Work Crews Dodge Major Rock Slide on Highway 64

I completely agree. I work on the river as a photographer and the river road is something i know better than most. I drive from one side of the river to the other at least 8 times a day on the weekends through the summer and have learned every nook and cranny of it. I do agree that they need to fix the road and use a little more common since about taking all the trees away. Putting the rivits in the road like they did this year was also a stupid move, messes up cars, and creates more vibration for the road itself. If you stand on the side of the road you can feel the whole road vibrate when a car hits the side rivits, which creates more of a chance of rock slides. Add that to the fact that they keep taking trees, and the recent rain and boom, rock slide. I hope for everyone's sake that they do build a new road that will be easier and faster for people commuting, however, i also hope for the sake of the entirity of polk county that they fix 64 as well. A lot of our economy depends on the river, and no thats not just because i work there, but it brings tons of business to the community and jobs that we need.

My God, You are a truly SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi,I am from the copperbasin area and what you said is stupid! My dad works for tdot and they are doing the best they can. i'm eight months pregnant and i have to travel through tellico to get to cleveland to my dr so i know like every one else how bad it is so does my sisters who travel it every day to school, but everyone complaining to each other instead of the big boss in charge isn't going to change any thing. If your that sick and think thats funny you need help. My granddad died in the 80's in the mines because of some one was sick enough to take an out of order sign off a machine do you think thats funny when it costed so many people their lives! if you don't like polk co. it's simple stay in ashville,nc we don't need any more sick thinking we have our own sick minded people that say and do enough sick crap for everyone!!

You are a FREAKING LUNATIC AND ANYONE THAT HAS READ YOUR POST PROBABLY SAYS THE SAME!!! Just when you think the ppl in this world can't get any worse ppl like you RUN THEIR STUPID MOUTHS!!!!! GET A LIFE!!!!!

Why would you allow such a comment to be posted?
That person is either mentally disturbed or very confused as to what they were writing!

The person who said that it was a shame no one was killed obviously plays too many video games and thinks we could've just hit a redo or replay button and everyone would have magically be okay at the restart. What a sad individual to wish that people could have been in the way of that rock slide. I travel that road frequently between Cleveland, TN, and Greenville, SC. I would suggest that "Sad" go and set up a tent along the road and see if his wish can come true and he is part of the news story!

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts.  We allowed the comment you referenced to be posted because it did not contain foul language, AND because it is a criticism of media in general and perhaps us at WDEF in particular.  I would rather criticism be public knowledge open for discussion than to not post the comment.  The work of our crew at the rock slide, Bill Mitchell and Allen Fairbanks, stands on its own.  I don't think you can find fault with what they did or allege they were thrill-seeking or otherwise being unsafe in their approach to covering the rock slide.  If you discount criticism of our crew, then either the comment is just anonymous internet snark or a somewhat violent illustration of how much public faith in journalism has fallen.  Call me crazy, but I'll believe the latter... especially after seeing some of the replies, not all of which can be posted due to profanity.  HOWEVER... if enough people ask for the comment to be removed, then I will consider doing so.

Best regards,

Dutch Terry

Let it stand Dutch. It serves as a reminder of 2 things. First and foremost: Freedom of Speach Second: Not all members of our society are SANE. The FIRST prevails. The people that would have this removed are most likely the same people that watch FAUX NEWS. If anyone needs removed its the likes of the fearmongering, hateful tirades of the "Journalists?" like Beck, Hannity and the likes. But hey, this is AMERICA and once again, FREEDOM of SPEACH. I watch WDEF faithfully as I believe you folks do an EXCEPTIONAL job at reporting the NEWS. Thank you for your time and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. P.S. I just LOVE both reading and posting. GOOD STUFF EH! Regards, ObbaYabba.

You are 1 SICK Puppy. I can ONLY agree with you if the "NEWS" crew consisted of: Bill O'Reilly, Hannity, Lou Dobbs (On his way to FAUX),Beck. THAT would be HILARIOUS!

the person that made this comment is an IDIOT !!!!
this persons remark should be removed .

FREE SPEACH YO!!! Unless of course it does'nt AGREE with YOUR view?

I just look at it as another blessing that Almighty God puts barriers of stone between me, one of his children, and foul vermin such as You.

Asheville must be hard up for a way in which to get his/her jollies. (Makes me wonder about people up thatway.) I'm glad and grateful that no one was injured. Thank you, Jesus!

Which do you suggest to "remove the sharp curves" - blasting through the hillside or destroying the river? This is one of the most ignorant comments I've heard in a long time. It can be a dangerous road for people who don't respect it, but to destroy the beauty of this special area would be a travesty. I've lived in Iowa for close to 30 years now, but I always know when I'm getting close to "home" near Blue Ridge, Georgia when I turn onto Hwy 64 and the "river road."

Go back home to Iowa and stop telling people who have lived and worked here their whole lives how to feel about a road that should have been improved years ago. Until you have had to deal with it on a daily basis you have no right to make comments. No community should be shut off from its livelihood like we are right now.

I would take quite the opposite approach, limiting traffic to business and freight ONLY. Anybody who's in a hurry to traverse this wonderful natural area has no business in it in the first place! Nature was there FIRST, and bigger, wider roads already exist: they're called INTERSTATES, and that's where you, and your hurry, should stay. Or better yet, at HOME.

the 4 lane comment person doesnt know what kind of terrain
this is to make a 4 lane. the road is fine just like it is. if these rocks are disturbed, it could makes matters
like this worse. dont disturb nature no worse than we have
to. this isnt ATLANTA, its the MOUNTAINS. Im just glad no
one got hurt. thanks for the video channel 12.

I think they do need a four lane road through there. It sure would be a lot safer. When a big semi or tractor trailer has to cross over the yellow line to get around a curve. Or meet a big camper on the wrong side of the road. Because the camper driver is afraid he might fall off in the river. So he takes both lanes of the highway. Common since will tell you its not wide enough.

In the summer time all of these torist are up there. Parking half way in the road. Just so they can watch some dumie try to drown his self on a raft or canoe.