2013 Front Pages

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www.LaFollettePress.com Thursday, January 3, 2013
INSiDE TODAYS EDiTiON

Policy changes Caryville looks to change the way it does business. Page 2A
New regulations
Looking back at 2012

The year in review
Editors note: This is the second part of the year in the review. January through June ran last week. July The city of LaFollette delayed its annual Fourth of July Fireworks show because of hot and dry conditions. Temperatures had exceeded 100 degrees. City officials were afraid fireworks could cause a fire in the dry weather. A local teenager was airlifted to U.T. Medical Center for treatment to injuries he sustained after he jumped from a bridge onto a passing boat, according to a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency press release. The 17 year old leapt from a bridge on Demory Road that crosses Norris Lake and landed on a bass boat that was passing underneath. The fall caused injuries to his foot and back and damaged the vessel. Early voting for the state primary and county general elections was held July 13 to July 28 on Mondays through Saturdays at the election commission and the municipal building in Jellico. Every registered voter was eligible to participate in early voting, Campbell County Administrator of Elections Ann Ayers-Colvin said. Police identified the woman left at the Big Orange Bar in Caryville on June 28 as Lynn Cameron. Lynn Cameron is a 19 year old from Algonquin, Ill. Andrew Hamblin, pastor of Tabernacle Church of God, asked the Campbell County Commission for help in lifting a ban on snake handling. Hamblin approached the commission at its July 9 workshop and asked for a resolution to petition the state legislature to lift the ban. His church practices snake handling, and he felt the law limits its freedom to worship. The heat and dryness in June and early July affected pastureland and hayfields, according to Steve Edwards, director at the U.T. Extension office. About 80 percent of the hayfield and pastures were in poor or very poor condition, and farmers had to begin dipping into their hay storage to feed. On July 11, Michael Shane Baker, 39, a former LaFollette Police Officer, was indicted for 44 sex crimes. He was accused of 22 counts of especially aggravated exploitation of a minor See REVIEW, Page 4A
Arrested The last of a trio charged with destroying churches is arrested Page 3A
Chuckles The last half of the year in review in cartoons Page 8A
Put yourself in the picture: Snapshots Page 1C
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Under the proposed new regulations, permanent structures such as decks and porches, simillar to the one above, would have to be taken down on TVA campgrounds. The Shoreline Alliance is seeking an injunction to stop the new regulations from taking effect. Photo by Beth Braden
10A prices for customers. The Shoreline Alliance is 8B taking legal action against the Tennessee Valley 3A were slated to begin Jan. 1. This is truly a David and Goliath thing, said 12A David Merritt, from the Shoreline Alliance. TVA 8A has 110 lawyers. For the past year, the Shoreline Alliance has 11B been raising money to file a suit against TVA. 1B The funds have been obtained in $20 and $30 4C increments across five states.
Authority over some of these regulations, which
6C 2C By PETER SAWYER 6B psawyer@lafollettepress.com 4B New regulations will cause business on Norris 4B Lake to become more expensive for many marina
owners this year. This could affect jobs and
Marina owners seek relief
Now, the preparation has culminated in legal action. We did file a complaint in federal court in Jackson, Tenn., Merritt said. TVA did all they could to keep it from being heard. On Jan. 17, the Shoreline Alliance will seek a temporary injunction in a federal court in Jackson. The purpose of the temporary injunction is to prevent TVA from enforcing the new regulations until there is a full hearing. At the hearing on Jan. 17, the Shoreline Alliance is hoping to provide enough evidence to prove it could possibly win at a full hearing. Whatever is decided by the federal court will apply to everyone in every state, Merrit said. The Shoreline Alliances ultimate purpose is for See RELIEF, Page 4A
Volume 102, Number 1 LaFollette, TN 37766 34 Pages, 3 Sections

Copyright 2013
By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com
Jellico sees natural gas well issues

I use that as my database to follow up on spills, blogger Kim Feil said. While Jellico dispatch hadnt heard any reports about it, there was a natural gas explosion behind Indian Mountain State Park, according to Bill Goodwin, director for the Tennessee Oil and Gas Association. The explosion was located on a pipeline owned by Delta Natural Gas, Goodwin said. Delta Natural Gas spokesperson Gregg Coker hadnt heard about the incident. Im not familiar with any incident in the area, he said. It was probably minor. Goodwin speculated the explosion could have been caused by a malfunction in a dehydrator. The flame within the dehydrator could have been sparked by a gas leak. Its usually not a big deal, Goodwin said. No one was hurt.
The day after Christmas, a natural gas explosion in Jellico went unnoticed by many. At 12:50 p.m. on Dec. 26, there was a gas well explosion near Jellico, according to skytruth.com. Skytruth.com is an online database for tracking incidents that could affect the environment.
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Dropped Hatmakers driving charges dismissed. Page 2A
By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com Friday, LaFollette city council member Hansford Hatmaker and interim city administrator Cade Sexton wrecked a city vehicle on Interstate 40 East in Haywood County. I wasnt injured; Mr. Hatmaker wasnt injured, Sexton said. Im just thankful nobody got hurt. Hatmaker was driving the vehicle at the time.
HOOK, LINE AND SINKER

Campbell County High Schools opens new sports to students- fishing. For details see Page 1B.
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Hatmaker and Sexton involved in accident

City vehicle destroyed in West Tennessee crash
A non-city employee should not be driving a city vehicle, said Councilman Bob Fannon on Tuesday referring to Hatmaker being in control of the vehicle. Hatmaker and Sexton both said they were in Memphis for a meeting. We took a trip to Memphis, Hatmaker said. Had an appointment at 9:30 in the morning. Hatmaker declined to give details about the meeting. I dont want to let out yet what we were down there for, Hatmaker said. It could have an impact on what were trying to get if it gets out here. However, Sexton said he and Hatmaker met with the Tennessee Department of Corrections. The department of corrections wants to open, or start, a halfway house or (some See CRASH, Page 6A
Calling all captains Relay for Life plans kick off. Page 2A
Back to business
Up and around Ethan Miller making strides following accident. Page 3A
IRS could levy Jellico accounts

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Jellico could see its bank accounts levied if the IRS isnt paid today. In a Dec. 19 memo from part time CMFO, Sondra Denton, the board of mayor and alderman was advised that overdue payroll taxes and fines in the amount of $15,000 are due today. Payment for the second quarter of 2012 was submitted, but the third quarter payment has not been issued. Mayor Les Stiers hopes for mercy. Hopefully we can get the penalty eliminated, he said. Denton and Stiers have both been in contact with the IRS. They did also tell me just to call them back if the city needed more time, Denton said. The missing tax money is not expected to affect the employees ability to file their income tax returns. I dont think that will have any bearing on the employees. Its just a matter that the IRS will come down on the town of Jellico, said town attorney Terry Basista. As to where the missing money could be, the mayor See IRS, Page 6A
Applicants Six throw name in ring for chancellor spot Page 5A
(Left) Cade Sexton and (right) Mayor Mike Stanfield at Tuesday nights workshop. With the start of the new year the council resumed its regular work. See Page 2A for coverage of the meeting. Photo by Peter Sawyer
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Jellico works to clear up gas card issues

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Jellico is operating with 20 fewer Fuelman cards after findings from the comptroller. This came about because the comptroller pointed us in that direction, said Jellico Mayor Les Stiers. In mid-December, the town had 38 fuel man cards. That number is now at 18. The town only has 20 employees. Records from Jellico indicate on Dec. 12, there were 33 employees and 38 vehicles eligible to use Fuelman. By Dec. 20, that number was down to 16 employees and 19 vehicles. The cards were cut up with scissors, according to the mayor. Destroyed cards included those held by people that no longer worked for the town, or cards that were assigned to vehicles no longer owned by the town. Alderman Alvin Evans was one of the individuals who previously had permission to use a Fuelman card, according to the report. Records indicate his card was issued Oct. 10, 2008, and last used on Sept. 14, 2011. Evans said he hasnt had a Fuelman card. I didnt ever have one. I was the one that questioned why everybody had one, he said. Evans also said its been years since he used a Fuelman card. One of the cards was assigned to vice mayor, according to records. Stiers declined to specifically name Vice Mayor Venita Cissco Johnson as the cardholder. Just want to leave it as vice mayor, he said. Records indicate the card was last used May 6, 2011. The card is also assigned to the police department, according to the roster. See FUELMAN, Page 7A

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Customers to see changes in Jellico garbage fee

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Some Jellico Electric and Water System customers may notice higher bills after the town tacked formerly unpaid sanitation fees onto the charges. During a Dec. 4 special called meeting, the mayor and board of aldermen was presented a list of 34 residential and 27 commercial customers who have not paid sanitation fees. That was set to change with the bills mailed out in December. Jellico resident Amanda Gurganas was one of the citizens listed. She has rented her home for almost four years. Sanitation has not been on [the] bill, and if it was on my bill, I gladly would have paid it, she said. Her bill for service dates Sept. 15 through Oct. 29 did not have sanitation charges. The bill for dates Oct. 30 through Nov. 27 added a sanitation charge of $15. Im just sorry this is going on. I had no idea, she said. There is an ordinance on the books that says residential and commercial customers must pay sanitation fees if they receive other utility service, according to Mayor Les Stiers. A response to a Freedom of Information Act request was unanswered as of press time, though Stiers said he was making a concerted effort to find the ordinance. The University of Tennessees Municipal See FEE, Page 7A
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Thursday, January 17, 2013
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INSiDE tODAYS EDitiON

Flu shots Flu shots to be provided Saturday. Page 2A Pleads Sexton sees six months for manslaughter. Page 4A
CASTING AWAY
The Campbell County High School Fishing Team competes for first time. See Page 1B for details.
Rain, rain
Rebuilding Fincastle Church of God works to rebuilld. Page8A
Crash could cause fall out

Closed The LaFollette Press will be closed Mon., Jan. 21, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The Press will reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Community submissions will be taken until 10 a.m. Tuesday. Ad deadlines will not change.
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The LaFollette City Council will consider possible consequences of the West Tennessee accident that occurred Jan. 4 involving interim city administrator Cade Sexton and city council member Hansford Hatmaker. Im friends with everybody involved, LaFollette Mayor Mike Stanfield said. Were not trying to cover up anything. Stanfield met with Eighth Judicial District Attorney General Lori Phillips-Jones Tuesday. Theyre wanting us to do an internal investigation on it before they proceed further with it, Stanfield said. Stanfield hasnt yet spoken with members of the city council, but feels the issue will be discussed in a workshop. Theres a good chance With nearly seven inches of rain since Sunday and flood warnings pending, extra water is pumping out of somebody will resign or lose the fountain near the Cumberland Trail. Big Creek and Cove Lake are also elevated over their banks. their job for it, Stanfield Photo by Chris Cannon said. Hatmaker and Sexton had attended a graduation ceremony at the Mark Luttrell Correctional Facility for women in Memphis, and were on the way back. Hansford Hatmaker was driving the 2002 Ford Explorer, By BETH BRADEN While Miller believes Poston is an outstanding which is registered to the bbraden@lafollettepress.com Christian with integrity that is unsurpassed, he city, when it struck a Nissan would like to see some changes. Versa that was pulled over The Campbell County Board of Education could I feel like the director of finance [Jeff Marlow] be searching for a new director of schools. is running our schools more than the director of See CRASH, Page 6A On Tuesday, the board voted 4-4 against extend- schools. He is making decisions and also working ing Director of Schools Donnie Postons contract. with state officials and doing things that helps him Board Chairman Josh Parker, and board members balance the books so to speak so that more teachers Scott Hill, Mike Orick and Danny Wilson voted in are not in the classroom, Miller said. favor of the extension. Johnny Creekmore, Johnny Poston is ready to make a smooth transition beByrge, Eugene Lawson and Rector Miller cast dis- tween his tenure and the next directors. senting votes. J.L. Sarge Collins abstained, and You got some tension and some people whos Homer Rutherford was absent. just outright evil who would like to see things done The motion would have needed a supermajority different for personal gain, personal reasons. Well, of seven to pass. their day will come. But for the sake of the kids, let Lawson said he voted no in the best interest of us make a smooth transition, said Poston. the Campbell County students. In December, the board voted 9-1 to extend the I suppose one thing was on my mind was the ACT contract with only Rector Miller dissenting. There score for our graduating seniors are below the state average by two points or more and they continually By PETER SAWYER See POSTON, Page 6A go down. Lawson said. psawyer@lafollettepress.com
Postons extension voted down
County to sell solar power
Sills brothers face simillar charges

By PHILLIP BOSHEARS stories@lafollettepress.com Last week, the LaFollette Police Department arrested a man for rape of a child. Last Thursday, his brother was arrested on similar charges. LPD Detective Monty Miller arrested Jerry Wayne Sills, 44, 209 W. Chestnut St. Apt. 304, LaFollette, on a 2-year-old warrant, according to reports. In 2010, Jerry Sills allegedly had inappropriate physical contact with a 12-year-old female, police records indicated. After doing this, Jerry Sills allegedly attempted to engage the child in further inappropriate contact, the report said. According to Miller, the LPD allegedly received information about Jerry Sills, his alleged actions and people he has had contact with. Miller, along with Sgt. Brian Tiller, went to Jerry Sills girlfriends house to serve the warrant, where they allegedly found Sills hiding in a small wooden armoire, behind some clothes, according to Millers See CHARGES, Page 7A

Copyright 2013
Clean energy may soon come to Campbell County. Monday night, members of the budget and finance committee discussed plans to harness solar energy at 18 buildings in Campbell County. The energy could be sold back to the Tennessee Valley Authority. We now have the ability to do solar panel projects, Campbell County Finance Director Jeff Marlow said. The committee discussed resolution 1-3. In December, the Campbell County Board See SOLAR, Page 7A
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NEWEST MEMBER OF THE CLUB

Corey Poteet joins the 1,000 point club with 15 games to go in the season. He shares the honor with his brother, Chris. For the full story see Page 1B.
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Honor The educators wall is dedicated at Campbell County High School. Page2A
Jellico financial issues compound

Mayor hopes to borrow money from utility system
loan from the utility service. My message to the comptroller is there up front. We have three large ominous bills staring us in the face, Stiers said on Tuesday. Those three bills include a $106,000 premium for TML and workers compensation, payroll taxes for the second and third quarter of 2012 at $68,696.84 and health insurance premiums for the towns workers totaling $43,000. Those bills are due on By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Jellico Electric and Water Systems could find itself in the banking business depending on what the comptroller says. In a Jan. 14 letter from Jellico Mayor Les Stiers to the comptrollers office, he outlines some of the towns financial troubles, and then asks for approval to request a $225,000 Jan. 31. This list does not account for the $15,000 penalty owed to the IRS for other unpaid payroll taxes. The loan could be processed in one of three ways, according to the mayor. The comptroller is really the ultimate decider in this. We can go get a loan from See JELLICO, Page 6A
Counting Point in Time volunteers to tally the homeless. Page 3A
Busted
Commission reconsiders decision

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com Tuesday, the county commission had to reconsider two of its actions after approving a board of education project and then voting down its funding source. The 14 budget resolutions the budget and finance committee passed Jan. 14 included a board of education project involving the installation of solar panels at nine schools. The BOE previously approved the project. The energy gathered by the solar panels will be sold to TVA at the current TVA rate of 11.6 cents per KW, Campbell County Finance Director Jeff Marlow said. TVA will also reimburse the school system 12 cents per KW in rebate, Marlow said. Installing the solar panels costs about $1.3 million. In order to finance the installation of the panels, the budget and finance committee approved a bond resolution that would allow the BOE to debt service the project for 15 years. The commission approved the project along with the 13 other budget resolutions on Tuesday night. Commissioner Rusty Orick made the motion to approve budget resolutions 1-1 through 1-14. Commissioner Terry Singley seconded his motion. The motion passed with nine yes votes. Commissioners Charles Baird, Beverly Hall, Tom Hatmaker and Sue Nance voted no. Commissioners Bob Walden and Steve Rutherford were absent. When it came time to approve the first of two bond resolutions See COMMISSION, Page 7A
Prepared Area crews ready for cold weather and flu. Page 9A
A west Tennessee crash, resulting in the citys vehicle (above) being totaled, came just weeks before Sexton tendered his resignation. Photo by Peter Sawyer
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Sexton resigns from city position
As the LaFollette City Council gathered on Jan. 18, interim city administrator Cade Sextons seat was noticeably vacant. Silence hung in the air as officials waited to begin the special called meeting. However, before the business of the meeting was attended to, Mayor Mike Stanfield read Sextons resignation letter. To the mayor and council of the city of LaFollette, please accept this letter of my intent to resign as interim city administrator, effective immediately, Sexton wrote. It has been my pleasure serving the needs of the city and its citizens and I wish nothing but the best for LaFollette. Sexton met with Stanfield before the meeting to hand in the resignation. Id planned on retiring in January, Sexton said Tuesday morning. That was a foregone conclusion. However, Sextons resignation comes in the
middle of an investigation into a wreck involving Sexton and city council member Hansford Hatmaker. The two were returning from a trip to Memphis on Jan. 4 when they were involved in a wreck. Hatmaker was driving Sextons 2002 Ford Explorer, which was registered to the city, when he wrecked into a Nissan that was pulled over by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, according to Dalya Qualls, from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Nobody was injured, but Hatmaker was cited for failing to pull over, Qualls said. Sexton and Hatmaker spent $545.41 on a city credit card to tow the vehicle and rent a car to return to LaFollette, according to records from the city of LaFollette. Both Sexton and Hatmaker claimed to have been on official city business at the time of the accident. The business involved working with the Tennessee Department of Correction to establish a halfway house in LaFollette, See LAFOLLETTE, Page 6A
Boats lost in dock re at Whitman Hollow

By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com A morning marina fire has caused nearly $100,000 in damages. But it could have been worse, according to Chuck Samples, owner of Whitman Hollow Marina in LaFollette. When crews responded to the fire on Saturday morning they found multiple boats on fire, said Campbell County Rural Fire Service Chief Daniel Lawson. They immediately deployed hand lines in an attempt to fight the blaze. But after a quick evaluation of the scene, Lawson said he asked for assistance from the LaFollette and Caryville Fire Departments. After those two departments arrived, water was pumped from the lake to extinguish the blaze. The whole place could have went under if they hadnt got there as soon as they did, said Campbell County Sheriffs Department Capt. Brandon Elkins of the fire crews response. See FIRE, Page 7A

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When crews arrived on Saturday morning they found several boats on fire. Photo courtesy of Daniel Lawson
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Campbell County native Jamey Chadwell is thrilled with his latest coaching gig. He has been named the head coach at Charleston Southern University, a Division I school. For details, see Page 1B.
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Wanted The LaFollette Press wants your input. Page 3A
Bomb scare
Inappropriate language allegations

CCHS teacher resigns
By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com An investigation by the board of education led to the transfer and ultimate resignation of a Campbell County High School teacher. Some of the allegations included asking the students if they had pictures of male genitals Jason Ivey resigned on their cell on Monday following phones, if allegations he had they engaged used vulgar language in sexting, and sexually and if they explicit terms had been to an in his classroom. abortion clinic, according to documents provided by the Campbell County Board of Education. Jason Ivey was also questioned about the repeated use of derogatory female terms in the classroom. On Dec. 12, CCHS principal Jamie Wheeler met with then-Spanish teacher Ivey, secondary education supervisor, Larry Nidiffer, and Johnny Bruce regarding student complaints. Ivey responded to the allegations at that point and said the alleged incidents had been happening since just after Thanksgiving. Ivey told Wheeler, Nidiffer and Bruce he had never asked students about nude photos on their phones, and if he did, he probably said it joking. According to Ivey, it was the students who often used the vulgar terms and he instructed them to stop. Ivey did admit to telling a student who was texting in class, do not be sexting, to which the student replied she did not do things like that. Nidiffer reportedly asked if Ivey called the students any insulting names. Ivey never directly used insulting terms to refer to the students, the report said. Ivey advised students they should not place pictures or other personal information online or on Twitter, the documents said. A second interview took place on Dec. 14 with Ivey, Nidiffer, Bruce and director of schools Donnie Poston present. During the interview, Ivey admitted to allowing students to use their cell phones for up to 15 minutes during class time in order to look up definitions. He denied ever looking through any of the phones, but did admit to occasionally picking a phone up off a desk. The administrators asked if Ivey thought students enjoyed his class. I am more friendly than an authority figure, he answered, according to the See IVEY, Page 7A
Warned A Campbell County attorney gets censured. Page 5A
Weather Ice hit Campbell County last week. For photos see Page 2A and Page 5A for a recap of the conditions.
On Monday a handwritten threat was found scrawled on a bathroom stall at Jellico High School. This prompted staff and students to be evacuated from the school. Authorties spent the afternoon at the school. (Above) Campbell County Deputy Darrell Mongar and K-9 Officer Dano patrol the grounds. Photo by Chris Cannon
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Bomb threat closes JHS

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com A handwritten bomb threat found late Monday morning caused students and teachers to evacuate Jellico High School. We did have a bomb threat and our SRO [school resource officer] notified the sheriffs department and the city police department and we evacuated the building and took them to our safe haven, which is over at the Crouches Creek Baptist Church, said Jellico High School Principal Harry Chitwood. The note was found just before noon. An announcement was made for all students and staff to exit the building. There are 50 staff members and 350 students at Jellico High School. Officials from Campbell County Emergency Management, the Jellico Police Department, the Campbell County Sheriffs Department, and the Jellico Fire Department responded to the scene. While students were corralled at the church, Campbell County EMA director Danny Sheckles was stationed at the Arbys with two crews from North Regional Ambulance Service. A fire truck and police cars surrounded the school as officers began searching the building. Two-way radios crackled with instructions, questions, and updated information. School personnel guarded closed gates at the high schools parking lot. Police also called for an explosive sniffing dog from Knox County. We had to call Knox County Sheriffs Office. We had to call one of their K-9 units that deals with bombs. It took some time for him to get there, obviously, and it took some time for us See BOMB, Page 6A
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Citizens voice support to keep Poston

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Drivers on Highway 25W may have noticed a new message on the sign at Jacksboro Middle School on Monday. Concerned citizens of Campbell County support Donnie Poston for superintendent of schools scrolled across the sign this week. The display came after the Campbell County Board of Education had a change of heart and voted 4-4 against extending Postons contract. In December, the board voted 9-1 with only Rector Miller dissenting. While members of the general public can pay to post messages on the sign, the support from Poston came from Debbie Farmer, the secretary and bookkeeper at Jacksboro Middle School. I paid my $10, and I put my ad out there, and I support my supervisor, she said. A conversation among friends sparked interest in paying for the message to run, Farmer said. Im not against anyone else, I just think Mr. Postons done a good See POSTON, Page 7A
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CARDS GAME: GO FISH
Bassmaster Rookie of the Year Brandon Card pays visit to newly formed CCHS Fishing Team. See Page 16A for full story.
www.LaFollettePress.com Thursday, February 7, 2013
75 Cents

Convicted Man behind church break-ins sentenced to prison. Page 4A
BOE meeting fails to get off the ground

Group doesnt approve agenda
J.L. Sarge Collins, Eugene Lawson, Rector Miller and Danny Wilson, was slated to begin at 6 p.m., though the courtroom was overflowing by 5:25 p.m. Teachers, students and other employees came to the defense of director of schools, Donnie Poston. There were five people on the agenda as guests to be recognized. Four of them spoke in favor of Poston. By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com A discussion of the search process for a new director of schools ended before it began at a special called meeting by the board of education last Thursday. The meeting, requested by board members Johnny Byrge, Johnny Creekmore, I do know, perfect or not, everything Mr. Poston has done, he has had the best interest of our children, our parents, our schools, our teachers, the employees at heart. Hes not mandated. Hes not humiliated, and I appreciate that, said Sharon Marlow, one of the teachers union representatives. Let See BOE, Page 6A
Newly appointed City of LaFollette selects interim city administrator Page 8A
Plowing along
Budget battle Jellico continues to trim budget. Page 9A
Students list conduct concerns

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By BETH BRADEN
Case moves on TVA and Shoreline Alliance continue court wrangling. Page 11A
A mid-morning snow fell on Sunday coating roads and cancelling most church services. For more photos see Page 2A. Photo by Chris Cannon
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Arrest made in bomb threat
Police now know who scrawled a bomb threat on a bathroom wall at Jellico High School on Jan. 28. The suspect is a 15-year-old female student who reportedly wanted to get out of school. The student was allegedly skipping her auto body class and hiding in the restroom when she remembered hearing that bomb threats cause school to be canceled, according to Campbell County Sheriffs Department Capt. Brandon Elkins. The student scrawled The bomb will go off Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. get out or die, in pencil, several times in a bathroom stall, according to police.
The suspect allegedly told her friends who in turn notified JHS principal, Harry Chitwood. It was then that students were evacuated from the building and police descended upon the scene. Police asked the student for a handwriting sample, and she turned bright red, began to cry, and confessed within a minute of being questioned, Elkins said. The girl got very emotional and repeatedly apologized according to police. The student has no prior criminal history. She was charged with filing a false bomb threat, a criminal charge punishable by probation or being placed in state custody. She will appear in Campbell Countys juvenile court at a later date.
Documents detailing student accounts of their days in Jason Iveys class have been released by the Campbell County Board of Education. Ivey resigned last week amid allegations of using inappropriate language in the classroom. The 22-page document is a typed account of student experiences with names and identifying details redacted. The remaining information details more concerns about the classroom environment besides the allegations of inappropriate remarks and questions. The students also expressed concern regarding Iveys teaching, classroom management and language in their statements. He usually gives us a lesson and then well write sentences, but only three or less times a week. A lot of times we end up talking about things that have nothing to do with our lesson such as the Brazillian snake, wrote one student. I love Mr. Ivey, and do not want to hurt him. I have been asked to tell the truth and I have, the student continued. See STUDENTS, Page 7A
Exterior issues at building appear to be resolved

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com A LaFollette building used for mental heath consumers was evacuated last week when the city had questions about its structural integrity. Somebody from the city noticed there was a brace on the outside wall, Ridgeview Psychiatric Hospital and Center, Inc., CEO Bob Benning said. The brace was placed there by Mr. Senn. Ridgeview rents space in the first floor for outpatient and rehabilitation services. There was a small crack where the bricks meet the window on the side of the building. We kinda been watching the crack, said Mark Senn, the buildings owner. Senn had braced the building with a 6-by-6 inch wooden board to reinforce the wall. Just as a precaution, Senn said. I didnt think anything would happen. Just wanted to be safe. Theres people walking up and down the street. However, city officials noticed the board. They (the city) initially blocked off the side of the building, Senn said. Cones were used by the city to block part of the sidewalk around the cracked wall. Our main concern is the people that work there, the people that live above there and the people walking on the street, LaFollette Mayor Mike Stanfield said. The building itself is somebody elses concern. Thats the way the city looks at it. Stanfield voiced concerns about the wall See BUILDING, Page 7A

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The Campbell County JV girls have a memorable season. At the end of it the girls boast a 12-0 record. See Page 1B for details.
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Seeking assistance Animal shelter holds volunteer workshop; plans another. Page 2A Captured Man on the lam found after 48 hours. Page 4A
Love is in the air
Commission debates panels on county buildings

