Community News

Viewers can now watch the new Channel 15 television station online at www.roanestate.edu/channel15.
The government and education channel, created by Roane State Community College and the city of Harriman, has been on the air since December 2010.
Programming includes local announcements, public service videos, weather and a number of other programs.
Comcast cable customers in all of Roane County and parts of Morgan County could view Channel 15.
With the online service, viewers anywhere in the area, and around the world, can tune in.

Sometime this spring, when soil temperatures reach about 67 degrees at a depth of 4 inches, large numbers — millions — of cicadas are expected to emerge from the soils of more than one-third of the state’s 95 counties.

The greatest population concentrations are expected to be in Middle Tennessee.

Though Roane County is not one of the high-target areas predicted by University of Tennessee Extension, high populations are anticipated for surrounding counties, including Loudon, Meigs, Monroe and McMinn.

Native Americans for uncounted generations have enjoyed the first wild plants of spring foraging.

Although the dandelion was first introduced from Europe, many Indian tribes quickly learned to enjoy eating it.

Dandelions may be eaten in salads or cooked like spinach, which minimizes the slightly bitter taste. (The Iroquois preferred it boiled with meat.)

Deer love dandelion leaves, and pheasants and grouse like the seeds.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children is working to improve the health of low-income women and children in the face of challenges such as childhood obesity and increases in chronic disease.

WIC’s food package now offers a wider variety of
nutritious foods that are lower in fat, higher in fiber and more culturally appropriate.

“The improved WIC food package follows the Diet-