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Blount County Schools' Project SEARCH celebrates ninth class graduating to jobs
Blount County Schools on Thursday, March 28, celebrated the ninth class of graduates from the Project SEARCH job training program, as well as the village that has made the program a success, again transitioning every student into a paid job. The three students, their families, educators, job coaches, business partners, elected officials, and even the bus driver — who took one to a job assignment on a Sunday — celebrated in the BCS Central Office with a ceremony that included caps and gowns. ...
Knox County Schools bus driver arrested on suspicion of DUI with 19 children on bus
A bus driver for Knox County Schools was arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence on Thursday morning. At around 8:55 a.m. Thursday Knoxville Police Department officers responded to Holston Middle School. Officers responded after being alerted of potential issues by Knox County School Security staff. Upon further investigation including a field sobriety test, the bus driver was arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence, with additional charges possibly pending. The driver was identified as Matthew Leveque, 63, of Knoxville. There were 19 students on board the bus at the time of the initial law enforcement interaction. No injuries were reported.
TVA delays release of IRP after bill filing
The Tennessee Valley Authority is delaying the publication of its Integrated Resource Program (IRP), according to Rep. Tim Burchett's office. The decision follows Burchett (R-2) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-9) introduction of the TVA Increase Rate of Participation (IRP) Act on March 8. The bill would require greater transparency and accountability in TVA's IRP process. Burchett received a letter from TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash stating that the IRP would be delayed to provide TVA with additional time for analysis, review, and stakeholder engagement. “I’m glad to see TVA taking this matter seriously. I encourage TVA to use this time to prioritize increasing transparency with its stakeholders and providing more ways for them to offer input in TVA’s decision-making process." Burchett said in a release from his office.
Maryville plans downtown road work
City employees and contractors will be working on multiple areas of downtown Maryville next week, and construction will affect travel in the area. Beginning Monday, April 1, contractors for the city of Maryville will be repaving several streets in the John Sevier area. Work will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, weather permitting, and the project is expected to last two weeks. Streets to be repaved include Sequoyah...
Blount Memorial Hospital marks best month in years as dispute with county ends
Blount Memorial Hospital turned a profit in February, marking its best month in almost three years. The hospital made just under $1 million last month. Hospital directors broke into applause Tuesday, March 26, as Blount Memorial’s total operating income for February — $945,000 — was announced during a board meeting. Last month was Blount Memorial’s best since June 2021, when it took in $949,000. But hospital leadership are hopeful that...
Burchett talks to postmaster general
KNOXVILLE — Congressman Tim Burchett has met with US Postal Service leadership about its mail processing facility review process — as well as problems at the Maryville post office Burchett said via press release on Wednesday that he and US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy discussed a variety of topics, including whether distribution operations will be relocated from Knoxville, Tennessee to Louisville, Kentucky. "I sent my initial letter in December, and...
Maryville bank robbery suspect intends guilty plea
A North Carolina man charged with attempting to rob CBBC Bank on East Broadway Avenue intends to plead guilty to the federal indictment against him. Juan Andres Valle, 24, was arrested on Oct. 27 last year after officers said he slipped a note to a teller demanding cash. The bank, located at 330. E. Broadway Ave., is about 1,000 yards from the Maryville Police Station. Valle was initially arrested after...
Easter gift: Local farm donates 208 dozens of eggs to food pantry
People lined up for free groceries on Wednesday morning at Community Food Connection in Alcoa were the beneficiaries of an Easter surprise. Sarah and Murray Smith, owners of Framer’s Farm in Maryville, arrived just before the doors to the food bank opened. In their truck were 208 dozen of eggs the couple donated to CFC of Blount County. Those fresh eggs were immediately handed out as CFC clients made their way through the shopping line. ...
Baking for missions: Tuckaleechee Women in Faith to hold Good Friday Bake Sale
Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church’s United Women in Faith will once again have homemade candy, pies, cakes, cookies and more available to tempt your tastebuds during the organization’s annual Good Friday Bake Sale. Funds raised will be donated to the missions supported by the women’s group. The bake sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 29, at the Townsend IGA, 7945 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend. The items are homemade by members of the church and donated for the bake...
Lane closures on N. Cusick Street set for April 3
On Wednesday, April 3, a section of North Cusick Street will be narrowed to two lanes. Beginning at the Korean War Memorial Bridge and ending at Hannum Street, all traffic will be shifted to the north bound side of N. Cusick Street, with one lane in each direction. The main entrance to the Blount County Public Library off N. Cusick Street will be limited to a right turn only to enter and to exit. This lane shift is expected to be in effect for one day only while the City of Maryville Water and Sewer Department repairs a failing sewer pipe. For more information call the Engineering and Public Works Department or the Water and Sewer Department at 865-273-3300.
