WHEN LYDIA Marshall talks about her theater students at Lincoln County High School, she often calls them her “kids” — a habit she jokes she now has to clarify as she prepares to welcome her first...

A STUDENT IN our community today will walk the halls of Congress with a pinned American flag on their chest. A student in our community today will pray their knees still hold when their nerves get...

LIKE MANY small towns, Flintville offers rustic charm and a strong sense of community for those seeking a slower pace of life. But this small town has one attribute that other small towns don’t...

WHEN WE think about the basic requirements of a thriving community, our minds naturally go to the grocery stores that feed us, the banks that hold our futures, and the schools that educate our...

ON MOST Sunday mornings in Fayetteville, you can spot Lynn Moore long before you hear the church bells. He walks purposefully and unhurried down long-trodden sidewalks toward Washington Street...

NO MATTER the time of year, children in Lincoln County can always benefit from extra support, such as places that encourage them, opportunities for growth, and adults who believe in their potential....

ON A cool February evening, when winter still lingers, but Valentine’s season has Fayetteville feeling a little softer around the edges, downtown begins to glow. Shop windows are lit, doors are...

LOVE IS one of those things we recognize instantly, even when we struggle to explain it. We feel it before we understand it. We see it in the quiet moments that never make headlines, and in our...

EACH MORNING before the sun rises over Fayetteville, Dorothea Kolle makes her way to the Hampton Inn. It’s still dark outside when she unlocks the kitchen door at 4:30 a.m., turning on the lights,...

WHEN DR. Rickey McCauley looks back on his time as a physician, he recalls a childhood dream of becoming a doctor. It seemed distant, almost too ambitious to believe he could ever follow through. “I...

THE MORNING air had a bite of winter chill, carrying the scent of pine and coffee, and the parking lot at Elk River Trading Company was already full of activity. Families arrived carrying bags of...

A WAITING ROOM chair creaks as someone shifts their weight. A cup of water sweats onto the lobby’s tile floor. Somewhere down the hall, a name is called. Life pauses in places like this. It always...

FOR MORE than two decades, Kristie Sanders has devoted her heart and hands to the people of Lincoln County. Her story is one of faith, compassion, and continuity — a nurse whose care flows not only...

FOR REGISTERED nurse (RN) Sieara Ashby, becoming a health care professional was the only option. Ashby, who works with Quality First Home Care, is part of a profession known as home health nursing —...

ON A December evening in Fayetteville, the lights dim, the curtain waits, and anticipation gathers backstage at the Carriage House Players. Now in its 13th year, the annual holiday performance has...

THE CALL comes in, and the world doesn’t slow down. The clock feels like it ticks faster, but our heroes stay strong. The firefighter is halfway through dinner. The nurse just pulled into the...

Press release submitted by Carriage House Players IN THE heart of Lincoln County, a passionate community theater group known as the Carriage House Players (CHP) is working to bring the magic of the...

ONE FREEZING winter’s night, several water pipes burst across the city of Fayetteville. Joseph Self, from Fayetteville Water & Sewer System, worked with his crew through the cold weather, racing...

JENNIFER SULLIVAN was just 17 years old when her beloved aunt, Betty Gordon, invited her to work at Lincoln-Donalson Care Center, a nursing home facility in Fayetteville. What started as a part-time...

ON NOV. 11, 2025, Riverside Christian Academy (RCA) students filled the gymnasium with red, white, and blue attire for the school’s first on-campus Veterans Day program. Families of veterans also...

IN MARCH of last year, my cousin’s work schedule became incompatible with raising his first pet, a brown and white Bernedoodle puppy. I took her in, not knowing just how much she would change, well,...

AT SOME point in every child’s life, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, many commonly answer “a veterinarian.” For Hannah Renfroe, that childhood dream was more than a passing phase;...

AVERY SHELTON lives and breathes rodeo. What began as a spark of curiosity in 2019 has grown into a full-fledged passion, fueling long nights at the barn, countless hours of practice, and drive for...

IN 2020, Bradley and Raye Drach opened their land in Flintville to host the first Bear Wallow Marketplace. Though the marketplace initially began as a small gathering, it has quickly grown into one...

THE CREAK of an old wooden floor, the worn edges of a brick building, the way a nameplate on a storefront shines a little softer with age. These are not just small details from the past. They are...

A TEACHER’S IMPACT doesn’t end when the school year does — or even when they stop teaching. The support, encouragement, and belief they show their students can last a lifetime. A lesson shared or a...

NURSES ARE vital to our communities. Often serving on the front line of health care, they are compassionate, composed, knowledgeable, and work tirelessly to build strong relationships while taking...

JOYCE MCCONNELL has made a life of serving her community. Serving in law enforcement for over three decades, McConnell has worked her way from humble beginnings as a corrections officer to a county...

The story of Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU) is one of dedication and service. FPU’s purpose remains the same today as it did when the company was established. The utility exists to strengthen...

“FRANKENSTEIN,” PUBLISHED in 1818, is considered the first science fiction novel. The Gothic story cracked open an entire genre of literature that has endless new entries today. It inspired...

ORGANS ARE a longtime staple of the church. They connect the past to the present, weaving values and tradition. They remind us of where we have come from and help guide us as we move forward....

In memory of Lily Shelton: With hearts full of both sorrow and gratitude, we honor the life of Lily Shelton. Lily passed away on Sept. 8, 2025, after two courageous years of defying the odds of a...

THE SCENT of warm butter-covered popcorn and the huge roar of the crowd… does anything bring you back faster than a Friday night under the stadium lights? For me, it’s a flood of memories: the...

