LOCAL FOCUS

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: A free breakfast for veterans is held monthly at the Clinton Community Center, 101 S. Hicks St. The “chow line” opens at 8:30 a.m. and there is a brief program at 9 a.m. The next breakfast is set for Jan. 13.

BEDFORD COUNTY: Bedford County Schools Director Tammy Garrett ordered a lockdown Dec. 5 of three schools as a precaution when a gun was reported missing from a home, according to Ontargetnews.com.

BENTON COUNTY: Camden Junior High School has hired Corey Christopher as its new principal. “Teaching is what I was put here to do,” he told the Camden Chronicle. Christopher has a bachelor's degree from Bethel, a master's degree from Union University and an Educational Specialist's degree from Union University.

BLEDSOE COUNTY: The Bledsoe County Schools Athletic Department and the Rebound Club presented the Bledsoe County Cancer Care team with a check for more than $3,000 this month, the Bledsonian Banner reported.

BLOUNT COUNTY: The Farragut West Knox Chamber will host the Regional Legislative Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 26, and the Blount Partnership Chamber of Commerce is inviting guests to learn about the legislative agenda. Keynote speaker is Bill Lyons of the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee.

BRADLEY COUNTY: A $50,000 grant from the Tennessee State Museum will pay for the latest technology in archival storage equipment for Cleveland's Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports.

CAMPBELL COUNTY: Seven Shores, a 44-lot development, will be located on the west side of Big Creek, according to the Lafollette Press. Mike Allen and Vincent Cyran plan to develop the area for mostly vacation rentals.

CANNON COUNTY: A Woodbury day care provider's husband who was convicted of sexually assaulting two children under the age of 10 was sentenced in Minnesota to 18 years in prison, Patch reported.

CARROLL COUNTY: A joint investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Drug Investigation Division and the Huntingdon Police Department led to five arrests, as well as the seizure of drugs and drug paraphernalia, WKRN TN reported. The TBI said agents have worked since July to target drug activity.

CARTER COUNTY: Milligan University received $1.2 million grant to equip small churches in Appalachia, the Elizabethton Star reports. The grant from Lilly Endowment is to help establish a Center for Appalachian Ministry at Milligan University.

CHEATHAM COUNTY: A lingering smoke from a brush fire in November continues to plague Pegram residents, and some say the smoke has triggered asthma attacks, the Cheatham County Exchange reported.

CHESTER COUNTY: A suspect was apprehended Dec. 4 after a shot was fired at police during a traffic stop, according to the Chester County Sheriff's Office. A caller reported a reckless driver near Chickasaw, saying the driver was waving a handgun.

CLAIBORNE COUNTY: The community is mourning the loss of police officer Steven Murphy, who died suddenly at age 55 on Dec. 1. Murphy worked at the county sheriff's office, the Tazewell Police Department, the Claiborne

County Schools and, at the time of his death, served as site coordinator at Lincoln Memorial University.

CLAY COUNTY: The Clay County Museum in Celina has been awarded a $95,000 grant through the Tennessee State Museum for a new storage facility and restroom and front entrance upgrades. The museum has also a $100,000 state appropriation to renovate Cordell Hull's first law office connected to the museum facility.

COCKE COUNTY: A 10-bedroom, 10-bathroom compound with a main house and eight rental units named Unwind Acres is listed for $1.1 million. The Newport listing was originally $2.25 million in 2022 but was reposted for half off in August. The kicker? A 14,400-square-foot event space on the compound sold separately.

COFFEE COUNTY: Little is left after a fire destroyed a Coffee County Rescue Squad's storage facility that was holding equipment and vehicles plus donated toys for 130 families, WSMV reported. An early investigation indicates the fire began from an ambulance's battery.

CROCKETT COUNTY: First responders were on the scene of a home fire this month in Alamo. According to the Crockett County Sheriff's Department, the fire occurred at a home near East Main Street and South Cherry Street, WBBM TV reports. The home is a total loss.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY: The nonprofit Cumberland County Community Band received an anonymous $20,000 donation for its Support the ARTS program that supplies the fine arts in Cumberland County schools, according to the Crossville Chronicle.

DAVIDSON COUNTY: Nashvillians may vote on a transit bill in the future as Mayor Freddie O'connell looks to make good on a campaign promise. A 10-year plan aims to create dedicated bus lanes, improve the bike lane system, improve sidewalk funding and add a high-capacity corridor to the airport.

