For the August 1 Union County General Election, the school board races in the four districts were the highly contested races. Many were close but at least one was a runaway.
In District 6 (Paulette), Harold Cooke soundly defeated incumbent Andrew Reed 230 to 93. Former Director of Schools Jimmy Carter defeated Chris Cooper 161 to 146 in District 4 (Big Ridge). The incumbents in Districts 1, 2 and 4 did not seek re-election.

The Union County Board of Education, with Andrew Reed presiding and the minimum of four members for a quorum in attendance, recommended Merit Construction’s bid to the county finance department for approval at the July regular meeting.

Senator Frank Niceley visited the Union County Museum to address the Union County Historical Society at its meeting in July. He donated a new United States Flag to replace the one that was frayed. He also donated a 2023-2024 Tennessee Blue Book.
But the major reason for his visit was to address the Union County Historical Society regarding a rare homemade banjo that he acquired as a teenager on a visit to Union County. The banjo is made of wood and the head is octagonal in shape rather than round.

The Union County Board of Education invited Attorney Mary Ann Stackhouse to attend the board workshop on July 11, even though she retired at the end of June. Director Greg Clay asked her to approach the front. Clay surprised Stackhouse with a plaque to recognize the 12 years of dedicated service as the lawyer for Union County Public Schools. He commented that he really appreciated all of her advice and the many hours of phone conversations, “of which there were a lot.”

Lynn Beeler, owner of Pit Stop Market, was elected Plainview's fourth mayor in the recent city election. Judge Travis Patterson administered the oath to allow Beeler to take office on July 1. Beeler, the nephew of Imogene Seltzer, one of Plainview’s founders, also serves as one of the 7th District County Commissioners.

A new study has found that adults initially receiving chiropractic spinal manipulation for newly diagnosed radicular low back pain (sciatica) were significantly less likely to be prescribed Tramadol over the following year compared to those receiving usual medical care.

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid that has been increasingly prescribed for low back pain in the United States (U.S.) over the past decade. While Tramadol has a lower potency compared to other prescription opioids, it still carries risks of persistent use and adverse events.

Though many are wrapping up the summer hay-cutting season, it doesn’t hurt to think ahead about how to use forage resources through the winter. It is well known that the single greatest expense in a cattle enterprise is feed and forage production. Given the fuel and fertilizer costs associated with making hay, and then the labor and feed costs associated with delivering feed to cattle, winter feeding costs can be quite significant.

The Union County FCE (Family Community Education) Club, better known as the Big Ridge Homemakers Club, calculated their volunteer hours for the past year, where they gave back to the community. They will turn the hours in to the Eastern Region which they belong to thru the University of Tennessee Extension.

The Union County Historical Society has acquired a number of past year books from Horace Maynard High School. The books are available for a $50 (cash or check only) minimum donation, first come first serve. They can be obtained at the Union County Museum on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. or on Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The following years and quantities are available: 1967(2), 1968 (8), 1975 (2), 1980 (2), 1983 (1), 1984 (1), 1985 (3), 1990 (5), 1992 (2), 1993 (21), 1994 (3), 1995 (1), 1997 (2), 1998 (1), 1998 (1), 1999 (2).

Soil health experts from the Natural Resources Conservation Service will teach the basics of soil health principles, and their context within organic management systems. Presentations may identify barriers, challenges, and potential solutions for fostering soil health on organic operations at any scale.