Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron acknowledges that his decision to extend the county’s face covering order was not an easy one. “I struggled with my decision for a long time,” said Ketron, noting that the internal battle lasted almost up until “crunch time” for the order to expire. “This is not something I take lightly.”…
On Friday, August 28, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order 59, extending the time frame for local mayors to impose a mask mandate for their counties through September 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Respectively, Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron has extended the Rutherford County Face Covering Order through September 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m….
As classes kickoff at Middle Tennessee State University this week, returning students living in residence halls and frequenting high traffic locations are receiving some extra protection in the university’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The graduate chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. sorority partnered with university administration to make and distribute…
After a discussion this morning with the Tennessee Department of Health, Rutherford County Schools has received new guidance on how the school district should handle contact tracing related to COVID-19. The specific guidelines, along with the changes, can be found on the Tennessee Department of Health’s website here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/School_Recommendations.pdf Previously, the guidance had been that…
Assisted by family and friends, Nevaeh Carter and Simone Edmondson found themselves “excited but nervous” as they arrived at the MTSU campus Wednesday, Aug. 19, moved in to high-rise dormitories and prepared to begin life as college students while the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the country. Students from all across Tennessee — from Cordova in…
Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron announced Monday that the current face covering order for the County will be extended through Saturday, August 29 at 11:59 p.m. The decision to continue the order came after Governor Bill Lee released Executive Order No. 55 on Friday, July 31, extending No. 54, which provides local government authority concerning…
During a special-called meeting on July 28, the Rutherford County Board of Education voted to reopen schools in August with in-person classes and an option for all parents to choose distance-learning. Following the Board’s decision, Director of Schools Bill Spurlock stated the district and schools will have procedures and protocols in place to minimize exposure…
Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron announced Monday afternoon that Rutherford County will officially impose a mask mandate beginning Wednesday, July 22 at 12:00 a.m. “We are still asking the community to be #RutherfordResponsible,” said Ketron, “but rather than strongly encouraging wearing a mask, we are requiring it.” Ketron said the decision to make masks mandatory…
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Stones River National Battlefield is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach…
Citing public health concerns, organizers have canceled the inaugural Songs for Service, a tribute scheduled for Sept. 11 in Middle Tennessee State University’s historic Murphy Center and hosted by singer-songwriter Rodney Atkins to honor troops, veterans and first responders. University officials, led by retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith M. Huber, MTSU’s senior adviser for…