The Year in Review: A Look Back at 2025, Part 1

Another year has passed, and 2025 brought changes to us as individuals and to our society as a whole. Many of us celebrated good happenings, while others suffered life-changing losses. Whatever 2025 brought you, our readers, it is our sincere hope that 2026 is a great year for us all.

Here is Part 1 of our “Year in Review” series; we hope you enjoy the look back at 2025.

January

Two motor vehicle accidents in Wayne County ushered in the new year, demolishing two vehicles but leaving the occupants thankfully uninjured. The first took place on New Year’s Eve at about 9pm on Big Cypress Road. Five young people, three of them minors, were traveling in a Chevrolet Silverado when the driver lost control and slid off the roadway, striking a tree. THP said the truck was traveling at a rate of speed too high for the road conditions. The next accident was on New Year’s Day, January 1. This wreck involved a Ford Mustang, with the driver being the sole occupant. The driver was traveling southbound on Highway 13 near the Ag Center when he lost control and ran off the roadway, flipping several times before coming to a rest. The driver of the Mustang was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and released the same day. Troopers confirmed that neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor in either wreck.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that cases of the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID were climbing in Middle Tennessee in January 2025. Emergency department data from Maury Regional hospitals indicated that RSV and flu rates were very high and COVID rates were listed as moderate; however, all three were climbing rapidly. While the symptoms of these three viruses vary, common symptoms include fever, chills, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose and body aches. Respiratory viruses spread rapidly and are transmitted through respiratory droplets. This time of year is the prime season for these illnesses, and January 2026 is expected to be no different.

The Wayne County School Board met in their first session of the new year on January 9, 2025. Among the items of new business on the agenda was the contract extension for the Director of Schools. The board approved a new four-year contract for Dr. Ricky Inman, Wayne County Director of Schools, to begin July 1, 2025 and end June 30, 2029.

The first winter storm of the year in Wayne County blanketed us with snow, sleet, and freezing rain the week of January 12, 2025. Our little towns that are already pretty take on a whole new magical look when covered in snow, and even if the snow and ice cause problems, it cannot be denied that they create a special kind of peaceful beauty.

The CHS Winter Guard team made an impressive start to their season at Mt. Juliet High School, earning first place in their opening competition on January 18-19. Competing against teams from across the region, the CHS performers dazzled the judges and audience with their intricate choreography, seamless transitions, and captivating storytelling. 2024-2025 CHS Winter Guard team members were Gabriella Stults, Jaylee Moore, Ryan Tucker, Savanna Mickey, Dannielle Risner, Emma Dicus, Brianna Weeks, Jacie Brewer, Clara West, & Lilly Darnell. Manager was Annabelle Cross. The team was coached by Mrs. Rachel Stults.

Donald John Trump, the 47th President of the United States of America, took the Presidential Oath of Office for the second time on Monday, January 20, 2025. The 20th amendment to the Constitution specifies that the term of each elected President of the United States begins at noon on January 20th of the year following the election. Each president must take the Oath of Office before assuming the duties of the position.

The City of Waynesboro installed two handicap swings in January 2025 at the Waynesboro City Park at the request of the Wayne County Civitan Club. The swings were purchased by the city to replace the swings that were placed in the park in 2007 and were damaged beyond repair. Members of the Collinwood Beautification Board also agreed to purchase a new handicap swing to be placed in the Ralph M. Hughes, Sr. Memorial Park. The Wayne County Civitan Club requested the swing to replace the one they had purchased and placed in 2007.

A fire on Monday, January 20, 2025, resulted in the complete loss of a shop building near Waynesboro. Wayne County EMA Director Brian Smith stated that on Monday at approximately 2:25 p.m., a fire was called in from a truck/equipment shop located at 1350 Tie Camp Road, Waynesboro. The fire was very hot and burned quickly, with oxygen and acetylene tanks causing minor explosions inside the shop as the fire progressed. Residents reported smoke visible for miles around the area. Several local volunteer fire departments responded to the fire but were unable to save the building.

A fire in Waynesboro on January 28, 2025, quickly spread to a wooded area but was fortunately contained before affecting any structures. When units from the Waynesboro City Fire Department arrived at the scene on Porter Road, the fire, which appeared to have started at a pile of old tires, had spread to a nearby wooded area. The fire department’s report stated that they put water on the woods and the tires and called the forestry department to assist. Terry Brewer with the TN Department of Forestry responded with a bulldozer and was able to contain the woods fire by digging trenches and covering up the burning leaves and debris with dirt.

A residential fire on January 30, 2025, was much more devastating to a Collinwood family. The fire resulted in the tragic and total loss of the home of Brad and April Morris, along with the loss of nearly all the family’s possessions. The fire at the Morris residence, located at 212 South Andy Street in Collinwood, was called in at approximately 7:11 a.m. on Thursday, January 30. Sources stated that Mrs. Morris woke up to flames that had already spread from the attached garage to the home itself, and she had to evacuate the home immediately. Flames were reportedly visible for miles as the home burned. The fire was ruled as accidental.

February

The Waynesboro Middle School Wildcats competed in the 2025 James C. Haile Middle School Basketball State Tournament during the last week of January/first week of February 2025. The tournament is hosted annually by Middle Tennessee Christian School in Murfreesboro, TN. The Wildcats competed in the Class AA Division, and led by first-year Head Coach Owen Risner, brought home the 2025 James C. Haile Division AA State Championship trophy. Their impressive 2024-2025 overall season record was 19-3.

