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Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for February 12, 2025
All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Schools Closed for Illness (Press Release)
Due to illness, all Maury County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, February 12, and Thursday, February 13. Twelve-month employees should report as usual.
For families in need, the Boys & Girls Clubs will be open at the:
Wayne Street,
8th Street,
Marvin Wright Elementary,
Mt. Pleasant Elementary locations
MCPS athletics will be permitted to continue. Coaches and Athletic Directors will provide updates directly to their teams regarding practices and games. Check school's websites or social media for updates.
Additionally, please note the following scheduled days off:
Friday, February 14 – No school for students
Monday, February 17 – Presidents' Day (no school or offices open)
Students will return to school on Tuesday, February 18
School Bus Accident (MauryCountySource)
Spring Hill police are investigating a crash involving a Williamson County school bus at the intersection of Brindle Ridge Way and Fenwick Lane.
Authorities confirmed that 17 children were on board at the time of the accident, but no injuries have been reported.
Officers are assessing the scene and gathering information on the circumstances surrounding the wreck. Parents and school officials have been notified, and no delays in student transportation were reported.
City Partners With Safe Haven Baby Boxes (Press Release)
The City of Columbia is proud to announce a partnership with Safe Haven Baby Boxes (SHBB) to install a life-saving Baby Box at the newly renovated Columbia Fire Station No. 01. This installation provides an anonymous, safe, and secure option for parents in crisis to surrender their newborns, ensuring that each infant receives immediate medical care and the opportunity for adoption.
The Tennessee Safe Haven law allows mothers of newborns to surrender unharmed babies to designated facilities—such as fire stations, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies—within two weeks of birth without fear of prosecution. As long as the baby is unharmed and the child is surrendered within this timeframe, the mother—or parents—will not face prosecution and are assured complete confidentiality. This law was enacted to reduce unsafe abandonment of infants, providing parents with a safe and compassionate alternative.
Designed with innovative safety features, Safe Haven Baby Boxes are installed on the exterior walls of approved infant surrender locations. Each box features a locking exterior door that automatically engages when a newborn is placed inside, and an interior door allows medical personnel to promptly retrieve the infant, ensuring immediate attention and care. This system offers both safety for the baby and peace of mind for the parents, providing a lifeline during a difficult time.
Every year, countless infants are abandoned across the United States. These heartbreaking situations often arise when parents face emotional and practical challenges that lead to desperate decisions. The installation of Safe Haven Baby Boxes addresses this critical need by offering an anonymous, secure way for parents to surrender their infants, giving newborns a chance for a safe beginning and a brighter future.
“We are proud to be part of this vital mission to protect the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Nick Brown, Deputy Chief of Columbia Fire & Rescue. “The Baby Box represents a compassionate and immediate solution for parents who find themselves in crisis, and we are committed to ensuring that this service is available to those in need.”
Since its founding, Safe Haven Baby Boxes has been dedicated to raising awareness about the Safe Haven Law and installing Baby Boxes in locations across the United States. Through this initiative, SHBB helps ensure that no child is left without care and that no parent feels hopeless in a time of crisis. The partnership with the City of Columbia represents another step toward saving lives and offering a compassionate alternative for both parents and their newborns.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes is leading the installation of the Baby Box at Fire Station No. 01, with support from the City of Columbia. To support this life-saving initiative, Safe Haven Baby Boxes is encouraging donations from the community. Contributions can be made directly to Safe Haven Baby Boxes. For more information on how to contribute, visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/donationsfortennessee.
CSCC Students Publish Research (Press Release)
Columbia State Community College students recently showed outstanding academic achievement after having their research published in a nationally-recognized scientific journal.
Seven students in Associate Professor Dr. Elvira Eivazova’s Honors General Biology research courses used samples to discover and characterize bacteriophages (viruses that only infect bacteria that live on grass). The discovery was made on the Columbia State campus and then imaged at the Middle Tennessee State University electron microscopy facility (MIMIC). These bacteriophages are entirely unique and had not yet been seen, categorized or researched by any laboratory or research institution in the United States.
The full-length research article was published online in the peer-reviewed scientific journal PubMed in December 2024.
The article, “Complete genome sequence of Microbacterium foliorum singleton phage Magritte,” was written and researched by Eivazova, along with Columbia State students Jenna St. Pierre from Maury County, Miriam Galindo from Williamson County, James Bautista from Marshall County, Annaleisa Matzirakis from Williamson County, Madalyn Falletti from Lincoln County, Elynor Fix from Williamson County and Levi Fritsch from Maury County.
