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AES Speaks Out for the First Time After Tragic Blast That Claimed 16 Lives

Issue #588

October 18, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Friday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 85, low of 61

📰 AES Speaks Out for the First Time After Tragic Blast That Claimed 16 Lives

📰 Today: Mobile Food Giveaway at Columbia Central High School

🗓 List of Upcoming Events - Just updated with new yard sales!
 
🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

AES Speaks Out for the First Time After Tragic Blast That Claimed 16 Lives

BREAKING: AES ISSUES FIRST STATEMENT SINCE THE DEVASTATING PLANT EXPLOSION AT A COMPANY THAT KILLED 16 IN HICKMAN COUNTY, TN.

  This statement comes one day after lawyers from Hughes & Coleman filed a wrongful death lawsuit in relation to one of the victims killed in the explosion that took place one week ago.

   The firm represents the daughter of Jeremy Moore.

   The lawsuit alleges that Accurate Energetic Systems or AES failed to take the proper precautions, leading to a catastrophic explosion that could have been prevented.

  There almost certainly will be other lawsuits to follow.

  IMPORTANT TO NOTE: At this time, the investigation continues and the cause of the explosion has not been determined.

  AES does not comment on pending litigation, but did issue this statement:

——

 Our team at Accurate Energetic Systems is shocked and devastated following the tragic explosion and loss of 16 employees that took place on our campus on October 10, 2025. These team members are our family, our friends, our neighbors – it is impossible to comprehend.

    Our top priority is to support our team, their families and our community as we grieve together. 

   The outreach we’ve received from thousands of neighbors, churches, businesses, organizations and even those not directly impacted by this tragedy has been overwhelming. 

   We would especially like to thank Compassion Church in Waverly, McEwen Church of Christ, World Central Kitchen, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike Team – these and numerous other organizations and individuals have been a light and provided strength for all of us during this devastating time. Ours is a close and incredible community.

    Accurate Energetic Systems is committed to learning what caused this unprecedented tragedy, and we recognize this will be a lengthy process. 

   Our dedication to the highest safety standards has been our constant priority for 45 years at our facilities and in our community. 

   This is shared not just by our company leadership but by our team members and our civic and elected officials. 

   We maintain high industry standards and have regular reviews by state and federal regulators, and we also lead our industry with significant roles within national safety organizations. That is another reason why this tragedy is so difficult to comprehend. 

    We are assisting investigators in every way possible and will continue to do so as we all seek answers. We have asked that everyone on our team support the hundreds of responders and investigators that are doing the most difficult of jobs.

     Thank you to all who have reached out and provided support during this tragic time. We will continue to work with local, state and federal agencies to provide updates as we have them.

Today: Mobile Food Giveaway at Columbia Central High School

Is your family in NEED? Have you been struggling to make ends meet and having to choose between food and other basic necessities? 

Today, October 18th, The Well Outreach along with Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee and Farm Bureau Health Plans will be hosting a mobile food giveaway.

Where: Columbia Central High School

921 Lion Parkway

When: Sat, Oct 18th

Time: Food Distribution will begin at 9am and continue until all food is gone 

Please share, so that those who need us can find us.

More info at thewelloutreach.org

Upcoming Local Events

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

Saturday, October 18th

Sunday, October 12th

Sunday, October 19th

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Saturday, October 18

Small Town Sweethearts – Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM
Larkin & Leigh – Buck & Board, 5–8 PM
Murphy Ridge – McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
John Wayne Band – Twisted Copper Brewing Co., 7–9 PM
Michael Rix – Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Fall Series: The Bourbon Gospel – 7:30 PM
Still Rockin’ – The Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Carter Elliott – Grazie Italian Eatery, 7:30–9:30 PM
U4IA – The Ultimate U2 Tribute Show – The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Vaughn Station – The Boondox, 8 PM
Jill FM – Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Sunday, October 19

John Salaway & Raw Radick – Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1–5 PM

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