The recent condominum building collapse in Miami may bring a surge of new Florida migrants to East TN —a lack of proper maintenance by the condominium board of directors may have contributed to this deadly tragedy…Early on during the construction the permits were pulled due to somebody’s bright idea of putting a penthouse apartment which was never part of the original design—after a few days, the developer was able to get a waiver and continue with the added weight of the penthouse: it’s unknown if any structural allowances were made to deal with the thousands of tons of unplanned weight the penthouse brought to the buiding’s design.
As recently as 2018, there are numerous accounts of strange noises and lack of proper upkeep to the building.
Upon review by the Blogger team this post was reinstated.
Dr DeAnna McClendon took what appears to some as a "payoff" for keeping quiet on a scandal that could affect the lives of Monroe County students--despite the attempt to make pleasing remarks... the secrecy surrounding the mutual agreement to pay off the remainder of her contract at a cost of nearly $300,000 has raised eyebrows. This has impacted race relations, kept important information from the general public, and set a horrible example for students--they (the school board) stopped short of passing a resolution to make the Dire Straits hit single "Money for Nothing" the official theme song for the school system.
Despite her advanced learning degree, cradling two cell phones and flanked by her attorney; she went against the cardinal rule that anyone should follow when under investigation: Professor James Duane advises anyone who is under investigation to 'keep their mouth shut.'...More often than you can imagine—Any public comment you make, even if it may seem exculpatory-simply 'cannot help you.'...
She used a 'conversational rip cord' to quickly end the news conference, but it worked against her--If you take a careful look at what was said - "I feel overwhelmed by the support that is here tonight; because THEY (pointing to the crowd) care about the children." She never switches to a first-person narrative using "I" or "We" during her brief comments and for a second time goes back to 'She knows these people care about children.'
When was the last time you heard that anyone in Monroe County was dismissed from a job, and received almost $300,000 to simply 'go away' and not sue the employer?...What was the school board wanting to keep secret? ...If you think it was just a 'racial thing'...think again--Lady D 'sold out' and tarnished her legacy: she should have exposed misconduct and stayed at her post until the end of her contract...At the present time--only a few insiders know about the 'back room deal' that led to a contract extension before she walked away with almost $300,000...
Upon review, the Blogger team reinstated this post citing it did not violate community guidelines...
Date of Crash: 11/5/2020--A long time Monroe County school bus contractor crashed into a large tree on Wilson Station road at approximately 7:26 AM...
Weather appears to not have been a factor and no other vehicles were involved--Not at an intersection or near a driveway. Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper James Fox felt the driver was compliant and did not detect impairment, therefore an alcohol test was 'not given' and a drug test was 'not given'...even though several students were transported to the hospital. Director of Schools DeAnna McClendon said county officials would conduct drug and alcohol tests on the driver, but he wasn't suspended or fired: he was back behind the wheel shortly after the horrific accident. (THP was the lead investigator and stated on their report they did not give the driver a drug or alcohol test)--Even if the county did administer a drug and alcohol test on the driver--falling asleep at the wheel may have been a factor, which has been a topic of conversation—a search of the driver’s cell phone should have gone beyond the time of the crash to see if he had been up texting or playing video games the night before the crash, then driving while “functionally asleep at the wheel” during the time of the time of the crash.
Two sources close to the driver said county officials urged him to continue to drive (not confirmed) the afternoon route on the same day of the accident but the driver refused--he took a couple of days off. *This incident underscores the need for better driver training and the importance of implementing the upcoming federal guidelines outlined in the MAP-21 provisions ...
Monroe County has one of the lowest pay scales for school bus drivers anywhere in the country. Some contractors, unable to find drivers to fill positions are forced to drive double routes--which can lead to driver fatigue. With the Corona Virus pandemic and an aging driver fleet, the driver shortage situation will get worse.
How does crash history affect CMV (commercial motor vehicle) licensed drivers? If you are driving a CMV and are involved in a crash, your crash history will stay on your driving record--whether you are at fault or not--information about the crash will be sent to the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)...School Bus operations and transportation performed by anyone under a contract with a school is considered a 'for hire' motor carrier.
The more crashes you and your company experience, the worse your grades on the crash BASIC database and the more likely that the FMCSA will intervene to find out what you might be doing wrong.
Rumors of a sale had festered for years, and now finally, the sale of the near 90-acre compound known as Coker Creek Village has been sold to a Spanish-speaking Group. It seems to be a well-funded religious corporation, and Spanish is their preferred language...and they are truly wonderful people.
