The Easter holiday turned tragic Sunday night when a Knoxville man and a Sevier County Teen drowned in Douglas Lake just inside the Jefferson County line.
The call came in to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at approximately 6:30 p.m. Sunday night.
According to reports David O'Bryan Reed, 23, of Knoxville was swimming with the two sons of his girlfriend in chest-deep water near the boat ramp off Flora Road near Mulberry Way when a boat came by creating a wake that rocked the water.
The three began swimming toward shore. The 11-year-old made it to shore. Reed and Charles Joseph Smith, 13, of Sevierville didn't make it back to shore.
Emergency personnel recovered the bodies of the two victims approximatley 45 minutes later.
The two were taken to Jefferson Memorial Hospital where they were pronounced dead.
Jefferson County Sheriff C.W. "Bud" McCoig ruled the tragedy an accident.
"This was a sad day for both families," McCoig said.

A benefit bake sale and barbecue will be held Saturday, April 23, at the Cove Creek RV Park on Wear's Valley Road to benefit a local man who suffered third degree burns on 90 percent of his body.

  Volunteer Firefighter David "Keith" Ownby was seriously burned recently in an accident. He was transported to the Vanderbilt Burn Center in Nashville.

  Mounting medical costs and Ownby's loss of income has placed a burden on the Ownby family.

  To help the family, several friends and Volunteers will hold the barbecue with all profits going to benefit Ownby.

  The meal is being catered byThe Wright Stuff Catering who are donating their time for the event.

  The meal includes a barbecue  sandwich, baked beans and slaw for $7. Soft drinks are $1.  Meals will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call in orders can be picked up between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. by calling 865-428-1315.

  The public is being encouraged to bring baked goods to be donated for a bake sale. 

 A New Market man will serve at least four years in prison after he accepted a plea bargain agreement for his 13th conviction of driving under the influence. The plea agreement, offered by prosecutor Greg Eshbaugh, called for Hobart William Reagan to serve six years in prison though he is eligible to be released after four years.

  Reagan's latest arrest came on March 18, 2010 after Officer Stephanie Quigley saw him pull into a service station on West Dumplin Valley Road. Quigley noticed Reagan was unsteady on his feet as he walked into the service station. She watched as he returned to his motorcycle. Quigley approached Reagan and noticed a strong smell of alcohol. 

 Quigley administered a field sobriety test which Reagan failed. After refusing to take a blood test he was charged with driving under the influence and violating the implied consent law. After authorities learned of his 12 prior DUIs, Reagan was charged as a habitual motor vehicle offender.

 Reagan's 13 DUIs all occured in East Tennessee over a period of 18 years.

Police Blotter 

 Sirhiy Sokolov, 20, of Sevierville, was arrested Wednesday on charges of resisting arrest, evading arrest, reckless endangerment, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of Schedule VI and violation of the implied consent law.

  Wesley Scott Brazell, 24, of Newport, was arrested Wednesday for public intoxication, possession of Schedule II narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeffrey Lynn Dodgen, 51, of Sevierville, is facing charges of three counts of possession of Schedule II narcotics and  one count of possession of Schedule IV narcotics. 

Dumb Crook News

  An Anniston, Alabama fugitive had his escape put on hold when his cellular phone rang while he was hiding 50 feet up a tree.

  Police had begun chasing the man when he failed to pull over after a traffic violation on his motorcycle. The suspect led police on a two-hour chase through Anniston and Alexandria before dumping the bike in a ditch and running into the woods. Police attempted to follow the man on foot, but were unable to find him. They were about to give up when the man's phone rang and tipped them off to his treetop hiding place.
 

The City of Sevierville Department of Public Works will be making repairs to a sink hole located next to Winfield Dunn Parkway (Highway 66), across the road from Smoky Mountain Knife Works, 2320 Winfield Dunn Parkway (Highway 66), today.
 
The sink hole is located in a ditch area on the east side of the northbound lanes. The work is scheduled to commence this morning at approximately 7 AM and will require the temporary closure of a short section of the right hand, northbound travel lane. Weather and other conditions permitting, it is anticipated that the work will be completed by 4 PM today same day.
 
Motorists should exercise caution in the work area and expect short delays during peak traffic periods.

Technicians from Veolia Water North America are testing a mobile wastewater treatment station that will be used to assist  the city's watsewater treatment facility.

  Veolia was contracted through the City of Gatlinburg to oversee wastewater operations several years ago. Tragedy struck on April 5, when a wall on a storage tank collapsed killing two employees. More than two million gallons of wastewater leaked into the Little Pigeon River as a result. 

