Maury County Firefighters Use GPS Tech to Save Stranded Hunter

Issue #592

October 22, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 73, low of 37

📰 Maury County Firefighters Use GPS Tech to Save Stranded Hunter

📰 First Tornado Siren Project Begins in Maury County After Months of Planning

🗓 List of Upcoming Events
 
🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Maury County Firefighters Use GPS Tech to Save Stranded Hunter

Maury County firefighters were dispatched Sunday afternoon to the Yanahli Wildlife Management Area after a hunter became stranded in a tree when part of his climbing stand broke, leaving him unable to get down safely.

Thanks to location technology integrated into the county’s 911 system, responders were able to pinpoint exactly where the call came from and walk straight to the man’s location. Crews carried in a 24-foot ladder and helped him down without injury. The Maury County Office of Emergency Management also responded with an ATV in case it was needed.

Officials said the system, implemented last year, allows dispatchers to transmit precise GPS coordinates to emergency units in real time — a major advantage in wooded or rural areas where there are no street addresses. The technology can track both the caller’s and responders’ positions within just a few feet, guiding rescuers directly to the scene.

The hunter, who was about 15 feet off the ground, was safely brought down and checked for injuries before being escorted out of the area. Authorities reminded hunters to regularly inspect their equipment and share their location with someone before heading out, noting how quickly accidents can happen in remote areas.

First Tornado Siren Project Begins in Maury County After Months of Planning

The Maury County Office of Emergency Management is taking a major step toward improving public safety and weather preparedness with the installation of seven new outdoor warning sirens across the county. The new sirens will be installed over the next four to six weeks at key parks and school campuses, including Maury County Park, Chickasaw Park, Yanahli Park, Mt. Pleasant Schools, Hampshire Unit School, Culleoka Unit School, and Santa Fe Unit School.

These sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors when severe weather is approaching, giving residents crucial time to seek shelter.

In addition to the county’s expansion, the City of Columbia is adding 12 sirens, and the City of Mt. Pleasant will install one, creating a stronger, countywide warning network that offers broader coverage for residents.

From Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt’s post…

GREAT NEWS FROM THE MAURY COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT!

After months of discussions, planning, and coordinating, we are ecstatic to announce that we officially broke ground on our first Tornado Siren for the community! BUT WAIT, before you shut off your weather radio, please remember this key information:

Tornado sirens are and have always been intended for outdoor use ONLY! 

While we are excited for this incredible addition to our warning system, we cannot express enough that these sirens should not be your only method of warning. 

We want to thank  City of Columbia, TN - Government and City of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee! Your coordination, determination, and partnership has been invaluable! 

We will be releasing more information in the coming weeks.

Upcoming Local Events

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

Thursday, October 23rd

Friday, October 24th

Saturday, October 25th

Sunday, October 26th

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, October 23rd

Todd Ciprian – Tito’s Spring Hill, 6–9 PM
Larkin & Leigh – Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, October 24th

Josh Hastick – Buck & Board, 6–9 PM
Nick Bentley – Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7–9 PM
Neal Pennington – McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
John Siegel – Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Ben Cannon – Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
Benji & The Jets – Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, October 25th

Ben Daniels – Keg Springs Winery, 2–5 PM
Grasskickers – Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM
Rett Stocstill & The Ministry of Fun – Buck & Board, 5–8 PM
Music on the Porch – Walnut Grove (510 N Main St, Mt Pleasant), 6–9 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints – McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Fall Series – The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Banjo Joe & Danielle – Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Vintage Voltage – The Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30–10:30 PM
Scotty Morton – The Boondox, 8 PM
8-Track – Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Sunday, October 26th

Jay Rin – Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1–5 PM
Phoenix Rising – The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4 PM

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