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It was approximately 30 years ago that a fellow came into the office of Morgan County News and laid a collection of pictures and documents on my desk. His name was Hollis Eble and I have never forgot my feelings of horror as he laid these pictures and items in front of me and began to tell of his experiences in the military.

Law enforcement is not immune from the high inflation that has gripped the country in recent years. Many agencies have had to increase what they pay to keep and attract officers. Those moves could have an impact on the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The 8th Annual Mountain Laurel Tennessee Festival will be held Saturday, May 20th from 10 am – 5 pm. At the event, you will find vendors, street food, live music, a silent auction, and plenty of children’s activities. There will even be a 5k Ridge Run and hiking marathon for festival-goers.

A Morgan County man will spend the rest of his life in prison following his conviction on several charges related to the rape of a minor. 56-year-old Everett Eugene Miller, Jr. of Sunbright was sentenced on. Thursday (May 11th) to life plus 120 months in prison, followed by “a lifetime...

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Tennessee man who is a registered sex offender will spend the rest of his life in prison after he was found guilty of having sex with a minor and taking her across the country. On May 11, 2023, Everett Eugene Miller, Jr., 56, given a life sentence plus 120 months […]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A Morgan County man was sentenced to spend life in prison, plus an additional decade, after he was convicted of child sex crimes and trying to escape authorities. According to a press release from the Department of Justice, Everett Eugene Miller Jr., 56, of Sunbright, was...

Morgan County Schools Food & Nutrition program makes sure kids across the county continue to have healthy meals through the summer. The Food & Nutrition Summer Kick Off takes place Thursday, June 1, at Solomon City Park with free food, books, resources for families and other fun and games.

I hope all my readers this week will appreciate a very different type of article from me. First, I want to remind you that this Saturday, May 20, is ‘Armed Forces Day’. That should cause us to pause and remember those who served our country and especially those who gave their life for our freedom.

Scott County isn’t in a drought, but does have a growing rainfall deficit. Much of the greater Tennessee Valley, including Anderson County and the southern half of Morgan County, are listed by the U.S. Drought Monitor in its latest update as being “abnormally dry,” the first of five steps on the Drought Monitor’s ladder of drought severity.

A Morgan County man will spend the rest of his life in prison following his conviction on several charges related to the rape of a minor. 56-year-old Everett Eugene Miller, Jr. of Sunbright was sentenced on Thursday (May 11th) to life plus 120 months in prison, followed by “a lifetime on supervised release,” and will be required to register as a sex offender after being found guilty at a trial of all charges against him contained in an indictment accusing him of Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, Felony Offense Involving a Minor by an Individual Required to Register as a Sex Offender, and Escape.

Congratulations to all Morgan County Graduates. Many college graduations have already taken place. High school, 8th Grade, Kindergarten and Pre K graduations are scheduled for this week. The OHS Class of 2023 will have a Baccalaureate Service Wednesday, May 17 at 7 p.m. Graduation will be Friday, May 19 at...

WARTBURG, Tenn. — A Morgan County Schools teacher and coach was suspended pending an investigation into allegations of "inappropriate physical contact with a female minor," district records show. Through a public records request, 10News obtained a letter sent from Director of Schools David Treece to Robert Drake. It informs...

This week I want to share an article I wrote more than 30 years ago! Yes, this is in honor of my mother, Zena Rumage who passed away in 1988. I had a call from Mr. Doug Morris who was the publisher of Morgan County News at that time. This call was made on a Tuesday morning when we were on ‘deadline’ for that week’s paper which would be printed on Wednesday. He was asking me to write an article about my mother. Since Judy Byrge, our editor, was in agreement, I hurriedly wrote the following article.

Twelve years ago, Obed Wild and Scenic River launched the “National Park in Your Backyard” program for Morgan County sixth-grade students. The park is excited to announce this program will be offered again this year. As in previous years, the opportunity to participate in this program will be extended to students who are homeschooled or attend other than public schools.

Plateau Electric Cooperative celebrated 84 years serving Morgan and Scott counties during their annual meeting on Saturday, May 6. “We would like to extend a thanks to all our members who came out to attend, and all our speakers and special guests,” said Rachel Human, director of communications.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) announced the first round of 40 grant recipients for the Families First Community Grant Program, an initiative that will award more than $95 million in funding to organizations providing innovative direct services to support Tennessee families in need. The grant program was created through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Opportunity Act, bi-partisan legislation which was passed and signed by Governor Bill Lee in May 2021 in an effort to effectively spend a surplus of federal TANF funds.

- Five-year precipitation average: 65.84 inches - Precipitation over the past year: 56.27 inches (#77 rainiest year since 1895) - Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 3.20 inches above norm

Pastor Ralph Nance and wife, Lois, recently finished 52 years of Christian ministry, serving the Lord Jesus and touching many, many people's lives, Largely in Morgan and Roane Counties. Brother Nance has served as Pastor in five area churches starting in 1971, with Lois faithfully at his side every step of the way. Though a native of Morgan County, his longest pastorate came at the Grace Baptist in South Harriman for 19 years. He has also conducted many church revivals and done much evangelistic preaching of Christ over these 52 years. In addition, for 42 years he was heard over WECO 940AM radio, as a voice for Christ in many homes nearly daily, freely giving of himself to minister to others. He was heard on stations in the Harriman area also.

The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with Humanities Tennessee, presents “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America.” The exhibition examines the nearly 250-year-old American experiment of a government “of, by and for the people,” and how each generation since continues to question how to form “a more perfect union.” Opening at the Morgan County Heritage Museum May 13, “Voices and Votes” will be on view each Saturday and Sunday through June 25. Weekday tours can be arranged by appointment.

The East Tennessee Foundation awarded grants to 10 local organizations on Thursday, April 27. The Morgan County Community Fund is focused on building better lives in Morgan County. In June 2022, East Tennessee Foundation started the fund to help raise money for organizations working to make the community stronger.