“Columbia State students are making important contributions to science by discovering, analyzing and annotating new bacteriophages,” said Eivazova, Columbia State associate professor of biology and Tennessee Board of Regents High Impact Practices ambassador. “Our students are the best!”
This achievement marks the first time the Columbia State Biology Department has published a full-length research article in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Several of the student co-authors have since graduated and are continuing their education at four-year institutions.
James Bautista is studying aerospace engineering and Madalyn Faletti is studying biology at the University of Alabama, Huntsville. Elynor Fix is a pre-health professions major at Vanderbilt University. Miriam Galindo is studying business at the Middle Tennessee State University Honors College. Annaleisa Matzirakis is studying biotechnology at Auburn University. Jenna St. Pierre completed a bachelor's degree in anthropology at Middle Tennessee State University.
Levi Fritsch is currently enrolled at Columbia State pursuing an Associate of Science degree in computer science.
Columbia State offers two research classes taught by Eivazova. They include Honors and Introduction to Biology Research.
Undergraduate research is one of the High Impact Practices (HIPs) of teaching and learning that shows significant educational benefits for students who participate. The Tennessee Board of Regents’ current goal is to embed HIPs into all academic pathways to allow students to experience at least two HIPs before they complete an associate degree.
The article is also listed online in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Whiskey Alley Saloon Opens (CDH)
Anyone looking for an old-school saloon-type experience will have to saddle up and go west, that is 111 West 7th Street to the Whiskey Alley Saloon.
While you might not run into any gunslingers or tussle over a game of cards, Whiskey Alley Saloon's vision is to capture the look and feel of an old western barroom, but with a little more flare and a top-shelf menu.
Owner Ralph Terry says, "It's like stepping into an old episode of 'Gunsmoke,' but with good food and better company."
"Our concentration is on hand-made food, locally sourced. Everything is made from scratch, and nothing is out of the bag," Terry said.
Whiskey Alley Saloon first opened its doors in November of last year, although co-owners Brandt and Julia Archer, Terry's daughter and son-in-law, say the idea stretches back nearly five years after the family took ownership of Southern Tre Steakhouse in 2019.
"We also have Southern Tre next door, and so we thought this would be a perfect marriage of the two," Julia Archer said. "We just wanted to modernize it a little bit, give it that little sparkle. We just love it so much."
Brandt added that Whiskey Alley Saloon and much of its interior were designed by local artist Kevin Hale and his team, whose work can also be seen at Tenn Pin Alley, as well as Hale's sculpture, "Wonderment," along South Garden Street in the Columbia Arts District.
"We worked closely with him on all of the details you see," Brandt said. "He is also a huge 'Gunsmoke' fan, and when you go to his office it's almost always playing on the TV. They really knocked it out of the part and did a fantastic job."
Executive Chef Damien Boggs' skills have been enjoyed by customers over the years at places like Buckhead Coffee, Buck & Board, as well as his own catering business.
Landing the job at Whiskey Alley, he says, is an "immense opportunity," not just as a way to curate a delicious menu using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, but provide something special to customers that can be ever changing.
"We create new menu items every day, and will have seasonal menus that change," Boggs said. "Everything in this place is purely intentional, with everything made fresh daily, and we use no microwaves. Plus, we have really great equipment that I get to play with every day, and we've got a really cool dumbwaiter that we use."
A few popular starters include the falafel bites, smoked salmon dip and "saloon" frites served with white wine and mushroom gravy, cheese curds, crispy pork belly and green onion.
Terry said one of his favorites is the Birra Po'Boy, which features a juicy stack of beef braised over 22 hours with lettuce, tomato, onion, provolone and harissa aioli, served on a baguette made fresh locally from Savarino's Market in Columbia. And if the juiciness of the beef just isn't enough, the sandwich comes with a healthy side of au jus, a la French-dip style.
When guests enter Whiskey Alley Saloon, they'll also notice a stage set up by the front window, which Boggs, also a songwriter and musician, said will begin to host live music and other events later this month.
"Our first music will be Feb. 20, which is a Thursday night, and I will play a set," Boggs said. "The 27th Yonder Grove Trio will be here. We've got a really great stage, and the room sounds really cool."
Terry added that there are also plans to introduce a late-night menu featuring items like gourmet pizza later this year.
The Maury County Chamber of Commerce recognized Whiskey Alley Saloon on Thursday with a special ribbon cutting, which was attended by city leaders, citizens and others to celebrate downtown Columbia's newest resident.
"We are very happy that everyone is here, but we are most of all happy with this new business that's here," Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder said.
