Paul Ollis addressed the Union County Business & Professional Association regarding the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council at the May meeting. The council was formed as a nonprofit 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 council offers information from over 50 area organizations that help military families and veterans.

The City of Plainview awarded Braden Cantrell a scholarship at the regular Board of Aldermen meeting in May. 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 the 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.

At the senior awards celebration on May 14, the Union County Business and Professional Association awarded six scholarships to outstanding Union County High School seniors.

Amelia (Mia) Effler received the Jeffreys Memorial Academic Scholarship. Mia will obtain her real estate license while she pursues a degree in business from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

When living in Sharps Chapel many years ago, my husband and I explored an area called Palmer’s Junction. It was a lovely little picnic area right on the water. We noticed that some people were “probably” homeless, living there in tents and maybe cars. I am not one to walk up to strangers and ask them if they are homeless, which is why I say “probably.” Upon reflection, and after talking to other Chapel residents at the time, we discovered that many were. That was my introduction to homelessness in Union County.

My friend, Renée Branum, said this is the most emotional painting she’s ever painted. You may see a boy standing beside a train; she sees her daughter’s only close childhood friend. This friend’s story ends in tragedy. Renée decided to paint Zoe’s friend, Sebastian, as a gift for his mother in memory of him.

The Union County Lions Club Annual Reverse Raffle fundraiser time is here again. The 2024-25 year has been a busy one for your Lions Club. They presented the Poet Voices Concert, their annual low-cost Fresh pecan sale, the free spaghetti dinner, the Mark Martin and Ralph Shick UCHS Scholarships and the free Vision Clinic held at the high school on May 10.

The school year has ended, and Chef Zack Hodge looked back at his first year teaching culinary arts. He enjoyed instructing his students in the art and science of preparing, cooking and presenting food. He had three levels of classes, and they each met every day for 90 minutes.

Walking may be, pound for pound, the most accessible, beneficial and inexpensive form of exercise available. The American Chiropractic Association recommends it as a way to stay fit.

Dr. Lauren Effler, Supervisor of Curriculum, recognized Sadie Sexton and Madison Lawson, along with their HOSA (Health Occupation Students Of America) teachers, for winning the State Forensic Competition in March. Sadie and Madison passed a written test on the basics of forensics to advance.
In the second round, participants from 40 schools across the state analyzed a mock crime scene and determined the events leading to the cause of the death. Sadie and Madison achieved first place. They will compete in an international competition in June.