Jinifer Rae

Johnson County was hard hit as Hurricane Helene blew through six states, leaving a path of destruction in her wake. Local Events

The Neva Fire Department faced a tough night on Wednesday, October 23, when a massive brushfire broke out in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

The Laurel Creek trail is one of the more popular trails in Johnson County. Local Events

Organizers of the Veteran’s Day BBQ fundraiser to be held on Monday November 11, 2024, are counting on the community to come out support the event and raise money for a good cause.Scheduled from 4-7 p.m. at Doe Valley Farm 313 Stagecoach Loop, Mountain City, TN, the event is to support VFW Post 6908 hurricane Helene fundraising efforts.“This year the BBQ festivities are much bigger. We are pulling out all the stops,” said Dan Parsons, Commander.

The local VFW Post 6908 Auxiliary celebrated a milestone this week.“It’s our fiftieth birthday,” said Kaye Parsons, President.The Johnson County Post 6908 Auxiliary was started in 1974 with the mission to improve the lives of combat veterans, service members, their families, and the community.“The auxiliary exists to support the VFW with different areas,” she said.For the last fifty years, the organization has been an advocate and strong supporter of patriotism in Johnson County.

Johnson County Cancer Support Group has been a rock of support for many who deal with cancer, and thanks to the generosity of Johnson County residents, many more can receive help at just the right time.During the recent roadblock the organization received $14,000, an outpouring of support from the local community.The generosity of everyone who donated and all the volunteers who stood in the weather to collect donations is deeply appreciated by organizers.

Johnson County F.F.A. announced Christmas poinsettias are currently available to purchase at the Johnson County High School greenhouse while supplies last.Holiday decorating has started a little earlier this year as people across the county are recovering from the devastation left by the storm.Since its inception in 1985 the annual sale of poinsettias is a much-anticipated event for many residents.

Although the numbers are expected to continue to climb, the current cost of damage related to Helene for the Town of Mountain City is 1.6M.“Our town is really hurting, but we are strong,” said Mountain City Mayor Jerry Jordan.On September 27 the storm named Helene blasted through six states leaving a path of destruction nearly 500 miles long.

Johnson County is known as a community that remembers and honors veterans.“In Johnson County they love the veterans,” said Bill Caldwell, Veteran’s Service Officer.“I have lived in communities where it was considered just another day, I think it’s great the way the VFW and other organizations show they care.”During Veteran’s Day this year, as always, the county came alive with activities and events all with the mission to give veterans the honor and remember their service.Especially busy over the holiday was Doe Valley Farm, the farm’s barn is located at 313 Stagecoach Loop in Mountain City and was the perfect venue for three events all honoring servicemen and women.

During a recent Watauga Lake cleanup, the Litter Chicks and about twenty volunteers removed over two tons of trash from the waterway.Watauga Lake is considered a preferred destination by many who visit to enjoy all the lake offers.From fishing, boating, hiking, camping, or just watching the sunrise, visitors come from all over to enjoy the pristine scenery.For the last fifteen years, The Watauga Watershed Alliance have spent considerable effort in organizing cleanup campaigns, most recently removing over 14,000 pounds from the waterway.