Today's News

Since the Tennessee Valley Authority stopped patrolling its waters, crime has increased on Norris Lake, and several islands have become a “no man’s land” inhabited by squatters.

The issue of squatters was brought up at a meeting on April 19 at Norris Dam State Park, said Mike McDonough, president of the friends of Norris Lake. About six Union County residents reported several islands on the east end of Norris Lake had been taken over by a “drug element,” McDonough said. This had occurred since TVA stopped patrolling the lake, McDonough said.

At Tuesday night’s workshop, disagreements over the new library facility divided the LaFollette City Council.

Interim city administrator Cade Sexton presented a review before the council.

The carpet was installed at the library three weeks ago, the shelving was installed two weeks ago, the furniture was installed last week, and the sign was put up Friday.

Council member Wayne Kitts asked what remained to be finished.

“I don’t think we lack anything but the flagpoles and the decorating,” Sexton said.

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Norris Lake Flotilla will be providing boat safety checks this summer at a number of marinas around the lake.

“Boats passing this inspection will be awarded a vessel safety check decal for display,” said Public Information Officer Mike McDonough.

“The decal attests to the fact that the boat is in compliance with all federal and state requirements. 

“The inspection is also an opportunity for boat owners or operators to receive one-on-one guidance from a trained boating professional.

Spiritually Speaking
Pearl Harper
Remembering Graduation and Strawberries

Many memories come to my mind this time of year about graduation and strawberries. To let you know what I am referring to we moved out in the country in April 1973. The next year May 1974 we had a wonderful crop of strawberries. Bob had planted them the previous year.