Knoxville Tennessee Blog

Here are this weeks collection of the best of Knoxville Tennessee links. If you didn’t have time to keep up with all of the fun stuff going on in Knoxville this week these should catch you up. Please add a comment or use the contact form (more anonyomous) if I missed a story that should be on this list.

From Michael Silence: First rides on Dollywood roller coaster auctioned on eBay
Bidders with at least $500 can be first in line to unlock the mysteries of the new roller coaster at Dollywood. The Pigeon Forge amusement park is holding an online auction on eBay for the first 56 official rides on the $17.5 million Mystery Mine.

From Knoxville Trivia: Knoxville Trivia 101
Do you tuck your tail between your legs and run when someone mentions John Sevier, William Blount, or James White? Do you tremble with fear when you are sitting around the dinner table and someone starts talking about Burnside, Longstreet, and the battle of Fort Sanders? Well fret no more. Below are 10 Knoxville Trivia facts that you can squirrel away in your old noggin, that will make you look like bonafide Knoxvillian.

From KnoxNews.com: Adams: UT at a loss after second-half wrongs
SAN ANTONIO — Tennessee basketball fans are accustomed to disappointment, but what happened Thursday night in the Alamodome goes way beyond disappointment.

From Michael Silence: Get your Fred Thompson bumper stickers
And this: In our last email, we mentioned that we were missing a few states and within hours, we had grassroots volunteers signed up in all 50.

From Cup Of Joe Powell: Money Trumps Traffic Camera Changes
Despite evidence that lengthening the time a traffic light is yellow reduces accidents, the TN legislature has decided to support the tactic of using automatic cameras. So more tickets and more revenue win the day.

From KnoxNews.com: Knox to hire 300 teachers
Knox County school officials expect to fill close to 650 teacher vacancies for next school year, and they’re exploring new ways to be more competitive.

From Sean Braisted: .20 Gets The Party Started
Senator Cooper turned himself in today (really just went in to get his mugshot and finger prints taken) in regards to his accident last month. According to the Tennessean, Sen. Cooper had a wee too much to drink, with a .18 BAC, over twice the legal limit of .08.

From KnoxNews.com: Playboy hopes to find “Girls of the SEC” at UT
Playboy photographers are headed to University of Tennessee April 2 and 3 looking for the finest of UT. (Best of The Worst News of the Week)

Did I miss a link? Add your favorite stories for the week in the comments to this post.

Here are this weeks collection of the best of Knoxville Tennessee links. If you didn’t have time to keep up with all of the fun stuff going on in Knoxville this week these should catch you up. The list this week is long so please add a comment or use the contact form (more anonyomous) if I missed a big story.

From KnoxNews.com : Yeldell: No more lighting up at Regas
Regas - one of Knoxville’s oldest and most well-known restaurants - is going smoke-free. Owners decided this week to make the downtown restaurant smoke-free beginning March 19.

From KnoxNews.com: Hughs: Arguing over science, religion is unproductive
Let’s all say a prayer for Lana Seivers, Tennessee Department of Education commissioner. She has until Jan. 15, 2008, to decide whether the universe was created by a supreme being.

From Michael Silence: The highest gas prices in TN
That award currently goes to Chattanooga, $2.393.

From UTK.edu: UT Launches New ‘UTTV’ Station with Comcast Cable
Through a partnership with Comcast Cable, the University of Tennessee has launched its own television station that is now available to all digital subscribers in the greater Knoxville area.

From KnoxNews.com: Mullins named interim schools chief
Knox County school board members this evening selected Roy Mullins as interim superintendent for the school system.

From CNN.com: Lofton is AP’s SEC player of year
To Chris Lofton, the season feels like a roller coaster. It’s certainly looking up heading into the Southeastern Conference tournament. The Tennessee guard was named player of the year on The Associated Press All-SEC team released Tuesday, edging Derrick Byars of Vanderbilt.

From KnoxNews.com: Haslam making another run
Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam received the applause of supporters from both sides of the 2003 campaign aisle Tuesday as he formally announced his bid for a second term.

From KnoxNews.com: Schumpert declines committee post
Former Knox County Executive Tommy Schumpert has declined to serve on the county’s newly formed Ethics Committee, saying he was never asked to take part.

From ComedyCentral: Colbert on Al Gore (Video after ad)
Stephen investigates Al Gore’s wasteful behavior by searching through his garbage.

From KnoxNews.com: Hall back as assistant for former employee
Newly appointed Register of Deeds Sherry Witt has hired her former boss, Steve Hall, as an administrative assistant at an annual salary of $69,000.

From KnoxViews.com: Don Williams fans can find his two most recent articles from The Last Word here and here.

From FrankMurphy.com: Ham Radio (More Knoxville obsession with Abby Ham)
Instead of writing a long blog entry on a night when I’m more tired than usual, I realized that I could just post a new photo of Abby Ham and get a significant increase in page hits.

