UNION COUNTY www.ShopperNewsNow.com
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VOL. 7 NO. 40
October 6, 2012
Takin’ it outside
IN THIS ISSUE
Meet Earley
Singer/songwriter Jason Earley is a senior at Union County High School and has released two professionally produced CDs with all original songs. Earley puts his heart and soul into everything he does and has a passion for multiple entertainment genres. His career has really taken off in the past year as he has added acting and modeling to his repertoire.
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See story on page 2
Pumpkins are here Folks have been waiting for them all summer and they’re finally here. Pumpkins, ranging in size from a couple of pounds to larger than a side table, rolled into the Union County Farmers Market on Sept. 29.
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See Cindy’s wrap-up on page 3
Visiting Starkville Based on the assumption that many Shopper-News readers have never been to Mississippi State for a late-night football game, and may not go, here is a virtual trip without charges for travel, food, lodging or tickets. Starkville is famous for far more than football and creative recruiting. Notorious gangster Machine Gun Kelly lived there two years while studying agriculture. His highest grade was C+ in physical hygiene. If professors had been more supportive, Kelly might have chosen farming over crime.
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Marvin West has more on page 5
FFA at the Fair The FFA Chapter in Union County won big at the Tennessee Valley Fair with several students bringing home ribbons:
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See the winners on page 7
Index Coffee Break Community Government/Politics Marvin West/Lynn Hutton Dr. Bob Collier Kids Calendar
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4509 Doris Circle 37918 (865) 922-4136 news@ShopperNewsNow.com ads@ShopperNewsNow.com GENERAL MANAGER Shannon Carey shannon@ShopperNewsNow.com
The completed outdoor classroom at Big Ridge Elementary
By Cindy Taylor It took 858 hours and 21 months from planning to completion, but the outdoor classroom m at Big Ridge Elementary ry Sc School Scho hoo oll o is finally finished. Cedar edar arr benches are ready for for students thanks to thee hard work of Jerry ryy Myers of Boy Scout outt Troop 401 and comcom m-munity volunteers.. Big Big Ridge Elementaryy pri prinin-cipal Roger Flatford ord says says it was well worth the wait. waitt. “I am already thinking of ways this can be used by students and the community,” said Flatford. “Jerry chose a project that will benefit many people and the wheelchair accessibil-
By Sandra Clark County Commissioners will discuss and decide on whether to participate in a solar project for public buildings in the county. Counterproposals have been made by John Kemp of Earth Right and Robbie Thomas of Efficient Energy of Tennessee. Commissioners first must decide whether to participate, and then which of the vendors to choose. Union County Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at the Courthouse. Agenda items include appointment of members to the E-911
By Jake Mabe A free drug awareness event will be held 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, in Black Oak Plaza in Halls. Jason Berry, pastor of River of Hope Church, says the event is not a church event, but an evening to raise awareness about
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Scout rank at the end of September.” mom, Linda Myers. “We are very proud of him for Teachers and students are already sticking with his plan and turning enjoying the outdoor classroom durout such a wonderful addition to the ing structured and leisure time. school that will benefit the community for years to come,” said Jerry’s More photos on A-3
board. These terms have expired: Stanley Boles - 4 year term Joyce Meltabarger- 6 year term R.L. Jones – 6 year term G.W. Rutherford will give the annual report of the planning commission. Mike Viles will lead a discussion of the lack of Internet service and water lines on Tater Valley Road. Commissioners will discuss a countywide random employee drug testing policy. In old business, commissioners will revisit the resolution on phone card commissions, fees and revenue.
Cooper is homecoming queen Alex Padgett escorts Union County High School homecoming queen Kelly Cooper. Cooper represented the softball team. Photo submitted
Drug awareness event today
UNION COUNTY REPORTER Cindy Taylor brentcindyt@gmail.com
Shopper-News is a member of KNS Media Group, published weekly at 4509 Doris Circle, Knoxville, TN, and distributed to 11,000 homes in Union County.
Big Ridge principal Roger Flatford thanks Jerry Myers for his work is bringing an outdoor classroom to the school. Photos submitted
Deadline near on solar project
EDITOR Sandra Clark sclark426@aol.com
ADVERTISING SALES Brandi Davis davisb@ShopperNewsNow.com
ity makes this a truly wonderful area for everyone.” The outdoor classroom is Myers’ Eagle project. “I lea learned a lot from working o n this tth his i project,” project, said Myers. “It p took took longer to longe than I planned lon but but I am very happy bu with w ith the outcome.” Myers said he M learned lleea something from fr fr every volunteer who worked te with w ith him, from concrete work, wor construction and w tree cutting, to saw mill and cut quarry operations. ope “All of the h businesses were great to work with and the volunteers worked tirelessly to finish the project. Now I look forward to earning my Eagle
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the growing substance abuse problem in the area, particularly prescription drug abuse, and to highlight ways in which addicts and families can seek help. “We began to see this affecting people from every walk of life, not just your so-called ‘typical Jason Berry
pothead,’ ” Berry says. “We saw it in our church. Families were devastated from theft, abuse and court costs.” The keynote speaker will be Jessica Akhrass,
a Farragut resident whose brother died from a drug overdose. She is currently working on state legislation to help curb prescription drug abuse. Tommy Gass, who has recovered from drug addiction, will also speak. “The biggest thing we want to To page 3
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