Local News

The Springfield City Council has approved a $2.25 million budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year. The estimated revenues include $725,000 from occupational taxes, $275,000 from property taxes, $360,000 from city licenses and $120,000 from tourism taxes. It also includes $323,741 carried over from the previous year.

Estimated expenditures include $599,135 for police, $483,130 for administration, $321,994 for public works, $296,476 for dispatch, $168,875 for Idle Hour Park, $167,464 for fire, and $129,667 for the Springfield Main Street Renaissance Commission.

Mother Nature wasn’t cooperating this weekend as the rains fell during the 2010 Washington County Relay for Life. But while attendance was down, the event still managed to raise more than $27,000 for the American Cancer Society.

“With the economy the way it is, I was hoping to reach $20,000,” said Cathy Carrico, a member of the Relay committee. “We still have some money coming in, and our fundraising for the year ends in August, so we’re hoping to get a little more.”

It’s not uncommon to say someone grew up on a farm in Washington County, and it’s as true of Jordan Settles as it is of anyone you’ll meet. Not only did he grow up on a farm, the 19-year-old literally grew up farming.

“He’s been working cattle since he was four years old,” said Charlotte Settles, Jordan’s mother. “He and Jeff came in and Jeff said, ‘Tell Momma what you’ve been doing.’ He had been opening and closing the gate as they got the cattle in. I couldn’t believe it.”

A group of 13 young ladies will take center stage Saturday night to compete for the title of 2011 Washington County Junior Miss.

Jordon Mudd, co-chair of the event, said the participants have worked hard, and she sees a lot of responsibility and determination from the group.