Jonesborough approves Yoda statue for outdoor use permit

The Force remains strong in Jonesborough. Jonesborough town leaders approved an Outdoor Use Permit that will allow a statue of the Star Wars character Yoda to remain outside of a downtown business. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously to approve the permit Monday evening. The statue became the center of attention  after the town received two complaints asking for the statue to be removed from the sidewalk in front of the Lollipop Shop. Store owner Jeff Gurley said he received permission from the Historic Zoning Commission in 2023, but current and former members of the commission were not able to verify that. The issue was not originally on the agenda for the meeting, but Mayor Kelly Wolfe made a motion to add an Outdoor Use Permit that was originally authorized in 2023. That means Yoda can remain on the sidewalk in downtown Jonesborough and is now sure to attract even more attention.