Volunteers from 61 counties were honored at the Eleventh Annual Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards ceremony at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs on February 10, 2019. The awards celebrated the efforts of 108 volunteers statewide who have strived to improve their communities through service. Miss Tennessee 2018, Christine Williamson, presented the awards, and NewsChannel5 weekend anchor, Jennifer Kraus, served as emcee for the event.

On January 18, Mayor Bailey hosted the first of many Union County Project Planning Meetings. About half of the county commissioners and at least one school board member attended along with some elected officials and about a dozen members of the general public.

Risky opioids are no better at controlling chronic back or arthritis pain than non-opioid drugs, including Tylenol or Motrin, new research finds. With opioid overdose deaths rising in the United States, the findings suggest addictive medications like oxycodone (OxyContin) or morphine don’t have to be the first choice against crippling arthritis pain.

I like Chicken Chow Mein. It is a quick easy meal. I remember when I worked back in the late 70s with four kids at home and a hungry husband. I worked in a sewing factory. Sewing doesn't require much thinking capacity. Once you learn what the operations require, it was pretty much rote. I would plan my supper meal as I sewed.

The Union County Soil Conservation District is pleased to present its Annual Report of its 65th year. Organized in April 1953, the District began operations in December of 1953. The District possesses the technical expertise, information and delivery system for providing assistance to landowners with respect to the county’s soil and water quality, and to develop a safe and healthy environment in which to live and work. The Board of Supervisors operates the Union County Soil Conservation District. Three members are elected and two are appointed by the State Soil Conservation Committee.

In 2017, according to the latest numbers from the Tennessee Department of Health, 1,776 people suffered fatal overdoses. Of those 1,268 were opioid overdoses. These numbers could decrease if more people understood The Good Samaritan Laws of 2015. During an emergency related to opioid overdose, bystanders should call 911 for emergency assistance but often don’t due to the fear of arrest or prosecution. This is especially true if they use or have a history of opioid use themselves.

In the 2005-2006 school year, Maynardville Elementary School opened the first Pre-K program in the county. The following year, Luttrell and Sharps Chapel Elementary schools added Pre-K programs in their respective communities. Due to the high number of applicants, the Union County Community Pre-K Advisory Council (also known as CPAC) requested additional funds from the Title I grant and then added a fourth program at Big Ridge Elementary. Finally, after applying for the yearly Voluntary Pre-K Grant, Paulette Elementary added the program for the 2018-2019 school year.

Union County 4-H meets monthly with youth in classrooms providing a lesson as well as announcements and upcoming 4-H contest information. During November and December, students are presented with opportunities to participate in the public speaking and poster contests. Many students research, prepare, and practice speeches for their respective in class competitions. At the time of their final presentations, the top speeches are awarded a blue ribbon and participants are invited to speak at the countywide event, held annually in January.

Most Valentine cards have red or pink hearts on them, but my cousin Kevin and his wife Jenny should have orange hearts on theirs. Why? Because of an orange UT hat and the “Isaac Syndrome.”

Did you just imagine Isaac wearing his Biblical clothes and an orange UT Hat? I did.

Actually, Kevin was the one wearing the orange UT hat. His parents are Wayne and Sharon Roach from my article, “Reel Love.”

You’ve all heard that much of our food requires pollination, and honey bees are the well-known heroes, making sure we all get to eat. And so they are, but there are other unsung pollinating heroes that are overlooked, and one of them is our native Orchard Mason Bee (Osmia Ligaria).