Damon Lawrence

4 days ago | themountainpress.com | Damon Lawrence

By Damon Lawrence [email protected] For years, Roane County struggled when it came to population growth. That's no longer the case, however. The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau estimates Roane County has a population of 56,742. That represents a 6% increase from 2020. "We find ourselves in an era of growth that's really unprecedented," Roane County Executive Wade Creswell said.

4 days ago | themountainpress.com | Damon Lawrence

Kingston City Manager David Bolling provided an update on the transition of Fort Southwest Point into a state park during last month's City Council meeting. "We've had a bit of a hiccup with the state park," Bolling said. "Going through the process of transferring the land to the state, it turns out that the original deed from the 1950s was never recorded. We have copies of it, but there is no recorded copy to be found anywhere."

5 days ago | themountainpress.com | Damon Lawrence

There was no Tennessee Medieval Faire this year. The event, which was held annually in Harriman in the spring, is on hold, according to the faire's website. "In 2013, we were able to get a 10-year lease with the Harriman City Council and a purchase option or option to purchase the property from the Harriman Industrial Board, so for the last 10 years we have produced 19 multi-day festivals," said Barrie Paulson with Darkhorse Entertainment in a video posted on the faire's website.

6 days ago | themountainpress.com | Damon Lawrence

A Y-12 National Security Complex contractor employee is facing child sex crime charges. Dustin Robert Joyce was booked into the Roane County Jail on May 22 on a state charge of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. That isn't his only legal problem, however. Joyce is also charged in federal court with distribution/receipt of child pornography and possession of or knowingly accessing with the intent to view child pornography. He was still in custody at the Roane County Jail as of press time.

1 week ago | themountainpress.com | Damon Lawrence

Salaries for correctional officers working for the Tennessee Department of Correction have increased again. "Effective Feb. 16, 2025, starting salaries for correctional officers increased to $51,204, with tiered increases bringing officer salaries to $60,720 after 18 months, making TDOC one of the highest paying correctional agencies in the Southeast," TDOC Public Information Officer Kayla Hackney said.