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Today's News

  • The Woody Era: Staff evaluation, EMA issues at top of new official’s list

    Roane County Solid Waste Coordinator Ralph Stewart showed up at the courthouse the evening of the election wearing a Mike Farmer T-shirt.
    That apparently won’t cost him his job when Ron Woody takes over as Roane County executive on Sept. 1.
    “You expect everyone to support their bosses,” Woody said. “I want people that can do their work. I don’t care who they campaigned for.”

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  • The Woody Era: Will newly elected county heads share past hopes for Plateau Park?

    None of the executives/mayor who led their county into the Plateau Partnership Park project will be in office come Sept. 1.
    The park is a joint venture between Cumberland, Morgan and Roane counties.     
    Morgan County Executive Becky Ruppe and Roane County Executive Mike Farmer both lost their re-election bids this month. Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill did not seek re-election.
    The park has been hailed as an example of regional cooperation. The partnership wasn’t cheap.

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  • School board adds more to building plan

    Despite being over budget, the Roane County Board of Education approved projects for its building plan at last week’s meeting.
    “I’m going to vote for it because I think we’re sent here to do what’s best for the kids in Roane County,” Board Member Frank Mee said.   
    However, Mee reminded board members that one of the reasons Harriman Middle School’s new gym is being built with bleachers on only one side is because board members said they didn’t want to go over budget on the project.

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  • Newspaper's website user-friendly

    An all-new community website was introduced Monday by the Roane County News.
    The new site, roanecounty.com, now contains all of the local material from the printed newspaper, as well as many added features, including videos and slideshows from area news and sports events.
    Readers may participate in forums about area news and sports topics, provide comments on stories from the newspaper, vote in an opinion poll, and even nominate their pet to be the Pet of the Week.

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  • Harriman mayor gives police a hand

    Harriman Mayor Chris Mason doesn’t mind working side by side with his city employees.
    Mason, who earlier this month saw Harriman police struggle with a distraught man near Lon Mee bridge, helped police get the man under control.
    Harriman Assistant Police Chief Kenneth Humphrey’s reported he and Detective Jason Joseph were attempting to subdue the man, “and Harriman Mayor Chris Mason was driving by and saw the commotion and stopped and assisted us.”

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  • Do-si-do! Practice makes perfect for Three River Ramblers

    Simon Says meets the dance world in a longtime dance style that has its dancers chuckling as they twist, turn, spin and occasionally miss steps as the next moves are called out to them.
    Square dancers take over the American Legion Hall in Harriman across from Regions Bank every Monday and the third Saturday of each month.
    Monday is a lesson day, with beginning dancers learning the ropes with “dance angels,” a title given to more experienced dancers who teach the newcomers.
    The Three Rivers Ramblers square dancing club hosts the events.

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  • Nelson vows to finish her term on school board

    Kim Nelson said she plans to finish her term on the Roane County Board of Education.
    She was elected circuit court clerk earlier this month, and will take office on Sept. 1.
    Nelson was elected to the school board in 2008. She has two years remaining on a four-year term.
    “If it comes out that I can’t stay on, then I’ll have to give it up, but I want to try to finish my term,” she said.
    Angela Randolph, the current clerk, did not seek re-election.
    Nelson defeated Mona Gardner Wright and Bob Alford for the position.

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  • Once we elect them, we have to help them do their jobs

    We’re sure to have some new officials after Election Day, as well as some incumbents.
    We hope these people will stand by their promises of better, more responsive government, but our role as citizens doesn’t end at the ballot box.
    We must put forth the effort to let our officials know what our priorities are before we criticize.
    We must make an effort to keep up with the issues in our community, and it never hurts to attend a government meeting or two, just to get an idea of what goes on.
    Democracy is a two-way street.

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  • Scrutiny can make insurance change work

    The state of Tennessee is planning on increasing its scrutiny of health insurance rate hikes.
    It is getting a $1 million U.S. Health and Human Resources grant to aid the effort.
    On the whole, we think this can be money well spent. So do a number of consumer-advocate groups, including the Tennessee Health Care Campaign.
    Until recently, rate-hike proposals on group policies in Tennessee didn’t have to be submitted to a state agency for approval.

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  • Let's praise those who are willing to serve

    This is a difficult time of transition for people in public office.
    The elections are over, and those who failed in their bids for re-election are still in office until September.
    It has to be tough.
    But despite the outcome of the elections, we believe these officials should hold their heads up for the work they have done for the community.
    We know each and every one of them have contributed in the community in some way.
    They have attended meetings and attempted to sort out the complex business of running a county in many important ways.

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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.