LOCAL NEWS

Hunter Education Course

Where: Sparta-White County Rescue Squad building, 320 E. Bockman Way, in Sparta When: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, March 23 This class is limited to 35 students. Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1969, …

WCHS students place in TN High School Student Press Association competition

Congratulations to these students for placing in the Lipscomb University Tennessee High School Student Press Association (THSPA) competition recently. •Jada Henderson & Max …

Fruit tree frost protection

Spring is almost here, and fruit crops will soon be in bloom.  Keep in mind that it’s just mid-March and we are not out-of-the-woods when it comes to cold weather.  During March and …

Highway Department continues to upgrade and repair

From Jerry Sawyer-White County Highway Superintendent: We have been trying to take advantage of this good working weather over the last few weeks. We are trying our best to catch up on our ditch …

WCHS Academic Spotlight

 Cadence Dishman has a reputation around White County High School of striving for excellence in everything she does. Dishman aspires to become a speech and audio pathologist and helping …

FFA learns about hay, new grant

Throughout the year, the White County High School Agricultural Department prides itself on the hands-on experiences they provide their students, one of which being the opportunity to allow students …

Minute with the Mayor

As the mayor of our beloved town, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the enduring legacy of Sparta Hardware. However, my connection to this historic establishment runs deeper than …

Beware of scams

 Scams have long been a problem with people trying to trick unsuspecting subjects out of money or important personal information. In recent years, technology has offered more ways for scammers …
Business Spotlight

The Mad Raven

The Mad Raven is Sparta’s only bookstore.  Walking inside the cute little shop that sits just outside of the town’s historic district on Bockman Way is an experience like no other in …

THP and other law enforcement agencies join in pursuit

A pursuit that had originally begun in Smith County and ultimately ended in White County, on March 9, 2024, ended with the arrest of a 41-year-old man. According to a report from Tennessee …

Street drug not yet seen in Sparta but may soon make an appearance says sheriff

According to a news release out of Nashville, Xylazine, a veterinary medicine used to sedate livestock, has been making an appearance in both fentanyl and methamphetamine. Since Nov. 1, 2023, …

John Douglas McGhee

John Douglas McGhee, age 76, passed away on March 13, 2024, at Saint Thomas Hospital, in Nashville, Tennessee. He fought hard for the last four months, but the battle is over and he is in the loving …

Reed named TSSAA Class 3A Miss Basketball

Congratulations to WCHS Warriorette Celeste Reed!  According to Greg Wilson, WCHS principal, Celeste was just named TSSAA Class 3A Miss Basketball!!!

WCHS upcoming events

Suzanne Rushing, college advisor at White County High School, would like to share the following events that will be taking place at WCHS. March 21: 1 p.m., TCAT McMinnville Signing Day, Main Gym …

Hazmat Awareness Class

From White County Firefighters Association: We are having a Hazmat Awareness Class (TFACA) at Doyle Fire Department, 5:30-9:30 p.m., March 12. All emergency personnel are welcome. This awareness …

4-H livestock judging

From UT Extension White County: Congratulations to our White County 4-H livestock judging teams who recently competed at TN Beef Agribition. One of our teams, which consisted of Deanna Miller, …

Wilson completes classes

From  NorthEnd Volunteer Fire Department: We want to congratulate firefighter Dalton Wilson. He has successfully completed his 16-hour Intro to Emergency Services, 64 Hour Rookie Class, and he …

The tree on the road to Jerusalem

Sometimes we may get a little upset or even hurt feelings over what was said, done, or what we think was said. Maybe we’ve become so enraged that we stormed away in anger or even punched a wall …

Christian basic training - Part I

For many churches, services are to gather the people together, perform the newest songs on Christian radio, and allow the popular speaker to share a motivational speech all around an hour …

This Week in White County History, March 10-16

2014 White County Fairest of the Fair Ashton Mitchell visited Northfield Elementary School to read a story about Pocahontas for Women’s History Month. The Community Foundation of …

