http://www.knoxcounty.org/rss/news.xml RSS Feed for Knox County Website en http://knoxcounty.org/current09/schumpert_park.php http://knoxcounty.org/current09/schumpert_park.php Mayor Mike Ragsdale and former County Executive Tommy Schumpert, along with Schumpert's family, Superintendent McIntyre, County Commissioners, School Board Officials and a couple members from City Council, officially cut the ribbon this morning on the new 173-acre park in north Knox County bearing Schumpert's name. Under construction for almost two years, the regional park features... http://knoxcounty.org/current09/knoxachives_featured.php http://knoxcounty.org/current09/knoxachives_featured.php KnoxAchieves is being highlighted in the July/August edition of Business Tennessee. Reporter Sara Shoemaker says KnoxAchieves is new education initiative that “provides a statewide template for improving Tennessee's workforce.” http://knoxcounty.org/newsroom/health/news_release/nr_health_20090629.php http://knoxcounty.org/newsroom/health/news_release/nr_health_20090629.php The Health Department is preparing to close its first round of gathering community input for Together! Healthy Knox. Anyone who lives, works, worships or plays in Knox County has until Tuesday, June 30 to give feedback through participation in the Health and Quality of Life Survey or a focus group. Visit www.healthyknox.org for more information. KCHD epidemiologists will analyze the data and begin preparing reports, which should be ready in the fall. http://knoxcounty.org/current09/beck_groundbreaking.php Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale, Knox County Commissioners and the Beck Cultural Exchange Center Board of Directors broke ground on the Center's expansion this morning. Community leaders and neighbors gathered to witness the beginning of the long-awaited project. Witnesses smiled on as the first plats of dirt were turned.. http://knoxcounty.org/newsroom/parks/news_releases/nr_parks_20090623.php Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop 154 from Powell are the newest members of Knox County Parks and Recreation's Adopt-a-Park program. The scouts, ages seven to 18, have adopted Powell Station Park, 2318 Emory Road. The boys will begin their clean up activities on Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m., as part of their weekly meeting, said Cubmaster Paul Shepherd and Scoutmaster Frank Rose. http://knoxcounty.org/current09/united_serve.php On Monday, June 22, President Obama will launch United We Serve, a new national call to service with a focus on economic recovery. County Mayor Mike Ragsdale this morning gathered representatives of county departments and programs with non-profit and United Way representatives to discuss Knox County's response. http://knoxcounty.org/newsroom/parks/news_releases/nr_parks_20090612.php Knox County Parks and Recreation announces the Grand Opening celebration of the New Harvest Park Farmers Market on Thursday, June 18, from 3-6 p.m. In addition to the market offerings, The Bluegrass Five will entertain visitors, folks can learn how to make a rain barrel, and hear the best ways to grow herbs in the East Tennessee climate. http://knoxcounty.org/current09/energy_efficiency.php In July, Knox County will kick off its Energy Sustainability and Efficiency Project, to modernize, renovate and repair over 60 County facilities. Our goal is to add technologies that have innovative applications so that we can maximize energy efficiency and sustainability across the County. http://knoxcounty.org/current09/green_book_discussion.php The Brown Bag Green Book lunch and learn series continues this Wednesday, June 10th, Dr. Dana Christensen, P.E., Associate Laboratory Director of the Energy and Engineering Sciences Directorate of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). http://knoxcounty.org Saturday is that once a year "Free Fishing Day" Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency and Knox County Parks and Recreation TWRA presents the annual Free Fishing Day at The Cove at Concord Park on June 6 from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Participants are allowed to fish without a license for the day. http://knoxcounty.org/newsroom/health/news_release/nr_health_20090602.php The Knox County TENNderCARE Coalition is hosting a Family Health Fair this Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the rear parking lot of Knox County Health Department at 140 Dameron Avenue (to be held on the side fronting Bernard Avenue. Tents will dot the landscape to give a carnival-like atmosphere to the day of fun for families. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/budget_passed.php Knox County's 2009-2010 budget has been approved by County Commission. For the seventh consecutive year, the budget includes no property tax increase. The current rate is expected to be reduced following the 2009 reappraisal. http://www.knoxcounty.org/parks/current_news/2nd_saturday.php Knox County Parks and Recreation has announced the lineup of bands for the 2009 Second Saturday Concerts series at The Cove at Concord Park. The free concerts are from 6-8 p.m. on the second Saturday of June, July, August and September. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/calling_all_teachers.php Teachers in 24 Knox County schools were among the nearly 1,700 teachers nationwide who received funding for classroom projects through U.S. Cellular's Calling All Teachers campaign. http://www.knoxcounty.org Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale is one of a select group of America's leaders attending a meeting this afternoon with First Lady Michelle Obama. The First Lady will be discussing the new administration's national Summer of Service/Community Service initiatives. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/hoglund_resignation.php It is with mixed emotions that we announce Erik Hoglund's resignation, effective June 26, 2009, to become the Community Planning at Development (CPD) Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/get_outdoors.php In conjunction with the 2009 Get Outdoors Festival, an all new Get Outdoors! Series featuring bike rides, trail walks and river paddles is coming to Knox County Parks this summer. This three-part will begin in June and continue into July with minimum costs that will benefit the Legacy Parks Foundation. