May 12, 2026
News
Primary confusion resolved, Sheriff Hatfield on ballot
Moore County’s first ever Republican Primary Election has caused confusion over filing deadlines. Deadlines for some offices were accelerated, whether those candidates would be running in the primary or not.
Planning and Zoning sends data center moratorium to council
The Planning and Zoning Commission once again addressed the issue of placing a moratorium on commercial data centers in Moore County. Chair Dexter Golden announced to the commission that County Attorney Bill Reider has drawn up the proposed verbiage for the moratorium.
Chris Fletcher named Master Distiller of Year
J ack Daniel’s Master Distiller Chris Fletcher was named Master Distiller/ Master Blender of the Year at Whisky Magazine’s 2026 Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards America, held February 12 in Louisville, Ky. Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 1, which Fletcher crafted in his role overseeing production and innovation at the Jack Daniel Distillery, was also awarded World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey at the ceremony.
Legal precedent favors Hatfield
W hile Sheriff Tyler Hatfield does not know yet the final result of his lawsuit asking to be placed on the August General Election ballot, he explained the reason that Judge Cox responded so quickly to his petition. “There is precedent for this. He (Cox) was involved in the 2006 case of Parker v Bedford County.”
Moore County EMS recognized for excellence
M oore County EMS has been awarded the 2026 Tennessee Ambulance Service Association (TASA) Bob Thomas ALS Service of the Year Award. The award is given for professionalism and exceptional service during the preceding year. It was awarded at the recent state TASA Conference.
Jail renovations to go out for bid
S heriff Tyler Hatfield and engineer Tim Little of OLG Engineering spoke to the Metro Council at February’s council meeting regarding the proposed renovations at the Sheriff ’s Office and jail. The plans have been in the works for almost a year, and have been reviewed by both the Tennessee Corrections Institute and the State Fire Marshall’s office to assure compliance with state regulations.
Martha’s Vineyard, Shelbyville properties up for sale
Foreclosures in ongoing Nearest Green case
French speaks at Historical Society meeting March 8
T he Moore County Historical Society will meet March 8, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge in Lynchburg. The speaker will be Ryan French and the topic will be “The current situation of tourism in Tennessee and the nation”. . He will also discuss the Whiskey Trail Program. The meeting is open to the public and all are welcome. For further information contact Michael Northcutt at mbncutt@yahoo.com or phone 931434-5797 or George Stone a georgestone@cafes.net or phone 931-581-2621.
Lt. Governor McNally won’t seek reelection
L t. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) has announced he will not seek re-election to the Tennessee State Senate in 2026, concluding a legislative career spanning nearly five decades.
Primary, General Election fields set
W ith the February 19 deadline to qualify for running for some county offices, there has been a flurry of activity right down to that deadline. For the offices of Sheriff, County Trustee, County Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, Register of Deeds, and School Board Districts 1 and 3, petitions must be filed by the February 19 deadline. Due to the May primary, the qualifying deadline for these offices was earlier than the March 10 deadline.