Lots of news bits slip out and around the city every day. We deliver some of them in full-length stories, while others fit better in a list of sorts. Early this month several hit that fit this category. They were reported elsewhere, but in case you missed it . . .
Gay Street Bridge Repair Funding Approved (and more)
This came out of the March 4 City Council meeting, which also delivered some additional nuggets of interest.
Two million dollars were approved to complete repairs which will allow the bridge to reopen to pedestrians and cyclists. Unfortunately, this will take most of a year, with re-opening expected in early 2026. Council also approved a $25,000 grant to the Old Sevier Merchants Associate for marketing support during the bridge shut downtown and the Sevier Avenue Streetscapes Project, both of which have or will negatively impact the businesses there.
Other funding approved that night that impacts areas near downtown, included designating $1 million from the Affordable Rental Development Fund to help in the conversion of the former Giffin Elementary School in south Knoxville into 36 affordable apartments. Historic Griffin Square will add 77 new affordable homes.
Also approved that night was $360,000 in design services to improve traffic and pedestrian safety on Magnolia Avenue
Benny Smith Returns! (But to WDVX this time around)
The most read article on this website last year included the news that Benny Smith, long time director at WUTK had been removed from that position. News released earlier this month announced Benny as the new Director of Marketing and Community Engagement at WDVX. He’ll not only work with area businesses in partnership with the station, but will assist with event planning and promotions.
Smith has connections with the station that precede its on-air debut, as he assisted with fundraising in the early 1990s and he and General Manager Tony Lawson co-hosted (with Shane Tymon) the popular bluegrass radio show Soppin’ the Gravy in the 1990s.
But wait, there’s more . . .
Tennessee RiverLine Announces 2024 Award Recipients at 6th Annual Summit
The Tennessee RiverLine, an organization dedicated to connecting, developing, and utilizing the Tennessee River for recreation held its annual summit at the downtown Marriott, recognizing those who made significant contributions to the effort in 2024. Exemplary leadership by communities, individuals, and organizations was recognized at the conference and some of those receiving awards were from our region.
Award categories and recipients:
- Organizational Partner of the Year: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
- Individual Partner of the Year: Gail Loveland, Outdoor Chattanooga
- Community Partner of the Year: Spring City, TN
- CommUnity Leadership Award: Black Kids Adventures
- Excellence in River Animation: Paducah, KY
- Excellence in River Stewardship: Tennessee River Rescue
- Event of the Year: Blythe Ferry Paddle: Meigs County, TN; Dayton, TN; Cherokee Removal Memorial Park; Trail of Tears Association
- Powered by Partnerships: Appalachian Regional Commission Conference Paddle
- Legacy Awards: Hannah Kirby, Liz Riester
Extra mile awards recognizing those along the river who gave just a little. From Knoxville, that award went to Wes Soward.
“2024 marked an outstanding year of connecting communities, people and organizations across all 652 miles of the Tennessee River, and it would never have been possible without the efforts of our incredible collaborators and advocates,” said Lizzy Gardner, programs director of the Tennessee RiverLine. “Thousands of new river users discovered the tremendous resource in their own backyards this year through stewardship, engagement and recreation events, and we couldn’t be more excited to recognize the efforts of our generous collaborators.”
And finally for today’s batch . . .
Children’s Festival of Reading named Best Children’s Event!
We’ve know for many years that the Children’s Festival of Reading rocks and now they have the honor to prove it. The festival received the 2025 Kaleidoscope Award for the best children’s event from the Southeastern Festivals and Events Association. The festival won over 205 other applications submitted from six states.
The festival, which is coming up in the next couple of months (always the third Saturday in May) celebrates the end of school and the beginning of summer by promoting all things related to books. It features children’s book authors and illustrators, storybook characters, science demonstrations, storytellers, musicians, arts & crafts, a parade of books, and more than 50 community organizations. Last year, more than 11,000 guests attended.
Expect the 19th annual iteration of the event on May 17 this year in the World’s Fair Park. Included among the authors and illustrators for children’s and young adult literature will be the following superstars from the genre (among many, many others)
Kate Messner, New York Times bestselling author of The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z, Capture the Flag and Over and Under the Snow
Vivian Vende Velde, award winning author of fantasy, science fiction, and spooky tales including Heir Apparent, Never Trust a Dead Man and Cloaked in Red
Kevin Lewis, the mastermind behind Chugga Chugga Choo-Choo and My Truck is Stuck