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.
Sizzlin’ September: Scott County experiences hottest day in 14 years
The National Weather Service recorded Scott County’s hottest temperature in 14 years on Wednesday, as the official high in Oneida was listed at 97 degrees. The last time Scott County saw a temperature reading that high was in July 2012, when the temperature hit 98 degrees.
Wednesday’s temperature reading comes amid a September heat wave that is already ranking as one of the worst to ever strike Tennessee during the first month of the meteorological autumn. Temperatures have been 90 degrees or warmer in Scott County for six consecutive days as of Thursday, with at least two more 90-degree days expected Friday and Saturday before a slight reprieve from the heat Sunday and Monday.
A Heat Advisory is in effect through 8 p.m. Friday, and Scott High School has pushed back the start time of its football home opener against Monterey to 8 p.m. in anticipation of the excessive heat.
Meanwhile, the slight relief from the 90-degree temperatures that is expected this weekend will be short-lived, with forecasts calling for the heat to return in force next week and continue through at least Sept. 16.
Huntsville Post-Acute & Rehabilitation Center offers short-term or long-term care … on your terms. Learn more. (Sponsored content.)
Scott County recognizes Preparedness Month
HUNTSVILLE | Scott County Emergency Management Agency is recognizing September 2026 as Preparedness Month and encouraging residents to take small, practical steps now to be better prepared for emergencies before they happen.
Preparedness Month is a statewide and national opportunity to help families, businesses, schools, and communities build confidence before disaster strikes. Emergencies can happen anywhere in Tennessee, including severe weather, flooding, tornadoes, extended power outages, and other hazards that may impact homes, roads, utilities, and daily life.
“Preparedness starts with taking a few simple steps before an emergency happens. By having a plan and being ready to care for yourself and your family, you can make a difficult situation a little easier to manage,” said Daniel Crowley, Director of the Scott County Emergency Management Agency. “Preparedness does not have to be complicated. Simple steps like making a family emergency plan, signing up for local alerts, checking emergency supplies, and knowing where to go for trusted information can make a real difference.”
This year’s statewide campaign, “Be a Preparedness Hero,” focuses on helping Tennesseans take simple preparedness actions throughout the month. Scott County residents are encouraged to participate by taking one preparedness step each week, such as:
Making or reviewing a family emergency plan
Building or updating an emergency kit
Identifying a safe place for severe weather
Preparing for power outages
Signing up for local emergency alerts
Checking on neighbors, older adults, or others who may need additional support during an emergency.
Scott County Emergency Management Agency is also encouraging residents to know where to find verified local information before, during, and after an emergency. Residents can follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ScottCountyOfficeOfEmergencyManagement/, sign up for the Scott County Government TN in the app or google play store, and visit www.scottcounty.com for preparedness information and local updates.
Preparedness resources, planning guides, and campaign updates are also available through the Tennessee Emergency Management Authority at tn.gov/tema/prepare.
About Scott County Emergency Management Agency:
The Scott County Emergency Management Agency coordinates emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts throughout Scott County, Tennessee. The agency works with local, state, federal, nonprofit, private sector, and community partners to protect lives and property and reduce the impact of disasters. Through these partnerships, Scott County EMA works to strengthen the county’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural, technological, and man-made disasters.
Mountain People’s Health Councils offers general practice dentistry for all ages, using the latest technology for dental imagery and digital scanning. Sliding scale fees apply! Learn more. (Sponsored.)
Great Dane unveils new flatbed trailer at Huntsville plant
HUNTSVILLE | Great Dane’s Scott County manufacturing facility is the site of the company’s newest flatbed model, the Freedom Ultra.
Announced Tuesday, the Freedom Ultra boasts increased strength, higher payload capacity, and enhanced durability, and Great Dane says it offers features that no other flatbed has available.
“Every trailer we build reflects the dedication and skill of the Huntsville team,” said Brad Karl, Great Dane Huntsville plant manager. “Freedom Ultra is an exceptional trailer offering the quality customers expect from Great Dane, along with features that offer industry-leading safety and efficiency. I’m proud to work alongside the team bringing it to life.”
Freedom Ultra is an all-aluminum flatbed that helps fleets haul heavier loads while benefiting from the long-term value aluminum trailers are known for.
A few of the team’s welders say Freedom Ultra stands out not only for what it can do on the road, but also for the thoughtful way it comes together on the production floor.
John Kirby pointed to the trailer’s strength, saying he likes that it is a “fully welded trailer.” Greg Hatfield noted the cleaner, more streamlined build, adding that he appreciates that there are “minimal bolts and no hucks.”
Erick Griffin said the look and feel of the finished product reflect the people behind it. “We have a great team, and the overall design is aesthetically pleasing.”
The company added: “The work happening at Great Dane Huntsville is more than a product launch, it’s a reflection of the local talent, teamwork, and craftsmanship found right here in the community. As Freedom Ultra delivers products people need each day, the Huntsville team can take pride knowing their work helps communities thrive.”
ICYMI
Threads of Life: This week’s Threads of Life newsletter is in remembrance of Susan Slaven, Terri Doran, Ricky Gibson, John Judy, Joan Terry, and Lloyd Williams. » Read It
Echoes in Time: Remembering Dr. Lafayette Sproule, Scott County’s “forgotten” superintendent of schools. » Read It
The Weekend
🌥️ Weather: Very hot weather will continue into the weekend. A Heat Advisory is in effect through 8 p.m. Friday, . 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
Denomination: Baptist (Missionary)
Pastor: Charles Lowe
Address: 8939 Baker Highway, Huntsville
Services
Sunday Morning: 10 a.m.
Sunday Evening: 6:30 p.m.
» See the complete Church Directory, and thank you to our sponsors of the Church Directory.
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📅 Community Calendar
• Friday: The Big South Fork Swimming Pool at Bandy Creek will be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $3 ($2 for children).
• Friday: In high school football, Oneida will travel to Bledsoe County (7 p.m.) and Scott High will host Monterey (8 p.m.). The games will be broadcast live on the IH Sports Network, beginning at 7 p.m.
• Saturday: The Town of Oneida’s Labor Day celebration will be held at Oneida City Park Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be live music, vendors, kids’ activities, and more.
• Saturday: First Saturday night services will be held at Capitol Hill Missionary Baptist Church (6:30 p.m.), East Robbins Missionary Baptist Church (6 p.m.), Norma Missionary Baptist Church (6 p.m.), and Black Creek Crossroads Missionary Baptist Church (7 p.m.). For more information, see our Church Directory at indherald.com.
• 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:
• 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)