🏛️ Early Voting Opens Tomorrow, City Hall Thursday, Board Met Last Night

Or: What Moved Since Monday at the Courthouse, Rankin Ave and Griffith

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Yesterday’s board night is done. Today’s job is simpler: know what opens tomorrow, what City Hall is doing Thursday, and what still has not shown up online after Monday’s meeting.

Here is the short stack: early voting for the Nov. 3 election opens tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 14 (through Oct. 29). Dunlap City Hall meets Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5 p.m. — the agenda was due to post today. The school board met last night at Griffith; no outcomes or follow-up notes were online as of this morning. And if you have a senior at SCHS, today is inside the free ACT Event 2 paper window — confirm with counseling what day your school actually picked.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Wed., Oct. 14 – Thu., Oct. 29: Early voting. Call Election Commission 423-949-2431 for Sequatchie site and hours (still not published clearly online).
• Thu., Oct. 15, 5 p.m.: Dunlap Board of Mayor and Commissioners, 15595 Rankin Ave. Agenda due today — if it is not on dunlaptn.gov yet, call 423-949-2115 or stop by City Hall.
• Last night, Mon., Oct. 12: School board met at Griffith. Watch Dunlap.Today and sequatchieschools.net for any follow-up; next regular meeting is Mon., Nov. 2.
• Today: Free ACT Event 2 paper date window (schools pick inside it). Homecoming parade Fri., Oct. 16 morning (library weekly lists 9:30 a.m.). Football 7 p.m.
• Seniors: TN Promise applications due Mon., Nov. 2 via collegefortn.org.

🗳️ Early Voting Opens Tomorrow — Call Before You Leave Work

Early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 3 state and federal general election runs Wednesday, Oct. 14, through Thursday, Oct. 29. Tennessee does not require an excuse to vote early.

Sequatchie County Election Commission:

• Administrator: Jerrie Holland
• Address: 68 Spring St., Dunlap
• Phone: 423-949-2431 · Email: seqelection@bledsoe.net
• Listed office hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (early-voting hours can differ — call ahead)

Counties set early-voting locations and hours locally. Sequatchie’s full schedule was still not published clearly online as of this morning — call ahead before you rearrange a lunch break. Bring a current or expired photo ID issued by the State of Tennessee or the federal government. A college ID or out-of-state ID does not count.

On the ballot statewide: state and federal races plus three proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution (yes/no each). Sequatchie voters see U.S. House District 4 and Tennessee House District 31; there is no state Senate seat on the ballot in Sequatchie this cycle (odd-numbered districts only). Confirm your own sample ballot at GoVoteTN.gov — addresses can split districts inside one county.

Absentee by mail requires an approved excuse; written requests must reach the Election Office by Saturday, Oct. 24.

Neighbor note: Bledsoe County has already posted exact early-voting hours at the Pikeville courthouse (3150 Main St., Suite 700). Hours vary by day Oct. 14–29. Bledsoe election office: 423-447-2776. Sequatchie hours are set separately — always call our office.

What it means for you: Treat early voting like a Tuesday grocery run, not a Saturday rush. Call 423-949-2431 today or first thing Wednesday, put your photo ID with your keys, and glance at the sample ballot before you go. This is not an endorsement of any race or amendment.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Courthouse Corner) · Tennessee Firefly: Sequatchie voting · GoVoteTN

🏛️ City Hall Thursday at 5 — Agenda Was Due Today

A public notice published Oct. 8 confirms the City of Dunlap Board of Mayor and Commissioners holds a regular meeting Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Room of the George L. Wagner Municipal Building, 15595 Rankin Ave.

• Agenda to be posted at City Hall and on dunlaptn.gov no later than Tuesday, Oct. 13 (today).
• As of this morning, the city government page still showed an older meeting listing — if the Oct. 15 agenda is not up yet, call City Hall or check the physical board at Rankin Ave.
• Public comments on agenda items are taken at the start.
• To speak on something not already on the agenda, submit a request form at City Hall during business hours. Main line: 423-949-2115.

The city normally meets the third Thursday of the month — Oct. 15 fits.

What it means for you: If a sidewalk, permit, utility bill or downtown issue has been eating your evening, skim the agenda when it posts, then show up Thursday at 5. Short and on-topic beats a long rant. Even listening quietly beats learning the outcome on Facebook three days later.

