Survey of 3,004 drivers. S. Route 441 (Great Smoky Mountains) the most avoided winter route in TN. Infographic showing the most avoided winter routes in the U.S. When winter weather hits, many drivers quietly change their routes – not because certain roads are officially unsafe, but because they feel more stressed, exposed, or unpredictable in …
Category: Jasper
Jasper News covers breaking stories, schools, sports, traffic, government, and community updates in Jasper and Marion County, Tennessee and surrounding communities.
Monday Evening Truck Fire on I-24
On Monday evening, (January 26,2026), Haletown Fire and Rescue responded to a semi-truck fire on I-24 at mile-marker 145 westbound in Marion County, near Martin Springs. While in route the department received word that the truck was fully engulfed. The Jasper and Kimball Fire Departments were then called in for mutual aid for water tankers. …
Lawsuit Against Two Jasper Police Officers Dismissed
According to court records, a lawsuit alleging that two Jasper, TN police officers violated a man’s constitutional rights and caused him emotional and physical harm during a traffic stop has been dismissed. According to a court report from Judge Curtis L. Collier, for the reasons set forth in the accompanying memorandum, Defendants’ motion for summary …
Jasper Police Lt. Dewayne Dykes Out of a Job and Chief Retires
A lieutenant with the Jasper Police Department has been dismissed due to insubordination, as confirmed by Mayor Jason Turner. Mayor Turner. He stated that Lt. Dewayne Dykes was terminated for insubordination, submitting a false report, and retaliation. Additionally, Police Chief Billy Mason has retired and is currently seeking election as Marion County Sheriff. Mayor Turner …
13 Local Football Players Named All-State
The 2025 Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State football team includes 9 South Pittsburg Pirates, 3 Marion County Warriors and 1 Grundy County Yellow Jacket. Class 1A OFFENSE QB – Cole Brown, McKenzie* QB – Caden Jones, South Pittsburg, Sr. QB – Nolan Adams, Clay County, Sr. RB – Jaiden Bunch, Coalfield* RB – Ja’Mychal Buckner, …
New Charging Benches Available in Jasper
The Jasper Public Works Department installed four new benches last week. The Town of Jasper is among the initial communities in Southeast Tennessee to be awarded T-Mobile grant funding for 2025. The winning proposal, titled “Stay Connected with Family and Friends,” enabled Jasper to secure over $38,000 for the installation of four solar-powered phone charging …
I-24 Crash Near Nickajack on Saturday Night
On Saturday night around 8:30 Haletown Fire and Rescue responded to I-24 West at mile-marker 157 for a rear end collision with possible entrapment. Upon arrival they discovered one vehicle had indeed rear ended another and had come to rest partially off the shoulder. The car that was rear ended came to rest in the …
Report Shows Area Numbers of DUI Arrests for People Testing Negative
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation data shows 2,547 people have been arrested for DUI since 2017 despite negative alcohol and drug tests—over four times higher than previously reported. In 2024 alone, there were 419 such arrests, with most cases in Nashville, Knoxville (highest in state at 41), and Jackson. Officials note that negative test results don’t …
Flu Activity On The Rise
According to Tennessee health officials, flu activity is increasing significantly in the region, with certain areas reporting some of the highest rates statewide. Marion, Grundy, Sequatchie, Bradley, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, McMinn, and Polk counties are currently classified as “very high” for influenza activity by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These counties have flu …