As seen on their website https://institutobiblicoeltabernaculo.org -- the buyer's signature is barely readable on the sales contract, for which they wrote a check to Marilu Atchley (who inherited the property from her parents) for $1,050,000 to buy the property -- there were no special covenants or provisions attached to the sale -- which means that they can build or do anything they want with the property.
They held their first 'meet and greet' gathering Saturday 8/29/2020--in which they met a few of the local gentry--for the most part, the "welcome" sign was meant for their Atlanta area visitors who are for the most part, Atlanta area residents. They seemed grateful to be close to nature in their new Church compound, even if they can only visit on certain weekends--it's not known if they will keep the 'Coker Creek Village' name...it was a joyous celebration--which included music, food, and conversation. Their mission statement is shown on their website.
On New Year's Day, Blue Dot, a Toronto based medical detectives company founded by infectious disease physician Dr Kamran Khan raised the alarm of what is now known as the "Corona Virus" Covid-19. Back in December 2019, a Chinese newspaper reported that 27 cases of a mysterious flu like illness had likely originated in a Wuhan market, where live animals are kept in cages and killed while customers watch. VIDEO Many experts are now investigating to see if this is where the disease made the leap from animals to humans.
The Black Plague was a catastrophic epidemic of a bubonic type plague that killed millions of people in Europe during a period of 5 years, from 1347 to 1352.
"The plague arrived in Europe when 12 trading ships had docked at the Sicilian Port of Messina. People gathered at the docks were met with a horrifying surprise: Most sailors on the ships were dead, and those still alive were gravely ill and covered in black boils that oozed blood and pus. Sicilian authorities hastily ordered the fleet of "death ships" out of the harbor, but it was too late: Over the next 5 years, the Black Death would kill more than 20 million people in Europe--at the time, this was about one-third of the continents's population." History.com Doctors battling the Corona Virus in New York City are under extreme pressure, in the likes of which they have never endured. One was quoted as saying--" As doctors we are used to pressure, we are used to seeing a lot of things that normal people don't see, but this is really beyond anything I've seen in my career." For the latest updates on the Coronavirus outbreak--TN department of health website.
CORE volunteers and professionals in medical, dental, and vision serviced over 2,000 patients at the Jacob Building in Knoxville on the weekend of February 1st and 2nd--anyone who showed up was able to get eyeglasses, dental work, or have a general check-up for free. Remote Area Medical founder Stan Brock was a cowboy and TV actor turned philanthropist--he was 82 when he passed away a couple of years back--Stan's mission was clear: preventing pain and alleviating suffering.
Update: 4/1/2020---Due to the Coronavirus some clinics may be canceled or postponed Find out when a clinic may be in your area--check out the RAM USA website RAMUSA.Org
One of the smoothest talking con men that ever passed through East TN is wanted as of 11/20/2019 for passing worthless checks in Bradley County
Worthy of a Netflix documentary--considered (non-violent) and smarter than most law enforcement officers he has encountered: after walking away from a prison work farm in Michigan (2008) he went on a cross country crime spree.
While in Monroe County he told some area businesses and cops that he was an heir to a fortune and even convinced two Sweetwater PD cops to retire because he had promised them high paying security guard jobs. After he was brought back to Monroe County in 2008, he was part of the infamous 'fake attorney scandal' while he was housed in the Monroe County jail--in which Sweet, and two former MCSD detectives played an elaborate ruse on a jailed inmate. read more on the fake attorney case Courthousenews
It was a windy and overcast Saturday, but the rain stayed away making the 4th annual October 26, 2019 Cherohala Skyway Heritage Bluegrass Festival a huge success at the Charles Hall Museum fairgrounds. There were pioneer demonstrations, wagon rides, antique tractors, lots of food vendors, artisans, wood carvers, and several musical acts. The Farm Hands were recently profiled on Bluegrass Today, but there is still no official word whether guest fiddle player Kimberley Bibb will become a permanent member of the band or an occasional guest artist--let's hope she stays on!
