Ghosts Of Budget Past Haunt Meeting
Though the new fiscal year has begun, the Work Session of the Jefferson County Commission was still largely dealing with business left over from the prior fiscal year that ended on June 30th. Discussion largely centered around past statements by elected officials during the prior budgeting process and the accuracy of those statements. Budget Committee […]
Hybrid Plan Could Be On The Horizon
The Jefferson County Budget Committee met for the first time in the fiscal year 2015/2016. Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett and Jefferson County Finance Director Potts brought General Fund 101-Amendment 1 before the Committee for vote. The amendment listed three items-a $550 line item transfer in data processing supplies for the Election Commission-a line item adjustment […]
Accident Shuts Down Interstate
Travelers on both East and Westbound I-40 found themselves in a traffic quagmire on Monday morning following a traffic accident that effectively shut down the Interstate between Jefferson County and Sevier County. According to information provided by Tennessee Department of Transportation, the incidents are not expected to be cleared until around 2pm, leaving travelers stranded […]
Three Out of 4 American Adults Favor Making 21 the Legal Minimum Age of Sale for Tobacco Products
Three out of 4 American adults—including 7 in 10 cigarette smokers—favor raising the minimum age of sale for all tobacco products to 21, according to an article by CDC published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. While an overwhelming majority of adults favored the policy overall, favorability is slightly higher among adults who never smoked […]
Same Sex Marriage in Jefferson County?
While many counties in Tennessee and across the nation are embroiled in a do we or don’t we debate regarding the June 26, 2015 Supreme Court decision to allow same sex marriage, the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office has yet to see their first gay couple seeking a marriage license. Frank Herndon, Jefferson County Court Clerk, […]
Probably Not This Year
After several years of debate, it appears that residents who travel across the “green bridge” which connects Dandridge to Chestnut Hill will have to wait a little bit longer for construction to start on a new, wider bridge. Though it was planned to have bids go out earlier this summer and for construction to begin […]
New Principal Named for Talbott Elementary School
Talbott Elementary School will have a new principal when classes start in August. With the transfer of former principal Amy Sharp to Coordinator of Instructional Technology and PDC, the Department of Education had an opening for a new leader of the Wildcats. According to the Director of Human Resources for Jefferson County School, Carol Baker, […]
Former Morristown Police Sergeant Indicted for Theft
A special investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has found that former Morristown Police Sgt. Michael Hurt failed to promptly turn over at least $6,000 in cash he collected while working for the police department. The investigation was completed in conjunction with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. During 2014 and 2015, Sgt. Hurt was responsible […]
Tennessee Promise Saturday at Tennessee State Parks
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Commissioner Bob Martineau, in partnership with Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative, today announced Tennessee Promise Saturday, a student volunteer day to be held in all Tennessee State Parks on Saturday, July 18. The Tennessee Promise, part of Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative to increase the number of […]
Personnel Committee Begins Search for Veteran Services Officer
The Jefferson County Personnel Committee met last week, with the major item on the agenda being the recommendation of a replacement for former Veteran’s Services Officer Matt Underwood. Three of the five committee members were present: Chairman Russel Turner, Bob Beeler, and Rob Blevins. Chairman Turner, a retired veteran of military service, noted that, due […]
Summer a Good Time to Immunize Children
The Tennessee Department of Health encourages parents to have their school-age children immunized now to avoid long lines and extended wait times that may occur closer to the start of the 2015-2016 school year. Immunization requirements apply to any student enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time including all Kindergarten students. Requirements also […]
CSX Train Derailment: 1 of 27 Cars Carrying Hazardous Material
CSX issued the following press release concerning an early morning train derailment in Maryville that impacted around 5,000 people within a two mile radius of the incident: CSX is working with first responders and relief agencies in Maryville, Tenn., following the derailment of a tank car that is on fire. CSX personnel are on hand […]
1st Day of New Wheel Tax
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 marked the first day of the new wheel tax in Jefferson County, which was increased from $25 to $50 during the recent budgeting process. Jefferson County Clerk, Frank Herndon, said Wednesday afternoon that the change had been largely well received and that most people were amicable regarding the increase. Herndon stated […]
Cline Assistant Principal at JCHS – Sharp Leaves Talbott
The Jefferson County School Board hosted their Regular Meeting on June 29, 2015 at the Central Office. Chairman Jarnigan Called the Meeting to Order. Absent from Roll Call were Board Members Vines and Rogers. With a Motion from Board Member Cavanah and 2nd from Board Member Potts, and an addition of a letter from Travelers […]
Commission Overrides Veto – Budget Stands
In their final meeting of the fiscal year 2014/2015, which ended July 1, 2015, the Jefferson County Commission voted 13-7 to override the Mayor’s veto of the 2015/2016 budget. With the override, the budget will stand as it was presented earlier this month, to include deep cuts to County departments and non profits but with […]
Finance Director Potts Expects County and School Roll Overs
General Housekeeping was the order of the day for the Jefferson County Budget Committee, as they met for the last time in the fiscal year 2014/2015. Meeting before a Called Meeting of the Jefferson County Commission on Monday, June 29, 2015, in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse, the Budget Committee addressed end of year County […]
