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 […]
Tennessee State Trooper Arrests Hip-Hop Artist “Nelly” in Putnam County
A Tennessee state trooper arrested internationally known hip-hop artist “Nelly” on felony drug charges in Putnam County on Saturday morning. Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes, was charged with felony possession of drugs, simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. At approximately 9:20 a.m. on Saturday, Trooper Michael Loftis stopped a Prevost […]
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 […]
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 […]
Spring Equinox 2015 Brings Celestial Hat Trick
Friday, March 20, 2015, marks a unique coincidence of events for stargazers everywhere. March 20 is the Spring Equinox, a day when the plane of the equator passes the center of the sun. This essentially means that both day and night are of almost equal length, signifying a changing of the seasons. Throughout history, the […]
Crime Spree Ends In Jefferson County For Joshua Wayne Cooper
Jefferson County was the end of the road for fugitive Joshua Wayne Cooper, who had eluded police for several days following his escape from arrest for stealing multiple automobiles in a cross county crime spree. On Sunday evening, March 15, 2015 Cooper stole another automobile from Exit 8 in Morristown and proceeded to the Walmart […]
TDOT Launches Plan for Statewide Pothole Repair
A series of brutal winter storms followed by heavy rainfall amounts have created an abundance of potholes along Tennessee’s interstates and state highways. With warmer temperatures in the forecast over the coming days, TDOT is launching a massive effort using all available manpower to repair the damaged areas as quickly as possible. Multiple 5-6 man […]
Wheel Tax Passes Second Reading
The Jefferson County Commission met for their Regular Voting Session on Thursday, March 12, 2015 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Commission Chairman Carmichael called the meeting to order. Absent from Roll Call was Commissioner Tabor. With a Motion from Commissioner McGraw and 2nd from Commissioner Tucker the Minutes from the January 20, 2015 session […]
Violations Land Rush Strong School On Federal EPA List – State Moving Forward With Enforcement
Rush Strong School has been listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as having compliance issues regarding the Clean Water Act. This compliance issue is in addition to compliance and enforcement issues with the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, as well. In letters dating back to March of 2011, TDEC officials […]
‘After all, it’s in his blood’ – Jefferson County Local Opens Distillery In Hartford
A Jefferson County local has opened a distillery in Hartford, TN. Darrell Miller was born and raised in Dandridge, Tennessee on a small dairy farm. While he was raised in Jefferson County, his travels took him far from the hills of Tennessee. Miller’s career path found him overseas, teaching internationally. When he returned to the […]
Crashes Continue To Take Toll On Truck Drivers
Our nation depends on truck drivers to deliver goods and services safely and efficiently. Yet, crashes involving large trucks continue to take a toll on truck drivers, their passengers, other road users, businesses, and the community. Overall, 317,000 motor vehicle crashes involving large trucks were reported to police in 2012, according to the latest Vital Signs report […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