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com An opportunity for Campbell County to go green and save utility costs sparked questions at a lengthy special called commission meeting Feb. 11. Last month, the commission approved a bond issuance that provided funding to the school system for a solar panel project at nine schools. The board of education assumed responsibility for the panels; the bond issuance could also provide $555,500 in funding to install solar panels at five county buildings, according to a budget resolution from the February Budget and Finance Committee meeting. These buildings include the sheriffs department, environmental services building, health department, courthouse and finance department, according to an email from Campbell County Finance Director Jeff Marlow. Campbell County, as part of the Tennessee Valley Authoritys Green Power Provider program, could sell power generated by the panels back to TVA at the current TVA rate of 11.36 cents per KW with a 9 cents per KW rebate, Marlow said at a January meeting. TVA has agreements with municipalities, TVA spokesperson Mike Bradley said in a phone interview. Yes, we purchase clean solar power from installations at several schools and municipalities across our service area, Bradley said. We purchase the power they generate at a premium rate, up to 50 KW (system). The Green Power Providers program, which applies to areas that generate up to 50 KWs a day, was previously referred to as the Generation Partners program, Bradley said. The county will decide whether or not to pursue the opportunity at the meeting on Tuesday. Before the Feb. 11 meeting, Jerry Kidd, a Campbell County resident, circulated literature that listed statements and questions challenging the agreement the commission is considering. Marlow addressed Kidds accusation that the $160,000 per year the school system will receive from TVA if the solar panels are used is a lie. Marlow clarified how the arrangement with TVA would work. Are you gonna get a check from TVA? See PANELS, Page 6A
Tighter security School implements new policy. Page 5A
Proposal Evans seeks to eliminate interns. Page 15A
First district board member Rector Miller addressed the board and audience at Tuesday nights meeting. Miller says he now supports Donnie Poston as director of schools. Photo by Beth Braden
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Members now pledge to support Poston

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com After an emotionally charged special call meeting on Jan. 31, board of education members who originally voted down an extension for the director of schools contract have changed their minds. I voted no last month because I was concerned and I wasnt clear, but youve expressed a lot of things to me that has opened my eyes, said board member Rector Miller to the board and audience at Tuesday nights regularly scheduled board of education meeting. Miller, who has said before that he finds Poston to be a good man with integrity unsurpassed previously voiced concerns about Postons leadership and said he could not vote to extend the contract. I feel like the director of finance [Jeff Marlow] is running our schools more than the director of schools. He is making decisions and also working with state officials and doing things that helps him balance the books so to speak so that more teachers are not in the classroom, Miller explained in January. Tuesday night, Miller said he supports Poston. Im gonna tell you tonight, Im gonna support you tonight Mr. Poston for as long as you want, Miller said. The statement brought the audience and some board members to their feet with cheers and applause, including former no-voters Johnny Creekmore and Johnny Byrge. Danny Wilson, who voted against approving the agenda at the Jan. 31 meeting, apologized See HEART, Page 7A
BOE has change of heart
Citizens question Stanley about league

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress Caryville mayor Chris Stanley told parents what they wanted to hear during Monday nights meeting. Families of the children who play for the Dixie Youth League packed the boardroom to voice their concerns that the mayor wouldnt allow their league to utilize Asbury Park. Martin Luther King and Fuzz Asbury and Gordon Smith all three had one thing in common. That was they had a dream. Their dream was for the children of this county, which included the children of this city, said Caryville resident Jeanie Wallace. At one point in time, Asbury Park was a dump. Nothing whatsoever. Our children and this league, along with this city, have helped keep this park up, but it is a public park. Why are our children not going to be allowed to play ball this year on Dixie League? I dont know who told you that, Stanley answered. Theres going to be ball as usual at Asbury Park. There will be a league at Asbury Park. We right See CARYVILLE, Page 7A

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Stanley as he listens to the plea from citizens to leave the league as it is.
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Local missions Area youth prepare to serve the community Page 2A
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Despite their best efforts, Jellico suffered a 70-65 overtime loss to Coalfield in district play. See Page 1B for full story.
Bombs delay
Indicted Sills, Rich face multiple asault charges Page 4A
CCSD fires two

By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com A school resource officer and an auxiliary police officer have been terminated from their positions. The firings came after Sheriff Robbie Goins was informed of allegations of misconduct. Late last Tuesday these allegations were brought to our attention, said Goins. We immediately notified the district attorney and began looking into the situation. A coordinated decision was made to request the investigation be handled directly by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation By last Wednesday evening, officials believed they had enough information to move forward with disciplinary measures. See CCSD, Page 6A
Creditials How educated are the local BOE members? Page10A
Change of heart Evans decides to leave intern program alone. Page15A
Knox County Deputy Jay Daniels and his K-9 partner Rudy search the commons area of Campbell County High School on Tuesday evening. A threat on a social media site prompted the search. Photo by Chris Cannon
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CCHS searched following threat

By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com A bomb threat caused the delay of District 3-AAA championship games and led to Campbell County High School being evacuated on Tuesday evening. Around mid-day on Tuesday we learned of a possible threat, said Sheriff Robbie Goins. Our school resource officers Shane Wolfenbarger and Jamyi Prater became aware that the threats had been made through a social media outlet. This prompted a two-county investigation because the student resides in Anderson County. But as the afternoon wore on, Campbell County became the point of jurisdiction because the Anderson County High School sophomore had allegedly tweeted the threats from the gym at CCHS the night before, according to CCSD Chief Deputy Aaron Evans. Capt. Brandon Elkins then went to the students home. He admitted to making electronic threats, said Evans. He said he just wanted to scare the stuSee BOMB, Page 6A
Four apply for city job

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress. com At the Feb. 5 meeting, the LaFollette City Council voted to advertise for a fulltime city administrator. The city administrator position was left vacant when former interim city administrator Cade Sexton resigned in January. B. Shane Burris, Jack E. Miller, Billie Jean Russell and James Andy Wallace had applied for the position as of Monday. Burris Burris currently works as a machinist and inspector for Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee, Inc. in Clinton. Burris was formerly the director for Monroe County Economic Development from 1992 to 2010. He was a state loan officer for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development from 1988 to 1992. He served as account officer for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 1986 to 1988. Burris has a bachelors See JOB, Page 7A
Commission approves BOE panels, tables theirs

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com At Tuesday nights meeting, the county commission narrowly approved a Campbell County Board of Education project involving the installation of solar panels at three schools. The commission might also have barely avoided a lawsuit, according to comments made by commissioner Rusty Orick and Campbell County Finance Director Jeff Marlow at last weeks budget and finance committee meeting. At the budget and finance meeting last week, Orick asked Marlow what would happen if the BOE approved the project and the commission didnt approve it. The BOE could have its attorney seek legal action against the commission, Marlow said. The BOE unanimously approved the project at its Feb. 12 meeting. At Tuesdays commission meeting, Orick made a motion to approve the BOE project. Commissioner Johnny Bruce seconded the motion. Commissioner Tom Hatmaker voiced some concerns about the way business had been conducted regarding these projects. Im not against the solar panels, Hatmaker said later in the meeting. I think the solar panels are going to work. Hatmaker talked about the difference in price between Efficient Energy of Tennessee, who the BOE approved entering a contract with, and Earth-Right, who offered to lease space rather than purchase and install solar panels. Had the school system taken Earth-Rights offer, it could have saved $9,500 per school for the solar panel project, Hatmaker said. See PANELS, Page 6A

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The Campbell County High School Fishing team lands a big one in tournament on Saturday. For details see Page 1B.
FISHIN AND GRINNIN

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Throwing open the doors Christian Academy of Campbell County planning open house Page 2A Sentenced Malicoat gets eight year jail term Page 4A
Storm brewing?
Jellico leaders spar at meeting

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com With only four months remaining in the fiscal year, the town of Jellico finally has a functioning budget. We poured through the numbers and we brought the numbers in line with what we felt like was genuine, not a pie-in-the-sky deal, said Jellico Mayor Les Stiers. The new budget accounts for a $624,637 decrease in revenues combined with a $555,520 decrease in expenditures. I want to express to you so I can express it to the council how important this is. Its up to the leaders here to make the tough decisions, Stiers said during the meeting The comptroller was displeased with the first vote regarding the budget, according to Stiers. She [Iris Haby] was a little upset there was a vote of 4 to 2, Stiers said. At the Feb. 5 special called meeting, alderman Alvin Evans and vice mayor Venita Cissco Johnson voted against approving the budget. Weve got some tough decisions. It just didnt get this way guys. People just want to place blame, Stiers said. According to Evans, the town previously received $30,000 a month in beer taxes and now struggles to take in $9,000. He said the town has lost eight businesses in the last 18 months. What used to be is not there anymore, he said. I really appreciated that donut store. It shows, Stiers answered. I thought you was going swimming cause you got the inner tube on, Evans retorted. We just need to look deeper before we jump into it [the budget]. The budget ultimately passed with Evans and Johnson still dissenting. Rights of way Two rights of way have been abandoned and split between property owners. Davant Street between S. Queener Avenue and Sunset Trail was planned, but never paved. It runs between two residents properties. The land on the right of way will be divided equally among the property owners and the portions will once again be on the tax roll. A right of way of 5th Avenue between S. Main Street and Hurst Avenue was also relinquished to be split among property owners. The name of the game is to make money, Stiers said. The town has a total of 197 rights of way that could be See JELLICO, Page 7A
More apply City administrators position sees more candidates. Page 8A Going it alone? Town of Jellico could break from countys 911 service. Page 9A
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The former caretakers of Bakers Forge Cemetery have alleged several acts of wrongdoing on behalf of their supervisors. The board of trustees for the cemetery denies all of the allegations. Photo by Chris Cannon
Cemetery at center of controversy

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com Despite recent controversy, Eddie Taylor remains optimistic about regaining his position as caretaker at Bakers Forge Memorial Cemetery. Were still hoping to get our jobs back, Taylor said. His brother, Kenny Taylor, was also a part-time caretaker at the cemetery. Last fall, Taylor was terminated for cause, attorney Kathy Parrott said. Parrott represents the BFMC Board of Trustees. Its a right to work state, and they will not be rehired, Parrott said. The board of trustees has already hired a full-time caretaker to fill the vacant position, Parrott said. Taylor was terminated after he and his brother wrote a letter to the board of trustees requesting Bob Housley, chairman of the board of trustees, be removed from his position, Parrott said. Housley was elected chairman of the board of trustees in 1976. Bob Housley has served as the supervisor over the caretakers since 1976, and has never been paid, Parrott said. All the board serves as volunteers. See CEMETERY, Page 6A
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Dople grateful Ayers came to her rescue

with a tube in her throat. Im kind of glad I cant remember because the way they make it sound I wasnt doing too good. I knew I was bad when I was getting ready to leave, she said. Dople was on Knoxville Hollow Road when she passed out from the attack. Her car came to rest on an embankment at the intersection of Old Highway 63. A friend of her sons was passing by and called 911. Deputy Franklin Ayers was dispatched to what appeared to be a wreck at 11:38 a.m. He found Dople unconscious in her car. She
A LaFollette woman is alive to watch her three children grow up after the work of a Campbell County Sheriffs Deputy and EMS workers. On Dec. 14, Doris Dople was suffering from an asthma attack when she decided to drive herself to the hospital just before noon. She doesnt remember getting in the car. The next thing Dople knew, she was looking at her oldest son from her hospital bed
wasnt breathing. She does have a pulse, and its a real fine pulse. At that time I climbed in the car where I performed CPR, Ayers said. If you didnt know what you was checking for, youd probably think she didnt have one. When the EMTs arrived, they found Doples throat had closed. Everything had done closed up, Ayers said. The friend who called 911 contacted the high school to find Doples then 15-year-old See DOPLE, Page 6A
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KNOCKS, FLETCHINGS AND FIELD TIPS
Campbell County High Schools Archery team preps for season. See Page 1B.
Remember to set the clocks forward on Saturday night!
www.LaFollettePress.com Thursday, March 7, 2013

Come one, come all CACC hosting open house. Page 2A
County sees third bomb threat

What do the false alarms cost?
this program, said Sheriff Robbie Goins. The tip told police a note had been left in a classroom explaining that a bomb at the school would detonate, court records said. It was later learned the juvenile, and an accomplice, wrote the note then sent the text, Goins said. They wanted to see what would happen as a joke, the sheriff said. See BOMBS, Page 8A
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By BETH BRADEN and SUSAN SHARP stories@lafollettepress.com
Extended Postons contract extended by one year. Page 5A
Last weeks bomb threat at Campbell County High School marked the third threat in six weeks at a county school. Once again, teenagers looking to see what would happen were the culprits. Authorities were notified of the threat via the Text-a-Tip program. We were notified of a note claiming there was a bomb through
Drama
Read along LES celebrates Read Across America. Page 6A
Judicial lines in jeopardy

By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com A proposal to redistrict the judicial regions across the state is drawing criticism from the legal community. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey has proposed the states 31 districts be reexamined and potentially remapped for the first time since 1982. While several options have been floated around the state as to what the new districts would look like, a final map has not yet been presented. Interested parties have until March 8 to submit their proposals for new district boundaries, according to 36th District State Rep. Dennis Powers. One map recommends Anderson County become part of the Eighth Judicial District. That district is currently compromised of Campbell, Claiborne, Union, Scott and Fentress. At this time, Anderson County is an individual district. While the multiple models recognize what the new geographical boundaries of the districts would be, they do not explain how the judicial resources would be allocated. Across the state, judicial districts have their own multitudes of services in place. If the lines are redrawn, these services, and See REDISTRICT, Page 8A
Hosting Camp Galiee holding multiple events. Page 18A
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On Monday Reggie Dabbs spoke to students across the county. Dabbs motivational message was preceded at LaFollette Middle School by the Owls for Christ performing a skit. For more photos from the event see pages 8A and 9A.
Photo by Susan Sharp
Miller threatens wrath

up his marriage and accused her of barhopping with Karla Miller. He made an emphatic point that if his wife left him I would suffer the wrath of Rector Miller, the report said. Ayers fears losing her job because Miller is a board member representing the school she works at, the report said. Rector Miller also allegedly said Ayers was too young and pretty to be Karla Millers friend. The incident also left Ayers fearing for her physical safety. According to the report, Ayers put the call on speakerphone so her boyfriend could hear what was being said. On Tuesday, Rector Miller called the incident See MILLER, Page 9A
A Valley View Elementary School teacher filed an incident report following an after-hours phone call from first district board of education member Rector Miller. Kindergarten teacher Amanda Ayers told police she received a phone call from Miller on Feb. 22 around 7 p.m, and he berated her for 10 minutes, the report said. Miller reportedly called regarding Ayers friendship with his wife, Karla. Rector Miller reportedly asked Ayers why she took Karla Miller with her to a doctors appointment and implied Ayers was taking her to meet a man, the report said. Rector Miller also accused Ayers of trying to break

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Concerns continue about cemetery

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com A Campbell County resident is concerned about the alleged business practices at Bakers Forge Memorial Cemetery. Agents of the cemetery sold plots that belonged to Terry Sweats cousins, he said last week. The belief that the BFMC sells lots is false, said local attorney Kathy Parrott, who represents the BFMC board of trustees. Bakers Forge Cemetery sells burial rights, Parrott said. They dont sell lots. The reason burial rights to these lots were sold was a lack of access to TVA records, Parrott said. The board of trustees intends to work with families who feel they have the right to be buried in TVA plots that might have been sold, Parrott said. The board wants to do whats right, Parrott said. Were just trying to figure out whats happened and do the right thing. Its a family cemetery. You want family to be buried there. Sweats family received burial rights because Bakers Forge is a reinterment cemetery. When bodies were reinterred, they See CEMETERY, Page 9A
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HEY BATTER BATTER!

The Campbell County Cougars start baseball season with back to back matches against the Clinton Dragons. See Page 1B for photos and details.
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New plan Judicial redistricting appears not to touch eighth district. Page 2A
Bartley granted new trial by appeals court

By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com Kenneth Bartley is one step closer to a trial. Following Mondays opinion from the state court of criminal appeals, the convicted school shooter has been green lighted to have his case heard by a jury. It is a battle that began before the ink on his plea agreement had dried in 2007. Just weeks after the then 15- year- old admitted he was guilty of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second degree, Bartley began asking for a new trial. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he was to serve 45 years in jail. However, Mondays decision could change that. If Bartley does face a jury he is risking a tougher verdict and lengthier sentence. It is a gamble the young man is willing to take. Im willing to take my chances at trial, court records reveal Bartley has said. For the families, the news was upsetting. I really, Im still processing that. I dont want to say the wrong thing. Were gonna wait and see what happens, said Jo Bruce, widow of Ken Bruce. Weve already survived the worst. What comes, well face and God has ahes been with us all the way. Bartley has contended he didnt know what he was doing when he admitted to fatally wounding Campbell County High School Assistant Principal Ken Bruce and severely wounding Assistant Principal Jim See BARTLEY, Page 6A
Busted Mother- daughter duo arrested for meth. Page 4A
In memory
Searching Caryville looking to hire officer; nine apply. Page 9A
Mothers charged with assault

By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com Last week, two mothers were arrested for assaulting their unborn children. The arrests, while not related, come after months of joint investigation between the Campbell County Sheriffs Department and the Department of Childrens Services. Johanna Ogg and Amanda Lynn Lyttle were arrested within hours of each other last week. Both were charged with aggravated assault. Ogg, 33, 444 Davenport Road, LaFollette, was arrested last Wednesday. She gave birth to a son in Nov. 2012. After the child was born he tested positive for benzodiazepines, oxycodone and oxymorphone, according to CCSD Det. Ricky Jeffers. The baby boy was placed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) shortly after birth. He remained there for four weeks. Among the medical problems the infant faced was being small for his gestational age and drug exposure. He also suffered from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), Jeffers said. See MOTHERS, Page 7A
Struggling School system sees loss of $60,000 Page 13A Put yourself in the picture: Snapshots Page 1C
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On Monday the stretch of road in front of Campbell County High School was renamed the Ken Bruce Memorial Highway. In an ironic twist, Kenneth Bartley, the man who fatally shot Bruce was granted a new trial the same day.
Highway named after Bruce

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com The nearly half-mile stretch of school zone in front of Campbell County High School will be renamed thanks to 36th District Rep. Dennis Powers efforts in Nashville. The portion of the road will be renamed the Ken Bruce Memorial Highway, in honor of the assistant principal who died during a 2005 school shooting. Ken was just a great guy and everybody that knew him liked him, Powers said.
Photo by Beth Braden
The move comes after more than a year of work. At first, Powers wanted to have the bridge named in Bruces memory, but it was already dedicated to J. Will Taylor. Instead, Powers opted to apply for naming the school zone. I came back this year and thought if we cant name the bridge, maybe we can name the highway, Powers said. Jo Bruce, Ken Bruces widow, says her family was jubilant at the news on Monday morning. Dennis contacted me and asked if that would be something our family would want to have happen See HIGHWAY, Page 6A
Volume 102, Number 11 By BETH BRADEN LaFollette, TN 37766 bbraden@lafollettepress.com 38 Pages, 3 Sections
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Stiers has change of heart on garbage fees

In the regularly scheduled December meeting, Mayor Les Stiers said anyone who received utility services paid for sanitation whether they used the garbage pick-up or not. The ordinance on the book reads if you have a utility at your residence or business, youll have to pay, Stiers said Dec. 20 The only way to avoid sanitation services was to terminate utilities or for the board to change the ordinance. In January, the LaFollette Press requested a copy of the ordinance through the Freedom of Information Act that stated residential and commercial customers must pay sanitation fees. Stiers said he was making a concerted effort to find the ordinance. The ordinance, received on March 11, outlined residential and commercial fees, but does not define who is subject to garbage pick up. Since the original list was distributed in November, four of the listed residents have See FEES, Page 7A
In Jellico, five residential and one commercial customer have had part of their sanitation bill reduced. A second commercial customer opted to contract with a private waste collection service. In November, Jellicos Board of Mayor and Aldermen received a list of 24 residential and 27 commercial customers who werent paying sanitation fees.
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IN COUNTY SINCE NOVEMBER
By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com An attempt to thwart a $350 child support payment is costing a Knoxville man much more. Last Thursday, Stephen M. Conner, 46, 9545 Housmand Way, Knoxville, was slated to appear in Campbell County Child Support Court. He told police he was scheduled to make a $350 payment he didnt have. He told us he knew he Conner was going to jail because he didnt have the money. By the time he arrived in Jacksboro he had decided the way to avoid jail was to call in a bomb threat, said Campbell County Sheriffs Detective Freddie White. He phoned the general sessions clerk saying there was a bomb in the lower bathroom, CCSD Capt. Brandon Elkins said. This prompted an evacuation of the courthouse. It was the fifth bomb threat in Campbell County since November. After a sweep of the courthouse and grounds revealed no explosives, the public was allowed back into the structure. Police also began investigating where the call originated. They already had the phone number because the courthouse is equipped with caller ID, Elkins said. Using a reverse search and working with phone companies as well as cell phone providers the CCSD was able to pinpoint Conners location. He was at a home in Knoxville. Once they arrived and questioned people in the home it was discovered that Conner had changed his phone number in the last few hours, said Elkins. However, the number police had was the one Conner had earlier in the day. When police questioned Conner he quickly admitted his guilt, White said. He further admitted he had no intention of planting any explosive devices. Conner was charged with filing a false report or bomb threat. This was his third booking at the county jail.
Group hopes to heal victims of domestic violence
HOAX IS FIFTH
Stephen M. Conner, of Knoxville, was slated to appear in Campbell County Child Support Court when he called in a bomb threat last Thursday. Its the fifth bomb threat in Campbell County since November. File photo
LOCAL PARK EXTENDS HOURS

LAFOLLETTELonas Young Memorial Park will extend hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park will also sell advertising display signs starting from $150$300 to raise revenue for the operations.
SIGNAGE FEES ENACTED
The Family Services Center offers a support group for victims of domestic violence. The program is aimed to educate and help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or dating violence. What were hoping to offer for the victims, Nancy Morton-Bright said. (Is) education for the victims, information, resources and support. Morton-Bright, a trained crises advocate with the family services center, will lead the group. The support group is for those who dont receive help from the Family Services Centers residential program. What we are looking for is people who are not receiving services, said Rebecca Herrell, chief operating officer for the Family Services Center. Were just trying to target a different area of folks. This is just for (the) general public. Just anybody can come. The class will be offered every week, Morton-Bright said. Were not announcing the location or the time, Herrell said. Those interested can call 562-8325 for information. There is not cost or deadline, Herrell said. Childcare will be provided for mothers who attend group. Just contact us and you can start any time, Herrell said. You can come any time you want to. You can come one time and leave. Theres not See DOMESTIC, Page 8A
CAMPBELL COUNTY: E-911
JELLICO Business owners here planning to erect or make significant changes to their signs will now be subject to a $50 fee. The fee is applicable to permanently erected signs in front of businesses, such as large displays at hotels and restaurants. It may not apply to smaller signs that might be placed into the ground with wire, said Mayor Les Stiers. Vice mayor Venita Cissco Johnson dissented on the action.
Cop retains job despite complaints MAYORS UNITED: of neglect

Glenn Smith, vice mayor of Cayville
Thats just too big a bite for Caryville.
CARYVILLE
E-911 dispatch too costly for coverage


A Caryville police officer with several complaints lodged against him remains on the job despite a police chief recommendation he be terminated. On Monday, Chief Johnny Jones recommended the board of mayor and aldermen terminate Officer Jim Wilson after several complaints from both citizens and other officers within the county. I hate doing this, but I think hes a strong liability to the city, Jones said. Complaints against Wilson date back to 2008 for harassment and neglect of duties, according to documents

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Representatives from three municipalities told the Campbell County E-911 board they cant afford to pay for continued dispatch operations next fiscal year. It is a sentiment consistently echoed in the past several months. Our concern is I dont think the town should be responsible for the bill, said Jacksboro Mayor Jack Cannon at last Thursdays E-911 meeting. Our citizens pay taxes and we think the county should pick up the fees for that. See E-911, Page 4A
See COP, Page 18A
GO GREEN: TRIBUTE TO KATELYN NORMAN | INSIDE
Pot also recovered in buried pickle and Mason jars in countys latest drug round-up, authorities say
By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com Operation Spring Cleaning was in the works for a year when it culminated Monday with the arrest of nearly 40 people including one man who allegedly buried more than $30,000 in coffee cans and hid marijuana in various pickle and Mason jars. Through a series of strategic undercover narcotics buys and on-going undercover investigations we were able to obtain 63 indictments from the grand jury, said Sheriff Robbie Goins. All that was left was to start making the arrests. And that is what 10 teams set out to do just before sunrise Monday. Assisted by the United States Marshal Service, the Great Smokey Mountain Fugitive Task Force, the Eighth Judicial Drug Task Force, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission, Tennessee Bomb and Arson, along with officers from the Caryville and Jacksboro Police Departments, the Campbell County Sheriffs Department began serving the indictments. Among those arrested was Michael W. Willis, 51, 1183 Lynch Hollow Road, LaFollette. Officers arrived at his home early Monday with the warrant alleging he was trafficking narcotics, specifically the delivery and sell of marijuana. When police arrived they observed him walking through the home, said CCSD Chief Deputy Aaron Evans. They also noticed he was carrying a jar, which he quickly threw down. Once Willis allowed the officers in the home, a search revealed the container he was carrying was a pickle jar allegedly containing marijuana, said Goins. It was found under a bed where it had rolled when Willis threw it. Following information authorities gleaned during the undercover portion of the operation, authorities moved the search outside. Scouring a wooded area behind Willis Lynch Hollow Road home, officers began unearthing a cache of cash and marijuana. As the search began officers immediately discovered a Folgerss coffee can buried in a shallow spot. When they dug up the can, it was discovered that it held a bag of marijuana, Goins said. Ten feet from that discovery was a kitchen garbage bag loaded with marijuana. Going deeper into the woods police allegedly found a mason jar filled with marijuana buried in another thinly covered area. At this point the decision was made to have a K-9 officer join the search. See ROUND-UP, Page 6A
POLICE: MAN STASHED $30K IN COFFEE CANS

40 nabbed in Campbell County drug sweep
Michael W. Willis, 51, 1183 Lynch Hollow Road, LaFollette, was one of about 40 nabbed in a Campbell County drug round-up Monday. Authorities say Willis stashed more than $30,000 in coffee cans buried in shallow spots in a wooded area on his property. Officers allegedly discovered him carrying a pickle jar full of marijuana during a surprise bust. Mason jars containing marijuana were also recovered from the mans property. Sheriff Robbie Goins said the round-up dubbed Operation Spring Cleaning resulted in arrests from every part of the county and is indicative of the drug epidemic in this county. SEE PAGE 6A for more of those arrested
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Mother, son plead not guilty to rape of Indiana teenager

By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com A son and mother who allegedly took a teenager from her Indiana home earlier this month, pleaded not guilty Monday to aggravated statutory rape charges. James Slagle was arrested March 6 at the South 17th Street home where he lived with his mother, Debra Saunders, after police learned a 17-year-old female from Indiana was at the residence, according to the police report. Slagle and Saunders allegedly traveled to Osceola, Ind. earlier this month and took the girl from her home See TEEN, Page 4A
Commission seeks screen from Sunshine Law

...Four or ve or six commissioners should not get together and have a meeting, but its a shame you cannot walk into a restaurant and say Hey commissioner, how you doing? Can I buy you dinner? without someone saying open meetings violation.
-County Commissioner Rusty Orick policy makers. I think the law is too burdensome, Commissioner Bob Walden said Friday. I think the law is too restrictive for two people to have a See SUNSHINE, Page 5A
CAMBELL COUNTY GOVERNMENT
By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com Citing burdens and restrictions, county commissioners are advocating for an amendment to the state Sunshine Law, to allow greater private interaction between local
Police chief demoted

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Despite a spotless record, Johnny Jones no longer serves as chief of the Caryville Police Department. On March 21, Mayor Chris Stanley and Vice Mayor Glenn Smith told Jones he was being demoted. The performance correction notice presented to Jones listed policy/procedure violation, performance and behavior/conduct infraction as the reason for the demotion. Stanley declined to elaborate during a phone interview on Monday. Id rather not [say], but there was some issues that was concerns, and I think that hes a very good police officer, Stanley said. As far as him being the manager over the department he just doesnt do a good enough job there and thats why I kept him instead of letting him go, cause I think hes
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a good police officer. I think in some situations he just handles some things wrong. Jones declined to sign the notice. The move came just three days after Jones recommended Jonathon Bruce be hired to fill a vacant position and Jim Wilson be terminated. Jones Stanley says See CARYVILLE, Page 9A
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CARYVILLE PLANT WILL ADD HIGH-PAYING JOBS TO LOCAL PAYROLL

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NOW HIRING: MATIX CORP.

