People

Bobby Wood, who served in the Tennesse State House for 28 years, died at his home in the Harrison community of Hamilton County, on Jan. 12, 2023, at the age of 87. Wood was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1976 and retired from the office in 2004. He was also well known...

Norman Livingston Kerr has been hired as a consultant by the city of Chattanooga to help the city devise a violence intervention strategy. Kerr’s work in Chattanooga will include analyzing violence in the city, assessing what existing programs can address these issues, where gaps exist, and helping...

Derick Mann has been appointed to a seat on the Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen vacated by former Alderwoman Robin Dunn. Mann has two decades of experience as a small business owner in the Tullahoma community as well as a family history in the construction of both residential and commercial...

Jeff Middleton has been selected as the new police chief for the city of Lexington following the retirement of longtime Chief Roger Loftin. Middleton began his law enforcement career in 1991 in Henderson County, serving as a patrol officer, first line supervisor, and supervisor of criminal...

Rhett Pratt will join the Tennessee Municipal League’s government relations team on Jan. 18, 2023. Pratt will be taking the position previously held by Denise Paige. Pratt has spent a decade working in and with members of the Tennessee General Assembly, including his present role as a legislative...

Bristol Police Department K-9 Officer Eric Keller has been joined by K-9 Stash, a Belgian Malinois trained in narcotics detection and patrol work. Keller is a U.S. Air Force veteran who trained as a K-9 handler during his military career and joined Bristol PD six years ago. He was named the city’s...

Benton McDonough has been hired as the director of nightlife for the city of Nashville, a new position created to handle nightlife-related issues including trash, noise, lighting, and safety. Also known as a night mayor, the position is part of municipal staffs in numerous cities with large...

Four Tennessee lawmakers were chosen for leadership positions within the National Black Caucus of State Legislators during the organization’s annual meeting in Las Vegas. 

State Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, has been elected vice president of the organization while State Rep. Harold Love Jr., D...

The Columbia City Council presents outgoing Vice Mayor Dr. Christa Martin with a plaque honoring her 30 years on the city council. The longest-serving member of the council, Martin has also been honored by the renaming of the Fairview Park Community Center as the Dr. Christa Secrest Martin Community...

Richard A. Bowling, former mayor of Bluff City, died only five months after resigning his office for health reasons. Bowling died Dec. 9, 2022 at the age of 79 after years of complications from COPD caused by exposure to asbestos. Bowling had served on the Bluff City Board of Mayor and Aldermen...

Brig. Gen. Warner A. Ross II has been selected as adjutant general of Tennessee and commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Military. Ross will begin his new role on Jan. 21. Ross has 43 years of military service and presently served as the assistant adjutant general in the U.S. Army for the...

Richard Donnell has been selected to fill the unexpired term left vacant by Jackson District 3 Councilman Ernest Brooks II, who left the position in November to serve as associate deputy district attorney for the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office in Memphis. Donnell is presently...