In our own backyard, there are thousands of people hungry and cold tonight. Thankfully, the Mission of Hope works all year to help ease the burden for our neighbors in rural Appalachia, and Friday, you can help make Christmas bright for thousands of children in that region.

The 18th annual Mission of Hope Blue Barrel Christmas campaign kicks off.

Ingredients:

1- 8 oz container of low fat whipped cream

1- 5.1 oz package of vanilla instant pudding mix

1- 15 oz can of pumpkin

1- ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix the canned pumpkin and whipped cream. Stir in the pudding mix and pumpkin pie spice. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with graham crackers or apples.

One of two Roane County brothers with a long history of fighting law enforcement will spend time behind bars.

Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced Leon Houston to 5 years in prison for threatening his attorney.

A jury found him guilty back in November.

Houston will also serve 3 years of supervised probation, and must stay at least one thousand feet away from attorney Jim Logan and his family.

He is also required to get testing and treatment for drugs and alcohol.