Rebecca V. Lee Announces Candidacy For 4th Judicial District Public Defender
Rebecca V. Lee is announcing her candidacy for the 4th Judicial District Public Defender, serving Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier Counties. Lee was appointed to this position in January by Governor Bill Lee after zealously advocating for the constitutional rights of the citizens in her community as an Assistant Public Defender. Ed Miller served 31 […]
PUBLIC NOTICE – Jefferson County Board of School Commissioners Meeting, August 5, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEETING Board of School Commissioners Thursday, August 5, 2021 Work Session 5:30 PM Business Session to follow. Historic Courthouse Social Distancing is encouraged. Dr. Shane Johnston, Director Jefferson County Schools
Gov. Lee Convenes Law Enforcement Training Advisory Council
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee convened the Law Enforcement Training Advisory Council to discuss progress on improving information sharing and increasing officer training, amid a national surge in violent crime. “As we continue to see a wave of violent crime across the country, we are committed to providing law enforcement the tools and […]
VITAL POLICY – Maine Repeals Civil Asset Forfeiture, Tennessee Struggles to Protect Property Rights
After decades of attempts, the Tennessee General Assembly continues to work around the margins to reform civil asset forfeiture. By comparison, the state of Maine is now the fourth state to abolish civil forfeiture and replace it with the constitutional model of criminal asset forfeiture. Civil asset forfeiture is the process by which government can […]
TDOE Receives Approval of State Spending Plan from U.S. Department of Education for Historic Federal Funding for K-12 Education
Tennessee Department of Education received approval from the U.S. Department of Education on Tennessee’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) state plan, which lays out the state’s spending strategy for its portion of federal COVID-19 relief and stimulus funding to benefit K-12 education in Tennessee. Tennessee’s goal is to accelerate academic achievement for all students, and Tennessee’s ARP ESSER state plan outlines spending strategies, including grant opportunities and resources, that the department will provide to support […]
PUBLIC NOTICE – NOTICE OF GRAND JURY MEETING
NOTICE OF GRAND JURY MEETING It is the duty of the grand jurors to investigate any public offense which they may know or have reason to believe has been committed and which is triable or indictable in this county. Any person having knowledge or proof that such and offense has been committed may apply to […]
Bob Jarnagin Receives Historic Preservation Recognition Award
Robert “Bob” Jarnagin in his role as Jefferson County Historian and Dandridge Archivist is often referred to as a “treasure” because of his extensive knowledge of the history of the county and his eagerness to share that history through fascinating presentations for civic and educational groups, lively narrations on walking tours, and tireless research […]
Jefferson County’s Aaron Loy Wins Young Farmer Honors
Jefferson County young farmer Aaron Loy took home the district V honors in the Tennessee Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award contest. Loy was named this year’s district V winner based upon his farm and financial records from 2020, in addition to his leadership on the farm, in his community and in […]
Jefferson County Producers Have Until Aug. 2 to Submit FSA County Committee Nominations
Farmers and ranchers have until Aug. 2, 2021, to nominate candidates to serve on the Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Committee. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) accepts nominations each year in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAAs) for individuals to serve on these locally led committees. “The Aug. 2 deadline is quickly approaching,” said […]
VITAL POLICY – OPINION Jefferson County’s “Tourist Punishment Tax” – a Double-Edged Sword that Must be Wielded Wisely
On any given day, the Jefferson County Tourism Office does a great job of attracting tourism business to Jefferson County, as well as the tax revenue that comes with it. Restaurants, markets, grocery stores, caterers, event venues, photographers, and many other businesses derive benefit. Tourists by the thousands sail in, spend their money, and sail […]
AG Slatery Sues Google for Violating Antitrust Law
Nashville- Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III, along with a coalition of 37 attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against Google in California. The suit alleges exclusionary conduct relating to the Google Play Store for Android mobile devices and Google Play Billing. This antitrust lawsuit is the latest of many legal actions asserting that the […]
American Academy of Pediatrics Identifies Children Most at Risk of Drowning and Recommends Layers of Protection to Prevent Tragedy
The demand for backyard pools and outdoor activities soared during the pandemic — a reason for optimism as families look forward to spending summer outdoors but also a sobering reminder for parents to be extra vigilant about drowning risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics breaks down the latest research on children in a technical report, “Prevention […]
Tennessean’s Will Save Millions Thanks to Record Low Interest Rates
The State of Tennessee has completed the biggest sale of general obligation bonds in its history by closing on approximately $658.7 million of bonds. The bonds sold with a record-setting low true interest cost of 1.41%. The debt offering was sold in two series of bonds consisting of $167.75 million of Series A tax-exempt bonds […]
Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe Announce Kairos Power to Establish Low-Power Demonstration Reactor in Oak Ridge
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Kairos Power officials announced today that the privately funded, advanced nuclear engineering company will establish a low-power demonstration reactor in Oak Ridge. Kairos Power will invest $100 million and create 55 jobs to deploy a low-power demonstration reactor at the East Tennessee Technology Park in Oak Ridge. Kairos Power’s low-power demonstration reactor, called Hermes, will demonstrate the company’s capability […]
New Jefferson Elementary School, Once Again To Be Topic For Discussion By County Commission
The Jefferson County Commission will again be addressing the possibility of a new Jefferson Elementary School at Monday’s quarterly meeting. In work session this week Commissioner Thomas of the 10th district informed the full body that she will be bringing a motion for the Nominating Committee to form a committee to bring a proposed solution […]
County Commission Hears Concerns Due To Proposed Rezoning For Slaughterhouse In Strawberry Plains
Jefferson County Commissioners will be faced with the decision to approve or deny a request to rezone property located off of Highway 11E (near Eslinger Road) Strawberry Plains from A-1( agriculture/forestry) to I-2 ( Environmental/ Industrial) to accommodate a proposed slaughter house and retail store. Ten citizens from the area, some with direct impact and […]
