Local News
What’s that sound? This summer, it’ll be the chirping of cicadas. Brood XIX is set to emerge in mid-May 2024 in Tennessee in addition to Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Virginia. These periodical cicadas have not emerged since 2011 and typically stick around through mid-June
The U.S. Department of Labor claims there are over 208,000 workers in the country who are owed $163.3 million in back pay from companies that violated wage laws. Now, the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is trying to help you get paid. The agency set up a website where anyone can check to see if they are owed back pay from a previous company. The worker will need to see if their company is listed first before gaining access to see if they are among those who are owed money. Search it for yourself at webapps.dol.gov/wow.
A middle school teacher is facing additional charges of child rape and other sex crimes following his October 2023 arrest. Austin Damon Allen, a White County Middle School teacher, was arrested last fall after allegations of sexual conduct involving minor children. The initial investigation into the allegations against Allen led to three counts of child rape. Now, he’s facing additional charges as more victims were identified. A nine-count criminal indictment was issued against Allen yesterday. He remains in custody at the White County Jail.
Spring Hill is conducting a special census to get an up-to-date population count for the city. Since the 2020 count, the city is estimated to have increased in population by around 10,000 people, according to their website. They say this could earn the city an additional $2 million in funding. The money they want to put towards hiring additional firefighters and public safety staff, street maintenance, and infrastructure improvements.