Local News

Red River Farms is set to host the annual Sunflower Festival beginning on July 12. The three-day event on Draper Road in Springfield will allow visitors to pick their sunflower bouquets and take photos in the fields. In addition to the sunflowers, a craft fair with over 60 vendors will be available, hayrides around the farm, a small petting zoo, and a kid’s zone play area.

Cheatham County Schools launched a new program this school year called Innovative Scholars to help supplement the academic offerings for the scholastically gifted students, including the district’s first Summer STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) Institute, held last month for students entering grades 3 through 8. CCS Communications Director and Grant Writer Tim Adkins says students’ eligibility for the program was based upon recommendations from their schools and standardized test scores.

Robertson County Schools received positive news regarding student achievement testing after the Tennessee Department of Education released state and district-level test results for the previous school year. The report shows Robertson County Schools saw increased test scores for grades 3-4 from the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) achievement testing in English Language Arts during the 2023-24 school year. On a district level, student performance increased in both grade levels at a rate higher than the state average. Third graders saw a 4% increase to 33.9%, while 4th grade rose by 2.7% to 37.7% proficient

The Kids Summer Lunch Program sponsored by First Baptist Church of Portland began this summer in June and continues until July 25, The meals are provided on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The program was a dream of Jessica Shadowens, who became aware of the food insecurity of many children in the area, especially during the summer. Her dream came to fruition and the program is now in its eighth year. The program is dependent on volunteers. This year there are approximately 35. Seven people work in the kitchen and the others go to one of the six locations where the children gather for lunch.