Rhea County mayor welcomes county officials, residents and Scopes Trial cast to courthouse open house

Rhea County is spending $360,000 of state and local funds to refurbish the main courtroom in the Rhea County Courthouse, as well as the courthouse clock and bell tower.

County maintenance crews finished repainting the walls and refinishing the floors in the 135-year-old courtroom as well as installing remotely operated window shades, in time for the 36th annual production of the Scopes Trial Play & Festival last week.

County Mayor Jim Vincent, above, showed off his crews' work and welcomed county officials, several dozen county residents, along with the cast and crew of the play, to a reception before the final dress rehearsal Thursday, July 9.