POSTAL CUSTOMER
VOL. 8 NO. 51 NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
Blalock wins bid on Hwy. 33 project Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has awarded the contract to five-lane Hwy. 33 from Ledgerwood Road to the Union County line. The award went to Charles Blalock & Sons Inc. The 6.241 mile project is expected to be complete by May 31, 2016. Blalock’s bid was $29,986,969.69. Four otherssubmitted bids, all in excess of $30 million. Jim Snowden, engineer in Knox County’s public works department, said TDOT and Blalock have agreed to repave and repair potholes in the existing road as part of this contract before commencing new construction. Sidewalks are included on both sides from Ledgerwood to Quarry Road, along with 10 foot shoulders. Past Quarry Road to the county line the road will have 10 foot shoulders on both sides and no sidewalks. Folks who drive Hwy. 33 frequently know the need for widening and repaving. Let’s roll! – S. Clark
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December 21, 2013
Sun shines
on Christmas parade
Pepper joins Crossroads Realty Roger Pepper has joined Crossroads Realty as an agent. He comes to Crossroads from First Team Realty in Maynardville. Roger prides himself on conductRoger Pepper ing business according the Golden Rule. Info: 216-6753.
County gets motor oil grant The Union County Solid Waste Authority has received a state grant for $23,900 to buy or upgrade tanks, canopies, pads, heater, pumps and absorbents at the collection center for used motor oil. The money comes from a $443,300 fund announced Dec. 18 by the state Department of Environment and Conservation. Mayor Mike Williams applauded the grant, saying proper disposal of motor oil is “one of the easier ways to protect our streams and waterways.” And since there are uses for recycled oil, it’s a real “win-win,” he said. State law requires counties to have at least one place where used oil can be properly disposed. Used oil collection grants are funded by a two-cent deposit on every quart of oil purchased in the state. Info: 1-800-287-9013.
7049 Maynardville Pike 37918 (865) 922-4136 NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark Libby Morgan | Bonnie Peters ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Shannon Carey Jim Brannon | Tony Cranmore Brandi Davis | Patty Fecco
Mary and Joseph (Briana Goodman and Tyler Ervin) present Baby Jesus on the float sponsored by Union Missionary Baptist Church. Photos by S. Clark
By Sandra Clark The sun popped out from behind dark, heavy clouds as the Union County Rescue Squad Christmas Parade stepped off from the high school Dec. 15. The parade was delayed a week because of weather, and the pessimists among us worried that might be the case last Sunday. Not so. Dozens of horses, bloodhounds from the Sheriff’s Office, and a dog in a Santa hat were among the marchers. Vehicles ranged from a one-of-a-kind three-wheeler to vintage trucks and tractors. Families lined the parade route, a daunting 3.5 mile stretch. Many had bags to collect candy. Several
politicians marched. Most were low-key, but a few had blatant political signs, such as the candidate for district attorney, Lori PhillipsJones. There was even a float urging Tennesseans to “stop the Common Core” education standards. Several churches had complex floats, carefully prepared to illustrate the reason for the season. Allin-all a great parade on a cold but sunny afternoon.
More photos on pages 2 and 3 The Rev. Jack Walker, pastor, stands in front of the float, built to replicate a church.
Warwick plans to ‘keep on having fun’ By Libby Morgan After 37 years and two months in the Union County courthouse, Beulah Moore Warwick is “Going, going, gone!” – or so says her retirement announcement. “It’s a new life for me,” says Warwick. “I’m counting down the days.” She plans to work until the last day of January. “I’m going to enjoy spending more time with my grandson. We love to do things like archery, skateboarding and playing ball. I’ve always been a tomboy. “And I’m going to take some road trips with my friends. I’ve had a ball all through the years, Beulah Warwick
and I’m going to keep on having fun,” she says. Warwick has been the clerk and master the last five years, wrangling lawyers, court schedules and paperwork for the county’s chancery court. She worked for the previous clerk and master, Doris Seymour, for 24 years before taking over. She started her career in Roy Carter’s county clerk office back in 1976. “There have been many weekends when I’ve come in for a few hours to take advantage of the silence and get a case file finished. “On a Sunday in 2011, when a snowstorm was forecast, I packed
up everything I would need, went to church to sing that night, and came on in to my office. I spent two nights here and hours and hours on the phone, re-scheduling court dates. “It’s always been important to me to get my job done right,” she says. A party for Warwick is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 17, and will be a combination retirement and 60th birthday celebration. The festivities will begin with Chancellor Andy Tillman swearing in Sandra Edmondson as new clerk and master. Edmondson has been in training for several weeks.