DECATUR COUNTY: One of the last remaining one-room log schoolhouses in Tennessee is closer to being refurbished. State Rep. Kirk Haston, R-lobelville, has announced a $55,000 grant to the Doe Creek School Restoration Committee. The funds are part of a larger $5 million appropriation approved by the General Assembly for the Tennessee State Museum in the 2023-24 state budget, Readtheleader.com reported.

DEKALB COUNTY: The Dekalb County Commission met with the Dekalb School Board to discuss a proposed new school to replace the current Smithville Elementary, the Smithville Review reports.

DICKSON COUNTY: Dickson County opened a third fire department station along Highway 70 East, the Dickson Post reported. The new 10,000square-foot facility is the department's first since 1991 and will provide expanded fire services with four firefighters working each day.

DYER COUNTY: More than 80 people at the Chick-fil-a in Dyersburg will soon be out of a job, WTAN-TV reported. In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice, the chain announced it would temporarily close the restaurant on Lake Road starting Feb. 6. The notice said 84 workers would be out of work when the closure happens.

FAYETTE COUNTY: Fayette County was listed at the Level 4 extreme drought category in the latest National Weather Service drought information report for the Mid-south. Weather service officials also say extended forecasts will keep the Mississippi River very low for the next month, which will continue to have an impact on barge and river traffic.

FENTRESS COUNTY: Jamestown is holding a public hearing at 2 p.m. Dec. 18 to consider applying for a Community Development Block Grant to upgrade the city's sewer system. The public hearing will be at city hall at 314 E. Central Ave.

FRANKLIN COUNTY: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation the death of a 14-year-old girl, Nahomi Hernandez, was a homicide, Newsbreak reported. Her body was found in a Monteagle restaurant parking lot in October.

GIBSON COUNTY: Gibson County is at the Level 3 severe drought category in the latest National Weather Service drought information report for the Mid-south. Weather Service officials say extended forecasts will keep the Mississippi River very low for the next month.

GILES COUNTY: The Giles County School System is leveraging dual enrollment opportunities for students to get a jump-start on college credits while in high school. Students earn the credits through Tennessee College of Applied Technology-pulaski and the University of Tennessee Southern, according to the Pulaski Citizen.

GRAINGER COUNTY: The Bean Station Volunteer Fire Department received a donation of cans of drinking water from Anheuser-busch and Eagle Distributing Company, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council, Grainger Today reported.

GREENE COUNTY: Four Greene County elementary schools will begin offering free meals to all students regardless of economic status after Christmas break, the Greeneville Sun reported.

GRUNDY COUNTY: Sheriff Heath Gunter could lose his certification after audits revealed false reports, uncertified deputies working in schools and some on the Giglio/brady List that identifies law enforcement officers with proven incidents of untruthfulness, WTVC reported.

HAMBLEN COUNTY: The Morristown City Council moved closer to the construction of a new fire station with the approval of a list of contractors to bid on the station, the Citizen Tribune reported.

HAMILTON COUNTY: The Chattanooga-hamilton County Regional Hazmat

Team received a new Type 1 accreditation. The team will continue to serve the jurisdiction while being deployed across Tennessee for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.

HANCOCK COUNTY: The Hometown Medical Clinic in Sneedville will offer same-day and walk-in appointments. They're open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Services include sick visits, women's health services, primary care and vitamin IV therapy.

HARDEMAN COUNTY: Military veterans Jared Miller, Ellis Charles Mitchell and the Rev. Robert Parham were honored by the Hardeman County NAACP. The organization held ceremonies throughout the county to show appreciation for veterans, reports the Hatchie Press.

HARDIN COUNTY: Shiloh National Military Park will celebrate its 129th birthday at 11 a.m. Dec. 27. Join rangers for a short program and birthday cake – it's free.

HAWKINS COUNTY: The Hawkins County Commission rejected a resolution to increase its membership from 14 to 21. Increasing would have reduced the number of meetings canceled due to a lack of quorum, but the commission ultimately voted to maintain the size, saying it would save money.

HAYWOOD COUNTY: Haywood County is at Level 4 extreme drought category in the latest National Weather Service report on drought information for the Mid-south.

