By JUDY BYRGE Morgan County News Morgan County Director of Schools Mike Davis has filed a lawsuit against the Morgan County Board of Education accusing them of conspiracy and violation of Tennessee’s open meetings law when they terminated his contract. Davis’ attorney, David Dunaway of LaFollette, filed the lawsuit in Morgan County Circuit Court on Friday, May 29th. In the complaint Davis accuses at least four of the Board members of conspiring to remove him from the position. He accuses them of meeting secretly and/or discussing his removal by telephone. Davis claims the Board wanted to remove him from the position because he had brought it to their attention that they had acted illegally. Davis claims that the Board’s decision to abolish the position of Supervisor of Instruction and terminating his contract both violated Tennessee’s open meetings law. Davis maintains that if the public had been notified that the Board was considering not renewing his contract that more interested parties would have attended the meeting. Davis claims that when he brought it to the Board’s attention that it had violated the open meetings law regarding the position of Supervisor of Instruction that the Board began to treat him differently and did not confer with him while making decisions. Davis also claims the Board held it against him for filing a workers compensation claim for injuries he sustained while in the performance of his duties as director of schools. Davis was the victim of a rear end collision on Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge while on his way back to Morgan County for a mandatory meeting with the State auditor. He is seeking $300,000 in compensatory damages and $300,000 in punitive damages. He has also asked that the matter be heard by a jury. The Board’s attorney will have 30 days to file an answer to the Complaint in Morgan County Circuit Court.
More News headlines
School's roof leakingIn early December the roof on Coalfield School started leaking. The problem is the roof was just replaced in 2008 and members of the Board of Education believe repairs or replacement should be covered under a warranty.Posted on 02 02 2010
Number of possible candidates reaches 36Interest is continuing to grow in the August 2010 General Election. As of Monday, 36 people have picked up petitions to seek election to the various offices that will be on the August ballot.Posted on 02 02 2010
37 indicted on drug chargesA five-month undercover drug operation netted 37 indictments last week for the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.Posted on 02 02 2010
More show interest in officesWith the date to qualify still several weeks away, the list of folks planning to seek election in August is growing.Posted on 01 26 2010
Taking TDOC’s No. 2 PostWarden David Mills has been named Deputy Commissioner of the TN Department of Correction. Mills currently serves as warden of the Morgan County Correctional Complex in Wartburg, TN.Posted on 01 26 2010
Mother, Daughter Compete in Same RaceIt’s early yet in the 2010 local election cycle but there are already some interesting developments among those showing interest.Posted on 01 19 2010
Jail CO becomes first fatality of 2010A 21-year-old man who was employed by the Morgan County Jail as a correctional officer was killed in a one-car accident along Highway 62 Saturday morning.
Posted on 01 19 2010
Trustee moves to 3rd floorIt’s just about time for Morgan County property owners to flock into the courthouse to pay taxes but this year there’s going to be a change that may be inconvenient for taxpayers and the Trustee’s office.Posted on 01 12 2010
7 pick up petitions to seek election2010 is a “big” election year in Morgan County with several major offices up for grabs.Posted on 01 12 2010
Director says school closing will be decided day to dayUnless conditions are dangerous and threaten the safety of students attending Morgan County Schools, schools will not be closed.Posted on 01 05 2010
17 pounds of marijuana seizedA Sunbright man is facing the possibility of felony drug charges after a drug bust at his residence last week.Posted on 01 05 2010
Mud Lick Creek posing threatErosion along Mud Lick Creek in Oakdale is threatening Main Street and city officials hope to stabilize the problem area.Posted on 01 05 2010
