Columbia Central's Jack Beck Drafted by Houston Astros

Issue #770

July 13, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌦️ Columbia’s Tuesday Weather - Cloudy, afternoon showers, w/ high of 83, low of 70

⚾️ Columbia Central's Jack Beck Drafted by Houston Astros

📰 Expect More Speed Enforcement on Tennessee Roads Through July 19

🎶 Gary Sinise Joins Nashville Symphony for Free Outdoor Concert

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia Central's Jack Beck Drafted by Houston Astros

Columbia Central graduate Jack Beck is officially an MLB Draft pick.

Jack Beck was selected by the Houston Astros with the 391st overall pick in the 13th round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Sunday. He becomes the school's first MLB Draft selection since Heath Slatton was chosen in 2015.

Beck enters professional baseball after an outstanding senior season, batting .413 with 12 home runs, 32 RBIs, 10 doubles, four triples and 25 stolen bases. His performance earned him District 12-4A Player of the Year honors along with all-area and all-state recognition.

Leading up to the draft, Beck helped raise his stock by participating in the MLB Draft Combine, where he blasted the longest home run of Day 2 at 465.6 feet and recorded the sixth-highest exit velocities of the day. He also spent part of the summer competing in the Appalachian League.

Watch Jack in action and hear his reaction to being drafted in this video from his Instagram page.  

Expect More Speed Enforcement on Tennessee Roads Through July 19

Get the lead out of your feet or risk getting a ticket in the Southeast this week when ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’ returns for a ninth year.

‘Operation Southern Slow Down’ is a speed enforcement and awareness campaign that runs from July 13-19 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. The goal of ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’ is to prevent crashes and save lives by reminding drivers of the dangers of speeding and reckless driving during the middle of the busy summer travel season.

The campaign kicked off today with the highway safety office and state law enforcement agencies from the five participating states outlining the education and enforcement plans for ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’ at simultaneous news conferences in Augusta, Columbus, Ringgold, Savannah and Florida. State and local law enforcement officers in the five states will spend the remainder of the week targeting speeding, aggressive driving and all traffic law violations on interstates and major highways.

More than 490 law enforcement agencies in the five southeastern states wrote more than 52,000 citations and warnings for speeding during the 2025 week-long ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’ speed enforcement and awareness campaign. The enforcement campaign also led to more than 1,440 DUI arrests, 2,234 reckless driving citations and warnings and more than 3,000 citations and warnings were issued for violating distracted driving laws.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 30% of the nation’s traffic fatalities in 2024 involved speeding and nearly 40% of male drivers and 20% of female drivers ages 15-20 who were involved in fatal traffic crashes in the United States in 2024 were speeding.

According to NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 21% of the fatal traffic crashes in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee in 2024 involved speeding. Speeding was a factor in 19% of fatal traffic crashes in the Southeast from 2020 to 2024.

“Speed limits are in place to protect everyone traveling on our roads and highways, and enforcement of speeding and all traffic laws has proven to save lives in our region and nation,” said Allen Poole, Director of the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “The goal for ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’ is not to write tickets but to get more drivers to see that traveling at slower and safer speeds prevents families and friends from losing loved ones in crashes that are preventable.”

NHTSA and Region IV states offer the following tips for those traveling on the same road with speeding drivers:

  • Give speeding drivers plenty of space.

  • If speeding drivers are following too closely, allow them to pass.

  • Stay out of the far-left lane unless it is passing another vehicle.

  • Always wear a seat belt.

Red the full press release from TN Highway Safety Office here.

Gary Sinise Joins Nashville Symphony for Free Outdoor Concert

Looking for something special to do over Labor Day weekend? The Nashville Symphony is hosting a free outdoor concert celebrating America's 250th anniversary at Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville.

The evening's featured performance, American Mosaic, combines live orchestral music, narration by actor Gary Sinise, and stunning 4K video showcasing all 50 states. The multimedia work was co-commissioned by the Nashville Symphony and highlights the people, places and spirit of the United States.

The program also includes beloved American classics such as Fanfare for the Common Man and Variations on America. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the performance under the stars.

The concert is free and open to the public and also celebrates the Nashville Symphony's 80th anniversary.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Tuesday, July 14th

Wednesday, July 15th

Thursday, July 16th 

Friday, July 17th

Saturday, July 18th

Sunday, July 19th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, July 14
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6-9 PM

Thursday, July 16
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s, 6-9 PM

Friday, July 17
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Lydia Rae - Buck & Board, 6-8 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7-9 PM
Dust & Daisies - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Vintage Voltage - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, July 18

Box of Rox - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 12-6 PM
The Grasskickers - Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
Carson-Phillips - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6-8 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Sweet T & Trailer Trash - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Late Bloomers - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Stevierock Acoustic - Twisted Copper, 8-10 PM
Rubiks Groove - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, July 19

John Salaway - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
CJ Conklin - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 2-5 PM

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