Area News
Legislators Debate Abortion as Murder
Legislators Debate Abortion as Murder By Shane Gilreath SCN Contributing Editor [email protected] A long controversial issue has been brought to the forefront in Nashville, as a Central Tennessee legislator, Representative Jody Barrett, R, District 69, filed legislation that would treat abortion as a criminal homicide in the state. Barrett filed the amendment to existing legislation…
Read MoreSupporting first responders, protecting life, and visiting with constituents
Supporting first responders, protecting life, and visiting with constituents By State Senator Ken Yager As we move deeper into this year’s legislative session, the pace of activity in the General Assembly is picking up, just as it does every year once committees are fully underway. Bills are now advancing from committee hearings to consideration on…
Read MoreTDEC Gives Go Ahead to Controversial Landfill Project
TDEC Gives Go Ahead to Controversial Landfill Project By Shane Gilreath SCN Contributing Editor [email protected] On January 9, 2026, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) approved a controversial permit for a leachate evaporator at the Volunteer Regional Landfill, igniting renewed concern among residents in Scott County and neighboring McCreary County, Kentucky. The approval…
Read MoreSlaven Found Guilty
Slaven Found Guilty After a two-day trial, a Scott County jury found Jesse William Slaven, of Robbins, guilty By Shane Gilreath SCN Contributing Editor [email protected] Elder abuse remains a serious and often underreported crime in Tennessee. According to the Tennessee Department of Health and Adult Protective Services, thousands of reports of abuse, neglect, and financial…
Read MoreTragedy Comes from Hwy 27 Crash
Tragedy Comes from Hwy 27 Crash By Shane Gilreath SCN Contributing Editor [email protected] A tragic two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 27 in the Strunk community of McCreary County left devastation in its wake on February 13, 2026. According to the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene along with McCreary County…
Read MoreA Merry Ol’ Time at Shakespeare in Love
A Merry Ol’ Time at Shakespeare in Love By Shane Gilreath SCN Contributing Editor [email protected] REVIEW – You may read my writings every week in SCN, but I’m certainly no William Shakespeare. The Plateau Players’ Shaun Hinds can’t quite make that claim. For the past two weeks, Hinds has worn the Elizabethan doublet and the…
Read MoreThe Race is On
The Race is On By Shane Gilreath SCN Contributing Editor [email protected] The 2026 Scott County election cycle is officially underway, with a full slate of candidates qualifying for offices across the county, ranging from School Board to one that’s sure to draw a lot of eyes, County Mayor. Voters will choose to fill several open…
Read MoreFatal Fungus Found in County
Fatal Fungus Found in County By Shane Gilreath SCN Contributing Editor [email protected] Concerns over white-nose syndrome have resurfaced in East Tennessee following confirmation that the fungus responsible for the disease has spread to another county. Biologists conducting winter bat surveys at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area recently identified the fungus in Scott…
Read MoreMan Indicted on 13 Counts of Child Rape
Man Indicted on 13 Counts of Child Rape By Shane Gilreath SCN Contributing Editor [email protected] A Roane County man has been indicted on 13 felony charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a child, according to District Attorney General Russell Johnson. A grand jury returned an indictment charging 46-year-old Shaun Leif Hall with six…
Read MoreInmate Dies Following Fight at USP McCreary
Inmate Dies Following Fight at USP McCreary By Shane Gilreath SCN Contributing Editor [email protected] An inmate died last Monday following an altercation at the United States Penitentiary McCreary, located in Pine Knot, Kentucky. The Federal Bureau of Prisons reported that the incident occurred at approximately 11:30AM on February 16, 2026, when prison staff responded to…
Read More