Knoxville Zoo saddened by death of black bear

Submitted by WBIR Web Staff on Tuesday, December 10th, 5:24 pm

The Knoxville Zoo shared some sad news on Tuesday.

A zoo favorite, Otis the black bear, became sick and died suddenly last week. Veterinarians believe he died of acute onset pneumonia on Friday.

Otis, 15, came to the Knoxville Zoo in 2001 from the Fort Worth Zoo with Milo. The two young bears were found orphaned in Alaska in 1999, and could not be re-released into the wild.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Community Sponsors

Tennessee Metals Company LLC

Commited to Quality Service

Knox BOE extends Dr. McIntyre's contract through 2017

Submitted by Becky Simmons, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013, 11:48am

Knox BOE extends Dr. McIntyre's contract through 2017

(WBIR) The Knox County Board of Education voted Monday night to extend Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre's contract an additional year as part of his annual performance review. His contract will run through the end of 2017.

The 8-1 vote came after a five-hour long meeting during which nearly 50 people spoke for or against the extension of the superintendent's contract. Knox County board member Mike McMillan was the only no vote.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Wet summer means lower electricity bills, TVA says

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 10th, 10:16 am

By The Tennessean, WBIR

While heavy rain in the summer might have ruined lots of cookouts and picnics, for Tennessee electricity customers the cloudsthat brought the rain came with the proverbial silver lining.

Hydroelectric dams have been in overdrive for much of the year, producing cheap energy that has brought down energy bills across the state.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Man fatally shot in East Knoxville identified

Submitted by WBIR Web Staff on Monday, December 9th, 9:34 pm

Update: Monday, Dec. 9

Knoxville police have identified the victim killed in a shooting Friday night.

Police say they found 55-year-old Lawrence Gray dead on McConnell Street, just behind the Boys and Girls Club in East Knoxville.

They were responding to a shots fired call when they found him. Police say Gray had been shot more than once.

If you have any information, they ask you call the crime information line at (865) 215-7212.

Original story: Friday, Dec. 6

View Comments | Post a Comment

Community gets first look at Five Points development plans

Submitted by WBIR Web Staff on Thursday, December 5th, 10:09 pm

We're getting our first look at new housing and revitalization efforts in the Five Points community.

Knoxville's Community Development Corporation hosted a public workshop Thursday to discuss its Five Points Master Plan.

Designers presented conceptual plans for what some of the new public housing and parks could look like, and neighbors weighed in on the work and progress they would like to see.

With property values down and vacancy rates up in East Knoxville, officials hope to copy the success of the Hope 6 project in Mechanicsville.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Sam's Club near Knoxville Center reopens with renovations

Submitted by WBIR Web Staff on Thursday, December 5th, 12:57 pm

The Sam's Club in east Knoxville is reopening Thursday after some extensive renovations.

The box store added 20-thousand square feet as well as some new amenities.The upgrade includes a hearing aid center and a fuel station.

The store also renovated some exisiting departments.The store manager says they had the chance to leave the area, but chose to stick around.

This Sam's Club has been in that location next to Knoxville Center Mall for 15 years, and while the manager said they had the option to relocate, they decided to stay.

View Comments | Post a Comment

East Knoxville Sam's Club celebrates new expansion

Submitted by WBIR Web Staff on Thursday, December 5th, 12:26 pm

(WBIR) Sam's Club in East Knoxville celebrated its grand reopening Thursday after undergoing some big renovations.

The club, located at 2920 Knoxville Center Drive, recently added 20,000 square feet including a fuel station and a hearing center. Thanks to the renovations, the club manager said the store will also be adding 25-30 jobs.

Manager Tommy Metheny said he was glad the store could stay in East Knoxville because it can provide a lot to businesses and the community.

View Comments | Post a Comment