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Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for March 19, 2025
All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Commission Mulls Judicial Center Improvements (CDH)
Certain proposed improvements to the Maury County Judicial Center drew differing opinions from the Maury County Commission on Monday, particularly the $100,000 price tag.
The improvements requested include installing a film tint in the lobby, frosted film on the courtroom doors and roller shades for the conference rooms, while also installing a new gate and extending a four-foot ADA-compliant sidewalk with stairs on the site's outdoor lower lot.
The improvements are estimated at a total of $98,868.87, which according to the proposed Resolution 03-25-22 is the guaranteed maximum price and falls within the commission's budget.
The item was motioned for approval by District 2 Commissioner Eric Previti and seconded by District 3 Commissioner Gary Stovall.
However, some commissioners voiced their concerns about using the remaining budget funds on the proposed improvements, particularly $63,609.19 estimated for the sidewalk extension.
"I'm not going to support this tonight, not because I don't support the safety aspect of what the sheriff has asked," District 8 Commissioner Gabe Howard said. "I think the $63,000 that is being presented, I think we are a little quick on that."
In January, commissioners denied a $600,000 proposal to purchase property adjacent to the existing South Main Street facility in an effort to provide additional parking.
"At the end of the day, that was a savings to the people of Maury County, and I think we have not finished the due diligence process of what the additional land and what the bigger parking conversation is," Howard said.
District 7 Commissioner Kenny Morrow added that he was "disappointed" that these proposed improvements are even being considered in the first place.
"We haven't even had it open for a year, and now we're spending close to $100,000 on adjustments and renovations," Morrow said.
The item ultimately passed 16-4.
Cocoa Bella (Press Release)
Agathos Classical School invites the community to attend Cocoa Bella 2025 – A Fine Chocolate Social on Saturday, April 12, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at The Mulehouse in Columbia. This enchanting evening offers guests a chance to support the school while indulging in fine chocolates, mingling with friends, and participating in a lively auction for a great cause.
Transforming The Mulehouse into an enchanting outdoor garden atmosphere, this year’s event captures the essence of early spring. Attendees will enjoy a delightful live auction featuring an array of lawn, garden, and outdoor items, all while being serenaded by a jazz harpist, adding a touch of elegance to the evening’s ambiance.
The menu promises a mouth-watering selection of culinary delights. Guests can savor a variety of local farm-fresh cheeses, indulge in two meat carving stations, and delight in venison summer sausage and savory bites. Sweet treats will abound with mini chocolate haupia pies, chocolate mousse cups, assorted cake balls, meringues, and rich chocolate baklava. Artisan vanilla and chocolate egg cream sodas will be prepared onsite, and Muletown Coffee Roasters will serve their beloved coffees, complemented by farm-fresh cold milk.
Attendees will enjoy a self-guided tasting experience, sampling fine chocolates paired with palate-cleansing sparkling water. A dedicated area will feature an exquisite selection of truffles and bonbons sourced from local and international artisans.
The highlight of the evening will be a live auction led by Eddie Ables, featuring exciting items for everyone, including an apiary starter kit complete with a beehive and swarm box, paired with a consultation and bootcamp from local bee expert and author, Adam Martin of Bee Kept.
Additional offerings include a Dinner and Flower Event at the home of Amy Montgomery for ten guests, a group kayaking trip with Higher Pursuits, a VIP package for The Homestead Festival including a three-month supply of farm-fresh eggs, and more! The evening will also showcase a spring planter and container sale, bursting with vibrant blooms. Bidding promises to be spirited, entertaining, and a significant part of the evening’s enjoyment!
Tickets are available for $50 per person and can be purchased online at seetickets.us/cocoa412 or by visiting The Mulehouse website. Those interested in making a tax-deductible donation may contact the office of Agathos Classical School at (931) 388-0556.
Cocoa Bella benefits Agathos Classical School—a 21-year-old classical Christian institution serving grades pre-K through 12. Employing proven classical methods, students cultivate a joy for learning, the discipline of critical thinking, and the wisdom to communicate eloquently. These essential skills prepare graduates to excel in life, Soli Deo Gloria—to the
glory of God alone. The school is situated on seventeen rolling acres at the corner of Tom Hitch Parkway and Mapleash Avenue in Columbia and is currently expanding with a new 15,000 sq ft classroom space under construction. To learn more, please visit us on campus or online at AgathosSchool.com.
Columbia State Student Wins Scholarship (Press Release)
Columbia State Community College graduate and Phi Theta Kappa member Keira Cupp has been named a 2025 Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze scholar.
