Local News

A life-changing mental health program for children and youth is getting a big infusion of support thanks to Tennessee’s signature music festival.  The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is donating $100,000 to support the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison program in nine schools across all three school districts in Coffee County. School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons are masters-level therapists…

Today, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) announced it will provide a $120 one-time payment directly to families in need across Cannon and 12 other counties through the Summer Nutrition Initiative starting Friday, June 12, 2026. The initiative first launched in 2025 as a state-funded effort to provide additional nutrition assistance to serve families…

Following the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement that a confirmed case of New World screwworm (NWS) was detected in Zavala County, Texas, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is taking steps to protect livestock the potential spread of this invasive pest. “NWS has not been detected in Tennessee, but we want to be proactively working…

United Way of South Central Tennessee (UWSCTN) wrapped up another successful tax season with the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, including extended tax preparation opportunities through the IRS because of Winter Storm Fern. The United Way VITA program is an IRS-supported tax preparation service, through which trained volunteers prepare taxes at no cost for…

State Rep. Michael Hale, Smithville, and Sen. Shane Reeves, Murfreesboro have secured $250,000 in state grant funding to support the revitalization of the Cannon County Courthouse. The appropriated funds are part of the state’s $58.3 billion balanced budget passed by the Tennessee General Assemblyon April 15. The funding will be used for capital improvements to…

 The Tennessee Department of Agriculture recognizes Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly for significant investments in agriculture included in the 2026–2027 state budget. The approved budget includes key recurring investments that support agricultural innovation, education and food access, including $1 million for the Representative Johnny Shaw Tennessee Agricultural Innovation and Education Initiative and…

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Donny Green, in DeKalb and Cannon counties, reminds producers to report planted, prevented planted, and failed acres to establish or retain FSA program eligibility. For planted crops, the following acreage reporting deadlines are applicable for DeKalb and Cannon counties for the 2026 crop year:…

Road Construction will not delay motorists traveling Tennessee’s highways this Memorial Day weekend. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes from noon on Friday, May 22, through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for the record-breaking number of motorists expected to…

Friday Tennessee State Parks dedicated the new Cardwell Mountain State Archaeological Park, making it the third archaeological park added to the state park system, preserving more than 5,000 years of Tennessee history. The 534-acre property includes evidence of Native American life and settlements from the Late Archaic to Mississippian periods, including a 15-foot earthen monument…

Barney Ray Sissom, 79, of Woodbury went to his heavenly home on May 3, 2026 with his loving family by his side. He is the son of the late Homer & Hessie Duke Sissom. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Linda Brown Sissom of Woodbury; Children Rhonda Spry (Jay) Womack and Scottie…