Dunlap is new president of state pharmacists association
Plus: Billingsley named to national fellowship
Good Thursday evening! This is The Weekender, a final look at this week’s news from the Independent Herald. The Daybreaker (Monday) and The Weekender (Thursday evening) are our two news-first newsletters. We publish several other newsletters throughout the week, as well as our regular E-Edition on Thursday and our Varsity E-Edition on Sunday (during sports season). If you’d like to adjust your subscription to include (or exclude) any of these newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t subscribed, please consider doing so!
Today’s newsletter is sponsored by Buckeye Home Medical Equipment. Serving Scott County and several other communities in the Upper Cumberland region, Buckeye is a full-line DME providing home health equipment to its patients.
Dunlap is new president of Tennessee Pharmacists Association
NASHVILLE | Brent Dunlap, of Oneida, was inaugurated as the next president of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association during the association’s summer meeting in Florence, Ala., earlier this month.
As president, Dunlap will help lead TPA’s efforts to advance the profession of pharmacy, advocate for patient access to pharmacy services, and support pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians throughout Tennessee. His installation marks the beginning of a next chapter of Board leadership for the Association as it continues its mission to promote safe and effective medication use and improve health outcomes across the state.
Dunlap has long been recognized for his commitment to the pharmacy profession and to serving patients and communities throughout Tennessee. During his term, he will work closely with TPA members, volunteer leaders, and staff to address opportunities and challenges facing the profession while advancing initiatives that strengthen pharmacy’s role in healthcare.
“Brent is a respected leader whose passion for pharmacy and dedication to patient care make him exceptionally well suited to serve as TPA president,” said Anthony Pudlo, CEO of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association. “We look forward to working alongside him as we continue advocating for the profession and expanding the impact pharmacists have on the health of Tennesseans.”
In accepting the office, Dunlap expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in him by the membership and his commitment to serving the profession during a pivotal time for healthcare and pharmacy practice. The installation ceremony was held as part of the TPA Summer Meeting, which brings together pharmacy professionals and industry partners for education, networking, and leadership development.
In his installation address, Dunlap acknowledged his father, the late Bill Dunlap.
“When the opportunity to seek this office first came up, I wasn’t sure if I was ready,” Dunlap said. “Dad looked at me and simply said, ‘You need to do it.’”
Bill Dunlap, who owned Plateau DrugCenter and worked alongside his sons in the profession, died in January at age 76. He was also a member of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association.
This story first appeared here.
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Billingsley selected to national fellowship
ONEIDA | Oneida Elementary School Principal Ashley Billingsley has been named a member of the 2027 National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Teacher Leader Fellows cohort, the organization announced Tuesday.
Billingsley was one of 12 educators selected from a pool of applicants from across the country. She is in her first full year as principal at OES after previously serving as assistant principal at the school for four years.
“I am proud to welcome Ashley Billingsley into the 2027 NIET Teacher Leader Fellows cohort,” said NIET chief executive officer Dr. Joshua Barnett. “This fellowship reflects NIET’s commitment to build educator excellence and empower outstanding teacher leaders who are strengthening instruction and accelerating student success.”
Billingsley comes from a family of educators, and believes strong schools are built through teamwork, consistency, and willingness to keep learning and improving.
“I’m so excited to be a part of this program,” she said. “I believe leadership is about building people, not just managing a school. The best schools grow when teachers feel supported, trusted, and challenged to lead in ways that positively impact students beyond their own classroom. As a leader, I want to create a culture where we continuously reflect on our practices, learn from student evidence, and work together to make sure every decision is centered around what is best for kids.”
The NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program was created with educator effectiveness in mind, bringing together teacher leaders from partner schools nationwide who demonstrate exceptional implementation of NIET’s principles, emphasizing educator excellence and advancing student success.
“Ashley’s leadership has helped build a culture centered on collaboration, reflection, and student achievement at Oneida Elementary School,” said Oneida Special School District interim director Kelly Chitwood. “We are thrilled to see her recognized as a NIET Teacher Leader Fellow and know she will bring valuable learning back to our district.”
The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching is a national nonprofit based in Phoenix, Ariz., that serves states and districts nationwide.
This story first appeared here.
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ICYMI
Threads of Life: This week’s Threads of Life newsletter is in remembrance of Faye Phillips, Joel Newport, Keisha Robbins, and Jenny Duncan. » Read It
Echoes in Time: This week’s Echoes in Time newsletter takes a look back at the man who plotted Huntsville, Wayne Whitecotton. » Read It
The Weekend
🌥️ Weather: The weekend will start nice, with dry conditions and temperatures in the low 80s Friday. Rain will return to the forecast Saturday, but Sunday should be dry (although warmer, with temperatures pushing into the mid to upper 80s). Check out our daily Eye to the Sky updates on our Facebook page— published each morning at 7 a.m. on the dot.
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⛪︎ Featured Church
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
Denomination: Baptist (Missionary)
Pastor: Bobby Williams
Address: 1467 Annadell Road, Pioneer
Services
Sunday School: 10 a.m.
Sunday Morning: 11 a.m.
Sunday Evening: 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 7 p.m.
» See the complete Church Directory, and thank you to our sponsors of the Church Directory.
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📅 Community Calendar
• Saturday: The Scott County Farmers & Crafters Market on Scott High Drive will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine.
• Saturday: The Huntsville Municipal Pool will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ($3). The Big South Fork Pool at Bandy Creek will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ($3, or $2 for ages 6-12). The Oneida City Park Splashpad will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting (free).
• Saturday: Fourth Saturday night worship services will be held at Straight Fork Baptist Church (7 p.m.), and Antioch Baptist Church (6:30 p.m.). For more information, see our Church Directory at independentherald.net.
• Sunday: The Huntsville Municipal Pool will be open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. ($3). The Big South Fork Pool at Bandy Creek will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ($3, or $2 for ages 6-12). The Oneida City Park Splashpad will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting (free).
• Sunday: Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step program designed to help with addiction, co-dependency and domestic abuse, will be hosted by Fire & Purpose Ministries from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 27192 Scott Highway in Winfield. There will be food, fellowship, praise and worship. Childcare is provided.
The Community Calendar is presented weekly by Citizens Gas Utility District. You can help prevent pipeline damage and leaks by calling 811 before doing any excavating or demolition and submitting a utility locate request. Visit citizensgastn.com.
Scenic Sale!
This week’s sale items at Scenic Foods in Huntsville! The sale continues through Tuesday. Sponsored content.
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Our Newsletters:
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• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
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