Knoxville’s Mayor Breaks Down What a Proposed Sales Tax Increase Will Support
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Knoxville’s Mayor Breaks Down What a Proposed Sales Tax Increase Will Support

Posted on June 10, 2025

Ahead of a first vote by the Knoxville City Council on Mayor Indya Kincannon’s proposed sales tax increase, Kincannon released a breakdown of what that added money will support.

The proposal is for a half-percent increase to the Local Option Sales Tax. This tax allows local municipalities, like cities, to charge their own sales tax on top of the 7% that Tennessee already charges statewide. Currently, this tax in Knoxville is 2.25%, and the increase would put the city’s rate at 2.75%.

Kincannon said that this would put Knoxville on par with several surrounding counties, including Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties.

If the increase is passed, the added money will go towards the Five-Year Neighborhood Investment Plan, which a spokesperson with the City of Knoxville said will ensure projects within that plan will happen in five years.

According to Kincannon, the plan prioritizes several infrastructure needs, including the following:

  • Sidewalks within one-mile of schools (Parental Responsibility Zones, or PRZ), impacting neighborhoods surrounding nearly half the schools in the city
  • Repairs to existing greenways, facilities and parks
  • Increasing road paving
  • 1,000 affordable housing units

The following are some of the infrastructure upgrades included in the plan across Knoxville’s six districts:

  • District 1
    • Sidewalks
      • Young High Pike near Hedgeapple Lane – PRZ South-Doyle Middle School
      • Woodlawn Pike near Moody Avenue – PRZ Dogwood Elementary School
      • W. Martin Mill Pike near Chapman Highway
      • W. Martin Mill Pike near W. Moody Avenue
      • Chapman Highway near E. Young High Pike
      • Chapman Highway near Childress Street
    • Parks
      • Charter Doyle Park – playground equipment and dog park renovations
      • Ijams Nature Center Park – infrastructure improvements
      • Gary Underwood Park – renovations including basketball goal and playground equipment
      • Mary Vestal Park – renovations including playground equipment
      • Scottish Pike Park – renovations including playground equipment
    • Greenways
      • Sam Duff Greenway – resurface walking track
    • Facilities
      • South Knoxville Community Center – renovations
      • River Bluff Wildlife Area – improvements to parking, trails and overlook
  • District 2
    • Sidewalks
      • Buckingham Drive near Vanosdale Road – PRZ West Hills Elementary School
      • Cortland Drive near Sheffield Drive – PRZ West Hills Elementary School
      • Westwood Road near Herron Drive – PRZ Bearden Elementary School
      • Middlebrook Pike near W. Hills Road – PRZ Bearden Middle School
    • Parks
      • West Hills Tennis Center – pickle ball improvements including new bathrooms and new courts
      • Safety City – renovations including parking and playground equipment
    • Greenways
      • Third Creek Greenway – improvements and repairs
      • Jean Teague Greenway – improvements and repairs
      • Papermill Bluff / Weisgarber Greenways – improvements and repairs
      • Middlebrook Greenway to Jean Teague Greenway – new section – Third Creek connection
    • Facilities
      • Deane Hill Community Center – renovations
  • District 3
    • Sidewalks
      • Francis Road near Bearden View Lane – PRZ Bearden Middle School
      • Glenn Avenue near Fillmore Avenue– PRZ West View Elementary School
    • Parks
      • Victor Ashe Park – multi-purpose field improvements
      • Westview Park – renovations including playground equipment
    • Greenways
      • Northwest Greenway – new section connector toward Middlebrook Pike
      • Pleasant Ridge Greenway – new section from I-640 to Wilson Road
      • Pleasant Ridge Greenway – new section from Wilson Road to Western Avenue
    • Facilities
      • Cumberland Estates Community Center – renovations
  • District 4
    • Sidewalks
      • Buffat Mill Road near Teeple Street – PRZ Belle Morris Elementary School
      • Barton Street near Washington Pike – PRZ Belle Morris Elementary School
      • Cecil Avenue near Eighth Avenue – PRZ Fulton High School
      • Garden Drive near Jacksboro Pike – PRZ Central High School
      • Garden Drive near Rosebay Road – PRZ Fountain City Elementary, Gresham Middle, and Central High Schools
      • Jacksboro Pike from school entrance to Essary Drive – PRZ Central High School
      • Valley View Drive near Whittle Springs Road – PRZ Whittle Springs Middle School
      • Tazewell Pike and Beverly Road intersection improvements – PRZ Shannondale Elementary School
      • Millertown Pike near Loves Creek Road
      • Sanders Drive near Tazewell Pike
    • Parks
      • Whittle Springs Golf Course – renovations including parking lot and facility upgrades
      • Edgewood Park – renovations including fencing and playground equipment
      • First Creek Park – renovations including playground equipment
    • Greenways
      • First Creek Greenway – new section from Mineral Springs to Edgewood Park
    • Facilities
      • Fire Hall #15 (Jacksboro Pike) renovations
  • District 5
    • Sidewalks
      • Bruhin Road near Dutch Valley Drive – PRZ Inskip Elementary School
      • Central Avenue Pike near E. Inskip Drive – PRZ Inskip Elementary School
      • E. Columbia Avenue near Harvey Street – PRZ Christenberry Elementary School
      • Harvey Street near Churchwell Avenue – PRZ Christenberry Elementary School
      • Huron Street near Oglewood Avenue – PRZ Christenberry Elementary School
      • Henegar Street near Shamrock Avenue – PRZ Christenberry Elementary School
    • Parks
      • Sam E. Hill School – renovate into a community center including a basketball court
      • Lonsdale Park – renovations including a pavilion
      • Inskip Park – renovations including playground equipment
      • Adair Park – renovations including playground equipment
    • Greenways
      • Adair / Sue Clancy Greenway – new section toward downtown
    • Facilities
      • Inskip Pool – renovations to the facility, pool and grounds
  • District 6
    • Sidewalks
      • Boyds Bridge Pike near Brooks Avenue – PRZ Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy
      • Boyds Bridge Pike near Border Street – PRZ Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy
      • College Street near Jourolman Avenue – PRZ Beaumont Magnet Academy
      • S. Castle Street near Wilson Avenue – PRZ Austin-East Magnet High School
      • Wilson Avenue near S. Hermbree Street – PRZ Austin-East Magnet High School
    • Parks
      • Holston River Park – renovations including playground equipment
      • Chilhowee Park – infrastructure
    • Greenways
      • East Knox Greenway – new section toward Knoxville Botanical Gardens
      • Lower First Creek Greenway – new section connecting Caswell Park
    • Facilities
      • Dr. E.V. Davidson Community Center – renovations

