Public Defender Melanie Sellers announces 2026 candidacy for Public Defender

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, December 24, 2025

District Public Defender Melanie Sellers has officially announced her candidacy for the 2026 Republican Primary and General Election. With the strong recommendation and support of retiring District Public Defender Jeff Kelly, Gov. Bill Lee appointed Sellers to the office of First Judicial District Public Defender effective March 1, 2025. Sellers will appear on the 2026 Republican primary ballot in Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties to fill the remainder of Mr. Kelly’s unexpired term. Sellers is a seasoned attorney and a respected leader with more than 28 years of experience in law and public service.

“My leadership as District Public Defender is guided by a deep respect for the people we serve and the fundamental rights that ensure fairness in our justice system. I believe that careful, compassionate legal advocacy can secure those rights while also changing the course of a person’s life, strengthening families and improving communities. I strive to lead an office that values preparation, professionalism and empathy, where attorneys and staff are supported in providing meaningful, effective representation grounded in the Constitution. Justice is best served when every person is heard, their rights are fully protected, and each case is approached with care, integrity and a commitment to fairness.”

Sellers’ platform for District Public Defender centers on:

• Protecting constitutional rights and ensuring fairness in every case
• Treating every client with dignity and respect, regardless of charge
• Promoting professionalism, sound judgment and ethical practice
• Strengthening public trust in the justice system through consistency and integrity
• Mentoring and supporting attorneys and staff to do their best work
• Addressing barriers to client success before disposition
• Allocating resources to provide a meaningful opportunity for client communication

A longtime Carter County resident, Sellers is an honors graduate of East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee College of Law with a concentration in trial advocacy. Since bar licensure in 1997, Sellers has dedicated her career to criminal law, with more than 12 years as an assistant district attorney and more than 14 years as an assistant public defender. Sellers is particularly passionate about advocating for individuals facing challenges such as substance use disorder, mental illness or intellectual disability. She is a charter member of both the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court and Northeast Tennessee Residential Recovery Court teams, which currently serve more than 130 individuals to support long-term recovery from substance use disorder and to reduce criminal recidivism.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Sellers is married to her husband, Rob, and is the proud parent of two sons, Bailey and Clay Gwinn. She has long been involved in youth sports, previously serving on the boards of several local organizations, including the former Carter County National League, the Cyclone Touchdown Club and the Cyclone Wrestling Booster Club. Additionally, Melanie served for five years as a commissioner on the Elizabethton Regional Planning Commission.

The First Judicial District Public Defender’s Office represents individuals who cannot afford an attorney in the General Sessions and Criminal Courts of Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties. The office is currently averaging more than 5,700 cases per year.

SILVER BAY – The local hockey community gathered in force this past weekend as the “Ruk,” or more formally known as Rukavina Arena, transformed into a hub of competitive spirit and youth athleticism. On December 20 and 21, the arena hosted the 2025 Rocky Taconite Mite 1 and 2 Jamboree, marking the largest and most anticipated event on the program’s annual calendar. 

The scale of this year’s jamboree was astounding, featuring a massive lineup of over 20 teams divided between the Mite 1 and Mite 2 levels. The event drew hundreds of families to Silver Bay, with young athletes traveling from throughout the Duluth area, as well as from Two Harbors, Hermantown, and Esko.

Silver Bay was well-represented on the ice, fielding a team at each level. For many of these local players, the weekend was the culmination of eight weeks of rigorous preparation. Since the season began two months ago, the Mites have been hitting the ice for early morning and evening practices, focusing on the fundamentals of skating, puck handling, and teamwork.

The hard work clearly paid off. Coaches reported being deeply impressed by the strides the players have made since their first practices in October. Beyond the goals and assists, team leaders emphasized that the athletes represented the Silver Bay program with exceptional sportsmanship and grit. “The kids have been working very hard in practice these last two months in preparation for this weekend,” shared Gus Engstrom, President of the Silver Bay Blue Line Club. “Needless to say, they represented themselves and our program very well. All of the coaches are impressed with the strides they have made so far this season.”

Executing an event of this magnitude required a coordinated effort from the entire community. Organizers were quick to credit the “behindthe-scenes” heroes who kept the tournament on schedule. High praise was directed toward the dedicated arena staff, whose maintenance of the ice and facilities at the Ruk ensured a professional environment for the visiting teams. 

