This Week in White County History, June 30-July 6

2014

• A new sign was unveiled on Bockman Way that designated the segments of Highway 70 and Highway 1 that run through Sparta as The Gold Star Families Memorial Highway in memory of the courageous men and women who lost their lives while serving our country.
• Averitt Express associates visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and presented a $425,000 donation to the hospital.
• The Sparta Jr. Bass Club competed in the state tournament held at Chickamauga Lake with Dalton Vaughn, Garrett Turner, Jacob Bray, and Andy Baska all placing in the top 20.

2004 

• Northfield Elementary School PTO was named PTO of the Year by the White County School Board. Billie Sue Johnson, Stephanie Matthews, Debbie Price, and Rosanna Hitchcock represented the PTO.
• Friends of the Library met with the county leaders to ask for $1 million to fund the construction of the new library.
• Northfield Elementary School was to receive funds from the Tennessee Department of Education for high marks on its annual report card.

1994

• Tom Ward, owner of The Ward Agency, Inc., was elected to fill in for Robert Verble until the election for county commissioners.
• White County’s Roy Sewell was elected to the Lipscomb University Athletic Hall of Fame.
• Wilson Sporting Goods announced that a uniform manufacturing facility would be opening a new location in the old Sutton building, on Highway 111.

1984

• The controversial and long-debated Utility Board came to an end without discussion in a vote by Sparta City Council, though Mayor Dr. Robert Baker voted against it.
• The widow of a former Sparta Mayor and state senator, Christine Bockman, passed away at her home.
• Congressman Jim Cooper visited Sparta for a town meeting to address any problems residents may have with the federal government and discuss current legislative issues.

1974

• Construction workers began digging at the site of the former White County Courthouse in preparation for pouring footing for the new $1 million courthouse.
• The contract for rebuilding Findlay School after it was destroyed by fire was awarded to Sparta Planing Mill.