May 24, 2023, Nashville — Elk Valley Times writers Lora Scripps and Wanda Southerland will receive the Fourth Estate Award during the Tennessee Bar Association’s annual convention in Knoxville. The award will be presented at the Lawyers Luncheon on June 16.

Scripps, the paper's general manager and editor, and Southerland, one of its reporters, are being recognized for six months of reporting on the Lincoln County mayor’s decision to exclude Jack Daniels from certain planning and zoning requirements, including site plans, permitting and fees. Their writing has focused on the “grandfathering” of the company, county commission meetings that have taken place to consider the issue and hearings by local courts and planning and zoning authorities.

The coverage has been particularly impactful as local residents express concern about “whiskey fungus” created by unregulated barrel houses. Chancery Court Judge J.B. Cox has issued a stop work order on one of the barrel houses after finding that the company was not legally "grandfathered." The barrel house is to remain closed until all permitting is up-to-date.

The nomination noted that the reporters covered the story “regardless of the blow back and negative remarks on social media from those who disagree with the outcome” and that many have found the reporting to be “fair, balanced and accurate.”

The Fourth Estate Award was established to recognize and encourage journalists who promote public understanding of the rule of law and improvements in our system of justice through their vigorous exercise of their First Amendment rights. Elk Valley Times is a small weekly newspaper in Fayetteville, Tennessee.

The coverage has included the following reports:

• Jack Daniel’s barrelhouses hot topic during Commission meeting
• Commission tables Jack Daniel’s rezoning request
• Jack Daniel's barrelhouses: Judge to rule on stop work order request
• Judge hands down stop work order on one Jack Daniel’s barrelhouse
• 2nd petition for writ of mandamus over barrelhouses filed
• County OK’s resolution to correct permit procedures
• Planning and Zoning approves Jack Daniel’s site plan in county

The Tennessee Bar Association was founded in 1881. Its membership represents the entire spectrum of the legal profession in Tennessee and beyond. The TBA is open to all licensed attorneys in good standing, and it is dedicated to enhancing fellowship and professionalism among the members of Tennessee’s legal community.