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Top News
Vote stops 911 board from seeking funds
A tie vote has stopped the 911 District Board from applying for a grant to upgrade the 911 system.
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Hwy 64 a busy place
 Hwy. 64 may be closed to the public, but it’s a busy place with work underway in several places to make it safer when it does reopen.
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Corridor K comments due immediately
March 10 is the deadline to get comments to TDOT.
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Election clarification
Clerk of Courts and Circuit Court Clerk are the same
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Work continuing
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911 Board updating aerial pictures
At the same time, there will be a major system overhaul of computer software and hardware data/voice loggers.
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Lt. Governor visits slide
Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, a candidate for governor, visited the Hwy. 64 rockslide on Saturday Feb. 12 and said the highway needs a more permanent fix.
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Corridor K comment deadline nears
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Local man among those federally indicted
A federal grand jury in Chattanooga returned six multi-count indictments last Tuesday, including one against a Benton man.
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911 Board offers upgrades
Polk County’s 911 District Board is asking to be put in charge of the maintenance and management of the county’s radio network, including sites, towers, equipment, buildings, generators, and frequencies.
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Rural Metro takes over in July
Rural Metro will be the new ambulance service for Polk County beginning July 1.
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Election slate complete
Nearly all would-be candidates turned in petitions, which will be presented to the Election Commission Feb. 25 for approval to be put on the ballot.
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Nearly 500 attend Corridor K meetings
 Nearly 500 people signed in, with around 170 at the Benton sessions and more than 300 at the Copperhill meeting.
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Business loans available for rockslide..
Low-interest disaster loans are available for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and.. » FULL STORY
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Audits findings same as before
The audit for the fiscal year that ended in July 2009 cites the same “findings” for several departments as previous audits.
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Progress made on rockslide
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Petition deadline is Thursday
The deadline for turning in petitions for the May Primary Election in Thursday, Feb. 18 at noon.
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Bill would increase number on cap days
Rep. Eric Watson introduced HB3055 and Sen. Dewayne Bunch introduced SB 3789 to expand the commercial carrying capacity for the river from the current 4,000 customers to 4,500.
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106th General Assembly resumes business
Committees held organizational meetings, heard testimony from department heads, and completed unfinished business held over from study committees.
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Taxes can be paid online
Polk County Trustee Patsy Jenkins is now taking online credit and debit card payments for 2008 and 2009 property taxes.
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Local News
Second fire destroys home
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Parkes moved
After a brief stay in an Oklahoma transfer facility, Tim Parkes has been placed in the CI Adams County Correctional Institution in Washington, Mississippi.
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Copper Basin Learning Center announces..
Copper Basin Learning Center is sponsoring a school and community arts contest on the theme of “Sense of Place”.
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King resigns as Benton Chief
A letter of resignation was given to Benton Mayor Jerry Stephens last Monday, stating King was leaving in order to focus on the May 4th primary election for Sheriff.
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Flags presented to CMS
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Food baskets delivered
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Tennessee seeks resources for education
Tennessee’s complete Race to the Top proposal, totaling 1,111 pages with supporting documents, can be found on the state Department of Education Web site at www.tn.gov/education.
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Two indicted for theft
According to Det. Joe Price, Gregory Seth Wyrick of Dentville Road and his mother, Joanna Woods (also known as Jody Lanning), have been charged.
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CSCC dedicates building
 Cleveland State Community College hosted a dedication for the newly renovated Community Services Building, which has now been renamed the George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center.
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Food safety regs changing
To make growers aware of the expected requirements and to help with compliance, the University of Tennessee Extension Service will hold three detailed trainings for producers this winter.
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Live burn held
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Project geared to increasing local pro..
'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative for farmers set to establish high tunnels - also known as hoop houses - to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.
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Attendees learn about Saving the Farm
 Topics ranged from conservation easements and greenbelt to value added agriculture.
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Legislation would lower raft bus requi..
Whitewater buses would no longer fall into the same category as commercial buses, inspection times would be limited, trailers would be allowed, and the height limit would be raised.
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Home destroyed by fire
Donations may be made to “Help Pat”; c/o People Bank; P.O. Box 68; Ducktown TN. Checks should be made payable to Patricia Collins.
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Emergency loans available
Emergency loans for farmers, ranchers, and operators are available through the McMinn County Office of the Farm Service Agency.
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Raft buses require commercial plates
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Copperhill says 'no' to mediation
The attorney for the city of Copperhill has advised the U.S. District Court that they do not believe the Federal Court Mediation Program can aid in resolving the case filed by former city employee Paul Hunter.
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Improvements made to 15 mph curve
TDOT maintenance personnel have been working in a variety of places to remove potential hazards, and Wes Hughen reported last week that he has received permission to work on the worst curve on the roadway.
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Coats for the Cold needed
Rep. Eric Watson has announced that he will begin his annual “Coats for the Cold”.
