September 6, 2026
Living
Fayetteville High-Motlow Middle College graduate top students
Fayetteville High School’s Class of 2026 had 10 top-performing scholars graduating with their associate degrees from Motlow State two weeks before their high school graduation. Those graduates, front row, from left, Ashariah Gonzalez, Nakeia Cannon, Taylor Cannon, Te’Asia Ewing, Kali Groce; back row, Clayton Groce, Will Riddle, Jack Fincher, Jacob King, and Lucas Turpen.
Sandy Williams photo
Carriage House’s Raise the Curtain fundraiser set for Aug. 29
Carriage House Players’ annual fundraiser, Raise the Curtain, will be held Saturday, Aug. 29. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Howell Community Center.
Spanning the Years
25 years ago Aug. 15, 2001 CELEBRATING 103 YEARS- Betty Patton celebrated her 103rd birthday with some of her family members at Sun Bridge of Fayetteville. The perky centenarian, a native of Lincoln County, has two sons and four grandchildren. With Mrs. Patton are Clara Raby, aunt; Joe Patton, son; Wanda Patton, daughter-in-law; Grace Gann, niece; and Joanne Lynch, Betty Price and Elise, all great-nieces.
Coldwater Grocery reopens as The Porch
For nearly three decades Harold and Joyce Locker took pride in operating their small family business — the Coldwater Grocery Store. Recently the store was transformed by their son, David, and daughter-in-law, Julianne, so that the business begins a new era as, “The Porch.”
Local 4-H Shooting Sports competitors win national titles
Lincoln County 4-Hers returned victorious from the 2026 National 4-H Shooting Sports Championship, having earned national titles. They were bursting with enthusiasm following the event recently held in Grand Island, Nebraska. Forty-two states were represented at the event with more than 760 competitors whose skills were tried and tested.
Lincoln County 4-H campers celebrate America 250
In honor of America 250 Birthday, UT TSU Extension Lincoln County 4-H celebrated with a day camp of revolutionary crafting from stick-weaving, embroidery, cardboard- weaving, bobbin-knitting and spool knitting. Carol Runyan of Deer Trace Farm, along with friends from area art guilds, were versed in these crafts. They taught the youth various crafts of yesteryear and provided materials with which to do the crafting. Campers also made a mobile portraying 1776 and doodled in red, white and blue for the occasion. Twenty-five campers attended America’s 250th Birthday Camp. They celebrated with America’s Cupcake and an Apple Pie Fest with a mini no-sugar added apple pie. Long live America, 4-H, and apple pies!
Lincoln County students take part in 2026 4-H FCS Skillathon
The 2026 4-H FCS Skillathon Team, from left, is Sam Costilla, Kalani Traylor, Luke Bayless, Maklaine Taylor, Abbie Owens, Mila Traylor and Makai Traylor.
Courtesy photo
Patrolman Ryan Thomas set his path while young
Born and raised in Lincoln County, Ryan Thomas thrived on playing football at Fayetteville High School. Even before graduation, he determined he wanted a military career. “My family was shocked about it — that after the second year in high school — I wasn’t going to college to play football,” he said.