Bake potatoes in oven or microwave until just tender. Cool slightly. Cut lengthwise into 4 strips. Remove potato meat, leaving 1 inch in shells. Save that for another use. Brush both sides of potato skins with melted butter and season with salt and pepper.
Arrange skin side up on baking sheet, and bake until crisp about 15 minutes. Flip potato skins and top with ham, cheese and thinly sliced green onion that is separated into rings. Bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes more. Top with chopped chives. Serve with sour cream.

On January 5, 2026, Rebecca Lock, Union County Board Member, presented Representative Dennis Powers with a Making a Difference Award for his dedication and service to Union County Public Schools. In 2011, Representative Powers was very instrumental in obtaining the Tennessee Virtual Academy as part of former Director Wayne Goforth's initiative to find additional revenue for UCPS as well as address the need for some students to access an online education.

In its meeting on January 15, 2026, the Union County Board of Education resolved several issues that had dominated workshop discussions over most of 2025.

Union County Business & Professional Association celebrated Trevor Jones and Elizabeth Tindell as the 2025 Man and Woman of the Year at its 35th Annual Banquet on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at First Baptist Fellowship Hall in Maynardville. President Tammie Hill, who was the Woman of 2024, praised the recipients for their business accomplishments as well as their volunteer service.

On January 13, 2026, Plainview Planning Commission reviewed the Preliminary Plat for Heritage Place Subdivision at 1705 Tazewell Pike across from Pit Stop Market and renewed the Letter of Development. According to Plainview's ordinances, the development must be reviewed annually if grading and construction are not begun within one year of the initial approval. Developers Travis Bowman and Chris Tolliver stated that it may be awhile before development begins.

We will resume with the serial series of “The Late Great America” in April with part 3. This months and March articles will be of tragic loss of talent and also life caused by events put in place by decisions made from inexperience, haste, and by a personal vendetta. This month’s article started in the fall of 1958 as Buddy Holley disbanded with the Crickets, stopped recording with Norman Petty at his recording studio in Clovis New Mexico, moved to New York City, met and married Maria Elena Santiago, enrolled in acting classes and planned his next recording session at Decca’s Pythian Temple Studio. His session was on October 21, 1958 and was backed by band leader, Dick Jacobs conducting an eighteen-piece ensemble composed of musicians from the NBC Symphony Orchestra. This was the best performance and recording of Buddy Holley’s career and his last

The second verse of the book of Hosea begins as follows.

“The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.”

As Robin in the 1960s Batman TV series would say, “Holy Smokes, Batman.”

I have a female that’s been living in my house for almost seventeen years. It’s not that woman I married. It’s not a relative. It’s a cat, Precious Kitty by name. Sometimes I affectionately call her PK.
Since 2014, I have taught at least one learning support reading class per year at the Claiborne County campus of Walters State Community College. In that class, we often discuss PK. In that case, the topic is not a cat—it’s a concept called prior knowledge.

Apple Pruning Workshop Set for February 19 in Maynardville
The Union County Extension Office will host an Apple Pruning Workshop on February 19, 2026, offering homeowners, gardeners, and hobby orchardists an opportunity to learn proper techniques for maintaining healthy, productive apple trees.
The workshop will take place from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Union County Extension Office, located at 2721 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville, TN 37807. Those with questions may contact the office at 865-992-8038.

Maybe it’s my small-town roots, but I’ve always been drawn to quaint little towns. There’s something special about strolling down storybook streets that feel like stepping back in time.

Just about 45 minutes from us lies Cumberland Gap. Blink and you might miss it—it sits quietly just before the Tennessee-Kentucky line—but this charming town makes for a perfect day trip. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely walk, a relaxed lunch or a bit of exploration, Cumberland Gap delivers.