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Jonah Bullen receives National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Jonah Bullen, of Maryville, has received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Bullen is a UTK master's student studying anthropology. According to the press release Bullen's research "focuses on using microscopic silica bodies found in fungi to study Indigenous pre-contact foodways and environmental management in North America." “Being awarded the NSF-GRFP is at the apex of my academic journey thus far, playing a pivotal role in my graduate study and career aspirations,” said Bullen, “Though I am grateful for this recognition, I attribute this milestone to the dedicated guidance provided to me by professors and graduate student mentors, as I firmly believe that this accomplishment is as much theirs as it is mine.” The fellowship provides three years of financial support, including an annual stipend of $37,000 as well as a $16,000 allowance for tuition and fees.
Harp named chief executive officer of Smokies Life
GATLINBURG, TN — Smokies Life, a nonprofit partner to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, announces Jacqueline Harp as its new chief executive officer. After a national search, Harp was selected and approved by the board of directors and will begin as CEO on Sept. 11. She assumes the role following the retirement of Laurel Rematore, whose strong leadership of more than eight years fostered an environment for Smokies Life retail, wholesale, membership and publishing programs to flourish, enriching the visitor experience for millions. Harp joins...
AFD extinguishes two fires at Arconic
Two fires at the Tennessee Operations division of Arconic, 2300 North Wright Road, Alcoa, made for a busy Thursday, Aug. 8, morning for the Alcoa Fire Department. According to AFD Chief Roger Robinson, the first report of a fire came in around 1:30 a.m., after which three engines and one tower for a total of 13 personnel were dispatched to business. It appeared to firefighters that the fire originated from a crusher full of crushed cans and their various byproducts, although Robinson noted that was...
House built by Greenback School students sells for $140K
A small blue house with a cheerful yellow door sits on the campus of Greenback School near the football field. It was just auctioned off for $140,000 to a local Greenback couple who will have the house moved down the street onto their lot. The house is unique because it was built entirely by students enrolled in Greenback School Residential and Construction Teacher Gray Williams’ class. The house, which is...
Blount Pride plans rally, events instead of festival
After months of struggling to find a venue for their annual festival, Blount Pride organizers are pivoting their approach to summer activities, focusing on isolated events instead of one celebration. Pending events include a shindig market in mid-August and a downtown Maryville rally at the end of the month. Shannon Bryant, a board member for Blount Pride, said during an interview Aug. 8 that the organization has been looking for ways to celebrate since attempts to locate a suitable festival venue fell through. Blount Pride...
West Broadway speed adjustments slated for end of August
Traffic on West Broadway Avenue is about to slow down, as members of the Maryville City Council voted unanimously to reduce speed limits on sections of the highway to reduce collisions Tuesday evening, Aug. 6. The changes will bring parts of the road down to 45 or even 40 mph. West Broadway Avenue will become a 45 mph zone from the city limits to just past Garwood Lane, while the road until around Old Niles Ferry Road will become a 40 mph zone. City staff...
Adult Education Foundation of Blount County seeks volunteers
The Adult Education Foundation of Blount County is seeking volunteers for an evening English class. The class will start Aug. 20 with the first volunteer training scheduled for Aug. 12. Executive Director Jackie Taylor said, "With the classes we aim to serve adult immigrants and refugees in Blount County who have limited English proficiency - especially those who work one or more jobs trying to make ends meet." Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Taylor at: jackie@jataylor.net or 865-680-7668. They can also visit: https://sites.google.com/view/adultedfoundationbc/evening-english-classes/seeking-volunteers?authuser=0
Free diapers for TennCare and CoverKids families
Gov. Bill Lee has announced that families enrolled in TennCare will be eligible to receive 100 diapers per month at no cost for children under two who are enrolled in the program. The program took effect Wednesday, Aug. 7. To receive the diapers, TennCare or CoverKids members may visit any participating pharmacy with their OptumRx TennCare pharmacy card or they can provide their child's social security number. For now, TennCare is covering select lines and sizes of Huggies and Cuties diapers but other brands will be added over time. For a list of participating pharmacies, visit the TennCare wesbite at: https://www.tn.gov/tenncare.html Members with questions can call OptumRx at 888-816-1680.
Maryville honors longtime employee's decades of service
Maryville officials honored a city employee with 41 years of behind-the-scenes service during a City Council meeting Tuesday evening, Aug. 6. Doug Strickland, who keeps the city streets clean, has been with the city of Maryville since he was 18 years old. Strickland, city staff wrote in a release that day, has been presented the prestigious Murphy Snoderly Award by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Public Works Association. The award is an annual recognition for public works employees in local governments, chosen from over...
