Massey Services acquires Mar-Von Termite & Pest Control of Athens, TN

ORLANDO, Fla. (Apr. 27, 2022) — Massey Services, the fifth largest pest management company in the industry and the largest family-owned company in the business, announced today that it has acquired MAR-VON Termite & Pest Control Company.

MAR-VON is headquartered in Athens, TN. The company provides residential and commercial termite and pest control services to the southeastern portion of Tennessee, covering seven counties. This acquisition marks the 3rd Massey Services location in Tennessee.

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Massey Services provides service to over 750,000 customers throughout Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia and Tennessee. The company now has over 170 Service Centers.

“We are pleased to welcome the MAR-VON Termite & Pest Control team members and customers to the Massey Services organization,” said Tony Massey, president & CEO of Massey Services. “MAR-VON has been providing superior service to customers for more than 65 years. We look forward to carrying on their legacy of total customer satisfaction for years to come.”

Massey Services was founded in 1985 by Harvey L. Massey. The company is the fifth largest pest management company in the industry and the largest, privately owned family company in the industry.

Pilot Company to hold Hiring Day event with 10,000 job openings to fuel the summer travel season

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (April 25, 2022) – Continuing its mission of ‘Fueling Life’s Journeys’, Pilot Company is aiming to welcome 10,000 new team members with jobs available across its family of brands. On Tuesday, May 3, Pilot Company will host a Hiring Day event at company-operated travel centers and restaurants in the U.S. and Canada to prepare for the summer travel season. Part-time and full-time team members receive company perks and benefits, including a fuel discount and free meals.

The Hiring Day event will include in-person meet-and-greet opportunities, featuring on the spot interviews and swag giveaways, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at over 670 participating Pilot Flying J travel centers, One9 Fuel Network locations, and on-premises fast food restaurants. Interested candidates can text PFJjobs to 25000 to RSVP to schedule an in-person interview for Hiring Day or apply immediately online at jobs.pilotflyingj.com. Open jobs include:

• Full-time and part-time hourly and leadership roles in retail, food service and facilities

• Class-A CDL company drivers to transport fuel and DEF

• Corporate positions in technology, finance, human resources, recruiting, marketing, guest services and more at the Knoxville Sales and Support Center headquarters, offices in Dallas and Houston, and a new IT center of excellence in Atlanta

• “Since 1958, we’ve fueled millions of journeys and we look forward to having more great people join us as we gear up for another busy summer and keep innovating to prepare for the future of travel,” said Paul Shore, chief people officer of Pilot Company. “We’re offering better opportunities, better perks and better benefits with a stable and growing company that invests in its team members to help them learn and grow. Nearly three out of four leadership promotions come from within our company – start your career with us by applying now or heading to a travel center near you on May 3.”

Pilot Company offers one of the best benefit packages in the industry to support its team members, including:

• New fuel discount program

• Free daily meal

• Weekly pay

• Low-cost health plans

• Tuition assistance

• Award-winning training program

• Career advancement and growth

• Paid time off

• Paid parental leave

• 401(k) retirement savings plan

• Discounts at national retailers

• Giving back to local communities

Ranked No. 7 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies, Pilot Company continues to grow and evolve to provide its team members and guests with an exceptional experience. In March, Pilot Company launched a $1 billion initiative, New Horizons, to remodel its stores nationwide. Plans to overhaul its travel centers incorporates feedback from team members and guests to make improvements that matter to them, including several upgrades that will provide team members with better technology, spaces and equipment that make their jobs faster, easier and more rewarding.

Pilot Company is also investing more in culture and recognition programs for its team members, including best in class onboarding and training programs; wellness with a specific focus on mental well-being; and adding new perks and discounts to the company’s total rewards benefit package. The company recently introduced a new fuel discount program for all team members to save at the pump at company-owned stores in North America.

“I’ve enjoyed my time working at Pilot Company because of the leaders that are devoted to not only help me grow in my professional life, but my personal life as well,” shared Kenan Johnson, guest services leader at a Pilot Travel Center in Boonville, MO.

For more information about National Hiring Day and to apply, visit jobs.pilotflyingj.com/nhd. To find nearby travel center locations, download the myRewards Plus appTM* and to learn more about Pilot Company, visit www.pilotcompany.com.

*Data rates may apply. Other terms and conditions may apply.

Food City to hire over 1,500 associates

On Thursday, April 28th, Food City will be hosting a company-wide hiring event to include both full-time and part-time positions.

Food City is planning to hire over 1,500 friendly, smiling faces to work at their Distribution Center and in key customer and food service positions at store locations throughout their operation area. The positions include, both entry-level positions and experienced, skilled positions, such as meat cutter, cake decorator, and retail management, as well as various warehousing/distribution positions.

Food City is a family owned and operated company that offers a generous benefits package to their associates including competitive salaries, comprehensive training, healthcare coverage with medical and dental plans, 401(k) with a 3% company match, vacation accrual, vision coverage, and company paid life and disability plans, and Employee Stock Ownership Plan. In addition, to these great benefits, Food City also offers advancement opportunities to associates who wish to progress within a growing company.

