Former Central Communications Director who sued Cumberland County has died.

We have word from South Carolina that former Cumberland Co. Central Communications director Mike Blackwood has died at 63. 

In 2018, Blackwood, a US Marine veteran sued Cumberland County along with former County mayor Kenneth Carey and others over First Amendment issues and harrasment claims. The suit was later settled.

A book he wrote about growing up in the south "Over Easy" was published last year and Blackwood was working on another book as well. 

Blackwood also worked with the Cumberland Co. Young Marines program when it was first formed.

May Primary Early Voting April 13 through 28 (Sample Ballot Here)

May 3rd Primary election will include County offices, 13th Judicial district elections for judges, District Attorney and Public Defender.  

Election day is May 3rd and Early voting will be held April 13 through 28.  With the new census, a number of voting districts and voting locations have changed.  Voters should have received a new card if any of these locations have changed for them.  

Early voting will be held in a new location as well because the Election Commission offices have moved to Northside Lane. Early voting will not be held at the old post office on Main Street any longer. 

Election Commission Office 83 Northside Ln

Sample Ballots for the Republican and Democratic Primary follow.  There is no General election on this ballot.

Neighbor Charged in Fairfield Glade shooting death.

TBI Press Release 

FAIRFIELD GLADE – A joint investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Fairfield Glade Police Department, and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of a Fairfield Glade man, charged with killing a neighbor and injuring two others.

Tony Davenport

At the request of 13^th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, on March 18^th, TBI special agents responded to a residence in the 20 block of Grouse Court in Fairfield Glade, where three individuals had been shot.  Jacob Lewis (DOB: 1/1/98) was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Two other wounded individuals were transported to an area hospital for treatment.  During the course of the investigation, agents and investigators developed information that identified a neighbor, Tony Davenport, as the individual responsible.

Davenport (DOB: 2/26/65) has been booked into the Cumberland County Jail on one count of First Degree Murder and two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder.  He is currently being held without bond.