By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com CARYVILLEJapan-based Matix Corporation, which operates a local plant here will hire several additional employees, according to reports from local business leaders. Applications are being accepted at the facility on Erschel Collins Industrial Park, off Interstate 75 exit 141. Its unclear how many positions will be hired or what the starting pay will be. Officials from Matix did not respond to messages from The Press. But local business leaders say the
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
plants payroll is among the highest in the county. Matix launched its Caryville plant in 2001 and employs about 90 workers, according to labor reports filed See JOBS, Page 5A
Jellico still treading deep waters from nancial storm
CRIME & COURTS
IN MEMORY
Katelyn Norman
Aug. 8, 1998 March 29, 2013
Johnson
NEW RECIPE LEADS TO LOCAL METH LAB EXPLOSION

By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com A LaFollette man was severely burned last week after his alleged meth lab exploded. Police were initially made aware of the fire when the Campbell County Sheriffs Department was contacted. We sent Deputy Franklin Ayers by the residence to assess the situation, said Sheriff Robbie Goins. When Ayers arrived he immediately asked for a detective. Ayers determined a detective was needed because it was an outbuilding that was burning not a mattress as first reported. He also saw a man, Randall S. Johnson, 38, 160 College Hill Road, LaFollette, standing in the yard, shirtless and burned. When we arrived the Campbell County Rural Fire Service was there, said CCSD Capt. Brandon Elkins. It took 1,700 gallons of water to put the fire out. Fire temperatures were so extreme the siding on a nearby trailer melted off like wax, Elkins said. When police interviewed Johnson he reportedly admitted he had been atSee METH Page 4A
Downtown Jellico. File photo By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com It was the perfect financial storm of a bad economy, bad estimates and bad sales projections, and the town of Jellico is still picking up pieces. With the new budget season only four months away, Jellico Mayor Les Stiers is hopeful this year will be better than the last when it comes to generating revenue and preventing some of the problems the town has faced in the past six months. Annexation is still top on the list to grow this city, he said Tuesday afternoon. The town first discussed annexation last winter and dropped the topic last spring. Despite the vacant Rarity Mountain property going bankrupt, Stiers hasnt given up on the possibility to develop that land into a mixed-use area. He said he has been corresponding with investors and bankers to look at bringing a truck stop and restaurant, as well as homes, to the mountain overlooking Newcomb. They [investors] want to see something happening there at Rarity Mountain just like we do, he said. Youve got to be a See JELLICO, Page 7A
Katelyn Norman, 14, lost her public battle to cancer on Friday, March 29. The teens story was an inspiration to millions and her legacy will live on through a special foundation. Photo submitted
Teens story touches millions; legacy will live on

By CHRIS CANNON ccannon@lafollettepress.com Dark clouds hung low and rain drizzled as nearly 200 green balloons ascended solemnly toward the heavens. Residents of Campbell County and others came out for this scene at Jacksboro Middle Friday morning and to walk for Katelyn Norman, the 14-year-old freshman at Campbell County High School, who lost her battle with osteosarcoma only hours earlier. The original idea for this walk was for her to gain more money so she could go to Italy before she passed, said Mandi Smith, organizer of last weeks event. [Now] were going to take all the See LEGACY, Page 6A
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STRANGE LAWS BAN FORTUNE TELLING, HOOTING IN THE STREETS

It shall be unlawful for any person to hold himself forth to the public as a fortune teller, clairvoyant, hypnotist, spiritualist, palmist, phrenologist, or other mystic with supernatural powers. LaFollette Municipal Code 10-234
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Jellico Middle | Campbell County meet in inaugural baseball game
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Critics blast shelter in viral video; death threats against director lead to statewide probe
By BETH BRADEN braden@lafollettepress.com
Bite worse than bark

SPECIAL REPORT: ADRION W. BAIRD ANIMAL CENTER
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... After a while, you keep hearing the same complaints over and over, at some point, you have to take notice of them. And at some point, you then have to forget about it and ignore it or youve got to investigate.
-Attorney Terry Basista, on actions taken at the county animal shelter following numerous complaints
A former animal advisory board member, who previously championed shelter director Betty Crumleys leadership, is voicing his concerns. It follows a six-minute viral video in which Crumley is heard speaking to an employee with concerns about euthanasia practices. Crumley dismisses it as the work of a disgruntled, former employee others contend there are major issues. The rst several seconds of the video feature an unidentied man telling Crumley, We have a problem, Betty. The two in the bag that was gone? One of thems come back to life out there in the freezer. Oh dear, Crumley said. Crumley claims the audio has been taken out of context and edited and manipulated to stage the conversation. He added my voice to different things, she said last Wednesday. The video appeared on YouTube on April 1 and was subsequently linked on a Facebook page called Exposing Betty Crumley Information needed here. The Facebook page was created the same day. Almost immediately, the shelter began receiving calls from all over the country about the allegations from the video. Last Wednesday, Crumley showed the LaFollette Press a list of notes from phone calls left on the shelters answering machine, which included threats on Crumleys life. Several callers wished other ills on Crumley. The calls prompted increased patrols at the shelter, according to Campbell County Sheriff Robbie Goins. An investigation into the threats was launched at the request of the county mayor and the district attorney. Crumley said the threats were a hindrance to shelter operations. This place cannot shut down. We have to function and we could function better if we werent getting all these threatening phone calls, she said. Crumley doesnt dispute the fact that some of the photos in the video are of her shelter. If youll notice the date, it was [May of 2009], she said. It was during that time that the disgruntled worker, who she believes is responsible for the video, was still employed at the shelter. Crumley claims he took photos of a dead dog in an unzipped plastic body bag while other workers were out of the building. I have no idea why that bag would be open unless he did it, she said. Not everything pictured in the video is from See BARK, Page 6A
A dog rests on his cot at the Adrion W. Baird Animal Center earlier this year. The shelter has again come under re,after a viral Internet video that makes several claims about shelter conditins and euthanasia practices. File photo
PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE GUTS POTTERS CABIN

By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com Campbell County Road Superintendent Dennis Potter and his family are facing an immense tragedy after their Elk Valley home burned down, while spending spring break aboard a cruise ship. Its a bad thing that happened, Potter said Monday afternoon. Its been a heck of deal. The family left early last Saturday morning expecting a week of relaxation in the Bahamas, but as they docked in Jamaica on Tuesday an urgent message awaited them. Just after 11 a.m. Campbell County E-911 received a call that the Lone Road home was on re, according to 911 records. Records indicate that despite efforts of area re crews the home was a See FIRE, Page 4A
6 youth face charges, thousands in restitution for lakefront destruction
CRIME & COURTS
Area youth allegedly used a D-5 bulldozer to turn over a Jayco camper in the Villages. Photo by Susan Sharp By SUSAN SHARP sharp@lafollettepress.com Malicious mischief is what police are calling multiple acts of vandalism that total more than $300,000 at one lakefront, gated-community. The destruction occurred at the Villages development over several months beginning last October, according to
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Campbell County Sheriffs Department Detective Brandon Elkins. Villages personnel became aware of the vandalism last fall when a truck belonging to a construction rm was discovered at the bottom of a hill, according to Mark Kotellos, security director See VANDALS Page 4A
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DOG GONE MESS
CONTINUING COVERAGE: ADRION W. BAIRD ANIMAL CENTER
WITH ALL ANIMALS REMOVED FROM SHELTER AND A PENDING STATE INVESTIGATION, WHATS NEXT FOR OUR COUNTY?
If youre not looking for something, youre not gonna nd it.
Attorney, Terry Basista, on several unsubstantiated claims about the countys animal shelter
They go serve their time. It makes it hard for them to go get a job. Why kick them when theyre down?
County Commissioner, Steve Rutherford, on hiring convicted felons
FELONS FINE FOR COUNTY WORKFORCE

Elected officials wont ban convicts for condition of government employment
By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com Billy Sanders is a leader at First Baptist Church of Jacksboro. Hes touched many lives through Celebrate Recoverya Christ-centered program that helps people struggling with addiction. Sanders is also a convicted felon. Im an ex-methamphetamine addict, he said. Nine years ago, Sanders was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine. However, he became a Christian in the Campbell County Jail. His life changed and now he spends his time helping people who are still incarcerated. He is employed at FBCJ and ProImage. Without a second chance given to me, Id probably be back into that lifestyle, Sanders said. Monday night, the Campbell County Commission considered a resolution that would have excluded convicted felonslike Sanders from its municipal hiring policy. It (the resolution) simply states Campbell County no longer hires convicted felons, commissioner Tom Hatmaker said. Its not retroactive. Its from this point on. The resolution would only have affected three employees the commission overseesa commission administrative assistant, a veterans affairs See FELON Page 4A
Faye Medley of Friends of Campbell County Animals removed this calico cat from the county shelter on April 11, after the Jacksboro center was shuttered following allegations and a state investigation. A total of 16 animals were removed from the shelter last week. Photo by Chris Cannon
HAPPY ENDING FOR MASON

A one-time Campbell County stray is now a beloved family member to a home more than 700 miles from the Adrion W. Baird Animal Center in Jacksboro The black lab puppy called Mason by Friends of Campbell County Animals had been a shelter resident for four days when FCCA Rescue Coordinator Patricia Simpson noticed he was being less friendly. We pulled him and had him vetted, she said. Because of photos she had sent to a New York animal rescue agency, the group was willing to accept Mason. A Connecticut family adopted him immediately. See MASON Page 8A
By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com The Adrion W. Baird Animal Center is closed indenitely and all animals have been removed after allegations about poor euthanasia practices surfaced about shelter director Betty Crumley. On Tuesday, a joint press release from the Campbell County Mayors Ofce, the Campbell County Sheriffs Department and District Attorney General Lori Phillips-Jones called for a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe into the matter. We are all seriously concerned about the allegations involving the Adrion W. Baird Animal Center and will not tolerate anything less than a thorough inquiry and investigation, the release said. Phillips-Jones said none of the allegations have been substantiated yet. Unfortunately, theres a lot of hearsay and rumors going on and we really need to nd out what the facts are and what can be substantiated, she said. While the county mayors ofce is familiar with the allegations, the CCSD and district attorney general are starting from scratch, according to local attorney Terry Basista. He hopes that the TBI does a thorough investigation, and says the allegations could have been
substantiated before now if the mayors ofce had examined it. If youre not looking for something, youre not gonna nd it, he said. Basista says he has several pieces of evidence from his own investigation he is willing to share with the TBI and Phillips-Jones. Among that evidence is an under-oath interview with shelter employee Brenda Watkins who has worked at the shelter since 2006, two years before Crumley was hired. On Tuesday, Watkins spoke with the Press via telephone. Watkins decided to come forward with her story because she has more support now than she did before, and she didnt want to be held accountable for the alleged misdeeds. She [Crumley] told us from day oneits gonna be her way or no way, Watkins said. Among allegations lobbed at Crumley is the accusation that animals were euthanized in front of one another and that too little Fatal Plus a sodium pentobarbital compound was used for euthanasia. Watkins is not a certied euthanasia technician, but says the dying animals would often howl and thrash as they died. She said animal control See DOG GONE, Page 8A
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his spring marks the twentieth year that Professor Robert Heller has brought his advanced photojournalism students from UT to photograph life in LaFollette. Like many classes before us, we were taken on a journey into the unfamiliar in the hopes of capturing the extraordinary. The natural beauty of the landscape and the unbelievably wonderful weather inspired us from the moment of our arrival, but by our departure 30 hours later, we all agreed that the most memorable aspect of the project was the people met in the process.
END OF AN ERA: THACKER CHRISTMAS INN SIGN

Around every street corner and down every country road, we discovered its not just the obvious charm that makes the people of LaFollette such great photo subjects. Rather, its the subtle stories of life and labor told in the wrinkles of their hands, the quiet memories of love and loss twinkling in their eyes, and the modesty of authentic Tennessee life that surfaces in their manners and appearance. Through the lenses of our cameras, we attempted to capture a glimpse of this endearing character while also taking our nal steps toward professional careers. It is our hope that these resulting pictures do justice to the lives and stories of LaFollette, and now it is our pleasure to share them with you.
his spring marks the twentieth year that Professor Robert Heller has brought his advanced photojournalism students from UT to photograph life in LaFollette. Like many classes before us, we were taken on a journey into the unfamiliar in the hopes of capturing the extraordinary. The natural beauty of the landscape and the unbelievably wonderful weather inspired us from the moment of our arrival, but by our departure 30 hours later, we all agreed that the most memorable aspect of the project was the people met in the process.
students from UT to photograph life in LaFollette. Like many classes before us, we were taken on a journey into the unfamiliar in the hopes of capturing the extraordinary. The natural beauty of the landscape and the unbelievably wonderful weather inspired us from the moment of our arrival, but by our departure 30 hours later, we all agreed that the most memorable aspect of the project was the people met in the process.
his spring marks the twentieth year that Professor Robert Heller has brought his advanced photojournalism students from UT to photograph life in LaFollette. Like many classes before us, we were taken on a journey into the unfamiliar in the hopes of capturing the extraordinary. The natural beauty of the landscape and the unbelievably wonderful weather inspired us from the moment of our arrival, but by our departure 30 hours later, we all agreed that his spring marks the twentieth year Around every street corner and down every country road, the most memorable aspect of the project that Professor Robert Heller has we discovered its not just the obvious charm that makes the people met in the process. brought his advanced photojournalism the peoplewas of LaFollette such great photo subjects. Rather,
its the subtle stories of life and labor told in the wrinkles of their hands, the quiet memories of love and loss twinkling in their eyes, and the modesty of authentic Tennessee life that surfaces in their manners and appearance. Through the lenses of our cameras, we attempted to capture a glimpse of this endearing character while also taking our nal steps toward professional careers. It is our hope that these resulting pictures do justice to the lives and stories of LaFollette, and now it is our pleasure to share them with you.
Iconic T sign on chopping block
Around every street corner and down every country road, we discovered its not just the obvious charm that makes the people of LaFollette such great photo subjects. Rather, its the subtle stories of life and labor told in the wrinkles of their hands, the quiet memories of love and loss twinkling in their eyes, and the modesty of authentic Tennessee life that surfaces in their manners and appearance. Through the lenses of our cameras, we attempted to capture a glimpse of this endearing character while also taking our nal steps toward professional careers. It is our hope that these resulting pictures do justice to the lives and stories of LaFollette, and The Thacker Christmas Inn sign, now it is our pleasure to share them with you.
which has served as a Caryville landmark along Interstate 75 exit 134 for 38 years will soon be replaced by a more modern sign as Holiday Inn Express & Suites prepares for its opening in June. A new home for the sign is being sought. Photo by Brent Schanding
his spring marks the twentieth year CARYVILLE that Professor Robert Heller has
brought his advanced photojournalism students from UT to photograph life in LaFollette. Like many classes before us, we were taken on a journey into the unfamiliar in the hopes of capturing the extraordinary. The natural beauty of the landscape and the unbelievably wonderful weather inspired us from the moment of our arrival, but by our departure 30 hours later, we all agreed that the most memorable aspect of the project was the people met in the process. Ivey
And then they found here.
No hope. No home.
LAFOLLETTE PRESS EXCLUSIVE
By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com An iconic Caryville landmark seen by millions of travelers along Interstate 75 for the past 38 years will be history by mid June, when associates of Holiday Inn Express & Suites replace it in favor of a sleeker, more modern sign. The approximately 60-foot tall, tree-shaped sign located at exit 134 peaks just above the rooine of the four-story hotel now under renovation at the former Thacker Christmas Inn & Restaurant site. Some say its a vintage relic. Others tout it as a tacky tourist trap. Either way, the sign will be removed in the coming months. I think its a great piece of Americana, said Joseph Valentino, general manager of the new Caryville hotel. Unfortunately, its got to go. See TREE Page 5A
MAYOR FIRES TOWN RECORDER

Press to review files after questionable personnel practices
By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Caryville is without a town recorder after mayor Chris Stanley red Cheryl Ivey on Monday morning. Ivey is the fourth town employee to be adversely affected by one of Stanleys executive orders. Ivey had served as town recorder for the last nine years and recently completed her training to become a certied municipal nance ofcer an 11-course certification paid for by the town. I have been honored to have the privilege to serve the people of the town of Caryville for the past several years, Ivey said in a prepared statement. It has been a pleasure to work with the best group of co-workers anywhere around. I am overwhelmed at the outpouring of love and support bestowed upon me and my family these last few days. I am stunned at what has occurred and simply at a loss for words. Please keep me and my family in your prayers. See RECORDER Page 5A
Claim shows town had no insurance on injured worker

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Like most employees, Jellico Fire Chief Gary Troxell submitted a workers compensation claim when he was injured on the job Feb. 18. But on the date of his injury, Jellico had no workers compensation insurance, an audit by the Department of Workforce and Labor Development found. They havent had any [insurance] since December, said Vic Pryor, Troxells attorney. See JELLICO Page 5A
JELLICO
Formerly homeless couple, Christopher and Jerrilynn Rodrigue stand outside their new home on Walden Street in LaFollette. The couple had been sleeping outside, in tents and in abandoned lots. They ed Georgia and found compassion in Campbell County. With help from local ofcials and service providers, theyre now getting back on their feet. Photo by Brent Schanding By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com
hristopher Rodrigue was a professional in Marietta, Ga. He made $45,000 working in quality control for a food processing company. He had a home, professional friends, colleagues and business contacts. His wife, Jerrilynn, ran a professional cleaning business before she was diagnosed with neuropathywhich kept her from working. Christopher looked at homeless people with scornhe thought they were lazy, dirty, alcoholics or even drug addicts. He didnt know that he was about to become one of them. There are a lot of people who are one paycheck away from being homeless, Christopher said. You are one bad decision away from being ushed. See HOMELESS, Page 6A
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Dog bites deputy

CRIME & SAFETY
LAFOLLETTE PRESS EXCLUSIVE
Arresting officer attacked by dog; Knox shelter intervenes due to closure, investigation of animal shelter
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CITY COULD FILL VACANT ADMIN ROLE NEXT WEEK
By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com LaFollette leaders could choose a new city administrator as early as Tuesday, after tempers ared this week when elected officials discussed hiring for the position. At a Monday night workshop meeting, council member Hansford Hatmaker said Mayor Mike Staneld had told three people he would support them for city administrator. Staneld said he doesnt care who gets the job, but wants the council to pick a person. Staneld asked Hatmaker if he had anyone he would recommend. Im sure everybody in (here has) got somebody picked, Hatmaker said. The council interviewed 12 of the 20 applicants for the position. Because the council plans to vote to choose an administrator from among the dozen at Tuesdays meeting, council members discussed the voting process at the workshop. Interim City Administrator Jimmy Jeffries and City Attorney Reid Troutman recommended council members rank their top applicants or open the oor for nominations. Hatmaker wanted the council to narrow the pool of applicants to two before voting. He believes it is more practical and fair for the council to vote between two pre-selected candidates than opening the oor to nominations. Its easier to pick from two people and get it done than (to) pick from 12 people and each of your council members votes for one, Hatmaker said after the meeting. Thats the only fair way you can do it is boil it down to two. Hatmaker mentioned the possibility of asking the two final applicants additional See ADMIN Page 5A
Sheriffs deputy Ty Daugherty is recovering from an April 26 dog bite after he and Deputy Cody Chapman served a warrant on Dale Wilson, 629 Grantsboro Rd. Wilson was most recently arrested on April 12 when he was allegedly found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and a schedule II drug believed to be methamphetamine. As the ofcers attempted to detain Wilson, he reportedly tried to ee from Daugherty and Chapman. Daugherty red his taser at Wilson, who then fell to the ground, but got back up and allegedly began to ee again, according to reports from the Campbell County Sheriffs Department. Daugherty physically took Wilson to the ground, where both men fell into a pile of rocks, according to the report. Daugherty struggled with Wilson, who reportedly would not put his arms behind his back. During the struggle, See DOG Page 5A
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FAILING ROADS CRY OUT FOR FIXING
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JELLICO
Jellico Mayor Les Stiers sold his plan to save the city money at a workshop Monday night, but was met with resistance from town ofcials, who didnt give the plan a vote. Photo by Brent Schanding
FIRE & IN THE HOLE

Emergency dispatch budgets bankrupting towns coffers as town officials cant reach compromise
By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JELLICO Mayor Les Stiers plan to accept his cost-savings measure for re dispatch was met by silence from the board of aldermen on Monday night. Approving the plan - and effectively saving $50,000 annually was a nal piece needed to satisfy state comptroller demands. Earlier this year, the comptrollers ofce told Jellico ofcials they would need to make substantial See JELLICO Page 5A
Pothole on Ivydell. Photo by Chris Cannon
EDITORS NOTE: The LaFollette Press asked its more than 1,800 Facebook fans to identify the worst road conditions in Campbell County. Your responses were overwhelming. From Elkins Road; to Highway 229 in Jellico; to Stinking Creek Road near Interstate 75 exit 144; to parts of Demory Road dozens complained about potholes, cracks and unsafe conditions along corridors in the county. Its not just a problem unique to Campbell County. In Tennessee alone, there are 93,251 miles of public roads and 38 percent fail to meet adequate standards, according to a recent report issued by automobile club AAA. This report takes a closer look at a growing problem and aims to provide a solution to the countys cracked infrastructure. (Spoiler alert: It involves higher taxes.) Brent Schanding, editor, LaFollette Press
See ROAD RAGE Page 6-7A
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LaFollette Press staff members Chris Cannon, Michell Daugherty & Brent Schanding follow local teens to document their big prom day.
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Half of educators see need for greater support from parents, community
By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com
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PART OF A SERIES ON ISSUES FACING EDUCATORS
LaFollette Elementary School teacher Kim Miller sits with a group of her third grade students. Photo by Peter Sawyer
PARENTS JUST DONT
LaFOLLETTE PRESS EXCLUSIVE: TEACHER SURVEY SAYS...
Statements reveal bank blunders for Jellico

Town coffers overdrawn 11 days in 2012
SUB-ZERO at 2,260 ft:
CAMPBELL COUNTYNearly half of district teachers say parents and guardians arent doing enough to promote academic success for their students. Thats according to one nding of a recent statewide TELL survey. From Feb. 18 through March 22, all school-based licensed educators in Tennessee were asked to complete the Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning online survey using an anonymous access code. Educators were encouraged to share their perceptions on a variety of issues on student achievement and teacher retention. Data will be used to improve the teaching and learning conditions in the states schools and districts. The ndings highlight several issues educators face, according to their own reports as revealed through the comprehensive survey. District-wide, only 52 percent of Campbell County educators surveyed believe parents and guardians are contributing to the academic success of their students. At Campbell County HIgh School alone, 67 percent of educators made that same claim. Across the state that gure was dramatically different. About 71 percent of teachers statewide believe parents are doing enough to enhance student achievement. Additionally, only 64 percent of teachers here believe the community See BLAME, Page 6A
RUSSELL NEW CITY ADMIN

By PETER SAWYER At Tuesday nights meeting, the LaFollette City Council chose Billie Russell as the new full-time city administrator. This is history, council member Joe Bolinger said. As far as I know, theres never been a woman city administrator before. Russell has been the industrial economic and community development coordinator for the Campbell County Mayors Ofce since 2009. Russell was an executive assistant for C3 International See ADMIN, Page 5A
Russell
The town of Jellico spent nearly two weeks in the red last summer as nance problems slowly came to a head. It was May when the town rst became overdrawn, according to bank statements obtained by the LaFollette Press. The statements are records of only some of the towns accounts according to Mayor Les Stiers. Thats for most of the accounts, not all of them, he said. May 14, 2012, was Monday-a payday for the towns employees. The town ended the days of May 15-17 overdrawn by as much as $14,000.36. During that three-day span, 35 checks totaling $11,130.36 were posted to the account. The mayor said he had no idea the accounts had become overdrawn until the president of Union Bank told him. Id get a call from the bank president saying, bring money. Thats how Id know, he said. In June and July, the daily balance didnt dip below $10,000. In August, the problems returned. On Aug. 17, the account became overdrawn by $1,557.50. The bal-
See OVERDRAWN, Page 15A
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Logger dies after tree accident

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com A Briceville logger died Friday after sustaining head injuries in a logging accident in the Vasper Community, according to a report from Campbell County Sheriffs Deputy Travis Bostic. Calvin L Daugherty, 60, was reportedly cutting a series of trees off Sharp Lane. These trees were falling slowly, according to a wit-
LIFESTAR paramedics airlifted Calvin L. Daugherty, of Briceville, to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville Friday where he was later prounounced dead from head injuries sustained in a logging accident. Photo by Peter Sawyer
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ness, Bostic said. One tree fell into a smaller tree, dislodged its top, and caused it to spin towards Daugherty. Daugherty was knocked to the ground, according to reports. LIFESTAR airlifted Daugherty to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville before noon on Friday where he was later pronounced dead due to his head injuries, Bostic said.
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Full moon mayhem

IS LUNAR LUNACY LEGIT? WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT LOCAL 911 CALLS AND ARRESTS DURING FULL MOONS INSIDE | 5A EDUCATION
FIRED TOWN RECORDER FILES $1.5M LAWSUIT

Ivey claims Mayor made illegal purchases; pink slip was retaliatory
CARYVILLE
obody can quite put a nger on it, but theres just something different when the moon is brightest in the sky. A full moon occurs roughly once a month when the earth is directly between the moon and sun. It has often been blamed for strange happenings. In fact, the word lunacy comes from the word lunar.
See MOON, Page 5A By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com
A former Caryville Town Recorder is seeking compensation of up to $1.5 million after she was terminated from her position on April 22. The suit, led on May 6, alleges an illegal purchase made by Mayor Chris Stanley, as well as an illegal payment of expired vacation hours, discrimination against Ivey the former police chief, and retaliation against the recorder for her warning about the discrimination. In the 8-page document led by Cheryl Iveys attorney, Dave Dun-
See LAWSUIT, Page 4A
WOULD YOU SEND YOUR CHILD TO A VIRTUAL SCHOOL?
District ofcials could examine the possibility of allowing students to enroll in a privatized, Internet-based academic curriculum. Many question the viability of the program known as VIRTUAL SCHOOL and share concerns about academic rigor and teacher certication. Opening enrollment to outside Internet academies could also cost the public school system money, some fear. There are also other problems. Are you going to send a teacher to their house? asked Campbell County school board member Danny Wilson. What keeps the parents from [doing the work]? When they gave their tests, they didnt do so hot, said school board member Eugene Lawson, about reports, which indicate poor academic performance from students who attend virtual schools. The Campbell County School board is expected to consider those and other questions at a workshop next Tuesday night as they debate the virtues of VIRTUAL SCHOOL. Director of Schools Donnie Poston said the discussion wont obligate the district to open online enrollment for students. This may be the wave of the future ... But Im still a public school guy. About 38 states now offer virtual school programs, Would you send your student to a virtual school? E-mail the editor at: bschanding@lafollettepress.com or interact with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Everythings going to be real good. Were probably 80 percent complete at this point. Well be home free in couple months.
Fincastle Church of God pastor Mike Smith, on the progress of rebuilding their church, which was destroyed by a re
Commissioner: Biz incubator lacks some transparency

A re burned Fincastle Church of Gods old building in December. Construction on a new facility began in February. Pastor Mike Smith hopes to hold worship services there in July as progress has been made. Photo by Peter Sawyer
Fincastle Church of God rising from ashes

