🏛️ Courthouse Corner: Unemployment Drops in All 95 Tennessee Counties, Chattanooga Votes to Run City Water to Raccoon Mountain Homes on Wells, a Plan to Replace Old Lead Pipes Comes Up Nov. 3, and Marion's Sheriff Opens Christmas for Kids

Or: A Plain-English Saturday Look at More Neighbors Working, Fresh Water Coming Up the Mountain, Old Pipes Getting Swapped Out, Toys for Kids and the Meetings Coming Monday

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Saturday, October 24, 2026

This week’s courthouse news is like checking the rain gauge after a soft, steady shower: nothing dramatic, just good numbers. The state’s new September jobs report shows unemployment fell in every one of Tennessee’s 95 counties, and every county in our Valley came down with them. Over in Chattanooga, the City Council voted to bring a public water line to a small group of Raccoon Mountain homes that have relied on wells, and a resolution coming up Nov. 3 would back the water company replacing old lead and galvanized pipes, including the part on the homeowner’s side. In Marion County, the sheriff’s office is taking applications for Christmas for Kids, and two streets in Kimball are due for fresh pavement.

Here’s what’s in this nineteenth Courthouse Corner in Plain English: the September unemployment numbers for our counties, Chattanooga’s Raccoon Mountain water line and lead-pipe plan, Marion County’s Christmas for Kids and Kimball paving, and what we’re still waiting on, plus the week ahead.

We label each item Local (Sequatchie County or Dunlap), Neighbors (nearby counties) or Statewide/Federal. Facts come from local news reports, government websites and official notices, linked in each section. Items on an agenda have not been voted on yet. This is not an endorsement of any official, candidate or proposal.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Jobs: September unemployment fell in all 95 Tennessee counties. Sequatchie 3.4%, Bledsoe 2.8%, Grundy 3.6%, Marion 3.7%, Hamilton 3.1%.
• Raccoon Mountain: Chattanooga will spend $4,545,157 on a water line for homes on wells. The city gets repaid as customers hook on.
• Lead pipes: A resolution on the Chattanooga City Council agenda for Tue., Nov. 3 would support replacing lead and galvanized lines, with the cost spread through rates instead of billed to each homeowner.
• Christmas for Kids: Marion County Sheriff’s Office applications are at 5 Oak Ave., Jasper, inside the Justice Center.
• Remember: Early voting ends Thu., Oct. 29. Election Day is Tue., Nov. 3. Clocks fall back Sun., Nov. 1.

📈 Statewide and Local: Unemployment Fell in Every Tennessee County, Including All of Ours

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released its September county numbers on Thursday, Oct. 22. Unemployment went down in all 95 counties compared with August, according to the department’s report, as published by Chattanoogan.com, SValleyNow and the Cleveland Daily Banner.

• Sequatchie County (Local): down from 3.9% in August to 3.4% in September.
• Bledsoe County: 2.8%, among the 10 lowest rates in the state.
• Grundy County: down from 4% to 3.6%.
• Marion County: down from 3.9% to 3.7%.
• Hamilton County: down from 3.5% to 3.1%.
• Statewide/Federal: Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted rate held at 3.4% for the third month in a row, the lowest of the year. The national rate was 4.2%. Eight counties tied for the lowest rate at 2.7%.

One note: county rates are not seasonally adjusted, so they can rise and fall a little with the seasons, like harvest jobs or school starting back. The state plans to release October’s statewide numbers on Thursday, Nov. 19.

What it means for you: Think of this like a church attendance board where every pew filled in a little more. Fewer neighbors are looking for work than a month ago, across the whole state and right here at home. If you or someone in your family is looking, Tennessee’s American Job Centers offer free help with job searches and résumés, and Jobs4TN.gov lists openings.

