American Legion Post 113 Donates Flags to Jefferson County Schools
Jefferson County Schools is grateful to American Legion Post 113, Jefferson City, for its donation of American flags to support schools across the district. The flags will be used to replace those in need of retirement, helping ensure that Jefferson County Schools can continue to honor the nation and those who have served while proudly […]
DAR – Dandridge Memorial Library Collection Enriched with Donation of Ken Burns’ “American Revolution”
In a significant enhancement to local cultural offerings and historical education, the Dandridge Memorial Library adds Ken Burns’ renowned documentary collection, “The American Revolution: An Intimate History,” which includes a complete DVD set. This donation was made possible through the efforts of the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution (TSDAR), whose mission focuses on […]
Dandridge VFW Post 3380 Announces Student Scholarship Competitions
Dandridge VFW Post 3380 is accepting entries for the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ two national youth scholarship programs, Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy. Local students are encouraged to participate for the opportunity to earn scholarships while honoring America’s veterans through writing. This year’s theme for both contests is “What a Veteran Taught Me About […]
Dandridge Martial Arts Leader Kensei Christopher Joseph Rossman to Receive Prestigious 2026 G.O.A.T. Honors Award
Christopher Joseph Rossman of Dandridge, Tennessee, has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2026 G.O.A.T. Honors (Greatest of All Time) Martial Arts Award, recognizing his dedication, leadership, and outstanding contributions to the martial arts community. The G.O.A.T. Honors Awards, founded by Grand Master Lawrence Arthur, recognize distinguished martial artists from around the world whose […]
Liberty Luncheon – a Celebration of DAR Daughters
The inaugural Liberty Luncheon, hosted by the Greater Smoky Mountain Council of Regents on May 23, was a delightful gathering for members of the Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). Formed in 2019, the Greater Smoky Mountain Council comprises members from four chapters: Spencer Clack, William Cocke, […]
Record Crowds Fill Downtown Dandridge for June Jubilee
The Dandridge June Jubilee Music & Street Festival, always a crowd favorite, exceeded expectations on Saturday, June 20th, delivering the largest turnout in the event’s history as thousands of visitors packed the streets of Tennessee’s second oldest town for a full day of music, food, and community celebration. Crowds began filling Historic Downtown Dandridge early and […]
Carson-Newman commencement celebrates Class of 2026, Robert Reedy Bryan Society inductees
Carson-Newman University held its Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 1. During the event the University inducted five new members into the Robert Reedy Bryan Society, as well as celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2026. A total of 218 undergraduate degrees were conferred, as the graduates were addressed by keynote speaker and retired […]
Rescue 180 wins non-profit of the year in Jefferson County
Jefferson County’s Substance Abuse Coalition, Rescue 180, was awarded Non‑Profit of the Year for 2025–26. “We proudly honor Rev. Debra Shultz and Rescue 180, Inc. for their unwavering dedication, compassion, and transformative impact in Jefferson County,” shared Sheila Wiggins, President & CEO of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. Executive Director Rev. Debra Shultz said […]
Williams honored by Rescue 180 with Courage Award
A special event was held at the Rescue 180 Crisis Center to provide great food and fellowship, and to give honor where honor is due in the area, of our community’s leaders who have impacted us in the field of substance abuse recovery. Rescue 180, the county’s Substance Abuse Coalition, has been providing Prevention Education […]
Carson-Newman nursing graduates celebrate 100% NCLEX pass rate
In their first attempt, 100% of Carson-Newman University’s 2025 nursing graduates passed National Council Licensing Examinations (NCLEX). The test, a mandatory examination for licensure as a registered nurse, is designed in part to assure the public of a nurse’s ability to provide quality care. Dr. Lana Spence, Carson-Newman dean of the College of Health Sciences, […]
Bush Bros.’ Ethier tells Carson-Newman graduates “times call for leaders with right values, vision”
Carson-Newman University celebrated more than 350 graduates earning degrees during its Winter Commencement. The Dec. 12 ceremony was held at the Sevierville Convention Center. Jim Ethier, chairman emeritus of Bush Brothers and Company, delivered the keynote address to C-N graduates, who represented 22 different states and 12 countries. Ethier, the youngest grandson of Carson-Newman alumnus […]
From Colonies to Counties: Thanksgiving Through the Eyes of Tennessee’s Founders
As Thanksgiving approaches, we’ve looked back at its colonial origins and its humble observance on the Appalachian frontier. But what did Thanksgiving mean to the men and women who shaped Tennessee itself? To understand that, we must step into the minds of the state’s founders—people like John Sevier, William Blount, and the early settlers who […]
Jefferson County High School Senior Emma Disney Becomes 4th Generation Tennessee Tech Student
When it came time for Jefferson County High School senior Emma Disney to consider her college options, she didn’t hesitate. “I was dead set on coming to Tennessee Tech,” she said. While the East Tennessee native had plenty of schools vying for her attention thanks to her 4.0 GPA, enrolling at Tech was a family […]
Frontier Gratitude: How Early Settlers Celebrated in the Wilderness
When we think of Thanksgiving, images of Pilgrims and Native Americans gathered around a harvest feast often come to mind. But by the time settlers reached the hills and hollows of East Tennessee, the holiday had already begun to evolve—shaped by hardship, isolation, and the rugged realities of frontier life. In Jefferson County, where settlement […]
Carson-Newman University names award-winning composer McDonald to music faculty
Carson-Newman University announced that award-winning composer Mary McDonald will serve as composer-in-residence in the University’s Music Department. The 1978 Carson-Newman alumna is well-known in the field of sacred music. With a career spanning over 40 years, her songs appear in the catalogs of every major publisher of church music. More than 1,700 compositions through anthems, seasonal […]
Before Tennessee: Thanksgiving in the Age of Exploration
As families across Jefferson County prepare for Thanksgiving, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the holiday’s origins—long before Tennessee was a state, before Jefferson County was founded, and even before the Appalachian frontier was mapped. The story of Thanksgiving begins not in the hills of East Tennessee, but on the rocky shores of New England, […]
