Radiation Security Team Keeps Public Safe at Super Bowls
Richard Stump has been to five Super Bowls and hasn’t seen a single pass, run or touchdown. Stump works security — a very special kind of security — at large public events. He’s a senior scientist on Sandia National Laboratories’ Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) team. He, along with several other technical members from across the […]
Tips for Planning a Summer Getaway
These beginning months of the year can sometimes seem like a drag, with the seemingly endless winter before us. There isn’t a lot to do this time of year that doesn’t involve school and work functions for many of us. Here is a solution to combat those winter blues: start planning for your summer vacation. […]
Star Birth with a Chance of Winds?
The lesser-known constellation of Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs), is home to a variety of deep-sky objects — including this beautiful galaxy, known as NGC 4861. Astronomers are still debating on how to classify it. While its physical properties — such as mass, size and rotational velocity — indicate it to be a spiral galaxy, […]
School Board Funds Band Room for White Pine School Project
The Jefferson County School Board took action in their regular monthly meeting, held on Thursday, January 26, 2017, to use monies already in the capital projects budget for the 2016/2017 School Year to fund the band room renovation at White Pine School. The motion to move the remaining $113,800 that was left of the $200,000 […]
Haslam Announces Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced legislation to increase broadband access to Tennessee’s unserved citizens. Tennessee currently ranks 29th in the U.S. for broadband access, with 34 percent of rural Tennessee residents lacking access at recognized minimum standards. “From the farmer and the accountant in West Tennessee whose businesses are stifled, to the East Tennessee […]
Corker Statement on Trump Executive Order to Advance Completion of Keystone XL Pipeline
U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement after President Donald J. Trump announced the signing of an executive order to advance completion of the Keystone XL pipeline. The Obama administration previously denied approval for the final segment of the Keystone XL pipeline in 2015 after years of […]
Office of Open Records Counsels Creates Model Public Records Policy
For the first time in state history, Tennessee government entities now have a model policy to help define how public records requests are handled. The Comptroller’s Office of Open Records Counsel (OORC) established a model public records policy to assist all Tennessee government entities. The model policy was created after Representative Bill Dunn and Senator […]
Recent Mumps Outbreaks Cause Concern
Mumps, the illness many associate with childhood, can infect people of all ages and has been on the rise as some neglect to immunize themselves or their children. The Tennessee Department of Health is concerned about increases in mumps cases, including an ongoing outbreak in neighboring Arkansas which so far involves more than 2,400 suspected […]
Representative Andrew Farmer Officially Sworn In; Appointed Chairman Of House Civil Justice Committee
The House of Representatives officially gaveled into session this week in Nashville, marking the beginning of the 110th General Assembly. As part of the opening day ceremonies, State Representative Andrew Farmer (R–Sevierville) took the oath of office and was officially sworn into the Tennessee House of Representatives. In addition, Representative Farmer was appointed as Chairman of […]
Jefferson County Schools Facilities Director Phagan Discusses Timelines for Rezoning, Capital Projects, and Renovations
With the funding questions regarding the White Pine School Renovation and Addition Project answered, at least for Phase I, Director of Facilities for Jefferson County Schools Michael Phagan is looking at time lines and a possible shift in zoning that could be on the horizon for Jefferson County Department of Education. According to Phagan, contracts […]
Lifetime Handgun Carry Permit Drops in Price
Tennessee citizens with a valid handgun carry permit now have the option to upgrade to a lifetime permit for a lower cost. In 2016, the 109th General Assembly lowered the renewal fee on lifetime handgun carry permits from $500 to $200. The new fee for an original permit is now $100, and the permit is […]
Department of Safety & Homeland Security’s Mobile Driver License Unit to Provide Services at Veterans Affairs Office
The Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s mobile driver license unit will provide driver services at Veterans Affairs Office located at 931 Industrial Park Road in Dandridge. The unit will be available Thursday, January 19, and will continue to provide services on the second Thursday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The […]
Faulkenberry Takes Helm of EDA
The Jefferson County Economic Development Alliance, formerly the Economic Develop Oversight Committee or EDOC, has a new name, some new faces and a new location. They also have a more defined mission for the new year. Adele Sensing, a familiar fixture with the organization, is continuing her charge to promote Jefferson County and bring in […]
Getting Ahead of Flu Season
The winter months have arrived, and with them come the typical sounds of the season. Cough, congestion, and the sniffles seem to be on the rise these days for many. While these symptoms are never fun to deal with, we have taken them to be the winter norm. However, there are simple and easy changes […]
Tennessee National Guard to Support 58th Presidential Inauguration
More than three hundred and thirty Soldiers and Airmen from the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard will support the 58th Presidential Inauguration this week in Washington, D.C. The 194th Engineer Brigade (Army), headquartered in Jackson, has 304 Soldiers providing command and control for Military Police Soldiers performing stationary security at different locations. A logistics […]
Commission Answers White Pine School Funding Question
Citizens filled the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse Tuesday, January 17, 2017, as the Jefferson County Commission met for their Regular Monthly Session. Though several items were presented for action, the funding of the White Pine School Renovation and Addition Project garnered the most input from the pubic. Nine citizens addressed the County Commission regarding the […]
