Hurricane season, which officially began June 1 and will run through September 30, had an active start with the recent ravaging effects of Hurricane Bill. Hurricanes are most threatening to coastal residents, but these fierce storms can carry their destructive winds and flood waters inland for hundreds of miles. Inland residents have experienced tornadoes, heavy rains, and flooding. More...

Permit me to share my experience with health insurance. When I started work as a young man at the daily newspaper in Florence, I was provided individual health-insurance coverage and had the opportunity when I got married to add family coverage at my expense. More...

During the ferocious healthcare funding debate, I cannot fathom any conclusion other than it’s in America’s best interest economically, morally, and spiritually to fashion a way to deliver our incomparable world class health treatment more effectively to our 300 million deserving citizens. More...

Every school in the county will face a region opponent this week and for some schools the game is almost a must-win when it comes to playoff hopes. All games kick off at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11 Coosa Christian (2-0, 1-0 in 1A Region 5) at Appalachian (2-0, 1-0) Last year – Appalachian 47, Coosa Christian 8 More...

Leslie and Ann Kelley of Oneonta were married for 63 years before his death this spring. Sometime during those years they became owners of a wealth of historical and ancestral documentation preserved on rolls of microfilm: 222 reels in fact. More...

CLEAR SPRINGS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH on county road 15 near Limestone Springs to have a community fish fry 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. Plates of fish and chicken with all the trimmings for $7 (adults) or $5 (children); eat in or carry out. Proceeds to benefit church’s building fund. More...

If there appears to be a disagreement among family members about information to appear in an obituary, The Blount Countian reserves the right to decline to publish any of it. More...

BACK-TO-SCHOOL AMNESTY PERIOD at Oneonta Public Library through Sept. 30 when fines will be forgiven for library materials more than 30 days overdue still in circulation condition (no water or moisture damage, chewed and/or torn items, or items with odor or insect infestation problems). Book drop open after hours. More...