Interested candidates, can apply online at FoodCity.com or visit any Food City store to complete an application. Make plans to attend the event at your local Food City to find out how Food City is so much more than a grocery store.

Food City Company-Wide Hiring Event will be Thursday, April 28, 2022 at all Food City locations and Food City Distribution Center, during 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Oak Ridge to host free benefit concert supporting Ukrainian Refugees

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- Friends and families of all ages are invited to attend The Youth Advisory Board of Oak Ridge’s free March Can Unite concert benefiting Ukrainian refugees on Saturday, May 7, at A.K. Bissell Park Amphitheater.

Local talent will display their support of Ukraine and Poland as they hit the stage from 4:30p.m. to 9:00p.m. for a night filled with music and dancing. The event will also feature free ice cream provided by the event’s sponsorship partner, Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab.

The concert will directly benefit the 1,500 Ukrainians taking harbor in Rabka-Zdroj, Poland. Funds raised will provide basic necessities and medical treatment for families and orphaned children who have been displaced from their homes due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Donations are not required to attend. Those interested in donating will find donation boxes onsite or digitally through the United Way of Anderson County website.

For more information, call the Civic Center front desk at (865) 425-3450 or visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks website.

About the Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board

The City of Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board serves as a liaison between the Oak Ridge City Council and the youth of the community on matters affecting the youth. The purpose of the Board is to assist in minimizing community problems relating to youth, and to encourage positive growth and development of youth by involving them in healthy, enlightening, empowering, social, cultural, and recreational activities that shall be drug and alcohol-free.

The world’s largest women’s MTB Festival launches a new location

(Knoxville, TN.) 04/22/22 - Knoxville, Tennessee has been selected as the destination city for the newest Roam Fest women’s mountain bike festival location. Roam Fest, Presented by SRAM, is a three-day event for 300 registered participants. The event offers a jam-packed schedule May 13th-15th featuring a large private expo, group rides, workshops, the Roam Fest Adventure Film Tour, an industry panel, dance party, and catered dinners both Friday and Saturday night.

The festival is intended to showcase Knoxville as a world-class ride destination, while connecting non-traditional riders with bike brands and outdoor organizations. “We chose Knoxville as our new location because the riding is incredible, the community welcoming, and the trails are open to adaptive riders and ebikes.” Says Roam Fest Co-Founder and Festival Director Ash Zolton. “We’re excited to showcase the trails and ride infrastructure that the City of Knoxville, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club, and countless others have invested in to put Knoxville on the mtb destination map.”

Roam Fest has dedicated 20% of event registration space to Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIPOC) while also offering dozens of scholarship opportunities for BIPOC riders, adaptive athletes, and LGBQT+ individuals. “Equity starts with access, and a personalized invite goes a long way in making non-traditional folks feel welcome in any space or event.” Says Zolton, “We’re committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming event for all women and femm-identifying folks, and I hope our actions showcase that we’re serious about this commitment. Everyone benefits from a diverse group of people celebrating bikes together, we’re just honored to be in a position to provide that opportunity in an amazing community like Knoxville.”

About Roam

Established in 2015 with a team of two, Roam Events has grown into an industry-leading production company working with innovative outdoor businesses leaders and game-changers to create extraordinary adventure-fueled events. Roam is most well known for launching the world’s first, and largest, women’s mountain bike festival - Roam Fest. Roam hosts dozens of events nationwide which primarily focus on providing adventures and experiences for non-traditional riders.

UTHSC College of Dentistry brings inaugural dental education course to East Tennessee

Memphis, Tenn. (April 21, 2022) – As part of its effort to expand access to dental care across the state, the College of Dentistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, with assistance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will hold its first dental education course in East Tennessee beginning on Monday, April 25.

The Expanded Functions for Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) continuing education course will take place in the UT Culinary Institute and Creamery, 2712 Neyland Drive, on the UT Knoxville campus. A ceremonial “floss cutting” is set for 3 p.m., April 25, to kick off the class and recognize UTHSC College of Dentistry’s new presence in Knoxville.

The EFDA course trains credentialed dental assistants and dental hygienists to perform certain procedures currently done by licensed dentists, thereby expanding the delivery of dental care. These procedures include some restorative and prosthetic care, including placement of fillings, temporaries for crowns, and making impressions for various fixed and removable dental protheses. Since the EFDA program began in 2006 on the Memphis campus, the College of Dentistry has qualified approximately 2,000 dental assistants and dental hygienists to extend the work of dentists.

“The EFDA does play a big part in addressing the access to care crisis that we have in Tennessee,” said Jerry McKinney, DDS, FICD, assistant professor and director of the Expanded Functions Programs in the UTHSC College of Dentistry. “If you have an EFDA in your office doing restorative dentistry, it can increase the number of patients seen in an office a minimum of 15% up to 40%. That’s huge.”

