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Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for January 2, 2025
All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Tom Hitch Parkway to Partially Close (Press Release)
Repairs to a bridge crossing the Duck River will lead to a temporary closure of a portion of Tom J. Hitch Parkway, Maury County and City of Columbia officials announced last week.
Beginning on Monday, Jan. 13 at 10 a.m., Tom J. Hitch Parkway will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic between Bear Creek Pike (Highway 412) and Iron Bridge Road. Construction is expected to last through summer 2025.
Highway 31 through downtown Columbia is the preferred detour, officials announced.
Anyone with additional questions is encouraged to contact the Maury County Highway Department at (931) 375-6202.
Mt. Pleasant Bridge Hurting Businesses (MSM)
The Highway 243 bridge that connects Mount Pleasant to Columbia is currently undergoing repairs and the resulting loss of traffic is affecting businesses across Mount Pleasant.
The effects were made clear when Pizza Place began to post on Facebook about their concerns with the bridge construction, stating, “Most if not all of businesses on Main Street are down 30-50 percent. Hours for employees are being cut and layoffs will be coming most likely barring some kind of miraculous turnaround. If this shutdown takes till summer 2025 some may not make it. Thanks to all who continue to make an effort to support all of us during this time.”
While Pizza Place owners did not respond to requests for further comment, other business owners were open about the negative effects of the construction on their respective businesses.
Tietgens Cee Bee Store Manager Chris Tuttle stated, “Since the bridge closed, we are down 20 percent” and speculated that after the holidays, that number could reach 25 to 30 percent.
Tietgens Cee Bee is the main grocery store in Mount Pleasant and a section of the city cannot access the store without going down the bypass to get to the location. Cee Bee’s is in the plaza adjacent to the bridge itself, which used to have cars stopping in from Columbia either on their way home or visiting town.
During the bridge closure, the city has recommended that people take Highway 43 to get around the blockage. Drivers can take the exits for South Cross Bridges Road and Highway 166/1st Avenue to get to the north end of Mount Pleasant and the Mt. Joy Road and South Main Street exits to get to its south end. To get onto 243 north of the bridge, drivers can take the Highway 43 exits onto Canaan Road, Zion Road or the airport road.
Just across the bridge lie two businesses that have been hit hard due to being just outside of town: Chris White’s Rocky Top Café and Joe’s Market in Mount Pleasant. White said that the bridge closure has affected 20 to 25 percent of their evening business.
“We have had to cut back hours and we’ve had to cut pay just to make ends meet until this bridge is done,” White said.
White also mentioned that his store has had to pick up a delivery option to the people on the other side of town just to be able to keep afloat during these trying times.
Things are not any better for Joe’s Market, whose owner stated that his business has slowed by 75 percent. The store’s average number of biscuit sales in the morning has gone from 75 biscuits down to 25, and the market has gone from selling 10 cases of chicken tenders to selling three cases. Joe’s Market has also gone from being open until 10 p.m. to closing at 5 p.m. because there is so little traffic due to the bridge closure.
Joe’s gas sales are also down because there are so many gas stations on the bypass coming from Mount Pleasant that the store gets missed due to the construction. The construction makes it hard for tractor trailers to bring food deliveries into the Joe’s Market parking lot as getting to and from his store in such a large vehicle is quite dangerous.
As far as keeping the gas station stocked with drinks, ownership said that the Pepsi truck used to come every three weeks. On the most recent visit, there was nothing to stock as few people have visited the store lately.
Circling back toward downtown Mount Pleasant lies Mount Pleasant Nutrition, and Herbalife drink store, which is run by Wesley Berry. The downtown side of Mount Pleasant is also going through a beautification process and multiple businesses on the downtown strip said they did not have access to a front parking lot for a long amount of time. Some businesses still do not have a parking lot and are being forced to use parking that is within a lot behind the square.
Businesses like Berry’s are being hit by two separate difficulties at once: the beautification process and the bridge closure.
Berry said that when it comes to the bridge it is “quite Route 66ish” as no traffic comes through Columbia to Mount Pleasant, and it is hard to get from Mount Pleasant to Columbia if you are not aware of the alternate routes.
Berry did say of the entire situation, “There is a loss but we are still here.”
What’s Coming in 2025? (MSM)
Main Street Maury asked the leaders of Maury County and its cities what they think will be the problems and tasks facing their respective municipalities in 2025.
