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

Local News

  • Chancellor steps away from Patton case

    By DAMON LAWRENCE

    rclawrence@bellsouth.net

    Chancellor Frank V. Williams III apparently believes he is too familiar with the parties involved in former constable Mark Patton’s lawsuit against the county.

    So much so that he has decided not to hear the case.

    “Because of my relationship with some of the parties, I think it best to recuse myself in the captioned action,” Williams wrote in a letter addressed to attorneys earlier this month.

    Click here to read more...
  • A new tune for a joyful noise

    By CINDY SIMPSON

    rccindysimpson@bellsouth.net

    A Harriman hip-hop enthusiast has a message for today’s youth.

    Expensive cars, women and $100 bills are staples of mainstream hip hop. But Travis Harmon sees it as a tool for a bigger message.

    Harmon, a youth minister at Harriman’s Big Emory Baptist Church, wants to use hip hop to spread God’s Word.

    The intention is deeper, according to Harmon, who grew up at Big Emory.

    Click here to read more...
  • Students get drunk drivers education

    By DAMON LAWRENCE

    rclawrence@bellsouth.net

    Midway High senior Ryan Hargis said he’s never driven a vehicle while drunk.

    And after driving an ATV through a makeshift obstacle course wearing a pair “Fatal Vision” goggles, Hargis said he doesn’t plan to.

    “If it’s anything like that, then I never want to do it because I hit about three cones,” Hargis said.

    Hargis was one of the many Midway students who participated in the drunk-driving drill at school on Wednesday.

    Click here to read more...
  • Jail construction delays may be costly

    By DAMON LAWRENCE

    rclawrence@bellsouth.net

    Some serious issues are facing the county’s new jail project, and not all are weather related.

    The county has around $10 million committed to the project, which was supposed to be finished in early spring of 2009.

    Now Roane County Executive Mike Farmer is saying he doesn’t know when the project will be finished or if it will be completed on budget.

    Click here to read more...
  • Commission votes down school-building plan

    By DAMON LAWRENCE

    rclawrence@bellsouth.net

    After months of uncertainty, the school system’s $47 million building plan is officially a no-go.

    The Roane County Commission voted 15-0 against funding the proposal at Monday night’s meeting.

    “In other words, the school board needs to go back to square one and start over,” Commissioner James Harmon said.

    Click here to read more...
  • Current city ordinances do not allow signage

    By JENNIFER RAYMOND

    rcraymond@bellsouth.net

    Kingston City Council has been approached several times in the last few months about the need for directional signs by real estate agents.

    But at a meeting last week, Kingston city attorney Sandy McPherson said the city currently does not allow signs on or attached to any public property.

    Local real estate agents addressed council at the Thursday meeting, hoping to change the policy so that they can post small directional signs to lead people to their open houses.

    Click here to read more...
  • Group wants tract named for Todd

    By JUDY UNDERWOOD

    Morgan County News Editor

    Morgan County Commissioners voted Monday night to ask the State to name some newly acquired lands near Frozen Head State Park in memory of Donald Todd.

    Todd was a noted local historian and was known for being a conservationist long before it was cool. He worked tirelessly to preserve the lands at Frozen Head and spearheaded the effort to have a portion of those lands protected as a natural area.

    Click here to read more...
  • Discovery Fest Coming April 19

    By JUDY UNDERWOOD

    Morgan County News Editor

    Hundreds of folks have been coming to Wartburg the last few years to enjoy Discovery Fest and this version will be showcased on Saturday.

    Kingston Street will be blocked and food and craft vendors will be set up along the street in front of Wartburg City Hall. Vendors are scheduled to be in place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

    In addition local artists will take the stage on the gazebo throughout the day. Performers will feature gospel, country, bluegrass and Americana music.

    Click here to read more...
  • Rising fuel costs draining county coffers

    By DAMON LAWRENCE

    rclawrence@bellsouth.net

    Some county officials and department heads say the money their departments have budgeted for fuel is being drained because of increased cost.

    Ambulance director Gloria Wright even went to the county budget committee earlier this month to ask for additional funds.

    “Our runs are up over the last few months tremendously,” Wright said. “We did more runs in January than we’ve ever done in a January before, and more in February than we’ve ever done in a February before.”

    Click here to read more...
  • There's no place like home

    By CINDY SIMPSON

    rccindysimpson@bellsouth.net

    Dawn Jenkins’ students will miss her sweet smile a little longer.

    The Walnut Hill Elementary School teacher’s life is starting to return to normal after a liver transplant in February, but she won’t return to school until the fall.

    Medication to prevent rejection weakens the immune system of transplant recipients, so she must limit her access to the public.

    Click here to read more...

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.