Local News
Vape sensors are being installed in schools in Dickson County. The school board’s unanimous vote approved using federal ESSER money to purchase Halo vape detectors. They were approved for all four middle schools and both high schools. The devices will go in the bathrooms to detect vaping, including THC. District leaders said the devices were requested by all middle school principals. The devices can also detect a rise in noise — without video or audio recording, which can indicate a fight. The device sends a message to an app that administrators or school resource officers have on their phones.
If you thought you saw a rocket engine traveling up I-65 Tuesday, you’re not crazy. It was heading to Springfield. Several months ago, the Saturn 1B Rocket had to be dismantled after standing tall at the Tennessee-Alabama border for 44 years. Gateway STEM Center founder Robert Dillard said several months ago, he applied to NASA’s artifacts program to bring part of the rocket home to Springfield. To his surprise, they said yes, and allowed him to pick up one of the eight engines. Dillard is working to clean the engine and hopes to have it on public display in about six months.
A Tennessee city has changed the venue of a concert after receiving complaints from the community. The City of Gallatin said a bluegrass concert, part of the city’s Decoration Day celebration, was originally intended to be held in the Gallatin City Cemetery. However, the city moved the venue to Gallatin’s Downtown Square after social media complaints about having music in the cemetery prompted organizers to change plans. The event will now be split into two events in support of the cemetery. The traditional Decoration Day ceremony will take place on May 26 at 2 p.m. at 250 Cemetery Avenue. The free bluegrass show will be held at Gallatin’s Downtown Square later that day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival takes place from Friday, May 3 to Saturday, May 11 in Portland. The festival is free to attend with free parking and shuttles available. There are two main days of the festival: May 10 and 11. Expect a concert and fireworks on May 10 with a packed schedule to follow for the main festival day on May 11.