👉 Read more (SValleyNow: Area county unemployment rates all drop) · Chattanoogan.com · Cleveland Daily Banner

🚰 Neighbors: Chattanooga Votes to Bring City Water to Raccoon Mountain Homes on Wells

The Chattanooga City Council has voted to spend $4,545,157 to extend a water line to a small group of Raccoon Mountain residents who now rely on wells, Chattanoogan.com reported Friday, Oct. 23.

• Getting the money back: City officials said the city will be repaid as customers join the line. Under the agreement with the water company, refunds are paid for each added customer over 10 years.
• What gets built: About 15,300 feet of 8-inch water main and 14 public fire hydrants along part of Raccoon Mountain Road.
• Cost change: When the line was discussed in May, the estimate was $3.5 million.

What it means for you: If you’ve ever carried buckets from the spring when the well pump quit, you know what a water line means to a family. Those new hydrants matter too: firefighters can hook up right there instead of hauling every drop in a tanker. If you live in the Valley on a well and have wondered about public water, the first call is to your local water utility to ask whether a line is planned near you.

👉 Read more (Chattanoogan.com: Council approves Raccoon Mountain water line)

🔧 Neighbors: A Nov. 3 Resolution Would Back Replacing Old Lead Pipes, Homeowner’s Side Included

A resolution set to go before the Chattanooga City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 3, would support Tennessee American Water’s program to replace lead and galvanized service lines, including the portion owned by the customer, Chattanoogan.com reported Friday, Oct. 23. This is on an agenda and has not been voted on.

• Why now: The federal EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require water utilities nationwide to identify and replace lead and certain galvanized service lines.
• Why the whole pipe: The resolution notes that replacing only part of a line can temporarily raise lead levels, so doing both sides at once is the safer way.
• Who pays: The resolution supports putting the cost into general water rates instead of charging each resident the full cost of their own line.
• Who decides rates: A copy would go to the Tennessee Public Utility Commission, the state board that oversees the water company’s rates.

What it means for you: A service line is the small pipe running from the water main at the road to your house, like the lane from the county road to your front porch. Every water utility in the country works under this same EPA rule, so any water customer, here in the Valley too, can call their water utility and ask, “What is my service line made of?” It’s a calm, simple question, and the utility should have records to answer it.

👉 Read more (Chattanoogan.com: Water company to do customer portion of lead pipe replacement)

Also in Chattanooga: EPB, the City of Chattanooga and Reflection Riding began Free Tree ReLeaf on Saturday, Oct. 24, giving away 1,000 free native trees and shrubs. EPB customers and city residents can pick up two each at 400 Garden Road while supplies last. Details: Chattanoogan.com and epb.com/freetree.

🎁 Neighbors: Marion County Sheriff’s Office Opens Christmas for Kids

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is taking applications for its Christmas for Kids program, SValleyNow reported Wednesday, Oct. 21.

• Applications: Pick one up at the MCSO administrative office, 5 Oak Avenue in Jasper, inside the Justice Center.
• Donating toys: New, unwrapped toys are accepted at LaLa’s Bazaar in Crossroads, Cash Express, the Dollar General on Highway 41 and the sheriff’s office.
• Roadblocks: Deputies plan donation roadblocks around Thanksgiving.

What it means for you: Christmas comes around like the first frost: it always seems early. If a family you know in Marion County could use a hand, now is the time to pick up an application, not in mid-December. And if you’re doing your own shopping, one extra toy in the cart is an easy way to help.

👉 Read more (SValleyNow: Christmas for Kids program)

🛣️ Neighbors: Two Kimball Streets Are Due for Fresh Pavement

The Marion County Highway Department is set to repave Rivers Edge Drive and Waterfront Place in Kimball, the Marion County Tribune reported on Oct. 15. The full story is for Tribune subscribers, and we haven’t seen a public work schedule.

What it means for you: Fresh pavement is like a new coat of paint on the barn: it protects what’s underneath and makes the drive nicer. If you live or deliver on those streets, give work crews room and expect short slowdowns while paving is going on.

