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A writer, dreamer and activist. Passionate about technology, education, new media, communications and travel.
An inquisitive, voracious learner with an eclectic variety of interests.
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Social Media Management
Digital Media Communications
Journalism
Writing for Digital Media
Freelance Writing
Photography
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Content Management
Lifestyles
General Assignment
U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., announces he will run for a third term from the Franklin County Courthouse steps in Winchester. More than 100 supporters turned out to show their support for the congressman. Pictured, from left, are Joe Baxter, Tyler DesJarlais, U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, Amy DesJarlais, Maggie DesJarlais, Glen Glasner and Gene Snead Jr.
Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller was recently elected president Tennessee Sheriff’s Association president at the organization’s annual conference.
Child’s play is the apparent cause for starting a raging fire this past weekend, highlighted by exploding nitrous oxide containers, that landed one fi refighter in the hospital while fighting a blaze at a Shelly Road storage building, according to Decherd Fire Department reports.
A group of private citizens, business leaders, elected officials, and a Tennessee Firearms manufacturer are working toward the common goal of providing the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Winchester Police Department S.W.A.T (Special Weapons and Tactics) Unit with state of the art weaponry.
The Franklin County Humane Society held a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday, June 22 behind North Middle School. The event included a 5k run, Bow Wow Walk, and groundbreaking celebration. The groundbreaking celebration drew more than 200 people with a total of approximately $17,000 raised on Saturday for the society’s new Animal Harbor Shelter. So far over $300,000 has been raised towards a projected budget of $500,000 to build the new facility.
The Tims Ford Council sponsored an Earth Day event at Dry Creek Beach Park Saturday, April 20 to spruce up the area for visitors. The goal of the event was to clean up the grounds, refurbish the volley ball courts, and to clean the shelters and restrooms. Volunteers spent the entire day cleaning, painting, planting and revitalizing the area
The Franklin County Coordinating Committee reconvened Wednesday April 10 at the Annex Building in Winchester. The Committee held a public hearing to receive public comment on the Proposed Amended Growth Plan presented by the city of Decherd.
The tragic death of a Franklin County man from a self inÚ icted gunshot wound is the result of a freak accidental shooting, according to Sheriff Tim Fuller. Brent E. Tate, 26, was killed when the gun he was showing to friends discharged.
A petition that circulated throughout Cowan in protest of constant blockage of both railroad crossings in town by trains collected over 700 signatures according to Cowan Mayor Jo Ed Williams.
Flu season has officially arrived in Tennessee, with cases of seasonal influenza now categorized as widespread in our state and it could get even worse as people return to work and school from the holiday break.
Sergeant Major Larry Ernst, U.S. Army (Ret) has retired after serving 21 years as the Franklin County Veterans Service Officer. Sgt. Major Ernst was appointed by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners in 1991 and has served the county faithfully since his inception.
A community is in shock following a devastating head-on collision that claimed the lives of three former Huntland High School graduates and left a fourth hospitalized.
Franklin County has the highest suicide rate in the state of Tennessee for youth. Participants in the First Annual Out of the Darkness Walk-A-Thon know those stats better than anyone.
The Franklin County Soil Conservation District recently held their annual banquet honoring farmers who go the extra mile in practicing conservation on their land. The Conservation Farmer of the Year Award was awarded to Bruce Hill of the Gum Creek community in Franklin County.
When Lila Jean Trivisonno stumbled across a litter of abandoned puppies, she felt like the luckiest woman in the world. Lila Jean hails from Rhode Island where puppies are few and far between. Animals are not allowed to roam free and they do not have issues with pet over-population like what is seen in the South.
The Franklin County Highway Commission expressed continued frustration at the lack of funding needed to service Franklin County roads and a crumbling infrastructure. Commissioners voiced concerns over ever worsening roadways, collapsed tiles, and an inability to address all of the problems they are facing due to a lack of funding on local, state and federal levels.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners met along with Director of Schools Dr. Rebecca Sharber and other county officials to discuss the possibility of hiring School Resource Officers for some or all of Franklin County Schools.