👉 Read more (Public notice: Oct. 15 City meeting) · City of Dunlap: Government

🏫 School Board Met Last Night — Watch for Follow-Up

The Sequatchie County Board of Education met in regular session Monday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Griffith Elementary (meal 5 p.m.), after shifting a week for fall break. The posted agenda included first readings on school medicines, the emergency allergy response plan and opioid-antagonist use; approval of the three-year District Improvement Plan and TISA Accountability Report; a Griffith student presentation; selecting a board legislative liaison; and discussion of district property at 76 Jones Drive.

As of this morning, neither Dunlap.Today nor the district board-agenda page had posted meeting outcomes or minutes. That is normal the morning after — it does not mean nothing happened. Watch for follow-up notes.

Next dates already on the district calendar:

• Working session: Tuesday, Oct. 27
• Next regular meeting: Monday, Nov. 2

Agenda PDF for Oct. 12 is still linked from sequatchieschools.net school-board-agenda page.

What it means for you: A first reading is not final. If your kid carries an EpiPen or takes medicine at school, the policy items were the reason to care about Monday. When follow-up posts land, skim them once — you do not need a speech to stay informed.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Board night preview) · Sequatchie Schools: Board agendas

📋 County Commission: Still No October Agenda — Call Before You Plan

As of this morning, the Sequatchie County website’s events calendar still does not show an October commission agenda. The Dunlap-Tribune, covering the Sept. 21 regular meeting, reported the commission is scheduled to meet again in regular session in November.

UT CTAS still lists Sequatchie County legislative meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the third Monday in January, April, July and October — which would point at Monday, Oct. 19 if that slot is used this year. July’s posted meeting was at 6:30 p.m. on the county calendar. Because no October agenda is posted and the Tribune points to November, call ahead: 423-949-3479. Past meetings have streamed on BTC Fiber’s YouTube channel.

What it means for you: Do not put Oct. 19 on the work calendar as confirmed until the county posts it. If you care about fair-building work, salt budgets, road signs or opioid-abatement spending, watch for the November agenda and the next posted notice.

👉 Read more (Dunlap-Tribune: Sept. 21 commission) · County events calendar · CTAS: Sequatchie meeting info

🎒 Schools This Week: ACT Window Today, Homecoming Friday, TN Promise Nov. 2

It is still Homecoming Week. Spirit days from district posts: Take a Picture (Tue) · Wild West (Wed) · Together Forever (Thu) · Go Indians (Fri).

Seniors — today matters: Free school-day ACT Event 2 paper date is Tue., Oct. 13 (online windows Oct. 13–16 and Oct. 19–23). Event 3 paper is Oct. 27. Each school picks its own day inside the window — ask SCHS counseling if you have not already. TN Promise (last-dollar community college / TCAT scholarship) applications for the Class of 2027 are due Nov. 2, 2026 through the THEC Student Portal at collegefortn.org. Sequatchie seniors are coordinated through tnAchieves.

Friday morning parade, Oct. 16: The library’s weekly post lists 9:30 a.m. (an earlier calendar line had said 9 a.m.) — call ahead or arrive early. Football: Community at Sequatchie, Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. (homecoming). Deeper game coverage lives in the Valley GenX Sports & Youth edition.

National School Lunch Week runs through Oct. 16. Confirm meal setup or allergy notes: 423-949-3617.

Neighbors: Marion and Hamilton County schools are on fall break Oct. 12–16 — mixed-county households still need a childcare plan this week.

What it means for you: Pin three things: call counseling about the ACT if your senior is in the free retake window, confirm Friday’s parade time, and put TN Promise Nov. 2 on the fridge. Leave extra minutes Friday morning — buses and parade traffic slow downtown.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Sunday fridge list) · TN Promise / College for TN · MaxPreps: Indians schedule

🚌 Still Open: Bus Garage Roof Bids Due Oct. 26

The Sequatchie County Board of Education is still taking sealed bids to replace the roof on the school bus garage at 14999 Rankin Ave. Public notice (Oct. 1): about 9,000 square feet of roof — tear-off, decking replacement, roughly 3,000 square feet of new trusses, and white 24-gauge metal roofing.

