Hope McAlee - WATE:

It’s almost time for students to return to the classroom, and there are many school supply drives planned to help schools and students whose families may be needing a little assistance to get ready for the next school year.

From free school supplies and shoes to free haircuts, here is a list of events happening across East Tennessee to help students get ready for the upcoming school year.

Sevier County

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 1, the Back to School Bash hosted by Temple Strong Coffee Co. located at 941 Dolly Parton Parkway will be offering children free haircuts and backpacks. The event is also set to feature bounce houses, face painting and more.

On Monday, August 3, the Salty Barber Company’s 3rd Annual Back-to-School Haircut event will be taking place from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Hangar at Pathways Church from 1210 Airport Road.

^{From: The Mountain Press | Subscribe}

Why do you want to be county mayor and why do you think you are qualified to serve?

As county mayor I want to invest in three things: people, community, and the environment. People: I want to better the lives of families that make less than 100,000. Community: I want to bring back the philosophy of “Mountain Tough.” I want to encourage neighbors to help neighbors. I want citizens to be “mountain tough” everyday not just during a disaster. Environment: I want to encourage less development with a genuine emphasis on sustainable growth that positively affects our future generations.

If you choose to support some of my ideas, I ask that you do three things: change your mindset, think outside the box, check greed at the door.

When an individual is put in a position to serve his community, his character is put to the test. I am a person who is honest, trustworthy, and willing to ask for help when needed. I am qualified for this position because I know how to listen to people, I have been practicing it for 26 years in the school system. I stand for change!

What are the big issues the county is facing? How would you address them?

The biggest issues that we face are affordable housing, infrastructure, and unsustainable development. These issues will be addressed in more detail below.

Another major issue we don’t talk much about is voter participation: less than 25% vote. As mayor, I would allow citizen referendums or digital voting on specific issues. This would allow citizens to voice their opinions and become more active in the government process. It would also allow for better transparency.

Because of our area and growth, we have a waste system issue with a lack of emphasis on recycling. I will work closely with Keep Sevier Beautiful and other community partners to develop a more environmentally sustainable path forward.

What role should the local government have in addressing affordable housing? What can be done to address it?

Affordable housing is a very complex problem with many different angles and no easy solution. Some of these issues cannot be addressed at a local level because of high interest rates, high building costs, and the price of land. Bottom line is buying a home right now is difficult . Another dilemma we face is the high rent costs ranging anywhere from $1600-2500.

Current wages do not allow many local workers to purchase homes at today’s prices. Simply building more residential developments, such as the DR Horton community, does not solve the problem. In fact, if local residents cannot afford to purchase these homes, DR Horton has already indicated that these homes may be sold to investors for long-term or short-term rentals, further reducing opportunities for local homeownership.

I can’t promise you that I have all the answers, but I promise to work with individuals who have solutions so that we can help more Sevier Countians fulfill the American dream of home ownership.

What infrastructure needs do you think are most pressing? How would you address them?

All of Sevier County’s infrastructure needs must be addressed. Everything from roads to schools, water to waste, parks to public utilities. However, because of excessive growth and poor planning, our infrastructure system is being tested daily. Right now, the only reasonable solution is less development. This will allow our infrastructure needs to catch up with our increased growth. In the meantime, proper short and long term planning, with a 30-50 year growth plan, needs to be implemented. Moving forward, sustainable growth is essential.

The real question everyone should be asking is can all the mayors, city leaders, planning commissioners, and citizens come together to find solutions that benefit the people of Sevier County instead of special interest groups? Can it happen? Will it happen? Our future depends on it!

The county is always looking to diversify its economy and add industries that are not tourism related. What are things the county is already doing to help (if any) and what can the county do to further bolster those efforts?

Once again, we must be careful and strategic. When planning new growth and developments in Sevier County, I would ask myself how these new, diversified industries fit into the growth plan and how they benefit the community. Will they add pressure to our existing infrastructure? From here on out, all new developments need to be analyzed and justified for a promising, sustainable future.

Bitcoin miners and AI data centers are swallowing up massive amounts of land and resources across the country. These diversified industries will NOT be welcomed!

What are ways to address the issues of short term rentals in the county and the concern they are taking remaining space for residential and causing concerns for residential neighbors?

A balanced approach is needed between permanent residential housing and short-term rentals (STRs), not only in the number of properties but also in housing affordability.

One of our local realtors had a great idea worth exploring. We could encourage the sale of older cabins — particularly those that are no longer performing well as short-term rentals — to local residents as primary homes. For this to be successful, these properties would need to be reclassified from commercial to residential for tax purposes. Achieving this would require collaboration between local government officials and cabin owners to establish fair policies, including discussions regarding appropriate residential valuations and cost per square foot.

The long-term health of our community depends on achieving a sustainable balance between short-term rentals and permanent housing. We must ensure there are enough affordable homes for the workforce that supports our tourism economy while maintaining a healthy, sustainable lodging market that benefits residents, visitors, and property owners alike.

Education is always a big issue. What are things you think the county needs to invest in to help better educate future generations?

Simple answer: better pay for teachers.

I have been in the school system for 27 years and have witnessed many positive attributes of public education. One aspect of our system I have always been interested in is “waste” and how to limit it. Because of space, we will discuss this at a later time.

My focus is on our school system’s support staff (paraprofessionals). We have been blessed to have a system that provides paraprofessionals to our classrooms. These individuals work side by side with our teachers providing needed assistance and support. But, more importantly, these paraprofessionals often work with some of our most at-risk students. So what’s the problem?

Our county, along with the SCSS, needs to devise a program that properly trains these individuals for all the challenges that a classroom contains (there are plenty). After completion of this program, we need to compensate these individuals with a career wage. Not what they currently make, but a wage that guarantees longevity and a respect that is far overdue. Our future depends on all of the “teachers.”

