Say “Thumbs Down” to Texting & Driving during Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is designated as national Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and representatives from Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated joined today to share a unified message: Thumbs Down to Texting and Driving. Among those speaking at the press event […]
Davis Bacon Overfunding, Technology Projections, and Cell Phone Policy Among Items Discussed
The Jefferson County School Board met for a Called Meeting and Work Session on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in the Patriot Academy. School Board Chair Jarnigan Called the Meeting to Order and Board Members Rogers and Lowery were absent from Roll Call. Mike Dockery, the newly contracted Quality Oversight Adviser for the Building 8 project, […]
Preparedness Urged for Seasonal Severe Weather
While a tornado can occur anytime throughout the year, the peak risk months in Tennessee for property damage and loss of life from twisters and floods are March, April and May. Officials with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency this week reminded residents of the need to be alert for […]
Three Boating Tips Just for Springtime
Across America at boat launch ramps, the familiar growl of boat motors waking up from their long winter nap heralds the start of the boating season. But what makes boating, fishing or sailing this time of year different from all others? When it comes to safety, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has […]
U.S. Senator Bob Corker Visits Jefferson County
United States Senator Bob Corker stopped by the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse in Dandridge on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 to meet and greet with the public and local dignitaries. The event was hosted by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Director Helton introduced Senator Corker to the crowd. The Senator fielded questions from […]
Haslam Announces Federal Disaster Assistance for 35 Counties
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced today the federal government will provide assistance to 35 counties still recovering from the severe winter storm of February 15 to February 22, 2015, that took 30 lives and caused widespread damage. “This deadly and devastating storm required a comprehensive and coordinated response from many, and this federal assistance will […]
TDOT Halts Interstate Construction for Easter Holiday Travel
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all interstate construction work this Easter weekend in anticipation of increased holiday travel. TDOT crews and contractors will stop all road construction work that requires lane closures beginning Thursday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 6 at 6:00 a.m. This will provide maximum roadway capacity to […]
Budget Committee Working Toward Zero Property Tax Increase If Wheel Tax Increase Stands
Budget season began in Jefferson County on Tuesday evening, March 31, 2015 when the Budget Committee convened at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse for their first meeting. In light of the serious deficit that the committee is working with of $3.8 million dollars and the recent decision by the County Commission to increase the Wheel […]
Joint Meeting Of Audit And Finance Committees
On March 31, 2015, the Jefferson County Audit Committee and Jefferson County Finance Committee met in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Prior to the joint meeting the Audit Committee convened to install officers. Gary Jett will serve as Committee Chairman, Commissioner John McGraw will hold the Vice Chair position and Finance Director Potts will be […]
Wheel It Pass?
On January 19, 2015, the Jefferson County Commission approved, with more than the required 2/3 vote, Resolution 2015-05, which will levy a wheel tax increase of $25 for automobiles(motor driven vehicles) and $15 on motorcycles, motor driven bicycles and scooters for a total of $50 for for automobiles and $30 for motorcycles. On March 12, […]
Clock Is Ticking As IDB Commits Cash
Jefferson County’s Industrial Development Board made the decision on Friday morning to up the county’s commitment to purchase property in White Pine, Tennessee. IDB members had previously identified two parcels of property owned by the Wiggington family and a third piece of property, situated in the middle of the Wiggington land and owned by Realtor […]
Misperceptions Keep Kids from Getting Lifesaving Treatment for Tickborne Diseases
Kids are five times more likely than adults to die from tickborne diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Doctors often avoid prescribing doxycycline, the most effective RMSF treatment, for young children because the drug’s warning label cautions that tooth staining may be a side effect in children younger than 8 years. A new study […]
Plan Before You Plant
With the coming of spring, many are looking to spruce up their yards with new plants, trees or flowers. This weekend’s cold snap could have the occasional gardener rethinking early planting and concerned about even more mature foliage. With the most recent bout of below freezing temperatures, flowering plants, which were already impacted by February’s […]
Palm Sunday Starts Holy Week
March 29, 2015 is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week preceding Easter. Signifying the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem and his reception by his followers, Palm Sunday is the final Sunday in lent and an important day for those that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Holy week is often celebrated by a […]
DOE’s Fund Balance Looks Bleak
The Jefferson County School Board held their regular voting meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2015 in the media center of Jefferson County High School. School Board Chairman Jarnigan Called the Meeting to Order. Absent from Roll Call were Board Members Bradley and Vines. Special Focus for the meeting was the JCHS Service Learning Class and […]
