A tie vote has stopped the 911 District Board from applying for a grant to upgrade the 911 system.

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.

March 10 is the deadline to get comments to TDOT.

Clerk of Courts and Circuit Court Clerk are the same

At the same time, there will be a major system overhaul of computer software and hardware data/voice loggers.

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.

A federal grand jury in Chattanooga returned six multi-count indictments last Tuesday, including one against a Benton man.

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.

Rural Metro will be the new ambulance service for Polk County beginning July 1.

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.

Nearly 500 people signed in, with around 170 at the Benton sessions and more than 300 at the Copperhill meeting.

Low-interest disaster loans are available for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and.. » FULL STORY

The audit for the fiscal year that ended in July 2009 cites the same “findings” for several departments as previous audits.

The deadline for turning in petitions for the May Primary Election in Thursday, Feb. 18 at noon.

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.

Committees held organizational meetings, heard testimony from department heads, and completed unfinished business held over from study committees.

Polk County Trustee Patsy Jenkins is now taking online credit and debit card payments for 2008 and 2009 property taxes.

After a brief stay in an Oklahoma transfer facility, Tim Parkes has been placed in the CI Adams County Correctional Institution in Washington, Mississippi.

Copper Basin Learning Center is sponsoring a school and community arts contest on the theme of “Sense of Place”.

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.

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.

According to Det. Joe Price, Gregory Seth Wyrick of Dentville Road and his mother, Joanna Woods (also known as Jody Lanning), have been charged.

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.

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.

'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.

Topics ranged from conservation easements and greenbelt to value added agriculture.

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.

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.

Emergency loans for farmers, ranchers, and operators are available through the McMinn County Office of the Farm Service Agency.

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.

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.

Rep. Eric Watson has announced that he will begin his annual “Coats for the Cold”.

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The following new business license were issued in the fourth quarter of 2009 (October-December).

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The Stone family I recently researched is a familiar Polk County name, and I know it back to at least Jeremiah, born 1790 in South Carolina, died 7 August 1866 in Randolph County, Alabama

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Some of the earliest memories of Polk County are those of Mrs. Mary A. Stuart, daughter of James McKamy, who was the first owner of present-day Benton.

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12/30/09

Betty Musgrove of Cleveland submitted this photo that her mother-in-law, Hazel Lillard Musgrove, had. It shows Rev. Parker Harrison when he delivered mail by horse and buggy.

12/2/09

Members of the County Council from days gone by

Old photo shows Zion School students around 1922.

11/18/09

Slow and steady wins the race

You have been There For Me

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Credit deserved

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Make a decision

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1/27/10

Editor’s note: This was received via email with no author, but we felt it was worth publishing – and hope it’s true.

Kepp it above the belt

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2/10/10

Maybe we've got a chance

Observations in the snow

2/3/10

age 72, of Benton

age 88, lifelong resident of Polk County

age 57, of Etowah

age 90, of Reliance

age 85, of Benton Station Community

age 96, of Fannin County, GA

age 79, of Etowah

age 83, of Belton, SC

age 67, life long resident of Polk

age 87, of Turtletown

age 90, of Calhoun

age 44, of Blue Ridge, GA

age 38, of Cleveland

age 48, of Rhea County

age 74, of Tennga, GA

age 53, of McCaysville, GA

age 62, of McCaysville, GA

age 87, of Blue Ridge, Ga

age 88, of Greasy Creek

Vera McConnell celebrates her 100th birthday February 23rd.

Vera McConnell of Ducktown turned 100 years old Feb. 23.

The PTO has come up with some great ideas for raising money and supplies and it only costs you a little time.

The Polk County 4-H Clubs held the Largest County 4-H Public Speaking contest on Friday, January 22nd.

Polk County High School came away with nine students placing in 11 categories.

3rd Six Weeks

The Polk County High School Yearbook staff is offering an Adopt-a-Student Program, which is a scholarship program for students who are unable to purchase a 2010 yearbook.

It is all part of the teaching process in Ms. Sharon Michaels Special Education Classes at Copper Basin Elementary.

