2025 in review

abarlow@sixriversmedia.com In the last 2025 edition of The Tomahawk, we are looking back at the year's biggest stories from our coverage area. January Vandilla Street renamed to honor Paul Anderson Reported on Jan. 1, the ceremony took place Dec. 24, 2024. One of Johnson County's much-loved and respected community members, Anderson passed away in 2015 at the age of 66, leaving behind a legacy of service. Anderson served 44 years on the Johnson County Emergency Squad, 25 of which were as its director. $1.6M meat processing facility construction to begin in Spring Johnson County Commissioners and Johnson County Schools accepted a $1.6 million bid from Construction Partners, LLC to build a meat processing facility off Pedro Shoun Road. A meat processing facility had been the subject of many past meetings, with grants helping to pay for the project. Fugitive dead, K9 injured in officer-involved shooting A Johnson County man on the run for a week was shot and killed by law enforcement executing a search warrant. Alxander James Russom, 40, died Jan. 15 after officers showed up in the 300 block of Cross Mountain Road in Mountain City. Sheriff Clifton Worley said Russom opened fire and officers returned fire. K9 Jocko was on scene and let loose to go after Russom, who shot the K9 in the leg. Tyler Trusler named new JCHS Football coach Former defensive coordinator Tyler Trusler was announced as the new Johnson County High School Football Head Coach on Jan. 21. Trusler took over for Rick Wilson, who resigned in November. Johnson County Lawyer disbarred Effective January 17, 2025, the Supreme Court of Tennessee disbarred Perry Lee Stout from the practice of law. Stout pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to sell not less than 10 or more than 70 pounds of marijuana and money laundering. This came after he was part of a conspiracy dating back to 2022 to sell illegal drugs in a tri-state region. Stout served one year in jail and is on probation until 2033. Vance visits Damascus A week after being sworn into office, Vice President J.D. Vance visited Damascus, Virginia, on Jan. 27. Vance, along with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, assessed the recovery efforts from Helene. February Mountain City hikes water, sewer rates The Mountain City Board of Aldermen and Mayor voted in February to raise water and sewer rates 12% and 15%, respectively. The hike went into effect in April. The February vote followed a January first vote on the hikes, caused by Parkdale's closure in December. A public hearing the month before drew a large crowd, most speaking against the rate hikes. Many spoke about how they're still recovering from Helene less than six months before. Johnson County launches LTRG to aid Helene rebuild At First Christian Church in Mountain City, the Johnson County Long Term Recovery Group announced its formation. The aim was for a structured plan to bring together businesses, churches, nonprofits and individuals to restore Johnson County and help those impacted by Helene. Town increases Helene borrow to $2.4 million By a unanimous vote, the Mountain City Board of Aldermen and Mayor voted to borrow up to $2,463,386 in Helene's Emergency Assistance Loan program. The town had previously borrowed $1.05 million of the interest-free loans for 10 years before FEMA reimbursements. March Sunset Garden's owner indicted The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Medicaid Fraud Control Division and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office arrested Wendy Henley, owner of Sunset Gardens, charging her with a variety of crimes. During the investigation, agents learned that Henley used a patient's insurance benefits card to buy items for the facility. In July, when TBI agents and Adult Protective Services visited the facility to speak with Henley, they discovered that seventeen residents, including two hospice patients, had been left in the care of two juveniles who were not authorized to provide direct patient care. Patients were immediately evacuated from the facility and transferred. Henley's case is still awaiting resolution in court. One dead in pre-dawn Shoun Street fire One person died after a house on Shoun Street in Mountain City became completely engulfed in flames before dawn on March 31. Raymond A. Radloff, 51, of Mountain City, died in the fire. A woman was pulled out by Mountain City Police Officers s Zachary Reece and Ricky Norris. The TBI later determined the fire to be "not suspicious." April Two school board resignations in two months For two consecutive meetings, a Johnson County Schools' Board of Education member quit and left. After the moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance at the April 15 board meeting at Johnson County High School, Gary Matheson interrupted to read his resignation. Following Matheson's statement, he collected his belongings and left. Matheson's resignation came a