People

Cpl. Nate Robinson with the Maryville Police Department died Dec. 20, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. Robinson was 33. He joined the Maryville Police Department in 2013, serving as a field training officer and a member of the SWAT Team. He had been promoted to the rank of corporal in 2022.  ...

Michele Diebold, human resources director for the city of Gatlinburg, was awarded the Tennessee Public Risk Management Association (TN PRIMA) President’s Award at the organization’s annual conference. The award was presented for her commitment and dedication to the organization, as well as her...

Carol Berz, Chattanooga councilmember for District 6, died unexpectedly of natural causes on Dec. 11, 2024. Berz was first elected in a special election 2008 and was planning to run for re-election in 2025. The owner and chief executive of Private Dispute Resolution Services, LLC, Berz has held...

Nick Robbins has won a run-off election for the Collierville Alderman Position 3 on the Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Robbins defeated challenger Chad Lindsay for the seat. Robbins will take over the seat previously held by John Worley, who decided not to seek a fourth term. A...

State Rep. Harold Love Jr., D-Nashville, has been sworn in as president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) during the 48th Annual Legislative Conference. Love, who represents District 58, also serves as Tennessee House Democratic assistant leader. A native of Nashville, Love...

Kevin Goins has been named the city and general management by the Loudon City Council and Utility Board. Goins has 25 years of experience from working with the Athens Utility Board, most recently as power superintendent. Goins began his work with AUB at 18 as a part-time summer job laying water and...

Kelly Janis has been appointed as the new building director for the city of Gatlinburg. Janis has more than 14 years of experience in local government building services, planning and community development, project management, code compliance, and organizational leadership. She comes to Gatlinburg...

Brad Bivens has retired after serving more than 23 years as city engineer for the city of Forest Hills. Bivens was employed with Neel-Schaffer Engineering and was assigned to the Forest Hills for more than two decades, providing both professional services and institutional knowledge for the...

The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) has recognized two outstanding arborists from Tullahoma for their exceptional contributions to urban forestry and community sustainability. Lyle Russell, community engagement officer and arborist for the city of Tullahoma, has been named the 2024...

Chase Sons, chief of police for the city of Tullahoma, has been accepted into the 293rd Class of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. The elite training program is by competitive nomination with at less than 1% of law enforcement officers worldwide earning the honor. Sons started with the...

Cliff Mann has been selected as the new stormwater coordinator for the city of Farragut. Mann has served as an engineering technician with the city since 2023. Prior to that, he worked for the city of Knoxville as a stormwater engineering technician and then as a stormwater specialist with Blount...