Campbell County will elect its next sheriff today, polls open at 9am

WLAF’s live televised coverage begins at 7:30pm, connect to the Lindsay’s video player

Clerk & Master Dennis Potter and Chancellor Elizabeth Asbury will be guest hosts on WLAF’s election return coverage on Tuesday at 7:30pm.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (WLAF)- There are three contested races on today’s May 2026 Primary ballot, Campbell County’s first primary election in 30 years. Polls are open from 9am until 8pm. WLAF’s live coverage begins at 7:30pm with hosts Chancellor Elizabeth Asbury, Clerk and Master Dennis Potter and WLAF’s Susan Sharp and Jim Freeman.

Sheriff’s candidate Darryl Chapman is challenging incumbent Wayne Barton on the Republican ticket. The winner will become the next sheriff after getting at least one vote in the General Election in August.

Maria Partin and Lance Wilson are vying on the Republican ticket for County Clerk. With a win, Partin or Wilson will advance to the August General Election to face Tyler King, an Independent.

For the Republican nod for School Board District 2, it’s Emily Gaylor versus Chris Honeycutt. That winner will run in August against Independent Brooke Longmire Dorton and Democrat Marvin Rutherford.

The coverage is made possible by these outstanding corporate partners:

See Tracy Lobertini and staff at Alco Builders & Realty

David Bales Automotive, locally family owned and operated since 1966

Builtwell Bank, La Follette, Jacksboro and Jellico

Byrge Screen Printing- Larry, Dawn, Colby and Kimberly Byrge

Campbell County Mayor Jack Lynch, who will be on the ballot in the August election

Dave’s Lawn Mower Parts near I-75 behind the former Scotty’s at Caryville

State Representative Dennis Powers, thankful to be serving you

Eighth Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler

C & L Metal Sales has the best prices in the tri-state.  See Matt Cline, the former Cougar

Community Trust Bank, Building Communities Built on Trust- La Follette, Jacksboro and Clinton, member F.D.I.C.

Quality Lawn Sales & Service-Cub Cadet and more for Campbell County at Indian Mound Circle

LUB– providing you with reliable, economical and friendly service

Local Realtor Gage Dople is ready to help you find your dream home or help you sell your home

First National Bank, your family, your future, your bank.  See Beth, Bryan, and Carrie

Gamble Motors, beside the South Avenue stop light, keeping you rolling since the 1950s

One name has it all.  Maynard’s.  See Maynard’s for wrecker service and auto parts

The City of La Follette is celebrating more than 125 years as a city

C & L Furniture, see us for furniture as well as guns and more on North Tennessee Avenue

Grace Rehab.  We’re here to help you at Grace Rehab

La Follette Mine Supply.  See LMS for boat lifts, septic tanks, septic chambers and more

Litho-Craft Printing & Office Supplies.  Since 1961, right there on West Beech Street

Lyon’s Liquor Locker 511 West Central Avenue in La Follette

Brandon Partin, your Property Assessor, honored to serve you

Deposit your check anytime, anywhere with the Peoples Bank of the South App

Powell-Clinch Utility District can lower your energy bill with a 40-gallon natural gas tank water heater

Premier Weight Management and Esthetics, your premier destination for your weight loss goals

Noah Smith for State Representative

Smith’s Metals and Dock Sales right across from Campbell County High School

TCAT…the leader in technical education and industry training

Terry’s Pharmacy serving you in La Follette and Jacksboro

When it comes to the home, come to Wender Furniture next to light eight in La Follette

WLAF AM FM TV & DOTCOM since 1953 (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/05/2026-6AM-PHOTO SUBMITTED)

County Planning commission denies variance request

Officials with Crafted Milestone, LLC, developer of proposed Elk Stone at Lake Norris presented

Planning Commission members heard from concerned citizen Rob Kerr regarding the variance request to widen the road at Shanghai for a development proposed by T. Phillip Carlyle.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- A variance request made by T. Phillip Carlyle and Matt McQueen for a Right of Way (ROW) variance of 40 feet instead of the required 50-foot ROW for a short section of Shanghai Road was denied at Monday’s county planning commission meeting. Carlyle and McQueen represent Crafted Milestone, LLC, the developer of the proposed Elk Stone at Lake Norris.

The request was denied, with four yes votes, eight no votes and one abstain. Marie Ayers made the motion to approve the request, with Gary Byrd seconding that motion. Ayers, Byrd, Greg Leach and J.C. Miller voted yes, while Rusty Orick, Scott Fields, Warren Kitts, Dewayne Kitts, Lonnie Weldon, Eugene Justice, Beverly Hall and Charles Baird voted no. Michael Caudill abstained.

