American Medical Response says they responded to at least 20 incidents due to the heat at McKay’s 50th anniversary celebration.

AMR says two of those affected were taken to the hospital and 15 were treated on the scene.

Knoxville Fire Department’s Mark Wilbanks says traffic issues on Papermill Drive, Weisgarber Road, Kingston Pike and other roadways affected their ability to dispatch crews. Willbanks told WVLT News that the department and McKay’s decided to end the event early. He also called the situation a “mass casualty incident,” citing the number of people affected and responders’ limited resources.

In honor of the franchise’s 50th birthday, McKay’s set up The Ultimate McKay’s Road Trip. The used bookstore is challenging fans to travel to every McKay’s location in one day to earn prizes.

The monumental day for McKay’s ends on a sour note after the Knoxville location was shut down due to severe heat and weather concerns. Again, at least 20 heat-related incidents were reported at the Knoxville location, the road trip challenge involved traveling to all five McKay’s locations in one day to earn various prizes including up to $800 in free credit. Those who showed up at the Knoxville location and turned away received credit for visiting the store.

Donors to MEDIC Regional Blood Center will receive Dollywood Tickets next week.

Dollywood is helping MEDIC celebrate blood donors who make a successful blood donation from July 15th – 19th. Deferred donors will not receive a Dollywood ticket but will receive a coupon for Bruster’s ice cream.

Appointments are required for donors and MEDIC will not be able to take walk-in donors next week. Appointments can be made online at medic blood dot org.

Donors will not receive any additional incentives next week.

City of Knoxville officials said crews will soon be thoroughly cleaning the streets of Fort Sanders.

City officials said the cleanup will take place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 13-14 and July 27-28 to take advantage of the majority of University of Tennessee students being off campus for summer break.

During the Fort Sanders Summer Roundup, which happens each summer, crews will complete work, such as refreshing street markings, replacing signs as needed, sweeping the streets, picking up trash and brush, and weeding the public rights-of-way.

In order to remove trash, grime and grit from hard-to-reach corners and crevices, officials said it’s mandatory that all vehicles be moved on clean-up days from the streets being swept and cleaned. Vehicles that are not moved prior to each day’s clean-up will be towed.

“The Fort always looks its best after the Summer Roundup, and we thank and appreciate the help and patience of the Fort Sanders residents who make this possible,” City Parking Manager Mark Elliott said.

Below is a list of impacted streets and when they will be cleaned:

• Saturday, July 13 (eastern end of Fort Sanders) and Sunday, July 14 (western end of Fort Sanders)
  • Grand Avenue
  • Forest Avenue
  • Highland Avenue
  • Laurel Avenue
  • Clinch Avenue
  • White Avenue
• Saturday, July 27
  • 18th Street
  • 19th Street
  • 20th Street
  • 21st Street
  • 22nd Street
  • 23rd Street
• Sunday, July 28
  • 12th Street
  • 13th Street
  • 14th Street
  • James Agree Street
  • 16th Street

Officials said traffic is expected to continue to flow on the affected streets, although some temporary short-term closures may occur as needed due to safety protocols.

Roughly 250 temporary no-parking signs will be posted in the days prior to the start of the street-cleaning work, officials said. In addition, flyers will be placed on hundreds of vehicle windshields and throughout the neighborhood prior to the start of the Fort Sanders Summer Roundup. Story courtesy of WVLT