"This building is an example of one that we've seen a lot come and go over the years, and it's one of a few buildings in downtown Columbia that had vacancy and the ability for it to do something and to grow better. You all have done just that, to preserve the integrity, but also modernized it to let folks come in and enjoy a cold one. We also appreciate the part that this is a family affair, which is one of the coolest parts of the story ... which truly embodies what we are here in this community."
Whiskey Alley Saloon's business hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Bill Calls for English Only Drivers Tests (CDH)
Two Tennessee Republicans are again seeking to require all driver’s license tests to be offered in English only – and ban dictionaries and other translation help.
Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown, and Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, are sponsoring Senate Bill 1373, which would ban administration of driver's tests in any language but English, and prohibit translation dictionaries, electronic devices, and interpreters to assist in test administration.
Capley proposed a similar bill last year, which drew 16 co-sponsors in the House, but stalled in the Senate.
If passed, the measure would take effect on July 1.
While there is no official language of the United States, state law does formally designate English as the official and legal language of Tennessee. All state publications, including ballots, are required to be produced in English. But there is no limitation or requirement on government documents being made available in other languages.
Currently, written driver’s license tests in Tennessee are offered in English, Spanish, German, Korean and Japanese. Test takers are allowed to bring a translation dictionary, but no interpreter or translation services are available. Driving tests are offered in English only.
The test is not offered in the third and fourth most-spoken languages in the state: Arabic and Chinese.
Luis Mata, policy coordinator for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, told The Tennessean he believes the bill would not only violate non-English speaking Tennesseans’ rights under the Civil Rights Act, but would also make roads less safe.
“This is a regressive piece of legislation that would hinder economic and cultural opportunities for people that call Tennessee home, and would compromise road safety for everyone,” Mata said. “This bill would have the effect of making it harder for families to get to and from work or school – and perpetuating this anti-immigrant language coming from our state legislature.”
Mata sees restricting language offerings as the “beginning of a slippery slope” of the state not making documents and forms available in languages many Tennesseans speak.
“Our diversity makes our state stronger,” Mata said. “This is not only an attack against one group or one community. This English language-only effort is an attack on all of our immigrant communities.”
Last year, a coalition of local immigrant groups filed complaints with federal agencies seeking to require the state to offer tests in more languages, and offer interpretation and translation services. The Our State, Our Languages Coalition, founded in 2022, argues that not doing so is a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and amounts to discrimination by national origin. They also argued that U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines may also require inclusion of other highly-spoken languages, including Vietnamese, Somali, Swahili and Kurdish.
Capley did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Watson said Capley brought the legislation to him to co-sponsor and deferred to Capley for comment.
Mule Kick 5k Set (Press Release)
Hosted by the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation and presented by First Farmers and Merchants Bank, the annual Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot will take place Saturday, April 5, at Riverwalk Park in Columbia.
Proceeds from the 2025 Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot provide funding for Maury Regional Health’s mobile medical 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 Center Healthy Living Endowment and the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, the Maury County school with the most participation in the event will receive a donation to their P.E. program from the Foundation.
“We’re proud to continue the tradition of the Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot, which helps deliver vital health services to individuals and communities in need. Events like this showcase the power of community and the role we all play in ensuring access to quality care,” said Courtney Lewandowski, development specialist at the Foundation. “We look forward to seeing runners, walkers and community members come together for another memorable day.”
On Saturday, April 5, the race will begin 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.
“Our partnership with the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation reflects our commitment to supporting healthier and stronger communities,” said Brian K. Williams, chairman and CEO of First Farmers. “We are excited to support this event once again, knowing it helps provide essential resources and care for 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 medical unit, visit MauryRegional.com/Foundation.
And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Mrs. Erin Caroline LaCroix Tucker, 46, resident of Culleoka, died Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery in Culleoka. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 12:00 PM till the time of service at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.
And now, news from around the state…
Governor Delivers Seventh State of the State (Tennessean)
In his seventh State of the State address on Monday, Gov. Bill Lee pledged to assist Tennesseans with increasingly unaffordable everyday expenses like child care and housing, though his proposed budget.
Lee highlighted 2025 as a year of innovation, saying it's time to "think bigger and to think boldly about what's possible."
"If Tennessee has led the nation as a beacon of opportunity, security and freedom, why can’t we be the nation’s capital of innovation too?" Lee said in his annual address before a joint session of the Tennessee General Assembly. "Somebody is going to determine what the future looks like. That should be Tennessee."
Still, his budget proposal released Monday maintains much of the status quo in Tennessee. Lee's budget totals $58.4 billion, a smaller budget than last year amid projections of flattening state revenue and waning federal funding.
