Sheila Butt and Gabe Howard Square Off: Where Maury County's Mayoral Race Gets Real

The Maury Alliance forum gave voters the clearest side-by-side look yet at the incumbent and her challenger, and the policy gaps between them are significant.

COLUMBIA, Public debate has deep roots in Tennessee. Long before cable news or social media, neighbors gathered on courthouse steps and in church halls to hear their would-be leaders make their case in plain sight. That tradition is harder to find at the state level these days. When NewsChannel 5's planned July 20 Republican gubernatorial debate fell apart after Sen. Marsha Blackburn declined to attend and Rep. John Rose withdrew rather than debate without her, voters statewide lost an opportunity. In Maury County, voters got something better.

The Maury Alliance County Mayoral Candidate Forum, held July 9 at the Cherry Theater on the Columbia State Community College campus on Hampshire Pike, gave residents a ninety-minute look at incumbent Mayor Sheila Butt and challenger Gabe Howard, a sitting Maury County commissioner. Moderated by Maury Alliance President and CEO Will Evans, the forum covered growth, water, infrastructure, public safety, housing, and communication, with each candidate given two minutes per question. The room on Hampshire Pike carries some civic weight: it sits on a campus that has been educating Maury County students for generations, and the setting fit the seriousness of the moment.

On growth and zoning, both candidates agree the county needs long-term land-use planning. They split sharply on sequencing. Howard argued the county passed its new zoning ordinance before it had a comprehensive plan to guide it, calling that approach backwards. He noted he voted against the ordinance for that reason, saying the blueprint should come before the tools. Butt countered that the existing code was outdated regardless, and that replacing it while finishing the comprehensive plan in parallel was the right call to raise construction quality now. On paying for growth, Butt pointed to the county's opt-in to the County Powers Act, a possible real estate transfer tax, and rising sales tax revenue from new development. Howard called for raising the adequate facilities tax on developers, which he said hasn't been increased in twenty years, and pushed for the county to pursue impact fees the way neighboring counties already have.

The sharpest exchange of the night centered on the Columbia Dam. Howard noted the county commission has passed three resolutions related to the dam and its feasibility study, and said Butt, who sits on the Duck River Planning Partnership, has never taken a public position on it. Butt said the dam is a federally funded project, that she has reviewed the relevant congressional appropriations language herself, and that she will not commit the county's name to a project until she has clarity on what it would cost Maury County taxpayers. On public safety, Howard raised a structural point that deserves wider attention: Maury County's fire department is not legally a county department. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, staffed predominantly by volunteers with only six paid members. Howard called for bringing it under the county umbrella. Both candidates also addressed the ongoing ambulance shortage serving the Spring Hill side of the county line, a pressure point this paper has covered before and one that reflects just how much Maury County's growth has outpaced its infrastructure.

The forum was the kind of civic exercise Maury County does well. Voters still have time to weigh what they heard. This paper will continue covering both candidates as the race moves forward.

Sheriff's Narcotics Unit Seizes 2,000 Pills, Nearly $58K in Maury County Drug Bust

A two-month Vice and Narcotics investigation ended July 10 with one of the county's largest single-operation pill seizures this year.

COLUMBIA, The Maury County Sheriff's Office Vice and Narcotics Unit executed search warrants on July 10, closing out a two-month drug trafficking investigation with one of the more significant seizures the county has seen in 2026. Deputies recovered more than 2,000 pills, including an estimated 1,500 suspected fentanyl or fentanyl-laced pills, along with nearly $58,000 in cash, multiple firearms, a GMC truck, and quantities of cocaine and other narcotics.

Fentanyl-laced pills pose a particular danger because they are manufactured to look identical to legitimate prescription medication. There is no way to tell from the outside how much fentanyl a given pill contains, or whether it contains any at all. A single pill can carry a lethal dose. That reality makes the volume seized here, more than 1,500 suspected fentanyl pills removed from circulation, a genuine public safety result for Maury County families.

The Sheriff's Office credited Special Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Cybercrime and Digital Evidence Unit for their assistance building the case, calling the partnership invaluable to bringing the investigation to a close. In a statement, the department said it remains committed to aggressively pursuing those who traffic illegal narcotics and threaten the safety of Maury County communities, and thanked its deputies, investigators, and law enforcement partners for their work on the case.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about drug trafficking in Maury County is encouraged to contact the Maury County Sheriff's Office or the DEA tip line. The community owes the men and women who worked this case a debt of gratitude. This is hard, patient, dangerous work, and they did it well.

Mt. Olivet Bridge Is Closed: Here Is Your Detour

The City of Columbia has released the official detour map for the Bear Creek Pike bridge closure, which took effect July 13, with a TDOT replacement not scheduled until 2029.

COLUMBIA, Drivers crossing Bear Creek on Bear Creek Pike need a new route this summer. The Mt. Olivet Bridge closure took effect Monday, July 13, after structural concerns were identified during a recent inspection. The City of Columbia has now released the official detour map, and anyone traveling that corridor should plan accordingly.

