Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898
Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 50
In yet another Solid Waste focused meeting, the Lewis County Board of Commissioners continued to seek an alternative to increased fees to save the beleaguered Solid Waste Department. "This is the fifth month in a row that the County Commission has been presented with a proposed funding source to cover the upcoming $111,500 annual budget shortfall in the Solid Waste account," a written report from the mayor read. "And if tonight's plan, or one similar to it isn't passed ASAP, then by late Summer...
Lewis County voters in the August 6, 2020 election will have the option to vote in favor of or against a .25 percent increase in sales tax, funds that will be allocated solely for the construction of a new school. The Lewis County School Board approved the move that allowed Director of Schools Benny Pace to request the Board of Commissioners consider the Sales and Use Tax legislation. Lewis County Commissioners did not vote to increase the Sales Tax, but approved the increase to be presented to...
In special called session, the Lewis County Solid Waste Committee convened Monday to review yet another proposal that would prevent Lewis County's Solid Waste Department from dropping into the red in coming months. Attending were committee members Bill Dyer, Larry Hensley, Jim Grinder, Aren Ragsdale and Allison Tanner, along with Mayor Jonah Keltner, Sandra Collins, State Senator Dr. Joey Hensley and newly hired Solid Waste Director Bradley Loveless. Other commissioners attending were Patrick...
All members of the Hohenwald City Council were in attendance for the May 5, 2020 meeting held at the EOC Emergency Operations Center on Oak Street. Mayor Danny McKnight called the meeting to order and recognized guests. Approval of the minutes from the last meeting, March 10, 2020, was unanimously accepted with motion by Councilman Scottie Bass, seconded by Councilman Cody Mitchell. Reports from Chief of Police Kip Kelsey, Fire Department Chief Steve Vineyard, Building Codes Inspector Brad...
Phone calls that went unreturned Thursday by the mayor at City Hall pushed an Edgefield property owner to call out the City in a Facebook post. By Friday morning, the mayor, vice mayor and codes inspector were in her sister's driveway to hear their grievances. For 20 years, Lori McKinney has periodically attended City Council meetings requesting help with street drainage along Edge Street. A subdivision, constructed in phases prior to City Codes, left homeowners with flooded yards and streets...
Law enforcement from numerous agencies combed more than one hundred acres last Wednesday searching for a man reported missing by his brother. Late that evening, a tip led them to a shallow pond where they spotted his remains floating near the surface. Cinder blocks tied to his belt failed to keep the body submerged and the gruesome story had just begun to unfold. The arrest of Betty Crutchfield on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 was "what set this case off," Sheriff Dwayne Kilpatrick said Monday....
A family held off an attacker at gunpoint Sunday after he admitted to slashing the throat of a young boy who was playing video games. When deputies arrived at the scene on Howard Switch Road, Sammy Sadler, age 29 of Church Street in Clifton, refused to put down a knife, hurled obscenities at the officers and, instead of giving up his weapon, pulled the "knife out of his front right pocket" and began running toward the deputy, a report of the Lewis County Sheriff's Department said. Sadler was tas...
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) joined the Lewis County Sheriff's Department Tuesday in a search for a man who was reported missing by his brother on Sunday. Kenneth Harter, age 50, of Allen's Creek Road was last seen April 1, 2020 by his brother, Richard Lynch. Harter is 5'8" tall, approximately 140 pounds, has gray hair and blue eyes. A BOLO (be on the look out for) was issued by the sheriff's department Tuesday. Harter could be driving a 1989 black Chevrolet truck or a 2010 4...
Yet another seat for a local elected official opened last week when Lewis County Mayor Jonah Keltner received a resignation letter from County Commissioner Earl Taylor. “To whom it may concern, It is with great regret that I render this letter of resignation. I have loved serving my community as a commissioner but I cannot do so in an effective manner, therefore I will no longer be representing the 4th district of Lewis County as a commissioner,” an email dated Thursday, April 9, 2020 read. It...
Approximately 150 employees of two of the Oliver Companies–Oliver Fiberglass, Oliver Travel Trailers–experienced lay offs as the companies' orders slowed and Governor Bill Lee issued a "Safer at Home" initiative. On Monday, March 30, 2020, Gov. Lee announced a two week statewide closure of non-essential businesses, asking Tennesseans to stay home in an effort of prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus. A week prior, Oliver Fiberglass sent home 75 percent of its workforce due to a lack of...
A TDEC official presented landfill permitting criteria to the Lewis County Board of Commissioners Monday evening at which 17 members were present. Commissioner Michael King was absent. Nick Lytle of the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation fielded questions and provided details members of the board would need if they wished to expand the present landfill. The following vote, to request the Tennessee General Assembly to amend Chapter 169 of the Private Acts of 1990, failed -...
As county officials struggle to find solutions for the undisputed shortfall in the Solid Waste Department's annual budget, residents and business owners fluctuate between fear and boldness in their responses. Many have expressed anxiety over the increases which will most definitely affect their bottom lines. Others are proactively starting recycling initiatives, both in their offices and at home. A new resolution on the agenda for the Monday, March 16, 2020 meeting of the Board of...
