Local News

Cold weather lulled Roane County and surrounding communities into stillness as temperatures began dropping over the weekend.
Rockwood Electric Utility manager Kendall Bear said probably 1,500 customers were out of power on Saturday, but the cause wasn’t weather related.
Customers were in Kingston in areas including Centers Farm, parts of Brentwood, Paint Rock Ferry, behind Cherokee Middle and up around Kingston Elementary, Bear said.
“A piece of wire that burned on a circuit knocked two breakers out,” he added.

Roane County officials realized there was a problem with the courthouse steps and had them remodeled over the summer.
Geraldine Seiber said that came too late for her.
She is suing Roane County for $300,000 for a fall she had on the steps on Sept. 14, 2009.

Illegal loans made between the water and gas departments of Rockwood Water, Wastewater and Gas Utilities will be reviewed by a state board and officials.

They will also have to hike water rates 10 to 12 percent.

Rockwood Mayor James Watts, interim utility manager Ron Berry, City Attorney Elmer Rich and City Recorder Jim Hines learned about the developments at a recent meeting with Dennis Dycus, director of the Tennessee Division of Municipal Audit.

Saturday’s going to be a special day — and not just because it’s the weekend or the week before Christmas.

It’s not only special, it’s Super Saturday.

That’s the name Roane County Chamber of Commerce has chosen for Dec. 18, which is being touted across the county as the day for all residents to Shop Roane First this holiday season.

Chamber members said the dedicated shopping day serves as a reminder that it boosts the local economy when consumers spend their dollars with Roane County businesses.