🏛️ Courthouse Corner: Van Buren Posts Monday's Agenda, Walden Drops Its Land Deal After the Vote, East Ridge Names an Interim Judge, Chattanooga Lines Up a $121.5 Million Sewer-Plant Loan and a Gas Pipeline Plan Points Toward Marion County

Or: a short to-do list on the mountain, a small town that took its voters at their word, a new face on the bench, a big plumbing bill in the city and a pipeline that’s still just lines on a map. Here it is in plain English, with the week’s dates at the bottom.

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Saturday, November 14, 2026 · Courthouse Corner in Plain English #40

Saturday courthouse news is like the bulletin board at the feed store. Some notes say what already got settled, some say what’s coming next week, and a few are just “heads up, more to come.” As always we sort things into approved, not approved and coming up, and label each one Local (Sequatchie County), Neighbors (nearby counties and towns) or Regional/Statewide.

Here’s the short stack. Van Buren County posted a short agenda for Monday, Nov. 16, led by a conflict-of-interest resolution the county says it needs for grants. In Hamilton County, Walden’s board ended the Totten property deal after voters said no, and passed a “Night Sky” lighting ordinance. East Ridge named Brandon D. Raulston interim city judge. Chattanooga’s City Council takes up a $121.5 million wastewater loan on Tuesday. A proposed natural gas pipeline, the Southeast Connector, would cross Marion County, but nothing has been filed with federal regulators yet. And Monteagle wants Christmas trees for its tree trail by Tuesday’s sign-up deadline.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Sequatchie County residents: Your County Commission still meets Mon., Nov. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the courthouse in Dunlap (budget committee at 5:30 p.m.). Nothing in today’s roundup changes anything at home.
• Van Buren County neighbors: Commission meets Mon., Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. in Spencer. These are agenda items, not decisions yet.
• Chattanooga sewer customers: Tuesday’s vote is about borrowing for a plant project. The agenda doesn’t mention a rate change.
• Marion County landowners: The pipeline is an early proposal. No route maps, filings or construction yet. Construction wouldn’t start before late 2028, the company says.
• Grundy County folks: Want to enter Monteagle’s Christmas Tree Trail? Call to register by Tue., Nov. 17, 3:30 p.m.

📋 Van Buren County’s Monday Agenda: Grant Paperwork, Notaries and Quarterly Reports (Neighbors · Agenda Only)

The Van Buren County Commission meets Monday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. at the County Administrative Building, 121 Taft Drive, Spencer. You can also watch on the county’s YouTube or Facebook pages. The posted agenda is short:

• Committee A and Committee C reports.
• Approving the minutes of the Oct. 19 full commission meeting.
• A resolution on conflict of interest for Van Buren County. The agenda says simply, “The County needs this for Grants.”
• Notary public approvals for Sharon L. Kelly, Tabitha Ann Robinson and Brian Alan Jones.
• Quarterly reports from the ambulance service, Clerk & Master, highway department, Prevention Coalition, schools, solid waste and 911 dispatch.
• Old business, new business and comments from the public.

A conflict-of-interest policy is a bit like the sign at the church potluck that says “label your dish.” Nobody’s accusing anybody of anything. It just keeps everything straight when the money’s shared.

What it means for you: If you live in Van Buren County, Monday is mostly routine business. The resolution is grant paperwork, and the agenda doesn’t say which grants it’s tied to, so we won’t guess. Quarterly reports are a good chance to hear how your ambulance, roads and trash service are doing.

👉 Read more: Van Buren County’s Nov. 16 agenda

🌳 Walden Ends the Totten Property Deal After Voters Say No, and Passes a “Night Sky” Ordinance (Neighbors · Decided)

Walden, the small town on Signal Mountain, put the question to its voters on Nov. 3. According to Chattanoogan.com, 533 residents voted against buying the 41-acre Totten property across from Town Hall, and 499 voted for it. The three-member Walden Board then voted at a special meeting to terminate the deal.

• The owners had offered the wooded tract for $2.1 million. Supporters said they had $1.7 million in gifts lined up.
• Mayor Lee Davis said the deal couldn’t go forward after the “no” vote. He also said anonymous donors had backed off their pledges.
• Town Attorney Sam Elliott said the town will have to give up a $10,000 down payment.

The board also approved a “Night Sky” lighting ordinance aimed at better views of the stars at night. Alderwoman Angela Cassidy had wanted it to cover residential lots too. Mayor Davis and Vice Mayor Lizzy Schmidt said they didn’t think the town should start policing home lighting.

It’s like asking the whole family whether to buy the bigger truck. Once the vote’s counted, you take the keys back to the lot.

What it means for you: This doesn’t touch the Valley directly. It’s a good example of how a town referendum works: voters get the final word, and the board follows it. If you visit Walden, the night sky rules are about outdoor lighting. Check with Town Hall for the details.

