Byrdstown Man Arraigned For Child Pornography Charge
An arraignment hearing took place Thursday for a Byrdstown man accused of possessing child pornography. A grand jury indictment charges Oscar Garcia with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. Pickett County Criminal Court Judge Wesley Bray continued Garcia’s case to November 14. The 36-year-old Garcia remains behind bars on $500,000 bond. Authorities arrested Garcia earlier […]
Upperman High Recognized as Tennessee Reward School
The Tennessee Department of Education has designated Upperman High School as a 2019 Reward School. Principal William Stepp said the designation sets the high school apart from others. “Earning a Reward School designation is showing the growth that we are doing with our students with their achievement. And trying to give them the absolute best […]
Authorities Locate Missing Child From DeKalb County
Authorities have located the missing 11-month-old boy from DeKalb County. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reports officers located Legend Creed Soales in Warren County. TBI issued an endangered child alert for Legend late Thursday morning. The alert said the infant could possibly have been with Shawn Soales. Sheriff Patrick Ray said he would release additional […]
Endangered Child Alert Issued For DeKalb County Infant
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued a statewide endangered child alert for a DeKalb County infant. TBI said 11-month-old Legend Creed Soales could possibly be with Shawn Soales. A release did not provide a clothing description or direction of travel. Legend has blonde hair, blue eyes, and is 21 pounds. If you have information […]
TN Tech Exceeds $60 Million Fundraising Goal
Tennessee Technological University has exceeded the Tech Tomorrow $60 million fundraising goal. According to a press release the capital campaign topped the goal two years ahead of schedule. As of June 30, the campaign raised $60.9 million. Tech Tomorrow brought in the largest amount raised in the history of the university. The release indicates the […]
Fentress, Jackson County Reflect on Rural Conference
Governor Bill Lee hosted a rural opportunity summit with 15 distressed rural counties this week. County Executive Jimmy Johnson represented Fentress County at the conference. He said the counties expressed their needs to the Governor. “Basically, a lot of the counties’ needs are the same. You’re looking for highways, you’re looking for education, for TCAT,” […]
Overton Restructures Bond, Will Save $100K
Overton County will save some money after restructuring a bond allocation this week. County Mayor Ben Danner said the county chose to make the move after interest rates cut in half. “The interest rates went down to two-percent, so we’re looking at saving $100,000 over five years,” Danner said. “That’s $20,000 a year, but that’s […]
Jackson County Keeps Property Tax, Passes Budget
Jackson County citizens will not see a property tax increase in the new fiscal year. County Mayor Randy Heady said the new budget manages to fund for the county’s needs without a tax increase. “Well there is nothing special in this year’s budget, honestly it is real close to last year’s,” Heady said. “The only […]
Jury Convicts Billings For Attempting To Kill Wife
A man will serve at least 15-years behind bars for attempting to kill his wife more than two years ago. A DeKalb County jury found Andrew Lafate Billings guilty of attempted first-degree murder Wednesday. The trial revealed that Billings slit his wife’s throat after driving her to a remote location in April, 2017. The victim […]
Inmate Allegedly Punches Putnam Deputy Wednesday
A Putnam County inmate allegedly punched a deputy in the jaw Wednesday. Authorities charged 30-year-old Nephthali D. Dachoute with aggravated assault. He remains behind bars on $5,000 bond. The incident happened as officers attempted to move Dachoute from one cell to another. An arrest report said he became aggressive, refused to comply, and struck one […]