HENDERSON COUNTY: State and local police on Dec. 4 arrested 14 people, under Operation Holiday Surprise led by the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Lexington Progress reported. Many of the arrests were a result of the recent Henderson County grand jury that the Progress reported returned 82 “true” bills, according to the Henderson County Circuit Court Clerk's office. Twenty-seven of those indictments were sealed.

HENRY COUNTY: Henry County native Mark Herbison, who has been a key player in the Blue Oval City project, recently spoke to the Paris Rotary club about the effect Blue Oval will have on West Tennessee, according to Radio NWTN. Herbison is President of HTL Advantage. He, along with Kyle Spurgeon, who also is a Henry County native and CEO of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, has been active in the project.

HICKMAN COUNTY: Hickman County Schools announced Amy Mcabee as its new principal at Centerville Elementary. Mcabee brings 24 years of experience, teaching special education and multiple grade levels, including elementary schools and math and science at middle school levels.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Houston County Area Chamber of Commerce officials have chosen Erin Elementary student Liam Walton's theme, “Share the Luck,

Spread the Cheer” for the county's 62nd Irish Day Celebration on the third Saturday in March, the Houston County Herald reported.

HUMPHREYS COUNTY: Those looking for holiday decoration inspiration can visit the Johnsonville State Historic Park's Hall of Christmas Trees on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Park Visitor Center in New Johnsonville through Jan. 1, the News-democrat reported.

JACKSON COUNTY: A combination Dollar Tree and Family Dollar store has been under construction at the intersection of Highways 290 and 56. The opening date it targeted for shortly before or after Christmas.

JEFFERSON COUNTY: Carson-newman University announced the death of Distinguished Faculty Award recipient Dr. Heather Whaley. She was dean and professor in the School of Business, associate provost, and taught 17 years in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department.

JOHNSON COUNTY: State Rep. Timothy Hill, R-blountville, joined the board and volunteers of the Butler and Watauga Heritage Museum to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the closing of Watauga Dam and honor the resiliency of the people of Old Butler.

KNOX COUNTY: To mark the 40th anniversary of the first wireless phone call placed in Knoxville, Uscellular has donated a bench, pathway and reading area to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame near the location of that first call.

LAKE COUNTY: Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada has announced the appointment of Brandon Watwood as warden of the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, the Lake County Banner reports. Brandon began his career with TDOC in 2002 as a correctional officer.

LAUERDALE COUNTY: Lauderdale County recently received its first “Everywhere You Look, UT” mural. The Ripley Farmers Market building is the latest canvas in the campaign, showcasing a 40-foot-wide mural near the historic town square. This is the 43rd Tennessee county to welcome a mural in the statewide University of Tennessee System campaign.

LAWRENCE COUNTY: A Lawrence County property sustained major damage after a fire in Summertown near Highway 20. Fire crews in the area worked to extinguish the blaze, which rekindled overnight, according to Radio 7 Media.

LEWIS COUNTY: The Tennessee Department of Education announced Lewis County Schools are one of seven districts to participate in the statecertified Teaching as a Profession pre-apprenticeship pilot program, according to the Lewis County Herald.

LINCOLN COUNTY: Lincoln County Commissioners approved the posting of “No Through Trucks” signs on Bellview road, Mcanally Road, Pendergrass Road, Terry Dunavan Road and Lovers Lane to combat damage, the Elk Valley Times reported.

LOUDON COUNTY: The Loudon County Commission tied a vote to pull funding from the Loudon County Economic Development Agency, according to the News-herald. The county provides about 70% of the agency's funding and already committed to pull funding in 2025. The resolution would have moved up the timeline.

MACON COUNTY: Work is ongoing to build a new administration building for county offices on Nature Trail Way. Projections are to finish and open late 2024 or early 2025. A new 14,000square-foot health department next to the future administration building is also planned.

MADISON COUNTY: The city council voted Dec. 5 to approve the amendment of Title 8, Chapter 1, the municipal code covering the rules and regulation of liquor, the Jackson Sun reported. Following a three-part recommendation for amendment from the city's code committee, attorney Teresa Luna explained the significant component of the proposal is about liquor districts.

MARION COUNTY: The Haletown Volunteer Fire Department added a new fire truck, the Sequatchie Valley Now reports. The engine can carry 2,000 gallons of water and is the second pumper tanker in the town.

MARSHALL COUNTY: The Belfast Volunteer Fire Department's got a brand new Tanker 53. The 2023 Freightliner 2,000-gallon tanker will play a vital role in water supply operations for the surrounding area, according to the Marshall County Post.

