Government

(WASHINGTON) – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released the 2016 National Heroin Threat Assessment Summary – Updated (NHTA) on Monday. The report outlines the expanding public health crisis afflicting America due to the use and abuse of heroin and other opioid drugs. Some key facts: The number of people reporting current heroin use nearly tripled between 2007 (161,000) and 2014 ...

The Tennessee Municipal League has honored the City of Gatlinburg with an award for its commitment to green initiatives. A gateway to Tennessee’s only national park, the officials with the City of Gatlinburg have made it their mission to preserve the natural beauty of their surroundings for future generations as well as implementing new and innovative environmentally friendly technology into ...

The Sevier County School System will receive $1,840,000 in additional funds from state education funding for the upcoming fiscal year. Sevier County School Superintendent Jack Parton and Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters, along with their staffs, have been working with Governor Bill Haslam’s administration to help increase state funding levels to Sevier County. “We appreciate Governor Haslam recognizing the unique ...

The City of Sevierville has announced a new permitting process and website. The website will allow users to submit and track permits online rather than traveling to a designated permit office. Frequent customers are encouraged to setup their accounts now by visiting www.mygovernmentonline.org and selecting “Permits and Licensing.” Contractors and residents will have the ability to: Apply and pay online ...

The City of Gatlinburg has scheduled Sparkle Days for April 4-8, 2016 and April 11-15, 2016. The 35-year-old program has been very successful in spurring Gatlinburg residents to clean up their property and homes in time for spring. During Sparkle Days, Gatlinburg’s Street Department will pick up, free of charge, items not normally included in garbage collection. Public Works Director ...

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has declared Feb. 28 – March 5, 2016, as Severe Weather Awareness Week to encourage all Tennesseans to make planning and preparing for severe weather a priority. Throughout the week, a number of organizations at the local, state and federal levels will conduct educational activities across the state with a goal of helping people prevent injuries ...

The City of Sevierville Police Department recently recognized several employees for their contributions to the community and department for 2015. Some awards, such as the Employee of the Year, were peer recognition awards, whereas others, such as the Governor’s Highway Safety Office awards, were from an outside agency or organization. Additional information on each award is available upon request. Officer ...

Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear and City Manager Earlene Teaster will present the State of the City Address on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016. The meeting will also serve as the official kick-off for the 16th Annual Saddle Up event in Pigeon Forge that runs from Feb. 17–21, 2016. Wear & Teaster will speak at the monthly luncheon of the Pigeon Forge ...

The Presidential Preference Primary, Sevier County Primary and Non-Partisan School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Voters can verify their registration and Election Day polling location here. All polling locations will be open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters with questions should contact the Sevier County Election Commission. Sevier County early voting will ...

Recently installed lighting and new playground equipment is providing Gatlinburg residents and visitors more opportunity for outdoor recreation at Mills Park in Gatlinburg. A Local Parks and Recreation Fund Grant by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation made the completed projects in Mills Park possible. Designated as a 50/50 split, the grant for $98,000 offset the cost to replace ...