By Mike Steely steelym@knoxfocus.com “We’ve spent years getting this cemetery in shape and now this,” said Ruthie Kuhlman, executive of the Old Gray Cemetery Education, Historic and Memorial Association. She was talking about the increasing litter, vandalism, sex trafficking and drug abuse at the historic Knoxville graveyard. “My husband and I and our church […]
PHOTO BY LUTHER SIMMONS All eyes are on the basketball as Austin-East and Catholic players battle in a matchup of two of Knox County’s top teams Friday night. A-E won 60-56.
By Steve Williams One win streak was snapped while another continued in a Knox County high school boys’ basketball showdown Friday night. Homestanding Knoxville Catholic had won 11 games in a row, but Austin-East put an end to that with a 60-56 victory in the Safe T Security Christmas Classic. It was a tall […]
Sharing Christmas Memories By Mike Steely steelym@knoxfocus.com The Knoxville Focus asked several people to share a Christmas Memory in one sentence. We asked all types of folks— office holders, community leaders and Focus Fans. We had such an overwhelming response that we cannot share each reply, but here are the ones we can fit: Vivian […]
South Knoxville’s Molly Gilbert is one active lady. This wife and mother of two is active in many neighborhood and community organizations and proud of her community. Her efforts are recognized by all who know her. Like the Titanic’s “Unsinkable Molly Brown” Molly Gilbert successfully forges ahead and her efforts stretch far beyond her Lake […]
By Steve Williams This year’s Community Service Games raised $5,000 for the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, with the donation designated for the NICU program and specifically for infants born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. The seventh annual event, which is part of the Care 365 program, included three high school football games played at Grace […]
By Ray Hill Malcolm Patterson, twice elected governor of Tennessee, had attempted to make a political comeback by entering the first U. S. Senate race where the people nominated candidates for the general election in 1915. Patterson faced stiff opposition in the incumbent, Senator Luke Lea, and Congressman Kenneth D. McKellar. Neither Patterson nor Lea […]
By Ken Lay Coach Darin Courtney saw his Powell Middle School boys basketball team do exactly what we wanted when it took the floor for its final regular-season home game early last week. The Panthers got off to a fast start and cruised to a 52-18 Knox County Middle School Basketball Conference victory over […]
By Steve Williams When Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy signed Devin Harper, a 2015 Karns High standout, he probably didn’t figure he would be signing Devin’s younger brother later on. But Thomas Harper, who didn’t start playing football until his sophomore season at Karns in 2016, also signed with the Cowboys Wednesday and […]
Halls cheerleaders, Bearden basketball players are among holiday helpers By Steve Williams Halls’ cheerleaders and the Bearden boys’ basketball team have been among local high school student-athletes helping during the holidays. The Halls girls worked at the annual Fantasy of Trees, which benefits the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville and also was scheduled to […]
“I’ve been a paperboy all my life,” says Jim Sturgeon. The very active long-time friend of The Knoxville Focus will be 89 years old on December 29. Focus reporter Mike Steely sat down with Sturgeon recently for a chat and found the man in good spirits and full of memories. Tell us about your […]