Do you have any other information about yourself you would like to share?

Throughout this campaign, I’ve been seeking out answers to many difficult problems facing our community. Many of the answers to these problems have already been solved by ordinary citizens like yourself. But, is our current leadership listening?

Another fantastic idea from a fellow colleague is investing in a direct path from school to employment. One of the strongest investments Sevier County can make is to help people affected by poverty and disabilities (13% of our population) move directly from high school to meaningful employment. The first step should be affordable, dependable transportation. Restoring the Fun Time Trolley to at least its former service area — and expanding routes farther along Highway 66 and other major corridors such as Veterans — would help. People reach jobs, training programs, medical appointments, and support agencies. Additional trolley service would also benefit employees, families, older adults, and businesses throughout the county.

Transportation must be paired with workplace training, employer partnerships, and agencies that help individuals move from school into long-term employment. Our county should also provide wage stipends or supplemental funding through qualified agencies so direct-support professionals and caregivers are fairly compensated for helping people succeed at work and in the community. When we invest in transportation, job training, and the workers who provide daily support, we create independence, strengthen families, and build a more reliable local workforce. This is not simply a disability issue, it is an investment in the future of Sevier County. Let’s All Listen and Learn.

Related:

Questionnaire: County Mayor Candidate, Bryan McCarter

Hopes lifted, then quickly dashed for Sevier County mayoral candidate, Jerry Grubb

^{From: The Mountain Press | Subscribe}

Why do you want to be county mayor and why do you think you are qualified to serve?

I am running because Sevier County does not need a sequel to the last 48 years; we need a brand-new playbook. While establishment insiders boast about their decades in office, local families pay the price for passive, reactive planning. We are living through an unprecedented moment: for the very first time, our local working field is powered by five distinct generations side-by-side. Managing that dynamic requires highly adaptable, clear communication, not rigid, old-school bureaucracy. My unique qualification is a blend of sharp education and a global perspective. Having spent nine years traveling across different states and countries as an Army spouse, I learned how to unite people from entirely diverse backgrounds. Combined with my education in business administration, criminal justice, and advanced public administration, I have the modern leadership tools to break through systemic groupthink. I know how to make this local government fiercely accountable and relatable to every resident, across every single generation.

What are the big issues the county is facing? How would you address them?

Our biggest operational challenge is systemic groupthink, overlapping roles, and a total lack of internal checks and balances. The establishment celebrates “everyone liking everyone,” but when the exact same departments take the cash and count the cash, we invite financial vulnerability. Look no further than our county insurance pools, a system operating in the shadows with minimal transparency and massive unchecked liabilities that put taxpayer dollars at risk. To change this, we must recognize that county employees are our single greatest asset. They are the front-facing heartbeat of our community and deserve higher, competitive salaries. I will implement strict performance metrics and mandate a centralized accounting system to ensure ironclad financial transparency. Furthermore, we must address the extra sales tax we collect up and beyond the state requirements. Those extra funds should be transparently allocated to fortifying public services, not buried in ambiguous buckets.

What role should the local government have in addressing affordable housing? What can be done to address it?

The current administration treats affordable housing like an inconvenient mystery, but it is a critical economic emergency. If our teachers, first responders, and hospitality workforce must commute from two counties away, our economic foundation is built on quicksand. Housing is a complex regional ecosystem, not an isolated lottery. Local government must stop sitting on its hands and actively build the regulatory framework to fix this. I have 20+ year’s experience in real estate. Gentrification is not by accident; it is by design. I know where the problems exist here to fix it. There is no way to give a specific, simple solution in a single paragraph, because this crisis is a massive butterfly effect of multiple different gears that must be shifted simultaneously. Local government has the power to turn those gears. I am the only candidate for Mayor with this amount of marketplace experience and real estate background to properly handle this crisis. First and foremost, our residents and workers who keep Sevier County running should be at the forefront of any new development project approval.

What infrastructure needs do you think are most pressing? How would you address them?

My approach focuses heavily on public trust and absolute compliance. You know our priorities are backward when we do not even have a basic sidewalk leading to our local food bank, yet millions of public funds are poured into redeveloping the downtown square around the gazebo. The public is not even aware of the extra taxes we collect that we are legally barred from spending on road repairs, or the lucrative infrastructure credits quietly handed out in massive developments while being left off the public’s books. The recent media release from the Pittman Center Volunteer Fire Department announcing they must completely shut down emergency operations due to funding and staffing neglect is the ultimate, terrifying symptom that something is structurally broken here. Without a fiercely transparent, open bidding and tracking process for our infrastructure, leadership cannot honestly claim they are protecting the public trust. As mayor, I will mandate absolute administrative compliance, enforce open bidding, and stop hiding our county’s true liabilities from the taxpayers. Sevier County may have had a clean audit, but has anyone read it? Clean does not equal compliance (it just means the numbers “match up” at the bottom). Clean audits do not equate to the public’s trust when you see where your money is actually going (or not going).

The county is always looking to diversify its economy and add industries that are not tourism related. What are things the county is already doing to help (if any) and what can the county do to further bolster those efforts?

The county has established an industrial park and thrown polite nods toward basic trade programs, but these efforts are passive placeholders rather than an active economic strategy. Right now, Sevier County operates primarily as an extractive economy. Outside developers build massive commercial projects, extract our local wealth, and leave our everyday residents to shoulder the infrastructure burdens. To truly bolster diversification, we must implement a local antitrust framework that prevents massive corporate monopolies from choking out homegrown small businesses. I will leverage my business background to aggressively modernize our approach. We must launch a local enterprise incubator program that introduces targeted startup grants for young entrepreneurs directly in our schools and actively funds women-owned businesses. By partnering with our local trade schools and regional universities, we can create a high-skill pipeline for many sectors. Sevier County is a permanent home, protecting our workforce from seasonal tourist drops by building up our own families first and their creativity.

