A Hooded Warbler takes a rest stop in the Gee Creek Ranger Station Loop Trail, perhaps to look at the hundreds of Virginia Bluebells in bloom there (Photo by Jim Caldwell).
Along with the glorious spring weather over the weekend came the appearance of one of Mother Nature’s first wildflowers of each season, the bloodroot, as seen here on Towee Mountain.
Data are coming in to the University of Tennessee’s Tree Improvement Program on how test plantings of American chestnuts in the region fared during this year’s long growing season, which started early due to a mild winter followed by a warm spring.
Goldfinches were spotted at Hiwassee/Ocoee Rivers State Park office down Spring Creek Rd. The birds were feeding on sunflower seeds. (Submitted by Kari Moates).
Three deer seem to be looking both ways before they cross the tracks ahead of the Excursion Train departure at Gee Creek... Safety First! Photographer Jim Caldwell said he actually saw seven deer cross the tracks before the train came.
Mary Bishop sent this photo of a white hummingbird, explaining, “This bird came to my son’s backyard feeder about the middle of September and stayed until the 24th of Sept. We had never seen one like it before.”
Polk County’s road committee met last Tuesday to go over the list of county roads in an attempt to have an updated list that includes all county roads with their proper names as well as the mileage for the roads.
People who have heard things or have knowledge of documents or records that mention Cherokees passing through are asked to contact the TOHA office at 423-263-7232.
The Polk County Chamber of Commerce will have a Grand Opening of its new facility at 1697 Hwy 64, Benton, next to the Ocoee Express on Saturday, March 16th from 10 am- 3 pm.
Congressman Chuck Fleischmann held a round table meeting with County Executive Hoyt Firestone, Benton Mayor Jerry Stephens, Copperhill Mayor Eric Waters and Ducktown Mayor James Talley.
West Polk Fire & Rescue was paged out Thursday morning to a structure fire at the corner of Old Federal Road and Horns Creek Road between Ocoee and Old Fort.
Did you know that except for some small quirk of fate, I could now be the official historian for Kennedy County and living in the county seat of Ocoee?
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.
Justin Brown epitomized the successful lead-off batter by reaching base three times and scoring a run every time in the Wildcats’ heartbreaking nine inning 7-6 loss to the home standing Chiefs.
Boyd Buchanan’s Buccaneers swept the 2013 regular season series with the Copper Basin Cougars, winning twice in District 5-A games played on two consecutive days.
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.
Jason Bell successfully defended his doctorial dissertation titled “The Role of an Afterschool Program on Students Graduating High School: A Focus on Lived Experiences” in February at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Take Charge of Your Diabetes, a program developed by Stanford University, is a six-week course designed to help those with diabetes build skills to improve their health one step at a time.
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.
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.
“Providing real time traffic information can help motorists avoid delays and in turn, reduce congestion on our roadways,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer.
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.
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.