$494,000-grant awarded to extend water linesGovernor Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber recently approved more than $28 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to assist with infrastructure improvements in Tennessee.Posted on 12 22 2009
Board to consider adding to Distance Learning The Morgan County Board of Education continued its discussion of the importance of staying up to date in the technology department during Monday night’s school board workshop.Posted on 12 15 2009
Technology may get a boost in fundsDeveloping a strategy for replacing school technology that is quickly becoming outdated will be a goal of the Morgan County Board of Education in the coming months.Posted on 12 15 2009
Schools take steps to improve scores, performanceOne by one principals from each of our county’s schools stood behind a podium Monday night and explained steps they will take to improve test scores and student achievement at their schools.Posted on 12 08 2009
Morgan County Celebrates ChristmasThe county’s official Christmas celebration will get underway on Thursday with Christmas in the Mountains and will wrap up on Saturday with the Morgan County Christmas Parade.Posted on 12 01 2009
Building ‘improvements’ have started at courthouseCourt Street in Wartburg has been closed while improvements including exterior stair well are made at the courthouse.Posted on 12 01 2009
Holiday events begin Dec. 3 Morgan County’s celebration of Christmas will get underway on Thursday, Dec. 3 with Christmas In The Mountains.Posted on 11 23 2009
First Youth Leadership Morgan setEighteen 11th graders from across the county came together at Roane State in Morgan County last week for their introduction to Youth Leadership Morgan. The program is sponsored by the Morgan County Chamber of Commerce and Morgan County Board of Education and will be the county’s first youth class.Posted on 11 23 2009
Seat-belt use enforcement stepping upIf you’re traveling Tennessee’s roadways over the next few days, you’re going to want to buckle up. Law enforcement will have “zero tolerance” for those not wearing a seat-belt which includes passengers.Posted on 11 17 2009
County to buy funeral homeA solution to the county’s building needs has come from an unexpected source. County Commissioners voted Monday night to purchase Schubert Funeral Home from Wayne and Margaret Solomon to eventually house the county’s courts.Posted on 11 17 2009
County scores 2 ‘C’s, 1 ‘D’Morgan County Schools have room for improvement based on the report card released by the state last week.Posted on 11 10 2009
Career-Technical Center invited to apply for pre-engineering grant Innovations in instruction that have been made at the Morgan County Career and Technical Center continue to draw attention and not only from educators in Tennessee.
Teacher Ronnie Trout will be presenting at the Tennessee School Board Association conference that will be held later this month. School board members from school districts all across the state will be in attendance. Trout will talk about the alternative energy program he leads that includes a windmill and solar panels.
Posted on 11 10 2009
Scenes needed for Christmas in the MountainsChristmas in the Mountains will be returning to Frozen Head State Park this year and Morgan County Chamber of Commerce is looking for churches or other groups to portray scenes of the Nativity.Posted on 11 03 2009
County takes another look at BrushyCounty officials are still pondering what to do with the old Brushy Mountain prison in Petros and County Executive Becky Ruppe is still looking for funds to do a feasibility study of the facility.Posted on 11 03 2009
School board considers building needsFolks at the Morgan County Courthouse aren’t the only ones in need of more space. It seems that the Morgan County School System needs a place for its maintenance and transportation departments to spread out. Not to mention the folks at the school garage would like to come in out of the rain.
Supervisor of Transportation David Armes told board members Monday night that when it rains being in the school garage is just like being outside.