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com Five months after a re destroyed its building to the ground, Fincastle Church of God continues to hold services in its fellowship hall and looks forward to completing the new facility. We are still working up here, pastor Mike Smith said. And still striving to get souls saved, and thats what its all about. The fellowship hall was unharmed by the re that consumed the church building in December. While the absence of a regular church building hasnt stopped the congregation from meeting for worship, Smith feels it may have temporarily slowed growth. Our church was growing, Smith said. Around 150 people were attending weekly services before the re, Smith said. About 100 now attend the 5 p.m. services. All Sunday nights, its full, Smith said. Smith feels the limited space of the fellowship hall might keep interested visitors from coming. However, he believes the church will begin to grow when services are held in the new building. Thats what were hoping and praying See FINCASTLE, Page 7A
Assistant Director John Branam presented the Campbell County Small Business Incubators quarterly progress report at Mondays commission workshop. The report showed the incubator has helped nine new businesses start, and assisted two established companies obtain funds. It helped them create 100 new jobs. I think weve Branam had a good rst years activity, Branam said in a phone interview Tuesday morning. I think the incubator has gotten off to a good start. We just got to continue to assist in every way possible. See INCUBATOR, Page 7A
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The top part was basically destroyed. It was in bad shape....its unsalvageable now.
David Bailey, manager of Seymour-based Commercial Sign and Crane on
the demise of the iconic Thacker Christmas Inn & Restaurant sign
Great Treebulation bulation

Interstate icon SCRAPPED; Nobody saved CHRISTMAS
By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com A 38-year-old iconic landmark was deforested and scrapped last Thursday when crews removed and demolished the 30-foot tall, treeshaped Thacker Christmas Inn and Restaurant sign near Interstate 75 exit 134 in Caryville. The larger-than-life sign was cut at the trees base by a welding torch before a tall crane lowered it down to a atbed truck. It was eventually hauled away to a Knoxville scrap yard, although a large chunk of it lingered late Monday afternoon in the parking lot of a shuttered gas station across the street. Joe Valentino, general manager for the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, which will open next month at the site of the former inn, said a deal was negotiated with Commercial Sign and Crane LLC to remove the sign. The Seymour-based company retained ownership of the sign once it dismantled it, he said. Valentino initially said he hoped the company would nd a new use for it. But a representative of the sign company on Monday told the LaFollette Press it was already partly junked at a Knoxville scrap dealer. See SCRAPPED, Page 16A Immediately above: A demolition crew member with Seymour-based Commercial Sign and Crane LLC used a torch to cut the base of the iconic 30-foot tall Thacker Christmas Inn sign in Caryville Thursday. It was then lowered to the ground with help from a crane and hauled away to a Knoxville scrapyard on a atbed tractor trailer. Top: a view of the sign just before it was demolished as viewed from atop the rooftop of the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites, nearing completion in Caryville at Interstate 75 exit 134. Photos by Brent Schanding
Trial set for teen accused in 2007 CCHS shooting case

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Accused school shooter Kenneth Bartley has a date for the trial he never received. On Monday, Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood ordered the trial for 9 a.m. on Nov. 18. Judge Camille R. McMullen with the Criminal Bartley Court of Appeals authored the March 11 opinion that said Bartleys three-second decision to plead guilty and accept a 51-year sentence was the result of inSee SHOOTER, Page 5A
COURTS & CRIME
MARKING MEMORIAL DAY: A tribute to those lost
LYNNS LAW
A memorial on Tenn. 116 at an underpass near Old Vasper Road commemorates the deaths of two local teens, Aaron Hardwick (far left) and Johnson Khoshaba (right), who died in a car wreck June 8, 2010, while allegedly drag racing. The memorial is one of many public displays in the county. Photo by Brent Schanding
Hardwick & Khoshaba
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Roadside tributes therapeutic for those killed in tragedies
Gov. Bill Haslan signs Lynns Law in Caryvill Monday. Photo by Peter Sawyer
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f youre out for a scenic drive this holiday weekend, head a few miles north of Caryville on Tenn. 116 near the intersection with Old Vasper Road. There, the otherwise curvy stretch of two-lane highway straightens out temporarily, before ducking under an aging railroad bridge. A weathered concrete wall meets a patch of grass planted with colorful silk owers, small crosses and other lawn ornaments. Scrawled on the wall in white, spray-painted capital letters is a three-deck message: AARON WE LOVE AND MISS YOU! DAD MOM + HANK FOREVER + ALWAYS! Just below, red graftied words pays another tribute: Jealous heaven stole your souls. See MEMORIAL, Page 6A
Holiday previews 2A
See what events are going on around the county this weekend. Follow us on Facebook for updated holiday closings of local business and government agencies. The LaFollette Press will be closed May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.
Gov. signs bill near site of tragic abandonment

CARYVILLE On Tuesday, Gov. Bill Haslam appeared briey at the Caryville Municipal Building to sign Lynns Law which provides greater power to prosecute those who abandon the disabled. The signing of the law occurred just over one mile from the site of its tragic inspiration. Government can work, and this is an example of it working at all levels, See LYNNS LAW, Page 5A
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THE PRESS EXAMINES THESE SITES AND OTHERS FOR ACCESSIBILITY SEE FINDINGS, PAGE 6-7A
MARINE HONORED: Saluting those who serve
Patricia Myers practices walking on a ramp at Cumberland Village, a shortand long-term care facility for seniors in LaFollettewhere shes been undergoing physical and occupational rehabilitation for the past month. . Photo by Peter Sawyer
Police chase leads to wreck, arrest of driver

CRIME & SAFETY
By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com Patricia Myers is a temporary resident at Cumberland Village a short- and long-term care facility for seniors in LaFollettewhere shes been undergoing physical and occupational rehabilitation for the past month. Myers, an elderly local woman, was hospitalized a month ago, after she experienced overall decline in strength and endurance. Her neighbor found her unconscious at her apartment. She remembers little about the incident, but began therapy at Cumberland Village after being treated and released from LaFollette Medical Center. Now, her daily routine involves walking on different types of terrain including sidewalk and gravel. See ACCESS, Page 6A
Gen. Carl Stiner presents Marine Lance Cpl. Cody Evans with a certicate from the DAV at a ceremony in the county. Evans lost his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan. Photo by Peter Sawyer
Marine who lost legs in Afghanistan honored for service to country
A Clinton man was jailed after a predawn police chase Tuesday morning. Campbell County Sheriffs Deputy James McCall noticed a Chevy blazer traveling eastbound on Jacksboro Pike with only one headlight working at approximately 4:30 a.m. McCall followed the vehicle Salinas as it turned into the Walmart plaza and then into the McDonalds parking lot. When McCall turned on his lights, Rafael Antonio Salinas, 36, 312 Fishermans Way, Clinton, left the McDonalds Parking lot at a high rate of speed, according to McCall. He then proceeded to Mt. Perkins Road and turned right. McCall reportedly turned down the driveway of 522 Mount Perkins Road where he then wrecked his vehicle and
See CAR CHASE, Page 5A
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Frustration
FOR FULL MEMORIAL DAY COVERAGE, SEE PAGES 15-17A
toDetermination
Thursday, May 30, 2013 1B WWW.LAFOLLETTEPRESS.COM
Copyright 2013
ichaela Smith stepped from the discus ring during last Thursdays TSSAA BlueCross Spring Fling, as her head hung low. The Campbell County High School sophomore finished the state competition in ninth place, just missing the podium at Middle Tennessee State University. I was a lot more nervous there than I was at Sectionals, the sophomore said. I went in as eighth, and I came out as ninth. I was a little disappointed, but it was such a blessing to get to go to state. However, being so close to the podium, her frustration was soon changed to determination. Im ready, Michaela said. I think Im going to do yearround track this time. Im going to get better, and Im going to be there next year and the year after that. Of the 16 competitors, only nine made it to the finals. A margin of only 2 feet edged her during the finals, as the sophomores best throw went 100 feet, 4 inches. According to her mother and coach, Joy Smith, the moment of reaching the finals humbled her daughter. It was a humbling moment for her, but to see the determination in her and how upset she was I was upset for her, her coach said. At the same time, I saw that want and that fire. I think shell really try harder this season to condition and get back so shell be in the top five next year. Shes got a mindset that she wants it bad now. Shes been let down. However, the competition was a big one in itself for Campbell County.
By CHRIS CANNON ccannon@lafollettepress.com Twitter: @ChrisCannon89
See SMITH, Page 6B
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By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com large crowd gathered at Elm Grove Baptist Church Sunday to honor Marine Lance Cpl. Cody Evans. Evans, 29, lost his legs after he sustained injuries from an IED explosion when he was on a foot patrol in Afghanistan in December 2011. He spent 11 months recovering at a hospital in Bethesda, Md. before he was able to come home to the Speedwell area. His mother, Regina, left her job to be with him at the hospital during his recovery. Gen. Carl Stiner presented Evans with certicates from the 105th Appalachian
Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans and the Campbell County Honor Guard. I appreciate everything that everyone does, Evans said. Evans mother was also honored. I appreciate anything anybodys doing for us, she added. Its really meant a lot to us. The Campbell County Honor Guard presented ags from each branch of the military while their anthems played. Evans was included in the ceremony, carrying the Marine Corps ag. The ceremony also included a 21-gun salute and a ag folding. Evans hopes to attend Lincoln Memorial University.
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Provin
By CHRIS CANNON ccannon@lafollettepress.com Twitter: @ChrisCannon89
Provins
I
ts now a proven fact. Rusty Provins is a man among boys. The 6-foot-4 junior at Cumberland Gap threw for another state title at the TSSAA BlueCross Spring Fling in Murfreesboro on Friday, sweeping both the shot put and discus for the second year in a row. It feels awesome, Rusty said. And it should. The junior becomes the first athlete in the state to ever win both the shot put and discus titles, two years each. Garnering four state champion medals, he says its all because of the hard work. To me, thats a really big achievement because of all the work that Ive put in, Rusty said. It kind of makes it all worth it, you know. While 37 competitors have successfully won at least two years in either shot or disc, theres only been a handful to come close to winning both for four state medals. Eric Pickle of Bearden High won two discus titles, while taking a first and a second in shot put. But it was Bruck Brucker of Christian Brothers High in Memphis who has come the closest. Brucker finished first in discus twice, while managing to sneak a shot put title during his senior campaign. He took second in the event in both his sophomore and junior campaigns, missing the state-title mark by only an inch during his first attempt. I can tell you that when you get out there and throw shot, an inch is a mile, Rusty said. You See PROVINS, Page 6B
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOULL FIND

at the
COVINGTON, KY.
Yard sale
BEREA, KY. CUMBERLAND GAP
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TODAY-SATURDAY
MANHUNT
Hit-and-run leads to hour
CRIME & SAFETY
DRY RIDGE, KY.
LEXINGTON, KY.
Deputy Franklin Ayers escorts David Norris into the CCDC after he led law enforcement on an hour long chase. Photo by Chris Cannon By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com
JELLICO JACKSBORO CLINTON
NEXAFED
A PILL TO PREVENT METH?
BUY & SELL: SEE OUR GUIDE ON THE US 25 YARD SALE, PAGE6A
Nexafed is exactly like Sudafed. It has the same decongestive capabilities, except it has a different chemical makeup.
District Attorney General Lori Philips-Jones on the sale of a new allergy drug that could detract manufacturers of methamphetamine
CHATTANOOGA
ABOVE: Mary Homer and Linda Ayers got an early start selling goods at the St. Clare Episcopal Church parking lot of US 25 W in LaFollette on Monday. Heavier trafc is expected along the local corridor through Sunday, as many ock here for the US 25 Yard Sale. The sale spans nearly 250 miles from the Kentucky/Ohio border to East Tennessee. Photo by Brent Schanding
Four law enforcement agencies responded after a LaFollette man allegedly ed from a hit-and-run accident on Monday afternoon. David Norris, 41, 869 Glade Springs Rd., LaFollette, allegedly hit another vehicle in front of the Quik Stop BBQ Market & Deli in Caryville. He then ed the area on foot. The Campbell County Sheriffs Department, Jacksboro Police Department, Caryville Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol all responded to the area to begin the manhunt after a be on the lookout advisory was issued. See MANHUNT, Page 5A
SHARP GETS 25 FOR ATTEMPTED SEX WITH MINOR
could be remedy in ght against meth
Nexafed is an alternative to Sudafed, but is produced in a way that makes it harder to A new allergy drug might be used in the manufacture of be the key to curbing methamphetamine. meth abuse in Campbell Nexafed is exactly like County. Sudafed, Philips-Jones said. Monday night, District AtIt has the same decongestive torney General Lori Phillipscapabilities, except it has a difPhillips-Jones Jones spoke to the Campbell ferent chemical makeup. County Anti-Drug Coalition Both Sudafed and Nexafed about Nexafeda decongescontain pseudoephedrine, tant that has been on the market since which is necessary for meth manufacthe end of last year. turing. People use meth labs to extract pseudoephedrine from Sudafed. But it is harder to extract pseudoephedrine from Nexafed. Technically, people can manufacture meth from Nexafed using LaFollette the one-pot method, but it wont yield as much as Sudafed, Philips-Jones said. Philips-Jones hopes to convince local pharmacies to switch from Sudafed to Nexafedwhich is FDA approved and Volume 102, Number 23 comparable in price to Sudafed. It will LaFollette, TN 37766 be hard to convince non-local chains to 42 Pages, 3 Sections switch, she said. But if local pharmacies Copyright 2013 switch to Nexafed, it will force people who seek Sudafed to use chains like Walmart and CVS. Because of the registry, those who purchase it for illegal reasons will
MEET A LOCAL MAN WHO KNOWS HOW TO MIND HIS OWN BEESWAX PAGE 7A FEATURES: LOCAL WONDERS PAGES1-5C
Thursday , June 6,
Public Defender Bill Jones stands with his client, Michael Sharp, as Judge Shayne Sexton sentenced Sharp to 25 years in jail. Photo by Beth Braden
By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Michael Todd Sharp will spend the next 25 years behind bars after entering his guilty plea in Campbell County criminal court on Monday. In March 2012, the LaFollette Police Department got a tip that Sharp, 35, was living at the Village Apartments. Police reportedly found him there with a minor and his then-girlfriend. The encounter was an automatic violation of the terms of the sexual offender registry because he was living at a home other than where he was registered. See SHARP, Page 5A
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8WON 7 D CAMPBE ERS of

o we Pyramid dont have the Gre of Giza, Mahal at the pal or a 5,5 atial Taj around 00-mile Campbe our cou Great ll Cou Wall nty fea nty perimeter. and ma tures n-made But many inspirin wonder nat g. We s that are trul ural asked Facebo y awe our mo ok fans re than to hel seven mo 2,000 st unique p us compile you did a list of wonder nt s of the the From Appdisappoint us. county and marvels alachian wat erfa to other quir an abundance lls to engine ering ky of wildlife things you landmark and you one find won In fact, derful abo offered dozens it was so of ut our difficult tions to to narrow county. sev der of Cam en, we threw your sug in one gespbell Cou And so nty at additional won with no extra Press pro out further charge. adieu, the LaF CAMPBELudly presents olle the 8 L COUN WONDER tte TY (in S of no particu lar order). LaFo llette Pre ss staff
LL COUNT Y
See NEXAFED, Page 5A
VOl. 9, Issue 2 | A guide to East Tennessees premier lake vacation destination
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ARE WE READY for RETAIL & RESTAURANTS?
Retailers are watching our spending habits and have a running tally ofnot necessarily our communitybut more so our demographic spending groups. If a community hits those marks, most often the retailers are coming.
Campbell County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director E.L. Morton on attracting new business here
ATTACK
JACKSBORO MANS WOUNDS HEALING AFTER MACHETE

CRIME & SAFETY
EDITORS NOTE: Earlier this month, the LaFollette Press launched Envision Campbell County a campaign to attract big-box retailers, restaurant franchises and other businesses to the area. We issued a reader challenge by asking our more than 2,100 Facebook fans to identify businesses youd like to see here. In all, The Press garnered more than 258 responses (a full list appears on page 6A). The Press contacted several of those businesses in an attempt to connect them with you their potential consumer. This story addresses certain challenges that business recruiters face in luring retailers, restaurants and other businesses to Campbell County and aims to explain why you likely wont be sipping that venti-iced non-fat mocha from your local LaFollette Starbucks, anytime soon.
WILL TARGET TAKE AIM HERE?

challenges
County poised for retail growth, but faces uphill
C PAGE6A
CAMPBELL COUNTY ROAD REQUISITION
Im at your mercy, and Im going to tell you what I needI want $1.5 million [every year]
Campbell County Road Superintendent Dennis Potter to members of the countys Budget and Finance Committee
ampbell County consumers must drive roughly 70 miles roundtrip to shop at the nearest Target, on Clinton Highway in Knoxville. Thats a long commute for Sherry Bartley Wright, Deborah Jones, Crystal Lewallen Hicksand 38 others who overwhelmingly identied the store as the No. 1 business theyd like to see in Campbell County. While they and others would love to see big-box retailer in Campbell County, its unlikely Target will aim its iconic bullseye franchise here anytime soon.
See ENVISION, Page 6A
County Road Superintendent Dennis Potter.
Photo by Peter Sawyer
ROAD SUPERINTENDENT: $343k paving budget SLAP IN THE FACE

HOW THEY VOTED
A motion to reconsider the highway department budget failed, receiving only ve yes votes. Committee members Charles Baird, Beverly Hall, Tom Hatmaker, Sue Nance and Bob Walden voted yes. Committee Members David Adkins, Johnny Bruce, J. L. Davis, Rusty Orick, Steve Rutherford, Terry Singley and Bobby White voted no. Committee Members Marie Ayers, Wendell Bailey and Alvin Evans were absent.
All advertising, classied, calendar & lifestyle submissions are due by 3 p.m. July 1 for inclusion in the Independence Day edition of the LaFollette Press.
JULY 4 DEADLINE:
JACKSBORO A Jacksboro man is recovering from lacerations to his head and hip after his girlfriends ex-lover allegedly attacked him. Campbell County Sheriffs Ofce Deputy Josh Carroll was dispatched to LaFollette Medical Center late on June 19 about a possible stabbing. The victim told Carroll that he had been to Lake City to pick up his girlfriend, Casey Dunn, and then returned to his home on Mount Paran Road. When they arrived at the victims home, a dark colored Chevy pick-up truck was in the driveway. The Pablo Carmona, victim left his 30, was charged vehicle and ap- with attempted proached the murder after truck when he allegedly attackwas apparently ing a Jacksboro struck from beman with a hind. The victim machete. identied his attacker as Pablo Carmona, 30, 2652 Dearing Way, Knoxville. Carmona is Dunns ex-boyfriend. The two men reportedly fought briey, and Carmona and Dunn left in Carmonas truck. The victim drove himself to his brothers house and was taken to the hospital. The victims brother, Thomas Loveday, told police that Carmona appeared to be holding a large knife. A nurse at the hospital reportedly conrmed that the victims injuries appeared to be from a blade and not from blunt force trauma. The weapon, identied as a machete, was reportedly 28-to-32 inches in length. A search of the scene revealed a broken ax handle, according to the deputys report. On June 21, Campbell County and Knox County deputies converged on Carmonas northwest Knox County home to arrest him for attempted first-degree murder, aggravated criminal trespassing and unlawful possession of a weapon. Police later learned Carmona saw them arrive and was in possession of an assault-type rie. He was arrested without incident. Hes lodged at the Campbell County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.
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By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com JACKSBOROCampbell County Road Superintendent Dennis Potter last week asked the county nanciers to give him $1.5 million for road paving. Im at your mercy, and Im going to tell you what I needI want $1.5 million [every year], Potter told members of the countys Budget and Finance Committee on June 20. He called his departments approved $343,000 for paving roads a slap in the face and believes its insufcient for Campbell Countys needs. As things progress, were just not paving enough roads, Potter said. Theres $88 million coming into the county, and all we can muster up for paving roads is $343,000? With all this money, and with all this fat See SLAP, Page 16A
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SHERIFF Duff arso : likely set n retaliationin
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Hes painted commercially for 15 years, while doing tattoos for the past eight or nine years. ts the dawning of a new Designing the mural is just era for Campbell County another day. High School, as artist Lance Ive been doing art my whole Albright prepares to create life, he said. Its my lifestyle. the new mural for John R.W. Its not just something I do its Brown Gymnasium. who I am. The 30-year old graduated Although art is his life, Albright from Campbell County High says the project has been a long School in 2000 and says its an and trying process. honor to be chosen as the one to So far, hes completed the conpaint the walls. ceptual drawing of the mural, Im super stoked, Albright seen at the top of the sports secsaid. Out of everybody that tion, but he hasnt started on the could have possibly done it painting, yet. theres a lot of talent around here Ive at least put 15 hours con Im pumped that an old-timer ceptually into the Cougar getlike me gets to do it. Im super ting it laid out on paper, Albright happy about it. said. I know I spent two Its an honor. Ive lost a lot of long nights stresssleep over it, honestly, because ing on it. It takes I want it to be perfect for every- a while to get body here and the kids. I want to everything gmake sure that everybody wants ured out conto be stoked about it, which I ceptually so it think they will be. Its mentally looks right on demanding for me, but itll be the wall and worth it. on paper. Thats According to Albright, hes super tough to been doing art his entire life, beginning even before he could See NEW ERA, Page 3B write.
THE LAFOLLETTE PRESS EXAMINES HISTORICAL CHANGES IN CAMPBELL COUNTY
THROUGH THE YEARS:
Lance Albright of 1313Inkorparated, which is set to upen in July, holds a drawing he did for Campbell County. The basketball with the claw marks may end up a staple for the basketball programs. Its just one of many the 31-year old has drawn in preparation for CCHS. Photo by Chris Cannon
By CHRIS CANNON ccannon@lafollettepress.com
Mixed emotions ow as old murals go
Then
COLUMN
Chris Cannon
Cannons Conclusion
LEFT: An edition of the LaFollette Press from 1958. RIGHT: An edition of the LaFollette Press from June 2013.
The Press
JACKSBOROAs the cougar murals in John R.W. Brown Gymnasium were covered up, many Campbell County High School alumni had mixed emotions about the subject. The murals, which have been inside the gym for more than 30 years, were covered up last Monday to make way for a new mural to be painted by Lance Albright. One thing everyone could agree on: Albright is the man for the job. They could not have picked a better artist to paint the new murals than Lance Albright, Rikkina Rains, class of 2010, said. I currently work at LaFollette Middle, and he just nished a mural outside of the gym and one inside the gym. Both look absolutely fantastic, and I have great condence that he will do the wall at CCHS more than justice. Darrick Honeycutt, class of 2001, said he knew Albright in school. During those times, he saw some of Albrights work.
FEATURES: PAST vs. PRESENT PAGES1-4C

See EMOTIONS, Page 3B
&
Tennessee Avenue LaFollette
LEFT: Tennessee Avenue in downtown LaFollette circa the 1940s shows the former Peoples National Bank. RIGHT: The same location in June 2013.
New mural a mixture of ages
the more they stay the same. This week, LaFollette reporter Arts&Leisure | 9A Business | 8B Calendar | 3A Classieds | 5B Faith | 6-7C Features | 1-4C Obituaries | 14A Opinion | 10-11A Records | 12B Sports | 1-4B TV Press listing | 9C Beth Braden analyzed several changes in Campbell County throughout the years. Braden dug through old photographs and tried to match the
Lance Albright has painted many murals around the county already, including LaFollette Elementary, LaFollette Middle School, Jacksboro Middle School and Grace Rehab of Campbell County. Hes expected to begin on Campbell County High School by the end of this week. (Top) An owl painted by Albright in LaFollette Middle School. (Middle)
CHANGE. YOU CANT ESCAPE IT. But sometimes, the more things change,
s the Campbell County murals come off the walls, it brings mixed emotions to many. For me personally, its the same boat. Things are continually changing, going from their old ways to new. However, sometimes those need to happen. Its something we dont think about. How many times have different players, fans and faculty walked into John R.W. Brown Gymnasium and only glanced at the murals? Theyve become a xture something we
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BARDOS BUY BELEAGURED MARINA IN $2.3M DEAL

from its bank owner. The deal reached on May 31includes the marinas 140 boat slips, a full-service restaurant and approximately five acres where the Bardos eventually hope to develop four eight-unit condos. The two-bedroom floor plans could tentatively list for $220-
TWIN COVE MARINA
SHERIFF: Duff arson likely set in retaliation
CRIME & SAFETY
By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com CARYVILLENorris Dam Marina owner Mark Bardo and son Brad Bardo have finalized a $2.3 million deal to acquire bankrupted Twin Cove Marina
INVESTIGATION: WORST PLACE FOR CRASHES IN CAMPBELL COUNTY?
$280,000, son Brad told the LaFollette Press on Monday. Brad, 26, who will primarily operate the Caryville marina, said he plans to revitalize the beleaguered property, which has suffered from mismanagement and a string of other problems in the past few years. The former owners of Twin Cove Marina filed for bankruptcy in 2011 and in June 2012, a gas spill resulted in a temporary shutdown of the site. As many as 200 gallons of gasoline leaked into the water, creating a murky film in the area. Fights often erupted at the marina last summer including one which notably resulted in the assault of a law enforcement officer. We basically just want to get a customer base back, Brad said. Its going to be family-friendly now. Were going to be part of an experience. The marina will offer live music and specials throughout the summer, Brad said. Its also added five new pontoon rentals, as well as other watercraft rentals. Twin Cove Marina also lowered its gas prices from last season by as much as 89 cents per gallonone of many business decisions that have already delighted boaters in the area, including husband and wife Mark and Martha Kahanic. See MARINA Page 17A
This home in the 400 block of Duff Road smoldered last Thursday after Sheila Havens and Danny Atrican allegedly set it on fire. Photo by Beth Braden
Officers survey a crash scene in Campbell County. A list of the most dangerous roads appears on page 7A. File photo
I-75 tops list of

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com Theres a back up on the highway again, and its in the dead spot where the radio doesnt come in quite right. The next exit is a mile away, and the shoulder of the road is clogged with drivers trying to get out of the jam. Semi trucks air brakes sigh as the monstrous vehicles grind to a halt. Other drivers give up and place their vehicles in park or just
DUFFAn arson in the Duff community last Wednesday was likely retaliatory in nature, according to the Campbell County Sheriffs Department. Just before 9 p.m. June 5, Deputy Ty Daugherty was on patrol in the area when he realized the home at 412 Duff Road was on fire. The back of the home was already engulfed, according to the report. At the same time, a call came into the Campbell County E-911 center about an alleged drunk driver in LaFollette, who reportedly hit three vehicles, including a LaFollette Police Department cruiser. The driver of the caras well as one of two passengerswas reportedly intoxicated, deputy records indicated. See ARSON, Page 4A
I think we are like the wild, wild West when it comes to traffic.
Reader Libby Longmire Lay, on hazardous driving conditions in Campbell County
most dangerous roads

DATA SHOWS HIGH CRASH RATES FOR DEMORY, US 25W, OTHER HIGHWAYS
shut them completely off. Its going to be a while. Theres been another accident. Campbell County is traversed by several main thoroughfares Tenn. 116, Interstate 75, U.S. 25W, Tenn. 63 and Tenn. 297. Last year, the highways saw 1,142 of accidents. 321 were accidents with injury. Of those 821 were accidents without injury. The LaFollette Press obtained data from the Campbell County E-911 center for car accident calls between June 1, 2012 and June 6, 2013. I-75 is the worst road in the county for car accidents, according to Charlie Hutson, Campbell Countys E-911 director. With 31.6 miles of interstate blazing across the county, its the second longest road in the county behind US 25. But I-75 is by far the most dangerous. Between June 1, 2012 and June 6, 2013, Campbell County EMS reported 78 accidents with injuries along I-75, many of them resulting in hours-long traffic back ups and few places to exit and take a detour. There were an additional 86 accidents without injuries. See ROADS, Page 6A
ANIMAL SHELTER COULD REOPEN IN COMING WEEKS

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We have the cure for
CONTEST: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
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Mountain Medicine & more

