Kathy Hemsworth, The Newport Plain Talk Journalist Profile

Articles

Rafting operations continuing despite flood

1 week ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kathy Hemsworth

HARTFORD — The flash flood that wreaked havoc at mile markers 450 and 451 of Interstate 40 on Wednesday has not shut down rafting operations in Hartford. The rafting businesses are still taking customers down the Pigeon River. Pigeon River Outfitters Association President Daniel Jennette, who owns Smoky Mountain Outdoors, said the rafting companies are up and running. kAmw6 D2:5 E92E @? %9FCD52J E96J E@@< >@C6 E92? e__ A6@A=6 5@H? E96 C:G6C 2?5 ?@E @?6 A6CD@?
SWAT rescues 6 people, two dogs during Hartford flooding

1 week ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kathy Hemsworth

HARTFORD - When heavy rains caused flash flooding in the Hartford area on Wednesday evening, Standing Bear Farm Hostel was caught in the midst of the mess. Certainly, what happened Wednesday afternoon at the hostel was never expected. Mahala Owen told The Plain Talk that her mother, Maria Guzman, sent her a video showing the flooding around the home. It would soon turn into a rescue missionkAm“%96 7=@@5 92AA6?65 :? ;FDE `d @C a_ >:?FE6D[” ~H6?
Cocke County first responders answered the call as flash flood closed I-40, trapped people in vehicles

1 week ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kathy Hemsworth

HARTFORD - Several agencies, crews and first responders from Cocke County responded Wednesday as flooding impacted I-40 at the Tennessee-North Carolina line again. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) anywhere from two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half inches of rain fell in the area within a three-hour timeframe. kAm%92E C2:?72== 42FD65 7=@@5:?8 :? E96 >@F?E2:?@FD C68:@?D[ 2?5 E96 H2E6C 4@>:?8 5@H? @77 E96 >@F?E2:?
CLB approves rezoning requests, delays resolution

1 week ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kathy Hemsworth

NEWPORT — A public hearing prior to the monthly Cocke County Legislative Body (CLB) meeting on Monday evening received no public input, but when the commissioners voted on the items, there was some discussion.
Persistence pays off as historical marker restored for Wilson’s Tavern

1 week ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kathy Hemsworth

NEWPORT — After a 13-year absence, the Wilson’s Tavern historical marker has been replaced by the Tennessee Historical Commission thanks to the persistence of a local businesswoman. “I don’t give up or back down,” Geraldine Ridens laughed. kAm$96 6IA=2:?65 D96 @?=J 42==65 E96 9:DE@C:4 4@>>:DD:@? E9C66 E:>6D[ 2?5 D96 D2:5 @? EH@ @7 E9@D6 42==D D96 DA@<6 H:E9 E96 D2>6 H@>2?]k^AmkAm“$96 2DDFC65 >6 E92E :E H2D @?
CLB: Exit 440 master plan to get underway

1 week ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kathy Hemsworth

NEWPORT — The Cocke County Legislative Body (CLB) met in regular session on Monday evening approving several items of new business and heard an update. CLB approved a contract with OHM to construct a master plan for Exit 440. CLB Vice Chair Rick Vassar asked if the county invested time and money in creating the master plan, how could they stop the city from annexing the property at that interchange? kAm“(6 H:== 92G6 E@ ?68@E:2E6 H:E9 E96 4:EJ] %92E 2C62 42? 6:E96C 4@>6 @FE @7 E96 4:EJ’D 8C@HE9 A=2?
Newport BMA votes to send annexation request to public hearing

1 week ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kathy Hemsworth

NEWPORT — The request to annex Smoky Mountain Golf Course, LLC, and Smokey Mountain Blue Lagoon, LLC, will advance to a public hearing. Immediately following the public hearing there will be a special called meeting where the Newport Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) will vote on the annexation request on June 30. In the BMA’s regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, City Administrator James Finchum said there has been confusion regarding the annexation.
Tennova Newport to offer local option for EMG testing

2 weeks ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kathy Hemsworth

NEWPORT — Tennova Newport Medical Center (NMC) will be offering a new medical test to help patients suffering from varying symptoms to get answers. Dr. Annette Goodman, a neurologist at the local hospital, explained the testing in detail at a recent Kiwanis Club of Newport meeting. “This test is not new to medicine, but in the past patients have had to be sent out of town to have the test done,” she explained. kAm%96 E6DE :D 2? 6=64EC@>J@8C2>[ <?@H? 2D 2?
Parrottsville has new police vehicles

2 weeks ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kathy Hemsworth

PARROTTSVILLE — At the regular monthly meeting of Parrottsville mayor and commissioners Thursday evening, Parrottsville Police Chief Rodney Hazelwood said that two old Dodge Charger vehicles that belonged to the police department have been sold on GovDeals. He said the two new police vehicles are now ready to go and in operation. kAm%96 >66E:?8 2=D@ :?4=F565 5:D4FDD:@? @7 3F586ED[ E@H?
Long-Term Recovery Group's efforts underway

2 weeks ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kathy Hemsworth

NEWPORT — Cocke County is still working to recover from the flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene last September. The Cocke County Long-Term Recovery Group (CCLTRG) is working hard to make that process go as smoothly as possible. CCLTRG Executive Director Spring Duckett recently spoke at the Kiwanis Club of Newport. She said there is a lot of work left to be done, but she has seen things progress in the eight-and-a-half months since the flood.