month after Kim Kleine did the same thing at the start of the March 14 meeting. Kleine, elected in 2024, talked about how school board politics have affected her life and were "blackening her soul," saying she could better serve the children "somewhere else." Matheson decried "shady deals" and "corruption" in his resignation speech. Bitcoin mine proposed for Mountain City A Bitcoin data center could be coming to Mountain City in a few months, as Mountain City Planning Board members were impressed following an April 24 presentation. CleanSpark Chief Operating Officer Scott Garrison told the planning board he's awaiting approval from the town before buying the land. The planning board gave preliminary approval in March. The proposal would be to build on a flat, agricultural 50.48-acre parcel of land, address 178 Rainbow Road, next to Longhorn Auction. N.C. armed robbery leads to rock quarry shootout A Johnson County Sheriff's Office deputy was shot in the leg and a suspect was hospitalized for a month after a quick shootout at the Maymead Rock Quarry outside of Mountain City following a police chase on Tuesday, April 22. The chase followed an armed robbery of a gas station along U.S. 421 in Vilas, N.C. Johnson County officers located Joey Allen Ponce, 41, of Ashe County, N.C., fleeing into Johnson County and pursued. Upon entry into the rock quarry, Ponce exited his vehicle and began firing. While officers took cover, Ponce ran behind an office building on the site while JCSO Deputy Trevor Estrada pursued in a vehicle. Estrada was hit by a bullet in his thigh, through his car door, and drove around for cover. Seconds later, Ponce was hit by bullets, went down and was subdued. Estrada was released later in the day. Ponce is facing possible life in prison for attempted murder of law enforcement. Gov. Lee visits Johnson County, tours 421 For the first time since Helene, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visited Johnson County on April 29, touring a reconstructed U.S. 421 just south of Mountain City. "It's one of the most challenging seasons that the people that live here have ever known," Lee said to the assembled group along U.S. 421. "And it's something that we at the state, certainly, I'm not sure TDOT has seen this kind of devastation in that short a period of time." May Atwood steps down as basketball coach, will remain AD After 25 years as boys' basketball coach, Austin Atwood stepped down from that role in May. "I played here, coached here, lived here my whole life … but it just really all came down to what we felt like was going to be good for Carter as far as what he can do and how far he can go," Atwood said. Atwood began as the boys coach in 2001 after two years as the girls coach at Johnson County, where he played in the late 1980s. Laurel Elementary receives $210K grant Excitement filled the air as students gathered for a special assembly at Laurel Elementary School. They knew something big was coming — and they weren't disappointed. In a live broadcast from Chattanooga, TVA officials revealed the schools receiving grants as part of their School Uplift program. As the broadcast video played on, Laurel Elementary flashed on the screen, causing the gym to erupt in cheers and applause. Teachers shouted along with the children, showing off their Panther pride in matching t-shirts to celebrate the news of being the recipients of $210,000. Plans include replacing outdated thermostats and AC units, upgrading old heating systems — some that require faculty to climb a ladder to operate — and the students' favorite, building a playground cave. "Mountain City is being targeted" — Residents rally against proposed Bitcoin mine In response to the news of a Bitcoin company wanting to build a mine in Mountain City, over 100 locals showed up to the May 6 Mountain City Board of Aldermen and Mayor meeting, many speaking against the idea. Dozens who couldn't fit inside protested outside with signs. "This is probably the largest crowd we ever had," said Mayor Jordan. "I know this board has heard from many of you all who have voiced your concerns and we hear your concerns." Along with the May 6 meeting, dozens showed up to what turned out to be an anti-Bitcoin meeting the night before at Local's Deli, learning about Bitcoin. Walker, Brown appointed to school board With one vote coming down to a tiebreaker and the other more clear-cut, the Johnson County Commissioners appointed Holly Grayson Brown and Ralph Edward Walker to the Johnson County Schools' Board of Education at its May 15 meeting. JCHS Class of 2025 racks up $1.327 million in scholarships Over 70 awards, scholarships and distinctions were bestowed upon the Johnson County Class of 2025 during the annual Senior Awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 13. June Phoenix Medical to open new 106,000- square-foot facility, employing 150 people A new 106,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility