After 52 Years and 104 Clock Changes, Winchester's Official Timekeeper Announces Retirement

Sunshine Protection Act ends storied municipal career; Puckett, 79, to relocate to the Bahamas

The Franklin Free Press — Winchester, Tenn.

WINCHESTER — With Tuesday's passage of the Sunshine Protection Act in the U.S. House, the era of changing clocks twice a year may soon come to an end — and with it, one of Winchester's most enduring municipal careers.

Harold "Hal" Puckett, 79, the city's Director of Temporal Services, announced Thursday that he will retire upon the bill's final passage, concluding 52 years of faithfully adjusting the Franklin County Courthouse clock each spring and fall.

"It's been an honor," Puckett said, standing at the base of the courthouse tower he has climbed 104 times since 1974. "Not everybody gets to serve their community doing what they love, twice a year, for about four minutes."

City records confirm that Puckett's duties consist of moving the clock forward one hour in March and backward one hour in November, a task he has described as "demanding, but seasonal." Officials estimate his total annual labor at approximately eight minutes, not counting the walk up the stairs.

For this, Puckett earns $91,300 per year, plus full medical benefits, a city vehicle, and mileage reimbursement for his commute, which is two blocks.

The salary, which has drawn quiet scrutiny in recent weeks, is drawn from a line item in the city budget labeled "Temporal Services Division," a department of which Puckett is both the director and sole employee. City Recorder Donna Faulkner said the position predates every current member of city government.

"It was in the budget when I got here, and it was in the budget when the person before me got here," Faulkner said. "At a certain point you stop asking. The clock is always right. Twice a year, anyway."

At Monday's council work session, Councilwoman Rita Blalock performed what she described as "just some quick arithmetic" and determined the city has been compensating Puckett at a rate of roughly $11,400 per minute of documented work, making him, per minute, the highest-paid public employee in the state of Tennessee and possibly the Southeast.

Mayor Gene Tolley defended the arrangement, citing Puckett's irreplaceable institutional knowledge.

"You can't put a price on a man who knows which hand is which," Tolley said. "We tried once, in the nineties, and the number we came up with was apparently $91,300."

Puckett's compensation history includes at least one notable surge. In 2007, when the federal Energy Policy Act moved the start of daylight saving time three weeks earlier, Puckett invoiced the city an additional $6,000 "federal compliance surcharge," which was paid without discussion.

Asked what he does between clock changes, Puckett described his off-season responsibilities as "monitoring."

"People think the clock keeps itself the rest of the year," he said. "It does. But somebody has to make sure."

Puckett will retire with a full pension calculated at 100 percent of his salary, along with a payout for unused sick leave. Records show he has never once called in sick in 52 years, an attendance streak colleagues attribute to his dedication and to the fact that his workdays were scheduled six months in advance and lasted until approximately 2:04 a.m.

He has already closed on a beachfront villa in the Bahamas, a purchase he confirmed was made in cash.

"I've always been careful with money," Puckett said. "You learn discipline in this line of work. Patience, too. Mostly patience."

Should the Senate pass the bill this fall, the city plans to hold a formal ceremony for the final clock change, tentatively titled "The Last Fall Back," featuring remarks from the mayor, a color guard, and commemorative coins funded through the sewer account, which officials say "had momentum." Puckett has agreed to perform the final adjustment himself.

Asked whether he would consider doing it free of charge, as a gift to the community that has given him so much, Puckett laughed warmly for several seconds.

"The standard rate will be fine," he said.

Reached for follow-up comment regarding his retirement plans, Puckett was asked whether he was aware that the Bahamas observes daylight saving time, and that his new home's clocks will continue to change twice a year.

"I'm aware," he said. "Down there, that's somebody else's problem."

County Government Quietly Replaced With Artificial Intelligence, Officials Confirm

 By Staff Writer – Herald Comical

FRANKLIN COUNTY — County officials confirmed Tuesday that much of Franklin County’s day-to-day government operations have been overseen by artificial intelligence for the past six months, following what was initially described as a “temporary modernization experiment.”

According to county administrators, the system was implemented after concerns about slow decision-making and budget inefficiencies.

What residents were not told at the time was that the “AI system” is, in fact, a refurbished Commodore 64 computer running a simple program that randomly selects “YES” or “NO” in response to submitted requests.

