Who doesn’t experience a bad dream from time to time. The one that really bothers me is the one where I can’t reach where I need to go. In it, I’m usually late for work or a class of some kind and I’m constantly being thwarted as I try to get there. When I wake up, I’m so frustrated that it takes me a while to go back to sleep. Last year I actually experienced one of those dreams.
After months of requests, Thomas Skibinski from the Union County Chamber of Commerce addressed the Union County Budget Committee on May 27, 2025. The Committee inquired as to how the Chamber was spending the more than $80K contributed to the Chamber from the Union County Occupancy (Hotel-Motel) Tax. Mr. Skibinski listed the total amount on tourism but did not explain individual project expenditures. When asked about Thunder in the Park, he and Mayor bailey explained that fireworks could no longer be launched behind Trinity Funeral Home due to the new housing development.
Union County Commission made progress on the jail property at the regular meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Jim Langford, CEO of Spirit Architecture and a certified advisor on jail construction, evaluated the Hubbs property regarding construction. In his opinion, the price is very good compared to property cost for jails in surrounding counties and there is ample acreage for long term expansion. Mr. Langford commented that a high knoll would cause a lot of excavation, but overall the property is a good site.
By Steve Roark
Volunteer Cumberland Gap National Park
Though their numbers vary from place to place, you likely have seen and for sure heard the periodical cicada, which has emerged this year in vast numbers and creating a loud drone during the warm part of the day.
I checked my Facebook account last Friday afternoon. There were several posts concerning awards that were given to staff at the school system’s end of the year celebration.
Teachers who completed thirty years of service to the district were recognized with the presentation of a “golden apple”. They have been “busy bodies”, having devoted their careers to educating students in the Union County Public Schools.
Walk 4 Water Union County featuring Bluegrass & Barbecue at the Union County Farmers Market June 7 Event
UNION COUNTY, Tenn. (May 27, 2025) – Walk 4 Water Union County’s third annual fundraiser is coming to the Union County Farmers Market at Heritage Park on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
“We invite all Union County residents to come together to celebrate the blessed life we have here and to help spread the blessings to others suffering from extreme poverty and lack of access to clean, safe water in Uganda,” said Desiree Hensley, Walk 4 Water Union County chair.
Join Park Rangers for an overnight experience in the back country! This is a beginner friendly workshop for women where we will learn best practices for overnight camping and some survival tactics. The hike to the campsite is 3.5 miles in and the same route back out. It is a moderate trail but very beginner friendly. This workshop is open to women and girls 15 and older.
We will meet at 2:00pm to check off the gear list and pack up everyone's bags, then hit the trail after that! This event is June 21st- June 22nd.
Paul Ollis addressed the Union County Business & Professional Association regarding the East Tennessee Military Affairs Cuncil at the May meeting of Union County Business& Professional Association. The council was formed as a non-profit by the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce to facilitate and coordinate information about services and resources for veterans in the East Tennessee region. The council meets on the first Thursday of each month at 8:30 at the Knoxville Chamber on Market Square.
The City of Plainview awarded Braden Cantrell a scholarship at the regular Board of Aldermen meeting on May 13, 2025. Braden graduates with a 4.0 GPA and plans to enter East Tennessee State University to study engineering. He has performed over 300 hours of community service, mostly in construction of sheds, festival stages, cabinets, and a platform desk used by the Union County Board of Education and Director Greg Clay. The Plainview Scholarship is awarded annually to the graduating senior with the highest GPA who is a resident of Plainview.
Brad Woods, Luttrell Volunteer Fire Department Chief, accepted a $10,000 donation from the City of Plainview. Each year Plainview includes LVFD in he budget. In addition Plainview maintains a fire station on Tazewell Pike. The fire department has experienced several brushfires this year. Chief Woods cautions that although burn permits are not required from May 15 to October 15, obtaining a permit puts the fire department on alert and may cause a faster response in case of an emergency. Fires need supervision. LVFD has responded to 51 calls in 2025.