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The Tennessee Theatre handed out its first Marquee Awards on May 11, celebrating high school musical theater. Ten high schools participated. Bearden, Carter, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Knoxville Catholic and South-Doyle had winners in categories from acting to production.
A 3.8 magnitude earthquake shook northwest Tennessee early May 16. The quake happened at 3:19 a.m., approximately 4 miles south of Ridgely, according to the United States Geological Survey. It originated 4.5 miles below the earth’s surface. That level of magnitude is considered minor.
A public hearing was held during the regular meeting of the Oakland Board of Mayor and Aldermen on May 16. Discussed was Ordinance 24-06 to amend the adopted fiscal year 2024 budget for the town of Oakland sewer fund.
The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-0 tornado caused damage to multiple outbuildings and trees blown down near Ethridge on May 14. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Lifelong Lewis County residents Wylie and Bettie Carroll were honored with a bridge dedicated to them on Arkansas Road. Wylie is known for his work at the Lewis County Highway Commission Department and Transfer Station while Bettie is recognized for her compassion in health care.
Nearly three years after he was named assistant chief and six months since being named the interim chief following the resignation of former chief Tony Kimbrough, Davy Bergman Jr. has recently been named chief of the Fayetteville Fire Department, the Elk Valley Times reports.
A local veteran is bringing a program to Loudon County that helps military families heal from service-related mental trauma, the News-Herald reports. REBOOT Recovery offers 12-week free courses for first responders, military and everyone else who has experienced trauma.
Macon County had a 2.5% unemployment rate in March, well under the statewide rate of 3.2% for the month, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Macon County’s unemployment rate in February was 2.3%.
Ten people were arrested by the West Tennessee Drug Task Force in Humboldt over the weekend. Task force agents patrolled southern Gibson County during the annual Strawberry Festival in Humboldt. Five weapons were seized, and agents pursued and caught a violent wanted felon.
People magazine has named Top of the Rock Restaurant on Jasper Mountain as the most beautiful restaurant in Tennessee, the Sequatchie Valley Now reports. The restaurant is 5 years old and is located at the entrance of Jasper Highlands, just above the Town of Kimball.
Young Professionals of Marshall County is preparing for its first Fun Friday of 2024. Local businesses, vendors food trucks, live music, family-friendly activities and more will be at Lewisburg Square on June 7, June 21 and July 12. focus on cow-calf and stocker operators. Booth registration costs $25 before July 19 and $30 after. Register online at knoxne.ws/tristatebeef.
Pickett County recorded a 3.7% unemployment rate in March, a drop from 4.2% in February according to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Polk County Schools announced its top of class, the Polk County News reports. Kaden Trew is the valedictorian and Catherine Speights is the salutatorian for Polk County High School. Madelynn Cribbs is the valedictorian and Jessie Baliles is the salutatorian for Copper Basin High School.
Cookeville High School ranked 83rd and Upperman High was 100th by U.S. News & World Report in Tennessee. There were 305 high schools ranked based on college readiness, state assessment proficiency and performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum and graduation rates.
Groups will offer “Trauma and the Addicted Mind Training” May 30 at the Rhea County Welcome Center, the Herald-News reports. Training will consist of learning why do people use, abuse and become addicted and how substance use impacts decision-making and self-control.
Environmental groups are welcoming federal rules that require the Tennesssee Valley Authority to clean up old coal ash dumps, the Claiborne Progress reports. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued new rules to force power plants to clean up lingering deposits of coal ash.
Despite violent weather across Middle Tennessee, the 83rd annual Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival returned to downtown Portland with a jampacked schedule that included headliner Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute, Strawberry Jam Concert and Fireworks and main festival day, the Tennessean reports.
The Murfreesboro City Council offered the next city manager job to Assistant City Manager Darren Gore, The Daily News Journal reports.
McDonald’s of Oneida raised more than $5,000 for local schools with its McTeacher’s Night events, the Independent Herald reports. Schools received a portion of the store’s proceeds on the nights teachers served as McDonald’s workers for a shift.
The SETHRACASA World Championship Rodeo is set to take place in Dunlap on May 28. Tickets are now on sale starting at $15.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a director’s order against the East Sevier County Utility District over violations dating back to 2017, the Mountain Press reports. The order calls for the utility district to pay up to $20,480 in fines for multiple violations.
The annual Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest kicked off May 15 at the Fairgrounds at Liberty Park with its ceremonial grill lighting, followed by the curiously entertaining sauce wrestling.
The Women in Ag Summit for women involved in agriculture will be held at 9 a.m.-3 p.m., May 30, at Bilbrey’s Crossing in Rickman, reports the Smith County Insider. The Upper Cumberland Extension Team is hosting the summit. Cost is $20. Lunch provided. Call 615-735-2900 to register.
The Cumberland City Council unanimously approved its 2024-2025 fiscal year budget in a first reading, including a rate increase in the city’s insurance policy along with water and sewer rate increases of 10% that are expected to take effect July 1, the Stewart County Standard reports.