NASHVILLE, TENN. – The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with linebacker Gerald McRath. The Titans selected McRath with their first fourth-round selection (130th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft out of Southern Mississippi. The Powder Springs, Ga., native started 25 of 36 career games for the Golden Eagles, including 21 starts at middle linebacker and four at strong-side linebacker. He posted 386 career tackles, ranking third in USM history and eighth on the Conference USA record list. Additionally, McRath’s career statistics included 32.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one interception, seven passes defensed, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. In 2007, he was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, and followed that honor by earning first-team All-Conference USA recognition in 2008. The Titans now have agreed to terms with five (McRath, McCourty, Edison, Durand, Schommer) of their 11 2009 draft picks.  Read More →

June 30, 2009 – The Festival on the Fourth promises once again to deliver a wide variety of family fun including entertainment, activities and treats at the City of Knoxville’s Fourth of July celebration. The free festival begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4, with the Opening Ceremonies at the Tennessee Amphitheatre and doesn’t wind down until the conclusion of a great fireworks show nearly eight hours later. Festival on the FourthIn between, festival goers will be treated to good music, good food, good fun and good times. In addition to the City of Knoxville, The Festival on the Fourth is sponsored by WBIR-TV, WDVX and The Knoxville News Sentinel. The opening ceremony features soloist Elaine Graham performing the National Anthem while the Knoxville Fire Department’s Honor Guard presents... (more...)

On June 29, 2009, the National Park Service, Southeast Regional Office (NPS) will issue a prospectus seeking proposals for a new 10-year concessions contract to provide limited concession services at Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, and Sugarlands Visitor Centers and the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The visitor services that will be required under the new contract include visitor convenience items approved by the Superintendent, vending machine sale of soft drinks and bottled water, and vending machine sale of feminine hygiene products in restrooms. Cades Cove Visitor Center and the Great Smoky Mountains Institute are near Townsend, Tenn. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is near Gatlinburg, Tenn. and the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is near Cherokee, N.C. Great Smoky Mountains Association is the existing concessioner with gross revenues reported over the past five years averaging $223,236 annually.... (more...)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with wide receiver Dominique Edison. The Titans selected Edison with their second sixth-round selection (206th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft out of Stephen F. Austin. In 44 career games with 32 starts, the San Augustine, Texas, native totaled 182 receptions for 2,697 yards and 28 touchdowns. He finished his career ranked first in school history in receptions and second in touchdown catches and receiving yards. In Southland Conference history, Edison ranks second in career receptions and second in touchdown catches. He collected the majority of his statistics as a senior, when he set a school record with 67 catches for 1,016 yards and ranked second in the nation with 18 touchdown receptions. The Titans now have agreed to terms with four (McCourty, Edison, Durand, Schommer) of their 11 2009 draft picks.  Read More →

June 26, 2009 – WASHINGTON: U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) announced that the Interior appropriations bill he co-authored and that was approved by the Appropriations Committee today will fund a number of conservation efforts across Tennessee, including increased funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and several water and wastewater projects in Tennessee communities. The bill would provide $20.4 million in base operations funding for the Smokies, an increase of $1 million over last year. Its my privilege to serve as ranking member for the Interior Subcommittee, especially considering that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, said Alexander, who is the senior Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, which funds national parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).... (more...)

June 26, 2009 – Steve McGaffin, Knoxville Zoo’s Education Outreach and Field Programs Coordinator, has received a scholarship to attend the Imperiled Butterfly Conservation and Management (IBCM) training program. The IBCM training program is designed to assist professionals from zoos, aquariums, and other conservation-based institutions in initiating butterfly conservation or recovery programs at their facilities. IBCM is a partnership involving the University of Florida’s Florida Museum of Natural History, Chicago Academy of Sciences’ Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Oregon Zoo, Toledo Zoo, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and the Butterfly Conservation Initiative. These partner institutions have established butterfly conservation and recovery programs or offer expertise in key areas such as plant propagation or program coordination. McGaffin was one of only 25 attendees across the country... (more...)

June 24, 2009 – Kids ages 10-13 can enjoy History Detective Camp on July 13-17 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Blount Mansion Visitors Center on 200 W. Hill Ave. At Blount Mansions History Detective Camp students will use the resources of Blount Mansion to learn about and experience life in the 1790s. Detectives will learn first-hand how to use historical materials to bring history to life in new and meaningful ways. Activities will include: Tours of the Mansion, group games and activities, special guest speakers, exploring the past through maps and diaries, internet activities and more! Call 865-525-2375 or www.blountmansion.org for more information.  Read More →

June 24, 2009 – Knoxville Police Chief Sterling Owen joined today with Claiborne Hauling Contractors Director of Transportation, Eric Edlin, to unveil a new truck that honors Knoxville Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty. The Mack CL 733 tri-axle dump truck is the latest vehicle in Claiborne’s long line of specially painted vehicles. The truck was designed to honor the KPD officers who were killed in the line of duty during the 160 year history of the department. The first KPD line of duty death occurred in 1862. The last line of duty death occurred in 1989. Chief Owen said, “We appreciate Claiborne Hauling Contractors desire to honor those officers who died while serving the public. It is obvious that Todd Claiborne, owner of Claiborne Hauling Contractors, is committed in making this community stronger through their loyal support.” Claiborne Hauling Contractors... (more...)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with two 2009 draft picks – sixth-round selection CB Jason McCourty and seventh-round pick G Ryan Durand. McCourty, a sixth round selection (203rd overall) from Rutgers, was a three-year starter at cornerback and a senior captain. He tallied two interceptions, 20 pass breakups and 148 tackles during his college career with the Scarlet Knights. During his senior campaign, he finished second in the Big East in kickoff return average (26.2 yards/return). Durand was a three-year starter at Syracuse and a seventh round selection (239th overall) of the Titans. During his career with the Orange, Durand played in 42 games, including 35 starts at right guard. The Titans now have agreed to terms with three (McCourty, Durand, Schommer) of their 11 2009 draft picks.  Read More →

June 18, 2009 – A small section of Vine Avenue – starting where it intersects with the 100 block of Gay Street – will be closed for two-to-four weeks for construction beginning Monday, June 22. The utility work is part of the ongoing Gay Street Streetscapes Project and will involve about a 20-foot-long section of Vine as it runs west from Gay Street. To keep access as open as possible Vine will become a two-way street after the closure. That will allow access to the Sterchi parking by turning right from Summit Hill onto Walnut Street and then turning right onto Vine Avenue.  Read More →