Independents face March 10 filing deadline for Aug. election
by G. Chambers Williams III
The candidate list has been set for the May 5 Anderson County primary election. Early voting for the primary will begin on April 15. - G. Chambers Williams III
Candidates seeking to run as independents in the Aug. 6 county general election for offices that are non-partisan have until noon Tuesday (March 10) to file their completed petitions with the Anderson County Election Commission.
Those positions include constables for Districts 1, 3 and 4, who do not run on a party ticket.
This follows the Feb. 19 qualifying deadline for the May 5 Republican and Democratic primaries, and any candidates wanting to run as independents in the partisan positions in the Aug. 6 county general election.
This includes the countywide positions such as mayor, sheriff and others, and the County Commission and county Board of Education.
The May 5 county primary election slate is now set, as nobody who had filed by the Feb. 19 deadline chose to drop out of their races as of the noon Feb. 26 withdrawal deadline, county Elections Administrator Mark Stephens said Monday.
Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and Sheriff Russell Barker each has a single opponent in the GOP primary, but no one is running for either position in the Democratic primary, and there is an independent candidate only in the sheriff’s race – Colt Jennings..
For mayor, Frank is opposed by Third District County Commissioner Joshua Anderson. There are no Democratic or independent candidates.
Most of the ubiquitous orange barrels that have defined the appearance of Market Street over the past year have now been removed, and the construction and pouring of the last concrete for the new downtown sidewalks should be completed by the end of next week, Mayor Scott Burton said Monday. - G. Chambers Williams III
by Michelle Hollenhead Special to The Courier News
Lt. Governor Randy McNally
Citing health and personal reasons, Republican Randy McNally, state senator, lieutenant governor and speaker of the Senate unexpectedly announced last week that he will not seek re-election in November.
He holds the Fifth District state Senate seat, which covers Anderson and portions of of Knox and Loudon counties
McNally had picked up a candidate petition Jan. 23, according to county Election Commission records.
The Republican leader, who has spent nearly 48 years in state elected office, made the announcement Feb. 26 on the Senate floor.
“It is a very difficult thing for me to do, but I’ve decided not to run for re-election in November … partially due to my wife [Janice] and my physical conditions, as we both realize our path [forward] is kind of short,” he stated.
“This will give us more time to spend together.”
McNally said he knew with the “leadership in this room, whoever is elected to lead, will lead with the appropriateness every speaker has in the past.”
“I can’t thank you all enough for what you have done for me and the prayers you have prayed for my wife, and I look forward to spending better time back home.”
by Michelle Hollenhead Special to The Courier News
With Lt. Gov. Randy McNally’s announcement he will not be seeking re-election for his Fifth District state Senate seat — which covers Anderson and portions of of Knox and Loudon counties — his seat is open for the taking.
Knox County resident Richard Esparza, listed as a Republican, had already picked up a petition Feb. 20 to run before McNally’s Feb. 26 unexpected decision.
After McNally’s announcement, Knox County resident and former state representative Stacy Campfield also picked up a petition to run for the position on Feb. 26 in Knox County, according to Knox County Election Commission records.
Also in the race is David Miller of Anderson County, who is running as a Democrat. He has already returned his petition, according to Anderson County Election Commission records.
District 33 state Rep. Rick Scarbrough has picked up and returned his petition to run for re-election, but some behind-the-scenes discussion notes he might consider running for McNally’s seat. Also rumored as a potential candidate is former state Rep. Jimmy Matlock of Loudon County.
Denise Palmer has announced her campaign for re-election to the Anderson County Commission, representing District 2.
Palmer pledged to continue her proactive leadership, strong fiscal stewardship, and service-first approach for the constituents of District 2.
She made history by becoming the first female chair of the County Commission, a milestone that reflects her commitment to leadership, collaboration, and positive results for all county residents, she said in a news release.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of District Two,” Palmer said.
“From maintaining fiscal responsibility to strengthening public safety and supporting infrastructure growth, we’ve accomplished a great deal.