👉 Read more (Marion County Tribune: Kimball repaving)

⏳ What We’re Still Waiting On, and the Week Ahead

We report results only once we can confirm them. As of Saturday afternoon, these were still not posted:

• Dunlap’s Main Street rezoning (Local): The city board met Thu., Oct. 15, with Ordinance No. 321 (1466 and 1494 Main Street) on the agenda. The city’s website still shows only the agenda. City Hall: (423) 949-2115, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Bledsoe County Commission (Neighbors): Met Mon., Oct. 19. Official results aren’t posted on the county website yet. Mayor’s office: (423) 447-6855.
• Marion County School Board (Neighbors): Met Thu., Oct. 22, in Jasper. The agenda included a 2026–2029 teacher agreement and a bus contract through the 2030–31 school year. Results haven’t been reported yet.

Next week:

• Mon., Oct. 26, 6 p.m. — Marion County Commission, Lawson Building, 300 Ridley Drive, Jasper.
• Mon., Oct. 26, 6 p.m. — Rhea County Commission special called meeting, conference room, Phil Swafford Building, Dayton. The agenda has one item: a resolution to end Rhea County’s participation in the “NLIC preliminary discussions.”
• Mon., Oct. 26, 10 a.m. — Sequatchie County bus garage roof bids due (Local).
• Tue., Oct. 27 — Sequatchie County school board working session (Local).
• Wed., Oct. 28 — Hamilton County Commission, County Courthouse, Chattanooga.
• Thu., Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m. — Sequatchie County Records Commission (new date), upstairs at the courthouse, Dunlap. Also the last day of early voting.

What it means for you: Waiting on a result is like waiting on the mail carrier: it’ll come, but if it’s important, a quick phone call gets you the news sooner.

👉 Read more (Rhea County: Agendas and Minutes) · Marion County: Oct. 26 commission meeting · Sequatchie County: News and Notices · City of Dunlap · Bledsoe County: Oct. 19 agenda

🗓️ Dates to Put on the Fridge

• Mon., Oct. 26: Marion County Commission, 6 p.m., Jasper. Rhea County special called meeting, 6 p.m., Dayton. Sequatchie bus garage roof bids due, 10 a.m.
• Tue., Oct. 27: Sequatchie County school board working session.
• Wed., Oct. 28: Hamilton County Commission.
• Thu., Oct. 29: Last day of early voting. Sequatchie Records Commission, 5:30 p.m.
• Sat., Oct. 31, 5–7 p.m.: Scare on the Square, Harris Park, Dunlap. Free.
• Sun., Nov. 1: Clocks fall back one hour.
• Mon., Nov. 2: Sequatchie County school board regular meeting.
• Tue., Nov. 3: Election Day. Chattanooga City Council takes up the lead-pipe resolution.
• Thu., Nov. 5: Written comments due on the Apison roundabout.
• Mon., Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m.: Sequatchie County Commission, courthouse.
• Thu., Nov. 19: State releases October unemployment numbers.

✅ Your Courthouse Corner Checklist

• ✅ Voting early? Go by Thu., Oct. 29, and bring your photo ID. Election Day is Tue., Nov. 3.
• ✅ Looking for work, or know someone who is? Visit an American Job Center or Jobs4TN.gov. The help is free.
• ✅ Curious about your water pipes? Call your water utility and ask, “What is my service line made of?”
• ✅ On a well and wondering about public water? Ask your local water utility whether a line is planned near you.
• ✅ Know a Marion County family who could use help at Christmas? Pick up an application at 5 Oak Ave., Jasper, now.
• ✅ Live near 1466 or 1494 Main Street? Call Dunlap City Hall at (423) 949-2115 on Monday to ask how Ordinance No. 321 came out.
• ✅ Burning leaves? Get your free state burn permit the day you burn, at BurnSafeTN.org or 877-350-BURN (2876). Permits are required Oct. 15 through May 15.
• ✅ Set a note for Sun., Nov. 1: clocks fall back one hour.

