A Year in Review

February

Annette Peery selected for Volunteer Star Award

The thirteenth annual Governor's Volunteer Stars Awards honored volunteers from 47 counties on February 7, 2021 in a virtual ceremony. Annette Peery was selected as Lewis County Adult Honoree.

Lewis County begins Covid-19 vaccination of adults age 70 and older

Tennessee began administering COVID-19 vaccinations to Tennesseans aged 70 and older this week as the state has begun receiving increased allocations of COVID-19 vaccines. Currently, those age 70 or older are eligible to receive the vaccine in Lewis County, along with those who are in phases 1a1 and 1a2, based on occupations related to health care. Phases will be updated as vaccine supplies increase.

Stolen vehicle leads law enforcement on chase

The Lewis County Sheriff Department received a call of a vehicle stolen from 412 Market on Linden Highway/Highway 412 West at 9:41 a.m., February 18, 2021. The driver was identified as Anthony Heighton, 43, of Nashville and is wanted out of the Nashville/Wilson County area. The female who stole the Chevrolet 1500 was identified as Ashley Pratt, 26, of Gallatin. The other passengers were Bryan Adam Lyle, 37, Nashville, and Brandi Marie Taylor, 37, Murfreesboro.

Commission renames Airport; discusses Solid Waste discount for disabled veterans

A resolution was brought before the County Commission on Monday night requesting that the Airport's name be changed from "John A. Baker Field" to "Paul Bridges Field." The resolution was passed in a roll call vote, with Commissioner Kelley voting no.

A resolution went before the County Commission requesting that qualifying elderly homeowners, disabled veterans, widows of disabled veterans and disabled homeowners be allowed a minimum $25 discount on their residential solid waste fee. The commissioners were exactly split in half: Commissioners Brewer, Peery, Kelley, Austin Carroll, Ragsdale, Allison Tanner, Jobbitt and Jerry Ashmore voted yes while Commissioners Larry Hensley, Timmie Hinson, Kyle Bobo, Halfacre, Jim Grinder, T.J. Hinson, Bill Dyer and Larry Pigg voted no.

March

Community mourns death of local businessman

James Terry Keathley, a beloved life-long resident of Hohenwald, passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2021, at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He was 75.

Fatal Vehicle Crash

Hohenwald Police Department Officer Kalum Halfacre engaged his blue lights to make a simple traffic stop at 7:43 p.m. Friday night, March 5, on Lewis Street, and 51 seconds later, the vehicle had lost control, struck two trees and came to rest down a 20 foot embankment across from 821 New Kimmins Road. According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Karpati, Kareena M. Allison, 28, of Smith Street, Hohenwald, was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Tahoe travelling north on New Kimmins Road. Trooper Karpati stated that Allison was driving 'Too fast for conditions' which resulted in the crash where passenger Christopher N. Barnes, 24, of North Walnut Street, Hohenwald was found dead.

Powers named School Health Coordinator of the Year

Lewis County Schools Coordinator of School Health Sasha Powers was recently recognized as South Central Tennessee CSH Coordinator of the Year by the state of Tennessee. "Mrs. Powers has been instrumental this year in her efforts to keep our schools open and functional during the COVID crisis," said Director of Lewis County Schools, Benny Pace.

'Baths for the Blue' raised $2,500 for K-9 units

Always and Forever Grooming held a fundraising event during the last weekend of February for the Police and Sheriff's Departments to help fund their K-9 Divisions. Business owners, Danielle Middleton and Kevin Baker, were excited to announce that they had bathed 65 dogs in just two days and raised $2,500! "We appreciate the love and support the community and local businesses gave," said Middleton and Baker. "We know first hand what these handlers spend... We are glad that we could help support both of our departments and K-9 units so they may keep our streets safe."

$20k gift honors first Lewis County Librarian

The Lewis County Public Library and Archives expansion project received a big boost recently when Friends of the Library received a $20,000 donation from Hohenwald residents Kenneth and Naomi Sublett. The Subletts made the contribution to the "Building for the Future – Preserving the Past" campaign in honor of Kenneth Sublett's mother, Georgia Greene Sublett, who served as Lewis County's first public librarian. In making the donation, the Subletts stated "We hope our gift will encourage others in the community to donate to this campaign."

County Commission moves forward with jail financing

The option commissioners decided on dropped the price tag down drastically from $8,539,714 to $6,793,559 by a long list of value engineering and reducing the renovations for the existing building. The yearly payment was an estimated $331,902. Commissioners also decided to use revenue from the Sports Gambling and Wheel Tax. Together, if used for the jail, the projected revenue would be $333,000 which would cover the financial plan for the jail.

The resolution passed with Commissioners Timmie Hinson and Bill Dyer voting to abstain and Commissioner TJ Hinson voting no.

LCHS announced 2020-21 Top 10

Molly Reasons was Valedictorian, Kane Dillon was Salutatorian, Maddox Cagle ranked third, Kasandra Castro ranked fourth, Aaron Hunter ranked fifth, Bradley Nickell ranked sixth, Karli Bennett ranked seventh, Emma Hinson ranked eighth, Jayden Hinson ranked ninth, and Morgan Bailey ranked tenth.

April

Lewis County Justice Center open for business

The new "Lewis County Justice Center" received its certificate of full occupancy on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, and it is now officially open for business. General Sessions Judge, Mike Hinson, held the historic first court session in the building on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.

Triangle Armed Robbery

If it wasn't enough that Triangle Shell Manager Kalpesh Patel had to contend with severe storms and rain last Thursday night here in Hohenwald, then the power went down for much of the county and certainly all of Hohenwald, including him. Close to 8:00 p.m., a masked gunman forced his way through the front door and demanded cash from the till at gun point. Patel eventually complied and the robber got away with around $1,300.

Offroad and luxury camper manufacturer will invest nearly $2 million in Hohenwald

BRS Offroad North America officials announced Tuesday, April 6 that the company will establish new operations in Lewis County. The offroad and luxury camper manufacturer will invest $1.7 million to establish headquarters and manufacturing operations in Hohenwald, creating 115 new jobs over the next five years.