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...

Refreshing Lemonade Stand Serves Double Purpose for Foster Care Fundraising  Visitors and staff at Franklin County Courthouse enjoyed a refreshing lemonade stand that served a dual purpose: to raise...

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...

WHEN THE summer weather rolls into Franklin County, it brings with it the annual High on the Hog festival. This year was the 36th year that our Kiwanis Club hosted this celebration to raise money...

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...

DOTSON’S PRODUCE and Greenhouse has been a part of this community for a long time. So long, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when it put down roots in Franklin County. “A few years ago, the paper did a...

"BE THE person you’d want to see if you were looking through someone else’s eyes,” said Kelly Master, the local entrepreneurial inspiration who owns Hair Candy and Simply Be Youtiful. Hair Candy is...

EVERYONE IN Franklin County loves our area for different reasons. Some people love the opportunities to get involved with their neighbors, some enjoy the beautiful places that bring us outdoors, and...

Artisan Depot becomes pollinator garden MAYOR MARK Ledbetter announced that the Artisan Depot Gallery’s pollinator garden, featuring Karen Ingle’s mural, is now a certified Monarch Way Station....

IT’S THAT time of year again when friends gather, jerseys are donned, and anticipation fills the air. Whether you’re an avid sports fan or simply enjoy the camaraderie, there’s one thing that can...

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...

AS THE workweek ends in Franklin County, residents eagerly anticipate Food Truck Fridays, a beloved culinary event that unites the community. This weekly extravaganza, which features a rotating...

BORN IN Chicago, Joy Stovall grew up about 90 miles northwest of Rockford, Illinois. There, she discovered her love for springboard diving and found herself competing at just 5 years old. At age 10,...

FRANKLIN COUNTY has long been known for its natural beauty and Southern charm, from the rolling hills to the picturesque lakes. But in recent years, there’s been a surge of new restaurants quickly...

FRANKLIN COUNTY has become a hub for community engagement and business growth. One event that continues to significantly impact the local scene is the 5 O'Dock Somewhere social networking event....

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...

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...

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 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 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...

THE FRANKLIN County Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for this year’s annual junior leadership program. The adult program is in its 26th year, and the youth program is in its 21st year. The program...

IF YOU ask Norman Eicher what makes his family-owned company different, he’ll tell you it’s simple: Mountain View is driven by its people and values. According to their shared purpose statement, the...

WHEN BRENT and Lisa Poole set out to find a place to call “home,” they knew they wanted a place where they could share in the community’s journey. Brent, originally from the vibrant state of...

THE SOUND of music fills the air as the audience closes their eyes and lifts their hands, lost in the moment. Christian music concerts offer an unparalleled experience that touches the soul and...

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...

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...

ART INVITES us into a space of creativity, purpose, self-expression, and fulfillment. Step into a world of originality, wonder, and diversity at the Franklin County Arts Guild’s exhibition space,...

THE DESIRE to connect with nature remains strong amidst a world dominated by technology. Visitors flock to Tims Ford State Park in search of a unique outdoor experience full of rich history and...

IT IS that time of the year again when the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and hundreds of community members prepare for another Poker Run event on Tims Ford Lake, scheduled for June 10....

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...

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...

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...

LYNCH-RIGSBY REALTY & Auction is not just any ordinary real estate company. It’s a team of seasoned experts who strive to make their clients’ real estate journey successful from beginning to...

Farmers markets are a place where community, food, and culture unite. They offer a unique experience that transports you from the hustle and bustle of daily life to a place where time moves slower,...

YOU CAN find pop-up consignment sales everywhere, but sales that double as community builders are hard to come by. Gina Moore’s 29th annual spring/summer pop-up shop was held March 4-11 at Monterey...

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...

DAN WILLIAMS found a photo of an unknown soldier while walking past Glenn Grant’s picture frame shop in Winchester. Grant was retiring at the time, and Williams stepped inside to congratulate him on...

HUNTLAND HIGH School’s head football coach, Kermit Reed, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to create togetherness for the Huntland Hornets through longevity, improving, and rebuilding Huntland’s...

IF YOU ask a parent how important their child’s academic, physical, mental, and emotional development is, they would probably reply, “extremely important.” You would then direct them to a program...

WE FEEL the most comfortable when we know where we’re going. Knowing our destination, all the familiar landmarks along the way, and where we’ll settle in once we’ve arrived gives us a sense of...

IN THE story “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley, a man approaches a boy throwing starfish back into the ocean. The boy is in a hurry but is taking care of putting them back into the ocean. The man...

KIDS ARE barreling through the door after school, complaining that they are starving! It’s the age-old gripe of children, no matter how old. We all know that kiddos often get hungry between meals....

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...

THE TEST of history has proven that women have been foundational, like a sturdy rock that can withstand a storm. They overcame obstacles century after century, constantly adapting to the needs of...

