Kyles Ford
Politics
Surgoinsville approves use agreement for events on city property
The Surgoinsville BMA voted 6-0 last week to adopt a facility use agreement and fee schedule for any group wishing to use city property for events. Any business, organization or individual hosting an event on city property must complete and sign a five-page contract that states guidelines and removes liability from the town. The agreement also includes a fee that the organizer will have to pay. Currently the prices are...
Law allowing TN teachers to carry concealed firearms in school awaits Governor's signature
Local officials expressed concerns this past week about a new law that would allow teachers to carry concealed handguns in the classroom under certain conditions. Last week the Tennessee State Senate approved legislation to give approved school faculty and staff who complete specialty training the ability to carry a concealed weapon on campus if certain strict requirements are met. A faculty or staff member who qualifies to carry a concealed...
Rec League Notes: Rogersville hosting Family Dodgeball Day
ROGERSVILLE — Rogersville Parks and Recreation Department will host Family Dodgeball Day on Saturday, April 27, at the Rogersville City Park tennis courts from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is free. Teams will be put together on site throughout the morning, so everyone is invited to bring family and friends out to participate. No advance registration is required. To learn more, call 423-272-2545 or email MattS@RogersvilleTN.gov. ...
Committee recommends transferring county-owned station to Stanley Valley VFD
The Hawkins County Commission will consider turning over ownership of the Stanley Valley VFD station to the fire department under the condition that the facility continue to be used as a voting precinct. On April 8 the commission’s Public Building Committee recommended approval of the property transfer. Mayor Mark DeWitte noted that this was previously proposed with the intent of eliminating any future county spending on property maintenance. “It kind...
Rogersville BMA approves low bid of $225K for paving
The Rogersville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Tuesday to accept a low bid of $225,405 to pave a large section of Depot Street, the Hale Springs Inn rear parking lot and pubic access lane, and three other small side streets. Each of those three small roads connect College Street and Broadway Street including South Brownlow Street, Phillips Street, and Green Street. Low bidder Duracap Asphalt Paving Company of Knoxville...
Surgoinsville approves first reading of 2024-25 budget with 13 cent property tax hike
On Monday the Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the first of two required readings of the 2024-25 fiscal year budget with a 13 cent property tax increase. The proposed tax hike would increase Surgoinsville's property tax rate to $1.10. Alderman Warren Bishop noted that the increase would average around $66 more each year for a $200,000 home. ...
State agencies unite for launch of Northeast Tennessee Music Initiative
BRISTOL — Several state agencies have joined forces last week to announce a new, community-led music initiative designed to bring musicians, venues, music industry professionals and music nonprofits in Northeast Tennessee together. The goal is to gain a better understanding of the needs of the music ecosystem in the region. Among the participating agencies are the Tennessee Entertainment Commission (TEC), Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD), Tennessee Department of Economic...
Newly promoted Sgt. Alex Mowry honored for his service to Rogersville Armory
Newly promoted Sgt. First Class Alex Mowry and his family were honored Saturday for his many years of service to the Rogersville National Guard Armory. Mowry will still oversee the Rogersville Armory, but it will be one of several armories under his command, and he will be primarily stationed at the Clinton Armory. On Saturday Mowry, his wife, and their two small daughters attended the annual Project Serve Our Soldiers...
All three state races that affect Hawkins County will be contested
All three Tennessee General Assembly election races that affect Hawkins County will be contested either in the Aug. 1 state primary and/or the Nov. 5 state election. The deadline to qualify for the Aug. 1 election was Thursday at noon. Incumbent District 4 State Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, will be challenged for the Republican nomination by Kingsport pharmacist Bobby Harshbarger in the Aug. 1 primary. ...
USDA: Cocke County among counties eligible for emergency loans
Cocke, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties have been declared contiguous disaster counties due to drought using the Secretarial Disaster Designation process. Grainger and Jefferson were declared primary disaster counties due to drought using the Secretarial Disaster Designation process. Under this designation, persons with operations in any primary or contiguous county are eligible to apply for low interest emergency loans. Severe weather events create significant challenges and often result in catastrophic loss for agricultural producers. Despite every attempt to mitigate risk, your operation may suffer losses....
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.