Cupp, who is from Williamson County, earned her Associate of Science degree in mathematics in fall 2024. She now attends Middle Tennessee State University and is pursuing a degree in actuarial science.
She was named a bronze scholar based on the scores she earned at the All-USA Academic Team competition and will receive a $1,000 scholarship for the Fall 2025 semester. She was one of nearly 2,100 competition applicants.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s global community leaders.”
PTK will recognize Cupp and other Coca-Cola Academic Team scholars on stage during the Parade of Scholars at PTK Catalyst, the annual convention, from April 3-5 in Kansas City, Missouri.
“I am extremely honored to be selected as a Bronze Scholar on Coca-Cola's 2025 Academic Team,” Cupp said. “I applied to the scholarship on a whim, fully expecting not to win anything and just to get practice applying for scholarships, so I was shocked reading my email notifying me of the award. I'm very grateful to the Coca-Cola Foundation for the award and recognition, the PTK advisors at Columbia State for the nomination, my boss Kayce Owens for the recommendation letter and my amazing mom for the support!”
In 2023, the Coca-Cola Foundation awarded over $1.6 billion in international grants to support access to water, climate impacts and local issues, among other causes around the world.
Columbia State’s chapter of PTK, Beta Theta Kappa, was chartered in 2000 and has since achieved Five Star status many times. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is limited to roughly the top 10% of students based on academic achievements.
PTK is regarded as the first honor society to recognize the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges. Membership is estimated at 4.4 million worldwide. For more information about PTK visit https://www.ptk.org/.
Broadband Comes to Giles (Press Release)
United Communications, Middle Tennessee's local fiber internet leader, and its partners from Duck River Electric joined the Giles County Commission and County Executive Graham Stowe yesterday during the commission’s monthly meeting to celebrate the official launch of a $10.5 million investment that will bring high-speed internet to nearly 1,900 additional homes and businesses in rural Giles County by the end of 2025.
The historic investment combines federal and state funding along with private contributions from United Communications through an initiative called Project UNITE. This effort expands high-speed internet access to rural areas by pursuing grant awards and leveraging partnerships with Middle Tennessee communities. Through this initiative, over 40,000 local, underserved homes and businesses now have lightning-fast internet connections.
To date, United has invested more than $200 million to construct Middle Tennessee’s largest fiber broadband network, connecting 100,000 locations with residential broadband speeds of up to 8 Gbps and even faster multi-gig speeds for small business and enterprise customers.
“The Commission and I are thrilled that our partnership with United Communications will open many new avenues of opportunity for Giles County, from infrastructure investment to distance learning and overall quality of life,” said County Executive Graham Stowe. “It’s always great when we see a vision come to fruition, as this advancement puts us on the cusp of more great things to come for Giles County.”
“We’re grateful for the visionary leadership of County Executive Stowe and our partnership with the Giles County Commission for making this project possible,” said William Bradford, President and CEO of United Communications. “Their commitment to connectivity along with the support from Duck River Electric is helping us ensure that everyone in Giles County has the opportunity to learn, work, and thrive with light-speed internet.”
"We are proud to partner with United Communications and the Giles County Commission on this transformative project that will bring reliable internet to every Duck River Electric member in Giles County," said James Wright, President and CEO of Duck River Electric. "This collaboration is a significant step toward bridging the digital divide in our rural communities. In today’s fast-paced world, having reliable, high-speed internet service has become just as vital as having electricity in the home or business."
The speed of fiber internet is an advantage over older technologies. Cable-based internet connections are always split up to serve multiple customers at once, resulting in mismatched download and upload speeds, while 5G cellular and satellite-based plans are notorious for their lagging connections and spotty reception.
In contrast, United’s high-speed fiber service in Giles County will provide every customer with a dedicated hardwire connection capable of multi-gig download speeds and matching upload speeds with industry-leading customer service and 99.99% network uptime.
The first areas of the project will be completed as early as April 2025. Giles County residents are encouraged to secure priority access to United’s award-winning fiber internet by visiting United’s website to sign up now and guarantee that 8 Gig internet service is extended to their homes under this program.
Capley’s English Only Bill Dead (Tennessean)
A Republican-led effort to require the state to administer Tennessee driver's license exams in English only and ban translation aids is dead for the year following bipartisan opposition in the House Transportation Subcommittee on Tuesday.
Written driver’s license tests in Tennessee are currently offered in English, Spanish, German, Korean and Japanese. Test takers are allowed to bring a translation dictionary. Driving tests are offered in English only.
House Bill 556, sponsored by Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown, sought to ban the administration of driver's license exams in any language but English, and prohibit translation dictionaries, electronic devices, and interpreters to assist in test administration.
