From the files of the Polk County News ...

In 1938, Democrats put out a Harmony ticket, with the Davis and Biggs factions agreeing to go 50-50 in the selection. Candidates were Broughton Biggs for Sheriff, G.L. Gilliland for Circuit Court Clerk, R.E. McClary for Trustee, L.H. Parks for County Court Clerk, and J.A. Harbison for Register ... Republicans nominated H.A. Crox for Sheriff, J.M. Lillard for Trustee, Clyde Harper for Circuit Court Clerk, W.A. Woody for County Court Clerk, and Charles Dalton for Register.

In 1968, Clifford Lynch was named President of the Polk County Education Association ... Members of the Polk County Rescue Squad completed a training course ... Brad Kimbrough was the new president of the Historical Society ... Danny Rogers received a B.S. degree from Tennessee Wesleyan ... Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Williams celebrated their 50th anniversary ... Ronald Davis graduated from the School of Education at MTSU.

In 1978, the Grand Jury was receiving evidence into alleged voter fraud. Absentee ballots had been impounded ... The cost of a stamp went up to 15¢ ... Brenda Yates was the state winner in the “Ability Counts” essay contest ... Robbie Robertson was on the Dean’s List at UTC ... The whitewater nationals were held on the Ocoee ...

In 1988, a seed orchard was approved for the Cherokee National Forest ... Congressman John Duncan announced his retirement. His son announced he would run for the seat.. The Benton Town Commission was letting out the final bids for a pipeline from the new well.

In 1998,  Democrats chose Billy Baliles to fill the vacancy left by the death of Sessions/Juvenile Judge Frank Hammons .. The property tax rate was set to go down from $3.52 to $2.58 as a result of the certified tax rate following property reappraisal … The first 1.5 miles of a planned 40-mile trail complex around the Ocoee Whitewater Center was opened … The School Board asked for more information on the need for school fees … Bo Thomas was the new mayor of Benton.