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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 will, help with homework after school and fill numerous other roles across a dozen categories. BCS named Gavin Williams, a special education instructional...
Olde Virden's Tennessee Pepper Co. closes for good. What's next for the Virdens?
The news probably brought tears to the eyes of local hot pepper aficionados − and not the good kind that comes with the capsaicin blast of endorphins. Olde Virden’s Tennessee Pepper Co., which got its start in Gatlinburg before moving to Knoxville, has called it quits after a decade.
One in custody, one paralyzed after Maryville stabbing
One Maryville man is in custody and another is hospitalized after a stabbing on Silver Creek Lane Sunday morning, April 28. Officers said Warren Tra’Shaun Moates, 20, Swarthmore Lane, told them he stabbed a 19-year-old during a fight involving multiple people. He has been charged with aggravated assault and is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond pending a 9 a.m. April 30 hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court. ...
Man dies in dirt bike crash, Pigeon Forge Police Department says
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - On Monday, the Pigeon Forge Police Department reported that a man died in a dirt bike crash in Pigeon Forge on Sunday, April 28. According to PFPD, the crash occurred on private property. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a 34-year-old man, identified as Jonny Villatoro Amador, unresponsive and seriously injured.
Sevier County school holds Book Character Parade
SEYMOUR, Tennessee — Students at Seymour Community Christian School dressed as some of their favorite book characters and showed off their costumes for a parade on Thursday. Some of the school's educators got in on the fun and were dressed as some beloved characters. One retired teacher, who now...
Next Man Up: Donald Bradsher Confident In Carson Ferguson
Donald Bradsher didn’t see it coming. Neither did Carson Ferguson. “It was a little bit of a shock,” Bradsher said. “Yeah,” Ferguson echoed, “obviously it was a shock.”. The two men uttered those words Friday while standing side-by-side in the cool spring air of Georgetown (Del.)...
BCSO Citizen's Academy Alumni presents check for for Deputy McCowan and Deputy Eggers' funds
Blount County Sheriff’s Office Citizen's Academy Alumni Organization members presented a check for BCSO Deputy McCowan and BCSO Deputy Eggers' trust funds Tuesday afternoon. The BSCOCAAA, which consists of alumni from the BSCO Citizen’s Academy, raised the money through member dues and donations from its members. President and 2020 graduate Kevin McNeill said, “We voted on taking some of the organization’s funds to make those donations, and then one of...
Alcoa eyes fall electric rate adjustment
Local electric customers could see small increases in their base rate this fall. With a rate hike from the Tennessee Valley Authority last year and the possibility of another in the coming months, electric employees across the county are analyzing their processes and budgets. Ryan Trentham, director of the Alcoa Electric Department, said Alcoa customers will likely see a minor adjustment to their base rate in October. Greg McClain, city manager for Maryville, said Maryville is still analyzing its electric system, but any local adjustment...
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,...
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. ...
Maryville restaurant owner steals thousands in meat from area grocery stores, police say
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The owner of an Italian restaurant in Maryville was charged with theft of merchandise after stealing thousands in meat from area grocery stores, including putting it in his pants, according to police. Clement Milanzi, 50, of Knoxville, was arrested at a Kroger on Northshore Drive in...
Check it out at the Blount County Public Library
Have you heard that music soothes the savage beast? I used to imagine a raging, wild beast overwhelmed by his emotions. When he hears music for the first time, it speaks to his soul and he understands that there is something beautiful outside of him. Music helps him to control his passions. When I learned that the quote is actually “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast” from British poet William Congreve’s 1697 poem The Mourning Bride, I was disappointed. Soothing a tumultuous breast...
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