The Newport Plain Talk

2 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Dave Ruthenberg

Cocke County Sheriff C.J. Ball announced Wednesday afternoon that the Cocke County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) are investigating the circumstances leading to the death of a man whose body was found Monday in Hartford. According to Ball, at around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Cocke County deputies responded to the 3000 block of Messer Branch Road regarding a vehicle blocking the roadway. The vehicle was located, which had been abandoned.

2 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Dave Ruthenberg

Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis sees significant potential in developing I-40 Exit 440 (Wilton Springs Road) and apparently the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) does as do members of the Cocke County Legislative Body (CLB). CLB approved a contract June 16 with OHM to construct a master plan for Exit 440. While the plan is still being developed, Mathis shared with the Plain Talk his vision for the development. kAm|2E9:D D2:5 %s~% :D :?G6DE:?8 Saa >:==:@? :? E96 tI:E cc_ C656D:8?

2 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Dave Ruthenberg

Coming out of the disastrous Helene flooding that occurred in September, 2024, Cocke County appears to be rebounding quite strongly from what could have potentially been a death knell fiscally and emotionally. The numbers across several categories support the notion of a rebound as enthusiastically pointed out recently by Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis during an interview with the Plain Talk.

5 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Dave Ruthenberg

Cocke County Sheriff C.J. Ball announced Saturday that Zoe Lynn Knight, 24, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his mother, Lisa Lynn Goode, 52. Goode was found dead at 1403 Arlis Road in Newport on Dec. 7, 2024 after the Cocke County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) responded to a 911 call at 5:23 p.m. Detectives found Goode in a bedroom of the residence and determined that she had been stabbed to death. kAmz?:89E H2D :?5:4E65 3J E96 r@4<6 r@F?EJ 8C2?5 ;FCJ @?

6 days 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@?