Elk Valley Times

Elk Valley Times The Elk Valley Times Observer & News is a weekly newspaper serving the Fayetteville-Lincoln County, Tennessee, area. and Morris Simon. Lakeway is headed by R.

Times have indeed changed since the days when Fayetteville and Lincoln County’s hometown newspaper was printed entirely by hand and distributed by horseback. Today The Elk Valley Times is located at the top of North Elk Avenue, just a few blocks from where the county’s first newspaper office stood on the city square. The Times represents the consolidation of The Fayetteville Observer, established

in 1850, and the Lincoln County News, first published in 1839. The Times itself was founded March 31, 1966, by H&S Publishing Co., owned by Harry Hill Sr. Within two weeks after putting out its first newspaper, The Times acquired The Observer, which had served Fayetteville without interruption for 116 years under the leadership of three generations of Wallaces. The original frame building, a narrow, two-story structure made of poplar, had been built in 1815 on the east side of the square. At that time, the Bank of Fayetteville occupied the building. In 1850, the bank moved, and the building was relocated to East College Street where it became home to the Observer. There, it stood next door to the new post office on property that is now occupied by US Bank. In those days, the newspaper was printed by hand and distributed by horseback. Approximately 450 papers were printed each week, but by 1881, circulation had grown incredibly, and N.O. Wallace, its founder, doubled the size of his building to take care of the increase. It’s interesting to note that around this time, Lincoln County’s population had grown to 28,000 people. That’s about the same number of people we had living here in 1990, 100 years later. The next big move for The Elk Valley Times came in 1975, when Hill and Simon’s publishing company was purchased by Lakeway Publishers Inc. Jack Fishman out of Morristown, where he publishes The Citizen Tribune. A little more than a year later, in November 1976, Lakeway acquired the Lincoln County News, owned by Beverly and Sarah Young. The Elk Valley Times Observer would become The Elk Valley Times Observer and News. The News was founded in 1839, 11 years before the Fayetteville Observer, but it went through several name changes and owners until it became The Lincoln County News again in 1903. The paper was published at various times as the Fayetteville Express, the Gazette and the Lincoln County Sun. Among the owners of the paper were Ebenezer Hill and later his son, Ebenezer Hill Jr., Allan Pamplin, Eli Haggard, Henry Holman Jr., Tom Price, Robert Buchanan and his sister, Mary White Hobbs, who was Ms. Sarah Young’s aunt. During the 1800s, the paper was published twice weekly and, at one time, it was a daily newspaper. The News had been located in the same building on the south side of the Fayetteville square since the turn of the century. With the purchase, the consolidated newspaper’s office was located at the top of the hill on North Elk Avenue, where it is now. The Elk Valley Times and Observer had moved there in 1968. After having been in the newspapering business for 40 years, Mr. Bev retired, though he remained very active in the community. But Ms. Sarah continued to oversee society news at The Elk Valley Times until 1993 when she retired at the age of 72. She had worked at the paper since she was 12 years old. Today, The Elk Valley Times remains a part of the Lakeway chain, a group of newspapers that also includes The Moore County News in Lynchburg, The Tullahoma News, The Manchester Times, The Herald Chronicle in Wi******er, and The Grundy County Herald in Tracy City.

Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home will host its annual Christmas Remembrance Service for all those who have lost a loved on...
11/26/2025

Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home will host its annual Christmas Remembrance Service for all those who have lost a loved one this year at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4.

Fayetteville’s annual Christmas Parade — themed “A Hometown Christmas” — is just around the corner! The parade gets unde...
11/26/2025

Fayetteville’s annual Christmas Parade — themed “A Hometown Christmas” — is just around the corner! The parade gets underway at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

11/26/2025

Fayetteville Public Utilities continues making steady progress on several water and utility projects around the city, according to FPU CEO and General Manager Britt Dye.

Dye reported that crews spent part of Tuesday working along Washington Street near North Bellview, connecting remaining services in that area. “We’re still hooking up services — just a few more to get completed today,” he said.

Later in the day, workers shifted to Mulberry Avenue, where they removed several steel plates that had been placed during earlier phases of construction. Some of the remaining plates must stay in place for now due to infrastructure still exposed beneath the roadway.

