The Union County School Board recognized outstanding teachers of excellence at the meeting on March 19, 2026, for scoring TVAAS Level 4 or Level 5 or scoring above the state average in at least one tested subject.

At Big Ridge Elementary are Derrick Tharpe- 4th & 5th grade English. above state average; TVAAS Level 5, and Renita Malone- 4th & 5th grade Science above state average.

With a 4.0 GPA and the leadership skills honed from being the Commanding Officer of the Naval JRTC Program at Union County High School, Kailei Beeler has been appointed to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Kailei will be educated to become an officer in the US Navy or the US Marine Corp. Graduating third in her class, she not only is an excellent student but she is also a scholar athlete. Kailei is a member of the BETA Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has excelled in basketball, softball, golf, cross country, and track.

Skilled Services addressed the Union County Board of Education at its meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Skilled Services is a commercial and industrial contractor located in Knoxville that specializes in facility improvements and structural repairs to keep buildings functional, modern, and safe. The company provides a comprehensive consultation. Next in-house architects design the concept and then construction for renovation or a new build occurs. Director Greg Clay requested that Skilled Services evaluate the status of the current HMMS for future use.

The Union County Republican Party celebrated its legacy with the theme, “A Legacy Worth Remembering” at the Lincoln-Reagan Day Banquet on February 28. The UCHS Commons buzzed with over 200 attendees from at least six counties including Union. Chairman Sidney Jessee, Jr., welcomed everyone and reminded them that legacy is defined as the lasting impact and influence that we leave on the world, fueled by commitment to excellence, service and the pursuit of a meaningful life.

Here is a dish that will surprise you. It is delicious.

Jalapeno Poppers
8-ounce cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon herb seasoning mix
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 lbs. jalapeno peppers, halved and seeded (about 16 peppers)
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs

For filling, stir together in a bowl the first 6 ingredients. Transfer filling to a piping bag fitted with a tip or a small zip lock plastic bag and snip off a corner. Pipe filling into each pepper half. Put panko in a small dish. Dip peppers, filling side down, in panko to coat. Then lightly coat panko with cooking spray.

Preheat fryer to 375° F. Air-fry peppers, panko side up and work in batches until tender and light, about 8 minutes. Keep cooked poppers warm in 200° F. oven while air frying remaining batches. If you desire, garnish with additional fresh herbs. Makes 16 poppers.

After the recent Saint Patrick’s Day, I began to wonder how the holiday came to be. As I found out, the holiday originated in Ireland and has Christian roots. In the modern day, Saint Patrick’s Day is known for wearing green, leprechauns and their pots of gold. Some people celebrate Irish history, but it is not often that the holiday is actually observed in honor of the person it is named after. Maybe it is just me, but in my twenty-four years on this planet, I had no idea who Saint Patrick was.

Matthew 26:30 KJV – And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.

After Jesus and his Disciples celebrated the final Passover before his Crucifixion, both Matthew and Mark say they sang a hymn as they headed to the Mount of Olives. While none of the Gospels tell us what that hymn was, history tells us it was likely what the Hebrews called the Hallel.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

With spring comes the urge to work in the yard and plant things. This often involves going to a garden center and buying plants alien to our area. Some of them can escape your yard through seed dispersal and grow where they are not wanted, negatively impacting local forest ecosystems. So if you get the itch to plant a tree, consider seeking out native plants to use in landscapes.

Awareness effort timed to prom and graduation season

The Thunder Road Car Show & Swap Meet took place on Saturday, March 21, in Maynardville, with an incredible turnout that brought together car enthusiasts from near and far for a day celebrating automotive culture, community and family fun. This year’s event showcased 262 registered cars, from vintage classics to modern muscle, attracting an estimated 1,500+ spectators who strolled through the show all day, taking in the sights, sounds and energy of the event.