is coming to the Doe Valley Industrial Park. Phoenix Medical said the expansion marks a significant milestone in the company's continued growth and commitment to the medical manufacturing sector. "Phoenix Medical Products is expanding the existing clean room and packaging facilities located at the original Cold Springs Road facility in Johnson County, Tennessee," Chris Foley, CEO of Phoenix Medical, stated. Johnson County remembers Frederick Greene on Memorial Day A new flagpole and flag are now at the gravesite of Johnson County's Frederick Z. Greene as part of a Memorial Day ceremony and service project by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter. VFW Post 6908, Post 6908 Auxiliary, along with the Johnson County Honor Guard, conducted the solemn event on Memorial Day 2025 at Baker's Gap Baptist Church near Butler. U.S. Army Spc. Frederick Greene, a Baker's Gap Baptist Church member, Johnson County native and Johnson County High School graduate, died in the 2009 terrorist attack at Fort Hood in Texas. Mountain City man pleads guilty to murder of father A scheduled May case update turned into a plea deal, conviction and sentencing of a Mountain City man for murder. On May 19 in Johnson County Circuit Court, Edwin Blake Phillippi, 31, pled guilty to second-degree murder in the May 2024 stabbing death of his father, 51-year-old Robert Phillippi Jr. After 20 years, Flo Bellamy bids farewell to the Johnson County Community Center If you've stepped inside the Johnson County Community Center at any point in the past 20 years, chances are you've met Flo Bellamy. After more than two decades of dedicated service, Bellamy retired at the end of June. "This place was a mess when I first got here," she recalled. "I came in with a putty knife and there were globs of gum stuck under every chair and table." Mountain City residents tour of Georgia Bitcoin mine Computers in mineral oil and a new style of cooling units are part of CleanSpark's plan for a new Bitcoin mine in Mountain City. Nine Mountain City residents, plus Mayor Jerry Jordan and The Tomahawk, toured the Norcross, Georgia, Bitcoin mine facility on June 16 to see what could be coming. The tour was part of Jordan's efforts to convince locals that the CleanSpark Bitcoin mine will be a good fit for the community. Decibel readings taken by The Tomahawk measured the noise in the mining rooms at no more than 75 decibels, which is comparable to sound levels generated by conversation. Most of this sound came from the filtration units used to clean the mineral oil. Sound readings next to the chiller units topped off around 82-84 decibels. JULY Planning Board OKs Bitcoin zoning, board member reveals CleanSpark ties The Mountain City planning board voted 4 – 0 to recommend that Steve Brown's land parcel be rezoned from B-3 to B-4, freeing up CleanSpark to build their facility on it — if the Board of Mayor and Aldermen gave their thumbs up. Jason Bryan abstained from the vote, but didn't explain his reasoning until afterwards: taking a job with CleanSpark 24 days earlier. Outbursts of disapproval immediately came from the audience. Sheriff Tester honored with bridge name, courthouse portrait The Tennessee General Assembly passed a resolution renaming a bridge in southern Johnson County after the late Johnson County Sheriff Eddie Tester, who died in August 2023. State Rep. Timothy Hill and Sen. Rusty Crowe hosted a ceremony where they gave Tester's widow, Brenda, a road sign with his name on it — identical to the ones along the bridge— and unveiled a portrait of Tester at the back of the county courthouse. Fluoride remains in town water after failed first reading In a June Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, a vote failed 2-3 to remove fluoride from the town's water supply. Mayor Jerry Jordan, who voted in favor of the removal along with Vice Mayor Celeste Dunn, made a clarification during the July 1 meeting after initially saying there would be a second vote. "That was the first time I was ever involved where we had a first reading and it failed," said Jordan. "So, I may have misinformed somebody but if it fails we don't go to a second reading." Bryan resigns as Mountain City alderman five days after disclosing CleanSpark employment Mayor Jerry Jordan announced at the start of the July 1 Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting that Jason Bryan had retired from both the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Planning Board. Bryan was not present and has since declined to comment. "I am the monster the monsters created" — Jury convicts Barner of prison murder after on-stand confession Gregory Barner was judged guilty of the first-degree murder of Robert Henry Hicks, Jr. after a two-day trial. Barner stabbed Hicks in the ear while they were both imprisoned inside Northeast Correctional. Barner said he "made a conscious decision to remove" himself from the prison by murdering Hicks. Barner also claimed Northeast Correctional was the worst he's ever been in and that a unit manager, whom he planned on murdering three different times, had targeted him. In October, Barner was sentenced to life in prison. Mountain City mulls closing pool After learning that the Cunningham Park pool leaks quadruple its capacity every month, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen agreed that it might have to be closed indefinitely if the leak's source couldn't be found. