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Maryville High School's Coston Autry receives National Merit Scholarship
Maryville High School senior Coston J. Autry has received a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship. Autry is among 2,500 Merit Scholar designees chosen from more than 15,000 finalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. According to a news release, his probably career field is law. The Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, based not only on their academic records but also contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.
278th ACR tank crew proves best of the best winning Sullivan Cup
In a competition designed to test the mettle of the best armor crews amongst the United States military and its allies, it was the Nation Guard team from Tennessee’s 278th Armored Calvary Regiment that brought home the heavy metal from Armor Week. Four soldiers from Ashland City’s Troop B, 1st Squadron, 278th ACR, won first place during the Sullivan Cup competition on Saturday at Fort Moore, Georgia, following a week long competition. ...
Pellissippi State students win cash for businesses
Three students earned thousands of dollars through a business pitch competition last month on the Friendsville campus of Pellissippi State Community College. Alen Muharemi and Simone Durrace each received $2,000 and Maria “Lupe” Cornejo $1,000, thanks to a grant from the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship teacher Samira Abdalla hopes to receive further funding to offer the experience again. “I’m thrilled for them to have the opportunity to...
MPD searching for missing teen
The Maryville Police Department took to Facebook Tuesday afternoon, May 7, asking for help locating missing teenager Joshua Howton. Officers described Howton as a 16-year-old White male with blond hair and brown eyes. He is 6 feet tall and weighs about 185lbs, and was last seen wearing a black cap, glasses, a green hoodie and black jeans. Officers said he left his home April 21. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Maryville Police Department at 865-273-3873 or call 911.
Louisville man arrested for allegedly assaulting fiancée
Officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at Alcoa Inn, 250 Airport Highway, Alcoa, on May 6. The caller said he witnessed a Maryville man, later identified as David A. Solis, 32, Louisville, yelling at a 32-year-old woman in the lobby. The caller told officers that the woman, who had a black eye, came into the lobby and said, “Can someone call me an ambulance?” ...
Power loss at Alcoa Kroger
Tuesday morning, Alcoa Fire Department responded to a report at 3:47 a.m. of smoke at Kroger, 244 S. Hall Road, Alcoa. According to Fire Marshal Darren Stinnett, due to early morning storms, it was possible that lightning hit a transformer, causing a power surge that caused large amounts of smoke in the building. Stinnett said that it was “probably pretty scary for employees,” and that the surge “fried everything electric in the building.” ...
College Street corridor improvements begin in June
Renovations to the College Street corridor are coming this summer, with work slated to begin in June. Staff at the city of Maryville said the goal is to create a cohesive pedestrian experience for foot traffic from Maryville College to the city’s downtown center. The work is scheduled to begin the week of June 1 and wrap up in November, weather permitting. It may involve lane closures as workers enhance walkability from Lamar Street to Founder’s Square. City staff said there will always be access...
Maryville man accused of shooting neighbor's dog with BB
A Maryville man was arrested Friday, May 3, and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and two counts of reckless endangerment with a weapon. Michael Robert Richter, 58, Trail Ridge Drive, was free on bonds totaling $30,000 pending a May 6 hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court. Blount County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about a disturbance with a weapon at 3:34 p.m. Friday. On arrival, they spoke...
Maryville College 2024 grads look back, four years from COVID onset
More than 230 Maryville College graduates walked across the stage in the Clayton Center for the Arts Saturday morning, May 4. For some, the commencement ceremony was more than an end to their college careers; it also marked their first conventional graduation. Most Maryville College students who finished high school in 2020 did so without the closure that can come from ending a major chapter in life. They left school without the chance to say goodbye to their friends, their proms were canceled and some...
