Chairman Terry Washam and several members of the UC Board of Education escorted Representative Dennis Powers, 36th TN District, on a tour of the new Horace Maynard Middle School. Board members included Vice Chairwoman Jessica Buck, Rebecca Lock, and Harold Cooke. Director Greg Clay and Dr. Tobi Kilgore, principal, acted as the tour guides. Tony Bledsoe, project superintendent of Merit Construction, provided technical expertise and ensured a safe experience along with Assistant Superintendent Caden Rogers and engineer Davis Buehler.

During the October Plainview Board of Aldermen meeting, Brad Woods, LVFD Fire Chief, reminded everyone that burn permits are required to burn leaves or other plant waste from October 15 to May 15. Without a permit, the fire department must extinguish the fire. Also burning without a permit may cause a fine. For a burn permit contact the Tennessee Division of forestry at 1-877-350-2876 or online at Burnsafetn.

The Union County Lions Club pecans are on the way, fresh off the Georgia pecan trees. The organization sold out last year, and not everyone had the opportunity to purchase as many bags as they would have liked. This year, the Lions Club is offering both plain and amaretto-flavored pecans, cashews, chocolate-covered peanuts, and walnuts. And even though prices for these nuts have risen over the past year, the Lions Club is only asking $12 for a one pound bag.

There are pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins. Here is a different take on pumpkin. I like it because I don't have to bother with a crust.

Mix together first 9 ingredients. Pour into buttered 9 by 13 baking dish. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture. Mix melted butter with nuts and distribute evenly over cake mix. Bake at 350 F. for 50 to 60 minutes or until pumpkin is set. Let cool before serving. If desired, add a spoonful of Cool Whip on each serving.

Terry Washam opened the October UC Board of Education workshop and meeting with the comment that he would follow Roberts Rules of Order and anyone who spoke without recognition from the chairman would be ruled out of order. Then he led the board in recognizing two leaders for their service.

Perfect Attendance
Asa Foust, Alexander Buchkovich, Isabelle Sycz, Lucas Tallent, Liam Sanders, Kaitlyn Lawson, Liam Rindom, John Simmons, Stuart Priest, Walker Zielinski, Ava Bailey, Nolynn Coaker, Kinsley Coffey, Tesla Graff, Emmarie Grace, Devin Keyes, Harley Reed, Dudlee Williams, Noah Williams, Lakelynn Bussell, Marily Gonzales, Logan Wells, Devon Keyes, Haley Reed, Amelia Bass, Lucas Lewis, Malachi Phelps, Landyn Cheatham, Hayden Jones, Brooke Payne, Joseph Jordan, Rayen Dyer, Kendal Atkins, Ellie Braden, Lilah Johnston, Maci Williams, Trayson Wynn, Jaxon Berry, Mackenzie Burbage, Airalynnn Keyes, Faith Merritt, Andrew Phelps, Dawson Walker, Timmy Buckner, Braicen Celani, Joey Gallaher, Chloe Hurst, Beau Lawson, Kenzlee Nicely, MJ Oxley, Melody Rindom, Carley Stansberry, Jack Dyer, Morgan Evans, Isaac Williams, Ava Zielinski, Isaiah Messer, Declane Faulkner, Raven Gibson, Addyson Matthews, Noah Walker

The Union County Community Fund (UCCF), an affiliate fund of the East Tennessee Foundation (ETF), announced its distribution of $1,500 in grants to three organizations serving the citizens of Union County.

The three grants awarded support a range of projects enhancing the quality of life in Union County. The 2025 grant recipients are:

The story behind the opening of trade relations between the United States and Japan is an intriguing one. For context, Japan during the Tokugawa period (1603-1868) had limited to no interactions with the West. At the beginning of the Tokugawa period, Japan traded with European countries such as Spain, Portugal, and England, but due to concerns about religious influence, particularly Christian influence, trade with these countries was cut off. The Japanese would deal only with the Dutch, and even that was restricted to ports in Nagasaki.

Are you in need of prescription eyeglasses but cannot afford them? Do you have eyeglasses that you have taped back together again because they are broken, and you are trying to make do? Did you lose your glasses and are struggling to see? Or do you have a prescription but not the funds to purchase glasses? Well, the Union County Lions Club has you covered - fill out an application and give it to one of your friendly neighborhood Lions Club members!

County Commission completed the purchase of the Hubbs property lower parcel at the October meeting. The core borings on the lower 10-acre parcel of the Hubbs property showed no issues. No sonar services were needed. With the upper tract of 10 acres at a cost of $300K plus 2 acres donated for a drug rehabilitation facility and the lower 10 acres for $250K, the total property would be 22 acres at a cost of $550K. The new jail and rehab center would be on the upper parcel with no immediate plans for the lower parcel.