Many patients live with low back pain that radiates to the buttock, groin, thigh, and even knees. The challenge for patients, and often their doctors, is determining the origin of the pain — the hip, the spine, or both. A new article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS) outlines the identical symptoms associated with hip and spine pain and discusses the diagnostic steps and tests required to treat them appropriately.

In the last article, we covered the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), which set the stage for Japan's involvement in World War I. Before turning to Japan’s role in the war, it is helpful to briefly review how the conflict began. World War I started on July 28, 1914, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Bosnia by a Serbian nationalist on June 28, 1914. Germany supported Austria-Hungary, while Russia backed Serbia. Europe was soon drawn into a kind of conflict it had never seen before.

Arbor Day is approaching for our local states (TN March 6; KY April 3; VA April 24), and it’s a worthy recognition of the importance of trees in our lives. Here in the mountains, they are omnipresent, with every scenic vista tree laden. Every home is full of tree stuff, from bananas to the roof trusses, and every breath we take has some tree oxygen in it. What follows are some quotes and a little poetry spoken by wise people on the importance of trees.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 19, 2026) – The East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle for the Arts Fund for East Tennessee and the Katherine Davis Moore and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Davis Foundation Fund.

The 2026 arts grant cycle will support nonprofit organizations advancing arts and cultural programming across East Tennessee. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, units of government, and public educational institutions may submit one application and apply to only one of the two available funds. Grant requests may be made for up to $15,000, with awards distributed over a two-year term. Applications opened February 2, 2026, and must be submitted by February 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern through ETF’s online grant portal.

The next regular workshop and meeting of the Union County Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, at Union County High School. The workshop will begin at 6 p.m. with the meeting immediately to follow.

While classrooms at Horace Maynard Middle School didn’t have students on February 16, teachers were hard at work behind the scenes during a districtwide staff development day. Across Union County, educators used the time to strengthen instruction, analyze student data and prepare for the critical weeks leading into state testing.

In the years immediately following World War II, America was ready for something new. The country was booming, families were growing, and drivers wanted modern cars that reflected a new era of optimism and progress. In 1949, Ford Motor Company delivered exactly that with the introduction of the all-new Ford—now famously known as the “Shoebox Ford.” Produced from 1949 through 1951, the Shoebox Ford earned its nickname from its clean, slab-sided styling and squared-off roofline that resembled a shoebox.

The Union County Farmers Market is gearing up for another exciting and successful season. All current, new and interested vendors and volunteers are invited to the 2026 organizational meeting on Saturday, March 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the farmers market at 115 Durham Dr, Maynardville.

The Flintstones and The Jetsons were two of my favorite cartoons when I was a girl. What is so weird is how I eventually felt like I belonged in each one.

The term “chiropractic” combines the greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice) to describe a treatment done by hand. Hands-on therapy — especially adjustment of the spine — is central to chiropractic care. Chiropractic is based on the premise that the relationship between the body’s structure (primarily that of the spine) and its function (as coordinated by the nervous system) affects health.