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LPD narcotic detective’s investigation nets two drug arrests

One arrest made at La Follette, the other at Caryville

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- On Friday afternoon, La Follette Police Narcotic Det. Noah Riggs was on routine patrol when he spotted a man suspected of trafficking narcotics. Riggs was aware of the man’s activity through a narcotic investigation.

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Agenda set for today’s 5:30pm City of La Follette meeting

City leaders to vote on removing Traffic Light 8

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- One of the items on the agenda for this afternoon’s City of La Follette Council meeting is about appointing a person to the La Follette Utilities Board. City leaders plan to advertise for interested City of La Follette residents to apply.

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WLAF Election Guide: What to know about the 2026 elections

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN. (WLAF)- Tues., May 5 is the Campbell County Primary. It is the first time since 1996 the county has held a primary.

WLAF is providing you with what you need to know about this and the August election.

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Honoring the past and present during Teacher Appreciation Week

Share your favorite teacher stories in the response section at the bottom of this story

Miss Louise Sharp’s second grade class for the school year 1963-64

By Jim Freeman

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and I would like to express my appreciation and respect for our dedicated Campbell County educators. Everyone has a favorite teacher story. I’m no exception.

One fun memory is from second grade in Louise Sharp’s room at West End School. My dog followed me to school one morning, and when I went to my class, he was outside the school house. It didn’t take long for him to get into the school. He found me. It created quite the stir, because we had just started a math test. Miss Sharp let me leave class and take Scruffy back home.

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Campbell Delinquent Property Tax Auction is Fri., May 8; list is updated

List is further down this page; updated on Mon., May 4, 2026, 9:30am

JACKSBORO, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- An auction conducted by the Campbell County Clerk & Master’s Office will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 9am, at the courthouse to sell property that’s left on the list of delinquent property taxes for the year 2023 and any previous outstanding years. See the full list further down this page and click the download tab at the bottom of the page.

The list will be updated periodically to remove parcels that are paid.

“We’re hoping folks will pay their property tax, because we don’t ever want to sell anyone’s property.  However, if the tax is not paid, this property will be sold at auction for the delinquent property taxes,” said Dennis Potter, Campbell County Clerk & Master.

Unless prior payment is made to the office of the Clerk & Master by Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 4:30pm, the subject property will be sold on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 9am, in the Chancery Courtroom in the Campbell County Courthouse at Jacksboro, Tennessee.

The Clerk & Master’s office will not accept any personal checks for the 2023 tax year or any prior tax years from April 13 to May 8, 2026.  Delinquent tax payments must be paid in cash, cashier’s check, money order, credit card or debit card.  Please note that all card payments have an added 4% fee. 

The courthouse at Jacksboro is where the office of the Clerk & Master is located, and the office telephone number is 423.562.3496.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/04/2026-9:30AM-PAID)


Postmark LaFollette Variety Show opens on Friday

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Postmark LaFollette is bringing fun and laughter to the historic theater on South Tennessee Avenue this week with its new community production, the Postmark LaFollette Variety Show. This family friendly event features original comedy acts, including a silent film skit and the return of the fan favorite Redneck Jeopardy.

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Ridgeview’s Mobile Health Clinic provides services on Tuesdays
The mobile clinic is at Wal-Mart today.

LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- The Ridgeview Mobile Health Clinic is providing services on Tuesdays in Campbell County. However, there are some key things to know:

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Day of fishing and fun set to remember Ken Earl

Saturday, May 16, Brogan’s Hollow Boat Launch; $1,000 for first place

SHARPS CHAPEL, TN (WLAF)- The annual Ken Earl Memorial Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, on Clinch River-Norris Lake near Sharps Chapel.

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CCHS Spring Production is an original production

Friday in Campbell County High School Auditorium, doors open at 6:30pm

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- You are invited out for an evening of song, dance and acting skits under the direction of Dr. Billie Jo Ralston. The CCHS Chorus and Theatre Arts presents The Redacted Cabaret.

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WLAF hosting another candidates’ breakfast

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN. (WLAF)-  If you are a candidate running in the August or November election, WLAF is treating you to breakfast. It’ll be a grab and go breakfast so you’ll be able to keep moving or, if you like, take a few minutes and sit down and eat.

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Knowing what you now know do you still support having a primary?

Express your opinion in latest WLAF poll below

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN. (WLAF)- For the first time in 30 years Campbell County is having a primary election. After watching this election season unfold would you support another primary in the 2028 election? Take the poll below and be heard. Results will be released Tuesday night during WLAF’s Election Results show.

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CC Finance seeks bid on capital outlay note

JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)-The Campbell County Finance Department is accepting bids on a $775,000.00 Capital Outlay Note for HVAC Controls & RTU Replacement Projects, IT Servers Replacement Projects and Other Capital Improvements.

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