The jamboree’s success also hinged on a small army of parent volunteers. These community members filled vital roles, from staffing the bustling concession stands and greeting visitors at the welcome table to meticulously tracking game play in the scorekeepers’ box.

“There are a great number of people that helped make the jamboree run smoothly,” said Engstrom, expressing deep gratitude for the volunteers who handled the “various odds and ends” that come with hosting dozens of teams.

As the 2025 Rocky Taconite Jamboree concluded, the focus remained on the mentorship of the players. Organizers closed the event with a final thank you to the coaching staff, whose countless hours of volunteer time provide the foundation for the area’s youth hockey success. With the largest jamboree of the year now in the books, the Silver Bay Mite program looks forward to continuing its momentum through the remainder of the hockey season.

To stay updated on local schedules or to support youth sports, visit the Silver Bay youth hockey website at www.silverbayhockey.com.

Photo submitted by Gus Engstrom

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Nashville is getting five new salt trucks to help prepare for winter weather, and some of them will be covered with artwork from some of Nashville’s youngest artists.

This is through a partnership between the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) and Metro Nashville Public Schools. Elementary schools from across Davidson County submitted artwork to get their pieces chosen to cover the new salt trucks, but only five made the final cut.

“The kids loved it. We had a ton of pics to go through to get to the final five,” said Phillip Jones, the deputy director for NDOT. “Hopefully, we’re going to kind of deploy these five trucks in the area where these schools are, so hopefully these kids will be able to see their artwork.”

Metro Nashville leaders say they will reveal the full designs and their new names in January.

Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is part of a holiday series that will run through Dec. 25 in the Grand Forks Herald.

GRAND FORKS — Though some work on Christmas out of obligation or financial strain, others choose to spend their holiday working to create a positive experience for those who can’t be at home with their families.

For a second year, Cpl. Lexi Smart offered to spend her holiday with residents of Grand Forks’ Regional Youth Assessment Center, which houses youth either in need of emergency shelter, detention or something in between.

“I know that this time can be really hard for the kids,” Smart said. “Some of them have been there a lot longer than others, and they are missing out on seeing their family. I wanted to be a smiling face that maybe can help brighten their day.”

Her family works to accommodate her schedule, which is something they’ve gotten used to over the years because another relative of theirs works as a firefighter.

Smart tries to spend the holiday providing normalcy for the kids while they’re at the center. Last year, she and a coworker bought gifts for the kids. Because they spend so much time together, Smart and her coworker had ideas for what the kids would like and what they’re most interested in.

“We wrapped them, too, so they got to have a little bit of familiarity with Christmas, they got to unwrap gifts,” she said.

The Regional Youth Assessment Center houses juveniles, typically between ages 10 and 17, who either need to be in detention throughout court proceedings, are in trouble that doesn’t meet the level of detention or simply need emergency shelter.

Smart has been working at the center for about two years, and as a corporal, she’s out on the floor, talking to residents, playing games with them and ensuring their wellbeing while they live at the center.

She decided to work there because she plans to become a math teacher after graduating college, and wanted more experience working with kids ages 10-17. Since taking on the role, Smart decided to pursue a criminal justice minor in addition to her math and education majors.

“Working here has inspired me to maybe want to be a math teacher at a correctional facility one day,” she said.

She finds value in trying to motivate and inspire youth. She also wants to make sure they feel comfortable and know they’re not alone.

“I can relate to some of their stories,” Smart said. “A lot of our kids, they go through really hard things in their childhoods. A lot of what they’ve been through has led them to where they are now.”

Many of the youth at the shelter haven’t gotten into any trouble, Smart said, but she feels even those who have deserve understanding and empathy.

“They know what they did is wrong, and I know what they did is wrong, but I think that there’s always a backstory to it,” she said. “You have to understand a lot of these kids were just dealt the wrong hand in life.”

CHARLESTON — The West Virginia First Foundation has announced the latest recipients of funding through its Momentum Initiative Grant program, awarding nearly $18 million to support programs aimed at addressing substance use disorder, prevention, recovery and related workforce programs in the state.

“The Momentum Initiative Grant reflects a new way of responding to the substance use crisis; one grounded in evidence, shaped by local expertise and guided by accountability,” said Jonathan Board, WVFF executive director. “We traveled the state, listened to those holding the line in their communities, and answered the call to honor the lives lost by putting these resources into the hands of those ready to create real, lasting impact for West Virginia.”

