Columbia Completes Citywide Emergency Siren System, Tests Sound the All-Clear

Twelve new sirens funded by a $420,000 federal grant are now active across the city, giving residents a stronger warning network when severe weather threatens.

COLUMBIA — The City of Columbia has completed installation and testing of a new citywide public safety siren system, marking a significant step forward in emergency preparedness for Maury County's seat. The 12 sirens were successfully tested on Monday, May 11, according to the City of Columbia.

The project was funded through a $420,000 Community Development Block Grant Imminent Threat Program and completed in partnership with the South Central Tennessee Development District. Three of the sirens are electric units equipped with both audible tones and voice capabilities, while nine are mechanical sirens engineered for far-reaching warning signals. Together they form a layered outdoor alerting system designed to cover the full footprint of the city.

Mayor Chaz Molder described the project as a reflection of the city's core obligations. He said investing in public safety remains one of the city's highest priorities and that the new system strengthens Columbia's ability to quickly alert residents when it matters most. City Manager Tony Massey echoed that sentiment, noting the modern, reliable system enhances the city's capacity to deliver timely warnings during emergencies.

Sirens have been placed at fire stations, parks, utility facilities, and elevated points including Reservoir Hill, Golston Hill, Fairview Park, Ridley Park, and pump stations along Bear Creek Pike and Williamsport Pike. The sirens activate only when a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service for the specific areas where a threat has been identified.

City officials stress that outdoor sirens are designed to alert people who are outside and may not always be heard indoors. Residents are strongly encouraged to supplement siren alerts with weather radios, mobile notifications, and local media. Columbia also offers a free emergency alert service called Hyper-Reach, integrated with the National Weather Service and the federal IPAWS system. Residents can sign up by calling or texting "Alert" to 931-286-7771 or registering online at the link below. Future siren test dates will be announced in advance at ColumbiaT N.gov.

Columbia State EMS Students Sweep Top Honors at Statewide 'Battle of the Smokies'

Paramedic and Advanced EMT teams from Columbia State took first place in both student divisions at the fourth annual competition in Sevierville.

COLUMBIA — Emergency medical services students from Columbia State Community College dominated the fourth annual Battle of the Smokies competition in Sevierville this spring, earning first-place finishes in both the Student Advanced Life Support and Student Basic Life Support divisions. More than 25 teams from Tennessee community colleges, county EMS agencies, and mine rescue crews competed at the March 4 event, according to Columbia State.

In the Advanced Life Support division, Columbia State's paramedic students took first and fourth place, with Roane State Community College placing second and third. In the Basic Life Support division, Columbia State's Advanced EMT students swept first and second place. The competition scenario involved treating multiple patients after a simulated side-by-side utility vehicle crash, with smoke and other hazards testing students' clinical skills and situational awareness. Teams were scored on patient assessment speed, quality of medical interventions, and readiness for transport.

EMS Program Director Gregory S. Johnson said he was incredibly proud of the students' dedication to clinical excellence, adding that their paramedic and AEMT students performed at an incredible level and showcased their ability to think critically in a complex situation. Students also earned eight hours of continuing education credit through the competition and accompanying conference. Columbia State President Dr. Janet F. Smith was on hand to celebrate the achievement with the winning teams.

Columbia Road Work Gets a Data Upgrade: City Launches Pavement Management Program

The city is mapping all 235 centerline miles of roadway using LiDAR and high-definition imaging to build a long-term repair strategy.

COLUMBIA — If you've noticed trucks with cameras slowly working their way down city streets, now you know why. The City of Columbia has launched a comprehensive Pavement Management and Preservation Program, partnering with engineering firm Alfred Benesch and Company and data consultant Citylogix to assess every mile of road the city maintains. The initiative was announced in April by the City of Columbia.

