Today's News

 By PETER SAWYER

psawyer@lafollettepress.com

Five months after a fire destroyed its building to the ground, Fincastle Church of God continues to hold services in its fellowship hall and looks forward to completing the new facility.

“We are still working up here,” pastor Mike Smith said. “And still striving to get souls saved, and that’s what it’s all about.”

The fellowship hall was unharmed by the fire that consumed the church building in December. 

 A former Caryville Town Recorder is seeking compensation of up to $1.5 million after she was terminated from her position on April 22. 

The suit, filed on May 6, alleges an illegal purchase  made by Mayor Chris Stanley, as well as an illegal payment of expired vacation hours, discrimination against the former police chief, and retaliation against the recorder for her warning about the discrimination. 

At Monday’s workshop, county resident Jim Slusher said the closure of the Adrion W. Baird Animal Shelter April 11 has left stray animals without help.
“There’s no one to call,” Slusher said. “In my neighborhood alone, I’ve counted three dead cats, and three stray dogs have been dropped on us.”
Two of the dogs starved to death, but one was taken in by Slusher’s neighbor, he said.
Slusher referenced Noah’s ark, and said people are responsible to take care of animals.

Four people arrested during the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department Operation Spring Cleaning in March pleaded  in court on Monday to their charges.
Melvin Eugene Lee Jr., also known as Screw, was originally charged with six counts of sale or delivery of a schedule VI controlled substance. He pleaded guilty to sale of a schedule VI drug and casual/exchange of marijuana. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail with credit from time served since March 25, four years supervised probation, court costs, restitution and $7,000 in fines.