Posted on 10 27 2009
Tour planned of county buildingsMorgan County commissioners will be touring county owned buildings later this week to assess needs in the various facilities.Posted on 10 27 2009
Armed robber targets Wendell’sA Kingston man has been charged with the armed robbery of Wendell’s Market in Oakdale.Posted on 10 20 2009
Bank tellers help nab car burglarTwo quick thinking bank tellers have helped police catch a man they believe burglarized four cars in Morgan County and stole a purse and checkbook in the process.Posted on 10 13 2009
Upgraded to ‘vehicular homicide’A Lancing man is now facing a charge of vehicular homicide in the January death of Terry W. Ledford.Posted on 10 13 2009
Garrett files answer; counter sues Retired state trooper Allen Doyle Garrett has filed an answer and a counter claim in the $2-million lawsuit filed against him in Morgan County Circuit Court last month.Posted on 10 06 2009
30+ H1N1 cases in schoolsWhile schools in neighboring counties have been forced to close because of student illness, Morgan County Schools are faring quite well.Posted on 10 06 2009
Heartland Series host visits Redemption AcademyAs host of “The Heartland Series” Bill Landry has met a lot of interesting people over the last 25 years.Posted on 09 29 2009
75-year-old woman shoots burglarA 75-year-old Petros woman shot and wounded a man who allegedly had broken into her son’s home Thursday night.Posted on 09 29 2009
Grand Jury indicts Young, KennedyA Morgan County Grand Jury handed down indictments Monday against two people accused of first degree murder.Posted on 09 22 2009
New 911 Call Center Opens Morgan County’s 911 Call Center opened Tuesday as dispatchers made the move from the sheriff’s administrative offices to their new home on Redmon Road.Posted on 09 22 2009
And the winner is ...Wartburg Police Department competed with 71 departments from across the state to win a 2010 fully equipped police cruiser.Posted on 09 16 2009
Health care forum stirs emotionsWhat to do about health care access in the United States can be a highly emotional topic.Posted on 09 16 2009
HTC hopes to extend DSL to CoalfieldMorgan County’s eCommunity Team is continuing its effort to pinpoint areas in Morgan County that still need access to high speed internet service. It is part of Gov. Phil Bredesen’s Connect Tennessee initiative.Posted on 09 08 2009
'Miss Anna Belle' dies at 86Former State Sen. Anna Belle Clement O’Brien died Monday at the age of 86.Posted on 09 08 2009
Coalfield citizens aren't giving up on DSLFolks in the Coalfield community got dial-up internet service faster than most of the rest of the county. But Highland Telephone quickly caught up and surpassed the services being offered by AT&T.
Lena Russell and her family are leading an effort to change that.Posted on 09 02 2009
Attend school; maybe win a carSexton Ford of Morgan County proved to be a wonderful partner for Morgan County Schools with its Cruise for Your School drive that put a total of $12,000 into the local schools. Owner/Operator Elizabeth Beard is taking the local auto dealer’s school spirit another step forward. This time her focus will be encouraging students to attend school.
Posted on 09 02 2009
Home burglarized during funeralTommy Crabtree and his family left their home on Wednesday, Aug. 19 to do one of the most difficult things a family ever faces, bury a wife and mother.Posted on 09 02 2009
'Cash for Clunkers' boosts salesPosted on 08 25 2009
Families a step closer to getting waterSeveral families in the Sunbright area are a step closer to getting water than they were a couple weeks ago.Posted on 08 25 2009
Jail certified by State Morgan County Sheriff Dennis Ledbetter received good news from the Tennessee Corrections Institute last week. The Morgan County Jail will retain its certification.Posted on 08 18 2009
Tax rate holds at $2.99Morgan County’s property tax rate will not go up for the 2009-10 fiscal year. County commissioners approved a $2.99 tax rate Monday night which is the same rate as last year.Posted on 08 18 2009
For rape of 89-year-old womanHarold Morris, the man convicted of robbing and raping an elderly Lancing woman on Easter Sunday in 2007 has been given the maximum sentence allowed by law.Posted on 08 11 2009
Young waives right to preliminary hearing With television cameras rolling and a string of reporters filling the jury box, Heather Young waived her right to a preliminary hearing in Morgan County General Sessions Court Thursday afternoon.Posted on 08 11 2009
Davis vs Board set for trialFormer Director of Schools Mike Davis is set to go to court against the Morgan County Board of Education on April 14-15, 2010.Posted on 08 04 2009
Unemployment rises againMorgan County’s unemployment rate continued to rise in June, according to data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.Posted on 08 04 2009
$2.99 tax rate holdsPosted on 07 28 2009
School Board sets budgetWith a verbal commitment from county officials to bail them out if they get into trouble, the Board of Education adopted a $22- million budget Monday night.Posted on 07 28 2009
Auditor notes $721 cash shortage in Clerk's officeNine findings are listed in the audit of Morgan County for 2008. Of those only one involved a cash shortage. According to the auditor, the county clerk’s office had a cash shortage of $721.Posted on 07 22 2009
Officials tour highway projectsSen. Ken Yager has pledged to be the squeaky wheel to keep priorities in his district under consideration for state funding.Posted on 07 22 2009
Board looking to cut $600,000 moreWhile the federal deficit is reaching a record high of more than $1 trillion, locally the Board of Education is scurrying to find somewhere to cut some $600,000.Posted on 07 14 2009
14 charged on federal warrants for drug crimesA federal grand jury in Knoxville, Tennessee returned a 34 count indictment against 14 individuals on charges relating to the manufacture and sale of methcathinone. Those indicted included:Posted on 07 14 2009
Next phase of Highway 62 not on list of TDOT prioritiesPlans to continue the expansion of Highway 62 beyond Petit Lane are not on the state’s list of priorities, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).Posted on 07 07 2009
County loses after school fundsAs it stands right now, there will not be an After School Program in Morgan County for the 2009-10 school year.
