Have you ever had an experience that changed how you thought about things? I used to believe in coincidences, but that changed one night when I was a teenager and it was a little scary.
It happened during one of the times when my parents were separated. So, it was just Mom and myself in the house. Since my grandparents lived next door to us, I felt little more secure without my dad being there. If anything had happened, I knew my papaw would be there for us.

Join Ranger Holly Frerichs for an overnight experience in the back country! This is a beginner friendly workshop for women where we will learn best practices for overnight camping and some survival tactics. The hike to the campsite is about 3.5 miles in and the same route back out. It is a moderate trail. This workshop is open to women and girls 15 and older.

We will meet at 2:00pm to check off the gear list and pack up everyone's bags, then hit the trail after that!

Different stretches have different functions. Some focus on a particular muscle or muscle group or limb and improve movement. Others, sometimes referred to as ‘active’ stretches, are intended to increase strength. These three exercises are designed to do both with your back:

On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Jerry Lawson recited the oath of office to become the Plainview Police Chief. Nearly all of the Plainview Aldermen as well as several citizens and Sergeant Johnny Collins witnessed the ceremony performed by Mayor Lynn Beeler. Jerry's family also was in attendance. Before the ceremony, Reverend Gary Beeler asked for the Lord to keep the officers and officials safe.

The Union County Board of Education elected Jimmy Carter as Chairperson and Harold Cooke as Vice Chairperson at its meeting on September 10 in a 4 to 3 decision. Danny Wayne Collins nominated Jimmy Carter, and Charlie Hamilton nominated Terry Washam to continue as chairman. Jimmy Carter, Harold Cooke, Danny Wayne Collins, and Scott Bates voted for Carter. Charlie Hamilton, Jessica Buck, and Washam chose Washam. For vice chairperson, Charlie Hamilton nominated Washam. Danny Wayne Collins nominated Harold Cooke.

The Farmers Market Committee, chaired by Commissioner Cheryl Walker, met in the large courtroom on September 21. Two members of the Union County Farmers Market addressed the committee. One accused the committee of creating distrust and division regarding the market and the other maintained that the market had operated for 16 years without being county managed and questioned if starting fresh would cost taxpayers more money. A former Union County Commissioner, Larry Lay, commented that the buildings were built with taxpayer money and should be managed by a county paid individual.

The theme of this year’s Union County Heritage Festival is “Celebrating Country.” One thing country that has all but disappeared is the country store. There was one or more in every community. The country store carried everything from food to feed. You could use the feed sacks to make a dress or buy the finest linen or silk for a special occasion. It was the place to shop, socialize, or maybe just sit on the porch and enjoy a Pepsi Cola or an R. C. and a Moon Pie. Some people bought peanuts and a Coke. Children and some adults ate Kitts candy or slurped a banana popsicle.

My aunt, Fleetie Mincey Thomas, lived at 2110 Hoitt Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee, for a great part of her life.
Fleetie was my dad’s sister. Our portion of the Mincey family was raised in the Thomas Holler (now listed as Black Fox Hollow Road) in Grainger County, very close to the Union County line. Dad was born in 1914, and Fleetie, the youngest child, was born in 1922.

Mayor Lynn Beeler installed newcomer Austin Collins and veteran Richard Phillips as aldermen for the city of Plainview before the Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Collins was elected to represent the aldermen on the Plainview Planning Commission, and Phillips was elected vice mayor. Both will serve four-year terms.

On September 8, the Plainview Metropolitan Planning Commission discussed Ordinance 171, which addresses the inclusion of M-1, a light industrial zone, and amends Section 1 of Article VII, Provisions Governing Use Districts. The zone requires a minimum of five contiguous acres and defines permitted uses. Commissioners then recommended passage of the ordinance by the Plainview Board of Aldermen.