Drivers approaching the closed span from the north will be routed off Bear Creek Pike onto Newt Hood Road, then over to Tom Osborne Road and Cothran Road, and back out to Bear Creek Pike near Cranford Hollow and Highway 99. On the south side of the closure, the detour runs along Tom J. Hitch Parkway, Mt. Olivet Road, and Iron Bridge Road to complete the loop around the bridge. The city is encouraging drivers to follow posted detour signage and build extra time into any trip that crosses Bear Creek in that area.

The Mt. Olivet Bridge replacement is a Tennessee Department of Transportation project funded by the state. As of now, it remains on the books for 2029, a timeline that will frustrate anyone who lives or works on roads that depend on that crossing. Columbia has formally asked TDOT to look at moving that date up given the impact the closure is having on daily travel, though no revised schedule has been confirmed. The city says it will continue coordinating with TDOT and will share updates on the project timeline as they become available.

For a community that is growing as fast as Maury County, road closures like this one are more than an inconvenience. They expose how infrastructure investment has struggled to keep pace with population. The Bear Creek corridor connects working neighborhoods to the rest of the county, and a multi-year detour is a real burden on residents, businesses, and emergency responders alike. This paper will follow the TDOT timeline and report any changes as they come.

Scoops, Burgers, and a Fond Farewell: Three Business Changes Reshape the Local Scene

A new owner steps into Culleoka Creamery, LooseWheels heads to Spring Hill's historic Kissing House, and Southern Sugar Saloon says goodbye.

COLUMBIA, Small business is the backbone of Maury County, and this week brought movement on three fronts at once. The news spans the full arc of commerce here: a beloved shop changing hands, a homegrown restaurant finding its permanent home, and a sweet staple heading out the door. Each story is worth telling on its own terms.

Culleoka Creamery and Co. has new owners. Coco-Bombo has purchased the shop and is already open Wednesday through Sunday, 3 to 8 p.m., while the new team gets its footing. A full Grand Opening Weekend is set for July 30 through August 1, with celebrations planned to mark the new chapter. The creamery has been a fixture in Culleoka, and the new owners are clearly intent on honoring what came before while putting their own stamp on it. If you haven't stopped in yet, the grand opening weekend is as good a time as any.

LooseWheels is moving to Spring Hill. After nearly seven years building a following with chef-inspired burgers, diner sandwiches, and homemade soups and salads out of Columbia, the local favorite is planting permanent roots in the historic Kissing House on McLemore Avenue in Spring Hill. The new location will offer live original music, indoor and outdoor seating, and the Babylon Beer Garden, and the team promises the biggest, boldest menu it has ever put together. LooseWheels says it isn't leaving its Columbia roots behind, the team called their longtime customers their "Columbia burger family", and menu reveals and behind-the-scenes updates are expected in the weeks ahead as they build toward opening day.

And then there is the goodbye. Southern Sugar Saloon, the milkshake, ice cream, and candy shop that brought its brownie outlaws and cheerful energy to Maury County, is closing and relocating back to Alabama to be closer to family. The owners say it wasn't an easy decision, and they asked familiar faces to stop in before they go. That kind of honesty deserves a kind send-off. Downtown Columbia is always in motion, and the Muletown Journal wishes Coco-Bombo and LooseWheels well as they open their doors, and Southern Sugar Saloon a safe and sweet trip home.

Lady Vols Coming to Columbia: Tennessee vs. Belmont Set for 2027 Midstate Classic

The University of Tennessee's softball program will face Belmont at Ridley Sports Complex on April 13, 2027, in what organizers call the event's most anticipated matchup yet.

COLUMBIA, Ridley Sports Complex will host a marquee collegiate softball matchup in the spring of 2027. The City of Columbia announced this week that the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers will face the Belmont University Bruins at the Midstate Classic on Tuesday, April 13, 2027. The announcement marks the 12th year Columbia has hosted the Midstate Classic, which has grown into one of Middle Tennessee's premier spring softball events.

Tennessee Head Coach Karen Weekly said her program is looking forward to returning to Columbia. Belmont Head Coach Laura Matthews expressed equal enthusiasm, calling it a unique experience and praising the community's support for softball. Both coaches bring serious credentials to the matchup: Tennessee is one of the premier programs in the country, and Matthews has built Belmont into a consistent competitor worth watching.

City Manager Tony Massey said the featured matchup reflects Columbia's ongoing commitment to hosting premier sporting events, and Parks and Recreation Director Mack Reagan called the tournament one of the department's signature annual events, crediting the staff's work and Ridley Sports Complex's reputation for making it possible year after year. Mayor Chaz Molder said hosting programs of this caliber strengthens Columbia's standing as a destination for high-caliber athletics.

For Maury County families, this is the kind of announcement worth circling on the calendar now. A Tennessee-Belmont softball game at a local complex is a rare opportunity to watch elite college athletes compete right here at home. Additional event details will be shared closer to April on ColumbiaTN.gov and the city's social media pages. Put April 13 in your plans.