Despite the simplicity of the setup, officials say overall government efficiency has increased by approximately 45 percent.

“We were skeptical at first,” said one county clerk. “But it turns out a blinking cursor making instant decisions is faster than three subcommittees and a two-week email chain.”

How It Works

Requests ranging from zoning approvals to road repairs are now entered into the system using a beige keyboard that officials confirmed was purchased at a yard sale in 2003.

After a brief loading sequence, the screen flashes either:

YES

or

NO

Accompanied by what witnesses describe as a “cheerful electronic beep.”

Decisions are then immediately enacted.

“It removes emotion from the process,” said a county commissioner. “And also removes most meetings, which everyone seems to appreciate.”

Unexpected Improvements

Since the system’s introduction:

• Meeting times have decreased by 60%

• Paperwork has dropped significantly

• Arguments have been reduced to “light grumbling”

County budget reports indicate fewer delays, faster approvals, and an overall smoother workflow.

“Sometimes it says no to things we really wanted,” said another official. “But to be fair, we used to do that too.”

Public Reaction

Many residents expressed surprise, though some admitted they hadn’t noticed much difference.

“I figured something changed,” said a local citizen. “Things were getting done quicker. That’s usually not how government works.”

Another added, “Honestly, if a 40-year-old computer is running the county better, maybe that says something.”

Future Upgrades

Officials say there are no immediate plans to replace the system, though discussions are underway about adding a second program capable of selecting “MAYBE.”

“We don’t want to rush into anything too advanced,” the mayor said. “This technology is already working better than expected.”

When asked if the county had concerns about relying on outdated hardware, one administrator shrugged.

“It hasn’t crashed yet. And if it does, we’ll just blow on the cartridge and restart.”

County Approves Long-Delayed Courthouse Annex Extension After Tax Surplus

By Staff Writer – Herald Comical

The Franklin County Commission voted Monday night to approve long-awaited plans to extend the courthouse’s controversial glass annex to its originally proposed height of 96 feet, citing a recent and unexpected tax surplus attributed to an influx of new residents from California.

The annex, which currently stands at 36 feet, has been the subject of both confusion and local humor since its construction in 1998. Originally envisioned as a “vertical symbol of governmental efficiency,” the tower was scaled down during construction when budget constraints forced the county to “pause at whatever height the money ran out,” according to archived commission minutes.

With property tax revenue increasing sharply over the past two years, commissioners say they can finally “complete what was started.”

Construction Set for Christmas Day 2025

County leaders acknowledged the unusual date but insisted that a December 25 start will “minimize parking disruption” and “allow contractors to work without the distraction of weekday courthouse foot traffic.”

Commission Chairman Larry Hobbs said the decision reflects fiscal responsibility.

> “We’ve been waiting over two decades to finish that tower,” Hobbs said. “This tax surplus gives us a chance to deliver the annex the architects actually intended, instead of the stump we’ve been staring at since ’98.”

The extension will bring the annex to its full planned height of 96 feet, giving it prominence on the downtown skyline and, according to Hobbs, “finally justifying why it’s glass.”

Intended Use Still Under Debate

While construction is now formally approved, one unresolved question remains: what the annex is actually for.

The commission presented several possibilities, each receiving varying degrees of public response:

A birthday party room, rentable for children’s events, civic gatherings, or “upstairs cake-and-punch situations.”

An express courthouse marriage facility, allowing couples to complete same-day ceremonies without navigating the main courthouse.

An express divorce facility, designed for “quick resolution for mutually decisive couples.”

A combination wedding–divorce suite, allowing, as one commissioner phrased it, “life’s full range of courthouse outcomes.”

A motion to explore turning the tower into a panoramic observation deck was tabled after discussion about liability concerns and “how windy it gets up there.”

Some Residents Still Skeptical

Not all county residents support the extension. A small but vocal group expressed concern that the taller structure will cast a shadow across parts of the square. Others argued that funds could be better spent improving infrastructure or expanding broadband access.

Local resident Carl Blevins said:

> “I’m not sure why we need a bigger version of something we weren’t sure we needed in the first place. But if it brings in revenue from birthday parties, I guess that’s government working.”

Officials Hopeful About the Future

Commissioners remain optimistic that finalizing the annex will improve civic perception and possibly attract tourism.

