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Memorial Day


A veteran renders a saulte during the playing of “Taps” at the close of Memorial Day services at the Anderson County Courthouse on Monday, May 29. - Ken Leinart

“This is the day we pay homage to those who did not come home,” said Leon Jaquet, veteran services officer for Anderson County. “The price of freedom has been paid with their blood.” He spoke at the Memorial Day service at the courthouse in Clinton. Memorial Day was celebrated in Anderson County with speeches, color guards, taps, prayers, wreath-laying and rifle salutes at Clinton, Norris and Rocky Top. The speakers at Clinton were Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank; state Rep. John D. Ragan, a retired Air Force fighter pilot; and Zach Farrar, who served as a captain in the Marines and is currently vice president of Regions Bank. “We do remember, we do honor, and we proudly stand with those families left behind,” Frank said. “Courage is not the absence of fear,” Ragan told the crowd. “Without fear, courage has no meaning,” As the people gathered remembered courage, Ragan also asked them to remember love, quoting John 15:13 where Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Ragan urged the crowd to engage in the battle for freedom by fighting against domestic terrorists who would take away our freedoms.

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Coal Miners Reunion celebrates a legacy and a way of life


Curator of the Coal Creek Miners Museum in Rocky Top Lisa Pebley shows a piece a jewelry made from coal from the Briceville coal mines. - Ken Leinart

They came together to celebrate, to pay homage, to share. The Coal Creek Miners Museum’s Coal Miners Reunion Saturday was a time to reflect on a way of life. It’s hard to pass on the heart of coal miners, to put into words the bonds that miners share, the experiences that only families of coal miners have in common, because coal mining is not just a profession. It’s a way of life. Take, for example, Margaret Fritts. She and her daughter and granddaughter were at the Coal Creek Miners Museum in Rocky Top Saturday morning. They are “three generations” of a coal mining family. It is part of their identity, part of who they are and how they describe themselves. Margaret Fritts’ father, Lewis Emery Kesterson, was mine inspector in Briceville. And though Kesterson died in mid-1950s, the family is forever linked, through him, to the mines, and to coal mining. And there is a hidden beauty in coal that only someone who is linked to mining can find. Lisa Pebley, who is the curator of the Coal Creek Miners Museum, has found that beauty hidden in coal.

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Juvenile charged in shooting death of 19-year-old

A 19-year old man, Payton I. Bridges, was killed Thursday, May 25, as the result of a shooting on the 800 block of Fowler Street, Clinton. The Clinton Police Department was called to the home at about 12:30 p.m. on a report of a person shot. When officers arrived, they found Bridges had been shot and killed. CPD detectives, with the assistance of the TBI, collected evidence at the scene, served search warrants and interviewed witnesses. At about 9 p.m., a juvenile was taken into custody and charged with homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a weapon. Both the suspect and victim are from the Clinton area and are acquaintances. Police Chief Vaughn Becker thanked District Attorney General Dave Clark and the TBI for their assistance.

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No tax increase in Norris budget, passed on first reading

There will be no increase in Norris property taxes in the new fiscal year beginning July 1, and, at least for now, no raises in water or sewer rates, according to the preliminary budget, as approved last week on first reading by the City Council. A public hearing has been set for 6 p.m. Monday, June 12, before second reading and expected final passage of the budget ordinance at the regular council meeting following the hearing. Last year, Norris water and sewer customers saw steep raises in their bills — 25 percent for sewer service and 10 percent for water — in the 2022-23 budget, part of which was to help pay for employee salary increases and state-mandated improvements in the sewer system. Just like last year, the new budget for 2023-24 holds the Norris property tax rate at $1.54 per each $100 of assessed value.

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News

Juvenile charged in shooting death of 19-year-old  Read More

No tax increase in Norris budget, passed on first reading  Read More

Opinion

Those living with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones deserve better  Read More

On the library book controversy  Read More

It takes a special type of person  Read More

We love and appreciate each one of you  Read More

Casey Jones and the Cannonball Express  Read More

The thread of humanity  Read More

Sports

Making it to the podium  Read More

The ‘second season’ is here  Read More

Dragons and Mavs earn postseason baseball honors  Read More

Rang finishes first spring practices as Wildcat coach  Read More

Future stars take the field  Read More

More ’Cats compete at state meet  Read More

Pettus brings home a medal  Read More

Oak Ridge Boys and Girls Club  Read More

Community

The impact of ‘Voices and Votes’ remains after exhibit moves on  Read More

Rocky Top Health Expo set for Monday, June 5 at community center  Read More

Coal Miners Reunion celebrates a legacy and a way of life  Read More

CHS class of 1968 reunion is June 10  Read More

Memorial Day ceremony in Norris  Read More

Memorial Day  Read More

‘Concerts on the Commons’ begin Friday in Norris  Read More

School

Lee University Dean’s List  Read More

Cumberlands announces Dean’s List for spring 2023  Read More

Five from county earn degrees from Lee University  Read More

May Students of the Month at Fairview Elementary  Read More

Ten from county make Maryville College spring Dean’s List  Read More

Two from county earn President’s List at U of C  Read More

Photo Galleries

Anderson County High School Homecoming  View

Faces at the Fair  View

Scenes from: 2021 Victor Ashe Park Cross Country Classic  View

Public Notices

Current Public Notices  View