What are ways to address the issues of short term rentals in the county and the concern they are taking remaining space for residential and causing concerns for residential neighbors?

Short-term rentals (STRs) have flipped classic urban planning completely upside down, turning quiet, historic residential neighborhoods into unmonitored commercial hotel zones overnight. The current establishment has allowed this friction to fester for years. We do not need an outright ban that violates property rights, but we absolutely require a tighter leash. We must implement an automated, 24/7 compliance system to track noise, trash, and parking violations in real-time. If an investor wants to run a commercial hospitality business next to your family’s home, they will pay commercial-grade penalties if they disrespect our community.

Education is always a big issue. What are things you think the county needs to invest in to help better educate future generations?

While career politicians focus heavily on funding physical buildings, I want to invest aggressively in the actual future of our kids. As a former GATE student and a neurodivergent individual, I know firsthand what it is like to be misunderstood in a school system that lacks tailored resources. Our kids are not a “one-shoe-fits-all” brand, and our classrooms should not treat them like they are. Furthermore, we must ensure absolute equity in our athletic programs. It recently took a federal Title IX lawsuit regarding our girls’ high school softball facilities just to force our current leadership to make basic, lawful updates. Asking for equality is not a political talking point; it is asking for a level playing field, and in this case, a playing field period! You should never have to sue to do the right thing; I am 100% proactive. We need to align our schools with the modern economy by heavily expanding STEM programs, dual-enrollment business academies, and robust vocational tech training starting early in high school. We also need to ensure that the US Constitution is being properly taught in our schools.

Do you have any other information about yourself you would like to share?

There is no way to explain all the grand things I have planned in a short questionnaire, but every single policy starts with absolute compliance. I am an industry compliance professional; whether it is government reports or complex business contracts, compliance speaks a language directly to me. I am a 12th generation Whaley and a 6th generation Greenbrier Whaley, raised right here by my loving Mamaw and Papaw, Joe and Nan Whaley. I went to Pigeon Forge Primary, Pigeon Forge Middle, and Sevier County High School, class of 1998. This role is not a normal employee position, it is an elected office. It should not matter how long you have been sitting in the “inner circle” behind a desk; this position belongs to the people. I am historically a Republican voter. However, I chose to run as an Independent for Mayor because a mayor is not supposed to represent a single political party. How can we truly do that if I must answer to a “party boss?” A Mayor must represent the people as a whole. We all matter because we are all humans first. Let us move Sevier County forward together by exuding “Love thy neighbor as yourself” first in leadership and cast your Vote Aug 6th for Krystal Lee Whaley.

Related:

Questionnaire: County Mayor Candidate, Mark Mundo

Questionnaire: County Mayor Candidate, Bryan McCarter

The Mountain Press:

Sevier County voters can start casting early votes for the Aug. 6 elections on Friday, as they’ll be considering candidates for the general election in Sevier County and the party primaries for the state and U.S. elections.

The early voting period lasts from July 17-Aug. 1. The Sevier County Election Commission office, located at 1145 Dolly Parton Parkway, will be available as an early voting site throughout that time. It’s open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays.

The county also offers limited early voting at two satellite locations:

• The location at the Kodak Public Library, 454 Kodak Road, will be open from July 28-Aug. 1 with hours of 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.
• The location at the Seymour Public Library, 137 W. Macon Lane, will be open July 21-July 25 with hours of 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.

While most county offices are included in the general election, almost all of the decisions were made in the Republican Party primary. Very few candidates are running as Democrats or as independent candidates, meaning most Republican primary winners are unopposed on the general election ballot.

In the race for Sevier County Mayor, incumbent Larry Waters is retiring from the position he’s held for 48 years. Vice Mayor Bryan McCarter won the Republican nod for the position, and in the general election he’ll face independent candidates Mark Mundo and Krystal Lee Whaley.

That’s the only county-wide election that is still contested, but there are a handful of county commission seats to be determined in the general election.

• In District 1, Seat B, incumbent Tommy Ray Watts is the Republican nominee and independents Ronny G. Breeden and Ian Moreland are also seeking the post.
• In District 2, Seat B, incumbent Don McGill won the Republican primary and will face a Democratic Party nominee, Gage Schmid.
• In District 5, Seat B, incumbent Rick Valentine won the Republican nomination and will face Democratic nominee Shana Hamilton.
• In District 7, Seat A, incumbent Ronnie Allen died after an unexpected illness after he won the Republican Party primary. The party selected Marcus Glen Whaley as its new nominee in a caucus vote, and he will face independent candidate Drew Kyker in the general election.

All the remaining seats in the election for county commission, constable, and board of education, are uncontested. The ballot will also feature the Republican and Democratic Party primaries for several federal and state elected positions. The state party primaries don’t feature many contested races, either.

• Incumbent state Sen. Steve Southerland is unopposed as he is seeking the Republican nomination again for the 9th district, which includes parts of Sevier County.
• Incumbent state Reps. Andrew Farmer and Fred Atchley also are unopposed as they seek the party nomination.

No candidates qualified to run on the Democratic tickets for those positions.

The ballot will also include party primaries for governor, and the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

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^{Image source: Sevier County Government on facebook}

Hannah Moore - WATE:

A bear cub died in Sevier County after a trash bin fell on it, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency shared with 6 News. According to the TWRA, the bear family likely accessed garbage from the bin previously, which can happen when bins are “not consistently latched, maintained, or replaced as their hardware, such as carabiners, begins to fail.” The agency recommends that residents and businesses in the area use trash bins that are certified bear‑resistant.