From Brian Hornback: County Commissioner Mark Harmon is a Disrespectful Guy
Today was the customary Honorary Resolutions for those that have left County Government. Sheriff Tim Hutchison, Trustee Mike Lowe, Register of Deeds Steve Hall and others. When the Sheriff was presented with his Resolution. He received a standing ovation except for Commissioner Mark Harmon.

Did I miss a link? Add your favorite stories for the week in the comments to this post.

Here are this weeks collection of the best of Knoxville Tennessee links. If you didn’t have time to keep up with all of the fun stuff going on in Knoxville this week these should catch you up.

From Knox Trivia: Abby Ham Truth Straight From Heart
In all my days of blogging, I’ve never seen such careless and callous remarks made, as the ones concerning recent events surrounding the local news coverage of the McClung fire in Knoxville.

From Brian Hornback: Mark Cawood and Diane Jordan Continue to Serve
This morning following the special called meeting. The County Commission re-organized . That means that the 8 new Commissioners were appointed to each respective Committee (Intergovernmental and Finance) Also see New Committee Members

From TNPoliticsBlog.com: A Daily Dose
Bredesen Calls Sales Tax Cut on Food “Voodoo”, Corker Returns from Iraq, Knox Co. Commission Rejects Settlement of News-Sentinel Lawsuit

From Voluntarily Conservative: Cleaning House
OK, he’s already been indicted on fraud and conspiracy charges and now has been formally been charged with DUI in a case that easily could have killed innocent citizens. So, can someone explain to me why the Democrats haven’t demanded for Jerry Cooper to resign his seat in the Tennessee Senate?

From Michael Silence (On Frank Cagle): How many wives have the GOP candidates had?
Of three major Republican contenders for president–John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Newt Gingrich–they have eight wives or ex-es between them. If the public record is to be believed, they have all committed adultery.

From KnoxNews.com: Haslam: Turmoil ‘hurts us’
Knox County government’s continued bickering over political appointments could damage the region’s economic development effort, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam warned Tuesday. Haslam fears the political infighting over appointments to Knox County Commission will create the perception nationally that the Knoxville area is a place businesses should avoid.

From Michael Silence: On Knox County commissioners
Moore said he’d only received one phone call at home complaining about the appointment process and that the commission office only got 57 calls, “not all of them negative.” (Moore’s home phone is 865-922-7926, and the commission office is 865-215-2534, in case anyone has a complaint or comment.) Read more from Silence on this subject here and here.

From TennesseeThisWeek.com: Sunshine Law and Ethics; Uranium in Iraq
Knoxville News Sentinel editor Jack McElroy talks about a lawsuit he and his newspaper have filed against Knox County Commission and Terry Frank raised eyebrows and questions recently when she reported on her blog about uranium stockpiles discovered Iraq.

From KnoxNews.com: Vines: Gray out along with computers
Jim Gray, the former Knox County Democratic Party chairman who resigned last year because he couldn’t support term-limited officials, is the first casualty of former Knox County Commissioner Billy Tindell’s selection as county clerk.

From KnoxNews.com: What ET bloggers are saying this weekend
This is KnoxNews.com “Best Of” links.

Normally I stick to strictly Knoxville related information but because I heard this from several people this week and it was reported by a Knoxville blogger it makes the list.

From ClarkStooksbury: A New Kid in Pedia Town
There’s a new kid in pedia town. A while back, I noted the complaints from Newsbusters about “liberal bias” at Wikipedia. To counter the dreaded bias, we now have Conservapedia.

He also says this: “Other than being a liberal source of fun and laughter, Conservapedia doesn’t appear to have much value.” I would argue that there could be one other highly effective use for this new pedia. I expect it will gain a high PR during the next pass from Google in a few months. If I am correct in this assumption it could be retribution for the recent “nofollow” wikipedia incident.

Did I miss a link? Add your favorite stories for the week in the comments to this post.

Here are this weeks collection of the best of Knoxville Tennessee links. If you didn’t have time to keep up with all of the fun stuff going on in Knoxville this week these should catch you up.

From GenePatterson.com: Ragsdale Shows Off His Legendary Temper
Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale shows off his legendary temper Sunday on Tennessee This Week.

From MetroPulse.com: Commentary On County Commission Appoitments
It would be nice if the voters turned these people out and paid attention to their outrageous conduct. But since the voters returned most term limited officeholders back to office last year and continue to elect people like Steve Hall, you have to wonder whether Knox County voters haven’t been getting what they deserve of late.

From KnoxViews.com: Preview of Upcoming County Commission Meetings
From the blog of Mark Harmon: Here’s a likely timeline of upcoming topics and activities, Knox County Commission

From KnoxNews.com: Testing planned on McClung fire debris
The probe into how a fire erupted at the McClung warehouses was stalled today after state officials halted the removal of debris until it is tested for hazardous chemicals.

From CityOfKnoxville.org: New Knoxville Station Transit Center
Mayor Bill Haslam announced today that the city will make a recommendation to the Federal Transit Administration that the new Knoxville Station Transit Center be located at a site on the east end of the Church Avenue Viaduct.

