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Varner seeking re-election to road supervisor post
RHEA COUNTY — Incumbent Rhea County Road Supervisor Glen Varner recently declared his “unwavering commitment to serving the public for the forthcoming second term,” throwing his hat into the ring as a candidate in the upcoming Rhea County Republican Primary on March 5, 2024. Deeply rooted in the community of Rhea County, Varner has lived in Rhea County for the past 57 years. Varner and his wife, Mable, have raised four kids in Rhea County: Angie Keylon, Carol Ballard, Bradley (Christy) Varner and Dave (Ashley)...
Tragedy on the gallows
Our history holds many tragic events, but perhaps one of the saddest is being put to death for a crime one did not commit. A story about one of these occurrences was recorded in the WPA book on Rhea County tombstones, published in 1938. According to WPA records, the Hughes Cemetery is located at the top of Dayton Mountain off a gravel road to the left of the highway. There are three graves with initials carved in rocks that are located under a lone pine tree on the Colvin farm. The rocks which serve as headstones, show initials of E....
Linda Blevins named Strawberry Festival Parade grand marshal
DAYTON — The Tennessee Strawberry Festival Committee recently announced that longtime community volunteer Linda Blevins has been named the grand marshal for the 2024 Tennessee Strawberry Festival Parade. “To know her is to love her, and to know her love for the Rhea County community,” Strawberry Festival officials said. Blevins was selected due to her long term service to Rhea County in both her professional and volunteer capacity, officials said. ...
RC3 celebrates eighth-anniversary
Rhea County Community Center, or RC3, celebrated its eighth year in business on Friday, Jan. 26, at the community center's location on Fourth Avenue in downtown Dayton. The event featured a luncheon with members of the Dayton City Council and the board of directors of RC3. View more photos from the event on page 2.
RCHS Winter Guard places fourth at competition
WHITE PINE, Tenn. — The Rhea County High School Winter Guard recently competed in a qualifier with the East Tennessee Performin Arts Assocation this past Saturday. The RCHS guard placed fourth out of 17 at Lakeway Christian Academy. The squad is helmed by director Emily May; guard techs, Ansley Thedford, Skyler Hustus and Nora Grisham; captain, Pearl Allmon; and co-captain Jules Loaring. The Rhea County High School Winter guard will compete again on Feb. 10 at Cookeville High School. Pictured are, in the front row, from left to right, are Darcy Kelly, Pearl Allmon, Jules Loaring and Jesicah Poole. In the middle row, left to right, are Kasey Hancock, Emily Vickers, Brindisi Rollins, Autumn Wente and Fiona Vickers. And in the back row, from left to right, are Brittley Powell, Amy Bautista Martinez, Natalia Lopez, Alexa Pacheco, Annaliesa Evans and Skylar Lehr.
Dayton Lions Club announces Peace Poster winners
Parents, siblings, teachers and the Dayton Lions Club recently celebrated with a pizza party the recent announcement of the Lions Club's awards for the winners of the club's peace posters contest. In the top photo are students from Rhea County Academy, pictured from left to right, second-place winner Mary Woychuck; center, first-place winner, Tessa Leblanc; and third-place winner, Dany Falzone. In the bottom picture are winning students from Rhea Central Elementary School from left to right, first-place winner, Isabella Lopez Bautista; second-place winner, Maggie Wood; and third- place winner, Karol Vazquez.
Tennesseans have options for precautions against respiratory viruses
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Health is reminding Tennesseans anytime is the right time to protect themselves and their loved ones against the worst symptoms of viral respiratory illnesses, from the common cold to influenza. “Tennessee’s flu activity remains high,” Tennessee Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP, said. “Just because it’s January doesn’t mean it’s too late to get a flu vaccine to help prevent getting or spreading the virus. You can get a flu vaccine anytime from your health provider or at a...
Rhea's December 2023 unemployment rate at 3.9 percent
NASHVILLE – Nearly every county in Tennessee ended 2023 with lower unemployment, according to new data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Ninety-two of the state’s 95 counties posted rates in December that came in lower than their November statistics. Rhea County's unemployment rate for December 2023 was 3.9 percent. In November 2023, Rhea's unemployment rate was 4 percent. Nearly a year ago, in December 2022, Rhea County's unemployment rate was 4.3 percent. ...
County gets more land for recreational complex along Delaware Avenue
DAYTON — The Rhea County Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to amend the agreement with the State of Tennessee on the purchase of the Abel farm property along Delaware Avenue, agreeing to sell the state nearly 18.5 acres, instead of the originally agreed-upon nearly 20 acres, for a new state school. The proposal was brought before the Rhea County Commission by Rhea County Executive Jim Vincent who said at the meeting that while the state originally thought they would need 20 acres for the project,...
MTNG named S.C. Chamber Member of the Month
SPRING CITY — The Spring City Chamber of Commerce recently announced the member of the month for January is Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District — Dayton Office. Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District, located at 951 Market Street in Dayton, strives to ensure their customers are provided with safe, affordable, energy-efficient natural gas appliances while encouraging natural gas usage. They offer a wide variety of the highest quality products. MTNG offers superior service by selling, installing, and servicing grills, fireplace logs, outdoor lighting, space heaters, laundry appliances, ranges, tankless water heaters and standard water heaters. Let them keep you warm this winter! Call 1-833-438-6864.
