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 […]
Plan Before You Plant
With the coming of spring, many are looking to spruce up their yards with new plants, trees or flowers. This weekend’s cold snap could have the occasional gardener rethinking early planting and concerned about even more mature foliage. With the most recent bout of below freezing temperatures, flowering plants, which were already impacted by February’s […]
Palm Sunday Starts Holy Week
March 29, 2015 is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week preceding Easter. Signifying the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem and his reception by his followers, Palm Sunday is the final Sunday in lent and an important day for those that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Holy week is often celebrated by a […]
DOE’s Fund Balance Looks Bleak
The Jefferson County School Board held their regular voting meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2015 in the media center of Jefferson County High School. School Board Chairman Jarnigan Called the Meeting to Order. Absent from Roll Call were Board Members Bradley and Vines. Special Focus for the meeting was the JCHS Service Learning Class and […]
Rush Strong Holds 10th Year DARE Graduation
The D.A.R.E program turned double digits at Rush Strong School on Friday, March 27, 2015. In a program that attracted local dignitaries and special guest speakers, the awarding of diplomas was the highlight event of the evening. Plainsmen and their families were entertained by Miss Courtney Callin and Miss Molly Elkins, who offered the music […]
Dye the Easter Eggs, but Don’t Handle the Chicks
Those Easter baskets are often filled with candy and colorful eggs. However, there is one type of gift you should avoid during the holiday—baby chicks and ducklings. Live poultry commonly carry Salmonella germs. When humans handle the birds, the bacteria can spread. Exposure to Salmonella commonly causes extreme abdominal upset. In severe cases, the illness […]
If You Have Brush to Burn, Don’t Forget the Permit
The recent winter storms were hard on Tennessee’s landscape. Heavy ice brought down limbs and trees across the state. Brush pile burning is one of the best ways for landowners to clean up woody debris from the storms. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is reminding citizens that outdoor burning requires a permit […]
Mayor Palmieri Declines To Sign or Veto – Wheel Tax Resolution Will Become Law With Or Without Signature
Resolution 2015-05, which levies an additional County-Wide Wheel Tax, will pass into law without the stamp of approval from Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri. On Friday, the Mayor declared that, while he would not exercise his right to veto the wheel tax increase, neither would he support it by giving it his signature. Mayor Palmieri said […]
FBI Thanks Jefferson County Sheriff For Department’s Work In Pill Mill Bust
Jefferson County Sheriff McCoig and his department were recognized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their part in taking down a large pill mill operation in Knox and surrounding counties. Sheriff McCoig stated that his department is a part of a cooperative drug task force that works with both federal and state agencies, as […]
Dockery Gets the Nod
The Jefferson County Quality Control Oversight Committee met on Thursday evening, March 19, 2015 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse to make a decision regarding applicants for an Advisor that will report to the School Board, County Commission and Chair of the Quality Control Oversight Committee about the Building 8 project. Following interviews of three […]
