News Briefs
ALCOA — The City of Alcoa joins potential fire truck antitrust litigation as cities face rising costs, delivery delays Alcoa has joined a growing group of local governments pursuing antitrust …
Past Stories
LOUISVILLE — A proposed mixed-use development near Louisville and Topside Road remains in the conceptual stage, but the project is highlighting a larger economic-development challenge for the town. Officials said …
TOWNSEND – Visitor traffic through Townsend has slipped thus far this year, but experts say the decline may say more about an unusually strong 2025 than a weakening local tourism …
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has begun demolishing the recreation building at LeConte Lodge, launching a reconstruction project complicated by the lack of road access to one of the park’s …
Peaceful Side Brands is preparing to open Sharons’ Half Day Cafe, a new fast-casual breakfast and lunch restaurant in Townsend focused on Appalachian ingredients and local partnerships. The business is …
Tennessee set an all-time record for new business filings in the first quarter of 2026, and Blount County’s own filing activity shows the same growth taking hold locally. New business …
Townsend formalized oversight of its short-term rental market through a permitting and inspection system during its regular Board of Commissioners meeting May 19. City staff said the changes are aimed …
The Town of Greenback is moving toward its first formal food truck regulations, a step town officials say is less about cracking down on vendors than getting ahead of anticipated …
Changes to Alcoa’s sign ordinances approved in May will mean an easier process that what has been in place for developers to find pertinent information — and potentially fewer billboards …
The Townsend Riverwalk and Arboretum is preparing for a new phase of development, offering an asset that could draw more visitors and families to the area. Organizers said the volunteer …
The Maryville City Council approved a rezoning request May 5 by Prisma Health — the corporate owner of Blount Memorial Hospital — that would allow the company to build an …
After nearly five years of renovation, setbacks and unwavering faith, a Greenback man is preparing to open the Old Bank Brewhouse and Social — a coffee shop, candy store, community …
Alcoa officials have tentatively authorized a land purchase to replace a fire station in a growing service area, signaling continued investment in public safety infrastructure amid development. The purchase agreement, …
Louisville is moving to fix a safety issue on Lowes Ferry Road as it works to protect access to one of its publicly-funded recreation assets. The town plans to install …
Townsend officials are preparing to use a new community plan to guide decisions on short-term rentals, workforce housing and future development in the city’s tourism-driven economy. The Community Plan Advisory …
Southwest Airlines Flight 3534 from Nashville arrives at McGhee Tyson Airport at 12:23 p.m. on March 5, marking the airline’s inaugural flight and the start of regular service to Knoxville. …
Rockford Elementary School officials, city leaders and area businesses have partnered to convert an underutilized central courtyard into an outdoor center focused on giving students a place to read, gain …
The Friendsville Board of Mayor and Commissioners awarded a $340,246 contract to Oak Ridge-based Nitzschke Communications, Inc. at its March 5 meeting to complete a Tennessee Local Parks and Recreation …
Alcoa will accept vendor applications to join its annual Independence Day celebration, FreedomFest, until March 31. City staff said vendors will know whether they have been accepted by April 2. …
Louisville will spend $30,000 to create a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan to unlock the potential for future infrastructure improvement grants ahead of anticipated regional growth. According to staff with the …
Maryville Housing Development Corporation announced it will break ground this month on a $3 million, 11-unit housing complex near the Blount County Health Department on McNabb Place. The development will …
The National Park System remained open and funded thanks to federal appropriations approved Jan. 23, despite a partial government shutdown in early February. The Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and …
A new version of Louisville’s zoning ordinances approved Jan. 13 will increase clarity for developers, according to city staff. The new document collects amendments to its outdated predecessor and consolidates …
Townsend staff said a proposed ordinance would shift special event permit approvals from a public vote by the Townsend Commission to an administrative review by city staff, a change officials …
Alcoa will pay $1.2 million for stormwater infrastructure off Faraday Street, setting the stage to open an interior section of the Springbrook Farm development. The scheduled work will begin immediately …
Public input and grant dollars are fueling Louisville’s park improvements, with several hundred thousand dollars set to enable work on the Poland Creek Campground and Recreation Area and Town Hall …
Company Distilling in Townsend will play host to the annual Tennessee Winter Beer Fest Feb. 21, an event that has raised more than $266,000 to date for the New Hope …