Tag Archives: White County

The Tennessee Department of Health announced Friday that each county will be able to move through vaccine eligibility phases as they choose. The vaccine had been available statewide to people age 65 and older and those in Phase 1c. “As Tennessee continues working to protect those most at risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19 and provide vaccinations as ... Read More »

Sparta has purchased property across from South Carter Park at a foreclosure sale. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said that long-term plans have not been set. However, Hennessee said the immediate value to the city is the multiple options it provides for expansion at South Carter Street Park. Hennessee said the purchase price was $153,100 for a combined lot size of ... Read More »

Van Buren County Mayor Greg Wilson said he and the entire county commission support legislation forming their own general sessions court. Wilson said that the county would not be held to the General Assembly’s Fiscal Review Committee’s estimated costs of over $200,000, based on conversations with Speaker Cameron Sexton. Wilson said the more likely estimated cost would be $18,000-$22,000 more ... Read More »

Van Buren County’s attorney said the General Assembly’s Fiscal Review Committee has over estimated the cost of giving the county its own general sessions court. Attorney Howard Upchurch told Commissioners Tuesday night that Van Buren is the only county statewide to share its general sessions judge. Van Buren and White County currently split one judge. The legislature is considering a ... Read More »

Most Upper Cumberland property taxes have been paid despite the pandemic. Putnam, White and Overton County Trustees said they’ve met or exceeded their payment percentage from last year. Overton County Trustee Peggy Clark Smith said that with less than one percent unpaid, people are taking advantage of online payment options. “Our numbers have been better this year, I compared it ... Read More »

Sparta has graded all 203 city streets from worst to first as the city begins its eight-year paving plan. 21 percent of the city’s streets received a D and F grade but the plan is to have no F grade in 2022. Public Works Director Dillard Quick said the city wants to pave just over 6 miles of street, but ... Read More »

The City of Sparta is addressing a need for back up power at the Sparta Senior Center by applying for federal assistance. The application is for a generator through a USDA Rural Development grant. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the need is to keep the senior center’s Meals on Wheels program going in case of an outage. “When we talked ... Read More »

Residents around the Upper Cumberland are being advised to stay home due to Winter weather conditions. Van Buren County is experiencing dangerous driving conditions after a three-car wreck occurred on Baker Mountain Road. EMS Director Tiwanna Bricker said there have been four wrecks this morning. Including accidents on Andrew K. Parker Road and Highway 30. Andrew K. Parker road is ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland is getting some attention from the state in this year’s proposed budget. State Senator Paul Bailey said that there is private investment from Charter Communications into rural broadband expansion. Bailey said that goes along with Governor Lee’s proposed $200 million. “There’s going to be $5 million invested in the Upper Cumberland area,” Bailey said. “Specifically to the ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport is responsible for $19.7 million in direct economic impact to local economies. That is according to a survey commissioned by T-DOT Aeronautics. Airport Manager Dean Selby said this growth has been building for years by cold calling and visiting conventions to put the airport on the radar. “All the jobs and everything that’s created because ... Read More »