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Mountain City, Tennessee 37683Your Community Newspaper, Established 1874 75 centsVol. 147 No. 4

www.thetomahawk.com

THE TOMAHAWKWednesday, January 27, 2021

Community Calendar ...........A2Education .............................A3Public Safety ........................A4Accent ..................................A5Service Directory ...............A4,5

From Page One ...................A6Sports ...........................B1,3Obituaries ........................B2Faith ................................B4Classifieds .......................B5

INSIDE: Readers’Choice Awards 2021

Ballots must be mailed or arrive at the Tomahawk office by 10am on Friday, Feb. 5.

Printing January 6through February 3

By Meg DickensSTAFF WRITER

The COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading and causing havoc worldwide. Because of circumstances like sickness and quarantine, organizations and government entities have allowed for set paid time off through the Families First Coronaviurs Re-sponse Act (FFCRA). COVID continues to be a concern, but the FFCRA expired at the end of 2020.

Now it is up to individual orga-nizations whether they allow paid time off for COVID-19 situations.

Several local entities have looked over FFCRA benefits and partnered with their legal depart-ments to find a plan that fits. The

Extending COVID leave

SCHOOL BOARD

NECX

By Meg DickensSTAFF WRITER

CrystaLac is a company that many people do not seem to know much about in the community. Owners David and Dorinda Shep-herd’s recent purchase agreement for the properties, best known as Norm’s TV and the Mountain City

Bank, has brought the name back into the public eye. This expansion could benefit the community and local organizations through added jobs and community outreach.

CrystaLac is a family business started by Dorinda’s father, Derek, in Johnson County during the 1980s. He was a paint chemist involved in developing the first water-based

paints, according to David. Dorinda worked alongside her father for 20 years, while David worked as a Johnson County deputy sheriff before moving to sales.

“The business started here, and we want to leave it here,” David explained their community roots. “We’re proud to be Johnson Coun-tians and proud to be making a go

of this in our community.”The Shepherds have been helping

out the community for years through local programs, businesses, and schools. As part of the expansion, they plan to include a learning space to house their lessons. Before, most were online, with a few taking place at the Johnson County Center for

Expansion promises jobs for the community

By Meg DickensSTAFF WRITER

Lee “Bump” Farley, 33, was a well-known figure in the Johnson County community, renowned for his kind, positive attitude and ever-present smile. Many people may recognize him for his work as Deputy Sheriff or Deputy Bailiff.

People from all around the com-munity took to social media to mourn him after his passing on December 26. His most recent em-ployer, Assessor of Deeds Mathew Lewis, presented a plaque to Far-ley’s widow, Megan, in remem-brance of him and his service.

Farley served this community since he was a teen, according to Megan. During his life, Farley also served as a firefighter, high school teacher, and EMT. He made many

Community mourns

Deputy Farley

By Tamas MondovicsEDITOR

The Johnson County Senior Center is pleased to announce that a new 15 pas-senger van has been added to their trans-portation fleet.

The new addition was made possible through the generosity of the Mountain Electric Coop-erative Operation Pocket Change, private dona-

tions, and previously held fundraisers. According to Johnson County Senior Center

officials, the new van will replace the oldest of three vehicles currently used by the Senior Center.

“This van will be used along with the other two vans of the senior center to continue to serve senior adults throughout Johnson County dur-ing the pandemic,” said Senior Center Director Kathy Motsinger.

Motsinger added that since March 2020, more than 31,000 meals had been distributed to seniors in Johnson County, with more than two-thirds being delivered to the homes of seniors who have been sheltering at home or considered in dire need.

“This service to senior members would not have been able to take place without the vans,” she said. “Meals are delivered to many areas

A new ride in town

Mountain Electric Director of Member Services, Sally Snyder and Operation Pocket Change Board Member Robert Wilson, joined by County Purchasing Agent Dustin Shearin along with Tom Reece, Terry Hodge, Debbis Henson, and Senior Center Director Kathy

Motsinger for a photo after the Center received a new van to be added to its feet. Photo by Submitted

See Senior Center Page A6

See CrystaLac Page A6

See School Board Page A3

See Farley Page A4

Submited By Danielle Pleasant

Tennesseans are known for their volunteer spirit; in Johnson County, helping friends and neighbors is a way of life.

The Governor’s Volunteer Stars Award program through Volunteer Tennessee began in 2008 as a way to recognize the outstanding volun-teers that make a difference in each of Tennessee’s ninety-five counties. This year’s Johnson County re-cipients truly embody the volunteer spirit through their service to both individuals and our community.

Evelyn Cook is this year’s adult award recipient has served nearly 30 years helping Johnson County to grow and prospers. Her passion for the arts has revived the com-munity theater expanded tourism through the development of The Long Journey Home and Heritage Square.

These projects have led to the development and growth of the Johnson County Young Artists, Junior Appalachian Musicians,

Mountain City residents to shine at 2020 Governor’s Volunteer Stars Award

See GVSA Page A5

Evelyn Cook is this year’s adult Governor’s Volunteer Star Award (GVSA) recipient for nearly 30 year commitment to helping Johnson County

grow and prosper Submitted photo

For his fairness, self-control, courage, community assistance and ability to treat people with utmost respect, Stacy Greer will be the Johnson County

GVSA youth recipient February 7. File photo

By Meg DickensSTAFF WRITER

According to the Tennessee De-partment of Corrections, 46 percent of released inmates in Tennessee are rearrested and sent back to jail or prison within three years of release. Johnson County hopes to reduce these recidivism occurrences with a new program. County Mayor Mike Taylor and Sheriff Eddie Tester joined forces to pursue a $50,000 Correctional Career Pathways grant to rehabilitate inmates and return them to the workforce.

The Correctional Career Path-ways: Journey to Hope model pro-gram started in Greene County in 2015. The program targets inmates approximately 90 days before release and helps them learn “soft skills” they need to get a job. The program teaches three trainers, which then go to the facilities to select qualifying inmates.

This program costs the county

County implements grant to rehabilitate

inmates

See Rehab Page A3

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