From the files of the Polk County News ...

In 1938, Broughton Biggs was re-elected Sheriff of Polk County. Other winners were McClary, trustee; Park, County Court Clerk; Gilliland, Circuit Court Clerk; Harbison, Register; Sue Hicks, Criminal Judge.

In 1948, the Good Government League candidates made an almost complete sweep in an election that was marred by the slaying of three men and wounding of three others. Two Farner men were ambushed near the Turtletown voting precinct and another man was killed near the Ducktown precinct. Disturbances were reported at the precincts in Turtletown, Ducktown and Copperhill. Sheriff Burch Biggs asked the governor to send the National Guard to help cope with the situation. Cars and homes were searched for firearms, which were captured and stored in the Courthouse. Election winners were John Edwards, Sheriff; H.C. Sartin, Trustee; Luther Taylor, Tax Assessor.

In 1958, Ben McClary returned to Benton after a six-week European tour ... John Swafford resigned as head coach at Polk ... Senator Albert Gore was running for his second term in office.

In 1968, Hubert Meredith of Turtletown was killed in action in Vietnam ... Benton First Baptist observed its 132nd anniversary ... J.T. Stafford was re-elected Sheriff, James Ellis for tax assessor ... Phyllis Edwards of Ocoee was admitted to medical school at UT.

In 1978, Gene McClary and Robert Cole were appointed to the Election Commission following the resignation of Joe Hamby and Moody Carver ... There were 372 absentee voters ... Theresa Millsaps and John Robertson Jr. received scholarships to UT ... Flames destroyed two clothing shops in Benton.

In 1988, Hwy. 64 and FS 77 were designated the first Forest Service Scenic Byway ... Ducktown Law Court was ruled to be legal ... The budget delay put the schools in a bind as the School Board delayed hiring new teachers because of uncertainty over funding ... The county commission adopted a resolution saying it did not want to see any more private land purchased by the Forest Service.

In 1998, Democrat incumbents were re-elected – County Executive Hoyt Firestone, Sheriff Bill Davis, County Clerk Angie Sanford and Clerk of Courts Connie Clark … A Mississippi man died following a paddling accident on the Ocoee … Members of the Copperhill-McCaysville Business Association planned welcome efforts for Blue Ridge rail excursion passengers … Federal money provided special programs for schools … The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association completed a book on the industrial heritage of the region … A German media campaign included the Overhill … The upper Ocoee was open for rafting.