Bristol's Dr. Jeff McMillin Elected As Tennessee Fish And Wildlife Commission Chairman

Friday, February 22, 2013
Dr. Jeff McMillin is the new chairman of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. 

Dr. McMillin, a dentist from Bristol, was elected by his fellow commission members and assumed his new office for 2013-14 at the end of the commission’s meeting on Friday, Feb. 15. He replaces William Brown, an attorney from Chattanooga, who received a plaque of appreciation in recognition of his service. 

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey said, “I am extremely proud to see Jeff elected chairman of the TWRA. His deep and abiding love of the outdoors cannot help but be transmitted to everyone with whom he comes in contact. As a fellow outdoorsman, I have appreciated Jeff’s dedication to serving on this commission. He is a treasure to the state and the perfect person to oversee TWRA’s mission of conservation and preservation of Tennessee’s fish and wildlife.”

Also present were TWRA executive Director Ed Carter and newly-appointed commission officers for 2013-14, secretary Jim Bledsoe (Jamestown), chairman Dr. Jeff McMillin (Kingsport), and vice chairman Jeffrey Griggs (Lexington). Mr. Brown will continue to serve as a member of the commission.


Fishing Report From The TWRA

Here is the fishing report from the TWRA: Caney Fork: Fishing is good. Several trout are being caught in period of no flow, while fishing with flies.  Some nice browns have been caught near Carthage while using spoons and spinners. Center Hill: Fishing is good. Water temperature is 83; lake is fairly stable. Lots of nice bass are being caught at night on soft-plastics ... (click for more)

Haslam Awards Clean Tennessee Energy Grant To Oak Ridge

Gov. Bill Haslam ton Monay announced the city of Oak Ridge is receiving $200,000 in Clean Tennessee Energy Grant funding to replace and retrofit existing fluorescent lighting fixtures to LED lighting in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building and the Oak Ridge Civic Center Complex.   “I am proud to see this commitment at the local level to implement innovative technology and improve ... (click for more)

Claude Ramsey To Retire As Deputy To The Governor

Governor Bill Haslam on Wednesday announced that Deputy to the Governor Claude Ramsey will retire at the end of August to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren in Chattanooga. He said the former Hamilton County assessor and then county mayor "has been integral to me on several key initiatives, including civil service reform, economic development efforts, workforce ... (click for more)

Westfield Gives Emotional Testimony About Fatal Shooting Of Friend Bernard Hughes

An emotional Timothy Westfield on Wednesday told a Criminal Court jury how he was shot and how his friend Bernard Hughes was murdered almost three years ago at the British Woods Apartments. The witness identified Harold Francis "Bam" Butler, III, 33, and John "Cut Throat" Simpson as the gunmen. Simpson pleaded guilty earlier to second-degree murder and is expected to be a ... (click for more)

Our Criminal Justice System Is Broken

Today’s news that after a man was shot while coming to the aid of a friend, four were arrested (including two 13-year-olds) for robbery and attempted murder, followed by additional news that one of those arrested had previously pled guilty to aggravated burglary and was given a three-year suspended sentence, is further indication that our system of criminal justice is absolutely ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: The Colonel: ‘Tell My Sons’

In the Broadway play, “The Civil War,” there is an emotional song called “Tell My Father,” the words that a dying Union soldier on a distant battlefield asked to be delivered when the other troops got back home. The reason Lt. Col. Mark Weber sang that very song with his oldest son Matt was because the highly-decorated officer was fighting Stage IV intestinal cancer at the ... (click for more)