Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 5-29-25

What is Front Porch Radio - Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price?

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.

WKOM/WKRM Radio
Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for May 29, 2025

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Gas Leak (MauryCountySource)
Spring Hill firefighters responded to a reported commercial natural gas leak Tuesday morning on Kedron Parkway.
Crews quickly evacuated nearby businesses as a precaution and ensured everyone was safely out of the area. Atmos Energy was notified and arrived to assist with the response.
Thanks to the swift actions of fire crews and the cooperation of local business staff, the situation was brought under control with no injuries reported.

Cepicky Urges Family to Apply for Freedom Scholarships (MSM)
State Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, is encouraging interested families in Maury County to apply for Education Freedom Scholarships (EFS).
All Tennessee students can apply for the program, which provides a $7,295 scholarship to attend a private school that will best fit a child’s needs. Families are encouraged to apply early and have all necessary documents and information readily available.
“True education freedom for Tennessee families is now a reality in the Volunteer State,” said Cepicky, who serves as chair of the House Education Instruction Subcommittee. “Students spend a significant amount of time in K-12 education, and it’s essential that their unique learning needs are met during these formative years. The EFS program will ensure Tennesseans have the ability to choose a school of their choice, which will enhance a student’s learning experience and improve academic and behavioral outcomes. I strongly encourage interested Maury County families to apply for this important scholarship opportunity.”
The Tennessee Department of Education (DOE) will administer 20,000 scholarships in the 2025-26 academic year. Half of these will be reserved for eligible students based on income (qualified scholarships); the other half will be available for any interested student across the state (universal scholarships).
To be considered for a qualified scholarship, applicants have to demonstrate income eligibility through a 2024 Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, proof of eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, or proof of eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Students can also be considered if they are eligible for the Individualized Education Account Program or the Education Savings Account Program.
All students must be five years old by Sept. 30, 2025, have spent no more than 13 years in school, and be entering grades K-12 to be eligible. They must also be residents of Tennessee and lawfully present in the United States. The application portal is open now.
Two documents will be required to prove Tennessee residency. Additionally, one document will be required for proof of United States citizenship, or, if applicable, two documents will be required for proof of lawful presence in the U.S.
Scholarships will be awarded in the order the DOE receives completed applications. For a complete list of eligibility requirements, acceptable forms and a student application checklist, please visit tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/efs/EFS_ApplicationChecklist.pdf.
The General Assembly passed the Education Freedom Act during January’s special session. The scholarship program will grow with demand, with 5,000 universal scholarships added for each subsequent year after applications exceed 75 percent of total scholarships.
More than 200 private schools across Tennessee have announced their intent to participate in the EFS program for the 2025-26 school year. Visit tn.gov/education/efs.html for an updated list of participating schools.
Scott Cepicky represents District 64 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Maury County. He is chair of the Education Instruction Subcommittee and also serves on the Education Committee, Insurance Committee, Education Administration Subcommittee and TennCare Subcommittee.

Splash Pad Grand Opening (WKOM 2:16)
Yesterday afternoon, the new splash pad in Fairview Park in Columbia held their grand opening. Front Porch Radio’s Delk Kennedy paid the park a visit and spoke to Columbia Parks and Rec Director Mack Reagan about the splash pad and what it means to the community…

