Sumner County

A traffic stop in Sumner County for a faulty license plate light resulted in the arrest of a Nashville man, who was found with pre-packaged drugs, over 2 pounds of psychedelics, five weapons, and nearly 2,000 rounds of ammunition.

Mikel Clifford Cecil, a 46-year-old man from Westmoreland, was sentenced to 70 years in prison for sexually abusing and raping a child over four years. The abuse began when the victim was six years old and continued until she reported it to school staff at age 10. Judge Jennifer Nichols imposed the sentence without the possibility of early release.

A camper trailer was destroyed and a home damaged in a fire in Sumner County, Tennessee, according to the Highland Volunteer Fire Department. Fire crews and deputies managed to save approximately 80% of the homeowner’s belongings, and multiple agencies including Portland Fire Department and Sumner County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

Sumner County Schools delayed the start of the school year due to an unauthorized network breach discovered July 20, prompting Impact Martial Arts in Gallatin to add a fifth summer camp session to help families. Parents sought childcare solutions during the unexpected extension, and the district is addressing the breach without disclosing further details.

Community members in Sumner County are demanding action against repeat sex offender Keith Barcus, urging him to remain in custody or undergo mental treatment.

LPR cameras assisted authorities in Sumner County to arrest two vehicle theft suspects. Law enforcement from two Middle Tennessee counties collaborated to apprehend the career criminals, who are from South Florida.

Signs honoring Charlie Kirk were removed from a Tennessee highway after Vietnam veterans objected to their placement on a road dedicated to 25 Sumner County service members who died in the Vietnam War. The designation will now be relocated to Long Hollow Pike in Goodlettsville, following objections that veterans were not consulted before the original placement.

Signs for the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway in Tennessee are being relocated after Vietnam veterans objected to sharing space on a roadway dedicated to fallen service members. The original signs on State Route 386, known as Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, were moved to Long Hollow Pike after veterans were not consulted and expressed frustration. The Tennessee Department of Transportation stated it will follow legislative direction for signage.

A boil water notice issued in Sumner County, Tennessee, due to low chlorine levels in the Castalian Springs Bethpage Water System has been lifted after five days. The system warned of potential fecal contamination and health risks but confirmed the issue was resolved, advising residents to flush water lines before resuming normal use.

Signs honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk were removed from a Tennessee highway after Vietnam veterans objected to their placement. The signs, installed along a road honoring 25 Sumner County Vietnam War service members, were relocated to a different location following complaints from veterans who were not consulted. Sumner County officials acknowledged the veterans' concerns and adjusted the memorial designation.

Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway signs on Tennessee's State Route 386 are being relocated after Vietnam veterans objected to the designation sharing space with Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, which honors 25 local service members who died in the Vietnam War. The signs will be moved to Long Hollow Pike in Goodlettsville, following a decision by State Rep. Johnny Garrett. Tennessee lawmakers have also enacted legislation named after Charlie Kirk, including the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act.

A Silver Alert has been issued for 55-year-old Eugene Wrenne from Sumner County, Tennessee, who has a medical condition that may impair his ability to return home safely. He was last seen in Lebanon wearing a black T-shirt and shorts and may be driving a 2014 QX60 Infiniti with Tennessee plate DP27650.

A tractor-trailer fire has closed the southbound lanes of I-65 near Millersville in Sumner County, Tennessee, causing significant traffic delays. First responders are working to extinguish the fire and reopen the interstate, but no injuries have been reported.

Black bears have been spotted in several Middle Tennessee counties outside their traditional range, prompting wildlife officials to urge residents to secure food sources like garbage and bird feeders. A bear was recently seen in a backyard in Dickson County, and residents expressed mixed reactions of surprise and concern while emphasizing coexistence.

Westmoreland, Tennessee, has been under a boil water notice since Tuesday, affecting businesses and residents. The notice may be lifted by Saturday pending state approval, but businesses have closed and residents face water usage restrictions.

A Tennessee man was charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse after admitting to killing his mother's cousin with a hammer and engaging in sexual intercourse with the body. The suspect, Charley C. Chronister, was arrested at his home following a police investigation, and authorities confirmed he confessed to the crimes but have not disclosed details about the victim.

A Portland man was convicted of reckless homicide by a Sumner County jury for the February 2025 fatal shooting of a 19-year-old. The conviction followed a trial in the case involving the death of the young victim.

Trevor Ethan Choate was convicted of reckless homicide in Sumner County, Tennessee, for a 2025 firearm incident that killed a 19-year-old. He faces up to four years in prison and will be sentenced on August 10.