ON MAY 7, the community gathered at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds for the 21st Annual Blue Ribbon Walk. This powerful tradition raises awareness for child abuse prevention and provides critical...

WHEN LINDA Pettie retired in 2014 and moved to Lincoln County, her property held the seeds of a lifelong dream. The vision had been with her since childhood, fertilized by a mother’s green thumb and...

LIFE TODAY is often captured with a cellphone — snapped, posted, and stored in the Cloud. We scroll through headlines, hobbies, and celebrity news, intending to pass a few minutes. Instead, we often...

IF YOU’VE ever seen a fighter jet cut across the sky, you know what powerful looks like. You know what freedom sounds like. That roar overhead reminds us that we live in a country where people put...

THE SLAWBURGER Festival is an annual event that brings the community together in celebration of the town’s signature dish: the mustard-based, slaw-topped burger. First introduced in 2015, the...

ON A June Saturday morning, the Stone Bridge Park ducks are a sideshow, not the main attraction. Children crowd the banks, poles in hand — some steady, some wobbling — as adults crouch nearby to...

SUNDAY NIGHTS used to be quiet. Now, they’re alive with voices — sometimes joking, sometimes heavy, always present. Veterans from the 278th G Troop of the Tennessee Army National Guard gather on...

A FAMILY LOADS up their navy blue Jeep in Tennessee and takes a cross-country road trip. It’ll take several days to get to the Sequoia National Park in California. There may be hours when the Jeep...

A LINE OF children shifts forward, the faint shuffle of feet echoing in the school hallway. Blake Copple steadies the vision screening device inside a room nearby, preparing for the next student....

THE COUNTDOWN echoed through Maggie English’s headset. Five. She adjusted her grip on the camera, her fingers steady despite the adrenaline rush. Four. The production truck crackled with final...

THE FABULOUS Fifties Show completed its 38th season in March with nine performances held at Lincoln Central Academy in Fayetteville. The show blends nostalgic entertainment with local impact,...

WHEN YOU choose a locally owned business over a national chain, you’re not just spending your money, you’re planting it. And the roots of that investment reach deep. Every dollar counts, and it...

LIKE THE sky overhead, most of Fayetteville is still asleep when Rob Barnett arrives at Elk River Trading Company on a cold December Saturday morning. Today isn’t about sales — it’s about giving...

ON CHRISTMAS Eve in 1960, Charles Gleghorn stepped behind the teller’s counter at Lincoln County Bank for the first time. He slid open a heavy wooden cash drawer, its metal dividers clinking against...

A STUDENT IN our community today will walk the halls of Congress with a pinned American flag on their chest. A student in our community today will pray their knees still hold when their nerves get...

LOOKING AT the answers on the worksheet before her, Bridgette Jones leaned in to make eye contact with the young student she tutored. It wasn't just the correct answers that brought them both joy;...

SPEND A few minutes with former educator and school superintendent Stan Golden, and you’ll leave with an impression of his heart for the students and community he served. A sense of humor and...

BEYOND THE front door of Backstage Performing Arts (BPA) are studios with mirrored walls, barres, balance beams, and music punctuated with instructors’ directions. Little ones tippy-toe twirl while...

YOUNG ATHLETES navigate the court under the bright gym lights, accompanied by the rhythmic bounce of basketballs and the swish of nets. The Fayetteville Lions Club Basketball Tip-Off Classic is in...

WHEN “LITTLE” Joe Burns’ 1954 Buick and his friend Cody Mitchell’s 1949 Chevy 3100 truck hit the road after the extra touches the duo added to their classics in 2015, the process and end results...

PASTOR CHARLES Mayo has always believed in the power of faith to heal, comfort, and guide people through life’s most difficult moments. His journey with Lincoln Health System began in March 2021...

THE FLINTVILLE School library hums with the quiet energy of modern education. Today’s school libraries hold not just books but endless opportunities for wonder and exploration. Bookcases line the...

THE SOUNDS of the self-checkout registers beep through the entire store. The short lines of people with baskets and carts move across the reflective tile like a conveyor belt and out the door. Uh,...

What does a flag represent? Is it the values of the group it flies over, the efforts of those who carry it, or the history written under its banner? The United States Stars and Stripes embodies all...

She spent nearly five months in the hospital and some 45 days on a ventilator; she had more than a dozen surgeries and a kidney transplant — all before she turned 4. Yet Jentry Prock is a bright and...

You know that first breath of spring? The way the warmer air gives you goosebumps — the air is soft, full of promise, carrying hints of something new. After months of cold, we step outside, and for...

The dance floor was full at the Palace of Riverbend as Carson Locker and Savannah Hardiman attempted to capture the memories of a lifetime. Twinkling fairy lights and cell phone flashes cast a...

A nurse walked down the hallway his mother walked decades before he did. Beep … beep … he could hear the sounds from patients’ rooms. He kept a small keepsake pinned to his scrubs, a pin his mother...

Small-town Friday nights look similar for teenagers in small, Southern rural communities. When school is in, the seasons determine the meeting spot. It’s Friday night football under the lights,...

“I just want to help people,” he said, his voice soft and calming.  It’s the voice you'd like to hear making small talk while taking notes about the issues that brought you to the emergency room....

In Lincoln County's courthouse, addiction’s grip tightened relentlessly. Judge Andy Myrick's docket overflowed with repeat offenders, their charges a stark reflection of substance abuse's grip on...

