NEWS FROM AROUND THE VOLUNTEER STATE

The Tennessee county-by-county report brings you news from each of the Volunteer State’s 95 counties every Sunday. Items are compiled by reporters and editors from across the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee.

ANDERSON COUNTY: The Tennessee Valley Authority is looking at demolishing most of the structures on the Bull Run Fossil Plant site, the Courier News reports. TVA’s ideas for the future of the site include installing battery storage, pursuing economic development opportunities, adding new generation, and establishing a green space for community use.

BEDFORD COUNTY: Officials in Bedford County and Shelbyville are working together to address homelessness, including camps, some abandoned, by the Duck River, that leave debris. The Joint Homeless Task Force in Bedford County is assessing the situation, reports the Bedford County Post.

BENTON COUNTY: Camden Elementary School announced that Allyssa Zollicoffer was named the Teacher of the Year. Zollicoffer has been teaching for the past 10 years and currently teaches first-grade students.

BLEDSOE COUNTY: Bledsoe County High School announced the 2024 Top Ten Seniors, the Bledsonian-Banner reports. The students are Valedictorian Ensley Evans, Salutatorian Cyla Swafford, Historian Emma Reel, Mariah Keith, Makayla Borkowicz, Kennedy Rains, Brayden Keener, Kaylea Rains, Anna Bridges and Kassi Holt.

BLOUNT COUNTY: Blount highway officials used crushed glass in road mixture during the January snowstorm to give drivers in Blount County traction on icy streets, according to the Daily Times. Glass accounted for 5% of the mixture applied to the roads, with salt making up for the other 95% of the mix.

BRADLEY COUNTY: The Cleveland/ Bradley Chamber announced the grand opening of the Guild, a coworking community establishment in downtown Cleveland. The Guild is a shared coworking community with rooms dedicated for work, meetings and events. The Guild offers office rental spaces through membership, and includes a kitchen stocked with coffee, tea and water.

CAMPBELL COUNTY: A LaFollette couple has been indicted following an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation into the abuse and financial exploitation of an elderly man. Agents learned the couple, while working as caregivers for a 79-year-old man, financially exploited the victim and failed to provide proper care.

CANNON COUNTY: U.S. Rep. John Rose, R- Tennessee, 6th District, introduced the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act with Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-New York, which would ban “trigger leads” to credit bureaus with exceptions to better protect homebuyers’ privacy, WBRY reports.

CARROLL COUNTY: The Carroll County Highway Committee met Monday to discuss two pieces of business. The first item was the reduction of elected Road Supervisors from two to one. The second item was moving the Highway Department’s accounting, budgeting and purchasing to the County Mayor’s Office.

CARTER COUNTY: Harper Robinette of Tennessee High School wins $1,500 in Eastman’s Black History Month Oratorical Contest, the Elizabethton Star reports. Robinette won for her essay on Vivien Thomas, an African American pioneer of modern heart surgery who developed a cure for “blue baby” syndrome.

CHEATHAM COUNTY: Legislation recently filed by state Rep. Mary Littleton would raise the punishment for knowingly endangering, abusing or neglecting a child under 8 years old from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony, the Cheatham County Exchange reports.

CHESTER COUNTY: The Lifesaving Citation Award was presented to police officer Danielle Cook. On Feb. 4, 2023, Cook, responded to a 911 call of an unresponsive male. Cook took action to save the man from a drug overdose.

CLAIBORNE COUNTY: Lincoln Memorial University notified students of a wildlife alert when a Harrogate resident’s pet wallaby escaped on campus. The exotic pet was spotted leaping across campus and entered the woods behind Grant-Lee Hall. The wallaby was retrieved by the owner and is safe.

CLAY COUNTY: The Clay County chamber plans to seek grant money to hold more events connected to the Cumberland River, Director of Tourism Beverly Murphy said. Singing competitions and arts events are among ideas that could be planned. Dale Hollow Lake also is in Clay County.

COCKE COUNTY: A store owner was allegedly assaulted by driveway-blocking semi driver, the Newport Plain Talk reports. The owner of Bargain Barn had asked the driver several times to move the truck, but the driver refused and punched him in the face, according to an incident report by the Cocke County Sheriff’s Department,

COFFEE COUNTY: The Manchester city attorney raised concerns at a finance committee meeting that a large event fee negotiated at the time of the Bonnaroo property annexation is unenforceable, the Manchester Times reports. Despite a similar county fee, the city fee did not go through an act of legislation.