The 10th Annual Bob Haggard Wildcat Alumni Game was a huge success on Sunday, February 2, 2025. The day began with the Lady Cat Alumni facing off against each other. The teams were selected by sisters Jordan Risner Butler and Kelsey Risner Mercer and were very evenly matched as the gray team held a 18-13 halftime advantage, but the black team erupted for 29 second-half points to take the victory, 42-35. The boys’ game saw lots of threes launched by both teams. After the gray team led 19-14 at the half, the black team stormed back to take a solid lead with 2 minutes to go, but the gray team would not quit. Inbounding the ball under their own basket with 2.8 seconds left and trailing by one, Owen Risner boarded a shot and put it back in as the buzzer sounded to give his team the 44-43 come-from-behind victory. Owen Risner of the gray team led all scorers as he burned the nets up for 25 points (2 threes) including 5 in a 3-second span to cement a successful comeback by his team. Between games, Anna Beth Haggard spoke for a few minutes about the man being remembered on this day, Mr. Bob Haggard. Proceeds from the alumni game fund a scholarship in memory of Bob, the Bob Haggard Character and Service Scholarship.

Tennessee State Senators passed the highly debated Educated Freedom Scholarship Act (commonly known as the school voucher program) in a 20-13 vote in February 2025. The House of Representatives also passed a version of the proposal that included an amendment requiring local school boards to formally approve the voucher program to access $2,000 bonuses for teachers. Wayne County Director of Schools, Dr. Ricky Inman, voiced his concerns regarding the voucher program at the Wayne County Commission meeting in January 2025. Dr. Inman pointed out that the program is estimated to cost the state $863 million over the first five years. “I’m not at all opposed to students having a school choice,” said Dr. Inman. “I’m just opposed to taxpayers having to pay for it.”

Wayne County Library Director Kathy Morris announced her retirement in February of 2025. Kathy was the face and driving force behind the Wayne County Public Library System for an amazing 43+ years. When Kathy was first hired for the position, the Waynesboro Public Library was located on South Main Street in Waynesboro, where Shelter Insurance is now. The Waynesboro Public Library we have now, which is located just off Highway 64 East, was built in 1984. Having much more room to work with, the new library not only has more books, but also a room dedicated to computers for the public to access. Kathy also envisioned and helped with the opening of libraries in Clifton and Collinwood. The first library in Clifton was located inside People’s Bank, with only one or two shelves of books. In 1996, the library moved into the T.S. Stribling home. The Clifton Branch Library is now housed in a brick building on Main Street. The Collinwood Depot Branch Library came along a little bit later, opening in 2001. The Collinwood Depot, another historic Wayne County building, was chosen as the perfect place for a library. “When I applied for this job at the library that I wasn’t even really looking for all those years ago, I had no idea it would turn into my lifetime career,” said Kathy. “I’ve seen lots of changes in the way people use library resources over the years, and I have learned lots of new things along with them.”

Wayne County schools experienced the effects of the surging 2025 influenza season in February 2025. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that flu-related doctor’s visits and hospitalizations skyrocketed, making the 2025 outbreak one of the most severe flu seasons in at least 15 years. “We had to close schools because many of our staff were out sick, and we didn’t have enough substitutes to fill in for them,” said Wayne County Director of Schools, Dr. Ricky Inman, on February 12. “Students’ absences have leveled off, but we have still been seeing more than twice the average rate.”

Drug crimes proved to still be an issue in Wayne County when on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at 8142 Roberson Cemetery Road in Iron City. The search yielded nearly three ounces of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and firearms. Charles Randle Keeton was arrested and transported to the Wayne County Jail/Workhouse where he was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Weapon during a Dangerous Felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon. Keeton was booked into jail on a $275,000 bond.

Heavy rainfall across the state caused excessive flooding with devastating consequences for some Tennessee counties in February 2025. The Tennessee River at Clifton rose to flood levels, cresting at around 12 noon on Wednesday, February 19, at 370.75 feet. Although that level only put the river at minor flood stage, roads were closed and evacuations of personal property took place at several recreational and residential locations near its banks.

Wayne County residents woke up to a landscape covered in snow on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. As predicted, the previous heavy rainfall changed into a winter storm event that left an inch and a half of snow at the Wayne County News office in Waynesboro. Other parts of the county had even more accumulation of the white stuff.

The Wayne County High School Wildcats and Lady Cats basketball teams captured TSSAA 11-1A District Tournament Championships during the weekend of Friday, February 21, - Saturday, February 22, 2025. The Wildcats defeated the Collinwood Trojans on Friday, then won the title on Saturday night when they defeated the Frank Hughes Lions. The WCHS Lady Cats began the girls’ tourney by defeating the Frank Hughes Lady Lions, and took the district title on Saturday when they defeated the Lady Vikings of Perry County.

The Wayne County News concluded the month of February 2025 with a spotlight on Mary Beth Prater in observance of Heart Health Awareness Month. Mary Beth suffered a heart attack on the day after Christmas, December 26, 2024, and doctors went so far as to tell her family that her vital signs and bloodwork were “incompatible with life.” After spending seven days in Centennial Hospital in Nashville, and facing the large odds stacked against her which included being diagnosed with COVID while being treated for the heart attack, Mary Beth experienced a true “Christmas miracle.” She is now home and doing well, and the heart attack is far behind her in the rearview mirror.

Be sure to grab your copy of next week’s Wayne County News for Part 2 of 2025-The Year in Review.