Congressman Burchett’s chief of staff departing, announces replacement
U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett’s longtime chief of staff, Michael Grider, will be departing his office at the end of June to go into the private sector. Grider has worked for Burchett for nearly 14 years, serving as his communications director in the Knox County mayor’s office and later as his chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives. Effective July 1, Burchett’s new chief of staff will be Jennifer Linginfelter, who has worked for Burchett for 12 years, beginning when he was mayor of Knox County. “Michael will always be close to my girls and me. He has become and will always remain one of my best friends. I am excited for him in his new venture. I have total confidence in Jennifer in her new role. and I look forward to what we will accomplish.” said Burchett in a release.
Conservationist tells Maryville College graduates to think critically, question authority
Rain early Saturday morning couldn’t crush the excitement of the Maryville College graduates gathered at a commencement ceremony in the Clayton Center for the Arts. After a weather-related change of venue pushed the ceremony back by an hour, graduates and their friends and families cheered as well over 200 people accepted their diplomas. Amid the celebration, keynote speaker Theresa Pierno offered some advice to the college’s most recent graduates: know that you can change the way the world works. ...
Blount County Schools votes to partially fund $10.8 million in renovations to William Blount High School's Career and Technical Education building
The Blount County Board of Education this week approved about half of the $10.8 million for renovations to the career and technical education building at William Blount High School. School board members split, 4-3, on their first vote on the project Thursday narrowly approving the bid of Jenkins & Stiles LLC for $10.78 million. Members Brian King, Phil Porter and Joe Lindsey said after the meeting they are in favor of the renovations but are concerned about the financing. ...
Blount County Schools honors classified employees at 7th Annual Go Be Excellent Celebration
Blount County Schools last week honored dozens of employees whom Director David Murrell described as the “backbone” of the district. They are the people who drive school buses, prepare meals, keep the buildings clean and in working order, assist the teachers, care for students when they are ill, help with homework after school and fill numerous other roles across a dozen categories. BCS named Gavin Williams, a special education instructional...
TDOT lists Blount road projects
The Tennessee Department of Transportation included two Blount County road projects in its construction report for May 2-8. Alcoa Highway between Tabcat Creek and North Carolina State Line. Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution through this area. Louisville Road bridge over CSX Railroad: Motorists should be alert for workers present and possible temporary lane closures through this bridge repair project. Motorists should use extreme caution through this area.
Maryville man arrested after allegedly stalking ex-employer
A Maryville man was arrested May 1 for allegedly stalking his ex-employer. According to the report, Christian Paul Dunne, 52, Legends Way, was fired from his place of employment. The report states that on April 29, he sent one text message that allegedly said, “he had family stuff and would not be at work,” and another text message 14 minutes later that reportedly said, “I guess not. I’ll stop by and get my check.” ...
Christy Martin: A time to remember the local heroes
Memorial Day and/or Decoration Day as it is known in our area, is a post-Civil War holiday originally used to pray over the graves of those lost in the Civil War. After World War I it became a national holiday to remember all those who were killed in war. The day of honoring those passed in our cemeteries varies but often centers around Mother’s Day and continues thru Memorial Day. ...
Learn about drones at the library
Dr. Jeff “Cog” Coggins will speak about drones ay 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Blount County Public Library. He will focus on how to earn the FAA Part 107 license and potential career opportunities using drones. In order to fly an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) such as a drone, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Small UAS Rule (Part 107) states that the pilot must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. This certificate demonstrates that the pilot understands the regulations, operating requirements,...
New Tennessee law will prohibit 'Carolina squat' vehicle modification
Starting July 1, a new law on modified trucks and cars could mean fines for certain drivers. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee in March signed legislation banning a modification known commonly as a “Carolina squat,” which refers to cars and trucks with front ends raised to sit higher off the ground than the backs of vehicles, so that the bodies of the vehicles are no longer parallel to the ground. The...
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The Daily Times, an award-winning daily newspaper in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, has served Blount County, Tennessee, readers since 1883. The Daily Times is a family-owned newspaper based in Maryville, Tennessee, near Knoxville, providing quality news and information to the communities it serves, with an emphasis on local news in the Blount County area.
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