NEWPORT-With the current Cocke County Landfill nearing capacity, the county has now purchased adjacent property to extend the life of the site, located on Old Asheville Highway.

Property owner Shirley Ball signed a deal Monday, completing the sale of 10 acres of property that will be used for the landfill expansion.

Cocke County Mayor Vaughn Moore, who had been in negotiations with Ball about the purchase of the land, said the current landfill would only last for three to four years. He said the additional 10 acres, purchased at $15,000 an acre, will give the county an estimated 10 additional years at the site.

For more details, please see the latest edition of the Newport Plain Talk.