From HallsNews.com: The rapid rise of Scott “Scoobie” Moore
What Moore’s hyperbolic ghost writer calls “zest and enthusiasm” is described in less flattering terms by critics who take issue with his role in the recent appointments. Moore is being widely accused of orchestrating “backroom” deals and violations of the state’s open meetings laws.

From KnoxNews.com: Jonathan Wimmer Speaks Out
During this recess, I was approached by Commissioner Greg “Lumpy” Lambert and offered a deal whereby I would receive the appointment to Seat 2B if I would be sworn into office secretly and come back to commission, take my seat and vote for Tramel in the 4th District.

From KnoxNews.com: Council supports S. Knox changes
Knoxville City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to “support the process” and uphold an oversight committee’s rezoning code recommendations for a massive South Knoxville re-development area.

From KnoxNews.com: Proposal: Close 2 elementary schools
Some Knox County school board members question a suggestion, contained in a recent facilities study designed to help school and county officials in their capital budget planning, to close two elementary schools.

From Instapundit.com: Blogger Meet-Up Blogroll
JUST GOT BACK from the area Bloggers’ Bash. Lots of local bloggers were there

Did I miss a link? Add your favorite stories for the week in the comments to this post.

Here are this weeks collection of the best of Knoxville Tennessee links. If you didn’t have time to keep up with all of the fun stuff going on in Knoxville this week these should catch you up.

From VolunteerTV.com: Pictures Of The Fire
Related links from knoxnews.com: Map of Location and related stories
Arson investigators are being hindered by the instability of the McClung Warehouses, which were destroyed by fire this morning on Jackson Avenue near the Old City.

From VoluntarilyConservative : Live Blogging National Signing Day
Well, National Signing Day is here - a day that has become somewhat mythical for hundreds of thousands of diehard college football fans.

From Knoxnews.com: Mayor Ragsdale calls for special election.
Mayor Mike Ragsdale called today for a special election this fall for the 12 Knox County offices filled last week by appointees of the County Commission

From Knoxnews.com: Phil Bredesen to Mike Ragsdale PDF
I regret to report there is little that can be done about the recently appointed Knox county officials.

From Knoxnews.com: Tony Norman is a good guy
Knox County Commissioner Tony Norman said Thursday that a special election is the only way to “remove the stink” after commissioners’ appointments to replace 12 departing officeholders.

From Michael Silence: Fly The Crowded Skies
Wow. Check out the corporate jets leaving Miami after the Superbowl.

From Chattanoogan.com: Transcript of Governor Bredesen’s State of the State Address

From Knoxnews.com: Knox News Sentinel Sues County Commission
The News Sentinel has sued the Knox County Commission for allegedly breaking the law by holding secret meetings and making backroom deals while appointing replacements for term-limited officeholders last week. More links here and here.

Did I miss a link? Add your favorite stories for the week in the comments to this post.

Friday posts are going to be comprised of a collection of the weeks best Knoxville TN links. If you didn’t have time to keep up with all of the fun stuff going on in Knoxville, Friday posts will be your place to catch up.

The biggest news for this week is of course Knoxville County Commissioners Term Limits.

From Knoxviews.com : LIVE: County Commission appoints replacements
Live blogging from the Knox County Commission special meeting to appoint replacements for vacancies created by the term-limits ruling. (And great commentary)

From YouTube : Term Limits District IV vote 1-31-07 Part I
Term Limits District IV vote 1-31-07 Scott Davis Speech (and other related videos thanks to Publius9)

From Wikipedia.com : Knox County, TN
Updated summary of the appointment process.

From Knoxnews.com : And now, accusations fly
Knox County Commissioner Ivan Harmon accused Mayor Mike Ragsdale on Thursday of threatening to withhold funding for projects in Harmon’s district if he voted the wrong way at Wednesday’s meeting to replace term-limited officeholders.

From Knoxnews.com : Wimmer says he refused to trade vote for appointment
Failed Knox County Commission nominee Jonathan Wimmer contends that he refused a trade - his vote in exchange for an appointment - from Commissioner Greg “Lumpy” Lambert during a backroom recess at the now-infamous meeting Wednesday to appoint 12 new county officeholders.

From Knoxnews.com : JJ hires Hutch for $99k
Tim Hutchison might not be sheriff anymore, but he will stay on with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office as an assistant chief deputy making $99,141 per year.

From GenePatterson.com : How to Change the Political Culture?
Right now, the public is “mad as hell,” but will they be in a few months? Perhaps better reporting by all of us, of the potential conflicts of our elected officials will help keep the fires hot?

And in other news this week.

From BillHobbs.com : Tyler Harber Anonymous Blog
The state Senator pushing the anti-blogger legislation is none other than Jamie Woodson, a Knoxville Republican.

From Hallsnews.com : Tyler Harbor Report
Sandra Clark at the Halls Shopper posted the full KCSO Harber report.

From Knoxnews.com : Baptist open to partnership, but not with Covenant
Baptist Health System said Monday it remains open to a partnership with one or more of the area’s not-for-profit health systems, except Covenant Health.

Did I miss a link? Add your favorite stories for the week in the comments to this post.