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Maury County Water Concerns Take Center Stage in Thursday’s Duck River Meeting

Issue #527

August 15, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛅️ Columbia’s Weather - Sun & clouds, possible stray shower or thunderstorm w/ High of 94, low of 70.

📰 Maury County Water Concerns Take Center Stage in Thursday’s Duck River Meeting

📰 $10K Scholarship Honors Two Leaders Who Shaped Maury County’s Story

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Maury County Water Concerns Take Center Stage in Thursday’s Duck River Meeting

Efforts to protect the Duck River took center stage Thursday as members of the Duck River Planning Partnership met to explore possible solutions for the long-term preservation of one of the nation’s most biologically diverse waterways.

The partnership, formed in response to an executive order from Governor Bill Lee, includes representatives from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, local and state officials, conservation advocates, and others directly involved with the river’s management.

While the group continues to discuss a variety of strategies, a Maury County-based organization is pushing for more immediate action. Columbia Dam Now, led by local resident Jason Gilliam, has identified raising the water level at Normandy Lake as a short-term fix that could be implemented faster and at a lower cost than other proposed measures. The group also supports rebuilding the Columbia Dam, an unfinished project from the 1980s, as a long-term solution.

Another proposal under consideration is a large-scale pipeline to draw water from the Cumberland or Tennessee River into the Duck River. Critics argue that the estimated $2 billion price tag and lengthy construction timeline make this option impractical for addressing current needs.

Environmental concerns remain a point of debate, as building a dam could alter the river’s natural flow. However, proponents of the Columbia Dam say the impact would be limited, leaving most of the river’s ecosystem intact.

No official decisions were made during Thursday’s meeting. The partnership is scheduled to meet again on September 18, with two additional sessions planned for November. Details on the September meeting’s location and time are still pending.

$10K Scholarship Honors Two Leaders Who Shaped Maury County’s Story

A new scholarship opportunity is opening doors for Maury County students heading to Tennessee State University — and it carries with it a legacy more than a century in the making.

The Edmund and John H. Kelly Scholarship, valued at up to $10,000 for the 2025–26 school year, was created by the African American Heritage Society of Maury County with support from a generous anonymous donor. Its purpose is twofold: to help local students succeed at TSU and to honor two remarkable men whose influence shaped the community for generations.

Rev. Edmund Kelly’s story began in the mid-1800s, when he became one of Tennessee’s first ordained African American ministers. His leadership reached far beyond the pulpit — he founded churches, authored educational materials, and advocated for civil rights in a time when doing so carried immense risk. His family’s legacy continued through his son, William Kelly, who served in the famed 54th Massachusetts Regiment during the Civil War.

A few decades later, John H. Kelly built upon that legacy in the world of education. In the 1880s, he established Maury County’s first public school for African Americans, creating opportunities that had never before existed. His dedication to education and community development extended to training future teachers and improving healthcare access for the Black community in the early 20th century.

Today, the Kelly name represents perseverance, service, and the belief that education can change the course of a life — and this new scholarship aims to pass that torch to the next generation. Applicants must not only be from Maury County and planning to attend TSU, but also write a short essay reflecting on how the Kellys’ work connects to their own experiences and ambitions.

Applications are now open for students preparing to step onto campus next fall. Full application details can be found here. For more information contact Ms. Tiffany Baker, [email protected].

Upcoming Local Events

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

Friday, August 15th

Saturday, August 16th

Sunday, August 17th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

Aug 14 - 23: Tennessee State Fair (Lebanon)
Aug 22: Tennessee Titans First Pre-Season Home Game
Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 
Sept 27 - 28: Pilgrimage Music & Heritage Festival

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, August 15th

TBA, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Ryan Keeler, Buck & Board, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Karaoke Night, Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Tom & Robert, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Eastern Dreamers, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
TBA, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Lydia Rae, Grazie! Italian Eatery, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Zone Status, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Saturday, August 16th

Miles Damaso Group, Puckett’s 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Bethany Trainor, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
The Howlin’ Embers, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
DNR, Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Mike Peter’s, Grazie! Italian Eatery, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
The Ultimate 90’s Experience, The Mulehouse, 8:00 PM
Tough Enough, The Boondox, 8:00 PM 
Box of Rox, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, August 17th 

TBA, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Vince & Brett, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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