CROCKETT COUNTY: The Chamber of Commerce Board of Director’s meeting will take place 7:30-8:30 a.m. Feb. 21 at the Crockett County Chamber of Commerce, 25 N. Bells St., in Alamo.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY: The Cumberland County Government contributed $150,000 to the Roane State Foundation to complete a major expansion of its Cumberland County campus, 3B Media News reports. The installment will increase program access for students, grow overall health science capacity, and offer a full nursing program.

DAVIDSON COUNTY: Gov. Bill Lee announced his priorities during the annual State of the State highlighting $1.6 billion in tax breaks for businesses and $141.5 million for a controversial school choice voucher program, that elicited objections from spectators in the House galleries.

DECATUR COUNTY: The Decatur County Middle School Lady Panthers finished their season this month, falling to Huntingdon Middle School, 56-21, in the championship game at the James C. Haile State Tournament held at Murfreesboro Christian School.

DEKALB COUNTY: DeKalb County Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell was presented the 2023 Three Star Certification before the Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers, reports the Smithville Review.

DICKSON COUNTY: It’s that time cookie lovers! Girl Scout cookies are available online and in stores, the Dickson Post reports. This year’s theme is “unbox the future.” Cookie lovers can get the delectable treats at several locations throughout the county, including Murphy’s Cee Bee, 3426 Highway 48 in Charlotte, on Saturdays and Sundays.

DYER COUNTY: A second person wanted in connection with a murder in Dyersburg has been arrested. The Graves County Sheriff’s Office says a 19-year-old Humboldt man was arrested Feb. 5 in Mayfield.

FAYETTE COUNTY: The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and the Somerville Police Department are investigating a shooting that happened at the Westview Cove Apartments around 11 a.m. Feb. 4. The victim was wounded but not killed.

FENTRESS COUNTY: The State Building Commission has approved funding for a 49,000 square foot Fentress County Higher Education Center in Jamestown that will be home for Roane State Community College’s area campus and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Oneida/ Huntsville. Completion is estimated in 2025, according to Roane State.

FRANKLIN COUNTY: State Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, and Rep. Iris Rudder, R-Winchester, addressed attendees at the Franklin County Republican Party chili supper. Rudder said the most controversial issues legislators face is school vouchers and the Educational Freedom Bill, the Herald Chronicle reports.

GIBSON COUNTY: LIFELINE Blood Services held the Ted Murray Jones “Raggedy Man” Blood Drive, hosted at Boys and Girls Club last month. LIFELINE Blood Services Marketing Manager Melinda Reid said the drive is named after Jones, a 12-gallon donor and longtime supporter of LIFELINE.

GILES COUNTY: The Lynnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen swore in new Police Chief Don Laws last month, the Pulaski Citizen reports.

GRAINGER COUNTY: Food City in Blaine plans to expand its store to accommodate a Starbucks, Grainger Today reports. Bristol Signs revealed the plan at a Blaine Planning Commission meeting when presenting a drawing for a new entry sign to Food City. No timetable was given for the expansion.

GREENE COUNTY: Tusculum University is supporting the humanitarian relief movement in Ukraine with an art auction fundraiser Feb. 29, the Greeneville Sun reports. Restore Ukraine will use proceeds for Ukrainians whose residences have been damaged in the war. The fundraiser will be held 5:30 p.m. at the Clem Allison Art Gallery.

GRUNDY COUNTY: Anyone who makes less than $64,000 a year, is disabled or elderly qualifies for free tax services by the BetterFi Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, the Grundy County Herald reports. The service is offered by appointment only.

HAMBLEN COUNTY: The Hamblen County Genealogical Society is seeking information on Hamblen County service members who died in the armed forces, the Citizen Tribune reports. Chair Karen Nunan shared a list of 102 military members from Hamblen County who died. Nunan is seeking to collect information on the veterans to honor their legacy.

HAMILTON COUNTY: The Chattanooga metropolitan area ranked 46 out of 200 in the Milken Institute’s ‘best performing cities’ ranking, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The rankings are measured by wage growth, job growth, income inequality and a community’s ability to bounce back from economic or natural disasters.

HANCOCK COUNTY: An investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of a Hancock man with second-degree murder. Joshua Metcalf is being held in the death of his brother, Jared Metcalf.

HARDEMAN COUNTY: Hardeman County General Sessions Judge Boyette Denton announced his upcoming retirement at the Jan. 23 meeting of the Hardeman County Commission.

HARDIN COUNTY: Jeffrey F. Talley, 57, was killed Feb. 7 when his vehicle plunged off a steep embankment near the TVA dam at Pickwick. There were no other occupants.

HAWKINS COUNTY: A Tennessee comptroller’s investigation into Mooresburg Utility District alleges that questionable payments totaling $26,710 were made to an employee and cites six deficiencies in internal controls and compliance, the Rogersville Review reports. The Mooresburg Utility District provides service to approximately 650 customers within Mooresburg.

