Today's News

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan issued a 31-page ruling in the ash spill cleanup civil case on Wednesday.

The spill occurred at the Kingston Fossil Plant on Dec. 22, 2008. TVA hired Jacobs Engineering Group to oversee the cleanup.

Dozens of people who worked, or had family members who worked on the project, are suing Jacobs in federal court. They claim continuous exposure to hazardous substances associated with fly ash caused them pulmonary injuries, leukemia, sinus and skin problems.

Miles Ledbetter, a 39-year-old South of the River man, didn’t go quietly when police showed up to arrest him on an aggravated assault warrant. According to an incident report, he refused commands and continued to be combative after he was shot with a Taser.

“It does concern you when you have to utilize one and it doesn’t affect that person,” Roane County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tim Phillips said.

Oliver Springs will be the recipient of a state construction grant for the Oliver Springs Public Library.

The grant, not to exceed $34,435, must be used for the proposed project to renovate the library building.

“We had some issues with handicap access. The grant allowed us to put in a wheelchair lift ,” said Oliver Springs Mayor Cecil Crowe.

The library, located in the former train depot, also needed work on the heating and cooling system. Energy-efficient lighting was also installed, Crowe said.