Good morning, Hendersonville.

Cheryl Puryear was named Hendersonville Standard Citizen of the Year at the Holly Jolly Christmas Market on Dec.

13 — her work managing Streets of Indian Lake events has brought the community closer.

Christmas 4 Kids hosted its annual celebrity bus tour at the parking lot of First Baptist Church, drawing hundreds of music fans.

The nonprofit has celebrated this holiday tradition for over 40 years in Sumner County.

Hendersonville native Jimmie Woodruff earned his bachelor’s degree in legal support from Purdue Global, dedicating it to his late grandmother who inspired his 20-year journey in higher education.

He enrolled in a master’s program and plans to pursue law to honor the promise she helped start.

Laura Gabriel, a music teacher at Hendersonville High School, has been named a semifinalist for the CMA Foundation’s Music Teachers of Excellence Award; finalists will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8, 2026).

Graduating seniors from Austin Peay’s Eriksson College of Education reached the program’s highest edTPA passing rate since 2013 and are set to teach in Tennessee classrooms soon.

Chanel Hunter from Hendersonville said the process boosted her confidence as she prepares to work as a substitute teacher in Sumner County.

Fire Chief Scotty Bush retired on Dec.

19 after 39 years of service, receiving the Fire Safety Commendation Medal from the Sons of the American Revolution (along with honors from state representatives and community leaders) during a celebration attended by city officials and the public.

Highpoint Health – Sumner with Ascension Saint Thomas performed the first renal denervation procedure in Sumner County to treat high blood pressure.

The minimally invasive approach uses the Symplicity Spyral system to target overactive nerves near the kidneys.

The Sumner County Health Department offers Health Navigators to help families access food, housing, and healthcare resources.

Contact the department at (615) 206-1100 to learn about these support services.

The Safe Place for Animals features Flower, a 3-year-old Great Pyrenees weighing 80 pounds (fee $250), and Francis, a 3-year-old domestic short hair (fee $125), available for adoption in Hendersonville.

Prospective adopters can visit the shelter for more details.