On February 14, Marsha Reep of the North Knoxville Quilts of Valor Foundation attended the Veterans’ monthly breakfast and presented Commander Darrell White (U.S. Air Force) and Adjutant Norman Gillen (U.S. Navy) of the American Legion Post 212 with Quilts of Valor. We are a grateful nation and appreciate and thank both men for their service, dedication, and sacrifice in protecting our freedoms.

The American Legion New Liberty Post 212's monthly free breakfast for all Veterans, their family, friends, and supporters was again well attended on Valentine's Day. The Veterans were very grateful to the City of Luttrell for sponsoring this event. Luttrell Mayor Jerry Lawson briefly reviewed some of the challenges the town of Luttrell has faced and overcome, noting that Luttrell's population is about half that of Maynardville. There was some good-natured kidding about stopping at the sign that says Luttrell City Hall and being handed a menu.

The gym was full of energy during the UCHS vs. Gibbs High game on January 9. Dressed head to toe in red, the student section packed the bleachers and brought the school spirit. A few students dressed as ESPN reporters, adding to the fun and excitement in the student section.

The Lady Patriots earned an impressive win, displaying their strong teamwork and determination throughout the game. They came out strong and secured a big win that set the tone for the night.

Stochia Brantley’s fall 2025 Certified Nursing Assistant class finished off their course by taking the final exam. This exam consisted of a 100-question written exam followed by a skills portion monitored by a state proctor.

Prior to their CNA test, students spent clinical hours alongside partner Willow Ridge Nursing Home. They gained a lot of experience through shadowing but also had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

By Natayla Anderson

Union County has never had a large population. Many farms and backcountry roads cause students to travel outside of the community to seek higher education, and this can put a financial burden on the citizens.

Union County Veterans have an opportunity to gather casually to connect with fellow Veterans in our community on the 3rd Thursday of each month. The next informal Meet and Greet will be at the American Legion Post 212 on Thursday, February 19, from 3:00 to 7:00. Stop by and say hello to old friends and make new ones! For more information, email Norman Gillen at Adjutant@altnpost212.org

Large trees are a great asset in a home landscape, providing shade, beauty, and added property value. Properly maintained trees are normally healthy and will provide these benefits for decades, perhaps a century. But trees with health issues can be dangerous. These are classified as Hazard Trees and pose the threat of dropping large limbs or falling down on people or property. Poor tree health can be caused by landowner neglect, insect or disease attacks, old age, or windstorms.

The Union County Family and Community Education (FCE) Club invites community members to attend its February meeting on Thursday, February 19, at 10:00 a.m. at the Union County Extension Office.

This month’s program will focus on heart health and healthy cooking choices. Special guest Anna Marie from the Union County Health Department will share practical tips for protecting your heart, improving everyday eating habits, and making small lifestyle changes that can lead to better overall health.

By Steve Roark

Yard trees add a lot of personal enjoyment and equity to a home. They are a long-term investment and so maintenance to keep them healthy is well worth the time. What follows are a couple of tree care projects that I often see mishandled.

Horace Maynard Middle School is rolling into the second half of the school year with an updated online presence and a full slate of upcoming events for students and families. The newly updated HMMS website is now live and will continue to serve as a key communication tool for families and the community. Parents and community members are encouraged to visit the site to stay informed about school news, events and resources. This is an additional tool to the other means of communication HMMS currently uses.