Budget Committee Votes for 2% Full Time County Employee Raises for 2013-2014
The Jefferson County Budget Committee met on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The Meeting was Called to Order by Committee Chairman Griffith. Absent from Roll Call were Committee Members Blevins, Dockery and Baxley. Upon a Motion from Committee Member Akard and 2nd from Committee Member Maples the Minutes were Approved. […]
Overly Burdensome Regulations Stifle Economic Growth
During President Obama’s second inaugural speech and in the days since, he laid the groundwork for a very liberal agenda. He has called for a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally, a cap-and-trade system to address climate change, and comprehensive gun control measures. The rhetoric was a stark contrast to his pre-November […]
SCORE RELEASES 2012-13 STATE OF EDUCATION IN TENNESSEE REPORT
Today, the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) released the 2012-13 State of Education in Tennessee report. The report provides a comprehensive update of the state’s progress in improving student achievement, analyzes the work that has occurred over the last year that has contributed to achievement gains, and provides recommendations to ensure that Tennessee continues […]
Facilities Committee Tours New Patriot Academy
The Jefferson County Facilities Committee, government officials and interested citizens toured the partially constructed Patriot Academy on Monday, February 4, 2013. Jefferson County Schools Director of School Facilities and Business Affairs Phagan served as guide for the group. Though the Patriot Academy is expected to be completed by late spring, due to the time left […]
A Rare View At TVA Douglas Dam
The Tennessee Valley Authority River Forecast Center has stepped up their normal generation schedule and is allowing Douglas Dam to spill until further notice. A River Forecast Center Representative stated Monday evening that the continual spillage was an effort to pull lake levels down to winter levels. Currently, Douglas is only 5 to 6 ft […]
New Developments For Dandridge
Property adjacent to the multi million dollar Field of Dreams and Activity Center complex in Dandridge is slotted to be the site of a proposed low and fixed income apartment development. The Woda Group of Ohio has purchased options on R-3 zoned property with the intent of constructing tax credit housing. Section 42 housing (referring […]
Chris Kyle, American Sniper Author and Former Navy Seal Sniper Killed at Range
Chris Kyle, a former Navy SEAL renown for holding a record number of sniper killings in Iraq and author of the bestselling book, American Sniper, was killed on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at a Texas shooting range at Rough Creek Lodge and Resort in Glen Rose, Texas, southwest of Fort Worth. War veteran Chad Littlefield […]
Merit Pay, Higher Education and Growth
The proposed Jefferson County Megasite, combined with Governor Haslam’s Education Initiatives that he rolled out at last week’s State of the State address, have the potential to impact teachers, students and taxpayers in Jefferson County. Director of Jefferson County School, Dr. Charles Edmonds, addressed some of those concerns this week. State of Tennessee employees are […]
Alexander, Corker Urge Congress to Focus on Making Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security Solvent
U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, both Tennessee Republicans, today voted against H.R. 325, the House-passed debt limit bill, and urged Congress to focus on reforming Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. “I voted against this bill because it raises the debt ceiling without taking steps to reduce the debt. Senator Corker and I have […]
Airman Plans Journey to Top of World
The Tibetans call it “Chomolungma,” meaning “Mother Goddess of the World.” GPS equipment measures its peak at 29,035 feet. If all goes well for Air Force Capt. Colin Merrin, Mount Everest soon will be a line on his mountaineering resume that can’t be topped. Merrin, a GPS operator from the 2nd Space Operations Squadron here, […]
State gets Federal Grant to help Expand Juvenile Court Screening Project
The state was recently awarded a federal Transformation Transfer Initiative (TTI) grant of $221,000 that will be used by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) to expand the juvenile court screening project, which will be led by Dr. Jeff Feix, Director of the Office of Forensic and Juvenile Court Services […]
Tennessee Business Spotlight Promotes Businesses in Counties Named for U.S. Presidents
In February, we celebrate President’s Day. So this month’s Tennessee Business Spotlight highlights businesses in each of the seven Tennessee counties named after United States presidents. Tennessee Business Spotlight is a feature on the Secretary of State’s web site that showcases some of the state’s businesses that create jobs, produce quality products and give back […]
Dandridge Limits and Decisions
The Town of Dandridge may soon have to make a decision regarding the Town’s limits and the proposed Megasite. Town of Dandridge Administrator McCarter and Water Management Facility Superintendent Mike Norton stated recently that it will be necessary for the Town to make adjustment to either the boundaries of the Town or lift the current […]
Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk This Super Bowl Sunday
The Tennessee Department of Transportation, Governor’s Highway Safety Office, Tennessee Titans and Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security are once again teaming up to remind Tennessee football fans that real Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk this Super Bowl weekend. “We want everyone to enjoy Super Bowl weekend, but more importantly, we want everyone […]
Weekly Livestock Comments, Feb 1, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle sold mainly $3 higher on a live basis compared to last week. Live prices were primarily $125 while limited dressed trade occurred between $199 and $200. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $124.96 live up $2.43 from last week and $197.63 dressed down $0.30 from a week ago. A […]
Weekly Crop Comments, Feb 1, 2013
Price Change US Dollar 79.18 -0.64 Crude 97.64 +1.76 Dow 14,010 +114 Corn, cotton and soybean prices are up while wheat prices are down for the week. Weather and how it will affect South American grain production has been supportive of the corn and soybean markets this week. There has been some concern whether the […]
