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Mountain City, Tennessee 37683Your Community Newspaper, Established 1874 75 centsVol. 146 No. 52

www.thetomahawk.com

THE TOMAHAWKWednesday, December 23, 2020

Community Calendar ...........A2Inside News ..........................A3Public Safety ........................A4Holiday Accent ..................A5,6Faith .....................................A7From Page One ...................A8

Sports ..............................B1Obituaries ........................B2Features ..........................B3Service Directory ..........B4,5Holiday Accent ................B6Classifieds .......................B7

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By Meg DickensSTAFF WRITER

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a constant topic throughout this year. After a year of counting infec-tions and death tolls, news that could make a positive change has arrived.

Johnson County is in the process of receiving doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to County Mayor Mike Taylor at the Thursday, December 18 County Commission meeting, “we could be receiving it as early as next week.”

The Tennessee Department of Health reports it has received ship-

COVID-19 vaccines coming to Johnson County

NECX staff spread Christmas joy through

community projects

By Meg DickensSTAFF WRITER

District Attorney General Ken Baldwin took the floor during the Thursday, December 17 County Commission meeting to discuss a lawsuit filed against pharma-ceutical companies on behalf of Johnson County and eight sur-

Johnson County joins Drug Dealer

Liability Act lawsuit

DA Baldwin addresses the Johnson County

Commission, asking for its support in the lawsuit

against big pharma. Photo by Meg Dickens.

See Lawsuit Page A4

See Vaccine Page A4

Submitted by TN Dept. of Correction

The Christmas spirit is alive and well at the Northeast Correctional Complex (NECX). Staff at the facility are working to share that spirit and spread joy throughout the communities of East Tennes-see. Officers and staff at NECX have been working on numerous community-based projects aimed at ensuring some of the region’s most vulnerable citizens have a joyful holiday celebration.

See NECX Page A4

By Jill PenleyFREELANCE WRITER

During the week of Thanksgiving, as people prepared to come together, enjoy a nice meal, and create memories, Hometown Service Coali-tion was busy assembling a group of volunteers to work alongside the John-son County Cancer Sup-port Group to assist a local family whose house was not equipped to face winter temperatures.

The home occupants, a 90+ year young senior and her son who has cancer and other health issues, watched as the volunteers worked throughout the week to

Hometown Service brings warmth to a Shady Valley family

By Meg DickensSTAFF WRITER

Schools and school officials around the district went all out for Christmas this year. COVID-19 safety protocols can make cel-ebrations difficult, but locals found a way. As 2020 comes to a close, students, faculty, and staff celebrate the end of a semester and hope for a good new year.

“I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the commitment and continuous work of our teach-ers, school support staff, school administrators, school nurses, school nutrition team, custodial staff, transportation department, maintenance crew, district of-fice team, and our school board members,” Director of Schools Mischelle Simcox said. “We have managed to complete a semester without having to close schools

Johnson County Schools celebrate Christmas

Volunteers with Hometown Service Coalition (HSC) assist a local family whose house is not equipped to face colder temperatures. Thanks to the support from local businesses, organizations and donors, HSC volunteers were able to bring the home up to par

for the winter season. Photos submitted

See Hometown Page A6

The Johnson County Schools Finance Department stands in front of their entry for the annual Christmas door decorating

contest at Central Office. Pictured (L-R): School Finance Director Tina Lipford, Board Secretary Serena Warren, and Bookkeeper

Bridgette Lewis. Photos submitted.

As part of Christmas Spirit Week students from Johnson County

participated in a variety of dress-up activities. Doe Elementary held a Christmas hair or hat

day, and students embraced the challenge with intricate designs

and creative color choices. See Christmas Page A6

By Tamas MondovicsEDITOR

As if it wasn’t crystal clear al-

ready, the reality of the pandemic hit too close to home for Tennessee

Governor Bill Lee last Saturday after his wife Maria tested positive for COVID-19.

When confirmed, Lee released the following statement: “Maria began exhibiting mild symptoms of COVID-19, and it was confirmed this afternoon that she has tested positive. I am feeling well with no symptoms and have tested negative for COVID-19. Out of an abundance

of caution, I will be quarantined at the Governor’s Residence.”

The following day on Sunday, December 20 at 7:00 p.m.—as planned—Gov. Lee delivered a statewide address to Tennesseans regarding the COVID-19 surge.

In part, Lee stated, “Good eve-ning, Tennesseans. It’s Christmas week, ordinarily a time when fami-lies across the state are gathering

to celebrate. Unfortunately, these are not ordinary times. We are in a global pandemic that’s been crip-pling our country for months, and now Tennessee is ground zero for a surge in sickness. I am speaking with you tonight because I want to be clear with where we are and what we need to do together to get

Tennessee grapples with surge in COVID-19 cases in the state

Tennessee Governor Declares war on COVID-19 surge

We are in a war”“

See War on COVID Page A8

Photos and stories for the season

… see pages A2,4,5 B6,7

THE TOMAHAWK

Holiday Accent See more Holiday Accent in next week’s edition

Letters to Santa