Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 2-9-26

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Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for February 9, 2026

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
County Commission Recap (MSM)
At its January meeting, the Maury County Commission received a legislative update from its state-level lobbyist, James Dunn, about the coming session of the Tennessee General Assembly.
The 2026 General Assembly began Jan. 6 and accepted bills Jan. 31. Several thousand bills get introduced in each two-year cycle of the General Assembly, and in an even-numbered “Year Two” like 2026, last year’s bills are also going through the legislative process.
Among the important bills, Dunn named State Sen. Joey Hensley’s SB2002, which would cap property tax increases at two percent per year and require a local referendum to raise them further.
“Our position has been that this would take away the autonomy of our local governments and be problematic,” Dunn told the commission. “We’ll be advocating that the state respect the local government[‘s]… ability to fiscally do what it needs to do on behalf of the citizenry, given its mandates.”
If a local government were to find itself unable to fund its mandated services because of this tax-increase cap, he said, the state comptroller would have to step in and run the municipality’s finances, which is a situation that neither party wants.
Dunn also highlighted HB1720/SB1771, which would impose county development standards on non-annexed properties, even those inside cities’ urban growth boundaries. County Mayor Sheila Butt agreed that this was a good development and possibly a stepping-stone to counties having a “seat at the table” in annexations, though cities and developers tend to oppose this prospect when it’s brought up outright.
Finally, the General Assembly has also been presented with a bill and a resolution on the Duck River. Rep. Pat Marsh’s HB1510/SB1590 would expand the mileage of Duck River sections considered “scenic,” to include parts of the river in Marshall and Hickman counties. Meanwhile Rep. Todd Warner’s House Joint Resolution 726 would endorse rebuilding the Columbia Dam, calling it “a critical priority to establish an adequate water supply system for sustained growth, economic development, and recreational use.”
Commissioner Gabe Howard asked if Dunn could persuade Warner, who represents Marshall County, to let a legislator representing Maury County to sponsor the resolution instead. Dunn advised waiting until Gov. Bill Lee’s State of the State address, in which he would address Duck River Watershed issues.
County Commissioner Scott Sumners asked Dunn if the General Assembly could be persuaded to amend Maury County’s Private Act, to direct more wheel-tax revenue towards the roads, where it’s needed, instead of to the jail fund where 50 percent of it currently goes. Dunn agreed that it is a plausible request, since TDOT is now asking for more skin-in-the-game from local governments who want their highways fixed. Still, Butt recommended waiting until after an election year.
Semiquincentennial celebration
County Historian Jo Ann McClellan told the Commission how her Commemoration Committee plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Attending a conference of the Tennessee Association of Museums convinced her that the committee ought to bring out the important interconnections between Maury County’s history and that of the state and the nation at large.
“My hope in sharing these stories would generate a greater interest and appreciation of Maury County’s history,” McClellan said. “Unless you’ve studied Maury County’s history and compared it to histories of other counties, you just don’t know how rich our history is.”
The Commemoration Committee includes members of the County Historical Society, the Spring Hill Historical and Genealogical Society, the African-American Heritage Society, staff at the County Archives, and the head of the History Department at Columbia State. They hope to reach both locals and visitors with July 4 attractions including a lecture series featuring MTSU professors, a genealogy workshop, a quilting workshop, brochure-led tours, and a scavenger hunt leading to about 150 historic sites.
“Our goal is to share the diverse history of this county, to engage the community in an inclusive, multi-generational celebration of the 250th year,” McClellan said.
Maury Alliance report
Maury Alliance CEO Wil Evans presented his organization’s most recent quarterly report. Maury Alliance, now in year two of their “Enhance Maury” strategy, have 22 possible businesses in the pipeline, which could bring up to 658 jobs and $467 million in capital investment, though Evans expects that these numbers will go down as they “cull” inactive projects. These projects check Maury Alliance’s three “boxes” for new developments, which are diversified industry, high wages, and minimal infrastructural impact. Maury Alliance plans to discuss workforce development with their stakeholders at the third Industry Council meeting in 2026.
One of Maury Alliance’s biggest tasks, Evans said, is to create a “cohesive community vision” that they can convince both stakeholders and the average Maury County citizen to buy into. They hope to publish their “vision” documents within this year.
“I think we can all agree, we’ve seen a lot of movement over the last 10 years in the community,” Evans told the commission. “We feel that there’s been a lot of positive impacts… but it’s also presented an absolutely new set of challenges… We understand that we must be more strategic in our work, in order to maintain a community that is desirable as we move forward. We are striving to make things better, not just bigger… We don’t want to sit in a silo [where] our organization just [does] what we think will move the community forward, we want to gain community input, and we feel we’re in a really good position to do that.”
Other business
Stewart Parker of the Industrial Development Board announced that remediation of diesel pollution at a brownfield site on the Innovation Campus cost just under $162,000.
The commission appointed Bill White to the Industrial Development Board, Bradley Woolridge to the Regional Planning Commission, and Greg Martin and Drew Parker to the Hospital Board.
Sumners “applauded” the Maury County Clerk’s decision to install a car-tag renewal kiosk at the Wal-Mart in Columbia.
Finally, the commission passed a resolution asking TDOT to name a bridge on Carter’s Creek Pike after Col. Joe Roberson. Roberson was a resident of Carter’s Creek and a career military officer, who earned the Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals and other awards in his 30 years in the service.
He taught high-school Spanish in Murfreesboro and Columbia and served as a translator on Central American missions of the Graymere Church of Christ. He also served for 12 years on the county commission, volunteered with the “Tuesday Crew” at Columbia Academy, and wrote a genealogical book about the long-standing families of Carter’s Creek.

