Today's News

When Sammy Miracle was set free on Friday, his family cried tears of joy.

But less than five feet across the room from them, the Pierce family’s tears were for a much different reason.

“He did it and he is free,” Linda Pierce, Jonathan Pierce's widow said on Tuesday afternoon.

She said the initial shock of the verdict quickly wore off giving way to tears. “I cried all day Friday,” Linda Pierce said. “But on Saturday morning a peace came over me.”

Area temperatures are still screaming summer but the activity at local school buildings indicates that fall is on its way.

With the start of school just a week away Campbell County students will soon be trading their beach towels for backpacks as they prepare to hit the books.

And while some may be groaning at the thought of getting back to the grind, Dr. Michael Martin, director of Campbell County schools, says he is looking forward to the challenges the new year brings.

The third man charged with assaulting a man in his home and putting him in the closet while he and others stole from him opted for a plea to resolve his case.

Last week, Daryl Frazier plead guilty to kidnapping, robbery and aggravated burglary.

Although he entered a guilty plea in the case, his sentence for the crimes will be not given to him until Sept. 28, the plea form said.

His cohorts Michael Goins and Roger Wilson had previously plead guilty to kidnapping, robbery and aggravated burglary as well.

After nearly four years as director of St. Mary’s Medical Center of LaFollette, Alan Watson is leaving.

“It’s been a great three and a half years,” Watson said at his farewell party on Friday.

Watson will be the new director at Baptist West at Turkey Creek in Knoxville.

“We hate to see him go so bad,” said Emily Noss, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for St. Mary’s of LaFollette.