FEATURES: MAMAWS MOUNTAIN MEDICINE
BY LAFOLLETTE PRESS STAFF
PAGES1-5C
PIONEERA Pioneer man was arrested Tuesday after police say he misidentified an alleged abduction suspect and fired at an innocent man. On June 3, Campbell County Sheriffs Deputy Marty Blackwell responded to a suspicious vehicle call on Melvin Hollow Road. A 6-year-old girl told officers a man in a dirty white van stopped and grabbed Lindsay her hand. The child reportedly pulled away from the man and the van continued down Melvin Hollow Road toward Lowe Branch. The girl described the driver of the van as a red-headed man with a beard and sunglasses. He was reportedly wearing a black shirt. Word of the attempted abduction quickly spread throughout the community and several Knoxville TV stations profiled the alleged incident, but authorities could apparently find no one matching the description. See SHOOTER, Page 4A
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SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: ADRION W. BAIRD ANIMAL CENTER
CLAW SHANK
REDEMPTION
Michelle Davis, left, addresses the Animal Advisory Board Tuesday night as they worked to dene some of the terms of the local animal ordinance. Mark Garret, DVM, right, is the advisory boards veterinary representative and chairman. He mediated discussion about the ordinance. County Mayor William Baird has said the shelter, which has been closed since April 11, will not re-open until a probe by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is completed. Photos by Chris Cannon
Some of them will die quickly. Some of them, it takes quite a while. Some of them thrash around in their cages. Some, theres feces we have to clean up afterwards. Sometimes, theres blood we have to clean up afterwards.
Shelter worker Brenda Watkins, testifying under oath about conditions at the Adrion W. Baird Animal Center
HOMEOWNERSHIP: THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY OF BUYING A HOME
SWORN TESTIMONY OF SHELTER CONDITIONS SURFACES, ANIMAL CLINIC REMAINS CLOSED

LAFOLLETTE An hour of sworn testimony about conditions at the Adrion W. Baird Animal Center surfaced earlier this week conrming rumors of kicked cages, trapped cats and improper euthanasia techniques. In April, attorney Terry Basista placed shelter employee Brenda Watkins under oath and allowed her to share details of practices at the shelter. Watkins has worked at the animal shelter since 2006. Changes in shelter operations were made at the beginning of Betty Crumleys tenure as director in 2008. The rst day she came in she done a count on all the animals and said this is way too many animals in the shelter and that would change, Watkins testied. On that day, the shelter wasnt even full See SHELTER Page 7A
Closer look
71 percent homeowner rate 3,612 unoccupied units 650 for rent 1,457 open seasonal units 320 for sale
136 units with no plumbing 743 units without adequate heating
Several cite need for quality homeownership

By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com CAMPBELL COUNTYHomeownership. It used to be the American dream. But with a soured economy, a wave of foreclosures and escalating costs associated with owning a home the dream seems out of reach for many. According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, Campbell County boasts a 71 percent homeownership rate slightly higher than the national average. But consider this: of the 3,612 units in the county that are unoccupied, almost half1,457are seasonal or recreational units, according to Census data. About 650 are for rent, 320 are for sale and the rest are largely abandoned or remain in poor shape. There are 136 households in the county without completed plumbing or kitchens, according to Census data. Another 743 households utilize only wood- or coal-burning stovesor no heat at all. A lot of property out there is not livable, said Chris Osborn, project manager for Knox Housing Partnership, an East Tennessee agency that provides loan counseling and new homeowner assistance to those in Campbell and other counties in the region. Repairs need to be done on them. In Campbell County now, theres certainly a need for quality homeownership opportunities. As part of national homeownership month, the LaFollette Press examinned the issue of homeownership in Campbell County. We talked to local industry experts and asked our nearly 2,100 Facebook fans to weigh in on the topic of homeownership. Most cited the freedom of owning a home See HOME, Page 6A
JELLICO TO HIKE TAXES

By DWANE WILDER and BETH BRADEN
GOVERNMENT
source: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
JELLICOJellico property owners could soon see a tax increase as leaders in the small town struggle to come up with ways to stay out of the red. During Tuesday nights special-called meeting, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen barely passed the rst reading of an ordinance adopting the annual budget and tax rate for scal year 2013-14. The new tax rate will be $1.65 per $100 of assessed value. The previous rate, which as stood for several years, was $1.15 per $100 of assessed value.
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See JELLICO Page 5A
SPORTS: COUGAR GETS FACELIFT
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LaFollette
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Comptroller says hes uncomfortable with towns inated revenue projections; Town will face state scrutiny
JELLICObstacles
TOWN IN TURMOIL: OUT OF COMPTROL
75 cents
Im very nervous about these revenue estimates the entire [budget] and particular the nes and forfeitures.
-State Comptroller Justin Wilson (right) to Jellico town ofcials on a budget that projects the town will collect $300,000 more in nes and foretures this year than the previous one
NASHVILLE The state comptroller told Jellico ofcials Tuesday he is uncomfortable with inated revenue projections and would need to further review the towns budget before it could be accepted by his ofce. Im very nervous about these revenue estimates, said Justin Wilson, TennesSee JELLICO, Page 6A
Photo by Beth Braden
CRIME & SAFETY
Jellico Police Department Chief Chris Anderson hangs police tape around the entrances to First State Financial in Jellico on Monday morning. Photo by Beth Braden
JELLICO BANK ROBBED

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JELLICOThe Knoxville FBI ofce is investigating after a man walked into First State Financial in Jellico just before 11 a.m. on Monday. The suspect is a white male, approximately 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8 and 130 to 145 pounds. He is estimated to be in his early to mid 20s and was wearing a camouage hoodie, camouage shorts and sunglasses. When he entered the bank, he gave a note to employees demanding money. The employees complied and the suspect ed with an undisSee BANK, Page 4A
COUNTY PAYING PRICE FOR PAUPERS

Theres no flowers, no mourning, no people, no nothing. It really is sad.
A FINAL RESTING PLACE
1 caught, 1 sought for sunken, stolen Nissan

ARRESTED: A. D. Kitts WANTED: C. R. Stone
CRIME & SAFETY
Deputy Mayor David Young, on county-funded funeral services for the poor
By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com he casket is lowered into the grave. The dirt falls. No owers are laid on the mound. No tears are shed. Besides a county employee and a representative from the funeral home, there are few mourners. Most of what is said is a short prayer. This is the funeral many receive because its all theyor their familiescan afford. When they really cant afford anything at all, thats when we step in, Campbell County Deputy Mayor David Young said. Thats our responsibility. Campbell County pays for the funerals of people who canta cost that is rising. Theres getting to be so many of them, Young said. Were averaging about one a month. Youre looking at substantial money. The county budgeted $9,400 for each of the past two years for pauper burials. Each burial costs the county about $1,400 to $1,500. A budget amendment was passed in June to increase the countys budget for the burials to $14,905 due to increased demand. My thought is, so many people cant afford life insurance, Young said. When See PAUPER, Page 6A
Deputies arrested one and are searching for another who allegedly stole then sank this 1991 Nissan 2Ls into the lake. Photo submitted
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INSIDE
By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com LaFOLLETTECampbell County Sheriffs detectives Brandon Elkin and Freddie White are looking for the last suspect in a four-perp crime. The group is accused of stealing a car, destroying it and sinking it in the lake. Two juveniles in the case have already been arrested. Suspects Andrew Dalton Kitts and Christopher Roy Stone reportedly went to Lafollette Estates on Brook Place Lane on June 10 where the victim reported she woke up approximately 4:30 p.m. and saw that her 1991 Nissan 2LS was missing. Kitts and Stone allegedly took the victims checkbook, wallet, tools, clothes and jacks from the vehicle and proceeded to hotwire it and drive it around town.
SPECIAL FIREWORKS
When the vehicle reportedly ceased to work, the two men allegedly destroyed it by smashing windows and kicking it. The car was then pushed it into the lake, police said. Kitts and Stone swam into the lake and slashed the tires to cause the vehicle to sink faster, police said. Kitts was arrested without incident on July 1. Police are still searching for Stone. When arrested, the men will be charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of theft greater than $1,000, two counts of vandalism greater than $1,000 and criminal trespassing. Anyone with information about Stones whereabouts are encouraged to call 911 or the Campbell County Sheriffs ofce and ask for Capt. Brandon Elkins or Det. Sgt. Freddie White.
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TOXIC topix
TECHNOLOGY
CRIME & SAFETY
photo submitted
600 pot plants, meth lab seized

We receive numerous complaints about Topix just because it seems like free range to post anything you want to anonymously, and of course, we direct things to the website administrator when they have concerns and questions about things that are posted on there.
District Attorney Lori Phillips-Jones, on complaints about Internet site, topix.com
Despite outcries of disgust for the site, it remains hugely popular here
By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com CAMPBELL COUNTYTiffany Bargy threatened to sue before the defamatory post about her was eventually removed. That site is nothing but trash and lies. It should be taken down. It does nothing but cause drama, Bargy told the LaFollette Press on Facebook, about the site www.topix.com. I emailed them and threatened them to either take the post down, or I would be contacting an attorney for defamation and slander. They took down the post a couple hours later. Topix.com a part news aggregator, part anonymous Internet forumallows users to comment on articles as well as create discussions categorized by ZIP codes. Commentators openly discuss everything from alleged extramarital affairs, dirty cops, drug users, corrupt politicians and other salacious gossip. In Campbell County, several dozen threads are updated in any given 24-hour period. In some cases, an individuals full name is given as an offender for an alleged action by a totally anonymous poster. Despite its apparent popularity, many dismiss it as an instigating Internet site that has the potential to cause irreparable damages. Another Campbell Countian, who asked to be identied only as Megan, said she was the subject of another post on the site. But the derogatory remark was never removed from the forum, she said, despite appeals to site administrators. They put way too much on there that doesnt need to be on there, Megan said. Topix launched in 2004 primarily as a news aggregatorthe site crawls the web looking for news and then provides links based on ZIP codes. Set LaFollette to the home page, and Topix would provide links to news and other topics relevant to the 37766 ZIP code. Interested in entertainment? Topix might link users to information about concerts or celebrity sightings near your home ZIP code. Readers began ocking to the site to see the collection of articles available. Within a year, readers wanted more than just the ability to read the contentthey wanted to comment on the content, according to posts by operators. Their wish was CEO Chris Tolles See TOPIX, Page 6A
LaFOLLETTEThe LaFollette Police Department and Governors Marijuana Eradication Task Force (ERAD) cut more than 600 marijuana plants here and uncovered a meth lab Monday. We started out in LaFollette, and went out into the county after that, LaFollette Police Chief Jimmy Jeffries said. Marijuana and a meth lab were found at one LaFollette residence, while marijuana was also found in various locations around the county, Jeffries said. No arrests have been made, but the results of the operation are still under investigation. Jeffries and Det. Steve Wallen worked with about 14 ERAD ofcers from multiple agenciesincluding the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Alcoholic Beverage Commission and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The operation involved a THP helicopter and two National Guard helicopters. Jeffries is happy to cooperate with the task force in eradicating marijuana because he believes it benets the citizens of LaFollette. If were proactive in stopping the marijuana in the (county), it helps us with the amount of Marijuana in the city thats being sold, Jeffries said.
EDUCATION | ENVIRONMENT
Ofcer claims Jellico alderman targeted him after citing daughter

CRIME & SAFETY
Solar panels are already installed at several district schools.
Photo by Dwane Wilder
Panels providing physical, scal energy to schools

By DWANE WILDER stories@lafollettepress.com JACKSBOROWhile much of the nation is still debating the value of green power, Campbell County Public Schools have taken the plunge by installing 50-kilowatt solar panel systems installed on each of its 12 school buildings in the district. The Tennessee Valley Authority signed a contract with Campbell County to purchase electricity generated by the solar panels for 20 years. The panels were paid for with a 15-year bond issuance of $1,670,000 authorized by the county commission. The school system anticipates a total positive cash ow from the operation of the solar panels in the rst 15 years of approximately $382,000, said Campbell County Finance Director Jeff Marlow. The rst 15-year period is during the time the debt is being retired. The School System anticipates an additional positive cash ow from the See SOLAR, Page 11A
SOLAR SOLUTIONS:
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SPORTS: Douglas Ditched 1B
JELLICO A Jellico police ofcer says an alderman is targeting him for writing his daughter a trafc ticket. In a July 3 letter to Jellico Mayor Les Stiers, Ofcer Jeff Ivey said that Alderman Alvin Evans has been targeting him since he wrote a ticket to Evanss daughter on March 8. the very next council meeting, Alderman Evans inquired about a COPS grant and then made the statement that I would not be here [past] August due to COPS grant ending, Ivey wrote. Ivey called Evans alleged statements retaliation for the citation. I feel that Alderman Evans has used his ofcial capacity to threaten my job in retaliation for the citation issued to his daughter, the letter said. Evans was only trying to nd a way to balance the town budget, he said. I thought I was doing my job as a city councilman trying to balance the budget, and if that comes out as a grievance, Im sorry, he said on Monday. I guess I will let my attorney gure it out. Evans said he never mentioned Iveys name specically and that he is not retaliating against him for writing a ticket. My thought is if hes concerned about what I say, just think how those two policemen that got laid off feel. Theyre the ones that should be aggravated, Evans said. Ofcers Wayne Conrad and David Douglas were laid off last week after the board of mayor and alderman returned from a meeting with the state comptroller in Nashville.
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DEFENSE WANTS SCHOOL SHOOTER TRIAL MOVED FROM CAMPBELL COUNTY A16
PRESS
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MOM GETS 15 IN NEWBORNS DEATH

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JACKSBORO Nearly two years after her newborn was found in a garbage bag, Wanda K. Cieslak is headed to prison. On Monday, Cieslak made Cieslak her nal appearance in Campbell County Criminal Court where she pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse of a child, under the age of 8. Eighth Judicial District Judge Shayne Sexton sentenced the mother to 15 years in prison without parole due to the violent nature of the crime. In October 2011, then 39-year-old Cieslak was pregnant and using drugs. When she went into labor, she reportedly broke into a quarantined home and delivered a baby boy alone. She told investigators she passed out and when she woke up the child was dead. It was then she placed his body in a garbage bag. Cieslak was initially charged with first-degree murder, as well as aggravated child abuse.
CRIME & COURTS
SHERIFF SNAPSHOT
CRIME & SAFETY
REPORT DETAILS 90 DAYS of DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY

44,163
MEALS SERVED TO INMATES
BUS DRIVER, 2 OTHERS CAUGHT WITH POT

APRIL-JUNE
315
ARRESTED
By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com CAMPBELL COUNTYA 90-day activity report released by the Campbell County Sheriffs Department this week shows the agency responded to 111 animal calls since the closing of the Adrion W. Baird Animal Center three months ago. The gure is one of dozens revealed in the agencys quarterly report, which covers April through June 2013. The 90-day report aims to show progress of the sheriffs department and is issued to county commissioners from Sheriff Robbie K. Goins each quarter. I have instructed my staff to prepare and produce this information on a 90-day basis to better serve and inform you thoroughly, Goins wrote in his memo to commissioners. We hope this information will provide you all with valuable insight of the hard work, dedication and the progress of our ofce that I mandate and expect. A SNAPSHOT OF ACTIVITY Among other ndings, the report shows deputies arrested 315 alleged violators in the past three months. According to the re-
CHECK OUT THE ACTIVITY BREAKDOWN IN PICS A6
INVESTIGATED DOMESTIC DISPUTES
128 40
port, the agency responded to 351 reports of suspicious people or vehicles; 128 domestic disputes; 32 disturbances; 31 reports of stolen vehicles; 17 res; nine 9 dead bodies, as well as 10 attempted suicides and three actual suicides. The last 90 dayshave been challenging, yet proving, for the Criminal Investigation Division and Drug Investigation Division, Cpt. J. Brandon Elkins wrote in his ling for the report. As a department, [weve] seen an See SNAPSHOT, Page 6A
% OF INCREASE IN CASES FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION UNIT
REPORTS OF STOLEN VEHICLES
31 9
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TOUGH AS NAILS SPORTS B1
REPORTS OF DEAD BODIES
REPORTS OF SHOPLIFTING
LaFOLLETTEThree people including a local bus driverwere arrested on drug charges Monday after sheriff deputies recovered large amounts of marijuana at a 15th Street residence. Prompted by several complaints, Campbell County Sheriff Robbie K. Goins said a weekend investiPoston gation eventually led to the arrests of school bus driver Melissa M. Poston, 41, and Christopher O. Crabtree, 35, both of 710 S. 15th St. The pair were charged with Crabtree felony possession of a schedule- six drug for resale and felony possession of drug paraphernalia. Also arrested was Bobby Giles, 60, of 307 Forks Grove Road. Giles was Giles charged with felony possession of a schedule-six drug and failing to signal during a trafc stop near the S. 15th Street address. After searching the home, Sgt. Darrell Mongar and his K-9 drug-searching partner, Dano, reportedly uncovered nearly two pounds of a pressurepacked green leafy substance, which is believed to be marijuana. During the investigation, more than $2,000 was seized in connection with drug dealing, according to deputy reports. Authorities also conscated two vehicles, including a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer and a 2005 Toyota Rav 4. We take complaints and concerns from citizens very seriously and appreciate the publics help, input and information, said Sheriff Robbie K. Goins in a prepared statement. I am surely pleased that we were able to get drugs off the streets and keep them out of the hands of our communitys young people. Our team works to investigate these complaints daily and we will continue these types of investigations, wherever in Campbell County they are, as long as we are able to breath and I am the sheriff. If successful in the seizure of these vehicles and money, we will be able to continually provide resources for our anti-drug related programs and other matters.
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CCHS: MURAL MANIA B1
75 Cents
CRIME
MARINA MANS MAYHEM FUELED BY MOONSHINE

TOURISM: WHERE THE MOUNTAINS MEET NORRIS LAKE

Tourism is probably our best opportunity. We have a lot to offer/
Campbell County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director E.L. Morton, on developing a strong tourism-based economy
JACKSBOROA 45-year-old LaFollette man was arrested Saturday after sheriffs deputies reportedly discovered him drinking illegal moonshine from a quart jar and acting belligerently at Indian River Marina. According to reports from the Campbell County Sheriffs Department, Earl Jeffrey Jones, 45, Jones 10321 Jacksboro Pike, LaFollette, was advised by a dockhand to stop being disruptive, before two ofcers arrived on the scene. At about 7:45 p.m., deputies Cody Chapman and Ty Daugherty found Jones to be unsteady on his feet, according to a sheriffs report. Jones had bloodshot eyes and emanated a strong smell of alcohol, the report stated. Jones admitted to deputies he had been drinking at the dock, the report said. He began cursing at deputies as they detained him, according to the report. Jones was charged with possessing untaxed whiskey, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
COURTS
ENDOWED
NATURALLY
Corey Barbour, left, helps anchor a pontoon boat as a dockhand at Twin Cove Marina in Caryville guides the boat into the marina. Twin Cove is one of 13 marinas in the county that serve tourists and provide a boost to the local economy. Photo by Brent Schanding
OFFICIALS: Extreme tourists ocking here for hills, thrills
POLICE TO PAY WOMAN $80K FOR WRONGFUL ARREST IN BIKE-THEFT CASE

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JELLICO The Jellico Police Department has reached a settlement with Tina Gregg, for $80,000 after she was wrongfully arrested for the theft of a bicycle by ofcer J.J. Hatmaker in 2010. The money will be paid by the towns former insurance provider, Tennessee Municipal League, said Jellico mayor, Les Stiers. Stiers declined to comment further on the matter because he said the incident happened before he took ofce. The arrest stems back to a 2009 incident in which a miniature bike was sold at Greggs Fast Cash pawnshop in Caryville. The bike was apparently stolen from Whitley County, Ky., although the victims ex-girlfriend had provided the pawnshop with proof of ownership. Hatmaker became involved in the case after a Whitley County detective informed him of the incident. The bike was ultimately sold after the required hold time. Seven months later, in July 2010, Gregg was invited to a meeting in Whitley County to discuss Kentucky pawnshop laws. Hatmaker arrived there with a felony warrant and arrested Gregg in Kentucky, documents said. According to Greggs attorney, the incident has no connection to Jellico and Hatmaker overstepped his jurisdiction. Gregg appeared the following month in court where her attorney made a motion to dismiss the case. Then District Attorney Lief Jeffers declined to contest the motion to dismiss. In June 2011, Gregg sued the department for violation of her civil rights. But Hatmaker said some of Stokess comments werent accurate. We were prepared to go to trial. It was [Tennessee Municipal Leagues] decision to settle to save on attorneys fees, he said Tuesday.
Tina Maupin ziplines 150 feet above a quarry at Coper Cove Cabins Rentals outside of Jacksboro. Its one of several local attractions for adventure tourists. Photo by Brent Schanding
CAMPBELL COUNTYHike it. Camp it. Fish it. Zip it. Adventure tourism is attracting millions here each year as ofcials work to rebrand the county as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Members of a strategic planning committee are soon expected to unveil a logo they believe will better market the area to outsiders. The circular emblem is emblazoned with the phrase: WHERE THE MOUNTAINS MEET MEET NORRIS LAKE. Lots of other behind-the-scene initiativesincluding $1.4 million in renovations at one state park and a planned amphitheater at anotherare in the works to improve the Campbell County experience, ofcials say. The county is anchored by several outdoor attractions, including the 34,000-acre Norris Lake, 800-plus miles of multi-use trails, 13 marinas, 13 public boat ramps, four state parks and one commercial zipline. While multitudes of hikers, shers, campers, ATV riders and ziplining thrill-seekers are already taking advantage of local offerings, ofcials project a growth in the number of visitors as marketing campaigns connect with extreme tourists. Cove Lake State Park in Caryville saw more than 1.2 million visitors alone last year, according to state tourism department estimates. Indian Mountain State Park in Jellico saw 390,000 visitors. Norris Dam State Park, which encompasses parts of Anderson and Campbell counties, attracted 220,000 visitors, while other local hiking trails, campgrounds and ATV sites welcomed thousands more. We know some of that is going to be local folks using it, but a lot are outsiders who are coming here spending money, said E.L. Morton, director of the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, which largely oversees tourism promotion in the county.
See TOURISM, Page 6A
DRIVE-THRU SERVICE
LaFOLLETTEOn Tuesday evening, a white pickup truck crashed into the E. E. Hill & Son Insurance building on West Central Avenue. The truck was eastbound in the left lane when its rear began to spin out of control, LaFollette Police Sgt. Brian Tiller said. The vehicle struck a light pole before it hit the building. Nobody was hurt, but there was property damage. The driver wasnt charged with any violations. Photo by Chris Cannon
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Thursday, August 1, 2013
75 Cents
GOVERNMENT: JELLICO
TAX HIKE LIKELY TO OFFSET BUDGET BLUNDERS

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JELLICOJellicos Board of Mayor and Aldermen is one step closer to correcting a budget decit and tax blunder that puts them at risk for a state takeover. On Tuesday, the board sought the guidance of local bankers and former board members Allen McClary and John Davenport in nalizing the already overdue budget. McClary is the president of Union Bank, which holds the towns general fund account. Some of the numbers that you were working off of just didnt look right to begin with, so we started working, McClary said. McClarys gures showed the town at a $220,000 decit, though he encouraged the board to also double check his work to ensure the numbers are accurate. McClarys decit gure includes the $161,000 payment to the IRS in unpaid payroll taxes and penalties. This is nothing written in stone, this is just mine and Johns efforts to help you, he said. He encouraged the board to move forward and x the decit, not dwell on the past. Going back and trying to gure out how we got here today is not gonna help, he told them. The board again contemplated tax hikes and city stickers for vehicles in the town to help cover the decit, but the sticker idea was ultimately abandoned when they realized the start up costs would negate any prots. By raising property taxes from $1.15 to $2.15 for one year, the town will be able to pay the IRS and taxes can be reduced the following year. Reducing taxes is the plan, according to several board members. Darrell Byrge was absent, and Alvin Evans was hesitant to say whether or not he agreed with the tax hike. The rst thing is, lets say that we raise these property tax and50 percent decide theyre not gonna pay them till February, Evans began. Itll bankrupt the city, McClary nished. Property owners are more likely to pay on time with fewer delinquencies if they see a board working together, McClary said. McClarys message is nearly identical to what certied municipal nance ofcer Sondra Denton has told the board since she began working with the city last December. Mayor Les Stiers said while Denton is qualied and knowledgeable, the board was more likely to trust McClary because hes a wellknown citizen. Hes local, the mayor explained. The board is set to reconvene Monday night at 8 p.m. to vote on an amended budget ordinance with the tax rate set at $2.15.
Judge: Bartley stays put

They have no shame and these are people that are potentially jurors in the case.
Defense attorney Greg Isaacs, on defamatory public comments about his client, accused school shooter Kenneth Bartley
CAMPBELL COUNTY SCHOOL SHOOTING TRIAL
Accused school shooter will face local trial with out-of-county jury
By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JACKSBOROA judge has ruled the Kenneth Bartley murder trial will take place in Jacksborothe same town as the Campbell County High School shooting that killed Assistant Principal Ken Bruce and injured Principal Gary Seale and Assistant Principal Jim Pierce in 2005. The jury will come from outside the county, the judge ordered. Last month, Bartleys defense attorney Greg Isaacs asked a judge to move the trial citing vitriolic commentary and undue excitement as factors that would prevent Bartley from receiving a fair trial here. On Monday, Isaacs submitted copies of online commentary as exhibits in court. The comments included statements calling Bartley a little thug and a murderer. Many commentators believe Bartley to be guilty. Bartley sat beside Isaacs wearing a maroon Knox County Detention Facility jumpsuit with orange prison-issue shoes. He now sports several tattoos and has grown a beard since his incarceration in a Tiptonville prison when he turned 18. They have no shame and these are people that are potentially jurors in the case, Isaacs argued in court on Monday morning, referring to publicized sentiments. Eighth Judicial District Attorney Lori Phillips-Jones argued while there are a multitude of online comments about the case, the defense couldnt tie those comments to prospective jurors. Theres no proof in the record that any of these comments were made by citizens of Campbell County, she said. I think your honor needs to look not at the worldwide attention, not at the statewide attention but at Campbell County because thats where were asking the court to pick the jurors from. Additionally, Phillips-Jones cited the LaFollette Press website as having no reader comments on articles regarding the Bartley case. The only way to leave a comment at www.lafollettepress.com is See TRIAL, Page 5A
Accused school shooter Kenneth Bartley is escorted from court Monday following Judge Jon Kerry Blackwoods ruling that his murder trial will take place in Jacksboro, with a jury from another county. He is accused of killing one and injuring two other educators in a 2005 shooting at Campbell County High. Photo by Beth Braden
Home sweet
EDUCATION
homeschool
Local homeschool students study astronomy. While thousands of public school students will return to school next week, more than 100 students in the county wont have to leave home to learn. Photo submitted
JELLICO SPENDING
GROWING THE RANKS | 1B
While thousands of students head back to school next week, some wont have to even leave the house
Thousands in petty cash potentially unaccounted for

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CAMPBELL COUNTYMany parents are going back-to-school shopping to prepare for the start of the district school year next week. Their children need outts, backpacks and school supplies. For most, the experience is similar summer vacation ends, and its back to the classroom. For others, however, going back to school doesnt mean leaving home. There are approximately 100 homeschoolers in Campbell County, according Sharon Carson, attendance coordinator for the Campbell County School district. See HOMESCHOOL, Page 6A
JELLICOFormer Jellico town recorder Linda Douglas cashed checks for more than $4,000 in petty cash between October 2011 and her resignation on Dec. 4, 2012. It is unknown where the receipts to account for the funds are, according to Mayor Stiers. I believe that Les The 36 checks cleared the bank between Oct. 17, 2011 and Nov. 5, 2012 and range Im really in in amounts from $25.87 to $350. charge of my Some of the checks were written and kids and their cashed out of order, an audit by the LaFollette Press reveals. upbringing On Nov. 9, 2011, check number 45409 for $103.08 cleared the towns account at more than the Union Bank. The check was written on July school 1, 2011 and should have been considered expired according to the check itself which system. says void after 90 days. Documents obtained by the LaFollette Denise Myers, Press contain copies of all cancelled checks about why she chose homeschool as an in order by number. Check 45409 is nestled alternative to public education See PETTY, Page 5A
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Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013
75 Cents
LAWSUIT
JELLICO COP SAYS MAYOR PUSHED TICKET QUOTA TO BOOST BUDGET