African American Blood Donors Needed (Press Release)
As Black History Month has begun, Blood Assurance is highlighting the need for African American blood donors to support local patients living with sickle cell disease. The condition primarily affects African Americans, and many patients depend on closely matched blood and regular transfusions to survive.
 
Nearly one in three African American donors is a potential match for a sickle cell patient, yet African Americans make up only a small percentage of the nation’s blood donors, creating challenges for patients who rely on ongoing blood support.
 
Blood Assurance is a nonprofit and the primary supplier for most of the hospitals in Middle Tennessee, including Maury Regional, so donations make an impact on local patients. Upcoming blood drives include:
3871: Maury Hills Church 02/22/2026 Open 101 Unity Drive Columbia Maury 08:30 am 12:30 pm
2979: Spring Hill Public Library 02/23/2026 Open 144 Kedron Parkway Spring Hill Maury 10:00 am 02:00 pm
2494: Maury Regional Medical Center 02/25/2026 Open 1224 Trotwood Avenue Columbia Maury 07:00 am 05:00 pm
5875: Texas Roadhouse Spring Hill 02/25/2026 Open 1065 Crossings Circle Spring Hill Maury 03:00 pm 07:00 pm
5961: Belk Columbia 02/26/2026 Open 2101 Brookemead Drive Columbia Maury 01:00 pm 05:00 pm

Williamsport Lakes Reopen (Press Release)
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announced that Williamsport Lakes and Wildlife Management Area (WMA) reopened to the public on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Work crews have completed efforts to clear and address damage caused by recent severe winter weather, allowing the area to safely reopen for public use. TWRA appreciates the public’s patience during the closure.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.

