Maryville, TN (WOKI) The federal government has canceled almost $1 million in food shipments to East Tennessee’s Second Harvest Food Bank.
Officials with Second Harvest say 21 tractor-trailer loads, more than 370,000 pounds of food, are paused due to a federal review of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodities Credit Corporation, the funding source for the food.
Second Harvest says the shipments were scheduled to arrive between April and July and that the cancellation will affect more than 31,000 East Tennesseans each month across each of the 18 counties they serve.
“The loss of these shipments is significant and impacts a critical element of our hunger-relief programs for communities in need,” – Executive Director Elaine Streno of Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest is taking steps to replace the products at this time.
“While we’re concerned by the diminished capacity to serve our neighbors, we remain committed to strengthening food access for East Tennesseans and provide adequate nutrition for a healthy life,” said Elaine Streno, executive director of Second Harvest. “This is a crucial time for our community to step up. We ask the public to continue supporting our hunger-relief efforts by hosting food drives and providing financial support. Together, we will provide adequate nutrition for more than 200,000 individuals who experience food insecurity.”
Matthew Blondell with Second Harvest said that families in East Tennessee who rely on food assistance may soon face shortages as major federal funding cuts to the USDA have disrupted food bank shipments nationwide.
For more information about Second Harvest’s food access programs, or to support: SecondHarvestETN.org.
Families in East Tennessee who rely on food assistance may soon face shortages. (Courtesy: WVLT)
KNOXVILLE – Motorists traveling on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a temporary impact on traffic.
Beginning on Monday, March 31, and continuing through Saturday, April 5, the contractor will perform rolling roadblocks on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) between Woodson Drive and Cherokee Trail. These rolling roadblocks will take place in short intervals (approximately 20 minutes each) and will be spaced out to allow traffic to return to normal flow between operations. These rolling roadblocks will be intermittent daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and are necessary to allow crews to safely mobilize equipment and perform rock excavation and clearing activities.
In addition, beginning on Monday, March 31, and continuing through Saturday, April 5, crews will be conducting flagging operations on the ramp from northbound Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) at the traffic signal at Cherokee Trail and along Cherokee Trail between the Alcoa Highway interchange and Medical Center Way. These flagging operations will take place daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and are necessary to allow crews to unload materials and for trucks to safely enter and exit the work areas.
Also, Life Star Road will be closed to thru traffic the nights of Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to allow crews to install new storm drainpipe across the roadway. Motorists should avoid using Life Star Road during these times and use Medical Center Way as an alternate route.
This schedule is contingent on favorable weather conditions. Motorists are advised to expect delays and use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present.
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and “Know Before You Go!” by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
The Knoxville Fire Department says the sprinkler system at an apartment complex does it’s job and contains a fire to limit damage.
Crews were called to River View Park Apartments Friday night and saw flames from the door but found the sprinkler head had activated but there was significant damage to that apartment caused by water, as well as the area around the stove top where the fire started.
An Adult and child lived in the apartment and the American Red Cross is assisting both as well as the family who lives in the apartment directly below the fire which suffered water damage.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating after a student in Sevier County is hit by a car while waiting for their school bus this morning. (Friday)
The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened on East Union Valley Road near Seymour. The student was not hit by a school bus, but a car that was trying to go around the bus.
The juvenile was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,.
Officials say the driver of the car has been charged and the bus was not moving at the time of the crash.
GEORGETOWN– Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agents specializing in fire investigations, working alongside the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, have arrested and charged a Georgetown man in connection with an arson investigation.
On June 15, 2023, agents began investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed a detached garage at a home in the 3000 block of Sugar Creek Road in Georgetown. During the course of the investigation, authorities determined that the property owner, James Harry Burch (DOB 10/10/1958), was the individual responsible for starting the fire.
Burch was arrested on March 19th and charged with one count of Arson, one count of Burning Personal Property, one count of Filing a False Report, one count of Tampering with Evidence, one count of Insurance Fraud $10,000-$60,000, and one count of Insurance Fraud $60,000-$250,000. He was booked into the Meigs County Jail on $25,000 bond.
If you have information about an intentionally set fire, call the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017.
Pigeon Forge, TN (WOKI) The City of Pigeon Forge says its city manager of 44 years will soon be retiring.
Earlene Teaster became Tennessee’s first female city manager when she was named to the position in 1980. She was first hired to be the city clerk in 1961.
Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear says Teaster’s impact on the city is immeasurable. He says they are forever grateful for her unwavering leadership and steadfast support.
Teaster, who is currently Tennessee’s longest-serving city manager, is set to retire on June 30.
Tennessee’s longest-serving city manager is set to retire on June 30. (Courtesy: City of PigeonForge)
The first measles case of 2025 has been confirmed in the state, and it’s in Middle Tennessee.
Tennessee Department of Health says the infected person is recovering in their home.
Doctor Joseph Gigante with the Monroe Carell, Junior Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt says the spread of measles seems to be moving fast after starting in west Texas.
Tennessee health officials say measles is highly infectious and spreads through the air when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes.