Spring Hill Development (MSM)
Several people voiced their objections or concerns about the coming Spring Hill Commerce Center during public comment at the May 19, 2025, Spring Hill Board of Mayor & Aldermen meeting. Their comments challenged the project for noise and environmental pollution from the airport that would sit on the Commerce Center’s campus, the toll that the new traffic would take on Jim Warren and Duplex Roads and the possibility that the city would use eminent domain to get private land for a new right-of-way to I-65.
Priscilla Keedy started her remarks by professing her and her family’s love for aviation: her father and stepfather were pilots, her mother a flight attendant, and her brother a helicopter pilot, and she herself holds a pilot’s license. But not even she could bring herself to accept living three miles from an airport. She pointed out that under FAA regulations, the decibel levels of a corporate-sized Gulfstream jet would make it illegal to build residential zoning nearby. She also called attention to the pollution: noxious oxides and exhaust in the air, fuel and fluids and runway de-icer in the water, animals driven away by the noise and light pollution.
“I love airplanes, I really enjoy aviation, but I really am not certain that I want a corporate airport in my backyard,” she summarized.
John Neal, who lives 300 yards from the airport site on Crafton Road, had similar worries.
“I don’t want to raise kids that close to an airport, I can’t imagine trying to put a baby to sleep with corporate jets coming in,” he said. “Don’t vote to approve it until you know in your heart that you’re making the right decision.”
Richard Spont called particular attention to the threat of eminent domain, and suggested that the project shouldn’t have been approved if there wasn’t a non-coercive way to get the right-of-way to I-65. He reminded the Board that at the previous meeting, Alderwoman Erinn Hartwell told the developer that “It’s your property, we can’t tell you what to do with it.”
“What about our land and our property rights? What about our voice as a citizen of Spring Hill?” he demanded. “What rights does the developer have, or the city for that matter, to take our land by means of eminent domain?… Why should the current residents of this community sacrifice our property, to complete a project that we didn’t ask for to begin with?”
“It almost seems backward to me: the city of Spring Hill should be on the landowner’s side, not the developer’s side,” said Ron Neal, who owns a family property on Jim Warren Road, near which Phase 2 would be rolled out. A sewer line is projected to run across his hay field, which he said no one had discussed with him yet, and he predicted that pollution would run off into Rutherford Creek (which feeds the Duck River) from the warehouses and 2,500-car parking lot planned for the top of a nearby hill. He pleaded with BOMA to prepare Jim Warren Road for all the traffic that would try to cut across it to get from I-65 to SR-431.
The BOMA ultimately passed proposed changes to the Master Development Plan for the Commerce Center by a 7-2 vote, with John Canepari and Alex Jimenez voting no.
In its regular business, BOMA discussed the coming tax increase in the Williamson County half of Spring Hill. A couple of commenters, including Canepari, wanted to clarify the city’s online statement that property tax rates “wouldn’t go up,” which they found misleading.
The Williamson County property tax rate is being raised from 0.5353 cents to 0.739 cents per $100 of assessed value (a 38 percent increase in the rate). Williamson County’s properties are also being reappraised for the first time since 2021, with individuals’ assessments likely to increase dramatically. Finance Director Rebecca Holden predicted tax revenues of $3.7 million from the increase.
“I am not against the tax increase, I was probably the only alderman for the last 10 months saying we need an increase in property taxes,” Canepari said. “I was asking those questions just to clarify to the general public… [so that when they hear] the tax rate is staying flat, I didn’t want people to jump to the conclusion that on July 1 they aren’t gonna see a tax increase.”
“The language [of the online post] is technically correct,” agreed public commenter Dave Toth, “but… the result [and] the bottom line [are] not clearly stated.”
Toth also complained at the podium about the removal of the Budget Transparency Task Force’s report from the city website, and about errors he allegedly found in the still-posted “Budget in Brief” presentation.
Healthy finances
Spring Hill’s own finances received their annual audit from Alexander Thompson Arnold, for which CPA Matt Wood presented the results. The report came back clean, saying Spring Hill has no evidence of fraud or misreporting. In the last year the city added $55 million in capital assets (with a net investment of almost $40 million after long-term debt is subtracted), over $25 million the previous fiscal year and took out $26.46 million in capital grants, compared to $16 million the previous year. General fund revenues were $2.59 million over projections, and expenditures $9.67 million less than they budgeted for.
To determine the city’s financial health, ATA divided the net position of the unassigned general funds by the final budget expenditures. In a healthy city, this division yields a ratio of 15 to 25 percent, Wood explained; Spring Hill’s is 52 percent, giving the city plenty of slack to pay surprise fees or take up new projects.
The city also made plans to interview four final candidates, selected by Slavin Management Consultants, for the position of Spring Hill City Administrator. They are: Larry Burks, a city manager for 11 years, now of Westchester Township, Ohio; Bradley Gotschall, a city manager with eight years of experience, now of Lower Paxton Township, Penn.; A.J. Krieger with 22 years in management, seven of them in Firestone, Colo,; and Carter Napier, also with 22 total years and eight managing Casper, Wyo.
“There’s a lot of time involved in the scrutiny of these candidates, to make sure they’re in alignment with your vision for the city,” Kross reassured the board, before they would have to make one of “the most important policy decisions you make as elected officials.”
He proposed different ways to screen the candidates: a mandatory Board-wide interview lasting an hour and a half, with options to have one-on-one interviews with each BOMA member, a group interview with the city’s executive team, and meet-and-greets with city employees and even the public. The Board decided to prioritize certainty over cost-saving by going all-out on the process and subjecting the candidates to all of these interviews.
Mayor Matt Fitterer and Vice Mayor Trent Linville argued that one-on-one interviews would be best for gauging the managers’ personalities, and for “digging into specific questions… that might not happen in a group setting.” Meanwhile, Jimenez thought that group interviews would “minimize repetition” and give ideas to the other questioners. Wernert questioned the need to introduce the public to each candidate, but Hartwell replied that it would signal the city’s dependence on the will of the people, that the BOMA was trying to carry out people’s desired policies and not just impose the vision of a couple dozen administrators.
“We’re gonna try to communicate with our community as much as possible, so that they’ll know that we’re here for them,” she explained. “We’re making these decisions for them, not just for us and our opinion.”
Fitterer pointed out that under the “sunshine law,” any intentional gathering of the aldermen would have to be advertised as a “public meeting.” They tentatively agreed to hold the all-day interview process on the third Saturday in June.