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/cac_office_aging.php According to AARP, older workers are making up more and more of the American workforce, with their demographic expect to be 36% of the workforce by 2010. To support Knox County's senior workers, the CAC Office on Aging will host a job fair for seniors (age 55 and older) seeking part-time and full-time employment, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the L. T. Ross Building located at 2247 Western Avenue. http://www.knoxcounty.org/newsroom/health/news_release/nr_health_20090507.php Women are often the caregivers for their spouses, children, and parents, and neglect their own health. But research shows when women take even the simplest steps to improve their health, the health of their family improves. That's why National Women's Health Week is observed immediately following Mother's Day each year. This year's theme is "It's Your Time," and Knox County Health Department is hosting events devoted to women's health on Tues., May 12, at its Dameron Avenue facility and on Wednesday, May 13 at other locations http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/clerk_challenges_artists.php The Knox County Clerk's Office has a contest under way during the month of May to come up with a new design for the Knox County marriage certificate. http://knoxcounty.org/newsroom/health/news_release/nr_health_20090506.php On May 5, 2009, the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated recommendations to schools based on the current assessment that the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza virus is causing a mild form of illness similar to seasonal influenza. In accordance with the new guidelines, Knox County Health Department and Knox County School officials have agreed not to advise school closure unless the magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism interferes with the school's ability to function. http://www.knoxcounty.org/health/index.php Today, a probable case of H1N1 influenza A, also known as swine flu, has been identified in Knox County. The laboratory sample has been sent to national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Knox County Health Department is awaiting final confirmation. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/budget.php Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale today unveiled his fiscal year 2009-2010 budget proposal in the annual State of the Community Address. For FY 2009-2010, Ragsdale proposed an overall county budget of $648 million. For the seventh consecutive year, the budget proposal includes no property tax increase. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/tn_yards.php A "Tennessee Yard Done Right" is beautiful, earth-friendly and saves money. Through the Home Landscape Workshop, Tennessee Yards and Neighborhoods (TYN) helps homeowners create attractive and healthy yards by working with Tennessee's environment rather than against it. TYN will host a Home Landscape Workshop in Knox County on May 8, 2009. The six-hour workshop will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be held at Homewood Suites by Hilton at Turkey Creek. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/1st_tee.php Humana presents The First Tee of Knoxville Open at Fox Den Country Club on Monday, April 27, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The public tournament will benefit The First Tee program at Concord Park Par Three Golf Course. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/rain_water_art.php An unusual art competition is under way in Knox County and you get to choose the winner! The Water Quality Forum's Annual Rainy Day Brush-Off Event is happening now. The entries in this artistic rain barrel competition and fundraiser are on display at various locations throughout Knox County. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/adopt_a_stream.php Calling all citizens who want to help keep our local waterways healthy. Knox County, in partnership with the Water Quality Forum, the City of Knoxville and the Town of Farragut invite you to the Adopt-A-Stream training session on Saturday, April 25th. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/parks_deter_vandalism.php A rash of recent vandalism in parks has caused Knox County Parks and Recreation to begin utilizing video cameras to help deter destruction of park property. "Vandalism is an increasing problem in our parks system. We are seeing a rise in all levels of crime, from dumping trash cans to burning buildings," said Parks and Recreation Senior Director Doug Bataille. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/farragut_meeting.php The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will hold a public meeting on Monday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive to discuss the Tennessee Recreation Plan, which identifies opportunities for statewide recreation. The public is invited to attend the meeting and provide input about the plan. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/recovery_org.php At the request of the Obama Administration, the County Executives of America asked its members to critique the Recovery.gov website's effectiveness as a tool for county governments. In his role as CEA President, Mayor Mike Ragsdale summarized the members' feedback in a letter to the GSA last week. Ragsdale noted, "Recovery.gov will be a good way to let citizens see where and how their stimulus money is working. CEA members want to ensure that the site also enables local governments to maximize the effectiveness to the monies they receive.". http://www.knoxcounty.org/parks/adoptpark/adopt_a_park.php ADOPT-A-PARK is a volunteer program that recruits and trains citizens to assist in the general care, supervision and maintenance of neighborhood parks and greenways. Adoption will augment, rather than replace, publicly funded maintenance and will have a significant impact on the quality of life in our community. "Our maintenance staff does a great job," said Doug Bataille, Senior Director of Parks and Recreation for the county. "But, we can't be everywhere all the time. This program helps us with the lighter maintenance issues in the parks, but also alerts our staff to problems that might become critical if we are not made aware of them," he added. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/meal_a_thon.php Saint Patrick's day was a good day for senior citizens in Knox County thanks to the willingness of area media to work together. Through the Mobile Meal-a-thon, donations of well over $170,000 will eliminate the waiting list of senior citizens for the daily home-delivered meals, and provides funding to guard against a future waiting list in coming months. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/stimulus_package.php Economic development and the federal stimulus package were the focus last week when Mayor Mike Ragsdale presided over a meeting of the Board of Directors of the County Executives of America. The Directors meeting was paired with a legislative conference that allowed mayors and county executives to meet in Washington during this critical economic time to address these issues and to conduct CEA business. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/external_review.php During the March 5th meeting of the Knox County Audit Committee, Chief Financial Officer John Troyer and Chief Administrative Officer Dwight Van de Vate presented the County's response http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/facebook.php Facebook now claims over 175 million users worldwide, and it's gaining a million new users every week. With the ability to link elementary school friends with current colleagues, it brings new meaning to keeping in touch. But what does it all mean? Knox County Public Library is pleased to host a discussion about social networking on Monday, March 9 at 6:00 PM at Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. The discussion is free and open to the public. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/small_businesses.php Knox County Government Supplier Diversity, in conjunction with SunTrust Bank; USDA Smoky Mountain RC&D; the Kingsport Office of Small Business Enterprise (KOSBE) & and the State of Tennessee Business Enterprise Resource Office, will present Expanding Your Business Around the Globe on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at the Sarah Simpson Building located at 801 Tipton Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/knox_road_projects.php The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization has recommended two road projects totaling $5.45M to the Tennessee Department of Transportation for funding under the federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009. The projects, located in the western part of the county, both met the stringent list of criteria set out under the act. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/prayers_for_aids.php The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is a weeklong education and awareness campaign highlighting the role of the African American Church in addressing the AIDS crisis. This year's events begin with a prayer vigil and celebration of hope on Sunday, March 1, from 4-6 p.m. at Eternal Life Harvest Center, located at 1801 Western Avenue. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/fairview.php The Fairview Technology Center, a small business incubator owned by Knox County and managed by the Development Corporation of Knox County and Technology 2020, is launching a startup business competition to encourage the development of new businesses in Knox County. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/fairview.php The Fairview Technology Center, a small business incubator owned by Knox County and managed by the Development Corporation of Knox County and Technology 2020, is launching a startup business competition to encourage the development of new businesses in Knox County. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/kappi_initiative.php Sometimes communications between mothers and daughters can be more accurately described as a battle of wills or total avoidance, especially about sensitive or embarrassing topics.. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/teen_health_board.php High school students from across Knox County are encouraged to sign up for the Youth Health Board. The YHB is a forum for young people to affect the health and well-being of our community.. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/hud_grant09.php Applications are now available for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) grant offered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/budget_award.php The Government Finance Officers Association has awarded Knox County its 12th consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/burlington_park.php Knox County Parks and Recreation will host a community meeting on Monday, February 23rd at 5:00 p.m. at the Burlington Branch Library to discuss the progress and plans for the new Burlington park. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/fairview.php The Fairview Technology Center, a small business incubator owned by Knox County and managed by the Development Corporation of Knox County and Technology 2020, is launching a startup business competition to encourage the development of new businesses in Knox County. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/sphere_awards.php Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Knoxville SPHERE Awards. This new community event will recognize outstanding teen efforts in the areas of community service, diversity appreciation and leadership, in addition to recognizing the adults and adult groups that help teens succeed. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/hud_grant09.php Applications are now available for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) grant offered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Applications can be obtained from the Community Development section of the Knox County website http://www.knoxcounty.org Knox County will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, February 3rd from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. The meeting is to inform the community about the expansion of the Beck Center and to celebrate the next phase of the Center. The one hour meeting will include a short program to introduce the architect for the project followed by a question and answer session. The Beck Center is located at 1927 Dandridge Avenue. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/budget_award.php The Government Finance Officers Association has awarded Knox County its 12th consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Finance Director John Troyer was notified this week by the national organization that the 2007 budget presentation satisfied "nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation," which gauge how well the budget serves the County and its citizens. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/jazz_festival.php A county-wide clean-up event designed to mobilize volunteers to help resuscitate community streams. This year's event will also help kick-off Keep Knoxville Beautiful's Great American Clean-up. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/jazz_festival.php Nat "King" Cole's baby brother is among the headliners for the 4th annual Knoxville Jazz Festival scheduled for March 4-7, 2009. The Knox County Public Library and Knoxville Jazz Festival Inc. announced the scheduled for the four day event that presents jazz for all tastes from big band to an intimate piano quartet to straight ahead to the eclectic and edgy. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/surviving_the_recession.php The Public Library is making a day of workshops available on Saturday, January 24 at Lawson McGhee Library to help Knox Countians deal with the current economy. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/dvt.php The Digital Conversion, planned to happen February 17, is just little more than a month away. Though the government is passing out coupons to help cover the cost of the converter boxes needed for older TVs, high demands are developing waiting lists. http://www.knoxcounty.org/health/press_release/enhanced_diabetes_mng.php Day-to-day management of diabetes can be confusing and overwhelming. As part of its Comprehensive Approach to Reducing Diabetes (CARD) Program, Knox County Health Department is offering an enhanced series of free diabetes management classes in February. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/american_veterans.php Earlier this week, Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale signed the America's Veterans to Tennessee Engineers Consortium Memorandum of Agreement. The Consortium has been formed to encourage expanded support and participation for the America's Veterans to Tennessee Engineers Program. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/unnatural_causes_ut.php The University of Tennessee's Center for Public Health, in conjunction with the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) and the Knox County Health Department (KCHD), is showing the multipart documentary series "Unnatural Causes" in hopes to prompt a community dialogue on how social factors and policies affect health. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/legislative_lunch.php Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and Mayor Bill Haslam hosted a luncheon for the county's legislative delegation Friday to discuss issues of importance to the city and county and to learn about the prospects of this year's legislative session. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/community_grants.php Knox County has enhanced its community grants application process to include a mandatory technical assistance workshop that will be held next Tuesday, January 13th at the John T. O'Connor Senior Center. Any organization that plans to submit an application for grant funding from Knox County must send a representative to the training, which is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/midway_business_park.php The Development Corporation of Knox County is hosting a public meeting in the Carter High School auditorium on Thursday, January 8, at 6:00 p.m. to present their development concepts for the proposed Midway Business Park. The proposed Midway Business Park is in east Knox County along the north side of Interstate 40 at the Midway Road interchange. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/knoxachives_assist_496.php This month, volunteer mentors will begin to meet with the 496 high school seniors who are part of the new knoxAchieves program. knoxAchieves was launched in October 2008 by Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, and fellow knoxAchieves Board of Directors members Randy Boyd, CEO of Radio Systems Corporation; Rich Ray, CFO and Tim Williams, CEO of 21st Mortgage Corporation; and Chris Woodhull, Knoxville City Councilman and Executive Director of TRIBE ONE. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/cea_meeting.php Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale met with President-Elect Obama's Head of Public Liaison Michael Strautmanis last week in Washington, D.C. During the issues-filled discussion, Mayor Ragsdale pressed the need for the President-Elect to pursue the economic recovery plan with deliberate speed. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/uscellular_donation.php Financially stressed Knox County schools are eligible to win $100,000 with no strings attached in U.S. Cellular's "Calling All Communities" program in which local communities will decide which 10 schools around the country will share in $1 million. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/protege_program.php Six local companies have received the first certificates of completion from the County's Supplier Diversity Mentor-Protege Program. Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale talked about the importance of helping our local small businesses become successful. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/flumist_phase2.php Knox County Health Department (KCHD) will begin Phase II of the in-school FluMist influenza vaccine program on Tuesday, December 2. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/community_development.php For the second year, Knox County's Community Development Department will ask citizen volunteers to review grant applications and make recommendations to County Commission on amounts of award for the annual community grants. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/new_carter_senior_center.php Knox County's sixth senior center opened today with County officials gathering for a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/knoxachieves_mentor.php The knoxAchieves Board of Directors is looking for volunteer mentors for our new community college tuition-assistance program. knoxAchieves will award 500 tuition-assistance scholarships to members of the Class of 2009 who want to attend either Pellissippi, Roane or Walters State Community College. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/nerdfighter_john_green.php Acclaimed author John Green and his brother Hank are headed to Knox County Public Library. They will appear at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 6 at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/knoxachieves.php With college tuition on the rise and local industry clamoring for an enhanced workforce, a new program called KnoxAchieves that is designed to meet those challenges was launched this morning at Fulton High School. KnoxAchieves is a privately-funded, college-tuition-assistance program for 2009 graduates of Knox County's public high schools. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/south_sr_trail_ribbon_cutting.php Knoxville Senior Center visitors have done it again! They wanted a walking trail, and they got it. Knox County Mayor and 9th District Commissioners Paul Pinkston and Mike Brown cut the ribbon on the walking trail and pavilion, fully equipped with picnic tables last week. Covenant Health was on hand to present walkers with healthy walking techniques as the Mayor, Commissioners and seniors took an inaugural walk of the track. http://www.knoxcounty.org/current/rockyhill_students.php More than 90 fifth-graders from Rocky Hill Elementary School learned first hand about local government this week during a visit to the City County Building. The students came prepared with a long list of questions after studying how Knox County government works.