• Bids due: Monday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. CT
• Site visit required before bidding, weekdays 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Licensed and insured; contractors handle permits
• Deliver sealed bids to 878 Cordell Drive, labeled ATTN: Scotty Holland, BG Roof Bid

What it means for you: Taxpayers: this is how school facilities get fixed — sealed bids, not rumor. Contractors: if you can do commercial metal roofing and have not done the site visit yet, the clock is already running.

👉 Read more (NoticeRegistry bid notice)

🚧 Roads: SR-111, SR-399, SR-8 Still Flagger Work — Night I-24 in Marion

TDOT’s Lower East / Upper Cumberland roadway report for Oct. 8–14 was still the latest posted as of this morning (today is the last day of that window). Sequatchie County resurfacing with flagger-controlled single-lane closures:

• SR-111 near Lewis Chapel Road to near East Valley Road (cold in-place recycling).
• SR-399 from the Grundy County line to near SR-111.
• SR-8 from south of Whitlow Road to north of Sherman Road.

Heading to Chattanooga at night? I-24 in Marion County (about mile markers 152–156) has single-lane closures Sunday–Thursday nights, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., with intermittent full ramp closures (at least one ramp each direction remains open).

What it means for you: Add ten minutes on Valley roads. Daytime is the easier I-24 window if you can shift the commute. Check SmartWay before a night run over the mountain — a newer weekly report may land later this week.

👉 Read more (TDOT roadway report Oct. 8–14) · TDOT SmartWay

📅 Week-Ahead Government & Schools Calendar (Tue Oct 13 – Tue Oct 20)

• Tue., Oct. 13: City agenda due to post. ACT Event 2 paper window (confirm SCHS date). Tonight (community): American Legion Riders 5 p.m. Veterans Hall; Sequatchie Democrats 6 p.m., 97 Resource Road; Cagle Community Association 6:30 p.m. — confirm before you go. Optional pointer: library wills class 10 a.m. if estate paperwork is on your list.
• Wed., Oct. 14: Early voting opens (through Oct. 29). Call 423-949-2431.
• Thu., Oct. 15, 5 p.m.: Dunlap Board of Mayor and Commissioners, 15595 Rankin Ave. (Burn-permit season also starts statewide — home/real-estate edition covers that in depth.)
• Fri., Oct. 16: Homecoming parade morning (library weekly lists 9:30 a.m. — call ahead). Football 7 p.m.
• Sat.–Sun., Oct. 17–18: Days of Yesteryear free tractor show downtown (weekend edition) — optional family calendar pointer.
• Mon., Oct. 19: Possible County Commission slot per CTAS quarterly pattern — unconfirmed; no agenda posted; Tribune points to November. Call 423-949-3479.
• Tue., Oct. 20: Keep watching for board follow-up notes and any new TDOT weekly report.
• Looking ahead: Absentee request deadline Sat., Oct. 24 · Bus garage roof bids Mon., Oct. 26, 10 a.m. CT · Board working session Tue., Oct. 27 · TN Promise / next board Mon., Nov. 2 · Election Day Tue., Nov. 3 · Veterans Day Wed., Nov. 11 (no school).

✅ Your Gen X Government & Schools Checklist

• ✅ Call 423-949-2431 today or first thing Wednesday for early-voting site and hours.
• ✅ Pull your sample ballot at GoVoteTN.gov; put photo ID with your keys.
• ✅ Skim the Dunlap agenda when it posts (due today) if you might speak Thursday at 5 — or call 423-949-2115 if it is not online yet.
• ✅ Watch for school-board follow-up from Monday’s Griffith meeting; next regular board is Nov. 2.
• ✅ Seniors: confirm the free ACT date with counseling; put TN Promise Nov. 2 on the calendar.
• ✅ Confirm Friday’s parade time (library weekly lists 9:30 a.m.) before you leave work.
• ✅ Contractors: schedule the bus-garage site visit before the Oct. 26 bid deadline.
• ✅ Do not treat Oct. 19 County Commission as confirmed until the county posts it — call 423-949-3479.
• ✅ Build ten minutes into SR-111 / SR-399 / SR-8 trips; avoid night I-24 work zones when you can.
• ✅ Bookmark Dunlap.Today, sequatchieschools.net agendas, and dunlaptn.gov.