The people of the year 1000 faced division, uncertainty, and fear for the future. They didn’t know it then, but they stood at the edge of change, transitioning from the Dark Ages to the Middle Ages....

In a town that wears its history like a well-loved quilt, a local club adds patches woven of surprising cultural threads. From Camp Blount to our long-standing traditions like the Host of Christmas...

The trail, long-established yet bearing recent footprints, stretched before him, promising breathtaking views and vistas with undergrowth of wildflowers, moss, and ferns. It also presented steep...

AUTUMN SETTLES into our town like a puppy in a warm bed. There’s a magic in the air that only this season can bring. Golden leaves drift gently from the trees, painting the sidewalks in shades of...

AT OLDE Town Protein & Energy in Petersburg, a mother watches her children huddled over adjoining, pint-sized tables, paint brushes moving thoughtfully across river rocks. These stolen moments...

AS THEY sit in the warmth of their mother’s home where her laughter once echoed and every corner holds a cherished memory, two grieving daughters, Lisa and Andrea, reflect on the immeasurable love...

BEFORE WE streamed our music and subscribed to an infinite number of podcasts, local radio kept us company in our vehicles, on our jobs, and around our homes. The station’s broadcasters weren’t just...

THE DAYS were already long. He challenged geometry students with theorems and proofs, balanced like the opposite sides of a parallelogram with banter that demonstrated his care and concern. Students...

THE OFFICE’S furniture and decor matched his job description — drab and mundane. When Warren Bill Trimble hitchhiked from Sheffield, Alabama, to the Birmingham enlistment office in 1946, hours on...

SHE FLASHES her lights and pushes the gas pedal a little harder. The walkie-talkie is too quiet, so she spins the dial and makes her bulletproof vest a little more comfortable. She worked hard to...

“911, WHAT’S your emergency?” We expect to hear it when we dial those three numbers in a crisis. All that’s on our minds is getting the quickest help possible. Television and movies are likely all...

IT’S A time of transition, celebration, and, for many, uncertainty. They hang their caps and gowns in the back of their closets, their tassels on their rearview mirror, and their hopes and dreams on...

OUR FOOD nourishes us, from the soil beneath our feet to the table where we gather with family and friends. The hot sun beams from the sky into the field of sprouting seeds. Farmers rise early,...

The gentle breeze whispered, “Come on out,” as the branches’ unfurling leaves waved at her, coaxing her from the open back door. New ferns spilling out of her mama’s concrete urns gently billowed,...

WHAT’S YOUR karate IQ? Is it informed by the wise instructor from “The Karate Kid,” Mr. Miyagi, or the or the Netflix series “Cobra Kai’’? Perhaps you still enjoy reruns of “Walker, Texas Ranger,”...

AS THE late afternoon sun cast its last shadows over the Kentucky woods, she limped into the open field, her young fawn following along playfully.  “Take my coat off,” James “Skip” Parkes said to...

COOKING WITH produce, meats, and spices from nearby farms and growers brings the freshest flavors to our tables. And choosing local ingredients benefits our community while enhancing our family...

WHEN THE stadium lights blaze and the roar of the crowd echoes, true fans know the game-day experience begins in the parking lot. Celebrate your team’s spirit with these tailgating recipes, which...

THE SHADOWS of the late afternoon sun drape the asphalt courts as the Lincoln County High School (LCHS) tennis team battles its district rival. The rhythmic thwacks of fuzzy yellow balls drilling...

AS THE curtain fell on the Dec. 8, 2017, performance of The Broadway Show Stoppers in Chicago, the young performers buzzed with the excitement of their debut professional performance outside their...

SOME ARE lucky enough to find work they love; others go through the motions of their jobs to pursue outside passions once the workday ends. Few are blessed to have both — a job that fits their...

THE CROWD fills the stands, row after row, of people in our high school’s colors. The family in front of you sits down with a fresh hot dog from the concession stand. It’s still steaming with a...

IN AN age where technology often overshadows personal connections, our community’s very own Dr. William R. Jones remains a shining example of genuine human warmth and compassion. For 44 years, Dr....

AS THE warm summer sun shines high in the Southern sky, it’s time to embrace the vibrant flavors of the season. Our July recipes showcase the best of summer’s produce, from juicy peaches and crisp...

THE MOTTO, “Nobody cares. Work harder!” — made popular by podcast host, author, and endurance trainer Cameron Hanes — may sound harsh to some, but to Jon Bradford, those words were the motivation he...

ADVERSITY CAN come in many forms — from personal setbacks, financial struggles, loss of loved ones, and unexpected obstacles to health issues. While adversity is an inevitable part of the human...

WHEN I was 8, I wanted to be a teacher. I remember my third grade teacher clicking the chalk on the green board on the wall. And when I was 9, I wanted to be a director. My parents bought me a...

DOZENS OF cars — from old classics to Corvettes fresh off the car lot — line The Rock Family Worship Center parking lot. The smell of food trucks permeates the air as people inspect the many craft...

IF YOU took a snapshot of any moment in our country’s history, there is a hurt we were trying to heal. The same is true today. It’s our independence that lets us correct our wrongs, to heal, and to...

KEN’S FAST Foods is the best place in town to get a slawburger and fries! I have eaten other slawburgers in Fayetteville, but hands down, Ken’s is the best. The Elk Valley Times asked readers to...

THE STATUE of Liberty has remained a symbol of hope in New York Harbor since France gave it to our country to commemorate our allegiance to one another during the American Revolution. The statue on...

JULY FOURTH is a day for community, fireworks, parades, and food from the annual Lincoln Barbecue. Every year, members of the Lincoln community line up for the delicious barbecue and homemade...

