Standard Banner

06/15/2026

MAGNIFICENT STONES: White Pine native Barnes recognized for cemetery preservation

Kathy Barnes has been fascinated by cemeteries — and the way the living memorialize the dead — since she was a kid.

“I look at headstones as a form of art,” she said. “Cemeteries hold so much history, and I enjoy researching the people who are buried in the local cemeteries.”

Funerals and funeral rites also fascinate her. Barnes maintains a collection of antique embalming fluid bottles. In seventh grade at White Pine School, a “great history teacher,” Jefferson City’s Mark Finchum, deepened her interest in history with his lectures and memorable field trips to local historical sites.

“Preserving history is a big deal to me,” Barnes said. “We can’t forget where we came from.”

Read about the work Barnes headed up at Roadman Cemetery in Newport, which recently earned her the Certificate of Merit from the Tennessee Historical Commission. The final resting place of William Roadman, a friend of Andrew Jackson’s and a War of 1812 veteran for whom the cemetery had been named, became accessible for the first time in decades, as did that of Revolutionary War veteran Peter Fine, who operated a ferry on the French Broad that was part of early settlement here.

This Accent by Steve Marion is available in your June 11 edition of The Standard Banner or at the link in the comments!

06/12/2026

It's time for the FRIDAY FIVE! Check out these fun things happening around Jefferson County!

• MOSSY CREEK MOVIE NIGHT (pictured): 8 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Mossy Creek Station, Main Street, Jefferson City. Bring a chair or a blanket and watch "The Incredibles" under the stars for free!

• RESCUE 180 STEPS OF HOPE 5K: 9 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at Field of Dreams in Dandridge. Come walk, run, stroll, cheer on others or check out the vendors at this family-friendly and accessible event that raises money for children who have been placed into state custody due to parental arrest, emergency removal or intervention by government agencies. Register today for $30 or tomorrow at the event for $35. Children 12 and under can participate for free! Visit https://www.rescue180.com/steps-of-hope-5k-1 to register.

• LIONS PARK SPLASH PAD IN WHITE PINE: Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily on Roy Messer Highway, near White Pine School. This free splash pad is ready for summer with a new filtration system to ensure the cleanest, safest and most efficient water play environment for your family. To conserve water, the splash pad will occasionally cycle off if no one is playing, so if the water stops while you are there, simply tap or step on the red circle located on the ground to reactivate the jets instantly!

• JEFFERSON CITY OUTDOOR POOL: Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1-6 p.m. Sundays at 704 West Jefferson Street. Cost is $4 per person, cash or check only. Children 2 and younger are free!

• JEFFERSON COUNTY GENEAOLOGICAL SOCIETY: 5 p.m. Monday, June 15, at First Baptist Church, 1610 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City. Dr. John Lee Welton and Bridget Call, dressed as John Roper Branner and Debra Branner, will share about the history of the Old City Hall and the Branner family's daily lives at what is now known as Glenmore Mansion. There also will be a short presentation on the life of an early American Patriot from the War of Independence and that person's connection to Jefferson County. The meeting is free, and all are welcome!

06/11/2026

One of Jefferson County's favorite daughters got to experience a journey she'd long dreamed of this past spring.

Catelyn Riley has aspirations to be a mentor and asset to the game she loves for a long time, and had the opportunity of adding one of the ultimate achievements in all of college softball to her resume in 2026.

See more details in the comments below.

06/11/2026

For the first time in seven years, Jefferson City Fire Department has two full-time female firefighters: Annela McCowen and Kylie Barbour.

According to Chief Lee Turner, this makes about 15 women who have worked at the department in the past 26 years.

Read about what made McCowen and Barbour want to become firefighters and the experience they bring to the department in today's issue of The Standard Banner or at link in the comments!

06/11/2026

Blue Jays overcome unbeaten Braves for NJLL Coach Pitch title

The North Jefferson Little League’s coach-pitch division saw a comeback story unfold during its postseason tournament last week. Despite dropping their first game of the double-elimination tournament, the Blue Jays battled their way back into championship contention. They unseated the top-seeded B...

06/11/2026

Lady Patriots growing through summer sessions

Summertime hoops provide a prime opportunity for players to plead their case for playing time once the high school basketball season tips off in November. The Jefferson County Lady Patriots got back to work last week with their first of eight scrimmage days they’ll participate in before adjourning...

06/11/2026

Four Patriot Anglers qualify for Bassmaster National Championship

The Jefferson County Patriot Anglers will have strong representation at the biggest high school championship bass-fishing event on a national stage. The local angling program had two pairings recently qualify for the 2026 Bassmaster High School National Championship, as the duos of Jaxson Pierce and...

06/11/2026

Got a student in your life who took home an award at their school’s Honors Day this year? Check out our annual Accolades section in Thursday’s issue of The Standard Banner! It’s hot off the press now, and there are 16 pages of photos and lists of accomplishments for students at all our Jefferson County public schools.

06/10/2026

The shot clock is officially coming to high school basketball in the state of Tennessee.

On Tuesday, the TSSAA Board of Control approved a four-year phased implementation of a 35-second shot clock for high school basketball by an 8-4 vote.

For the full story, click the link in the comments.