SNAKE, RATTLE & SHOW
Dont knock it. Dont say were stupid. Dont say were backward. Dont say were hillbillies...Because my main message is to see people saved. And the day I quit packing a box [of snakes] to my services is the day I stop believing.
Tabernacle Church of God pastor Andrew Hamblin on scripture-inspired serpent handling
JELLICOA former cop claims he was red for refusing to comply with a mayoral directed ticket quota plan. Ofcer H. Wayne Conrad had worked with the town of Jellico for 18 years when he and Ofcer David Douglas were dismissed on July 3. Mayor Les Stiers says the dismissals are temporary furloughs, and he hopes to reinstate the ofcers when nances permit. On Aug. 1, Conrad led a suit in Circuit Court asking to be reinstated to his post or for $1.5 million in compensation. His six-page complaint alleges that the police department was told last October to meet citation quotas and increase their ticket writing because the City of Jellico was in a nancial crisis. Last October the town also failed to pay its employees on time due to lack of funds. The town planned to use revenue from nes and trafc citations to cover a $200,000 budget defecit a move Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said wasnt a viable solution to the budget woes. The board appeared before Wilson July 2. The complaint goes on to say ofcers See QUOTA, Page 18A
ADRION W. BAIRD ANIMAL CENTER
SNAKE SALVATION
SERPENT-HANDLING PREACHER TO STAR IN 16-SHOW NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SERIES
By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com ABOVE: Congregation members at Tabernacle Church of God near LaFollette lay hands on a worshipper at a Friday night service. Members believe in the laying of hands on each other as a means to heal and uplift. RIGHT: Pastor Andrew Hamblin handles a snake as part of the churchs worship service. The church meets at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 1 p.m. Sundays. Hamblin welcomes all to experience the service. Photos by Joey Schwamb
Tabernacle Church of God pastor Andrew Hamblin handles a snake at a Friday-night service at his Pentecostal church in LaFollette. Hamblin and the congregation will be the subject of a reality series produced by National Geographic, expected to debut Sept. 10. Photo by Joey Schwamb
SHUTTERED SHELTER TO REOPEN UNDER NEW DIRECTOR
A calico was removed from the Adrion W. Baird Animal Center in Jacksboro, pending a TBI probe into malpractice there. The shelter closed April 11, but is expected to reopen next week under new leadership. File photo By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JACKSBOROA new director will be at the helm of operations at the countys Adrion W. Baird Animal Center. The shelter has been closed since April 11 when County Mayor William Baird asked the TBI to investigate alleged misdeeds by former director Betty Crumley. Michael Aiken will oversee the shelters direction. Hes lived here in Campbell County for a number of years. Hes been our juvenile ofcer in sessions court, handled the truancy petitions and that sort of thing. He does teach the DUI school here in the county, Baird said. Aiken does not have any apparent experience with animal control. Animal Control Ofcer Otis Poore will be the only employee returning to employment at the shelter. Crumley tendered her resignation July 25. Crumleys brief letter to Baird said it is in the best interest of the county and the shelter if she resigns. I believe that would allow the shelter to re-open [sic] as quickly as possible under new supervision.I will continue to cooperate and help in any investigation of the facility and its See SHELTER, Page 18A
LaFOLLETTEA serpent-handling preacher is expected to star in an upcoming reality series produced by National Geographic. The show titled Snake Salvation is expected to begin airing 16, half-hour-long episodes, with back-to-back shows debuting 9 and 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 10. Producers of the show have been tightlipped about details, but its expected to center around the life of 22-year-old Tabernacle Church of God pastor Andrew Hamblin and his controversial congregation. In addition to taking up serpents for religious reasons, worshippers there have been known to handle re, drink poisons, speak in tongues and engage in demoncasting rituals. A National Geographic camera crew lmed onsite in Campbell County from March to June and are reportedly nalizing footage for the upcoming show. I wont say it was invasive, said Hamblin, whose been proled by USA Today and a number of other media outlets. It was fun but it was aggravating at times. The crew lmed parts of Hamblins home life and also captured services at his small Pentecostal church, located just outside of LaFollette. After awhile [the congregation] got used to it, Hamblin said of the documentary crews. While Hamblin has previewed only limited Internet clips of upcoming series, he hopes
See SNAKE, Page 6A
EX COP GETS 20 YEARS FOR SEXUALLY EXPLOITING MINOR

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com LaFOLLETTEA former LaFollette Police Ofcer will spend the next 20 years behind bars. Michael Shane Baker, 40, appeared in jeans and a white T-shirt in Campbell County Criminal Court to answer See EXPLOITED, Page 18A Former LaFollette Ofcer Michael Shane Baker is sentenced for sex crimes against a minor from Georgia. He will spend the next 20 years in prison.
CRIME & COURTS
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75 Cents
LANDFILL LIKELY FOR PRISTINE AREA

PLANS HATCHED TO STORE COAL ASH, SOLID WASTE AT 300-ACRE DUMP SITE
By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com DUFFGeorge Hyfantis, president of Quantum Environmental and Engineering Services, LLC, spoke with county ofcials Monday night about the possibility of a 300-acre landll coming to Westbourne, in the Duff community. Hyfantis works for Ketchen Land Company, Inc. and Davis Creek Energy, LLC, which tentatively plans to build a landll to store solid waste and industrial coal ash deposits there. Hyfantis claims the operation will improve stream quality and said Campbell County would collect a host fee from the operations. The landll is expected to create about 15 jobs. Still, the prospect was met with skepticism from county leaders. I dont think anybody wants a garbage dump around them, Commissioner Alvin Evans said. Hyfantis said he doesnt know of any houses within view of the landlls intended location which is about 9 miles north of LaFollette, near Westbourne and
ENVIRONMENT
Can you control what type of materials will come in? We have a very pristine area. I want it to remain that way.
Commissioner Bobby White, on a companys plan to store coal ash in a remote part of Campbell County
A pristine area, such as the one pictured here, near Duff, could likely be converted to a coal ash dump. The dumps pose danger. ABOVE: The aftermath after a coal ash spill in Roane County in 2008. Photo Landmark News Service
PUBLIC HEALTH
I was shocked, sad and really taken aback. Life could be tough enough when you get a good running start. CEO of Jellico Hospital Eric Wangsness, on the state of
chemically-dependent infants here
M.I.S.T AGENCY FIGHTING TO STYMY DRUG-DEPENDENT NEWBORN PROBLEM

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com CAMPBELL COUNTYTremors. Vomiting.Runny nose. These are some of the symptoms of drug withdrawal and can vary widely depending on the substance an individual is withdrawing from. The symptoms are nearly identical when it happens to newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome a set of symptoms that present soon after birth in babies born with a chemical dependency because of their mothers substance abuse. A new venture between Ridgeview Behavioral Health Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Jellico Community Hospital and Dayspring Family Health Center could cut down on instances of chemically-dependent newborns. BCBS fronted $290,000 for the two-year venture in Campbell County. See M.I.S.T., Page 9A
Startling stats
See DUMP, Page 5A
HUNT ON FOR ACCUSED RAPIST

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JELLICOJellico police are searching for a man accused of raping a Jellico woman earlier this month. Jellico Police Ofcer Jeff Ivey was dispatched to a home to investigate an alleged rape late in the morning on Aug. 4. Monty Sands, 33, formerly of Williamsburg, Ky., was reportedly spending the night at a home in Jellico when he allegedly raped one of the occupants, police said. Sands ed the residence on foot when the victim was able to push him away and call police. See HUNT, Page 5A
PUBLIC SAFETY
Tennessee averaged 17.6 perscriptions lled per person in 2011. There were 1,062 deaths from prescription drug overdose in 2011 Rx rates: 51 hydrocodone per every Tennessean over age 12; 22 Xanax per every Tennessean over age 12; 21 oxycodone pills per every Tennessean over age 12 East Tennessee accounts for more than 25 percent of the states NAS births 22.6 average days an NAS baby spends in the hospital $40,931 cost for NAS birth vs. $7,285 average for normal birth 22 Campbell County babies with NAS in 2013
VIRTUAL SCHOOL PLANS OFF LINE FOR NOW

STAFF REPORT stories@lafollettepress.com JACKSBOROA plan to implement an Internetbased learning curriculum in Campbell County is ofine for now after state education ofcials, apparently powered down the plan. The fate of the districts Virtual Academy remains unclear. Campbell County Director of Schools Donnie Poston said Tuesday night that all the necessary paperwork has been submitted to the Tennessee Department of Education for approval. (Assistant Director of Schools) Larry (Nidiffer) and (Director of Special Programs) Eunice (Reynolds) worked all Saturday on preparing another round of answers [to the deputy commissioner of education, sent Nidiffer a letter on July 30 stating, We have received your application for approval of the K-12 Campbell County Virtual School. At this time, we are unable to approve your request due to an omission of responses to several items contained in the approval form as well as the need for additional information by the department. Dr. Airhart pointed to several specic items not addressed on the application. They include: Number of teachers Length of teacher day Estimated student enrollment in district and out of district Length of student day See CYBER, Page 16A
EDUCATION
AIKEN FOR CHANGE
NEW DIRECTOR, NEW AGENDA FOR EMBATTLED SHELTER

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states questions]. Weve done everything were supposed to do, said Poston. But the state put the brakes on Campbell Countys Virtual Academy late last week because of insufcient information on the original application. Students hoping to utilize the on-line method were told to enroll in their regular schools until further notice. Dr. Kathleen Airhart,
JACKSBOROAdrion W. Baird Animal Center Director Michael Aiken said hes green as a gourd, but willing to learn the ropes and make the shelter successful again. Aiken took the reigns at the embattled facility on Aug. 5 and began preparations to reopen. As part of his plans for shelAiken ter operations, he hopes to work with local rescue groups to help nd homes for lost and stray See AIKEN, Page 16A
INSIDE: GIVE EM 6Thursday, August 22, 2013
INSIDE: NORRIS LIFE
75 Cents
Down in the
ENVIRONMENT
DUMP
Deputies raid drug kingpin twice in ve days, take 23 cars

By BETH BRADEN Bbraden@lafollettepress.com
CRIME & SAFETY
This doesnt mean there will be a problem. Theres always some level of risk with transportation.
Branch Chief with the Environmental Protection Agency, John Johnston, on risks of transporting y ash
By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com JACKSBOROMonday night, the Campbell County Commission voted to oppose a landll Davis Creek Energy, LLC and Ketchen Land Company, Inc. have proposed operating in the Duff Community. I know we have no control over what Ketchen does, Commissioner Steve Rutherford said. However, Rutherford said the commission could present a united front against the land ll by voting to not support it. Former commissioner Melvin Boshears urged the commission to oppose the landll if it didnt benet Campbell County. Ten commissioners voted to oppose the project, which is slated to be near Westbourne. Commissioners David Adkins, Marie Ayers and Bob Walden abstained from voting, and Commissioners Bobby White and Wendell Bailey were absent. Nat Cloer, President of Ketchen Land Company and Managing Member of Davis Creek Energy, believes the land ll is good for Campbell County. This is a good thing, Cloer said. It helps the environment. It creates jobs. The land ll would generate 15 jobs, not including the construction phase, according to George Hyfantis, an engineer who works for Ketchen and Davis Creek. The county would also receive a host fee, Cloer said. The landfill Ketchen Land Company and Davis Creek Energy hope to operate in Duff would be their rst. See DUMP, Page 16A
LaFOLLETTECampbell County Sheriffs Ofce deputies seized 23 vehicles during two raids on drug kingpin Kermit D. York. The saga began Aug. 15 when ofcers converged on 52-year-old Yorks home at 711 Ivey Hollow Road. An investigation into Yorks alleged actions gave ofcials probable cause to obtain the search warrant. The Special Weapons and Tactics Entry Team came face-to-face with York, his wife and stepchild, as well as an unrelated male at approx i mately 7 p.m. that night. A search of the residence netted money, oxycodone, morYork phine, hydrocodone, marijuana and a .44-magnum pistol. The gun had been reported stolen in LaFollette. While at the Ivey Hollow Road home, ofcers also seized 10 vehicles, including a Corvette, Harley Davidson motorcycle, trucks, fourwheelers and a wrecker. Police later converged on the home of Yorks daughter at 265 Dillon Drive. A safe containing $60,000 in cash was found under the oor in a bedroom. Police do not believe Yorks daughter was a participant in his alleged drug dealing. See KINGPIN, Page 16A
The blue area shows the general area the landll is expected to be created.
LOCAL HISTORY: PART ONE
Jellico relinquishes nancial control

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com With so much bad in the news lately, many people forget about the good Jellico has to offer. The town has many amenities that most small towns cant claim.
Comptroller takes over
TOWN OF JELLICO
Meet the people who make Jellico gel

Stiers Gurganus Buck JELLICODespite its present-day reputation as a nancially-struggling (and oftentimes dysfunctional) mountain town, Jellico is a place steeped in history and Appalachian culture. From its early coal and lumber roots, to its mid-century reputation as the marriage capital of Tennessee, to its future plans to become a destination for recreational enthusiasts and green business enterprises, theres a lot more to Jellico than meets the eye. With less than 2,500 people the town offers a 200-acre state park, a regionallyrenown medical facility that boasts the only birthing ward in a tri-county area, a quirky downtown museum that features the largest local collection of historical memorabilia, as well as the headquarters of a leading national manufacturer. In this closer look at the other side of
Photo by Brent Schanding
SPORTS: THESE LITTLE MOMENTS See 1B
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the mountain the LaFollette Press delves into some of the people who are making Jellico gel. From politicians, to educators, to park rangers and businessmen, well explore whos actually holding the town together behind the scenes, as ofcials prepare to ask the state for a partial nancial takeover to become solvent. Well bet that even lifelong residents of Campbell County will nd something unique in this report. And if we missed something, we welcome you to share your own anecdotes on how the people of Jellico are bonding together in tumultuous times. Brent Schanding, editor See Page 6A
JELLICOIt took four months, more than a dozen meetings and one trip to Nashville for Jellicos Board of Mayor and Alderman to make a nal decision about the towns troubled coffers. During a marathon three-hour meeting last Thursday night, the board agreed to the comptrollers last resort offer to put the town back on an even keel. This gives complete control to the comptrollers ofce of spending our money, but this allows us to pay the IRS off right now [and] amass all our debts, said Mayor Les Stiers. The comptrollers ofce will use bonds to pay all the debtincluding $196,000 owed on the civic center, the IRS tax lien, a re truck and police vehicles. Stiers estimated the long-term debt at roughly $400,000. The town will then make a payment each month over a period of 20 to 30 years. The comptrollers ofce will also have to pre-approve any spending and the city will not be allowed to have any lines of creditthe budget will operate under cash basis law. Theyre going to come in and do what they think the board should have already done, said part-time CMFO Sondra Denton. Town attorney Terry Basista advised the board to take the bond offer from the comptroller. I think you all need to get your nances in order and this sounds like a really good option, he said. Just raising the [tax] rate isnt going to x our problem. In June, State Comptroller Justin P.
See CONTROL, Page 16A
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RATTLER BITES WORSHIPPER

By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com LaFOLLETTEA Virginia man is recovering at his home after he was reportedly bitten on his head by a rattlesnake at a Sunday homecoming religious service at the Ivydell Holiness Church. Bubba Long, whos believed to be in his late 20s, was transported by ambulance to Tennovas LaFollette Medical Center, according to dispatchers, and later transferred to University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Long was treated with anti-venom and is said to be in stable condition. A woman who called the LaFollette Press Tuesday and identied herself as a relative conrmed the man was from Virginia, but denied certain media accounts of the incident. Sources familiar with the incident say the church was full to the gills as worshippers gathered to observe its annual homecoming. No one from the reclusive congregation which sometimes handles serpents as part of their religious conviction could be reached for comment. Death from snakebites are rare. Of the 50,000 that occur worldwide each year, only 12-15 occur in the U.S. and fewer than 100 have been documented to occur as part of religious practices since the 1920s. According to obituary records, Longs own mother died several years ago from a snake bite while handling a snake at a London, Ky. church service. EDITORS NOTE: Last month, the LaFollette Press published a story about an upcoming reality show documenting snake-handling preacher Andrew Hamblin and his congregation at Tabernacle Church of God. The crosstown congregation at Ivydell Holiness Church is in no way afliated with that church.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Ivydell Holiness Church in LaFollette was the scene of a religious snakebiting incident Sunday. The victim was treated with anti-venom and is believed to be recovering at his Virginia home. Photo by Phillip Boshears
75
Cents
ADRION W. BAIRD ANIMAL CENTER
[Its] difcult to prove intentional animal cruelty.

District Attorney Lori Phillips-Jones, on returning an indictment against accused animal workers
SHELTER WORKERS
Grand jury wont indict workers accused of cruelty, inhumane practices at local center
out of doghouse
New witness in school-shooter trial says Bartley provoked to re

Defense wants hospital-bed confession thrown out
CRIME & COURTS
Phillips-Jones
Resolution readies town for state nancial takeover

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JELLICO The town is one step closer to the cash-basis budget needed to put the scally-troubled community back on an even keel. On Monday night, the board convened with one item on the agenda a resolution to apply for funding bonds. The resolution was approved unanimously. Alderman Darrell Byrge was absent. The town will seek $680,000 in bank bonding enough to pay off outstanding bills and long-term debt, as well as fund various grant matches such as $110,000 for a planned lighting project at the interchange with Interstate 75. The gure is above and beyond what the town should borrow, according to Alderman Alvin Evans. I know we need a rainy-day fund, but thats more of a storm fund, Evans said. Last week, Mayor Les Stiers told the LaFollette Press that the towns longterm debt comes in at approximately $400,000. After sending paperwork to the comptroller, Stiers said Ron Queen, manager of local nance at the comptrollers ofce, quoted the larger gure. Three representatives from the comptrollers ofce, as well as an IRS representative, were present during the half-hour meeting. Had the board failed to adopt the resolution, the group would have been required to make another trip to Nashville to appear before comptroller Justin P. Wilson, according to Sandi Thompson, director of state and local nance at the comptrollers ofce. The board last appeared before Wilson on July 2. If that is not voted in this evening, the city council will be asked to come to Nashville and have a special meeting there, she told the board on Monday. The town has until Sept. 15 to apply for the funding bond and will seek nancing through a local bank, said Mayor Les Stiers. One bank has already declined to work with the town, he said.
GOVERNMENT
Bartley By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com
An animal advocate with the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley removes a dog from the Adrion W. Baird Animal Center in April, after the shelter was shuttered following a TBI probe into animal cruelty. A grand jury returned no indictment against workers there, despite sworn testimony and images that surfaced in viral Internet videos. File photo By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JACKSBOROA Campbell County grand jury has considered all the evidence against the Adrion W. Baird Animal Center and found no criminal wrongdoing. [Its] difcult to prove intentional animal cruelty, said District Attorney General Lori Phillips-Jones. On Aug. 16, the grand jury heard nearly two hours of evidence presented by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent Andy Corbitt. While no criminal charges were brought against former shelter director Betty Crumley or any of the employees, the grand jury issued a set of 10 recommendations in response to the evidence. The shelter should be required to have a working scale for proper dosage of euthanasia medication. The county government should consider a guideline for the euthanasia rate, acceptable temperatures in the kennel area and a standard euthanasia procedure to be followed. The jury recommended that there should be a second witness at each euthanasia, and that See DOGHOUSE, Page 7A
JACKSBOROKenneth Bartleys school shooting defense attorney Greg Isaacs says a new witness shows Bartley was provoked into shooting Ken Bruce, Gary Seale and Jim Pierce on Nov. 8, 2005. In an afdavit led in Campbell County Criminal Court on Aug. 12, special education teacher Marjorie P. DeLapp says former principal Gary Seale told her that Bartley had a small gun on the day of the shooting. Mr. Seale said the gun was so small, and he started telling Kenny [Bartley] that it wasnt a real gun that it was just a toy. Mr. Seale also said that he told Kenny he didnt even have real bullets for the gun. Kenny told him that he did, the afdavit said. Bartley then removed the bullets from his pocket and allegedly Seale told Bartley he probably didnt even know how to load the gun and then said, Lets see. Mr. Seal said that he, Mr. Pierce and Mr. Bruce watched Kenny [Bartley] put the bullets into the gun. After Kenny [Bartley] loaded the gun, Mr. Seale told me he started telling Kenny that he didnt know how to shoot a gun. Finally, Mr. Seale told me [DeLapp], I guess he [Bartley] showed me [Seale]. He knew how to shoot a gun, the afdavit said. Delapp taught at Campbell County High School from August 2005 to January 2007. It is unclear if she was interviewed during the initial investigation into the shooting. Isaacs also led two other motions in the case a motion
PART II of II: MEET THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE JELLICO GEL | 8A
See TRIAL, Page 7A
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CITY WONT UNTAP BEER SALES BUSINESS | 6A
COUGARS: 2-0 SHOW SPORTS | 1B
THE WRITE STUFF FEATURES | 1C
Thursday, September 5, 2013
75 Cents
BLIGHT SITE a bit BRIGHTER

2 arrested for prostitution; downtown hooker haven condemned as city-wide crackdown gains traction
Alicia Lay, left, and Cynthia Foust were arrested for prostitution in a concentrated effort to clean up the city of LaFollette.
CRIME & SAFETY
Miller named board chair of school board
EDUCATON
Miller
JACKSBORORector Miller has gone from openly opposing Director of Schools Donnie Poston to sitting at his right hand. Miller, who was elected to the board in 2010, was nominated to serve as school board chairman by Danny Wilson. Scott Hill. Mike Orick and Homer Rutherford cast dissenting votes. 2012-13 board chairman Josh Parker was absent. Johnny Creekmore was elected to serve another year as vice-chairman with Orick casting the only no vote. Board of education chairmen are elected each school year.
A CLOSER LOOK
The former Miracle Machine Shop at 305 N. Indiana Ave. was cleaned and condemned by order of the city. It had become a hangout for prostitutes. Photo by Brent Schanding
FIXED INCOMES A STRAIN ON BUDGETS

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com CAMPBELL COUNTYBill Rose was injured with a hernia while serving in the Marine Corps in 1973. Because of it, he wasnt able to continue his service and was discharged. I had ve surgeries after I left Parris Island [S.C.], Rose said. The injury limited Roses ability to nd gainful employment. You cant work for somebody like that, Rose said. He was mostly self-employed. Despite the injury, and its impairing effect on Roses ability to nd a job, he had trouble receiving benets from the Veterans Affairs Ofce for decades. I had been trying quite a while to get something from the VA, and I didnt have any luck, Rose said. Campbell County Veteran Affairs Director Kevin Walden met Rose in 2006 and signed him up for benets. The Campbell County Veterans Affairs Ofce has consistently been among the top counties in Tennessee in providing benets to veterans. This year, Campbell County was No. 2 in providing benets, and provided $18.8 million $5,826 per veteran in the county. There are two basic types of benets available to veterans benets for injuries veterans sustained during their service and benets for injuries that dont occur during their time in the military. Veterans who sustain injuries during their military service are compensated See VETERANS Page 14A
Snake Salvation debuts 9 p.m. Tuesday
ENTERTAINMENT
By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com LaFOLLETTECity officials are aggressively targeting blighted businesses, residences and other sites they believe are hotbeds for prostitution, drug dealing and code violations. On Aug. 28, city code enforcement ofcers along with a work crew of county inmates condemned and cleaned the former Miracle Machine Shop at 305 N. Indiana Ave, near Aspen Street. Several of the buildings windows were busted and weeds had overgrown the lot. Crews removed a boat, several tires and a dump truck-load of debris from the site. It will be looking nice when its nished, said code enforcement ofcer Stan Foust, as he and crews worked to clear the area last week. Prostitutes are commonly observed in the area near Indiana Avenue and Aspen Street, and police reports indicate solicitation of sexual acts is common there. Two women were booked in the Campbell County jail for prostitution Aug. 28, according to arrest records. Cynthia Elizabeth Foust, 26, and Alicia Lay, 24, were both charged with prostitution after they allegedly agreed to engage in sex with an undercover cop for $25, according to police records. LaFollette City Administrator Billie
Russell conrmed the charges were connected to the citys concentrated clean-up efforts earlier that day. Russell, who is spearheading the project, said code enforcement ofcers also issued letters to a blighted business on Beech Street, as well as a roadside produce stand along US 25W, which had reportedly been operating without a business license. Theyre supposed to be closing down, Russell said. Another resident on College Hill Road was issued a letter, she said, and the property owner is working to better maintain that site. Theres some other areas that need to be cleaned up, too, she said. Russell said several in the community have lauded the citys efforts. Many citizens have called or sent letters to thank ofcials for brightening the blighted areas, she said. We appreciate the support of the community and all of the positive feedback weve received, Russell said.
Hamblin
CAMPBELL COUNTYSnake Salvation a 16-episode reality series, starring local serpent-handling preacher Andrew Hamblin, is set to debut 9 p.m. Tuesday on the National Geographic Channel. The series will feature Hamblin of Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette and Jamie Coots of Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name church of Middlesboro, Ky. The series is expected to feature scenes from church services where worshipers handle snakes as well as the day-to-day struggle to live out their faith. Hamblin told The Press he plans to view the show at his grandmothers home.
LEFT: Code enforcement ofcer Stan Foust, Darian Foust, Frankie Dople and Casey Boshears helped remove a boat and other debris from 305 N. Indiana Ave. The site was allegedly a hotbed for prostitution. Photo by Brent Schanding
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BAILEY THE BEAST!
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ENVIRONMENT: PROPOSED DUFF DUMPSITE
ENTERTAINMENT
Proponent George Hyfantis, QE2 engineer for dump
Ash s me e no o questions
Former cop charged with child sex abuse loses appeal

Opponent Ike Douglas, Campbell County resident
No ash will get into the air. There are three different precautions we can take to ensure this. One involves putting the ash into rail cars lined with plastic and covering it. Another method would require placing the ash in a burrito-shaped container and zipping it up. The last option is to seal it at the top.
George Hyfantis, QE2 engineer for dump Ward
Few answers given about proposed ash y dumping site

A CLOSER LOOK: CRIME & SAFETY
CAMPBELL COUNTYTuesday night, Ketchen Land Company representatives faced a fairly hostile crowd as they attempted to address concerns about a y ash landll they propose for the Duff community. While Ketchen Land Company representatives directed people to submit their questions on cards so they could be answered one at a time many passionate residents asked questions verbally, and sometimes out of turn. The representatives answers often elicited responses from the crowd that ranged from laughter to outrage, and sometimes the noise from the crowd was too loud for questions to be heard. While many from the crowd were from District 5 the site for the proposed landll none of the District 5 commissioners were present. From the hazards of coal ash to the potential damage to property values to the dangers of transporting coal ash, many concerns were voiced. George Hyfantis, President of Quantum Environmental and Engineering Services, who is designing the landll, and Nat Cloer, president of South Carolinabased Ketchen Land Company, answered many of the questions. A day earlier, the county commission discussed a wild-card measure that might enable it to actually prevent the landlls operation the Jackson Law. See COAL Page 6A
COLD CASES
CAMPBELL COUNTYDisgraced former Campbell County Deputy Daniel Ward saw one of his child-sex charges dropped, but his 54-year sentence remained unchanged. The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals released a 15-page opinion last week after reviewing Wards appeal for crimes he pleaded guilty to in 2011. At that time, he was sentenced on 10 counts of aggravated sexual battery for his abuse of a juvenile female family member. The abuse began when the victim was 10 and lasted until she was 16. Wards wife was ill with lupus when he began inappropriately touching the victims breasts and genitals, court documents indicated. It wasnt until Wards wife died the victim came forward. Ward said the allegations were retaliatory for his new marriage. His appeal claimed the evidence was insufcient to support the convictions, the bill of particulars (charges list) was inadequate and his pre-trial statement to police was not voluntarily given. The court decided the bill of particulars was sufcient, and the pre-trial statement to police was voluntary because Ward came to the TBI interview on his own accord and signed a waiver of his rights before providing the statement. While the court did nd insufcient evidence on one of the 10 counts and dismissed it, Wards sentence was not shortened because the original sentence ordered count six to be served concurrently to other sentences.
CAMPBELL COUNTYCold cases. Unsolved mysteries. Murder. Campbell County Sheriffs Department Captain Brandon Elkins has cleared almost all the cold cases in his time as a detective with the sheriffs department, but the four bodies that remain have investigators stumped. Three involve women discarded near I-75 at Stinking Creek. Two of the victims are unidentied. One has a name, but there are few clues as to who killed her or why. The cases have been featured on national television, investigated through several sheriffs administrations and displayed in multiple print publications. There has been every opportunity for witnesses or anybody who knows anything to come forward. The fourth case has no body. The 21-year-old LaFollette man simply disappeared. This week the LaFollette Press jumps in to the cold cases that still haunt Campbell County. | See COLD CASE Page 13A By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com
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HOMECOMING PARADE PREVIEW2A

