Hillbilly Golf, major hotels, a good portion of Regan Drive and countless other businesses and homes have been destroyed in a blaze that has firefighters continuing their efforts overnight. “The center of Gatlinburg looks good for now,” said Newmansville Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Bobby Balding. “It’s the apocalypse on both sides (of downtown).” Here is a link to the full story from the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Gatlinburg hotels, homes destroyed in fires
Wildfires lead to evacuation of downtown Gatlinburg
The Gatlinburg Fire Department has ordered the mandatory evacuation of downtown Gatlinburg as wind conditions worsen and several fires continue to grow increasingly unpredictable and dangerous. “We were just told by the Gatlinburg Fire Department that they had told everybody in Gatlinburg to get out,” said Judy Tucker, director of Sevier County’s E-911 call center. “… No one’s getting through to anyone. Phones are ringing and not being answered anywhere. It’s chaos.” Please click on this link from the Knoxville News Sentinel
Terrorism suspected in car-and-knife attack at Ohio State
A Somali-born Ohio State University student plowed his car into a group of pedestrians on campus and then got out and began stabbing people with a butcher knife Monday before he was shot to death by a police officer. Police said they are investigating whether it was a terrorist attack. Here is a link to the AP story.
Fidel Castro, dies at 90
Republicans notch big win against Obamacare
In a major win for House Republicans, a federal judge ruled Thursday that the Obama administration inappropriately spent money to pay for part of the Affordable Care Act.
Tax hike, budget cuts part of proposal submitted to Rauner, legislative leaders
Rank-and-file budget negotiators have submitted a proposal to Gov. Bruce Rauner and the four legislative leaders to show how a balanced budget could be achieved through a combination of tax hikes and budget cuts.
Measure to provide $700M for human services advances in Illinois House
An Illinois House committee has given preliminary approval to legislation to spend $700 million to help out financially strapped human services.
Madigan’s Democratic lawyer sues to block redistricting reform referendum
An attorney who’s long been a close ally of Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan has filed a lawsuit trying to block voters from considering a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to remove some of the influence of partisan politics from how state House and Senate district boundaries are drawn.
Shimkus rails on job-destroying EPA rules
Governor Rauner issues statement on HB 580
Statement on the Senate’s Vote of HB 580
SPRINGFIELD – The following is a statement from Catherine Kelly, Press Secretary to Governor Rauner:
“HB 580 is unprecedented and unaffordable, putting hard working families in Illinois on the hook for a $3 billion tax hike. Once again the Democrats in the legislature pandered to special interests and prioritized them over taxpayers. The Governor thanks those Senate Republicans who took the pro-taxpayer position today.”