By Sally Absher sallyabsher@knoxfocus.com The early February Board of Education meetings last week got off to a rough start. Veteran BOE member Karen Carson was clearly irritated that newcomer Amber Rountree had requested two discussion items on the work session meeting agenda: amending the leave policy to include bereavement leave for both classified and certified […]
By Ray Hill Buford Ellington is perhaps best remembered today for being one of Tennessee’s “leap-frog” governors, alternating terms with Frank Clement. For almost twenty years, Clement and Ellington ruled Tennessee from the governor’s office. Ellington was not a native Tennessean, being born in Holmes County, Mississippi June 27, 1907. Buford Ellington attempted to […]
By Steve Williams A gracious Chuck Comer tipped his hat to the Northwest Middle School boys basketball team Thursday night. Comer, in his 16th season as coach at West Valley, said Northwest was one of the top two teams he’s seen in Knox County over the years, after the Rangers raced to a 70-49 win […]
By Steve Hunley President Ronald Reagan used to joke one of the funniest lines he’d heard was, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” All too often that is so true, which brings me to my point. The Knox County Board of Education is being prodded to vote to join with the other […]
By Mike Steely steelym@knoxfocus.com Here and there around Knox County are several noted buildings that many people pass without knowing the story behind the structures. There are lots of early structures that have a unique beginning and have survived the years to be used for many different purposes. The Fountain City Building, the Emporium Building […]
By Steve Williams Sam Springer had a baseball summer to remember in 2014. The National Amateur Baseball Federation recognized it too by naming the West pitcher to its 2015 high school preseason All-America team. Springer, a left-hander who will be a junior for the Rebels this spring, was one of 25 players across the country […]
Police Review Meeting Draws A Crowd By Focus Staff The Police Advisory and Review Committee, the city mayor and the city police department were praised and criticized last Monday evening in a public forum held at Vine Middle School. PARC meetings normally draw a very small crowd of citizens, but last week’s saw a couple […]
By Mike Steely steelym@knoxfocus.com An event Thursday evening at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center topped off 2014’s Knoxville’s Civil Rights series that began last February. 2014 marks 50 years since President Lyndon Johnson signed the 1964 Voting Rights Act. 1964 was also the year that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accepted the Noble Prize for […]
By Ray Hill Robert Marion LaFollette, Jr. came into this world with just about every advantage one could hope for; yet, he suffered from depression and eventually ended his own life. “Young Bob” LaFollette was born January 6, 1895, the son of Robert M. and Belle LaFollette. Bob LaFollette, Sr. was perhaps the most significant […]
By Ken Lay Bearden High School soccer coach Ryan Radcliffe saw his dream come true Tuesday night at Bruce Allender Field. “I always set my goals high,” Radcliffe said before Bearden High School unveiled its new locker room facilities. “These kids come here and take pride in the program. This is a dream. “The kids […]