Announcement
Sparta   -   Sep 08, 2026 New details emerge in Schalk case
New details emerge in Schalk case

Brian Anthony Schalk, the former local law enforcement officer arrested Sunday after a missing Alabama teenager was found at his Sparta home, is now facing two charges in White County — and newly obtained court documents give the first account of what the 15-year-old told investigators after she was

Sparta   -   Sep 08, 2026 Another step toward clearing Baker School
Another step toward clearing Baker School

The Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen awarded a bid Thursday for asbestos removal at the former Baker school building, another step toward eventually clearing the East Bronson Street property.

Pryor sets the pace
Sparta   -   Sep 08, 2026 Pryor sets the pace

White County's cross country runners joined hundreds of competitors from across Middle Tennessee Saturday morning for one of the bigger meets on their schedule, the MSCCA Voyles Classic at The Hermitage in Hermitage. The meet carries an added connection for White County. The annual race is named in

Sparta   -   Sep 06, 2026 SPORTS CALENDAR
SPORTS CALENDAR
Sep 08, 2026 New details emerge in Schalk case
New details emerge in Schalk case

Brian Anthony Schalk, the former local law enforcement officer arrested Sunday after a missing Alabama teenager was found at his Sparta home, is now facing two charges in White County — and newly obtained court documents give the first account of what the 15-year-old told investigators after she was

Sep 08, 2026 Not exactly an approved trip
Not exactly an approved trip

A Sparta man reportedly knew his driving privileges were limited to work and doctor’s appointments. A trip to Dollar General for dog treats wasn’t on that list.

Sep 07, 2026 FOUND: Missing Alabama teen safe in Sparta
FOUND: Missing Alabama teen safe in Sparta

UPDATE: A suspect has been identified and booked into White County Jail on two charges with more expected to come.

Sep 07, 2026 Caught on camera, gone on foot
Caught on camera, gone on foot

An unknown man reportedly took off running through a local lumber yard after he was spotted there Sept. 2. One of the men at the property gave chase, following him over a conveyor belt and through the building before the man escaped outside. A break-in-in-progress call brought

Business View All
Sep 04, 2026 Old Treasures, New Beginnings at RuthieJune’s
Old Treasures, New Beginnings at RuthieJune’s

A longtime dream is becoming something real in Rock Island, where a new locally owned shop is bringing together personality, variety and a strong sense of community under one roof. With plenty to browse and a story rooted in family, RuthieJune’s Antiques and Boutique is ready to give shoppers

Sep 03, 2026 No catchy name needed
No catchy name needed

For Ella Roberts, crochet is more than a creative hobby. Since starting No Catchy Name Crochet in 2017, Roberts has turned her love of handmade crafts into a home-based business offering everything from colorful plushies and keychains to hats, bags, sweaters, and holiday decorations.

Sep 02, 2026 Warrior Wash brings a new kind of clean to Sparta
Warrior Wash brings a new kind of clean to Sparta

Sparta drivers have a new reason to skip the trip out of town when their vehicle needs a wash. Warrior Wash has opened on North Spring Street, bringing a new automatic car wash experience to White County with multiple wash options, memberships and several extras designed to help customers leave

Aug 31, 2026 Keeping White County comfortable for more than 35 years
Keeping White County comfortable for more than 35 years

Sparta Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. has helped keep homes and businesses throughout White County comfortable through every season for decades. Located at 999 Smithville Hwy., the family-owned company specializes in residential and commercial heating and air conditioning, along with installation, maintenance, and repair services.

Sports View All
Sep 08, 2026 Pryor sets the pace
Pryor sets the pace

White County's cross country runners joined hundreds of competitors from across Middle Tennessee Saturday morning for one of the bigger meets on their schedule, the MSCCA Voyles Classic at The Hermitage in Hermitage. The meet carries an added connection for White County. The annual race is named in

Sep 08, 2026 Warriors saved their lead for last
Warriors saved their lead for last

It took 47 minutes for White County to get a lead. But it really only matters who’s ahead at the end.

Sep 06, 2026 SPORTS CALENDAR
SPORTS CALENDAR

Know where the action is happening this week!

Sep 04, 2026 Now THAT was a rivalry game
Now THAT was a rivalry game

The Warriors had been waiting to find out what would happen when a game demanded all four quarters. They found out Friday night. White County and Cookeville traded blows in a rivalry game that had just about everything — three ties, a fourth-quarter stand, a go-ahead touchdown in the

Community View All
Sep 07, 2026 PHOTOS: Going out with a bang
PHOTOS: Going out with a bang

If the White County Fair was going to go out, it was going to go out loud. Saturday night brought one more packed midway, one more packed grandstand and plenty of people trying to squeeze in their favorite food, ride or game before the gates closed on another year of

Sep 06, 2026 PHOTOS: Before the final night
PHOTOS: Before the final night

There was plenty happening around the White County Fair on Saturday afternoon before the final night got underway. The Draft Horse and Mule Show took over the arena for part of the afternoon, while some of the fair’s younger competitors tested their strength in the Kiddie Tractor Pull. The

Sep 06, 2026 COMMUNITY CALENDAR
COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Check out what's happening around White County over the next week!