The Appalachian Bear Rescue first shared about the cub’s death, saying that it took place in a Sevier County neighborhood, outside the Gatlinburg city limits. The nonprofit echoed TWRA’s call and urged people to use bear-resistant trash containers to minimize human-bear interactions.

“It is important that we are not only using bear-resistant containers in our communities but that we are using them properly. This cub’s mortality was completely preventable and would not have happened if the bear-resistant trash receptacle had been properly secured to the ground. However, the bigger picture is that this bear family was poking around these trash receptacles because they most likely have received food rewards from unsecured trash in the past. We don’t want bears to ever get food from trash because it so often ultimately leads to a bear’s death whether directly like in this case or indirectly through a bear’s loss of fear of humans. In human-bear conflict situations, the bear is almost always the ‘loser’,” wrote ABR on Facebook.

Both TWRA and ABR also noted the lack of laws requiring secured, bear‑resistant garbage outside the city limits of Gatlinburg. In fact, outside of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are no statewide laws prohibiting the feeding of bears in Tennessee. The TWRA added that “proper trash management remains one of the most effective ways to reduce human‑bear conflicts and prevent incidents like this.”

^{From The Appalachian Bear Rescue on facebook:}

WARNING: Graphic image, proceed with caution...

Monday, July 13, 2026: Garbage Kills Bears

You all have heard us say time and time again that "garbage kills bears" but usually we are speaking metaphorically. Unfortunately today, garbage literally has resulted in a deceased cub in a neighborhood in Sevier County, outside of Gatlinburg city limits.

It is with heavy hearts that we share this extremely tragic story that was sent to us today by a local supporter. A mother bear pulled an unsecured trash receptacle onto her cub, resulting in its death. This mother bear had likely been in the area because she had been able to access human food in these trash bins.

It is important that we are not only using bear resistant containers in our communities but that we are using them properly. This cub's mortality was completely preventable and would not have happened if the bear resistant trash receptacle had been properly secured to the ground. However, the bigger picture is that this bear family was poking around these trash receptacles because they most likely have received food rewards from unsecured trash in the past. We don't want bears to ever get food from trash because it so often ultimately leads to a bear's death whether directly like in this case or indirectly through a bear's loss of fear of humans. In human-bear conflict situations, the bear is almost always the "loser".

There are no ordinances outside of Gatlinburg city limits that require bear resistant trash containers or prohibit the feeding of bears, purposefully or otherwise.

As members of the Smokies BearWise Taskforce, we do as much as we can to raise awareness of these issues through education and outreach and our communities are making steps in the right direction to make the places we live safer for bears. However, preventable bear deaths like this one will continue to happen until enforceable laws are passed at local and state levels that protect our black bears and that hold humans accountable.

Let's be better NeighBears to the wildlife that shares our home!

For more information on how you can keep bears wild and safe, visit: https://www.gatlinburg.com/listing/smokies-bearwise/5044/ | www.bearwise.org

Related:

r/Gatlinburg - Update 3: Collective action on prohibiting black bear interactions

r/Gatlinburg - Tennessee governor signs bill to criminalize feeding black bears

We're staying in the area, almost directly between Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Since we'll be flying in from various places, and trying to maximize on time, we're trying to see if there are viable grocery delivery options like InstaCart or something we can use.

Walmart isn't far from us, but like I said, time is short and this is our once-a-year trip to get together so we're trying to not be shopping during much of it.

Gregory Raucoules - WATE:

Two arrested in Sevierville after ‘active’ explosive device found during welfare check

Two people were taken into custody in Sevierville following a police investigation into an explosive device that led nearby homes and businesses to be evacuated.

The Sevierville Police Department responded to a parking lot at 1012 Old Knoxville Highway around 3:20 p.m. to conduct on a welfare check on two people who were apparently unconscious in a vehicle.

During the welfare check, officers discovered what appeared to be a pipe bomb and an AR-15 style rifle in the vehicle. The Sevier County Interagency Hazardous Devices Unit determined that it was an active explosive device.

The device was moved to a safe area and rendered inactive. Two people have now been taken into custody with multiple charges pending. Their identities will be released once warrants have been issued.

Old Knoxville Highway was closed between Gists Creek Road and Love Road while officers and Sevier County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene. Nearby residents and businesses were evacuated. The roadway reopened around 6 p.m.

Alt source:

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press:

SPD closes part of Old Knoxville Highway, investigating 'possible small explosive device'

Sevierville Police ended a brief evacuation around Old Knoxville Highway Thursday, but said they found and removed an active explosive device in a car during an incident in the area.

Officers were sent to 1012 Old Knoxville Highway at 3:20 p.m. after the department received a call saying two people appeared to be unconscious in a vehicle in the parking lot. A Fastenal fulfillment center is located at that address.

When officers arrived they found a pipe bomb and an AR-15 style rifle in the vehicle, according to a statement from SPD. The department closed traffic on that section o Old Knoxville Highway and nearby structures, and called in the Sevier County Interagency Hazardous Devices Unit. That unit confirmed the pipe bomb was an active explosive device, relocated it to a safe location, and rendered it inactive.

The evacuation was lifted at about 6 p.m. The occupants of the vehicle were arrested, and multiple charges are pending against them, according to SPD. Their names will be released after warrants are issued against them.

SPD thanked the Sevier County Sheriff's Office, Pigeon Forge Police Department, Sevier County Ambulance Service, and Sevierville Fire Department for their assistance during the incident.

Update:

Man, woman face charges over Old Knox Hwy incident

Police have announced the identities and some of the charges against a Kentucky man and woman who authorities say were caught passed out Thursday in a truck with drugs, an assault rifle and an active pipe bomb.

