Wheel Tax & Enforcement Discussion Of Commission Work Session
Monday, April 13, 2015 marked Jefferson County Commission’s April Work Session, which was held in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Topics of discussion and information for the Commission included several resolutions, half of which were general housekeeping, with the remainder being honorary resolutions for Maurice Solomon and the late Martin Dale. The status of the […]
Citizens Let Wheel Tax Increase Stand
The resolution to increase wheel tax in Jefferson County will pass into law unchallenged. Friday, April 10, 2015 was the last date for petitions to be filed to send the wheel tax issue to referendum. At the close of the business day on April 10th , there were no where near the number of signatures […]
Travelers Urged to Protect Themselves from Mosquitoes
The Tennessee Department of Health is reminding vacation and business travelers about the importance of protecting themselves from mosquitoes that may transmit chikungunya virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue. The first confirmed case of chikungunya virus disease in Tennessee occurred in 2014; since then 42 additional cases have been documented, all involving travel outside […]
Say “Thumbs Down” to Texting & Driving during Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is designated as national Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and representatives from Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated joined today to share a unified message: Thumbs Down to Texting and Driving. Among those speaking at the press event […]
Davis Bacon Overfunding, Technology Projections, and Cell Phone Policy Among Items Discussed
The Jefferson County School Board met for a Called Meeting and Work Session on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in the Patriot Academy. School Board Chair Jarnigan Called the Meeting to Order and Board Members Rogers and Lowery were absent from Roll Call. Mike Dockery, the newly contracted Quality Oversight Adviser for the Building 8 project, […]
Preparedness Urged for Seasonal Severe Weather
While a tornado can occur anytime throughout the year, the peak risk months in Tennessee for property damage and loss of life from twisters and floods are March, April and May. Officials with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency this week reminded residents of the need to be alert for […]
Three Boating Tips Just for Springtime
Across America at boat launch ramps, the familiar growl of boat motors waking up from their long winter nap heralds the start of the boating season. But what makes boating, fishing or sailing this time of year different from all others? When it comes to safety, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has […]
U.S. Senator Bob Corker Visits Jefferson County
United States Senator Bob Corker stopped by the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse in Dandridge on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 to meet and greet with the public and local dignitaries. The event was hosted by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Director Helton introduced Senator Corker to the crowd. The Senator fielded questions from […]
Haslam Announces Federal Disaster Assistance for 35 Counties
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced today the federal government will provide assistance to 35 counties still recovering from the severe winter storm of February 15 to February 22, 2015, that took 30 lives and caused widespread damage. “This deadly and devastating storm required a comprehensive and coordinated response from many, and this federal assistance will […]
TDOT Halts Interstate Construction for Easter Holiday Travel
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all interstate construction work this Easter weekend in anticipation of increased holiday travel. TDOT crews and contractors will stop all road construction work that requires lane closures beginning Thursday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 6 at 6:00 a.m. This will provide maximum roadway capacity to […]
Budget Committee Working Toward Zero Property Tax Increase If Wheel Tax Increase Stands
Budget season began in Jefferson County on Tuesday evening, March 31, 2015 when the Budget Committee convened at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse for their first meeting. In light of the serious deficit that the committee is working with of $3.8 million dollars and the recent decision by the County Commission to increase the Wheel […]
Joint Meeting Of Audit And Finance Committees
On March 31, 2015, the Jefferson County Audit Committee and Jefferson County Finance Committee met in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Prior to the joint meeting the Audit Committee convened to install officers. Gary Jett will serve as Committee Chairman, Commissioner John McGraw will hold the Vice Chair position and Finance Director Potts will be […]
Wheel It Pass?
On January 19, 2015, the Jefferson County Commission approved, with more than the required 2/3 vote, Resolution 2015-05, which will levy a wheel tax increase of $25 for automobiles(motor driven vehicles) and $15 on motorcycles, motor driven bicycles and scooters for a total of $50 for for automobiles and $30 for motorcycles. On March 12, […]
Clock Is Ticking As IDB Commits Cash
Jefferson County’s Industrial Development Board made the decision on Friday morning to up the county’s commitment to purchase property in White Pine, Tennessee. IDB members had previously identified two parcels of property owned by the Wiggington family and a third piece of property, situated in the middle of the Wiggington land and owned by Realtor […]
Misperceptions Keep Kids from Getting Lifesaving Treatment for Tickborne Diseases
Kids are five times more likely than adults to die from tickborne diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Doctors often avoid prescribing doxycycline, the most effective RMSF treatment, for young children because the drug’s warning label cautions that tooth staining may be a side effect in children younger than 8 years. A new study […]
