http://metropulse.com/news/stories/city-beat/?partner=RSSMetroPulse Stories: City Beaten-usstories/city-beat/news/stories/city-beat/?partner=RSShttp://metropulse.com/feeds/headlines/stories/city-beat/2008-11-21T14:53:58.361187Copyright MetroPulse, 2008http://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/19/preeminent-domain/?partner=RSS ]]>maldonadoc@metropulse.com (Charles Maldonado)Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/19/preeminent-domain/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat140122008-11-19T18:00:002008-11-19T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Property owner Gary Bayless is certainly one person whose fortunes are closely and personally tied to the massive redevelopment of Knoxville’s South Waterfront, though he’s not quite as voluble a cheerleader for it as some developers are. Bayless owns a small three-bedroom home on Sevier Avenue, right at the complicated and hazardous-looking intersection of Island Home and Lincoln Street. It’s right on top of where the city is going to build a roundabout—part of a project announced in 2007 to extend Lincoln out to the river, where it will intersect the proposed riverwalk and boat launch. As of right now, it looks like Bayless is going to have to plan on relinquishing the house. “I think it’s ridiculous,” Bayless says. He’s owned the home since 1994, when he bought it for $68,000 for his daughters, who’ve since moved. He now rents the house out, and he’d like to continue to do that.Knoxville, TNCharles MaldonadoPreeminent DomainMetroPulsepreeminent-domainhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/19/trail-tags/?partner=RSSbarrettc@metropulse.com (Chris Barrett)Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/19/trail-tags/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat140112008-11-19T18:00:002008-11-19T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008In June, the state of Tennessee passed legislation allowing Appalachian Trail supporters to test the popularity and feasibility of a specialty license plate touting the AT. Supporters—primarily the Appalachian Trail Conference, which has a regional office in Asheville, N.C., and a national office in Harper’s Ferry, W.Va., along with a solar system of satellite volunteer groups—have until the end of June 2009 to muster 1,000 applicants for the new plate. “We already have 246 applicants,” says Mark Shipley of Farragut, who sits on an ATC subcommittee in charge of promoting the plate. “I know that at least 30 of those are from Knox County. We’re having a little trouble selling it in West Tennessee, as you can imagine.”Knoxville, TNChris BarrettTrail TagsMetroPulsetrail-tagshttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/12/respect-two-way-street/?partner=RSS ]]>barrettc@metropulse.com (Chris Barrett)Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/12/respect-two-way-street/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat139832008-11-12T18:00:002008-11-12T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Whether it’s because of the recent surge in gas prices or Lance Armstrong’s popularity, there are more bicycles and bicyclists on Knoxville’s streets than in years past. The trend is difficult to quantify, because they’re not registered, and many of these vehicles have been returned to service from basements and garages, rather than being trackable by new sales. Regardless, motorists and cyclists of all sorts using the streets and roads must interact with each other, whether it’s at intersections or in passing. Recent clashes and crashes are motivating local planners, police, and organizations to take steps to make that interaction safer.Knoxville, TNChris BarrettRespect Is a Two-Way StreetMetroPulserespect-two-way-streethttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/05/yes-we-really-can/?partner=RSSneely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely)Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/05/yes-we-really-can/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat139542008-11-05T17:00:002008-11-05T17:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Tuesday night the Democratic Party threw a party in the Knoxville Convention Center where, in another year, George W. Bush himself appeared for a high-dollar fund-raiser and Democrats were shooed off of the sidewalk. To a cold observer, it might have seemed an ambiguous occasion for celebration. At 8:01, moments after the polls closed in Knoxville, Katie Couric announced Tennessee as one of the nation’s first sure states for McCain: “so red it denied native son Al Gore the election in 2000,” she said, not mentioning that in the two previous presidential races, Tennessee had been, technically, a blue state. But nobody talked about red states and blue states in the ’90s. Knoxville, TNJack NeelyYes, We Really CanMetroPulseyes-we-really-canhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/05/good-voting-record/?partner=RSSmconnergibson@gmail.com (Mike Gibson)Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/05/good-voting-record/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat139532008-11-05T17:00:002008-11-05T17:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008When this year’s early voting began, U.S. Assistant Attorney Helen Smith took on a few weeks’ worth of additional responsibility, over and above her typical monthly roster of prosecuting gun runners and sex offenders. Luckily for Smith, her station in East Tennessee meant her extra duties didn’t yield much additional grief. Knoxville, TNMike GibsonGood Voting RecordMetroPulsegood-voting-recordhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/29/effective-immediately/?partner=RSSbarrettc@metropulse.com (Chris Barrett)Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/29/effective-immediately/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat138852008-10-29T18:00:002008-10-29T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Wednesday, Oct. 22. Noon. United Campus Workers and the Progressive Student Alliance have organized a rally protesting budget cuts at the University of Tennessee. Insult added to injury—after losing $11.1 million earlier in the year, UTK lost $6 million more this month, in funds that had already been allocated. As of yet, it has not been determined—or announced, at least—how the university will adjust to compensate for $6 million less. There is great speculation, and