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LOCAL NEWS

August revenues for Tennessee more than estimates

 Tennessee revenues were more than the budgeted estimates for the first month of the state’s fiscal year.  Finance and Administration Commissioner Butch Eley today reported, on Sept. …

The pitfalls of hungry shopping

My darling Ashley and I have been married 16  years! I survey all the success God has given us raising four wonderful kids and enjoying wedded bliss.  I’m now reaching the age where …

Communicating our love

My favorite means of communication is face to face - and without a mask. When I interact with folks, I prefer to use as many of the senses as possible: facial expressions, especially smiles; tone of …

For the greater good

The United States of America is the greatest and most admired nation in the world.  That is an undisputed fact.  Our vibrant capitalistic-based economy, along with our world-class military …

TDEC offers teachers toolkits for Earth Science Week

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), in partnership with the American Geosciences Institute, will distribute a limited number of Earth Science Week toolkits to science …

Trump puts fed “wokeness” to sleep

President Trump took another step toward fulfilling his promise to “Drain the Swamp” when he authorized Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to ensure that federal …

Airport discusses new purchases and new policies

 Upper Cumberland Regional Airport board members discussed the purchase of a new radio during their monthly board meeting, which was held virtually again this month. “The FAA and FCC …

McDonald awarded by TSBA

The Tennessee School Boards Association recently announced that Jayson McDonald, chairman of the White County School Board, had reached level four of boardsmanship.  “The citizens of …

Sparta-White County Help Center continues its mission through community donations

 Thanks to the donations of many  organizations and churches like First Presbyterian Church the Sparta-White County Help Center will be able to continue filling a need that for many area …

Deputy goes above and beyond the call of duty

 In the early morning hours of Aug. 22, 2020, Sgt. Lanny Wheeler, with the White County Sheriff’s Office, answered a call and, according to one Sparta resident, went above and beyond his …

WCMS Warriors fall in last-minute score

On Sept. 15, the White County Middle School Warriors took on the visiting Clay County Middle School Bulldogs in football action.  Both teams came out firing on all cylinders on the offensive …

TN Highway Patrol answers call for Hurricane Sally telecommunications assistance

On Sept. 16, Baldwin County, Alabama requested Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) teams to augment staffing of their 911 Dispatch Center due to Hurricane Sally. The Tennessee …

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"One on One" with Becky Magura features Dr. Mary Evins

 WCTE PBS will broadcast One on One with Becky Magura featuring Dr. Mary Evins on Sunday, Sept. 23, at 6:30 p.m. The series made its season 10 debut earlier this month. Be sure to tune in all …

TN Hunter Education giving option for online classes

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is offering an option to complete Tennessee Hunter Education all online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The course can be completed by using the online course, …

Sparta Sonic employees receive scholarships

On June 10, 2020, the Nashville Advertising Co-op of Sonic Drive-Ins awarded fifty $1,000 scholarships to employees of their drive-ins.  Over the past 20 years, the Nashville Advertising Co-op …

Celebrating America's history

Constitution Week is the commemoration of America's most important document. It is celebrated annually during the week of September 17-23. The United States Constitution stands as a testament …

Businesses continue to re-employ Tennesseans as economy rebounds

(Sept. 17, 2020) - As more Tennesseans return to the workforce, the statewide unemployment rate for Tennessee decreased in August, according to the latest data released by the Department of Labor and …

White County Middle School volleyball results

 On Sept. 8, the White County Middle School Warriorette volleyball team took on Warren County in a conference matchup.  The Warriorettes lost  the first game 25-10.   They …

The week in review

We are now inside the 60-day countdown to election. I am hoping we all have registered to vote? Monday, Oct. 5, will be the deadline to register to vote in the presidential election. Now is the time …

At what age should children be taught about God and Jesus?

A few years ago, I was in New Jersey and talking to a father of two beautiful small girls. I asked him if he was teaching his girls about God. He said NO.  His reason was that their minds were …

Anxiety during anxious times

 Years ago, I met this young lady on the first day of my new job. She exited her car, made her way across the parking lot and into the store. She approached the counter where I worked, and we …

Warriors, Cavaliers face off

 The Sparta Warriors traveled north, on Highway 111, on Sept. 11, 2020, to take on rival Cookeville High School in football action.  Cookeville has been dominant for the past 30 years in …

Sparta observes Patriots’ Day

Nineteen years after the unbelievable attacks on the United States that resulted in the loss of 2,977 American lives, Sparta and White County paused to remember and honor both those who lost their …

Helen Joyce Davis McFerrin

Helen Joyce Davis McFerrin, 82, of Sparta, passed away Sept. 15, 2020, at Signature Health Care, in Cookeville. Mrs. McFerrin was born Feb. 25, 1938, in Evanston, Illinois, the daughter of Arthur …

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Cleda Massa Terry

Cleda Massa Terry, 75, of Sparta, passed away Sept. 12, 2020, at University of Florida Health-North Hospital, in Jacksonville, Florida.  Mrs. Terry was born March 9, 1945, in White County, to …

Lemon Fred Farris

Lemon Fred Farris, 95, passed away peacefully at his home, on Sept. 13, 2020. Mr. Farris was born July 7, 1925, in Cookeville, to Lemon Farris and Nancy Bell Cunningham Farris. He attended …

Ronald Lee "Ronnie" Copeland

Ronald Lee "Ronnie" Copeland, 66, of Crossville, a native of Sparta, passed away Sept. 14, 2020, at Parkwest Medical Center, in Knoxville. Mr. Copeland was born Feb. 23, 1954, in Sparta, to Lonnie …

