This holiday season, remember Drunk Driving and Buzzed Driving can be deadly. During last year’s New Year holiday, 71% of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver. To get help, Call/Text TN REDLINE at 800-889-9789. Dial *THP to report reckless driving to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Category: Government
Tennessee Prisons Understaffed Plus Other Problems
Tennessee prisons are severely understaffed, with a vacancy rate at one prison of 61%, leading to unsafe conditions for both inmates and guards, a state audit of the prison system found. The audit by the state comptroller’s office also found a shortage of such prisoner services as therapy, substance abuse treatment, education, and re-entry assistance. …
More Tennesseans Looking for Jobs According to Latest Data
New data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development showed that more Tennesseans were available to work in November 2023 than the previous month. While the state’s seasonally adjusted Labor Force Participation Rate remained steady at 59.4%, estimates show the number of Tennesseans not working increased by slightly more than 5,000 individuals. That change …
No Road Construction for a Few More Days
Here’s a reminder that road construction won’t delay travelers during this time of year. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has halted all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. No temporary lane closures for construction on Tennessee roadways will be allowed through 6:00 a.m. …
Mullins Cove Fire Department Receives Grant for Needed Equipment
Mullins Cove Fire Department has received a grant for equipment from the Tennessee Division of Forestry. The grant includes wildland firefighting gear and 2 backpack blowers. Mullins Cove Volunteer Firefighters recently completed S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior and the online portion of S-130 firefighter training and earned an NWCG Certificate of Completion. The new …
Phone Scam Alert in Sequatchie County
It has been brought to the attention of the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office that phone calls are being received indicating an arrest warrant has been obtained and payment is required. According to information the office has received, the recording primarily uses the name of Sgt. Scott Ackerman, saying he is with the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s …
Area Communities Receive State Grants
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter recently approved $36.6 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which will assist communities with infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitation, and health and safety initiatives. Area Grant Recipients: Coalmont Fire Station Project $537,590 Dunlap Harris Park Improvements-Phase II $630,000 Jasper City …
TDOT Halts Highway Construction for the Holiday Travel Period
Road construction won’t delay travelers during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is once again halting all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. No temporary lane closures will be allowed for construction on Tennessee roadways beginning at 6:00 a.m. …
Road Closures at Prentice Cooper State Forest
The following roads will be closed at Prentice Cooper State Forest in Marion County from December 20 to March 15. These closures are necessary due to the wet weather and the freezing and thawing cycle, making the roads prone to rutting and erosion damage. Tower Drive past Pot Point Gate All side roads Haley Road …