MAURY COUNTY: Columbia Fire Chief Ty Cobb returned to work last week following a 30-day suspension for what the city described as "insubordination" but without providing details, according to the Daily Herald.

MCMINN COUNTY: There will be a cookie decorating and Home Alone watch party held the E.G. Fisher Public Library in Athens on Dec. 20 at 12:30 p.m. An RSVP is not required.

MCNAIRY COUNTY: Three people perished in a house fire in Adamsville, and Mcnairy County Sheriff Guy Buck said the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Bomb and Arson Division was assisting in the investigation.

MEIGS COUNTY: A fire in Decatur engulfed a trailer home on Firetower Road Dec. 4. The rough driveway prevented firetrucks from reaching it, but firefighters ran supply and attack lines. No one was injured.

MONROE COUNTY: A $350 million investment to expand Genera Energy in Vonore was announced by Gov. Bill Lee, the Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. Mcworter and Genera officials. The expansion will create 250 jobs over five years. Genera creates compostable packaging.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY: First Street in Downtown Clarksville will remain closed to traffic between Spring Alley and Commerce Street from until April 5 as construction on one of the city's parking garages isn't expected to be completed until summer, the Leaf Chronicle reported.

MORGAN COUNTY: After an investigation, Rocky Durham's home was raided Dec. 1 by the Morgan County Sheriff's Office Team, the U.S. Marshal Service, Wartburg Police Department, the Anderson County Sheriff's Office K-9's and the Morgan County Emergency Medical Service. Weapons, stolen property, drugs and cash were found.

MOORE COUNTY: Dawson White was recently named winner of the 39th annual Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards for Class 1A over finalists from Cornersville and Dresden, the Moore County News reported.

OBION COUNTY: The Let It Glow Light Show at Discovery Park of America continues through Dec. 30. The cost is $10 per car for the drive-thru and $5 per person for the walk. Lights can be viewed between 5 and 9 p.m. The show is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Eve.

OVERTON COUNTY: Independent Stave Company is building a new mill at its Rickman property that is expected to create 85 jobs, according to the

Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development. It will be the company's 11th stave mill in the U.S.

PERRY COUNTY: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has confirmed the new state record for a blue catfish caught by the man who held the previous record set last year. Micka Burkhart landed the fish on Barkley Reservoir in Stewart County. It hit the scales at 122 pounds, 3 ounces, the Buffalo River Review reports.

PICKETT COUNTY: Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park in Byrdstown has multiple events coming up that include Introduction to the Dulcimer – Christmas Edition at 1 p.m. Dec. 23 at the museum. Cost is $5. Attendees should bring dulcimers. The session will include instructions on how to play Christmas songs.

POLK COUNTY: Polk County has been guaranteed $20 million to improve broadband internet access through the state's Last Mile Grant Program, according to the Polk County News. The initiative provides funding to underserved areas.

PUTNAM COUNTY: Infrastructure work is underway on 195 acres on Tennessee Avenue county land near Interstate 40 in Cookeville for the Putnam County Fair and other events. A bus terminal and highway department facilities, a visitors center and an expo center are planned.

RHEA COUNTY: The inaugural Sugar Plum Ball was held in downtown Dayton this month at Trinity Chapel. Proceeds benefited the Avalon Center, a nonprofit that provides support and advocacy for domestic violence survivors, the Herald News reports.

ROANE COUNTY: The Tennessee Valley Authority has sent out updated emergency calendars to everyone living within 10 miles of the Watts Barr nuclear plant. It includes an evacuation plan and where to get accurate information, according to the Roane County News.

ROBERTSON COUNTY: The competition for a quick meal is beefing up on one of Springfield's main drags as Whataburger, the Texas-based chain known for its burgers and "fancy ketchup" broke ground on Memorial Boulevard in December, the Tennessean reports.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY: Middle Tennessee State University football hired former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason to replace Rick Stockstill as head coach.

SCOTT COUNTY: The former chief of the Paint Rock Volunteer Fire Department was indicted for theft, the state Comptroller's Office announced. Investigators said Austin Lewallen stole department funds totaling at least $13,716.71 between May 2022 and January 2023.