IT’S THE curse of getting older — you know — being told that we are acting like our parents by taking on their traits, actions, and beliefs. And it’s true. Now, at 39, I find it happening to me,...

AT ONLY 20 years old, Mackenzie Caldwell has made Winchester history as the first full-time female firefighter at the Winchester Fire Department.  While she’s incredibly humble about the...

ACROSS THE area, women meet each month to lift each other, support each other, share ideas, and give advice. With gatherings now taking place in Winchester, Tullahoma, and Manchester, the meetings...

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...

THIS QUOTE from the late and legendary women’s basketball coach, Pat Summitt, speaks about how one should approach a new situation or challenge. You must have the right attitude and belief in...

ALTRUISM IS the unselfish concern for other people—doing things simply out of a desire to help, not because of obligation, but because it is just who they are. It is how they operate and what brings...

NEW LIFE is creating a healthy quality of life for individuals in Franklin County. Since 1979, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit has worked to bring awareness, change, and hope to individuals with mental and...

Daughters, nieces, and granddaughters enjoy an evening with their favorite men in their life for the annual Father-Daughter Dance. Hosted by the United Way of Franklin County, the event will take...

AFTER YEARS of partnership and friendships, Moore-Cortner Funeral Home and Watson- North Funeral Home are joining together to serve the Winchester community and provide the best grieving and healing...

THERE MIGHT not be a better person in your corner than Christine Hopkins. She is hope encased in human form and is determined to leave each person she encounters better than when she found them. Her...

THEY SAY honesty is the best policy. For Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller, it is the bottom line and at the core of his beliefs as a lawman, father, and human. Fuller was recently elected for his...

THE MOVIE theater can be a magical place. One of my fondest cinematic memories is being 8 years old and going to see the Rocketeer in 1991. The theater was packed with no seats left, and my sister...

THE 1960S was a decade filled with transition and turbulent times. Overseas, the Vietnam War was raging. War protests were taking place across the country. Martin Luther King Jr. led peaceful...

CELEBRATING THE community and all things art was the Artisan Depot. The Depot held a month-long series of workshops to bring out the creativity in everyone from the novice to the master. The series...

THE FAMOUSLY KIND and good-hearted television host, Mister Rogers, often spoke about the importance of helping each other. For over 30 decades he came into our homes each day through his show...

RECENTLY UNVEILING a unique reading experience for children and readers of all ages was the Franklin County Library with their latest project, the Stand Tall Trail Tale, that opened to the public in...

ON A rainy Wednesday in August, over 200 people packed into the quaint Christ Church in Monteagle. They sat shoulder to shoulder in pews and stood elbow to elbow alongside the walls. Each was there...

FOR THE past 23 years, Chris Hawkersmith has been working tirelessly to help his students be the best that they can be, both mentally and physically. Now he is getting the opportunity to continue...

ONCE A month Franklin County’s industries, manufacturers, and local educators come together to observe how they help each other, learn more about each other, and assist each other in the continued...

EACH YEAR, the Franklin County community comes together for a weekend of fun, playing softball while raising money for local athletes and remembering two of their own. Their gathering is for the...

EACH MONDAY, Heather Jolley gets her two children ready for school and drops them off. She makes sure to tell them she loves them and how proud she is of each of them. A kiss for her husband, David,...

THE SUN shines bright, encouraging all that it touches to get moving and start the day. It’s a nice morning, for the middle of August. The cooler air is a reminder that summer is on its way out, and...

WHEN TRAGEDY and hardship strike, we want to help. We demonstrate our love and care in various ways, but feeding those hit hard meets a basic need and fuels them to manage their situations. Few...

FRIDAY NIGHT football is composed of many layers. It’s a quilt of school colors, students, players, coaches, band members, and more. But cheerleaders are the thread binding it all and creating...

THE FRANKLIN County School District was recently recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) in the Best for All Districts for strategic spending on student achievement. Franklin...

TENNESSEE VALLEY Authority (TVA) Economic Development is investing in Franklin County and its workforce. Recently, TVA Economic Development created Workforce Invest, a grant-matching program, to...

THE ELECTRIFYING atmosphere under Friday night lights is majorly fueled by loyal fans scattered across stadium seats. Young children with painted faces, parents with cushioned seats, and...

THE CITY of Winchester recently welcomed Liz Ausdenmoore as the executive director for the Winchester Downtown Program (WDTP). Ausdenmoore is no stranger to Winchester, having been a frequent...

BIG CHANGES are coming to the city of Decherd. The city was among 10 communities recently chosen to participate in the Tennessee Downtowns program. Other communities chosen included Alexandria,...

HUNTLAND HIGH School senior Ashtyn Danley was recently named the 2021-22 Gatorade Tennessee Softball Player of the Year. In addition to the honor, Danley is also the first to be chosen from Huntland...

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...

VROOM, VROOM. He raced forward without thinking of his surroundings, not into oncoming traffic but into the view of the Tennessee/LSU game. A quick swat on his young behind sent him driving away...

