CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (WLAF)- One account from Monday afternoon’s severe storm came from a Campbell County school bus driver. “I literally was driving the school bus on Loop Road, Caryville, as the trees were snapping. The winds came down off the mountain from Little Egypt and just started twisting trees all around,” said James Gross, who drives a Campbell County School Bus.

A severe thunderstorm packing damaging wind and heavy rainfall rolled through Campbell County late Monday afternoon. The storm knocked down trees and left more than a thousand LUB customers without power.

Power outages were of the scattered variety. Crews with LUB worked through the night to restore power with only a handful of outages remaining by 5am Tuesday.

TOP PHOTO: Trees took out power lines on this Caryille Road.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (WLAF)- Three municipalities will have elections in November. Caryville, Jellico and La Follette will fill a total of 13 upcoming vacancies. As of close of business Monday, a total of 20 individuals had requested petitions.

The election is Tue., Nov. 3, with Thu., Aug. 20, being the last day to turn in a petition to seek office.

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

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- At Monday’s County Commission meeting, upon the recommendation of exiting County Mayor Jack Lynch, commissioners approved a budget amendment creating a full-time position for an economic, community and workforce development director, hiring Randy Brown for that position. Brown, who is the exiting deputy mayor, currently fills that position in a part-time capacity, according to Lynch, who said creating the position was needed to “ensure the continued economic success the county has seen in the past four years under the direction of Brown who has been working with United Rare Earths, the East Tennessee Development District towards a grant that will build infrastructure for the Campbell County Industrial Park.

TOP PHOTO: Randy Brown, left, addresses the county commission at a meeting in May. Brown, the deputy mayor, is with Johnny Bruce, commission chairman.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- It took busting a window of the cab of a pick-up truck to rouse a passed out driver. La Follette Police were called to a neighborhood on South High Knob Road at Indian Hills Road around 11:30am Sunday. LPD Officer Jackson Stagnolia and Sgt. Joe Hicks responded to find a Chevy Silverado parked in the middle of the road with the engine running.

By Michael Yates

Oak Ridge, TN.(WLAF)- Hope isn’t something we simply wish for. It’s something we create through action. As National Suicide Prevention Month approaches, Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services is inviting the community to lace up their running shoes and take a step toward hope.

The 11th Annual Oak Ridge Fall Classic 5K will be held on Saturday, August 29, at 8:30 a.m. along Melton Hill Greenway. This year’s theme, “Creating Hope Through Action,” reflects Ridgeview’s commitment to promoting mental wellness through physical activity, community connection, and increased awareness of suicide prevention.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- At Monday’s County Commission meeting, commissioners approved the establishment of a three-member sanitation board which sanitation director David Adkins, an exiting county commissioner, will report to.

TOP PHOTO: Multiple county sanitation department employees were present at Monday’s meeting in support of the establishment of a solid waste board.

Exiting County Mayor Jack Lynch once again recommended the establishment of the board, which was also on the recommendation of the county sanitation committee.

Multiple sanitation workers were in the audience on Monday night to support the decision of the establishment of the board.

Lynch said he did not “mean this to take away in any way from the new board.”

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN. (WLAF)- CLICK HERE to view today’s legal notices. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 08/18/2026- 6AM)

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Over the years, WLAF has caught up with Blaze. Blaze was a one time star of the rope and barrel race circuit before coming to Joshua Goins Back Valley Road farm in November 2023. On Saturday, Blaze and another horse, Kia, on Goins farm, brought home ribbons after a competition.

TOP PHOTO: Goins rode Blaze through La Follette on Memorial Day.

By Jake Miller

JEFFERSON CITY, TN (WLAF)- The Campbell County Cougars traveled to Jefferson City for Friday’s 5 Star Preps Jamboree at Carson-Newman University.

TOP PHOTO: Cougar Senior Sam Sexton (19) readies to make a big catch.

By Noah Smith

JACKSBORO, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- The campaign is over, but for me, the work is just beginning.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- “We are celebrating Robin’s Nest Market & Antiques as our Campbell County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism “Business of the Month” for August, ” said Missy Tackett, Executive Director for the Chamber.

JACKSBORO, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- This is a letter of appreciation from Mayor Shayne Green to all those who stepped up during the recent water shortage.

August, 17 2026

On behalf of The Town of Jacksboro Mayor and Board of Aldermen, I want to express our thanks to the Citizens who so patiently worked with us to reach resolution of last week’s water shortage. I want to commend our Police, Fire, Street, Administrative Staff, Volunteers, and Staff of the Caryville-Jacksboro Utility Commission, Campbell County Emergency Management Agency, Campbell County School System and all contributing Media outlets for their efforts to communicate safety guidance to the public regarding our water system. I also want to thank the businesses and private citizens who donated pallet upon pallet of bottled water to bridge us back to the clean water that we have today. We appreciate the assistance of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for their guidance.

Information regarding this water shortage is available at https://.1450wlaf.com.

We remain at your service.

Shayne Green

Mayor, Town of Jacksboro

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/17/2026-NOON)

Connect  HERE to watch anytime; the  WATCH link is on the top page black tab of WLAF’s website

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Thanks to the genius of Todd Overbay and the late Frank Payne, the WLAF’s Ben Rogers Building Camera became a reality and is now showing you live looks of Downtown La Follette. Terry’s Pharmacy is the sponsor for the WLAF Ben Rogers Building Camera.