Dollywood’s Splash Country Set to Open This Month with Several New Offerings
Summer days are back and there is no better way to spend the hotter, longer days than at Dollywood’s Splash Country. East Tennessee’s friendliest water park will open for its 23rd season on Saturday, May 13, with more shade, more food and more opportunities to make a splash all summer long.
During the offseason, Dollywood’s Splash Country was able to increase the amount of available shaded seating and food offerings. Guests also can enjoy additional food trucks in the park, and a brand-new food location, Splash and Dash, serves up freshly-fried mini donuts which can be enjoyed underneath one of the multiple new shade structures surrounding the Mountain Waves wave pool.
“At Dollywood’s Splash Country we know the park experience is more than just our world-class slides and attractions,” explained Jordan Leach, Splash Country’s Director of Operations. “Families come here to experience both thrills and chills. To ensure we provided ample comfort and relaxation opportunities for our guests, we added multiple shade structures to our main lounge area, brought in additional food trucks for the 2023 season, and an additional venue.”
Known as “the Smokies’ Most-Trusted Water Park,” Dollywood’s Splash Country always maintains safety as its top priority. In 2022, Splash Country was honored with Ellis and Associates’ Platinum International Safety Award for “achieving the highest quality of lifeguard professionalism and operational standards.” An example of Splash Country’s dedication to water safety is the 13th annual Water Safety Day, set for June 22. Families can learn how to make a splash with confidence with a full day of learning that kicks off with the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson. Children of all ages are invited to participate in gaining life-saving knowledge.
“Water safety is something we obviously take very seriously,” said Lauren Lowery, Operations Manager. “ To be recognized by Ellis and Associates’ at the Platinum level is something that we take immense pride in. All of our lifeguards go through extensive training and licensures to ensure that our guests will be well taken care of at all times.”
Beyond a safe environment full of immersive theming, guests can experience live entertainment during their visits to the water park. This season sees the return of Too Hot Tuesdays (every Tuesday from 5/30 – 6/27 and 7/11 – 8/1), Too Cool Thursdays (every Thursday from 6/1 – 8/3), and Splash Bash LIVE (every Saturday from 6/17 – 8/5). All of these fan favorite events will return for the 2023 season.
Now is the best time for guests to secure a summer of fun in the sun thanks to a limited-time offer on a Dollywood’s Splash Country Summer Splash Pass. Now through June 4, guests can purchase a Summer Splash Pass for just $33+tax per month! The pass provides admission to Dollywood’s Splash Country all season plus a free ticket to share with a friend! For more details including validity details, please visit www.dollywood.com/splashpass.
Dollywood’s Splash Country opens the weekend of May 13-14. Daily operation begins Saturday, May 20, and continues through Aug. 6. The park shifts to a primarily weekend-only schedule through Sep. 10. For more information about Dollywood’s Splash Country or any of The Dollywood Company properties, please visit www.dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
Knoxville Police Obtain Warrant Charging a Man in the Shooting Death of a Man Found on Broadway Bridge
Knoxville Police have obtained a warrant charging a man with 2nd-degree murder in the death of a man found dead on the Broadway bridge.
Investigators say Travis Brown died as a result of a gunshot wound and they now have a warrant for the arrest of Jayshawn Williams.
The investigation remains on-going in Wednesday’s shooting.
Anyone with info is asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
Knoxville Police Say an Incident in West Knoxville Prompts Lockdown of Several Schools
Knoxville Police say several schools in the Cedar Bluff area put on lockdown this morning after a threat is posted on social media.
KPD says School Resource and Security Officers are following up and conducting safety sweeps where calls are received out of an abundance of caution. At this time, there are no known credible threats to any schools in Knoxville.
Parents of Knoxville Catholic students were alerted to a soft lockdown this morning due to a situation in the Cedar Bluff area.
A soft lockdown means students are in classrooms and teaching is still going on but students cannot leave rooms without a teacher or administrator.
A Man is Charged After Crashing into a Knox County Sheriff’s Department Cruiser
A man is charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving after crashing into a Knox County Sheriff’s Cruiser.
