By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor A workforce housing grant was the major topic of the May 15 Industrial Development Authority meeting. The IDA also briefly introduced a new project and discussed other minor business matters. Executive Director Evan Stone introduced the new project, calling it Project Sandrock. He reported that he had a phone call…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor Another Antique Alley has come and gone, with people all across Dade County and the southeast buying, selling, and socializing. According to www.us11antiquealley.com, over 30,000 visitors shop along the 502-mile route each year. For anyone new to the area, Antique Alley is an annual yard sale extravaganza across Highway 11.…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor When Tony Baker’s son, Brett, first joined the Young Marines while looking for something similar to the Boy Scouts, the family didn’t know much about the youth program. Now, almost eight years later, Tony serves as the unit commander for the Southeast Tennessee Area Young Marines (which incorporates Dade County…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly $8.8 billion was lost to fraud in 2022, a 30% increase from 2021. These numbers are based on consumer reports, so the true amount is likely higher. Unfortunately, Dade County residents are not immune. “It’s worse than it’s ever been,” said Bank of…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor As the Class of 2023 graduates from Dade County High School this Friday (May 19) and steps into the next adventure, four graduates in particular have been recognized for their academic accomplishments: Bhavi Patel (valedictorian), Alannah Gray (salutatorian), Heidi Raines (faculty representative), and Sidney Jones (class representative). While all four…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor Jonah Browder, the newly appointed Dade County Schools Marching Band director, is excited to be returning to the place where his love of music began. Browder had never touched an instrument until sixth grade at Dade Middle School. Just before sitting down with the Sentinel, Browder visited the middle school…

The Davis Elementary School first and second place winners in the Optimist Essay Competition read their outstanding essays at the Optimist Club meeting. The two young men smiled and bravely read their original essays, which described the heroes in their lives that encourage them to choose a path of optimism. Pictured in front, from left,…