With yesterday being Veterans Day, the Tennessee Agriculture Department wants residents to know the state has more than 400 farmer veterans who consumers can support. Tennesseans can find their products by looking for the “Homegrown by Heroes” label in stores and on the Pick Tennessee website. The site connects consumers with local farms and markets and can be found at www.PickTNProducts.org In 2018, Tennessee farmers received more Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund grants than any other state. Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton says in a news release, “Our farmer veterans have given and continue to give for their communities. By purchasing...

The distillery that produces Jack Daniel’s whiskey in Lynchburg, TN is working with a military support group to make sure military service members and their families can celebrate the holidays at home. For the eighth year, the distillery in Tennessee is teaming with the Armed Services YMCA for the “Operation Ride Home” campaign. It provides financial assistance to active duty junior-enlisted military members and their families to travel home during the holidays. Distillery officials say since the campaign began, 6,410 service members and their relatives have been assisted. Jack Daniel’s says it once again donated $100,000 to kick off...

If you think you will need to walk off your Thanksgiving Day meal, Tennessee’s state parks are offering free hikes on “Black Friday” later this month. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation officials say Old Stone Fort and the other 55 state parks will be offering free guided hikes on Nov. 23. A news release says the hikes include “easy, peaceful strolls and rugged excursions.” Experienced rangers leading the hikes will interpret “the ecological, cultural and historical significance of Tennessee’s state parks.” Those visiting Old Stone Fort will be guided along the 1.25-mile Enclosure Trail to witness the prehistoric...

A joint investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, and Tennessee Fire Investigation Services has resulted in the indictment of a McMinnville man on an arson charge. On March 22nd, TBI Special Agents joined investigators from Warren County and Fire Investigation Services in responding to a structure fire at 736 Depot Road in Rock Island. The structure was an outbuilding that was being utilized as a dwelling at that time. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that identified Billy Nelson as the individual responsible for setting the fire....

Written by: DarKenya Waller, Executive Director, Legal Aid Society Veterans make up just 7 percent of the U.S. population. So, it’s safe to say that for large swaths of our country, the realities of military service are somewhat removed from our daily lives and scope of understanding. Though the sacrifices made by veterans are brought to our attention each Veterans Day, the emotional or physical wounds that some vets carry are a constant, daily struggle. Some experience a spiraling effect on their personal relationships and ability to manage basic life responsibilities. According to a 2017 HUD report on homelessness,...

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says it was honored to take part in last week’s Crime Scene Invitational, involving high school students from across Middle Tennessee! TBI Agents judged several competitions, including concealed fingerprint processing, crime scene investigations, DUI stops, appellate court arguments, and more! Great job to all of the high schools that participated, including Riverdale, Santa Fe, Coffee County, Spring Hill, Tullahoma, Kenwood, McGavock, Lebanon, Marshall County, Blackman, Smyrna, Siegel, Stewart’s Creek, and Eagleville! Congratulations to Coffee County High School Teacher Toby Alonzo and his students for finishing 1st in the...