Congressional Candidate Chris Finley Makes Campaign Stop in DeKalb County

September 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Congressional candidate Chris Finley was in DeKalb County Wednesday on the campaign trail in his quest to unseat Incumbent John Rose in the November 3 election.

Finley, a Democrat, is from Sparta but he has roots in DeKalb County as his mother was a local native.

If elected, Finley said he would hold regular town hall meetings and respond to the needs of the common man rather than big business people. Finley said.

“Everybody in these big companies especially these chief executives are increasing their pay while squeezing the working people even more. That’s what is wrong with our country right now. The working Joe’s and Jane’s are just pawns. They are numbers. You don’t see that in small businesses. They (small businesses) take care of their employees because they know that is who is important,” he said.

Finley added that Congress is also blame. “ Some of them have been in Washington so long that they have forgotten what it is to work for a paycheck. They have given themselves great benefits and pay. They spend all their time in Washington but they don’t interact with people,” he said.

“One of the major things I want to bring back is a town hall meeting. The important thing is that I will listen. I don’t know everything and if I get elected I still won’t know everything. Some of these guys (congressmen) seem like they do know everything and don’t ever listen to people. I am hearing that over and over again about how disconnected they are and that they live in a bubble. How do you solve that? You find somebody who is willing to get out among the people and listen to their issues,” said Finley.

In a prepared media release, Finley said “ I was born and raised on the family farm in which I still own. I graduated from White County High School. At Tennessee Tech I earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in accounting and a minor in history.

“My roots and love of Tennessee run very deep. My great, great, great, great grandfather fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain and is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Lebanon. Many of my other ancestors fought in the Revolution as well, and two of them died during the War. My great, great grandfather and his brother signed the first petition to form Putnam County in 1842. I am blessed to be part of a long line that has fought and worked to make our community a better place for us all”.

“My father was also born in White County, and after serving in World War II, he was a banker for 33 years. My father loved people and worked hard to serve his community’s needs. Many is the time I have been told how my father helped someone in tough times. I learned from him to care for the people in my community, to reach out and help whenever possible”.

“My mother was born in DeKalb County. Her family had close ties with Joe L. Evins. It was from those ties that I learned how a member of Congress can serve and help in the community. The love and respect for Joe L. Evins is evidenced by the many buildings in the district which bear his name”.

“I suppose service is in my DNA, and I have been disappointed in our representatives in Congress not living up to the ideals of Joe L. Evins. The people of his district came first. They were his friends and neighbors, and he worked hard to improve the lives of those people in all parts of the district. It’s time for you the voter to be once again the first priority of your Representative in Congress”.

“There is much work to be done, and I ask for your help to put this on the right path, to reach out across party lines and get the job done. To that end, I pledge to have town hall meetings throughout my time in Congress, to give my friends and neighbors a real voice. Together, let’s be the difference our country needs in these difficult times,” the statement concluded.

Finley is one of two candidates on the ballot trying to defeat Congressman Rose, a Republican. The other is Christopher B. Monday, an Independent.

September 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Two of WJLE’s Fearless Forecasters tied for having the best record picking winners during last week’s debut show for the college football season.

Grant James and Ricky Atnip each compiled a record of 9-3 last week. Chad Kirby, Scott Goodwin, Dewain Hendrixson, John Pryor, and Will Graham each went 8-4. Darrell Gill and Scott Brown were each at 7-5 while Jared Davis was 6-6

Five forecasters hit their underdog picks last week. Darrell Gill got 14 points with Liberty’s upset of Western Kentucky 30-24. Grant James got on the board with 7 points as Navy defeated Tulane 27-24. Dewain Hendrixon got 6 points with Boston College’s 26-6 win over Duke. Scott Goodwin picked up 5.5 points as Louisiana Tech upended Southern Miss 31-30 and Scott Brown got 2.5 points with Miami’s 47-34 win over Louisville.

Today (Thursday) the Forecasters will be picking winners in the following games:

Iowa State at TCU, Tulane at Southern Miss, Duke at Virginia, N.C. State at Virginia Tech, Louisville at Pittsburgh, West Virginia at Oklahoma State, UAB at South Alabama, South Florida at FAU, Florida State at Miami, Mississippi State at LSU, Florida at Ole Miss, Kentucky at Auburn, Vanderbilt at Texas A&M, Tennessee at South Carolina, and the Tennessee Titans at Minnesota
Catch the Fearless Forecasters on WJLE today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.

The program is sponsored by the Charles D. Atnip Realty and Auction Company, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, FirstBank, DeKalb County Insurance, Davis Auto Body, Gill Automotive, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Graham Services, DeKalb County Ace Hardware, and Dominos Pizza.

September 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

“Vol Calls,” the official statewide call-in radio show for the University of Tennessee Volunteers, kicks off its 2020-21 season on Wednesday, Sept. 16, on location from Calhoun’s On the River in downtown Knoxville.

The one-hour show airs at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT across the state of Tennessee. Bob Kesling, the voice of the Tennessee Volunteers and UT’s director of broadcasting, serves as the show’s host and is joined by Vol Network veteran Brent Hubbs to answer questions and provide the latest news and information on Tennessee Athletics.

Weather permitting, the show will be held outside each week during the fall on the restaurant’s large outdoor patio deck overlooking the Tennessee River and Neyland Stadium. Head coach Jeremy Pruitt will make his show debut virtually on Sept. 23.

Calhoun’s and the Vol Network will adhere to the local health, safety and social distancing guidelines outlined in the state of Tennessee’s “Tennessee Pledge” plan. Following these safety guidelines, the radio broadcast position will be sectioned off and the seating areas socially distanced. Due to COVID-19, show hosts and guests will not sign autographs or pose for photos next to fans this fall.

Calhoun’s On the River returns as the home of “Vol Calls” for the ninth straight season. Famous for its award-winning ribs, BBQ and other delicious Southern dishes, Calhoun’s is one of Tennessee’s most popular restaurant destinations. The restaurant will give away special prizes each week during football season through its Facebook and Twitter (@calhouns) pages.

Celebrating 33 years as one of the oldest shows of its kind in the country, “Vol Calls” is the exclusive statewide radio show that allows Tennessee fans to call in and talk with the head coaches of the Volunteers.

Fans can place a “Vol Call” anywhere in the United States by dialing 1-800-688-8657 (VOLS) or on Twitter @VolNetwork, #AskVolNetwork. The program can be heard on 50-plus radio stations across the state of Tennessee on the Vol Radio Network and all over the world through utsports.com and the Tennessee Athletics app.