From the files of the Polk County News ...

In 1932, Democrats received a handsome majority in the election, with winners being b.E. Biggs, sheriff; C.L. (Roxy) Campbell, trustee; R.G. Hood, tax assessor. Boyd Mason, who lost to Hood by 92 votes, planned a contest ... The Tellico road, built several years earlier by the forest service, was becoming more popular with the motoring public ... Ailcy Gilliland died at age 77 ...  The property tax rate stayed at $1.60 ... Federal relief money for roads included grading and drainage of three miles between Greasy Creek and the No. 2 powerhouse.

In 1942, election winners were J.A. Harrison, register; W.V. Davis, county judge; B.E. Biggs Sr., sheriff; R.E. McClary, trustee; and C.J. Campbell, circuit court clerk ... Dr. H.H. Hyatt was commissioned as captain in the army medical corps. the first county doctor to go into the service was Dr. John H. Lillard ... Mary Jane Haulk died at age 84.

In 1952, a Congressional candidate asked the U.s. Attorney General in Washington to send federal officers to keep an eye on the voting in the different precincts in t he county to insure a fail election ... J.L. McClure won the Polk County Pasture Production contest ... The FFA placed fourth in East Tennessee in livestock and dairy improvement program ... Jake Higgins’ column stated that Albert Gore is a fine, outstanding young statesman and will go places ... W.A. Kerr died at age 79.

In 1962, Judge Wayne Oliver issued an injunction requiring the election commission to seal and impound all ballots, applications for absentee ballots and scroll sheets ... More than 3,000 students were ready to begin the new school year.

In 1972, Republicans took 11 offices, with Whitey Ramsey being the only Democrat to land a top office. Dennis White ousted Keith Ballew for county judge, C.b. Nicholson overcame incumbent James Ellis for property assessor, and Alley Bruce defeated Austin McClary for road superintendent. Republicans also won a 5-4 majority on the new nine-member County Court.

In 1982, Frank Payne became the first elected Republican sheriff in the county since his father, Bud Payne, served in 1954-60. he defeated J.T. Stafford ... Charles Stevens became the county’s first County Executive as he defeated R.E. Barclay Jr. by a 160-vote margin. Democrats Bennie Roger, circuit court clerk; Cooper Rogers, trustee; G.W. Wilson, register of deeds, took office. The largest vote margin was won by Frank Hammons in defeating John Hall by 688 for Sessions Court Judge.

In 1992, the Ocoee was setting records for rafting use and getting more publicity because of Olympic talk. There were more than 48,000 people going down the river in July ... Democrats won their races: Frank Bishop, Assessor of Property; Lynn McGee, Road Superintendent; and Deborah Williams, School Superintendent ...  Chris Newton won the Republican primary race for state rep ... Schools were set to open, but no new hires were allowed because the budget had no been passed yet.

In 2002, The EPA tested Lake Ocoee from sediment and fish as part of the investigation of the Copper Basin Mining District Site … Polk oldest citizen, Josephine Lindner, died at the age of 102 … The 2000 Census said living conditions have improved for Polk County … PCHS students did worse on Gateway exams than the state average for Algebra I and Biology … Rafting on the Ocoee celebrated 25 years … Kari Patterson was named the first intern at the Ocoee Whitewater Center under a partnership program with CBHS … The historic Pinhook house was turned into a Bed and Breakfast … The Benton police department destroyed a variety of confiscated drugs.