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: Oak Ridge’s nuclear cleanup contractor, UCOR, signed a deal to give 20% raises to 550 workers, Knox News reports. The labor agreement will increase pay for hundreds of high-hazard construction workers in a bid to retain its skilled local workforce in a competitive labor market.

BEDFORD COUNTY: The Shelbyville City Council recently added economic development to the duties of City Manager Scott Collins, the Bedford County Post reports.

BENTON COUNTY: A grant-funded project is aiming to reestablish the African American presence on Tennessee’s cultural landscape. Archeologists, using ground-penetrating radar, are searching the Moore Cemetery, located on one of the oldest African American farms in the state.

BLEDSOE COUNTY: The Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology Crossville assisted in the construction of a locker room, restrooms and concession stand for the Lady Warriors softball team, the Bledsonian-banner reports. Maintenance Supervisor Brian Turner says TCAT Crossville saved the Bledsoe County School System and Bledsoe County an estimated $40,000 in labor costs.

BLOUNT COUNTY: The Alcoa Police Department was featured on the Oxygen series “Cold Justice” in March, the Daily Times reports. In the episode, the Criminal Investigations Division partners with host Kelly Siegler and her investigative team on a 1990 unsolved murder of an 80-year-old resident, Emmaline Croft.

BRADLEY COUNTY: The Cleveland/ Bradley Chamber of Commerce announced the grand opening of Hope 4 One’s new facility. Hope 4 One is an adoption and foster care ministry that supports families in need of items to care for the children. The organization welcomes donations to support local families in need.

CAMPBELL COUNTY: Cameras are to be installed at all intersections in Lafollette, WLAF reports. During a Lafollette City Council workshop, Mayor

Cliff Jennings told the council he would like the city to install cameras, while Councilman Wayne Kitts declared the cameras would not be used to catch speeders.

CANNON COUNTY: The United Way operations serving Cannon, Rutherford, Bedford and Lincoln counties announced the appointment of its new President and Chief Executive Officer Kristen Swann, effective April 1, WBYR reports. Swann has worked for the United Way for nine years.

CARROLL COUNTY: The trial of County Commissioner Lin Smith and his wife, Melisa “Lisa” Smith, who face allegations of theft from May 2023 during their tenure as chief and secretary of Mixie Fire Station, was deferred to April 4.

CARTER COUNTY: Roan Mountain Recreation Area will be closed this summer as it undergoes a major renovation, reports the Elizabethon Star. Paid for by the Great American Outdoors Act, the repair sites include the Rhododendron Gardens, Roan High Bluff, Cloudland parking area, and Cloudland Trail.

CHEATHAM COUNTY: “No Mow Month,” a new Kingston Springs initiative for the month of April, encourages folks to suspend lawn mowing and allow grass to grow in the early spring – a critical time for native pollinators – and produce a greater variety of flowering plant, the Cheatham County Exchange reports.

CHESTER COUNTY: The Chester County Rescue Squad, a volunteer-based first responder team, has accepted more than $40,000 in a grant for new tools and helmets. The grant is to replace tools on one of the primary rescue trucks. The county recently signed a lease with the city of Enville to move a truck to the city limits.

CLAIBORNE COUNTY: The Lincoln Memorial University-debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine invites the community to the 2024 Virtual Opioid Education Symposium on April 15. This year’s theme is “Moving Away From Opioid Reliance; Interprofessional

Perspectives on opioid vulnerability, prevention of substance use disorder, and treatments for sports-related injuries.”

CLAY COUNTY: Canton Lodge No. 481 will hold cruise-ins at the Historic Clay County Courthouse, 100 Courthouse Square, Celina. Cruise-ins are 3-6 p.m. May 18 and 3-6 p.m. July 20. Both are free admission. Food, including a popcorn machine and drinks, will be available along with door prizes and live music.

COCKE COUNTY: The Newport Grammar School staff is credited with saving a student’s life by using tools learned from annual training programs, the Newport Plain Talk reports. School nurse Kathy Ragan, cafeteria manager Christina Leas and Principal Dustin Morrow helped a student who had a medical emergency in the school cafeteria.

COFFEE COUNTY: The city of Tullahoma filed a lawsuit against Alderman Jenna Amacher over city codes compliance on a home she’s building, WKRN reports. The land where Amacher plans to build is zoned residential but is also zoned under the “greenbelt law” to incentivize green spaces.

CROCKETT COUNTY: One “eggcellent” event gives kids in Crockett County an opportunity for some Easter fun. An Easter egg hunt was held March 23 in Friendship at the Crockett Mills Community Center.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Cumberland County School District is among 36 Tennessee school systems that have filed lawsuits against social media companies for protection of children across platforms, the Crossville Chronicle reports. The lawsuits seek accountability, tools, and resources to address the lack of protections, monitors, and cooperation to protect children.

