Schools director Greg Clay reported to the Union County Commission on August 26 that excavation has begun for the new middle school on John Deere Drive. The formal groundbreaking ceremony will be on Wednesday, September 4, at 9:30 a.m. at the site.
Several property items were considered by the commission. The Luttrell Industrial Park Property was the subject of a motion by Greg Dyer and a second by Mike Boles to appraise the property for possible sale that the commission approved. Voting ‘No’ on the motion was Sidney Jesse.

Union County Mayor Jason Bailey installed six elected officials at the August county commission meeting. He administered the oath of office to Randy Turner, Assessor of Property, and David Cox, Road Superintendent.
Then at the BOE meeting, the four newly elected Union County School Board members took their oath: Charles Hamilton (1st District), Terry Washam (2nd District), Jimmy Carter (4th District) and Harold Cooke (6th District).

The Plainview Board of Aldermen awarded a $10,000 check to Luttrell Volunteer Fire Department at the August meeting.
Plainview recently built an extended bay for the fire department and is planning to help with furnishing the living quarters. Chief Brad Woods accepted the donation and expressed his gratitude for Plainview's support.

The Union County Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., continuing until October 5. Be sure to visit and support local vendors while enjoying a vibrant community atmosphere.
Join us for a flavorful farewell to summer at the Farmers Market. We look forward to seeing you and sharing the joy of fresh, local produce!

At their meeting in August, the Plainview Planning Commission recommended and the Plainview Board of Aldermen approved a resolution to change the building permit fee for manufactured and modular homes. Manufactured and modular homes, according to the state, had building requirements upgraded before 2020. These upgrades made the construction of manufactured and modular homes equal to "stick built" homes. So Plainview will charge the same 50 cents per square foot fees for double wide, manufactured, modular and stick built homes. Homes will have three inspections during construction.

Wild Blue Yonder band returns to headline the Gospel Tent at the 20th Union County Heritage Festival.
Acoustic mountain gospel, old-time and bluegrass songs in Appalachian style are the heart and soul of Wild Blue Yonder, based in Knoxville. Fiddle, cello, mandolin, banjo, guitar and three-part harmonies combine in a rootsy blend, honoring the rich musical traditions of the Smoky Mountains and beyond.

The Union County Heritage Festival Quilt Show is Saturday October 5, at Union County Museum and will have adult and youth categories for judging.
All quilters are invited to bring your quilts to the museum on Thursday, October 3, between 1:30 and 6 p.m. Ellen Perry and Patricia Campbell will be at the museum to accept entries.

The Union County Heritage Festival Art Show will be held Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Historic Snodderly House, 721 Main Street, in Maynardville. Park at the house or the parking lot across from the Art Show. On Festival Day, parking is also available at Wilson Park where visitors can ride the big yellow bus free shuttle to the Art Show. New this year is a Youth Art Exhibit.
The show is a juried mixed-media exhibition open to artists of all ages. The exhibition is intended to showcase artwork produced throughout our area. There is no entry fee.

The Union County Youth Talent Show is a new addition to the Union County Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 5. The show is not a contest. There is no entry fee. There are two shows and participants need to choose only one show. Show Times are 11 a.m. to noon and1 to 2 p.m. at Woods Music Heritage Theater, 3765 Maynardville Hwy, where the Pizza parlor used to be in Maynardville and next to the News Leader. Registration forms are available at Woods Music or online at unioncountyheritagefestival.net. and attached to this article.

Nourish Moves – and the market – are really moving! Beginning Saturday, September 7, the Union County Farmers Market will be located in the Union County High School student parking lot – you’ll be able to see us from the road! The hours are not changing, they will still be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., just the location. This move is a sign of progress; it means that Heritage Park and the farmers market pavilion construction is resuming!