All Day Emergency Drill of the Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant in Soddy-Daisy TN

Several agencies and local ham radio operators will take part in today's emergency drill, which is expected to last several hours. You can listen-in if you have access to the 147.180 repeater on Oswald Dome.

DA Steve Hatchett in First High Profile Case: Close Ally of Sheriff Tommy Jones Indicted on Sexual Assault

The news headlines on 10/2/2024 from the TBI press release seemed vague and ambiguous..."Monroe County Man Indicted, Arrested for Sexual Assault."

It shows, "At the request of 10th Judicial District Attorney General Steve Hatchett, on September 5th, TBI special agents began investigating a complaint of sexual assault that took place on August 24th. During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that Brian Hodge had committed sexual battery against an individual at the Monroe County EMS station in Madisonville."

DA Steve Hatchett

Hodge pleaded guilty to a vote-buying scheme in federal court during his involvement in the 2014 Monroe County Sheriff's race. After being fired from Oak Ridge EMS soon after the federal indictment; Tommy Jones offered Hodge a job--the catch was that Hodge would have been required to carry a gun, but U.S. Attorney Bart Slabbekorn objected: this kept his 'gun rights' permit rescinded as per the court order issued by U. S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan.

This case is about an alleged victim and an accused person: however, how and why Brian Keith Hodge (formerly referred to as "Wormy" Hodge in previous news clips) is back in the news charged with a serious felony is a "WTF" head turner!

"Wormy" Hodge being back in the spotlight is the last thing that Randy White and Tommy Jones would have wished for 10 years after the infamous debacle that was the 2014 sheriff's election in Monroe County...the headlines could be-- 

for Tommy Jones and Randy White, 

"The chickens come home to roost"

This saying dates back to 1390 when Geoffrey Chaucer used it in The Parson's Tale: And ofte tyme swich cursynge wrongfully retorneth agayn to hym that curseth, as a byrd that retorneth agayn to his owene nest.

Tommy Jones

Florida Residents Warned to Escape from the Path of Hurricane Milton

10/10/2024--Hurricane Milton Live Updates: Millions in the dark as it rumbles across causing several deaths and billions in damage. !8" of rain in the Tampa Bay area.

Cat-5 category expected as Hurricane Milton approaches.

Thousands of people are fleeing from Florida as Hurricane Milton approaches the Tampa Bay coast...storm surge is expected as high as 15'-- Officials are warning residents to "leave now, or you will die." Gas stations are either low or have run out gas due to the demand from the number of people evacuating.

So many that were just impacted by hurricane Helene are wondering what Milton is going to do to their communities. Up to record-setting storm surge expected--the longer you wait the more difficult it will be--airplane tickets and gas prices continue to soar.

Monroe County TN has often been a favorite destination spot for Floridians seeking a short or long-term stay--many cabin rentals available in the Tellico Plains area. 

Europol Shuts Down "Ghost" -- Worldwide Cybercrime Social Platform

The platform used encrypted communication to allow criminals worldwide to send and receive messages and also order assassinations. Thousands of illegal ops and transactions were carried out using "Ghost," but even though multiple encryption options were used, the site was dismantled. The platform was run by a single admin, a 32-year-old male based in Australia.

Exploding Radios in Lebanon were discontinued Icom IC-V82's, often used by Ham Radio Operators

It was the batteries in radios and pagers that held the detonation device that maimed or killed hundreds of users in Lebanon this week.

The Japanese company Icom manufactured the IC-V82 radios from 2004 to 2012. It was a solid quality, well-

built HT or (handy talkie) as ham radio operators refer to hand-held portable radios. 

Production of the batteries for the IC-V82 radios was discontinued years ago, but parts are still available: It remains a mystery how the batteries detonated--although it is clear they had been loaded with explosive material.

Icom is one the top radio brands,  one of their best current hand-held models is the Icom ID-52.

Excitement Filled Black Bear Rampage Mountain Bike Race

 It will take place on Sunday, Sept. 15th, 2024--Meetup and start is at the Whitewater Center, Polk County TN. For additional details on time, fees, and how to register click on the 'Rides and Events' link  https://www.scottsbikes.com 

Car Accident Victim on Forest Service Road waits for 22 hours for help to come

Joe "Clooney" a recent move-in to Monroe County TN escaped serious injury in what could have been a deadly single-vehicle car crash on USFS Wildcat Creek road just 10 miles from Tellico Plains on July 22, 2024. 

