High-interest races
People were lined up down the sidewalk in front of the early-voting site at Anderson Crossing in Norris as the doors were opened to let in voters in on the first day of voting, Wednesday, Oct.16. - G. Chambers Williams III
If the first four days of early voting in Anderson County for the Nov. 5 general election are any gauge, more than half of the county’s 53,576 registered voters will have cast their ballots before election day. As of the end of Saturday, 8,315 people had cast their ballots – or about 16 percent – with 10 more days of early voting remaining. If that pace, an average of 2,078 a day, were to continue, more than 29,000 would have voted by the end of early voting on Oct. 31. At the polling place on Andersonville Highway in Norris, voters were already lined up outside the building and down the sidewalk ready to enter when the doors were unlocked at 10 a.m. last Wednesday. Big, early turnouts were also experienced at the other two early-voting sites, in Clinton and Oak Ridge. “There’s certainly a lot of interest in this election,” Anderson County Elections Administrator Mark Stephens said. Besides national and statewide contests, there are local municipal elections on the ballot as well, including the entire five-member Norris City Council. Oddly, in Rocky Top, only one person is on the ballot for two open seats on the City Council. Keith Daniels is the only candidate for the council seats being vacated by Stacy Phillips and Zack Green, who both chose not to run. Both said their busy work and personal schedules make it hard for them to find enough time to handle City Council duties.
Read MoreCommission approves $20 million in bonds for Claxton Elementary
Contractor MBI Companies Inc. presented renderings of the new school like this one at the Monday, Oct. 21, County Commission meeting.
The Anderson County Commission on Monday passed two measures to help fund a new school in Claxton. First, the commission unanimously voted to sell the current Claxton Elementary School property at 2218 Clinton Highway in Powell for $4 million. The proceeds of the sale will help pay for the new school. Commissioners also unanimously authorized up to $20 million in bonds to help finance the project. Commissioner Michael Foster was absent for these and other votes. “Today is an exciting day for Anderson County Schools and Anderson County,” said Tim Parrott, director of Anderson County Schools. Before voting, commissioners reviewed detailed renderings of the new Claxton school, including designs for the gym, hallways, classrooms, and entrance. The new school will be buillt on the former site of Crossroads Christ Fellowship Church at 105 Fellowship Lane, with a new entrance for parents from Raccoon Valley Road. Parrott explained that the current school has structural issues. “I wouldn’t say our students are in danger,” he said. “But we want it to be more like our other, newer schools.”
Read MoreRocky Top council OKs tiny homes in residential zones
“Tiny homes” would get an official definition in Rocky Top zoning code, and would be allowed in R-1 and R-2 residential zones in the city according to a pair of proposed ordinances passed on first reading by the City Council last Thursday (Oct. 17). By a unanimous vote, Ordinance 595 was passed to define a tiny home as “A preassembled, permanent residential dwelling, which is less than 400 square feet in area, excluding lofts.” Additionally, the ordinance states that “A tiny home shall be built off site on a chassis and/or installed on a permanent foundation,” and “shall be inspected through the {State Fire Marshal’s Office] Modular Building Program regardless of where constructed or delivered in Tennessee.” The ordinance also specifies that “Tiny homes may be located within the R-1 and R-2 Residential Zone[s] upon approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals as a Special Exception and shall have a permanently affixed Tennessee Modular Building label to reflect compliance with adopted statewide building and electrical codes.” Ordinance 596 was approved to permit tiny homes as a “special exception” in the R-1 and R-2 residential zones. Both measures still must be approved on second and final readings, which are scheduled to take place during the November council meeting.
Read MoreCUB highlights technology benefits over broadband
The deal Clinton Utilities Board has with cable providers prevents the utility from providing its own broadband service, but the benefits outweigh that cost. That’s the message that Greg Fay has for the people of Anderson County in light of The Courier News’ recent article “Why CUB doesn’t have a fiber Broadband Network,” and statements from Clinton City Council Member Jim McBride. Fay described a non-compete deal in 2002 with three different cable providers to be able to use their “dark fiber” optic cables for multiple programs that help the utility run power to customers more efficiently without having to pay for its own cables through its ratepayers. Fay referred to the CUB programs these cables help as “cutting-edge technology.” He said Knoxville Utilities Board has been slower to catch up with these developments due to needing to lay down its own fiber cables.
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News
Rocky Top council OKs tiny homes in residential zones Read More
High-interest races Read More
Commission approves $20 million in bonds for Claxton Elementary Read More
Opinion
To the Editor Read More
Sports
Lady Mavs sweep way to Murfreesboro Read More
Lady Dragons historic season ends Read More
Crucial clash Read More
Final whistle: Lady Mavericks’ soccer journey ends in sectional heartbreaker Read More
Lady Dragons fall short in region semifinals Read More
Oak Ridge seeks redemption against Lenoir City Read More
ORHS, ACHS XC teams compete at Mounds meet Read More
Lady Wildcats end season in regionals Read More
Community
Anderson County communities gear up for Halloween festivities Read More
Touch-A-Truck event combines fun, fire safety Read More
Clinton Baptist Association honors late Rev. Tom Byrge Read More
Bridge honors Free Medical Clinic founder Read More
Lady Dragons to host chili supper, auction Read More
Business
CUB highlights technology benefits over broadband Read More
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Anderson County vs. Clinton Tennis at Jaycee Park View
Anderson County High School Homecoming View
Faces at the Fair View
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