by Mike Steely | Nov 4, 2019 | Columnist, Steely
By Mike Steely The little town of Jellico is, in a way, the “first” town in Tennessee. That’s true in a way if you’re headed south on I-75 from the northern states. The town, which is my birth place, straddles the Kentucky border and was once the “Beer Drinking...
by Steve Hunley | Nov 3, 2019 | Columnist, Hunley, Stories In This Week's Focus:
By Steve Hunley The Focus has reported on the proposed sale of the Andrew Johnson building and relocating the Knox County School Board to the vacant east TVA tower. We have been consistent in reporting this is not a good deal for Knox County taxpayers. It makes no...
by Ray Hill | Nov 3, 2019 | Columnist, Hill, Stories In This Week's Focus:
By Ray Hill All things considered, thirty-six year-old Congressman Joseph W. Byrns, Jr. seemed to be a sure bet for reelection in 1940. Representing Tennessee’s famed “Hermitage District,” so named because it contained the home of General Andrew Jackson. As...
by Mike Steely | Oct 28, 2019 | Columnist, Steely
By Mike Steely I was driving back from shopping recently and saw an Allstate billboard that said “Round here it’s Y’Allstate.” That got me to thinking about how our accents have changed over the years. While we may be used to the local accents you don’t have to travel...
by Ralphine Major | Oct 28, 2019 | Columnist, Major
By Ralphine Major The brick structure is a focal point atop Summit Hill Drive. Often referred to as the “Old City Hall,” it is located diagonally across from the historic L&N Depot. (My column featuring the L&N appeared in The Knoxville Focus on...
by Joe Rector | Oct 28, 2019 | Columnist, Rector
By Joe Rector Every so often, the times arise to have what I call a “50,000-mile check-up performed.” It’s not much fun, but the process is necessary. For some reason, I always expect bad news from the doctors whom I see. That makes for a few rough days on the nerves....
