Pickett Transfer Station Rates To Go In Effect August 18
The Pickett County Commissioners revisited transfer station rate increases Monday night before ultimately deciding to move ahead. On August 18, the transfer station will increase their rate from $50 per ton to $95 per ton. The decision will also raise the minimum rate for trash weighing less than 50 pounds to $7.60. Mayor Stephen Bilbrey […]
Pickett Board Conflicted About Reporting Chronic Absenteeism
Pickett County Schools will wait until a student tallies six unexcused absences per semester, instead of three, before moving the student’s case to a higher authority. But who is that authority? School Principals said they were told that the school system should send the cases to the Department of Children’s Services rather than to truancy […]
Robbins Settling In As New Pickett County Schools Director
New Pickett County Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said she is starting to settle into her role. Robbins said that in her first few days in the position, she has been reading up on documents and board policies. Robbins said her first order of business is getting the schools ready for the upcoming school year. […]
McBride: ARC Targets Distressed Counties For Investment
Appalachian Regional Commission Director Brandon McBride said the commission’s annual report on the economic health of counties helps make sure everyone involved understands the challenges being faced. Clay and Pickett Counties labeled as distressed in the new review. McBride said the Commission annually reviews the economic status of 423 counties in the Appalachian region. It […]
Pickett Schools Adding Student Board Member In Fall
The Pickett County School Board will add a student member to its board for the upcoming school year. Outgoing Director of Schools Diane Elder said a new law requires school boards across the state to involve students in the school board. Elder said the student would be a rising senior selected by school administration. Elder […]
Robbins Named Pickett’s New Director Of Schools Thursday
The Pickett County School Board named Melissa Robbins as the new Director of Schools Thursday night. Robbins has spent her entire 20-year career in the Sumner County School District, serving as a classroom teacher, success coach, and administrator. Robbins said the Pickett County job was appealing because it is her hometown. Robbin said her passion […]
Clay, Pickett Labeled Distressed Counties By Commission
Clay and Pickett Counties have been named distressed counties by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The Commission publishes the report annually comparing three-year average unemployment rates, per capita market income and a county’s poverty rate. No Upper Cumberland county rated distressed a year ago. A total of six Upper Cumberland counties ranked at-risk, meaning they could […]
Byrdstown Modernizing Water Policy With New Tweaks
Byrdstown Officials making two changes to the city water policy as the town modernizes its technology. Byrdstown Mayor Sam Gibson said the city now has radio-read meters, which will make billing more efficient. Gibson said the city used to manually read water meters. “We had one individual that done all the readings,” Gibson said. “And […]
Byrdstown Awaiting Permit For Paradise View Project
The next phase of construction for the Paradise View Development on Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown will begin soon, pending a permit. The development will bring new condos and homes to Byrdstown. Mayor Sam Gibson said land for the condos has been cleared. Engineer Zeda Hillis said the next phase could begin soon. “We’ve sent […]
Byrdstown Repairing Wastewater Plant Headworks
The Byrdstown Board of Alderman approved an emergency expenditure of some $34,000 Monday night to rebuild the headworks at the wastewater plant. Byrdstown Mayor Sam Gibson said the wastewater plant separates solid waste from the water with a series of chains, which have been damaged. Gibson said the plant is still in use, but failure […]