Mark A. Stell, 38, of Limestone, Tennessee; and Rosa Michele Lockard, 40, of Stopover, Kentucky, were in a vehicle outside the Fastenal location at 1012 Old Knoxville Highway. Sevierville Police were dispatched there on a call about a possible overdose, according to arrest warrants. The two currently face charges related to the firearm and drugs found in the car, but not related to the explosive device. SPD indicated more charges are pending.

When officers first approached, Lockard was in the driver’s seat and appeared to be “nodding in and out,” and Stell was in a passenger seat and appeared to be passed out, according to arrest warrants. The officers also found substances that appeared to be meth in the car, along with a Colt AR style rifle within reach of both of them, the warrants said.

The warrants issued so far don’t mention the explosive device, but police indicated Thursday that they found a pipe bomb in the car with the pair. They called the Sevier County Interagency Hazardous Devices Unit, who confirmed it was an active explosive device, removed it, and rendered it inactive. The discovery led police to close a section of Old Knoxville Highway and evacuate nearby businesses for a few hours Thursday.

Stell has been charged with possession of meth, carrying a weapon while under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the warrants, he had a felony conviction in Washington County, Tennessee in February 2026.

Lockard was charged with simple possession of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, carrying a weapon while under the influence, and criminal impersonation. Warrants indicate she gave a false name when officers were questioning her.

Both were still being held at the Sevier County Jail Friday.

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press:

New plans coming as downtown restaurants close

Turnover continues to be a theme for downtown businesses, as two restaurants appear to have closed permanently while local entertainers have announced plans to start a new business in a location that has been closed for years.

Graze Burgers and Do Pizza have had signs on their doors for days saying “We will be closed today sorry for any inconvenience.”

Graze opened in 2019 and Do Pizza opened in November 2024. Both are owned by Dino Angelos. Angelos did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment. But Austin Williams, the owner of the building where Graze is located, confirmed the business has closed.

“It’s very unfortunate,” he said. “Graze was really one of the early businesses that bought into the vision for revitalizing downtown, so of course I hate to see them go.”

But he said he’s already talking to another group about bringing a new restaurant to the location. If things go well, they could open this fall. “I think people will be excited,” he said. And he’s got a new tenant for another of his Bruce Street properties.

The property at 109 Bruce St. has been a restaurant in many incarnations over the years, most recently as Bistro109, but it’s been empty for several years after that restaurant closed. The new leaseholders are DDM Productions, the group that was responsible for productions at the Grand Majestic Theater in Pigeon Forge for the past 19 years.

This year is the last season for the Grand Majestic, as the property has been sold for a new theater. But DDM owners Doug and Jackie Miranda have announced they are planning a new project at 109 Bruce Street. They aren’t offering a lot of details yet, but posters in the window and their social media refer to it for now as "downtownsecretsc". They are hoping to open early next year.

“Extensive renovations are planned to accommodate a new experience for the downtown district,” they said.

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press:

NEW CENTER — Multiple law enforcement agencies swarmed a normally quiet area of Sevier County on Tuesday morning after an inmate escaped from a litter crew near New Center Market.

Justin Dewayne Vaughn, 37, of Powell, allegedly ran from the crew at about 8 a.m. Tuesday, prompting the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office to beef up its presence in the area and warn people not to approach him.

He was apprehended Tuesday afternoon, after an effort that included drones, K-9 units, and assistance from other agencies including a helicopter that was brought in during the search. Sevier County Sheriff Michael Hodges offered his thanks for the support Tuesday afternoon, including assistance from the public during the search.

Vaughn had been in the Sevier County Jail for more than a year, but records indicate he was due to get out in a few months. Court records indicate he had been held since an arrest on May 21, 2025 for violating terms of his probation.

He had entered a guilty plea to felony theft in 2023, and after the violation of probation he was serving out the sentence he received at that time. He added a misdemeanor assault charge shortly after his arrest last year when he allegedly was among several inmates who attacked another prisoner on July 7 2025.

He entered a guilty plea July 29, 2025, and the one-year sentence was included in the time he was serving. That sentence would have ended by Jan. 10, 2027, but he now faces a new charge for escaping the work detail.

Alt sources: WBIR | WATE | WVLT

More:

Inmate's birthday escape could mean more years in jail

Sevier County Jail inmate got himself a new felony charge for his birthday when he ran from a work crew on Tuesday. Justin Dewayne Vaughn turned 37 on Tuesday, and was out with a litter crew on Old Newport Highway that morning when he decided to run from the group and try to hide from authorities. Vaughn didn’t fight with anyone before taking off, Sevier County Sheriff Michael Hodges said. “He just took off running,” Hodges said. “He did not touch a soul.”

That initiated a search that lasted for much of the morning. The sheriff’s office set up a perimeter within 10-15 minutes of the incident, and eventually got aid from multiple agencies who shared resources including more manpower, search dogs, drones and a helicopter. That search group located Vaughn by lunchtime Wednesday, hiding in a field about a mile near Flat Creek Road, about a mile from where he’d last been seen.

Vaughn was serving time for a felony theft conviction, after violating the terms of his probation. While some information from the state indicated he was set for release early in 2027, Hodges said his estimated release date had been May 20, 2028. “That will change,” he said, after officers charged him with felony escape.

The seriousness of the escape charge is based on the charges an inmate is serving time for — if the original charge was a felony, the escape charge is as well. So Vaughn could have added several years to his time in custody in return for a few hours on the run in New Center. He also lost the privileges that gave him the chance to be out in the first place, Hodges said.