William M. Johnson

William Marvin (Bill) Johnson was born in Sparta, Tennessee, on June 12, 1936, the younger son of Ammon Estes Johnson and Mary Margaret Hill Johnson.  He was preceded in death by his parents …

Disaster update from American Red Cross

As of Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020 the American Red Cross of the Tennessee Region has deployed 64 volunteers to respond to disasters. We want to take the time to update statistics on what is happening …

William Marvin "Bill" Johnson

William Marvin "Bill" Johnson, age 84, a longtime banker, farmer and community leader, passed away, on Sept. 13, 2020 at his residence. Funeral arrangements will be complete by late Monday …

Mildred Jewel Sullivan Bumbalough

Mildred Jewel Sullivan Bumbalough, 78, passed away Sept. 12, 2020, at Bethesda Health Care, in Cookeville. Mrs. Bumbalough was born Dec. 12, 1941, in Spencer, to Ollie Dave Sullivan and Lennie Mae …

Michael Eugene Lynn

Michael Eugene Lynn, 58, of Sparta, passed away Sept. 11, 2020, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville. Mr. Lynn was born March 31, 1962, in Nashville. He was the son of Barbara …

What happened on 9/11?

 Everybody knows what happened on 9/11, right? The truth is most of my peers—I was born after 2001—don’t. They almost certainly don’t know why it happened. Most …

Socialist Democrat Party is in a panic mode

 With under two months to go before the presidential election, on Nov. 3, 2020, and their candidate, Joe “Am I Alive” Biden, falling in the national polls, the Socialist Democrat …

Using our devices when we can’t be there in person

In Psalm 26 (ESV) the Psalmist sang about sinners having “evil devices” in their hands. He certainly was not referring to the electronic devices of our time, but most of us would probably …

The soothing power of Kleenex

 I have a confession, paper towel is my nose’s nemesis.  That’s right, I hate paper towel, especially at this time of year when the seasons change. You know that …

Energy evaluation could help save money

Sparta residents can get a professional Home Energy Evaluation from their smartphone, and Sparta Electric Company is encouraging them to do so. “I would recommend anyone with extremely high …

State Dashboard tells number of school COVID-positive cases

 Tennessee Department of Education unveiled this week a new dashboard that will provide an avenue for parents to view additional COVID-10 information, including the number of new positive …

Nursing homes across the state still not able to allow visitors

Families across the state have not been able to visit their loved ones in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities since March because of restrictions that have been put in place by the …

Deadline fast-approaching for TN Business Relief Funds

Time is running out to certify for relief payments from the Tennessee Business Relief Program. Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds have been set aside to assist Tennessee small businesses impacted by …

History comes to life at Cookeville Cemetery Walk

Six city cemetery “residents” have stories to tell – from snake bites to football and everything in between. It’ll happen Sept. 19 at the 11th Biennial Cookeville Cemetery …

Hemp growers, don’t miss the deadline

Only a few days remain for Tennessee’s licensed hemp growers to report their crop acreage to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Although the original reporting deadline was Aug. 15, FSA …

9/11 REMEMBRANCE: Military personnel recall the day

Sept. 11, 2001 - The day that changed the United States. A day that will live in the minds and hearts of all those who witnessed, whether in person or on television, an unprecedented attack on the …

Barbara Hudson Baker

Barbara Hudson Baker, 78, of Knoxville, went to be with her Lord, on Sept. 7, 2020. Mrs. Hudson graduated from White County High School, in Sparta, in 1960, and was a member of Middlebrook Pike …

Eroding our culture with lies

 We are now inside the 60 days to the election mark. Now is the time to start getting in touch with family and friends in other states and making sure they are registered to vote and motivated …

Forgiveness of sin

 Every person should be able to read their Bible and understand the proper attitude to have toward someone who is need of and seeks forgiveness.  Every time we talk to people there …

Today’s drifting will be tomorrow’s separation

Jesus wrote letters to seven churches in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation. He spoke to the Ephesian church about their strengths and weaknesses. Ephesus was a very wealthy and independent port city. It …

Paving projects, possible new hiring discussed at city meeting

 During their first meeting for the month of September, Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved several purchases so city departments can better serve the people of Sparta. The board …

COVID-19 recovered numbers confusing

 It isn’t only the actual virus, COVID-19, that has a set of unknowns and is leading to general confusion but also the way statistics are being reported about the number of people infected …

Motlow EMT Skills Lab in full functioning mode

White County has used the Governor’s Three Star Grant to fund an EMT Skills Lab on the Sparta Campus of Motlow Community College, and, last week, students began practicing life-saving skills …

Brenda Sue Hale McCormick

Brenda Sue Hale McCormick, 72, of Walling, passed away Sept. 6, 2020, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mrs. McCormick was born on Aug. 26, 1948, in Sparta, to Jesse and Ruby Hale. She was …

White County Board of Education meeting

White County Board of Education Meeting Date: Thursday, September 10th, 2020 Location: Woodland Park Elementary School (Attendance may be limited due to health protocols surrounding …

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OBITUARIES

James Dudley Officer

James Dudley Officer, 78, of Sparta, a Vietnam veteran and retired law enforcement officer from Metro Nashville Police Department, passed away Sept. 5, 2020, at Cookeville Regional Medical …

  • Opal Elaine Stewart

    Opal Elaine Stewart, 57, passed away Sept. 2, 2020, at Saint Thomas Highlands Medical Center, in …

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OPINION

We are the storm

I can’t speak for everyone, but I am of the opinion that the U.S. Congress has become too politically divided and self-important.  This is especially true in the U.S. House of …

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FAITH

The sound of music

Like taking a breath, some things become so familiar that we stop noticing. Something has happened in Sparta every weekday for decades, yet some may have stopped noticing. It happens eight times a …

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