Tag Archives: Upper Cumberland

October 30 is National Weatherization Day as the cold weather months begin. UCHRA Weatherization Assistance Program Manager Tommy Simcox said this day is about boosting participation for this program. Simcox said low-income residents in the Upper Cumberland deserve the comfort this program brings. “It’s to highlight the importance of the program that saves homes energy and improves the health and ... Read More »

Voting totals are up across the Upper Cumberland as the early voting period ended Thursday. Jackson, Overton, Van Buren and White Counties have all seen an increase compared to the last presidential election. White County Election Commission Administrator Dorcas Marcum said she’s seen a heavy stream of voters everyday. “Pretty much it’s been over 500 everyday, almost 600 several days,” ... Read More »

State park investments not only support recreation, they also help economically distressed counties. That’s according to TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. He said nearly all of the states distressed counties have the foundation to bring in outdoor tourism. “Most of our parks and many, as far as our distressed counties, I think we have 10 parks in distressed counties,” Salyers said. ... Read More »

Cummins Falls has opened its new visitor center Tuesday morning, a day Park Manager Ray Cutcher has been waiting on for over six years. What used to a be 12 x 12 foot area for park employees to operate from, is now an over 5,000 square foot visitor center. State Senator Paul Bailey said this new look will play a ... Read More »

Uninsured children in the Upper Cumberland can now receive free mental health services at any Volunteer Behavioral Health location. Plateau Mental Health Center Director Anna Stamps said the new grant program will help fill a need in the Upper Cumberland, especially with changes in education causing children to be more isolated. “I think it is real important for us to ... Read More »

Church attendance across the Upper Cumberland has either returned close to normal or declined since reopening in May. The Crossville First United Methodist Church returned to in-person worship in July. Pastor Steven Lee said attendance fell from over 400 before COVID-19 to nearly 100. The biggest challenge he says is encouraging members to not fear the church’s future. “Even though ... Read More »

The UCHRA is working to make the elderly, disabled and low income residents of the Upper Cumberland safe and comfortable this winter. Weatherization Assistance Program Manager Tommy Simcox said the program works with contractors to fix windows, doors and heating and cooling units for those in need. Simcox said doing this work is about meeting any challenge to provide someone ... Read More »

Five Upper Cumberland counties will receive a new opportunity to fill teaching positions. Tennessee Tech University received a state grant for the Grow Your Own program. College of Education Associate Dean Julie Baker said the grants pay for a candidate’s education leading to a teacher’s license. “We are so excited,” Baker said. “We have been looking at opportunities like this ... Read More »

Critical wildfire season is cranking up, and so is burn permit season in Tennessee beginning on Thursday. Assistant Cumberland District Forester Jim Dale said a burn permit will allow you to burn woody vegetation, like leaves and brush piles. Dale said this time of year gets dry and leaves start falling, which puts citizens in the position to be responsible ... Read More »

The Better Business Bureau’s Upper Cumberland office has been consolidated into the Middle Tennessee Office in Nashville. Middle Tennessee BBB President Robyn Householder said all services are still available to residents of the Upper Cumberland. Householder said the BBB is still assessing whether opening another physical office makes sense for operations. “We’re just going to assess whether or not a ... Read More »