Maury Regional Wins Three Awards (CDH)
Maury Regional Medical Group (MRMG) has received three awards from the American Heart Association for its efforts in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The awards focus on improving high cholesterol, blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, according to a Monday, Feb. 2 press release.
The organization received the 2025 Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol Gold Award, the 2025 Target: Type 2 Diabetes Gold Award and the 2025 Target: BP Gold Award, which is jointly presented by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association.
“Our physicians and care teams are committed to patient-centered, evidence-based care for patients managing type 2 diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure,” said Maury Regional Health CEO Martin Chaney, MD, according to the announcement. “These recognitions highlight the vital importance of our skilled MRMG primary care health professionals who are dedicated to improving and prolonging the lives of those in our community who are living with these serous conditions.”
High cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and uncontrolled high blood pressure are leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
However, with timely diagnosis, research-based treatment and education, these conditions can be managed.
“These awards reflect the daily work our primary care teams do to help patients understand their numbers, make sustainable lifestyle changes and stay engaged in their care,” MRMG President Nathan Miller said in the announcement. “By consistently applying evidence-based guidelines, we are helping patients reduce their cardiovascular risk and achieve better long-term health outcomes.”
The American Heart Association outpatient achievement award programs enable health care organizations to deliver care aligned with the latest evidence-based guidelines by providing them with research-based resources.
By participating in the Target: BP, Target: Type 2 Diabetes and Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol programs, MRMG demonstrates a commitment to improving risk factor management for heart disease and stroke for patients in the area.
“Heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death for Americans, and addressing type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure management is key for better cardiovascular health,” said Howard Haft, a member of the American Heart Association's National Quality Oversight Committee. “The American Heart Association is pleased to recognize Maury Regional Medical Center for its commitment to managing patient risk factors related to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.”
With more than 130 providers, including 11 primary care locations, MRMG offers a network of experts at multiple locations across southern Middle Tennessee. Specialists at MRMG Endocrinology diagnose and treat a range of health conditions, including diabetes.

Maury Regional Foundation to Host Mule Kick (Press Release)
The Maury Regional Health Care Foundation, in partnership with First Farmers and Merchants Bank for the fifth consecutive year, will host the 26th annual Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot on Saturday, April 11, at Riverwalk Park in Columbia.
 Proceeds from the 2026 Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot provide funding for Maury Regional Health’s mobile health unit, which delivers health care services to at-risk and underserved individuals throughout southern Middle Tennessee by providing basic health screenings, education and resources. A portion of the proceeds from the Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot will also support the Foundation’s Wellness and Aquatics Complex Healthy Living Endowment and the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, the Maury County school with the most participation in the 5K will receive a donation to their P.E. program from the Foundation.
 “The Mule Kick 5K is more than just a race; it is a community-wide effort to bring life-changing health care directly to those who need it most,” said Foundation Executive Director Rita Thompson. “By participating, you are putting our mobile health unit on the road to provide screenings and education for at-risk individuals across our region. We are incredibly grateful to First Farmers and Merchants Bank, who has served as our presenting sponsor for five years, and all our supporters for helping us stride toward a healthier community.”

The race will begin on Saturday, April 11, at Riverwalk Park in Columbia with an 8 a.m. start time for the 5K and a 9:15 a.m. start time for the 1-Mile Trot. Both runners and walkers are encouraged to participate. Participants may register for the race online at runsignup.com/MuleKick5K.
 “Partnering with the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation reflects our deep commitment to the health of our communities,” said Brian K. Williams, chairman and CEO of First Farmers. “We are honored to support this event and to help provide essential health care resources to those who need it most.”
 In addition to presenting sponsor First Farmers and Merchants Bank, sponsorships ranging from $350 to $2,500 are still available for those who are interested in marketing exposure at this event. For additional information, contact the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation at 931.381.1111, ext. 1012.
 To learn more about the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation, the Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot or to make a donation to the community health fund, which supports the mobile health unit, visit MauryRegional.com/Foundation.

Mid-State Classic to Return (Press Release)
Columbia will once again take center stage for collegiate softball as the Midstate Classic returns on March 10, 2026, marking the 11th year the City of Columbia has hosted the popular tournament at the Ridley Sports Complex.
Presented by the City of Columbia, the Midstate Classic has grown into a marquee spring sports event, drawing athletes, fans, and families from across the region. Known for its competitive matchups and welcoming atmosphere, the tournament showcases all levels of the game—from high school to NCAA Division I.
The 2026 schedule features three games throughout the day:
• 10:00 a.m. – Columbia Central High School Lions vs. Spring Hill High School Raiders
• 1:30 p.m. – Columbia State Community College Lady Chargers vs. Calhoun Community College Warhawks
• 5:30 p.m. – University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers vs. Austin Peay State University Governors
City Manager Tony Massey said the tournament reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to athletics and community engagement.

