Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proposed over $1 billion for road projects to address a $30 billion backlog, surpassing what gas taxes and fees can cover. His budget includes nearly $1 billion in one-time state tax funds and plans to shift $80 million annually from the tire sales tax. This follows a similar $3 billion shift …
Tag: Sequatchie County News
Be Ready for Heavy Rain
Rain, rain, and more rain. Overall, we’ll see about 1-2” of rain from Tuesday through Wednesday morning. Another system will arrive for Wednesday afternoon/evening, where we’ll pick up another quick 1-2” of rainfall. The third system will arrive by Saturday afternoon and deliver another 1-2” of rain. By the weekend, this excessive rainfall will cause …
Second Wave of Flu has Hit
According to figures published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nationwide levels of influenza are now at their highest since the peak of the 2009 swine flu pandemic, amid this winter’s second wave of the virus. While most flu seasons typically see a resurgence of infections after the winter holidays, this winter’s flu …
REAL ID Starts in May
With the REAL ID Act of 2005 taking effect in three months, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, TDOSHS, is expanding access by adding 1,432 additional REAL ID-specific appointment slots per day at Driver Services Centers across the state. The REAL ID Act requires anyone 18 or older to have a REAL ID …
Close Before You Doze Reminder from the Jasper Highlands Fire Department
Jasper Highlands Fire Department says that February’s fire safety focus will be on the importance of sleeping with bedroom doors closed. The department reminds everyone that this is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to increase your odds of surviving a fire in your home. Look at the damage to this door and …
Flu Surging Nationwide
For a second time this season, the flu is surging, with at least 41 states reporting high or very high levels of the virus. Emergency room visits for the virus have shot up nearly 30% this week compared to the week before. The increase in cases has led to temporary school closures in places nationwide, including …
Programs Helping Seniors
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has introduced two innovative resources to address the needs of the state’s expanding senior population. The first initiative, TBI Find, is a mobile application now available for both Apple and Android devices. This app connects users with real-time information regarding Silver Alerts issued in Tennessee. After more than two …
Report: 20% of TN Children Under Five Live in Poverty
Tennessee’s “State of the Child” 2024 report shows some progress but highlights ongoing concerns. The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth report examines kids’ health and mental health, education, family economics, and childcare. It also looks at the state’s child welfare and youth justice data. Kylie Graves is the policy and legislative affairs director at the …
Billed Filed to Lower Handgun Carry Permit Age
A bill filed in the Tennessee General Assembly would lower the age to carry a handgun to 18, down from 21. Current state law prohibits people under 21 from carrying a handgun unless they meet specific exemption criteria. That criteria includes being an active duty servicemember at least 18 years old, an honorably discharged veteran …
Price of Eggs Go Up at Waffle House Due to Bird Flu
Waffle House has announced an egg surcharge as the nation faces the rising cost of eggs and a shortage due to HPAI (bird flu). According to a press release from Waffle House, the company has implemented a temporary $0.50 per egg surcharge on all menus. Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that bird …



