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Columbia Church Fire Confirmed as Arson; Spring Hill Investigates Two Suspicious Blazes

Issue #429

May 07, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌦️ Columbia’s Weather - Rain showers early, Overcast skies later w/ high of 71 & low of 60

📰 Columbia Church Fire Confirmed as Arson; Spring Hill Investigates Two Suspicious Blazes

📌 May 22: Historical Marker Unveiling Ceremony 

📰 Judge Bobby Sands Honored with Liberty Bell Award at Maury County Law Day

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

👉 Do You Love What’s Up Columbia??? VOTE FOR US HERE!

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

Upcoming Local Events

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

SPECIAL DEAL: Teachers & Nurses Get 50% OFF (as many times as you want) at Fozzy’s Bar & Grill! (Through May 9th) *Tell them you heard about it in What’s Up Columbia!

Wednesday, May 7th

Thursday, May 8th

Friday, May 9th

Saturday, May 10th

Sunday, May 11th 🌹 Mother’s Day 🌹

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

May 15-17: Franklin Rodeo
May 29 - 31: Music City Rodeo

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Columbia Church Fire Confirmed as Arson; Spring Hill Investigates Two Suspicious Blazes

May 4th: Early morning structure fire in Spring Hill.

A pattern of suspicious fires has emerged in the Spring Hill and Columbia areas, raising concern among residents and officials alike. As Arson Awareness Week shines a spotlight on fire-related crimes across the country, recent local incidents — including a confirmed arson at a Columbia church and two suspicious fires under investigation in Spring Hill — are putting communities on alert. Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying those responsible before more damage is done.

From Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s post… With it being Arson Awareness Week, you’ve been seeing lots of posts from us about fires. If you’ve been following along you know: in recent years, an estimated average of 1,300 fires in places of worship were reported to fire departments in the U.S., resulting in an estimated annual average of $74.6 million in property loss.

Well, it has happened AGAIN! This time in Middle Tennessee and WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The New Life Ministries building where a fire occurred on April 16th.

From Columbia Fire & Rescue’s post… 

City of Columbia Seeks Public's Help Following Act of Arson at Local Church

On April 16th, a fire occurred at New Life Ministries of Columbia, located at 317 E 18th Street. Following an investigation, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent/Fire Investigators, in coordination with Columbia Fire & Rescue and the Columbia Police Department, Tennessee have determined the fire was intentionally set.

The TBI is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible. 

If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017.

Tips can be reported anonymously, and individuals may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Your help is critical in holding those responsible accountable and protecting our community.

From Spring Hill Fire Department’s post on May 4th… 

Spring Hill Fire Investigators are on the scene investigating a suspicious structure fire that occurred early this morning on Jim Warren Rd., at Crafton Rd. 

This fire is across the street from another suspicious fire that occurred on March 12th. Anyone having information about this incident or the previous one can email Chief Temple at [email protected], call 931-451-0636, or contact the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017 if you wish to remain anonymous.

May 22: Historical Marker Unveiling Ceremony

The community is invited to attend an unveiling ceremony for historical markers honoring the Memorial Building and Viscaya naval gun.

The event will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM at the Memorial Building, 308 W 7th Street, Columbia, TN

Constructed in 1909 as Columbia’s original Post Office, the Memorial Building has played a vital role in the city’s civic and cultural life for over a century. It has served as a public library, Chamber of Commerce, and home to veteran services and other local organizations. Its legacy as a public gathering space continues today.

The site also features a 14 cm Hontoria quickfire gun from the Spanish cruiser Viscaya, which sank during the Battle of Santiago in the Spanish-American War. This rare artifact is one of only eight such guns that were aboard the ship. It has been displayed in numerous locations around Columbia.

Judge Bobby Sands Honored with Liberty Bell Award at Maury County Law Day

Credit: Brent Cooper - District Attorney - 22nd Judicial District

The Maury County Bar Association marked Law Day with the return of its esteemed Liberty Bell Award, presented this year to retired General Sessions Court Judge Bobby Sands for his decades of service and influence in the local legal community.

This is the first time the award has been given since 2018, when it was last awarded to public defender Claudia Jack. The revival of the award was seen as a meaningful recognition of Sands’ legacy and contributions.

A Lynnville native and Army veteran, Sands began practicing law in 1979 after graduating from the University of Tennessee. Throughout his career, he has been known not only for his judicial leadership but also for his dedication to civic life. He has served in numerous local organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, the American Legion, the American Cattleman’s Association, and the Maury County Historical Society.

The award was presented by a fellow judge who has long worked alongside Sands, emphasizing the deep professional respect within the legal community.

In his remarks, Sands reflected on the role of the Maury County Judicial Center and the responsibility of legal professionals to uphold justice within its walls. He encouraged those in the field to continue shaping the courthouse into a true center of justice, grounded in service to the law and the community.

The May 1st Law Day event also recognized the next generation of legal minds, with a special acknowledgment of the Agathos Classical School’s Mock Trial team. The celebration highlighted both the achievements of seasoned professionals and the promise of young aspiring attorneys.

The event concluded with remarks from the Bar Association president, who praised the strength of Maury County’s legal community and celebrated Sands as a model of integrity, leadership, and dedication.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Wednesday, May 7th

Troy Castelland, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Thursday, May 8th

Mary Lou, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Neal Pennington, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Friday, May 9th

Live Music Fridays, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Rob Higginbotham, Buck & Board, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Kiersi Joli, Grinder’s Switch, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Troy Kemp, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
MFT, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Saturday, May 10th

Tom Dixon, Keg Springs Winery, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 8:00 PM
Mellie Koska, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Jake Clayton Band, The Rebel, 5:30 - 8:30 PM
Porch Series Writers Round - Michael Farren, Ava Mabury, Dave Kennedy, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM Reservations Here 
The Wannabeatles, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Resurrection, The Mulhouse, 8:00 PM
Zone Status, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, May 11th

The Sins, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Deltaz Duo, The Rebel, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Archer, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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