May 20, 2026
News
Building a bridge
Crews pour concrete on the bridge deck or riding surface at the new Elk River Bridge in Fayetteville. Construction is actively underway on the new 1,235 foot, two-lane bridge over the Elk River meant to connect Molino Road to the U.S. 64 bypass at Bearden Mill Road. Jones Bros, contractors is in charge of construction through the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Jones Bros. Division Manager Chris Harwell said through TDOT the company has until November to finish the project, but they are currently “ahead of schedule.” Harwell said they hope to have the road open before school starts back in August. Lincoln Paving will handle the asphalt paving, according to Harwell, who estimates about 100 workers have helped build the bridge so far. “Everybody’s done a good job and it has went well,” Harwell said. “We’ve had a drier spring than normal so that’s helped us get ahead.” Harwell said it’s a big project for the community and it will ultimately provide another access over the Elk River. — Paul Henry photo
High school students recognized as DAR Good Citizens
Dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism — these are the qualities of a DAR Good Citizen.
Market Street property owner offers fire damaged vacant lots to City
Three months after fire destroyed five businesses on the south side of the Fayetteville square, the street is still fenced off and a large pile of debris waits to be cleaned up. Property owners said they verbally agreed they would have one company give a quote to remove the debris since it had been combined to smolder the fire following the Feb. 8 five alarm fire.
Redrawn district lines puts Lincoln County in 9th congressional district
With congressional district lines in Tennessee having been redrawn and signed by Gov. Bill Lee on May 7, qualifying deadlines have been extended for new candidates wanting to run in the Aug. 6 primary congressional race for District 9 rather than District 4. The new map puts Lincoln County in District 9 after a Memphis- based seat held by longtime Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) was carved into three districts. This spreads the Democratic voters into more rural areas and Republican districts that stretch hundreds of miles east.
Thuston Britt announces candidacy for District 5 commissioner
Editor’s note: The Elk Valley Times will publish candidate announcements and photos as we receive them and as space allows before the July 29, 2026, edition. The election is on Aug. 6, 2026. Announcements should be no longer than 700 words and emailed to lscripps@elkvalleytimes.com. They may be edited for length, grammar, style and content.
Fifth-grade D.A.R.E. graduates receive praise
Approximately 300 fifth-grade students were commended Thursday morning while receiving graduation certificates during a special Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) graduation ceremony held at Lincoln Central Academy.
Foster Friendly Lincoln County officially kicks off
Tennessee Kids Belong in partnership with Lincoln County Mayor Bill Newman’s office officially kicked off Foster Friendly Lincoln County during a gathering at the Lincoln County Courthouse bandstand last Monday morning. The designation is a partnership of local leaders, businesses, faith communities and neighbors who choose to show up for children and their families in foster care. Mayor Newman officially pronounced Lincoln County is a Foster Friendly Community.
Lincoln County Health Department urges taking precautions against ticks
The Lincoln County Health Department is reminding everyone to take precautions to avoid tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Simple precautions, like use of insect repellant and other steps, can help to reduce the risks of common tick-borne illnesses in Tennessee like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, and alpha-gal syndrome.
$500K secured for Giles County water infrastructure study
State funding in the amount of $500,000 has been secured for the Giles County Water Alliance, according to State Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski.
Student Utility Board learns about water and wastewater treatment
Fayetteville Public Utilities’ (FPU) Student Utility Board (SUB) recently met to tour the water treatment plant and learned about the process of turning water from the Elk River into clean, safe drinking water.