Welcome Spring
Spring has finally arrived in Jefferson County and with it the Vernal Equinox. The Vernal Equinox is the time that the day and night have perfect balance. It also marks the beginning of rapidly increasing hours of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere. Though the beginning of Spring is often considered to be the 21st of […]
Senator Niceley Touts Brownfields Over Proposed Megasite Location
State Senator Frank Niceley was in attendance at the Saturday joint meeting of SOFAH and Jefferson County Tomorrow, two public interest groups that have been outspoken regarding property owner rights and the direction that Jefferson County is heading in the quest for economic development. Senator Niceley addressed a room of around 200 citizens and local […]
EDOC Director Wagley Responds To Megasite Concerns
There has been much discussion in Jefferson County, among officials and during meetings, regarding the proposed Megasite that would be located near the I40 and I81 split in Jefferson County. Attorney Scott Hurley, who represents 1400 acres of property in the footprint of the site, spoke in opposition to the project at the Monday evening […]
Watts Bar Unit 2 Nuclear Reactor Licensing Brings Stability Testing Upstream
The Tennessee Valley Authority was in Jefferson County last week taking core samples at the Dandridge Dike. According to Travis Brickey, a representative of TVA, the drilling is a part of a “health check” that is going on at around 18 locations in the TVA region. Brickey stated that each site could have multiple drillings, […]
New Market Man Shot By FBI Suspected Part of International Child Pornography Ring
A local man died on Wednesday morning as a result of shooting incident involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to information provided by the FBI, agents were attempting to execute a search and arrest warrant when the incident occurred. Federal agents were attempting to arrest the subject for the distribution and possession of child […]
Commissioner Hagerty Addresses East TN Megasite During TN State House Budget Hearings
The Jefferson County Budget Committee is heading into the Budgeting season for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. In addition to the usual requests that are presented to the Budget Committee, EDOC by way of the Industrial Development Board is expected to request nearly $2 million additional dollars to continue the certification process for the proposed Megasite. […]
Gun Owner’s Rights Fears Driving Increase in Handgun Carry Permits
The State of Tennessee House and Senate have passed the Guns in Trunks bill and it is on the way to the Governor’s desk for his signature. The issue of gun rights has been a concern across the Nation and, especially, in Tennessee. Jefferson County Representative Jeremy Faison sponsored the Guns in Trunks bill in […]
Dandridge Low Income Housing Development To Be Revisited This Thursday
A tax credit housing development that was slotted for the Shrader Road area in Dandridge, adjacent to the Field of Dreams and the new multi million dollar Activity Center investment, hit a bump in the road at last week’s Dandridge Planning Commission Meeting. WODA, an Ohio based Development Company, had appeared before the Planning Commission […]
Two Bucks and a Nickel, Can We Hold On?
Though the third month of 2013 is just approaching, the fiscal year for Jefferson County is winding down and the budgeting process for the 2013-2014 fiscal year is in full swing. Jefferson County Finance Director Helton stated that the County side of the financial picture appears to be in a good place heading into the […]
HOMECOMING COURT RAISES FUNDS FOR ANIMAL SHELTER
Ladies of the 2012 Jefferson County Homecoming Courts recently hosted a Royal Luncheon to benefit the Humane Society of Jefferson County. The luncheon was held at the Baneberry Community Center on Dec 1, 2012. The ladies sold tickets to the luncheon and collected canned food for the shelter. Attendees enjoyed a catered lunch, petite auction […]
TVA and State Statements Regarding Megasite Funding Participaton
Jefferson County Commission recently appropriated $442,311 in initial funding for the certification phase of the proposed East Tennessee Regional Megasite. There has been question of the level of involvement, particularly concerning financing of the project, from the State of Tennessee and Tennessee Valley Authority. Though a TVA spokesman recently stated during an interview that the […]
Norfolk Southern Intermodal Still Question Mark
In the wake of proposed development in Jefferson County, questions have arisen concerning Norfolk Southern’s intent regarding the proposed Intermodal site slotted to be located in the New Market area. Susan Terpay, Director of Public Relations for Norfolk Southern, would neither confirm nor deny reports that Norfolk Southern is nearing completion of the necessary property […]
Special Called School Board Meeting
The Jefferson County School Board met in a Called Meeting and Workshop on Thursday evening, February 14, 2013. After a Call to Order from Chairman of the Board Potts, Mt. Horeb Principal Sandra Austin presented a list of requested items for purchase from the remaining funds from the QCSB account (building bonds). Money from the […]
The Sweetest Teacher
Students have all put away the books for a few days to enjoy winter break, leaving classrooms empty for Valentine’s Day. Before Dandridge Elementary School students checked out for some time off, they declared third grade teacher Ann Fox to be the Sweetest Teacher. The friendly competition was a fundraiser for Relay for Life and […]
Governor Haslam, Commissioner Hagerty Announce New Tennessee Export Strategy and Foreign Offices
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty today announced an international strategy focused on increasing the exports of Tennessee goods to key markets around the globe. Efforts will be led by ECD’s International Division with new Export Development Offices in Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany serving the entire European Union, […]
Brant Adams Wins Jefferson County Spelling Bee
The Jefferson County Spelling Bee is a very competitive event and students study many long hours in preparation of their time on the stage. Students compete on the school level to determine a champion that will compete in the County wide spelling bee. Poor weather conditions necessitated the rescheduling of the event earlier this semester, […]