VEC awards grants to Rhea County groups
DECATUR, Tenn. — At the January 2024 VEC Customers Share Board meeting, local organizations in Rhea County were awarded $2,000 in grants. Organizations receiving funds were Spring City Toys for Children ($1,500) and The Hope Closet ($500). VEC Customers Share was founded in October 2001 and has donated more than $7.8 million to various community service organizations across VEC’s 17-county service area. VEC Customers Share is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization. The foundation’s funds come from VEC members who have opted to round their electric bills up to the next whole dollar. VEC Customers Share individual customer contributions average a little more than $5.00 per year. The extra change is collected monthly and distributed by a volunteer board of directors representing each service area. Grant applications are available at any Volunteer Energy Cooperative Customer Service center by calling (423) 334-7051 or at www.vec.org/community-programs/vecustomers-share/. VEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Dayton Rotary Club to hold annual Daddy/Daughter Dance
Th Dayton Rotary Club recently announced it will be holding its annual Daddy/Daughter Dance on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Rhea Central Elementary School, from at 6 to 8 p.m. This year’s theme is “Masquerade Ball.” “This is a special evening for young ladies to celebrate and make memories that will last a lifetime. Young ladies may be escorted by their dad, grandfather, uncle or other significant gentlemen in their life,” Dayton Rotary Club officials said. “While we know others would love to be a part of this event, this is a special evening, especially designed for dads and daughters to spend time together making memories and dancing the night away.” Doors open at 5 p..m for pictures, and tickets can be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-daddy-daughter-dance-masquerade-ball-tickets- 805767491257?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR0F8FoL DDKPkv_JORArRAY4AxT99Ny Kwz7VhZfm2yfZXyA-k3MJVJBs3lU, or visit the Dayton Rotary Club’s Facebook page for more information. Rhea Central Elementary School is located at 1005 Delaware Ave., Dayton, TN, 37321
Weather delay
Lakyn Lockhart drives to the bucket during a game earlier this year while Cammie Ruehling (10) and Jenna Burchard look on. Lady Eagles Coach Tracy Vest said all three must score for the team to be successful. After a two-week stoppage due to snow and ice, Rhea County’s basketball teams were expected to resume play by at least on Friday and possibly on Thursday. A story appears on page 9.
Wilkey announces bid for county road supervisor
RHEA COUNTY — Rick Wilkey recently announced his candidacy for the Republican Party nomination for Rhea County Road Supervisor. Wilkey will be facing incumbent Rhea County Road Supervisor in the March 5 county primary. “For those residents of Rhea County who may not be familiar with me, I am a lifelong resident of Rhea County,” Wilkey said. “I have had the honor to have served Rhea County in the Rhea...
State: Tennessee Promise students have more successful higher education outcomes
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Comptroller’s latest evaluation of the Tennessee Promise program shows that Promise students are earning more credits, are retained, and earn awards at higher rates than non-Promise students who enroll at the same schools. These statistics are revealed as part of the Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability’s regular evaluation of the effectiveness of the Promise program. Since 2015, Tennessee Promise has given eligible high school...
Know the difference between fungal and bacterial plant diseases
Question: Dear, Master Gardeners, can you tell me the differences between fungal and bacterial diseases in plants? Answer: Yes, we can get you an abbreviated explanation on both. There is a great deal of knowledge out there on both diseases, their prevention and control. We encourage you to do more extensive research on these if you are experiencing problems in your garden. For starters, Fungi are microscopic plants that take...
State offering free cable gun locks through Safe Store Tennessee program
NASHVILLE — Through its new Safe Store Tennessee program, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, (TDOSHS), is offering free cable gun locks to any Tennessean available on request at Driver Services Centers and Tennessee Highway Patrol district headquarters. “Safe firearm storage saves lives, and as a gun owner, the safe storage of your firearm is your responsibility,” said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. “Safe storage can prevent accidental shootings, suicide and theft. That’s why I’m encouraging all Tennessee...
Arrest reports: Jan. 18-Jan. 24
The following information was gathered solely from the police and jail records from the Rhea County Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty. Not every arrest leads to a conviction, and guilt or innocence is determined through the court system. Any similarities between the names listed and anyone other than the person charged is coincidental. ...
BREAKING: Pemberton resigns as Rhea County football coach
Rhea County High School Football Coach Mark Pemberton has resigned to take the same position at Campbell County High School. Pemberton's resignation was confirmed by Rhea County High School Co-Athletic Director Micah Ruehling shortly after noon on Friday. "Coach Pemberton just met with our team and informed them he has accepted the head football coaching position at Campbell County High School," Ruehling said in a text to the Herald-News. "We are thankful here at RCHS for his 11 years of service to our school, community and student athletes. We wish he and his family the best moving forward." Pemberton had been the head football coach at Rhea County since 2013.
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The Herald-News is dedicated to providing a high-quality community newspaper that our readers and advertisers find beneficial, informative, reliable and enjoyable. The paper strives to inform readers of local government activity that touches their lives, to celebrate the freedom of speech granted by the First Amendment by publishing letters of opinion and matters of record, and to offer news of people, places and events that chronicles life in Rhea County, Tennessee.
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