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Hundreds of millions of dollars are on the line in hopes of turning grass into fuel. Tennessee taxpayers paid $70-million towards the plan to produce ethanol from home grown switchgrass. After five yearsMore >> Hundreds of millions of dollars are on the line in hopes of turning grass into fuel. Tennessee taxpayers paid $70 million towards the plan to produce ethanol from home grown switch grass. After five yearsMore >> A bear is on the loose in Oak Ridge. For one family, the animal came too close for comfort.The bear has been spotted in several locations across the city.
More >> A bear is on the loose in Oak Ridge. For one family, the animal came too close for comfort. The bear has been spotted in several locations across the city.
More >> RICEVILLE (WATE) - A McMinn county boy is recovering after being attacked by a donkey. The 12-year-old told deputies said he was walking on County Road 58 near his Riceville home on Saturday when theMore >> A McMinn county boy is recovering after being attacked by a donkey.More >> Thieves manage to steal a roof right off of a McMinn county cabin.More >> Thieves manage to steal a roof right off of a McMinn county cabin.More >> A day after Knox County Commission Chair Mike Hammond and School Board Chair Thomas Deakins presented a new budget proposal at a joint meeting, some commissioners are discussing supporting it.More >> A day after Knox County Commission Chair Mike Hammond and School Board Chair Thomas Deakins presented a new budget proposal at a joint meeting, some commissioners are discussing supporting it.More >> Debby Jennings, the former associate athletics director for media relations, became a legend behind the scenes for the Lady Vols basketball program over the past 35 years. However, she says was forced to retire.More >> Debby Jennings, the former associate athletics director for media relations, became a legend behind the scenes for the Lady Vols basketball program over the past 35 years. However, she says was forced to retire.More >> Sharlene Justice, 49, the former secretary for the Morgan County Soil Conservation District, was arrested Wednesday on a theft charge.More >> Sharlene Justice, 49, the former secretary for the Morgan County Soil Conservation District, was arrested Wednesday on a theft charge.More >> The doors were locked Wednesday night at Scott County's only hospital, ending decades of service for some doctors, nurses and other staff.More >> The doors were locked Wednesday night at Scott County's only hospital, ending decades of service for some doctors, nurses and other staff.More >> Supporters of a big proposed funding increase for Knox County Schools are stepping up their efforts to sway public opinion.More >> Supporters of a big proposed funding increase for Knox County Schools are stepping up their efforts to sway public opinion.More >> A rare type of meningitis recently took the life of a 12-year-old girl in Roane County. Morgan Peters died in early May after she was diagnosed with bacterial spinal meningitis.More >> A rare type of meningitis recently took the life of a 12-year-old girl in Roane County. Morgan Peters died in early May after she was diagnosed with bacterial spinal meningitis.More >>
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Knox County Commission Chairman Mike Hammond says he's learning more about the fate of Lakeshore Mental Health Institute.
Hammond was invited to the Tennessee House hearing on Gov. Bill Haslam's budget proposal. He says he's confident lawmakers will vote to provide around $20.5 million in funding for mental health programs back into East Tennessee if Lakeshore closes.
Hammond also says the budget for Peninsula Health Care Facility could be increased as much as three or four times once patients are transferred there from Lakeshore.
Hammond says Mental Health Commissioner Doug Varney said during the hearing that there are no funds left for a state-funded safety center, something that was originally promised for East Tennessee.
"That's one of the issues we talked about is having a separate facility to deal with that and using some of the state dollars to for it. But Commissioner Varney was asked that by Rep. Harry Brooks, and he said right now there are no safety dollars for a safety center in the state budget," Hammond said.
Hammond says Rep. Brooks suggested that Lakeshore's property be leased and not put up for sale.
Lakeshore is expected to close in June if Gov. Haslam's budget proposal passes.
