A Sunday afternoon fire destroyed a barn full of new hay owned by Sheriff Bill Davis, but West Polk Fire & Rescue stopped it from reaching a shed full of equipment and spreading into a wooded area.

According to a press release from the office of District Attorney General Steve Bebb, “this office will not present a case against Mark Stone to the Polk County Grand Jury.”

Joshua Maynard of Conasauga and Larry Neil McKinney of Cleveland have both been charged with Theft over $10,000 and Theft under $500.

The price of TVA electricity will increase an average 20% in wholesale power rates on Oct. 1.

Board Chairman Mark Bishop told the board he had reviewed the statute and thought the Library Board was no longer properly constituted.

Chairman Mark Bishop told the County Commissioners Monday night that he felt Ocoee Mountain Club and its contractors may need to get business licenses in Polk County.

At issue is a decision made to assign a value to the “leasehold interest” in their property.

County commissioners are determined to reduce the property tax rate to $2.18, the amount set by the state to keep total property tax revenue equal to last year.

County Commissioners approved a resolution at Monday night’s meeting to continue participation in the program after having rejected it the two meetings prior.

The Forest Service will be adjusting the annual fee paid by permit holders for recreation residences in the Cherokee National Forest under the Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 2000, which requires that appraisals be conducted every 10 years rather than every 20 years.

The fate of Copper Basin Medical Center now rests with the county commission.

Ducktown has voted to co-sign a $1.4 million line of credit for Copper Basin Medical Center.

That’s the amount needed to keep the budget in line with the certified tax rate of $2.18/hundred in assessed valuation. Last year’s tax rate was $2.99

Chancellor Jerri Bryant will make a ruling on whether the library lawsuit should be dismissed.

Mark Stone joins the School Board members who fired him

The 2008-09 school year gets underway this week. Information provided by school.

Cassandra Ryder agreed to plead guilty, according to documents on file at the U.S. District Court in Chattanooga.

The turnout for early voting was light, according to Administrator of Elections Sula Jenkins. She said the total number of early votes was 868.

The home of County Commissioner Greg Brooks was destroyed by fire Sunday night. At 10 pm on Aug.3, West Polk Fire & Rescue received a call alert for a structure fire on Old Fort Rd. When firefighters arrived they found the house fully involved. Murray County, GA firefighters were called to assist. Etowah Rural sent an air truck down to assist with filling airtanks. (Photo by Elizabeth L.D. McGee)