Tag Archives: Van Buren County

Now is the time to sign up for 4-H Summer Camps across the Upper Cumberland. 4-H Youth Development Agent Shelby Boyer said camp teaches new skills, encourages kids to make new friends, and make connections with kids from other counties. “They learn to be away from mom and dad for a week,” Boyer said. “They learn new skills just in ... Read More »

A Van Buren Facebook group hosted 85 people Friday night to learn more about biosolids from Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation representatives. Van Buren residents have been complaining for years about the smell of free fertilizer from Chattanooga’s Moccasin Bend sewage treatment plant. Residents also complained of violations related to delivery and spread of fertilizer dumped in mounds on ... Read More »

Unemployment dropped across the Upper Cumberland during March, following a statewide trend. Cumberland County reported the largest drop in the region, according to state data. Unemployment fell some 1.4 percent 3.7 percent. Clay County’s unemployment rate the highest in the Upper Cumberland at some 4.6 percent. That is down 0.8 percent over the February number. Clay County’s rate is the ... Read More »

Van Buren County Commissioners will hold a special called meeting January 31st to discuss using the state insurance plan. The county has the opportunity by March to move its employees to one of four state plans. Van Buren County Mayor David Sullivan said these are the plans only county teachers previously had access to, but the state has expanded to ... Read More »

The Van Buren County Commission voted Tuesday night to transfer its $2.5 million in COVID utility funds to the town of Spencer and Bledsoe County. The state asked the county to make the transfer as a way to eliminate duplicate applications to the state. Engineer Consultant Zeda Hillis said the commission’s decision will eliminate the county’s role with this money. ... Read More »

Former Van Buren County Ag Extension Agent and Tennessee Tech Alumni Chris Hicks named the UT Extension Central Region Director. Hicks said he wants to be a mentor for the next generation of extension agents and county directors. “I’ve spent my career serving but to do it in a new role,” Hicks said. “We are a service, people-orientated organization. Our ... Read More »

The State Department of Education released its annual report card on education Monday, an effort to understand how school districts are serving students. Van Buren County Schools one of 15 systems in the state to receive the top ranking of “exemplary.” Fentress, Pickett and White Counties all received “advancing” rankings. The rest of the Upper Cumberland School Systems ranked as ... Read More »

Two Van Buren County Commissioners want more financial information in its quarterly reports provided by some departments. During a Tuesday night commission meeting, Commissioner Brickford Wall said he believes the reports provided do not show a complete picture of finances. “Being asked to approve the quarterly reports, I would like to see a little bit more information on a couple ... Read More »

More than 800 people voted early in Van Buren County, a turnout that Election Administrator Wayne Simmons said was good for November. Spencer saw 323 people vote early in a competitive city mayor race. Alisa Farmer, Duane Hodges and Incumbent Mickey Robinson all running for the seat. Simmons said the county overall had 821 voters. Simmons said he does not ... Read More »

Van Buren County Commissioners approved using some federal grant funding to pay for an asbestos study at the health department. The approval comes as the first step in potentially remodeling the department, starting with electrical and plumbing. Public Health County Director Angela Slaven said this does not obligate the county to pay for anything, just an agreement to start the ... Read More »