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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...
Gaining an edge: Townsend Volunteer Fire Department expands fitness goals
Over 1 million people visit our national park each year, with many of them leaving their footprints in Townsend. For Townsend Volunteer Fire Department, there’s lots of ground to cover. Its coverage area runs from Hatchers Cut to Wesley Woods, Wears Valley Road to the Sevier County Line; in the national park it provides protection for structure fires to the Sinks and Cades Cove. Add to that swift-water rope rescues and medical calls when needed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — and the scope...
Townsend city manager placed on administrative leave
Townsend officials have placed City Manager Danny Williamson on paid administrative leave, but have not announced a reason. Statements obtained by The Daily Times indicate he has been on leave since at least April 22. Townsend staff have provided files on Williamson to the office of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. In a statement provided to The Daily Times April 22, Townsend Mayor Don Prater confirmed Williamson was on...
Orgs, internet providers win $1.6 million for Blount County broadband, web literacy
Two colleges, a telecom provider and an area government recently won more than $1.6 million in grant funds meant to improve high-speed internet access and digital literacy in Blount County. In a press release Tuesday, April 30, Tennessee state officials announced that Spectrum Southeast, the Blount County government, Maryville College and the University of Tennessee, among many others, will receive dollars designed to expand broadband internet access, digital opportunity training and projects involving public wi-fi provision. ...
Keeping the peaceful side: Townsend preps community plan at a crossroads
Townsend is at a crossroads. That’s according to Townsend Mayor Don Prater. On the one hand, is the town’s reputation as the “peaceful side of the Smokies” and on the other is the need for jobs, business and sales to keep the local economy going. Prater said he often hears residents voice concerns about growth. Change, he said, is inevitable, but the change happening in Townsend lately is worrying some...
Girlfriend of man accused of killing BCSO deputy indicted
Carrie Joan Mathews, the girlfriend of Kenneth DeHart Jr., has been indicted by a Sevier County grand jury. According to the indictment, which was signed and dated April 29, Mathews is charged with two counts of accessory after the fact. The first count states that Mathews aided DeHart by “providing Kenneth DeHart with any means of avoiding arrest…” The second count states that Mathews “did warn Kenneth DeHart of impending apprehension or discovery…” ...
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...
Butterfly Run on May 4 to benefit children in need
The 13th Annual Butterfly run being held May 4 at Springbrook Park in Alcoa will help some of East Tennessee’s biggest miracles by partnering with Friends of Tennessee’s Babies with Special Needs. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to support Friends of Tennessee’s Babies with Special Needs, an organization that works to enhance the potential of infants and young children with disabilities by offering support to their families and the early intervention professionals who serve them. ...
Alcoa testing fire hydrants in May
Alcoa firefighters will test the city’s fire hydrants in the coming weeks. The process, which is part of nationally recommended safety protocol, could have harmless effects on customers’ water supply. Firefighters will check hydrants starting May 7. According to a release from the city of Alcoa, the work is expected to end in July and will involve inspection, maintenance and flowing of the hydrants to ensure they are up to par. Although the tests won’t affect water quality, city staff say checking the city’s hydrants...
Alcoa City Schools celebrates top employees
The 4th Annual Alcoa City Schools Employee Excellence Banquet and Awards, held April 18 at the high school, honored certified and classified employees working in every building. From Alcoa Elementary School, guidance counselor Lisa Williamson was called a “shining example of servant leadership,” in the event program. Bus driver and prekindergarten paraprofessional Sharon Howard “ensures every child feels cherished and valued.” At Alcoa Intermediate School, teacher Hope McDonald plays “a...
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...
Blount County Sheriff's Office identifies victim, suspect in Friday's shooting
Corey D. Baerns, 54, of Pryor Road, Maryville, is dead after a shooting Friday night, April 26. A suspect is in custody. The Blount County Sheriff’s Office on Monday afternoon identified Baerns as the victim in Friday’s shooting and the identity of the suspect. Deputies identified 31-year-old Jeffrey Dain Rimback of Glover Road, Rockford, as a suspect in their investigation. BCSO said Rimback was currently charged with making false reports...
Consultants behind Blount County growth plan seek public input
A study that could reset the guidelines for growth in Blount County is approaching its final stages, but before it’s finished the writers want more input from the public. Nearly a year ago a team of consultants publicly introduced a project to update recommendations for how Blount County develops. Now, staff members with Inspire Placemaking Collective have reactivated a feedback section on their Blount growth plan website. Components of the...
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. ...
Berrong, Crisp receive Good Scout Awards
The Cades Cove District of Great Smoky Mountain Council BSA held its Good Scout Award Dinner and fundraiser on April 25 at Alcoa High School. Blount County Sheriff James Berrong and Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp were honored. Presenting the awards was retired Sen. Lamar Alexander, the 2021 honoree. “Lifelong friends and longtime cohorts, Chief Crisp and Sheriff Berrong have been a model on how a police department and sheriff’s agency support each other,” said a press release from the Cades Cove District of Great Smoky Mountain Council. “Together they have helped keep Blount County safe for decades and made it a great place to live and raise a family. They have both consistently been a positive influence on Blount County.”
Andy Sneed and Kari Keeling sweep the 27th Annual Adult Spelling Bee in a spellbinding success
Jollification took place Saturday morning at the Blount County Public Library for the 27th Annual Adult Spelling Bee, organized by the Adult Education Foundation of Blount County. Fifteen teams formed for a chance to take on words like “beryllium,” “ haberdashery,” and “portentously.” The contest, held in the library’s main gallery, worked in rounds. Spelling Master Carl Gombert, who sat at a long table with the contest’s judges, challenged each...
Blount County Sheriff’s Office holds second Spring Into Action
Families had a chance to meet and chat with local first responders Saturday afternoon at the 2nd annual Spring Into Action event, organized by the Blount County Sheriff's Office. With K9 demonstrations, food trucks, helicopters and face painting, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Deputies investigating shooting death on Pryor Road
Blount County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a shooting death that took place at approximately 10:30 p.m. Friday on Pryor Road. According to BCSO, a suspect is in custody and charges are pending. There was no other information available by press time.
Crew from 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Moore to compete for Sullivan Cup
Spc. Noah Eddings, Staff. Sgt. David Riddick, Sgt. Joshua Owen, and Spc. Seth Carter, assigned to the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, of the Tennessee Army National Guard at Knoxville, will compete in the 2024 Sullivan Cup competition starting Monday at Fort Moore, Ga. The Sullivan Cup, part of Armor Week, is a competition showcasing tank and Bradley crews across the U.S. and partner nations through a series of challenges designed to determine the world’s best crews in the Armor branch. The Sullivan Cup is a...
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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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