Advance Knox Seeks Community Input on Transportation Projects. During what is being called Priorities Week, Knox County is launching the third and final round of community input for Advance Knox where the community is being asked to weigh in on proposed transportation projects.
There will be five in-person and two virtual meetings where attendees will be able to prioritize projects and make comments. Residents can attend any workshop convenient for them.
Meeting dates, times, and locations for in-person workshops are as follows:

• Monday, Mar. 27: Cansler YMCA (12 p.m.) and Gibbs Middle School (5:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, Mar. 28: Brickey McCloud Elementary School (5:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday, Mar. 29: Northshore Elementary School (5:30 p.m.)
• Thursday, Mar. 30: Bonny-Kate Elementary (5:30 p.m.)
  Anyone needing special accommodations for the meetings should contact the mayor’s office at (865) 215-2005 to coordinate.
  Virtual meetings will take place at noon on Wednesday, March 29, and Thursday, April 6. Registration is required.
  Additional opportunities will be available on the project website through April 9.
  “Bringing land use and transportation components together is what will set this plan up for success,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. “Our teams are eager to hear community feedback and move toward adopting a final plan.”
  Knox County’s current Comprehensive Plan hasn’t been updated in almost 20 years. During that time, the county has experienced significant growth and change. Advance Knox is a unique opportunity to align land use and transportation
  goals to create a blueprint for the county’s future. It will help guide decisions about where and how growth occurs and where infrastructure and service investments need to be made in the years to come.
  For more information about Advance Knox, please contact the project team at [email protected] or visit the website http://advanceknox.org/.

Knoxville Fire Department investigators determine the cause of a house fire that claimed a woman’s life and several animals.

Officials say the fire was accidental, caused by a heater that was being used at the time of the fire.

Last week’s fire on Northcrest Circle in Fountain City was contained to the living room and front of that home.

Smoke alarms were in the home but were not working at the time of the fire.

KFD says after a tragic event like this, they can’t stress the importance of working smoke alarms in your homes.

The Knoxville Fire Department is investigating what caused a fatal house fire in North Knoxville.

Crews arrived at the home on Northcrest Circle and found smoke and fire coming from the front of the home.

During the search of the home, firefighters found a body inside. That person was pronounced dead at the scene.

The home has suffered heavy fire damage.

Local companies to offer shuttle services at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors encouraged to plan ahead to avoid parking congestion.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials are pleased to announce shuttle services for visitors to access some of the most popular park destinations. Several local commercial businesses will provide shuttle services to locations where visitor demand often exceeds parking capacity.

“We are committed to developing innovative solutions to improve visitor access and experience while protecting this national treasure,” Superintendent Cassius Cash. “Having a shuttle option is a stress-free way for visitors to experience some of the park’s most iconic destinations.”

Shuttles will pick up and drop off at popular destinations like Alum Cave Trail, Laurel Falls Trail, Chimney Tops Trail, Trillium Gap Trail (Grotto Falls), Rainbow Falls Trail, and Clingmans Dome. Visitors should contact the shuttle providers directly https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm with questions or to book a ride. Routes and schedules vary from provider to provider.

Visitors who choose not to ride a shuttle should come prepared with alternative destinations in case they do not find available parking at their desired location. Cooler times of year, mid-week, and early mornings or late afternoon are the best times to secure parking. Visitors must avoid marked no-parking zones. Parking in areas not specifically designed for parking damages resources adds to congestion, and is unsafe along busy roads. It can even make it hard for emergency vehicles to access some locations in a timely manner. Over the winter, park officials installed roadside protections that target areas where one or more of these issues is a concern: visitor safety, resource damage, and congestion. Parking on the roadside can be dangerous, can cause resource damage, and visitors can receive citations or have their vehicles towed if they are creating a hazard or impeding traffic flow.

If safe parking is not available at the destination of choice, park officials encourage visitors to find a new destination rather than walk along the roadside. The park offers more than 800 miles of trails and more than 380 miles of scenic roadways. Staff members are available to assist in trip planning, seven days a week, at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and the Backcountry Office. 

As a reminder, all vehicles parked for longer than 15 minutes anywhere in the park are required to display a valid parking tag. https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm Having a parking tag does not guarantee a specific parking spot in a specific location.  

For more information about congestion monitoring in the park, please visit the park website at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/management/ves.htm