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Kenneth Dickens said he had spent six years trying to find the leak with no success. AUGUST 100-foot-long mural to "beautify" Mountain City Mink Crafts owner Rebecca Mink collaborated with her 18-year-old daughter, Lanie Mink, to spell out "Mountain City" on the side of her store in big block letters. Each letter was painted to represent a different aspect of Johnson County, from the Sunflower Festival to JCS Sports to local birds. "It's a dead issue" — Mountain City bitcoin rezoning vote fails At the end of a three-hour meeting, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen refused to vote on the second reading of Steve Brown's rezoning request, putting an end to the proposed bitcoin mine in Mountain City. The decision came after a dozen people spoke against the mine during public comment, and the board held a 25-minute executive session with City Attorney George Wright. Mayor Jerry Jordan said the executive session was called because some public speakers accused the rezoning of being illegal and threatened lawsuits against the town. Butler business donated to drug rehab ministry For decades, Campbell Builders was renowned for its low prices on windows and doors. When owner Herb Hampton was finally ready to retire, he sold the store to Paul Young. When extenuating circumstances ruined Young's vision for the store, he was left with a business he didn't want. His solution? Donate the entire thing to Elizabethon-based Recovery Soldiers Ministry, which plans on reopening the store as a job skill training site for those recovering from substance use disorders. K9 Jocko returns to service A Johnson County Sheriff's Office K-9 returned to his job of "apprehension, tracking, building searches, narcotics, [and] article searching," after recovering from a bullet wound he received in January, Sheriff Clifton Worley said. Commissioners reject County Powers Act An act that would've allowed the county to set limits on what businesses can be built inside its limits failed to pass during a Johnson County Commissioners meeting. 7 of the 13 commissioners present voted in favor of the act, but a two-thirds majority was required. If the act had been passed, the commissioners would've gone on to vote on a proposal restricting "crypto currency [such as bitcoin] operations and/or data center development," "adult entertainment," and other controversial industries. Johnson County Republican Party Chair Randy Dandurand told commissioners before the vote that if they didn't vote in favor of the act, "a really powerful coalition," would campaign against them during the Republican party general election primary in May 2026. Goal line stand propels Horns to win During the last play of the Longhorns' first game of the season, Matthew Forrester stopped Sullivan East a yard shy of the right pylon, preserving a 26-21 victory at Paul H. McEwen Stadium. It was Tyler Trusler's first win as head coach. SEPTEMBER Longhorns pay tribute to Jayden Kimble Before their Sullivan East game, the Longhorns took time to remember Jayden Thomas Kimble, 17, who died at home on June 3 after battling brain cancer for over a year. Jayden played for the Johnson County High School Longhorns football team as a guard and defensive tackle. Bryson's brothers walked out onto the field with his No. 56 jersey. The team laid the jersey on top of the ball, taking a delay of game penalty in tribute, which Sullivan East declined. American Legion reopening doors First Christian Church in Mountain City organized volunteers to repair American Legion Post 61's building, which was flooded with six inches of mud and water during Helene. State and district representatives from the American Legion attended the reopening. Thousands attend Rib Cookoff, over $45K raised The First District Fire Department won the Second Annual First Responder Rib Cookoff in Ralph Stout Park. Volunteer Firefighter Darren Clark primarily organized the event to raise funds for Elk Mills-Poga Volunteer Fire Department, which lost its station during Hurricane Helene. Bitcoin moratorium fails Johnson County Commissioner vote A vote to prevent cryptocurrency and bitcoin facilities from setting up in Johnson County's unincorporated areas for a year failed during a Johnson County Commissioner vote. Eight of the 14 commissioners present voted in favor of the moratorium, but a two-thirds majority was required to pass. Afterwards, Johnson County