Practical rule: Good news is worth passing on. When you hear something steady and helpful, like more jobs or a Christmas program, tell one neighbor the same day.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Courthouse Glossary

• Unemployment rate: The share of people who want a job and are looking for one but don’t have one yet.
• Seasonally adjusted: Numbers smoothed out to remove the normal ups and downs of the calendar, like holiday hiring. County rates are not adjusted this way.
• American Job Center: A free state and federal office that helps people find jobs, write résumés and get training.
• Water main: The large pipe under or along the road that carries water to a whole neighborhood.
• Service line: The smaller pipe that runs from the water main to a single home or building.
• Galvanized pipe: Steel pipe coated with zinc. Older galvanized lines can pick up lead if they sat downstream of lead pipe.
• Lead and Copper Rule Improvements: A federal EPA rule requiring water utilities to find and replace lead and certain galvanized service lines.
• Tennessee Public Utility Commission: The state board that oversees the rates of privately owned utilities, like Tennessee American Water.
• Special called meeting: A meeting scheduled outside the regular calendar, usually for one or two specific items.
• Resolution: A formal statement of what a governing board supports or decides. It’s often simpler than an ordinance.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Why do the county unemployment numbers differ from the state’s 3.4%?

The statewide 3.4% is seasonally adjusted. County rates are not, so they can move with the seasons. Both are useful, but compare county numbers with the same month last year, or with neighboring counties, for the fairest picture.

When will October’s jobless numbers come out?

The state plans to release October’s statewide numbers on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Does the Raccoon Mountain water line affect Sequatchie Valley water bills?

No. It’s a City of Chattanooga project on Raccoon Mountain Road, and officials said the city will be repaid as customers join the line.

Has the lead-pipe plan been approved?

Not yet. It’s a resolution of support on the Chattanooga City Council agenda for Tuesday, Nov. 3. Decisions on water rates go through the Tennessee Public Utility Commission.

How do I find out what my service line is made of?

Call your water utility and ask. The federal rule requires utilities to keep an inventory of service lines, so they should be able to tell you what their records show for your address.

Where do I get a Christmas for Kids application in Marion County?

At the Marion County Sheriff’s Office administrative office, 5 Oak Avenue in Jasper, inside the Justice Center.

What is Rhea County’s Monday special meeting about?

The posted agenda lists one item: considering a resolution to end Rhea County’s participation in the “NLIC preliminary discussions.” The agenda doesn’t explain further. We’ll report what the commission decides once results are available.

Did Dunlap approve the Main Street rezoning?

As of Saturday afternoon, Oct. 24, the result of Ordinance No. 321 wasn’t posted on the city’s website. Call Dunlap City Hall at (423) 949-2115, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. We’ll report the outcome once we can confirm it.

🔗 Other Resources

• SValleyNow: Area Tennessee County Unemployment Rates All Drop
• Chattanoogan.com: Unemployment Rates Fall in All 95 Counties
• TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Economic Reports
• Jobs4TN.gov: job openings and American Job Center locations
• Chattanoogan.com: Raccoon Mountain Water Line
• Chattanoogan.com: Lead and Galvanized Pipe Replacement
• EPA: Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
• SValleyNow: Marion County Christmas for Kids
• Marion County Tribune: Kimball Repaving
• Rhea County Agendas and Minutes
• Sequatchie County News and Notices
• City of Dunlap Government
• GoVoteTN: sample ballots, polling places and hours
• Dunlap.Directory: free local business listings

🌿 Keep Learning, Stay Calm

This week’s news is the steady kind: more neighbors working in every county, clean water coming up a mountain road, old pipes on a plan to be replaced without sticking each family with the bill, and toys for kids at Christmas. None of it asks anything hard of you today. Write the early-voting deadline, Thu., Oct. 29, on the fridge, and pass one piece of good news to a neighbor. For more calm, practical Sequatchie Valley reporting, visit Dunlap.Today.