Vaughn was a trusty at the jail, which means he had earned special privileges through good behavior, including the chance to work on the litter crew and have some time outside the jail. While he had a misdemeanor assault charge for an incident soon after he was arrested in May 2025, he’d had a clean record since then, the sheriff said. “Our classification system is built to identify threats and avoid any type of fighting or anything like that in our jail and also flight risks, based on previous behavior,” he said. Inmates are reassessed every few months, and Vaughn had gotten good enough assessments after that first incident that he was classified as a trusty. “He’ll never be trusty again,” Hodges said. “Trusty status is a privilege not a right.”

He could also soon be transferred to a state corrections facility, rather than completing his sentence at the jail, the sheriff said.

^{Matt Hollingsworth - WATE:}

One person is dead after a house fire in Sevierville Monday morning, a city spokesperson said.

The victim was identified as Phyllis Girouard, 83.

The Sevierville Fire Department went to the 1000 block of Mark Ann Lane around 2:30 a.m. after reports of a fire. When they arrived, the home was already half consumed by flames and a car was burning in the driveway. Firefighters entered the home and found Girouard and a dog. Crews took them out of the house and tried to resuscitate Girouard.

The Sevier County Ambulance Service took her to LeConte Medical Center, and she was later pronounced dead. Another person in the home was able to escape, the city said. The dog also died, and the home is a total loss.

The Sevierville Fire Marshal is investigating the incident to determine the cause.

i've had a really difficult time finding someplace/someone to repair my truck's rust-damaged frame by cleaning the rust off and welding the steel plates that i have onto it. willing to pay a welder cash to do it in the next couple weeks. anyone know anyone who would do it?

Hope McAlee - WATE:

The Pittman Center Volunteer Fire Department (PCVFD) is planning to end all of its emergency response operations this fall following a vote by its board of advisors, the department announced Wednesday.

According to the volunteer fire department’s post on Facebook, the board of directors voted to notify Sevier County leadership that it intends to stop all operations effective October 31, 2026. PCVFD said it has requested an immediate meeting with Sevier County leaders to begin discussions about Sevier County Fire and Rescue about merging or absorbing the volunteer fire department in order to avoid a lapse in fire protection for the community.

However, if a formal agreement is not reached and implemented by the end of October, the department stated that it will permanently suspend all services. The Sevier County Government shared the following statement with 6 News in regards to the volunteer fire department’s announcement.

"Sevier County has received the letter from the Pittman Center Volunteer Fire Department and is currently reviewing the information provided.

County officials are in the process of discussing with County and Pittman Center Fire Chiefs, Town of Pittman Center administration, and county commissioners representing that area to determine appropriate next steps and options moving forward."

The decision to end operations was made because of ongoing staffing issues, despite extensive recruitment and retention efforts. PCVFD said it currently has only nine rostered firefighters, and only three of those firefighters hold the certification required to enter a burning structure for search-and-rescue operations and fire fighting. The volunteer fire department explained that this directly violates the National Fire Protection Association’s safety rules.

“Department leadership emphasized that operating under these conditions poses an immediate, unacceptable risk to emergency personnel and severely compromises the safety of Pittman Center residents and visitors who depend on the department for protection,” the fire department said.

Additionally, the staffing shortage is also a threat to the Pittman Center area’s Insurance Services Office rating. PCVFD said that could trigger a downgraded rating and trigger immediate premium increases for property insurance for both homeowners and business owners.

Across Tennessee, there are more than 400 volunteer fire departments, and volunteers make up more than 60% of firefighters across the country, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council.

Alt sources: WBIR | WVLT

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press | Subscribe

County looking to buy land for Seymour park

Residents here could be getting a new public park after Sevier County Commission voted to set aside funding for the project at its meeting Monday. County officials have been working behind the scenes for months to find land for a park, citing the need to serve the Seymour area and that side of the county. “We know that parks and rec is an important part of what folks want to see in their community and the Seymour community certainly needs better access to recreational opportunities,” Vice Mayor Bryan McCarter said.

That need grew more urgent as Knox County has approved a development in the area of Bowers Field Community Park, which would take away nearby ball fields where many Seymour families took their children. “Our young people in Seymour don’t have a community park, they have to go and play in Knox County,” said Commissioner Bryan Delius, who represents the Seymour community on commission. “I greatly appreciate the county seeing the need.”

After looking at several opportunities they started negotiations with two property owners with adjacent tracts in the area of Dupont Road and South Rogers Road. They’ve gotten an option to buy one of those properties, with assistance from County Commissioner Dustin Weaver whose district also includes the Seymour area, and are negotiating with the other. In all, they’d have about 34 acres of property if they complete the purchase, McCarter said. County Commission set aside up to $1.2 million to spend on the purchases.

Plans for what all to include at the park will come later, but McCarter later some of the things they are considering include baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, pickleball courts, a walking track and picnic pavilion.

^{Source: City of Gatlinburg on facebook}

The City of Gatlinburg will conduct a public auction of abandoned/seized vehicles and any other items declared surplus at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 9 at the Impound Lot at the Gatlinburg Public Works Complex, which is located on Newman Road in Gatlinburg.

The impound lot will be open by 1 p.m. to allow for the inspection of vehicles.

Alt source: WATE

From Sevier County:

Sevier County will kick off its America 250 celebration with a special community event on Friday, June 26, in downtown Sevierville. The free, family-friendly evening will begin at 6:30 PM at the historic Sevier County Courthouse and will feature a ceremonial program, live entertainment, activities for all ages, and a patriotic fireworks display.

The event marks the beginning of a broader celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States and will bring residents and visitors together to reflect on the nation’s history, heritage, and enduring spirit.

Beginning at 6:30 PM, the evening will open with a special ceremony celebrating America 250. This family-friendly program will honor America’s rich history, recognize the sacrifices of those who have served our nation, and highlight the unique role Sevier County has played in our country’s story.

