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Campbell County Sheriff's Department investigating arson

The Campbell County Sheriff's Department is investigating an arson last night in the Duff community.

Two suspects are at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center after the incident.

CCSD describes the investigation as "fluid and ongoing."

Check back for more updates online and in next week's edition of the LaFollette Press.

Improvements could be made along parts of US 25W

CARYVILLE— The Board of Mayor and Aldermen hope to make some improvements along US 25W in Caryville.
The town plans to ask the Tennessee Department of Transportation about the feasibility of adding a right-turn lane from southbound 25W onto Elkins Road to assist with school traffic.
The town also hopes to see a traffic light installed at the intersection with Queener Road.
“We think traffic is gonna increase also with the new boat ramp,” said Mayor Chris Stanley.

Sharp sentenced to 25 years for attempted sex with minor

 Michael Todd Sharp will spend the next 25 years behind bars after entering his guilty plea in Campbell County criminal court on Monday. 

In March 2012, the LaFollette Police Department got a tip that Sharp, 35, was living at the Village Apartments. Police reportedly found him there with a minor and his then-girlfriend. The encounter was an automatic violation of the terms of the sexual offender registry because he was living at a home other than where he was registered.

NEXAFED could be remedy in fight against meth

 A new allergy drug might be the key to curbing meth abuse in Campbell County. 

Monday night, District Attorney General Lori Phillips-Jones spoke to the Campbell County Anti-Drug Coalition about Nexafed—a decongestant that has been on the market since the end of last year. 

Nexafed is an alternative to Sudafed, but is produced in a way that makes it harder to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. 

Proposal could limit future EMS providers

Commissioners are considering a resolution that could designate Campbell County Emergency Medical Service the primary emergency services provider in the county. It could also limit competition from future for-profit emergency responders.
“This officially puts on paper who is going to operate in our county,” Campbell County EMS Director Danny Sheckles said.
But Sheckles said it wouldn’t change anything for the county’s existing three providers—Campbell County EMS, and the for-profit services of North Regional and Vital Care.

Resident to commission: Fund school resource officers

At Monday’s County Commission Workshop, county resident Jim Slusher expressed concern for the district’s school system.
“There are wonderful people in this county, and their kids deserve a quality education,” he said.
Later this month, the commission will begin work on the budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year. Slusher encouraged the commission to allow a generous amount of money for the school system.
“I know money’s tight, but you do what you have to,” Slusher said.

US 25 Yard Sale runs Thursday through Sunday

 Thousands of bargain seekers are expected to descend along parts of US 25 today through Sunday, as the historic highway plays host to a nearly 250-mile yard sale. The event spans from the Ohio/Kentucky border through East Tennessee and hits several local sites along the way.  

It’s the second annual event, but the first time Campbell County has participated, said E.L. Morton, executive director for the Chamber of Commerce, who’s been coordinating with business leaders and other officials on the interstate commerce event. 

Libraries host Summer Reading programs

Local libraries are hosting summer reading programs to encourage literacy among children. This year’s theme is “dig into reading.”
“They’re reading books in conjunction with the weekly program,” LaFollette Public Library Director Nancy Green said.

LaFollette Public Library
LaFollette Public Library hosts its Summer Reading program Thursdays at 10 a.m. Lunch is provided at 11 a.m. by the Summer Feeding program at Splash Park in downtown LaFollette.

Indian Mountain State Park pulls plug on public pool

JELLICO—The pool at Indian Mountain State Park, in Jellico, is permanently closed.
“Tennessee State Parks’ operations staff made the decision to permanently close the swimming pool,” said Meg Lockhart, spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, in a Tuesday e-mail.
The pool was not being used enough and needed more than $70,000 worth of repairs, Lockhart said. She mentioned Kentucky Splash Park is 11 miles away, in Williamsburg, Ky,

Man sentenced to 90 days for violating sex offender registry

After last month’s motion to dismiss charges, a LaFollette man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in the county jail.
Brian Keith Wilson, 43, was living too close to a park, school, head start and recreation center when he met with his probation officer on Aug. 3, 2012.
“It came to my attention that the address where Mr. Wilson was living since 2007 was too close to several things,” probation officer Sarah Dunn testified last month.
Wilson contended he had been given permission to live there by his former probation officer.