By Charlotte Underwood

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (WLAF)- Educators make a difference in students’ lives every day. For many students, having a school employee who cares and goes that extra mile can be the difference in a successful education and graduation. We’ve all had that teacher, or school employee who inspired us or helped in some way. That’s why WLAF and Eagle Tire Pros salute all of our hardworking educators with a weekly feature.

CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF)- A high speed weekend event on I-75 began in an unusual way and ended with a smoldering tire. On routine patrol just after midnight on Sunday, a burgundy Kia Optima caught the attention of Caryville Police Officer Therman Pearson.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Skid marks, a rider on the pavement in the middle of the street and a broken motorcycle chain were all found by first responders Wednesday afternoon along North Indiana Avenue.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- For about an hour, until 8am on Thursday, the Campbell County Highway Department has temporarily closed Hunters Branch Road from the four lane to Demory Road.

TOP PHOTO: Hunter’s Branch Road is temporarily closed Thursday until 8am. Bryan Oaks is trimming the right of way while Roger Monday keeps the road blocked.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Three days remain to cast an early vote, and early voting runs through Sat., Aug. 1. There were 205 ballots cast yesterday on Wednesday. The running total stands at 2,697 compared 3,276 votes cast at this stage in the August 2022 election.

Early voting hours for Thursday are from 9am until 4pm at the Election Commission office at 129 Church Alley at Jacksboro and 9am-2pm at Jellico, 410 South Main Street, in the Municipal building. Friday’s hours are 9am until 7pm at Jacksboro with Jellico’s being 2pm to 7pm. Both voting locations hours on Saturday, the final day of early voting, are from 9am until 1pm.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Campbell County has 23,748 registered voters while District 1 has the most registered voters at 5,471. The most registered voters for a precinct is 2,823 at Jacksboro Station. See the breakdown below.

JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Below is today’s general sessions court docket.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (WLAF)- The remainder of the work week will be less humid. Shower and thunderstorm chances return over the weekend.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The City of La Follette will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, 5:30pm, at City Hall.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)-  Tennessee is preparing for the state’s annual sales tax holiday. The tax free weekend begins 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2. During the weekend clothing, school supplies and some electronics are exempt from sales tax. Connect here to see more about the sales tax weekend.

“Lots of students drive to high school and college, and they may need new tires too as school time nears,” said Chris Malone of Doyle’s Tire Shop (photo above). Malone adds that’s why we’ll also be tax free Friday and Saturday, July 31-Aug. 1.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (WLAF)- Nine emergency volunteers now make up Campbell County’s first-ever Swift Water Rescue Team. The team trained last weekend, Saturday and Sunday, eight grueling hours each day, on the Obed River at Morgan County.

TOP PHOTO: Daniel Lawson, a member of Campbell’s Swift Water Rescue Team, dives into the water during last weekend’s training.

If you have seen the news over the past few years, you’ve likely come across stories on the many floods happening all across the nation putting people and property in grave danger. That, along with memories of the flood of 2019 here in Campbell County, has driven the need for Swift Water Training to an all time high.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- “I think I have them all on here,” said artist Michael Riley as he grinned while talking about his latest painting of The Rock at the entrance to the Campbell County High School campus. Riley is talking about listing all the clubs, activities and such at CCHS on The Rock.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Eighty-four miles per hour in a 40 mph zone is part of the details emerging about a driver speeding through the City of LaFollette late Monday night. LaFollette Police Sgt. Dillon Marney was alerted by another driver by way of the City’s E-911 center of a possible DUI driver heading into LaFollette from the west.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- The Campbell County Cougar Football team continues working toward its Friday scrimmage with the Eagles at Seymour. It’s a 6pm start on Householder Field.