 The company has been working to restore the plant to full operation. Recent water analysis conducted reveal the water in the Little Pigeon River is safe for recreational use.

 Veolia's mobile Actiflo treatment process is intended to help the processing of wastewater during periods of peak useage.    

   Josh Preslar received the Scholar-Athlete Award given by the East Tennessee Chapter of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame recently. Presler received this award for his outstanding grade point average, excelling in extra-curricular activities and his contribution to The King's Academy football program. Standing 6'4 and weighing 290lbs, Presler is an intimidating presence on the line. He will be attending the University of Tennessee in the fall.
 

The City of Sevierville will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, May 13, at 1 PM at the trailhead near the LeConte Medical Center (Middle Creek Road at Millwood Drive).  The ceremony will take place near the picnic shelter; the public is requested to park at the medical center and walk to the shelter.
 
During the ceremony, the City will recognize recent easement gifts, introduce the Glenview and Burchfiel Waysides and the Hospital to Eastgate Phase I Greenway; and announce new tree memorials. The Sevier County Electric System will also be recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Line USA Utility.
 
In addition, the City will be presented with their 27th Tree City USA Award from the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Communities that earn Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet program standards, they also recognize that trees
promote healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles, moderate climate, conserve water, provide vital habitat for wildlife,
reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings.
  trees can increase property values and reduce energy use and add beauty to homes and neighborhoods.More information about Tree City USA can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA. 
 
 

   The Tennessee Department of Transportation began work yesterday on a project to stabilize the slope, remove debris and repair damage caused by a recent rockslide on U.S. 441 (State Route 71) in Sevier County.  The rockslide occurred on April 6, on U.S. 441 in Gatlinburg near State Route 73. 
 
On Friday, April 15, the emergency slide repair project was awarded to Charles Blalock and Sons, Inc. of Sevierville, for a total amount of $1,143,845.  The pre-construction meeting was held Monday and, due to the amount of work to be performed, repairs began Tuesday.
 
Crews will be installing traffic control and concrete barricades on U.S. 441 that will reduce the traffic to only one lane in each direction.  Traffic will remain in this configuration while crews work to install a retaining wall, backfill the retaining wall, place graded solid rock on the slope above the wall, and install a catchment fence at the top of the wall. 
 
To safely accomplish this work, the contractor must reduce traffic to one lane of traffic in each direction.  One existing northbound lane will be shifted onto an existing southbound lane with the opposing traffic separated by traffic control devices.  This will allow the contractor to utilize both existing northbound lanes during the construction.  No lane closures will be allowed from 12:01 a.m. on May 27, to 12:01 a.m. on May 31, in anticipation of increased Memorial Day traffic. 
 
After Memorial Day weekend, if the work on the project has not been completed, the contractor will be allowed to re-install the traffic control plan as previously described and allowed to work from 12:01 a.m. Mondays through 6 a.m. Fridays.  During this time, the contractor will maintain a continuous, productive operation round the clock until the project is completed.  The project does include incentives and disincentives to encourage the early completion of the work in this area, and all work is required to be completed by June 17.
 
Updated project information can be found on the TDOT SmartWay website at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway or by calling 511.  You can also receive traffic alerts via TDOT's multiple Twitter feeds, including statewide traffic tweets @TN511 or Knoxville area alerts @Knoxville511.  Smart phone users can use the new TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT's SmartWay cameras, messages displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs, and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes.
 
 

The area surrounding Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies will transform into a street fair on Thursday, April 28 when Gatlinburg hosts Ribfest, Wings & BBQ.

The purchase of an armband allows sampling until the ribs and wings run out during this popular 10th annual festival will feature musical entertainment, food sampling from 5 to 9 p.m. and loads of atmosphere on Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza and the immediate area.

Firemen Fire up the grill at last year's festival. 

Come out and enjoy live entertainment, hot wing eating contests and ice cream eating contests, each promising a wonderfully good time.

Entertainment will be provided by the Knoxville Lil’ Band, a blend of swing and big band sounds and will feature Pop RoX a band that specializes in '80s covers, and put on a stage show that resembles a video from MTV's heyday.

A panel will judge and award the best ribs or wings in seven categories. All vendors will be vying for the coveted "People’s Choice Award" chosen by popular vote.

Hot wing eating contests sponsored by All Sauced Up will feature wings prepared in sauces such as "Blazing Bomb," "Treacherous Tongue," "Fire Pit Hell," "Scorching Screaming" and "Next Day Disaster." Prizes will be awarded to the champion. See if you can handle it!

