Jefferson County Planning Commission Approves Body Farm Guidelines
The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Appeals held their meeting prior to the Regular Meeting of the Jefferson County Planning Commission on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The BZA Meeting was Called to Order by Chairman of the Board Reneau. Upon a Motion from Board Member Batson and 2nd from […]
Two Dandridge Arrests Part of Multi-State Drug Operation
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, in conjunction with the 4th Judicial Drug Task Force, made two arrests on Monday, March 25, 2013. Arthur Jackson “Jack” Scarlett of 525 W. Hwy. 2570, Dandridge, and Lisa Michele Tipton of 1729 Haire Rd., Dandridge, face federal drug charges for conspiracy to distribute and possession of oxycodone. Jefferson County […]
Vick vs. Jefferson County Board of Education Ordered to Mediation
A hearing was held March 19, 2013 in Hawkins County Circuit Court with the Judge Tom Wright presiding. Judge Wright was assigned the case after Judge Telford Forgety recused himself. Attorney Jonathan Taylor of Taylor and Knight, Knoxville, TN represented JCBOE at the hearing. He requested a summary judgment for the school board arguing that […]
Hamblen County Driver Services Center Will Close March 28, Relocate to New Facility on April 1
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security announced today that the Hamblen County Driver Services Center is relocating to a new facility in Morristown. The current driver services center, located at 1901 State St. in Morristown, will permanently close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27. The new center, located at 2567 Buffalo Trail, […]
Governor Haslam Observes Milestone Anniversary to Recognize Vietnam Veterans
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder formally recognized and remembered Vietnam Veterans leading into the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of troops. On March 30, 1973, President Richard Nixon began withdrawing combat troops from Vietnam. Between 1961 and 1975, more than 49,000 Tennesseans served in Southeast Asia. Approximately 6,000 […]
State Archivists to Visit Morristown and Dandridge in Search of Civil War Memorabilia
Representatives from the Tennessee State Library and Archives and the Tennessee State Museum will be in Morristown on March 26 and Dandridge on March 27 to record and digitize Civil War memorabilia owned by local residents for a new exhibit. Archivists will be at the Morristown-Hamblen Library in Morristown from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. […]
Senate Budget Misses the Mark
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., last week opposed final passage of the Senate budget because it fails to address the biggest drivers of our debt—Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid—in an honest, meaningful way. “On top of adding $7.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, the Senate budget does nothing to reform and save our […]
Tenn. Tea Party Groups Reject Lamar Alexander’s Push For National Internet Sales Tax Mandate
Conservative and Tea Party groups across the state of Tennessee have signed a resolution condemning Senator Lamar Alexander, Governor Bill Haslam, and Senator Bob Corker’s push for a national Internet sales tax scheme, known as the “Marketplace Fairness Act” (MFA). Sources close to the Campaign for Liberty indicate that language contained in the Act will […]
Former Senior Counterterrorism Officials Testify in Foreign Relations Committee that 2001 Authorities Need Review
During a hearing on U.S. counterterrorism policies on Wednesday, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called upon Congress to consider updating the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against al Qaeda in order to address new and emerging terrorist threats and to better protect the American […]
Worth Of A Penny Expected To Drop In Jefferson County
Jefferson County will see a decrease in the property tax worth of a penny in the coming fiscal year, according to information provided to the Jefferson County Budget Committee. Property Tax Assessor Susan Gass addressed the Committee regarding the issue last week, informing them that the tax worth of a penny is expected to drop […]
Budget Week in Washington
Even in Washington, miracles can happen. For the first time since 2009, the Democrat-led Senate Budget Committee actually met to discuss their budget proposal, and it is scheduled to be debated. But not all talk is cheap. The Senate budget would increase spending by $265 billion and increase taxes by $923 billion – and their […]
Bill To Better Protect Student Athletes Awaits Signature From Governor Haslam
A Republican-authored bill designed to protect student athletes who suffer concussions from risking further medical complications passed the full House floor this week with support from lawmakers on both sides of the isle. House Bill 867, as passed by both the House and Senate, will ensure guidelines are in place to help coaches, youth athletic […]
Pension Reform Plan Moves Forward In House
Legislation proposed earlier this month to reform the state’s pension plan, the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), passed out of the House State Government Committee this week with full support from Republican lawmakers. The legislation represents a proactive approach by State Treasurer David H. Lillard and House Republicans to ensure the security of pension benefits […]
House Republicans Continue Push To Lower Sales Tax On Groceries
A bill which seeks to lower the sales tax on groceries from 5.25% to a flat 5.00% passed out of the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee this week with unanimous support from Republican lawmakers. House Bill 193, which is part of Governor Bill Haslam’s legislative agenda for the year, will take effect beginning July […]
Corker Strongly Disappointed Congress May Miss Opportunity to Give Flexibility to Postal Service & Save Taxpayer Money
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., expressed strong disappointment that Congress will not vote on Senator Coburn’s amendment that would free the Postal Service to make one change it believes is necessary to reduce costs. Specifically, Senate Amendment 68, which Corker has cosponsored, would strike language in the CR that could mandate six-day delivery. The Postal […]
Faison’s Business Freedom Act Gains Approval
Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) sponsored House Bill 311, the Business Freedom Act. HB 311 pushes back against over-bearing government and is a huge step for small business owners. The bill would require state departments to give businesses notification and time to correct a problem before issuing fines. This provision would only apply to new rules […]
