Schools Could Receive Waiver for Snow Days
Jefferson County Schools have exhausted their reserve of snow days, according to Jefferson County Director of Schools, Dr. Charles Edmonds. As of Friday, February 27, 2015 students had missed a total of 12 days for inclement weather, mainly due to back to back storms that rocked the area during the last two weeks in February. […]
And Again!
After more than a week of freezing temperatures, incapacitating ice and a snow/slush mix, locals awoke Thursday morning to a blanket of fresh snow. Though early predictions were sketchy, the February 25th accumulations exceeded the five inch mark in some areas. While February’s wintry blast last week resulted in several power outages due to downed […]
State Library and Archives’ ‘Heritage Project’ Finalist for National Award
A program launched by the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) to produce short documentaries of the people, places and events that make Tennessee distinctive is one of four finalists for a national award. TSLA’s Tennessee State Heritage Project is in the running for the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) IDEAS Award. IDEAS […]
DOE Spending Splits – Where The Money Goes
This month The Beacon Center, a non profit, non partisan organization which touts a distinguished Board of Director comprised of some of Tennessee’s most successful business people, launched a new site that identifies the way that local Departments of Education spend their dollars. Figures released include both state and local funding. In comparing Jefferson County […]
TDH Encourages Everyone to Prevent Heart Attacks
The Tennessee Department of Health reminds everyone to make heart health a top priority during American Heart Month and throughout the year. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the number one killer of women. “Heart disease is something everyone should take very seriously, and there are many things […]
Urgent request to AEC members to conserve energy during extreme cold
With the coldest temperatures in more than a year expected to reach the Co-op’s service area over the next couple of nights, Appalachian Electric Cooperative is taking steps to ensure a reliable supply of power for everyone. “It’s been a challenging week,” says AEC Member Services Director Mitch Cain. “With the ice storm bringing down […]
Nearly 1 Billion To Celebrate Ash Wednesday
On February 18, 2015, many Christians began the 40 day period preceding Easter known as lent. Ash Wednesday will begin the season of Lent, which is expected to be observed by more than one billion people world wide. A day of reflection, many observe Ash Wednesday with services that include placing ash on the forehead […]
East Tennessee Braces For Near Zero Temperatures
Persistent inclement weather has put a damper on to day to day business across Jefferson County. While County offices reopened on Wednesday, following closure on Monday for President’s Day and Tuesday for unpassable road conditions, many were working on with a skeletal crew. County meetings of the newly formed Building Oversight Committee, as well as […]
Line Crews Battle Frozen Conditions
Ice has proven to be seriously problematic for Appalachian Electric Cooperative crews that have been working around the clock to keep the lights on in Jefferson County homes since the onset of the powerful storm Monday morning, February 16, 2015. Mitch Cain, Director of Member Services for Appalachian Electric, said that the crews have been […]
Ice Storm Causes Outages And Closings
Winter weather conditions have caused problems across Tennessee. In Jefferson County, ice has been the main culprit for slippery roads and downed trees. The local area was doused with sleet, light snow and freezing rain for the better part of 24 hours, beginning on Monday morning, February 16, 2015. Though initially it appeared that the […]
President’s Day
February 16 marks President’s Day, an unusual federal holiday that has no true definition. Originating as Washington’s birthday celebration, President’s Day has expanded to include whatever presidents a state feels should be honored. Obviously, this means that Washington and Lincoln, who were both born in February, are honored, though some states, including Tennessee, still officially […]
County and DOE Pending Litigation
Tennessee counties must identify pending litigation, as a part of their annual financial audit that is conducted by State auditors and reported to the Tennessee Comptroller’s office. The audit report is published on the Tennessee Comptroller’s website in February of every year. This audit year Jefferson County had 17 cases of pending litigation, which includes […]
Dandridge Police Department Installs “Drug Take Back Box”
On Feb 10, 2015 the Dandridge Police Department began utilizing a new strategy to fight the growing prescription pill abuse epidemic in East Tennessee: a “Drug Take Back” program. Citizens are encouraged to bring in excess medications and prescriptions that are no longer needed, or left behind by family members who have passed away, depositing […]
Rezone? Build? or Both?
The Jefferson County Board of School Commissioners held their work session on February 12, 2015 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Chairman of the Board Jarnigan called the meeting to order. Absent from Roll Call was Board Member Vines. Sherry Dotson, Jefferson County School Transportation Supervisor, addressed the Board regarding challenges that bus drivers have […]
Jefferson County Fugitive Arrested For Stabbing Death In Whitesburg
On February 2, 2015, Officers Sam Cameron and Ethan Shults stopped a blue 350ZX Nissan at the 417 travel center off of Highway 92. The car was driven by Jesse Cole Marriman, 22, of Whitesburg, TN, and Heather Marie Smith, 26, of Morristown, TN. When officers Shults and Cameron questioned the couple, they received consent […]