KCSO says it happened Monday when two deputies were working traffic on I-275 at the I-640 ramp and had two cruisers blocking a ramp with their blue lights on.
That’s when the suspect, identified as Ronald Barrett Jr., hit one of the cruisers before stopping. Deputies smelled alcohol and found a beer can in the car’s floorboard and took him into custody.
Knoxville Police Searching for a Person of Interest in a Homicide after a Man is Found on a Downtown Bridge
A homicide investigation is underway after Knoxville Police respond to a suspicious death on the Broadway bridge.
Officers called to the Broadway bridge, between W. Depot Avenue and W. Jackson Avenue yesterday afternoon when a man, identified as 35-year-old Travis Brown, was found laying unresponsive on the sidewalk.
Even though a cause of death has not yet been determined, detectives believe that Brown was the victim of foul play and have identified a person of interest. 36 year-old Jayshawn Williams is known to frequent the downtown Knoxville area and is wanted for questioning.
Anyone with info is asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
Another Safe Bar Location in Knoxville
Yee-Haw brewing is one of Knoxville’s busiest bars and now a certified Safe Bar.
The Safe Bar certification offers businesses the opportunity to train employees how to spot and treat possible sexual assault. It’s a two-hour training and costs the business nothing to have the Health Department come and perform Safe Bar training.
Charles Ellis manager of Yee Haw Brewing says he’s happy his business is part of the program.
The Knox County Health Department say statistics show that in over 50% of sexual assaults that alcohol is involved.
WVLT reporting there are now 14 Knox County Safe Bar certified bars:
Barrelhouse at Gypsy Circus
Knox Brew Hub
The Oliver
Fountain City Social
Jig and Reel
Urban Bar
Craft Axe
Knox Box Karaoke
Orange Hat
Elst
Geezers
The Hill Bar & Grill
Frog Juice
Yee-Haw Brewing Company
TBI is Working with Multiple State and Federal Agencies on Hoax Active Shooter Calls at Several High Schools in Tennessee
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is currently working with state and federal partners to determine the source of several hoax calls, placed to local law enforcement agencies, reporting an active shooter at several high schools in the state.
At this time, none of these reports has proven credible and there is no known immediate threat to public safety at this time.
Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler says they have received these hoax calls and say there is no threat to any Knox County School.
He says the calls are coming out of Texas.
Knoxville Police say they responded to Central High School on an active shooter call. The on-site SRO reported that there was no known emergency the school but officers quickly responded to the scene as a precaution. It was determined that a shooting had not occurred. It is believed that the original 9-1-1 call was a false call that contained info that was not factual & originated from out of state. The origins of the call are under investigation. No known threats at Central High.
WVLT News spoke with law enforcement and school system officials to get a list of the schools affected. According to Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Coffey, schools in Hamblen County, Knox County, Hamilton County and Montgomery County received false calls.
Specifically, WVLT News was able to confirm from officials hoax calls to the following schools:
- Central High School in Knox County
- Jefferson High School in Jefferson County
- Morristown-Hamblen High School West in Hamblen County
The Knoxville Fire Department is Investigating a North Knoxville House Fire
The Knoxville Fire Department is investigating an early morning North Knoxville house fire.
Crews called to Hickory Drive this morning after receiving a call the resident smelled smoke and heard a loud explosion and found their roof on fire after leaving the home.
KFD says they found live electrical lines down in the front yard and the entire roof of the home engulfed in flames.
Two adults and two children as well as a dog and three cats made it out of the home safe and no injuries have been reported. The home has suffered heavy fire damage on one end with smoke and water damage throughout the house.
KFD says the home had smoke detectors with dead batteries.
The American Red Cross is assisting the family.
Morristown Police Asking for Help to Identify the Person Wanted for Questioning in Connection to a Shooting
Morristown Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in a deadly shooting.
That shooting happened early Saturday morning near the Sunoco gas station in Buffalo Trail. Surveillance video captures the car, a 2005 white Pontiac Vibe and anyone who may have seen it Friday night into early Saturday morning is asked to contact authorities.
The car was found abandoned and police say the person in the video is not suspected of any wrongdoing. Investigators just want him to come forward to give any information about the vehicle or its occupants.