Doctors say watch out for symptoms of small bumps, high fever, cough and a runny noise. Measles can also be fatal.
There’s an active national measles outbreak with over 300 cases in 11 states, including two deaths.
The first measles case of 2025 has been confirmed in the state, and it’s in Middle Tennessee.
Tennessee Department of Health says the infected person is recovering in their home.
Doctor Joseph Gigante with the Monroe Carell, Junior Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt says the spread of measles seems to be moving fast after starting in west Texas.
Tennessee health officials say measles is highly infectious and spreads through the air when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes.
Doctors say watch out for symptoms of small bumps, high fever, cough and a runny noise. Measles can also be fatal.
There’s an active national measles outbreak with over 300 cases in 11 states, including two deaths.
GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Due to dry conditions, low relative humidity, a continued high fire danger, and forecasted high winds, the National Park Service (NPS) is instituting an immediate ban on all campfires and charcoal use in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This fire ban will remain in effect until further notice on both the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the park. This is consistent with the National Weather Service Red Flag Warning in our area.
Campers, backpackers, and visitors using picnic areas may continue to use cookstoves with compressed gas canisters and gas grills that feature an on/off switch. Stoves and grills must be attended at all times.
The NPS is collaborating with multiple agencies in response to current and predicted weather and fuel conditions. Visitors are urged to exercise extra caution while recreating on public lands, including national parks and national forests, in North Carolina and Tennessee when fire danger is elevated.
For the latest information regarding the fire ban in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, please visit the park’s current conditions webpage.
The highly anticipated JONASCON, Jonas Brothers revealed tour details for their massive “JONAS20: LIVING THE DREAM” tour – a powerful, full-circle celebration of their 20-year journey from performing in malls to headlining the biggest stadiums in the world. The brothers, who just released their new single “Love Me To Heaven,” exclusively shared the tour news this past Friday on Good Morning America.
“We’re beyond excited to hit the road and celebrate 20 years of music,” said the Jonas Brothers. “Our fans have been with us through every chapter, and this tour is our way of honoring them, the memories we’ve made, and the ones we’ll create together. We can’t wait to make this our biggest, most unforgettable tour yet.”
Marshmello will join the tour for the 10 iconic stadium shows, bringing his chart-topping hits — including his iconic collabs with the brothers — to life in a high-energy set that keeps the party going all night. In addition, The All-American Rejects and Boys Like Girls will join as special guests in select cities.
Kicking off August 10th at MetLife Stadium, this 43-date tour promises a one-of-a-kind experience for fans. The band will return to iconic venues like Dodger Stadium in LA, Rogers Centre in Toronto, Wrigley Field in Chicago, Globe Life Field in Arlington, while also debuting at several new stadiums and arenas from August through November.
Each night will take fans on a full, career-spanning journey — with dedicated sets from every chapter of Jonas including Nick Jonas & the Administration, Nick Jonas’ solo career, Joe Jonas’ solo work, and DNCE — all leading up to an unforgettable headlining performance from the Jonas Brothers.
⭐ Fans can sign up for the Artist Presale now through Wednesday, March 26 at 10 AM ET at livemu.sc/jonasbrothers. The Artist Presale will run Thursday, March 27 from 10am local time to 3pm local time.
⭐ General on-sale begins Friday, March 28 at 10am local time at ticketmaster.com.
⭐The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets, invitation to the pre-show VIP Lounge, specially designed 20 year anniversary Jonas Brothers VIP gift item & more. For more information, visit vipnation.com.
JONAS BROTHERS: “JONAS20: Living the Dream” TOUR DATES
*With Marshmello
+With The All American Rejects
#With Boys Like Girls
Sun Aug 10 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium*+
Tue Aug 12 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park*+
Thu Aug 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park*+
Sun Aug 17 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium*+
Thu Aug 21 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre*#
Sat Aug 23 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park*#
Tue Aug 26 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field*#
Thu Aug 28 – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park*#
Sun Aug 31 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field*#
Sat Sep 06 – Los Angeles, CA – Dodger Stadium*#
Thu Sep 18 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena#
Sat Sep 20 – Portland, OR – Moda Center#
Mon Sep 22 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena#
Thu Sep 25 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center#
Fri Sep 26 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center#
Sun Sep 28 – Phoenix, AZ – PHX Arena (Formerly Footprint Center)#
Sun Oct 02 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena#
Fri Oct 04 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center#
Sun Oct 5 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena#
Tue Oct 07 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center+
Wed Oct 08 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center+
Fri Oct 10 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center+
Sun Oct 12 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum+
Tue Oct 14 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena+
Thu Oct 16 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center+
Fri Oct 17 – Austin, TX – Moody Center+
Sat Oct 18 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center+
Sun Oct 19 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center+
Wed Oct 22 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena+
Fri Oct 24 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena+
Sun Oct 26 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center+
Tue Oct 28 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Wed Oct 29 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center+
Sat Nov 01 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena+
Sun Nov 02 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse+
Tue Nov 04 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center+
