Latest stories by Ron Clayton

Athens: Fire ant invasion closes Athens Regional Park athletic fields

Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

An army of fire ants has infested athletic fields at the Athens Regional Park, forcing the city close the soccer and softball complex until further notice.

Ants shut down Athens recreation fields

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008

ATHENS, Tenn. — All athletic fields at the Athens Regional Park in Athens have been closed until further notice because they have been invaded by fire ants, city officials said today.

Polk County: Fish swimming again in Ocoee

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008

After more than 150 years, fish are coming back to the Ocoee River.

Injured McMinn County hunter sues county

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008

A deer hunter who was shot in 2006 has filed a $7 million lawsuit alleging the McMinn County Sheriff’s Department failed to respond to or investigate the shooting.

Signs warn of bacteria contamination in Athens park stream

Monday, Aug. 25, 2008

Signs are posted in a local park warning people not to wade, swim or fish in Oostanaula Creek because of fecal bacteria contamination.

McMinn County traffic victim identified

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008

ATHENS, Tenn. — The man who died in a fiery crash early this morning has been identified as Robert Marler, 63, of Rocky Mount Road in Athens.

McMinn County cuts funds for schools

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008

McMinn County commissioners docked the county schools $10,000 before voting 6-4 to adopt a $63 million budget Monday night. The property tax rate will remain at $1.55 per $100 of assessed value.

McMinn passes budget after docking schools

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008

ATHENS, Tenn. — The McMinn County Commission approved its $63 million budget Monday night meeting after voting to deduct $10,000 from the county school board's $1.2 capital projects fund.

Tennessee: 16 students arrested at off-campus party

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008

A weekend raid on a Park Crest apartment led to the arrest of 16 Tennessee Wesleyan College students attending what police described as a back-to-school party.

McMinn budget up for new vote

Monday, Aug. 18, 2008

County commissioners will hold a second vote tonight on a $63 million 2008-09 budget that failed once over a $10,000 raise for the new schools director.