I am really really glad to see this kind of musical event at Roane State.

Link...

After the jump...

I don't recall seeing an update on the Rockwood meeting earlier this week. Does anybody have info?

This September, millions of families across the nation will celebrate the American Kennel Club’s Responsible Dog Ownership Day. The month-long celebration is free for dog lovers and designed to teach the importance of being a conscientious dog owner and celebrate the deep bond between humans and their canine companions. In conjunction with our fall agility trial, the Tennessee Valley Kennel Club will celebrate Responsible Dog Ownership Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at the East Tennessee Agricultural Exposition Center, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN. The public is invited to join us for games, treats and lots of free fun! Lots more dog info at:
Link...

Shortly after being sworn in at the courthouse Wednesday morning, Woody said emergency management director Howie Rose and assistant director Scott Stout will each have a 9 percent pay reduction.

“We will save enough money on the 9 percent to pay someone part time to come in and give us some leadership and direction,” Woody said.

Also, Roane County's long time budgeteer, Alva Moore, retired on Tuesday. Alva is one of the good guys and will be missed.

Link...

"Crews say the opening is one foot in diameter on the surface, but the hole goes at least four feet deep and extends under the left lane of the interstate," Martinez said in the release. "TDOT Geotechnical engineers have been called to the scene to evaluate the sinkhole and determine the plan for repairs."

Link...

"This election is about electing economic patriots, and saying no to corporate traitors."

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

Since Midtown isn't getting a hospital...

Link...

People's Coal Ash Hearing

Thursday September 2, 2010 at 5:30 PM EST

Roane State Community College

276 Patton Lane, Harriman, Tennessee 37748

If the EPA won't come to the people, the people will come to the EPA!

West Roane County Volunteer Fire department (Link...) will be handing out free 10-year smoke alarms at Station #1 at 1303 Pumphouse Road, Rockwood, Tennessee, from 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturday, September 4.

A grant from FEMA is providing 538 smoke detectors. Volunteers from West Roane VFD wrote the grant application that enabled this giveaway.

The Creative Arts Co-op is excited to announce the next phase of the new Visual & Performing Arts Center - a special events facility.

The building offers a nice open space with several rooms to choose from. With a large stage and sound system, the Arts Center can accommodate a disc jockey or live band. Whether you are planning a birthday party or an office party,consider us. With a clean, open design, convenient location, free parking, and more entertainment options than ever, why go anywhere else? Call for more details at 865/765-1129 or visit Link....

From Kingston:

Area salons come together to support and help with the employees and customers of the crash at Classic Styles Salon in Kingston, TN

A fund raiser for the employees and customers of Classic Styles Salon has been set up for Friday, September 3rd between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the site of Classic Styles Salon, 138 South Kentucky Street.

Must...not...type....snark...

Link...

So of all the countries I have been to, the USA is the only one that does not allow alcohol...And DOES allow guns.

After being impressively quiet when we were asking for his help in getting the EPA to hold a coal ash hearing in Tennessee, Lamar jumps on board. The timing is rather suspicious, coming the day before we citizens hold our own "Peoples Hearing" in Roane County where we are suffering the largest coal ash disaster in history, but we welcome him aboard anyway.

Link...

The driver of a van that slammed into a beauty salon last week has been cited for driving without insurance, making him financially responsible for all of the damage from the accident

Link...

Help Victims Fund

Link...

It was the fifth wild animal to test positively for rabies in the 16-county East Tennessee region this year, said Bob Hamilton, state Health Department field office manager.

Bill Newman, who lives in the Bradbury community near the Roane-Loudon county line, said he shot the fox Sunday evening.

Link...

The Roane County Democratic Party Labor Day Picnic will be held Monday, September 6, at noon in shelter #2 at the Roane County Park, 3515 Roane State Highway.

Gubernatorial candidate Mike McWherter, Congressman Lincoln Davis, and State Representative Dennis Ferguson will attend.

Cost for the picnic is $5.00 per person. Children 12 and under may attend for free.

From Joyce Lewis, Kingston City Manager's office:

Many of the employees and patrons of the Classic Beauty Salon did not have insurance, nor did the owner of the building (not sure about the driver but last I heard it was in question). For several of the employees they have lost their only source of income and those injured are facing huge medical bills.

If anyone would like to donate to these folks an account has been established at ORNL Federal Credit Union, 1204 N. Kentucky Street in Kingston. Make checks payable to ORNL and under for: Victims of the Classic Salon.

The attorneys for those who have suffered economic damage due to TVA negligence will ask the questions. What questions do you think Mr. Kilgore will be asked?

I would love to ask a few questions that have little to do with the legal situation, such as, "When you stood up in front of us in public and said that TVA would make everything right for everyone, did you actually have any clue as to how much economic damage would result from TVA's negligence?"

"It's all about the bottom line isn't it? Is that why TVA has NOT made everyone whole?"

A Rockwood man has been arrested for robbery in Chattanooga. The Chattanoogan has the story: Link...

-- OneTahiti

The Southwest Point Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is having a "Yard Sale" at the Kingston Community Center on Friday, September 10th and Saturday the 11th. Proceeds will go to their various charitable projects, including support of our military, historical education and preservation, and more.

From the EPA:

(Atlanta-August 30, 2010) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) shortened the no wake zone on the Emory River. The main river channel is accessible to the public, but caution is advised. The Emory River channel has been marked as a fully enforced no wake zone by TVA Police under Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) authority from mile marker 2.1 to 1.8. Large equipment remains in the intake channel with booms separating it from the main river channel.

The story comes to mind of an engineer who was to be executed by guillotine. The guillotine was stuck, and custom required that if the blade didn’t drop, the condemned man was set free. Before this could happen, the engineer pointed with excitement to a rusty pulley, and told the executioner to apply some oil there. Off went his head.

Link

A strong editorial by the Knoxville News Sentinel in support of the Citizen's Hearing has been followed up with the Tennessean publishing an opinion as well.

The hear­ing will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thurs­day at Roane State Com­mu­nity Col­lege, 276 Pat­ton Lane, Har­ri­man, Tenn. 37748.

Link...

Wow...I didn't expect this one: Link...

I hope to see former President Bill Clinton when he's here.

I have nothing but awesome things to say about these people. If you want to know about your natural world, this is a walk you should take. I've been on several and always came away with a greater appreciation of the world I live in. Dr. Larry Pounds has a wonderful way of teaching those of us who are new to botany. Don't miss this one!

Big South Fork Leatherwood Ford Outing (TCWP & TNPS)

September 11, 2010 (Saturday) 10 AM Eastern Time

Meeting Place: Leatherwood Ford (Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area)

Leader: Larry Pounds, 865-705-8516 (cell) 865-816-3576 (home)

Why isn't this the ORAU Study headline?

...Oak Ridge researchers have acknowledged that more study is needed, saying only examined about 200 people total and only a handful from within a one-mile radius of the spill.

And, because TVA funded the study, many in the community questioned the independence of the work, acknowledged Dr. Donna Cragle and Dr. Donna Seger, who conducted the exams.

Thank you, Times Free Press!

An unofficial citizens meeting to consider EPA’s proposed “hazardous” classification for coal ash will be in Harriman, Tenn., on Monday, Sept. 2 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Roane State Community College.

Of the seven official hearings have been scheduled by the Environmental Protection Agency, none are in Tennessee despite requests from numerous environmental groups.

Study examines records and finds ground water contamination from coal ash at several sites in Tennessee.

Thinking about the gulf and the bayous and a way of life...