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Local News

  • Local public defender to retire at year’s end

    After serving 22 years in the public defender’s office, Charles Herman is planning to retire. He is retiring as assistant public defender on Dec. 31.
    While Herman doesn’t have any definite plans for his retirement, he looks forward to relaxing, spending time with his grandchildren and participating in volunteer work.
    Herman has also been the municipal judge in Jellico for about three years.
    “I plan on continuing there,” Herman said.

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  • Letter from Blue Cross Blue Shield causes confusion

    A letter from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee caused confusion earlier this month. A number of Campbell County residents who subscribe to BCBST received misinformation by way of a letter that was sent on Dec. 5. Many thought they were no longer able to use their local pharmacies, such as Riggs Drug Store and Terry’s Pharmacy.

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  • LaFollette approves plan for 2013 employee health insurance

    At a special called meeting on Dec. 14, the LaFollette City Council approved a new plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield for employee health insurance. While the new plan will allow all employees to stay on the preferred network, the employees will not be able to keep all the same benefits they had last year.

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  • Fincastle Church of God deemed arson

    “It has become a crime scene now.”

    Words that should never be spoken about a church are now what leave Pastor Mike Smith heartbroken.

    The Fincastle Church of God fire was deemed arson last week. 

    A determination that the fire was a crime was made within a week of the investigation beginning.

    “Tennessee Bomb and Arson came out and collected evidence. Once they did some work at the scene, it became obvious it was arson,” said Campbell County Sheriff Robbie Goins.

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  • Lack of cash, trash closes Stony Fork Convenience Center

    Last week the Stony Fork Convenience Center was shut down because of its lack of volume and money.
    “That is the status right now until something else is decided,” said Walter Sutton, assistant director for the Campbell County Environmental Services Department. “It’s our decision.”
    At the Dec. 17 commission meeting, county commissioners Sue Nance, Rusty Orick and Steve Rutherford spoke about the convenience center’s closing.
    Stony Fork was the only convenience center in the county that wasn’t licensed.

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  • Campbell County Schools, Sheriff’s Dept., revisit safety in wake of Conn. shooting

    School resource officers are present at the county’s elementary schools after a Dec. 14 shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.

    “We know now it’s not just a middle school/high school issue,” said Campbell County Director of Schools Donnie Poston.

    Beginning Monday, Campbell County Sheriff Robbie Goins posted extra officers at all schools without a designated school resource officer.

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  • Hatmaker asks about non-local company’s use of facilities

    Campbell County Commissioner Tom Hatmaker believes a county policy has been violated. The policy requires people to have Campbell County tags in order to use the convenience centers. Hatmaker raised the issue at the Dec. 17 county commission meeting.
    “It (the policy) states you have to have a county tag to use our facilities,” Hatmaker said. “We got an out of town company (Wolf Tree) that’s hauling brush up the hill. The taxpayers are footing the bill.”

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  • Jellico finds part-time CMFO help, Fuelman discrepancies

    A certified municipal finance officer is spending time in Jellico to help sort out the books after the resignation of former town recorder Linda Douglas on Dec. 4.

    The CMFO, Sondra Denton, is from Englewood in McMinn County. She worked two days last week and two days this week, according to Jellico Mayor Les Stiers.

    “She found out there has been no journal entries at all and none of the bookkeeping is up to date,” he said. “Fiscal year 2011 hasn’t been closed out and fiscal year 2012 hasn’t been opened.”

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  • Campbell County, Caryville officers awarded as officers of the year

    Three officers received awards for their service after their supervisors nominated them for awards given by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office.

    In Caryville, patrolman Albert Kidwell received three awards in the municipal division. Officers at the CPD haven’t received any awards in the 25 years that Chief Johnny Jones has been at work in Caryville.

    “I’ve given them little certificates of appreciation, but nothing like that,” Jones said.

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  • County to negotiate with Montclair

    Campbell County will continue negotiations with Montclair. On Dec. 17, the county commission passed a motion limiting negotiations to the parameters set by county mayor William Baird.

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