Hundreds take advantage of first two days of early voting period
Plus: Cross named GM of LaFollette Utilities
Good Monday morning! Welcome to a brand new week. This is The Daybreaker, the first of several newsletters that will be published this week by the Independent Herald. The Daybreaker (Monday morning) and The Weekender (Thursday evening) are our two news-first newsletters. We publish several other newsletters throughout the week, as well as our regular E-Edition on Thursday and our Varsity E-Edition on Sunday (during sports season). If you’d like to adjust your subscription to include (or exclude) this or any of our other newsletters, please do so here. If you need to subscribe, it’s as simple as entering your email address:
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Hundreds take advantage of first two days of early voting
HUNTSVILLE | Early voting in Scott County is running slightly ahead of where it stood at the same point four years ago, according to figures released by the Scott County Election Commission.
After the first two days of early voting for the Aug. 6 state primary and county general election, 441 ballots have been cast. At the same point in the 2022 election cycle, 421 ballots had been cast.
That represents an increase of 20 votes, or about 4.8%, compared to the first two days of early voting in 2022.
Despite the increase in ballots cast, voter participation as a percentage of registered voters is virtually unchanged because Scott County has added voters to its registration rolls over the past four years.
The county now has approximately 13,710 registered voters (13,706 as of May), compared to 13,287 at the same point in 2022. As a result, both elections have seen about 3.2% of registered voters cast ballots through the first two days of early voting.
Party participation has shifted slightly toward Republican voters.
Among party primary ballots cast so far this year, 92.3% have been Republican ballots, while 7.7% have been Democratic ballots. In 2022, 90.3% of party primary ballots were Republican and 9.7% were Democratic. That could be slightly noteworthy because, unlike 2022, there is a Scott Countian on the Democratic ballot. Seth McMillan, a Robbins native, is seeking the state representative seat in the 38th District. While the early breakdown suggests more Scott Countians are not requesting a Democratic ballot to vote for the local candidate, it should also be pointed out that McMillan is running unopposed, and the focus in the state primary is overwhelmingly on the Republican gubernatorial race, where current U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is trying to hold off a challenge from U.S. Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritz. The real race in the 38th District will come in November, when McMillan faces off against Republican Kelly Keisling, the incumbent who is also unopposed in the primary.
Early voting began Friday and will continue through Saturday, Aug. 1. The Election Day voting will be held Thursday, Aug. 6.
Historically, the majority of voters cast their ballots during the two-week early voting period. In 2022, total voter turnout was just over 52%. Of those who cast ballots, fewer than four in 10 did so on Election Day; better than 60% of the ballots were cast during the early voting period. Because of the disparity, races tend to be won or lost during the early voting window. Only the tightest of races see Election Day totals swing the outcome.
See Also: A complete list of candidates and the office they are seeking
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Cross named GM of LaFollette Utilities
LAFOLLETTE, Tenn. | Dave Cross, the former chief executive officer of Plateau Electric Cooperative, has been named to the same post at LaFollette Utilities Board, WLAF was the first to report Friday.
Cross, a Robbins resident, spent 15 years in the chief executive’s office at Plateau Electric before retiring in September 2023. He spent 22 years in finance at PEC before that, for a total career of 37 years with the utility district that provides electricity in Scott and Morgan counties.
Almost immediately after leaving PEC, Cross accepted a job as the city of Oak Ridge’s electric department manager, a post he has held since December 2023.
The Clarkrange native is a graduate of Tennessee Tech University. He and his wife, Cheryl, have six children.
According to WLAF, Cross’s appointment as LUB’s general manager came during a special called meeting Friday afternoon.
TWRA’s ‘baiting privilege license’ available this week
The new Deer Bait Privilege License will be available on GoOutdoorsTennessee.com and in the TWRA On the Go App, starting July 22, 2026. The cost will be $50 for a resident of Tennessee and $100 for a non-resident. Public Chapter No. 444, allowing hunting over bait for white-tailed deer, was initiated by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Bill Lee in the 2025 Legislative Session.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is informing the public that all hunters wishing to hunt white-tailed deer over bait, are required to purchase this license regardless of exemptions, lifetime licenses, and age. It is valid only on private property (owned or leased), across all private properties the hunter may have access to and is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Under the new law, deer baiting is not allowed on Wildlife Management Areas, in the CWD Management Zone, or any CWD-positive county. For a list of counties in the CWD Management Zone and other positive counties, visit the website here. There are specific types and amounts of bait that are authorized and other bait site rules that are in effect. A full list of the regulations for hunting over bait are listed on the website here.