DAVIDSON COUNTY: Despite striking a deal in committee, House Republicans passed legislation to vacate all existing board positions for Tennessee State University, The Tennessean reports. Gov. Bill Lee signed the legislation into law and issued his appointments to reseat a new board the same day.

DECATUR COUNTY: Immigrant children as young as 14 were found working illegally amid dangerous heavy equipment at a Tennessee firm that makes parts for lawn mowers sold by John Deere and other companies, according to Labor Department officials. The company, Tuff Torq, was fined nearly $300,000 for hiring 10 children.

DEKALB COUNTY: The free Southeast TN Beef Summit with beef trade show and educational session will be April 26 at the Mcminn County Expo Center in Athens. Registration is required by April 19. For more information, contact local UT Extension offices.

DICKSON COUNTY: Seth Lyles was appointed Dickson police chief March 18, the Dickson Post reports. The new chief brings 24 years of law enforcement experience and has served as the department’s assistant chief since 2017.

DYER COUNTY: Tennessee residents are being reminded the need a permit to burn. To reduce wildland fire risks, a burn permit from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Forestry Division is required through May 15. State Forester Heather Slayton said the permits are required to safeguard state residents, communities and natural resources.

FAYETTE COUNTY: The 32nd annual Fayette Cares charity plant sale will be April 13 at Oakland Elementary School. Gardeners across West Tennessee are encouraged to contribute their plants and show their support.

FENTRESS COUNTY: Fentress County had a 3.9% unemployment rate in January, up from 3.3% in December. The end to seasonal employment was a reason for higher rates in 93 of Tennessee’s 95 counties, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

FRANKLIN COUNTY: The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce helped welcome Jefferson’s Winchester and JW Boutique to downtown Winchester with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. JW Boutique offers the latest styles and trends while Jefferson’s Winchester sells its world-famous wings made with 20+ signature sauces.

GIBSON COUNTY: Humboldt police are asking for the public’s help to locate a stolen trailer. Police say the city’s utility department’s 20-foot trailer was stolen from a gated area. Police think the suspect is driving a maroon-colored Nissan Titan truck with a damaged taillight. Anyone with information is asked to call Humboldt police at 731784-1322.

GILES COUNTY: University of Tennessee Southern was awarded more than $4 million by the state, part of a larger $6 million allocation to the UT System, to enhance safety and security across UT Southern’s main and east campuses, reports The Pulaski Citizen.

GRAINGER COUNTY: A fire on top of Joppa Mountain consumed 95 acres, a state forestry official said. Nathan Waters, assistant district forester for the state of Tennessee in Knoxville, said no buildings were threatened. Waters said the cause of the fire is under investigation, the Grainger Today reports.

GREENE COUNTY: Greene County will enter an agreement with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to run background checks on undocumented immigrants with pending criminal charges, the Greeneville Sun reports. The 287(g) program authorizes ICE to delegate the authority to perform immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight.

GRUNDY COUNTY: Grundy County’s new detention center, built largely to alleviate overcrowding, is once again at capacity, the Grundy County Herald reports. The facility, which opened in 2017, has 107 beds available, an increase from the previous facility’s 40.

HAMBLEN COUNTY: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Solicitor fined Tuff Torq Corporation for illegally employing children as young as 14 years old, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. Tuff Torq will pay a $296,951 penalty and will set aside $1.5 million made during the kids’ employment to go to the minors illegally employed.

HAMILTON COUNTY: Hixson High School’s Farm-to-school Program, in partnership with Hamilton County’s School Nutrition Program, is providing produce to schools and local restaurants, Food as a Verb reports. Students grow hundreds of pounds of produce, as a part of the Agricultural Science program, where students enroll in a series of courses.

HANCOCK COUNTY: Hancock County Schools announced Sarah Beth Antrican has been accepted into the Tennessee Governor’s School. Antrican is the first student in the county to participate in the program. The Tennessee Governor’s Schools provide eleven challenging and high-intensity programs for rising 11th and 12th grade students nominated by high school faculty.

HARDEMAN COUNTY: The University of Tennessee at Martin Westteach Program is accepting applications for its 2024 class. Applicants should be K-12 teachers They must submit their application with a letter of recommendation from their principal. In December 2022, Hardeman County Schools STEM coordinator Deana Sain graduated from the program.

HARDIN COUNTY: After a dominant start to the tournament on day one with 29 pounds, 9 ounces, Counce, Tenn., angler Brandon Perkins sealed the deal in Texas, becoming the firstever NPFL Championship winner. With a three-day total of 71 pounds, 8 ounces, he secured the inaugural NPFL Championship title on Lake Amistad.

HAWKINS COUNTY: The Goshen Valley Volunteer Fire Department announced it will not cross the Goshen Valley Bridge due to the 10-ton weight limit, the Rogersville Review reports. The bridge is the community’s most direct connection to Highway 11W. The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s appraisal lowered the weight limit and recommended the bridge be replaced.

