Area News

Oktoberfest, celebrating German culture with lively music and activities, food and drinks, returns to Harris Park in Dunlap October 4-5. As part of the celebration, the annual Cycle Sequatchie is being held. For more info see the October 3 issue of The Dunlap Tribune.

Grand Jury indicts former Trooper with aggravated rape, official misconduct. The Sequatchie County Grand Jury returned an indictment against former Tennessee state trooper, Brenton Wiegand, on September 23. He faces charges of aggravated rape and official misconduct, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). At the request of 12th Judicial District Attorney General Courtney…

Starting in 1905 as Sequatchie County Bank, Dunlap-based Mountain Valley Bank continues to thrive and expand. The bank was honored by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TDEC) on Monday, September 23, part of ECD’s statewide program honoring 100-plus year old businesses. Sam Willis, Southeast Tennessee Regional director with TDEC, explained the recognition…

The Sequatchie Farmers Cooperative, serving the community for over 90 years, celebrated with a customer appreciation day September 19. Visitors and employees enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers, deserts and drinks, with many attending and sharing memories of the long-time business. For more see the September 26 issue of The Dunlap Tribune.

BTC Fiber, a cooperative providing service in Sequatchie, Bledsoe and portions of other counties, announced completion of its extensive efforts to provide fiber-optic internet access to every home and business in Sequatchie County. “This milestone marks a significant advancement, bringing high-speed internet to the entire county,” announced BTC Fiber CEO Charlie Boring. For more see…

In 1874, brothers William Bartley Harmon and Jacob Bryan Harmon started their 640-acre farm in Sequatchie County after their family came to the area approximately 75 years prior. One of their descendants, Bill Harmon, explained 18 of their children “chopped up the 640 acres, 18 ways,” leading to his eventual ownership. For more see the…

    Kirklyn Stockwell, a senior at Sequatchie County High School, puts in countless hours working with her horses, and her hours of preparation were evident with her recent awards. Stockwell and her horses took a number of high finishes at the Tennessee State Saddle Club Association finals in Lebanon at the Wilson County Fairgrounds.…

One of the few large, older farms inside the Dunlap city limits, the Riverbend Farm has been operating near the Sequatchie River for over 100 years. The farm was recognized as a Sequatchie County Heritage Farm recently, part of an ongoing program volunteers are conducting to help preserve local history and heritage. Owner Jan Johnson…

The Southend Volunteer Fire Department took a step forward in their volunteer efforts by completing the final payment for one of their vehicles on August 30. A symbolic check was presented to USDA Rural Development along with a payment of $7,864. Southend Chief Ken Herron said the department has been paying about $8,100 each year,…