Jefferson County EMS Receives Region II Directors Association Service Of The Year Award
Jefferson County EMS received the Region II EMS Directors Association 2013 Service of the Year Award during the Association’s annual conference, held in Gatlinburg November 21-22. The award recognized Jefferson County EMS for their progressive protocols that offer patients the most up-to-date medical and trauma care; trailblazing utilization of new equipment such as the recently […]
Jefferson County Clerk Rick Farrar Announces Retirement After 35 Years of Service
For 35 years, Rick Farrar has served as the Jefferson County Court Clerk; this year, he has decided to hang up his hat and retire. When he was first elected in 1978, there were three typewriters in his office. To create a title on a vehicle, Farrar and his staff would work on these typewriters […]
First Runners In The Race To Election Year 2014
Friday, November 22, 2013, was the first day for potential candidates to pick up petitions for the local Primary Elections. Though some elected offices such as School Board, County Commission and Highway Commission are not party affiliated and will only be presented once, in August 2014, for vote, most elected local offices will run in […]
Twenty-Fifth Annual Christmas In Dandridge
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Historic Town Square in Dandridge, as the lights of the Season are already burning brightly. Dandridge kicked off the Twenty-fifth annual Christmas in Dandridge with the opening ceremony on Thursday evening, November 21, 2013. Dandridge Mayor Gantte offered the Welcome to community members that […]
Yardley says, “The Show Will Go On”
For 36 years, Billie Yardley had a seamless and idealistic teaching career. She always had a very high enrollment in her theater classes, and her students were always respectful, energetic, and supportive. When she agreed to take control of the drama department in 1987, she built it from the ground up, starting only with an […]
Three Days that Shook the World
Retired Dallas Detective Jim Leavelle remembers vividly the last words he said to Lee Harvey Oswald, the man suspected of killing Officer J.D. Tippit and the President of the United States John F. Kennedy. On the morning of Nov. 24, 1963, Leavelle was preparing to escort Oswald through the basement of the Dallas Police Headquarters […]
Landfill Deficit Leaves Audit Committee Looking At Options
The Jefferson County Audit Committee met on Monday, November 18, 2013, in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The Meeting was Called to Order by Committee Chairman Mills. All Members were present for Roll Call. Following a Motion from Committee Member Griffith and 2nd from Committee Member Jett, the Minutes from the October 21, 2013 were […]
Jefferson County Commission – Phagan Details School Energy Programs
The Jefferson County Commission met for their Regular Voting Session on November 18, 2013, in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The Meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Mills. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Patterson, Tabor, Barriero and Dockery. Commissioner Tucker and Commissioner Maples objected to items on the Agenda. Tucker stated that […]
Gatlinburg Kicks Off Season with Winter Lights Festival
Winter lights are shining all around the Burg, illuminating the local streets. On Wednesday, Gatlinburg kicked off their Winter Lights Festival with a chili cook off. Some of Gatlinburg’s favorite restaurateurs added their own flair to the cool weather dish and the city was filled with folks looking for a sampling of the delicious fare. […]
Faison Top Shot Competition Big Success
District 11 representative Jeremy Faison, running for reelection this year, hosted the Faison Top Shot Competition on Saturday, November 16. The turnout was impressive, with shooters of all ages showing up to compete. The top shots were awarded high-quality firearms, a great bonus to an afternoon spent among friends and acquaintances in friendly competition. The […]
School Board – District Report Card Shows Improvement
The Jefferson County School Board met on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at the Patriot Academy. The Meeting was Called to Order by Chairman Potts. Absent from Roll Call was Board Member Vines. Three students were recognized for winning the Director’s Art Gallery in grades 3, 4 and 5. The 3rd grade winner was James from […]
JEFFERSON COUNTY “HAMS” Hold 1993 SUPER STORM REDUX
The March, 1993 super storm / blizzard that paralyzed east Tennessee as well as one-third of the U.S. for several days, provided the scenario for the JCARES annual Simulated Emergency Test in Jefferson County. The Simulated Emergency Test, known as SET, is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League which is the national association for […]
Obama Administration’s Health Care “Fix” May Have Problematic Consequences
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., released the following statement this week in reaction to President Obama announcing administrative changes to his health care law. “I’m glad President Obama is attempting to make good on a promise he made repeatedly to the American people, but it only offers temporary relief. Those who have received cancellation notices […]
Park Reminds Visitors how to Safely View Wildlife
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials remind park visitors to exercise caution as they view and photograph wildlife to best protect both the animals and themselves. Park Rangers have recently received numerous reports of increased interactions between visitors and wildlife such as bears, white-tailed deer, and elk. Park Rangers encourage visitors to use binoculars, spotting […]
Library in Strawberry Plains Receives Grant for Major Expansion Project
Library patrons in Strawberry Plains and surrounding communities will soon have a bigger and better library, thanks in part to a grant from the Secretary of State’s office. The office is providing a $5,000 grant to assist with the expansion and renovation of the Parrott-Wood Memorial Library in Strawberry Plains. Jefferson County government is also […]
“County Commission Ranking System” Rankles Some Commissioners
The Jefferson County Commission met for their Regular Monthly Work Session on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The Meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Mills. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Tabor, Dockery, Solomon, Kesterson and Barriero. No citizens requested to address the Commission. Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri […]
