Van Buren County Getting Two New Commissioners From Population Increase
Two new Commissioner seats will be added in Van Buren County, bringing the future total to 12. Commissioners approved forming a redistricting committee Tuesday night including five appointments from Mayor Greg Wilson. Wilson said the county’s population now stands near 6,000. “I’ve talked extensively with Mr. Wayne Simons, also about the redistricting,” Wilson said. “And […]
Van Buren Committee Discusses State and Federal Funding Uses
Potential uses for state and federal funding in Van Buren County were discussed during Tuesday’s Committee A meeting. Mayor Greg Wilson said that $700,000 in federal and $276,000 from the state will all come in before July 31. Wilson said that in order to find non-recurring expenses to fund the county could use the money […]
Van Buren Schools Awarded $400K Grant Providing Energy Upgrades
The Van Buren County School System has been awarded a $400,000 TVA Uplift Grant and Solar Pavilion. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said this grant will address lighting at Spencer Elementary and Van Buren County High School. Cole said a preliminary location of the solar pavilion has been determined. “It’s an outdoor classroom and they came […]
Spencer American Legion Post Leads District In Growth
The Spencer American Legion Post 207 has seen a revival over the past year. Twenty-three new members have joined since last summer, which leads the Upper Cumberland District. Commander Hansel Moore said the post was on the brink of closing about three years ago, but membership is now healthy. “One of the things that we […]
Van Buren County Looks To Take Action Addressing Solid Waste Revenues
The Van Buren County Budget Committee approved a five cents per pound charge on commercial haulers to take waste into the county. The Wednesday action, according to Mayor Greg Wilson would help generate $75,000. “We have one of our haulers that is taking on some over in Bledsoe County and it’s going to come to us,” […]
UCHRA Early Head Start Expansion On Hold
UCHRA’s Early Head Start Program will not be expanding this year after the organization did not get needed grant funding. The agency applied for about $7 million of federal money to extend services to Morrison, Spencer and Sparta. Executive Director Mark Farley said UCHRA’s request was too large compared to the total available funding. “What […]
Van Buren History Back On Display After One Year
The Van Buren County Historical and Heritage Museum is ready to open again after being closed in 2020. Van Buren County Historian Landon Medley said finding a way to open again was all about promoting the county and its cultural heritage. Medley said the museum covers education, local artifacts and events that many people might […]
Van Buren Attorney Says Individual Court Cost Over Estimated
Van Buren County’s attorney said the General Assembly’s Fiscal Review Committee has over estimated the cost of giving the county its own general sessions court. Attorney Howard Upchurch told Commissioners Tuesday night that Van Buren is the only county statewide to share its general sessions judge. Van Buren and White County currently split one judge. […]
UC Residents Advised To Avoid Dangerous Roads
Residents around the Upper Cumberland are being advised to stay home due to Winter weather conditions. Van Buren County is experiencing dangerous driving conditions after a three-car wreck occurred on Baker Mountain Road. EMS Director Tiwanna Bricker said there have been four wrecks this morning. Including accidents on Andrew K. Parker Road and Highway 30. […]
Van Buren Schools Receive Half Of Fall Creek Falls Payment
Van Buren County Schools will receive its portion of a state payment for the Fall Creek Falls Inn closure. This $42,000 payment was approved at Tuesday night’s Van Buren County Commission meeting. However, this is only half of the school system’s share. Van Buren County Commissioner William Maxwell said the commission would look to a […]
