🌱 Could your Columbia water bill jump 20% a year for five years?

Hi there, Columbia! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Could your Columbia water bill jump 20% a year for five years?
• How will Columbia’s $1.3 million crime grant change local policing?
• How to spot fake “Columbia Police” calls demanding money

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Columbia? Post it to Columbia photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 50 and low of 33 degrees.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 54, low: 46.
• Thursday: Windy with rain and a t-storm, with a high of 58 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Proposed Columbia water rate increase for new infrastructure clears first vote • Tennessee Lookout (tennesseelookout.com) — Columbia’s City Council has narrowly advanced a proposal that could raise local water rates by up to 20% a year for five years to fund a new Duck River intake and treatment plant. Regional officials and residents are pressing for a referendum and alternatives, while public hearings are set for January 8, 2026.
   

2. Columbia awarded violent crime intervention grant (mainstreetmediatn.com) — Columbia has secured a $1.3 million state grant to upgrade police technology, surveillance systems, and officer safety equipment, aiming to better prevent and investigate violent crime. City leaders say this, combined with a recent drainage improvement grant, brings in outside funding that strengthens services while easing pressure on local taxpayers.
   

3. Columbia Residents Warned of Scammers Posing as Police, Demanding Money Over the Phone (hoodline.com) — Columbia residents are being targeted by phone scammers pretending to be local police and demanding money for fake warrants, fines, or missed jury duty. The Columbia Police Department stresses they will never request payment by phone and urges anyone receiving such calls to hang up and verify directly through dispatch at (931) 388-2727. Neighbors are encouraged to share this warning, especially with vulnerable friends and family.
   

4. The Mulehouse Hosts Free Holiday Celebration with Santa, Carriage Rides December 20 (maurycountysource.com) — Families can enjoy a free “Mulehouse Magical Christmas” celebration at The Mulehouse on West 7th Street in Columbia this Saturday, December 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect horse-and-carriage rides through downtown, storytime and photos with Santa, local vendors, festive snacks, and holiday drinks in a fully decorated venue.
   

5. Red Cross Urges Blood, Platelet Donations (mainstreetmediatn.com) — Columbia residents are being urged to donate blood or platelets, with a local Red Cross drive set for Dec. 18 at the Tennessee Army National Guard on N. James Campbell Blvd. The Red Cross highlights urgent needs for certain blood types, special December thank-you gifts for donors, and easy ways to schedule appointments or volunteer at drives across Maury and nearby counties.
   

📸 Around Columbia

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Columbia

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 17

• Historic Zoning Commission
  Columbia, TN Calendar , 700 N Garden St. , Columbia
  4:00 pm
• Columbia Arts Council Monthly Board Meeting
  Columbia, TN Calendar , 201 E 6th St , Columbia
  5:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Early Dismissal
  Spring Hill High School , 1 Raider Ln , Columbia
  7:45 am

Saturday December 20

• A MULEHOUSE MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
  Maury Alliance Chamber of Commerce , 106 W 6th St , Columbia
  10:00 am

📣 Columbia Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 16

• Ribbon Cutting: Parks Motor Sales, Collision and Repair
  Maury Alliance Chamber of Commerce , 120 Ashwood Avenue , Columbia
  2:00 pm
• SSMS 6th Boys Basketball @ Grassland
  Grassland Middle School , 2390 Hillsboro Rd , Franklin
  4:00 pm
• SSMS JV Girls Basketball vs. Grassland
  Spring Station Middle School , 1000 Spring Station Dr , Spring Hill
  4:00 pm
• SSMS JV Boys Basketball vs. Grassland
  Spring Station Middle School , 1000 Spring Station Dr , Spring Hill
  5:00 pm
• Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting
  Spring Hill, TN Calendar , 199 Town Center Parkway , Spring Hill
  5:30 pm
• SSMS Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Grassland
  Spring Station Middle School , 1000 Spring Station Dr , Spring Hill
  6:00 pm
• IHS V Boys Basketball vs LaVergne HS
  Independence High School , 1776 Declaration Way , Thompson's Station
  6:30 pm
• SSMS Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Grassland
  Spring Station Middle School , 1000 Spring Station Dr , Spring Hill
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• My son’s cat has been missing since Friday.
  We live in Cook Park. His name is Fritz and he is 5 yrs old and fixed. Please keep an eye out!! He is VERY MISSED!!! (Nextdoor Cook Park)
• Missing cat My orange tabby escaped and have not seen him since Saturday.
  please message me if you happen to see him His name is Big Meow, and is very friendly. (Nextdoor Cook Park)

• Tennessee Staffing posted a job opening for Janitorial Crew-Part Time in Columbia. Apply here.
• AtWork posted a job opening for Material handler with Forklift Experience in Columbia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Columbia here.

Ok Columbia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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