The good news was that he was not hurt and his cell phone still had service, although he did not call 911. Joe said he spent the rainy overnight ordeal sleeping underneath the car. 

'Thumbs-up' for Boost Mobile.  A USFS service employee happened to drive by and did report the accident to the Tellico ranger station, but they did not do any follow-up or offer assistance...this should serve as a warning to others: if possible, travel in a group or caravan and have plenty of supplies while on rural forest service roads. Use your head and plan ahead or you could easily become "bear food."

There are a few full-time dwellers and some vacation homes near the Cherokee National Forest, and most of the locals know their neighbors: "strangers and outsiders" are quickly recognized. 

No tow truck service companies were willing to come out to the remote crash site except Shep's garage from Tellico Plains: they came out and did the salvage op/recovery. If not for the big tree, he would have fallen down a deep ravine and the outcome of the crash would have been entirely different. There are similar accidents yearly, see statistics of U.S Forest Service road accidents on Accidentdatacenter.com

Running on the Forest Trails--Endurance Event July 20, and 21st

 

East Coast Adventures is sponsoring an endurance mountain event on some of the most beautiful trails of the Southern Cherokee National Forest.

It is a challenging mountain trail run event. To sign up and other information see the East Coast Adventures Website https://ultrarunning.com/calendar/event/the-cherokee If you are more of a hiker than a runner check out http://www.cherokeehikingclub.org/

Car Rally Race may soon to be 10 Times Bigger, if allowed to continue

Derek Wooley KD5UBL, one of the chief collaborators in the recent Car Rally Race in Polk County TN is giddy with joy as he announces what he hopes will take place in 2 to 3 years in our Cherokee National Forest.

    After its Deadliest Year, Rally Race Presses On

Road and Track magazine reports: "It's a sport on the fringes. Advertising dollars don't rain in for a sport that doesn't lend itself to television or even in person-viewing. 

The previous 19 months have hit the rally world hard: 3 deaths during rallies and two other drivers, including one of the sport's biggest, passing away in crashes away from the course."

USFS District Ranger Supervisors are not evaluating any other requests for future rally race events. 

John Muir and other great naturalists that came before us would cringe at the thought of turning our Great Wilderness into a pit of Zombie Hell.

Sparks Fly at USFS Meeting: Racetrack Event through the Forest Considered an "Environmental Crime"

Even though greedy corporate interests have managed to sway or influence forest service supervisors in other parts of the country, the proposed car rally race on June 15-16 in a Wildlife Management Area at the Starr Mountain Wilderness is in direct violation of "The Wilderness Act."  

A Local resident asks "Why do you want to destroy our Natural Wilderness?" ...Another local resident says a friend was sentenced to almost 2 years in prison for accidentally damaging a tree in the forest: 2 days of car rally racing would have a much more severe impact on the environment.

Hiwassee Ocoee District Ranger Supervisor Philip Earhart has decided to authorize all portions of National Forest Service Roads (NFSRs) 23, 44, 55, 67, 99, 103, 220, 221, 302, and 1333 on National Forest System Lands on the Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest, Polk and Monroe Counties, Tennessee for rally car racing events on June 15-16, 2024.

One of the first of many comments at a recent rally forum community meeting described how a man had been convicted to a year and a half in federal prison because he crossed the creek in his truck and accidentally damaged a tree at Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park... "You know what it cost that man? non-dui, non-drug, he just damaged a tree with his Toyota truck-he served 1-
1/2 years in prison because it's federal land."...Two days of car rally races in the forest would have a much more severe impact on the forest environment.

https://thepolkcountynews.com/wp-content/uploads/Rally-forum-part-2.mp3

U.S. Forest Service Allows Car Rally Road Race Near "Protected Wilderness" in Polk County TN

The Cleveland TN office of the U.S. Forest Service is allowing race car zombies to turn a narrow forest service road into a weekend-long race car rally on June 14-16, 2024--in the
Starr Mountain Wilderness.

