By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Campbell County High School’s Sam Sexton was recognized as the county’s Youth Volunteer of the Year at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting.

Sam along with his mom and Dad were at the meeting to be recognized.

‘My last job was it before retirement, but I just had to do this one’- Curtis Elkins

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Elkins Road runs right in front of the TCAT campus. Years ago, the road was named in honor of Curtis Elkins’ grandpa, Charles Delas Elkins. So, when Delas’ grandson had the chance to return to his old stomping grounds and head up the construction of TCAT’s new buildings, he jumped at the chance and is the Project Superintendent.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- County Commissioners approved a motion on Tuesday evening, asking for the East Tennessee Resource Agency (ETHRA) to provide $150,000 back pay in rent that county officials feel is owed to the county from EHRA’s lease of the career center building. The motion was also to “accept ETHRA’s letter stating it had vacated the building, “effective November 30^th, 2025.”

At last Monday’s County Commission workshop, the topic was brought up by Commissioner Beverly Hall that ETHRA owed the county backpay on rent for leasing the county building. There was also the question as to whether or not the county could rent the space out since the lease was still active and whether or not ETHRA had violated the lease agreement by not submitting correct notification on time for a lease negotiation.

A letter of response from ETHRA’s Executive Director Gary W. Holiway “regarding the allegations of $150,000 in Back Rent” was read into record at Tuesday’s meeting by Commission Chairman Johnny Bruce. The letter had been sent to County Mayor Jack Lynch and addressed to Lynch and the commission. According to Lynch, he had just received the letter via email shortly before Tuesday’s meeting.

Both first round games tip off at 7:30pm, Cougars on Wed., Lady Cougars on Thu.

Brackets courtesy of WLAF’s Clayton Carroll.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- The District 3-AAAA Tournament is being played at Halls this season, and it opened on Tuesday. The Cougars first game is Wed., Feb. 18, against West and the Lady Cougars first game is Thu., Feb 19, with Central. Both of these first round games tip off at 7:30pm, and WLAF will send you the live broadcast.

Tonight’s live telecast is presented by Renee’ Leach and Premier Weight Management & Esthetics along with Brian Leach and Grace Rehab.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN. (WLAF)-  If you are a candidate running in 2026, May, August or November, 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.

LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- Divorces are public record.

They are public because divorces have an effect on a number of legal affairs. Property ownership, debts, taxes, etc. can all be affected when a couple divorces.

In its continuing effort to provide news that has implications on the community, WLAF will publish divorces each Wednesday.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN. (WLAF)- Maria Partin will run for Campbell County Clerk.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Campbell County Commissioners met on Tuesday evening, approving contracts and grant applications, along with surplus items from the sheriff’s department which are to be auctioned.

A resolution authorizing the submission of a 2026 Community Development Block Grant program application to fund public health and safety was approved. The request is for funding up to the maximum amount of $420,000.00, of which the county would have to match 9-percent, or $41,538.00. According to county mayor Jack Lynch, “grant funds would be used for a fire engine in Jellico.”

Blue Devils defeat Coalfield on Tuesday at Charles Lindsay-Dino Oakes Gymnasium

JELLICO, TN (WLAF)- An impressive first half stood up for Jellico as the Blue Devils, behind three double figure scorers, defeated visiting Coalfield 70 to 64 on Tuesday night in the opening round of the District 3, 1-A, basketball tournament.

Thursday brings 70s

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Warm temperatures continue with strong wind gusts through Friday before much colder air arrives Saturday night. There’s an outside chance of seeing raindrops Wednesday afternoon as highs head to 62 under a cloudy sky.

Local primary election is Tue., May 5, local general election & state primary is Thu., Aug. 6, 2026

JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- There are one and a half days left to request a petition and to file a petition for public office. If you are planning to seek a local office here in Campbell County, regardless of your party affiliation and whether you are running in the May or August elections, your qualifying deadline is this Thursday, February 19, 2026, at noon.

Since December 22, the first day of being able to pick up a petition to run for office in a 2026 Campbell County Election, May 5 or August 6, 73 petitions have been requested. Of those 73 petitions, 46 have been returned to the Campbell County Election Commission Office.

There was a lot of activity at the Election Commission Office on Tuesday. Chris Stanley is now running for County Commission- District 4 as a Republican (switching from Independent). Requesting petitions were Maria Partin who plans to run for County Clerk as a Republican, Lonnie Weldon, Independent, for County Commission-2nd District and Ralph Davis, Independent, for County Commission- 5th District.

Those filing petitions on Tuesday were David Greene for County Commission- District 1 as a Republican, Nathan Treadway, a Republican, for County Commission- 4th District, Jimmy Jeffries for Mayor as a Republican and Independent Suzette Davenport for County Commission- 5th District.

Qualifying deadline for both local elections is Thursday, February 19, 2026, at noon.

Early voting for the May Primary election runs from Wednesday, April 15 through Thursday, April 30, 2026.

JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Notice is hereby given that on February 17 of 2026 Letters Testamentary (or of Administration as the case may be) in respect of the estate of Jimmy Lynn Whaley, who died 1/4/2026, were issued to the undersigned by the Campbell County Chancery Court of
Campbell County, Tennessee.

‘Much work is still to be done. However, today is a “thank you” to everyone’- Samer Shatara

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- It was quite a gathering for lunch on Tuesday at TCAT. The catered event was more than just a luncheon, it was a celebration of the progress made on the budding new TCAT campus. Tuesday’s “Topping Out” ceremony traditionally takes place to celebrate the last beam going up. However, the last beam went up in January, and the ceremony had to be delayed.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- At its Tuesday meeting, the Campbell County Commission recognized the Campbell County Senior Centers in LaFollette and in Jellico as part of the commission’s “Campbell County First, service above politics initiative.”