The 9th Annual CASA Rodeo is set to return to Jasper this weekend, bringing two nights of rodeo action, live entertainment, and community fun — all while raising support for abused and neglected children across the Sequatchie Valley region. Hosted by CASA of the Sequatchie Valley, the annual fundraiser will take place Friday, May 29 …
Category: Community
Community News covers breaking stories, schools, sports, traffic, government, and community updates in Marion County, Tennessee and surrounding communities.
Fiery Gizzard Ranger Named Tennessee State Parks Ranger of the Year
A ranger at Fiery Gizzard State Park is receiving statewide recognition for her dedication to conservation, visitor safety, and community service. Tennessee State Parks recently announced that Ranger Hannah Sheley has been named the Tennessee State Parks Ranger of the Year for 2025, honoring what park officials described as her professionalism, leadership, and commitment to …
Free Fishing Day Planned at Fall Creek Falls State Park on June 6
Families and young anglers will have the chance to fish for free next month during a special event planned at Fall Creek Falls State Park. The park will host its annual Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 6, beginning at 7 a.m. at the park’s softball fields. Organizers say the event is designed …
Lessons Through the Generations: The History of Education in Marion County
I wrote a similar lifestyle article about the history of schools in Marion County some years ago for another local publication. That publication has since changed hands, changed names, changed directions, and astonishingly failed to preserve much of its digital archive. The article is likely lost to time and the internet altogether. Not even a …
Three Generations, One Legacy: Sequatchie County Family Celebrates Rare Valedictorian Tradition
At many schools, earning the title of valedictorian is considered the culmination of years of dedication and academic excellence. At Sequatchie County High School, one family has transformed that achievement into a remarkable multi-generational legacy. This year, Harrison P. Smith added his name to a family tradition decades in the making by graduating as valedictorian …
Whitwell Middle School Celebrates Completion of Phase One of Children’s Holocaust Memorial Preservation Project
Phase One of the preservation and improvement project at the Children’s Holocaust Memorial at Whitwell Middle School has officially been completed, thanks to a widespread community effort involving volunteers, local businesses, school staff, and students. School officials announced the milestone this week, expressing gratitude to the many individuals and organizations who donated time, materials, labor, …
Marion County Chamber, Libraries to Host Small Business Lunch & Learn Roundtable
The Marion County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Marion County Libraries, will host a special “Lunch & Learn” small business roundtable later this month aimed at gathering ideas and feedback from local business owners and entrepreneurs. The event is scheduled for Thursday, May 28 at 12:00 Noon CDT at Chattanooga State’s Kimball campus. According …
Marion County Schools Announces Free Summer Meal Pick-Up Program for Children
Families across Marion County will once again have access to free summer meals for children through the Marion County Schools Summer Meal Pick-Up Program. According to information released by the school system on May 21, all children ages 18 and under are eligible to receive meals at no cost throughout the summer months. The program …
Stevenson’s “Depot Days” Set to Bring Week-Long Celebration to Downtown
The City of Stevenson, Alabama is preparing for a full week of community activities, entertainment, food, music, and family fun as “Depot Days 2026” returns beginning Saturday, June 6 and continuing through Saturday, June 13. This year’s celebration will feature everything from a community yard sale and fishing tournament to live music, gospel night, comedy …
LIFESTYLE: Late Spring in the Sequatchie Valley: Green-Up and Get Out Season Beneath the Mountains
There’s a certain shade of green that only exists in the Sequatchie Valley in late spring. It arrives somewhere between dogwood season and the first cutting of hay — when the hardwoods on the mountainsides finally leaf out completely, the pastures glow bright emerald after sunrise, and the long gray look of winter disappears almost …



