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The Hawkins County Commission voted 13-8 Monday to increase the speed limit on Bradley Creek Road from 45 mph to 55 mph for passenger vehicles, despite the fact that the sheriff’s office said in December the change is unsafe. An amendment approved Monday set a 50 mph speed limit for commercial trucks. In December HCSO Chief Deputy Tony Allen told Hawkins County commissioners a proposed Bradley Creek Road speed limit increase would be unsafe, and that Sheriff Ronnie Lawson had recommended against it.
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Hawkins County Commission

Hawkins raises speed limit on Bradley Creek Road despite earlier HCSO warning

In December HCSO Chief Deputy Tony Allen told Hawkins County commissioners a proposed Bradley Creek Road speed limit increase would be unsafe, and that Sheriff Ronnie Lawson had recommended against it.

May 21, 2019 at 8:00 PM
on Friday NSR notified Barrette Outdoor Living in Bulls Gap that it was canceling a lease contract that allowed Barrette to store about 50 rail cars on site that contained the raw material used in manufacturing. Barrette employs about 700 people at its Bulls Gap plant which manufactures plastic fencing and similar products. It's main customers are Lowe's and Home Depot.
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Barrette Outdoor Living

'Off the rails': Norfolk Southern cutbacks stir worries about Hawkins’ biggest factory

“There are around 700 jobs at any given point, so it's very concerning. I don't think there's anything imminent about Barrette shutting down, and we don't want it to get to that point." — Rep. Gary Hicks

Updated May 15, 2019 at 12:35 PM
Fire photo from a Mount Carmel fire in 2018. Hawkins County Commissioners may use wheel tax funds set aside for public safety to begin helping rural volunteer fire departments replace outdated turnout gear.
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Hawkins County Commission

Rural Hawkins VFDs seek grant funding to replace expired gear

Clinch Valley VFD firefighter Roger Lamb addressed the county commission's Budget Committee Monday afternoon about his department's request for $5,000 to match a grant that would replace 10 sets of expired turnout gear.

May 14, 2019 at 2:21 PM
Dr. Blaine Jones, who chairs the Hawkins County Commission's EMS Exploratory Committee, is show here Thursday after addressing the commission's Public Safety Committee about the options his group will be studying. In the background are Hawkins County EMS director Jason Murrell, and HCEMS Board of Directors chairman Lynn Campbell.
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Hawkins County Commission

EMS Exploratory Committee may suggest Hawkins take over ambulance service

The first alternative would be for Hawkins County to take over HCEMS and turn it into a county agency. That's the same final recommendation the Exploratory Committee made in 2016.

May 10, 2019 at 9:30 AM
William Davis Creasy
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Hawkins County Criminal court

Hawkins constable accused of misconduct resigns while awaiting court date

The charges stem from an incident that occurred in August in which District 1 Constable William Creasy conducted a traffic stop with blue lights on a man who resides in his neighborhood. But he didn't officially take office until Sept. 1.

Apr 28, 2019 at 4:00 PM
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Hawkins County Commission

Hawkins Commission expects debt refinancing to save $2.6 million

Most of that debt stems from the 2009 Phase 3 county schools building construction and renovation project although it also encompasses debt for school buses; road and/or bridge construction; the Justice Center and Courthouse renovations; and equipment for the solid waste department.

Apr 23, 2019 at 10:00 PM
Hawkins County 911 director Gay Murrell addresses the Public Safety Committee Wednesday about the possibility of Central Dispatch funding being cut by the county.
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Hawkins County Central Dispatch

How much would Hawkins County pay to start its own Central Dispatch?

ROGERSVILLE — Hawkins County 911 Board Chairman Mike Herrell is preparing his fellow county commissioners for the possibility of an expensive, complicated and many would say unnecessary upheaval to Hawkins County Central Dispatch.

