Kingsport Times-News Latest Regional Roundup Feed http://www.timesnews.net/ This is the www.timesnews.net data feed for regional news. Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:45:49 EDT en-us Food City denies rumors of sale to Publix Super Markets http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014946 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014946 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, online reports speculating that Abingdon-based Food City is being sold to Publix Super Markets Inc. are false.

"There's absolutely no truth to it. Our company is not for sale and probably won't be, at least in my lifetime," said Steve Smith, president and CEO of Food City's parent company, K-VA-T Food Stores Inc.

Reports of a sale began surfacing online in mid-June. There was speculation that an announcement could come in August when a Food City-sponsored NASCAR race will be held at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

K-VA-T's policy is to not comment on rumors but Smith said he had received many phone calls about the company's potential sale, a story that has been spreading on the Internet.

He said Food City's strategy has been to acquire stores, not sell them.

"We're happy with where we are," Smith said. "We've invested a lot of money into our stores and we're awfully proud of our people."

Publix spokeswoman Brenda Reid declined to comment "on rumors."

CLICK HERE for the full story.

]]> Bobcat suspected in attack on Church Hill horse http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014945 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014945 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT According to the Rogersville Review, a bobcat is suspected in an attack on a horse over the weekend.

The horse's owner reported it injured by another animal Saturday night -- and in the same area where someone else reported seeing a bobcat attack a deer earlier in the day.

According to a Hawkins County Sheriffs Office report, the incident occurred at183 Sensabaugh Hollow Road. The horse reportedly had several deep cuts around its head and neck. Bite marks were also found on the horse's head "one of which appeared to have pierced the animal's skull," the report notes.

The report does not specify what type of animal was responsible for the injuries. However, it does note that earlier in the day a deputy received a report of a large bobcat taking down a white-tail deer less than two-tenths of a mile from the attack on the horse.

"Bobcats are native to all of Tennessee and are more common than people realize. The just are not see much," according to Steve Bennett of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

He said it would be a "rare event" for a bobcat to attack a large animal, such as a horse.

CLICK HERE for the full story.

]]> Obesity among Tennessee adults ranks fourth in nation http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014944 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014944 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT According to the Nashville Tennessean, a report released Wednesday ranks Tennessee fourth in the nation for its percentage of obese adults.

The report from Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation showed 30.2 percent of Tennessee adults are obese. It also ranked the state fifth for childhood obesity, with 36.5 percent of youth ages 10-17 in that category.

Mississippi was ranked the nation's most obese state and Colorado the least.

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked Tennessee third. State Health Commissioner Susan Cooper said she wasn't surprised by Wednesday's rankings because most of the states with a high rate of obesity are in the South.

Gov. Phil Bredesen cited the new report Wednesday when he vetoed a bill that would have limited some agencies' ability to require calorie counts on menus.

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]]> Knox County church youth volunteer arrested on child rape charges http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014920 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014920 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT The Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting that a youth volunteer at New Beverly Baptist Church has been arrested for allegedly raping a child.

Randall Thomas Hollifield, 45, of Powell has been charged with two counts of rape of a child and sexual exploitation of a minor, and according to authorities more charges will probably be filed.

Hollifield is being held in lieu of $125,000 bond.

CLICK HERE for the full report.

]]> 13-year-old commits to Kiffin, Vols football class of 2013 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014902 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014902 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, even though it's too early for Tennessee to actually offer, UT has received its first football commitment for the Class of 2013.

That's right, 2013, and from a 13-year-old entering ninth grade.

However, for Vols fans the name will sound familiar: Evan Berry, brother of UT All-American safety Eric Berry.

"It's the only college I know right now and it seems the best for me," Evan Berry, 13, told Rivals.com, which first reported the story. "My dad went there and my brother is there now. I know I can do the same things there. I have a real friendly relationship with the coaches there. I don't know them too well, but I know I will have plenty of time to get to know them."

Evan, along with his twin brother Elliot, have been frequent visitors to Tennessee practices.

James Berry, the boys' father and former UT standout, told Rivals.com that Evan - and Elliot - are both further along in their development than their older brother was at age 13.

The NCAA prohibits schools from formally offering scholarships until a prospect has registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center. But judging by the accomplishments of his older brother at UT one would expect the Vols coaching staff certainly appreciates the thought of Evan Berry committing.