Franklin County’s infrastructure is paying the price for the Highway Department’s tight budget, according to Highway Superintendent Johnny Woodall.
The Franklin County Commissioners went on record in opposition of the use of condemnation, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, to acquire land for the proposed Paint Rock River Wildlife Refuge. The Resolution was drafted in support of the Keith Springs Community, who has adamantly opposed the project since its inception.
County Government
How to fund 12 school resource offi cers amid dwindling reserve funds has led the Franklin County Commission to vote down a 5-cent property tax increase and go back to the drawing board with its 2014 budget. The commission placed the budget back on workshop status Monday after lengthy discussion about the proposed tax increase. Commissioners were unanimous in their vote against passing the proposed $72.7 million overall budget.
Battle Could Be Looming Over County Budget and Proposed Five-Cent Tax Increase
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners met Monday March 18, at 7 p.m., in the Franklin County Courthouse. In addition to the regular business on the agenda, commissioners heard an impassioned plea for help from a representative of the Keith Springs Community regarding the proposed Paint Rock River Wildlife Refuge.
The Franklin County Corrections Partnership met Monday at the Annex Building on Dinah Shore Blvd. Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller updated the committee on the jail and the overcrowding situation. He noted that their numbers were down quite a bit too below or just slightly above capacity.
A controversial resolution to hire eight school resource ofŠcers passed by unanimous vote at a special called meeting of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners Friday evening.
The Franklin County Board of Zoning and Appeals met Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Franklin County Courthouse. The board discussed in depth the fee exemptions current in place for non-proŠt, educational and governmental entities. The board looked at other districts to see if they offered exemptions and the majority do not. Chairman Monty Hawkins said that the board needs to see to it that the board is funded and that it is fair in balanced in its dealings with all applicants.
The Franklin County Law Committee met Monday evening in the conference room at the Franklin County Sheriff’s OfŠce. Among issues addressed by the committee were the inspection and recerti-Šcation of the jail, and concerns, raised in a previous County Commission meeting, about the costs of assigned law enforcement vehicles.
The new Franklin County Business Development Center sets Franklin County apart from other counties in the state with a forward thinking vision of drawing high tech industry and jobs to the area.
The Franklin County Commission met in a special called session Monday night, Aug. 20, and didn’t end up approving the county’s 2012-2103 fiscal year budget, which came as a shock to many, even some commissioners.
Franklin County Commissioners voted Monday to pay $68,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by former Franklin County Industrial Development Board (FCIDB) employee John Payne.
Crime
Evidence seized during search of Wagner's residence in Cowan
Cowan Assistant Police Chief Bruce Smith and Officer James Wrisner take Cowan resident Thomas Wagner, arrested on child pornography charges, into custody Thursday.
The 62-year-old Winchester man, charged with murder in the 2008 death of a man in Georgia, knew the victim for several years and had rented a residence in Tennessee from him.
Ricky Adam Walls, 30, of Decherd was arrested and charged with alleged theft after witnesses pegged him as the culprit who stole a trailer belonging to Boy Scout Troop 185 out of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Winchester.
Three individuals from New York, on their way to the Bonnaroo Music Festival, were arrested on felony drug charges in Huntland on Wednesday.
Sharon L. Smith of Winchester was arrested and charged with alleged driving under the influence (DUI) and DUI while in possession of a handgun following a single vehicle accident Saturday evening.
A lengthy investigation by Detective Jody Bray of Decherd Police Department leads to the arrest of two individuals. David C. Stoner of Trenton, GA and Woodrow A. Sims of Smyrna, TN, are facing charges of alleged sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means and solicitation of a minor by electronic means.
The Franklin County Courthouse was evacuated after receiving a bomb threat Tuesday morning. The call was one of 30 received by courthouses and other government buildings across state.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has added two Coffee County men alleged in the murder of Corey Matthews to the TBI Top Ten Most Wanted List. David Jenkins, 46, and Coty Holmes, 25, are wanted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Of-Šce and the TBI for one count of Šrst degree murder and one count of felony murder for the March 24 death of 26-yearold Cowan resident Corey Nathaniel Matthews
Entertainment
Keirsten Hedden
Numbers were down this year at the Ninth Annual International Dogwood Festival due to cold weather and an abundance of rain. Despite the dampness, a number of enthusiastic visitors from across the county and the state turned out with umbrellas in tow to enjoy the festivities.