THUNDER RATTLED every window in Kathy’s car. Lightning streaked across the blackening clouds above the back roads of Lincoln County. She gripped her steering wheel and leaned closer to the...

WHAT BETTER time to indulge in the ultimate celebration of all things American: backyard barbecues, July Fourth festivities, and the comforting flavors of home? Let’s salute the classic dishes that...

SUMMER IS coming. And surely your home will sit empty for a week in this heat. The playful cheers of the kids on summer break go missing for a week that was planned for a year. The dishes sit in the...

ON THE south side of Fayetteville’s historic square, there’s a Mexican restaurant you won’t want to miss if you love Mexican food like I do. It’s my favorite! On a recent Monday night, I visited...

WE OFTEN overlook the significance of basic abilities such as independence, clear sight, good hearing, problem-solving skills, and easy access to essential resources. Navigating the challenges...

LIKE A middle school basketball game, each day unfolds like a steady race toward the season championship. Bells signal class changes, not scoreboard buzzers, and cafeteria lunches offer healthier...

WE LIVE plugged-in, with the quality of our days dependent upon technology and connections. Notifications ding, DoorDash bells ring, and the microwave’s timer calls “done.” Apps promise everything...

THE ECONOMIC Policy Institute reports that for every dollar spent at a locally owned business, 68 cents of it stays in the local economy. Compare this to 32 cents staying in a local community when...

LIKE MOST other small towns, Fayetteville has some of America’s most popular fast-food restaurants where you can get a mediocre cheeseburger and fries. You can even get your sweet treat fix through...

AFTER MONTHS of checking out local home listings and daydreaming about a move, you’re finally ready. The real estate market seems like a maze, and the idea of navigating it might be overwhelming,...

AS YOU shuffle through the day’s mail, a single envelope erases your good mood in the blink of an eye. The return address is enough to tell you it’s almost time to pay your property taxes. Even...

TIME COULDN’T pass any slower. Hope cracked open a door in 1996 when an Arizona liaison located Michelle Costanzo’s birth mother in Pennsylvania. But when her response finally arrived, it appeared...

THE METAL beams tick, tick, tick with every inch the cart climbs to the top of the hill. The experienced thrill-seekers in the front cart raise their hands as the coaster inches toward the climax of...

Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU) seeks ways to give back to the local community, and youth programs offer many opportunities to make positive changes that have a lasting impact. For this reason,...

WHEN I hear the word barbecue mentioned, I immediately think of my late father, Benny. He loved a good “barbecue joint” as he called such restaurants most of the time. If someone recommended a new...

BOOTS CRUNCH over dead leaves, a symphony of anticipation echoing in the tranquil woods as sunlight flickers through the canopy, speckling the faces of young explorers eager for knowledge lost in...

WHEN JAY Simms moved to Yale University’s campus last summer, he took more than his hopes, dreams, and dorm furniture; he took the influence and inspiration of his former teachers and counselors....

THE LITTLE girl who always loved school would never have imagined how deep her love for school would grow. She couldn’t know how her participation in athletics was weaving a tapestry of love and...

AT THE forefront of shaping tomorrow’s health care leaders, the HH Lincoln Health Student Advisory Board is turning aspirations into action for local high school juniors and seniors, one student at...

IN THE quiet corners around us, away from negativity, thrive the true heartbeats of our community — the local charities and the selfless individuals who support them. It’s in these spaces, often...

THERE’S A new restaurant on U.S. 64, near Interstate Highway 65. Like most locals, when I hear about a new restaurant opening, I can’t wait to try it. In a small town, it gives everyone something to...

THE SCHOOL lunches of our childhood memories vary greatly depending on the era in which you pulled up a seat at the cafeteria table. The most mature readers likely ate at home. When the Great...

IN THE heart of rural America, where the fields stretch wide, and community ties run deep, Tractor Supply Company (TSC) stands as a vital hub for those who till the land and tend to their animals....

WITH A heart full of compassion, Gail Wilbur is on a mission transcending the ordinary. She is the driving force behind Patches Place Cat Rescue, a local cat rescue and Trap-Neuter-Return nonprofit,...

IT'S HOLDING the door open for the person behind you. It's sending a sweet text when they cross your mind. It’s stopping by to say “hi” when they’ve had a bad day. Showing up and showing love is...

IT’S TIME for embracing warmth, love, and the joy of sharing delicious meals with those closest to our hearts. As we endure the lingering winter days, here’s a selection of recipes filled with...

THEY LOVE the thrill of the hunt. Cheryl Hobbs said she comes from a long line of women who sat up on Saturdays and sold their items at yard sales, auctions, and other events. The success of...

AT TRUVY’S Beauty Spot in “Steel Magnolias,” kinship forms among the stylists and their clients while hair color processes and dries under the blower. The laughter and free therapy leave hearts...

THE SILVER moon projects a light show of dancing branches upon the curtain, a winter waltz accompanied by the gentle hum of the heating unit. Pint-sized construction equipment and building blocks...

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE is the mark for Chase Bowden in his position at Copperweld. This American bimetals manufacturer became a leader in the wire and cable industry by engineering wire differently....

THE FIRST sounds of life are screams and cries of joy. Oxygen fills little lungs for the first time. The lights above are bright. And the beeping machines from every corner of the room can be...

EVERYTHING WAS ready for her. Gifts from friends and family contributed to the completion of the lovingly decorated nursery. Dresser drawers were filled with gowns and outfits, and the rocking chair...