SUMMERTIME IS the perfect time for many things. Barbecuing, swimming, fireworks, ice cream, just to name a few. It’s also the perfect time for outdoor music. Grabbing a couple of chairs or a blanket...

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...

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...

JUST OFF the winding asphalt of Lynchburg Road in the Broadview community, sits the picturesque scene of the quaint and friendly farm, Morris Acres, where the sounds of children laughing and sheep...

INVITING NATURE lovers of all ages and types is the quaint and friendly Meadow Trail at the South Cumberland State Park. Conveniently located at the park’s welcome and information center, just off...

CONFETTI, APPLAUSE, and the cheers of hundreds of students were heard when Megan Geer was named principal for Decherd Elementary. The unveiling of her new position took place the morning before the...

KELLI RILEY is a busy person. Whether it is bringing new industry to Franklin County as the director for the Industrial Development Board, coordinating with the high schools to facilitate a smooth...

FRANKLIN COUNTY High School (FCHS) is sending a group of student athletes off to what they hope will be both a successful collegiate and athletic experience. Eight students of the high school were...

The sounds of Sondheim, Strauss, Adams, Rimsky-Korsakov, and more could be heard among the trees, wildlife, and Gothic architecture of the University of the South for the 65th Annual Sewanee Summer...

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...

Franklin County High School (FCHS) recently held a mock prom disaster in the school’s parking lot. The event was scheduled before events such as prom and graduation, to educate students on the...

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER Week was recently observed April 17-23. To further mark the importance of the week, President Joe Biden declared it National Volunteer Week in a presidential proclamation to...

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS in designing a flier for a friend’s business have led to a quarter century of business for Catherine Murray. Known affectionately by the community as “Cat,” she is the sole owner...

WHAT HAPPENS when local industry and a high school team up? They create an endless amount of opportunities for students to find employment in their own hometown, post-graduation, and they offer...

SENIOR YEAR for a high school student can be lots of things. It’s a time of wrapping up your secondary education, spending as much time as possible with your friends before graduation, and making...

THE ANNUAL High on the Hog Festival welcomed the summer festival season. For the past 35 years the festival has been welcoming locals and visitors alike with seven days worth of events that all do...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

MOUNTAINEER, JOHN Muir, stated that "in every walk with nature, one receives far more that he seeks." Tims Ford State Park offers several trails that awaken the soul and leaves its travelers with a...

HELPING TO increase student in- terest in the growing field of Sci- ence, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Huntland Schools was recently awarded a grant from the Tennessee Val- ley...

CAN YOU imagine showing up to what is now the Winchester public square only to find rolling hills, trees, and ferocious wild animals? You would have likely walked for months or rode horseback if you...

THE QUAINT city of Cowan has welcomed the spring season with colorful and meaningful art exhibits that can be enjoyed by all at the town’s local art hub, The Artisan Depot. The gallery premiered its...

Local industry is helping students further their interests and knowledge of technology with grants and donations recently made from Nissan, Harbor Freights Tools and Southern Tennessee Rural Health...

WHILE THE season is over for the Franklin County High School girls soccer team, the team is still celebrating a season of success and lessons learned. The team, headed up by coach Kent Bean,...

Sometimes you have to get away. All you can think about is the gentle rocking of your favorite horse as he carries you over fallen logs through rippling creeks. You can see the hills and hollows...

WHAT ARE the marks of a fun and vibrant community? It’s both the community’s willingness and ability to gather together to celebrate just about anything and everything. You shouldn’t wait for a...

MANCHESTER IS full of wonderful businesses and wonderful opportunities. One such opportunity available for the community is the Manchester Arts Center, supported and run by the Manchester Municipal...

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...

SQUARING UP for a jump shot, a basketball player takes an elbow to the face. His opponent does everything in his power to challenge his offense, even by utilizing excessive force. This is gritty...

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Tennessee, is a place like no other. It provides a time of peace and relaxation to thousands of guests from all over the country. While its lakes, nature, things to do, and...

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,...

THE DREAM never ultimately left Kyle. Night after night, he faithfully clocked into his job at the auto manufacturing plant. There were weeks it didn’t once cross his mind. There were weeks it was...

Natural disasters, economic turndown, a global pandemic, political upheaval, and other gloom and doom headlines scream at us from the media. Shortages, both real and rumored, have become common. The...

WHAT STARTED out as a Mother’s Day Out (MDO) program for children ages 2 and 3, in 2007, has steadily grown into a trusted and dependable school for children of all ages. After the first two years...

THE FUTURE of Franklin County’s 136 acres, the East Moon Property, is looking brighter. The property located on Highway 64 has remained undeveloped and unappealing to developers due to the lack of...

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...

HAVE YOU ever experienced the kindness of a stranger at just the right time? Barely hanging on, something as simple as a genuine compliment could send tears streaming down your face in an instance....