The first Father Daughter Date Night sponsored by United Way of Franklin County was a smashing success by any standards.
Sixty teams traveled to Winchester from all of the country to compete in the 26th Annual High on the Hog BBQ Competition. Teams and certiŠed judges from as far away as Colorado turned out for some of the best barbeque in the world. Competitors cranked up the heat while vying for the High on the Hog title, trophies and over $12,000 in cash and prizes.
Local country music artist Lee Gibson will be shooting his latest music video in Belvidere on Saturday, April 14 at the Belvidere Market.
Folks flocked to the park in Estill Springs Saturday for the Second Annual Estill Springs Summer Extravaganza. The weather was perfect and the price was right, drawing fun seekers from Franklin County and surrounding counties.
Franklin County Mayor Richard Stewart and Southern Tennessee Medical Center (STMC) did all they could to make sure people did not forget the dangers of breast cancer during the month of October. On Friday, October 26, Mayor Stewart delivered a Proclamation to the Women’s Center at STMC for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The local chapter of Brothers of the Wheel (BOTW) raised $1,356 for Angel Tree and collected a mountain of toys for Operation Noel during their Christmas in July & 2nd Annual Toy runs. Approximately 35 bikes turned out for the toy run in October with riders from as far away as North Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia.
Almost Home was founded out of a recognizable need from local agencies such as United Way who noted an increase in the amount of people that are reporting in as homeless in the Franklin County area. Some of these individuals live with families and friends; others live in cars, in tents at camping grounds, under bridges and in junk yards.
A small but enthusiastic crowd turned out for Music by the Lake Saturday night featuring performances by Rick Caballo, award-winning Australian/ Nashville recording artist and local favorites Julie Taylor and the TaylorMade Band.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation recently released the First-ever study of crimes against people who are age 65 or older looking at assault, robbery, fraud and burglary from 2009-2011.
A public meeting has been scheduled to answer questions about the proposed establishment of the Paint Rock River National Wildlife Refuge. Those who have concerns about the proposal or would like to voice their support are strongly encouraged to attend the meeting.
Good Shepherd School hosted the Most Reverend David Choby in honor of the 175th anniversary of the Diocese of Nashville
Between Black Friday, Shop Local Saturday and Cyber Monday Holiday shoppers don’t have to look far for bargains this holiday season. Many shops opened their doors even earlier this year, some starting sales as early as 8 p.m.
Over 150 individuals turned out to celebrate the opening of the Winchester Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The milestone marks the Š rst ofŠcial branch of the LDS church in Franklin County. Speakers at the celebratory meeting were: Pres and Sister Crawford of Stake; Pres. and Sister McKee of mission; Pres. Don Hervig, new Branch President; Pres Hensley & Pres Palmer (Councilors to Pres Crawford); Elder Tommie and Sister Jan Matthews (Missionaries).
Local resident Harold Isbell recently published a book about his life. His story is one of triumph over adversity and of a life well lived. The book published by Xlibris is called Every Life Is A Story That Deserves To Be Told – True Stories about Life’s Ups and Downs.
The Coffee Airfoilers Model R/C club held a Giant Scale Fly In on Aug. 25 in Tullahoma on the edge of Arnold Air Force Base in Franklin County. The event drew a large crowd of model airplane enthusiast from the area and as far away as South Carolina.
Jared Janeway was so inspired by a novel that he read in Mrs. Vinke’s eighth grade Language Arts class at South Middle School that he reached out to the author on Facebook. The book “Of Beetles and Angels” by Mawi Asgedom is the authors inspiring memoir about his journey from an Ethiopian Refugee to a Harvard Graduate.
Elaine Weaver, a Kindergarten teacher at Clark Memorial School, can add the title of Franklin County’s Finest Elementary Teacher to her notable list of awards. Mrs. Weaver began her teaching career 37 years ago when kindergarten was all about ABC’s and nursery rhymes.