HAYWOOD COUNTY: Stanton wants a new fire station, and there may be federal grant money that can help. There was a community meeting in early February in Stanton to allow residents to talk about their most urgent needs.

HENDERSON COUNTY: Lexington city employees could see at least a 5% pay increase after July 1 as part of a salary adjustment aldermen have been debating for over a year.

HENRY COUNTY: Jeep enthusiasts descended on Sweet Jordan’s en masse this month to support the bakery’s mission of employing special needs adults to work and serve the clientele who visit the Paris restaurant, ice cream shop and bakery.

HICKMAN COUNTY: Hickman County ranks among the state’s best with a 2.5% jobless rate in December, ranking it sixth out of 95 Tennessee counties, the Hickman County Times reports. The top county in Tennessee is Moore County, who had a 2.1% jobless rate in December.

HOUSTON COUNTY: A Tennessee Department of Transportation Multimodal Access Grant recently awarded the city of Erin $848,000 for sidewalk improvements along State Route 49 to include pedestrian crossing improvements, lighting and other accessibility enhancements, the Houston County Herald reports.

HUMPHREYS COUNTY: Officials with the Humphreys County Register’s Office encourage landowners to enroll in the county’s free Deed Fraud Alert system, the News Democrat reports.

JACKSON COUNTY: Maddox Wilson, a junior at Jackson County High School, won a euphonium position in the Silver Band for the All-Mid-State Band in the fall and was part of the January rehearsals in Murfreesboro that included a final performance in Lipscomb University. Wilson also plays football and sometimes plays with the band at halftime.

JEFFERSON COUNTY: New Market plans to demolish its derelict gymnasium by the end of the year, replacing it with a pavilion-style recreation facility. The Standard Banner reports it will use a $337,725 grant, part of the latest round of Community Development Block Grants announced by the state.

JOHNSON COUNTY: Mountain City will use a $630,000 Community Development Block Grant for improvements at Ralph Stout Park, including a multipurpose field and much-needed restrooms. Issues with standing water at the park also will be addressed, Mayor Jerry Jordan told The Tomahawk.

KNOX COUNTY: Knox County has pledged $500,000 over five years for the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center, a new Roane State campus in West Knoxville. The 130,000-square-foot facility across from Parkwest Medical Center will significantly expand programs offered by both Roane State and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology.

LAKE COUNTY: Reelfoot Lake State Park invites people to join an experienced park naturalist for daily bald eagle and waterfowl bus or van tours. Reservations are required. Call 731253-9652.

LAUDERDALE COUNTY: Fort Pillow State Historic Park is hosting the Upper River Battery Hike, which includes viewing gun placements, from 1-3 p.m. Feb. 24. Cost is $5. Call 731738-5581 for more information.

LAWRENCE COUNTY: The Lawrence County Commission has not decided how to address the county’s solid waste issues after a resolution to award the contract for the disposal of solid waste from the local transfer station failed during a recent commission meeting, reports the Lawrence County Advocate.

LEWIS COUNTY: The Bank of Perry County, serving surrounding Lewis County, was recognized with the Centennial Award in early February, the Lewis County Herald reports. The bank opened its doors in Lobelville in 1905.

LINCOLN COUNTY: The Lincoln County FFA Alumni’s third annual “Agriculture’s Finest” awards on Feb. 24 will recognize the county’s finest in the field of agriculture and show appreciation for the ones driving the county’s largest industry, the Elk Valley Times reports.

LOUDON COUNTY: Our PLACE Adult Day Center hires new executive director, Sarah Martin, and plans to expand, the News-Herald reports. Our PLACE plans to construct a 250-square feet expansion, enclosing the current patio and creating a new one. Our PLACE is a day center for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

MACON COUNTY: Macon County Schools is among districts that are now included in a satellite lending library hub through a grant received by Tennessee Tech University’s Oakley STEM Center. The lending library hub has more than 7,000 items available to be leased for free to support STEM learning.

MADISON COUNTY: The West Tennessee Area Council of Boy Scouts of America will hold its annual Celebration of Scouting Banquet on Feb. 27 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, 400 S. Highland Ave., in Jackson.

MARION COUNTY: The Food City in Kimball opened early this month and donated $400 to each school in the Marion County Schools system, the Sequatchie Valley Now reports. With the Value Card and the Food City app, customers can select a school to receive the funds that the store offers to schools.