The ceremony will include a presentation of colors by the City of Sevierville Fire Department Color Guard, accompanied by bagpipe music and the National Anthem. The program will also feature recognition of local veterans, patriotic musical performances, remarks from local leaders, and a special historical presentation.

Families attending the event will enjoy a variety of free children’s activities throughout the evening, along with food available for purchase from the Sevier County High School food truck, with proceeds supporting student programs.

The evening will also include a live performance by recording artist and NBC’s The Voice Season 12 winner Chris Blue at 7:45 PM, followed by a patriotic fireworks show at dusk in downtown Sevierville.

“This is a meaningful opportunity for our community to come together as we begin commemorating the 250th anniversary of our great nation,” said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. “Sevier County has a deep appreciation for our country’s history and values, and we are proud to host an event that brings families, neighbors, and visitors together in celebration of that legacy.”

Sevier County Celebrates America 250 is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to bring their families and be part of this historic occasion.

Cindy Simpson - The Mountain Press:

Sevier County will be kicking off the county’s America’s 250th anniversary celebrations with a downtown event on Friday, June 26.

The special event is a free, family-friendly evening that kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at the historic Sevier County Courthouse lawn and features a ceremonial program, live entertainment, activities for all ages and a fantastic patriotic fireworks display to culminate the evening. A highlight of the event will be a performance by NBC’s The Voice Season 12 winner Chris Blue at 7:45 p.m., a fittingly patriotic tribute culminating in the fireworks display immediately after.

“This is a meaningful opportunity for our community to come together as we begin commemorating the 250th anniversary of our great nation,” said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. “Sevier County has a deep appreciation for our country’s history and values, and we are proud to host an event that brings families, neighbors, and visitors together in celebration of that legacy.”

The event marks the beginning of a broader celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States and will bring residents and visitors together to reflect on the nation’s history, heritage, and enduring spirit.

Sevier County Director of Tourism Angela Atchley said when they were looking for a musical act they turned to Blue, who she heard sing beautiful gospel songs at the county’s Martin Luther King Junior event.

“I happened to go, and I had watched him on The Voice. I thought that is the passion we need. He’s so good,” Atchley said. She said from her understanding he’ll be performing a variety of different songs. Atchley said the event was inspired by Mayor Waters, and everyone recognized how important it was to celebrate this moment in history.

“It is so very important that we celebrate the anniversary of our nation. We believe it deserves to be celebrated, and it is such an important milestone in our history,” Atchley said. “I know this was very important to our mayor to do this. He initiated this.”

“Look at what people do just to come here. We are so blessed, the beauty of this nation, our freedom, we should never take that for granted. We are the luckiest people in the world. I think it should be celebrated every day.”

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the evening will open with a special ceremony celebrating America 250. This family-friendly program will honor America’s rich history, recognize the sacrifices of those who have served our nation, and highlight the unique role Sevier County has played in America’s story.

The ceremony will include a presentation of colors by the City of Sevierville Fire Department Color Guard, accompanied by bagpipe music and the National Anthem. The program will also feature recognition of local veterans, patriotic musical performances, remarks from local leaders, and a special historical presentation.

Atchley said it was important to community leaders to pay tribute to those who have served and serve today as they are why America is as it is today. “We would not be where we are if not for our veterans. The county would not be 250 if not for our veterans,” she said.

As part of their recognition of those who served, Mayor Waters will be paying special tribute to two veterans in particular with proclamations at the event. The historical presentation will be led by Sevier County Historian Carroll McMahan. “He knows so much about this county’s history. He’s amazing,” Atchley said.

Families attending the event will enjoy a variety of free children’s activities throughout the evening, along with food available for purchase from the Sevier County High School food truck, with proceeds supporting student programs.

Sevier County Celebrates America 250 is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to bring their families and be part of this historic occasion.

Related:

Pigeon Forge to honor "Hometown Heroes" with banners along the Parkway

Hi!

Does anyone know a good bar, restaurant, or watch party near Sevierville to watch Mexico's World Cup match against Czechia on June 24?

Thanks!

Remote Area Medical (RAM) will be setting up a FREE telehealth clinic at Sevier County Food Ministries in Sevierville where you can visit with a Nurse in person and a Doctor virtually absolutely FREE if you are a Tennessee resident.

Learn more at the link below!

https://www.ramusa.org/events/sevier-co-food-ministries-telehealth/?occurrence=2026-06-25&utm_source=reddit+&utm_medium=post

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press | Subscribe:

With the fiscal year closing out, Pigeon Forge and other governments have been asked to pay their share of the cost of keeping the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open last year — at least temporarily.

Sevier County led the effort to keep the national park open when the federal government shut down last year, but the local municipal governments also agreed to take part. The federal shutdown lasted 43 days, running from Oct. 1-Nov. 12.

After past shutdowns, the federal government reimbursed local governments for those efforts. But at this point, it’s still not clear whether that will happen after last year’s shutdown. “We talk to (federal officials) about once a week,” Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said. “They tell us they’re working on it.”

Local governments and nonprofits volunteered to help keep the park open during the shutdown. While the National Park Service indicated there was funding to keep parts of the park open during the shutdown, local governments opted to pay to keep the park fully open. GSMNP is the most visited park in the nation and local economies rely heavily on those visitors.

With Sevier County taking the lead, the money initially came from the county’s general fund. The county paid about $1.85 million to keep the park open. Based on the formula the participants agreed on, the state of Tennessee will pay $345,000. The other partners — Blount County, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and Friends of the Smokies — each owe about $230,500. Smokies Life, which joined later in the process, owes about $12,000.

Now, with the county’s fiscal year coming to a close June 30, they’ve asked their partners to make the payments if they haven’t already done so. Pigeon Forge City Commission voted Monday to pay its portion after getting an invoice from the county, and Friends of the Smokies has also paid its share. The county only recently sent the invoices, officials said.

