Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part series, looking back on the year 2022.

July

A shooting a July 4 Christmas parade in Lake Forest, Ill. Left six dead and 30 hurt. The shooting sparked an hours long manhunt before the shooter was arrested.

The July 4 celebration at Cherokee Park in Hamblne County featured Fire Lake, a Bob Seger tribune band. Fireworks – sponsored by the Terry Law Firm – ended the evening with a bang.

On July 5, David Purkey was nominated to the Morristown Utilities Commission by Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney. Purkey, a former Hamblen County Mayor who served as the state Commissioner of the Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security, replaced longtime commission member Elkins.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson – on July 7 – resigned his office after top members of the government revolted against his leadership.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assisinated July 8 as he delievered a campaign speech. Abe was 67 and had been Japan’s longest serving leader when he resigned in 2020.

The Tennesseee Organization of School Superintendents issued a response to a Michigan Charter School Advocate who insulted teachers during remarks made before Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee at a private event in Franklin, Tenn. On July 8, TOSS took issue with the remarks and praised the work done by public school teachers and educators across the state.

On July 12, U.S. Air Force Gen. Arnold Bunch (Ret.) began his new career as superintendent of Hamblen County Schools.

Also on July 12, The Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its candidate forum featuring candidates in the August General and the August Primary elections.

The two Morristown Rotary Clubs – Noon and AM – merged to form a single club on July 14. The clubs came together to form a single club after 25 years as two clubs. The new club installed new officers and moved forward with President Justin Cook.

More than 50 direct descendants of Davy Crockett visited the Crockett Tavern Museum in Morristown on July 23.

On July 24, the Grainger County Tomato Festival wrapped up another successful weekend in Rutledge.

On July 25, Lakeway Area Habitat for Humanity dedicated its 62nd home.The Parker family was thrilled with its new home on East Third North Street.

July 28, New superintendent of Hamblen County Schools Arnold Bunch welcomed teachers and staff back to school with an event at the West High School Auditorium.

August

On Thursday, August 4, Hamblen County voters went to the polls and selected Republican candidates in every contested race. Among the winners were Hamblen County Mayor Bill Brittain, County Trustee Scotty Long and Circuit Court Clerk Teresa West.

On Saturday, August 6, the Boys & Girls Club of Morristown held its annual Super Auction, raising $160,000.

Olivia Newton John, who played Sandy in the film “Grease” died on Aug 8. She was 73. The Australian singer had hits in the 1980s with Physical and Hopelessly Devoted to You.

Thanks to DNA testing, the identity of remains found in Grainger County were publicly identified August 10. In September of 1996, TBI agents assisted the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office in the recovery of human remains. After 25 years, the remains were identified as Brenda Clark thanks to DNA testing of her twin sister.

On August 11, a black bear broke into a car in Cosby and became stuck, It trashed the 2007 Honda Pilot. The bear exited when a Cocke County deputy shot two 12 gauge bean bag rounds into a passenger window, breaking the window and allowing the bear to escape.

Shannon Greene announced on August 14 that a Marriott hotel is among the new developments at Merchants Greene.

August 20, a car driven by an allegedly drunk driver crashed into a home on Louise Ave., killing a toddler who was sleeping inside the home. Walter Noe Mendez is wanted in the crash but fled the scene and has not been found.

U.S. Sen. Bill Haggerty visited downtown Morristown to speak with business owners on August 19. Lee listened to business owners and discussed his efforts to change regulations to bring chip manufacturers back to U.S. shores.

The Morristown West Trojans got off to a fast start against crosstown rival Morristown East and took the season-opening win in the Citizen Tribune Kickoff Classic.

Friends and colleagues of retiring Judge Janice Snider came to celebrate her 16 years as an elected judge on August 22.

A Morristown Hamblen High School West teacher – Brian Marcum – was killed in a wreck on Highway 160 August 24.

Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee was diagnosed with lymphoma, her husband – Gov. Bill Lee – announced on August 26.

August 27 was a day for festivals as the HOLA Lakeway International Food Festival and the Bigfoot Festival at Cherokee Park each took place.

August 30, Symmco, based in Sykesville, Pennsylvania, announced it will locate at 70K-square foot building and a $13 million investment. The powdered metal facility will bring 86 jobs to Hawkins County.

September

A trio of Medal of Honor recipients visited Hamblen County Schools Sept. 7. The three men – Maj. Gen. Jim Livingstone, Col. Don “Doc” Ballard and Sgt. Allen James Lynch spoke to students about their experiences.

Also on Sept. 7, the famous Budweiser Clydesdales were in Morristown, drawing a massive crowd to the Sandstone Drive Food City.

On Sept. 8, Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died, ending the longest reign of any British Monarch. She was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles III.

Also on Sept. 8, tours started at the Morristown Regional Airport for the B-25 Mitchell Bomber – known as the Berlin Express, Visitors could learn about the classic bomber or take rides.

On Sept. 13, it was announced that Lovin’s Furniture Appliances Bedding of Talbott was named BrandSource Dealer of the Year for the Southeast Region.

Also on Sept, 13, Appalachian Electric Cooperative was awarded a broadband grant for $8.6 million.

Stan Johnson – longtime Citizen Tribune columnist – died September 22. Johnson had retired from the paper but was remembered for his variety of columns and his Life in a Cat House essay about living with his cats.

On September 22, Tim Barbee was announced as the new Parks and Recreation Department director. Barbee comes to the Lakeway Area from Bay County Florida.

The No. 11 Tennessee Vols improved to 4-0 with a win over Florida, 38-33 on Sept. 24. The Vols jumped out to a 17-point lead then held off a late Gators rally for the first win over Florida since 2016.

