Area News

Some Savannah restaurants and city parks are reopening today – but with restrictions intended to curtail the spread of coronavirus. Retail stores can reopen Wednesday, April 29, at 50 percent capacity and with restrictions. Still closed are close-contact businesses such as hair salons and barber shops. Tennessee is among the handful of primarily southern states beginning to…

The graduation ceremony for the Hardin County High School Class of 2020 is being delayed and their prom canceled because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Citing consultations with local health officials, Hardin County Director of Schools Michael Davis announced Friday that the graduation ceremony is rescheduled for Friday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m. at…

Gov. Bill Lee on Friday issued the first steps from the “Tennessee Pledge,” the state’s rollout of guidance and practices for Tennessee businesses in 89 of the state’s 95 counties to try to keep employees and customers safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The first industries to receive guidance through the plan include the restaurant…

Pickwick Landing State Park reopens Friday for day use only as Tennessee begins to loosen coronavirus-related restrictions. Andrew Wright, manager of the state park in Hardin County, said the boat ramps and golf course will be open, but urged park-goers to maintain social distancing practices and avoid gathering in groups larger than 10. Still closed are…

The Hardin County High School Class of 1965 reunion won’t be happening this year, said organizer Charlotte Wolfe. Instead, it’s been rescheduled for Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Pickwick Landing State Park, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Due to the uncertainty of the residuals of coronavirus, I do not want any undue exposure to…

Tennessee Valley Authority crews are conducting shoulder maintenance through April 24 on the Tenn. 128 bridge that crosses Pickwick Dam. TVA said crews are installing stone along the shoulder as part of ongoing maintenance. From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. , motorists who drive on the highway across Pickwick Dam should exercise caution and expect…

McDonald’s is thanking some essential workers on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic with free food. Now through May 5, at locations including Savannah, a free “Thank You Meal” breakfast, lunch or dinner is available for healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters and paramedics in uniform or who show their work badge. “Emergency physicians and…

As the state’s top official in the struggle between saving lives and saving livelihoods during the COVID-19 crisis, Gov. Bill Lee announced Monday that his “safer-at-home” order will not be extended past April 30. Facing mounting pressure from businesses and workers feeling the economic pinch of shutting down and staying home, Lee said the evidence…

Tennessee State Parks will reopen most of its 56 state parks on Friday, April 24, for day-use only. “We are eager to serve once again but we urge Tennesseans to continue to practice physical distancing when visiting parks,” Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said. “We have implemented policies…

With Hardin County Schools closing prematurely due to the public health crisis posed by COVID-19, school officials outlined how grading, grade advancement and online and distance education will continue. For elementary students, Supervisor of Elementary Education Jeremy Davis said the county’s five elementary schools completed the first three of four nine-week grading periods before the…