County Has Healthy Rollover
The Jefferson County Commission met for their regular Work Session on Monday, September 9, 2019 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Beyond familiarizing themselves with the full meeting agenda, the Commission heard from various Department Heads for status updates. Six citizens addressed the Commission with two being from Parrott’s Chapel, one regarding Broadband, one voicing […]
Sen. Niceley Gives Keynote Speech at TSU Small Farm Expo Luncheon to “Celebrate the Success of Our Small Farms”
On Wednesday, State Senator Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) gave a keynote speech at Tennessee State University’s (TSU) Fifteenth Annual Small Farm Expo and Small Farmer of the Year Awards Program luncheon. Small farmers from across Tennessee, county agents, state dignitaries and other officials attended this year’s program themed, “Celebrating the Success of Our Small Farms.” Niceley spoke […]
Picking the Perfect Pumpkin
It’s that time of year when hay bells, scarecrows, and of course pumpkins start donning displays across the area. The search for the perfect pumpkin is easier some years than others. The hot dry weather the area has been experiencing the last couple months may make the effort just a little harder than most years. […]
The Time for Fall Festivals is Here!
The Labor Day holiday has come and gone. Even though the thermometer says otherwise, autumn is just around the corner and the time to start planning to get out and enjoy the harvest is now. There are more than enough diverse opportunities to get out and enjoy the season that many call their favorite time […]
DOE $1.3 Increase in Available General Funds
The Jefferson County Department of Education’s General Fund Balance is around $1.3 million dollars healthier due to funds that were “rolled over” from the 2018/2019 fiscal year. School Board members received the increased balance information at their September Business Meeting held on Thursday evening, September 5, 2019 at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Jefferson County […]
Initial State Findings Point to Clinical Similarities in Illnesses Among People Who Use E-cigarettes
Initial findings from the investigation into serious lung illnesses associated with e-cigarette products point to clinical similarities among those affected. Patients report similar exposures, symptoms and clinical findings and these align with the CDC health advisory released last week. While many of the patients, but not all, reported recent use of THC-containing products, some reported […]
Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell Set Sights on Tourism Future
Governor Bill Lee today addressed tourism professionals during the 2019 Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism at the Music City Center, noting the state’s 2nd largest industry and thanking them for their hard work. He shared his priorities over the next four years and shined a light on how tourism can help achieve successful community-focused […]
Jefferson Health Care Foundation, a fund of East Tennessee Foundation, Announces Grant Opportunity to Benefit Jefferson County Residents
East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is now accepting applications for funding from the Jefferson Health Care Foundation Fund of East Tennessee Foundation. Organizations must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) or other exempt entities and submit proposals that directly benefit the health and well-being of Jefferson County residents. Applications must be submitted online to ETF no later than October […]
Fall Foliage Lovers
For fall foliage lovers it is that time of year when the gaze goes to the tree tops to see if there is any change of color. While a few leaves of yellow may be present sporadically, we have not reached the combination locally that will produce those wonderful shades of red and orange that […]
Above Average Temps Predicted For Next Few Days
The calendar may say that summer is winding down but the thermometer tells an entirely different story. While the average temperature for this time of the year is generally in the mid eighties and decreasing as the month progresses toward fall, next week may prove to be the anomaly. If the current weather forecast holds […]
Happy Labor Day
Summer’s unofficial last hoo-rah is upon us. Even though technically on the calendar fall doesn’t begin until September 23, the Labor Day holiday has long been used as the unofficial end of summer. Mums, fall decor, and pumpkin spice everything will soon be taking over. The long, hot, muggy nights will soon give way to […]
TDOT Announces No Lane Closures for Labor Day Holiday
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways for the Labor Day holiday travel period. Construction crews will stop all lane closure activity beginning at noon on Friday, August 30 through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists traveling during […]
Tennessee Judge Receives Highest Judicial Honor for Work on the Opioid Epidemic
Tennessee Judge Duane Slone is the 2019 recipient of the National Center for State Courts’ (NCSC) William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence, one of the highest judicial honors in the country. Judge Slone, of the Circuit Court in the Fourth Judicial District, is being recognized for his ground-breaking work helping people with opioid use […]
TDCI Approves Carriers’ 2020 Rates on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) announces the approval of insurance rates requested by the five carriers offering coverage on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) in 2020. “The approved rate filing requests for 2020 benefit Tennessee’s working families by offering them an increased number of coverage choices and a tighter range of prices,” […]
Hamblen County Trustee Indicted on Multiple Counts Including Theft
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office, working in conjunction with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, has resulted in the indictment of John Baskette, the current trustee of Hamblen County. Investigators determined that Baskette withheld $89,478.81 in cash that was collected by the trustee’s office between November 5, 2018 and December 8, 2018. Baskette admitted […]
AG Slatery Joins 51 Attorneys General and 12 Companies in Fight Against Illegal Robocalls
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today announced that as a result of a bipartisan, public/private coalition of 51 attorneys general and 12 phone companies, the phone companies have agreed to adopt eight principles to fight illegal robocalls. “Robocalls are uninvited, a breach of privacy, distracting and generally a menace,” said General Slatery. “This agreement […]
