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Tax increase? No way, some say

A proposed increase on the county’s property tax rate for schools isn’t popular with members of the public who spoke out during last week’s Roane County Commission meeting.
“Any increase in property taxes is not only going to hurt everybody that’s here,” John Binseel said. “It’s not going to motivate anybody to move into Roane County.”
The property tax bill on his Grande Vista Bay home last year was $2,731.

Janelle Arthur going from ‘Idol’ to Opry

Janelle Arthur’s star shone brightly during this past season of “American Idol.”
The Oliver Springs native, who made it to the top five on the televised talent-show-style program, will next showcase her country pipes at the legendary Grand Ole Opry.
She’ll perform at the Opry House at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19.
“She’s really excited. She put on Facebook she has been wanting to sing on the Grand Ole Opry since she was 4 years old,” said Judy Arthur, Janelle’s proud mother.

Law enforcement train for worst-case scenario at RCHS

East Tennessee law enforcement officials prepared for the worst possible scenario last week in Roane County High School’s empty hallways.
An active shooter training course was presented by Government Training Institute out of Barnwell, S.C. and hosted by the Roane County Sheriff’s Office to help protect schools, including those without student resource officers.
“Our children are the most precious commodity we have (but) it is not only for the children but all of us,” said Roane County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Rick Baker.

Lawyer asks to quit defending dad in starving boy’s case

Matthew Dotson, the father accused of starving his son to death, may have to find a new defense attorney.
His current legal advocate, Knoxville attorney Joseph Lodato, filed a motion in Roane County Criminal Court to withdraw from the case “due to his (Dotson’s) failure to fulfill contractual obligations,” Lodato said in the motion to withdraw.
The motion has yet to be granted by a judge.
Dotson and his wife, Amanda, are charged with first-degree murder in the death of their 2-year-old son Clifford.

No suppression for Leon Houston statements

A federal magistrate is recommending that Leon Houston’s suppression motions be denied.
Houston is charged in U.S. District Court with possession of a firearm while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance and using a telephone to threaten to kill attorney James Logan.
He allegedly admitted to “getting high” and smoking “wacky tobacco” when he was questioned by law enforcement agents on Jan. 11.
Houston claimed the agents had no right to be on his property and that his alleged statements should be suppressed.

Making a big move to the country

Cars pulled to the side of the road Thursday on Harriman Hwy. for an unusual sight. A house on the move made its way through Oliver Springs to its new location on Old Hen Valley Road. M&M House Movers moved the home three months ago from Oak Ridge, where the new Kroger Marketplace is being built, said Michael Mills of M&M House Movers. "It's been in Oliver Springs until now, when we sold it to a family," he added.

No peace at final resting place

Several tombstones have been knocked over at McCarroll graveyard, an African American graveyard near Harriman Cemetery.

“We’re having some vandalism,” said Bronce Cleveland, one of the community members devastated by the destruction of the small graveyard that’s near Harriman Cemetery.

Potential pay raises may be out for county

To get the 2013-14 county budget in order, Roane County Commission’s budget committee removed a 2-percent raise for county employees last week.   
“I hate to do that,” Steve Kelley said.
“I do, too,” added Jerry Goddard.
The motion passed unanimously.
“We’ve been trying to maintain staff through this recession,” County Executive Ron Woody said.

Marriage licenses: Dec. 5-31, 2012

Marriage licenses granted at the Roane County Courthouse from Dec. 5-31:
• Gerald Wayne Boatwright to Chasity Lynn Hill Herrell

• Richard Anthony Simpkins Jr., to Amy Marie Thorburn Spiker

• Joshua Paul Gibbs to Katrina Luanne Moser

• David Roger Jordan to Melissa Lynn Hensley

• Mark Franklin Gibson to Crystle Renee Clark Rodriguez

• Travis Justin Moore to Christina Nichole Cox Moore

‘VIRTUAL PIONEER’ SHINES IN STUDIES

With a lightning-fast mind and body, Austin Cochran struggled with the pace in traditional schools.

Diagnosed in kindergarten with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, the fifth-grader was often bored and antsy in the classroom.

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.