Good Monday morning! Welcome to a brand new week. This is The Daybreaker, the first of several newsletters that will be published this week by the Independent Herald. The Daybreaker (Monday morning) 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) this or any of our other newsletters, please do so here. If you need to subscribe, it’s as simple as entering your email address:
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Early voting starts later this week
HUNTSVILLE | Scott County voters will get their first opportunity to cast ballots Friday as early voting begins for the Aug. 6 county general election and Tennessee’s state and federal primary elections.
Early voting will be conducted at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville, as well as the Oneida Municipal Services Building in Oneida. The early voting period continues through Saturday, Aug. 1, giving voters more than two weeks to cast their ballots before Election Day.
For many voters, earl voting is the most convenient way to participate in the election. Unlike Election Day, when voters must report to their assigned precinct, any registered Scott County voter can cast an early ballot at the County Office Building or the Oneida Municipal Building. If this year’s election follows modern trends, more people will cast ballots during the early voting period than on Election Day.
What to expect
Tennessee law requires voters to present a valid federal or Tennessee-issued photo ID before receiving a ballot. Acceptable forms of identification include a Tennessee driver’s license, a TN Dept. of Safety photo ID, a U.S. passport, military photo ID, Tennessee handgun carry permit, or other government-issued photo identification that meets state requirements. College student IDs and most employer-issued identification cards are not accepted.
Election officials recommend allowing a few extra minutes for first-time voters or anyone who has recently changed addresses or names. First-time voters who registered by mail or online whose photo ID is expired must also present either a current utility bill, a bank statement, a government check, a paycheck, or another government document that shows their name and address.
The process is simple. Upon arrival, you’ll check in with a poll worker, presenting your ID and providing your signature. You’ll notify the registration assistants whether you want to vote in the Republican primary, the Democrat primary, or neither. You’ll then be given a print-out, which you hand to poll workers who are manning each voting machine. Your votes are made electronically and privately, with several pages of options to select from before you push the final button to cast your ballot.
What will be on the ballot?
Scott County voters will receive a county general election ballot featuring local offices and, depending on which party primary they choose to participate in, either a Republican or Democrat primary ballot for state and federal offices.
County-wide offices that are on the ballot include county mayor, sheriff, road superintendent, county attorney, trustee, county clerk, register of deeds, and circuit court clerk. Every voter will also select two representatives from their district for County Commission. Depending on which district you’re registered in, you may also have a school board race on your ballot. The school board races that are on this year’s ballot include the 1st District, 4th District, 5th District, 7th District, and three seats in the Oneida Special School District.
The county mayor’s race features incumbent Jerried Jeffers running against Republican nominee Dennis Jeffers and independent challengers Trent Cross and Jennifer Shockley.
The sheriff’s race features incumbent Brian Keeton, the Republican nominee, running against independent challengers Dennis Chambers and Kris Lewallen.
The road superintendent’s race features incumbent Kelvin King, the Republican nominee, running unopposed.
The county attorney’s race features incumbent John Beaty running unopposed.
The county clerk’s race features incumbent Felicia Bilbrey running against the Republican nominee, Amanda Chambers Sexton.
The circuit court clerk’s race features incumbent Donnie Phillips, the Republican nominee, running unopposed.
The trustee’s race features incumbent Rena Erwin running unopposed.
The register of deeds race features incumbent Ashley Newport Riseden, the Republican nominee, running unopposed.
In the County Commission races:
The 1st District finds incumbents David Jeffers and David “Blue” Day running against Allen Phillips and Elaine Lowe.
The 2nd District finds incumbents Taylor Buttram Stephens and Joyce Potter Keeton running against Adam King.
The 3rd District finds four candidates on the ballot: Mike Keeton, Ronald Keeton, Daniel Murley, and Dacy Williams.
The 4th District finds incumbents Kenny Chadwell and Shonda Gray running unopposed.
The 5th District finds incumbent Kelly Posey-Chitwood joined by challengers Zack Strunk and Ralph Trieschmann.
The 6th District finds incumbent Colby Burke joined by challengers Jason Perry and Torrey Slaven.
The 7th District finds incumbents Jared Burke and Tom Payne running against challengers Kris Byrd and Anthony Carson.
Among school board races:
The 1st District finds incumbent Tommy Silcox running against challenger Rhonda Marlow Davis.
The 4th District finds incumbent Kimberly Kidd running unopposed.
The 5th District finds incumbent Angela Anderson King running against challenger Roger Douglas.
The 7th District finds incumbent Tressa Murphy running against challenger B. Matthew Stiltner.
The Oneida Special School District finds incumbents Kevin Byrd and Mark Matthews joined by challengers Stuart Jones and Benji Jacobs in a three-way race.
