That headline might be a little misleading, but it serves the point correctly. Things are changing quickly for Sevier County News. 

In just a few short months, we’ve developed our website, found staff, and even found a surprising amount of community buy in from all over the county. Things have been moving fast, and it’s obvious from your response (and our hits) that there is a great demand for daily news on the Internet in Sevier County that the traditional media outlets just aren’t providing to the people here. 

But, sadly, the next steps here have to be taken without me. But don't worry, the website isn't going anywhere. A new reporter will be taking over soon, and I'm sure he'll work diligently to bring you the news you want online. 

Because of the work I’ve done here and for the Sentinel I was offered a job in Lexington, KY working for a new media company there. It’s a very exciting opportunity to do something that’s never been done before with a young staff of journalists.

And I couldn’t have done it without the support of Sevier County News and the people of Sevier County over the years. I've learned lot as a journalist and a community member working in the area, and I always felt warmly welcomed and appreciated by the people of Sevier County.

But my leaving isn't a bad thing. A new reporter has been selected, and he's to start in the next week or so when he finishes working out the notice with his current employer The Morristown Tribune. There's plenty of news in Sevier County, and I'm sure he'll find plenty to keep you informed and titillated. 

On Tuesday night, March 22, 2011, motorists on State Route 35 (Main Street) in Sevierville should be alert for workers present between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following morning as crews perform traffic shifts on the bridge over the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River.

Old Knoxville Highway will be closed to thru traffic from 7 p.m. until approximately 2 a.m. the following morning as crews mill and resurface through this intersection. Motorists on Old Knoxville Highway should consider alternate routes during this time.

As phase two this project begins, motorists should be alert for new traffic patterns beginning Wednesday morning, March 23, 2011 and use caution through this area.

For more information concerning this closure, contact Mark Dykes at (865) 594-2319.

The Smoky Mountain Showdown returns to Smokies Park for a fifth consecutive year as the Tennessee Smokies, Class AA minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, will welcome the Senators from Walters State Community College for a 7-inning pre-season exhibition game next Tuesday, April 5.  First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. General admission tickets for the April 5 exhibition will be going on sale Thursday, March 17 at 1:00 p.m. and can be purchased online at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling the Smokies ticket office at (865) 286-2300.  Tickets will be $7 for adults, and $5 for children (12-and-under) and seniors (55+).  Walters State faculty and students can purchase tickets to the game for $3 each.

With spring finally starting to bloom, Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministry is looking ahead to the annual 5K Rescue Run in Pigeon Forge this May.

The annual 5K run benefits the Ministry's work with the poor and homeless in throughout Sevier County. This year's prizes included Dollywood and Splash Country tickets, and each participant will receive a door prize bag with items donated by sponsors.

Again starting at the entrance to Dollywood on Veteran's Boulevard. An exact time is not set yet, but registration for the benefit run is open now.

For more information, visit https://www.servicenetwork.com/(X(1)S(smy1yt45mkltxhmpridzh4m3))/olg/SMAR/regS1Form.aspx?FormId=92675df9-8dda-43d8-9969-c52d4d9571f4&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 With spring slowly rolling into Sevier County, the National Parks Service is looking to extend its educational efforts into Sevier County's high schools and beyond.

Hoping to use a mix of field trips, in-classroom instruction, student volunteering, high-school age internships and distance learning the Great Smoky Mountains Park wants to involve more students and teachers with the park this year.

The mix of educational programs has offered curriculum based supplemental learning for science, history and math courses in the past mostly for elementary and middles school students, but now the park is specifically looking to interact with high school students in Tennessee with programs similar to the ones found at the Purchase Knob Appalachian Science Learning Center in North Carolina area of the park.

“A lot of middle schools and high schools think it's a fun field trip, but it is curriculum based,” said Emily Guss, a park ranger working with the Division of Resource Education Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“We have curriculum activities that will support their classroom activities and strengthen them.”

These programs are looking to go beyond just math, science and history courses. Guss was quick to point out that there's opportunities for students and teachers to grow through the park's educational initiatives regardless of the subject.

“That's one of the things we're trying to get teachers to understand is that we know their curriculum and we understand what they need,” said Guss.

She added a lot of times schools just think of science or history based programs, but the park is doing inter-disciplinary programs like engineering, and that the park can even offer small grant assitance to help cover fuel costs for field trips to the park.

“Our biggest goal to offer an experience to every school that's in the surrounding levels,” said Guss.

One of the more interesting ways they're doing this is through the park's Student Temporary Employment Program that lets high-school-aged students work as paid interns in the park during the summer.

“To be a STEP employee you've shown initiative and the park has taken an interest in you,” said Guss.

Students and teachers can also take advantage of High School Volunteer Days, where students aide researchers and scientists in the national park doing experiments and gathering data.

Teachers also can benefit from professional development seminars with rangers in the park that can count towards in-service hours.

Students, teachers, and parents interested in learning more can contact Park Ranger Emily Guss at Emily_Guss@nps.gov, by phone at 865-436-1713. 