Apr 19, 2019 at 1:27 PM
A highly publicized Hawkins County Humane Society Rescue in 2017 involving a starved dog. Shelter manager Sandy Behnke, left, named "Ghost".
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Hawkins County Commission

Is it time for Hawkins County to create an animal control program?

Considering the fact that deputies answered more 500 animal complaints in 2018, some county commissioners are now asking if it’s time for Hawkins County to implement its own animal control program. 

Apr 19, 2019 at 11:15 AM
Two members of the exploratory committee that will make a recommendation to the Hawkins County Commission regarding its impending ambulance franchise decision attended Wednesday Public Safety Committee including retired nurse and EMT instructor Ed Alvis, left, and retired physician Dr. Blaine Jones, right.
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Hawkins County Commission

Non-political committee will study Hawkins EMS franchise options

On Monday, the Hawkins County Commission will be asked to approve an out of order resolution appointing an exploratory committee of medical and public safety professionals to help an ambulance franchise recipient.

Apr 18, 2019 at 12:25 PM
The H.B. Stamps Memorial Library in Rogersville is in need of some renovations inside and outside, but the top priority at this time is installation of new ADA compliant doors and a ramp.
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Hawkins County Commission

Hawkins commissioners hope to make major repairs to Rogersville library

“A lot of times this is the first place people (visit), coming into Hawkins County for genealogy purposes and get a taste of the area, and it doesn't look good for us." — James Boehms, county library board chairman

Apr 17, 2019 at 3:30 PM
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Hawkins County Commission

Hawkins Commission to weigh 99 year lease for SVVFD station

Under the proposed lease, the SVVFD will begin paying the electric bill for the building and will have authority over how, and if, the community center is open to the public. The Election Commission will continue to use the facility as a voting precinct.

Apr 5, 2019 at 8:30 PM
Engineer Joe Parrott presented the county commission's Public Buildings Committee Wednesday with a much less expensive option for straining trash out of the Hawkins County Jail's sewer line before it reaches the Rogersville sewer system.
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Hawkins County Commission

Hawkins officials hear cheaper option for straining jail garbage out of the sewer

Hawkins County and the City of Rogersville have been mandated by the state to install a system that will prevent garbage flushed down Hawkins County Jail commodes from entering the Rogersville sewer system and creating clogging and backups.

Apr 4, 2019 at 2:51 PM
The park's 2,500-foot-long shoreline located just south of Church Hill has eroded between six and 10 feet during the past eight years. Trees that were once 5-10 feet inland have either been washed away or are teetering on the bank of the Holston River, and the walking trail is only 3-5 feet from the bank in some places.
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laurel run park

Bids go out this month for Laurel Run Park shoreline erosion project

Hawkins County officials are hoping to have those huge piles of rock at Laurel Run Park relocated to the shoreline by June, as the park's Holston River erosion project goes up for bid later this month.

Apr 3, 2019 at 3:21 PM
Jimmy Sandlin
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Hawkins County Commission

HolstonConnects installing broadband in Rogersville, Surgoinsville, Church Hill

Holston Electric Cooperative has a goal of providing internet, cable TV and telephone service to all 30,000 of its customers by 2023, and HEC General Manager Jimmy Sandlin said last week grant funding is being sought to speed up the process.

Apr 1, 2019 at 8:30 PM
Hawkins County Highway Superintendent Lowell Bean told the Hawkins County commission Monday he doesn't have the exact cost of flooding damage countywide, but the Mooresburg Springs Road slide alone, shown here, is expected to exceed $100,000. Bean estimates that the overall cost countywide could reach $500,000.
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Hawkins County Commission

Hawkins highway flood damage repairs absorbing paving funds

"It's going to hurt this spring when we start working on roads, and we can't pave as many as we normally do. We can't chip and seal as many as we normally do. But, just be thankful we've got a road to run on." — Hawkins Co. Highway Superintendent Lowell Bean

Mar 26, 2019 at 9:30 PM
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