Park temporarily closes trails in the Gatlinburg area due to bear activity
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials temporarily closed the Gatlinburg Trail between Gatlinburg and Sugarlands Visitor Center, and also the Twin Creeks Trail between Gatlinburg and the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center. Both trails are closed due to a large concentration of black bears feeding on acorns. The trails will remain closed until further […]
Park Plans Prescribed Burns in Cades Cove November 2022
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Appalachian Piedmont Coastal Fire Management Zone staff plan to burn approximately 1,200 acres of fields in Cades Cove. Weather permitting, burn operations will occur between Tuesday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 22. These seasonal controlled burns help perpetuate native herbaceous species that provide high quality cover and foraging opportunities for […]
Unemployment Drops Below 5% in Every Tennessee County
September Marks the Second Consecutive Month Jobless Rates Decrease in all 95 Counties NASHVILLE – Every county in Tennessee recorded unemployment rates below 5% in September, according to the latest data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). September also marked the second consecutive month that rates decreased in each of the state’s 95 […]
Bethany Jones Seeks City Council Seat
Bethany Jones of Jefferson City officially announces her candidacy for City Council. Bethany, 35, was born and raised in Pike County, Kentucky and has called Jefferson County home for the past 12 years, living first in Swannsylvania before buying her first home in Jefferson City in 2017. She shares that home with her husband Darryl Glenn […]
County Employees To Receive 8% Raise and 1 time bonus of 5%
Jefferson County employees will receive a retroactive raise of 8% and a one time of bonus of 5% to be paid on the November payroll. The County Commission has been in discussion since the beginning of the new fiscal year in July regarding the state of county employee compensation. In the Monday voting session, commissioners […]
Tennessee National Guard aircrew rescues hiker
A Tennessee Army National Guard medical flight crew responded to an emergency air evacuation mission for a hiker with a suspected broken leg in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park area, Oct. 14. At approximately 4:20 p.m., the Tennessee Military Department and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified of a hiker needing evacuation along the […]
Debris Burn Permits Required Beginning Oct. 15
In observance of National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9 – 15, 2022 the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry reminds citizens that our state is heading into fall fire season. Dry conditions and trees that shed their leaves heighten fire danger and a debris burn permit is required for leaf and brush piles beginning […]
Gov. Lee Launches $100 Million Violent Crime Intervention Fund for Local Law Enforcement
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee launched the $100 million Violent Crime Intervention Fund and invited local law enforcement agencies to apply for grants that will be used to strengthen public safety in communities across Tennessee. “As Americans face rising crime nationwide, Tennessee is equipping law enforcement with the tools needed to keep every community safe,” said […]
Early Voting for the Nov. 8 State and Federal General Election Starts Today
Starting today, Tennessee voters can cast their ballot early for the Nov. 8 State and Federal General Election. Early voting runs Monday to Saturday until Thursday, Nov. 3. and offers the convenience and flexibility of evening hours and multiple polling locations in some counties. Tennessee voters can find their polling hours, locations and more with […]
Todd Kesterson Candidate for Dandridge City Council
Todd Kesterson Candidate for Dandridge City Council. Todd Kesterson, 51, a lifelong resident of Dandridge has announced his candidacy for Dandridge City Council. He is the son of Vicki Morie Kesterson and the late Curtiss D. Kesterson of Dandridge. Todd and his wife Kimberly Hedrick Kesterson, an LPN at Lakeway Dermatology Associates, have one daughter, […]
AG Skrmetti Leads Thirteen State Coalition Demanding U.S. Department of Justice Respect Free Speech Rights of Critics of Irreversible Pediatric Transgender Procedures
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is leading a coalition of state attorneys general demanding U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland respect the First Amendment rights of people who criticize irreversible transgender treatments for minors. The thirteen attorneys general write in response to a letter to Garland from several medical organizations which called for investigations and prosecution of those who criticize […]
Jefferson County School Board – Jefferson Elementary School Renovation, Bus Driver Bonus Among Items Considered
Last week the Jefferson County School Board met for their regular work session and monthly meeting. In consideration of timing, recognition for students and staff were moved to the front of the work session agenda. The JCHS Girl’s Golf Team and Jefferson County Reward Schools were introduced for their achievements. One of the actionable items […]
Tennessee Higher Education Commission Outlines New Goals and Launches a Momentum-Building Year for College Enrollment
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) today announced the launch of a momentum-building year to renew and articulate the value of education in Tennessee and to increase enrollment in education and training beyond high school. In May, THEC released the inaugural state college-going status report, College Going and the Class of 2021. The report showed that […]
Tennessee Begins Summer P-EBT Distribution
The Tennessee Department of Human Services announces the distribution of Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Program (P-EBT) beginning this week. Summer P-EBT The distribution of P-EBT benefits covering summer 2022 has begun. Eligibility for P-EBT is based on National School Lunch Program qualification consistent with the 2021-2022 school year. P-EBT benefits will be available to children […]
New Provisional CDC Suicide Death Data Is a Call to Action
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today releases provisional data on suicide deaths for the year 2021. According to the new data, suicide deaths in the United States increased from 45,979 to 47,646 (4%) between the years 2020 and 2021. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the nation’s largest suicide prevention organization, released the following statement regarding […]
Gov. Lee, TN Legislative Leadership Announce Additional Step to Support TBI and Accelerate Testing
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and Speaker Cameron Sexton announced a decisive step to accelerate the hiring process for 25 additional forensic lab positions at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).Taking this action ahead of the regular budget process will expedite the TBI’s efforts to expand testing capacity and reduce the turnaround […]
