Today's News

Tall tales were as plentiful as targets Saturday morning at Squirrel Fest, the annual gathering and encampment of small game hunters on the Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area.

Started 20 years ago by a group of hunters from Campbell County, the event has traditionally been held on opening day of squirrel season in late August.

The last few years, Squirrel Fest has also coincided with Free Hunting Day, which was enacted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission as a way to introduce young people to hunting.

Football rivalries are normally born on the field, not off of it.

However, the feud between two local high schools has been anything but normal.

A rivalry 15 years in the making, Campbell County vs. Anderson County has grown to epic proportions, even though the teams haven’t actually faced off on the gridiron since 1995.

For the better part of the past two decades, both teams have done their best to avoid each other because of a bitter feud over alleged recruiting of players by the Mavericks.

With a generous helping of smash-mouth football and a dash of razzle-dazzle, Jellico High School was able to snap a 12-game skid Friday night.

The Blue Devils (1-1 overall) came from behind in the second half at North Greene to defeat the Huskies, 14-8.

Running backs Ryan Morris and Freedom Scott pounded out most of Jellico’s yardage between the tackles, while newcomer Darius Marlow added an element of speed with a couple of shifty runs on reverses.

Jacksboro Middle School’s football team bounced back from a lopsided season-opening loss at Clinton to post a 22-16 victory Thursday night over visiting Grace Christian Academy.

The Eagles rallied from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter with touchdown runs of 9 and 2 yards by bruiser Nick Bailey, who finished with a team-high 105 yards on 14 carries.

Paul Courdle picked up 43 yards on 10 carries and scored Jacksboro’s first touchdown on a 70-yard kickoff return.