County Commissioners addressed a wide array of issues at the May meeting.

County Attorney Jimmy Logan will now file with Chancery Court

The undercover operation targeted Camp Reggae

Congressman Zach Wamp spoke to commissioners

Ocoee has been named the most popular river in America for whitewater rafting

Perdew waived indictment and pled guilty to bank fraud

Polk County High School’s Computer Department added a 3rd state championship in two weeks

County Executive Hoyt Firestone signs a proclamation in observance of May 2nd as National Day of Prayer.

VECustomers Share program awarded $3,250 in grants

With this score the Ocoee Utility District will remain among Tennessee’s approved public water supplies.

Presswood-Cheek Farm designated as Tennessee Century Farm

Tennessee Arts Commission has reinstated its popular Arts Build Communities grant program

Caney Creek documentary makes impact

The pool at the Copper Basin Community Center will not open on time this year

Playing On The Planet has landed an exciting new television licensing deal

This years’ festival was held at the 4-H camp, Camp McCroy

Perpetrators stole a utility trailer and numerous tools

Juliea Zello of CASA (Court Approved Special Advocate) spoke to the Benton Lions Club at their regular meeting on Monday the 25th of March.

5/30/2013

5/30/2013

5/22/2013

5/22/2013

5/22/2013

From: 04/19/2013 To: 04/26/2013

5/1/2013

5/1/2013

4/24/2013

4/24/2013

1st Annual Basin’s Got Talent Successful

Chilhowee Middle School open-house

South Polk winners are pictured

Polk County High School hosted a blood drive for Ally Morrow on March 11, 2013 with Blood Assurance.

The House of Representatives voted overwhelming to approve House Bill 6, referred to as the “School Security Act of 2013”.

4/24/2013

On February 15, South Polk Elementary School held their annual Jump Rope for Heart.

Benton Elementary students were provided healthy snacks from a Fuel Up to Play grant they received this year.

The Polk County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting Monday, April 15th. School Board members Tracy Bishop,.. » FULL STORY

Chilhowee Middle School would like to congratulate our students on the Third 9 weeks Honor Roll.

71, of Epworth, GA

Mr. Carl Eugene Setser, age 82, of Mineral Bluff, GA

Mrs. Virginia Christine McGill, age 88, of Jackson, GA

Tilda Lee Parker, 88, of Unadilla, GA

Mrs. Cleo E Pelfrey, age 78 of Blue Ridge, GA

Elizabeth Louise Bragan Kessel, 69, a resident of Old Fort

Mr. Walter Haden Davis age 79 of Mineral Bluff, GA

Larry L. Smart, 70, of Cherry Log, Georgia

James “ Ray” Goforth, age 71

Mrs. Betty Joyce Wilson, age 78, of Mineral Bluff, GA

5/30/2013

5/30/2013

From the files of the Polk County News ...

5/1/2013

From the files of the Polk County News ...

Guilt and “The Indian Problem”

4/24/2013

From the files of the Polk County News ...

Last week I slightly revised a column from 1996 relating to scholarship I had done on Nancy Ward over fifty years ago.

4/24/2013

This year marks the 175th Anniversary of the infamous Trail of Tears

Thanks to Sally Kell, who gave the names and thinks it was made about 1949

Still Some Stillwells Around - but Scarce

Submitted by Marian Bailey Presswood

Our Polk County Norwoods

Bobby Lea helped us with information regarding last week’s “Found on Ingrid’s Computer” Column.

4/24/2013

One of the more colorful Cherokees who lived in Polk County was an Indian herb doctor by the name of Esai Kolonaheskia.

This article is a follow-up of the recent picture from Ingrid’s files published in the News.

Big Families - Polk County Doesn’t Go in on Birth Control

The McMinn County Living Heritage Museum is now accepting registrations for the 2013 quilt show

The event will begin at 2 p.m. on May 5, 2013, at the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park located in Birchwood, Tennessee.

Attendees for the 55th annual Polk County Ramp Tramp Festival will be thoroughly entertained.

Local Watercolorist Marie Spaedar Haas will display some of her recent work, including several new pieces.

Pat Knoechel of the Quilt-in-a-Day company will be presenting a talk at the McMinn County Living Heritage on Saturday, April 27th from 2PM to 4PM.

4/10/2013

Come on out April 20 from 9:00AM to 1:00PM to the Mountain Folk Center in Murphy, NC and get a coggins test done with on-site results.