Committee members declined sponsorship of a resolution Monday, presented by the county mayor, that sought to balance certain year-end budget shortfalls for Lewis County's Solid Waste account. Mayor Jonah Keltner, chief financial officer of Lewis County, presented a compromise that was projected to raise $119,508, "just barely enough to cover the estimated $111,500 annual shortfall" resulting from the closure of Decatur County Landfill. If 100 percent of the fees are paid. The resolution...
Business owners turned out in force Monday evening to let Lewis County Commissioners know their thoughts on proposed rate hikes in solid waste disposal fees. Some fee increases proposed included a 500 percent increase. Ralph Tackett of Ralph's Automotive, Attorney Caleb Thomas, David Ashmore, Kenny Brown of Rockhouse Coffee Co. & Event Center and Ben Floyd of Floyd Appraisal Service were among those who addressed the Board during a time of citizen input. Mr. Tackett called the increases...
A committee appointed by the Lewis County Board of Commissioners met Monday evening to find a solution to a projected $111,000 shortfall in the Solid Waste budget for the remainder of the current fiscal year. The result is a six level commercial fee scale that could encompass rate hikes for businesses and non-profits alike. Close scrutiny of current businesses revealed some entities not being charged and others paying fees that did not match similar businesses. The fee scale had not been...
A somber owner, Art Filson, clicked through image after image of water damage for members of Hohenwald’s Industrial Development Board (IDB) Monday, February 10, 2020 showing how the plant fared after a main power distribution panel caught fire, shutting down the local industry. While employees are back to work, manufacturing supplies were heavily damaged, as were fixtures inside when a 3,000 amp service was destroyed early Saturday morning January 11, 2020. A loud “boom” sound was repor...
Two proposals were presented to the Lewis County Board of Commissioners Monday, meeting in joint committee sessions. Each proposal means more money from taxpayer pockets. And no commissioner was happy about that. Increased fees to dispose of household garbage, which must be trucked to Lewisburg beginning this month, are projected to create a $111,500 shortfall in the already tight Solid Waste Department budget. Members of the Board, all of whom were present, determined a committee to closely...
A peaceful crowd gathered early at Lewis County Courthouse in anticipation of a vote on a Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution. Lewis County resident, Kim Patterson, addressed all 18 members of the Board of Commissioners and Mayor Jonah Keltner during Citizen Input asking they support the legislation. Labeled, "A resolution to protect and defend the Constitutional right to keep and bear arms, the document referred to the Second, Ninth and Tenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and...
With goals for at least 75 percent of third graders to be proficient readers by 2025, the Tennessee Department of Education rolled out Read to Be Ready in 2016. Lewis County Schools did not adopt the program, Supervisor of Teaching and Learning Pat Couch explained to members of the Lewis County School Board last Tuesday, January 14, 2020. "And we outscored districts who used it." All members of the board were present with Chairman Glenda Atkinson presiding. As it goes with state programs, the...
"It was a great honor to host Governor Lee, locally on campus, for his official announcement of the GIVE Grant Award to the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Hohenwald and even more significant to receive funding of the one-million dollar award to assist the Tennessee college in furthering the technical education opportunities of our south central area students and employers," President Kelli Kea-Carroll stated. Tennessee's 50th governor, Bill Lee, made technical education a priority as...
City officials learned Tuesday evening from a citizen, the owner of trees removed from private property to amend a sewer line, may request compensation. Larry Dorning addressed members of the City Council and Mayor Danny McKnight during a time of citizen input. Councilman Kevin King was absent. Mr. Dorning spoke to the fact that he had not been contacted when the City allowed contractors to remove an estimated $1,450.00 in white oak timber from property owned by he and his wife in order to insta...
In yet another late announced, but regularly scheduled meeting, residents of a local subdivision discovered two days prior a city planning commission would be considering an expansion in the neighborhood. Homeowners in the Edgefield subdivision, constructed prior to City codes and zoning, have struggled with inadequate drainage, flooding and other issues for decades, with one house in particular suffering substantial drainage issues. The Monday afternoon meeting was announced on the City of...
A tax attorney hired by Lewis County Government was successful in recovering a portion of funds Lewis County paid in penalties and interest to the Internal Revenue Service late last year. And the proof arrived in the mail Monday in the form of two checks. Attorney Gary R. Dettloff is handling an appeal for Lewis County. The refund received this week may relieve some stress over Lewis County's General Fund which is $537,876.02 less than it was one year ago. Totaling $39,159.12, $13,548.16 was...
An employee of United Waste Haulers announced the impact of the closure of Decatur County’s landfill on Lewis County last Monday evening. The Board of Commissioners learned fees for Lewis County’s waste disposal could be increasing by approximately $108,000 annually. Mike Papineau of Mount Pleasant, who manages United Waste Haulers with his wife, Diane, presented three options to Lewis County for waste disposal. Lewis County’s waste could be transported to Camden, Lewisburg or Walnut, Missi...
Lewis County Circuit Judge Michael Spitzer appeared before the Lewis County Board of Commissioners Monday evening to thank them for consideration of an endorsement to the Tennessee Legislature for the creation of a 32nd District to serve Lewis, Perry and Hickman Counties. Spitzer was appointed the fifth judge for the 21st District by former Governor Bill Haslam in October of 2018 to relieve an extensive case load. Historically, judges for the 21st have been elected from Williamson County which...