Attorney Ryan Carroll said the issue of regulating bitcoin/cryptocurrency was dead with the current commissioners. Watauga Lake Cleanup removes 11,760 pounds of trash During the 15th Annual Watauga Lake Cleanup, nearly six tons of garbage were removed from the lake and its connected rivers in four hours. A record 100 volunteers participated. OCTOBER Kody Norris Show mural unveiled Muralist Tim White spent many hot days in August and September painting a 1,250-square-foot mural of the Kody Norris Show on the side of Food Country. The band, White, local politicians and a representative of the Friends of Kody Norris — the non-profit that funded the mural — spoke during its dedication ceremony. Lipham named 2025 JCHS Queen Emma Lipham, a senior, was voted 2025 Johnson County Homecoming Queen by her classmates; Kearstan Jennings, a freshman, was voted Homecoming Princess. Both were crowned during the Homecoming game's halftime ceremony. A century of fiddling in Mountain City The 100th Anniversary Mountain City Fiddlers' Convention was hosted by The Kody Norris Show at Heritage Hall across two days. There were a dozen competitions and performances from prominent bluegrass bands as far away as Australia. For his fiddling, Johnson City's Asa Nelson walked away with the grand prize: a 1925 gold coin — the same award given at the first Fiddler's Convention, which is considered instrumental in launching the modern country music industry. Blocks laid for new Antioch Church Antioch Church was swept away by floodwaters during Helene. Almost a year later, a foundation was laid where the original building once stood. Local McDonald's GM wins Ray Kroc award Whitley Osborne, general manager of Mountain City's McDonald's, was surprised by co-workers, friends, family and corporate representatives with the announcement that she was in the top 1% of McDonald's GMs in the world. NOVEMBER 'One size fits all' — Mountain City orders 96-gallon trash bins After months of debate, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to order a thousand 96-gallon cans, which residents will be expected to use. Vice Mayor Celeste Dunn and Aldermen Jerry Horne voted against, thinking the bins would be too large for some residents to maneuver or store. Bond revoked in Upright case, child "fighting for his life" A 10-year-old was shot in the head behind his left ear and airlifted to Johnson City Medical Center the morning of Dec. 2. His uncle, Joshua Houston Upright, was charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect, aggravated assault (domestic violence) and attempted first-degree murder. Based on witness testimony and the number of rounds found in the house, it is believed that Upright was planning on shooting the entire family. Food Country in Mountain City to close In November, the Food Country CEO said that the Mountain City store would close because "it's not making money anymore." He said the town's residents had been great since the store opened in 1978, but financial realities plus Helene a year prior led to the closure. The store stayed open for a few more weeks as they attempted to sell as much as possible. New Ralph Stout Park playground opens Children and parents immediately made use of the new playground after a ribbon-cutting held by the Hometown Service Coalition, which donated over $100,000 to the project, and the Mountain City Recreation Advisory Board. DECEMBER U.S. 321 reopens 14 months after Helene A 24-mile stretch of U.S. 321 from Vilas, N.C., to Watauga Lake in Tennessee reopened on Dec. 1. The project cost the state over $20 million, more than double the original projected price, according to a companion article. Mountain City approves new town logos The Board of Aldermen approved new logos for the town and its animal shelter. Both logos were designed and donated by Philip Burtt-Henderson, president of the Johnson County Trails Association. Pool investigation freezes The Cunningham Park pool is likely leaking water out of its skimmer baskets or pump house — that's what the Town of Mountain City determined after months of eliminating other explanations for the leak. Before these theories could be tested, however, the pool's pump broke. With no immediate fix and freezing temperatures ahead, the town was forced to pause the investigation. Local Farm to host state music competition Doe Valley Farm was chosen as one of 60 qualifying sites across the state for Tennessee Songwriters Week 2026. The qualifying competition will be hosted on Jan. 31, 2026; the public is invited to come and cheer on their favorites. Gov. Youngkin leads Virginia Creeper Trail groundbreaking A project to rebuild 18.1 miles of the eastern half of the Virginia Creeper Trail, from Damascus to Whitetop Station, officially began with a groundbreaking led by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The project is anticipated to be done by fall 2026, and was prompted by Helene's devastation of the trail.