CHRISTMAS IS the season of giving. Family and friends gather to share food, gifts, and precious time that will create life-long memories. Christmas also offers the opportunity to give back, making...

WHILE SOME students experience a school year filled with the excitement of homecoming events, spirited sports competitions, and bustling after-school projects, a different reality their siblings,...

At the age of 15, Derian Morales made the difficult decision to leave Honduras for a better future in the United States. He dreamed of helping his family financially, but he knew it would not be...

IT WAS a time when the world and healthcare resembled a sci-fi horror movie more than the world we’d known. At least our world before the pandemic was larger than theirs. The world of patients...

AS WE step into the new year, explore the tastes of hometown healing through recipes built around healthy ingredients. A soup loaded with healthy vegetables flavored with your favorite herbs hits...

LIKE THE cozy warmth of a heated blanket, Good News and the holidays are in the air once again. The season of festive lights, crackling fireplaces, and familiar carols is upon us, inviting a sense...

BEFORE THERE was food stamps and welfare, there were poor farms.  People with mental and physical disabilities, those without financial or familial support, or those who were unable to work...

ALONG WITH December’s hustle and bustle, our kitchens come alive with the spirit of the holidays. As friends and families gather, delightful treats take center stage, each dish a connection to...

WE ENCOUNTER unsung heroes who walk among us without recognition. They may not be wearing a cape and a mask, but they’re a hero regardless. Their unwavering commitment to service and sacrifice makes...

Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU) has a longstanding history of answering the call when there is a need. From restoring local utilities to responding when disaster strikes miles away from home,...

THANKSGIVING AND Christmas are getting closer, and it's time to plan for parties and get-togethers. Old standards served alongside new recipes on family buffets with family china, and finger foods...

‘The Trailer Park’ Grand Opening: A Creative Hub for Art, Food, and Music in Lincoln County  In July, Jennie Roles-Walter, an artist, teacher, county commissioner, and mom, launched...

NOTHING EXCITES me more than the idea of autumn. The trees are beautiful and never fail to take your breath away and then give it back to you. The perfect Saturday is a cool breeze coming in from...

AUTUMN BRINGS a bounty of delicious foods to enjoy as the weather cools down. From sweet to savory, there are plenty of flavors to savor during the fall season. Nothing quite beats a warm apple...

  OUR HOMETOWN sports is not simply a spectacle of athletic prowess; it is a celebration of the human spirit — an embodiment of the unwavering bond that emerges when we come together to support our...

WHEN HILARY Hardin taught middle school English, students weren’t always happy to see her. Now, as the librarian for South Lincoln School, she’s their superhero, or at least a smiling face during a...

IT COULD be the speedy service. It could be the family name or the devotion to God and country. Whatever it is, it’s working for Stovall’s Body Shop and Wrecker Service. The Fayetteville staple has...

AS THE sun rises over Tennessee baseball diamonds, golf courses, and public school parking lots, parents like Tana Adams make sure uniforms are freshly washed, the fridge is stocked, and the...

HH Lincoln Health celebrates a year of improved healthcare  HH LINCOLN Health (HHLH) celebrated its one-year anniversary as part of the Huntsville Hospital Health System with a ribbon-cutting...

"WE ALL think, "What would I do if I won the lottery?' When I have those daydreams, assisting Junior's House is always at the top of my list," Executive Director Crystal Guess, M.S., MSP, said....

 Building a new home is one of the most exciting and rewarding decisions a person can make. This decision is not one to take lightly and can consist of years of planning. In a lifetime, the...

AS A member of a group of people that only make up about 14% of the country’s population, and as a woman, I have faced unique challenges and experiences that have shaped my identity and journey of...

AN IVY League mentality is in Jay Simms’ DNA. At home, college football helmets lined up on a table and hanging on the walls testify to his dad’s love of the game. He impressed upon his son that the...

THE FAMILIAR piano notes open “Walking in Memphis” as four couples form a square at the Fayetteville Recreation Center on Thursday night. But instead of “Put on my blue suede shoes and I boarded the...

THE ENERGY in the air was palpable as participants stretched their legs, bounced up and down, and took a competitive glance around at their fellow participants. Some were neighbors, and others were...

AS THE sun casts its golden glow upon our world, we find ourselves awakening to the delights of summer – the vibrant colors, the warm breezes, and the echoes of laughter and togetherness. With the...

IT’S A different world today. With a little spit or a swab of your cheek, a DNA test kit will promise to return details of your ancestors’ country of origin, inform you of your health issues, and...

AS THE lazy days of summer drift into the warm embrace of August, our taste buds welcome the vibrant flavors offered by nature. The richness of the harvest season arrives as farmers markets brim...

WHEN I think of the next generation, I feel excitement. I want this issue of Good News to be a joyous celebration of the young adults who will be the leaders of tomorrow, carrying the torch of...

WE SAW the sky but little else through the window in the room where we sat. The gray and white clouds marched briskly by as blues and grays traded places.  She was convinced the clouds would...

AS THE sun breaks the horizon to begin the day, many can hear the rough but rhythmic sounds of a tractor approaching the parking lot of Lincoln County High School (LCHS).  Its appearance is a sign...

AS SUMMER heats up, so do our grills and smokers, giving our kitchens a well-deserved break. Casual worknight dinners, weekend celebrations, and holiday parties bring together families for good food...

WHEN SOMEONE mentions Main Street, what comes to mind? Is it Mayberry? A trip to any small town, exploring new sights, shops, and stores? Or does Fayetteville’s central business district come to...

