Sheriff Tom Spangler begins campaign for re-election By Mike Steely Senior Writer steelym@knoxfocus.com “How do you put things in words when you have a crowd here saying they believe in what you’re doing?” Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler asked Thursday afternoon during his re-election campaign kickoff at the Lakeside Restaurant. “I want to continue.” He […]
Penny Pawn rezoned, Norwood withdrawn and budget discussed at city council By Mike Steely Senior Writer steelym@knoxfocus.com While much of the meeting was interrupted by yells and taunts from a group protesting the killing of an Austin-East student by a city policeman, the Knoxville City Council proceeded with its regular meeting Tuesday evening. The […]
Despite protests, commission passes three important items By Mike Steely Senior Writer steelym@knoxfocus.com While continued protests at the Knox County Commission meeting last Monday got most of the news coverage, the commission passed three measures that will affect both the city and county. Public forum at the end of the meeting saw several citizens condemn […]
Remembering Senator Bill Brock By Ray Hill Bill Brock died March 25, 2021 of pneumonia while in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Brock was one of the founders of Tennessee’s modern Republican Party and he had a great deal to do with turning the Volunteer State into a genuine two-party state. Brock was the grandson and namesake […]
Large turnout at Fountain City B&P’s new meeting venue By Mike Steely Senior Writer steelym@knoxfocus.com “We had a great meeting and great turnout!” said Jeff Bagwell, president of the Fountain City Business and Professional Association. Bagwell told The Focus that the association’s first big meeting following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic drew a large […]
Tennessee Tutoring Corps to expand this summer The Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation, in partnership with youth-serving organizations across Tennessee, last week launched the second year of the statewide Tennessee Tutoring Corps program to provide summer learning opportunities for rising 1st – 4th grade students who have fallen behind academically due to the education disruptions caused by […]
Judge Susano Portrait Unveiled By Focus Staff Former Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Charles D. Susano Jr. was honored at a small ceremony weekend before last where Chief Justice Sharon Lee unveiled a portrait of Susano. At the time of his retirement last April, Judge Susano was the longest serving appellate court judge in the […]
The Dogwood Arts Festival Returns In-Person This Spring! Festival Organizers Plan for New Event Setup in World’s Fair Park Following a year of virtual events, the Dogwood Arts Festival is set to return IN-PERSON to World’s Fair Park April 23rd – 25th! Festival organizers have been working closely with the City of Knoxville and following […]
Norwood residents oppose large Merchant Dr. development By Mike Steely Senior Writer steelym@knoxfocus.com For years developers have been trying to build homes and businesses along Merchant Drive in west Norwood. The residential community was saddened and frustrated to lose a recent Knoxville-Knox County Planning zoning request for apartments and duplexes along the narrow and very […]
New location for vaccines, sheriff’s courthouse, AJ Building By Mike Steely Senior Writer steelym@knoxfocus.com The Knox County Commission discussed a new metal courthouse for the sheriff’s department, a new location for Covid-19 vaccinations, the sale of the Andrew Johnson Building and several other matters Tuesday in a virtual work session. New vaccine location in […]