Using advanced imaging, LiDAR technology, and 360-degree high-definition data collection, the program will produce a detailed picture of pavement conditions across Columbia's 235 centerline miles of roadway. The goal is a prioritized, long-term maintenance strategy — meaning the city intends to fix the roads that need it most, in the right order, before they deteriorate beyond cost-effective repair. Mayor Chaz Molder said investing in infrastructure is investing in the future of Columbia, and that the right data tools will allow the city to make informed decisions for years to come. City Manager Tony Massey added that reliable analytics will help the city prioritize projects more effectively and extend the life of its roadway system. Data collection, analysis, and plan development are scheduled to continue through December, with a final Pavement Management Plan expected by year's end.

Columbia State Students Take Iceland Inspiration Home — and Design a Tourism Plan for Fairview

Three marketing students studied abroad in Iceland and returned with a cycling and rail bike tourism concept they've already pitched to regional tourism leaders.

COLUMBIA — Three Columbia State Community College marketing students have turned a spring study abroad trip to Iceland into something tangible for Middle Tennessee. Gabby Curtis of Fairview, Xavier Viazcan of Lewisburg, and Montserrat Coronado of Spring Hill developed

American Idol Champion Hannah Harper Visits Columbia

Visit Columbia TN welcomed the newly crowned American Idol winner to the city following her national television victory.

COLUMBIA — The Mule Capital of the World got a little extra shine this week. Visit Columbia TN congratulated American Idol winner Hannah Harper and thanked her for stopping in Columbia following her victory on the national television competition, according to a post on the organization's official Facebook page.

Columbia has quietly become a destination worth noticing for artists passing through Middle Tennessee — and a win on a national stage like American Idol is exactly the kind of moment that puts a spotlight on the communities those artists touch. The 1904 courthouse square and the growing arts and dining scene along the downtown corridor continue to draw visitors who discover this city is more than a waypoint on the way to Nashville.

Maury County Student Earns Country Music Hall of Fame Songwriting Recognition

Aubree Harper was honored after completing a songwriting unit developed in partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

COLUMBIA — A Maury County Public Schools student is getting well-deserved recognition for her songwriting. Aubree Harper was congratulated by the school system after completing a songwriting unit developed in collaboration with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, according to a post on the Maury County Public Schools Facebook page.

Middle Tennessee sits at the center of American music history, and programs that connect students to the craft of songwriting do something schools too rarely accomplish — they give young people a language for what they feel and a skill they can carry for life. Maury County's proximity to Nashville is a gift, and initiatives like this one put it to good use. Congratulations to Aubree and to the teachers who made this opportunity possible.

Sheriff's Citizens Academy Alumni Host Fundraiser at McCreary's Tonight

The Maury County Sheriff's Department Citizens Academy Alumni Association is holding a community fundraiser at McCreary's Irish Pub on May 14.

COLUMBIA — The Maury County Sheriff's Department Citizens Academy Alumni Association is asking the community to come out and help tonight. The group is hosting a fundraiser at McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery in Columbia on Wednesday, May 14, according to a post on McCreary's Facebook page.

The Citizens Academy program gives Maury County residents an inside look at how their Sheriff's Department operates — from patrol procedures to investigations — and the alumni association stays active in supporting law enforcement and community causes year-round. If you're looking for a reason to spend an evening downtown and support the men and women who keep this county safe, tonight's a good night for it.

Culleoka Unit School Celebrates Class of 2026

Family, friends, staff, and community members gathered to honor Culleoka's graduating seniors at a ceremony this week.

CULLEOKA — The Culleoka Unit School Class of 2026 walked across the stage this week as family, friends, teachers, and community members filled the room to cheer them on. Maury County Public Schools celebrated the milestone on its official Facebook page, marking another year of graduates ready to carry Maury County forward.

Culleoka is the kind of school that reminds you what community education is supposed to look like — small enough that teachers know students by name, rooted enough that graduation night feels like a family reunion. Congratulations to every member of the Class of 2026. This county is proud of you.