People

Bobby Jarnagin, vice mayor of Surgoinsville, died Feb. 4, 2026, at the age of 78. Jarnagin was first elected as an alderman for Surgoinsville in 2016 and served as vice mayor of the town since 2017. Prior to joining the board of mayor and alderman, he spent many years in public service including as...

Julie Brackenbury, former member of the Gallatin City Council and longtime community journalist, died Feb. 14, 2026, at the age of 58. She served on the Gallatin City Council as an at-large member from 2013 to 2017. Additionally, Brackenbury was well-known for her work in local media and community...

Eric Claunch has been chosen by the Clarksville City Council to fill the Ward 2 vacancy created by former Councilwoman Deanna McLaughlin resigning her position to work for newly elected U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps. Claunch will fill the Ward 2 seat until the next Clarksville municipal election. Claunch...

William Barner has retired as public works director of Greeneville after 44 years of service to the town. Barner’s initial employment with the department was for three months in 1972 when he took a summer job as a high school student. After graduating high school, he joined the Marine Corps for...

Linda Adair, finance director and city recorder for Lawrenceburg, has retired after 41 years of service to the city. Adair joined the city in 1984, becoming a steady, dependable, and trusted presence in local government. Adair holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North...

Emmett Bolyard, the longest-serving volunteer with the Bolivar Fire Department, died Feb. 10, 2026. Bolyard began his service to the department in 1964, was later hired as a career firefighter, and eventually promoted to captain in 1970. He was promoted to assistant chief in 1994 and then retired in...

Robert “Lynn” Murphy, who served in numerous emergency services roles for the city of Clinton, died Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, of congestive heart failure. A Clinton native, Murphy began his public service career as a 911 dispatcher for hte Anderson County Sheriff’s Department. He then served as a...

Chris Jackson has been selected as the new city manager for the city of St. Joseph. Jackson takes over the role from Joan Nelson, who retired from the position. Jackson comes to the city as director of the Southern Tennessee Higher Education Center. He also spent 16 years as a Lawrence County...

Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower has announced changes to his office’s local government team.  

Jim Arnette, director of local government audit, will retire effective March 31, 2026, following 42 years of service to the comptroller’s office. In his role, Arnette has played a vital role in...

Linda McCrary has been selected to fill the vacancy on the Red Boiling Springs City Council left by the death of her husband George in December. A member of the Retired Teachers Association, McCrary is a lifelong Red Boiling Springs resident and served as a librarian for the Macon County Schools...