POWELL/NORWOOD VOL. 53 NO. 44
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IN THIS ISSUE
Powell grad gets promotion
Charlie Johnson, an 18-year city of Knoxville plumbing inspector, has been promoted to the city’s chief plumbing inspector. Johnson credits his predecessor, Roy Branch, who retired, with furthering a model that mixes professionalism, know-how and building bonds with coworkers and city businesses and residents.
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Superintendent James McIntyre appears to be in the third stage of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance) in coming to terms with the loss of his 8-1 majority on school board.
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At community engagement event By Sandra Clark Everything you ever wanted to know about Powell High School will be on display this week at the school. It’s a great time for parents, grandparents and future students to get a taste for high school life today. On Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 7:45 p.m. the gymnasium will come alive with booths from Powell businesses and tables sponsored by most school clubs. With light refreshments in the lobby, it’s a chance to meet and socialize
with faculty and staff. Informational seminars will be held in classrooms covering such topics as FAFSA (college financial aid), Common Core state standards, driving safety, bullying/ Langlois cyber bullying, drug awareness, vehicles of social media, graduation requirements, NCAA clearing regulations (for athletes), AP/dual enrollment and parent portal. General seminars include “Making the Most of High School,”
Read Betty Bean on page A-4
Mike Hammond said he’d clean up the Criminal, General Sessions and Fourth Circuit Court Clerk’s office, and two months after taking office, he’s well on his way. It used to take hours, days or even weeks to locate documents in the dead file office, he says. But after filing approximately 200,000 documents, staff was recently able to locate the record of a 1992 traffic violation, which allowed a resident to pay his fine and renew his driver’s license. Without the record, the county would have had to forgo the fee. Read Wendy Smith on page A-5
You won’t see 18-wheelers at Parton’s Smokin Butz BBQ, 10211 Chapman Highway, but don’t bother if you expect white tablecloths and candlelight. Your snobbery will only cause you to miss one of the top-three best-tasting smoked brisket sandwiches I’ve ever eaten. And the beans? No. 1, hands down.
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Read Mystery Diner on page A-11
As we head into the holiday season, it’s a good idea to take a look at ways to make giftgiving more meaningful. Many of us are considering options other than the plastic and the prefab – original art, for example. Read Carol Shane on page A-10
7049 Maynardville Pike 37918 (865) 922-4136 NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Cindy Taylor ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Shannon Carey Jim Brannon | Tony Cranmore Patty Fecco | Wendy O’Dell
see College of Applied Technology, Food City, Crown College and Frontier Communications. Community groups include PHS Alumni Association, STEM Scouts, UT Army ROTC, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, County Commissioner Charles Busler and school board member Patti Bounds. Last year the presenters outnumbered the participants. This is an amazing array of information presented in an hour and a half with free food. What’s not to like? Come and partake. Bring grandma and that middle school kid who’s got to be wondering about high school life. See you on Thursday!
By Cindy Taylor Dennis Pratt was a humble man who loved people. He never sought the spotlight, yet it often shined on him.
Dennis and wife Wilma were high school sweethearts. In their 43 years together they reared two children, Amiee Pratt Smith and Jason Pratt, and
owner of the Powell Post newspaper from the 1970s until 2009. “We went to every single football game and playoff to cover them for the paper,” said Wilma. “Dennis took photos and did the writing, but the community would send in stories too.” Folks continue to admire the grounds around the Pratt family home. “Dennis was the one with the green thumb,” she said. “He planted everything we have in the yard and gave many plants away when people would stop to Dennis Pratt with grandson Henry, who was 3 years old at admire them.” the time of the photo Dennis wasn’t happy being idle. As a young boy he had one grandchild, HenWilma recalls fondly was an Order of the Arrow ry, 7. The family attended the years spent at the con- Eagle Scout. As an adult Powell United Methodist venience store/deli first he was a charter member Church for 35 years. owned by Dennis’s parents, of the Powell BPA and a “My dad was very intel- Charles and Sue Pratt, then Powell Jaycee. Dennis was ligent and always spoke later by Dennis and Wilma. selected as Powell Man of his mind,” said Jason. “We “We went to Central the Year and Business Perwere extremely close.” High School together but son of the Year. He coached “He was the strongest really got to know each oth- and sponsored ball teams and most intelligent man I er at the deli,” said Wilma. have known,” said Amiee. Dennis was also the To page A-3
KCEA presidency could be next political fray By Betty Bean
Holiday artists
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Fireplace in the Pratt home built entirely by Dennis. Photos submitted
Smokin’ Butz BBQ
“Reading Strategies,” “Life after Graduation” and “Teen 101.” Student organizations include: SGA, National Honor Society, Beta Club, DECA, annual staff, French Club, Environmental Club, Skills USA, FCCLA and HOSA. Teacher Emily Lanius will have information for high school seniors. She also sponsors cheerleaders. Teacher Jenny Jordan will bring information on AP classes and college success. Lisa Love and Jim Porter will explain what it takes to graduate. Businesses and post-secondary opportunities include UT Federal Credit Union, First Tennessee, U.S. Marines, U.S. Army, Tennes-
Dennis Pratt: A legacy of love
Mike Hammond tackles new job
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November 5, 2014
Meet Powell High School
See more on page A-3
Next is depression
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Political junkies worried about going into withdrawal after the Nov. 4 elections can rest easy – there’s a fi x waiting right around the corner. The Knox County Education Association will be choosing a new president this winter, a biennial event that doesn’t usually attract a lot of attention outside the professional circle of teachers who are participants. But this year could be different. School news has been big news in Knox County in 2014. High-profile administrators have been taken down by high-profile scandals while Superintendent James McIntyre has come under increasing scrutiny, the glittering state and national “report cards” notwithstanding. School board races attracted more attention than county com-
Coats
Hopson
mission races in August, and one candidate in this week’s special District 2 Board of Education race will probably set a new record for school board fundraising. McIntyre has remained relentlessly upbeat even while drawing increasingly harsh criticism from Mayor Tim Burchett. During this time, KCEA president Tanya Coats has represented Knox County’s teachers and has sat through some long, conten-
tious meetings. Throughout the year, her tone has been respectful of McIntyre and his supporters. Recently, however, she has expressed dissatisfaction with the way the superintendent has slowwalked the collaborative conferencing process, which began in October 2011, shortly after the General Assembly stripped teachers of their collective-bargaining and tenure rights under the Professional Educators Collaborative Conferencing Act, which ordered school boards and teachers’ representatives to produce a Memorandum of Understanding regarding teachers’ pay and benefits within three years. Knox County was one of the first local districts to begin the process but will not meet the state’s deadline. The spark that kindled the explosion of attention to all things
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KCS was a speech given by Halls Elementary School third-grade teacher Lauren Hopson, who went before the board last October and gave voice to teachers’ dissatisfaction with local, state and federal laws that she and others believe have burdened children, blamed teachers for societal and environmental factors affecting student performance and loaded educators down with increasingly unreasonable and often counterproductive requirements. A month after Hopson’s “Tired Teacher” speech went viral on the Internet, more than 300 of her colleagues, sympathetic parents and students showed up at the November school board meeting wearing red to back her up. Coats will be seeking a second term as KCEA president. Hopson has been nominated, as well.
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