Practical rule: Confirm the meeting, call for the voting site, and read the agenda before you rearrange a workday — rumor is free, a wasted trip is not.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Local Government & Schools Glossary

• First reading: The first time a school board reviews a new or changed policy. It votes again before the change is final.
• Opioid antagonist: Emergency medicine (such as naloxone / Narcan) that can reverse an opioid overdose.
• TISA: Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement — the state formula that sends school dollars based on student needs.
• District Improvement Plan: The school system’s written multi-year plan for what it aims to improve.
• Early voting: Casting a ballot in person during a set window before Election Day; no excuse required in Tennessee.
• Sample ballot: A preview of the races and questions that will appear for your address.
• Constitutional amendment: A proposed change to the state constitution that voters approve or reject yes/no.
• Board of Mayor and Commissioners: Dunlap’s city governing board; regular meetings are open to the public.
• Sealed bid: A price submitted in a closed envelope by a deadline so bidders cannot match each other beforehand.
• TN Promise: Last-dollar scholarship that can cover tuition and mandatory fees at a Tennessee community college or TCAT after other gift aid.
• Agenda: The list of items a board will discuss and vote on; posted before the meeting when required.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I early-vote in Sequatchie County?

Call the Election Commission at 423-949-2431. Statewide early voting is Oct. 14–29; counties set sites and hours locally, and Sequatchie’s schedule is not clearly posted online as of this morning.

When is Dunlap City Hall this week?

Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5 p.m., Commission Room, 15595 Rankin Ave. Agenda was due to post by Tuesday, Oct. 13, at City Hall and dunlaptn.gov. If it is not online yet, call 423-949-2115.

What happened at Monday’s school board meeting?

The board met at Griffith with public comment and first readings on medicine, allergy and opioid-response policies plus the District Improvement Plan and TISA report. As of Tuesday morning, no outcomes or minutes were posted online — watch Dunlap.Today and the district agenda page for follow-up.

Are the medicine and allergy policy changes final?

Not from a first reading alone. The board would need to vote again before changes become final. Next regular meeting is listed for Monday, Nov. 2.

Is there a County Commission meeting Oct. 19?

Unconfirmed. No October agenda is posted. The Dunlap-Tribune said after the Sept. 21 meeting that the next regular session is in November. CTAS lists a third-Monday-in-October slot. Call 423-949-3479 before you plan around it.

When are bus garage roof bids due?

Monday, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m. CT, sealed, to 878 Cordell Drive, ATTN: Scotty Holland, BG Roof Bid. Site visit required first.

What senior deadlines matter this month?

Free ACT school-day retake: Event 2 paper window includes today (Oct. 13); Event 3 paper Oct. 27 — ask SCHS counseling for the exact day. TN Promise applications for the Class of 2027 are due Nov. 2 at collegefortn.org.

When is the homecoming parade?

Friday morning, Oct. 16. The library’s weekly post lists 9:30 a.m. (an earlier line said 9 a.m.) — treat the minute as call-ahead and arrive early. Football is 7 p.m.

📎 Other Resources

• Sequatchie County Schools board agendas: sequatchieschools.net/school-board-agenda · Main office 423-949-3617
• City of Dunlap: dunlaptn.gov/government · 423-949-2115
• Sequatchie County Government: sequatchiecountytn.gov · 423-949-3479
• Election Commission: 68 Spring St. · 423-949-2431 · GoVoteTN.gov
• TDOT SmartWay: smartway.tn.gov
• TN Promise / College for TN: collegefortn.org
• Sequatchie County Public Library: sequatchielibrary.org · 423-949-2357
• Local news home base: Dunlap.Today

🌄 Keep the Meetings Short and the Facts Straight

When the week fills up — a ballot window tomorrow, City Hall on Thursday, and a board meeting that still has not posted follow-up — the useful move is the boring one: confirm the time, read the agenda, call the number on the county website. We will keep watching the posted notices so you can spend the rest of your bandwidth on work, kids and the aging parents who still ask what the commission “really” decided.

For the next calm Sequatchie government and schools skim — and more Valley news you can use — keep reading Dunlap.Today.