FPU crews planned to return to Washington Street today Wednesday to finish service connections and install two valves. “We will have some water off in those areas later today—just a few customers along Washington Street and toward North Bellview,” Dye noted. “Once we get those valves installed, we hope to have everything back to normal today.”

With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, FPU crews will be off Thursday and Friday. Work is expected to resume next week, including efforts at the Wi******er Highway and bypass crossing, where crews will continue utility work in that area near the creek.

“We’ve made a lot of progress, and we still have a long way to go,” Dye said. “Next week we’ll get back at it and keep moving forward.”

Dye also took a moment to express his gratitude to the community. “I just want to wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving,” he said.

The agenda for regular monthly Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s meeting always include reports from the directors of the fi...
11/25/2025

The agenda for regular monthly Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s meeting always include reports from the directors of the fire, police, finance, parks and recreation, public works, and planning and codes departments.

The agenda for regular monthly Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s meeting always include reports from the directors of the fire, police, finance, parks and recreation, public works, and planning and

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved an ordinance amending the City’s alarm code during its Nov. 12 regular monthly ...
11/25/2025

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved an ordinance amending the City’s alarm code during its Nov. 12 regular monthly meeting. The agenda also included approving to purchase a new ton truck for public works and approving to sell the old ton truck.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved an ordinance amending the City’s alarm code during its Nov. 12 regular monthly meeting. The agenda also included approving to purchase a new

The Lincoln County Commission recently approved two parts of a four-part resolution aimed at revising the zoning in heav...
11/25/2025

The Lincoln County Commission recently approved two parts of a four-part resolution aimed at revising the zoning in heavy-density residential districts, also known as R-3. Lincoln County has eight zoning districts established in the county.

The Lincoln County Commission recently approved two parts of a four-part resolution aimed at revising the zoning in heavy-density residential districts, also known as R-3. Lincoln County has eight zoning

Falcon fans made a remarkable showing during the Lincoln County playoff road trip at Sevier County High School in suppor...
11/25/2025

Falcon fans made a remarkable showing during the Lincoln County playoff road trip at Sevier County High School in support of their program. Local residents noted on social media that it was the largest visiting crowd they had seen in years.

Falcon fans made a remarkable showing during the Lincoln County playoff road trip at Sevier County High School in support of their program. Local residents noted on social media that

Fayetteville High School’s Will Riddle (79) breaks through the line to meet the Bulldog runner in the backfield, forcing...
11/25/2025

Fayetteville High School’s Will Riddle (79) breaks through the line to meet the Bulldog runner in the backfield, forcing a fumble, as FHS defeated Memphis Middle College High School 43-20 to advance to the semifinals.

Fayetteville High School’s Will Riddle (79) breaks through the line to meet the Bulldog runner in the backfield, forcing a fumble, as FHS defeated Memphis Middle College High School 43-20

Ralph Askins School officials brought students and families together last week for their annual Thanksgiving lunch. The ...
11/25/2025

Ralph Askins School officials brought students and families together last week for their annual Thanksgiving lunch. The day brought many smiles thanks to the cafeteria staff who prepare the traditional meal and make the special event possible.

Ralph Askins School officials brought students and families together last week for their annual Thanksgiving lunch. The day brought many smiles thanks to the cafeteria staff who prepare the traditional

11/25/2025

The Fayetteville–Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau is proud to launch a warm, hometown-centered campaign: “Loyal to Local: Lincoln County.”
https://www.fayettevillelincolncountychamber.com/

Designed to inspire residents to keep their holiday shopping close to home, the campaign celebrates the small businesses, artisans, restaurants, and service providers who bring heart and character to Lincoln County. Every gift purchased, every meal enjoyed, and every service booked locally becomes a direct investment in our neighbors, our economy, and the spirit that makes this season so special.

This year’s campaign features a fun holiday twist: a Loyal to Local Bingo Card designed to get residents out exploring local shops, restaurants, and landmarks. It’s an easy, festive activity for anyone who wants to join in on a little holiday fun—and a great way to discover businesses you may have never visited before.

