In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☁️ Columbia Weather - Cloudy w/ high of 30 / low of 25.

📰 Meet the Maury County Public Schools District Wide Teachers of the Year

📰 Motor Vehicle Record Now Mandatory for Some Out-of-State License Transfers in Tennessee

📌 Warming Stations Open Starting Tuesday

🎵 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!

Monday, January 6th

• Maury County Chorale “The Follies” Meet & Greet - 6:30 PM

Tuesday, January 7th

• Network Columbia - Business Networking at The Factory at Columbia - 9:00 AM

Wednesday, January 8th

• Vet 2 Vet Meet Up at McCreary’s Irish Pub - 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Thursday, January 9th

• Connect Spring Hill at Viking Pizza - 9:00 - 10:00 AM 

• Florida Citrus Sales Event at Tripp’s ACE Hardware - 10:30 - 11:30 AM

• Sweet Maggie Rose Ribbon Cutting - 12:00 PM

Friday, January 10th

• Cheers to the New Year at The Farm at Golston Hill - 5:00 - 9:00 PM

• Karen Mills Comedy Night at The Mulehouse - 7:30 PM

Saturday, January 11th

• Columbia Farmers Market - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Meet the Maury County Public Schools District Wide Teachers of the Year

On December 4th, Maury County Public Schools announced its District-Level Teachers of the Year for the 2024-25 school year. These outstanding educators represent the very best in teaching excellence, dedication and leadership at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Jill Mitchell

Jill Mitchell, a teacher at Spring Hill Elementary School, has been recognized as the District-Level Teacher of the Year for Grades PreK-4. Known for her passion and creativity in the classroom, Jill fosters a love of learning among her young students and inspires them to achieve their fullest potential.

Middle School Teacher of the Year: Brooke Davis

Brooke Davis, from Santa Fe Unit School, has been named the District-Level Teacher of the Year for Grades 5-8. Brooke’s commitment to her students’ success and her innovative teaching practices have left a lasting impact on the SFUS community.

High School Teacher of the Year: Anna Arnold

Anna Arnold, a dedicated educator at Mt. Pleasant High School, has been selected as the District-Level Teacher of the Year for Grades 9-12. Anna’s unwavering dedication to her students and her ability to inspire academic excellence make her a valued member of the MPHS family.

These exceptional educators exemplify the mission of Maury County Public Schools to empower all students for success. Their dedication to fostering a nurturing and challenging learning environment continues to shape the future of our community.

Meet all 31 of the teachers of the year here.

Motor Vehicle Record Now Mandatory for Some Out-of-State License Transfers in Tennessee

Beginning Jan. 10, 2025, new or returning Tennessee residents who currently have a driver license from California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, Oklahoma, Vermont or West Virginia must present a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) from their former state when applying for a Tennessee license.

Individuals from these eight states must obtain an MVR from their former state before applying for a Tennessee license or ID. An MVR must have been issued within 30 days before its presentation at a Driver Services Center. The MVR is required alongside other necessary documents to apply for a Tennessee credential. For more information about the documents required to obtain a license in Tennessee, visit tn.gov/safety/driver-services.html.

All other states, including Tennessee, participate in the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators’ State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service. This service allows participating states to electronically access the complete Driver History Record of anyone applying for a driver license. As a result, individuals moving from one of the 41 participating states do not have to obtain an MVR to qualify for a Tennessee driver license.

Through the S2S system, states can share real-time information about individual drivers, including convictions and license withdrawals. By providing a driver’s complete history, states can reduce the risk of fraud and improve safety by keeping dangerous drivers off the roads. Additionally, S2S enhances accuracy and reduces the processing time for a obtaining a new credential in Tennessee.

The MVR requirement will change as additional states join the S2S Verification Service. For the latest information, please visit tn.gov/safety/.

Warming Stations Open Starting Tuesday

From Maury County Office of Emergency Management’s Facebook post:

Beginning Tuesday (01/07) at 12 pm through Saturday (01/11) those needing shelter can seek temporary shelter at either First United Methodist Church or West 7th Church of Christ. The schedule and addresses are below. 

First United Methodist Church: 222 W. 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401

West 7th Church of Christ: 405 W. 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401

First United Methodist will be open: 7 AM- 7 PM

West 7th Church of Christ will be open: 7 PM- 7 AM

This system will allow for a 24/7 shelter.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Monday, January 6th

Alyssa Hart, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Tuesday, January 7th

Rob Harris, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Wednesday, January 8th

Austin Byrd, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, January 9th

Taylor Hughes, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM

Friday, January 10th

Nick Bentley, Grinder's Switch, 6-8 PM
Karli & James, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Escape, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, January 11th

TBD, Natchez Trace Vineyard, 4-7 PM
Box of Rox, Puckett's7:30-9 PM
Zone Status, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
Boomerang, The Boondox, 8-11 PM

Sunday, January 12th

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