Funding for 76 projects was approved by the West Virginia First Foundation board of directors earlier this month, with an eye toward supporting programs which include foster care, non-parental caregiver initiatives, youth prevention, recovery housing, behavioral health and workforce development and re-entry and diversion programs.

Eight grants were awarded to programs in Region 1, which includes Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties.

Those grants include $125,000 to Youth Services System for its Afterschool Youth Prevention Program; $249,397 to West Liberty University for its Hilltopper Pathways: Out-of-School Re-entry and Support Program; $216,065 to Northwood Health Systems for its Workforce for Wellness program; $125,000 for HoH-Share Inc. for the Mother Jones Center for Resilient Community Youth Prevention Program; and $250,000 to the Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless for its Recovery First Re-entry Initiative Program.

The Young Women’s Christian Association of Wheeling received three grants, including $124,744 for YWCA Wheeling – Youth Prevention; $380,000 for YWCA Wheeling – Cathy’s Haven; and $186,450 for its Women Inspired in New Directions program.

“We were intentional in building a structure that reflects both feedback and best practices,” said Greg Duckworth, WVFF board chairman. “What emerged is a landmark opioid abatement model, distinct from any other foundation of its kind, made possible by volunteer Board Members and Expert Panelists dedicated to serving West Virginia.”

Statewide awards include $954,469.45 for National Youth Advocate Program for its Foster RISE project; $974,751 to Pressley Ridge for its Pressley Ridge Treatment Kinship Care Statewide Services; $975,000 to West Virginia CASA Association Inc. for its Continuum of Care for Children and Families Impacted by the Opioid Crisis; and $947,916 to West Virginia Wesleyan College for its WVWC and WV CASA Capacity Building Initiative.

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t condone the actions that led to wide receiver D.K. Metcalf’s two-game suspension by the NFL following an in-game altercation with a fan, but added Metcalf has his full support during the appeals process.

The league punished the two-time Pro Bowler by forcing him to sit out the first-place Steelers’ final two games and fining him for taking a swipe at Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy in the second quarter of what became Pittsburgh’s 29-24 victory.

Tomlin said Metcalf shared his side of the story with him, but declined to get into specifics.

“I won’t discuss what he and I discussed,” Tomlin said. “I think I’ve been pretty clear there.”

Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson said on a podcast late Sunday night that Metcalf told him Kennedy used a racial slur and verbally disparaged Metcalf’s mother, an allegation that Kennedy denied through his attorneys on Monday.

Tomlin cited Metcalf’s appeal hearing and what he described as “legal ramifications,” though he did not define what those might be. An email to the attorneys representing Kennedy by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.

Metcalf remained in the game and finished with four receptions for 42 yards. Kennedy left his seat to meet with stadium security at Ford Field but was allowed to return.

Asked if the Steelers have any in-game protocols in place to try and mitigate interactions such as the one between Metcalf and Kennedy, Tomlin said, “We certainly may, but I might not be privy to it because my eyes and attention is (on) what’s going on on the field” and made it a point to credit the team’s “top notch security group.”

Tomlin would not elaborate on what his reaction was to seeing the video of the confrontation, though he acknowledged what he called the rise in “volatile rhetoric” in sports at all levels.

“Not only (in) our business, (but) college, youth sport parents,” he said. “I think it’s just a component of sport that’s developed and developed in a big way in recent years, and it’s unfortunate.”

There were reports that when Metcalf played for Seattle, he reported Kennedy to team personnel when the Seahawks visited Detroit. Tomlin did not speculate when asked if there’s anything more teams can do to protect players in those situations.

“Me speaking on it and speaking on it in detail and particularly expressing my opinion regarding things doesn’t help the circumstance in any way,” he said.

Metcalf’s suspension means Pittsburgh (9-6) will be without its top pass catcher as it tries to lock up the AFC North title on Sunday in Cleveland. His absence means Roman Wilson, who has been a healthy scratch the past two weeks as the Steelers have opted to go with experienced veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen, will likely get an opportunity to return to the lineup.

Tomlin did not rule out the return of star outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who has missed each of the past two games while recovering from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung sustained during a dry needling treatment. Tomlin said Watt has been in the team facility lately and is “hopeful” Watt will be cleared to practice.

The Steelers need to win one of their final two games or have Baltimore lose one of its final two games to win a division title for the first time since 2020. The longtime rivals are scheduled to meet in Pittsburgh in Week 18.