A rare skunk squirrel has been spotted in Sevier County. The small furry animal resembles a skunk and squirrel hybrid and is sometimes referred to as a piebald. It is extremely rare and this may be the first time the animal was reported in Sevier County.

Rare Squirrel. Ducharmy Nuttavatus Species.

This Red Tail Hawk was spotted this afternoon by a Sevier County News photographer and was captured in fly.

Early this morning. Over looking a fresh plowed field toward LeConte.

Josh Harris of Sevierville receives his keys for the new Chevy truck he won from Smoky Mountain Celebration. Marvin Maples of Volunteer Chevorlet does the honors.

Marvin Maples of Volunteer Chevorlet of Sevierville was extra happy about Smoky Mountain Celebration as he was a winner of $1,000.00.

Gary Loveday of Sevierville sits atop of his brand new Harley Softail he just won at Smoky Mountain Celebration. Jeff Murrell, President of Sevier County High School Foundation, and Jimbo Conner congratulate Gary.

The First Annual Smoky Mountain Celebration held today at Smokies Stadium was a huge success. The crowd was estimated to be nearly 2,000 people. The event was conducted by the Sevier County High School Foundation and volunteers for the benefit of the minor sports programs at SCHS. At the end of the event there were 35 happy people who won one the 35 prizes valued at over $150,000.00. At the end of the day Foundation staff and volunteers were already planning how to make the event bigger and better next year. This was a great community event and very exciting.

Parking was at a premium during Smoky Mountain Celebration.

Vadene Sisk and her son Austin an ex Smoky Bear Baseballer celebrate Vadene winning of a $1,000.00 during Smoky Mountain Celebration.

More photos after the break:

We should see a good day weather wise.

                                           Farris Dobbins 

A Knox County man is in custody at the Sevier County Jail following an early morning carjacking and assault Wednesday in Kodak.

The attack occurred on W.A. Brown Road at approximately 7:30 a.m. when the victim, Bobby Hilliard, was driving and came upon a traffic accident. A gray Honda was upside down on the road. Hilliard stopped his vehicle to render aid and spoke to the driver. Hilliard exited his Dodge pickup truck and started calling 911, when the driver of the Honda quickly got into Hilliard’s truck in an attempt to flee the scene of the accident. Hilliard attempted to stop the suspect and got into a scuffle with the man. The suspect, later identified as Farris Jay Dobbins, 19, of 203 Barber Road, Strawberry Plains, pulled a pistol and fired at Hilliard. Dobbins fled in Hilliard’s truck and began traveling toward Asheville Highway.

Dobbins fled just a short distance before crashing the vehicle. He then fled on foot.  Shortly afterwards Dobbins was arrested in Jefferson County by Jefferson County deputies who found him lying in the bed of a pickup truck that was stopped at a check point.

  Dobbins was arrested and identified by Hilliard. Investigators found several items that belonged to Dobbins in Hilliard’s truck including a Ruger .380 pistol that was allegedly stolen from Knox County. Dobbins is awaiting arraignment in the Sevier County Jail where he was charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. Other charges are pending. It was determined that Dobbins has outstanding warrants in Jefferson County.

    Linday Hyder of the UT Extension in Sevier County and Kathy Scruggs of the Sevier County Health Department have some good news. If you live with diabetes or a diabetic you do not have to be deprived of your favorite foods, nor buy special food. A good eating plan for diabetes is  basically a healthy diet for anyone.

    People with diabetes are often stressed about their daily diet. They are frustrated about what to eat , as well as, the taste of "diabetic friendly" foods. However at the same time they realize their food choices are critical in controlling diabetes.

    The key is to watch the quanity and nutritional quality of foods, plus maintain a regular schedule for eating. For people with diabetes, there are three types of nutrients that need to be watched daily-carbohydrates, protein and fat. Label reading, food variety, and the method of preparation are critical to consumption of these nutrients.

    UT Extension of Sevier County will be offering a Dining with Diabetes Program Series at the Fort Sanders Sevier County Senior Center. The classes will be held from 1-3 p.m. on June 21 & 22. Cost will be $12 and inculdes both days. Participants will learn tips on preparing foods with less sugar and fat, appropriate for diabetics. 

    Recipe books and food samples will be included.

    Reservations are required. To register mail check to UT Extension Office, 752 Old Knoxville Highway, Sevierville, TN 37862. You may call (865-453-3695) or e-mail (lhyder@utk.edu) for further information. 

    Remember, small changes in your eating can make important differences in your blood glucose level and how you feel. Also, healthy eating can be tasty, satisfying and fun. It just takes a little planning coupled with some knowledge and positive attitude. You still can enjoy "dining with diabetes!"

    Linda Hyder is a Sevier County agricultural extension service agent who works with family and consumer sciences programs.

  A body has found in a home that burned Saturday night in Sevier County. Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals states that the fire occurred at 4236 Meadow Drive in the Kodak Community and during a search through the rubble Sunday the body was found by members of the Northview/Kodak Vol. Fire Department.

