These guys should bring a starter with them on their trips ? a race starter who drops the flag and announces: ?Gentlemen, start your engines!?

KNOXVILLE -- A University of Tennessee report says economic conditions are continuing to deteriorate for the nation and for the state, and won't improve until 2009.

A local volunteer program that provides free transportation to the James H. Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center in Johnson City for veterans will continue despite recent changes.

Louisville citizens are trying to raise private funds to match an anonymous grant to build a $1.1 million town hall and community center.

Blount County 9-1-1 dispatchers began using their new radio equipment on Wednesday.

Maryville City Council has three bond issues totaling $66 million upcoming in the next year.

A Louisville woman charged with vehicular homicide Wednesday was allegedly intoxicated at the time of a fatal June 14, 2007, accident in Alcoa, according to information from Blount County Circuit Court.

A free boaters driving license class will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, June 4 and 5, at Alcoa Good Times Kawasaki Yamaha at 2019 Topside Road, Alcoa.

Maryville High School art students are finding an outlet for their creativity which recognizes and further challenges their abilities.

South Blount County Utility District began fluoridation of its water supply on Wednesday.

A pair of black boots, a helmet and a backpack were strewn in the gravel on the side of the road as emergency workers loaded the body of their owner into an ambulance after a fatal motorcycle accident Wednesday on State Highway 73 in Townsend.

Maryville College's Center for Strong Communities has been bringing people together for a year.

A 40-year-old Louisville woman has been charged with vehicular homicide apparently stemming from a fatal accident in Alcoa on June 14, 2007.

The Maryville Board of Education has embarked on a strategic planning process to gather input on the future direction of Maryville City Schools.

A developer looking at purchasing on South Old Glory Road asked the Maryville City Council if there would be any objection to it being annexed into the city during a council meeting Tuesday.

State Rep. Joe McCord, R-Maryville, has run afoul of a law prohibiting smoking in state buildings.

The long-running conflict between County Mayor Jerry Cunningham and the Blount County Children?s Home Board of Directors could be settled soon.

Blount County Chancellor Telford Forgety is allowing local businessman Bob Schmidt to proceed with plans to hold the popular Strawberry Jam Festival at Maple Lane Farms later this month.

Blount County Chancellor Telford Forgety has denied a last-minute request from citizen advocate Linda King to prevent South Blount Utility District from beginning fluoridation of its water supply today.

A Blount County photographer pleaded guilty on Monday to possessing and receiving more than 17,000 images of child pornography ? mostly of young female children, but also including boys and babies.