Sevierville Police Department (SPD) officers and K9 Axel apprehended a Sevier County man yesterday, March 15, 2011 at about 12:16PM. According to SPD Officer Stephanie Quigley, a citizen called SPD dispatch and reported that 22-year old Colin P. Bartlett (booking photo attached) of Sevier County was in the area of 108 Winfield Dunn Parkway (Highway 66). Mr. Bartlett had three outstanding warrants from Sevier County (two for aggravated burglary, one for violation of probation).

As officers approached Mr. Bartlett, he fled behind a business and into the Little Pigeon River. SPD K9 Officer David Finchum released K9 Axel, who apprehended Mr. Bartlett. There were no injuries.

In addition to the three outstanding warrants, Mr. Bartlett was charged with resisting stop, frisk and halt, and criminal impersonation; he was transported to the Sevier County Jail and booked. 

All persons are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

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Sevier County 4-H announces the 6th  Annual Erica Manning 4-H Camp Memorial Scholarship Fund. Erica was tragically killed in an automobile accident on December 30, 2005 at the age of 21.  Each year, the Sevierville Sunrise Rotary Club, local businesses and several local individuals provide donations for scholarships for individual 4-H members to assist them in attending 4-H Camp.  These scholarships are awarded based on need and 4-H member participation.  In 2010, thirty-three individual 4-H members received either partial or full scholarships for 4-H Camp.  Contributions to the Erica Manning 4-H Camp Memorial Scholarship Fund are welcomed.  

At the time of her death, Erica was a Senior at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City.  As a Sevier County student, Erica was very active in the Sevier County 4-H program while  at New Center Elementary and Sevier County High School.  Erica participated in most every 4-H activity and was most active in the 4-H leadership project.  She was involved in the 4-H Lead Team at New Center as a 7th & 8th grader.  She obtained membership in the 4-H Honor Club where she provided leadership to a multitude of county events, while in high school.  She served as a teen leader at 4-H Camp for two summers.  To honor Erica’s outstanding contributions as a Sevier County 4-H Member, the 4-H Camp Scholarships are now  named in her memory.  Erica exemplified the 4-H Motto with her life, “To Make The Best Better”.

To  raise money for the scholarship fund,  4-H members will be selling concessions at the Sevier County Master Gardeners Flower and Garden Show and Sale on April 9, at the Sevier County Fairgrounds. The public is invited to visit 4-H members at the Flower and Garden Show and support the scholarship fund.

All contributions are tax deductible and will be used to assist deserving Sevier County 4-H members to have a camp experience at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center, in Greeneville, Tennessee.  Donations can be made by written check to: Sevier County 4-H Erica Manning Camp Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Mail to: 752 Old Knoxville Highway, Sevierville, Tn 37862.  A donation of $220.00 will fund a full scholarship.  Call Glenn Turner at 453-3695 for more information.  Or visit the 4-H camp online at www.clydeaustin4Hcenter.com.
 

Glenn K Turner

Extension Agent

March Story Times

The March story time theme for Sevier County Public Library System is Up, Up & Away to Reading @ the SCPLS!! Visit any branch of the Sevier County Public Library System in March to hear new stories and enjoy crafts and games for preschool children and their caregivers. During the week of March 21-25, the King Family, Seymour Branch, and Kodak Branch Libraries will present preschool story time on the following days: 

Seymour Branch Library, 137 W. Macon Lane, Monday, March 21 – Up, Up & Away to Reading @ the SCPLS! Discovering Kites & the Wind! Enjoy books about windy days with Mr. Spence during story time in Seymour at 11:00 a.m. The color for the month is jet silver. Review numbers 1 – 10. For more information, please call Spence Perry at 573-0728.

King Family Library, 408 High Street, Sevierville. Thursday, March 24 at 10:30 a.m. Up, Up & Away to Reading @ the SCPLS: Spring Stories! Enjoy spring stories and crafts during story time with Ms. Vickie. The color for the month is silver and the alphabet letters are S, T, & U. For more information, call Vickie Kelly at 365-1423.

Kodak Branch Library, 319 W. Dumplin Valley Road, Friday, March 25 at 11:00 a.m.  Up, Up & Away to Reading at the SCPLS: Tennessee Museum of Aviation flight story time! Parents are invited to bring their children and meet with Ms. Kelly at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation for story time today! For more information, call Kelly Hamilton at 933-0078.

New Books For The Sevier County Public Library System

Adult Fiction

Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag (KFL)(Kodak)

I Still Dream about You by Fannie Flagg (KFL)(Seymour) (Kodak)

Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland (Kodak)

A Place of Peace by Amy Clipston (Seymour)

Year or the Hare by Arto Paasilinna (Kodak)

Adult Non-Fiction

Trickle up Poverty: Stopping Obama's Attack on Our Borders, Economy, and Security by Michael Savage (Seymour)(Kodak)

Chase’s Calendar of Events 2011 (KFL)(Seymour)(Kodak)

Debt Free for Life: The Finish Rich Plan for Financial Freedom by David Bach (Kodak)