TN Attorney General Challenges Unlawful, Unprecedented Order
The State of Tennessee, through the Attorney General’s Office, is appealing a final order from the Davidson County Criminal Court that circumvented established legal procedures. The order exchanged the death sentence of Tennessee inmate Abu-Ali Abdur’Rahman for life in prison, thus essentially granting clemency through a court and a district attorney that both lack the […]
KaTom Adding 100 New Jobs
KaTom Restaurant Supply, a family-owned business run based in Kodak is growing again. The company earned $12.6 million in low cost loans from the US Department of Agriculture together with the Small Business Administration and Community Trust Bank. The funds will allow KaTom to add 40,000 square feet, which will help accommodate 100 new employees. […]
Happy Fall!!
The time of year that many wait the long, hot summer for is here! Pumpkin spice everything, cozy sweaters, crunching of the leaves, and all things spooky. Even though the area is still experiencing highs in the upper 80’s and lower 90’s, today marks the first day of fall, as the autumnal equinox happens today. […]
Inmate Escapes In School Vehicle
Dr. Shane Johnston, Director of Jefferson County Schools released the following statement concerning the incident: “Earlier today my office was notified that an inmate from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department had stolen a car from the transportation garage and fled the property. Central office staff worked with schools and placed four school campuses (Piedmont, Patriot […]
Local Area At Risk for Fire Due to Dry Conditions
It has been eight weeks since Jefferson County has seen a measurable rainfall, and it’s beginning to show. The grass is becoming crunchy, trees are already starting to loose their leaves and the air has been unseasonably hot and dry. Though the temperatures are on a slight downturn, there is no significant rainfall in the […]
Employment Rises In Tennessee’s Six Largest Counties
Employment rose in each of Tennessee’s six largest counties from March 2018 to March 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS) reported Wednesday. The USBLS qualifies large counties as those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2018. USBLS Regional Commissioner Janet S. Rankin noted that employment gains ranged from 4.0 […]
TN Division of Forestry Monitoring Wildfire Risk
Wildland fire officials with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry are keeping a close eye on weather conditions as the state and region experience a prolonged hot and dry pattern. While the division has not seen an increase in the number of wildfires, nor do indices suggest a high fire danger, the agency […]
Tennessee Graduation Rate Continues to Rise
Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced that the graduation rate for the 2018-19 school calendar year was 89.7 percent. Not only is that more than half a percentage point higher than the previous year, but it’s the highest graduation rate on record for Tennessee. That translates into an increase of 183 graduates statewide. Education Commissioner Penny […]
County Commission Approves $11 Million Funding Request
Jefferson County Commissioners met for their Regular Monthly Voting Session on Monday, September 16, 2019 at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Absent at Roll Call were Commissioners Phagan, Blevins and Byrd. Following the call to order, the floor was opened for nomination and election of officers for the County Commission for the 2019/2020 year. By […]
Tips for Managing After School Hours
Part of each school day includes what happens before, and after school. Before and after school care, homework and winding down at the end of the day all play a part in a successful school day. BEFORE AND AFTER-SCHOOL CHILDCARE During early and middle childhood, children need supervision. A responsible adult should be available to […]
Local Lawmakers Announce Technology Grants for Public Libraries in Jefferson County
State Senator Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) and Representatives Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) and Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville) announced today that Jefferson County is receiving $7,738 in Technology Grants from the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The lawmakers made the announcement after being notified by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Access to technology is something many of […]
An Ally Worth Fighting For
This August, I had the honor of visiting Israel with a congressional delegation to renew and strengthen the unique friendship between our two countries, to learn more about their culture firsthand, and to advocate for greater economic cooperation in several areas of joint interest. Given the unique friendship between the United States and Israel, this […]
Once in a Harvest Moon
Superstitious folks are getting a double whammy as the full harvest moon happens tonight, Friday the 13th. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that happens closest to the Fall Equinox, and was especially important to farmers during the harvest because it provided extra light to work by during the reaping season. This is an […]
Admission and Scholarship Given to Young Vol Fan
The University of Tennessee is lighting the way for the young Vol fan who made his own UT T-shirt. In recognition of the fourth-grader’s Volunteer spirit, the university has extended an offer of honorary admission for him to join the Class of 2032. In addition, he has been awarded a four-year scholarship covering his tuition […]
Attorney General Slatery Joins Google Bipartisan Multistate Antitrust Investigation
Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today joined 50 attorneys general in a multistate, bipartisan investigation of tech giant Google’s business practices in accordance with state and federal antitrust laws. The bipartisan coalition announced plans to investigate Google’s overarching control of online advertising markets and search traffic that may have led to anticompetitive behavior […]
TDH Reports Six Cases of Vaping-associated Respiratory Disease
The Tennessee Department of Health has reported six cases of suspected serious respiratory disease among people who use electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a cluster of severe pulmonary disease among people who use e-cigarettes or vape, with 215 cases […]
