When summer vacation begins, classroom learning ends for most students. Even so, summer doesn’t have to mean a complete break from learning. Students starting summer jobs have the opportunity to learn some important life lessons. Summer jobs offer students the opportunity to learn about the working world – and taxes. Here are six things about summer jobs that ... (click for more)

St. Peter’s Episcopal School announced that Meredith Ruffner will take over as interim head of school for the upcoming 2013-2014 academic year. Previously-named head Donna Mallett had decided that the transition from her Atlanta home was not in her family’s best interest. “We are thrilled that Meredith will lead St. Peter’s next year,” said board chairman Bill Winchester. ... (click for more)

City Council Vice Chairman Chip Henderson said Tuesday he will lead an ad hoc committee that will look into possibly increasing the number of council districts from the current term. The panel will also look at staggering the terms of council members, who are currently all elected at the same time, he said. Vice Chairman Henderson said the committee will also look into moving ... (click for more)

Governor Bill Haslam on Tuesday announced Debra Payne as the new commissioner of the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) as Jim Henry becomes the permanent commissioner at the Department of Children’s Services (DCS). Ms. Payne currently serves as deputy commissioner of DIDD and Mr. Henry as the interim commissioner of DCS. “These two departments ... (click for more)

The Delta Queen is a magnificent part of history and in many ways I'm pleased she is in town. Having the boat where she is is the problem. The boat blocks the view of and from the prettiest park in our town. The crew take many of the parking spots around the park leaving families to park across Frazier and schlep their kids, strollers and picnics to the park. You don't get fireworks ... (click for more)

It has been about 25 years or so since I had the opportunity to visit every county in the state of Tennessee and, as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society at the time, I met cancer survivors and listened to their incredible stories. I remember one man in particular who had bone cancer and one night he said he rolled over in bed and literally broke his arm in a very simple ... (click for more)