Laurel Creek Road, Cades Cove Loop Road and Cades Cove Campground closed for storm clean-up
The Cades Cove roads and campground are closed to all public access, including walking and biking as the National Park Service crews continue to clear trees and assess conditions after Tuesday's high winds. A significant number of trees came down across Laurel Creek Road and Cades Cove Loop Road, and at Cades Cove Campground early Tuesday morning. Crews estimate it could take a few days to clear trees and debris before it is safe to reopen those areas. As of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Cades Cove Campground, Cades Cove Loop Road, Laurel Creek Road, Greenbrier Road at the ranger station, Upper Tremont Road, Cherokee Orchard Road at the park boundary and Foothills Parkway West between Look Rock and US 129 are closed.
Maryville repairing downtown sidewalks
The city of Maryville will be planing sidewalks in the downtown area beginning Monday, April 1 to repair tripping hazards created by changes in the levels of sidewalk panels. The city expects the project to take two to three days to complete. The work will include East and West Broadway Avenue from South Washington Street to Cates Street, East and West Harper Avenue from Everett Avenue to Cates Street and Sevierville Road beginning at South Washington Street and continuing to where Sevierville Road becomes East Church Avenue and then along East and West Church Avenue to Cates Street. Pedestrians should use caution in the area. City staff said no roads will be closed during the work. For more information, contact the Maryville Engineering and Public Works Department at 865-273-3300.
Blount school board discusses cost, benefit of community schools
When the Blount County Board of Education discussed its budget proposal for 2024-25 this week — including a shortfall of nearly $4 million in revenue — one member noted that one way to save money is closing schools. As school board members discussed program cuts already planned in the budget for the coming school year, Robby Kirkland said, “I can solve your problem. No system operates like Blount County with these very small community schools.” ...
Maryville proposes new fireworks regulations ahead of city council meeting
Maryville is on track to become the second Blount County city to impose additional restrictions on fireworks this year. In a work session Friday morning, March 22, staff presented the city council with a proposed ordinance text that would curtail the discharge of fireworks and walk back the legal dates for their sale. As it is currently written, the proposed ordinance would keep legal discharge from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 and 4, but shooting fireworks around New Year’s Eve would no longer...
Fuel prices rise across Tenn., but market remains cheaper than most
The price of gas in Tennessee has jumped since February. A Monday, March 25, release from AAA — The Auto Club Group had the average price for fuel up 24 cents over last month, at $3.18 dollars per gallon. A day later, the average was $3.19. Nationally, the average cost is $3.53 a gallon. "There's still plenty of upward pressure on gas prices right now in the market, and with...
Victim of fatal Alcoa crash identified by Alcoa Police Department
The victim of a fatal crash that occurred in Alcoa on March 22 has been identified as 19-year-old Madison Hoese, by the Alcoa Police Department (APD). According to the APD release, the 16-year-old driver of the Chevrolet Silverado, who allegedly ran a red light striking Hoese's car, has been charged with criminal homicide, vehicular homicide, theft of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in a fatality and underage DUI. The 16-year-old juvenile passenger has been charged with criminal homicide, theft of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in a fatality.
Case of Maryville man accused of stabbing step-grandfather to death will move forward
The case against a man accused of stabbing his step-grandfather to death will move forward after a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, March 26, at the Blount County Justice Center. Bryan T. Noble, Maryville, has been accused of stabbing to death his step-grandfather, John Salveti Jr. in their home on September 19, 2023. Witnesses included Janine Salveti, John Salveti III and Detective John Givens, MPD. First to take the stand was...
Blount school board adopts 2024-25 budget with nearly $4 million shortfall
The Blount County Board of Education adopted 2024-25 budgets on Monday, March 25, that would raise starting teacher pay to $50,000, but proposed spending exceeds expected revenue by nearly $4 million. “This was a difficult budget year,” Blount County Schools Director David Murrell said during a work session to review the budgets before voting. During the called meeting that followed, the board approved its proposed general operating budget of more...
New Blount County Public Library artwork memorializes Joy Bishop
A new abstract sculpture in the lobby of the Blount County Public Library is meant as a reminder of a woman who helped build it. Made of Tennessee pink marble and based on Texas limestone, the sculpture represents Joy M. Bishop, who died in 2023 at 89; it was unveiled during a gathering at the library held Friday, March 22. It was a visual, tactile and emotional experience for the audience of dozens who were invited to view and touch the sculpture and exchange stories...
K-9s in the community: Sgt. Wickert & Thor
Sgt. Steven Wickert, Maryville Police Department (MPD) and his K-9 partner, Thor, a Belgian Malinois, have an unshakeable bond. They have worked together for approximately eight years and Wickert says Thor has exactly the right temperament for the job with a work dedication that is unmatched. Sgt. Wickert knew he wanted to be a K-9 handler early on. Just a few years into the force, he decided to go through the steps to become a handler, which was no easy feat. ...
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