The National Counter Terrorism Center is at the forefront of homeland security to prevent domestic and foreign acts of violence against the United States. Listen to this fact filled conversation (Why the NCTC was created) by the former deputy Director of the CIA and the NCTC Director on what we should be thinking about to address the primary threats. The NCTC is an information hub: made up of over a 1,000 members who fused together the operational strategy which led to the capture of Osama Bin Laden, and since then has prevented several terrorist plots. New measures now provide more in-depth sharing of information to provide analysis of critical threats. Some of the 911 terrorists scouted areas near the tri-state area--in Cherokee County NC, and Polk County TN asking seemingly tourist-type questions during their numerous intelligence gathering trips. Foreign agents often pose as 'diplomats' -- as was reported by a nearby *resident who spoke with a person driving an SUV with tinted windows (in one of the most desolate no-outlet back-roads around) saying he/or they werefrom the Atlanta Office of the Russian Consulate and were 'lost', trying to make their way to Knoxville. The group may have been scouting secluded areas without cell phone coverage for secret meetings. No cell-phone reception means their location cannot be 'pinged' by cell phone towers. * In a later conversation with the elderly gentleman his level of education was obvious: I said, "you are a former state department guy" to which he said, "how did you know that?" ... it was just a guess...the way he imitated the Russian dialect clearly showed his linguistic skills were above average.
The continuing growth of tourism in Tellico Plains has Charles Hall written all over it. The area has become an international destination for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and nature lovers.
It began when he appeared before a Congressional House Committee which funded the construction of the the Cherohala Skyway- a multi million dollar road project which connects Robbinsville, North Carolina and Tellico Plains. The town's public library was another project directly linked to him and other civic leaders--we thank Charles and his family for his legacy and his outstanding leadership as well as the local business community which enriches the quality of life and attracts newcomers to come and visit, enjoy, and often make Tellico Plains their new home. Be sure to stop by the Charles Hall Museum.
Misconduct Allegations Include "Being in a Sexual Relationship with an Informant" -- Scandal Creates A Near Collapse of Law-Enforcement
Update: Former Chief Russell Parks was indicted and booked into the Monroe County Jail on 7/11/2019-- Back in February Parks' daughter had access to his phone, she read revealing text messages, then tells her step-mother who called Mayor Patrick Hawkins, who then called District Attorney Stephen Crump and the TBI began an investigation.
A surprising turn of events since Parks booked numerous people in the same jail where his mugshot was taken. He was charged with a Class E Felony since the value of the property or services obtained was more than ($500) dollars--the indictment includes missing funds in the amount of ($840) dollars which was allegedly used for sexual favors from a confidential informant. A couple of weeks after his arrest, he pleaded 'not guilty' at the first court hearing--if found guilty, he may be classified as a 'convicted felon' for the rest of his life. In the TPPD general information-page it was stated that "Understanding that the laws have a spirit, as well as a letter, thus giving our officers latitude." It's unclear as to whether this meant that Parks felt he could interpret the law to justify his actions.
Eyewitnesses report that upon learning of what had transpired back in February, Parks' wife became enraged, dragged him out of his patrol car in the Police Dept. parking lot, and gave him a 'bare knuckle ass-whoopin'... Initially, Parks' quick departure raised eyebrows: we now know his actions created a crisis and even the possibility of a lawsuit--it's not uncommon for confidential informants in similar circumstances to sue a police department claiming 'abuse of power'...
A well-placed local resident said back when the scandal first broke, "there are more serious allegations involved and added, he's done as a police officer, and lucky if he doesn't wind up in jail."
Parks' second in command, former TPPD Lt. Jason Crowder is out as well--he has taken a 'rent-a-cop' (security guard) job in a residential community. If Federal funds or 'instruments used in interstate commerce' (a cell phone or computer), are used in a crime, the FBI usually gets involved--last March, a Virginia State Trooper was found guilty on several federal charges including soliciting sex from an informant, bribery, theft of federal funds, lying to the FBI, and destroying evidence. More from WVVA.
This is Tellico Plains' second police chief scandal: in 2012 there was a state comptroller investigation on former police chief Bill Isbell, a 'darling' of the private Coker Creek facebook users group: Where Did The Money Go?
The Tellico Plains city council advertised for a 'new police chief' and within a few days, four applied for the job. The unanimous choice was to get back former chief of police Jeb Brown in the chief's position, he was the clear favorite...many see it as step in the right direction for the city moving forward, one city local resident said-- "it's like Sheriff Taylor is back in town." Chief Brown was recently asked, did Parks pass on any pertinent information about mass casualty threats with a deadly weapon by a recent move/in drifter who is a frequent flea market vendor? Brown said no he wasn't informed, and said, " Parks had been charmed and had become friends with the guy." ...a clear lapse of judgement, considering the guy had initially bragged that he owned a 'Thompson' sub-machine gun... Information by a credible witness in the Tellico Plains Flea Market portrays the drifter as a malcontent and prone to violence...This is the sort of person Parks 'cozied' up to?