“You can take the test in English, you can pass it in English. We’re not asking them to learn the entire language," Capley said. "The signs are in English, the commands are in English and when you get pulled over, guess what? It’s gonna be in English."
State law does formally designate English as the official and legal language of Tennessee, and all state publications, including ballots, are required to be produced in English. But there is no limitation on government documents being made available in other languages.
Immigrant rights advocates have argued the state should offer the test in more languages ― like Arabic and Chinese, the third and fourth most-spoken languages in Tennessee ― in an effort to ensure drivers are best prepared to hit the road.
Transportation Committee Chair Dan Howell, R-Cleveland, said the actual driving road test is already only offered in English, and indicated the bill seems to take inappropriate aim at non-English speaking legal residents.
“It’s already illegal for illegal aliens to have a driver’s license in Tennessee. So what this bill does is address people who are already here on a work visa, on a green card – people who are here legally,” Howell said. “Some of them may not speak English, but they are legally here.”
The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Department of Economic and Community Development both opposed the effort, citing potential negative economic impacts.
Diana Sanchez Vega, an immigrant from Venezuela who testified on behalf of the Our State, Our Languages Coalition, argued not offering tests that ensure drivers know the rules of the road would pose safety risks to all drivers, and send a negative message to the state’s international business community.
“Access to safe transportation is a cornerstone of economic self-sufficiency," Sanchez Vega said. "Our state’s continued growth depends on empowering all residents – immigrants, refugees and international executives, to hit the road without undue barriers.”
Capley brushed off the concern.
“Executives of Volkswagen and Nissan don’t drive – they have drivers,” he argued.
The bill failed in a vote of 5 to 3.
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…
Mr. William Albert “Billy” Sargent, 84, retired owner and operator of Sargent & Lovett Body Shop, died Thursday at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 1:00 PM at Grace Nazarene Church. The family will visit with friends Friday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the services at the church.
Garry Allen Heller, 70, a resident of Columbia, TN died Friday, March 14, 2025 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
A memorial service will be conducted Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Riverside United Methodist Church. The family will visit with friends on Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 1:00 PM till the time of service at Riverside United Methodist Church.
And now, news from around the state…
Monterey Sued Over Sewage Leak (Tennessean)
A river conservation group says a small Putnam County town has released untreated sewage and excess pollutants from its water treatment plant into a waterway that feeds into the Cumberland River.
The Tennessee Riverkeeper mailed a notice of intent to sue to the city of Monterey, Tennessee, last week.
The nonprofit said in a news release the Monterey Sewage Treatment Plant has overflown untreated sewage 145 times since March 2020. It said the plant has violated the terms of its federal permit on 286 days since January 2022. Those violations include discharging treated wastewater with higher volumes of pollutants than allowed under its permit as well as failing to meet reporting requirements, Tennessee Riverkeeper said.
Tennessee Riverkeeper said the data it cited came from violations Monterey self-reported to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The mayor of Monterey has not made any public statement.
Barry Sulkin, Tennessee Riverkeeper's scientist and former TDEC chief of compliance, said most of the overflow of untreated sewage likely happened away from the plant. An example would be sewage pipes overflowing and running into the street, Sulkin said.
“When raw sewage is discharged into communities it carries with it bacteria and pathogens that can be a threat to public health," Tennessee Riverkeeper founder David Whiteside said in the news release.
Tennessee Riverkeeper said in the news release that the inadequately treated and raw wastewater flowed into Falling Water River, which heads into Center Hill Lake in Cookeville and the Caney Fork, another river. Caney Fork flows into the Cumberland in Carthage, Tennessee, upstream of Nashville.
Whiteside said sewage is one of the biggest pollution threats to the region.
"Addressing Monterey’s issues would go a long way in cleaning up our river,” Whiteside said.
The group plans to sue under the Clean Water Act, a federal law, and the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act. While the state and federal governments have the power to enforce these laws, enforcement is discretionary, and Whiteside said "they will often choose not to enforce it."
The Clean Water Act also empowers citizens to bring their own lawsuits to stop water pollution.
Tennessee Riverkeeper said in its letter to Monterey it plans to file its lawsuit in federal district court 60 days from the day it sent the letter, March 4.
Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
Following sold out performances and rave reviews across the country in 2024, The Golden Girls are back and better than ever with a stage show that’s more exciting than a trip to the Rusty Anchor. “Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue” will start with two TPAC shows on April 19th.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.goldengirlstour.com. A very special VIP experience ticket includes the best available seats and photos with the actors on the Golden Girls set after the show.
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