Posted on 07 07 2009
Guilty On All CountsA 91-year-old Lancing woman took the stand on Thursday in the trial against the man accused of raping and robbing her.Posted on 07 07 2009
Kennedy accused of murdering brother-in-lawWhen Cecil Stewart Davidson, 53 was found shot to death on March 7, his brother-in-law became a “person of interest” in the case and he has now been charged with first-degree murder.Posted on 06 30 2009
Woman charged with murderAlthough he had been shot twice, 61-year-old Memford “Lynn” Hamby was able to call 911 for help.Posted on 06 30 2009
County to borrow $2 million Morgan County Commissioners approved a resolution Monday night to borrow up to $2 million to renovate the courthouse, health department and ETHRA building. But that full amount may not be spent.Posted on 06 30 2009
Accused rapist’s trial resetA Deer Lodge man accused of robbing and raping an elderly Lancing woman is scheduled to face a jury trial in Morgan County on June 25.Posted on 06 24 2009
Dagley named chief of police in Sunbright Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputy Allen Dagley has been named Sunbright’s new chief of police.Posted on 06 24 2009
Last HoorahDoors to Brushy Mountain State Prison stood wide open Thursday as hundreds gathered for the closing ceremony of the 113-year-old facility.Posted on 06 16 2009
Brushy ClosesIt’s not the first time all the inmates have been removed from the historic Brushy Mountain Prison in Petros but it may very well be the last --" at least for Brushy Mountain Prison.Posted on 06 16 2009
Child pornA 14-year-old Oakdale youth has been arrested and charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor after police seized computers at his home.Posted on 06 09 2009
Director paints bleak picture of financesDirector of Schools Mike Davis painted a bleak picture of the financial condition of the schools Monday night. His assessment came during one of his final meetings with the Board of Education.Posted on 06 09 2009
Director sues school boardMorgan County Director of Schools Mike Davis has filed a lawsuit against the Morgan County Board of Education.Posted on 06 09 2009
Sextons open new business in SunbrightA new business has opened in Sunbright and it’s getting rave reviews.Posted on 06 03 2009
Unemployment rate growsMorgan County’s unemployment rate hit double digits in January and has continued to climb month by month.Posted on 06 03 2009
Farley Davis Road rock pile hearing continuedA trial to determine the ownership of a portion of Farley Davis Road in Mill Creek community will not happen this week after all.Posted on 05 26 2009
Escaped inmate captured in AlabamaAn inmate from Morgan County Correctional Complex who escaped custody on Monday has been captured in Alabama.Posted on 05 26 2009
43 families on line to get waterWhen you don’t have one of the basic necessities of life --" safe, clean drinking water --" things are amazingly difficult. But thanks to a partnership that transcended political party lines and a lot of leg work of several local folks, 43 families in the Gobey community won’t be dealing with that problem much longer.Posted on 05 19 2009
Sunbright adds police departmentIt’s been in Sunbright’s long range plan for more than ten years and it’s finally about to happen. In the next 30 days Sunbright will establish its first full time police department.Posted on 05 19 2009
Deer Lodge turns 125 Morgan County’s tiny town of Deer Lodge is expecting its annual Fourth of July festivities to be bigger and better than ever as residents and visitors celebrate its 125th birthday.Posted on 05 19 2009
Habitat Resale Store ClosedFlooding waters damaged the Appalachia Habitat Resale Store in Sunbright so severely that the building is no longer usable.Posted on 05 19 2009
Graduation Day nears for Class of 2009Members of the Class of 2009 will begin to make their exodus from high school later this week.Posted on 05 12 2009
Schools ban cell phone use for 2009-10Students caught with cell phones during school may face suspension beginning in the fall.Posted on 05 12 2009
