Top Ten Of 2004

December 30, 2004

#1 Hospital in Transition

Scott County Hospital was in the news throughout the year, beginning with the May announcement that CHS would not renew its lease. That launched a search for a replacement, which was a time-consuming and difficult task. Finally, however, Attentus Healthcare was selected and is expected to take over Feb. 1.

#2 Local Guard Deploys

Local members of the Tennessee Army National Guard, along with some 4,000 others across the state, were notified of possible deployment, then sent to Camp Shelby, MS. for months of training, and ultimately on to the war in Iraq.

#3 New School For Winfield

Although money was tight, funds were made available, bids taken, contracts awarded and construction begun on a new school for Winfield.

#4 Great Dane Coming

After sitting empty for two years, the huge Wabash truck trailer manufacturing plant in Huntsville was purchased by Great Dane, which expected to hire up to 250 and begin production at the facility this year.

#5 Sheriff's Dept. Woes

Sheriff Jim Carson and his department were much in the news in 2004 in the form of both good and bad news - from deputies busting one meth lab after another, to suits being filed against the department as a result of the in-lin-of-duty shooting death of Deputy "John John" Yancey.

#6 Boys & Girls Club

The year began with a new building site being acquired for the Boys & Girls Club, and ended with a financing gurarantee plan between the Town of Oneida and Scott County finally being worked out. And, throughout the year, the organization grew at its two temporary sites (Huntsville and Oneida schools), had a successful fundraising effort through the Scott County Benfit Auction, hosted the second annual Hall of Fame banquet and, finally, conducted a Rusty Wallace "Fun Day" event.

#7 Huntsville's Woes

Much in the news throughout the year because of disagreements between the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, the Town of Huntsville underwent a lot of growing pains in 2004 - and a few appearances in court as well. A standoff between board members and Mayor George W. Potter continued throughout the year until the election settled things down a bit when Potter won reelection and the three board members who sought reelection were unseated.

#8 Election '04

The August Primary & General Election, as well as the November General Election, were big news in 2004, especially with regard to a few key races and referenda. A hotly-contested Circuit Court Judge's race dominated the scene for weeks on end, followed by a lot of interest in the Presidential race, two liquor by the drink referenda and several local races, as well.

#9 The Mann Case

An Oneida couple, Aaron and Linda Mann, were the subject of several page one stories throughout the year after being investigated by the Scott County Sheriff's Department and Department of Children's Services for alleged child abuse, their arrest on those charges, indictments by the Grand Jury and on into court proceedings. They remain free on bond but face a trial by jury in 2005.

#10 Jeffers' State Titles

It's rare when a sports story makes the top 10 news story list, but rarer still when a small-town athlete heads off to the state tournament and returns with two state titles. But such is the case with Scott High's Jordan Jeffers who, in the spring of the year, traveled to Memphis to become state champion in the 400-meter dash and the 200-meter dash. He also made page one news when he signed a two-sport college scholarship at Cumberland, and earned a place on the roster of the annual TN-KY football game at UT's Neyland Stadium.

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