.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Local News

  • LaFollette man found dead in Norris Lake

    POWELL VALLEY—Ralph Ward, 65, of 205 Sharp Lane, LaFollette was found dead in Norris Lake July 4.
    His body was spotted floating in a cove off Cliffside Drive near Powell Valley Marina about 3:30 p.m. July 4, according to reports from the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department.
    Someone called 911 around 3:30 p.m. to report the body, Chief Deputy Aaron Evans, with the department said. Campbell County Emergency Services, LaFollette Rescue Squad and CCSD were dispatched.

    Click here to read more...
  • LaFollette hires officer
    Click here to read more...
  • Soiled oil gets new life

    LaFOLLETTE—The Public Works Department is now accepting, and recycling, used motor oil from locals—for free. The motor oil fuels a furnace that heats the shop where public works vehicles and equipment are maintained.
    “This is a public service where people can dispose of their used oil, but it is also a big energy savings for us,” Public Works Department Head Jim Mullins said. “It’s not just to allow people to dispose of their oil, but it also helps us to heat our shop.”

    Click here to read more...
  • RUSSELL’S AGENDA: evaluations, open-door policy

    LaFOLLETTE— Newly hired City Administrator Billie Russell is unveiling some of her plans for LaFollette—which include employee evaluations and a more open door policy.
    “I think it would be a good business practice,” said Russell, in reference to evaluations, at a recent workshop. “Other cities are doing this now.”
    Evaluations could be used to identify areas that need improvement as well as provide a basis for raises and promotions for city workers.

    Click here to read more...
  • Commission debates animal shelters’ closing

    JACKSBORO—Several are raising the question of when the Adrion W. Baird Animal Center will reopen.
    Among the voices is county resident Jim Slusher.
    “Four weeks ago a commitment was made, the animal shelter would open in two to three weeks,” he said. “This hasn’t happened.”
    Slusher criticized the commission for providing funds for a shelter that currently isn’t operating.
    The shelter closed April 11 after a viral Internet video surfaced alleging several malpractices there.

    Click here to read more...
  • Apparent drowning victim identified

    POWELL VALLEY—The Campbell County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of a man whose body was recovered from Norris Lake Thursday afternoon.

    Ralph Ward, 65, of 205 Sharp Lane, LaFollette, is believed to have drowned. His body was spotted floating in a cove off Cliffside Drive near Powell Valley Marina about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, according to reports from the sheriff's office. 

    Click here to read more...
  • Local 4th of July events scheduled for weekend

    Fourth of July events are scheduled into the weekend.

    Jellico will hold an icecream- and hotdog-eating contest. There will be a Miss Fireworks pageant Saturday at 10 a.m. The fireworks display originally scheduled for July 4 was postponed until Saturday night.

    Click here to read more...
  • East Tennessee sends help to ravaged Oklahoma

    EAST TENNESSEE—In the wake of devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma this spring, a team of 12 from East Tennessee helped with disaster relief efforts.
    The Nolachucky Baptist Association—which includes Hamblen, Greene, Grainger and Jefferson counties—sent a 12-person team to Moore, Okla. While the team focused on physical needs, the primary concern was encouraging people in the devastated area.

    Click here to read more...
  • BOE to replace furniture lost in school fire

    JACKSBORO – The Board of Education will pay just more than $18,000 to replace furniture lost in a small fire at Wynn Elementary School last winter.
    School and Office Supply was the low bidder for the contract at $18,402.15.
     

    Click here to read more...
  • Commission renews lease for Jellico offices

    JACKSBORO—The commission approved a $1,200 lease agreement with Cherry Artis for three satellite offices that provide services in Jellico.
    The commission rejected the lease earlier last month, citing high cost and and unfair division of financial responsibilities between Campbell County Mayor William Baird, County Court Clerk Debbie Wilson and County Property Assessor Brandon Partin—whose divisions rent space there.
    Last month, Commissioner Beverly Hall said Partin wasn’t paying a fair portion of the rent.

    Click here to read more...