A former Montgomery County teacher was arrested for showing nude photos to a student. The teacher, Matthew Vedder, was placed on an alternative work site and later resigned after the incident was reported in March. The case will be prosecuted in Sumner County after the Montgomery County District Attorney recused their team.

A boil water notice is in effect for part of Sumner County, Tennessee, due to low chlorine levels in the Mt. Vernon Road Zone, posing an imminent health risk. Residents are advised to boil water for at least three minutes to avoid digestive issues, particularly affecting vulnerable groups.

A former teacher at Montgomery Central High School was arrested for allegedly showing a student a nude photo of himself in March. He faces four counts of supplying obscene material to a minor, and the school district initially claimed the incident was accidental before an investigation led to his arrest.

Five men, including three Cuban nationals in the U.S. illegally, were arrested in a human trafficking investigation in Sumner County, Tennessee. The operation targeted individuals involved in human trafficking activities.

Five men were arrested in a human trafficking sting in Sumner County, Tennessee, with three undocumented Cuban nationals handed over to ICE. The joint operation, involving multiple agencies, identified nine potential victims, who received assistance from organizations like Thistle Farms.

Sumner County approved increased funding of $100,000 per volunteer fire department, up from $24,000, to address aging equipment and rising call volumes. However, concerns persist about long-term sustainability as 16 of 19 fire trucks exceed their 15-year service life and repair costs strain budgets. County officials debate whether to continue supporting volunteer departments or establish a funded countywide fire service.

Spotted lanternfly infestation has been confirmed in Sumner County. State agriculture officials are advising residents to monitor for the invasive species.

Vietnam veterans are speaking out after part of Vietnam Veterans Boulevard in Sumner County was renamed the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway. Veterans express concerns about the renaming.

Sumner County Judge Ron Blanton received a kidney transplant from 18-year-old Christian McKenzie, who died in a car crash and was an organ donor. Blanton credits McKenzie's donation with giving him a second chance at life, allowing him to continue his work and spend time with family.

Over 100 employees will be impacted by the permanent closure of Gallatin, a division of Stanley Black & Decker, in Sumner County on Wednesday.

Drivers on Interstate 65 in Davidson and Sumner counties should expect brief traffic delays next week due to work by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District faces a redrawn electoral landscape and renewed Democratic primary competition. Returning candidates include incumbent Matt Van Epps, Vincent Dixie, and Darden Copeland, while new entrants Saletta Holloway and Joshua Sales join the race. Redistricting shifted the district from 13 to eight counties, altering voter demographics and prompting Dixie to re-enter the race.

A new analysis by LEAN Frog Business Solutions reveals that Williamson County teachers start with competitive salaries but lose ground mid-career. While starting pay ranks third among peer districts, it drops to eighth by mid-career and only surpasses peers at the final pay step. Housing costs in Williamson County further reduce purchasing power compared to neighboring districts.

A bear was spotted in the Millersville neighborhood after overturning trash cans, confirmed by resident Sabrina Abbott who described the unexpected encounter. Abbott and her husband have since taken precautions, including securing trash and increasing vigilance due to the undeveloped wooded area near their home.

A multi-agency operation in Sumner County led to the arrest of 5 men on human-trafficking-related charges and the identification of 9 possible victims.

A California man indicted on child sexual exploitation charges in Sumner County was captured by U.S. Marshals in Oakland and returned to Tennessee. The suspect was tracked to Oakland before being apprehended.

Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating two separate fatal crashes that occurred at the same Hartsville Pike intersection in Sumner County on Monday.

A Millersville City Commissioner, David Gregory, 76, is charged with sexually abusing at least three children over nearly 40 years, including multiple counts of aggravated sexual battery. He is currently in custody with a $750,000 bond, and fellow commissioner Dustin Darnall expressed support for victims while emphasizing confidence in the legal process.

A Tennessee woman was convicted of aggravated child neglect and child neglect after prosecutors alleged she knowingly exposed children in her care to a man who had previously sexually abused a child. Evidence showed she witnessed the abuse in 2006, failed to report it, and later allowed the abuser to supervise children during sleepovers, leading to further abuse in 2022.

A Millersville commissioner has been charged with child sex abuse and aggravated battery, according to Sumner County Sheriff’s Office arrest records. The commissioner was booked in Sumner County.

Makenzie Ellithorpe confronted the Clarksville-Montgomery County school board about science teacher Matthew Vedder, who showed her nude photos during class. Vedder, husband of Superintendent Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder, resigned after the incident. Ellithorpe described the event as intentional, not accidental, and expressed feeling unsafe in a school environment.