Columbia 101 Applications Open for Fall Civic Program

Residents have until August 7 to apply for a two-day behind-the-scenes look at how Columbia's city government actually works.

COLUMBIA, The City of Columbia is accepting applications for the Fall 2026 session of Columbia 101, an interactive civic engagement program that gives residents an inside look at how local government operates. The program runs over two days, September 22 and 23, starting each morning at City Hall. Participants will tour municipal facilities, meet city staff from all 12 departments, and get a firsthand education in infrastructure, public safety, parks, planning, and public services.

Mayor Chaz Molder described the program as an opportunity for residents to connect with their city and discover ways to get more involved in community life. City Manager Tony Massey emphasized that the program creates meaningful conversations between citizens and staff, building mutual appreciation for the work happening across every city department. Program Director Lexi Dearborn noted that past participants consistently leave with greater community pride and a stronger sense of belonging to Columbia.

Columbia 101 is open to all Columbia and Maury County residents, regardless of how long they have lived here. A $25 program fee covers meals, transportation, and materials. Applications are due by Friday, August 7, 2026. Interested residents can pick up an application at the reception desk on the third floor of City Hall or visit ColumbiaTN.gov. For questions, contact Lexi Dearborn at [email protected].

In a time when trust in government institutions runs thin across much of the country, programs like Columbia 101 do something valuable: they open the door and let people see the work for themselves. The employees staffing these departments are Maury County neighbors, and understanding what they do every day is a healthy thing for any community. If you've ever wanted to know what actually keeps Columbia running, this is your chance to find out.

Columbia Marks the Site of Its Deadliest Night: A Marker for the 1977 Jail Fire

The city unveiled a historical marker on the 49th anniversary of the Maury County Jail Fire, which claimed 42 lives and changed correctional facility standards nationwide.

COLUMBIA, On a June evening 49 years ago, a fire broke out inside the Maury County Jail and became the deadliest night in Columbia's recorded history. Forty-two people, including inmates and visitors, lost their lives when burning padding sent smoke rushing through the building faster than most could escape. Local law enforcement, firefighters, emergency personnel, and volunteers fought to reach those trapped inside, and many were simply unable to get there in time. The Maury County Jail Fire of June 26, 1977, remains the deadliest jail fire in Tennessee history and the second deadliest in the nation.

On the 49th anniversary of that night, the City of Columbia unveiled a historical marker at the site through its Historical Marker Program. Mayor Chaz Molder said the marker serves as a permanent reminder of a tragedy that changed the community forever and influenced correctional facility safety standards across the entire country. City Manager Tony Massey, who established the Historical Marker Program with assistance from the late Bob Duncan, recalled living in Columbia at the time and said the fire left an indelible mark on the city. The program, he said, was built precisely to preserve stories like this one for future generations.

The disaster prompted significant reforms in jail design and construction standards nationwide, meaning that lives saved in facilities built after 1977 owe something to the hard lesson learned on the Columbia square. The building was restored after the fire and continued serving as the Maury County Jail until 1998. It was converted into the Maury County Archives in 2001 and was renovated, expanded, and rededicated in January 2025, continuing its role as a place where local history is preserved.

The Columbia Historical Marker Program has now recognized 14 sites of historical significance, including the Bethel Hotel and Princess Theatre, Union Station Train Depot, Columbia Fire and Rescue, and Fairview Park, with additional markers in development. These markers do the work that communities owe their own past: they make the invisible visible and insist that what happened here mattered. The 1977 jail fire is a painful chapter, but it is Maury County's chapter, and it deserves to be told honestly and kept in plain sight.

Maury County Breaks Ground on Mount Pleasant Library

A new library facility in Mount Pleasant marks a long-awaited investment in the southern end of Maury County.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Maury County broke ground this week on a new library in Mount Pleasant, delivering on a promise to the southern end of the county that has waited long enough for a facility of its own. The groundbreaking marks a meaningful moment for a community that has historically operated in the shadow of Columbia when it comes to public investment and county resources.

Mount Pleasant is one of Maury County's older communities, with deep roots in phosphate mining history and a strong sense of identity that is distinct from the faster-growing northern parts of the county. A library is more than a building full of books. It is a community anchor, a place where children do homework, seniors access services, job seekers use computers, and residents connect with local history. Mount Pleasant has earned one.

Details on the project's timeline, cost, and construction schedule were reported by Main Street Media of Tennessee. This paper will follow the project as it moves from groundbreaking to opening day and report updates as the county makes them available.

For a county navigating rapid growth in Spring Hill and persistent infrastructure demands everywhere else, investing in a library in Mount Pleasant is a signal worth noting. It says that Maury County is not just building for the newcomers arriving in the north. It is also tending to the communities that have been here all along. That is the right instinct, and the residents of Mount Pleasant deserve to see it through.