Lucy Riddick named Teen Board of Knoxville presentee
Lucy Riddick, of Alcoa High School, has been invited to be a 2024 Teen Board of Knoxville Presentee at the 64th Annual Teen Board Presentation Dance, taking place on Aug. 17. According to the press release, the TBK is a "private, non-profit organization solely for teenagers, grades 9-12, with adult help. Its purpose is to get teenagers to work and take the lead in civic and welfare projects, and to lift their social and moral life to higher standards." Riddick volunteers in the nursery and with Vacation Bible School at High Praises church, where she is also a member. She has also volunteered with Blount County Jaycees Empty Pantry Fund, Rio Revolution's Second Chance Prom Ministry and Alcoa Elementary School's Annual Trunk or Treat. A member of the National Honor Society, Riddick has maintained a 4.25 GPA during her time at Alcoa High School while also participating in various extracurricular activities.
Resources stretched thin: ABR has 24 cubs in residence
Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend has close to a full house after five more bears were brought to the rehabilitation center on Monday. That brings the number of temporary residents being cared for at the center to 24. It was indeed a very busy weekend, said ABR Executive Director Dana Dodd. “The level of phone calls has never reached the level it did this weekend,” she reported. The five cubs...
Four young adults graduate from Arconic Foundation Internship Program for Young Adults
Folks gathered at lunchtime on Wednesday, July 31, at the Blount County Public Library to watch as four young adults were presented certificates of completion for participating in the Arconic Foundation Internship Program for Young Adults. Attendees were treated to light snacks and tea while they listened to a panel discussion between Adult Education Foundation Executive Director Jackie Taylor and participants Jesse Kitts, Derek Dobrovolny, Haley Keith and Braden Ridings. ...
MPD under investigation by Department of Labor
A U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson said staff are investigating the Maryville Police Department, according to a statement obtained by The Daily Times. The department, which coordinates a range of worker’s rights across the nation, did not further comment on the nature of the investigation. A representative of the city of Maryville said Tuesday, Aug. 6 that staff have yet to be made aware of any investigation. ...
Urgent Team provides sports and school physicals
With a new school year underway, students may need school or sports physical exams. Urgent Team Walk-in Urgent Care provides both Sports Pre-Participation Physicals and school physicals. There are four Urgent Team locations: Knoxville, Maryville, Morristown and Lenoir City. All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Be prepared to bring any paperwork or forms required by the school as well as a list of medications and any glasses or contacts the child may wear. More information can be found at: www.urgentteam.net
13th Miles 4 Maryville races set for Aug. 24
Maryville City Schools Foundation will hold it's 13th annual Miles 4 Maryville Race on Saturday, Aug. 24. The event, which includes a 10K, 5K and a 1 Mile Run/Walk, serves as a fundraiser for Maryville City Schools Foundation whose mission is to "provide ongoing enrichment of educational programs for all students in Maryville City Schools," the foundation's press release read. The race will begin at the Maryville High School Football Field. The 10K will kick off the event at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K at 7:30 a.m. and the 1 Mile Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. Folks interested in registering can do so at: https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Maryville/Miles4Maryville
New Bella owners bringing personal touch to downtown staple
When Jimmy Loup and Jim Saunders bought a slice of downtown Maryville in the form of staple restaurant Bella earlier this year, they knew they wanted to give back to the community. “We just want to be involved with all those things that make Maryville really different and unique,” Saunders told The Daily Times Monday afternoon, Aug. 5. From a table at the restaurant’s front windows, the pair discussed their...
Head Start opens new Maryville location
Douglas-Cherokee Head Start celebrated the opening of a new location on Friday, July 26. The school, located at 510 Home Ave., serves children ages birth through five years old. With this new opening, the Head Start program will now have three locations in Maryville. Head Start is a federally funded program that was started in...
Nichole McCord named Montvale Elementary Interim Principal
Nichole McCord has been named the new Interim Principal at Montvale Elementary School. McCord has been serving as a system-wide Elementary Assistant Principal for the past five years. She also worked at Montvale from 2017 to 2019 as a teacher. Prior to Montvale, she served as a teacher and cheerleading coach at Maryville Middle School. McCord received her bachelor's in Child Development in 2002 from Maryville College, and her Master's of Education in 2004 from Lincoln Memorial University. In a Blount County Schools press release, she said, "I am excited and honored to return to the Montvale Elementary School family. I look forward to getting to know all the wonderful students, working with the dedicated staff, and locking arms with supportive families that make this school such a special place. Building strong relationships with each of you is a top priority for me."
Low turnout, crowded contests marked Blount's Aug. 1 elections
The few registered voters who cast ballots Thursday shaped some hard-fought races. Some crowded contests also helped define the results of Blount County’s most recent elections. The elections represented the second of three races set for 2024 in Blount County. Like the county’s first election of the year, held in March, fewer than one in five registered voters — about 16.6% of over 97,000 people — selected candidates vying for offices ranging from the U.S. Senate to the city of Townsend’s board of commissioners. ...
Alcoa talks future development plans
Elected officials in Alcoa previewed the community’s future during a work session Friday, Aug. 2, as city staff presented an overview of capital projects coming to the area. The discussion ranged from the Springbrook Farm and Pellissippi Place developments to fire station improvements. Springbrook Farm, Alcoa City Manager Bruce Applegate told city commissioners during the meeting, is booming. The basic outline of the development as set out in the initial master plan will remain mostly the same, but some adjustments may have to be made...
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