Feeding and baiting wildlife are regulated to protect both wildlife populations and the public. Concentrating animals increases the risk of spreading serious diseases such as CWD, bovine tuberculosis, and brucellosis, which can affect wildlife, livestock, and pets. Poor‑quality or improperly stored grains may contain aflatoxins that are highly toxic to species like turkeys and quail. Grain overload, or acidosis, can occur with sudden shifts to carbohydrate-rich diets (like corn) during winter, creating a disruption in normal digestive processes, sometimes resulting in fatal outcomes.
Additionally, feed/bait can unintentionally attract raccoons, feral hogs, and growing black bear populations, increasing the likelihood of predation, nuisance issues, and habitat and property damage. Hunters should consider these issues when placing and leaving bait on the landscape.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
Words of Wisdom
Each week, Preacher Johnny Polk and the Oneida Church of Christ present Words of Wisdom, short devotionals that are archived on our website. Here is the current Words of Wisdom. (Sponsored content.)
🌦️ Weather: Warm temperatures and occasional thunderstorms will greet the week, as we push into the mid to upper 80s Monday and Tuesday with chances of storms. The best chance of thunderstorms will come Tuesday and Tuesday night, as a cold front arrives. There’s a slight risk of severe weather during that time frame. We’ll be a little “cooler” after Wednesday, with drier conditions to end the week. Check out our daily Eye to the Sky updates on our Facebook page — published each morning at 7 a.m. on the dot — or always available at indherald.com.
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📅 Community Calendar
Monday: The Scott Appalachian Industries Senior Center (Monticello Pike, Huntsville) offers a walking program, puzzles and games, and massage chairs every weekday (Monday-Friday) from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Monday: Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services’ Mobile Health Clinic will be in the Walmart parking lot in Oneida from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering integrated primary care and behavioral health. No insurance is not a problem. Call (866) 599-0466 for more information.
Monday: Early voting will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville and the Oneida Municipal Services Building. Registered Scott County voters must provide an eligible photo ID to vote.
Monday: The Huntsville Municipal Pool is open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. each week day. Admission is $3. The Oneida City Park Splash Pad is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $7 for dine-in or carry-out. Phone: (423) 569-5972.
Monday: Scott County Commission will meet in regular session at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville, beginning at 5 p.m.
Tuesday: Early voting will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville and the Oneida Municipal Services Building. Registered Scott County voters must provide an eligible photo ID to vote.
Tuesday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will host exercise from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Tuesday: Pinnacle Resource Center’s food pantry (1513 Jeffers Road, Huntsville) will be open beginning at 9:45 a.m. There are no income guidelines; however, a photo ID and a piece of mail with a Scott County address are required.
Tuesday: Boy Scout Troop #333 will meet at the Oneida War Memorial Building on Alberta Street in Oneida beginning at 6 p.m.
Tuesday: Wall Builders will meet from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church (1611 Glass House Road, Helenwood) for those struggling with addiction or striving to keep off drugs. There will be preaching, teaching, food, fellowship and personal counseling.
Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 7 p.m. at the Highway 27 Unity Club (17737 S. Alberta Street, Oneida).
Wednesday: Early voting will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville and the Oneida Municipal Services Building. Registered Scott County voters must provide an eligible photo ID to vote.
Wednesday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $7 for dine-in or carry-out.
Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 12 p.m. at the Highway 27 Unity Club (17737 S. Alberta Street, Oneida).
Thursday: The Gerry McDonald Mission House, located on Church Avenue, directly behind First United Methodist Church, is closed today.
Thursday: Early voting will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville and the Oneida Municipal Services Building. Registered Scott County voters must provide an eligible photo ID to vote.
Thursday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will host exercise from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Friday: Early voting will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville and the Oneida Municipal Services Building. Registered Scott County voters must provide an eligible photo ID to vote.
Friday: The Big South Fork swimming pool at Bandy Creek is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 for ages 13 and up, or $2 for ages 6-12.
The Community Calendar is presented weekly by Citizens Gas Utility District. Citizens Gas Utility District pipelines are generally safe. They can be damaged by things such as excavation, natural forces, and automobile accidents. These can potentially cause a leak.Visit citizensgastn.com.
Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be Echoes From the Past tomorrow. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!
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Our Newsletters:
• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
• Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
• Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
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