   Investigators from the Sevier Co. Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee  State Bomb and Arson Section were on scene this morning and most of the day trying to determine the cause and origin of the fire. The body was removed and transported to the U. T. Forensic Center for identification and cause of death. The victim is believed to be that of a female resident of the home but a positive identification is pending the results of the autopsy. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Kodak, TN – As May has been proclaimed Mystery Month by the American Library Association (ALA), the Kodak Branch of the Sevier County Public Library System (SCPLS) will host a new program focusing on classic mysteries and their authors – MURDER IN THE LIBRARY! If you love the Golden Age of Mysteries – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Dorothy l. Sayers, etc – and their wonderful books, then this monthly program will be right up your alley!
Mystery lovers are invited to unite and join the new Murder in the Library Group to set plans for the program on Thursday, May 17th at 2:00PM. During the first meeting, attendees will discuss the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as well as some of the more recent re-imaging of his works in television and movies. Additionally, the group will set times and dates for monthly meetings as well as future topics and authors! Traditional English refreshments will be served during the meeting.
Registration sheets are available at the circulation desks of the three Sevier County Public Libraries – the King Family Library, 408 High Street, Sevierville; the Seymour Branch Library, 137 W. Macon Lane in Seymour; and the hosting library, the Kodak Branch, 319 W. Dumplin Valley Road, Kodak. Please register for this introductory meeting of the Murder in the Library Group by the close of the work day on Monday, May 14. For more information, contact John Alexander, Manager, SCPLS Kodak Branch Library (865) 933-6078

  Home Improvements. For all your home repair and improvement needs call Brandon at 865-661-5543. I am experienced and trustworthy with 8 years experience in painting, gutter cleaning, air conditioning and carpentry. Call for a free estimate. No job too small.   

You can clearly see that the pot of gold is located in Mitchell Bottoms at the end of this afternoon's rainbow.

End of the game.

The Sevier County Smoky Bear baseballers put their first win in the book in a special in school game this afternoon. The Bear's senior Marcus Watson recorded his first and the Bear's first win of the season with a final score of 6-1 over the Cocke County High Fighting Cockes. The game was played at 1:30 P.M. and Sevier County students were allowed to attend which produced the largest crowd for a baseball game that most could remember.  Watson pitched 6 innings giving up only one run and senior Drew Correll came in to close out the game in the 7th inning.

Watson recorded two RBI's and senior catcher Kyle Pope did a great job behind the plate and recorded an RBI with a deep sac fly. Senior right fielder Daniel Beagan hit a double with two RBI's  and played great defense for the Bears. The team travels to Cocke County tomorrow to play the second match up of the young season at 5:P.M. Looks like the Bears are off to another great season so fans should come out as often as possible.

Senior Marcus Watson goes to work on the hill.

The weather cooperated. Opening ceremonies with the Bear looking on.

Kyle Pope listens to instruction from Coach Lance Traywick before heading to the plate.

Pope launches a deep sac fly for an RBI.

Team picks up Pope after his RBI.

Part of the crowd at today's season opener.

Last Saturday, February 4^th, 2012 John Nelson Greer Fox, Jr. passed away after 93 years. In 1979 as a 25 year old my wife and I moved from Gatlinburg to Sevierville and opened a small restaurant in downtown. Some of the first people to come through our doors with a welcome to Sevierville were John & Ruby Fox. We were at the start of a new adventure and on shaky ground. John & Ruby proceeded to make us feel special and successful. Throughout the next couple of years John would stop in for a cup of coffee during the slow periods and visit. He would tell story after story about growing up in Sevierville and the other adventures in his and Ruby’s life. Later I realized I had obtained a personal history course about Sevierville and Sevier County and how I might fit into the landscape. For the next 33 years John and I would visit. It might have been weekly, monthly or yearly but he was the type of person that when you met you could just pick up on the conservation when you last talked. He always encouraged and supported me. After these past years living and raising a family in Sevierville I realize that my relationship with the town would not be the same without having known John Fox. I regret his passing. He was a good man. He was my friend. Leonard Waring 

Today is the last day for the 2012 Home Builders Show. The show is produced by the Sevier County Home Builders and is located at the Sevierville Event Center on Winfield Dunn Parkway. There are businesses present from a unique motorized patio roof to information from the State of Tennessee Fire Prevention department and everything in between. With today's weather come out a have a learning experience before the Super Bowl Game.

Visitors to the home show stop to learn about Patio Concepts of Tennessee's unique motorized patio roof. It allows for sunshine or shade with the push of a button.

Learn how to be fire safe when burning outdoors at the Home Builders show.

The Green Valley Motel on the Parkway in South Pigeon Forge is involved in a major fire tonight. There are no reported injuries at this time. The fire is not controlled and we will have updates to follow.

This eagle and another younger male have taken up residence at the Sevierville Golf Club the last few weeks. This photo was taken Sunday afternoon along the river in front of the clubhouse. The pair have been hunting along the river and the ponds on the golf courses. It is also rumored that they are looking for Eagle's Landing.

    The Sevier County Smoky Bears season came to an end tonight with a 41 to 7 loss to the defending State Champion Maryville Rebels. The Rebels defense stopped the Bears repeatedly while their offense proved indomitable.

                                     Photos by Bill Bloodworth

   In one of the greatest comeback wins in the history of Sevier County High School the Smoky Bears won in overtime tonight over the undefeated Dobyns-Bennett Warriors. With only 16 minutes left in the game the Smoky Bears who were down 28 points tied the game and won with a touchdown in overtime 35 to 28. The Bears advance to the third round of the TSSAA playoffs and will face the undefeated Maryville Rebels next Friday night in Maryville.

                    Photos By Bill Bloodworth

Logan McCarter takes Levoi's swing pass 19 yards for Sevier County's 1st touchdown of the night.

Dillon Cate (31) blocks this 4th quarter Dobyns-Bennett's punt and returns it 30 yards for the Bears 2nd TD.

The Sevier County defense dominated in the second half.

The Smoky Bears tie the score at 28 - 28 after this 1 yard TD sneak by Lavoi (11).

Lavoi (11) scores on a 1 yard sneak in OT to give Sevier County a 35 to 28 lead.

Peyton Otis forced DB's Swafford to fumble at the 1 foot line in OT and Otis recovered the ball to seal the overtime win.