Students and Education

Woodland Park Elementary just wrapped up the Kind Kids service project of cleaning teacher classrooms, in February. These students did an amazing job helping their teachers. With the guidance of …

First outing positive for tennis

 We were blessed to enjoy our first scrimmage match in several seasons with Warren County Pioneers traveling to test the training of the White County Warriors.  Head Coach Topher Wiles and …

WCMS Warriorette softball ready for spring season

The White County Middle School Warriorette softball team began their season this week, and, while he just took over at the helm, Coach Gregg Segraves said he has been impressed with the amount of …

Moss in lawns

One of the more frequent questions that I get asked is, “What can I do about the moss that is taking over my lawn? Here’s some good information that was shared by Chris Ramsey, …

Dorothy Lee Elliott

Dorothy Lee Elliott, 94, of Sparta, went to be with the Lord, on Feb. 28, 2024. She was born on Dec. 27, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the daughter of Chester Batts and Ruth Jackson Batts. …

Alice Ella Farmer Rice

Alice Ella Farmer Rice, 76, of Thompson’s Station, passed away Feb. 25, 2024, at her residence, surrounded by her family. Alice was born Oct. 25, 1947, in Sparta, to Denys and Bernice …

Brenda Kay Henry

Brenda Kay Henry, 73, of Sparta, passed away March 3, 2024, in Sparta. Brenda was born March 16, 1950. She was the daughter of Square Emmitt Brady and Cora Ellen Brady. In addition to her …

WCHS Academic Spotlight

Rylee Savage is a senior at White County High School, and her attention to detail and willingness to dedicate herself to the task at hand has made her stand out among her peers. “Rylee is …

The walls came tumbling down!

The old Sparta Hardware building, at the corner of Bockman Way and South Church Street, continues its gradual collapse day by day. (Refer to previous stories on SpartaLive.com) Today, at …

Cadets of the Month

On Feb. 28, 2024, the White County High School JROTC conducted a fiercely competitive Cadet of the Month selection board and honored the top two cadets from the competition. xThe monthly event …

Country Western Dance

American Legion Post #99 presents a "Country Western Dance," beginning at 6 p.m., Saturday, March 23, at the Legion building, 5 Liberty Square, in Sparta. Country music my Gene Hodge. The cost is $7 …

2024 NASP State Championships March 13-15 in Murfreesboro

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will host the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) 16th State Championships, March 13-15 (Wednesday-Friday) in Murfreesboro. The NASP State …

Historic downtown Sparta building is collapsing

Sparta may be losing a historic building close to the center of downtown. On the night of March 4, the brick building that has stood on the corner of Bockman Way and South Church Street since …

Volunteer Firefighters Week, March 3 - March 9

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) honor the bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of Tennessee's volunteer firefighters …
OBITUARIES

Roy Livy McCormick

Roy Livy McCormick, 87, of McMinnville, passed away Feb. 17, 2024. He was born Nov. 13, 1936, in McMinnville, the son of Roy McCormick and Betsy Wood. The family will have a private …

  • Kevin Labon O’Dell

    Kevin Labon O’Dell, 59, of Sparta, passed away Feb. 17, 2024. Kevin was born April 25, 1964, in …

  • Alivia Ann Francis

    Alivia Ann Francis, 15, of McMinnville, passed from this life, on Feb. 17, 2024, at Children’s Hospital …

  • Raymond Lee Kozub

    Raymond Lee Kozub, 83, of Sparta, passed away Feb. 23, 2024, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. …

  • Margaret Jeanette York Bennett

    Margaret Jeanette York Bennett, 74, of Sparta, passed away Feb. 19, 2024, at Saint Thomas Riverpark …

OPINION

The illegal act of teaching history in Tennessee

I have spoken often in this space about the spate of “divisive concepts” laws passed by our state’s general assembly, which impose draconian restrictions on how subjects such as …

FAITH

True churches build true Christians

There are so many churches within the United States and this region.  Although there may be so many churches, or at least social gatherings, not every church is making true Christians.  The …