From the files of the Polk County News ...

In 1932, gubernatorial candidate John McCall was campaigning in Benton ... 500 men were recalled to jobs on the L&N railroad system as the result of mounting freight business ... Among the cases in court: selling home brew, possession a still, possessing whiskey ... The biology class at PCHS examined the pine trees on campus and found that they were infected with the pine pest.

In 1942, Dr. Spencer McClary died at age 59 ... President Roosevelt advised the nation that spiraling costs were about to engulf the nation in uncontrollable inflation ... The Home Economics club and FFA boys had a picnic at Quinn Springs ... The rubber administrator advised the Office of Defense Transportation to limit driving speeds to 35 mph and told the Office of Price Administration to prepare to ration gasoline.

In 1952, the state Game & Fish commission planned to release 210 bobwhite quail in the county ... A veterinarian was to be n the county to vaccinate calves for Bangs disease ... John Miller, Commercial teacher at Ducktown High School, was named president of the Polk County Teachers. Other officers were Evelyn Payne and Cleaston Craig. The organization voted to join ETEA, TEA and NEA ... At the movies: John Wayne in “Big Jim McLain.”

In 1962, a small foreign car carrying a Washington, D.C. family skidded off Hwy. 64 and plunged down an embankment into Lake Ocoee. they managed to escape and a passing motorist help them reach safety ... Ronald Davis was selected “Player of the Week” for his efforts against the Ooltewah owls ... David Humberd joined the Extension office as Assistant County Agent ... Bobby Nicholson was to receive the FFA’s highest degree, American Farmer ... John Lea was stationed in Korea.

In 1972, funeral directors providing ambulance service in Polk, Fannin and Gilmer counties agreed to continue until the end of the year to give local governments time to take over the responsibility ... Karen Bates graduated from Falls Business College ... Civil Defense sponsored a hill climb to raise funds ... Receiving blue ribbons in the District Dress Revue were Mrs. Virgie Quintrell, Mrs. Inez Frady, Mrs. Pear Roark, Mrs. Ruby Isenhower, Miss Louise Haney, Mrs. Lora Creasman and Mrs. Susie Benton.

In 1982, the School board learned it would be responsible for the education of a student attending Tennessee School for the Deaf at a cost of nearly $40,000. the state would reimburse about half ... The Board voted to file suit against the Forest Service over ownership of land ... County Executive Charles Stevens felt he should be named chairman of the County Commission when it holds its first meeting under a new form of government.

In 1992, the county commission reluctantly approved state-ordered increases in the school budget, increasing revenue items to add nearly $150,000. The state department ruled that the county had to provide the same amount of money re ceived the previous year, even if that is more than the amount budgeted ... Emil and Toby Watson told the Copperhill council they wanted to open a night club in Grassy Creek ... School enrollment s declining, with a total 2,241, down from 2,287 the previous year .. A Heritage Festival was being planned in Copperhill.

In 2002, a hydroponic marijuana patch was busted after police executed a search warrant on an Ocoee residence … Local test gains were better than the state average … Drought conditions were being experienced, despite some rainfall in the area … The supreme Court denied a rafting tax hearing … A reception for Alice Harbison was planned due to her retirement from Benton Bank after 43 years … South Polk School had a balloon lift-off to start their Accelerated Reader program … County Commissioners increased benefits for county employees … Ocoee River Days was scheduled at the Ocoee Whitewater Center … Building needs were eyed by the School Board … Adult Education was in full swing … Polk’s Volleyball team opened up play in the new gym … Boyd Buchanan smothered Copper Basin … Polk topped the Indians 27-20 … A bike-a-thon was shceulded in Reliance.