👉 Read more: Chattanoogan.com on the Walden board’s vote

⚖️ East Ridge Names Brandon D. Raulston Interim City Judge (Neighbors · Decided)

At its Thursday meeting, the East Ridge City Council appointed Brandon D. Raulston as interim city judge. The appointment took effect right away, and he’ll serve until the next regular city election in 2028. He replaces Judge Cox, who has served as municipal judge since 2022 and resigned to become a domestic violence prosecutor in the district attorney’s office.

According to the city’s announcement, Raulston has been a substitute judge in East Ridge Municipal Court and Hamilton County General Sessions Court. He’s been licensed to practice law in Tennessee since 2001, has focused on criminal defense in Chattanooga since 2004, and earlier worked as an assistant district attorney in Shelby County. He’ll take part in the city’s swearing-in ceremony Monday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m.

Think of it like a substitute teacher who already knows the classroom getting the job for the rest of the year.

What it means for you: If you have a traffic ticket or other case in East Ridge city court, it keeps moving as usual. Call the court clerk if you’re not sure about your date.

👉 Read more: Chattanoogan.com on the appointment

🚰 Chattanooga’s Council Takes Up a $121.5 Million Wastewater Loan Tuesday (Neighbors · Agenda · Update)

We told you Nov. 11 that city wastewater staff had walked the council through a big Moccasin Bend treatment plant upgrade. Now it’s on the agenda. The Chattanooga City Council meets Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern (2:30 p.m. CST). Its agenda includes a resolution to finance a water facilities project by borrowing $121.5 million through a project loan. The agenda lists it with a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation project number, and WDEF reports the loan would pay for upgrades at the Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant.

A few other items on the same agenda:

• Moving the property at 2455 Hickory Valley Road from Wastewater to Parks & Outdoors for park land and a possible expansion of the next-door golf player development complex, at a cost of no more than $83,000.
• A five-year lease-purchase deal for 124 golf carts for city parks, at no more than $160,000 a year.
• Splitting the cost of new aerial photos with Hamilton County. The city’s share is $56,200 of $168,601. The photos are used mainly to measure paved surfaces for figuring stormwater fees.
• Renewing the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County’s office lease for five more years at $1 a year.

A sewer plant is like the septic tank out back. Nobody brags about it, but when it’s working right, nobody has to think about it.

What it means for you: If you’re a Chattanooga sewer customer, this vote is about how the city pays for the plant work. The agenda doesn’t mention a rate change. If you live in the Valley, nothing changes for you.

👉 Read more: Chattanooga City Council’s Nov. 17 agenda

⛽ A Proposed Gas Pipeline Would Cross Marion County, but It’s Years Away (Regional · Proposal Only)

Southern Natural Gas, a company owned equally by subsidiaries of Kinder Morgan and Southern Company, is planning a new natural gas line called the Southeast Connector. The company’s November fact sheet describes about 470 miles of new pipeline, from Sumner County, Tenn., to Monroe County, Ga., at an expected cost of about $7.6 billion. The Times Free Press reports the Tennessee stretch, about 170 miles, would run through Sumner, Macon, Trousdale, Smith, DeKalb, Cannon, Warren, Coffee, Franklin and Marion counties.

Here’s the company’s estimated timeline:

• Late 2026: Send a “pre-filing” request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). That’s the step where the public gets to comment.
• Summer 2027: File the formal application.
• Late 2028: Start construction, if approved.
• Late 2030: Start service, with more phases later.

The company expects about 7,000 temporary construction jobs and 50 permanent jobs. Federal agencies including FERC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service would review it.

Right now this is like a surveyor’s stake in a hayfield. It tells you somebody’s thinking about it. It doesn’t mean the road’s coming tomorrow.

What it means for you: If you own land in Marion County, there’s nothing to sign and nothing to decide today. No detailed route has been published in the reports we read. Once the federal pre-filing opens, there will be a formal way to ask questions and comment. We’ll tell you when that happens.

👉 Read more: Times Free Press on the pipeline plan · Company project page

🎄 Monteagle Opens Its Christmas Tree Trail and Parade Sign-Ups (Neighbors · Town Announcement)

The Town of Monteagle is hosting its Third Annual Christmas Tree Trail, the Grundy County Herald reports. There’s no entry fee, and there’s a cash prize for “Best Decorated.” Individuals, families, businesses, churches and schools can enter.

• Register by Tue., Nov. 17, 3:30 p.m. by calling the town (the Herald lists 931-924-2265).
• Bring a live or artificial tree with a stand. Use LED lights only, secure the decorations and bring one extension cord labeled with your name.
• Deliver decorated trees to the Monteagle Fire Hall by Mon., Nov. 23. Town workers stake them along the Greenway between Main Street and College Street.
• Trees come down Jan. 4–5, 2027.

The Monteagle Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m., with floats lining up at 9 a.m. at the I-24 Flea Market area. Float sign-up forms are at Town Hall.

What it means for you: If your church, club or family wants a fun project, Tuesday afternoon is the deadline to call.