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For the Record
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Polk County Heritage
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Opinions
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Obituaries
W.C. (BILL) PAINTER
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NANCY LOUIS EVANS GREEN
age 88, lifelong resident of Polk County
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BOBBY DON SHIPMAN
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JOSEPHINE THOMPSON BATES
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WILLIE EVELYN MUNDY HOSCH
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CLYDE EARL DILLS
age 85, of Benton Station Community
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JAMES EDWARD WEEKS
age 96, of Fannin County, GA
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WAYNE B. HAMMONS
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WILMA MULL
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JERALD ROSS MCNELLEY
age 67, life long resident of Polk
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APRIL KIMSEY WEAVER
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GEORGINE ANN WILSON
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JANICE KATHLENE PARKS
age 44, of Blue Ridge, GA
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DAVID EDWARD EARLS
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CHARLES BRENT HAWKINS
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JAMES WARNER BAXTER, SR.
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KIRKLAND CLAY (KIRK) PLESS
age 53, of McCaysville, GA
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CYNTHIA ANN REAMSNYDER
age 62, of McCaysville, GA
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ELVIN MCKINLEY (SAM) LEDFORD
age 87, of Blue Ridge, Ga
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WAYNE W. WILCOX
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Friends & Neighbors
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School News
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Local Sports
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Local Events
Beekeepers meet March 16
We encourage anyone who might be interested, or just the curious, to attend.
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Bulletin Board - 3/10/10
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Retirement Reception
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Springtown cleanup March 19-21
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Peace advocate to speak
The daughter of South African Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, will be the featured speaker in Lee University chapel Tuesday, March 9, at the Conn Center.
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Garrison Weekend March 13 & 14
 Take a step back in time at Fort Loudoun State Historic Area’s Garrison Weekend on Saturday March 13, 10 am – 5 pm & Sunday March 14, 10 am – 2 pm blending both family fun and educational opportunities.
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Lee Chorale concert May 8
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Bulletin Board - 3/3/10
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Quilt show, classes on tap
 This year’s exhibit features over 70 contemporary and antique quilts from individuals in the region.
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Final Fort Loudoun lecture Saturday
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PCHGS celebrates Wild River
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Library work day March 6
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Bridal Fair Feb. 28
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Bulletin Board 2-24-10
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Jabaley book signing Saturday
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Bulletin Board - 2/17/10
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Wheeler to speak
On February 20th, at 2 PM, Dr. William Bruce Wheeler will speak at the Fort Loudoun State Historic Area Visitors Center. Dr. Wheeler’s program is entitled “TVA and the Tellico Lake.”
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College Goal Sunday
On Sunday February 14, at 2:00 p.m. (in both time zones), volunteers from Tennessee college financial aid offices will be available at 31 locations across the state.
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Lecture series continues
The Winter Lecture Series continues at the Fort Loudoun State Historic Area on Saturday February 13, 2010 at 2pm with “Becoming the Volunteer State: Tennessee and the War of 1812”
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Quilt class Feb. 20
Reservations and pre-payment for this class are required by February 16th.
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Nature & Environment
Prescribed burning season to begin
Approximately 20,000 acres are scheduled for prescribed burning throughout the 650,000-acre Cherokee National Forest during 2010.
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Conasauga snails, mussel proposed for ..
The Georgia Pigtoe Mussel is found only in restricted shoals in a 27-mile stretch of the Conasauga River, according to a Federal Register listing by the Fish & Wildlife Service.
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March Plant of the Month
 Sedum
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Cranes stop by
 A flock of twelve Sandhill Cranes visited the Tree Farm last week. Tom Strickland says this is the first time he's seen them there.
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Deal snowmen support UT
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Return of the snowmen ...
 Snowmen returned to the area over the weekend as more snow fell Friday afternoon and off and on throughout the.. » FULL STORY
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Old man winter hangs around
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Environmental groups oppose Corridor K
Conservation groups in Tennessee and North Carolina said last week they are encouraged by news.. » FULL STORY
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World's first cellulosic ethanol facil..
“The world should be watching Tennessee,” said DDCE President and CEO Joe Skurla.
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Winter salt harmful to trees
According to the Tree Care Industry Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to the tree care.. » FULL STORY
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UT Gardens Plant of the Month
 Windmill Palm
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EarthTalk®
What are the primary environmental concerns in the aftermath of the big earthquake in Haiti?
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Ethanol facility open
It is a major achievement for DDCE, Tennessee’s Biofuels Initiative and for the cellulosic ethanol industry,.. » FULL STORY
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The watchful eye
 A Broad Shouldered Hawk "sits" securely at the tree farm in Delano. (Photo by Jim Caldwell)
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Watchable Wildlife site available
 The new Web site features a wide range of information on wildlife and wildlife watching.
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Montoya enjoys color
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EarthTalk
If train travel is so much less polluting than driving or flying, why are passenger rail options in the U.S. so limited.. » FULL STORY
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Ice, ice baby
 This spectacular photo snapped by Richard Taylor shows icicles formed by more than a week of subzero temperatures.
