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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

Jenkins’ influence felt beyond classroom

 

This year’s Roane County News Educator of the Year doesn’t just make a difference in the classroom.

Dawn Jenkins does much more, including instructing a flourishing Bowers Elementary Dance Team.

For her, children are a joy, and it shows in her dealings with them.

“It doesn’t matter what age. I love them all,” she said. “I’ve always been drawn to children. I just think I was born to do this.”

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.