POSTAL CUSTOMER
VOL. 12 NO. 5
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Back-to-Work Boutique
FIRST WORDS
Road projects tied to gas tax hike By Sandra Clark
Gov. Bill Haslam is lobbying hard for a gasoline tax increase, in part by sharing information on local projects that could be delayed if the revenue for roads is not increased. Mark Nagi of TDOT says Haslam’s plan would allow 962 projects to be completed, underway or under contract in the next 1213 years. Otherwise, at current funding levels, it could be 40-50 years before those projects are undertaken. Unlike most states, Tennessee does not borrow money to build roads. Union County projects include: ■■Johnson Road Bridge over N. Fork Bull Run Creek, estimated cost $200,000; ■■Edwards Hollow Road bridge over Little Barren Creek, $221,000; ■■Bower Hollow Road bridge over Bull Run Creek, $439,000; ■■Little Tater Valley Road bridge over Bull Run Creek, $160,000; ■■Beard Valley Road bridge over Raccoon Creek, $184,000; ■■S. Front Street bridge over Flat Creek, $742,000; ■■Rural access road from Maynardville to Luttrell north city limits, $5.9 million; ■■Rural access road from Knox County line to south of SR 144, $38.4 million. Haslam’s proposal calls for a 7-cent hike on gasoline and 12-cent increase on diesel fuel, while calling for tax cuts in other areas, including food, according to The Tennessean. Tennessee’s gas tax, which is currently 21.4 cents per gallon on gasoline, was last raised in 1989.
School board hears good news
Union County schools have initiated several innovative programs to boost student achievement. Principals presented portions of the plan at last week’s school board meeting. Because of deadline pressure, we didn’t get the report finalized for this edition of Shopper News, but we’ll have the full-blown report next week. Keep on reading!
Pick up extra copies at Union County Senior Citizens Center 298 Main St. Maynardville NEWS (865) 342-6622 news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Shannon Carey ADVERTISING SALES (865) 922-4136 ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Amy Lutheran | Patty Fecco Beverly Holland | Mary Williamson
outfits women for success
Union County High School teacher Pat Phillips stands in the Back-to-Work Boutique at the Union County Adult Education Center, a free clothes closet for women entering or returning to the workforce. Photo by S. Carey
By Shannon Carey Women looking for work can face some unique challenges, and one of those challenges is the need for professional, attractive clothing for interviews and everyday work-wear. That’s where the Back-toWork Boutique comes in. The brainchild of Union County High School teacher Pat Phillips, the project is sponsored by the Beta Pi chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society that promotes women educators. Housed in the Union County Adult Education Center near the
UCHS softball field, the boutique provides free professional clothing to women in need who are entering or returning to the workforce or going to job interviews. Each woman may choose three outfits with accessories on her first visit. Phillips was inspired to start the boutique by daughter Courtney Dyer’s work in the Knoxville Junior League with the YWCA’s clothes closet. She saw a need for Union County to have a similar program and organized the boutique with co-worker Sherrie Collins and retired home economics teacher Donna Christopher.
Initial clothing donations came from Beta Pi members. Chris Price of the Adult Education Center gave the boutique a room to use for free, and UCHS building trades instructor Keith Nease installed rods. The boutique opened in October, but so far no one has used the service. Phillips hopes that word will spread and women will start visiting the boutique. “I’ve taught seniors for many years, and we’ve had students who needed clothes for interviews, so I think the need is there,” she said. “I would hope that people would
By Shannon Carey
Union County High School track and field is about to paint the town red. And blue. And purple. In fact, expect a kaleidoscope of colorful fun at the My School Color Run 5K March 11. According to UCHS science teacher Aileen Beeler, who co-coaches track and field with Kristen Wilson, participants in the Color Run will run, jog or walk from the school to Union County Courthouse along Main Street, then return to finish near the UCHS football field 50-yard line. Along the way, they’ll be sprayed with liquid color at two stations. Then, at the finish line, all participants will be doused with solid color powder. White T-shirts with the Color Run logo are provided to participants so they can have a colorful memento of the race. Beeler said the proceeds will go to the track and field program to
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want to pass that on to the help purchase equipment kids,” Beeler said. “Dolike hurdles and discus, ing track is a good way and to help with expenses of traveling to to stay active, and it meets. Beeler said helps participants in the school does not other sports stay in shape all season. have a track right Students can get now, but the project is on the school college scholarsystem’s to-do list. ships for track, They recently dug too.” Beeler said and filled their she and Wilson own long-jump pit. came up with the idea about the The program is growing, too. same time. The race is sponWhile the roster isn’t final yet, sored through Beeler said 40 Union County High School My School Color Run, which prostudents have ex- track and field coach Aileen pressed interest vides the colors Beeler holds some packets in track, up from and T-shirts in of dry color that will be about 30 partici- launched at participants in exchange for a portion of the pants last year. the My School Color Run 5K. registration “We (Wilson The race will be the first 5K and Beeler) enjoy fundraiser for UCHS track fees. The route being active and is a certified 5K, and field. Photo by S. Carey healthy, and we and the race will
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be timed, but not officially timed. The UCHS run needs at least 100 entrants to proceed. Already, BSH Home Appliances of LaFollette is encouraging its employees to participate, and Beeler anticipates about 30 from that company. She is hoping to garner more corporate challenges, too. “We just want to get people out and encourage good physical health and encourage support for our team,” said Beeler. “We thought it would be fun.” If the 5K is successful, Beeler hopes it can become an annual event with a fair-type atmosphere. Entries are due Feb. 24. Volunteers, both students and adults, are needed to work registration, the finish line, spray colors and work the water station. Register online at www. UHSmscr.eventbrite.com, or visit Union County High School to pick up a registration form. Cost is $25 per person before Feb. 24, and $30 after that date.
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really take advantage of it and we could grow into a larger place and have more. I think it could grow if people really took advantage of it.” Phillips thanked everyone who has helped with the Backto-Work Boutique so far, and everyone who has donated clothing. More donations are being accepted. Needed are clean, pressed business clothes for women, as well as gently used business shoes, jewelry and handbags. Hours are 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. every first and third Tuesday. Info: Pat Phillips, 865-9925232, ext. 5024
UCHS track and field plans ‘colorful’ 5K
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