There are also judicial questions on this year’s ballot, including retention questions for the Court of Appeals Eastern and Western Divisions, the Court of Criminal Appeals Eastern Division, and state Supreme Court.
On the Republican primary ballot:
The race for the U.S. House of Representatives, where incumbent John Rose is not seeking re-election as he chooses instead to seek the Republican nomination for governor, finds four candidates on the ballot: Natisha Brooks, Johnny Garrett, Jon Henry, and Van Hilleary.
The race for governor features three candidates: Marsha Blackburn, Monty Fritts, and John Rose.
The race for U.S. Senate finds incumbent Bill Hagerty running unopposed.
The state House of Representatives finds incumbent Kelly Keisling running unopposed.
On the Democrat primary ballot:
The race for U.S. House of Representatives features five candidates, including Lore Bergman, Mike Croley, Christopher Martin Finley, Miriam Leibowitz, and Chaney Mosley.
The race for governor features five candidates, including Carnita Atwater, Tim Cyr, Jerri Green, Adam Kurtz, and Kevin Lee McCants.
The race for U.S. Senate also features five candidates, including Marquita Bradshaw, Maria Brewer, Kevin Lee McCants, Civil Miller-Watkins, and Diana Onye-Jiaka.
The race for state House of Representatives finds Seth McMillan running unopposed.
There are also state committee candidates on each primary ballot.
What are the early voting hours?
Early voting hours at both the Oneida Municipal Services Building and the Scott County Office Building are:
Friday, July 17: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, July 18: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Monday, July 20: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuesday, July 21: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday, July 22: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursday, July 23: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, July 24: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, July 25: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Monday, July 27: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursday, July 30: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, July 31: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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The growth chart
On Mondays, we present The Growth Chart, a look at recent and ongoing growth throughout Scott County. Already-completed projects will shift to the bottom of this list, before eventually falling off the list.
Dollar General: The new Dollar General on Coopertown Road in West Oneida opened Friday. Following a failed attempt to place a store near the intersection of Coopertown Road and Cooper Lake Road in Oneida, the Goodlettesville, Tenn.-based corporation secured property at the intersection of Coopertown Road and Smith Road in the Coopertown community, across from New Haven Baptist Church. The new DG will join other stores in Oneida, Huntsville, Robbins, and Winfield, and is likely not the last DG location in Scott County.
Veterans Memorial: A dedication ceremony was held Saturday morning to officially mark the opening of the American Revolutionary Veterans Memorial The memorial pays tribute to the Revolutionary War veterans who later moved to present-day Scott County.
Long John Silver’s: A Long John Silver’s fast food seafood restaurant is being constructed at Oneida Plaza, on the south side of McDonald’s. The targeted opening date is August 2026. The store announced last week that it is currently hiring.
Hammer’s: Signage is now in place for the forthcoming Hammer’s in Huntsville. It will be located in the former Napa Auto Parts building, which is owned by Oneida-based Brewco and is currently being remodeled. The signage reflects the chain’s recent branding as Hammer’s Dry Goods. Hammer’s is not new to Scott County; the company has a warehouse in the Tibbals Industrial Park in Oneida.
Parkside Villas: Stanley Building General Contractors has begun construction on a new condominium unit near Oneida City Park. Parkside Villas will be located next-door to the Scott County Ambulance Service headquarters off Paint Rock Road and Buffalo Road, and will consist of four units with two-bedrooms and two baths that will be offered for sale once completed. There will be a monthly HOA. Amy Martin, Oneida realtor and Stanley Building representative, called it “a new style of housing here in the county. Home ownership and someone else does the maintenance.”
Niggs Creek Road: After the condemned railroad overpass at High Point was demolished in late April, Cookeville-based contractors have begun construction of the new bridge that will eventually result in the reopening of Niggs Creek Road.
The Oak & Ash: Scott County’s newest restaurant is the Oak & Ash, which opened last week in Winfield. It is located in the building that has formerly housed Moose’s Sports Bar & Grill, Murf’s Gearbox Grill, and Boo’s Roadhouse. The restaurant is open 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. It is closed Tuesdays.
The Florist: A new flower shop has opened in Oneida. The Florist is located in Northtown Plaza, 20435 Alberta Street, and is owned by Tony Litton. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
Zaxby’s: Zaxby’s, the fast-food chicken restaurant chain, has purchased 1.3 acres of property on Alberta Street, just north of the Oneida Municipal Services Building, and continues to prepare it for the start of construction.
Dairy Queen: Nick Patel, who owns several other businesses in Scott County, is planning to purchase a DQ franchise that will be located in Oneida. Patel told the Independent Herald in March that the property for the new store has not yet been finalized.
Polo’s Italian Restaurant: Polo’s Italian Restaurant & Pizza, which will be located in Oneida Plaza (up the sidewalk from Walmart), announced on April 3 that its new store will open soon. A grand opening has not yet been announced.