Knoxville City Council is set to meet for a first vote on Tuesday. A second vote will then follow on June 24, and if both of those votes are in favor of raising the sales tax, the item will go on the Nov. 4 election ballot, allowing residents to decide whether or not their sales tax will increase.

Story courtesy of our news partner WVLT

The Reward has Risen for Information Leading to a Missing Middle Tennessee Teen, New Photos Released
TBI

The Reward has Risen for Information Leading to a Missing Middle Tennessee Teen, New Photos Released

Posted on June 5, 2025

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has put out a new missing person flyer out for Sebastian Rodgers.

He’s the teen who vanished more than a year ago in Sumner County, in Middle Tennessee.

TBI say the missing 15-year-old has autism. He was last seen at his Hendersonville home in February of 2024.

A $50,000 reward is being offered for any information on where Sebastian’s whereabouts.

Loudon County Tornado Injures Five People, National Weather Service Says

Loudon County Tornado Injures Five People, National Weather Service Says

Posted on May 30, 2025

Philadelphia, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: The National Weather Service confirming that a tornado touched down Friday morning in Loudon County.

NWS officials say the storm, which blew through the Philadelphia area near Holt Road at Stockton Valley Road, involved an EF-0 tornado, two miles long and 200 yards wide.

Officials report five people were injured during the storm; there is no word on the extent of their injuries.

Monroe County Emergency Management says five structures have been damaged and no fatalities have been reported.

A tornado warning was issued this morning for Loudon and Blount Counties.

ORIGINAL STORY: A tornado warning for Loudon and Blount County issued around 9 a.m. Friday morning has expired.

The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office is monitoring reports of a possible tornado touchdown in the Philadelphia area near Holt Road at Stockton Valley Road.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, four people were taken to the hospital for evaluation. There’s no word on the extent of their injuries.

The sheriff’s office asking people to avoid the area, as multiple trees and power lines are down.

Monroe County Emergency Management says five structures have been damaged and no fatalities have been reported.

Storm injures people, damages buildings in Loudon County, sheriff’s office says. (Courtesy: LCSO)
Discover the Smokies with New Summer and Fall Public Programs

Discover the Smokies with New Summer and Fall Public Programs

Posted on May 30, 2025

GATLINBURG, TN — Join us this summer and fall for a series of exciting, family-friendly programs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, starting June 7. Visitors are invited to take a hike with a ranger, learn about mountain life, meet some of the creatures that call the Smokies’ home, trek into the dark and much more.  