HAYWOOD COUNTY: Haywood County High School hosted Ag Career Day on March 27. Many students and alumni drove their tractors to school for an educational session where FFA alumni, UT Extension leaders, Tennessee Farm Bureau representatives and other agricultural organizations spoke on the importance of agriculture in Tennessee.

HENDERSON COUNTY: City Recorder Jim Garland announced Henderson City has received the go-ahead on a multimodal grant project. This project has been in the works for about four years. Pre-construction began March 22. Utility Director Darryl Green asked the board to approve the use of $29,306.20 of budgeted American Rescue Funds.

HENRY COUNTY: For a second year in a row, Savannah Miller, a 17-year-old from Henry County High School, won Best of Show from among 1,239 art submissions from five Henry County schools entered in the federal Jr. Duck Stamp program. Her colored-pencil rendition was of a female American Black Duck with a duckling, titled “Watching Over the Youth.”

HICKMAN COUNTY: Nola Kathleen Bently passed her 2023 Miss Hickman County crown to 2024 winner Claire Willis, the Hickman County Times reports. Willis won the crown during a March 16 pageant and was the winner of four different categories.

HOUSTON COUNTY: The Tennessee Ridge City Council met in regular session on March 4 to discuss its well drilling effort after recently locating a needed water source, estimated by officials to supply 1,300 to 1,400 gallons per minute and help solve some of the city’s water issues, the Houston County Herald reports.

HUMPHREYS COUNTY: The Waverly Board of Aldermen met in regular session on March 11 to discuss the first stages of development for a new 62unit, low-income housing project, the News Democrat reports.

JACKSON COUNTY: Dodson Branch Elementary and Jackson County High School were each named as Reward schools by the Tennessee Department of Education. The Reward designation is based on performance or improvement by meeting objectives across performance indicators and student groups.

JEFFERSON COUNTY: After more than a year, the Jefferson County Archives Center has reopened on the second floor of the 1845 Courthouse in Dandridge, the Standard Banner reports. The collection was forced to move after a flood from a separated sprinkler system pipe in January 2023.

JOHNSON COUNTY: Local photographer J Jackson recently exhibited one of his photographs in the Krappy Kamera Competition at New York City’s prestigious Soho Photo Gallery, The Tomahawk reports. “I took the photo using a Dianaf camera. It is a plastic camera,” he said, describing the analog print of a dog titled “Zo by the Pond.”

KNOX COUNTY: The third annual Fleurish: A Sustainable Fashion Event (and Fundraiser) is April 21 at Ijams Nature Center. Local designers, hair stylists and makeup artists incorporate sustainable materials and innovative recycling methods, and reuse what was once discarded. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 at Ijams.org/fleurish.

LAKE COUNTY: Movies on the big screen are returning to the Reelfoot Region. The Strand Theatre of Tiptonville first operated as the local motion picture house from 1915-1965. Over the years, the building had been repurposed and has not shown first-run movies since.

LAUDERDALE COUNTY: Brad Holmes has been selected director of the Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency. He took the position April 1.

LAWRENCE COUNTY: The Lawrence County’s Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the ribbon-cutting for The Company from 8-9 a.m. April 9 at 117 North Military Ave. The Company is a co-branded boutique that will include items from Alyco Boutique and Roo + Co Boutique.

LEWIS COUNTY: A mental health court has opened as an alternative to serving jail in the 32nd Judicial District for those arrested in Lewis County. The voluntary program has five phases meant to support participants through the recovery process with supervision through judicial leadership and community resources.

LINCOLN COUNTY: The Fayetteville Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in a regular session March 12 to unanimously approve certificates of deposits for the city’s idle or rainy day funds in the amount of $3 million with the Bank of Frankewing, the Elk Valley Times reports.

LOUDON COUNTY: The Loudon Utilities Board and Tennessee Valley Authority donated $6,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee through their Community Care Fund initiative, reports the News-herald. The fund is a partnership between TVA and 153 local power companies that match the funds for a local nonprofit.

MACON COUNTY: Barry Newberry is the adult recipient from Macon County for the 2023 Governor’s Volunteer Stars Award. Newberry is a former volunteer firefighter who started the nonprofit Stuff Helps that provides clothing, appliances and furniture to families impacted by fires. Newberry also distributes food to several jails.

MADISON COUNTY: The People’s Real Estate Group celebrated its fourth anniversary with a re-grand opening. The business opened in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the business is operated by two women and they’re ready to expand. The firm plans to update its image with a rebrand and has begun the process by joining the Greater Jackson Chamber.

MARION COUNTY: A water rescue saved 33 stranded kayakers, including children, at Nickajack Cave Wildlife Area, the Sequatchie Valley Now reports. The Haletown Volunteer Fire Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, New Hope Fire, Puckett EMS and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency responded. No injuries were reported.