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School Teacher Resigns from Whitwell after Inappropriate Photos Sent to Student

A Whitwell High School teacher in Tennessee is no longer with the school after sending inappropriate photos to an 18-year-old male student, school officials announced. Marion County Director of Schools Dr. Mark Griffith reported that the incident came to light late Thursday morning, prompting an investigation. The teacher resigned before termination proceedings could be completed. As of Friday…

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School Voucher Program Passes in Tennessee

The Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives have passed Gov. Bill Lee’s statewide expansion of school vouchers, otherwise known as the “Tennessee Education Freedom Act of 2025.” The legislation was passed after hours of debate on both sides of the issue during a speedy four-day special session on vouchers, disaster relief, and immigration enforcement. The bill provides around $7,000 in…

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Drivers Reminded about Using Caution Around School Buses

The Marion County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public to prioritize safety on our roads, especially around school buses. Recently, the department has seen a concerning rise in complaints about drivers passing stopped school buses while picking up or dropping off students. Let’s remember to always be attentive and courteous behind the wheel. Please STOP when you see a school bus with its…

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Most County Unemployment Rates Up in Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) has announced that unemployment rates in more than 20 Tennessee counties declined from the previous month. December unemployment rates were down in 23 of the state’s 95 counties compared with November rates. Rates remained the same in 39 counties and increased in 33 counties. All but five Tennessee counties recorded less than 5%…

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Town of Kimball monthly meeting moved to February 13th, 2025

Town of Kimball monthly meeting moved to February 13th, 2025...

The Town of Kimball announced this week that the upcoming monthly board meeting will be postponed to a different date for February 2025. Instead of their regular first Thursday of the month meeting date (2/6/2025), the upcoming February meeting date will be moved to Thursday, February 13th, 2025 at 6:00 PM CST. Monthly board meetings are held at the Kimball Town Hall located at 675 Main Street in…

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Chattanooga jeweler Rick Davis charged with passing worthless checks

Chattanooga jeweler Rick Davis charged with passing worthless checks...

Courtesy Hamilton Co. Sheriff’s Office Chattanooga business owner, Richard “Rick” Davis was arrested for a second time in less than a year. The police report says 73-year-old Davis was arrested at his jewelry store on Brainerd Road Tuesday evening. According to reports, Davis is accused of passing worthless checks at his business around January 14, 2025. Davis was booked at the Hamilton County…

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Special session of Tennessee lawmakers on immigration bill hearing interrupted by protestors

Special session of Tennessee lawmakers on immigration bill hearing interrupted by protestors...

The special session at the state Capitol was abruptly halted Wednesday after police forcibly removed several protestors from the audience. The disruption occurred during a hearing on House Bill 6001, which aims to criminalize the adoption of sanctuary city policies, establish an immigration enforcement division within the Department of Public Safety, and restrict non-citizens to temporary ID…

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Missing Tennessee juvenile found in Nashville, man charged with trafficking

Missing Tennessee juvenile found in Nashville, man charged with trafficking

Due to a human trafficking investigation, a missing juvenile female from West Tennessee was found, TBI says. Torrance Lamon Cosby, 48, was charged with one count of trafficking for a commercial sex act and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. TBI agents saw that the missing female was posted on sites known to advertise commercial sex acts. On January 28, agents found the girl in a north…

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Thorton Loses Lawsuit Against Two Marion County Residents

A court ruling has resulted in a significant loss for developer John “Thunder” Thornton, who sued Marion County residents Joey Blevins and Ronnie Kennedy over their criticism of his River Gorge Ranch Development. Blevins and Kennedy expressed concerns about the development above abandoned coal mines, which Thornton claimed were false. The judge dismissed Thornton’s claim and ordered him to pay…

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Road Construction in the Area as of 1/28/25

BLEDSOE COUNTY SR-30 and SR-443, the grading, drainage, stream relocation, widening, and resurfacing on Summer City Road: The contractor will be performing grade work and widening on Summer City Road in Bledsoe County. This work will narrow the lanes at LM 2.0 and LM 4.3 and will leave both lanes open to traffic. Please slow down and use caution when driving through the work zone. MARION COUNTY…

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After an Investigation in Jackson County Alabama Man Sentenced to Federal Prison

After an investigation by the Jackson County Alabama Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, on January 24, 2025, James C. Thompson, 72, formerly of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, was sentenced to 20 years in prison For Transportation of a Minor In Interstate Commerce with the Intent to Engage in Sexual Activity. The sentencing occurred in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of…

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Dunlap Airpark Breaks Ground on First Phase of Main Hangar Area

Dunlap Airpark officially broke ground on its first phase of development, which will feature a state-of-the-art main hangar area. The new facility, located off John Burch Road, includes a 3,100-foot runway, private hangar lots, residential lots, a main hangar, a fixed base operations center, a workshop, and a new RV park nestled around a picturesque pond. In addition to the airpark development, a…

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Grundy County Man Missing for Nearly Five Years

In a case that is still open, Joshua David Day went missing from Grundy County, TN, on July 24th, 2020. Day was described as a 32-year-old white male, 5′ 9″ tall, 125 lbs, with brown hair and blue eyes. On July 24th, 2020, Josh went 4-wheeler riding around Raven’s Point in Grundy County with friends. Day has not been seen since. Day’s family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that helps…

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Scottsboro Police Officer Arrested

An off-duty officer with the Scottsboro Police Department was arrested after a domestic dispute on Monday morning. An SPD spokesperson says 32-year-old Patrick W. Pereira, of Section, Alabama, is charged with domestic violence in the third degree. Details of what led to his arrest have not been released. After a preliminary investigation, Pereira was arrested at his home on Cherry Street and…

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Outbuilding Destroyed by Fire, but Home Saved

Fire photos provided by Jasper Highlands Volunteer Fire Department On Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 8:34 AM, Haletown Fire and Rescue responded to an outbuilding fire on Scratch Ankle Rd. Sequatchie Volunteer Fire Department and Jasper Highlands Fire also responded to assist. Upon arrival, the building was fully engulfed and had caught the roof of the nearby home on fire. Firemen quickly…

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Multiple People Injured in Sequatchie County Crash

On Friday, January 24, 2025, the Dunlap Fire Department and other emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle accident on Hwy 127 North near the Bledsoe County line. The driver of one of the vehicles required extrication. Firefighters used the Hurst hydraulic spreaders to open the driver’s door. Firemen then assisted Puckett EMS and Bledsoe County EMS in loading multiple patients who were…

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Local Farm Win State Award

Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. is announcing select businesses that will benefit from the latest round of Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) awards. AEF is a program that incentivizes new or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses in Tennessee and supports Governor Lee’s priorities of job creation and economic growth in rural areas. Awards are made to those who…