Bybee
Politics
Newport Utilities provides important answers as water service begins to return
Newport Utilities (NU) has just posted answers to questions many of us are having now that water service is slowly returning. From NU: As water service continues to be restored, we have started receiving many questions about water safety. Here are a few FAQs to guide you: ...
On a Tennessee street hit hard by Helene flooding, strangers show up to help
NEWPORT, Tenn. — Across a winding road about a block away from the Pigeon River, an entire row of homes stands emptied out. Front yards are mud pits, piled high with ruined furniture, ripped out flooring, and drywall. Inside one open front door, Don Reeb is bent over with...
IRS announces tax relief for Hurricane Helene victims in Tennessee
TENNESSEE, USA — The Internal Revenue Service announced Wednesday that tax relief would be available for individuals and businesses in parts of Tennessee affected by Hurricane Helene, according to a release. Taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025 to make tax payments and file federal individual and business tax returns.
Roads in downtown Newport reopened, crews working to restore critical water systems in Cocke Co.
COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — UPDATE MONDAY AFTERNOON: Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis offered hopeful news Monday afternoon of progress on some fronts as emergency officials help with recovery efforts. All downtown Newport roads reopened Monday afternoon. Mathis said in a social media update that he'd just spoken with the...
Destruction and Recovery: Cocke County suffers widespread damage, loss of water supply
COCKE COUNTY — All three rivers that pass through Cocke County reached record flood stages on Friday causing catastrophic flooding throughout the county. The flooding led to extensive damage of Newport Utilities (NU) equipment, which has left NU water customers all across the county without water. Homes and businesses have been destroyed and some roadways remain impassable because of debris or damage. NU customers without water NU declared a state...
TEMA provides update after historic East Tennessee flooding
COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency spoke Monday after historic flooding swept through many parts of the state after Hurricane Helene. According to the agency, disaster recovery will take years — potentially even decades. More than 100 people in the state are still considered missing,...
Destroyed homes, soaked Bibles, stories of survival: Cocke County rebuilds amid Helene floods
Spring Pearson bought her Del Rio house, which sits on the banks of the French Broad River, flood-ready. It was lifted atop a waist-high brick foundation following the catastrophic 1916 flood. It wasn’t enough to hold back the unprecedented floodwaters from Hurricane Helene. She, her husband and their two kids, ages 3 and...
‘It’ll bring you to tears’ Rep. Jeremy Faison details flooding devastation, response in Cocke County
As Cocke County and other areas of East Tennessee have been working to clean up the damage left behind by storms late last week, State Rep. Jeremy Faison is working alongside the community he represents.
Cocke County Election Commission opens in new location after Helene, flooding
NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE) — As the floodwaters have cleared and cleanup efforts are underway in Cocke County after Helene, local election officials announced Tuesday that registered voters can cast their ballots at a new location. The Cocke County Election Commission ceased operations at the Courthouse Annex and relocated its main office to 157 Western Ave., […]
Six counties close schools for at least a week
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Six East Tennessee school systems will remain out at least through Oct. 4, their leaders announced Sunday. Additionally, Elizabethton City Schools and most colleges and universities are closed for at least part of the week. Johnson, Carter, Unicoi, Greene, Cocke and Washington counties — all of which received devastating flood […]
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