Wednesday, April 01, 2020

State of Emergency for Cocke County
Cocke County and Newport officials held a news conference on Wednesday to announce a State of Emergency declared by Cocke County Mayor Crystal Ottinger. " I have declared a local state of emergency for Cocke County. This was not done out of panic or to cause panic. This declaration allows the county the opportunity to qualify for loans and/or grants and to possibly be reimbursed for expenditures related to the COVID-19 outbreak. This declaration also paves the way to allow for local emergency orders, which I have also put into place today. Emergency Order #1 is similar to Governor Lee’s Executive Order, but will allow local enforcement for those not following it. It will go into effect Friday, April 3rd at 5 pm and remain in effect until April 14th at midnight." The mayor stressed that it is not the goal of Cocke County to cite, fine or arrest anyone. "However, the longer people continue to go without complying the farther federal, state and now local governments are going to have to extend it and that is not fair to the businesses that have already been and continue to remain closed. This is not a lockdown or martial law, however, you are safer at home during this time and we ask that you stay at home if you are not out for an essential activity or service. These are difficult times and our normal lives have been disrupted. There is no silver bullet or magic wand that our government can utilize to end the COVID-19 outbreak. We cannot govern our lives back to normal, but we can each, individually, take responsibility for our actions." Newport Mayor Roland "Trey" Dykes said the country is undergoing a new experience and "we want everyone to stay safe and all of our citizens can do the best they can during this ordeal. The policies and procedures that we are planning to put in place are things we need to accomplish because it will help to save lives. The policies are significant but they are designed to keep everybody safe and healthy." Suggesting that everyone has a part to play in controlling the pandemic. Newport Chief of Police Maurice Shults said the directive is not an order but will give local law enforcement authority to write citations to non-essential businesses that do not close their doors. Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes thanked the local residents who have followed the "Stay at Home" directive of Governor Lee. "The move is aimed at the well being and safety of local residents," the sheriff said. Chief Deputy Derrick Woods speaking on behalf of all the officeholders in the courthouse, said both the courthouse and the annex will be closed to the public except for Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 14. He said there will be exceptions in the case of emergencies.


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Thursday, April 29, 2021

  • US 411 Project News
  • Mill Creek Wildfire Update
  • More Bad News For Smokies' Fans

    Wednesday, April 28, 2021

  • Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
  • Goodbye Smokies?
  • Keep Cocke County Beautiful
  • Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!

    Tuesday, April 27, 2021

  • The fireflies are coming!
  • Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
  • Gas prices drop
  • Tennessee keeps all US House seats

    Monday, April 26, 2021

  • Boat accident victim ID'd
  • Traffic stop yields drug arrest
  • Cocke County Wildfires

    Friday, April 23, 2021

  • Leaving WNPC
  • Mathis announces candidacy
  • Newport drug roundup
  • Cruise Against Cancer
  • Jobless numbers