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY: Sequatchie County's agricultural output brought in about $37.5 million for the state in 2021, says a recent report from the University of Tennessee's Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

SEVIER COUNTY: Add another feather to Dolly's cap. Late this year Forbes released its Best Customer Service rankings that took millions of surveys of over 3,000 companies. Dollywood finished in the top 1%, coming in at No. 27.

SHELBY COUNTY: Dr. Trey Eubanks, who served in the role of interim president at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital for the past 10 months, has moved into the position permanently, the hospital said. Eubanks is the hospital's surgeon-in-chief and serves as the University of Tennessee Health Science Center's professor of surgery and pediatrics as well as the chief of pediatric surgery.

SMITH COUNTY: The Smith County Heritage Museum has been awarded an $18,400 grant through the Tennessee State Museum. The Smith County Heritage Museum is a nonprofit that focuses on the history of all communities in Smith County. It's located in the former W.E. Stephens Building.

STEWART COUNTY: A man has been taken into custody by the Stewart County Sheriff's Office and faces several charges after county and state officials found the largest known marijuana grow facility in the county's history, about 2,000 plants, in Indian Mound in late November, the Stewart County Standard reported.

SUMNER COUNTY: More people are leaving the trades workforce than entering, but Tennessee officials are hoping to change that with the launch of Be Pro Be Proud TN, a mobile workshop that brings the skilled workforce to students through virtual reality, the Tennessean reported.

SULLIVAN COUNTY: A Sullivan County Sheriff's Office police dog has a new look thanks to a dental procedure that placed titanium caps on his teeth, according to WCYB. The procedure is expected to extend the career of Deke, the six-year-old German shepherd that specializes in narcotics and apprehension.

TIPTON COUNTY: The Covington Police Department has charged a teen they say threatened to bomb Covington High School on his social media account, Action News 5 reported. On Dec. 7, Covington Police Department's high school officers were told by Tipton County School officials of a possible bomb threat.

TROUSDALE COUNTY: A group of private investors is raising money to build a 54-room Cobblestone Hotel in Hartsville, Trousdale County Mayor Jack Mccall said. The location is the corner of Old Halltown and Dalton roads off Mcmurry Boulevard. Hopes are the hotel can attract restaurants and youth athletic tournaments.

UNICOI COUNTY: Drivers in Erwin should notice new paving on the town's busy Elm Street. The work was paid for by a Tennessee Department of Transportation grant. Town Recorder Tim Bailey told The Erwin Record no additional paving projects are in the works.

UNION COUNTY: The Tennessee Housing Development Agency has awarded a $697,480 grant to the city of Luttrell to rebuild up to five singlefamily homes. The project is designed for low-income residents who would not be able to make improvements on their own. For more information, call Luttrell City Hall at 865-992-8070.

VAN BUREN COUNTY: Van Buren County Schools announced it has hired 17-year veteran nurse Holly Rivera as its newest high school nurse. Rivera is in her second year at Van Buren County Schools after serving as a staff nurse at East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville.

WASHINGTON COUNTY: Nearly 100,000 feet of waterlines have been installed in rural areas of Washington County within the past two years. The Johnson City Press reports work was completed through grant funding and a partnership with three nearby municipal water systems in Johnson City, Jonesborough and Kingsport.

WAYNE COUNTY: The Wayne County Museum was awarded a $40,550 grant for improvements and maintenance to be completed by June 30, by the Tennessee State Museum, the Wayne County News reported.

WARREN COUNTY: Warren County ranks among the worst counties in unemployment rate, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Out of 95 counties in Tennessee, Warren ranks 94th, with a 7.5% unemployment rate.

WEAKLEY COUNTY: Weakley County was listed at the Level 3 severe drought category by the National Weather Service in its latest drought information report for the Mid-south.

WHITE COUNTY: Sparta Metal Processing announced a $12.3 million expansion to its metal remanufacturing operation, Spartalive.com reports. The expansion will create 52 new jobs in White County. The company, founded in 2021, specializes in transforming scrap metal into various products for the metal industry.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY: The Pancake Pantry announced Dec. 5 it will launch its sister company, Stacked Express by The Pancake Pantry, at the Cool Springs Galleria mall later this month.

WILSON COUNTY: James Hambrick, 62, retired after 11 years as Mt. Juliet's chief of police. Michael Mullins will succeed Hambrick as the new police chief and Tyler Chandler was promoted to deputy chief. Hambrick was known for policies that promoted community engagement.