DeKalb County residents who have lost someone they love to a drug overdose will be gathering together Thursday. DeKalb Prevention Coalition Director Jennifer Matthews said candles have been replaced with purple glow sticks for the vigil event. Matthews said purple is the color signifying overdose awareness, uniting the community behind one cause. “It’s to remember without stigma, those that we’ve ... Read More »

Jackson County has upgraded its 911 service, with a system that gets resident information to dispatchers as soon as they call. 911 Director Michael Smith said the RapidSOS pings 911 calls and relays the information to dispatch, even if the 911 system goes down. However, Smith said the system truly works when residents fill out their emergency health profile online. ... Read More »

The Fentress County Commission approved a pay increase for sheriff’s department employees Monday night. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said the increase is $2 per hour on starting pay. Johnson said the sheriff agreed that it will make a difference in retaining employees. “Well it’s a start, so there you are and he thinks it will make a difference, so it’s ... Read More »

The Warren County School Board has decided to go with a mask recommendation, instead of a mandate. Director of Schools Grant Swallows said the system was preparing for a mandate when it was triggered by a county COVID rate of 26 percent earlier this month. However, he said that rates dropped below that percentage and then the Governors’s executive order ... Read More »

Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson said the county’s standalone ER could receive approval as soon as Wednesday. Johnson said they are going to Nashville tomorrow for approval of the certificate of need. Current federal rules require a transferring facility connected to a major hospital be within 35 miles. “We’re just a little small pebble in the ocean here and it ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport has taken another step forward on its fuel farm project. Airport Manager Dean Selby said the state issued a grant for a consultant to begin selecting the fuel tank process. Selby said this is the next step towards mitigating the airport’s in ground tanks. “By doing this, we have gotten most of the infrastructure ready ... Read More »

What is known about canning has changed, however much of the public has not changed with it. That is according to Overton County Ag Extension Director Christina Swallows. Swallows said she still hears people canning without processing which can poison anyone who consumes it. Swallows said science is going into canning, but it is still about the basics. “We want ... Read More »

The Van Buren County Ambulance Services Department is looking to add equipment through a USDA grant. Director Tiwanna Bricker said cardiac monitors, ultrasounds and nitrous oxide systems are needed. She said cardiac monitors have been a need for over two years, helping to identify heart attacks and controlling slow heart rates. “The ultrasounds are just a very nice tool that ... Read More »

The Jackson County School System has seen enrollment growth at every district school. Director of Schools Kristy Brown said each school has grown by 20 to 30 students. Brown said this was the largest growth the district has seen in quite some time. “We are able to serve those students and we’re prepared to do so,” Brown said. “I am ... Read More »

The Fentress County Commission is reconvening on Monday to address employee pay in two departments. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said solid waste and the sheriff’s department are losing employees. Johnson said the goal is to come up with a pay increase that is attractive but also feasible. “Solid waste asks for like $1.50 more on starting pay,” Johnson said. “The ... Read More »