People

Tim Bailey has been selected as the new city recorder for the town of Erwin. Bailey has previously served as the director of public works for the city since 2019 and has been serving as interim recorder since June 27. Bailey holds an associate’s degree in applied science and a bachelor’s degree in...

Roy Herron, former state lawmaker and chair of the Tennessee Democratic Pary, died at the age of 69 on July 9, 2023, in Nashville from injuries sustained in a jetski accident on Kentucky Lake. A native of Dresden, Herron earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin then a...

David Eidson has been selected as information technology director for Johnson City. In this role, he will oversee the city’s IT department and support city staff by providing technological solutions to business operations. Eidson has more than 30 years of IT experience and for the past 12 years has...

Will Righter has been named planning and development Services director for Johnson City. Righter joined the city in May 2018 as a planner. He has held positions as planner II and development coordinator. Righter has also served as interim head of the planning and development services department...

April Norris has been selected as parks and recreation director for Johnson City. Norris joined the city in October 2021 as the assistant director for parks and recreation and has served as interim head of the parks and recreation department since February. She came to Johnson City from Bristol...

Ryan Cradic, a firefighter with the Johnson City Fire Department, died June 21, 2023, at the age of 42 after a 17-month battle with glioblastoma. After graduating from Johnson City’s University School, Cradic joined the U.S. Army and served in Iraq as a combat engineer where he earned the National...

John Decker, former mayor and alderman for the city of White House, died July 1, 2023, at the age of 89. Decker served White House citizens for more than 33 years, first as a Ward 4 Alderman beginning in March 1989, then as mayor from 2005 until 2010, and then again as Ward 4 Alderman from 2011...

State Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston, right, and Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks, left, have been reelected as chair and vice chair of the Tennessee Advisory  Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR), respectively.  TACIR was created in July 1978 by Chapter 939 of the Public Acts of 1978. TACIR...

Holt Witt has been appointed assistant commissioner for the legislative affairs for the Tennessee Department of Health. As assistant commissioner for legislative affairs, Whitt will help develop the department’s annual legislative package and work with key members of the Tennessee General Assembly...

Thad Jablonski, assistant city manager for the city of Columbia, has graduated as a member of the Leadership Middle Tennessee (LMT) Class of 2023. Jablonski completed a rigorous 11-month program that focused on leadership development, civic engagement, and community service. The Class of 2023...

Richard Hunt has been selected as the new mayor of Cowan after Mayor Mark Ledbetter announced his resignation from the board due to health reasons. Hunt will be filing the remainder of Ledbetter’s term, which is set to expire in 2025. As Hunt had been serving as vice mayor, former councilman Price...

Kay Senter, Morristown city councilmember, has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Service to Youth by the Boys and Girls Club Foundation of Morristown. The award recognizes those who have gone the extra mile to support and provide opportunities for the area’s youth to grow into...