MARSHALL COUNTY: Channel 5 meteorologist Heather Mathis recently met with 25 leaders from various churches at the Marshall County Emergency Operations Center to talk about providing shelter for those unhoused during cold weather. She supported a law passed in April that protects churches from liability, reports the Marshall County Post.

MAURY COUNTY: SmartAsset’s recent findings ranked Maury County first in Tennessee in four major investment categories: business growth, gross domestic product growth, new building permits and incoming investment.

MCMINN COUNTY: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation obtained indictments for an Etowah woman in connection to a 2021 arson at a gas station, the Daily Post Athenian reports. Agents determined the fire was intentionally set and charged the woman with one count of arson, burglary, and vandalism over $250,000.

MCNAIRY COUNTY: James “Jim” Edward Hockaday Sr., who was born and raised in Selmer in McNairy County and spent the remaining part of his life in Wilson County, died last month at the age of 88.

MEIGS COUNTY: The Restoration Clinic hosted a grand opening for its new location, the Decatur Chamber of Commerce announces. The facility plans to offer family primary care, a medical specialty clinic with X-rays, ultrasounds, a physical therapy location, a medical training center, a counseling/ministry/education/event room and a drive-thru pharmacy.

MONROE COUNTY: The unemployment rate dropped in Monroe County for the final month of 2023, the Advocate and Democrat reports. The unemployment rate for the month of December was 3.2%, which is a 0.4% decrease from the county’s previous rate of 3.6% in November, according to the state.

MOORE COUNTY: A new TSSAA policy was recently approved by the Moore County Schools Board of Education, allowing school officials to limit the suspension time of a fan’s “unruly behavior” during the appeals process, the Moore County News reported in late January.

MORGAN COUNTY: The National Park Service will join forces with the Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning and East Tennessee Whitewater Club for a river-based cleanup at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area March 16, the Morgan County News reports. Participants should be proficient in Class III/IV whitewater.

OBION COUNTY: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed that the body of Charles Baldridge, who had been missing since Jan. 9, was found Feb. 9 near the Obion River. An autopsy will be conducted.

OVERTON COUNTY: Livingston has been awarded a $50,000 grant to do due diligence studies on a site at the City Industrial Park, according the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Livingston was one of 12 Site Development Grant recipients announced by the state that total $17.9 million.

PERRY COUNTY: The Bank of Perry County, established in 1905, is thriving today. To celebrate more than 100 years in business, Tennessee Economic & Community Development Assistant Commissioner Jamie Stitt visited.

PICKETT COUNTY: The Healthy Parks Healthy Person – Take a Hike is a 1.25 mile hike that will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 26 at Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park in Byrdstown. Cost is free. Donations will be accepted. Participants should meet at the Bunkum Cave Loop trailhead.

POLK COUNTY: The CSX wooden bridge on the Patty Church of Christ side of Columbus Road at Davis Farm has been ordered to be closed by TDOT bridge structural inspectors due to safety concerns, the Polk County Road Department announces. CSX has been provided with TDOT’s requirements to re-open the bridge.

PUTNAM COUNTY: Tennessee Tech professor Ann Davis is the first recipient of the university’s David K. Morgan Faculty Fellowship, according to the school’s news department. Davis is in the Master of Accountancy program at Tech and plans to use to fellowship to focus on research to inform her classroom and impacts on the accounting profession.

RHEA COUNTY: Dayton City School held a rally at DCS announcing that SouthEast Bank donated $63,537 to fund the DCS eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., the Herald-News reports. The Dayton City School Superintendent Trish Newsom thanked both SouthEast Bank and the school board for their support of DCS students.

ROANE COUNTY: The state of Tennessee’s third baby box has been installed in Kingston Fire Station 1, reports the Roane County News. This resource is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is entirely anonymous for any parent who needs a place to surrender a baby up to 30-days-old in a time of crisis.

ROBERTSON COUNTY: Bobby Payne, the longtime second-generation owner of Payne Chevrolet, a nearly 100-year-old family business located in Springfield, was 91 years old when he died on Dec. 30, 2023, the Robertson County Connection reports.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY: Murfreesboro government and Tennessee Equality Project reached an agreement in a lawsuit in which the city agreed to pay $500,000 and repeal an ordinance prohibiting the organization from obtaining permits to hold events in public places, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Feb. 7.

SCOTT COUNTY: Scott County’s unemployment rate is no longer among state’s 10 highest, the Independent Herald reports. The county dropped out of Tennessee’s Top 10 list, according to figures by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The unemployment rate fell from 4.5% in November to 3.9% in December, nearing an historic low.

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY: Tennessee American Water has announced the launch of the Environment Grant Program. The program calls for community partners to apply for projects that promote clean water, conservation, environmental education, climate variability, and water-based recreation project. Applications are open at amwater.com/awcfgrants.

