JASPER, Tenn. — Marion County Highway Department Superintendent Cory Pickett is pushing back against rumors and concerns surrounding the road around Ketner’s Mill, emphasizing that Ketner Mill Lane remains a county-maintained public road and has not been closed to the public. In a statement released Tuesday, Pickett said the recent closure of public access to …
Category: Whitwell
Whitwell News covers breaking stories, schools, sports, traffic, government, and community updates in Whitwell, Tennessee and surrounding Marion County.
A Summer Tradition Returns: Why Lake Winnie Still Feels Like Home After Generations of Memories
For many people across the Tennessee Valley, summer simply doesn’t feel complete without a trip to Lake Winnepesaukah — better known to generations of locals as simply “Lake Winnie.” And while it’s also easier to spell this way, so many of us can spell it perfectly thanks to the radio and TV commercials of the …
TDOT Advises Motorists of Ongoing Road Work and Bridge Inspections Across Marion County
Motorists traveling throughout Marion County should expect delays and use extra caution as several Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) projects remain active across the county this week. One of the most significant projects continues along Interstate 24 near Monteagle, where crews are performing rockfall mitigation work on the westbound side of the interstate near mile …
New Tennessee Law Now in Effect to Shield Utility Customers from Data Center Costs
Tennessee utility customers now have additional protections as a new state law aimed at addressing the growing impact of large-scale data centers officially takes effect. The legislation comes as Tennessee continues to see significant growth in data center development driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other technology-related industries. Lawmakers say the goal is to …
Ketner’s Mill Closes Public Access Following Liability Concerns
A popular local destination known for its historic charm and annual fall festival is closing its property to public access, citing growing legal and liability concerns. In a statement posted this week on Facebook, the owners of Ketner’s Mill announced that while the annual Ketner’s Mill Country Arts Fair will continue each year, the mill …
Whitwell, Marion County Libraries Seeking Applications for Part-Time Library Assistant Position
The City of Whitwell and the Marion County Libraries are currently accepting applications for a part-time Library Assistant/Clerk position. According to the job posting, the position is scheduled for 18½ hours per week and will involve a variety of duties supporting the operations of the Marion County library system. Responsibilities for the position include adding …
Marion & Sequatchie County Restaurant Report Card — May 29, 2026
The Tennessee Department of Health has released its latest round of food service and lodging inspection scores for restaurants, mobile food units, hotels, daycare kitchens, and other establishments across Marion and Sequatchie counties –this report ending May 29, 2026. Good news for diners, the lowest score in Marion County was a 92 and 93 in …
Tennessee’s Free Fishing Day Set for June 6
Tennesseans will once again have the opportunity to fish license-free across the state during the annual Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 6. The event, organized by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, allows both residents and visitors of all ages to fish in Tennessee’s public waters without purchasing a fishing license for the …
TVA Considering New Rate Structure as AI Data Center Demand Surges Across Tennessee Valley
The Tennessee Valley Authority is considering changes to the way it charges large industrial customers as electricity demand from AI-driven data centers continues to grow across the region. According to reports, TVA officials recently informed local power companies that the utility is exploring new rate structures aimed at preventing everyday residential customers from absorbing the …
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 …



