Cases of Potomac horse fever have recently popped up throughout the state, including this region.
Four horses have now tested positive in Sullivan, Hawkins and Robertson counties, according to Tennesseeâs state veterinarian. A case was also identified in Wilson County earlier this month.
At Mountain Empire Large Animal Hospital in Boones Creek, Dr. Paul Riedel told the Times News he has treated two horses with Potomac horse fever so far this year.
âItâs pretty normal to see two cases here,â Riedel said. âThere are certain areas that have more of it in general. The areas that Potomac Horse Fever has been seen has been growing, but itâs something that has been seen since the 1980s. This area has grown since then.â
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July 19, 1867: The East Tennessee Union Flag reported, âThe weather for the past two weeks has been hot and dry. Gardens parched up, and the corn blades are twisted into rolls. Every body (sic) complaining of the sweltering heat. A good rain would be gratefully received by all, and make thousands of bushels of corn in our valley.â
The East Tennessee Union Flag was a newspaper published in Jonesborough, which was spelled that way, as well as being spelled Jonesboro in 1867.
July 19, 1888: The Comet penned these wise words, which we would do well to emulate over a century later: âBeware of pets that bite us.â
Jonesboroughâs Board of Mayor and Aldermen has tabbed BurWil Construction as the contractor for the townâs K-8 school project, the same contractor that constructed the new Boones Creek school.
Over the next four to six weeks, BurWil, which will receive a $10,000 pre-construction fee, will work with the town, its architects and other stakeholders to finish and price-out the design, which is expected to cost around $27 million. Mayor Chuck Vest said they hope to break ground on the project in August or September, so long as BurWilâs cost estimate is âin line with where we want it.â
BurWil was chosen after its proposal scored the highest on evaluation criteria, ranking number one in cost. In total, four companies returned a proposal. Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy, who attended Mondayâs meeting, commended BurWilâs past work and said they are one of his favorite contractors to work with.
This summer finds one local lawmaker working on initiatives to expand Tennesseeâs alternatives to prison incarceration, as well as programs to expand vocational education opportunities in the state.
State Rep. Tim Hicks, R-Gray, said he is working with local judges to transform the Northeast Correctional Complex Annex at Roan Mountain into a substance abuse rehabilitation center. Hicks said the prison work annex is set to close, and judges in the area hope the facility can be used for a 60-day drug and alcohol recovery program that could serve as an alternative to jail time.
âThe program could be tied to existing recovery courts,â Hicks said last week.