The "Vermonster Ice Cream Eating Contest" sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s is another highlight of the evening of fun and festivities.

"We think this will be our best Ribfest, Wings and BBQ extravaganza ever," said George Hawkins, Special Events Manager for the Department of Tourism. "The Parkway is such an exciting and unique venue."

An armband for Ribfest, Wings & BBQ may be purchased for a small donation ($12 for adults, $5 for children age 4-10) that allows sampling as long as the ribs and wings last.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Gatlinburg Hospitality Association’s educational scholarship fund.

This year’s vendors include BKW Seasonings, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Calhoun’s Restaurant, Corky’s BBQ, Dick’s Last Resort, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Hellbenders Grill, Nantahala Outdoor Center’s Great Outpost, Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, Rel Maples Culinary Institute, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Texas Roadhouse, TGI Friday’s and Walgreen’s.

Hard Rock Café, Food City and Coca-Cola are also sponsors of the event.

To become a vendor, sponsor of volunteer, call the Special Events Office at 436-0500.

For more information about Ribfest, Wings & BBQ and other Gatlinburg Springfest events, visit www.gatlinburg.com or call 865-436-4178.

A Sevier County couple is in jail on charges of aggravated kidnapping of a woman who ran into a market pleading for help.

Angelia Christina Payne, 40, of Seymour, and her boyfriend, William Daugherty, 39, of Sevierville, are charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault of Marsha Long of Johnson City.

The Sevier County Sheriff's Office said Long ran into Floyd's Market on Chapman Highway around 2 p.m. Sunday clad in her undergarments. She told the clerk she had been tied up and held against her will in the trunk of a car. The clerk immediately  called 911.

When police arrived, Long told them Payne and Daugherty had held her against her will at Payne's home on Hawk Lane.

Long said she and Payne work for a carnival based in Georgia, and she had been staying with Payne.

On Saturday night, Long said the couple tied her to a bar railing and kept her there all night.. She also said the couple threatened to kill her over a dispute she had with Daugherty.

Long said the couple tied her up and put her in the car trunk and left the home on sunday. She managed to get her hands free and escaped the car when the couple  stopped at the market.

Long was taken to LeConte Medical Center and treated for minor injuries.

Payne and Daugherty were arrested on Sunday evening and taken to the Sevier County Jail.

Payne is being held on a $250,000 bond and Daugherty, who had an outstanding warrant for non-support, is being held on a $350,000 bond.

The couple is scheduled to be in court for a hearing on June 10.

Anyone with information about the incident should call the Sevier County Sheriff's Office at 865-428-1899.

 When Liberty was brought into the American Eagle Foundation, he was faced with many challenges. Liberty is a bald eagle that is missing an eye. In the wild, Liberty’s odds of survival would be diminished greatly as birds of prey must rely on a a keen sense of sight to hunt for food. 

 Liberty is now a resident at the AEF where he will likely spend his remaining years in captivity due to his impaired ability to hunt.

But, AEF founder Al Cecere expects Liberty to flourish and lead a full life at the sanctuary and for good reason. For 26 years, the AEF has been rescuing birds of prey that have been injured, abused or imperiled.

Many have been rehabilitated, others will live out their lives at the sanctuary where they will play a role in educating the public about the need for conservation and the need to protect America’s living symbol.

Cecere founded the organization after seeing a photo of several bald eagles that had been killed and laid out.

Alarmed, Cecere went to work creating the AEF in Sevierville in hopes that he could play an essential role in re-populating a dwindling population.

“At one time in the 1950s and early ‘60s, there were as few as 500 pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states, “Cecere said.

This was due to hunting, poaching and the use of DDT, a pesticide that made the shells of eagle eggs extremely thin and fragile. Few eggs hatched out to maturity.

With the banning of DDT and strict hunting and poaching laws now in place, the bald eagles are making a comeback.

“There are now more than 7,500 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states,” Cecere said.

Cecere travels frequently with a bald eagle named Challenger. The eagle was blown from his nest as a hatchling and raised by well-intentioned humans who provided him with food.

Unfortunately, Challenger never learned to survive in the wild and is now a permanent resident of the AEF. With Challenger in tow, Cecere attends numerous events such as the World Series, University of Tennessee sporting events and the Super Bowl where Challenger flew across the stadium in the waning notes of the Star Spangled Banner and landed safely on Cecere’s arm to the delight of patriotic fans.

