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January 12, 2008
Virginia legislators will be dealing with money issues during this session
Delegates and senators will deal with a revenue shortfall and craft a two-year spending plan at a time when the state?s economy is slowing.
Repealing the abusive driver fees tops the list of priorities for the local legislative delegation
Southwest Virginia lawmakers want to scrap the abusive driver fees that have raised the ire of lead-footed Virginians and at least one elderly lady who has never seen a police cruiser?s blue lights in her rear-view mirror.
A Sullivan County, Tenn., program of DUI offenders litter crews may be shortlived
Sullivan County officials are set to start a program designed to embarrass convicted drunken drivers by having them pick up trash, but meanwhile, Tennessee lawmakers are looking to kill such programs.
January 11, 2008
Wise County, Va., supervisors hold ‘emergency’ meeting to approve power plant support
Residents who attended the meeting ? even those who received unprecedented individual notice from county officials a few hours before the 7 p.m. session ? didn?t call the situation an emergency. They had other words for the hastily held meeting and the board?s unanimous action to approve a resolution in support of Dominion Virginia Power?s proposed plant near St. Paul.
Abingdon, Va.-based Morgan-McClure Motorsports is closing its NASCAR operations
It?s been a long and often bumpy road for Southwest Virginia?s only NASCAR team during the past 25 years.
Bristol Tennessee residents whose property was damaged in Cortrim fire will sue Aurora
Several property owners are suing Aurora Casket Co. after their settlement demand for damages to their homes during a 2006 fire was refused this week by the company?s insurance carrier.
January 09, 2008
Local Virginia restaurant operators have mixed view on revived smoking ban efforts
Roy Wesley decided to ban smoking in the Pepperjack Grille after he noticed a shortage of smoke-free restaurants in the area.
Bluff City, Tenn., officials are upgrading storm water system to avoid fines
City officials will find out in two weeks whether they have made enough storm water drainage improvements to avoid heavy fines and come into compliance with Tennessee law.
January 08, 2008
Trammell Hotel Investments is looking to sell three Twin City hotels
The decision by Trammell Hotel Investments to sell Bristol Lodging off of U.S. Highway 11W, as well as the Exit 7 mainstays, the Holiday Inn and the Courtyard by Marriott, come in response to owner Mack Trammell?s failing health.
Developer and his company has been target of civil rights lawsuits
Most recently, a federal jury in 2006 awarded $100,000 to Judy Wain, a former Trammell employee, determining that Trammell committed battery against her and that his company was liable.
Bristol Tennessee City Council approves property tax relief for elderly and disabled
Thirty bucks doesn?t sound like much, but to homeowners burdened by disabilities or skimpy bank accounts, it?s a weighty sum.
Longtime Bristol Tennessee Shoney’s location to close down Sunday
Employees were told at a Sunday meeting about the closing and word quickly spread among a loyal group of regular patrons, including some who have visited the restaurant since it opened in 1967.
January 05, 2008
Bristol Virginia Utilities officials say sons of former and current councilman are good hires
Though BVU is owned by the city of Bristol, the utility is largely autonomous and receives no city subsidies or taxpayer money. The City Council exercises indirect authority over the utility, approving rate hikes and appointing members to its board of directors. The city?s unwritten hiring policy, which calls for advertising vacancies "as a general rule," does not apply to BVU, said City Manager Bill Dennison.
January 04, 2008
Birthplace of County Music Alliance moves to the fast lane with its fundraising campaign
Motorsports executive Kevin Triplett was introduced Friday as chairman of the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance?s fundraising campaign, and he believes it?s a challenge that should be met.
Tri-Cities officials air their concerns to Northeast Tennessee legislators
Northeast Tennessee lawmakers agreed Friday to support each one of 17 specific legislative initiatives contained in the Joint Legislative Policy of the Tri-Cities.
Local plumbers have been busy repairing pipes ruptured during recent freeze
Becky Heath was worried when her mother heard the sound of gushing water under the bathroom floor of her Island Road home Thursday night. She had a good reason to be concerned.
January 03, 2008
Southwest Virginia residents let state lawmakers know their thoughts on how money should be spent in
Anita Sullins was one of about 80 Southwest Virginia residents who on Thursday asked legislators from the Virginia General Assembly?s two powerful money committees for a slice of the state?s two-year nearly $80 billion budget.
Virginia Intermont College continues fundraising efforts which will help the school restore its accr
The private, liberal arts school continues its recovery from a 2007 money crisis that threatened its continued operation.
Norfolk-based Landmark Communications may consider selling its holdings, including The Weather Chann
Norfolk-based Landmark Communications Inc., the parent company of The Weather Channel, The Roanoke Times and other Southeastern media holdings, announced on Thursday the possible sale of the company?s businesses.
As crude oil prices hit $100 per barrel, motorists wince at higher pump prices coming down the pipe
Virginia motorists aren?t starting the New Year as happily as they may have hoped.
Farmers brace with Florida state under freeze warning
January 02, 2008
Switch back to TVA for BVU leaves some in cold
Early morning temperatures dropped to 15 degrees, prompting the heaviest power consumption so far this season. The high demand was compounded because Bristol Virginia Utilities had its Wolf Hills substation offline because it is switching to Tennessee Valley Authority electricity.
Two NC men arrested for selling counterfeit brand-name golf gear
January 01, 2008
Officials from Northeast Tennessee cities will meet with state legislators to convey which General A
The Joint Legislative Policy of the Tri-Cities for Tennessee General Assembly?s 2008 session was prepared by staff from each city.
Tri-Cities Regional Airport has three facilities that help local businesses access the global market
The airport?s cargo terminal, foreign trade zone and customs port work together to help local businesses trade with foreign countries.
A Fries, Va., native has published a book filled with memories of his hometown, hundreds of sayings
Al Jennings? new book, "Saturday ... My Day to Wear the Underwear," has 800 sayings like the following: "How you feeling?"
December 29, 2007
The break up of an Appalachia, Va., gambling operation topped the year’s local news stories
For Mountain Empire residents, 2007 was a year that hit them where they live ? whether it was drought conditions that dried up ponds and turned crops to dust, or witnessing the takedowns of police and other govern-ment officials, who we normally turn to for protec-tion, over various incidents of corruption.
For post-Christmas fun, just add ice
When Kyle Blevins brought four of his seven children to the Bristol Motor Speedway ice rink on Saturday afternoon, he was reminded of one of his own favorite pastimes as a child growing up in Iowa.
December 28, 2007
Market that served Bluff City, Tenn., for almost 50 years has closed
Curtis Harkleroad was 10 years old in 1961 when Clarence "C.O." Hurt opened his first grocery store in Bluff City. That store ? now known as the Corner Market ? closed on Dec. 19.
December 27, 2007
Opening of new Anderson Street bridge just weeks away
"They?re down to putting the final layer of asphalt down at each end where the new intersections will be," David Metzger said. "The traffic signals will be erected and a little paving work will be done, and it should be complete at that point."