“People already stop to ask why the courthouse has a glass chimney,” Hobbs said. “At least now we can tell them it’s finished.”

The county expects construction to take approximately 14 months, with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony tentatively scheduled for February 2027, weather permitting.

FC High School Wrestling Team Places 3rd in 2025 Kumite; Tournament Location Still Unknown

By Staff Writer – Herald Comical

The Franklin County High School wrestling team has achieved one of the most unusual and widely discussed accomplishments in program history after placing third overall in the 2025 Kumite, an elite martial arts invitational traditionally shrouded in secrecy.

According to school officials, the team was selected to participate following “an unexpected but official-looking letter” delivered to the wrestling room in late September. The letter included instructions, rules, waiver forms, and what coaches describe as “a very stern nondisclosure agreement.”

Transportation Under Strict Secrecy

Per Kumite tradition, the wrestlers were transported to the venue in blindfolds, loaded onto an unmarked van, and driven for an undisclosed period of time.

Team captain Mason Porter said they attempted to piece together the route by counting turns and estimating speed, but the effort was unsuccessful.

> “I think we went over at least two bridges,” Porter said.

“Or maybe one bridge twice. It’s hard to tell when someone’s chanting.”

The team eventually arrived at a large warehouse-type structure whose precise location remains unknown. Athletes report hearing generators, wind chimes, and what one wrestler described as “either a tiger or a guy pretending to be a tiger.”

Competition Unlike Anything in School Athletics

While the Kumite rules differ from TSSAA wrestling guidelines, coaches say the athletes adjusted quickly.

The competition reportedly involved:

open-mat bouts

improvised obstacle rounds

a section described only as “the pit”

a sudden-death finale referred to as “The Circle of Resolve”

Coach Brian Hale says he was proud of how the team handled the unconventional environment.

> “They stayed focused, they stayed respectful, and they didn’t question the man with the gong. That’s all you can ask.”

A Surprising Run to 3rd Place

Franklin County defeated competitors representing:

A private martial arts academy from Osaka

A desert survival collective from Nevada

A group identified only as “The Grey Monks”

The team’s run ended in the semifinals against an athlete known by the Kumite referee simply as “Eagle Fist,” whose age was estimated somewhere between 19 and 73.

Despite the loss, FC earned a bronze-tier medallion made of “a heavy, unidentified metal” and a certificate written entirely in calligraphy.

School & District Respond

Superintendent Linda Pickett congratulated the team, adding that the district is “still reviewing the legality” of the event.

> “We were informed afterward that the Kumite has no official mailing address,” Pickett said.

“But a trophy is a trophy, and we are proud of our students.”

The school board voted unanimously to recognize the accomplishment during the winter sports banquet, though the exact phrasing of the award remains under discussion.

Athletes Reflect

Wrestler Jake Morrison said the experience was life-changing.

> “It was intense,” he said.

“At one point the crowd started chanting our school name, or at least something that sounded close to it. It might have been in another language.”

Another wrestler described the food provided at the event as “surprisingly good” and the atmosphere as “somewhere between a county fair and a gladiator arena.”

A Mystery That Will Likely Remain One

Although team members attempted to track their return route, the blindfolds remained in place until they arrived back at the school parking lot after midnight.

No Kumite officials responded to the Herald Comical’s inquiries, though the school did receive a small envelope two days later containing a handwritten note that read:

> “Honor. Strength. Return next year.”

The envelope smelled faintly of incense.

The Franklin County wrestling team begins its standard season next week, where the rules will be considerably more conventional.

City Addresses Concerns After Parks Director Receives Three-Day Suspension for “Series of Additional Oversights”

Following Winchester Parks and Recreation Director Darrell Jolley’s brief suspension for infractions identified in a Tennessee Comptroller’s investigation, the City of Winchester has now confirmed that several additional incidents occurred during the same time period.

Despite the unusual nature of the findings, officials say the matter has been “handled appropriately,” with Jolley receiving an additional three-day suspension with pay.

According to a supplemental memo released Monday, the Comptroller’s office documented “a pattern of unorthodox decision-making” within the department over the past year. The city’s response mirrors its earlier statement, noting that each situation has been “addressed through internal procedures” and that corrective measures are “well underway.”