The AEF is funded through private donations, grants and other fundraising methods such as a tag issued by the Volunteer State that bears Challenger’s likeness, as well as a coin issued by the U.S. mint honoring the celebrated eagle.

One of the foundation’s biggest supporters is Sevier County’s own Dolly Parton who has appeared in videos speaking on behalf of the foundation.

Several eagles and birds of prey rescued by the AEF are on display at Dollywood at a bald eagle exhibit where visitors can get close to the nation’s living symbol.Several of the birds appear in the Wings Of America show at the park.

For more information about the American Eagle Foundation visit the web site www.eagles.org.

Tourism will not be affected by the collapse of a 40-foot wall at the Gatlinburg Wastewater plant that resulted in the deaths of two workers and dumped more than two million gallons of wastewater into the Little Pigeon River.

The wall collapsed on April 5 killing Dan Storey, 44, and John Eslinger, 53. The cause of the collapse is under investigation.

According to Dave Perella, Executive Director of Gatlinburg’s Department of Tourism, the collapse will have no affect on tourism based on water samples taken at the site.

“Water samples have been taken above the site and below the site of the collapse,” Perella said. “Based on these water samples, the water is now safe for recreational use.”

Perella said most white water rafting is done in Hartford and no white water rafting companies operate on the western prong of the Little Pigeon.

The sewage that made its way into the river was waste water and there was no raw sewage. Immediately after the wall collapsed, officials began monitoring the water conditions to ascertain affects on the environment.

    A Northview Elemantary School teacher has been suspended without pay until May 16 after being accused of child neglect.

   According to a warrant filed by the child's mother, on April 4, the teacher, Teresa Ward, would not allow the child to go to the restroom. According to reports, the children were coming in from recess and the 8-year-old asked his teacher if he could go to the restroom. Ward reportedly asked him if he could wait. Shortly afterwards, the child soiled himself and was made to sit in class wearing the soiled garments the remainder of the day where he was subjected to ridicule by other students.

  The 8-year-old student, whose name is being witheld due to his age, has since been placed in another class.

  Ward was booked on April 8 and released on her recognizance. The mother of the student wants Ward fired. The case is under investigation by school officials.

The following is an update from TDOT concerning construction activitiy on Highway 66.

Phase 1 – Nichols Street to Boyds Creek Highway:
 
Blalock will shift southbound traffic from Boyds Creek Highway to Gist Creek to the new outside lanes Sunday (4/17) night.  This will require a temporary closure of the right southbound lane beginning at 7:00 p.m. Sunday night from Boyds Creek Highway to Gist Creek while crews stripe the shift tie-ins and safe up pavement edge drop offs.  Once traffic is on the new lanes, crews will begin paving wedges at select side roads to restore cross-overs; note that some cross-overs may not be opened until later in the day (as the paving crew catches up) so pay close attention to traffic control signs and barrels.  Crews will be out of the active lanes by 6:00 a.m. Monday but may at times have to briefly hold traffic under the 5 minute stoppages to wedge in for the cross-overs.  Following the shift, some median openings will be temporarily closed to allow crews to install storm drain and construct the interior lanes.  During this next phase, median crossings will be maintained at the following locations:
 
Alder Branch Road
Helicopter Ride Boulevard
Jaguer Drive / Wesley Lane
Wade Lane / Badger Lane
Royal Heights Drive
River Lane
Douglas Dam Road
 
Others will reopen as the work progresses.
 
The contractor will also continue conducting the 5 minute stoppages on SR-66 Monday (4/18) through Friday (4/22) between 9am and 3pm from King Street to Boyds Creek Highway mainly for moving equipment and materials in and out of the work zone.  Paving operations may also temporarily impede traffic at side roads and driveways as the paving train pulls through intersections.

A motorcyle accident with unknown injuries has been reported on Wears Valley Road at Moonshine Ridge. Updates will follow when available.

View Larger Map

  Country music fans will get an opportunity to see three up and coming stars Saturday April 23 at the Grand Resort and Convention Center in Pigeon Forge.

 The line-up features Shelly Starks, Andy Griggs and Mark Wills.

  Wills has had 16 singles to make the Billboard Country Music charts including "When you think of me" and "Loving every minute." 

  Wills is a native of Cleveland, Tennessee.

  Mark Wills will be performing at the Grand Resort on April 23 

  Andy Griggs has had two singles that both reached number two on the Billboard Country music charts including "She's more'" and "You won't ever be lonely."

