Bull Run implosion marks end of era
The iconic stacks that have towered over Claxton since 1967 will be demolished on Saturday, June 28. The implosion is another step in the decommissioning of TVA’s Bull Run site. TVA retired the plant in February 2023. - Tony Cox
The Tennessee Valley Authority plans to implode the two stacks and a plant structure at the retired Bull Run Fossil Plant on Saturday, June 28. “Safety is a priority, and TVA is coordinating with multiple local, state and federal agencies to ensure the implosion activities are safely completed,” TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said. “For the safety of the public and our team, access to the site will be strictly limited to authorized personnel only,” he said. “Edgemoor Road will be closed for certain periods of time, and we discourage members of the public from attempting to gather near the site.” Brooks warned people not to attempt to watch the event in person. Instead, TVA will capture and share video footage of the implosion on its social media channels. The Anderson County Emergency Management Agency shared an announcement from TVA giving further details. TVA will close Claxton Community Park and the neighboring ballfields for the day. The utility stated the Bull Run area will be off-limits to drones and aircraft and warned of “temporary bursts of loud noises.” “This is a big moment for the site and for the community,” Brooks said. “While we are decommissioning the site, we are also preparing it for future energy projects to continue its proud legacy in the community.”
Read MoreScotty’s Hamburgers now open in Rocky Top
A customer is handed food from the drive-through window at Scotty’s Hamburgers in Rocky Top on Saturday afternoon (June 21) as others wait behind. The new burger restaurant opened last week and has been busy, despite no signs being put up yet to tell people what the place actually is. - G. Chambers Williams III
Scotty’s Hamburgers has opened on Norris Freeway in Rocky Top, next door to Advance Auto Parts. For now, the hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but owner Scott Daugherty said he hopes to be able to hire more workers so he can extend the hours through the dinner hours. The restaurant operates out of a 14-by-24-foot former Burger Boys restaurant building that was moved to Rocky Top from Knoxville on May 9. There is no inside seating, so service is available for walk-up or drive-through only, but there eventually will be a 10-by-10-foot outdoor patio where people can sit down and eat on the site. Daughterty said he opened the restaurant on Tuesday, June 17, and almost immediately had drive-through traffic backed up on Norris Freeway almost to the Interstate 75 southbound off-ramp. “We don’t even have our signs up yet,” he added.
Read MoreClinton budget approved, tax rate uncertain
Clinton has a new budget, but its property tax rate is still uncertain. This budget was passed at the City Council’s Monday (June 23) meeting on second and final reading. Total city general fund expenditures will be $15,732,664, working from an estimated revenue and other funding sources of $15,733,487. The general-purpose school fund is projected to have a similarly balanced budget, spending all of an estimated $12,124,778 in available funds. City employees will receive a 6% pay raise across the board. Because the Tennessee Board of Equalization will not certify a property tax rate until July, the budget does not include the rate. City Manager Roger Houck said the rate will likely drop from 86 cents to 53 cents per $100 of assessed value. He said he would know by the council’s July meeting. Houck said the council will need to adopt a tax rate after that date. Houck pointed out at the meeting, however, that the city had already set and raised its hotel and motel tax rate. The council earlier voted to raise it from 3% to 4%, although people staying in Clinton won’t see a difference as Anderson County lowered its rate from 5% to 4%. Councilmembers Rob Herrell and Brian Hatmaker were not present, but all the members present at the June meeting voted to pass the budget on second reading.
Read MoreCounty honors ‘Appalachian Storyteller’
Author, YouTuber and Oak Ridge resident JD Phillips has spent years telling Appalachian area stories to an international audience online. “I’ve been contacted by people in every country that has access to the internet,” he said. His channel includes videos about outlaws, sack dresses, “granny witches,” music, moonshine, peanuts and Coke, Rock City, the Coal Creek War, one-room schoolhouses and the New River Train, among other topics. It’s available to watch at youtube.com/@TheAppalachianStoryteller. The Anderson County Commission at its June 16 meeting declared Friday, June 20, as The Appalachian Storyteller Day in his honor. Commissioner Anthony Allen read a proclamation detailing Phillips’ life and accomplishments.
Read More
News
Bull Run implosion marks end of era Read More
Joshua Anderson seeks county mayor post Read More
Clinton budget approved, tax rate uncertain Read More
Anderson County budget approved Read More
Opinion
Letter to the Editor Read More
Letter to the Editor Read More
Sports
District 3-AAA volleyball realigned Read More
Lady Mavericks prep for new district, new challenges Read More
Clinton volleyball reloads, ready to defend district crown Read More
Coal Creek rolls into break with 6-game win streak Read More
Oak Ridge hires veteran coach Kevin Tubbs Read More
Community
Boom Towns Read More
Rails-to-Trails path taking shape Read More
‘Retrospect’ to perform Friday night in Norris Read More
Methodist Church ministry brings kids to fairgrounds for weeklong summer camp Read More
Students serve, lead, inspire: Interact Club reflects on a year of impact Read More
County honors ‘Appalachian Storyteller’ Read More
School
College Briefs Read More
Freeman announced as new ACHS principal Read More
Chambers to be new Clinton Middle principal Read More
Business
Scotty’s Hamburgers now open in Rocky Top Read More
Clinton Farmers Market returns Saturday Read More
Photo Galleries
Anderson County vs. Clinton Tennis at Jaycee Park View
Anderson County High School Homecoming View
Faces at the Fair View
Public Notices
Current Public Notices View
233 N Hicks St • Clinton, TN 37716 • (865) 457-2515
Copyright © 2018 Clinton Courier News, LLC.
| Subscription Rates | 1 Year |
|---|---|
| Local (Anderson County) | $35.00 |
| Local Seniors (Anderson County) | $30.00 |
| Surrounding Counties(Knox, Union, Campbell, Scott, Morgan, Roane, and Loundon) | $48.00 |
| All Other Locations | $60.00 |