Missing Columbia Teens Found Safe After Three Months

Issue #540

August 30, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Weather - Sunny w/ High of 89, low of 59

📰 Missing Columbia Teens Found Safe After Three Months

📰 Mt. Pleasant Commission Narrowly Approves Housing Development on Columbia Pike

👉 TODAY: Cornhole Tournament at Riverwalk Park

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Missing Columbia Teens Found Safe After Three Months

Two missing adolescents from Columbia have been located and safely returned home following a coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies. The juveniles were found in Lawrenceburg on August 25 after being missing for nearly three months.

The recovery involved the Lynnville Police Department, Columbia Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, the Lawrence County Constable’s Office, and Constables Nathan Self and Randy Tucker. Lynnville Police Chief Sam Barnes, who also serves as a Maury County Constable, became directly involved after being contacted by one of the families of the missing teens.

Through extensive information gathering, fieldwork, and collaboration, officers identified locations and persons of interest in Lawrenceburg, ultimately leading to the safe return of the juveniles.

Authorities have identified Zolieth Ofelia Cuarezma as the suspect in the case. Cuarezma faces charges of concealing, harboring, or hiding a minor and is scheduled to appear in Lawrence County General Sessions Court on September 9.

Law enforcement agencies involved expressed appreciation for the teamwork that led to the successful outcome.

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Mt. Pleasant Commission Narrowly Approves Housing Development on Columbia Pike

The Mt. Pleasant City Commission narrowly voted 3–2 in favor of moving forward with the proposed Ashwood Hall development, a project from John Maher Builders that would bring 247 homes and a wastewater treatment facility to a 106-acre site at Columbia Pike and Zion Road. The decision follows months of debate, with the planning commission previously voting against the rezoning request.

Before final approval, the project must pass a second reading. Public comment is scheduled for Sept. 11 at Mt. Pleasant City Hall, where a large turnout is expected. Residents opposing the development have also organized a Facebook group, “Mt. Pleasant Neighbors for Sustainable Growth,” to share updates and concerns.

The main point of contention centers on rezoning the land to R3, the city’s highest-density residential category. Planning commissioners had earlier rejected the request, noting that R3 zoning is typically reserved for areas closer to a downtown core. To overrule that recommendation, city commissioners were required to justify the rezoning under four bylaws.

Supporters of the project argued that the site already sits among a mix of developed properties, including retail and residential, and that the city stands to benefit from new tax revenue, building permits, and economic growth. They emphasized that Mt. Pleasant needs additional quality housing to accommodate a growing population.

Opponents raised concerns about the impact on nearby landmarks such as Polk Memorial Gardens and St. John’s Episcopal Church, as well as questions over whether the city can adequately provide services to the new neighborhood. Some also expressed frustration that the development would primarily benefit the builder, rather than the community at large.

Ultimately, commissioners who voted in favor felt the project reflected the city’s ongoing growth and would help fund needed infrastructure improvements. Those opposed worried about stretching city services too thin and questioned whether the development aligned with Mt. Pleasant’s long-term planning goals.

The upcoming September meeting is expected to draw significant public input before a final decision is made.

TODAY: Cornhole Tournament at Riverwalk Park

Think you’ve got what it takes to be the Cornhole champion? Join us for a friendly (but fierce!) Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, August 30, from 1:30 – 3:30 PM at the Farmers Market Pavilion at Riverwalk Park.

Sign-ups happen on-site when you arrive, and if you don’t have a teammate—no worries! We’ll pair you up on a first-come, first-served basis.

Single elimination format
Two games running at once
Players keep their own scores
Trophies for the champions!

This is a FREE event, so bring your A-game, grab a friend (or make a new one), and let the bags fly!

Cornhole Tournament
August 30th, Saturday
1:30 – 3:30 PM

Farmers Market Pavilion, Riverwalk Park

Let us know you're coming by clicking "Interested" or "Going!"

Upcoming Local Events

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

Saturday, August 30th

Sunday, August 31st

Monday, September 1st

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

Sept 5-14: Nashville Fair 
Sept 9-13: Americana Fest (Nashville)
Sept 16: Breakfast with the Mayors
Sept 27 - 28: Pilgrimage Music & Heritage Festival

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, August 29th

TBA, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
The Nature Project, Buck & Board, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Open Mic Night, Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Muletown Songwriters Series, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Tom & Robert, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Late Bloomers, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
The Velvet Troubadors, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
5x5, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Saturday, August 30th

Ben Daniel, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Kamber, Buck & Board, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Shannon & The Harpeth River Boys, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Summer Series, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
The Deltaz, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Resurrection - A Journey Tribute, The Mulehouse, 8:00 PM
Power Play, The Boondox, 8:00 PM 
Downsouth Band, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, August 31st

Don Phillips, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Jacob Frish, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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