Jeff Slone worked tirelessly on “any- thing that helped the community.” - Submitted
Jeff Slone, an associate pastor at Second Baptist Church, was killed on Monday in a coal mining accident.
More than 300 church members gathered at Second Baptist on Tuesday evening to pray for his family, according to associate pastor Craig Whitt.
“Jeff never met a stranger,” Whitt said. “He always had a smile on his face. He always had a desire to help those who were in need and had a heart to share the love of God with anyone he came in touch with.”
Slone would often show up unexpectedly at hospitals to see people who were sick.
“He was one of those that when you looked up, there he was,” Whitt recalled. “He just wanted to show others what God did in his life.”
Slone headed up the Second Loves Clinton ministry at Second Baptist, and was involved in “anything that helped the community,” according to Whitt.
Slone was technically part-time, but worked at the church as much as he worked at the coal mine, Whitt said.
Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank took time to reflect on a busy 2018.
Here’s what she had to say:
Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2018?
A: 2018 was a busy year all across the county as we had almost every office up for election. I’m proud of our continued emphasis on education and also workforce training. A big moment was an actual groundbreaking for our new TCAT facility (Tennessee College of Applied Technology.) I believe this to be a great symbol of what we can accomplish when various community partners come together in one accord to see a vision realized.
Commissioner Isbel sponsored a visioning workshop where we heard from folks in the community about what they want our county to be, to accomplish, to strive for. I consider this a step in a new direction where we discuss where we would all like to focus our sights as elected leaders.
Q: What improvements took place in EMS?
A: I believe an audit of our EMS Department was a great accomplishment, providing transparency and analysis and helping us better partner with county commission as we provide these critical services to citizens. I’m very proud that much needed funding for critical capital needs was provided. I’m thankful to commission as 2018 saw the arrival of new cardiac monitors for our ambulances. These new monitors are able to directly impact patient care as the hospital is able to directly connect with real time data on the monitors. 2019 will see a lot more work on EMS, and will also see the arrival of new ambulances provided by commission.
There were no explosions in the sky, smoke on the water, or great balls of fire.
There was a slight rumble, a slight tremor, and then... Just a pile of rocks.
Last week, Controlled Blasting Services (CBS) of Maryville turned about 6,000-square cubic yards of limestone into small rocks suitable for removing.
The blasting took place on the South Clinton side of the Lewallen Bridge, almost directly across from Advanced Auto Parts
CBS owner Jim Milsaps said the blasting was completed with two “shots,” and took five days to complete. Three of those days were spent drilling holes in the limestone to place sticks of dynamite.
Three weeks before the blasting took place Milsaps’ company subcontracted a seismologist to make sure the site was safe for blasting. Once he received the okay, planning began.
Shelby Haun speaks at last week’s groundbreaking ceremony. - Crystal Huskey
Former Anderson County Schools Superintendent Larry Foster has always tried to approach education holistically. For him, early education plays a big role in that.
Foster said that, although he didn’t know it, he and his family grew up poor. His younger brothers and sisters benefited from Head Start.
“Not only was it an academic educational program, it was a program for all facets of life,” he said.
Armed with that background, he and his wife Nancy brought their passion for Head Start to Anderson County Schools decades ago. On Friday, they and many others celebrated the groundbreaking for an Early Head Start with adult education in support of pregnant moms and teen parents, which will be built behind the Anderson County Career and Technical Center.
Early Head Start serves children age six weeks through three years old.
• Joe Shenault, a resident of the 1100 block of Charles G. Seivers Boulevard, was arrested Jan. 6 and charged with manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance (drug/narcotic). The arrest was made by Clinton Police Department’s N. Braden.
• “Various meat products,” a bottle of Passion Perfume, and a phone charger were reported stolen from a home on Bethel Road Jan. 9. The owner of the home told Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Charles Relford the intruder gained entrance into the home via the garage door.
• A 36-inch LG television as reported “busted” in an act of apparent vandalism in a home on Ridge Circle Road, Andersonville, Jan. 8.
The report, filed by Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy David Shoffner, said entrance was made into the home via a side door.
