From the files of the Polk County News ...

In 1932, President Hoover signed an emergency relief bill to help the poor and provide money for public works projects ... A constable was sentenced to a year and a day in the penitentiary for transporting more than a gallon of whiskey ... The opening of school in the first and second districts was put off for two weeks at the request of farmers whose crop work had been delayed by excessive rain.

In 1942, ration board were allowing as much sugar as needed for home canning ... Democrats planned a big picnic at Quinn Springs. Among the expected speakers were two U.S. senators, the governor, the congressman and judges ... Five cases of polio were confirmed in Blue Ridge, with victims age 14 months to 17 years. Children under 15 were to be kept away from crowds and a strict quarantine was in effect for all cases.

In 1952, the County Court was expected to raise the $2.99 tax rate. In the previous year, the county had to borrow $80,000 to pay the teachers, truck drivers and other school employees for the last two months of the year ... Charles Robinson was on duty in Korea ... A Democrat Women’s Club was organized with Mrs. John Standridge as president.

In 1962, absentee ballots were expected to be an higher than the 2200 votes two years earlier ... The school board adopted one of the most unique school plans in the area for the new Copperhill Elementary ... The Rev. D.W. Pickelsimer retired from First Baptist of Benton ... The Lillard Hardware, established in 1926, was purchased by Luke Powell ... Mary Helen Howard attended the FHA convention in Utah ... Groundbreaking was held for the J.M. Huber plant.

In 1972, the county court adopted a record budget of $3.4 million and a tax rate of $3.80: 52¢ for the general fund; 11¢ for ambulance service; 5¢ for waste removal; 17¢ for highways, $1.95 for schools; and $1 for debt service ... Edsel Deal and Marvin Stinnett were appointed to the School Board ... Benton Manufacturing was awarded a $426,000 defense contract ... Susan Jones was expected to file a lawsuit over the fact the old Ducktown cemetery was demolished for a highway project ... The Land Judging Team won first place in the district. Members were Gary woody, Mike Stinnett, Paul Gamble, and Buddy Creasman ... Mrs. Sarah Runion celebrated her 80th birthday.

In 1982, more than 1000 Democrats attended a rally in Benton. Entertainment was by Buddy McClary and the Blue Ridge Grass Band ... The budget committee told the school board that budget cuts would have to be made ... State Senator Ben Langley asked for state support for Benton’s water grant application.

In 1992, the county commission took no action on a request to reopen a road in Turtletown ... A police officer fired from Copperhill made an unsuccessful appeal to keep his job ... The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association received a $30,000 grant from the Forest Service for marketing and promotion ... Many former students mourned the death of Evelyn Payne at age 83.

In 2002, The property tax rated remained the same at $2.58 … An Old Fort man was found beaten to death in Old Fort. Mike Stewart was charge din the death of Willard Trentham … Improvements to Ducktown Elementary School were estimated at $1.5 million … A Maryville teen drowned in Greasy Creek … A Grand Jury reported the Polk County jail building was inadequate … Polk was one of only two counties in the state without a 20-year growth plan … Copperhill Mayor Robert Thomas expressed concern about the ability to pay for a water line extension in Pleasant Hill … County Commissioners voted to keep the Lowery Rd RR crossing open after a group of citizens petitioned them to close it … Copperhill canoeist Joe Jacobi and partner Matt Taylor took 4th place at the World Cup race … A West Nile virus alert was issued by the Tennessee Department of Health