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Gov. Lee Signs Executive Order to Protect Tennessee’s Duck River Watershed

Issue #278

21 Nov

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☀️ Columbia Weather - Sunny with a high of 52

📰 Gov. Lee Signs Executive Order to Protect Tennessee’s Duck River Watershed

📰 19-Year-Old Bicyclist Killed in Spring Hill Bus Crash

📌 Broadway Comes to Downtown Columbia With “Merry Christmas Uncle Scrooge”

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

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

Upcoming Local Events

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

Thursday, November 21st

Friday, November 22nd

Saturday, November 23rd

Sunday, November 24th

Gov. Lee Signs Executive Order to Protect Tennessee’s Duck River Watershed

Click to watch Gov. Bill Lee share about the importance of protecting the Duck River

Yesterday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed Executive Order 108, to establish the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership and further the state’s commitment to balancing economic growth, water resource management, and environmental and habitat conservation to ensure the long-term sustainability of Tennessee’s watersheds. The Order specifically recognizes the Duck River Watershed as North America’s most biologically diverse freshwater river and its critical contribution to Tennessee’s outdoor recreation economy and communities as the sole water source for approximately 250,000 Tennesseans.

“The Duck River is not only a scenic treasure, but it is also North America’s most biologically diverse freshwater river and the sole water source for thousands of Tennesseans,” said Gov. Lee. “As we continue our work to balance Tennessee’s economic growth with a plan to protect our environment, preserving waters like the Duck River and enhancing water resource management statewide will be a cornerstone of our long-term conservation strategy.”

Executive Order 108 outlines the Governor’s intent to bring budget initiatives for the General Assembly’s consideration that will facilitate a comprehensive plan for statewide water conservation and the conservation of the Duck River, while simultaneously establishing The Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership to support the Duck River Development Agency’s mission of facilitating collaboration among stakeholders and developing strategies for the sustainable management of the Duck River.

The Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership will be responsible for the following:

  • Developing comprehensive watershed management recommendations that balance the needs of water users and economic growth against the need to protect the environmental integrity of the Duck River.

  • Advising and providing recommendations to the Governor, the Duck River Development Agency, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and legislative leadership on policies and actions to promote the sustainable use and conservation of water resources in the Duck River Watershed.

  • Identifying opportunities for water system regionalization, drought resilience, habitat conservation, and water loss reduction.

  • Engaging with local communities, utilities, industries, and conservation organizations to ensure broad participation in watershed planning efforts.

In an effort to continually manage and preserve other watersheds and prioritize regionalization throughout Tennessee, the Order also requires TDEC, in partnership with TWRA, to identify additional priority watersheds, continue conducting statewide water supply planning, support municipalities in optimizing their wastewater treatment operations, and provide technical and financial assistance to urban stormwater communities for implementing nature-based stormwater control measures.

-From TN.Gov

19-Year-Old Bicyclist Killed in Spring Hill Bus Crash

A 19-year-old Spring Hill man lost his life in a bicycle crash on Campbell Station Parkway Wednesday evening. The preliminary investigation shows that Jacob Crawford was on a bicycle, facing east towards Main St., in the continuous turn lane section of Campbell Station Parkway. Jacob was stopped for traffic. A 50-plus-seat Prevost passenger bus stopped in the parking lot where Publix was located, preparing to exit onto Campbell Station Parkway. The bus made a left turn onto Campbell Station Parkway and collided with the bicyclist, resulting in his fatal injuries.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by officers who have interviewed many witnesses and collected all available evidence at this point in time. Following the investigation, the 21st District Attorney’s Office will receive the findings and determine whether any criminal laws were broken.

Our deepest condolences go out to Jacob’s family and friends.

If you would like to support the Crawford family in this time, a page for a meal train sign up and donations can be found here.

Broadway Comes to Downtown Columbia With “Merry Christmas Uncle Scrooge”

After a sell-out series last Christmas, this new classic is back! This new telling rediscovers the heart of the original work. Where past adaptations promoted seasonal sentiment or preached against greed, Merry Christmas, Uncle Scrooge! unearths Dickens's true message: that a society is judged by its treatment of children, especially the poor and the handicapped. In a world of "ragged" schools, child labor, and the poorhouse, Dickens penned a tale that would not only resurrect Christmas, but redeem children.

8 Spectacular Shows to Kick Off the Christmas Season!

Experience the magic of MERRY CHRISTMAS, UNCLE SCROOGE!—a breathtaking Broadway-style musical adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. This version goes beyond seasonal cheer to rediscover the heart of Dickens’s original message: that a society is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable, especially children.

With award-winning music by Bill & Robin Wolaver, this performance is a powerful reminder that the true spirit of Christmas is about compassion, love, and redemption.

SHOW DATES: Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 & Dec. 6 - 8

LOCATION: Packard Playhouse, 614 N Main St, Columbia, TN

Don’t miss your chance to witness this unforgettable musical! Check out the sneak preview video below and secure your seats today!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, November 21st

Choir Concert, Columbia State, 1:30-2:30 PM
Kayleigh Mathews, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Mexican Grille, 6-9 PM
Murphy Ridge, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, November 22nd

J.A.M. Club, Columbia State, 12-1 PM
Rory Feek, Homestead Hall, 7-9 PM
November Blue, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Josh Keas, Grinder's Switch, 7-9 PM
Hobo Cane, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
The Reveal, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, November 23rd

Bald Kernal, Amber Fall Winery, 12-4 PM
TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 4-7 PM
The Def Leprechaun Band, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Phoenix Rising, The Rebel, 7:30 PM
Garrett Boys, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Backlit, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, November 24th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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