Package Stores: The Town of Oneida began accepting applications for certificates of compliance for liquor stores in May, following November 2024 referendums approved by voters of both the town and the county. Two package stores have since been permitted and are slated to open in the coming months. Lisa Meadows announced on Facebook on Dec. 2 that applications for employment are currently being accepted at one of those stores, which will be located in Oneida Plaza.
Huntsville Store: Huntsville, too, will soon have a package store. Signage for that store went up at the site of the old Hickory Mill on S.R. 63 last month. A convenience store and “fast food” are also planned for the location. Mayor Dennis Jeffers says the fast food portion of the business will not be a recognizable chain, but will instead be a store kitchen.
New Flea Market: The 63/27 Flea Market recently opened at the former mobile home retail lot on U.S. Highway 27 just south of the S.R. 63 intersection in Huntsville. Tina Reed — who most folks will recognize from Perdue’s Shell Kitchen in Huntsville — is the face behind the new flea market, which rents spaces for $25 per day.
University of Tennessee Medical Clinic: University of Tennessee Medical Center has added cardiology and neurology to the list of services it is offering at its new clinic, located adjacent to the Scott County Food Court on U.S. Highway 27 in south Oneida.
27/63 Site Prep: Excavating work has been ongoing at a commercial lot located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and S.R. 63 in Huntsville, and a home that was located on the property has been demolished. According to Huntsville Mayor Dennis Jeffers, there is no construction slated for the site. Dirt removed from the property is being used for the new convenience store across the road, while the property itself remains for sale through Ayers Auction & Real Estate.
More to Come: Something to add? Email newsroom@ihoneida.com.
Words of Wisdom
Each week, Preacher Johnny Polk and the Oneida Church of Christ present Words of Wisdom, short devotionals that are archived on our website. Here is the current Words of Wisdom. (Sponsored content.)
The week ahead
🌦️ Weather: There’s a 70% chance of thunderstorms in the forecast this afternoon. Otherwise, we’ll top out around 81 degrees today. Storm chances will diminish the rest of the week. Check out our daily Eye to the Sky updates on our Facebook page — published each morning at 7 a.m. on the dot — or always available at independentherald.net.
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📅 Community Calendar
Monday: The Scott Appalachian Industries Senior Center (Monticello Pike, Huntsville) offers a walking program, puzzles and games, and massage chairs every week day (Monday-Friday) from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Monday: Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services’ Mobile Health Clinic will be in the Walmart parking lot in Oneida from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering integrated primary care and behavioral health. No insurance is not a problem. Call (866) 599-0466 for more information.
Monday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $7 for dine-in or carry-out. Phone: (423) 569-5972.
Monday: The Scott County Finance Committee will meet at the Scott County Mayor’s Office in Huntsville, beginning at 5 p.m.
Monday: The Winfield Board of Mayor & Aldermen will meet at the Winfield Municipal Building, beginning at 6 p.m.
Tuesday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will host exercise from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Tuesday: Pinnacle Resource Center’s food pantry (1513 Jeffers Road, Huntsville) will be open beginning at 9:45 a.m. There are no income guidelines; however, a photo ID and a piece of mail with a Scott County address are required.
Tuesday: Boy Scout Troop #333 will meet at the Oneida War Memorial Building on Alberta Street in Oneida beginning at 6 p.m.
Tuesday: Wall Builders will meet from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church (1611 Glass House Road, Helenwood) for those struggling with addiction or striving to keep off drugs. There will be preaching, teaching, food, fellowship and personal counseling.
Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 7 p.m. at the Highway 27 Unity Club (17737 S. Alberta Street, Oneida).
Wednesday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $7 for dine-in or carry-out.
Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 12 p.m. at the Highway 27 Unity Club (17737 S. Alberta Street, Oneida).
Thursday: The Gerry McDonald Mission House, located on Church Avenue, directly behind First United Methodist Church, is open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. You are eligible to receive food once per month. 569-8828.
Thursday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will host exercise from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Thursday: The Town of Oneida Board of Mayor & Aldermen will meet at the Oneida Municipal Services Building, beginning at 6 p.m.
Thursday: The Town of Huntsville Board of Mayor & Aldermen will meet at the Huntsville Municipal Building, beginning at 6 p.m.
The Community Calendar is presented weekly by Citizens Gas Utility District. Citizens Gas Utility District pipelines are generally safe. They can be damaged by things such as excavation, natural forces, and automobile accidents. These can potentially cause a leak. Visit citizensgastn.com.
Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be Echoes From the Past tomorrow. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!
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Our Newsletters:
• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
• Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
• Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
• Friday: Friday Features (beyond the news)
• Sunday: Varsity (a weekly sports recap)