Museum of Appalachia uses grant to makes electric upgrades
by G. Chambers Williams III
Work is underway to install updated electric service lines to the Pioneer Village at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, using money from a Tennessee State Museum grant fund. - Museum Of Appalachia | Facebook
Upgrades to the electric service for various buildings on the grounds of the Museum of Appalachia are underway, being paid for by a $55,000 grant from the Tennessee State Museum’s capital maintenance and improvement program.
The museum, along Andersonville Highway in Norris, was one of four museums in Anderson County to receive grants from the same program in December, totaling $133,000.
On its Facebook page, the Museum of Appalachia said late last week, “We’re honored to announce that we’ve received a capital maintenance and improvements grant … enabling us to install safe, reliable [electric] service throughout our Pioneer Village.”
“This long-needed infrastructure upgrade will strengthen the foundation that supports our historic log cabins, artisan demonstrations, school tours, farm animals, and beloved events like Sheep Shearing Days,” the museum said.
“Reliable power means safer conditions, better preservation of our structures, and the ability to serve our visitors and community more effectively year-round.”
The grant came from a pool of $5 million appropriated for museums by the Tennessee General Assembly in the state’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget.
Dominique Hawn graduated from Anderson County Recovery Court on Feb. 26. Joining her to celebrate at the Anderson County Courthouse are Tennessee Rep. Rick Scarborough, Judge Ryan Spitzer, treatment specialist Josie West and Kenny Brown, Anderson County Recovery Court and Veterans Treatment Court director. - Ben Pounds
She recovered from addiction, and now she’s helping others with theirs.
Dominique Hawn graduated from Anderson County Recovery Court on Feb. 26.
She’s currently a recovery tech for Hope of East Tennessee.
Hawn also is working on becoming a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
She said she wants to give back what she received.
“This program changed my life, and I actually have a life now,” she told The Courier News.
“What I had before was I didn’t feel like I could do anything,” she said. “I felt very diminished by society.”
She said the Recovery Court program treated her “like a human being.
That program, she said, helps people succeed and does things other parts of the judicial system do not.
While part of the judicial system, Recovery Court focuses on helping people overcome addictions, and can serve as an alternative to prison for some.
“It was a very different experience, and their support and work with me has helped me to grow,” Hawn said.
Friends, family, Recovery Court staff, County Commissioner Shelly Vandagriff and Tennessee Rep. Rick Scarborough came to celebrate the graduation at the Anderson County Courthouse. Food available included cupcakes donated by Food City, pigs in blankets and chocolate-covered strawberries.
Cailyn Taylor led the Lady Dragons with 20 points against Austin-East in the region quarterfinal overtime win. - Ellie Hatmaker
All good things must come to an end.
On Monday night, Clinton High School’s girls basketball team saw its state tournament hopes slip away in a 52-48 overtime loss to Northview Academy in a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal at the Don W. Lockard Gymnasium.
The setback to the Lady Cougars closed a memorable season that included 30 victories and both the District 4-AAA regular-season and tournament championships.
Clinton (30-3) battled back late and carried momentum into the break. The Lady Dragons scored the final five points of the first half in an 11-second burst to take a 29-28 lead. Topanga Easterday buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Clinton the edge at intermission.
Northview (22-8) answered in the second half and held a 46-42 advantage late in the fourth quarter. Cailyn Taylor drained a long-range jumper, and Addi Gamble followed with a free throw with 1 minute, 49 seconds remaining to tie the game. Neither team scored again in regulation.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will present its recommendations for the 2026-27 hunting and trapping seasons during the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission’s March 5-6 meeting at Buffalo Ridge Refuge in Humphreys County.
Committee meetings are set for 1 p.m. Thursday, March 5. The full commission will convene at 9 a.m. Friday, March 6. Both sessions will be streamed on the TWRA YouTube channel.
The commission is scheduled to vote on the 2026-27 regulations at its April 16-17 meeting in Knoxville. Once approved, the regulations will take effect Aug. 1.
The Wildlife and Forestry Division will also present an overview of big-game harvest numbers and preview rule changes intended to clarify guidelines for hunts, permits and drawings.
