Today's News

Five years.

That’s the prison sentence Assistant U.S. Attorney David Jennings is requesting for Leon Houston.

The federal sentencing guidelines, however, call for a sentence of only 10-16 months.

In a sentencing memorandum filed on Feb. 21, Jennings argues Houston is a danger to society and deserves more time than what the guidelines call for.

The two Rockwood City Council members who voted down Becky Ruppe as city administrator don’t have a problem with her filling that role.

Ruppe is already doing those duties anyway, they said.

Instead, council members Peggy Evans and Mike Freeman took issue with the proposed jump in pay for the position. That’s because they contend other city employees have not seen such an increase.

“In fact, I don’t care if he wants her as city administrator,” said Evans, of Mayor James Watts’ desire to see Ruppe in the role.

Roane County’s Relay for Life is still fighting the fight to end cancer.

This year’s theme is “Finish the Fight,” and the annual nightlong fundraising walking event for the American Cancer Society will begin at 6 p.m. April 25 at Roane State Community College.

“Our goal is to get more people involved, both people to have teams — like maybe if they have somebody in the family that passed who had cancer or somebody that is a survivor,” Co-Chairwoman Lori Wright said.

Mid-East Community Action Agency delivers nutritionally balanced meals to the isolated, frail and elderly in Roane and Loudon counties.

But the skyrocketing cost of food, fuel and stagnant budgets is placing seniors served by the program in a perilous situation.

“The Senior Nutrition program is trying to maintain current service levels,” said Amber Jacks, Mid-East senior services director, about the program that has served the two counties for more than three decades.