Wine Down This May for Tennessee’s Grape and Wine Appreciation Month
Home to Jack Daniel’s whiskey, seven genres of music, barbecue and hot chicken, Tennessee’s abundant and ever-growing grape and wine industry is often overlooked. Dating back to the 1800s, wine plays an important role in Tennessee’s tourism industry. With over 67 wineries, the wine industry employs over 400 people, provides memorable experiences and offers picturesque […]
Amendment Riddled Special Called Meeting Ends In Pass To Worksession
Jefferson County Commissioners met this week in a Special Called Meeting to address a handful of general housekeeping items, as well as a time sensitive budget amendment for the Department of Education that addressed federal funds for an intensive summer program that is designed to catch students up that have fallen behind during the recent […]
Gov. Lee Pushes Return to Work, Economic Recovery – Ends All Federal Pandemic Unemployment Funding
Tuesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the end of all federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs in Tennessee, effective July 3. “We will no longer participate in federal pandemic unemployment programs because Tennesseans have access to more than 250,000 jobs in our state,” said Gov. Lee. “Families, businesses and our economy thrive when we focus […]
Find Out Where the Money Goes in Your County with Online Tool
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office is bringing even more transparency and accountability to local government finances with the relaunch of its Where the Money Goes website. The online tool, also known as Transparency and Accountability for Governments (TAG), provides an easy-to-use platform where users can track revenue, expenditure, and debt information over time for Tennessee’s 95 county governments. […]
Students Asked To Keep American Flags Out Of Sight By School Admin – Director Johnston Issues Apology, Clears Students Of Any Violations
In a statement issued by Dr. Shane Johnston, Director of Jefferson County Schools – Thursday, April 29 information came to the office of the Director of Schools concerning a student allegedly being suspended for displaying the American Flag. My office immediately began to investigate and discovered an incident had occurred between two students and an […]
Tennessee Strawberry Season is Here
With warm spring days in the forecast, Tennessee farms will quickly have fields turning red with juicy and sweet strawberries. If you are looking for the freshest berries, head straight to the farm. “Tennesseans are always looking to enjoy time with friends and family,” Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “Since it’s strawberry season, a visit […]
Gov. Lee Pushes Reopening, Focus on Economic Recovery – Ends Public Health Orders and Local Mask Authority
Tuesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the end of statewide public health orders and signed Executive Order 80 to address economic and regulatory functions. EO 80 also ends the local authority to issue mask requirements in the 89 counties directed by the state health department. “COVID-19 is now a managed public health issue in Tennessee […]
County Unemployment Rates Inch Upward in March
Following a slight rise in the statewide unemployment rate in March, jobless statistics experienced minor increases in most of Tennessee’s 95 counties, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Five counties across the state did experience lower unemployment for the month, while rates went up in 86 counties, […]
Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, NSDAR, Grave Marking for Patriot Mathew Raulston at Beth-Car Cemetery
What’s in a name? A whole lot, once you begin to dig into the genealogical history of a family as the audience learned from Jefferson County Historian Bob Jarnagin at the grave marking for Patriot Mathew Raulston at Beth-Car Cemetery, White Pine, on April 10. The ceremony was conducted by the Martha Dandridge Washington […]
Office Manager Stole from TennCare Supported Company in Jefferson City
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office, working in conjunction with the Jefferson City Police Department, has resulted in the indictment of Tonya Lindsey, the former office manager for Priority Senior Care, LLC (Priority) in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Priority provides in-home care to qualified seniors and receives the majority of its funding through TennCare, the […]
Timber Theft Cases Reported Across Tennessee
Rising timber prices and the value of individual species have enticed thieves to steal timber across Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) urges forest landowners to be aware of timber theft and provides steps owners can take to protect their assets. “Timber theft can be financially devastating to a landowner,” State Forester David Arnold […]
Tennessee, Kentucky File Lawsuit against Biden Administration State Tax Policy
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today joined Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in a lawsuit challenging a mandate from the Biden Administration in the American Rescue Plan Act (the Act). The lawsuit, filed against Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, argues that the tax […]
The General Assembly Approves Constitutional Carry
House Republicans this week passed historic legislation restoring Tennesseans’ constitutional right to self-defense. House Bill 786 removes encroachments on law-abiding citizens who wish to exercise their Second Amendment right to carry a handgun while increasing penalties for criminals who steal guns or possess them illegally. Tennesseans who are at least 21-years-old, or are honorably discharged […]
Business Fairness Act protects businesses in state of emergency
Legislation that seeks to protect small businesses during a state of emergency passed unanimously in the House Chamber on Monday. The Covid-19 pandemic presented many challenges for small businesses across the state. Those that were not deemed essential suffered while their bigger competitors were allowed to remain open, ultimately giving government the authority to pick […]