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Commission
PROPOSED DUFF DUMPSITE
impossible
TOWN COULD BORROW $1.1M FROM STATE

JELLICO
Absent, abstaining ofcials rile opponents of proposed coal y ash dumpsite; Commission cant muster 2/3 support against site
JELLICOFiscally troubled Jellico now has a state suggestion on the dollars it will borrow to correct the struggling town and Nashville says that number is $1.1 million. The money will cover all the towns outstanding debts, an Interstate lighting project, the IRS tax lien and court-ordered payments for re department of cials Nelson Kidd and Gary Stiers Troxells medical bills. The bond will also provide for a rainy day fund, according to Mayor Les Stiers. The loan will come just in time the town was $3,054 short of making payroll Monday morning and had to borrow money from the restricted sanitation fund. That money is slated to be paid back out of the money from the funding bonds. The bond which is almost as large as the towns annual operating budget doesnt come without further stipulations. The comptroller wants the town to make a 25 percent reduction in payroll hours.
JACKSBORODozens of residents decried an indecision by county commissioners Monday to thwart a proposed landll that potentially could dump as much as 600 million cubic yards of toxic coal ash on a Duff mountainside. Most wanted to know why commissioners suddenly reversed their seemingly united front against Ketchen Land Company and Davis Creek, when just weeks earlier, Mayor William Baird incorrectly advised them nothing could be done to prevent the South Carolinabased group from operating a dump in Campbell County. At that time, commissioners grandstanded and ceremoniously resolved to stand against the dump in a non-binding vote. But when empowered Monday with a potential wild card measure known as Jacksons Law that would stymy the controversial operation, the 15-member commission failed to muster the necessary 2/3 vote to enact it and stop the landll. Two ofcials were absent. Three commissioners abstained from voting one of whom said he failed to read the measure and wasnt educated enough to act. The lone dissenter said his interests were ultimately swayed by the countys historical coal connections. That meant the nine voting supporters of Jacksons Law couldnt tip the vote for a raucous crowd who appeared en masse at the courthouse Monday night to pressure ofcials to dump the dump. See DUMP, Page 5A
Campbell County Mayor William Baird motions to ofcials who want to construct a coal y ash dumpsite near Duff, as commissioners debated a measure Monday night that could potentially stop the plan. Ultimately, the commission could not muster the 2/3 support necessary for the measure, despite protests from angry citizens who came out against it. Photo by Chris Cannon
See JELLICO, Page 14A
I had a big turnout over the weekend to church, and I seen a lot of people get saved Friday night and had a good crowd Sunday.
Tabernacle Church of God pastor Andrew Hamblin, on the state of his congregation after the debut of a National Geographic series featuring the serpent-handling practices of his Pentecostal congregation.
Millions watching Snake Salvation even local law enforcement officers

Local preachers shows raising eyebrows, alert levels, church attendance
By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com LaFOLLETTE National Geographic is two weeks and four episodes into a 16-episode series on life surrounding LaFollettes Tabernacle Church of God and its controversial snake-handling practices. The churchs pastor, Andrew Hamblin, is pleased with the way his congregation is portrayed in the 30-minute episodes. The show has prompted new visitors to attend services at his church. I had a big turn out over the weekend to church and I seen a lot of people get saved Friday night and had a good crowd Sunday, Hamblin said Monday evening after several episodes had aired.
Pastor Andrew Hamblin of Tabernacle Church of God, as seen in a serpent-handling cermemony at his LaFollette church. Hamblin is the subject of a 16-show National Geographic series, which is drawing both praise and criticism. Photo by Chris Cannon
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The show is an accurate representation of the way he lives and believes, he said. It just shows what we do all the time, Hamblin said. On Tuesday night, the series depicted controversial scenes that showed a serpent-handling preacher in Kentucky in a Knoxville courtroom defending himself after he was caught in a trafc stop last February with ve poisonous snakes. In another scene, a member of a serpent-handling congregation was bitten by a Cottonmouth after Hamblin captured it on a snake-hunting expedition in Louisiana and Texas. The man did not seek medical attention, but fully recovered from the injuries. On social media, opinions about the show are mixed. Several people commented on the LaFollette Press Facebook page to say they would not watch, while others support the churchs freedom to See SNAKE, Page 4A
BACKYARD PARADISE
ARTS& LEISURE 6A
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PUBLIC SAFETY
JELLICO
At least 11 men stung in prostitution sting

SEE STORY page 14A ENVIRONMENT: PROPOSED COAL-FLY-ASH DUMPSITE
2 ofcials quit as town sinks further into personal, nancial despair

TRASH talk
ABOVE: Frank Douglas, left, an opponent of a proposed coal-yash dumpsite near Westbourne, challenged developers and ofcials over their plans to haul toxic soot by railroad into their community. Douglas said he didnt hate ofcials he hated the dump. The conversation was tense, but a calmer Douglas later invited the developers to attend his upcoming pig roast. Photo by Chris Cannon By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com WHITE OAKDeputies were forced to rebuff at least one landll opponent Tuesday night after tensions erupted in the elementary gymnasium, just minutes into the second of several planned public forums aimed at addressing concerns associated with a proposed coal-y-ash dump near the area. District 5 commissioners Alvin Evans and Terry Singley were among those in the otherwise hostile crowd of more than 200 concerned citizens most who came to protest the plans of dump developers, Ketchen Land Company. Members of the four-person South Carolina-based group See DUMP, Page 13A
PUBLIC MEETING
County commissioners will host a public workshop on the Ketchen Land Companys proposed coal-y-ash dumpsite 6 p.m., Oct. 14 at the Campbell County Courthouse.
JELLICOOne alderman and the towns contracted certied municipal nance ofcer have severed ties with the nancially troubled town. Last Thursday evening, resignation letters from Alderman Darrell Byrge and CMFO Sondra Denton were read aloud during the regularly scheduled meeting. Byrge, who was once tourism and nance chairperson, no longer believes the board has the towns best interest at heart. Ive wanted nothing but the best for Jellico and I believe this council, at one time, did as well. In recent months I feel council persons have made issues personal rather than focusing on the citys best interest, he wrote. Denton, who arrived in Jellico last December following the resignation of former town recorder Linda Douglas, terminated her contract because of ill relations with the board. I have worked diligently with mayor Stiers and Jackie Richardson along with other ofce staff to get the books in a working and manageable condition, yet I would receive comments and hostile attitudes from
See JELLICO, Page 13A
A CLOSER LOOK: POWERED BY COAL

It will be good for us. It will be good for the community.
John Pyles, with NovaDx, on the economic and community benets of a new Stinking Creek coal mine
John Pyles, with NovaDx, says a new coal mine operation at Stinking Creek will bring in jobs and other ecomomic opportunities to the area. Photo by Brent Schanding
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Coal keeping the lights on, fueling job growth as new operation sets to launch
By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com STINKING CREEKDew glistens in the early-morning hours across a bucolic eld thats home to deer, rabbits and other furry wildlife. A small bridge crosses a nearby creek bed that looks like the perfect place to skip stones on a fall day. Its part of a 30-acre reclaimed, 1970s surface-mining coal site that could to-
Mining their own business

day be featured in a movie scene for an Appalachian-mountainside retreat. But listen closely and youll hear humming in the distance exhaust fans from the miles-deep underground mine thats again expected to be bustling with activity within the next two weeks. Operators say between 11-24 miners and others will be working here by the end of the year to excavate coal from deep within the earth. That employment base is projected to mushroom during
ABOUT THIS STORY
THIS IS THE FIRST IN A MULTI-PART SERIES EXAMINING NATURAL RESOURCES, ENERGY OUTPUT AND THE JOBS THEY CREATE IN CAMPBELL COUNTY
the operations approximately 20-year life span. Well eventually have close to 150 people employed, said John Pyles, of the Canadian-based company NovaDx. It will be good-paying jobs. We hope to get red up and get going. The average salary at the mining operation will be $38,400, according to Pyles.
See MINE, Page 6A
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NEW MARINA COULD LAUNCH
Methodist church sells lakefront property to developer in $2.1M deal BUSINESS 6A
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Gray matters
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: PROPOSED COAL FLY ASH LANDFILL
Thursday, October 3, 2013
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CRIME & COURTS
CONVICTED MURDERER EXONERATED

Sloppy prosecution, new evidence clears local man of 2008 mountain meth-murder
MAYOR, ATTORNEY, DUMP DEVELOPERS SHARE 20-YEAR LAND TIES but some connections remain as SOOTY as ASH
ONLINE: DATA DUMPED ON DUMP
COUNTY MAYOR WILLIAM BAIRD
COUNTY ATTORNEY JOE COKER
INC.
Q&A: Mayor, attorney grilled about connections to proposed coal fly ash site SEE 11A A CLOSER LOOK: JUST SAY AHH-BAMACARE
P. Pack By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com CAMPBELL COUNTYThe state appellate court agreed with Phillip Pack the evidence in his second-degree murder conviction was insufcient and the prosecutor made inappropriate remarks during closing arguments. The opinion, handed down late last week, reverses the conviction and dismisses the charges. In 2008, Pack was charged with murder in the death of Jayne Love. The jury was told that Pack, his brother and Michael Wilson had been to Eagle Bluff a popular mountain overlook near Jacksboro with Love in April 2008. Love reportedly ingested bad methamphetamine prepared by Pack and died. It was Wilsons testimony that claimed Pack had cooked the meth that reportedly killed Love. Hunters found Loves body on Eagle Bluff several weeks later.
EDITORS NOTE: A deed led in the countys property records reveals Campbell County Mayor William Baird sold 55 acres of land in Elk Valley in 1993 to would-be coal-y-ash landll operators Ketchen Land Company for $5,000. The tract was one of the last hold outs in a series of land deals that solidied Ketchens retention of 3,000 acres in Elk Valley. The land deal between Baird and Ketchen was brokered by attorney Joe Coker, legal advisor to the Campbell County commission. Coker is also the registered agent for dump developer Ketchen Land Company. As part of the publics right to know, the LaFollette Press has posted several property records along with more than 30 documents and maps regarding land acquisitions and other insider information connected with the proposed coal-y-ash dumpsite on its website. Weve made these documents accessible at no charge to both subscribers and non-subscribers. Well be adding other public records to the site as we aquire them, making them freely available to all. To view these documents, visit www.lafollettepress.com, and click on the top bar. A Q&A interview with Baird and Coker appears in todays edition on page 11A. It aims to clarify some of the connections. More questions about the proposed coal-y-ash dumpsite are expected to be answered at an upcoming county meeting, 6 p.m., Oct. 14 at the Campbell County Courthouse in Jacksboro. Brent Schanding, editor
See FREED, Page 16A
JANITOR CAUGHT COUNTERFEITING CURRENCY

CRIME & COURTS
EXTRA: Campbell worker exposed to toxic fly ash at area landfill speaks out on health complications SEE 11A
ts been three years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed into law and two days since the healthcare exchanges, also known as marketplaces opened. Do you know what to do? This week the LaFollette Press jumped headrst into all the information we could nd on the ACA also known as Obamacare to help Campbell Countians know how to navigate their options. More information about the act and the laws can be found at www.healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-3182596.
SEE STORY 7A
PRESS
Volume 102, Number 40 LaFollette, TN 37766 42Pages, 3 Sections
Copyright 2013
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COUGARS: Record wreckers! SPORTS 1B
LaFOLLETTEA LaFollette Middle School janitor was arrested after police say he was counterfeiting money at the school where he worked. James Terry Chapman, 44, 140 Brookplace Ln., was arrested on Oct. 1 following an investigation by the Campbell County Sheriffs Department. On Sept. 24, Boltons car was repossessed and counterfeit bills, Chapman as well as photocopied money were among the items inventoried. On Sept. 25, Chapmans vehicle was towed back to LaFollette from Knoxville by Boltons Body Shop. The shop owner loaned Chapman $50 against the vehicle, according to police reports. Chapman reportedly returned to the business and told the shop owner that one of the $20 bills was counterfeit. The shop owner reported the counterfeit money to authorities. Chapman reportedly admitted to counterfeiting money during a police interview on Sept. 30 and again on Oct. 1. Chapman was using a printer at LMS to print the bills, police reports indicated. He was arrested at charged with criminal simulation. Chapman was just beginning his fourth year as a school system employee.
TAYLOR TAKES SWIFT SWING AT STATE GOLF TOURNEY

SEE SPORTS page 2B
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CCHS FOOTBALL
TRIAL DATE SET FOR SON ACCUSED OF MURDERING HIS MOTHER

COURTS
SEE SPORTS page 1B EDUCATION: PROPOSED
The PRICE of HISTORY
OFFICIALS LOG OFF ON VIRTUAL ACADEMY PLANS

By DWANE WILDER dwilder@lafollettepress.com CAMPBELL COUNTYCampbell County pulled the plug Tuesday night on its proposed virtual academy, which had been on hold since early August because of insufcient documentation and paperwork required by the state. Board ofcials unanimously agreed to withdraw from a contract with K-12 Virtual Schools, LLC to operate the academy. With that vote, the ball is now rolling on a legal process that may take a few weeks to complete. Earlier this summer, school board member Eugene Lawson was the only district representative to vote against the academy. Lawson expressed concerns about the quality of instruction that students would receive in a virtual setting especially after hearing about Union Countys low test scores the past two years. [The state] has basically told [Director of Schools Donnie] Poston that you can have a virtual school, but it would be open only to Campbell County students, said Board of Education Chairman Rector Miller. I just really believe that [the state] didnt want it to exist. They wont give us an answer. They keep putting us off. We keep hearing behind the scenes that they dont want it. Weve got to do whats best for our students. The cyber school was proposed to be a model of Union Countys virtual academy, which has nearly 4,000 students enrolled from all across the state. However, less than 50 of those students actually live inside the Union County line. The deal Campbell County cut earlier this summer was for K-12 to keep 96 percent of the states Better Education Program Funds for each pupil enrolled in the See ACADEMY, Page 15A
A CLOSER LOOK: RECYCLE, REDUCE, REUSE
JACKSBOROIts been more than three years since investigators found Gloria Sue Marlow in a pool of her own blood. It will be another seven months before the alleged murderer her son faces a jury. According to police records, James R. Marlow, then 38, J. R. Marlow broke into his parents home on Lynch Hollow Road where he allegedly proceeded to strike his mother with a wooden baseball bat. Gloria Marlow had reportedly called her husband, James R. Marlow Sr., to tell him their son was attempting to break down the bedroom door. When Marlow Sr. arrived at the scene, he found his wife lying face down in a pool of blood, according to the original police report. During a preliminary hearing, former Campbell County Sheriffs Ofce Det. Brandon Elkins testied that pieces of broken bat were found in various parts of the home. An autopsy revealed Marlow had suffered several blows to the head, a skull fracture, a brain laceration and several other injuries, according to LaFollette Press archives. Marlow has been in the Campbell County Jail since his arrest on June 3, 2010. The trial is set for May 7, 2014, at the Campbell County Courthouse.
JUDGE: CHILD PORN DEFENDANT MAY VIEW EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM

COURTS
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LaFollette
Trash means treasure for some municipalities

By DWANE WILDER dwilder@lafollettepress.com CAMPBELL COUNTYLaFollettes Street and Sanitation Department is making the most of the adage, One mans trash is another mans treasure. Director Jim Mullens said for more than seven years, his department has been burning used motor oil in a speciallydesigned furnace in order to heat the city garage on North Massachusetts Avenue during the cold winter months. See RECYCLING, Page 16A A mountain of cardboard boxes (top) lls a corner of the Campbell County Recycling Center on Towe String Road in Jacksboro. Trent Carroll (bottom) empties a recycling bin on Wheeler Lane while working a pick-up route for the LaFollette Street and Sanitation Department. Photos by Dwane Wilder
Campbell County Criminal court Judge Shayne Sexton has ruled that the state can videotape accused child rapist and pornographer Lonnie Ellison as he views the evidence against him. Last week, pubEllison lic defenders Dale Potter and Bill Jones met with their client in Knoxville to review some of the evidence against him in the 82-count indictment for rape of a child and child pornography. While some of the evidence was simply physical computer parts and discs containing images, other evidence was digital and needed to be viewed. When we started to view it, before we started to view we were asked to sit at a particular table. There was a camera on our table and the state told us the only way they were going to allow us to view the evidence against us would be if they recorded us doing so, said public defender Bill Jones. The defense counsel was told that
See ELLISON, Page 15A
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DUSTBUSTERSsweep commission
www.LaFollettePress.com | Thursday, October 17, 2013 | 75 cents
Dozens of protestors held signs at the courthouse Monday to oppose a coal y ash landll set for Westbourne.
Photo by Chris Cannon
Westbourne coal ash site to be reconsidered by local leaders following organized campaign of protestors
By BRENT SCHANDING bschanding@lafollettepress.com JACKSBOROThe signs said it all. No ash! Pollution is not the solution. No trash, no coal ash! Commissioners listened Monday in the courthouse chambers as protestors testied on why they dont want a toxic coal y ash landll in the Westbourne area. Dozens in the crowd from the young to the elderly wore anti-ash stickers and applauded as protestors criticized plans for a 300-acre dumpsite in the northern part of the county. South Carolina-based Ketchen Land Company plans to import up to 600 cubic tons of y ash to the site by rail over the next 20 years. Several question the potential health and environmental hazards of the facility. The county could receive up to a $1 per ton for the ash, under one proposal. A permit to operate the facility has already been led for state review, but dump protestors hope local ofcials will take action to stop it. See DUMP, Page 7A
RELIGION : FIELDS OF FAITH
I have something in me that is greater than any obstacle. I have something in me that is greater than any circumstance or situation that life can throw at me.
Former UT football player Inky Johnson on overcoming his injury through God.
Tucker Cain portrays Jesus, bearing the marks of the worlds sins, as Victoria McCullah bows before God. Photo by Chris Cannon
More than 2,000 people attend 2013 Fields of Faith

By CHRIS CANNON ccannon@lafollettepress.com JACKSBOROL. Hope Dossett Stadium sits empty on most cold, dark evenings, but on Wednesday night, the eld was transformed from darkness into a place of hope and light. An orange sun sank below the horizon, as sounds of Calling Glory echoed over the hillside. Nearly 2,300 people showed up for the 2013 edition of Campbell County Fields of Faith, as former University of Tennessee football player Inky Johnson gave an emotional devotion over his time. A dump protestor holds a sign Monday at the couthouse. Photo by Chris Cannon See FAITH, Page 6A
For I know the plans I have for you
City administrator seeks medical care, retains lawyer after office complaints
Police, town clerk claim Russells management tactics abusive
GOVERNMENT
Russell By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com LaFOLLETTECity Administrator Billie Russell is on medical leave and her future with the city is uncertain after the city recorder, police chief and the entire police department each led grievances against her within the last two weeks. Russells attorney, David Dunaway, called the complaints an attempt to cause a circus. They were trying to create a circus like they did with David Young, he said. In 2009, current Deputy County Mayor David G. Young was working as the city administrator in LaFollette. A grievance was led against
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350 jobs to be added at former Caryville plant

By DWANE WILDER dwilder@lafollettepress.com CARYVILLEAn empty industrial building in Caryville will soon have a new tenant and if plans come to fruition will staff the most employees of any manufacturing facility in Campbell County. Caryville Mayor Chris Stanley announced during Monday nights regular monthly meeting of the board of mayor and aldermen that See JOBS, Page 16A
ECONOMY
See ADMIN, Page 7A
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KICK-ASH CAMPAIGN SWAYS VOTE
WANTED
Goins
Westbourne coal ash dump less likely after leaders vote 15-0 to take control from state regulators
Photos by Chris Cannon
To the citizens opposed to the landll, I want to compliment you on what an exemplary audience you were.
District 5 Commissioner J.L. Davis to a crowded courtroom of ash protestors on their patience and perseverance during a contentious vote Monday on a proposed landll
A CLOSER LOOK: CRIME SNAPSHOT
MAN SOUGHT REPORT: PAST 3 MONTHS SEE INCREASE FOR LINKS IN DRUGS, BURGLARIES, DEAD BODIES TO MULTIPLE BURGLARIES
CRIME: April-June, 2013 vs. July-Sept., 2013
Grand jury indicts son of former sheriff for selling morphine

By SAM SMITH ssmith@lafollettepress.com By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com JACKSBOROThe Campbell County Sheriffs Ofce cited and arrested fewer people for crimes like public intoxication, reckless endangerment and criminal trespassing, but offenses such as drug possession, domestic violence and assault increased as compared to second quarter reports, released by the department. The 90-day report for July-September details work by the criminal and drug investigation divisions and call volume as recorded by Campbell Countys E-911 center. 911 calls about animals decreased by 24 percent, likely because the animal shelter which had been shuttered since April nally reopened in August. The ofce handled a 22 percent increase in burglary calls and a 407 percent increase in crashes with property damage. LaFOLLETTEThe son of former Sheriff Rose Kitts was indicted by a Campbell County grand jury Monday after an undercover sting by law enforcement. Billy Jack Cotton Kitts, 68, was charged with selling and delivering morphine. He was arrested outside of LaFollette at his Pleasant Kitts Ridge home, where the sting started months prior. Its a shame to treat a legacy like that, said Chief Deputy Aaron Evans of Campbell County Sheriffs Ofce. A real shame. Sheriff Kitts, who passed away in 1978, was a popular man who served seven terms as the head of the countys law enforcement. In 1971, he had the second best conviction record in East Tennessee with 125 felony convictions. It is again sad and very apparent that someones family history and upbringing does not always fall in line as to what they are taught as children as to what they do as adults, Sheriff Robbie K. Goins stated in a press release. Its unfortunate we see another sad case like this. We can say for certain that no matter who you are, how you were See KITTS, Page 6A LaFOLLETTEShawn Paul Goins, 712 Cross Valley Road, is wanted for multiple burglaries and thefts throughout Campbell County. Goins is a 27-year-old white male with brown hair and blue eyes. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall and has a cross tattoo on his stomach. He also has an outstanding warrant for violation of probation. He has had 18 total bookings at the Campbell County Sheriffs Ofce. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the sheriffs ofce at 562-7446 or call the non-emergency line at the 911 Center, 562-8095.
COURTS
JACKSBOROCommissioners united Monday night to invoke a measure empowering them to oversee the development of a proposed coal y ash landll in the Westbourne area. Dozens of landll opponents applauded and waved signs as Mayor William Baird announced in the courthouse a 15-0 commission vote in favor of Jacksons Law. Its a stop-gap measure that will transfer authority from state permit regulators to local leaders on whether to accept or reject South Carolinabased developer Ketchen Land Companys plans to operate a 300-acre dumpsite in the northern part of the county. They plan to import up to 600 cubic tons of y ash to the site by rail over the next 20 years. The county could receive up to $1 per ton for the ash, under one proposal. A permit to operate the facility has already been led for state review. The landll plans have been a point See DUMP, Page 16A
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LMS teacher investigated for improper conduct with student

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LAFOLLETTELonnie Vann, a history teacher and golf coach at LaFollette Middle School, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending an investigation into allegations that he took a female student off campus without prior authorization. Larry Nidiffer, secondary schools supervisor for the Campbell County Board of Education, said the move is standard operating procedure for employees of the school system who are under investigation. If a teacher is accused of something, thats all we can do until we get all the facts, said Nidiffer. The Sheriffs Department has taken it over. Its out of our hands now. Nidiffer would not elaborate on the action taken by the school department. Its an accusation at this point. We know very little, and I cant say anymore than I already have, said Nidiffer. Ofcials from the Campbell County Sheriffs Department remain tightlipped about the investigation.
oday is All Hallows Eve here in the Cumberlands. Before the inux of northerners, who came to the area for wartime work at Oak Ridge, there was no treat as in Trick or Treat on Halloween, but plenty of tricks. The next morning, hardly a privy would be left standing in some neighborhoods. More often than not, the privies were unoccupied at the time of their tipping. For obvious reasons, most outdoor toilets were located some distance from the house. Ben took things a few steps further.
By JOE STEPHENS stories@lafollettepress.com
His was across the road from his house. Back when folks would walk to get to where they were going much more than most people do now, it is quite likely that some passing pedestrians used Bens privy in much the same way that we use the rest areas, placed along the interstate for our convenience, today. Sugar Hollow has long been associated with haints. Perhaps that is why on one Halloween night, many years ago, a small group of young folks wandered out of the hollow in search of mischief-making opportunities. From a distance, they saw Ben cross the road. They waited until he had time to get situated inside See LORE, Page 6A
LaFollette Press columnist Joe Stephens explores the haunted legends of Campbell Countys hollows. Photo illustrations
Injured man emerges from woods hours after reported missing

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HOLLERWEEN GUIDE 2A
City searches for interim administrator