The full schedule of programs, with details about locations, topics and how to arrive prepared can be found on the park’s online event calendar and will be published in the summer edition of the Smokies Guide newspaper. 

Additionally, one day each month, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and students from the University of Tennessee and Maryville College will collaborate with park staff to present programs. Funding for these programs was provided by the National Park Foundation.  

ASL-interpreted programs will include: 

  • Saturday, June 28: Portraits from the Past (9 a.m. at John Oliver parking area in Cades Cove); Drop-In History (10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cable Mill Historic Area). 
  • Sunday, July 20: Kuwohi Guided Hike (9 a.m. at Kuwohi parking area); Mingus Mill program (2 p.m. at Mingus Mill). 
  • Sunday, August 17: Walker Sisters Hike (11 a.m. at Little Greenbrier School); Stream Splashers (2 p.m. at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area). 
  • Friday, September 12: Bear Aware Drop In (1-3 p.m. at Cades Cove Orientation Shelter); Cove After Dark Walk (8 p.m. at the Cades Cove Orientation Shelter). 
  • Tuesday, October 7: History of Daisytown (11 a.m. at Jakes Creek parking area); Hiking 101 (1 p.m. at Little River Trailhead). 
  • Friday, November 7: Down on the Farm drop-in (10 a.m.-noon at the Mountain Farm Museum, Oconaluftee); Wild About the Smokies (3 p.m. at Oconaluftee Visitor Center). 

Programs are family-friendly and are open to all park visitors. Visitors are welcome to participate on as many days as they choose and may opt to attend one or both programs on each day. No reservations are required.

Knoxville City Council Passes Over $477 Million Budget Prioritizing Public Safety and Affordable Housing

Knoxville City Council Passes Over $477 Million Budget Prioritizing Public Safety and Affordable Housing

Posted on May 28, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (story courtesy of WVLT) – The Knoxville City Council met Tuesday night and passed a $477.3 million budget proposed by Mayor Indya Kincannon.

The 2025-26 budget prioritizes public safety, core city services and affordable housing, including allocating the following:

  • $101.2 million – Fund police officers and firefighters
  • $8.2 million – Affordable housing
  • $7 million – Makeover of World’s Fair Park Amphitheater
  • $1 million – Prevent homelessness and aid those experiencing housing insecurity

Additionally, the city’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $2.1556 per $100 of assessed value.

The budget did not included a proposed half-cent sales tax increase. The first reading for that will come next month. City council will host a workshop to discuss it more on Thursday.

City council also authorized Mayor Kincannon to enter into an agreement with Blue Line Solutions to expand the use of traffic-enforcement cameras to reduce speeding in school zones. Cameras will be enforced at 41 public schools in addition to up to 30 cameras to monitor drivers running red lights and two cameras used to enforce noise violations.

A redevelopment plan for Magnolia Avenue and Chilhowee Park was also adopted, focusing on commercial properties between the Magnolia Avenue Warehouse District and Burlington. It encourages multi-story mixed-use development, restoration and reuse of historic structures and safer connections to schools, parks and public spaces.

Mayor Kincannon was also authorized to enter into an agreement with UT’s Social Work Office of Research and Public Service to conduct a comprehensive assessment of how and why violence is down in the Project TLC zones (East Knoxville, Montgomery Village and Western Heights) after receiving focused attention from City departments and community social service providers.

McGhee Tyson Airport Adding Direct Flights to Memphis, Key West

McGhee Tyson Airport Adding Direct Flights to Memphis, Key West

Posted on May 21, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Visiting Memphis or Key West, Florida from Knoxville just got easy!

Officials with McGhee Tyson Airport announcing Wednesday that nonstop service to Memphis and Key West is slated to begin in the fall.

Allegiant Airlines will be taking passengers to the two new stops. According to the airline’s website, a ticket to Memphis sits at around $63 and a ticket to Key West hovers around $66.

Flights to Memphis begin September 4 and flights to Key West start October 3.

Airport representatives made the announcement Wednesday, saying nonstop service would head to Memphis and Key West. (McGhee Tyson Airport / Source: Google Earth)

TBI: Morgan Co. Deputy who Shot, Killed Man Charging Him with a Rock Facing Charges

Posted on May 20, 2025

Morgan County, TN (WOKI / WVLT) A Morgan County deputy has been charged in connection to a deadly officer-involved shooting.

Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say deputies with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office went to a burglary call at a home on Ray Cross Road in Harriman on May 2 wherein Deputy Charles Faircloth shot John A. Cox, who later died at the hospital.

According to the District Attorney’s office, Cox was shot multiple times after picking up a large rock and coming at the deputy.