CLICK HERE for the full story.

]]> Morristown traffic cameras generating cash for the city, reducing accidents http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014901 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014901 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT The Morristown Citizen Tribune is reporting that the city's traffic cameras are generating money for the city and improving traffic safety.

Between March and May, photographs snapped by the five cameras inside the city limits resulted in 5,189 citations, according to Redflex, the firm that contracted with the city to install the cameras.

That's 2,403 red-light tickets and 2,786 speeding tickets.

During the same time period last year city police wrote 3,707 citations for 23 different classes of moving violations.

Morristown Police Chief Roger Overholt told the Citizen Tribune Tuesday that statistics kept by the department indicate that since the traffic cameras went live, crashes in Morristown have decreased, both at the intersections with cameras and throughout the city limits.

CLICK HERE for the full report.

]]> Another round of Tea Parties planned for holiday weekend http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014897 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014897 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT Independence Day Tea Parties are planned in Johnson City, Greeneville and across the nation this week.

A notice for the Johnson City event bills it as a July 4th Rally from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Johnson City Kiwanis Park, 801 W. Market St.

The Greeneville Sun reports another a family-oriented Independence Day Tea Party Rally will be held outside the Greene County Courthouse at noon on Thursday, July 2.

The Sun called the Greene County event a non-partisan rally for and by "We the People" to celebrate America and the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness found here by her citizens, said Beverly Reid McFarland, a member of the sponsoring committee.

The Tennessean is reporting today that anyone who missed Monday's tea part at Legislative Plaza shouldn't worry, there will be another one along soon.

Legislative Plaza is booked for at least two and possibly three tea parties this week. Nearby counties are staging similar rallies to coincide with the Fourth of July. The question is: How many tea parties are too many?

"Some people think that if we have these too often, we'll get tea party burnout," said Stacie Burke, president of the nonprofit Tennessee Tea Party group, which sponsored Monday's tea party in Nashville. "But the thing is, as fast as we can organize these things, it's not fast enough to keep up with what's coming out of Washington.

Whether the Independence Day rallies will equal the turnout and have the impact that the tea parties of earlier this year remains to be seen, but a Google search shows there will be a lot of them this week and weekend all across the nation.

The Greeneville Tea Party will include a program showcasing the nation's history and Constitution. And there will be live music.

Organizers are saying that anyone concerned about excess spending and taxation, those who believe the voice of small-town America needs to be heard, and anyone who wants to grow prosperity instead of debt and disaster should attend the events.

]]> City officials ponder outside investigation of policy that required job applicants to give up user names, passwords for social networks http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014896 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014896 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT A report on Montana'sNewsStation.com says the Bozeman City Commission is considering hiring a third party investigator to investigate a former background check policy that required city job applicants to provide their usernames and passwords on social networking sites.

When news of the requirement broke earlier and created a worldwide uproar, especially on social networking sites, news Web sites and blogs. City offices were flooded with email the day after Montana's News Station reported the story and news of the policy spread like wildfire on the Internet.

The City later dropped the policy.

"This was an honest mistake. Human resources, our police and fire departments were doing something they believed was consistent with our core values. I take full responsibility for this decision and we will work hard to regain the trust and confidence of the city commission and our community," Kukulski told MontanaNewsStation.com.

The City of Bozeman began requesting usernames and passwords three years ago for candidates to the fire and police departments. The request was added to all applications in April of 2008.

CLICK HERE for the full report.

]]> Obama promises progress to gay community http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014895 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014895 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT The Hill is reporting that President Obama told members of the gay community on Monday that he remains committed to their most important issues.

Obama reiterated his pledge to overturn both the Defense of Marriage Act and the military's Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell rule.

Monday's event was the administration's first to honor Gay Pride Month for a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender audience and it came amid growing tension between Obama's White House and the gay community.

Obama said he is aware that many "don't believe progress has come fast enough," comparing their struggles to those of blacks during the civil-rights movement.

CLICK HERE for the full report.

]]> Greeneville man gets 8 years in accidental death of wife http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014878 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014878 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT According to a report in the Greeneville Sun, Darryl Colyer, 29, has been sentenced to eight years in prison in the accidental death of his wife.

