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:
Open your account online — anytime, anywhere! First National Bank makes it easier than ever to bank with us. You can open an account online, from the comfort of your home or on the go. Start now. (Sponsored content.)
Fall on the Mall contest winners crowned
Costume contest winners were crowned in six categories during Saturday’s 10th annual Fall on the Mall, presented by the Scott County Chamber of Commerce. First, second, and third place prizes of trophies and cash were awarded in each of five age categories: 0-2, 3-6, 7-12, 13-18, and adult. There was also a prize awarded in the family category.
Saturday’s event also featured a karaoke contest, trunk-or-treat, and many kids’ activities throughout the day.
Need a good rate on your auto insurance? Contact your local State Farm agent, Roger Baldwin. (Sponsored content.)
Early voting continues this week
Early voting continues this week ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Hours are:
• Monday, Oct. 26: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 27: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 28: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 29: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Voters can cast their ballots at either the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville, or the Oneida Municipal Services Building.
Jobless rate drops below 4.0%
Scott County’s unemployment rate dropped half a percentage point in September, to 3.9%, according to new data released Thursday by the TN Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development.
The new unemployment rate reflects an estimated local work force of 8,819, of which 8,476 were employed and 343 were without work in September.
The local jobless rate is now at its lowest point since May 2026, when it was 3.8%.
The unemployment rate in Scott County followed a statewide trend by dropping from August’s rate of 4.4%. According to the Labor Department, the unemployment rate declined in all 95 counties across the state.
The state’s lowest unemployment rate is now found in a host of counties that are sitting at 2.7% — Williamson, Cheatham, Sevier, Trousdale, Macon, Wilson, Rutherford, and Dickson. Rounding out the 10 lowest unemployment rates are Bledsoe and Sumner counties, at 2.8%.
The state’s highest unemployment rate is Perry County’s 5.1%, followed closely by Hancock County’s 5.0%. Behind those two are Meigs and Hardeman counties at 4.6%, Lauderdale and Greene counties at 4.5%, Shelby, Lake and Pickett counties at 4.4%, and Decatur County at 4.3%.
Among counties adjoining Scott County, the lowest unemployment rate in September was found in Anderson County, at 3.1%. Campbell County had an unemployment rate of 3.4%, while Fentress County was at 3.3% and Morgan County checked in at 3.8%.
Among major metropolitan areas, Nashville had an unemployment rate of 2.9%, as did Knoxville. Chattanooga checked in at 3.4%, while Memphis was at 4.2%.
The statewide unemployment rate was 3.4% in September. The national unemployment rate was 4.2%.
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: Another very dry week is ahead, along with warm temperatures. We’ll be in the low to mid 70s each day this week with no chance of rain through the work 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 indherald.com.
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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. There’s a congregate meal at 12 p.m. each day, free for ages 60+. Must call to reserve. Additionally, Matter of Balance of will be offered at 9:30 a.m. today and Golden Grooves Exercise at 1 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 Airport Authority will meet at the Scott County Airport in Oneida, beginning at 5:30 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 9:15 a.m. There are no income guidelines; however, a photo ID and a piece of mail with a Scott County address are required.
Tuesday: The Scott Appalachian Industries Senior Center in Huntsville will host Crafts at 1 p.m.
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: The Scott Appalachian Industries Senior Center in Huntsville will host Matter of Balance at 9:30 a.m. and Golden Grooves Exercise at 1 p.m.
Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 12 p.m. at the Highway 27 Unity Club in 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. 423-569-8828.
Thursday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will host exercise from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Thursday: The Scott Appalachian Industries Senior Center in Huntsville will host Chair Volleyball at 11 a.m.
Thursday: Scott High will conclude its football season with a home game against Sweetwater at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the IH Sports Network, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Friday: The Scott Appalachian Industries Senior Center in Huntsville will host a Halloween party at 12 p.m.
Friday: Oneida High School’s final regular season football game will be at home against Eagleton at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the IH Sports Network, beginning at 6:30 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)