Sep 05, 2026 PHOTOS: Crashes and crowds fill Friday night
PHOTOS: Crashes and crowds fill Friday night

Friday night was a busy one at the White County Fair, with a packed midway and plenty of crashing and banging coming from the arena. The Demolition Derby brought the action as drivers smashed their way through the first of two nights of competition. There were plenty of hard hits

Education View All
Sep 05, 2026 From classroom to courtroom
From classroom to courtroom

WCHS Criminal Justice students take their learning to court.

Sep 03, 2026 We Were Promised A Wall!
We Were Promised A Wall!

Now that I have the attention of all sides, we need to have a hard conversation. As many of you know, last month, the White County Board of Education passed the 1st reading to install the Protestant version of the Ten Commandments alongside other historical documents in our schools.  Now,

Sep 01, 2026 $4,000 could become $9,000 for Warrior Marching Band
$4,000 could become $9,000 for Warrior Marching Band

The White County High School Warrior Marching Band has a chance to turn $4,000 in community support into $9,000 during the month of September. ONE Bank of Tennessee is celebrating its 125th birthday by supporting organizations in the communities it serves, and White County High School‘s Marching

Aug 25, 2026 White County Ten Commandments policy draws records request
White County Ten Commandments policy draws records request

White County Schools is one of five Tennessee school districts facing scrutiny from a group of national and state organizations following the School Board's move toward requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in local schools. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, ACLU

Government View All
Sep 08, 2026 Another step toward clearing Baker School
Another step toward clearing Baker School

The Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen awarded a bid Thursday for asbestos removal at the former Baker school building, another step toward eventually clearing the East Bronson Street property.

Sep 02, 2026 Appointments top first meeting for new Sparta board
Appointments top first meeting for new Sparta board

Sparta's newly seated Board of Mayor and Aldermen will hold its first regular meeting Thursday, with a pair of appointments among the first items of business. The board will select a vice mayor and consider the appointment of a new city recorder during the Sept. 3 meeting. Finance

Aug 31, 2026 New term begins with oath of office in White County
New term begins with oath of office in White County

A new term in White County government begins Tuesday, but first came the oath. Newly elected and returning county officials, along with members of the White County Board of Education, gathered Monday evening to take their oaths of office ahead of the Sept. 1 start of their four-year terms.

Aug 20, 2026 City board swears in reelected official
City board swears in reelected official

The Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen opened Thursday night's meeting by swearing in Mayor Jerry Lowery and Aldermen Robert Officer, Travis McBride and Jim Floyd to new four-year terms before moving through a light agenda.

Latest News
Sparta   -   Aug 25, 2026 Probation violations lead to prison time in Criminal Court
Probation violations lead to prison time in Criminal Court

Probation violations resulted in several defendants being ordered to serve time Friday as White County Criminal Court worked through a docket that also included pleas, continuances and other case action. Among the outcomes were an eight-year probation revocation, a four-year revocation and a 180-day sentence, while numerous

by Rachel Auberger
Sparta   -   Aug 25, 2026 Warriors roll past Algood in 47-6 win
Warriors roll past Algood in 47-6 win

The schedule may have changed, but the result was worth the wait for White County Middle School. Forced to wait four extra days after weather pushed Thursday's game to Monday, the Warriors wasted little time taking control against Algood. White County put 21 points on the board in

by Rachel Auberger
Sparta   -   Aug 25, 2026 Warriorettes battle Cumberland County in five-set match
Warriorettes battle Cumberland County in five-set match

White County and Cumberland County needed all five sets to decide Monday night's match, with the Warriorettes battling back to force a deciding set before coming up just short on their home court. White County started the night with a 25-22 win, giving the Warriorettes the early

by Rachel Auberger
Sparta   -   Aug 24, 2026 Ammunition found in probation search leads to jail time
Ammunition found in probation search leads to jail time

A probation search that authorities say turned up ammunition, drugs and prescription pills has ended with jail time in White County Criminal Court. The case was resolved Friday, Aug. 21, when the defendant entered a plea and was sentenced on both the new charge and a probation violation.

by Rachel Auberger
Your link has expired. Please request a new one.
Your link has expired. Please request a new one.
Your link has expired. Please request a new one.
Great! You've successfully signed up.
Great! You've successfully signed up.
Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.
Success! You now have access to additional content.