Maury County
County Commissioner Eric Previti sees passing an impact fee as one of the two big issues facing the county. New forms of taxation are required to replace funds from the adequate facilities tax, which have gone towards “other items in need of growth,” he says.
Previti believes that water is the other big issue. “I have no idea how all of that is going to manifest, but something must be done because we do not have enough water,” he told Main Street Maury. “A lot of this is due to the expensive growth and building permits the cities have issued.”
In 2025, the county will begin to install the tornado sirens it ordered for remote areas.
Columbia
Columbia’s leaders look forward to the coming year’s projects. Columbia Power and Water Services is working on two projects to increase the city’s water supply, but they want to draw from sources other than the Duck River, in accord with Gov. Bill Lee’s recent initiative to protect the valuable and endangered river. They haven’t decided which yet, but Mayor Chaz Molder is optimistic.
“I have great confidence that the year 2025 will be the year that alternative water sources are identified,” he declared. Columbia will also work to protect the Duck from future landfill proposals, as it did earlier in 2024.
Columbia is also working on a $100 million expansion of its wastewater treatment facilities, the largest capital project in the city’s history. Its flagship Fire Station #1 will be renovated to the tune of $5 million and the Muletown Rec Center (which the city will purchase in the upcoming quarter for $4.3 million) will also require several million dollars’ worth of renovation. The Columbia Mall is now being renovated by Highland Capital, to be opened this year to retailers, while the private Bristol Development Group will continue to build “The Drake,” a 278-unit apartment-business complex near the square.
Of lesser magnitude, the city plans to expand Iron Bridge Road and possibly see the sale and development of the old Sloan Ford dealership.
“2025 promises to be a year of challenges and opportunities for our community, but I am confident we have far more opportunities and successes than we will challenges, and the challenges will be worth it in the end,” said Molder, speaking to the concerns of Columbians about the sustainability of the current pace and pattern of growth. “[We will] maintain a focus on infrastructure needs of today and tomorrow, and work to provide the best quality of life for our residents while taking care of our own.”
Mount Pleasant
Philip Grooms, who replaced Kate Collier as city manager for Mount Pleasant, spoke about the town’s goals for the year. Mount Pleasant’s biggest challenges stem from its ongoing projects to improve the north-end highway bridge and to renovate its downtown, both of which have caused revenues to fall for nearby local businesses. The city has already approved funding for maintenance of the new sidewalks and streets, and plans to use a $2.2 million Connected Facilities grant.
Mount Pleasant’s City Commission is building on its previous attempts to overhaul its water system. The city approved an additional water filter system at the water treatment plant, to keep a redundant filter in case of emergency events like weather or mechanical failures. They’ve also made plans to replace all its industrial and residential water meters.
Spring Hill
“Spring Hill’s No. 1 project is, and will be for the foreseeable future, the Advanced Purification Project,” said Mayor Jim Hagaman.
The pilot of the project (approved by the state) will use a very new form of chemical purification, which Spring Hill will help pioneer.
“This project will ensure we have enough water for residents for the future, while also keeping the Duck River’s delicate ecosystem balanced.”
The city’s municipal facilities will be overhauled too. The ground has already been broken on Fire Station #4, to be opened this year. The Spring Hill Police Department also celebrated the “topping out” ceremony at its new headquarters, which will open in 2025.
Politically, the city faces its municipal election in April, where its entire Board of Mayor and Aldermen is up for re-election.
Mt. Pleasant Swears In New Commissioners (MSM)
Mount Pleasant’s City Commission welcomed its new members at its meeting on Tuesday night, Dec. 17. Councilwoman-elect Loree Baker Knowles took her oath of office, joining re-electees Mayor Bill White, Vice Mayor Jacqueline Grandberry and Willie Alderson as representatives of the people of Mount Pleasant. Councilman-elect Lonnie Thomason was absent.
The commissioners also voted for their mayor and vice mayor. Outgoing Commissioner Mike Davis nominated Bill White for mayor, and the other commissioners voted him in 5-0. Outgoing Commissioner Pam Johnston nominated Willie Alderson for vice mayor, reminding people that she got the most votes in the election and praising her competence.
“She has proven to be an… outstanding commissioner,” said Johnston, “and she’s an amazing asset to this community.” Alderson accepted the nomination. The other commissioners voted her in 4-1, Alderson herself being the only vote against.
The Commission then presented departing Vice Mayor Jacqueline Grandberry with her photograph which hung in the city building.
“Mrs. Grandberry, thank you for your service to this community. It has been a pleasure to work with you,” Mayor White told her.
