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Today's News

  • Vandals trashing up lookout atop Mount Roosevelt

    One of the most beautiful spots in Roane County is in need of some care and attention.

    The lookout at the top of Mount Roosevelt near Rockwood has been suffering from vandalism and neglect, according to county officials speaking at the Green Team Meeting last week.

    Deputy Road Superintendent Tony Brown told those at the meeting that the site, which is under the responsibility of several agencies, is becoming overgrown and unkempt.

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  • Show me the money?

    Roane County Schools are hoping to lighten the load on taxpayers through federal government grants that could help pay for the school building program.

    Interim Director of Schools Gary Aytes said aid in the millions of dollars is available because of the location now being eyed for the school.

    “It’s considered a distressed area, which makes it eligible for USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) funding,” Aytes said.

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  • More rock flinging onto I-40

    Police are still searching for the culprits throwing rocks off overpasses onto passing vehicles on Interstate 40 after more incidents happened over the weekend.

    “We had two more incidents Saturday night (Aug. 18) about five minutes apart. Obviously they don’t understand the significance of what they are doing. Fortunately there wasn’t anybody hurt. If they keep doing it somebody may end up getting hurt,” said Lt. Don Boshears of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

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  • TVA called upon for broadband solution

    A lot of utilities were mentioned during a discussion about Roane County’s rural broadband problems at this month’s Cable TV Committee meeting.

    One that wasn’t mentioned was TVA.

    In addition to providing electricity in parts of seven states, the agency also helps with economic development, job creation and flood control. One thing TVA doesn’t do, however, is sell high speed internet.

    “TVA is not an internet provider,” Public Information Officer Jim Hopson said.

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  • Teen jumps from Harriman bridge

    Suicide is a sensitive topic, and the Roane County News typically does not cover such tragic events out of respect for the family. The public nature of this incident makes this story an exception.

    By Cindy Simpson

    A teen was killed after jumping off the Harold Wester Bridge leading onto West Hills Drive early Monday.

    Harriman police received the call around 9:45 a.m. about 18-year-old Juan Barrios and found him below the bridge, which crosses above a deep ravine with double railroad tracks.

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  • Amphitheater may be open by next May

    Plans for an amphitheater at Fort Southwest Point Park are moving ahead with the approval by Kingston City Council last week of an agreement for project design and engineering services.

    Kingston received a $500,000 grant from the state last month for the construction of the amphitheater.

    Oak Ridge-based Spectra Tech Inc. has been approved to manage the project.

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  • Harriman Police investigating suicide at bridge at West Hills

    Harriman Police believe a man they found dead underneath the railroad bridge going onto West Hills Drive committed suicide. Harriman Police Chief Kenny Humphrey said they learned about the body around 9:30 a.m. today, Monday, Aug. 20, when crew members of a passing train saw the body and notified emergency personnel. Humphrey said the victim was the same person he prevented from jumping off the bridge on April 10, 2017. At that time the victim was a 17 year old juvenile. "He jumped from the same place," Humphrey said.

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  • Kingston dog park on hold

    Just minutes after unanimously voting to accept a $25,000 grant for construction of a dog park, Kingston City Council tabled an agenda item approving the park’s location.

    The Outdoor Kingston organization raised funds for the park through various events in addition to a $25,000 Dog Park Dash Grant that was provided by the Boyd Foundation.

    The location of the dog park was changed earlier this year from Fort Southwest Point to behind Byrd Field near Kingston City Park.

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  • No tips on ‘In God We Trust’ display

    Roane County Interim Director of Schools Gary Aytes said the state didn’t provide much guidance on the “In God We Trust” law it passed this year.

    The law requires “In God We Trust” to be displayed in schools.

    “It just says in a prominent place,” Aytes said. “It doesn’t designate.”

    Roane County has 16 schools and the Midtown Education Center.

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  • Pow! Zap! VROOM!
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