“The first deputy on scene was already on his way to the sheriff’s office in his sheriff’s department marked vehicle when the call was dispatched. He arrived at the scene and was confronted by the subject who was the reason for the 911 call,” District Attorney General Russell Johnson said. “The adult male subject picked up a large rock and came after the deputy who shot multiple times.”

A Morgan County Grand Jury Monday returned indictments charging Faircloth with one count of criminally negligent homicide and one count of official misconduct.

Faircloth surrendered to authorities at the Loudon County Jail Tuesday and was booked on a $5,000 bond.

District Attorney General Johnson sent WOKI’s news partner, WVLT News, the following statement after Faircloth was indicted:

“When a law enforcement officer responds to a scene of unknown threat, we expect them to do so with the courage of Daniel and the strength of Samson. Once there, we expect them to assess the situation with the wisdom of Solomon and to exercise the patience of Job to remedy the threat without the loss of a life, especially their own, but also that of the person causing the disturbance.

In essence, we expect the impossible from them. Sometimes death of the threatening individual occurs.

We, as the district attorney’s office, turn to the grand jury whose membership consists of constitutionally appointed citizens of the community to weigh the actions of law enforcement and the outcome of these deadly encounters against the standards that they as citizen grand jurors expect in their community as they balance those expectations against the applicable law as set forth by the Legislature .

In this case, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation presented the results of their investigation to the Morgan County Grand Jury, including interviews, 911 and dispatch transmissions, as well as a 3-D rendition of the scene and the toxicology and autopsy results.

After the presentation, the grand jury members deliberated and returned an indictment for criminally negligent homicide and official misconduct against the responding officer, Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputy Ray Faircloth.

Deputy Faircloth was the first officer to arrive at Ray Cross Road and confronted John Anthony Cox, the subject of the 911 call. Faircloth ultimately shot four times killing Cox who was brandishing a rock at Deputy Fairfield’s approach. 

Faircloth’s bond was set by Morgan County Criminal Court Judge Jeff Wicks at $5,000.  His arraignment is set for next Tuesday at the Morgan County Courthouse, as are all other cases indicted during this term of the grand jury.” – 9th District Attorney General Russell Johnson

Additional information was not released.

DA Russell Johnson said Deputy Faircloth shot a man who was charging at him with a rock four times. He later died at the hospital. (Courtesy: Morgan County Sheriff’s Office)
Flo Rida to Perform at Tennessee Valley Fair

Flo Rida to Perform at Tennessee Valley Fair

Posted on May 20, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) An iconic American rapper and singer-songwriter is coming to the Tennessee Valley Fair.

Fair representatives announcing Tuesday that Flo Rida will be performing at this year’s upcoming fair on Thursday, September 11 at 8:00 p.m.

“From ‘My House’ to ‘Right Round’—this is a show guaranteed to get the party started,” the Tennessee Valley Fair wrote on social media.

Known for his breakout single “Low,” Flo Rida had multiple radio hits between the late 2000s and 2010s.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m., however, members of the Tennessee Valley Fair Foundation get early access to presale tickets.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Flo Rida takes to the stage at the Tennessee Valley Fair on Sept. 11. (Courtesy: Tennessee Valley Fair)
Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Days to begin Next Month

Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Days to begin Next Month

Posted on May 8, 2025

GATLINBURG, TN (WOKI) Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer the first Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Day of the year on June 18. Vehicle-free days provide opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists to experience the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road without motor vehicles. 

Vehicle-free days will continue every Wednesday through September 24.  

Reminders for vehicle-free day: 

  • Safety first: Always wear a helmet when cycling and adhere to the posted speed limit of 20 miles per hour. Wearing a helmet could save your life.  
  • Park smart: Vehicle-free days are popular and parking is limited. Please park only in designated spots to keep roads safer and to protect roadside ecosystems. Don’t forget to grab your parking tag before heading out! 
  • Timing is everything: Avoid the morning rush! Arriving in the afternoon could give you a much more relaxed experience. If there is no parking available, you will be asked to return later in the day. 
  • Pack wisely: Due to the terrain of the Cades Cove Loop Road, it often takes people longer than they expect to bike or hike the road. Bring essentials like food, water and a first aid kit to be prepared. Remember, there is no cell service here, so plan accordingly! 
  • ‍Know the rules: Only non-motorized bicycles, as well as Class 1 and Class 2 E-bikes, are permitted (Class 3 E-bikes are prohibited). All other motorized and non-motorized vehicles, such as scooters, skateboards and hoverboards, are not allowed. 

Learn more about vehicle-free days.

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