Andrea "Annie" Ricker, 25, was killed on Feb. 15, 2008, when she was struck by the tractor-trailer Coyler was attempting to park at Yoder's Country Cured Hams, in Bulls Gap.

Colyer, 29, was sentenced to the eight-year prison term on Friday in Rogersville by Circuit Judge John Dugger. After the accident it was determined that he had a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit.

The fatal accident occurred at 7:10 p.m. about a year and a half ago, according to a report filed by THP Trooper Leon Marshall.

CLICK HERE for the full report.

]]> Morristown mayor calls for increased civility http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014877 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014877 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT The Morristown Citizen Tribune is reporting that Mayor Samie Barile doesn't care for the confrontational incivility that has become a routine inside and outside the Morristown City Council Chambers.

Last week she said she would do everything in her power to return decorum to councilmembers’ discussions because things - as they are now - is damaging to the entire community - including prospective employers who consider the stability of local governments before making relocation or expansion decisions.

Councilmember Kay Senter said this morning that she believes communication is the solution to the problem, but drew a distinction between "listening" and "hearing."

"I don’t think you should ever give up hope," said Senter, who added under ideal circumstances councilmembers and administrative staff could have met before being confronted with the budget and other issues.

CLICK HERE for the full report.

]]> Greeneville Parks board wants skaters who don't wear helmets fined http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014869 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014869 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT The Greeneville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board wants increased enforcement of the rules at the Greeneville Skate Park. It's second time in three months such an effort has been made, according to the Greeneville Sun.

The board has recommended a new city ordinance that would fine skaters who do not wear helmets, but the Police Department has not signed onto the suggestion.

The ordinance must be approved by the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen to become official.

The report says City Recorder Jim Warner told the BMA that Police Chief Terry Cannon says his department does not have the manpower to enforce such an ordinance.

CLICK HERE for the full report.

]]> South Holston Lake search for missing woman continues, time's running out for volunteers http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014868 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014868 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT According to the Bristol Herald Courier heavy duty equipment will be brought in today in the search for a woman who is missing and feared dead in South Holston Lake.

The search will continue to focus on a 15-hundred square foot area just off Lakeview Dock Road.

Alice Bachman, 55, disappeared Tuesday night. Her shoes, purse and beach towel were found nearby, and her boat was only half covered. It's theorized that she fell into the lake while attempting to put the cover on the boat.

So far the search has included underwater cameras, deep-water dragging procedures and divers.

It's not clear how long the search will continue, but authorities say they will have to scale back some because volunteers are doing much of the searching.

CLICK HERE for the full report.

]]> Tennessee gun battle spreads from Capitol Hill to City Hall http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014867 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014867 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT The Tennessean is reporting that a new handgun fight is brewing. The focus is not on City Hall.

Local governments and gun owner advocates are gearing up for a summer face-off over how far to take a new state law that allows guns in parks.

City councils across Tennessee, including Nashville and Hendersonville, are moving to reaffirm handguns bans in parks following passage of a state law. But others are mobilizing to block their efforts.

A state law signed earlier this month by Gov. Phil Bredesen has touched off the debate. The law is meant to let handgun permit holders carry their weapons into every park in the state, wiping out local policies governing handguns.

However, legislators included a provision that gives local governments the power to ban guns in some or all of their parks by passing a new ordinance.

CLICK HERE for the full report.

]]> Hamblen County BOE sued over alleged artificial turf non-payment http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014810 http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014810 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT The Morristown Citizen Tribune is reporting that the Hamblen County Board of Education is being sued for nonpayment for rock removal so the artificial turf at Burke-Toney Stadium could be installed.

The suit filed by Nicholas R. Overbay alleges the board is guilty of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, promissory estoppel and promissory fraud. Overbay contends the board owes him $174,790.68 plus interest.

Under the promissory fraud allegation, the suit claims that the Board of Education, or its agents, told Overbay to remove rock and repair a cave and sinkhole even though it "had no intention of paying" him for the work.

"Morever, upon information and belief, the failure of the BOE to pay for the rock removal as well as cave and sinkhole repair was willful and intentional, and warrants an award of punitive damages under Tennessee law," the suit states.

CLICK HERE for the full report.



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