Teen Wealth Workshop (MauryCountySource)
Following the success of its inaugural year, the Teen Wealth Workshop is back for its second annual event, set to take place on June 19–20, 2025, at the 7 Figure Flipping Headquarters in Spring Hill, Tennessee. This two-day, in-person workshop is designed to equip kids and teens with the tools to take control of their financial futures through entrepreneurship, real estate investing, and smart money habits.
Hosted by Spring Hill resident Bill Allen—a 20-year Navy veteran, real estate investor, and CEO of 7 Figure Flipping—the Teen Wealth Workshop is a passion project aimed at empowering the next generation. Allen, a father of three, is committed to helping young people break free from the traditional “consumer mindset” and instead become creators of their own wealth. “I want kids to know they don’t have to wait until they’re grown up to launch a business and start making money on their own terms,” says Allen.
The workshop is tailored for youth aged 11–17 but welcomes families of all ages. Over the course of two immersive days, attendees will delve into topics such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship, real estate investing, income generation, and wealth-building strategies. The event also features interactive sessions, including a hands-on financial simulation game and Family Fun Night on a local farm.
In addition to two days of hands-on learning and entrepreneurial training, this year’s Teen Wealth Workshop will also include a special red-carpet premiere of Kids Who Flip, a brand-new TV series hosted by Bill Allen. Premiering later this year, the show follows young aspiring real estate investors as they learn the ropes, take action, and build confidence while flipping properties. Attendees of the workshop will get an exclusive first look at the show, with a celebratory red-carpet event and behind-the-scenes access. “This show is all about showing kids what’s possible,” says Allen. “And there’s no better place to launch it than here, surrounded by families who are already doing the work.”
Event Details:
• Dates: Thursday, June 19 (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM) and Friday, June 20 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
• Location: 7 Figure Flipping HQ, 1018 Parkway Drive, Spring Hill, TN 37174
• Cost: $350 for 1 adult + 1 child; additional children $100 each; additional adults $50 each (maximum family cost: $700)
• Registration: https://offers.7figureflipping.com/tww-25
The Teen Wealth Workshop is more than just a summer camp or seminar—it’s a transformative experience designed to instill confidence, financial acumen, and an entrepreneurial spirit in young attendees. By providing practical knowledge and real-world applications, the workshop aims to set kids and teens on a path toward financial independence and success.