human nature leads everyone to imagine impending reductions among the programs or processes with which they are most familiar, or those they hold most dear. However, the speakers here remind that it’s not at all necessary to wait and see what will happen. It’s happening now. Knoxville, TNChris BarrettEffective ImmediatelyMetroPulseeffective-immediatelyhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/22/17th-district-race/?partner=RSSWed, 22 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/22/17th-district-race/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat138582008-10-22T18:00:002008-10-22T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Incumbent Frank Niceley, 61, is a conservative Republican from Strawberry Plains. He has served four two-year terms in the House of Representatives: 1988-92, and 2004-present. He is a graduate of Jefferson County High School and the University of Tennessee, and lists his occupation as a farmer/business owner. He is anti-taxes, pro-gun, and anti-abortion and has the endorsements to prove it. 17th District challenger David Seal decided to run against Frank Niceley because he was mad. Seal, 47, a career and technical education teacher at Jefferson County High School, is running as an Independent and has been an active supporter of the Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act since its inception. Knoxville, TNThe 17th District RaceMetroPulse17th-district-racehttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/22/profiles-gerrymandering/?partner=RSS ]]>Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/22/profiles-gerrymandering/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat138572008-10-22T18:00:002008-10-22T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008When Sequoyah Hills voters work their way down the ballot to the line marked 17th District House of Representatives, they’ll find Frank Niceley from Strawberry Plains and David Seal from Dandridge. This means they get to choose between a couple of guys from Jefferson County to represent them in Nashville and make decisions about their schools, roads, hospitals, and taxes. Do they wonder about what rural Jefferson County has in common with densely populated West Knoxville suburbs from Cherokee Boulevard out to Rocky Hill? Knoxville, TNProfiles in GerrymanderingMetroPulseprofiles-gerrymanderinghttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/15/home-stretch/?partner=RSSbarrettc@metropulse.com (Chris Barrett)Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/15/home-stretch/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat138442008-10-15T18:00:002008-10-15T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008During 2008, the grassrootsy Knox Charter Petition group mobilized hundreds of volunteer and paid petitioneers and fired a steady salvo of press releases and media opportunities in its effort to amend the Knox County Charter. One mission accomplished: The proposed charter amendments will appear as referenda on the November ballot. Knoxville, TNChris BarrettHome Stretch?MetroPulsehome-stretchhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/08/hilltop-removal/?partner=RSSmaldonadoc@metropulse.com (Charles Maldonado)Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/08/hilltop-removal/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat138172008-10-08T18:00:002008-10-08T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008The development taking shape in the newest phases of developer Carley Keck’s Wildwood Gardens subdivision, just north of John Sevier Highway in South Knox County, is beginning to look downright Seussian. The most visible feature of the odd, multi-tiered development is a severely bulldozed hill, on top of another hill, which is on top of another. The tallest, most central hill is covered in dirt but not much else. It’s empty of all but a little vegetation. On top of the hill is a swimming-pool shaped pavement cul-de-sac, the centerpiece of a planned grouping of medium-sized homes.Knoxville, TNCharles MaldonadoHilltop RemovalMetroPulsehilltop-removalhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/01/hoops-hq/?partner=RSSmconnergibson@gmail.com (Mike Gibson)Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/01/hoops-hq/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat137892008-10-01T18:00:002008-10-01T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008A huge domed complex planned by owners of Knoxville’s new American Basketball Association pro basketball team would serve as a center for community sporting events as well as a home court for the team—if all goes as planned, says franchise general manager Chris Glisson. That could be a big “if,” though, given the ABA’s spotty history and the previous failure of an ABA team here.Knoxville, TNMike GibsonHoops HQMetroPulsehoops-hqhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/01/dumpster-diving-ban/?partner=RSSkennedyr@metropulse.com (Rose Kennedy)Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/01/dumpster-diving-ban/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat137902008-10-01T18:00:002008-10-01T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Feeling vulnerable to metal theft at its 10 recycling centers, the city has created signs to remind people it’s actually illegal to scavenge or pilfer from a receptacle on city property, using aluminum cans and coupons as examples of items that must stay in the bins. Starting about a month ago, two such signs have been rotated among the city’s recycling centers, including the seven “supercenters” staffed by attendants from Goodwill from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.Knoxville, TNRose KennedyDumpster Diving BanMetroPulsedumpster-diving-banhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/24/reasonable-doubt/?partner=RSS ]]>maldonadoc@metropulse.com (Charles Maldonado)Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/24/reasonable-doubt/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat137672008-09-24T18:00:002008-09-24T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Here’s what we know so far: Knoxville gas prices were higher than anywhere else in the country last week—up to a $4.652 average on Sept. 15. Many local pumps were as high as $4.99 for a gallon of regular unleaded. And that’s about it. What caused Knoxville’s average prices to jump so high, while average prices, even in relatively nearby