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.

The Lincoln County Election Commission was busy Friday as potential candidates picked up petitions to be on the ballot f...
01/13/2026

The Lincoln County Election Commission was busy Friday as potential candidates picked up petitions to be on the ballot for the Aug. 6 state primary, county general and Town of Petersburg elections.

The Lincoln County Election Commission was busy Friday as potential candidates picked up petitions to be on the ballot for the Aug. 6 state primary, county general and Town of

The City of Fayetteville Board of Mayor and Aldermen will consider 13 new business items during its 5 p.m. meeting.
01/13/2026

The City of Fayetteville Board of Mayor and Aldermen will consider 13 new business items during its 5 p.m. meeting.

The City of Fayetteville Board of Mayor and Aldermen will consider 13 new business items during its 5 p.m. Tuesday meeting. Four police officers will be administered the oath of

The Riverside Christian Academy Middle School Homecoming Court, from left, are sixth-grade attendant Cambron Britton esc...
01/13/2026

The Riverside Christian Academy Middle School Homecoming Court, from left, are sixth-grade attendant Cambron Britton escorted by Ashton Sims; eighth-grade King Gavin Haapoja and eighth-grade Queen Lundin Pray; seventh-grade attendant Natalie Vaughn escorted by Taylin Coats; Flower Girl Chloe Walker and Crown Bearer Cason Jeans.

- Velva Walker photo

01/13/2026

Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU) continues to make progress on multiple water infrastructure projects across the city, according to an update from CEO and General Manager Britt Dye. Crews are currently working on North Lincoln Avenue, digging toward Bright Avenue, with construction having begun earlier this week. Additional work is taking place along Shelbyville Highway near the Mulberry Avenue intersection, where crews are operating behind Fayetteville Monument and extending toward Highway 64. That section of work is nearing completion, and crews are removing temporary road plates to smooth the crossing and improve traffic flow. Further utility work is planned along Highway 64, where crews will dig east inside the curb toward the bridge to complete tie-ins over to the SJ King Park side of the highway.

Dye said crews will also return to North Franklin Avenue. Once bacteriological testing is completed on North Franklin Avenue and North Lincoln Avenue, service connections will be made, followed by street repairs. Residents along North Lincoln Avenue have received door tags notifying them of the work in front of their homes.

Night work is resuming on Mulberry Avenue, where crews will be redoing crosscuts and continuing discussions regarding repaving and replacing sections of pavement that did not meet quality standards. Dye said plans are being reviewed to ensure a better final product, particularly on Mulberry Avenue up to the downtown square.

While working along Mulberry Avenue near the area where the road heads east toward Shelbyville Highway, crews also encountered a sewer issue that will need to be repaired while the street is already open. Dye noted that the area contains a significant amount of underground infrastructure, including aging storm drains that have collapsed in some places and require repair. “The road pavement in some areas is more than 20 inches thick,” Dye said, noting that the repeated paving over the years has contributed to current challenges. “It’s creating problems, but we’re going to get through it.”

Because portions of the work involve state highways, FPU is coordinating closely with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to meet both state and utility requirements. Dye said there is still considerable work remaining and that contractors and possibly FPU crews may have to continue working through the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Fayetteville Public Utilities encourages motorists to remain cautious in construction zones and appreciates the public’s patience as crews work to complete these infrastructure improvements safely and properly.

01/12/2026

Fayetteville Champion's League is a league for children with special needs!

Ages 4 years to 14 years old!
Registration is now open!!

IN PERSON ONLY!!!

If you have any questions, please call (931)433-6059!

01/12/2026

PRESS RELEASE

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office regrets to announce a tragic update regarding the incident that occurred on January 8 involving a five-year-old child in the southern part of Lincoln County.

It is with great sadness that we confirm the child passed away during the early morning hours of January 9, despite life-saving efforts by deputies, family members, EMS, and hospital staff.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family during this unimaginable loss. We respectfully ask the community to keep the family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this extremely difficult time.

Out of respect for the family’s privacy, no additional details will be released. The incident remains under review.

— Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office

01/12/2026

[6:41 AM] Temperatures will be closer to seasonable norms through the mid-week period before a cold front brings high chances for rain on Wednesday. There is a low chance for a brief changeover to flurries Wednesday night over southern middle TN and NE AL, but little to no accumulations are forecast at this time.

01/12/2026

Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Rescue was called to a structure fire on Dentford Drive just after 10 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11, according to Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency Director and Fire Chief Doug Campbell.

Campbell said when volunteer firefighters arrived, the resident had the fire put out.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, he said.

01/11/2026

We are honored to welcome Dr. Temple Grandin as our keynote speaker at the upcoming TCA Convention & Tradeshow.

A compassionate leader, powerful advocate, and true visionary, Dr. Grandin has transformed the livestock industry through her work in animal welfare, handling systems, and education. Her insights have helped producers improve both animal care and operational success for decades.

Join us as she shares her expertise on February 6 and February 7.

Middle School Basketball JV Tournament ScheduleThe tournament is Jan. 17.
01/10/2026

Middle School Basketball JV Tournament Schedule

The tournament is Jan. 17.

01/10/2026

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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.