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Over 60 sign in 2024 Blount County Job Signing Day
More than 60 high school graduates signed with local employers Tuesday morning, May 14 as the sixth Blount County Job Signing Day celebrated local careers and opportunities. Guests at the event, held in the conference room at the Airport Hilton, filled the seats and then stood in crowds around the stage. Signees entered through a tunnel, accompanied by smoke, flashing lights and narration by longtime Vols radio announcer Bob Kesling. ...
The final class at Fort Craig School graduates MHS
Graduation for the Maryville High School Class of 2024 was last week, but for 13 of them, they first had to travel back to 2012. That’s the year each was enrolled at Fort Craig School of Dynamic Learning as kindergartners; as they exited at the end of that 2012 school year, it closed. Ana Elam, Allie Wheeler, Allie Barham, Ollie McQueen, Ashlyn Mullins, Braden Hearon, Eli DeSha, Ellanah Looney, Olivia McGuigan, Avery Sinclair, Adam Kirkham, Luke Wilcox and Jack Patterson are some of the last...
Why is the flag at half-staff?
Why is the flag at half staff? BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT: May 15, 2024 is Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 through May 18, 2024, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities and salute our Nation’s brave law enforcement officers and remember their peace officer brothers and sisters who have given their last full measure of devotion in the line of duty. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.
Blount County Genealogical and Historical Society announces essay contest winners
The Blount County Genealogical and Historical Society has announced winners of its second annual essay contest, open to high school students in all local high schools, including charter schools, private schools, public schools and homeschool associations. Awards were presented to the three winning students April 30 by officers of the BCGHS. Zee Carnes, a homeschooled student, received the first-place prize of $500 for her essay, “The Cherokee Syllabary: A Turning Point in Native American Education, Geo-Political Communication, and Intra-Tribal Gender Relations; Historical Perspectives from Cherokee...
County names bridge after fallen deputy
An American flag flew over the newly-completed Big Springs Road bridge Monday morning, May 13 as officials gathered to consecrate the structure in memory of fallen Blount County Sheriff’s Deputy Greg McCowan. The bridge, which is a few thousand feet from West Lamar Alexander Parkway, is the first completed memorial to the fallen deputy in Blount County. Speakers Monday morning included Blount County Sheriff James Berrong and US Sen. Marsha Blackburn. ...
Blount commission considering $1.6 million for Everett Recreation Center turf, lights
Plans to renovate one of Blount County’s busiest sports centers come with a few nods to the past and a $1.6 million price tag. Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks and Recreation will be able to move ahead with a multi-field, $1.6 million site development project at Everett Recreation Center if the Blount County Board of Commissioners signs off during its next meeting Thursday, May 16. The project would include installing synthetic turf in both of the center’s fields, as well as fencing and new lighting for the...
Maryville downtown living blends convenience and recreation
When contractors unveiled the results of Maryville’s new, $158,000 downtown master plan study in February, they recommended the city focus on two improvements: walkability and housing. Among the recommendations unveiled was the installation of townhouses along West Harper Avenue and updating the city’s streets to make them safer for pedestrians. Those go hand in hand, according to Amanda Gillooly. She’s the executive director of the Downtown Maryville Alliance, a nonprofit that seeks to revitalize the city’s downtown through economics, design and promotion. ...
Miss Tennessee tells Appalachian Ballet Company dancers to 'find their yes'
A sea of dancers in blue leotards encircled Miss Tennessee USA 2024 Christell Foote while she spoke to the dancers of Appalachian Ballet Company at Van Metre School of Dance late Thursday afternoon. She shared stories from her experience in pageants, advice for the young girls and even taught everyone how to stand in the classic pageant pose: Feet in third position, pull up and sink into back hip. Bend the front leg, place your hand on your hip, shoulders straight and smile. ...
Teacher's legacy lives on through 13 students awarded scholarships
The legacy of a former Alcoa High School teacher will live on through 13 students who have been awarded scholarships through Mr. P’s Foundation. The foundation, which honors the memory of Dennis “Mr. P” Pershing, awarded $42,500 to the recent grads during the Alcoa High School Senior Day. The students are able to use the scholarship for college, trade school, or technical school. ...
Townsend to vote on hotel definition, minimum lot size
The Townsend Planning Commission further debated legal definitions Thursday night before pushing to vote on the definition of a hotel at their next meeting. Commissioners have been working to clarify terms after the approval of a novel hotel concept provoked outcry from residents. Commissioners approved site plans for Ofland Great Smoky Mountains in January, giving the development made of dozens of individual cabins the green light and bringing an end to months of debate over whether to treat the design as a hotel or a...