One summer afternoon, you notice dark clouds building in the distance. You check the weather and realize a storm is approaching. Twenty minutes later, the intense lightning, rolling thunder and...

JIM RYUN said, “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”  The Bank of Lincoln County (BOLC) motivates Lincoln County students with School Bank, its student savings...

THE AIR is thick and heavy, like a woolen blanket draped over the landscape. The sun blazes down, casting a golden glow over the world below. The grass is tall and green, swaying in the breeze like...

INSIDE AN unassuming building on the Lincoln County High School campus, tomorrow’s technology is developing, one idea at a time. What begins as a concept mapped out on a whiteboard wall is brought...

IT’S A timeless struggle, the setting of many stories and movies. Tradition nudges you to follow in your family’s footsteps while your heart pulls you in a different direction, leaving you torn...

Ah, retirement! We dream about it, save for it, and imagine how we’ll fill our days. While many seniors and retirees find countless ways to spend their time, others discover extra time on their...

THE BREEZE carries a hickory-smoked aroma from the nearby grill throughout the backyard as the family laughs and catches up in the early summer sunshine. It’s Dad’s day, but any excuse to get...

IT IS the best of times; it is (sometimes) the worst of times. I have three children, ages 16, 12, and 5. It’s not lost on me how fast they grow. Now, with a child who is nearing 18, it really does...

THE STAGE was set, performers prepared, and the audience was ready for one of their favorite performances of the year, the Fabulous Fifties Show. This was the 36th year for the annual show that...

THE ECONOMIC Policy Institute reports that for every dollar spent at a locally owned business, 68 cents of it stays in the local economy. Compare this to 32 cents staying in a local community when...

VISIT THE Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU) website, and you’ll see that FPU serves 34,330 customers over a system undergirded by $213.3 million in gross plant assets, including 3,071 miles of...

THEY WERE her childhood heroes. When her family needed them, they were there. When complications from her brother’s diabetes required immediate attention, she knew they would always come, and they...

"PULL!” AT the shooter’s call, clay discs are hurled at 42 mph into the air, simulating a hunter’s flying game. Lincoln County Trap Team members are competing for more than bragging rights, and the...

EVER CATCH the aroma of a memory? You know the one — your mama’s Sunday pot roast, fried onions and potatoes, chocolate chip cookies, or cinnamon rolls? We do our best to recreate them for our...

STAR OLYMPIAN Usain Bolt is known as the fastest man in the world, and his reputation was cemented when he won the gold medal in the 100-meter race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London...

LOCALS WERE making a sweet trip around town, attending the first-ever Chocolate Walk event in downtown Fayetteville. The Fayetteville Main Street program sponsored the event to bring folks in to see...

Sometimes life just isn’t what it seems.  There are situations where we view each other through the fishbowl of life. We watch from outside, sure of what we’re seeing. Meanwhile, inside, life is its...

I THINK OF education the same way I think of the spring season. In that time of year, out of season and lifeless-looking trees begin to bloom and become like new. The new nutrients, new water, and...

MEMORIES OF books, card catalogs, and hushing librarians come to mind when we recall the libraries of our childhood. We can almost smell that perfect mixture of paper, dust, and nostalgia. Those...

RECOGNIZED ON a national stage through the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, while still retaining the family atmosphere where students are not just a number, Fayetteville City Schools is a true...

YOUR FIRST thoughts when you hear “Girl Scouts” may be of Thin Mints and Tagalongs©, and who could blame you? Hold that thought because your favorite limited-time treat does much more than satisfy...

DRIVING TOWARD the Fayetteville square, the Lincoln County Courthouse stands like a sentry over the community. It’s an architectural dream, breathtaking in the glow of early morning or against an...

In 2010, Fayetteville Public Utilities' (FPU) CEO/General Manager Britt Dye envisioned a project to help generate awareness of the utility company and its role in the community. Dye's idea grew into...

A FOUR-YEAR HIATUS of theater or musical production almost always means the end of it. People grow up, move on, or do not wish to revive what was put on hold. It takes dedication, devotion, and...

THE STAGE was set for an Oscar-worthy evening where attendees enjoyed an evening on the red carpet while raising awareness and funds for a beloved hometown organization. The third annual Main Street...

MARCH 1 is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day — a day to celebrate the rich, gooey goodness of a pantry staple. What better way to start the day than with a batch of special pancakes? Then, keep up...

IMAGINE LIFE is a car, and our goal is to make it from one side of the country to the other. The only way to do that is by having a full tank of gas. What is the gas in our lives, as humans, that...

ROSES ARE red, violets are blue, treat your loved one to a treat that is made by you! Whether you’re celebrating the beginnings of a new relationship, or spending the day with your longtime...

WHILE HIS jeweler grandfather took care of his customers in his store in Iran, a young David Sabghi looked over his shoulder and was soon captivated by what he learned. Sabghi’s interest in...

THE PETERSBURG Community Library was tucked away in the back corner of a treasure shop, Junk and Stuff, on the south side of Petersburg’s square. The small library with a big heart recently got a...

GILES COUNTY High School Principal Don Thomas was projected to be a second or third-round draft pick for the Atlanta Falcons until a back injury in college changed the direction of his career....

WITH A new year comes new and greater opportunities. Now, more than ever, the community can gather to support underserved families to help them get ahead in 2023. The Lincoln County Toy Drive serves...

MANY HAVE heard the popular adage, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” But it’s possible that many of you read that and immediately shrugged and thought, “But...

