Pickett County Schools Fosters Positive Learning Culture
Pickett County Schools implementing a positivity-focused culture to improve student performance and teacher retention with support from the top down. Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said the district is prioritizing a positive atmosphere where students and staff are more prepared to learn and work when they feel excited to be in the building. Robbins said […]
Pickett Schools Report Strategic Student TCAP Growth
Pickett County Schools reporting measurable student growth across multiple subjects following the release of recent TCAP testing data. Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said the district focused on tracking the progress of specific student groups as they transitioned from one grade level to the next. Robbins said the school system achieved its primary goal for […]
Pickett Man Gets 20-Year Sentence For Shooting Of Wife
A Pickett County man sentenced to 20 years in prison after entering a guilty plea to the second-degree murder of his wife. Johnny Ray Foutch sentenced in connection with the 2025 killing of Theresa Marie Foutch. Forensic pathologist Dr. Shannon Crook performed an autopsy and determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound to […]
Seven Rescued As Floods Damage Pickett County Roads
Pickett County emergency crews rescued seven people and three dogs from rising floodwaters as heavy weekend rains damaged bridges and forced several road closures across the county. EMS and EMA Director Garry Garrett said the most significant impacts occurred near Highway 127, Moodyville, and Caney Creek. Garrett said the flooding was localized to low-lying areas […]
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 […]
Fire Chiefs Warn Boaters After Dale Hollow Lake Fire
Local fire officials are urging boaters to prioritize maintenance and safety checks following a recent increase in boat fires on Dale Hollow Lake. Byrdstown/Pickett County Fire Chief Garry Garrett said boat fires are particularly dangerous because they can accelerate quickly and can spread to other vessels. “Usually they explode at some point in time and […]
School Officials Addressing Absences; Upper Grade Worst
Pickett County school officials implementing new strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism as nearly a quarter of the student population missed significant time last year. Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said absences become chronic when a student misses more than 18 days. . Robbins said the district identified the issue through state data and internal attendance […]
High Gas Prices May Increase Dale Hollow Summer Tourism
Byrdstown Officials expecting an increase in local vacation activity and rental bookings this season as high gas prices encourage people to stay closer to home. Mayor Sam Gibson said the community is fortunate to have the lake as a primary resource for visitors from nearby areas like Cookeville and Livingston. Gibson said he anticipates people […]
Reward Offered For Armed Pickett County Murder Suspect
The TBI added a suspect in a fatal Pickett County shooting to the state’s Most Wanted List. 38-year-old Jesse Wayne Phillips wanted for second-degree murder in connection to an incident that occurred Wednesday on the 1000 block of Parker Road. A $2,500 reward being offered for information leading to Phillips’ arrest. Phillips reportedly driving a […]
Pickett Schools Pass Budget With New K-8 Roof, Bathroom Work
Pickett County Schools reporting a successful conclusion to the academic year. Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said the district is seeing positive momentum as students and staff finish the year with strong performance indicators. Robbins said the school board passed the budget for the upcoming school year, which includes funding for major infrastructure needs and […]
