“Until the budget is official, we just don’t know,” said Blount County Superintendent of Education Jim Carr earlier this week. “The most recent projections have us (Blount County) losing about $2 million from the foundation funding. That will add up to a total loss of about $2.5 million for the next fiscal year. “Of course, until we get the final […]
Snead senior citizens center open for business
After almost three years of planning, the new Snead senior citizens center officially opened last week. The structure, which is a little over 3000 square-feet, has been in the planning stages since center director Jane Childers took over three years ago. “I have been director for three years as of April 6,” she said, “and I began planning it right […]
Improvement reflects focus on dropout prevention
Graduation rates on upswingWhy be concerned about high school dropouts? The answer, in a nutshell: •80 percent of inmates in prison are high school dropouts. •dropouts are 72 percent more likely to be unemployed than high school graduates. •dropouts earn $260,000 less in their lifetimes than high school graduates. •dropouts are much more likely to be on welfare, and to be involved with […]
Tom Surtees, director of Department of Industrial Relations, to speak here
Tom Surtees, director of the state Department of Industrial Relations, will address the city-county chamber of commerce breakfast at Twin Oaks on Wednesday, April 22, at 7:30 a.m. Surtees is expected to discuss the worsening state unemployment picture, future job prospects, and the state’s economy generally. Surtees became director of Industrial Relations in September 2007 after having served as state […]
Gethsemane
This 4′ x 6′ panel showing the passion of Christ is one of three displayed in an Easter tableau on the lawn of New Life Ministries church. The other two panels show the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday and the Last Supper. The church is located on county road 29, near Straight Mountain Fire Department. The artist is church member […]
What’s in a name?
What’s in a name? Well, not much, especially if there isn’t one. The city of Oneonta has a problem with a name – or lack of one, in this case – and it’s high time that the powers that be took care of it. I’m talking about the Alley. You know the one, the long stretch of gorgeous, freshly-paved road […]
Retirement resignations accepted
Blount County Board of EducationThe Blount County Board of Education accepted several retirement resignations during Monday’s regular meeting. A total of 11 retirement resignations were accepted. Those accepted were: Susan King Davis, library media specialist, and Regenia Diann Evans, teacher, Hayden Middle; Rebecca C. Head and Belinda Lecroy, teachers, Hayden Primary; Shirley Horton and Jane Martin, teachers, Susan Moore Elementary; Linda Melvin, Child Nutrition […]
Snead senior center ribbon-cutting
Pictured at last week’s ribbon-cutting of the new Snead senior citizens center are (left to right) town utilities supervisor Jeff Whited, councilman Jack Freeman, councilman Charles Sanders, Mayor Tim Kent, center director Jane childers, former councilman Ronnie Mack Kent, former Mayor Curt Painter, Probate Judge David Standridge, councilman James Campbell, and state Rep. Elwyn Thomas. – Rob Rice
MILITARY BRIEF
JOSHUA A. PITEO has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C., as an Army Reserve private. During his nine weeks of training, he studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field […]