IMAGINE PURCHASING a tract of land overgrown with years of neglect. Cedar trees, privet bushes, and brush overgrow acres of rolling hills, potential pasture, and backyard. If not for the clutter,...

KNOWING THAT your partner has your back is a matter of life or death. With two legs or four, the bond is one of trust and faith. Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) K-9 Officer Andy Rodriguez and...

THE NATIONAL anthem is finished. Spectators return their caps to their heads and settle into their seats—some on the outside ring, some in box seats, and others in the stands. The red, white, and...

IT WAS June Cleaver’s iconic wardrobe–what she wore while making breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She wore it when making up Beaver and Wally’s beds and vacuuming the floors. She wore it while talking...

KICK OFF the new year with a new hobby and built-in accountability—the type of accountability that might just turn the hobby into a new healthy habit! Jacked Up Runners is a laid-back running club...

“TACO TUESDAY” is a pretty well known term. In fact, many people use that term to plan meals for the week. It’s so ingrained in my brain that I find myself craving tacos most Tuesdays. This...

THE FAYETTEVILLE-LINCOLN County Arts Center hosted multiple summer art enrichment camps this year, peaking with a mixed medium art camp July 11-15 for children ages 6 to 13, with arts instructor...

FITZGERALD HOPKINS desired to take Fayetteville City Schools’ (FCS) basketball to the next level. So he asked FCS director, Bill Hopkins, — no relation — to create a new position. In July, FCS named...

TENNESSEE GOV. Bill Lee and the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), Bob Rolfe, announced earlier this year that Ariens Company (AriensCo) will...

THE LINCOLN County High School (LCHS) cheerleaders attended the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camp in Cookeville, Tennessee, June 21-24, bringing home three major awards. UCA — an...

It’s finally here! Although the outside temperature argues for summer, your school spirit knows it’s fall. Tonight you’ve chosen shorts and flip-flops, but soon it will be flannel shirts, pants, and...

ACHIEVING ANY goal takes determination, self-discipline, and a certain level of grit. Short-term goals require a high level of mental acuity. Long-term goals require much more than a centered and...

IT WAS the beginning of school football season, and the boys of fall were anxious to rough the field between the two goal posts. New faces filled the coaching staff of Fayetteville High School’s...

JUST THREE miles North of Fayetteville, right off of U.S. 231, lies a family farm referred to as Shadow Valley. The picturesque farmland was purchased in 1993 by Carlton Brady. His vision was to...

THE CLASSROOM is like railroad tracks. Hard workers spent years, decades—centuries even—laying the groundwork for the trains to run smoothly from coast to coast. They’re strong. And they last for...

IT MIGHT be one of the most exciting yet stressful times of the year, rivaling that of Christmas. It requires preparation, planning, logistics, time, and money. I’m almost sure there are military...

WITH THE first cup of steaming coffee in my hand and the stiffness still in my joints, I gently ease into my spot on the couch. A fresh, new day offers a blank page, although the to-do list in my...

THE WORDS “back to school” can stir up many different emotions. Some young parents hear “school” and are instantly filled with dread and anxiety. Leaving their wide eyed babes for the first time can...

Have you ever felt so hungry you could eat a horse? The growling and gurgling of your stomach begs you to fill it with something substantial. You’re angry and irritable because you know a mere...

DEFINING THE meaning of teacher requires more than Merriam-Webster; it takes a deeper look and a second glance. More than a job with a summer-long vacation, teachers are motivated by their love for...

SURROUNDED BY a sea of classmates, a student filled with potential may feel invisible or wish he could disappear. Another student’s highest aim might be to coast through school until graduation. One...

IT ALL began with the murder of about 250 men, women, and children. Their deaths at Fort Mims in Alabama, came at the hands of Creek Indians who had acquired weapons from Great Britain during the...

THE CARE for students in special education should always be a priority for the education system, but this care may be more important now, than ever before, with the current shortages of teachers....

NEXTERA ENERGY Resources, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and Meta announced in May the commissioning of the Elora Solar Energy Center: Tennessee’s newest large-scale solar energy project. Based...

THE LINCOLN County Lady Falcons softball team experienced some injuries during the season, but it ended with a feat never accomplished in school history: qualifying for the state tournament. “When...

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO! The buzzer sounded and runners of all ages took off. Feet hit the blacktop in repetition as they spent the next 3.1 or 10.2 miles running in the muggy, summer-morning heat...

IF YOU took a snapshot of any 10 years in our country’s history, there is a hurt we were trying to heal. The same is true today. It’s our independence that lets us correct that, to heal, and to...

Here are fun facts to challenge your players:  DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: John Hancock’s was the first and only one on July Fourth. The remaining signatures were added over time,...

WHEN VIKTOR Makela arrived in America from Finland, the Statue of Liberty welcomed him. He brought more than a few material possessions with him; he arrived with a heart filled with dreams. Makela...

WE WELCOME a summer celebration more than ever, and Independence Day is the perfect time to gather for food, fun, fireworks, and flag-waving. There’s an event near you, so there’s no excuse for...

HMMM AAAHH. It smells like the weekend. Those grilled pineapple burgers will be lip-smacking, mouthwatering, and juicy down to the last bite. However, what lies on the grill is much more than your...

WHEN I was a young buck, I decided if there was a rule, I was going to break it. There have been many distinct times in my life when I have felt suffocated by others’ control, expectations, or...

FAYETTEVILLE MAYOR Michael Whisenant and the city alderman updated the city’s garbage and cart replacement policy to better clean the city.  The city will make available a 96-gallon cart to all...

