Some Dandridge Residents Reporting Discolored Water
Some residents in the Dandridge area may be seeing red, but according to Water Superintendent Mike Norton, that is the color of progress. Recently, the Dandridge Water Department contracted with KUB to bring water to the Dandridge area and customers are now on line with the new water supplier. Though many may see the benefit […]
It’s Tomato Time!
The summer season brings with it special traditions and delicacies that just aren’t as enjoyable all year around. Swimming and fishing just don’t go well with the brisk winds of fall or the harsh snow of winter. The same can be said for the fruit beloved by southerners: the tomato. With the arrival of tomato […]
Vaccinations: A Vital Step Before the Start of the New School Year
Summer is winding down and, believe it or not, the kids will soon be heading back to the classroom. While no one wants to think about homework and practice schedules, parents need to begin preparing children to re-enter school with not only the proper supplies, but also with updated vaccinations. No kid, or anyone for […]
Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri Offers Rebuttal
Mayor Alan Palmieri response to Comments by Commissioner David Seal Comments by Commissioner Seal in red highlights are responded to by Mayor Alan Palmieri in blue Inflammatory Language It is one thing to veto legislation. It is another thing entirely to add personal accusations and inflammatory language to the media release associated with the veto. […]
Newly Discovered Planet Has 3 Suns
If you thought Luke Skywalker’s home planet, Tatooine, was a strange world with its two suns in the sky, imagine this: a planet where you’d either experience constant daylight or enjoy triple sunrises and sunsets each day, depending on the seasons, which happen to last longer than human lifetimes. Such a world has been discovered […]
Budget Committee Member Seal Addresses Mayoral Statements On Veto
Inflammatory Language It is one thing to veto legislation. It is another thing entirely to add personal accusations and inflammatory language to the media release associated with the veto. As American citizens, we all expect the executive branch to veto legislative action from time to time. The veto process was designed by the founding fathers […]
The Lake Was Shakin’ Again In 2016
The lake was shakin’ and the dike was rockin bluegrass style, as Shakin’ the Lake 2016 came to town. This year, in addition to the fantastic display of fireworks that always illuminate Douglas Lake and the festivities at The Point Marina, the town side of the lake had some new things to offer. Red, White […]
Tennessee Department of Education Issues Letter of Intent to Award Statewide Testing Contract to Questar
Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced today that the department intends to award Questar, a national leader in large-scale assessment, a contract to develop and administer Tennessee’s annual state assessments for the 2016-17 school year. In addition, McQueen announced that Tennessee will phase in online administration over multiple years to ensure state, district, […]
General Jimmy Dunn Continues Leadership of District Attorneys
District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn of Cocke County was elected president of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference at its annual meeting. He previously served on the Conference’s Executive Committee for several years. As District Attorney for the 4th Judicial District, Dunn serves Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. As Conference president, Dunn will lead […]
Path to Renovation Topic of Vigorous Discussion for Facilities Committee
The fate of several county buildings was the driving topic of conversation as the Jefferson County Facilities Committee met for the final time for the fiscal year 2015/16. A difference in approach to dealing with the former Department of Education building and the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse brought discussion and two failed motions that would […]
TDOT to Expand HELP Program in Four Urban Areas
The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s popular HELP program is growing. TDOT was awarded a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant that will allow the department to add more HELP Operators and trucks, as well as expand the routes of the HELP program in West, Middle, and East Tennessee. “In the 15 plus years our […]
State Fire Marshal’s Office Posts First Results of Marina Inspections
With the arrival of summer and boating season, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) announces that results of the public marina and dock inspection program have been posted to the Department’s website for review. The marina inspection program was created as part of the passage in 2014 of Senate Bill No. 1954/House Bill No. […]
White Pine School to Get New Portable for Food Warming Station
Concern regarding the method that students will receive their lunches during the renovation and addition to White Pine School has risen among parents. But, those concerns were answered during last week’s school board meeting when the School Board, at the request of Director of Jefferson County Schools Business Affairs Phagan, gave their approval for the […]
Latest Census Bureau Population Estimates Indicate Aging across Tennessee
According to numbers released today by the US Census Bureau, Tennessee’s 2015 median age is 38.6 years, slightly older than the US median age, which rose from 37.7 in 2014 to 37.8 in 2015. The data release includes national, state, and county population estimates for 2015 by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin. A partner […]
Kari’s Law to Improve 911 Access from Tennessee Hotels & Office Buildings
A bill designed to improve 911 services for multiline phone systems, most commonly found in hotels and office buildings, was signed into state law by Governor Bill Haslam earlier this month. Public Chapter No. 808, also known as Kari’s Law, helps ensure people in Tennessee will no longer have to dial a 9 then 9-1-1 […]
Palmieri Vetos Budget
As provided in TCA 5-6-107 Powers and duties – Action on legislation; I am vetoing Budget Resolutions 2016-25, 26, 27 for the following reasons. The budget committee and county commission continues to pass out money based on personalities and favoritism to pay back favors instead of needs and principals. It is impossible to justify members […]
