., 76, lifelong resident of Columbia and local attorney, died Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Columbia First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 3:00 PM till 6:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home followed by a celebration of life reception at the nearby Mulehouse.
Brett Stuart Wilson, 42, died Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Maury Regional Hospital of chronic health issues.
Visitation will be Saturday, February 8, 2025 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church from 11:30 am-1 pm, with the funeral service following. The Burial, at St. John’s Ashwood, will follow the funeral.
Sandra Gayle Jones Fly, 86, retired educator, and former longtime resident of Columbia, died Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Williamson Medical Center.
A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to The Boys and Girls Club, 210 West 8th Street, Columbia, TN 38401 or First United Methodist Church, 222 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
And now, news from around the state…
New Nissan Stadium on Track (Tennessean)
Work continues at a clip on the site of the forthcoming new Nissan Stadium on Nashville's East Bank as the project sprints toward a late 2027 opening date.
Four massive cranes loom over the work site as construction of the new stadium nears its one-year mark. The building is beginning to take shape in the shadow of the existing Nissan Stadium just a few steps away.
The next milestones to expect will be the "topping out" of the concrete structure in the second quarter of this year, when it will reach its maximum height. The steel frame top out will follow closely behind.
Project executive Kellen DeCoursey said onsite construction staff increases every week at this stage, and both exterior and interior work is going smoothly.
"For me, the most exciting part of the construction project is seeing everyone come together for a common purpose to build a complex structure that will transform this city," DeCoursey said.
As of early January, the foundation for the entire new stadium is completely poured, and crews have most recently been at work on structural concrete columns wrapping all the way around the stadium. Those columns are key to the structural framework of the facility, which is progressing on schedule.
Infrastructure installations, including storm, sewer and water systems, are in progress on both the north and south sides of the project. Work on the mechanical and electrical systems has also begun.
"I love the construction process, so there is never a dull moment when building a stadium," DeCoursey said. "It is a thrilling experience to be involved in a project where we have workers from all walks of life working together as a team to solve problems and build something that will be enjoyed by generations to come."
As build-out continues on the stadium, some small design items are still being decided by the project team, including for the plaza areas that will eventually be adjacent to the stadium. Details like pedestrian access, protective bollards, underground utilities and more surrounding the stadium will continue to take shape in the coming months.
The Titans have also hired on an art consultant to guide the vision for a mural on the Northwest side of the stadium. More details for that process are expected in late spring.
Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
Willie Nelson announced dates for the 10th annual “Outlaw Music Festival” which will held in Franklin at FirstBank Amphitheater on June 25th.
This year’s lineup will feature Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, Sheryl Crow, The Avett Brothers, Nathaniel Rateliff, and more.
FirstBank Amphitheater shared, “The Outlaw Music Festival is back on the road again for the 10th Anniversary Tour! Don’t miss epic performances from Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and more at FirstBank Amphitheater on June 25th! ”
Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 7th at 10 am. Find tickets at www.firstbankamphitheatre.com.