NONPROFITS PLAY important roles in everyone’s communities, offering services from caring for animals and supplying food to the hungry, to fighting human trafficking and providing education. The...

LINCOLN COUNTY High School (LCHS) partnered with JCF Housements through Work-Based Learning (WBL), to help provide students with manufacturing, technical, intellectual, and social skills needed in...

THE FAYETTEVILLE-LINCOLN County Industrial Development Board (FLCIDB) continues to seek ways to bring positive changes to Lincoln County communities by partnering organizations and building...

FAYETTEVILLE HIGH School (FHS) hired Daniel Johnson as the new head coach of the Tigers football team for the 2022 season. The new head coach seeks to take his team to the state championship to...

LONG STRINGY brown hair peeks out from underneath a fuzzy blanket. Below, a precious child holds tight to her well-loved teddy bear. Her little body rustles around in bed. You can almost smell the...

TENNESSEE MAY not have sandy shores. We may not have Buckingham Palace sitting in our backyard. Vacation spots all around the world, from Big Ben to the Eiffel Tower, attract tourists from far and...

Whether it’s relaxation or adventure you’re seeking, you don’t have to look far to find it. Middle Tennessee’s waterways will refresh and restore you. A lazy float with nature’s soundtrack of...

According to nature.org, the Duck River is one of the state’s most scenic waterways and North America’s most biologically diverse freshwater river. It is located entirely within the state of...

Tims Ford Reservoir is 10,600 acres in South Central Tennessee, a major portion of which is located in Franklin County. The lake is considered one of the most picturesque in Tennessee. It’s regarded...

Located below Tims Ford Dam, the Elk River is popular for panfish and trout fishing. The tailwaters below the dam are about 50 feet wide with gravel bars and intermittent deep pools. For...

It’s hard to want to eat a large meal after a long day working or playing out in the blistering heat. You know you need something substantial to sustain you, yet you’re so worn out. Those hearty...

HAVE YOU ever given something away and later felt regret settle in? Last summer, I was push-mowing our grass. I thoroughly enjoy breaking a sweat and getting a little exercise while doing yard work....

FAYETTEVILLE WELCOMED a new individual who is seeking to bring positive changes to the city: new City Administrator Kevin Owens. Mayor Michael Whisenant said the position of city admin- istrator...

THE LINCOLN County Commission approved a $1 million incentive for the county’s five broadband providers earlier this spring, seeking to provide better internet connections to Lincoln County...

LINCOLN COUNTY Schools (LCS) received awards this past school year in recognition of its successful programs and contributions to student success. The Tennessee Department of Education named LCS an...

PEOPLE EXPERIENCE and witness the same problems resurface without end: COVID-19, economic hardships such as increased gas prices, natural disasters, racial injustice, political tension, death, and...

FAYETTEVILLE HIGH School (FHS) was established 11 years ago. Along with the school came a new Tigers basketball program, a lot of uncertainty, and a head boys basketball coach faced withthe...

Right in our own backyard, we have access to one of the most di- verse ecosystems in the world. Henry Horton State Park (HHSP) neighbors the peaceful Duck River and is waiting to be explored. The...

STORES’ OPEN doors and pop- up canopies dotting the square welcomed visitors and hometown residents back to their festival. The hum of food truck generators was sweeter than the Daytona 500 lineup...

THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER dictionary defines the word selfless as “someone who has no concern for self, or unselfish.” As the world keeps turning, it may feel like selfless people are few and far between....

WEBSTER MAY define selflessness as having no concern for self, but givers in our community give the world and our lives deeper meaning. They take to heart the well-being and care of others and place...

TUCKED INTO central southern Middle Tennessee and enveloped in rolling hills and hollows, Lincoln County and its communities are rich in history and hospitality. The natural beauty will draw you in;...

CANCER SUCKS. Literally, it sucks the life out of seemingly healthy individuals and wreaks havoc in the most stable and secure homes. And it is not biased. Cancer will act as a leach to every...

Easter parades may have passed on by, but its many other traditions are alive and well. Even though the internet has changed how we watch movies, families still watch “The Ten Commandments” every...

AS MORNING’S first light nudged the last of the darkness, Mary Magdalene walked with heavy heart and feet along the dirt road. The garden’s birdsong and fragrant blossoms, usually welcomed,...

MEMBERS OF the Friends of the Library (FOL) hosted the “Last Gala” event at the Fayetteville- Lincoln County Public Library (FLCPL) on Feb. 26, to pay off the debt on the facility.  FOL, a...

SOMETIMES PEOPLE’S great acts of service are not recognized enough today. Therefore, it was about time for Dr. Farris Beasley to be honored for serving Lincoln County all his life.  Beasley was...

MANY EDUCATORS work hard to serve the students in their school districts with little recognition, so it’s good whenever we find ways to recognize the ones who invest in America’s children. Such...

THE FAYETTEVILLE Lincoln County Industrial Development Board (FLCIDB) is looking to bring growth to the community as it seeks to attract business to the area.  The Tennessee Department of Economic...

LINCOLN COUNTY High School (LCHS) hired Eddie Cunningham as the new head coach of the Falcon football team for the 2022 season. The new head coach plans to help his team return to good football. ...

FEW PATHS to positive personal growth are more noble than resolving to help others through increased acts of generosity and kindness. According to Psychology Today, doing good for others—no matter...

LONG BEFORE the sun rises over the horizon, Mama is up putting dishes in the oven and ironing everyone’s Sunday best. Then, it’s a hurried push out the door and into the car. Pulling into the church...