History is alive in Manchester, Kentucky

By Mike Steely If you are a history buff you might enjoy a day trip into Kentucky to the little town of Manchester. The town is special in many different ways. It’s not just the county seat of Clay County but Manchester was once, long ago, along the old Warrior’s Path...

A Day Away: The Tragedy at Coyatee

By Mike Steely Taking a drive to Tellico Village on an outing puts you in a section of Loudon County where many fine houses, boat docks, golf courses and clubhouses now exist. But more than 200 years ago something else went on there. The tragedy of Coyatee is little...

Remembering the Jellico Troop Train Wreck

  By Mike Steely You’ve probably driven Interstate 75 north across the mountains into Kentucky. It’s a beautiful drive but busy with trucks and cars. There’s another way to cross the state line along Highway 25W from Caryville to Jellico and on into the Blue...

On turning 75

By Mike Steely Senior Writer steelym@knoxfocus.com I was born the day after Christmas in 1946, seventy-five years ago. I’m one of the first Baby Boomers and find myself now as a husband, father and grandfather. I met my wife in high school and she and I have moved...