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Mountain City, Tennessee 37683Your Community Newspaper, Established 1874 75 centsVol. 147 No. 48

www.thetomahawk.com

THE TOMAHAWKWednesday, December 1, 2021

Community Calendar ...........A2Inside News ..........................A3Public Safety ........................A4Community Matters ..............A5Service Directory ...............A4,5

From Page One ...................A6Sports ................................B1,6Obituaries .............................B2Patriots’ Day Feature ...........B3Classifieds/Faith ...................B5

INSIDE:

By Tate DavisFREELANCE WRITER

Reports of a rash of catalytic converter thefts have the Laurel community on edge. Catalytic con-verters contain platinum, rhodium, and palladium. These valuable rare metals can entice illicit scrappers.

With skyrocketing thefts nation-wide, authorities have taken notice.

A new Tennessee law that took

effect on July 1 requires, “Any person engaged in the business of buying and/or selling scrap metal including unattached catalytic converters as a single item and not as part of a scrapped motor vehicle shall give written notification to the chief of police and sheriff in each city and county in which the activ-ity occurs.”

The same law restricts purchases of used, detached catalytic convert-

ers to registered scrap metal deal-ers. In turn, registered scrap metal dealers are required to maintain documentation on the source of the catalytic converter, including a copy of the seller’s photo iden-tification.

A release from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance cited National Insurance Crime Bureau data stating thefts of catalytic converters rose from 282

a month in 2019 to 1,203 a month in 2020.

Hybrid vehicles feature convert-ers containing more rare metals and are at especially high risk for theft. SUVs and trucks are often targets due to their higher ground clear-ance. Accessing the converter typi-cally requires sliding underneath the center of the vehicle. People working under a vehicle without a

Scrap metal theft hit Laurel community

Wishing you peace and blessings this holiday season.

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Your Community Bank

423-727-8121Member

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By Meg DickensFREELANCE WRITER

Johnson County Schools has been earning a lot of kudos in the last few years. Other than several state board appointments that helped put the rural town on the map, Johnson County has also managed to not take substantial test score losses despite the nationwide learning loss related to the Covid-19 pandemic. On October 7, the Johnson County School Board once again earned the Board of Distinction Award.

Kevin Long, a regional director of the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA), presented

Johnson Co. School Board honored

By Teresa CrowderFREELANCE WRITER

Christmas comes to us in an ar-ray of sights, sounds, smells, and blessings of the spirit. Beautiful bright displays adorn the streets and homes, filling residents with the delightful essence of giving and celebrating the season with those they love.

Many yearn to sample warm, rich holiday cookies and cakes fresh out of the oven. Kitchens are full of baking and tasting. Scents of apples, cinnamon, cloves, or-anges swirl along with the sharp, sweet, refreshing aroma of pine as we decorate the ever-gallant tree of choice.

People look forward to family gatherings, church plays, seeing old friends, and the anticipation of snowy nights snuggled up with

Mountain City celebrates season with Main Street festivities

See Theft Page A4

See Main Street Page A4

See Honored Page A4

Submitted By Meg Dickens

The Johnson County Senior Center staff, volunteers, and mem-bers make it a point to show they are thankful throughout the year. Thanksgiving triggers this emotion even more. As a part of the holiday spirit, the center hosted a Thanks-giving storytelling event featuring Director Kathy Motsinger, former Bus Driver Terry Hodge, and Board of Directors Member Dr. John Payne.

The three speakers focused on the meaning of being thankful among the tragedies each member faced. Motsinger mentioned the loss of her son and husband, Hodge recounted the recent loss of his daughter and in-laws, and Payne recalled his close brush with death itself. Each speaker mentioned the members’ and center’s support that helped them traverse these arduous paths. Each speaker became emotional.

“God hasn’t made a mistake with me being here,” Hodge explained about his time at the center and the

A Thanksgiving surprise at the senior center

Johnson County Senior Center Director Kathy Motsinger, left, presents retiring bus driver Terry Hodge with a plaque of appreciation. Dr. John Payne, right, assisted in hosting the Senior

Thanksgiving storytelling event. Submitted photo

Send a Season Greetingsand your warmest wishes to a group,

community, customers, family or individual. For advertising information, contact Rick Wallace

(423) 727-6121 ext. 22 | adsales@thetomahawk.comCHRISTMAS CARD ADS: include color, photo, name and message. Publishing Dec. 22

$1000

Local business owner Melissa Gentry is busy getting her store, Mountain City Antiques and Collectables, decorated for the season. The business is located in the heart of town, keeping pace with the rest of Mountain City’s holiday décor and festivities, which for

many started extra early and will likely reach a bit longer into the new year. Photo by Tamas Mondovics

By Tate Davis FREELANCE WRITER

Five years ago this week, wild-fires in and around Gatlinburg were raging out of control, eventually burning some 17,000 acres and more than 2,000 buildings while killing 14 and injuring 190. Units from Shady Valley and Neva were part of the response to the massive fire. According to the Tennessee Division of Forestry, though the Gatlinburg fire captured national attention, it was one of 1,427 that burned 44,027 acres in the cata-strophic 2016 fire season.

Six weeks into this fire season and with little chance of rain over the next week, weather conditions across the region rapidly present significant wildfire danger.

A fire broke out Saturday on Pilot Mountain in Surry County, North Carolina. On social media,

Nearby wildfires mark an ominous start to fire season

See Storytelling Page A4

See Fires Page A4

“Sidewalks Dressed in Holiday Style”