The 40-year lease of eight acres on the Washington County Farm to a church was again a topic of discussion at a County Commission meeting.

Although the lease was not up for a vote, and remains in committee because of concerns from the farm’s neighbors, Commissioner Frank Bolus brought it up Monday, saying the agreement could put the county at risk of a lawsuit.

“Does this violate the Constitution,” Bolus asked County Attorney John Rambo, who said this type of agreement lies in a gray area of precedents set in other separation-of-church-and-state cases. More...

You may not realize it, but when you head down to Music on the Square, or even sit outside at a downtown Jonesborough restaurant and have a drink, you’re participating in what town officials call “communit-building activities.”

Activities like MOTS and even just sitting at a restaurant’s outdoor venue promote socializing between neighbors, friends, and even strangers, said Town Administrator Bob Browning.

Bringing more community-building events to Jonesborough is one goal of the newly formed McKinney Center Advisory Committee.  More...

Early voting up in Washington County, ends Saturday

With early voting coming to a close on Saturday, Washington County Administrator of Elections Connie Sinks expects a busy next couple of days.

“Turnout for early voting has been higher than it has been in any previous August election,” Sinks said. “Voters are getting more used to the early voting part of an election and the convenience of it, so the numbers are up.”

The early voting period began July 16 and, according to Sinks, 3,452 residents of Washington County had already cast their ballots as of Monday afternoon. More...

Warm weather brings out big crowd

(Charlie Mauk / H & T Photographer)

Last week’s Music on the Square event in downtown Jonesborough was one of its busiest, with hundreds of people flocking to Main Street to enjoy the warm summer weather and the sounds of The Whitetop Mountain Band, one of the most popular dance bands of the Appalachian Mountains. A man shows off his dance moves as the music plays. For more photos from MOTS, visit the Photo Gallery at www.heraldandtribune.com.



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I-26 interchange at Highway 75 to be widened in $12M project

A portion of the Tenn. Highway 75 bridge over Interstate 26 will be widened from two to four lanes in a $12 million project, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

The goal of the project is to improve safety and traffic flow in the area, as well as accommodate the needs and expected growth in the area, officials said.

Last week, TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely, along with Rep. Dale Ford and House Speaker Kent Williams, announced federal approval for the proposed project to improve the I-26 interchange at State Route 75 in Gray.  More...

Jonesborough now accepting vendors for Fall Town-Wide Yard Sale

The Town of Jonesborough is accepting vendor applications for its annual fall town-wide yard sale on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Sponsored by the town and local merchants, the yard sale is a fundraising effort to assist with the St. Nick Nights program that is geared towards collecting gifts for area children in need.

Other shops and restaurants on Jonesborough’s Main Street will also be participating in the event with a variety of bargains, as well as surrounding community resident yard sales. More...