White addressed the torn-up downtown of Mount Pleasant in his mayor’s report.
“I know it’s tough right now, but wait till about March and you’re going to see a wonderful downtown,” he said, praising the people working on it.
City Manager Philip Grooms said that the downtown project was going well: the city had opened a “back entrance” to the square and the museum personnel were serving as good collaborators.
“The museum is a great asset and it’s a pretty cool place,” Grooms said.
Finance Director Shiphrah Cox addressed the question of how the city will get its required annual audit. It was supposed to be conducted by Putnam & Hancock, their new firm of choice after transferring away from Blankenship, but because of federal overregulation, P&H decided this year (like many small financial firms, Cox said) to cease performing government audits altogether. Unfortunately, going to a larger firm would make Mount Pleasant’s audit more expensive. If the trend continued, Cox said, the state might end up auditing small towns on its own time and dime. She’s now trying to find an audit firm in the geographical area near Mount Pleasant.
Cox emphasized that the city’s budget is still under its control, but if Mount Pleasant wants to win higher-tier budget awards than the one they got for 2023, they need a more prestigious firm to confirm their good work.
“If we want to put our name out there as one of the places that has the best financial records, we also have to… pay an audit firm that can produce those type of financials, that can be recognized country-wide,” she told the Commission.
Grooms said that construction on the closed bridge north of Mount Pleasant was continuing apace. No one tried to address popular complaints about the effect of the bridge closure on the businesses surrounding it, which have complained about greatly reduced sales receipts. The thrift store Treasures-R-Us, located at the north end of the bridge, just went out of business because of the construction-induced slump.
Grooms reported also that the wastewater treatment plant was largely complete and the finishing touches would be completed by spring. The city’s wastewater system is currently being analyzed by Barge Design Solutions, which made one of its five monthly reports at the meeting, and the commissioners voted to accept the improvements that Barge proposed.
Maury County Teachers of the Year (MSM)
Maury County Public Schools recently announced its District-Level Teachers of the Year for the 2024-25 school year. These outstanding educators represent the very best in teaching excellence, dedication and leadership at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Jill Mitchell
Jill Mitchell, a teacher at Spring Hill Elementary School, has been recognized as the District-Level Teacher of the Year for Grades PreK-4. Known for her passion and creativity in the classroom, Jill fosters a love of learning among her young students and inspires them to achieve their fullest potential.
Middle School Teacher of the Year: Brooke Davis
Brooke Davis, from Santa Fe Unit School, has been named the District-Level Teacher of the Year for Grades 5-8. Brooke’s commitment to her students’ success and her innovative teaching practices have left a lasting impact on the SFUS community.
High School Teacher of the Year: Anna Arnold
Anna Arnold, a dedicated educator at Mt. Pleasant High School, has been selected as the District-Level Teacher of the Year for Grades 9-12. Anna’s unwavering dedication to her students and her ability to inspire academic excellence make her a valued member of the MPHS family.
Maury Alliance Annual Meeting
Join Maury Alliance on Thursday, January 30th for their annual meeting, their most anticipated event of the year as they celebrate their accomplishments for 2024 and recognize the transition of their volunteer leadership.
This will be a lively night of entertainment and networking celebrating business and industry in Maury County with a social hour, dinner and live music!
The event will take place at the Memorial Building, located at 308 W. 7th Street in Columbia. The event will begin at 5pm with a networking/cocktail hour and wrap up by 8pm. Purchase tickets now to guarantee a seat at Maury Alliance’s biggest event of the year! Get them by visiting www.mauryalliance.com.
Registration will close January 20 at 5:00 pm.
Microchip Scanner Installed (MSM)
Maury County Animal Services has installed a community microchip station outside the entrance to the animal shelter.
Instructions for using the microchip scanner are posted on a sign above the machine. The scanner and its outdoor location will allow people to scan a lost animal at any time, regardless of the operating hours of the shelter.
“A big thank you to Friends of Maury County Animal Services for providing this valuable resource to our community,” said MCAS Director Kim Raffauf. “We truly hope this helps reunite lost pets [as soon] as the animal is found.”
And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Mrs. Linda F. Morris (Neal) passed peacefully on December 19 in her home in Mill Neck, NY. Visitation will be at Oakes & Nichols on Thursday, January 2 from 5-7pm. funeral service will be at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, January 3 at 2pm followed by interment at St. John’s Church Yard.
