Tennessee lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow school superintendents to be elected instead of appointed. The current law authorizes school boards to appoint directors of schools. This bill would let a county or city that runs a school system choose to have an elected superintendent. Many years ago this is the way superintendents were elected …
Tag: Sequatchie County News
Lawmakers want to Add EMS Stations Safe Haven Law
A new Tennessee House bill proposes allowing EMS stations to install baby box drop-offs for safe infant surrender, expanding the state’s Safe Haven Law. Currently, newborns can be surrendered at hospitals, clinics, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and other staffed locations within 45 days of birth without prosecution. The bill would add ambulance stations as …
Friday Truck Fire on Hwy 399
On Friday, February 13, a truck fire occurred on Highway 399 in Sequatchie County. The Cagle Mountain Fire Department responded at approximately 2:40pm to reports of a vehicle fire and arrived to find the truck fully involved. The fire was spreading into the adjacent tree line. Crews requested mutual aid from the Fredonia Fire Department …
Sequatchie County Son and Husband Accussed of Killing Woman
The husband and son accused of killing a Sequatchie County woman have pleaded not guilty. David Gardiner and his stepson, Gabriel Vilchez, appeared in court on Thursday, denying charges in the death of Silvia Vilchez. Investigators say her burned body was located Monday, October 27, 2025, in the Lewis Chapel community, where burned remains were …
New Law Allows Facility Dogs to Accompany Victims and Witnesses in Courtrooms
A recent Tennessee law makes it possible for facility dogs to accompany victims and witnesses in courtrooms throughout the state as they give testimony. Before this legislation, only select judicial districts allowed facility dogs during courtroom proceedings and forensic interviews. Now, any jurisdiction may permit these trained animals if approved by the presiding judge. The …
Get Alarmed, TN Smoke Alarm Program Information
“Get Alarmed, TN!” is a grant-funded fire safety education and smoke alarm installation program administered by the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO). Launched in November 2012, the program distributes fire safety education and 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms to participating fire departments. The fire departments then deliver the education and install smoke alarms in at-risk homes …
Tickets Go On Sale Soon for Lookouts Opening Games
Chattanooga Lookouts tickets for opening week will be available soon. Fans can purchase tickets for the inaugural games at the new Erlanger Park starting Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 10:00am. The first home games are scheduled from April 14 to April 19, when the Lookouts face off against the Montgomery Biscuits. Buy tickets online here. …
Important SNAP Benefit Information
Replacement Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits (SNAP) may be an option for current SNAP recipients who lost food due to power outage or household misfortune. To request replacement benefits, SNAP customers must submit a signed affidavit to the Tennessee Department of Human Services. The affidavit can be downloaded from the “Disaster Related Emergency Assistance” webpage on …
Two-Vehicle Crash on State Route 399
At approximately 6 PM on Sunday, Cagle Fire Department was dispatched to Route 399 near the Savage Gulf area, west of Fredonia Road, for a two-vehicle motor vehicle accident with possible injuries, including a possible rollover. When Cagle Engine 1 arrived on scene firemen found a two-vehicle accident with no entrapment. One patient was transported …
Sequatchie County Middle School Teacher Steps into the Ring To Raise Money
On Friday March 13 at Sequatchie County Middle School, Coach Grady Wilson will be stepping into a professional wrestling ring against one of Tennessee’s most prominent wrestling families – and it’s to raise money for the school. Grady Wilson has done a lot of things over the last 15 years as a teacher but next …