Lee has proposed no new tax breaks for everyday Tennesseans after pushing through a massive corporate tax refund in 2024. The governor's budget does not include funding to repeal the state's grocery tax, which has been proposed in two bills on both sides of the political aisle, or even offer a temporary holiday from the tax.
In his speech from the Tennessee House chamber, Lee noted a "dramatically" different housing market than when he bought his first home, citing skyrocketing home costs in the last four years and increasing mortgage rates.
"Meanwhile, starter home demand is completely outpacing supply. Today, Tennessee is ranked 5th worst in the nation for the loss of starter homes," Lee said. "Our state needs a housing plan that makes this key part of the American Dream possible."
Lee proposed a $60 million Starter Home Revolving Loan Fund, which will provide 0% interest construction loans, in addition to funding a housing tax credit passed in 2024 intended for rural and workforce housing development.
Elsewhere, Lee promised to add "tens of thousands" of new day care spots across Tennessee on the heels of a new report that found the average cost at infant child care centers has outpaced the price of in-state college tuition.
"That is an insurmountable cost for the vast majority of moms and dads who want to be in the workforce," Lee said. "But hear me clearly – we don’t need to start a new government program to solve the child care problem. We need to empower tried and true community partners who know what they’re doing and are already making a difference."
It's not yet clear how exactly the Lee administration could accomplish such a dramatic expansion of day care availability in the state, but Lee pledged to invest $11 million in the Boys and Girls Club to serve 7,500 low-income kids across Tennessee. The organization does not serve children under 5.
Lee also said Tennessee will expand the WAGES program, which supplements child care worker salaries based on certain educational requirements, and cover more middle and low-income working families in an existing state subsidized childcare program.
Lee began his speech on Monday by highlighting an immigration enforcement bill and his signature private school voucher proposal passed in last month's special session. The comments prompted a dozen Democrats to rise from their seats and walk out of the House chamber, an unusual action to take during Lee's address.
The budget includes $80 million in recurring funds and a one-time $1 billion injection for roads improvement, which comes after transportation officials gave Lee a "sobering" financial outlook at a fall budget hearing. Transportation officials, already facing a significant backlog of improvement projects, said state transportation funding revenue was projected to decrease by about $42 million over the next few years.
Lee's proposal, which will require legislation to accomplish, would divert tax revenue from tire sales to fund the recurring funds.
Lee's budget calls for a $244-million increase for the state's K-12 funding structure that includes schedule pay raises for teachers.
The governor on Monday also took a victory lap on school vouchers, which he successfully advanced through a special session last month after failing to pass the proposal in 2024.
"We innovated our approach to education with new, creative investments in public school facilities, andwe have finally brought universal school choice to Tennessee families,' Lee said. "These pressing issues could not wait, and yet, we still have a lot of work to do in the legislative session before us."
Lee proposed a new scholarship aimed at covering outstanding costs for things like textbooks, tools and other equipment for students at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technologies.
"Our current system covers the cost of TCAT tuition for most students, but some are still left out," Lee said.
Lee also aims to direct more than $120 million to the Duck River region. The biodiverse, endangered river as been at the heart of a tug-of-war between conservationists and utilities that draw water from the river. Lee last year signed an executive order aimed at protecting the natural resource.
The state will fund $100 million in "seed money" to kickstart a pipeline plan aimed to bring water into the region and take pressure off the Duck River, Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson said Monday.
Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
Nashville Zoo’s winter 5K, Zoo Run Run, presented by Publix®, returns Saturday, March 1, 2025. 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 online. at www.nashvillezoo.org.
Zoo Run Run offers a myriad of ways to participate this winter. Attendees can run, walk, trot, gallop, or observe from the sidelines. Every registrant receives a long-sleeve performance T-shirt, a race bib, post-race refreshments and free access to attractions until 5:00 pm. New this year, souvenir participant medal upgrades are available at an additional fee while supplies last. Costs for the race start at $10 and include the option to be a race observer, timed participant, or untimed participant.
Participants are encouraged to come dressed to impress in an animal or Zoo-themed costume for a chance to win a Backstage Pass tour for four. First through Third place will be awarded a medal in 30 timed finisher categories, and first place winners will also receive four general admission Zoo tickets. Proceeds from the race will help fund the Zoo’s conservation work. Zoo Run Run is a rain, snow, or shine event.
Zoo Run Run is presented by Publix® and supported by Mix 92.9, Coke Consolidated, Fleet Feet and Caleres. For more information and to register, please visit www.nashvillezoo.org/zoo-run-run.
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