A two-day country music festival announced last fall for Monterey has been cancelled. The White Pines Music Festival had been set for the final weekend of May. In a message on social media, event organizers said the two-day country music event had been cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances.” “We regretfully announce that the White Pines Music Festival will no longer ... Read More »

Van Buren County EMS updating its collections policy to bring it closer to industry standards and remove some individual decision making. Director Tiwanna Bricker told County Commissioners Tuesday night the policy last changed in 2004. Bricker said with a billing company now handling the accounting for the ambulance service, it made sense to examine the procedures. Bricker said her goal, ... Read More »

Fentress County reducing fund balance by some $129,000 after a judge ordered restitution reduced for a former finance department employee convicted of stealing from the county. A trial court found Kellye Crabtree guilty on multiple felony counts and ordered her to pay back some $156,000. A judge reduced that ruling to $27,000 based on Crabtree’s inability to pay. She is ... Read More »

Fentress County officials will look at a permanent fix for the Senior Center parking lot, a facility that Road Supervisor Ryan Reed said is nearing the end of its life. Reed said the county is probably a year or so away from needing to replace the entire parking lot. Meantime, he looked specifically at adding some height to one particular ... Read More »

Jackson County Commissioners updated the County’s Flood Damage Prevention Resolution Monday night. County Mayor Randy Heady said FEMA and the Army Corp of Engineers updated Jackson County’s flood plain maps. Those maps show the areas of highest concern for flooding. “We have to pass this or we’re not eligible for floodplain insurance,” Heady said. “I’ll just be honest with you, ... Read More »

Fentress County Commissioners approved the purchase of seven new heart monitors Monday night, at a total price tag of $281,467. Ambulance Services Director Daniel Coleman said the units will take about eight months to build out. Though the county currently has units in all of its ambulances, the current monitors are wearing out. “We are making do with what we ... Read More »

Gas prices rose some eight cents last week across Tennessee, up more than 20 cents that just a month ago. But Triple A reports prices are still down from a year ago. The average price of a gallon of gas stands at $3.28. Clay County reported the highest prices on gas in the region at $3.39 per gallons. Jackson and ... Read More »

Crossville’s Northside Drive will be closed at the intersection of Highway 127 beginning Monday morning as part of the US-127 improvement project. Drivers encouraged to use caution in this area as delays are expected. T-DOT said contract crews will be in place to move the construction forward. This portion of the project is for the updates of State Route 462 ... Read More »

Overton County’s Transfer Station got some love from state officials at a statewide conference, showed off as an example of a well-kept, clean facility. Officials showed photos of the station and its cleanliness. County Recycling and Solid Waster Director Gary Smith said the credit goes to a motivated team focused on doing the best job possible for the community. “We ... Read More »

The Clay County Schools want to extend the system’s grant for 21st Century Community Learning Centers to include both Celina K-8 and Hermitage Springs School. Supervisor of Instruction Misty Strong said the renewal process is underway. The program targets high-need communities to provide before and after school enrichment, tutoring, and remediation. “We hope, to provide a variety of experiences for ... Read More »