Storytelling Center Files for Bankruptcy

The International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Due to relying almost entirely on its annual storytelling festival along with the recession the Storytelling Center lost the ability to function financially. Therefore, the Center filed for bankruptcy to relieve its debts. It hopes to rise from this stronger than ever.

New Exhibit at Fossil Site

The Gray Fossil Site is introducing a new exhibit. The exhibit is similar to one they had several years ago of a Tyrannosaurus Rex that was very popular. This one, entitled, “Building Triceratops”, will be an exhibit of them building the model of the dinosaur. It gives visitors the opportunity to see the creation of a dinosaur exhibit. The Gray Fossil Site is open every day from 8:30am until 5pm.

Tennessee's New Governor

Former Knoxville mayor, Bill Haslam, was sworn in as Tennessee’s governor last Saturday. In his inaugural speech, he stressed the need for education reform and the need to improve Tennessee’s economy and healthcare. He is now Tennessee’s 49th governor and replaces Phil Bredesen.

Golden Voice

Ted Williams, dubbed “The Man with the Golden Voice”, appeared on the Today Show recently to tell the story of how he jumped from homeless to famous overnight. Williams was formerly a radio announcer until he got into drugs and alcohol. He was homeless on the street corner until a reporter ran into him one day. His voice was so good that the report spread across the internet overnight. Williams now has many job offers. In his Today Show interview, he said that after discovering God in the past year, he had been praying that his mother would live to see him get back on his feet. He says he is now giving much thanks to God.

Shooting at Congressional Meet and Greet

Six people were left dead after a shooting in Tucson, AR. The shooting was targeting Representative Gabrielle Giffords who was holding an event to meet her constituents. Several people showed acts of heroine at the event including several people who wrestled the gunman down to stop the massacre.

The victims included:
Christina-Taylor Green was a nine-year-old who was born on September 11, 2001.
Dorothy Morris attended the event with her husband George.
Federal Judge John Roll Gabe Zimmerman was one of Rep. Giffords’s aides and had recently become engaged.
Dorwin Stoddard was a well respected member of a local Church of Christ.
He died blocking his wife from gunfire.
Phyllis Schneck was a 79-year-old great grandmother.

An Extremely Snowy Winter

Snow has been blasting the Tri-Cities region for weeks now. It is not anywhere near to an end. Snow is in forecast for the foreseeable future. Towns are beginning to run out of salt for the roads, and schools are running out of snow days.

Chris Vaughn Finishes First Semester at Hillsong

On the April 29th of last year, we told you about Chris Vaughn who had strayed away from God, but was now returning. He wanted to be a worship leader, so he decided to go to Hillsong College. Chris has now completed his first semester at Hillsong, and is at home for the holidays.