I’m Still Waiting, Mr. President

Last week I joined my colleague Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) to host a field hearing in Concord, North Carolina. The hearing, titled “Health Care Challenges Facing North Carolina’s Workers and Job Creators,” examined how President Obama’s health care law will affect small businesses. Currently, around 160 million Americans receive health insurance through their employer. As […]
Weekly Livestock Comments, May 10, 2013

FED CATTLE: Fed cattle sold mainly $2 to $3 lower compared to last week on a live basis. Prices on a live basis were primarily $126 while dressed prices were $202. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $126.22 live, down $2.80 from last week and $202.74 dressed, down $3.81 from a week ago. […]
Weekly Crop Comments, May 10, 2013

Price Change US Dollar 83.14 +1.03 Crude 95.85 +0.39 Dow 15,118 +145 Cotton was up, wheat and corn were down, and soybeans were mixed for the week. The US dollar increased 1.03, crude oil was up 0.39 for the week, and the Dow set new highs during the week closing over the 15,000 mark at […]
Carson-Newman Graduates First Class As University

“For 124 years this institution of higher education has been known as Carson-Newman College. But no more,” said Carson-Newman President Randall O’Brien. “Today, the first class of Carson-Newman University sits before you.” A total of 267 students received their degrees Friday during C-N’s Spring Commencement Ceremony held in Burke-Tarr Stadium. It is the first graduating […]
House Fire On Busy Dandridge Thru Street

Dandridge, Lakeway & New Market Fire Departments, E-911 and other first responders were on hand to fight a house fire on Cherokee Drive in Dandridge Thursday evening. Residents on the street noticed smoke emanating from the roof around 9pm and went to check the home. A motorist placed the emergency call and first responders were […]
School Board Commissioners Move Forward With JCHS Renovation

The Jefferson County School Board met for a Called Session on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at Jefferson County High School. The Meeting was Called to Order by Chairman of the Board Potts. Absent from Roll Call were Board Members Lowery and Rogers. Under Unfinished Business, Tony Pettit, of Rentenbach, addressed the Board concerning the guaranteed […]
Douglas Lake Levels Overrun Normal Boundaries

Lake waters on Douglas rose significantly this week and the increased water level overran the normal boundaries that exist during peak recreational season. The dike in Dandridge saw waters creeping onto the banks and submerging the picnic area. On May 9, 2013, lake level reached a high reading of 998.25. This level was logged in […]
TDOT’s SmartWay Application Reaches 100,000 Downloads

More than 100,000 users have downloaded the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) SmartWay Mobile App since its launch in December 2012. The App is designed to help drivers navigate Tennessee highways, providing up-to-the-minute customized traffic information. The TDOT SmartWay App is free and available for download in the Apple App Store and Play Store for […]
Place plants in your garden next to their friends to improve yields
You might not know it, but plants have friends, too. And some crops fare better when planted next to or near their friends. Companion planting refers to the establishment of two or more crop species in close proximity so that some cultural benefit is derived. Most often used in home gardens, University of Tennessee Extension […]
State Library and Archives Hosts Workshop on Exploring Family Trees
Many families have great stories to tell – which can often be unearthed by searching through family videos, photo albums, or journals passed down from generation to generation. However, for some people, the idea of starting such a project is daunting. The Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) has just the event to ease the […]
From Cupcakes to Chemicals, Tennessee Businesses Managed by Women Are Doing Well

If you’ve ever visited a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and thought the decorations on the wall had to be knock-offs, prepare to be surprised. The Lebanon-based store and restaurant chain buys only authentic antique toys, tools, utensils, signs and advertisements for its locations across the country. Even more amazing, all of those artifacts have […]
Cruisin’ & Groovin This Saturday

CRUISIN’ AND GROOVIN’ IN HISTORIC DANDRIDGE Love history? Love classic cars? Love oldies music? And what about prizes and great food? Then head to the lovely and historic town of Dandridge, Tennessee on May 11 and you’ll find it all. When local Dandridge merchants decided on a cruise-in type event for a new spring attraction […]
Jefferson County High School Senior Celebration Night

The Jefferson County High School Class of 2013 held their Senior Celebration on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at Carson-Newman University. Senior Celebration is the annual honors night for graduating seniors and allows students to be recognized for exemplary achievement during their time at Jefferson County High School, as well as for any scholarships received from […]
It’s Official

Following months of preparation, planning and construction the new freshman academy has officially been given the moniker the Patriot Academy and there is signage to prove it. In the final stages of construction, the new building’s sign was erected on Friday following a School Board and community tour earlier in the week. Director of Business […]
Prohibition Exhibit at State Library and Archives and Online

It was the constitutional amendment that tried – often unsuccessfully – to put Americans on the path to sobriety and in the process created a booming market for Tennessee’s providers of illegal moonshine whiskey. The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which launched the Prohibition era in 1920, was called the country’s “noble experiment.” That […]
Tennessee Ranks as 2nd Bike Friendliest State in the Southeast
In honor of National Bike Month, the League of American Bicyclists has released its latest Bicycle Friendly States (BFS) ranking. In the sixth annual assessment, Tennessee ranked 2nd in the southeast region, while placing 17th nationally. Tennessee has improved its national ranking from 26th in 2012. “With all the competing transportation needs we have, Tennessee […]