“The Midstate Classic remains a signature event for our community,” Massey said. “It reinforces Columbia’s role as a destination for high-caliber athletic competition while providing residents the opportunity to experience exceptional sports programming close to home. Columbia always looks forward to hosting the Lady Vols softball team.”

Parks and Recreation Director Mack Reagan noted that the event has become a signature event for Ridley Sports Complex.

“This softball showcase is a point of pride for our department,” Reagan said. “From high school athletes to nationally recognized collegiate programs, the Midstate Classic delivers a full day of exciting softball and an exceptional fan experience. We expect strong attendance once again.”

Mayor Chaz Molder emphasized the broader impact of the tournament on the community.

“Hosting the Midstate Classic for the eleventh year speaks volumes about Columbia’s reputation as a sports-friendly city,” Mayor Molder said. “Events like this strengthen our community, support local tourism, and create memorable experiences for families and fans throughout the region.”

Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event. General admission is $10, which includes access to all three games. Complimentary ADA transportation will be available before, during, and after the tournament to ensure accessibility for all attendees.

Tickets are available now at columbiatn.gov.
For additional information, call [phone].
And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
David Allen Caskey, 58, resident of Culleoka, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral home. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Joan Kirk Brown Aydelotte, 93, resident of Columbia, died February 7, 2026 at Maury Regional Transitional Care.
A private graveside service will take place at a later date at Rose Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Now, news from around the state…
Trump Approves Aid for TN (Tennessean)
President Donald Trump has approved $60.6 million in federal aid for Tennessee to help recovery in areas impacted by Winter Storm Fern.
The president announced his approval of the relief funds in a Truth Social post on Feb. 6, nine days after Gov. Bill Lee submitted a request for an expedited major disaster declaration for 23 counties.
"I just approved $60.6 Million Dollars for the Great State for Tennessee (which I won three times!), for the severe winter storm that they are recovering from — Incredible people, that I know will rebuild, FAST! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP," the post read.
A federal disaster declaration will support recovery efforts by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and individual assistance for people in the 23 included counties, including for temporary housing, home repairs and expenses not covered by insurance.
Lee requested the declaration for 23 counties, including Maury, Hickman, Lawrence, and Williamson Counties.
Trump granted Tennessee's emergency declaration to enable federal resources to support protective measures and coordinate resources for the state's response to the storm on Jan. 24.

TrumpRx Online (Tennessean)
President Donald Trump's discount drug website, TrumpRx, is live.
TrumpRx.gov launched Feb. 5, less than one year after its inception in a May 12 executive order. The website allows Americans to purchase select medications at a discounted price directly from the manufacturer or with a pharmacy coupon, according to the website.
About 40 prescription drugs are available and those purchasing the medications cannot use insurance to cover the cost. TrumpRx is for cash-paying customers only, according to the new site.
A variety of potentially life-saving medications are available online, including Insulin Lispro, Farxiga and Tikosyn. There are also name-brand GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and medications treating infertility.
The discounted drug prices are the result of deals the Trump administration made with some of the largest pharmaceutical companies.
On Sept. 30, Pfizer announced it would sell its products through TrumpRx, according to a White House press release. In November and December, 13 more drug companies agreed to participate with TrumpRx: Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Gilead, GSK, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi, EMD Serono, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
Nashville Zoo’s winter 5K, Zoo Run Run, presented by Panda Express, returns Saturday, February 28, 2026. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Zoo Run Run has become a beloved winter tradition for families, runners and wildlife supporters alike. This race takes runners and walkers on a 5K adventure throughout the Zoo’s property past animal habitats, including trails not available to the public. Registration is now open and available to purchase at www.nashvillezoo.org/zoo-run-run.