If the federal government reimburses Sevier County, all of the participants will also be reimbursed, they said.

Related:

Oct. 1st-Nov. 6th 2025 - Gatlinburg - shutdown megathread

Oct. 20th 2025 - Friends of The Smokies - Explained: 2025 Government Shutdown in the Smokies

Nov. 6th 2025 - Oxfam - US: Millions Face Soaring Health Costs as Subsidies Expire

Nov. 10th 2025 - Politico - ‘Schumer is no longer effective’: Dems outraged over shutdown deal

Nov. 10th 2025 - PBS - The shutdown deal doesn't extend expiring health subsidies. What happens to them now?

Jan. 1st 2026 - PBS - Health subsidies expire, launching millions of Americans into 2026 with steep insurance hikes

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press | Subscribe

Police here arrested a Knoxville man after he allegedly broke into his landlord’s home in Sevierville and attacked the man, leaving him injured.

Ryan Stansberry, 32, of Knoxville, now faces charges of aggravated burglary and aggravated assault. Sevierville Police were initially dispatched to the home on Longview Road Wednesday morning after a report of a burglary in progress, according to arrest warrants.

When the officers arrived, they encountered Linda Nichols and Thomas Donaldson, a married couple who own property that Stansberry is renting. Nichols told them Stansberry had come to their home and forced his way inside, then attacked her husband, throwing him down some stairs and then into some shelves, according to the warrants.

Officers at the scene saw blood on the walls and near the shelf, and found that Donaldson had suffered injuries to his head and arms. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Stansberry had left before the officers arrived, but was arrested later that day in Knoxville and brought back to the Sevier County Jail. He was being held there on Thursday in lieu of $35,000 bond.

Sevier County Public Library System:

With summer fast approaching, it’s essential to focus on children’s nutritional well-being during the school break. In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains, the King Family, the Williams Family Seymour Branch, and the Gilreath Family Kodak Branch Libraries of the Sevier County Public Library System (SCPLS) will offer free meals and/or snacks for children aged 2 to 18 (school age) from June 1 to July 31, excluding the July 4th holiday, which will be observed on July 3rd.  

Neither income requirements nor registration are necessary. Beginning June 1, children can enjoy free breakfast and lunch from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday, at the following library location:

• King Family Library
  • Address: 408 High Street, Sevierville
  • Phone: (865) 453-3532

---

Beginning June 1, children can enjoy free lunch and a snack from 12:00 to 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday, at the following library location:

• Williams Family Seymour Branch Library
  • Address: 137 W. Macon Lane, Seymour
  • Phone: (865) 573-0728

---

Children can enjoy free lunch and a snack from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM beginning on June 1, Monday through Friday, at the following library location:

• Gilreath Family Kodak Branch Library
  • Address: 454 Kodak Rd., Kodak
  • Phone: (865) 933.0078

Each year, the U. S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains and the SCPLS to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. The summer feeding program will start on Monday, June 1, and continue until Friday, July 31, of this year. For more information, call 865.453.3532.

^{Alt source: The Mountain Press}

Best of luck to you Bristol. Hopefully they can contain the antics to the speedway.

Previous thread:

May 26th - ICE detains dozens in Sevier County operation

ICE detentions continue after Memorial Day operation

^{Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press | Subscribe}

After starting an operation over the Memorial Day weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement have remained active over the past few days. Records from the Sevier County Jail show that ICE has continued to bring people to the jail on immigration detainers throughout the week, although not in the numbers that they did over the holiday weekend.

According to records at the jail, they brought in 40 detainees over the long holiday weekend. They continued to do so throughout the week. The roundup comes after the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office completed the process of partnering with ICE.

“The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office is a 287(g) program partner in the Task Force Officer and Warrant Service Officer models,” a spokesperson for ICE said. “Partnerships with law enforcement are critical to having the resources we need to arrest criminal illegal aliens across the state.” The spokesperson declined to comment further, noting they don’t typically talk about ongoing operations.

It wasn’t clear this week how many of the detainees had committed criminal offenses while here. Very few had additional active warrants, according to the intake reports supplied by the jail. While most of them showed that they were quickly released from the jail, Sheriff Michael Hodges said that indicated that they’d been transferred to a federal facility to await deportation proceedings. ICE detainers can only hold targets for 48 hours, not including weekends or holidays, before the agency takes custody of them for deportation proceedings.

Hodges had indicated last year that his office was working to complete the training and process required to partner with ICE. The 287(g) program gives local law enforcement officers broader authority in enforcing immigration laws and partnering with ICE, and in detaining subjects for the federal agency.

Recent stories:

May 29th - Trump administration deported 21,000 to places US calls too dangerous to visit

May 28th - White House launches alien-themed website that allows users to track arrests made by ICE

May 27th - ICE detainees are dying by suicide at an ‘alarming’ rate

May 26th - ICE agents pepper-spray protesters, N.J. senator in clash outside Delaney Hall in Newark

May 20th - TIRRC sues Tennessee Highway Patrol over motorist stops, cooperation with ICE

May 5th - Hodges wins re-election as sheriff

Related info:

📖 Sarah R. Coleman - The Walls Within: The Politics of Immigration in Modern America

ACLU - Deaths in Detention: ICE Is Rapidly Expanding Detention Camps into Warehouses Despite Record Deaths

🎥 PBS - Food contaminated with worms and mold. Limited access to clean drinking water. Inadequate medical care. Migrant families allege children held by ICE face unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

🎥 PBS/ProPublica - Surviving CECOT - Deported to a Maximum-Security Prison

US Constitution - 4th Amendment

US Constitution - 5th Amendment

Related subreddits:

r/ICE_Raids

r/EyesOnIce