Local News

With hot and dry weather leading into our fall fire season, Tennessee’s State Forester is requiring a burn permit for all open-air outdoor fires beginning September 23rd. [ Read More ]

Scott County has received Three-Star Community grant funding for yet another year. State Senator Ken Yager, R-Kingston, made that announcement Friday morning, saying that six counties in his district, the 12th Senatorial District, had received a total of $225,000 in grant funding through the state’s Three-Star Communities program. Other counties receiving grants including Fentress, Morgan, Pickett, Rhea and Roane counties. According to Stacey Swann, executive director of the Industrial Development Board of Scott County, the local portion of the grant dollars will be used for an inmate work program at the Scott County Justice Center that is being spearheaded by S.T.A.N.D. The Three-Star program focuses on best practices in five different areas — jobs and economic development, fiscal strength and efficient government, public safety, health, education and workforce development. “I want to recognize our local officials for their incredible work securing this important funding to help our communities,” Yager said. “It was an honor to support their successful effort. I also appreciate ECD for their investment in our district which is well deserved.” Meanwhile, Huntsville Public Library was one of 15 libraries in the 12th District to receive a technology grant. The 15 grant awards totaled $13,549. The technology grants are used to replace or purchase technology, including computers, software, networking hardware and peripherals. “In today’s technology-dependent world, digital literacy is extremely important in order to conduct business, apply for jobs, pay bills and complete school work,” Yager said. “These funds will increase opportunities for citizens to expand and strengthen their technology skills. I am pleased so many libraries in my district will receive these grants. Congratulations to the recipients for securing these funds.” Other libraries receiving funding included libraries in Caryville, Jacksboro, Jellico, LaFollette, Coalfield, Deer Lodge, Petros, Sunbright, Wartburg, Oakdale, Kingston, Harriman, Rockwood and Fentress County. Earlier this week, Yager held his annual grant conference, to provide local governments, community groups and nonprofits pertinent information on available  grants and best practices for preparing a competitive application.

Statewide unemployment for Tennessee held steady in August.  The latest statistics released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) show the seasonally adjusted rate of 3.5 percent mirrors the state’s revised rate from July 2019. [ Read More ]

State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) announced that numerous grants have been awarded to counties in Senate District 12 from the Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) and the Tennessee Department of State Library and Archives Division.  Six counties in the district will receive ECD’s Three Star grants, while 15 libraries will receive Technology Grants from the State Library and Archives. [ Read More ]

On Tuesday, September 17th, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) joined AAA to announce the Reduce TN Crashes Scholarship Award.  [ Read More ]

Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced that the graduation rate for the 2018-2019 calendar year was 89.7 percent.  Not only is that half a percentage point higher than the previous year, but it’s the highest graduation rate on record for Tennessee.  That translates into an increase of 183 graduates statewide. [ Read More ]