District 5-AA All District Team

The 2013 Softball season has come to an end for the Polk County Lady Wildcats

Wildcats clinch second place in District

Polk wins back-to-back against McMinn Central.

Free sports physical exams scheduled for May 2

Copper Basin’s base ballers used a big 4 run first inning and rode the 3 hit pitching of Austin Starnes to defeat the home standing South Pittsburg Pirates 7-4.

The Copper Basin Cougars came up on the short end of a 1-0 score

The Lady Wildcats upped their District 5AA record to 5-0 with a 9-8 win over Sequoyah last week.

Wee Miss Polk County

Yasmine Golden of Benton, TN graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College

Marine Corps Pfc. Fred O. Hafley

Jessica Rigby of Cleveland will become the bride of Jared Frazier of Benton on June 9

Helen Churchwell of Benton has written a short story to be published

William ‘Bill’ Norwood, wife Elizabeth, and his sister Mary Ellen Janes at a recent Maynor Family reunion

Old Salem Baptist Church Team Kids recently went door to door of several church members homes to collect food for the Polk Co. food bank.

Born April 15th, 2013

The descendants of James Monroe and Mattie Goforth Maynor gathered for a reunion at the Benton Municipal Building April 13th with around 60 people in attendance.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Stewardship Program will provide about $175 million in funding nationwide for up to 12.6 million additional acres enrollment this year.

Nature’s Playground

Data are coming in to the University of Tennessee’s Tree Improvement Program on how test.. » FULL STORY

A Question Mark Butterfly and a Yellowjacket share a meal of an over-ripe fig as another Butterfly awaits its turn to dine. (Photo by Jim Caldwell)

Several types of flowers have been able to brave the heat to put on a show. Amber Thomas snapped pictures of flowers near her home.

Christina Gatlin snapped this picture of bees on a purple coneflower.

Greg Paxton snapped this picture of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak a couple weeks ago at Camp McCroy (4H Camp) in Greasy Creek. He said he’d never seen one before, but it waited patiently on the branch for him to get his camera.

Nancy Hathaway sent in this picture of an Asiatic Lily in her neighbor Marie’s garden.

Pink Lady's Slipper is among the Towee Treasures found up in the mountains this time of year. (Photo by Ingrid Buehler)

U.S. Forest Service officials at the Cherokee National Forest (Forest) said they are preparing for another busy outdoor recreation season.

A low-lying area can become a death trap in a matter of minutes.

Camping in the overflow section may resume as normal the evening of Thursday, May 9 at approximately 4 pm.

Anglers 15 years and under are invited to try their luck at fishing.

Tennessee State Parks has unveiled its new customer-friendly campground reservation system.

All Saturday trips to Copperhill for the month of October have sold out.

As Tennesseans pack up and head out to their favorite campsites, the State Fire Marshal's Office urges campers to be aware of carbon monoxide dangers in and around tents and RVs.

The Tennessee State Parks system has lifted a temporary ban on backcountry campfires in state parks, which was put into place June 29, 2012, due to dry weather conditions and the potential for wildfire hazards.

State Troopers are urging motorists to take extra precautions

Older Americans are a tempting target

“Providing real time traffic information can help motorists avoid delays and in turn, reduce congestion on our roadways,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer.

Tennesseans can do their part in promoting good stewardship of the state’s water supply by helping.. » FULL STORY

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office has received inquiries about an official-looking notice from Corporate Records Service.

Summertime means outdoor grilling time for many Tennessee residents. It is also the peak season for grilling fires.

The academy is scheduled for May 7 through May 28, 2012 at TBI Headquarters in Nashville, Tenn.

f you are planning to do any outdoor burning from October 15 through May 15 you will need to check with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry first.

“No Refusal” is the latest enforcement strategy aimed at deterring impaired driving and reducing fatal crashes on Tennessee roadways.

Forest Service officials at the Cherokee National Forest announce that the Tellico River Kids Fishing Day is set for Saturday, June 9, 2012.

Coon hunters will be able to enjoy their sport in the Ocoee and Tellico Bear Reserves next year – but only for a month and only with two dogs per truck.

The county commission has voiced opposition to a proposed change in the coon hunting season, which was just approved in the Bear Reserve for this year.

These animals have been removed from big game status to a non-protected nuisance animal marked for eradication.

A record black bear harvest if 581 was established in the 2011 hunting seasons, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reports.

The deadline is approaching to submit comments concerning the 2012-13 hunting season regulations to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

4/17/2013

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4/17/2013

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