Special Advocates To Support White, Van Buren Fosters
White and Van Buren Counties launching a new Court Appointed Special Advocates program to provide foster children with dedicated volunteers. General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge John Meadows said the non-profit organization recruits and trains community members to serve as representatives for children in state custody and represent their best interests throughout the legal process. […]
Major Narcotics Bust Results In Van Buren County Seizure
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office seized a luxury SUV, thousands of dollars in cash, and hundreds of narcotics during a joint operation at a Spencer business. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Speed Mart Liquors located on State Road 111. The raid resulted in the discovery of 538 cannabis/THC […]
Spencer Water Infrastructure Improvements Near Completion
A $13 million infrastructure investment to bring the Spencer water system into full regulatory compliance nearing completion. Warren County Utility District General Manager Anthony Pelham said some 80 percent of the county currently meets all Stage 2 disinfection byproduct standards following recent system improvements. “We’re continuing to work on it every day and as I […]
Van Buren Commissioners Approve $21M Annual Budget
Van Buren County Commissioners approved a $21.4 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year during a special called meeting Monday. The general purpose school fund accounts for the largest portion of the budget at $10,152,700. General fund expenses set at $4,860,741. The commission also approved a resolution to fix the county tax levy at 1.3883 […]
Van Buren County Reports Historic Budget Turnaround
Van Buren County is reporting a significant financial turnaround thanks to a growth in revenue. Van Buren County Commission Chairman Cale Crain said a recent state property reassessment resulted in higher property values for many residents. Crain said the county intends to lower the tax rate to level out the impact and keep payments consistent […]
TVA Grant Upgrades Van Buren High Classrooms, Technology
Van Buren County High School will upgrade its facilities after securing a $10,000 grant through the TVA School Uplift Program. Computer Science Teacher Rachel Sparkman said the funding is an automatic award provided to schools that complete a 12-month energy efficiency and participation program. Sparkman said the initiative involves tracking utility bills and logging energy […]
Van Buren Hosting Free Hazardous Waste Disposal Saturday
TDEC will sponsor free household hazardous waste collection Saturday at the Van Buren County Convenience Center in Spencer. TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said the mobile service allows residents to drop off materials such as cleaning fluids, pesticides, and swimming pool chemicals. “This collection service provides an excellent way to responsibly dispose of household hazardous waste, […]
Van Buren High Earns Repeat Voter Registration Honor
Van Buren County High School has earned the Ann Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award for the second consecutive year after successfully registering 100 percent of its eligible students to vote. History Teacher Shane Hall said registering students before they graduate is a priority because the transition into college or the workforce often makes civic duties […]
Retirement And Vacancy Create Van Buren Jail Openings
Van Buren County looking to fill two correctional officer positions following a long-term retirement and a recent vacancy. Jail Administrator Jessica Grissom said the facility operates with specific staffing requirements for both day and night shifts. Grissom said maintaining a full roster is necessary to ensure the facility runs smoothly without setting off the established […]
Former WWII Spencer Artillery Range Part Of Safety Campaign
The Army Corps of Engineers addressing safety concerns regarding unexploded ammunition at the former Spencer Artillery Range. UT Extension Van Buren County Director Chris Binkley said the site served as a training ground for soldiers from Camp Forrest in Tullahoma during the early 1940s. Binkley said the military selected the location because the local topography […]
