Fentress Teacher Mentors Eighth-Grade Student Author
A Fentress County educator mentoring a local student author to help publish children’s books for fellow students across the Upper Cumberland. Reading Ambassador Belinda Payne said eighth-grade student Reese Smith began her writing journey in the fifth grade after receiving a hamburger-shaped toy. Payne said Smith used the toy as inspiration for her first published […]
Clay Leaders Studying Various Medical Options For County
Clay County leaders exploring the development of a freestanding emergency room to restore local medical services following the closure of the county hospital. Clay County Mayor Dale Reagan said the initiative began with a recent tour of a similar facility in Fentress County. Reagan said leaders wanted to study how that community addressed its own […]
Crews Continue To Assess, Repair Fentress Flood Damage
Fentress County crews continue to conduct cleanup and recovery operations following Sunday flooding across the northern portion of the area. Emergency Management Director James Bilbrey said the highway department is currently working to remove debris that piled up against bridges. Bilbrey said they are awaiting formal inspections to determine the extent of the structural damage. […]
Emergency Declared After Historic Fentress County Flooding
Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson declared a state of emergency Monday morning following weekend flooding that left several communities inaccessible and caused significant damage. Fentress County Emergency Management Agency Director James Bilbrey said the floods this weekend were some of the worst he has ever seen. Bilbrey said the northern end of the county near […]
Flash Flooding Leave Fentress And Pickett Roads Impassable
Flash flood warnings posted Sunday morning in Pickett and northern Fentress Counties as more heavy rain moves through the area. The Weather Service said radar estimates peg rainfall in the area at two to three inches over the last several hours. An additional one to two inches are possible. Rain continues to move southeast from […]
Best Friends Sanctuary Battles Fentress Animal Overpopulation
Best Friends Sanctuary hosting a series of fundraising and adoption events this week to address a critical overpopulation of animals in Fentress County that has left the organization struggling. Lead Fundraiser Jan Shank said the organization is currently caring for some 75 dogs and puppies at the shelter while a foster coordinator recently managed 50 […]
Failing Floor Forces South York Transfer Station Repairs
Fentress County preparing to replace the failing concrete floor at the South York Highway transfer station to ensure the continued movement of waste out of the county. Fentress County Solid Waste Director Michael Rick said the project involves pouring two feet of new concrete on top of the existing floor and adding a new ramp. […]
Sheriff Partners With Local Locksmith For Welfare Checks
The Fentress County Sheriff’s Office teaming up with a local locksmith to assist deputies with welfare checks while minimizing property damage to residences. Sheriff Hunter Fowler said the department needed a solution when residents are unable to open their doors. Fowler said the initiative aims to provide a non-destructive alternative to traditional forced entry methods […]
Asian Ticks Trigger Upper Cumberland Livestock Losses
Invasive Asian Longhorned Ticks impacting livestock producers across the Upper Cumberland as the species establish a permanent presence. Fentress County UT Extension Director John Gunter said the tick species can produce up to 2,000 eggs at a time without a mate. Gunter said the ticks spread disease like a mosquito would, traveling from one animal […]
Fentress County Secures Food Insecurities Grant Funding
Fentress County is moving forward with a food insecurities grant to purchase essential equipment for local food banks and senior meal delivery services. Grant Coordinator Amanda Maynard said the funding is being utilized to improve food distribution throughout the county. Maynard said the project includes a variety of items to support local nutritional programs. “We’ve […]
