Park access restored
Before the boat launching ramp was reopened to visitors last Friday at Anderson County Park, these two fishermen on Friday morning chose to launch their boat in the park’s campground area, which normally is reserved for use by campers only. - G. Chambers Williams III
Anderson County Park reopened to visitors Friday afternoon after a park crew completed a temporary access road and opened it to traffic to allow people to bring boats to the launch area, and to use the picnic and beach areas, Park Manager Ben Taylor said Monday. “It’s working out well so far,” he said. “There was a fishing tournament out here Saturday, with about 25 boats coming in.” The entrance to the main park area had been closed since Friday, Feb. 21, when a short section of Park Lane collapsed along the bank of Norris Lake near the entrance to the park. That did not affect the campground, whose entrance is just before the collapse area. On Friday morning before the temporary access road opened, some visitors were launching their boats at the ramp in the campground, even though signs there say it’s open to campers only. Just the northbound lane, on the lake side, collapsed down the bank, but there were concerns that more of the road could fall as well, which led park officials to close the road rather than allowing traffic to try to use the unaffected lane to bypass the collapsed section. Although no cause was given for the collapse, it did occur after the previous week’s heavy rains caused Norris Lake to fill to more than three feet above its normal summer water level, creating some flooding in low-lying areas. On Sunday, however, the lake was back at its winter level, ready to catch the runoff of the usual spring rains.
Read MoreHappi Hostess Cafe now open in Clinton
Taylor Bingham holds a platter of fresh-baked cupcakes in her new Happi Hostess Cafe and Bakery on Market Street in downtown Clinton. - G. Chambers Williams III
The Happi Hostess Café & Bakery has opened in downtown Clinton, featuring baked goods and lunch items. Owned by Taylor Bingham, the café operates from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 365 Market St. in the former location of the Cork & Cover bookstore and café. Bingham creates baked goods such as her blueberry streusel muffins, which are available every day, along with a variety of cupcakes, bagels, cheesecakes, cookies, and more. Lunch items include chicken salad, turkey and cheese, and pimento cheese sandwiches, an apple-pecan-spinach salad, and her special tomato basil soup, which also is offered daily. Customers order from the counter for takeout or inside dining, and the café has six tables, with a total of 16 seats. Bingham said she operated a catering business for a year before opening the café, and she still plans to do some catering. But it will be in-house, with rental of the dining room available for special events during the hours the café is not open. Happi Hostess Café is the third of five new downtown restaurant businesses planned for opening early this year in Clinton. Last month, Little Bird Macarons opened in the former location of Evans Candy Company at 226 N. Main St., and Vista de Rio Mexican restaurant opened on Oak Ridge Highway in the former location of the River View BBQ & Seafood restaurant.
Read MoreKen Leinart: Award-winning journalist, gifted storyteller dies at 63
Ken Leinart was a mountain of a man, with a heart of gold, an affinity for the downtrodden, a rare gift for storytelling, and a dedication to truth and knowledge. He was a friend to the many who had the honor to know him, and he loved his family, his friends and this community, where he served for nearly 30 years as the editor of The Courier News until his retirement on Oct. 27, 2023.. Leinart was the consummate old-school newspaperman, whose reporting, writing and editing embodied the principles of real journalism: He presented the news truthfully, fairly, accurately and without bias, and never with a hidden agenda. Besides the writing he enjoyed so much, especially his often humorous columns in the newspaper, Leinart lived for his music and baseball, especially his beloved Chicago White Sox. And he was so looking forward to yet another Major League Baseball season opening later this month. On Facebook, he was famous for posting lyrics of his particular “song of the day,” and reminding us in the middle of a cold winter that it was only “36 days until pitchers and catchers report.” But he won’t get to see his White Sox play this year. On Monday, March 3, just 24 days before the first game of the White Sox’ 2025 season, Kenneth Leinart passed away unexpectedly at his home in Powell, at the still-young age of 63.
Read MoreBurrell hired as schools attorney; board extends director’s contract
The Anderson County Board of Education at its March 6 meeting voted to hire Elizabeth Burrell as the school system’s new attorney. She was a law partner of the previous schools attorney, Salvatore Varselona, who died in February. The meeting began with the board honoring a teacher who died by suicide in Tipton County Schools on March 6, with a moment of silence. Chairman Scott Gillenwaters declined to name her. “When one school suffers, we all do,” Director of Schools Tim Parrott told The Courier News. Later on during the meeting, Scott Gillenwaters honored the memory of his predecessor, Peggy Hayes, who had represented the sixth district from 2002 through 2010. She died March 2. The school board also unanimously voted to extend Parrott’s contract, allowing him to continue to serve as director for three more years. Teresa Portwood said she and other Board of Education members gave him perfect scores on an evaluation. The school board passed several policies on second reading, meaning that they will now go into effect. The school system reviews these policies regularly. Changes involved banning employees not just from using illegal drugs, but “any lawful substances that could result in impairment of physical or mental capacity that is threatening to the health or safety of the employee or others.” Students trying to move to fourth grade can now miss only up to a total of three days from summer school.
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News
Park access restored Read More
Norris raises fees for use of city building, pavilion; seeks bids for sewer work Read More
Burrell hired as schools attorney; board extends director’s contract Read More
Sports
Playing with Hart Read More
Lady Dragons dominate Fulton, fall to Halls Read More
Fulton ends Mavericks’ season, again Read More
Beaty’s blast lifts Mavericks past South-Doyle Read More
Lady Mavs fall to Grace Christian 2-0 Read More
Dragons’ run ends in region semis Read More
Comeback ’Cats Read More
Wildcats rally late to secure state tournament spot Read More
’Cats bats held to four hits in opener Read More
Lady ’Cats softball finds early rhythm with explosive bats Read More
Moody, Berg post dominant distance wins Read More
Hutchison and Young lead Clinton track to strong season start Read More
Community
Ken Leinart: Award-winning journalist, gifted storyteller dies at 63 Read More
School
New Claxton school to be done by 2027 Read More
Business
Masonic lodge wants to rent land to a car lot Read More
Happi Hostess Cafe now open in Clinton Read More
First Watch open in Tulane Crossing Read More
Photo Galleries
Anderson County vs. Clinton Tennis at Jaycee Park View
Anderson County High School Homecoming View
Faces at the Fair View
Public Notices
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