AG Slatery Sues to Block Federal Head Start Mandates
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Biden Administration’s recent mask requirements for toddlers and COVID-19 vaccinations for staff and volunteers in Head Start Programs. “We have consistently opposed mandates in the context of education, defending state statutes passed by our General Assembly. This challenge is consistent with our past positions, […]
2021 Highlights: Accomplishments, Investments and Celebrating 225 Years of Statehood
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released 2021 highlights that contributed to greater prosperity, freedom, and opportunity for Tennesseans. “From securing the largest economic investment in state history, to reducing the number of distressed counties to an all-time low, we have worked together with Tennesseans for one of the strongest years in state history,” said Gov. Lee. […]
2021 Tax Incentives Report Posted
By January 1 of each year, the Department of Revenue prepares a report of tax credits. The report includes tax credits claimed under Tenn. Code Ann. Sections 67-4-2009 and 67-4-2109 for tax periods ending during the previous fiscal year and contains the following: Name of tax credit Number of taxpayers claiming the tax credit during […]
November Unemployment Numbers Drop in Most Counties
NASHVILLE – The employment situation improved in a majority of Tennessee’s counties during November, according to data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This comes after the statewide unemployment rate returned to pre-pandemic levels for the month. Eighty-five counties recorded lower unemployment rates in November, while five counties saw no movement with their rates, […]
FRANK C. HERNDON NAMED SECRETARY TREASURER OF STATEWIDE COUNTY CLERK’S ASSOCIATION
Frank C. Herndon, Jefferson County Clerk, has been named Secretary/Treasurer of the Tennessee Association of County Clerks (TACC), a statewide organization that represents the interests of the state’s 95 County Clerks. He was appointed at the County Officials Association of Tennessee’s (COAT) annual conference in Chattanooga on November 9, 2021 by Pam Ailor of Union […]
Dandridge Elementary Evacuation Due To Student Set Fire
Earlier Monday, Dandridge Elementary School experienced a fire inside of one of the academic wings. The school closed in response to the fire that began just prior to the start of the school day. The incident began at 7:50 this morning in a restroom on the 2nd grade hallway following a student using a device […]
Jefferson County Democratic Party – School Board Primary Requested
In a letter delivered to the Jefferson County Election Commission – After many years the common-sense law requiring school board elections in Tennessee to be non-partisan was changed during the recent special Covid session of the state legislature. The local Republican party had been lobbying for this action for some time, and quickly called for a […]
CPI for all items rises 0.8% in November; gas, food, shelter, vehicle indexes all rise
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.8 percent in November on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.9 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 6.8 percent before seasonal adjustment. The monthly all items seasonally adjusted increase […]
Secretary of State Encourages Wise End of Year and Holiday Giving
As Tennesseans prepare to make end of year and holiday season charitable contributions, Secretary of State Tre Hargett cautions donors to be wary of scams. “This time of year, as we enjoy the holidays and look to the New Year, many Tennesseans are planning to support their community through charitable giving,” said Secretary Hargett. “It’s […]
Payroll employment rises by 210,000 in November; unemployment rate declines to 4.2%
THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION — NOVEMBER 2021 Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 210,000 in November, and the unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage point to 4.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Notable job gains occurred in professional and business services, transportation and warehousing, construction, and manufacturing. Employment in retail trade declined […]
Chambers Takes Finance Director Position
In late October Finance Director Langdon Potts informed the Finance Committee of his plan to retire at the end of this year. Langdon Potts said “I have enjoyed the past seven years working with the county employees. We made some nice improvements in financial position in Jefferson County. I am proud that I was a […]
Fourth Judicial District Tennessee Public Defender’s Office Welcomes Social Worker, Alicia Penton, To Staff
The Fourth Judicial District Tennessee Public Defender’s Office welcomes social worker, Alicia Penton, to its staff. Public Defender Rebecca V. Lee states, “This is an exciting opportunity for us. Social work has been a missing component to the services we could provide to our clients. We will now be able to link our clients up […]
GSMCR Donates to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs
Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD) in Lenoir City received a donation of $250.00 from the Greater Smoky Mountain Council of Regents (GSMCR), National Society, of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) on November 18. SMSD Board Member Chuck Stewart and team member black Labrador Sadie accepted the check. Members present from the Spencer Clack Chapter, NSDAR, […]
A.M. Fire At Carson-Newman University’s Pedersen Nursing Building
Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, TN – A call was reported at 7:43 a.m. concerning a fire at Carson-Newman University’s Pedersen Nursing Building. There are no injuries. The fire is contained and the damaged is being assessed. We are grateful for the response and support by our local fire and police departments. University officials are working […]
VITAL POLICY – Tennessee and Jefferson County’s Constitutional Dilemma with Food Truck Regulations
Local Regulations Two of Jefferson County’s five municipalities regulate the operation of food trucks, White Pine and Dandridge; Jefferson City, New Market, and Baneberry do not. The regulations and fees that Dandridge impose on food trucks are centered around health and safety; but the White Pine regulations exceed health and safety by regulating the number […]
VITAL POLICY – Governor Lee Signs Partisan School Board Elections into Law, Jefferson County Republican Party Calls Primary
Governor Bill Lee signed multiple bills into law late Friday that were enacted in the Third Extraordinary Session of the Tennessee General Assembly, among those House Bill 9072 authorizing partisan school board elections, supported by Representatives Jeremy Faison, Andrew Farmer, and co-sponsored by Senator Frank Niceley (SB9009). Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee, expecting Lee’s signature […]
