view Top Stories from 2006

No. 10:
Completion of Highway 76 widening
After months of construction and traffic problems, the widening of Hwy. 76 from Raymond Hirsch Parkway to the Interstate was finally completed.

Residents and businesses suffered as the completion date fell behind by several months but a new, five lane corridor is now used by thousands each day.

No. 9:
Relay for Life raises more than $90K

The White House Relay for life event this year raised more than $90,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society. Although the actual relay event was interrupted by rain and had to be moved indoors, the hard work and effort paid off as the citizens of White House once again came through and represented their community like no other.

Last year, the relay event raised over $73,000 which put them on our list at the No. 9 spot for 2006.


No. 8:
White House moves forward on a new fire hall
In 2006, the White House Board of Mayor and Aldermen took a crucial step as they approved the initial design phase of a new fire department. In 2007, they secured a building site off Hwy. 31W, approved appropriations for the construction and broke ground for a new fire hall.

The new building will not only house the base of operations for the city’s fire and rescue service, it will also have a multiuse facility to be used by the city and community for meetings and events complete with a kitchen. In the past, most of the training that the White House firemen completed was either done in makeshift courses or done off site and at other fire stations. The new fire hall will remedy that as a training facility will be constructed just behind the building.

The existing fire hall will still remain as a secondary station for the community and will reduce the response time for emergency calls. White House Fire Chief Joe Palmer has been working hard for the new facility for some time in order to improve the department while looking at future growth.

No. 7:
New medical center opens

Crossroads Medical Group has completed a new medical facility on Sage Rd. that will offer more to the citizens of White House than anything in the past.

Along with the offices of Crossroads Medical Group, new things will be added to the center in the coming months including a medical supply store and a coffee bar.

Crossroads is now offering convenient services so residents don’t have to leave the area need. An after hours walk-in-care service, imaging services, for the care they cardiovascular diagnostics, minor surgical procedures, basic lab services and PFT services are now in-house. Also, the center has a unique sleep study center and dermatology care.

With room to expand and add new services, the center is proof that White House is a growing community that is becoming self-sufficient.

No. 6:
Old school building and police station demolished
A familiar building that once housed students of many different ages and later served as the White House Police Department was demolished due to structural integrity problems in August.

The building had stood for 75 years and after engineers had surveyed and tested the structure, found it too expensive to repair. The site is now cleared and will be available for the future needs of the city.

No. 5:
White House loses Industrial Jobs
White House’s largest employer, Carter’s/OshKosh closed it’s operations in order to save money. Despite seeing an 8% increase in sales and a 38% rise in earnings per share, the company found that they could see a one time savings of $4 million by closing the plant. According to the Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association, the facility employed about 375 people in 2006.

In an effort to restructure it’s distribution operations, Ingersol-Rand also announced the closing of it’s distribution center in White House. Although it will keep the administrative offices at the current location on Hester Dr. over 100 employees will be displaced.

No. 4:
Wal-Mart

Construction began on the new Super Wal-Mart in White House in 2007 including a new intersection and set of stop lights on Hwy 76. With hiring now taking place, the store should be open before Spring. The next phase will be the selling and construction of outparcels surrounding the center which should begin soon after opening. The announcement of the construction of Wal-Mart was No.1 in last year’s Top 10.


No. 3:

White House Library Inn and Museum celebrates 20 years

Construction of the White House Library and Museum was completed in 1987 ushering a lasting landmark for the city. This year the library had a celebration in October to celebrate the efforts of those devoted to the establishment and their accomplishments.


No. 2:
New trash fee implemented
In a 4-1 vote, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed an ordinance that imposed a controversial $15 fee for all residents in the city of White House for trash pick up. The service which had been included in the property tax had escalating costs and needed fresh capitol for equipment improvements and replacements. The board felt that if it had not imposed the mandatory fee, a hefty increase in property tax was the only solution.


No. 1:

Investigation and resignation of White House Police Chief
Controversy swarmed around the internal investigation of Police Chief Stan Hilgadiack and his ensuing resignation. The investigation centered around concerns that the chief had not followed proper procedures in several departmental instances. The lengthy investigation had not been complete when Hilgadiack was offered a deal where he would voluntarily resign in return for extending his benefits. According to Hilgadiack, he had to take the offer for the sake of his wife, who had just been diagnosed with cancer.

Hilgadiack was officially put on administrative leave on April 25 and the White House Police Department has been without a chief for the past 8 months. The city has officially interviewed several candidates with hopes of hiring one at the first of the year.