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EarthTalk
What are some things that children and families can do to be greener (and to provide life lessons for the kids in the process)?
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Multiple agencies thwart invasive plants
A consortium of state and federal agencies, along with several private organizations in.. » FULL STORY
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Outdoor Sporting
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Consumer Information
Understanding the ABCs of the AMT
Many people are often surprised to find themselves subject to the AMT, which is short for the alternative minimum tax.
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EarthTalk
What are some simple low cost improvements I can do to my home to make it greener?
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Complete College Act passes the House
Lawmakers said the plan will increase the number of college graduates, offer easily transferable credits, and make the community colleges, four-year institutions, and technology centers work as a tightly knit network.
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How reliable is the information?
Many health-related sites are useful, but others may present information that is inaccurate or misleading.
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Quit today
At current prices, when a pack-a-day smoker quits, it's like getting a $2000 bonus—tax free—every year!
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Unemployment affects taxes
There are several new tax breaks for 2009, and job search expenses that can mean savings for taxpayers who were out of work.
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Outlandish medical headlines rarely true
The conversation has never been more heated than today, with skin care seemingly at the center of the maelstrom.
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Winter: Waistline Wrecker?
Winter weight gain doesn’t have to be a fact of life—even with the body’s chemical changes that can compel you to binge on carbs and “comfort foods.”
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Sadness can follow childbirth
For a number of pregnant women, the joy of childbirth can be followed by several weeks or months of a negative mood that can adversely affect the mother and her relationships with her newborn and partner.
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Feeling SAD?
SAD is a mood disorder that follows a pattern related to seasonal variations in sunlight.
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Manage your mouth to manage heart dise..
One risk factor that is linked to increase chances of Cardiovascular Diseases and has just become more evident in the research findings, is Periodontal Disease.
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ACT newsletter available
The new year is an ideal time to make resolutions, including setting academic goals.
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Red Cross cannot accept products
Though unsolicited offers of goods and services from individuals and community groups are well intentioned, they have hidden costs and pose a number of complications for relief efforts.
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Make wise donation decisions
Secretary of State Tre Hargett is urging people to be cautious and make wise decisions when considering donations to help the Haitian relief efforts.
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Make financial resolutions for 2010
As you make your list, don’t forget to consider wise financial goals for the year ahead.
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Interactive teen driving site unveiled
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Beware Miracle cures
Lose weight, stop smoking, be physically fit! If these are your resolutions for 2010, read on!
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Transportation assistance available
In response the to closing of Hwy 64, SETHRA is providing assistance through the Crisis Intervention program.
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Loan limit increased
The Guaranteed Loan Program allows commercial and farm credit lenders to extend credit to qualified applicants, who otherwise would not meet their standard lending criteria.
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Training funds available
Governor Phil Bredesen and Commissioner James Neeley have announced the availability of training funds for dislocated workers and low-income adults in Tennessee.
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Visitor Information
TVA to drawdown Blue Ridge Lake
TVA plans to begin drawing down Blue Ridge Lake in Fannin County in mid-July in order to rehabilitate the dam.
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Hiwassee road work done
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Officials report that three American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funded projects in the Cherokee National Forest were recently completed.
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Whitewater Center closed
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Polk county to debut in Vacation Guide
Each year, the State of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development publishes a Vacation Guide that includes a collection of Tennessee’s finest communities.
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Discover Tennessee Trails
A Tennessee Overhill trail will be included in the initiative, and the Cherohala Skyway between Monroe County and North Carolina is included in the byways section.
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Rafting numbers up
Whitewater rafting numbers were higher than last year and one of the highest in the last six years.
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Whitewater Center open Fri-Sun
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SE Tenn driving tour under development
Linda Caldwell, executive director of the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Tourisim Association, is helping to coordinate the local effort under the state guidelines.
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What about the put-in?
 In addition to destroying part of the county’s major highway, last week’s rockslide also damaged the county’s major tourism infrastructure – the whitewater rafting put-in.
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Work being done on Childers Creek Rd
All day use sites, restrooms, fishing and boat access and trail access in the immediate area will remain open.
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Culinary Traditions added to website
This new webpage celebrates the culinary traditions of the Tennessee Overhill area of Polk, McMinn and Monroe counties.
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Rail Trips continue
Thousands of visitors have come into Polk County by rail this year, and the season is continuing.
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Forest Service roadwork to be done
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An adventure waiting to happen
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Overhill working to bring tourism
 Over 3,000 post cards promoting different ways to see fall color were mailed to people who previously requested visitor information from the Overhill office.
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Copperhill & McCaysville get a boost f..
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Improvements being made at Indian Boun..
The IBRA is a popular camping and day-use facility located in the Tellico Ranger District.
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Ocoee River has good July
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Mac Point restrooms to be replaced
While construction work is in progress the area will be closed to public use. Officials say the project will begin August 24th and be complete in mid May 2010.
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Visitors can stand in two states
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Classifieds
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Public Notices
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