Council will replace Russell indefinitely while she seeks medical care
By DWANE WILDER dwilder@lafollettepress.com LAFOLLETTEUntil City of LaFollette Administrator Billie Russell can return from medical leave, her duties will likely fall to Codes Enforcement Ofcer Stan Foust, Parks and Recreation Director Johnny Byrge or each department head. The issue was debated Monday night by city leaders. A vote on how best to handle the administrative duties will be taken next Tuesday during the council meeting. I think, until Billie gets back, we need a city administrator or let the department heads handle See ADMIN, Page 16A
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ELK VALLEYA Pioneer man is recovering after an all-terrain vehicle accident left him lying injured in the woods on Sand Gap Mountain Sunday night. Blake Douglas, 25, 219 Key Lane, Pioneer, left his home at approximately 11 p.m. Sunday night. Douglass family found his 4-wheeler with two wet socks lying on top of it Monday afternoon after they realized he hadnt reported for work. They contacted the Campbell County SherDouglas iffs Ofce around 2 p.m. Monday to le a missing persons reported. The CCSO search and rescue team, as well as the LaFollette and Jellico rescue squads, were dispatched to the command post at Elk Valley Elementary to begin the search. As searches began, a passing motorist found Douglas walking out of the woods on the mountain. The Good Samaritan picked him up and took him home. Douglas told ofcers that he rode up a high wall Sunday night, and his 4-wheeler ipped. Because of his injuries, he was unable to move for several hours. The next day, Douglas began working his way off the mountain, stopping to rest every 10 to 12 feet, according to police. He was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville via helicopter with serious, non-life threatening injuries to his head and torso.
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THURSDAY, November 14, 2013 75 cents
Charge against snake preacher may spark religious war with serpent-handling congregation
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Pastor Andrew Hamblin stands in a small room on the side of Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette, where 50 venomous snakes were seized by game wardens last week. By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com LaFOLLETTETabernacle Church of God Pastor Andrew Hamblin is preparing for the rst of what could be many court appearances after ofcers from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency raided his church on Nov. 7 and seized more than 50 venomous snakes. Hamblin is charged with one count of possession of Class-I wildlife a misdemeanor punishable by up to nearly a year in jail and a $2,500 ne. His arraignment is set for 9 a.m. Friday in Campbell County General Session Court, where he is expected to plead not guilty, according to his private defense attorney Mike Hatmaker. Hamblin was at his home last Thursday morning when two TWRA ofcers knocked on the door to inquire if he had any deadly snakes there or at his church. Of course I couldnt lie, Hamblin said. Hamblin then escorted the ofcers to his church where they spent more than an hour and eventually removed 50 serpents in six containers. Species included rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, copperheads and some non-native species, according to TWRA ofcials. The reptiles are being held at the Knoxville Zoo as evidence. Hamblin was the only church member allowed inside the building during the seizure. As TWRA processed the snakes inside the church, members of the congregation began to gather outside. Elizabeth Hamblin, the pastors wife, elded constant cell phone calls from people who presumably wanted updates on the situation. Her ringtone was set to My Salvation, the opening theme song of the reality TV series that starred the Hamblins and ultimately could prove to be the catalyst for TWRAs action. Hamblin, along with Kentucky preacher Jamie Coots, began lming Snake Salvation for the National Geographic Channel earlier this year. The 16-episode series aired on Tuesday nights throughout the fall and detailed the lives of snake-handling church members. The nal episodes aired Oct. 22. After the raid, church members gathered at the Tabernacles altar to pray about the upcoming court appearance. Were xing to ll that courthouse up, Hamblin told those gathered. A man ought to fast and pray til the 15th. But Hamblin reassured the crowd that church services would go on. On Friday night eight minutes before worship service at the Tabernacle was set to begin HambSee SNAKE CITATION, Page 6A
On Nov. 7, TWRA agents raided Tabernacle Church of God and seized all of its 50 venomous snakes, but on Nov. 8 and 10, the Tabernacle congregation continued to handle serpents at their worship services. Photo by Chris Cannon
Nov. 7: Tabernacle Church of God
Nov. 8, 10: Tabernacle Church of God
4 ARRESTED FOLLOWING METH LAB BUST
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full-time positions cut in half at what the mayor said was the urging of the comptrollers ofce. JELLICO Mayor Les Stiers The town has been heavily insistence that the state scrutinized since it failed to wants to shutter the towns meet payroll in October 2012. library isnt accurate. Since then, state officials On Tuesday night, Stiers have been closely involved told Regional Library Direcin the towns nances. In tor Susan Simmons Byrne September, the board voted that the town wasnt able to to come under direct oversight fund the library as it had in of the comptrollers ofce. Stiers previous years because of an All expenditures must now order from Nashville to cut be pre-approved through payroll by 25 percent and to Nashville. close the library. She [Sandra Thompson, director of The state wanted us to close it and state and local nance] said weve told we refused, Stiers told Byrne. you and asked you to shut the library That isnt true, Byrne contended. down, Stiers relayed to the board at [The state] wanted me to emphasize its October meeting. to you that the comptrollers ofce did The move reportedly came after not want the library to be closed, said Nashville ordered a 25-percent cut in Byrne. In early October, librarians Mark Tidwell and Kimber Monday saw their See REMARKS, Page 6A
Comptroller says office never gave mayor orders to shutter towns library
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ANIMAL FORECASTERS BETTER THAN METEOROLOGISTS
By DWANE WILDER dwilder@lafollettepress.com ld-timers in the Appalachian Mountains know them as sarvisberry trees. Forest rangers such as Steve Roark of Tazewell most often refer to them by their proper name: serviceberry trees. When Roark was a young boy, his great aunt, Jennie Arnold, taught him to forecast winter weather by observing nature. One of the things he learned from her was that a serviceberry or dogwood tree that blooms again during the late summer was a bad omen. Serviceberry trees are one of the rst
weather service
Hornets, caterpillars, squirrels all predicting harsh winter conditions
The color and fuzziness of caterpillars and wooly worms are believed by some to be indicators of the coming winter conditions
Extra uffy squirrel tails, with nests built low in trees, foretell a cold winter. Chattering squirrels indicate a mild winter.
When hornets build their nest low to the ground, winter will be hard. The opposite can be expected when hornets build their nests up high.
to bloom in the spring. Its white blooms always appear before its leaves come out, usually in early March. It doesnt happen every year, but when it does it catches my attention, said Roark. [They bloom twice] every three to four years. Everytime I see one, I think of my great aunt. Before the advent of modern technology, previous generations had to rely on the natural world as a winter weather forecasting tool. Everything from squirrel tails to hornet nests were closely analyzed for insights into the coming winter months. See WINTER, Page 6A Photo by Dwane Wilder
SNAKE CITATION
SERPENT-HANDLING ZEALOTS GARNER HUNDREDS OF PETITIONS IN SUPPORT OF RELIGIOUS CAUSE

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com LaFOLLETTEWith less than a month before Pastor Andrew Hamblins preliminary hearing, the congregation at the Tabernacle Church of God is working behind the scenes in hopes of convincing the state to drop the Class-I wildlife possession charges against their 22-year-old pastor. Each Tuesday and Thursday night, the church, located off Longmire Lane in LaFollette, will be open in hopes the community will sign a petition asking the congregation be allowed to practice snake handling without interference. Theres a way to compromise without taking down, Hamblin said on Tuesday night. As the sun set, Hamblin perched on See SNAKE CITATION, Page 6A
11 arrested for soliciting prostitutes plead guilty

By BETH BRADEN bbraden@lafollettepress.com LAFOLLETTENearly a dozen men nabbed in a prostitution sting in downtown LaFollette are on their way to settling their alleged transgressions. Two months after the week-long, late-September sting, 10 of the 11 men charged with soliciting prostitutes in LaFollette have pleaded guilty and received their punishments. Some paid nes anywhere from several hundred to more than $1,000. One more case will be heard in December. Those punishments are as follows: Calvin Ratcliff pleaded guilty, 6-month suspended sentence pending paid ne. Hes not to be back on north Tennessee or Indiana avenues. James Scarborough pleaded guilty, case closed Sigile Gray, Jr. , pleaded guilty, seven days in jail plus a six-month suspended sentence at 75 percent. Supervised probation until ne is paid Charles Keith Wagers pleaded guilty, review hearing scheduled for Jan. 28, 2014 Gary Lee Asher pleaded guilty, 6-month suspended sentence, pending paid ne George E. Miller pleaded guilty, 6-month suspended sentence, pending paid ne John Oblinger pleaded guilty, seven days in jail, plus a six-month suspended sentence at 75 percent James T. Allen pleaded guilty, 6-month suspended sentence, pay nes by Jan. 28, 2014 Rodney J. Bolton pleaded guilty, 6-month suspended sentence, pay nes by Jan. 28, 2014 Dewey Heatherly pleaded guilty, seven days in jail plus a six-month suspended sentence at 75 percent, supervised probation pending ne. Heatherly is not to be on Tank Springs Road. Mauricio Bocanagra will appear in court on Dec. 3 for sentencing.
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Tabernacle Church of God Pastor Andrew Hamblin preaches on the steps of the Campbell County Courthouse before he pleaded not guilty Friday to possessing 50 deadly snakes. Photo by Chris Cannon
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UP THE VALLEYA late Tuesday afternoon 911 call about a body in the lake has turned into a crime scene investigation. At 4:52 p.m., Campbell County's 911 Center received a call from a sherman about a body in the water at Miller's Bridge on Old Tenn. 63. Scanner trafc indicated a vehicle was also located at the scene. The body was later identied as 38-year-old Darren Lee Morrison, 146 Stone Ridge Lane, LaFollette. It was unclear how long Morrison had been in the water. The incident is being investigated as a crime. Morrisons body has been sent to the University of Tennessees Regional Forensic Center for an autopsy.
MANS BODY RECOVERED FROM NORRIS LAKE
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POLICE: STILL AT-LARGE SUBWAY ROBBER LOCKED WORKER IN COOLER, STOLE CASH, HER CAR
LaFOLLETTEPolice are investigating after a Sunday-morning armed robbery at Subway restaurant on Jacksboro Pike. An employee was preparing to open the store just before 8 a.m. when a man with a small handgun entered the store and demanded all the money, according to police reports. The suspect, who was wearing a dark, hooded jacket and ski mask, demanded the employee hand over her car keys and go into the walk-in cooler. The suspect then rolled a cart in front of the coolers door and told her if she came out, he would kill her, records indicated. The man then left Subway in the womans vehicle and drove to Zaxbys in Jacksboro. Ofcers were able to use the stolen vehicles ON-STAR system to locate it. Ofcers from LaFollette, Jacksboro and the Campbell County Sheriffs Ofce descended on the scene, but the subject could not be located. LaFollette detectives believe the suspect ed with another driver. Anyone with information is urged to call the LaFollette Police Department at 562-8331.
A CLOSER LOOK: REPORT CARDS ISSUED FOR CAMPBELL COUNTY SCHOOLS
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METHAMPHETAMINE ARRESTS SURGE

BETH BRADEN Reporter CAMPBELL COUNTYOfcers from the LaFollette Police Department and the Campbell County Sheriffs Ofce arrested six people in three separate methamphetamine-related incidents in the past week. On Sunday, CCSO Deputy Josh Carroll was dispatched to a home in Pioneer after authorities received a tip about the potential manufacture of methamphetamine. Joseph Dewayne Harmon, 29, 1522 Melton Hollow Lane, invited ofcers into an outbuilding on the property, according to police. See METH Page 4A
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EDITORS NOTE: More than half of the districts public school students perform at basic levels or below prociency in math, according to one of several ndings released this month by the Tennessee Department of Education. Overall, the data reveals students here continue to struggle to keep pace with their state and national peers when it comes to most core subjects. Last year, the average ACT score was 17.3 for district juniors who took the standardized national college-entrance exam thats nearly 4 points lower than national averages. Many four-year colleges and universities require a minimum score of 21 for admittance. Nearly three out of four students in the district are economically disadvantaged, the report shows. About 12 percent of students were reported to have a disability. The news isnt all bad, though. Some district schools report academic gains in certain areas and are making progress towards achievement. In an effort to highlight the problems and successes of students in Campbell County, the LaFollette Press will publish a series of reports on each of the districts schools. State educational data will also be made available to subscribers on our website. What do you think about education levels in Cambell County? Find us on Facebook, or email the editor at bschanding@lafollettepress.com. You may also write letters to: LaFollette Press, 225 N. First St., LaFollette, TN. 37766. Brent Schanding, editor
Valley View Principal Jason Dotson analyzed data from the schools state testing results. A synopsis from each school in the district appears on 6A. Dwane Wilder
Are our kids achieving?

DWANE WILDER Reporter
Reading writing arithmetic
ack sboro Element a r y Principal Joan Crutcheld took the oor to a hearty round of applause Thursday night during a special meeting at the Campbell County Board of Education ofce. Principals of all 12 public schools in Campbell County, central ofce supervisors and board of education members were on hand to view a presentation and dissection of the
latest state testing data. The cause for celebration was Jacksboros recent designation as a Reward School by the Tennessee Department of Education for ranking among the top 5 percent in progress and high student growth. The award is based on a one-year school composite in the Tennessee Value Added Assessment System. We didnt get it for achievement, we got it for progress, said Crutcheld. Sixty-eight percent of Jacksboro Elementary students in grades 3-5
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PUBLIC SAFETY A CLOSER LOOK: GENERATIONAL POVERTY
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7 DEAD PUPPIES RECOVERED FROM HOME

Other dogs, cat allegedly found neglected, malnourished in vacated LaFollette rental unit
By BRENT SCHANDING Editor LaFOLLETTEA 33-year-old LaFollette woman was arrested on animal cruelty charges Wednesday after animal enforcement ofcers allegedly recovered seven dead puppies and several other malnourished pets from her home late last month. LaFollette Police were dispatched to 512 W. Walden St. Nov. 23 to respond to complaints from a landlord who believed the Presley tenant, Dawn Presley, had vacated the residence without taking her animals. An ofcer was reportedly able to view into the homes window, where he saw three small dead puppies on the oor, according to police reports. The oor was covered with animal feces, reports indicated. A female pit bull was also observed with additional puppies nearby, according to the ofcer accounts and other witness testimony. When LaFollette police escorted by at least two animal control ofcers made entry into the vacated home, they discovered two female pit bulls, a Chihuahua, six small puppies and a cat, according to police reports. Each animal was malnourished, according to reports, and some of the puppies were barely able to walk. Another dog was recovered from outsidewhere it had allegedly been tied to a tree and suffered from malnourishment, the report indicated. A total of seven puppies were found dead, the report said. No water or food was found on the premises, according to the report. Appliances were damaged and holes were punched in the walls, the report indicated. The surviving animals were transported to Adrion W. Baird Animal Center in Jacksboro and treated for malnourishment. Presley was arrested Wednesday at the animal shelter, according to police reports, and booked in the Campbell County Jail. She remains there on a $5,000 bond. PUPPIES 16A
Hunter to TWRA: It charged, I shot and killed

No lyin: Tigers fed dead bear
NEWCOMBA hunter from Maryland shot and killed a bear he said charged while he hunted on Capuchin Mountain over the Thanksgiving weekend. The man, 20-year-old Jon-Michael Oxetnko, told TWRA Ofcer Ken Cutsinger he was hunting with friends when he heard the bear hufng and turned around to see it charge at him. The hunter then shot the 200-pound bear twice with a .30-30 caliber rie. Cutsinger believes the bear was bluff-charging, which is common for a threatened bear to do, according to TWRA public information ofcer Matt Cameron. The hunter had a valid, non-resident hunting license and was not issued a citation. He was warned for killing big game in a closed season. BEAR 16A
OUTDOORS
Breaking the cycle

SAM SMITH Editorial Assistant CAMPBELL COUNTYThis is one of eight counties in Tennessee listed as persistently impoverished. Its a county where a fth or more of the population and their families have lived in abject poverty over the past three decades. The per capita income here is $13,301 annually about $10,000 less than the state average, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Thats about $30,000 a year less than the average Americans per capita income a ve- gure income disparity thats higher than the cost of many homes providing shelter to local residents. Blame it on the poor economy. The stagnant minimum wage. The lack of high-paying jobs. The rampant drug abuse. The lack of education. The overreliance on shrinking government subsidies.
POVERTY:
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It appears unlikely anytime soon that someone or some agency will bail out Campbell Countians. So how are they supposed to break the generations-long cycle of poverty? Many here already pinch pennies, stretch dollars or do without to make ends meet. LaFollette Press Facebook fan Timothy Savage suggested people only purchase necessities. Learn to say no to the children, he posted on the Press social media site. Plan and combine trips to town to save gas. Dont waste anything and teach your children the same. Its a start. But to go from poor to more, experts say those living in poverty have to recognize the roots of their economic woes. Here are some common ones to avoid: POVERTY 6A
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Chris Cannon Pastor Andrew Hamblin and supporters stand at the Campbell County Courthouse last month after he made an initial appearance to answer to charges of possessing dangerous wildlife.
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Serpent-handling preacher due in court Tuesday
85%
80.4% 85.8%
75%
70.4%
78.1%
77.7%
73.7%
78.9%
73.6%
86.4%
LaFOLLETTELocal pastor Andrew Hamblin will appear in General Sessions Court on Tuesday for the next round of legal proceedings after the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency conscated more than 50 venomous snakes housed at his Tabernacle Church of God. TWRA raided the LaFollette church on Nov. 7 and charged Hamblin with possession of Class-I wildlife. Hamblin, who starred in a 16-episode reality TV series about his Pentecostal faith which incorporates serpent handling has called the move an attack on his religious freedom. Hamblin entered a not-guilty plea during his initial court appearance earlier last month. At next weeks preliminary hearing, TWRA is expected to present its evidence against Hamblin. If found guilty, Hamblin could be sentenced that day, or the case could be diverted to a grand jury. Hamblin is represented by attorney Mike Hatmaker of Jacksboro.
GOVERNMENT
Return plans unclear

Embattled city administrator still out on leave Press analysis shows Campbell
judge has 3 of 4 appeals afrmed by higher courts
Its more of the things that are not black and white.
8th Judicial District Attorney General Lori Phllips-Jones, on cases that end up on the appelate level.
Flex lunch fueling academic progress

DWANE WILDER Reporter JACKSBOROA high school football coach who applied for a job in the spring of 2011 unknowingly became the catalyst for Campbell County High Schools popular ex lunch period. The initiative which allows students the exibility to retake a test, get tutoring, make up assignments, earn credits, attend club meetings or grab a quick bite to eat has been so successful at CCHS that a video production team from Vanderbilt University recently visited campus to document it. LUNCH 15A
EDUCATION
LAFOLLETTECity administrator Billie Russell will be on medical leave at least another month, according to her attorney, David H. Dunaway of LaFollette. Russell has been on medical leave since Oct. 11 and is said to be suffering from high blood pressure, a heart condition and severe emotional distress after the city recorder, police chief and several members of the police department led grievances against Russell her. She was hospitalized briey before being discharged and has yet to return to her duties. LaFollette Mayor Mike Staneld said the Tennessee Municipal Leagues insurance company denied a workers compensation claim last month by Russell. ADMIN 16A
Judge Sexton BETH BRADEN Reporter CAMPBELL COUNTYIt was a murder trial that began when hunters stumbled across a decomposed body on Eagle Bluff in 2008. Years of legal issues surrounding Jayne Loves death and the guilt of two brothers who were allegedly with her before she died worked its way through court. Russell Pack was acquitted. Phillip Pack was sentenced to 25 years for second-degree murder and was classied as a violent offender he was ineligible for parole. In September, Tennessees Court of Criminal Appeals found the evidence presented at court didnt support the conviction, and they ruled Pack was to be exonerated and released. During the trial, the state said Phillip Pack had injected Jayne Love with a lethal dose of methamphetamine. JUDGE 11A
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Wall Street Journal, others ock to local courtroom to cover serpent-handling preachers appearance; grand jury will now hear wildlife possession charges
BETH BRADEN Reporter
NEW TESTAMENT
COURTS & RELIGION
JACKSBOROAndrew Hamblins snake-handling disciples packed into Campbell Countys General Sessions Court more than an hour before his preliminary hearing was set to begin on Tuesday afternoon. Judge Joe Ayers bound the case to the grand jury when it reconvenes early next year. Hamblin, with approximately 100 supporters, was present for the hearing. Supporters were largely dressed in red. Many of them carried bibles. Hamblin is the pastor of Tabernacle Church of God, as well as star of the National Geographic Reality TV series, Snake Salvation. Sixteen episodes of Snake Salvation detailing the life of the serpent-handling pastor and his congregation aired earlier this fall. Within two weeks of the shows end, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency raided Chris Cannon Hamblins LaFollette church and conscated 53 venomous snakes. Hamblin pleaded not guilty Tabernacle Church of God Pastor Andrew Hamblin entered the Campbell County Courthouse Tuesday carrying a Bible. Supporters dressed in red. Hamblins charge for possessing dangerous wildlife has been directed to a grand jury. during his arraignment on Nov. 15. Tuesdays hearing was the states chance to establish its case for raiding the church. The two-hour hearing was largely dominated by Hamblins attorney, Mike Hatmaker, as he questioned TWRA Sgt. Joe Durnin about the Nov. 7 raid. Eighth Judicial District Attorney Lori PhillipsJones was prepared to call ve witnesses four TWRA agents, as well as an employee from the Knoxville Zoo. The zoo was tasked with caring for the 53 poisonous snakes after the raid. Can you tell the court what you did in the NEW TESTAMENT 18A
In search of old
A CLOSER LOOK: CELEBRATING THE SEASON
JELLICO HIGH BOMB THREAT ANOTHER HOAX

BETH BRADEN Reporter JELLICOWhat appears to be an empty bomb threat scrawled on a bathroom wall at Jellico High School had been penned days earlier, according to an investigation by the Campbell County Sheriffs Ofce. At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 13 a student reported a bomb threat written on the back of a stall wall in a girls restroom. School Resource Ofcer Ned Smiddy notied the sheriffs ofce and evacuated the building, while a Knoxville-based bomb squad brought a bomb-snifng dog to ensure the school was safe. Another student later recalled seeing two girls skipping class on Dec. 10 and hiding in the same restroom. Those two girls were interviewed by deputies, and one allegedly confessed to writing, BOMB 17A
CRIME
Christmas
Traditions remain from pioneer days

EAST TENNESSEEWhen the early pioneers rst crossed the Appalachian Mountains into what is now Tennessee, they brought with them Christmas traditions from their European ancestors. Many families of English and Scots-Irish heritage celebrated what is known as Old or Little Christmas, an observance held on Jan. 6 almost two weeks after the date most mark the holiday. Old Christmas draws parallels with the Epiphany, a Christian festival commemorating in the Western Church the manifestation of Christ to the Magi. CHRISTMAS 6A
Dwane Wilder Visitors to the Museum of Appalachia admire a Christmas tree decorated with items found on the frontier. A candle and boughs of holly adorn a windowsill at the Speedwell Academy during the Christmas season.
PRESS
LaFollette
SPORTS: NO ANSWER FOR ARTS: CCHS CHRISTMAS PLAY 14A STRETCH1B
EARLY DEADLINES
Copyright 2013
Advertising deadlines for the Dec. 26 edition of the LaFollette Press will be noon on Monday. Deadlines for Lifestyles and calendar submissions will be 5 p.m. on Dec. 20.
Arts & Entertainment | 13A Business | 6A Calendar | 3A Classieds | 10-11B Faith | 8-9A Obituaries | 16A Opinion | 10A Outdoor | 4B Sports | 1-9B TV listing | 15A
9 PRESS TOP STORIES

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LaFollette
WE COUNT DOWN THE BIGGEST STORIES OF 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR
LaFollette
COUNTDOWN6A
PUBLIC SAFETY
COURTS & BUSINESS
COPPER STOPPER
Deputies arrest duo accused of excavating conduit lled with valuable metal
BETH BRADEN Reporter R ARITY MOUNTAINTwo men are accused of trying to steal copper wiring after a construction company employee reported a forklift valued at $125,000 missing from a job site and alerted authorities. The employee followed the tracks left by the stolen forklift and located the machine Lay approximately 8 miles away, at the Rarity Mountain golf course site, according to reports from the Campbell County Sheriffs Office. When the employee found the forklift, he also found Ira Stevie Ridenour, 236 Laurel Branch Road, Pioneer, and Jimmy Shannon Lay, 170 W. Cotula Lane, LaFollette, accordRidenour ing to incident reports. Lay was allegedly driving the forklift to pull conduit out of the ground, the report indicated. Ridenour was using a shovel to assist him, it stated. The conduit contained copper wire, which can be resold to scrap yards for cash. An altercation ensued after the construction employee approached, according to reports. Lay was reportedly in possession of a knife, and a brief fistfight ensued between Lay and the construction COPPER 7A
SUDAFED UP
DESPITE RULING FROM JUDGE, PHarmaCies less liKely to stoCK POPULAR PILLS USED IN METH-MAKING. BUT WILL IT BE A CURE FOR THE COUNTYS DRUG PROBLEM?
They still have had some meth labs, but theres a whole lot less Sudafed out there for them to make meth out of. We feel like our smurfers have really been reduced.
8th Judicial District Attorney Lori Phillips-Jones, on restricting Sudafed to curb the countys meth problem
BETH BRADEN Reporter CAMPBELL COUNTYA new state attorney general opinion isnt stopping local officials in the fight to combat the countys methamphetamine problems. The opinion said towns cannot pass laws on a local level that require a prescription for medication containing pseudoephedrine one of the main ingredients in methamphetamine. Local laws cannot be more restrictive than state law, said 8th Judicial District Attorney Lori Phillips-Jones. At least one town Winchester, in Middle Tennessee passed a prescription law earlier this year. The attorney general opinion renders that law null and void now because it is more restrictive than state law, said PhillipsJones. While none of Campbell Countys towns have passed the prescription law, Phillips-Jones has been working with local pharmacies to restrict access to the pseudoephedrine without violating the law. They still have had some meth labs, but theres a whole lot less Sudafed out there for them to make meth out of. We feel like our smurfers have really been reduced. The pharmacists talk about what a blessing it is cause now people know they dont have Sudafed, she said. Smurfers is a slang term used to refer to individuals who purchase pseudoephedrine at various pharmacies to avoid detection. A typical smurfing scheme might involve several individuals making a purchase and then taking the medication back to the cook. PILLS7A
PRESS
LaFollette
Ascent to Rocky Top begins for town

Delegation seeks state help to spur name change, enterprise opportunities
DEVELOPMEMNT

Copyright 2013
SEE WHO WE NAMED CAMPBELL COUNTIAN OF THE YEAR FOR 20131C
EARLY DEADLINES
Advertising deadlines for the Jan. 2 edition of the LaFollette Press will be noon on Monday. Deadlines for Lifestyles and calendar submissions will be 5 p.m. on Dec. 27. The LaFollette Press will be closed Jan. 1 in observance of New Years.
LAKE CITYThe climb to Rocky Top has officially begun. As a kick-off to the tedious process of trying to change the towns name, Lake City Mayor Tim Sharp traveled to Nashville last Wednesday to meet separately with representatives of the House of Bryant Publications, LLC and state legislators. Anderson County Commissioner Tim Isbel, artist Brad Coriell and local businessman Mark Smith accompanied the mayor. It was productive, said Sharp, who added that it could be springtime before the process is completed. House of Bryant the company that owns publishing rights to the original song, Rocky Top, as well as several trademarks related to the name warned Lake Citys council of copyright infringement three hours prior to a vote taken on Nov. 7 to begin the process of changing the towns name. Undeterred, the council was unanimous in its vote to proceed with the name change. Sharp said last weeks meeting with House of Bryant representatives was an attempt to minimize conflicts with copyright issues.
ROCKY TOP 7A
Business | 9A Calendar | 3A Classifieds | 10B Faith | 4-5C Obituaries | 11A Opinion | 8A Outdoor | 4B Sports | 1-9B TV listing | 7C

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TEASE GOES

COUGARS VISIT MARYVILLE

www.LaFollettePress.com Thursday, January 3, 2013

INSiDE TODAYS EDiTiON

Looking back at 2012

Chuckles The last half of the year in review in cartoons Page 8A

Put yourself in the picture: Snapshots Page 1C

Marina owners seek relief

Volume 102, Number 1 LaFollette, TN 37766 34 Pages, 3 Sections

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com

Jellico sees natural gas well issues

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www.LaFollettePress.com Thursday, January 10, 2013

Hatmaker and Sexton involved in accident

Up and around Ethan Miller making strides following accident. Page 3A

IRS could levy Jellico accounts

Applicants Six throw name in ring for chancellor spot Page 5A

Put yourself in the picture: Snapshots Page 1C

Jellico works to clear up gas card issues

Volume 102, Number 2 LaFollette, TN 37766 34 Pages, 3 Sections

Customers to see changes in Jellico garbage fee

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Thursday, January 17, 2013

INSiDE tODAYS EDitiON

Rebuilding Fincastle Church of God works to rebuilld. Page8A

Crash could cause fall out

Put yourself in the picture: Snapshots Page 1C

Postons extension voted down

County to sell solar power

Sills brothers face simillar charges

Volume 102, Number 3 LaFollette, TN 37766 36 Pages, 3 Sections

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Jellico financial issues compound

Counting Point in Time volunteers to tally the homeless. Page 3A

Commission reconsiders decision

Put yourself in the picture: Snapshots Page 1C

By PETER SAWYER psawyer@lafollettepress.com

Sexton resigns from city position

Boats lost in dock re at Whitman Hollow

Volume 102, Number 4 LaFollette, TN 37766 38 Pages, 3 Sections

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Saluting our newest subscriber : Mike Shoffner of LaFollette

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Inappropriate language allegations

Warned A Campbell County attorney gets censured. Page 5A

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Bomb threat closes JHS

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Volume 102, Number 5 LaFollette, TN 37766 38 Pages, 3 Sections

Citizens voice support to keep Poston

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