Local News

It has been just under a month since Dr. Michael Martin and Karen Bundren left the Campbell County school system under a cloud of suspicion that has resulted in the discovery of forged transcripts and a TBI investigation. 

And in the wake of this bombshell Sharon Ridenour, former career and technical education supervisor, has been charged by the board with the daunting task of redirecting the focus of system employees and the community from the seemingly growing scandal to making a plan for continuing to improve education for the county’s students.

With over 9,000 of the county’s registered voters casting ballots on Tuesday election officials are pleased with the turn out for the mid term election.

“We had 3,879 voters cast early ballots,” said Dean Sexton, administrator of elections.

That translated into around 43- percent of votes being registered early. “Typically early voting sees around 55-perecnt of the voters. But in the race, the majority of people went to the polls,” she said.

With all of the LaFollette votes counted Joe Bolinger and Stephanie Grimm are the newly elected council members.

Bolinger posted 591 votes while Grimm took 759 votes. Wayne Gregg came in third with 526. Jay Huddleston received 284 with Scott Kitts rounding out the pack with 261. Total votes cast in the race was 2,421.

According to election commission totals 3,879 Campbell County voters turned out for early voting in this mid-term election.

Based on early voting totals Dennis Powers is leading Keith Clotfelter in the 36th District House of Representatives race 2,059 to 1,551.

Voters in Caryville are split their votes nearly down the middle on the liquor referendum.  Yes votes for liquor by the drink are 159 to 129 no votes after early voting.  On the issue of package stores those in favor hold a narrow lead over the opposition with 152 voting yes to 139 no votes.