Sheriff’s Department Launches Click It or Ticket campaign During 2007, more than fourteen thousand people in passenger vehicles died in crashes while unbelted. At least half of those lives could have been saved if they had been wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. That’s why the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department is joining state and local law enforcement agencies and highway safety groups in supporting an aggressive national Click It or Ticket seatbelt enforcement campaign from May 18 through May 31.Posted on 05 05 2009
New Election Administrator ChosenIt was a quick decision for Election Commissioners to appoint a new Administrator of Elections. The meeting convened at 6 p.m. Monday and about 17 minutes later the decision was made. When Republicans gained control of the Tennessee General Assembly after November’s Election, the local Election Commission shifted from three Democrats and two Republicans to three Republicans and two Democrats.Posted on 05 05 2009
Students from Wartburg College help build park trailThey are some of the better students you’ll find at Wartburg College in Iowa and their fields of study are varied but they came to Wartburg last week with one purpose --" to build 1.8 miles of the Cumberland Trail.Posted on 04 30 2009
Republican majority to choose new administrator of electionsWhen Republicans gained majority of the Tennessee General Assembly after the November Election, they also would eventually gain majority in the Morgan County Election Commission.Posted on 04 22 2009
UT proposes leasing forestland to gas company for drillingOn April 20th a committee of the State Building Commission will consider a request by the University of Tennessee to lease some 8,600 acres to a private company that wants to drill for natural gas.Posted on 04 15 2009
2,441-bed prison opensTennessee Department of Correction is ready to bring its state-of-the-art 2,441-bed prison online in Morgan County and some 100 staff are yet to be hired.Posted on 04 15 2009
TDOC to take prison to full capacityIn February the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) announced that it would put some 621 beds in the new Morgan County Regional Correctional Complex on hold because of budget limitations.Posted on 04 08 2009
Board approves Diden’s contract Members of the Morgan County School Board have agreed to a contract with Dr. Edd Diden to become director of schools beginning July 1.Posted on 04 08 2009
George Hyatte pleads guilty to murderThe suspect in the Roane County Courthouse shooting of corrections officer Wayne "Cotton" Morgan was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.Posted on 04 06 2009
Diden picked as top choice for directorVoting four-one-one the Morgan County Board of Education has decided to negotiate with Dr. Edd Diden as the county’s next director of schools.Posted on 04 06 2009
Board ‘rethinks’ budget cuts; Teachers’ jobs left untouchedThe Morgan County Board of Education undid everything it had done during a Jan. 19th emergency called meeting.Posted on 04 06 2009
P-J special education teacher takes fight for her job to BoardKaren Messamore teaches special education students in middle school grades at Petros-Joyner School, at least for a few more days.Posted on 04 06 2009
Underage officer buys beer at four of 17 local businessesA 19 year old Scott County law enforcement officer was able to purchase beer at four Morgan County businesses without showing proper identification, according to Morgan County Chief Deputy William Angel.Posted on 04 06 2009
County okays schools using $90,000 to match grantSchool board members and school administrators breathed a sigh of relief as they left Monday night's county commission meeting.Posted on 04 06 2009
Board faces major expense to upgrade waste treatmentWhen the Morgan County Board of Education met Monday night, the waste water treatment plant at Coalfield School was the main topic of discussion.Posted on 04 06 2009
Monetary incentives considered for retiring teachersPosted on 04 06 2009
Condra inspires Upper Cumberland Women’s GroupPosted on 04 01 2009
Under InvestigationFor more than two years, local residents have waited for the promised biodiesel plant to open in the Flat Fork Business Park but it became apparent on Monday that it isn’t going to happen.Posted on 04 01 2009
