https://www.facebook.com/1139076656132082/

Mcminn County Dive Team, Athens, TN (2026)

05/19/2019

After a two day recovery dive, a group effort from meigs county fire, Joe's wrecker service and Benton's wrecker service the mission was finally a success at eaves ferry.

08/13/2018

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/38548702/update-blue-cove-hideaway-permanently-shut-down

Deemed a public nuisance by authorities, McMinn County's Blue Cove Hideaway has been closed.

07/01/2018

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1086819694802561&id=217106781773861

UPDATE on Blue Cove Issues

Charles Womac was arrested again Saturday night for Reckless Endangerment, stemming from evidence that he was ignoring the court order served Friday and was encouraging people to walk around the locked gates and notice of closure and use the business.

At least one juvenile was taken to Athens Hospital with a back injury after jumping from a high cliff at Blue Cove on Saturday.

Afterwards, McMinn County Deputies removed several people from the location. Womac bonded out Saturday night.

It was noted that the hearing for the court order dealing with Blue Cove is set to be heard Thursday in Monroe County Circuit Court to accommodate Judge Sharp's schedule.

Breaking News as of 4:45 p.m. Saturday

McMinn Court Orders Business Shut Down, Sheriff Arrests Owner

A McMinn County man has been arrested and his “resort” business temporarily ordered closed after numerous incidents including criminal complaints, 2 deaths, and holding deputies hostage.

Charles Womac, 67, of Athens, along with his wife Enola, are the owners and operator of Blue Cove Hideaway south of Athens on County Road 116. Womac allows customers to swim and camp on the property for a fee. The site is a formerly abandoned rock quarry.

On Friday, June 29, Deputies with the McMinn Co Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney General ‘s Office served the owners with a Circuit Court-ordered “Temporary Injunction Granting in Part Petition to Abate a Public Nuisance”, which is closure of the business under Tennessee’s public nuisance law. The order allows Womac a hearing within 5 days. The deputies removed Enola Womac and several others from the property and placed a lock on the gate.

“After 3 years of numerous law enforcement and public safety issues, including complaints from local residents, 2 deaths, arson, underage drinking, illegal camping and food sales, and narcotics violations, we were pleased to serve this order,” said Sheriff Guy.

Charles Womac was arrested later that night on charges of Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Stop Frisk, and Halt, and False Imprisonment. The charges stemmed from an incident on Saturday, June 23, when two deputies responded to a 911 call about narcotics use and trafficking at Blue Cove.

“As the deputies arrived and while investigating the incident, Mr Womac interfered with the investigation process, and then locked the front gate and refused to let the deputies leave,” said Sheriff Guy. “Other calls were being dispatched, and for close to half an hour he refused to let them leave, even after being asked several times.”

“Mr Womac is elderly and my deputies showed great restraint and professionalism in dealing with him that day.”

Womac was taken to the McMinn County Jail where he was released on a $4500 bond. A hearing for the business closure is set for Thursday in Circuit Court.

Photo Credit: McMinn County Sheriff's Department