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Santa arrives at Three Star Mall
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Here comes Santa Claus! Waving hello to his fans young and old alike is Santa Claus as he arrived right on time to pose for pictures on center stage. Pictures will be available with Santa through Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24. - photo by JL Jacobs
JL Jacobs
Published: Nov 26, 2023, 2:04 AM
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Waiting outside for Santa Claus to arrive at Three Star Mall Friday are Everly Rose, 3, and her mom Bailey. Everly’s dad, fireman Will Rose, was the lucky driver of the firetruck delivering Santa. - photo by JL Jacobs

Santa Claus arrived at Three Star Mall Friday riding in the bucket of fire truck Tower 1 driven by McMinnville fireman Will Rose. Waving from on high as he was driven through the parking lot atop the ladder, the waiting crowd waved and clapped. 

The trip from the North Pole was a breeze for Santa this year and he was relieved there was no snow or rain in Tennessee, though he did miss his reindeer. 

Getting a picture with Santa is a Christmas tradition for many, and there will be multiple opportunities to get yours this holiday season. Santa Claus will be available for pictures at the Three Star Mall center stage. He will be available for pictures on Sunday, Nov. 26 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 17 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 24 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

There will be different photo packages available to purchase. 

Package one includes three 5" x 7" photos, eight wallet-size photos and two 3" x 5" photos and is $46.95. Package two includes two 5" x 7" photos and eight wallet-size photos for $37.95. Package three includes one 5" x 7" photo, four wallet-size photos and two 3" x 5" photos for $32.95. Package four includes one 5" x 7" photo and one digital image on a USB for $28.95. Package five includes one 5" x 7" photo and four wallet-size photos for $25.95. Package 6 includes one 5" x 7" photo and two 3"x5" photos for $22.95. 

Additional packages are also available. Package 10 includes eight wallet-size photos for $22.95. Package 11 includes one 5" x 7" photo for $17.95. Package 12 includes one digital image on a USB for $21.95. 

If anyone has any questions regarding pictures with Santa Claus at Three Star Mall, contact the county executive’s office at (931) 473-2505. Three Star Mall is located at 1410 Sparta Rd. 
McMinnville building to honor late senator
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Published: Apr 20, 2025, 10:00 PM

Motlow State is pleased to announce that the original McMinnville campus building on Cadillac Lane will be named the Jerry W. Cooper Center in a ceremony on May 2 at 11 a.m.

The naming will honor the late Tennessee senator whose dedication to his community and to education played a vital role in the college’s success. Cooper was a friend, advocate and champion of Motlow State. His legacy lives on in the facilities and programs he helped to create that continue to serve Motlow students today.

Cooper was a state senator from 1984 to 2007 and an avid supporter of the college for approximately 40 years, serving over 20 of those years as a trustee. He lived in Warren County and was particularly passionate about helping those in his community have better access to a quality post-secondary education.

Through his efforts, Motlow State received $18 million that went toward the creation of the McMinnville Center, the Don Sundquist Center, the Clayton-Glass Library and the Marcum Technology Center. He also secured an additional $3.2 million-dollar grant from the Department of Labor that allowed the Mechatronics Program, one of Motlow’s most popular pathways, to be offered on both the Smyrna and McMinnville campuses.

His selfless love of helping others has benefited generations of families in seeking new opportunities and better lives.

It is for this reason that Motlow’s Building Naming Committee unanimously decided to have the McMinnville Center bear his name while continuing to honor his life and mission.

According to Motlow Trustee Gary Morgan, “If anybody loved Warren County, Motlow College, family and friends, it was Cooper. He used his position as state senator to improve the lives of his constituents by focusing on two things: education and roads. He knew these two things would change the trajectory of the district and community and improve the quality of life for everyone.”

Cooper passed away in March of 2020, but his name will forever be tied to Motlow and the impact that the college has had throughout its 11-county service area.

To learn more about the McMinnville campus, visit Motlow.edu/McMinnville. To register for the event, visit go.motlow.edu/JerryCooper. The McMinnville campus is located at 225 Cadillac Lane.