---

Use of Municipal Facilities for Experimental Purposes

Investigators noted that Jolley conducted a series of “unauthorized experiments” within city park facilities, including:

converting a storage shed into a “prototype raccoon observation lab”

installing a personal hammock inside the concession stand freezer

attempting to use the community pool’s pump system to “see if it could run a chocolate fountain”

The statement from the city acknowledges that these projects were “outside typical departmental expectations,” but emphasizes that no citizen was endangered, and that Jolley has been “counseled on appropriate use of scientific curiosity within park boundaries.”

---

Operation of Heavy Machinery for Recreational Purposes

The Comptroller’s supplemental report also states that Jolley occasionally utilized city equipment—specifically a backhoe, a zero-turn mower, and one parks department truck—for what he referred to as “team-building joyrides.”

One incident involved Jolley giving rides to seasonal employees on the bucket of the backhoe “to boost morale.” Another involved creating an unofficial “parade float” using a mower towing three recycling bins.

The city’s release states that Jolley’s “enthusiasm for staff cohesion is commendable,” but that future morale-building exercises must “meet OSHA visibility standards.”

---

Unauthorized Use of Park Wildlife

A third finding notes that Jolley temporarily relocated a city goose, transporting it in a city vehicle to “motivate younger employees to improve their handling skills.”

The city acknowledges this was “not ideal,” and that the goose has since been returned unharmed. A fifteen-minute online wildlife-handling refresher course has been assigned.

---

Violation of the City’s Unofficial Armadillo Policy

Although there is no written armadillo policy on record, the report noted several “gray-area interactions” between the director and an armadillo found on playground premises.

The report states that Jolley attempted to create a “petting ambassador” out of the animal, which was later determined “not feasible.”

The city clarified that no formal armadillo protocol existed prior to this incident and has now drafted guidelines “to prevent future misunderstandings regarding wildlife employment.”

---

City Response & Corrective Action

The city government issued a second, nearly identical statement emphasizing the director’s decades of service.

“Mr. Jolley has been a dedicated member of our team for 30 years,” the statement reads. “While some of his actions were unconventional, the city has taken appropriate corrective action and implemented new internal controls to ensure clarity moving forward.”

Among the new internal controls:

GPS tracking has now been extended to include not only all vehicles, but any equipment “larger than a rake.”

Playground wildlife handling procedures have been drafted and laminated.

All staff projects involving raccoons must be pre-approved by the Finance Department.

---

City Leadership Maintains Support

Mayor Sean Crabtree reiterated his earlier position, stating that Jolley’s long service record “should not be overshadowed by a handful of misunderstandings, machinery misapplications, or wildlife-related learning opportunities.”

He added,

> “We believe in accountability, but we also b

elieve in perspective. The parks look good. He got a little creative. It happens.”

Residents Report Bigfoot Sighting Near Rock Creek Road; Some Remain Sceptical

 By Staff Writer – Herald Comical

ESTILL SPRINGS — Several residents have reported an alleged Bigfoot sighting near Rock Creek Road this week, prompting renewed discussion—and skepticism—about the legendary creature’s presence in Franklin County.

Witnesses described a “tall, broad, hairy figure” moving through the tree line just after dusk Monday evening. According to one resident, the silhouette appeared to be “at least seven feet tall, maybe taller,” with an unusual, loping gait.

“It was big, it was dark, and it definitely wasn’t a deer,” said local resident Carol Dempsey. “I know what I saw. I’m not saying it was Bigfoot for sure… but it wasn’t NOT Bigfoot.”

Another eyewitness reported hearing “a deep grunt, like a grown man trying not to cough,” followed by what sounded like heavy footsteps in the brush.

Not Everyone Convinced

Despite the excitement, not all locals are prepared to declare a cryptid roaming the hills.

A number of Estill Springs residents believe the sightings may simply be Left Leg Lester, a well-known area wanderer whose name derives from an old story involving a lawnmower mishap and a misunderstanding about which leg was actually injured.

“He’s out there all the time,” said one man who asked not to be named. “He blends in with the woods better than he does with people. Folks who ain’t used to seeing him get spooked.”

Lester, who is occasionally spotted carrying what witnesses describe as “miscellaneous car parts,” is known to frequent the region around Panter’s Salvage Yard.