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Rachel Ann Reese Barlow, 81, died Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at her residence in Chapel Hill.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Friday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Darlene Dodson Malott, 66, of Columbia, TN, died Sunday, May 25, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family.
Graveside services will be conducted at a later date at Polk Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Sandra Tate Halliday, aged 68 of Columbia, Tennessee passed away peacefully on May 19th .
A visitation will be held in the Parish Hall at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Friday, May 30 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Graveside services will be held at St. John’s Churchyard following the visitation at 1:00 PM conducted by The Rev. Theodore Edwards, Jr. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements.

And now, news from around the state…
Mayor O’Connell Under More Scrutiny (Tennessean)
Republicans in Washington are piling on Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell in the wake of scrutiny from U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, who’s asked to initiate Congressional investigations into the mayor’s response to a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Nashville.
After Ogles — flanked by several state lawmakers and Metro Nashville Council Member David Benton — reasserted a previous call to investigate O’Connell during a Memorial Day news conference, an official with the Trump administration is now weighing in. Tom Homan, the White House’s executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations or “border czar,” appeared on Fox News on May 27 to criticize O’Connell.
“I’ve said from day one — you can not cooperate with ICE if that’s what you want to do, but you can’t get in our way and you can’t impede our efforts,” Homan said. “If you cross that line, we’ll seek prosecution.”
Those comments stem from the mayor’s Executive Order 30, which lays out a process and timeline for city departments to report communications with federal immigration authorities to the mayor’s office. O’Connell amended the executive order in the middle of a weeklong ICE operation in Nashville in early May, adjusting the timeline so that the mayor’s office is notified within one business day rather than within several.
Homan also seemed to point toward another escalation in immigration enforcement in Nashville, saying he would “flood the zone” with agencies including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, ICE and U.S. Marshals.
“If he wants to push back and support sanctuary cities, that means we ‘flood the zone,’” Homan continued. “We’ll flood the zone in the neighborhoods to find the bad guy, we’ll flood the zone at work sites to find the bad guy, but we’re going to do it and he’s not going to stop us.”
Nashville is not a sanctuary city, nor is any city in the state of Tennessee. In fact, sanctuary cities are banned outright in Tennessee and have been for about seven years. The Tennessee legislature passed another law during a special session at the start of 2025 that, in part, criminalizes local officials who support sanctuary policies for immigrants.
Asked whether O’Connell would be charged with obstructing ICE officials, Homan said, “We’ll see.” Homan confirmed the congressional investigation Ogles has called for and said he “cannot confirm or deny” if ICE is also investigating O'Connell. Homan added that he planned to come to Nashville himself “in the near future” and said he’d be open to meeting with O’Connell.
During the appearance, Homan was also briefly critical of The Belonging Fund, which was established in the midst of the Nashville ICE operation to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations offering emergency assistance to immigrant families. That fund is not city-run but instead facilitated by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which notes on its website that donations to the fund are made possible solely by individual donors and private organizations, meaning no government contributions are included. Benton, the Metro Nashville Council member, called for a state or federal audit of the fund during his Memorial Day appearance with Ogles.
On May 28, the Metro Nashville Council's Immigrant Caucus issued a news release condemning Benton's remarks on Memorial Day, calling them "racist propaganda," "inaccurate" and "inflammatory." The caucus also called for Benton, who represents part of Antioch where the ICE sweeps were focused, to resign.
“Councilmember Benton does not deserve to hold public office,” the release reads. “His conduct and comments are unbecoming of an elected official, particularly one representing a district with a significant Latino population.”
In an additional statement provided to The Tennessean, the Immigrant Caucus also backed O'Connell and other local leaders who have come out in support of Nashville's immigrant population.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
Calling all classic cars, rat rods, projects, trucks, motorcycles, and even school buses! Come to the 4th Annual Rebel Rouser Cruise-In at the National Confederate Museum (2357 Park Plus Drive, Columbia, Tennessee 38401) on Saturday, July 26th, 2025 from 9 am – 2 pm! Cruise in and have fun. (Car owners get a free tour of the museum.)
Drinks, food, and other treats will be available for purchase.
The museum will be open for other guests as well. Historic Elm Springs, an Antebellum home on site, will be open for tours, too.
The cruise-in is free, but there is a fee for museum and home tours.
For more information about attending or bringing a food truck or merchandise, please call [phone].