TDOT to change Alcoa Highway alignment
Northbound traffic on Alcoa Highway will be shifted left of its current location beginning 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. According to a release from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the shift will be near the John Sevier Highway interchange. Traffic will return to its current alignment near Power Drive. The I.C. King boat ramp will also be closed for about two weeks while workers construct access from the new northbound highway alignment. TDOT said the schedule is weather permitting, and advised drivers to expect delays and use caution in the area.
Alcoa trio take US Army oath of enlistment
A trio of Alcoa seniors raised their hands Wednesday to commemorate a commitment to trade in their Alcoa maroon and aluminum trim for Army green and camouflage. Braden Cornett, David Jimenez and Helen Jimenez took their oath of enlistment before a crowd of their fellow students, parents and school faculty. The oath was administered by Cpt. Francisco Cobreros with the assistance of Staff Sgt. Tiffany Gibbs and Sgt. 1st Class Allen Zachary from the U.S. Army Recruiting Office. ...
Robert Rhea: Patriot, soldier in War of 1812 and first settler in Happy Valle
Editor’s Note: This article has been written by a team of Revolutionary War researchers, genealogists and local historians. For more information about Patriot Legacies contact Christy Martin at ccsmartin@hotmail.com. Robert “Bobbie” Rhea was born on April 1, 1763, in Mecklenburg North Carolina. He was the son of Robert Campbell and Sara Elizabeth Bingham Rhea. According...
Auto worker killed in bus accident
A workplace accident near Singleton Station Road took the life of a man Thursday evening, April 9. Kevin Cooper, 30, was fatally injured while working on a bus. Cooper was the son of Alcoa Vice Mayor Tracey Cooper, who contacted The Daily Times Friday morning. He was employed as a shop foreman for Rocky Top Tours, she said, and would have been 31 in two weeks. The Daily Times was...
Officer Kamron Moats graduates from police academy
Kamron Moats has known since childhood that he wanted to become a police officer. Growing up, his father, Kenneth “Kenny” Moats, worked as an officer for the Maryville Police Department. Now, Kamron is following in his footsteps. Kamron Moats has graduated from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy and is now field training by working with an experienced officer who can show him the ropes. Moats said the...
Keller Williams Realty presents RED Day for first responders, veterans, military personnel
Keller Williams Realty hosted a RED Day on Thursday, May 9, to honor first responders, police officers, firefighters, veterans and military personnel. The event was filled with food, festivities and fun. During the event, they presented plaques in honor of Deputy Shelby Eggers and Deputy Greg McCowan.
Louisville man charged with shooting 63-year-old male
Benjamin Michael Absher, 29, Samples Road, Louisville was arrested Wednesday for attempted criminal homicide. The victim, a 63-year-old male, is in critical condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, according to the press release. The arrest affidavit states that Absher allegedly first threatened to kill the victim then shot him in the head. Absher was taken into custody by Blount County Sheriff's deputies at 7:11 p.m. May 8 and was being held in lieu of a $200,000 bond. This investigation is ongoing.
Maryville City Schools adding employee graduate with the Class of 2024
Wednesday morning, May 8, John Thacker was one of the Maryville City Schools maintenance workers setting up the stage for the high school graduation. Friday night he’ll join the Class of 2024 in receiving diplomas on that stage. Thacker, who is retiring next month after 24 years of service with MCS, has been working since January 2023 to earn his high school equivalency diploma. When he asked Maryville High School...
Maryville restricts fireworks sales, Fourth of July dates remain unchanged
Maryville has become the second local city to restrict fireworks regulations with less than two months before Fourth of July Celebrations begin. City council members passed a second reading of an ordinance Tuesday, May 7 that eliminates access for minors and removes an allowance for public fireworks displays. Shooting fireworks from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 and 4 will still be legal. Both Maryville and neighboring Alcoa have...
Blount budget recommendation includes $50,000 teacher base pay, fewer raises for others
The Blount County government is considering a budget that could increase to $50,000 new teachers’ salaries, but could also mean smaller raises for others than the school board has proposed. During a called meeting Tuesday, May 7, members of the Blount County Budget Committee forwarded to the county board of commissioners recommendations for the next fiscal year’s budget, tax rate and capital outlay priorities. The county budget recommendation includes over $2 million fewer dollars for education than the budget the school board adopted earlier this...
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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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