👉 Read more: Grundy County Herald on Monteagle’s plans

🗓️ Dates to Put on the Fridge

• Mon., Nov. 16: Marion County School Board, 5 p.m., central office, Jasper. Van Buren County Commission, 6 p.m., Spencer. Hamilton County District 2 school forum for the Signal Mountain, Mountain Creek and Walden areas (see the Times Free Press for the time and place). Sequatchie County budget committee, 5:30 p.m.; County Commission, 6:30 p.m., courthouse in Dunlap.
• Tue., Nov. 17: Chattanooga City Council, 3:30 p.m. Eastern (2:30 p.m. CST). Rhea County Commission, 6 p.m. Eastern, Dayton. Monteagle Christmas Tree Trail registration deadline, 3:30 p.m.
• Wed., Nov. 18: Hamilton County Commission, 5 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. CST).
• Thu., Nov. 19: Hamilton County Audit Committee, 10 a.m. Eastern. Sequatchie County Records Commission, 5:30 p.m., 22 Cherry St. Powells Crossroads city meeting, 6:30 p.m. Dunlap Board of Mayor and Commissioners (third-Thursday schedule; confirm with City Hall, 423-949-2115).
• Mon., Nov. 23: Marion County Commission, 6 p.m., Lawson Building, Jasper. Deadline for counties to certify Nov. 3 election results. Monteagle tree delivery deadline.
• Sat., Dec. 5: Monteagle Christmas Parade, 10 a.m.

🔎 Still Waiting Is an Honest Answer

We still haven’t found posted results from Pikeville’s or Jasper’s Nov. 9 meetings, and Bledsoe County hasn’t posted a November commission notice that we could find. The Sequatchie County courthouse is closed for the weekend. It reopens Monday at 7:30 a.m. (423-949-3479).

✅ Your Front-Porch Courthouse Checklist

• ✅ Circle Mon., Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m. for the Sequatchie County Commission. It streams live on YouTube if you can’t make it.
• ✅ Van Buren family? Tell them Monday at 6 p.m. in Spencer, or on YouTube and Facebook.
• ✅ Marion County landowner? Nothing to sign. If anyone comes asking about the pipeline, take their name and number and check with the county before you agree to anything.
• ✅ Chattanooga sewer customer? Watch Tuesday’s vote, but don’t expect a bill change from it on its own.
• ✅ Monteagle tree? Call by Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.

Practical rule: A proposal isn’t a project, and an agenda isn’t a decision. Write down the date, then wait for the vote.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Courthouse Glossary

• Agenda: The posted list of what a board plans to discuss or vote on at a meeting.
• Conflict-of-interest policy: Written rules that keep officials from deciding things they’d personally profit from. Grant programs often ask for one.
• Referendum: A question put straight to the voters on the ballot.
• Interim judge: A judge appointed to fill a vacancy until the next election.
• Project loan: Money a city borrows for a specific construction job and pays back over time.
• Stormwater fee: A charge based on how much hard, paved surface a property has, since rain runs off it instead of soaking in.
• FERC: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the federal agency that reviews interstate gas pipelines.
• Pre-filing: An early FERC step where a company announces a pipeline plan and the public can ask questions before a formal application.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is the pipeline coming through Sequatchie County?

The reports we read list Marion County as the only county in our area. Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Grundy, Van Buren and Rhea aren’t on the list. No detailed route map has been published there yet.

When could pipeline construction start?

The company’s estimate is late 2028, and only if federal regulators approve it. Service would start around late 2030.

Will Chattanooga’s sewer loan raise my bill?

The agenda item is about borrowing for the project. It doesn’t mention a rate change. If rates ever change, that’s a separate vote.

Why did Walden lose $10,000?

The town’s attorney said the town has to give up its down payment because the purchase won’t go forward after the vote.

Is Sequatchie County’s Monday meeting still on?

Yes. The county’s website lists it for Monday, Nov. 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the courthouse courtroom in Dunlap, with the budget committee at 5:30 p.m.

🔗 Other Resources

• Sequatchie County Government news and notices: County Executive 423-949-3479
• Van Buren County agendas and minutes
• Chattanoogan.com: Walden board vote
• Chattanooga City Council agendas and minutes
• Southeast Connector fact sheet (November 2026)
• Hamilton County Commission meeting notices
• Marion County meeting calendar: 423-942-2552
• Grundy County Herald
• City of Dunlap: 423-949-2115

🌄 Learn a Little, Worry Less and Enjoy Your Weekend

Nothing on today’s list calls for worry. A neighbor county has a short list for Monday, a small town followed its voters, a city court has a judge, Chattanooga is tending its plumbing, and a pipeline plan is still just an early idea with plenty of public steps ahead. Knowing the dates means you can relax this weekend and show up Monday if you want to.

Read Dunlap.Today for calm, plain-English follow-ups. We’ll bring you what the Sequatchie County Commission decides Monday night, how Chattanooga’s council votes Tuesday and when the pipeline’s public comment window opens, so you can spend your week on your own business, not on government paperwork.