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Local News

  • Judge allows DNA evidence at trial; reserves right to revisit decision

    With the start of Phillip Pack’s second-degree murder trial less than 48 hours away, a last ditch attempt to exclude DNA evidence was made on Monday.

    With Pack’s court appointed attorney, Keith Hatfield, unexplainably absent from court, Wes Hatmaker agreed to argue the motion asking to have the evidence tossed.

    That was the first hurtle to be crossed.

    With Hatmaker’s agreement to stand in, Senior Assistant District Attorney General Mike Ripley objected asking if Pack was aware of this substitution. Pack was not in court to answer that question.

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  • Board member named in sexual harassment suit

    The Campbell County Board of Education and more specifically one of its board members was dealt a blow with the recent filing of a lawsuit in federal court.

    In a complaint filed in the United States District Court school system employee Alexis R. Keiser, alleges she is the victim of sexual harassment perpetrated by veteran board member Mark A. Wells.

    According to the filing, the suit is being brought as a result of Wells’ attempt to date Keiser and his subsequent retaliation once he learned she was in a relationship with someone else.

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  • CASA Bluegrass Breakdown raises funds

    The ninth annual CASA Bluegrass Breakdown not only raised funds for area children, but awareness for the issues they face.

    The Saturday evening event went well, raising around $8,000 including corporate sponsors, according to CASA Director Renee Tackett.

    The Department of Children’s Services had a foster/ adoption booth set up to provide information for anyone who was interested.

    “I feel that it did raise awareness. The community effort was strong and the response was big,” Tackett said.

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  • Proposed marina issue remains unresolved

    Despite the fact that a year has passed since a proposed 799 slip marina disrupted the calm waters of Norris Lake, a decision has still not been made by the Army Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authority.

    On March 19 of last year, an application was sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Tennessee Valley Authority proposing a commercial marina on Norris Lake, near Heatherly’s Point.  

    This location just happened to lie directly across from the portion of the lake where Camp Galilee laid down its roots over 50 years ago.

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  • Old LPO could be deemed historical

    Thanks to efforts and hard work of local representatives, the old LaFollette Post Office has been placed on a list of endangered historic buildings in East Tennessee.

    On Feb. 27, ETPA members announced the 2010 East Tennessee Endangered Heritage list of endangered historic buildings and places in the 16 county region.

    “Each county has something that reflects the culture and heritage of that area and we have so many things here in Campbell County that should be considered for preservation; this organization is a good start,” Myers said.

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  • CASA Bluegrass Breakdown scheduled for this week

    It’s bluegrass time again in Campbell County.

    The 9th annual CASA Bluegrass Breakdown is just around the corner. With live music, refreshments and a silent auction all under one roof, CASA’s Bluegrass Breakdown has it all.

    On March 20, at 6 p.m. in the Campbell County High School auditorium, four groups will be performing bluegrass favorites at CASA’s biggest fundraising event.

    Those performing include Larry Gillis and the Hard Driving Bluegrass Band, Shadow Ridge, Eddie Sweat and Thunder Creek, as well as Carl and Mason Capps.

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  • Jellico Utilities passes loan approval; discusses TVA Partners agreement

    It was a short agenda at the Jellico Utility board meeting on Tuesday evening, with the main topic of discussion centering on a state revolving fund loan.

    Jellico Utility General Manager Mike Bethurem began the meeting by asking the board to approve a $459,000 increase for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) drinking water loan to aid in the drinking water project.

    The project, which consists of the drilling of two wells, the construction of an elevated storage tank as well as water mains to connect the two wells, was originally estimated to cost approximately $1.3 million.

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  • Traffic stop results in DUI; weapon charges

    Driving under the influence, while arguing with your wife with a loaded gun in the car is a sure recipe for jail time.

    On March 12, Caryville Detective Stephanie Smith was on routine patrol when she witnessed a vehicle swerving uncontrollably on Main Street, the arrest report said.

    After stopping Dustin Lee Overbay, 24, of Overbay Lane, Caryville, Smith noted that he had his head slumped over and was allegedly nearly incoherent, according to the police report. As Smith began to speak to him, Overbay acted startled, Smith’s report said.

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  • Knoxville Symphony Orchestra entertains kids at Caryville Library

    Toes were tapping, smiles were shining and a whole lot of hokey pokey was going on at the Caryville Library on Friday. A string quartet from the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra played its instruments for Mrs. Wright’s Jacksboro Elementary pre-school class and area children from Caryville as well. Kids and adults danced along as orchestra members performed favorites such as Rocky Top, and the Hokey Pokey.

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  • Wallace picks up shoplifting charges

    Tag switching didn’t pay off for a LaFollette woman who was arrested on shoplifting charges last week.

    On March 13, around 9:30 p.m., Jacksboro Police Officer Josh Carroll was dispatched to Wal-Mart on the report of a shoplifter, the arrest report said.

    After arriving on the scene, Carroll learned from a loss prevention agent that Sarah Christian Wallace, 28, of 603 Rose Hill Drive, LaFollette, had allegedly switched tags on merchandise and paid for an item at a false price, the arrest report said.

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