markets such as Chattanooga and Nashville, remained 50 to 60 cents lower, is still something of a mystery. But it’s one that may begin to unravel as the Tennessee Attorney General’s office, in conjunction with the state’s Consumer Affairs office, gets responses back from a letter asking for wholesale vs. retail gas prices at area pumps. The letter asks for the responses to be returned by Sept. 30, says Jeff Hill, senior counsel for the Attorney General’s office.Knoxville, TNCharles MaldonadoReasonable DoubtMetroPulsereasonable-doubthttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/17/talk-about-passion/?partner=RSSbarrettc@metropulse.com (Chris Barrett)Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/17/talk-about-passion/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat137402008-09-17T17:00:002008-09-17T17:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008With the pending sale of the property it leases, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg faces an uncertain future. Chris Barrett talks to officials at Arrowmont and nearby Penland School of Crafts, and ponders the value of keeping a prestigious art academy operating in the middle of a neon tourist hub. Knoxville, TNChris BarrettTalk About the PassionMetroPulsetalk-about-passionhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/10/relatively-safe-schools/?partner=RSSkennedyr@metropulse.com (Rose Kennedy)Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/10/relatively-safe-schools/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat137202008-09-10T18:00:002008-09-10T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008August 21, sophomore Ryan McDonald was shot to death in the cafeteria at Central High School, allegedly by schoolmate Jamar B. Siler. Move forward a week, and there were two highly publicized incidents of school officials recovering guns from different students on consecutive days at Austin-East High School. But according to the Tennessee Department of Education Report Card 2007, both schools were rated as having Safe School Status—and under TDOE guidelines, they’ll have the same rating this year, too.Knoxville, TNRose KennedyRelatively Safe SchoolsMetroPulserelatively-safe-schoolshttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/03/voting-checkbook-v/?partner=RSSmaldonadoc@metropulse.com (Charles Maldonado)Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/03/voting-checkbook-v/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat136982008-09-03T18:00:002008-09-03T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008The Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., may have been overshadowed somewhat in the news cycle early this week by a force of nature, but still it went on. The news of Hurricane Gustav approaching still-Katrina-battered New Orleans, rather than the big, expensive party, is what kept most people locked on their TVs. And in the first days, the Republican National Committee responded, scaling the convention down and using airtime to call for the country to get behind the city of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.Knoxville, TNCharles MaldonadoVoting By Checkbook VMetroPulsevoting-checkbook-vhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/27/voting-checkbook-iv/?partner=RSSmaldonadoc@metropulse.com (Charles Maldonado)Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/27/voting-checkbook-iv/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat136732008-08-27T18:00:002008-08-27T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008It’s Democratic National Convention week! The Tennessee Congressional Primaries are nearly a month past us! One more convention to go, and then no one has to pay attention again until November.Knoxville, TNCharles MaldonadoVoting By Checkbook IVMetroPulsevoting-checkbook-ivhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/13/restoration/?partner=RSSCity Beat: They were whipping it up at the Crowne Plaza on election night as the slate of winning Republican candidates was introduced to loud applause—it looked like old times, the dark specter of February a dim memory. ]]>Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/13/restoration/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat136332008-08-13T18:00:002008-08-13T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008<strong>City Beat:</strong> They were whipping it up at the Crowne Plaza on election night as the slate of winning Republican candidates was introduced to loud applause—it looked like old times, the dark specter of February a dim memory.Knoxville, TNCounty Elections: The RestorationMetroPulserestorationhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/06/childhood-trauma/?partner=RSSCity Beat: Since July 27, Annette Mendola has heard the question innumerable times. “It’s very poignant,” she says. “People keep asking, ‘How will you ever feel safe in that church again?’ and ‘How will you ever feel safe letting your child out of your sight again?’” ]]>kennedyr@metropulse.com (Rose Kennedy)Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/06/childhood-trauma/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat136022008-08-06T18:00:002008-08-06T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008<strong>City Beat:</strong> Since July 27, Annette Mendola has heard the question innumerable times. “It’s very poignant,” she says. “People keep asking, ‘How will you ever feel safe in that church again?’ and ‘How will you ever feel safe letting your child out of your sight again?’”Knoxville, TNRose KennedyChildhood TraumaMetroPulsechildhood-traumahttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/jul/30/kats-cuts-cut/?partner=RSSneely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely)Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/jul/30/kats-cuts-cut/?partner=RSSstories/city-beat135742008-07-30T18:00:002008-07-30T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Knoxville Area Transit, flanked by financial crises associated with rising gasoline prices, laid out a strategy last week to the Knoxville Transportation Authority, as well as to citizens in attendance, in the large conference room at the City County Building. The KTA unanimously approved KAT’s proposals for raising more revenue for the bus system; and the KTA unanimously rejected all of KAT’s proposals for route cutbacks.Knoxville, TNJack NeelyKAT's Cuts, CutMetroPulsekats-cuts-cut