From the files of the Polk County News ...

In 1948, voters were irate that the poll tax receipt books were not ready. They were promised there would be ample time to purchase their poll tax before the June 7 deadline ... Nine boys who were former students at PCHS lost their lives during World War II: John “Chunk” Bailey, Winston Brown, Clarence Dacus, Raymond Arnold Hale, Claude Hembree, Millard Hooh, Floyd Woody, Kenneth Cassada and William Holden ... The state Supreme Court rendered an opinion that the act creating the Polk County Board of Commissioners was valid.

In 1958, teachers elected Doyle Rogers as their president for the coming year, with Ruth Swayne as vice president ... The Turtletown Home Demonstration Club reorganized under officers Alga Kimsey, Mrs. Glenn Payne, Myrtle Grizzle ... Food prices: potatoes, 59¢/10 lb. bag; corn, 4¢/ear; pickles, 35¢/jar.

In 1968, Local Democrats jammed the PCHS auditorium for their convention. Candidates selected were J.T. Stafford, Sheriff and James Ellis, tax assessor ... A special election was planned in Farner to vote on incorporation and select a mayor and two aldermen. Candidates were Lloyd Payne, W.F. Payne and Gordon Coleman ... On the Dean’s List at UTK: Phyllis Hughes, Richard Jones, Margaret Bates, Laura Jones, Samuel Rogers, Anna Akin, Barry Dale, Linda Green, Robert Hawk, Carol Keith, Phyllis Lawson.

In 1978, the county council approved funding for the proposed North Polk Elementary School and for a new school at Turtletown ... Dr. Bill Crouch and Jackie Russell both resigned from the School Board ... The unemployment rate was 6.9% ... John Hall announced his candidacy for state Senate ... Food prices: fryers, 39¢/lb.; wieners, 69¢/12 oz. pkg; lettuce, 49¢/head.

In 1988, the School Board made a counteroffer of $440/acre following a $400/acre bid for the Lost Creek school land ... Fire caused extensive damage at American Uniform in Conasauga ... Development plans for Campbell Cove Lake were approved ... Polk County High School was celebrating its 75th anniversary ... TWRA was held in contempt of court for not removing a lion living in Ocoee.

In 1998, union members filed an intent to sue Intertrade for environmental violations … The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway planned to begin rail excursions between Blue Ridge and McCaysville … Glenn Stiles told the Copperhill council that the police department planned a community policing effort … Copperhill planned a zoning change to allow bed and breakfasts in the residential zone … A tractor-trailer hauling dog food flipped over on Hwy. 64, tying up traffic … The first new trail at the Ocoee Whitewater Center was scheduled to open.