Physical bingo cards will be distributed throughout the community and will also be made available for download online. Participants who complete the card may enter for a chance to win; four winners will be selected, each receiving $50 in Chamber Bucks. (See full contest rules online.)

11/25/2025
11/25/2025

UPDATED TIMING: There is a low chance for strong to severe storms today between Noon-6 PM east if I-65. If severe storms develop, the main threats are locally heavy rainfall, gusty to damaging winds, and a tornado or two. Make sure to check back on the weather throughout the day!

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Fayetteville, TN

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Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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+19314336151

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The Elk Valley Times represents a 170-year history of community newspapering in Fayetteville and Lincoln County. Recognized as the city and county’s official newspaper of record, The Times offers readers a variety of ways to keep up with local news, from its website at www.elkvalleytimes.com to its page, from its Twitter fed to its Text Alert service. Of course, the EVT is also published weekly in print, which is mirrored in its electronic edition, a publication that offers readers additional features and coverage of community news as well.

To subscribe, advertise or submit articles for publication, please email [email protected] or call the newspaper at 931.433.6151.

Now, the rest of the story ...

Times have indeed changed since the days when Fayetteville and Lincoln County’s hometown newspaper was printed entirely by hand and distributed by horseback. Today The Elk Valley Times is located at the top of North Elk Avenue, just a few blocks from where the county’s first newspaper office stood on the city square. The Times represents the consolidation of The Fayetteville Observer, established in 1850, and the Lincoln County News, first published in 1839. The Times itself was founded March 31, 1966, by H&S Publishing Co., owned by Harry Hill Sr. and Morris Simon. Within two weeks after putting out its first newspaper, The Times acquired The Observer, which had served Fayetteville without interruption for 116 years under the leadership of three generations of Wallaces. The original frame building, a narrow, two-story structure made of poplar, had been built in 1815 on the east side of the square. At that time, the Bank of Fayetteville occupied the building. In 1850, the bank moved, and the building was relocated to East College Street where it became home to the Observer. There, it stood next door to the new post office on property that is now occupied by US Bank. In those days, the newspaper was printed by hand and distributed by horseback. Approximately 450 papers were printed each week, but by 1881, circulation had grown incredibly, and N.O. Wallace, its founder, doubled the size of his building to take care of the increase. It’s interesting to note that around this time, Lincoln County’s population had grown to 28,000 people. That’s about the same number of people we had living here in 1990, 100 years later. The next big move for The Elk Valley Times came in 1975, when Hill and Simon’s publishing company was purchased by Lakeway Publishers Inc. Lakeway is headed by R. Jack Fishman out of Morristown, where he publishes The Citizen Tribune. A little more than a year later, in November 1976, Lakeway acquired the Lincoln County News, owned by Beverly and Sarah Young. The Elk Valley Times Observer would become The Elk Valley Times Observer and News. The News was founded in 1839, 11 years before the Fayetteville Observer, but it went through several name changes and owners until it became The Lincoln County News again in 1903. The paper was published at various times as the Fayetteville Express, the Gazette and the Lincoln County Sun. Among the owners of the paper were Ebenezer Hill and later his son, Ebenezer Hill Jr., Allan Pamplin, Eli Haggard, Henry Holman Jr., Tom Price, Robert Buchanan and his sister, Mary White Hobbs, who was Ms. Sarah Young’s aunt. During the 1800s, the paper was published twice weekly and, at one time, it was a daily newspaper. The News had been located in the same building on the south side of the Fayetteville square since the turn of the century. With the purchase, the consolidated newspaper’s office was located at the top of the hill on North Elk Avenue, where it is now. The Elk Valley Times and Observer had moved there in 1968. After having been in the newspapering business for 40 years, Mr. Bev retired, though he remained very active in the community. But Ms. Sarah continued to oversee society news at The Elk Valley Times until 1993 when she retired at the age of 72. She had worked at the paper since she was 12 years old. Today, The Elk Valley Times remains a part of the Lakeway chain, a group of newspapers that also includes The Moore County News in Lynchburg, The Tullahoma News, The Manchester Times, The Herald Chronicle in Wi******er, and The Grundy County Herald in Tracy City.