From the files of the Polk County News ...

In 1938, Sheriff Broughton Biggs named ex-Trustee Roxy Campbell as chief deputy, George Crawford as chief jailer, Frank Crawford was transferred to Copperhill, Frank Clayton was transferred to Ducktown, and B.F. Smith and Burch Maynor were to remain as guards, Deputies had not yet been named for Isabella and Conasauga ... Norman Carpenter died from logging injuries ... The Benton-Parksville road was being finished with cooperation of the WPA and county highway department ... Around 4,000 children returned to school.

In 1948, the Quarterly Court set the tax rate at $2.77. The budget included money for the General Fund, Road Fund, Elementary School /fund, High School Fund, Public Welfare Fund, Health Fund, Agricultural Fund, and Debt Service Fund ... H.M. Love was elected School Board Chairman ... The residential phone rate was raised to $1.50 for a 4-party line.

In 1958, School Superintendent E.L. Fitch announced placements. Principals were Willard Crouch, PCHS; Gene Brown, CBHS; Herlien McCamy, Old Fort; Harry Wehunt, Copperhill; Cecil Sells, Turtletown; Jasper Rogers, Second District; Katherine Crumley, Delano; Ruth Passmore, Linsdale; Cecil Lillard, Benton; John Miller, Ducktown; Henry Philips, Ocoee; Nina Wilson, Conasauga ...

In 1968, Benton City Commissioners announced that the Town Creek bridge would be replaced ... Supporters of the presidential campaign for George Wallace were in Benton ... T.M. White celebrated his 85th birthday ... New officers of the Benton Lions Club were James Lively, Matt Witt, Charles Campbell, Dr. L.M. Gross, Ronnie Beard, Don Curbow, Bill Cochran, Burch Biggs, Richard Massengill.

In 1978, elderly housing for Benton came a step closer as bids were opened for the 24-unit proposed project ... The County Council approved a bond refunding program of $305,000 to get a better interest rate ... The Circuit Court Clerk was taken off the fee system of compensation ... Use of a private appraisal firm was approved to help with the tax appeal by Cities Service ... The county was grappling with the need for a landfill.

In 1988, nine teaching positions were eliminated to balance the school budget, and roof repairs were put off ... Improvements to Hwy. 64 were under study ... TCC President Bruce Davis said a $10 million shortfall in the pension fund wouldn’t hurt retirees ... Officials with the Cherokee National Forest announced it was looking for partnership programs.

In 1998, Parents felt there was an inadequate reaction to death threats by a Benton Elementary student … The county received $1.3 million in grants for housing rehab in Benton and water line projects in the Basin area … Vandalism was damaging sites in the Cherokee National Forest … Gov. Don Sundquist said federal rules required a bypass of historic sites for the Hwy. 411 four-laning project even though there was local opposition … Tri-State EMC celebrated 50 years of service.