The Wildkittens came ready to play and ready to defend their record of never losing a home substate game.

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The Cougars lost to top seeded Marion 67-47, while the Lady Cougars lost to second seed Whitwell 62-58.

Wildcats will play in the consolation round after a heartbreaking loss to second seeded Sweetwater.

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We encourage anyone who might be interested, or just the curious, to attend.

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.

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.

This year’s exhibit features over 70 contemporary and antique quilts from individuals in the region.

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.”

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.

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”

Reservations and pre-payment for this class are required by February 16th.

Approximately 20,000 acres are scheduled for prescribed burning throughout the 650,000-acre Cherokee National Forest during 2010.

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.

Sedum

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.

Snowmen returned to the area over the weekend as more snow fell Friday afternoon and off and on throughout the.. » FULL STORY

Conservation groups in Tennessee and North Carolina said last week they are encouraged by news.. » FULL STORY

“The world should be watching Tennessee,” said DDCE President and CEO Joe Skurla.

According to the Tree Care Industry Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to the tree care.. » FULL STORY

Windmill Palm

What are the primary environmental concerns in the aftermath of the big earthquake in Haiti?

It is a major achievement for DDCE, Tennessee’s Biofuels Initiative and for the cellulosic ethanol industry,.. » FULL STORY

A Broad Shouldered Hawk "sits" securely at the tree farm in Delano. (Photo by Jim Caldwell)

The new Web site features a wide range of information on wildlife and wildlife watching.

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

This spectacular photo snapped by Richard Taylor shows icicles formed by more than a week of subzero temperatures.

What are some things that children and families can do to be greener (and to provide life lessons for the kids in the process)?

A consortium of state and federal agencies, along with several private organizations in.. » FULL STORY

The 2009-10 licenses expire Feb. 28.

TWRA officials met with the county’s Fish & Wildlife Committee and more than a dozen citizens to discuss the planning process for a new five-year management plan for the river.

An effort to give bobwhite quail and pollinators a boost.

The resolution approved Nov. 19 was recommended by the commission’s Wildlife/Fisheries committee, which was originally created to look at water issues in the Hiwassee River.

Many people are often surprised to find themselves subject to the AMT, which is short for the alternative minimum tax.

What are some simple low cost improvements I can do to my home to make it greener?

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.

Many health-related sites are useful, but others may present information that is inaccurate or misleading.

At current prices, when a pack-a-day smoker quits, it's like getting a $2000 bonus—tax free—every year!

There are several new tax breaks for 2009, and job search expenses that can mean savings for taxpayers who were out of work.

The conversation has never been more heated than today, with skin care seemingly at the center of the maelstrom.

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.”

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.

SAD is a mood disorder that follows a pattern related to seasonal variations in sunlight.

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.

The new year is an ideal time to make resolutions, including setting academic goals.

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.

Secretary of State Tre Hargett is urging people to be cautious and make wise decisions when considering donations to help the Haitian relief efforts.

As you make your list, don’t forget to consider wise financial goals for the year ahead.

Lose weight, stop smoking, be physically fit! If these are your resolutions for 2010, read on!

In response the to closing of Hwy 64, SETHRA is providing assistance through the Crisis Intervention program.

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.

Governor Phil Bredesen and Commissioner James Neeley have announced the availability of training funds for dislocated workers and low-income adults in Tennessee.

TVA plans to begin drawing down Blue Ridge Lake in Fannin County in mid-July in order to rehabilitate the dam.

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.

Each year, the State of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development publishes a Vacation Guide that includes a collection of Tennessee’s finest communities.

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.

Whitewater rafting numbers were higher than last year and one of the highest in the last six years.

Linda Caldwell, executive director of the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Tourisim Association, is helping to coordinate the local effort under the state guidelines.

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.

All day use sites, restrooms, fishing and boat access and trail access in the immediate area will remain open.

This new webpage celebrates the culinary traditions of the Tennessee Overhill area of Polk, McMinn and Monroe counties.

Thousands of visitors have come into Polk County by rail this year, and the season is continuing.

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.

The IBRA is a popular camping and day-use facility located in the Tellico Ranger District.

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.