 Up and coming entertainer Shelly Starks is off to a good start. She apperaed with country music legend Charlie Daniels at Journey Fest and her single "My cowboy" is generating a lot of radio air play. 

  Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 800-251-4444.

     Christ In The Smokies Museum and Gardens will be open Easter Sunday for tours.The museum is located at 510 River Road in Gatlinburg. The museum offers a tour that takes the visitor through the life of Christ depicted by 12 scenes each featuring more than 100 life-sized Biblical figures. The story of Jesus comes to breathtaking life utilizing state of the art sound, lights, and special effects along with moving narration and music. 

  The Last Supper is one of 12 exhibits on display at the Christ in the Smokies Museum an Gardens in Gatlinburg  

   Original, colorful banners present the story of the Dogwood tree on the outside of the landmark building constructed of Georgia and Tennessee marble. Inside, the famous poem and on inside cross display remind the visitors of the Legend of the Dogwood tree. Though only a tradition, the legend speaks of how the Dogwood was once a tall and strong tree but after it was used for the cross of Christ – the tree became gnarled and unfit for good lumber. Also, its blossoms were to remind us of not only his cross but the crown of thorns he wore.

    Last summer, the much anticipated Face of Christ Sculpture was unveiled, measuring over eight feet tall. The Face of Christ seems to watch the viewer wherever they stand in the patio prayer garden. Also last spring, a new scene inspired by lhe Gospel of Luke was also added to the tour, Christ Heals the Blind Man.

    For more information about the museum, hours and ticket prices call 865-436-5155. 

    Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens will be open Easter Sunday for tours and to celebrate the resurrection..

   What better way to celebrate Easter than to tour the facility and learn about the life of Christ depicted with a series of 12 realistic scenes featuring more than 100 life-sized Biblical figures.

   The story of Jesus comes to breathtaking life utilizing state of the art sound, lights, and special effects along with moving narration and music. 

   Original, colorful banners present the story of the Dogwood tree on the outside of the landmark building constructed of Georgia and Tennessee marble. Inside, the famous poem and a cross display remind the visitors of the Legend of the Dogwood tree. 

   Though only a tradition, the legend speaks of how the Dogwood was once a tall and strong tree but after it was used for the cross of Christ – the tree became gnarled and unfit for good lumber. Also, its blossoms were to remind us of not only his cross but the crown of thorns he wore.

     Last summer, the much anticipated Face of Christ Sculpture was unveiled, measuring over eight feet tall. The Face of Christ seems to watch the viewer wherever they stand in the patio prayer garden.

  For more information about the museum call 865-436-5155.  

Last night the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, local businesses Mix Radio 105.5 and Appliance Discount sponsored what could be the only public appearance by all five candidates in the upcoming City of Sevierville election on May 5^th, 2011. There are four positions in city government to be decided in the election. The Mayor will be elected for a two year term and three Alderman Positions for a term of four years.

The event started with a brief statement by Mayor Brian Atchley who is running unopposed in the election. Mayor Atchley thanked the public for allowing him to serve the past 18 years and thanked all four candidates for offering to perform the important public service of serving as an Alderman.

Each candidate also was allowed the time for an opening statement.

 Barry Gibbs thanked the public for allowing him to serve the past four years on Council. He stated that Sevierville had been founded in 1775 and we had survived many problems and also faced challenges today with the present economic conditions.

Wayne Helton introduced himself as a retiree from Alcoa Aluminum Company and as a native to Sevierville. He grew up as an early street kid roaming downtown. He has been married for 48 years and has three grown children.

Devin Koester stated that he also was born in Sevierville and has spent his life here. His granddad was Joe Latham who operated grocery stores in Sevier County and his grandmother was in the motel business. He grew up with exposure to both the hometown business and the business of tourism. He is married to his high school girlfriend, Leslie Bozeman, and they reside in Mill Wood with their two children.

Travis McCroskey also thanked everyone for allowing him to serve the past 8 years. He and his wife Cynthia reside in Sevierville and have two children. He operates a family motel in downtown Sevierville and also serves as a Director of Tennessee State Bank. His uncle Alf Newman operated a restaurant in downtown Sevierville for many years. He stated that Sevierville has experienced periods of extreme growth and recession during his two terms and through it all taxes have not been raised.

The Chamber had solicited questions from their members and edited the responses to four questions. Each candidate was given the opportunity to respond to each question but the order was random to add interest to the event.

Candidates thank each other after Tuesday nights forum.

The candidates responses to questions and more photos after the break.