Update: Contact USFS District Supervisor Philip Earhart for comments and legal casework. philip.earhart@usda.gov

The staging area will be the Polk County High School Hwy 411 on Saturday morning June 15th, 2024. The Tennessee Rally USA organizers are allowing what they call "spectator friendly viewing." ...They do not own your national forest. Come and witness your national forest turned into a racetrack--take pictures and gather information which could be used in court.

A petition with over 600 signatures was signed last year voicing strong opposition to allow our treasured national forest to be used for a Daytona Race Car-like event.

The idea of holding such an event in the national forest has raised rumors of a possible 'kickback' or 'bribe' since it seems so unreal and may possibly be in violation of several federal laws. Call any other U.S. Forest Service district and ask if you can get a permit for a rally car race on a narrow and secluded forest service road, which borders a protected wilderness..."You Wanna do What?"...

Contact as many environmental activists as possible. Come to the event and show your support for our beautiful forests and wildlife. Your support will shape our future for generations to come. 

The Wilderness Act was passed in 1964, passed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This Act established the National Wilderness Preservation System ..." for the permanent good of the whole people." This law also directs federal land management agencies, including the National Park Service (NPS), to manage these wilderness areas and preserve their wilderness character.

The Southern Environmental Law Center is the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental legal advocacy organization in and focused on the South. As lawyers, policy and issue experts they take on some of the toughest challenges to protect our air, water, land, wildlife, and the people who live here.

The video below shows where the same race group did a preparation/practice run on Lost Creek Campground Road near Reliance TN last year--notice the placard in the video, in a Wildlife Management Area: they referred to it as a "Special Event" as a way to hide or lessen public awareness. On the day of the practice "special event" (April 8, 2023) it rained hard all day long; windshield wipers in vehicles could barely keep up. 

   

"All who enjoy the natural wonders of the Starr Mountain Wilderness will be victimized by the roaring of engines, the screeching of tires, and the aftermath of damaged roads and trails through our beloved forest, all in the name of entertainment."

"A similar event was allowed to happen back in 2002 that caused a lot of problems as far as local residents being behind closed access roads, and a funeral procession being held up for over an hour due to the rally race. It's going to cost our county, it's going to tear up roads, disrupt wildlife habitat, cause an increased danger to residents, and impact all emergency services for the entire weekend...it's a wacko idea proposed by greedy city slickers."

Coker Creek Resident Given Award for Saving FHP Trooper's Life

This incident took place back in 2017 in Palm Beach County Florida, years before he settled down in Monroe County TN--Joe Rodriguez, affectionally known as "Joe Clooney" because of his likeness to George Clooney.

Former DA Steve Crump Must Have Been in a Post-Covid Brain Fog

Who quits and moves out of town if they have just been re-elected to a second 8-year post as District Attorney...and not just move, but move to a densely populated, crime-ridden, major metropolis? ... Former DA Steve Crump must still be taking it all in, after months of waiting to see if his ill-conceived plan would work--it appeared to some as a ploy of political 'musical chairs' which failed miserably...it was an intense wait and see ..."what would happen on March 5, 2024?"...

Crump succeeded in getting Governor Lee to appoint his chief deputy DA (Shari Taylo) as interim DA when he resigned--she served as interim DA until a special run-off election, which coincided with Super Tuesday. The whole scheme didn't sit well with most area residents and she lost the election.  As the saying goes, "Everything Happens for a Reason."

Newly elected DA Steve Hatchett saw a golden opportunity in 2023 when Crump announced he would be resigning and taking a job in Nashville TN. 

DA Steve Hatchett

According to former Bradley County Commissioner Dan Rawls, Shari Taylo never had a chance. Several months ago, he predicted the outcome of the election and every detail in the months-long saga.

Shari Taylo is not required to step down and hand over the keys until September 1st.

Our District is on the Brink of Collapse, more RED FLAGS THAN BEFORE 911

If you pick the wrong district attorney candidate on March 5, 2024, it will increase the risk of a law enforcement collapse: when you add the fentanyl crisis and the open border crisis; it could lead us into a state of doom.