“He’s usually on the prowl for catalytic converters,” said another resident. “Bigfoot don’t care about catalytic converters. Lester does.”

Authorities Respond

Local officials say they are treating the reports seriously but cautiously.

“We’ve received several calls,” said a representative from the Estill Springs Police Department. “We are not ruling anything out, except aliens. That’s a county matter.”

The representative added that patrols in the Rock Creek Road area have been increased “for safety and curiosity.”

Ongoing Investigation

Meanwhile, community members remain divided.

Some insist the creature was too large to be Left Leg Lester “unless he bulked up,” while others say the description—particularly the mention of a limp—lines up perfectly with him.

The truth, for now, remains uncertain.

Anyone with additional sightings is encouraged to contact local authorities, though residents are reminded not to approach large mysterious figures, whether mythical or named Lester.

Nissan Opens “Little Gears Learning Center” in Decherd, Aiming to Inspire the Next Generation of Factory Talent

DECHERD, TN — In an ambitious effort to “cultivate tomorrow’s workforce today,” Nissan North America has unveiled Little Gears Learning Center, a first-of-its-kind childcare facility located adjacent to the Decherd engine plant.

According to company representatives, the center is designed to introduce local toddlers to “the joy of early mechanical literacy” by allowing children as young as 18 months to interact with scaled-down, safety-modified versions of factory equipment.

A Toddler-Friendly Assembly Line

Inside the facility, children can rotate through stations modeled on real plant operations, including:

Miniature torque wrenches with lights and sound

Toddler-safe conveyor belts that move brightly colored plastic engine blocks

“Build-a-Bolt” stations where kids practice threading oversized foam bolts into corresponding cutouts

The Quiet Time Calibration Bench™, encouraging children to “rest, recharge, and consider workplace precision”

A Nissan spokesperson emphasized that all equipment is “fully compliant with federal safety standards and partially compliant with common sense.”

Educational Programming, Nissan Style

Televisions throughout the facility play continuous loops of Nissan-produced educational cartoons, including:

Rogi the Reliable Rogue

Tina Titan Saves the Day

CVT & Me: The Belt That Never Stops

Sparky the Engine Block Learns About Tolerances

Teachers report that several toddlers have already begun saying “zero defects” before naptime.

Discounts for Long-Term Commitment

Perhaps the most talked-about feature of the new center is its optional tuition program. Parents who sign the Early Employment Interest Pledge—a non-binding document expressing their child’s “future intent” to apply for Nissan employment upon turning 18—receive a 12% tuition reduction.

The pledge includes a polite request that families “encourage an affinity for mechanical tasks” and “speak positively about Japanese automotive engineering in the home.”

One parent described the offer as “not unreasonable,” noting:

> “Daycare is expensive. If my kid has to learn how to assemble a tiny crankshaft to save a couple hundred bucks a month, so be it.”

Local Reactions Mixed but Curious

While some residents have raised concerns about the program’s long-term implications, others say it reflects the region’s deep ties to the plant.

Decherd resident and mother of twins, Lauren Bridges, said:

> “I grew up with the plant. My parents worked there. Half my uncles worked there. If my toddlers want to play with foam pistons, who am I to stop them?”

Another parent, who asked to remain anonymous, admitted:

> “Honestly, I just want them tired by the time they get home. If that means practicing synchronized assembly, fine.”

Corporate Goals Moving Forward

Nissan officials say Little Gears could become a model for similar centers nationwide, especially in cities where the company hopes to “strengthen community relationships and begin gentle workforce pre-awareness in early childhood.”

Plans for future add-ons include:

A Toddler Paint Booth Experience (no real paint—just lights and fans)

A “Slow, Steady, Safety” Parade featuring children in tiny reflective vests

A Quiet Room displaying soothing footage of well-executed shift changes

A Preschool Robotics Lab for ages 4–5, rolling out in late 2026

The facility reached maximum enrollment within hours of opening registration, with a waitlist already exceeding 140 families.

A New Tradition in Decherd

As one Nissan representative put it:

> “Cars begin with people. Engines begin with community. And our future begins with toddlers who can differentiate a Phillips from a flathead.”

For many Decherd families, Little Gears represents a natural extension of local culture — a place where childhood discovery meets the subtle hum of industrial destiny.