SEVIER COUNTY: The National Park Service announced the investigation of a possible arson fire off Laurel Creek Road near Crib Gap Trail that was extinguished on Feb. 6. Rangers requested the public’s help to report any suspicious activity in the area of Crib Gap Trail, Anthony Creek Trail, or Lead Cove Trail.

SHELBY COUNTY: Southwest Airlines announced it will offer seasonal nonstop service between Memphis and Las Vegas starting Oct. 3. Spirit Airlines will also offer seasonal flights during spring break to Tampa, Florida.

SMITH COUNTY: Ephraim Rodenbach of Troop 367 in Smith County was named one of six Scouts of the Year for the Boy Scouts of America’s Middle Tennessee Council. Ephraim, a student at Smith County High School and an Eagle Scout, is representing the council’s Venturing Program, the council’s Scout Executive Larry Brown said.

STEWART COUNTY: Under construction since October 2023, the Stewart County Standard’s new website recently launched with several improvements in its navigation, a downloadable archives section with access to papers published after May 26, 2015, and more, the Stewart County Standard reports.

SUMNER COUNTY: Gallatin city officials are using a recent fatal drunkendriving crash near the intersection of Airport and Old Airport Roads to shine a light on the devastating consequences of driving under the influence, the Tennessean reported in February.

SULLIVAN COUNTY: BAE Systems Ordinance Systems, the Holston Army Ammunitions Plant operations contractor, has been fined $4,500 by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Division of Air Pollution Control for three different violations, reports the Times News. The infringements include an evaluation, construction, and boiler violation.

TIPTON COUNTY: Covington police said a 47-year-old man was arrested on Thursday after investigators recovered 38 grams of methamphetamine, 100 ecstasy pills and possible fentanyl rolled up in a $50 bill. A Smith and Wesson 9 mm firearm was also recovered, police reported.

TROUSDALE COUNTY: The site plan for a new wedding venue on a little more than 22 acres on Templow Road has been approved by the Trousdale County Planning Commission, reports the Hartsville Vidette. Kevin and Michelle Scharfman are proposing the wedding venue with hopes to open in spring 2025.

UNICOI COUNTY: The Unicoi County United Way has surpassed its 2024 campaign goal of $120,000, the Erwin Record reports. The 2024 campaign will directly fund 14 essential community organizations that offer crucial services and support. Additionally, United Way will provide one-time donations to six additional agencies and programs.

UNION COUNTY: The Union County High School Patriots 2023 Baseball Team was honored this month by the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association, reports the Union News Leader. Eben Hansen was named Player of the Year and Patriots Baseball Coach Josh Orrick was awarded Coach of the Year AA.

VAN BUREN COUNTY: The Van Buren Mountain Homecoming Committee is hosting a Bingo night on March 8. All proceeds will go to its homecoming celebration on July 13.

WASHINGTON COUNTY: The Tapestry at Roan Hill housing development hosted a groundbreaking ceremony, the Johnson City Press reports. The project is a 145-unit affordable housing apartment community and will serve as replacement housing for the residents in the John Sevier Center, which is a federally subsidized housing community for the elderly and disabled.

WAYNE COUNTY: The annual Ashtin Grimes Memorial Squirrel Hunt, beginning at 6 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Waynesboro Church of Christ, provides young hunters between the ages of 6 and 17 an exciting day in the woods followed by lunch and prize drawings, the Wayne County News reports.

WARREN COUNTY: Early voting in Warren County started Feb. 14 and ends Feb. 27 for the March 5 primary election. Voting will not be held on President’s Day, Feb. 19. There are no local races in Warren County but voters will decide on presidential primaries.

WEAKLEY COUNTY: Weakley County Sheriff Terry McDade reported that a former employee illegally removed 84.2 gallons of diesel fuel, two gas cans and two scrap catalytic converters from Weakley County Sheriff’s Office property.

WHITE COUNTY: An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Brittany Webb, the former treasurer of the Mt. Gilead Volunteer Fire Department. Investigators say she misappropriated $45,983 from the fire department and $27,598 from the firefighters association.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY: The Lotz Househas decided to continue their evening Ghost Tours due to popular demand. Guests will have the chance to experience the Civil War spirits and other unexplained phenomenon that are said to haunt the historic home. Reservations are required

WILSON COUNTY: The Wilson County Black History Committee will honor U.S. Rep. John Lewis from 2-4 p.m. today at the annual Black History Month Celebration. The celebration will be held at the Lebanon First Baptist Rock & Historic Chapel, 209 East Market Street. Call 615-444-9487 for information. There is no admission.