Rock Island Prepares Responders For Swiftwater Emergencies
Rock Island State Park partnering with multiple agencies to host swiftwater rescue training sessions to prepare emergency responders for dangerous water conditions. Park Manager Jake Viamonte said the park manages the Caney Fork River Gorge, an area where the confluence of three rivers creates turbulent water conditions ideal for rescue simulations. Viamonte said the presence […]
Bike TN Program Launched For Rural Tourism
The Department of Tourist Development has launched a new program to encourage cyclists to explore the rural areas of the state. Rural Program Manager Silas Stoddart said the Bike Tennessee program is a statewide initiative that promotes scenic road cycling routes in rural areas. Stoddart said the goal of the program is to provide rural […]
What To Serve Up For A Traditional Southern New Year’s Feast
Black-eyed peas, turnip greens, the traditional southern start to a New Year. Newt’s BBQ in Rock Island will be serving up a traditional menu for New Year’s Day including cornbread, cabbage and BBQ pork. Newt Rowland said every dish has a story behind it. “In the Civil War, when Sherman came to the south he […]
Rock Island Residents Speak Out Against Pedestrian And Bike Lane Proposal
Potential plans for a bridge to connect businesses in Rock Island to Rock Island State Park drew community concern from Warren County residents. County Executive Terry Bell said from his understanding, conversations to make such plans occurred before he was elected between then-executive Jimmy Haley, Friends of Historic Rock Island Founder Beth Campbell, and a […]
UC State Parks Participating In National Trails Day This Weekend
State Parks across the Upper Cumberland will host free guided hikes and trail building opportunities Saturday as a part of National Trails Day. Rock Island Ranger Ethan Greene said the annual event is an opportunity to discover what the park offers while connecting with nature. “This year were offering a two-process hike,” Greene said. “Our […]
Cedar Grove VFD’s Haunted Trail Returns To Van Buren
The arrival of October means the arrival of haunted trails, forests, and houses across the Upper Cumberland. Dinosaurs, scary clowns, and a slaughter chute are among the scary features at the Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department’s Haunted Trail in Van Buren County Safety Officer Rebecca Bivins said that the trail started ten years ago as […]
DeKalb Water Rescue Task Force Completes Rock Island Training
The recently formed DeKalb County Water Rescue Task Force has completed its first round of training. EMA Director Charlie Parker said the 20-hour swift water rescue course at Rock Island serves as the first of many. “We’re getting calls several weekends throughout the summer below the dam with the kayakers down there, and then we […]
Governor Lee In UC Friday, Starting With Rock Island Tour
Governor Bill Lee was at Rock Island State Park Friday afternoon to tour the park’s Old Mill. The focus of the tour was to show future possibilities for the site and how the state could create future uses. Lee said that tours like this with community leaders make challenges something that can be overcome. “This […]
Four UC State Parks Earn Highest Rank For Sustainability
Four Upper Cumberland State Parks have received the highest honor from TDEC for their efforts in environmental sustainability. Burgess Falls, Cummins Falls, Rock Island and Standing Stone all received platinum status in the, “Go Green With Us,” program. Regional Director of External Affairs Tara Wohlgemuth said only 10 out of the 56 state parks earned […]
Rock Island’s Cotton Mill In Need Of Repairs
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and Warren County are partnering to preserve Rock Island’s Great Falls Cotton Mill. Rock Island Park Manager Damon Graham said the national registered mill is in danger of collapsing if nothing is done. “It is a very significant sight as far as history and cultural resource in the […]
