Researchers revise timing of Easter island’s societal collapse
The prehistoric collapse of Easter Island’s monument-building society did not occur as long thought, according to a fresh look at evidence by researchers at four institutions. “The general thinking has been that the society that Europeans saw when they first showed up was one that had collapsed,” said Robert J. DiNapoli, a doctoral candidate in […]
Comptroller’s Office Studies Student Growth Portfolios for Teacher Evaluation
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released a new report that evaluates the use of portfolios in Tennessee’s teacher evaluation system. Portfolios contain collections of student work, selected by teachers, from two points in time during the school year to show students’ progress in mastering specified state academic standards. The portfolios are scored by fellow teachers, […]
UT PLACES ALL-TIME BEST 69 ON FALL SEC HONOR ROLL
The University of Tennessee placed an athletics department-record 69 student-athletes on the 2019 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll, which was announced Friday by league commissioner Greg Sankey. The Vol football program led the way with 37 making the list. The soccer team followed with 10 members earning academic honors, while the volleyball team had nine, men’s […]
Tennessee Needs at Least $54.8 Billion of Public Infrastructure Improvements
Tennessee needs at least $54.8 billion worth of public infrastructure improvements during the five-year period of July 2018 to June 2023—a $4.8 billion (9.7%) increase from the year before—according to a new report by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR). More than $3.7 billion of this year’s increase is attributable to increases in […]
Jefferson County Commission Stands Up for Property Rights, State Legislators File Proposed Bills
After County Commission made a resolution on January 21, 2020 that aims to protect private property rights, bills were filed in the Tennessee General Assembly to better protect property owners from eminent domain that is initiated by government for private benefit and economic development. The framers of the constitution limited property takings to “public use” under […]
State Representative Andrew Farmer To Seek Re-Election In 2020
Criminal Justice Subcommittee Chair prioritizes safe communities; commitment to education (NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — State Representative Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville) Monday announced he will seek re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2020. “It is an incredible honor to serve the men, women and families our community,” said Rep. Farmer. “District 17 and our state are thriving under […]
Jefferson County Schools, Lead Exceeding Allowable Limits Found In Recent Water Tests
In a release from Dr. Shane Johnston, Jefferson County Director Of Schools – Jefferson County Schools recently tested water sources on the campuses of the school district in compliance Jefferson County School Board policy (3.212) that aligns with TCA 49-2-133. The tests were completed in December 2019. The first round of results was provided yesterday […]
President Trump’s bold vision for Middle East peace
Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead “Peace to Prosperity” is a fundamentally different vision for one of the world’s most complex problems. “My vision presents a win-win opportunity for both sides,” President Trump said today, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu standing alongside him. President Trump also took the step of meeting yesterday with Israel’s opposition leader, […]
County Commission First Vote Of 2020
In their first voting meeting of the year 2020, the Jefferson County Commission voted 13-8 to add two full time positions to the office of Circuit Court Clerk. The addition came as an amendment to a budget committee item which allowed one full time and one part time position to join the Circuit Court Clerk’s […]
Tackling Kudzu in East Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry and the National Park Service are partnering with Keep Sevier Beautiful to host an educational event spotlighting kudzu in the Sevier County area. The public is invited to learn about this highly invasive and destructive plant and what homeowners can do to control it around their homes […]
Tennessee Cooking Up a Healthier Summer for Rural Children
The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is seeking rural communities as it opens the application process for organizations to participate in this year’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The goal of the SFSP is to ensure that children 18 and younger who benefit from meal programs during the school year continue to have that […]
Scam Alert: Buyers Beware When Purchasing Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Sportsmen beware! A scam website has been detected by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. There is a new bogus website that appears when you Google Tennessee fishing license. The scam website appears as an advertisement during a Google Search for “Tennessee Fishing License.” The site then allows you to enter your personal information, such as […]
Former Jefferson County School Cafeteria Manager Indicted for Theft
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Christina Morris, the former cafeteria manager at Patriot Academy in Dandridge, Tennessee. Investigators determined that Morris stole at least $1,660.75 in cash that was collected from the school cafeteria between November 1, 2018 and March 6, 2019. The investigation began after county […]
Jefferson County Schools Closed January 27 & 28, 2020 Due to Widespread Sickness
In a statement from Jefferson County TN Schools Director, Shane Johnston – Jefferson County Schools will be closed on Monday, January 27, 2020 and Tuesday, January 28, 2020 due to the widespread sickness being experienced throughout the schools in the county. The multiple illnesses have created a considerably higher than normal absentee percentage at multiple […]
Secretary of State Hargett Presents Tennessee College Voter Registration Competition Award to Carson-Newman University
Front Row L to R: Mitra Sarshuri, Savannah McMillan, Tiffany Fritts, Briana Lay, Ansley Parker and Dr. Kara Stooksbury, Carson-Newman University Chair of Political Science, History and Sociology Department. Back Row L to R: Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Rep. Jeremy Faison, Derick Marlow, Luke Patton, Thomas Fodor, Ian Trent and Carson-Newman University President Dr. Charles A. […]
Republican Leaders Introduce Right to Work Constitutional Amendment
Republican leaders have introduced a resolution that would add Tennessee’s Right to Work law to the state constitution. The resolution is sponsored by more than a dozen high ranking Republican House members. It guarantees future generations of Tennessee workers their right to work regardless of whether they choose to join a union. Tennessee’s Right to […]
