Fear can be an icy grip that often paralyzes people. We’ve all seen or known someone who missed an incredible opportunity because they froze in fear. For example, a student who studied hard might know the answers but never advance because of apprehension. Similarly, a man might miss out on a promotion at work because his fear of failure prevents him from applying. Fear doesn’t just whisper worst-case scenarios; it shouts about possibilities, robbing us of what could have been.

After a long hot summer my favorite time of year is finally here, with its balmy days, cool nights, and eventual forest color display that everyone looks forward to. If you ever wonder why leaves change color, here’s the latest scoop.

From science class you know that a tree leaf is green because it contains a group of pigments known as chlorophyll. These are so abundant during the summer that the green color hides any other pigments present. Chlorophyll has the life giving function of catching the sun's energy and using it to manufacture food and building materials for plants. During this process the chlorophyll breaks down but is constantly replaced during the growing season.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

The late summer/early fall season puts on a good flower show in our area, especially asters, those daisy-and sunflower-like species that come in a variety of colors, yellow being most prominent. One species that is not only pretty to see but can also be enjoyed as a seldom used vegetable is Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus).

Back in February of 2023, I wrote several articles about food insecurity in Union County and of the food pantries available at that time. According to the National Institutes of Health, in 2023 Union County had an overall food insecurity rate of 16.4% to 16.7% - up from 12% in 2021. The child food insecurity rate in 2023 was 19.8%. That translates to about 16 out of every 100 Union County residents living in poverty. Food insecurity has risen every year since then. Feeding America estimates Union County has 3,620 food-insecure people out of a population of 21,450 people.

Have you ever wished you had a time machine? If I did, I would go back 41 years so I could finish something that I started.

The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act will allow Medicare beneficiaries access to the chiropractic profession’s broad-based, non-drug approach to pain management, which includes manual manipulation of the spine and extremities, evaluation and management services, diagnostic imaging and utilization of other non-drug approaches that have become an important strategy in national efforts to stem the epidemic of prescription opioid overuse and abuse.

The mobile shower will be back October 15th from 10:30 to 2:30 at Heritage Park.
The TN Valley Coalition for the Homeless will have hygiene kits, clean clothes, lots of resources and will provide everything someone needs to take a private, clean shower.

Union County is sponsoring the next monthly Veterans Breakfast on October 10, 2026 at the American Legion Post 212. Veterans, come meet your local Veterans and catch up on the news.

🎣 2nd Annual Shiloh Recovery Services Fishing Tournament 🎣

Get your partner, hook your boat, and join us for a day of fishing that makes a difference!

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
⏰ Safelight – 3:00 PM

💲 $80 Entry Per Boat
✅ Pre-Registration is Available Now!

💰 Cash Prizes

🥇 1st Place: $750
🥈 2nd Place: $500
🥉 3rd Place: $250

🐟 Big Fish Prize: $500

That's $2,000 in guaranteed cash prizes!

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.