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Local News

  • County fire plan gets mixed reviews

    By DAMON LAWRENCE

    rclawrence@bellsouth.net

    Volunteer fire departments rely heavily on donations and fund-raisers to operate.

    Some chiefs are worried the contributions could dry up if a fire tax district is created to help fund a county fire department.

    “I’m pretty sure it could,” West Roane County Chief Charlie Redwine said. “I’m no expert on that, but it could cause some people to say, ‘Well, I’m paying taxes for it now, so why should I donate?’”

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  • Kingston eyes 'minimal tax rate hike; fees

    By JENNIFER RAYMOND

    rcraymond@bellsouth.net

    As the budget process starts to wind down, residents can get a better look at what to expect for the next fiscal year, especially regarding their taxes.

    Kingston residents, as the budget stands now, can expect a 5-cent property tax rate increase.

    This will put the rate at $1.35 per $100 of assessed property. For a property valued at $75,000, the increase will be less than $13 a year.

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  • Unusual lakefront tract for sale

    By DAMON LAWRENCE

    rclawrence@bellsouth.net

    Some things just aren’t out there these days.

    Cheap gas, a VCR and good news about the American economy, for instance.

    You can also add large tracts of undeveloped waterfront property to the list.

    Even though it’s rare, such property still exists.

    According to county property records, there is a 1,242-acre tract of undeveloped land that fronts Watts Bar Lake in East Roane County — and it’s for sale.

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  • Harriman may get $3 million windfall

    By CINDY SIMPSON

    rccindysimpson@bellsouth.net

    Harriman might be owed a chunk of money from the state retirement system.

    A study done at the request of Covenant Health during the negotiation phase for the transfer of Roane Medical Center shows that the city could be owed as much as $3 million back from the hospital’s retirement fund.

    “They came back that it was funded in a surplus,” Harriman Mayor Chris Mason said at Tuesday’s council meeting.

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  • TDOT breaks ground

    TDOT breaks ground

    Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely joined state and local officials in Morgan County Monday to break ground on a new State Route 62 widening project. The project is approximately 5 miles in length and stretches from US Highway 27in Wartburg to just west of Petit Lane. Once finished, the project will provide two lanes in each direction plus a center turn lane.

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  • County fire department proposed

    By DAMON LAWRENCE

    rclawrence@bellsouth.net

    Roane County looks to be one vote away from establishing a county fire department.

    A resolution to create the Roane County Fire Department is on the agenda for Monday night’s county commission meeting.

    The commission is scheduled to meet in regular session at 7 p.m. at the courthouse.

    The county currently relies on the five volunteer fire departments to provide fire protection for the county.

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  • Strange charged with TennCare fraud

    Staff reports

    A Roane County man has been charged with TennCare fraud for attempting to use TennCare to pay for forged prescriptions.

    Brian Everette Strange, 38, of Kingston, was arrested, according to the Tennessee Office of Inspector General.

    The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office assisted in his arrest.

    Strange is accused of using the personal identifying information of his physician by presenting forged prescriptions to a local pharmacy in Lenoir City.

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  • Hall, Judkins show interest in office

    By JUDY UNDERWOOD

    Morgan County News Editor

    Two local attorneys have picked up the paperwork to be certified as write-in candidates in the August General Election.

    Current County Attorney Joe Judkins has yet to return his paperwork but local attorney Andrew Hall has already been certifiedas a candidate, according to Administrator of Elections Minnie Armes.

    The deadline to qualify as a write-in candidate for the August General Election is June 18.

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  • Judge splits double-murder trials; Leon Houston to be tried first

    By DAMON LAWRENCE

    rclawrence@bellsouth.net

    Two close-knit brothers accused of killing a sheriff’s deputy and his friend won’t be going to trial together.

    Judge James “Buddy” Scott determined there was validity in a prosecution motion to have separate trials for Rocky and Leon Houston.

    After hearing arguments from both sides in Roane County Criminal Court on Friday, Scott ruled the brothers will be tried separately.

    “I believe the state’s motion is well taken,” Scott said.

    Leon will face a jury first.

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  • County tax hike not anticipated

    By DAMON LAWRENCE

    rclawrence@bellsouth.net

    Americans are in the midst of some tough economic times.

    Gas and food prices are way up and bad news about the economy seems never ending.

    Local property owners might be happy to know that those responsible for drafting Roane County’s new fiscal budget don’t anticipate a property tax increase this year.

    Following last year’s 25-cent increase and a growth in sales tax revenue, members of the county budget committee say Roane County is in good economic shape.

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Copyright © 2013

The Roane County News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Roane County and Kingston, Tennessee, and the surrounding area.