Country music legend Marty Stuart performs at the Wallace Show kickoff. The annual trade show – helped celebrated Wallace’s 100th anniversary.

October

Country Music legend Loretta Lynn – the coal miner’s daughter – dies on Oct. 3. She was 90.

Handsome Brook farms announced its intentions to invest $31 million and bring 140 jobs with an egg processing facility at the East Tennessee Progress Center on Oct, 7.

Volunteers go on the road and jump out to early lead and never look back against LSU on Oct. 9.

Morristown Utilities sends crews to Florida to help with the wake of Hurricane Ian on Oct. 11.

On Oct 14, Country performer Hayden Coffman performed at Fulton Hill Park in Morristown. The concert had been delayed from earlier due to the remnants of Hurricane Ian.

In the most dramatic game in Neyland Stadium in years, the Tennessee Vols snuck a ball over the crossbar at the end of the game to take a 52-49 win over Alabama on Oct. 15. Jalin Hyatt had five touchdown catches in the winning effort. The win snapped a 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide.

On Oct. 17, Great Smoky Mountain National Park officials announced the Look Rock Campground had been reopened nine years after it closed.

Dr. Sidney McPhee, president of MTSU, met with local leaders at the Little Dutch Restaurant in downtown Morristown Oct. 20.

After a two year hiatus, the Mountain Makins Festival returned to the Rose Center October 21. The multi-day festival featured crafters and performers from all over the region.

Also Oct. 21, five people were inducted into the Trojan Army Hall of Fame. The inductees were Frank McGuffin, John Litz, the late Dr. Ashley Campbell Lindley, Suzanne Cox and Michael Abbott Jr.

Rusty Wallace Toyota Inc. donated $5,000 check to Girls Inc. NASCAR Legend Rusty Wallace was on hand for the check presentation on Oct. 26.

Former Tennessee First Lady Honey Alexander died October 30. The wife of former governor and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander was 77.

November

The Volunteers were rated the top team in the country in the first College Football Playoff rankings which were released on Nov. 1. The Vols held the top spot until they fell to Georgia the next week.

The Hamblen County Board of Education voted to ask state legislators to reconsider a state law that would force third graders statewide into summer school, after school tutoring or to repeat the third grade if they did not perform up to current standards on their reading assessment, Local educators – and educators across the state – said the law took too much control out of local hands and put too much emphasis on a single test.

November 4, the Morristown West Trojans advanced in the playoffs with a first round win. Morristown fell to eventual champion Knox West.

On November 15, Ticketmaster’s attempt to offer pre-sale tickets for Taylor Swift’s tour went awry, angering thousands of Taylor Swift fans and sparking talk of Congressional investigations.

The Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce held its 112th annual meeting on November 17. The late Gene Jolley was given the R. Jack Fishman award posthumously.

The Daily Bread served another Thanksgiving Day meal for those in need on Nov. 24. With the help of dozens of volunteers, those in need were served a hot, hearty meal for the holiday.

The Citizen Tribune Holiday Hope Fund Goal is set at $100,000.

On November 27, the city of Morristown held its annual kickoff to the holiday season with the tree lighting ceremony at the Farmers Market.

Tennessee comptroller Jason Mumpower reports multiple issues with Newport Utilities Broadband project. The finding alleged several improper or incorrect handling of money by the utility.

Christian Pulisic’s goal lifts the U.S. over Iran in the World Cip in Qatar on Nov. 29. The three points from the win lifted the U.S. into the second round of World Cup competition.

December

Mark and Digger – from the Moonshiners reality TV show – make an appearance at the Bulls Gap Christmas Parade on Dec. 3.

Democratic Sen. Rafael Warnock held off a challenge from Republican Herschel Walker in a Georgia runoff on Dec. 6. Walker’s campaign faltered as several late revelations and controversial statements undermined his efforts.

WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed from a Russian Gulag after months of detention in Russia on Dec. 8. The Joe Biden Administration swapped a Russian arms dealer to secure Griner’s freedom.

On Dec. 10, the Jingle Run for Hope raised money for the Morristown Regional Cancer Center, drawing dozens of runners and walkers to downtown Morristown.

On Dec. 13, the Hamblen County Board of Education renamed the main office building in honor of Hugh Clement, assistant superintendent of schools, in honor of his long service to Hamblen County schools.

An audit revealed multiple deficiencies inside the Department of Children’s Services on Dec. 13. The 164-page report revealed 34 instances where reports of sexual abuse and harassment went uninvestigated.

The Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office seized $100,000 in cash during a drug raid December 14. Three people were arrested. Sheriff Chad Mullins said he was proud of the Narcotics Division’s work.

Helping those in need was the theme for the week as both the Hamblen County’s FOP and Rotary Club held shopping events to provide Christmas presents for area children in need while Food on Foot held its annual Christmas give away.

The Morristown Task Force for Diversity announced the Freedom Rider Joan Browning will be the guest speaker at its annual Martin Luther King Jr. banquet in January.

On Dec. 19, the I-81 Exit 8 Dollar General announced its opening next to the McDonald’s.

A Christmas Miracle on December 23, an anonymous donor brought a check for $23,000 to help the Citizen Tribune Holiday Hope Fund meet its goal for the season. On the same day, the United Way announced it had reached its campaign goal as well.

On Dec, 23, a massive drop in temperature and the ensuing winds brought massive issues to the Lakeway Area and much of the country. The Tennessee Valley Authority asked local power providers to implement rolling blackouts and encouraged residents to cut back on power usage.

The extremely cold temperatures lingered through Christmas morning and were followed by Monday snowfalls that caused slick roads and traffic incidents across East Tennessee, especially south of I-40.