Mr. Winston Thomas “Tom” Stevenson, 45, millwright journeyman for Boldt, and resident of Columbia, died Sunday, December 22 at his home. The family will visit with friends Friday, January 3 from 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.
Vivian Ruth Pilkinton Elliott Connelly, 92, former Maury County school teacher and a resident of Chapel Hill, died Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at Life Care Center of Columbia.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Reverend Jerry Yerkes officiating. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Robert Scott Howell, 53, resident of Murfreesboro, died Friday, December 20 at Alive Hospice- Murfreesboro. A graveside service will be conducted Sunday, January 5 at 2:00 PM at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Nancy Davis Bone Scott, 89, wife of William Harold Scott and resident of Columbia, died Wednesday, December 25 at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, January 6, at 2:00 PM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Monday from 12:30 PM until the service time.
And now, news from around the state…
New Lethal Injection Protocol (Tennessean)
The Tennessee Department of Correction has created a new lethal injection protocol, clearing the way for the state to schedule executions again.
Gov. Bill Lee called off all executions indefinitely in May 2022 and ordered an independent review of the state's lethal injection procedures. A December 2022 report found the state failed to follow the protocol it put into place in 2018.
Under the new protocol, the state will administer a single drug, pentobarbital, to kill the condemned, rather than the three-drug cocktail it had previously used. At least eight other states and the federal government have procedures on the books that use solely pentobarbital in executions, while others administer pentobarbital as part of a deadly mixture of drugs.
The department made the announcement in a news release Friday morning.
“I am confident the lethal injection process can proceed in compliance with departmental policy and state laws,” TDOC Commissioner Frank Strada said in the news release.
Lee said he is confident in Strada's ability to oversee the new process.
"The death penalty is an extremely serious matter, and that is why I instructed the Tennessee Department of Correction to review the lethal injection protocol to leave no question that procedures are correctly followed," Lee said in an emailed statement provided through his press secretary.
The announcement was bare in details, which a federal public defender who has spent years representing numerous people on Tennessee's death row used to criticize the department.
"TDOC’s press release regarding the announcement of a new protocol is notable for its lack of detail," said Kelley Henry, who works in the Federal Public Defender's office in Middle Tennessee, in an emailed statement. "The secrecy which shrouds the execution protocol in Tennessee is what allowed TDOC to perform executions in violation of their own protocol while simultaneously misrepresenting their actions to the courts and the public."
Henry has raised challenges to the state's execution processes in the past. She said she is "awaiting the release of the United States Department of Justice’s review of the use of single drug pentobarbital in executions," which Attorney General Merrick Garland ordered in 2021.
Tennessee's revised protocol was made in consultation with the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, the news release states.
The Tennessee Supreme Court is responsible for scheduling execution dates. None have been set yet, according to a spokesperson for the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.
In April 2022, Lee granted a temporary reprieve to Oscar Franklin Smith just one hour before he was set to be executed due to a "technical oversight" in preparation of the lethal injection.
After Lee placed executions on pause, The Tennessean reported in late May 2022 that the state had failed to follow its lethal injection procedures since resuming executions in 2018 after a nine-year hiatus. The failure likely resulted in the executions of Billy Ray Irick and Donnie Johnson using "expired, compromised or untested drugs."
The state's independent probe, led by former U.S. Attorney Edward Stanton and released in December 2022, found similar issues.
A month later, Lee appointed Strada, then deputy director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, to lead Tennessee's corrections department. Strada left Arizona a year after a federal judge ruled the Arizona Department of Corrections was in violation of the U.S. Constitution as it was “deliberately indifferent” to the harm caused when it denied prisoners basic human needs.
Four people have been executed during Lee's tenure as governor. The last three died by the electric chair, which those on death row can choose as their method of execution.
Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
Comedian Karen Mills will perform at The Mulehouse on January 10th at 7:30pm.
Karen Mills has been a nationally touring comedian for over 25 years. She can be heard daily on SiriusXM comedy channels and clips from her comedy special “Pink Pants” have gotten over 21 million views. Karen appeared on Season 12 of America’s Got Talent and has had numerous appearances on The Grand Ole Opry. She is currently touring theaters across the country with Leanne Morgan. Karen and Leanne have worked together since 2004 when they first met doing the Southern Fried Chicks comedy tour.
Karen has a straight-forward approach to the realities of life. Her smart, funny, keen observations will keep you laughing at yourself as you relate to her experiences.
The Mulehouse is located at 810 W 7th St, Columbia.
For more information, visit www.themulehouse.com