Official opening set for prisonTennessee Department of Correction Commissioner George Little is scheduled to be in Morgan County on April 3rd to “officially” open the Morgan County Correctional Complex.Posted on 03 24 2009
Diden also finalist in Rhea CountyAs reported last week negotiations have begun with Edd Diden to become Morgan County Director of Schools but Diden may have more choices than Morgan County.Posted on 03 24 2009
Hyatte avoids death penalty by pleading guilty in Morgan’s deathThe possibility of lethal injection was apparently too much for George Hyatte. Instead, the former Brushy Mountain prisoner cut a plea deal with prosecutors to take the death penalty off the table.Posted on 03 18 2009
Inquiry into shooting continuesAuthorities aren’t saying much about their investigation of a shooting death reported in Burrville on March 7. Chief Deputy William Angel said the sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate the shooting death of 53-year-old Stewart Davidson.Posted on 03 18 2009
Burrville man found shot to deathAuthorities are continuing to investigate the shooting death of a Burrville man found in his home over the weekend.Posted on 03 10 2009
Four down and two to goThe search for a new director of schools for Morgan County is quickly coming to an end.Posted on 03 04 2009
Board completes interviews with finalists Interviews of the finalists for Morgan County Director of Schools were completed Thursday night.Posted on 03 04 2009
Tears flow as 28 more homes get public waterFew of us know what it’s like to live in a home without running water or a bathroom but that is a reality some residents in our county still face every day.Posted on 02 24 2009
MCSO to add radarMorgan County Sheriff’s deputies will be stepping up traffic patrol in the coming weeks thanks to a grant from the state.Posted on 02 24 2009
Brock pleads in Justice’s deathJust hours before his trial was set to begin accused murderer Dennis Brock entered a plea in the death of Samuel Brisco Justice, Jr.Posted on 02 17 2009
Commissioners want voters to decideEven as the county’s Board of Education is attempting to appoint a new director of schools, county commissioners have voted to ask the State General Assembly to let each county’s voters decide.Posted on 02 17 2009
TDOC cuts 621 beds at prisonIt isn’t even slated to open for a few more months but 621 beds have already been cut at the new prison as the Tennessee Department of Correction attempts to trim its budget.Posted on 02 10 2009
Courtdate set on rock pile disputeIt’s been more than a year since the Chancellor ruled that there was no urgency to remove a rock pile blocking a portion of Farley Davis Road in the Mill Creek community.Posted on 02 03 2009
‘No bill’ in shooting at Edna Mae’s BarA Morgan County Grand Jury said “no bill” on possible charges against a retired trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.Posted on 01 27 2009
Board cuts $203,000 from budget; Homebound position abolishedThe Morgan County Board of Education cut some $203,000 from its budget during an emergency session Monday night.Posted on 01 21 2009
Chef Walter to return for cook offMorgan County's Second Annual Chili Cook off will benefit CASA of the Tennessee Heartland's Morgan County office on Saturday, Jan. 31st from 4 to 7 p.m. at Central Middle School.Posted on 01 14 2009
Two charged in meth bustDeputies with the Morgan County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant at a travel trailer located on Curtain Road in the Coalfield community on Monday.Posted on 01 06 2009
THP, WPD Partner to teach D.A.R.E.In January the Tennessee Highway Patrol in partnership with the Wartburg Police Department will begin teaching D.A.R.E.Posted on 12 22 2008
CASA sets 2009 Chili Cook OffCASA of the Tennessee Heartland will sponsor its First Annual Morgan County Chili Cook Off on Saturday, Feb. 9.Posted on 12 22 2008
Woman stabbed during domestic incidentAn Oakdale woman was transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment of stab wounds last week, according to Sheriff Dennis Ledbetter.Posted on 12 19 2008
Meth bust leads busy weekThe Morgan County Sheriff's Department had a very busy week.Posted on 12 19 2008
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