This Week in White County History, March 24-30

 2014

• Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law a bill that would allow local voters to approve the sale of wine in their grocery stores.
• Jason Sparks was hired as instructor/coordinator for the state fire academy.
• White County Middle School raised more than $14,000, almost doubling their goal of $7,500, for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

2004

• A forest fire in the Lost Creek community burned nearly 200 acres of land, keeping firefighters busy battling the blaze for over 18 hours.
• Bruce Slatten, Warrior basketball head coach, stepped down from his position after three years.
• Brook Thomson, state coordinator of elections for Tennessee, addressed White Countians about the Help America Vote Act of 2002. He spoke to residents about White County’s switch from punch cards to electronic machines.

1994

• The E-911 Personnel Committee met in a special-called meeting to give a second interview to potential director Gene Eller.
• Police Officer Jeff Guth was promoted to sergeant at the Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.
• Amy Key was named Renaissance Pageant Queen and Brandi Guy was named Princess.

1984

• The eastern wall of the Farmers Tobacco Warehouse collapsed because of gusty winds from severe thunderstorms.
• The number of farms in White County increased from 1,097 to 1,160 in a four-year period.
• City Administrator John Jett submitted his resignation, ending his 11-year career with Sparta.

1974

• The Sparta Unit of the Tennessee National Guard was active in riot training activities in different areas of town as part of a drill.
• Mike Ryan was named principal of Doyle Elementary School.
• Mary Lee, age 2, posed for a picture for The Expositor with a scarf she got from Elvis at his concert in Knoxville. During the show, Elvis knelt in front of Lee, and sang “Love Me,” and then presented her with the white scarf he was wearing.