“We are very excited about this opportunity,” said James Ragain, DDS, MS, PhD, FICD, FACD, dean of the UTHSC College of Dentistry. “It has been proven that EFDA-trained dental auxiliaries increase the number of patients that can be treated by dentists. Therefore, this program factors into our plans of improving access to dental care across Tennessee. This collaboration between the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a fantastic example of our motto, One UT.”

The EFDA program has two tracks. The restorative class credentials dental auxiliary in restorative procedures, including placing composite or amalgam restorations after the dentist has prepped the tooth. The prosthodontics class allows graduates to perform procedures, including making master impressions, creating temporaries, and taking bites for crowns and bridges. All procedures are performed with supervision from a licensed dentist.

The first course beginning April 25 will be the restorative track, lasting two weeks and training 10-15 students, Dr. McKinney said. He said the college had long searched for a location suitable for setting up the portable mannikin heads and electric hand tools necessary for the training, and is grateful to UT Knoxville for the space for the inaugural class and future EFDA classes.

“Just about every UTHSC college has some sort of presence on the UTK campus, except for dentistry,” he said. “As far as we know, this is the first time there has ever been a presence of the UTHSC College of Dentistry on the UTK campus, which is a big deal for us.”

“We are proud to join with our colleagues at the UT Health Science Center and support the important work they do in providing critical training and supporting opportunities for people to get the care that they need,” said Donde Plowman, chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “We are always looking for new ways to partner with our colleagues at UTHSC to benefit Tennesseans and beyond.”

As Tennessee’s only public, statewide, academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health through education, research, clinical care, and public service, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region. The main campus in Memphis includes six colleges: Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. UTHSC also educates and trains medicine, pharmacy, and/or health professions students, as well as medical residents and fellows, at major sites in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville. For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu. Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/uthsc, on Twitter: twitter.com/uthsc and on Instagram: instagram.com/uthsc.

Your old electronics can help Spark change lives

Do you have old laptop or desktop computers, monitors, tablets or other electronic devices sitting around gathering digital dust? Here’s a chance to put them to good use!

Spark, an East Tennessee nonprofit organization that provides technology access for people with disabilities, has teamed up with Scott Recycling of Knoxville for an e-cycling event. A portion of all of the computers and tablets donated will be wiped clean and have new operating systems installed and will then be provided at no cost to members of our community with disabilities.

The event will take place from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on April 30 at Scott Recycling, 5049 S. National Dr. in East Knox County. At the same event, Scott will also accept electronic equipment including printers, scanners, fax machines, video game systems, wires and cables, and small household appliances.

“This is a great opportunity for people to clear out their technological clutter and provide assistance to people with disabilities. For the families we serve, having a reliable and accessible laptop, desktop or tablet can be a digital lifeline,” said Mary Thom Adams, executive director of Spark.

Spark was founded in 1988 as the East Tennessee Special Technology Access Center by a group of parents, business people, service providers and members of the disability advocacy community who held an uncommon belief in the power of technology to help people with disabilities reach their goals. Over the years, the organization has provided a wide range of assistive technology services to thousands of people with disabilities throughout East Tennessee.

People with disabilities interested in receiving one of the donated, repurposed devices can contact Spark at 865-219-0130.

Scott Recycling is an Electronics Recycling Service provider with home offices in Knoxville. It specializes in the collection and disposal of home electronic equipment. It follows a stringent set of operational standards of responsible recycling to ensure the complete destruction of data and the responsible disposition and recycling of all materials.

Waupaca Foundry to idle melt production at Etowah plant

(WAUPACA, WISCONSIN) April. 19, 2022— Waupaca Foundry will idle melt, molding and core room production and continue iron casting processing operations at its Etowah, Tennessee facility. Parts will transfer to Hitachi Metals, Ltd. operations, as well as to Waupaca Foundry plants located in Marinette, Wisconsin and Tell City, Indiana. The production shift aligns manufacturing efficiencies with market demand.

“Our responsibility to our customers and our team members rests on our long-term sustainability,” said Waupaca Foundry President, COO and CEO Mike Nikolai. “We will continue to supply the high-quality cast and machined components and service that Waupaca is known for in the market.”

Waupaca Foundry is the leading supplier of cast and machined iron components for automotive, off-highway, commercial vehicle, and other industrial markets. Waupaca operates four iron foundries with 1.4 million tons of capacity, as well as machining and casting finishing operations in the United States. The supplier has operated the ductile iron foundry in Etowah, Tennessee since 2001.

Tennessee communities invited to compete for $25,000 grants to build local dog parks

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Randy and Jenny Boyd, with the Boyd Foundation, are once again awarding 20 communities across Tennessee with $25,000 prizes in 2022 through their Dog Park Dash initiative. Applications are now open for communities of all sizes to apply and win grants to build new dog parks or enhance existing dog parks.

Applicants are encouraged to work with community leaders to fill out the application online. The deadline to apply is May 31st. Qualified applicants will be notified and then encouraged to gather support during a community engagement period from June 1st to June 30th. Winners will be announced by July 20, 2022.

“Our goal has always been to make Tennessee the most pet-friendly state in the nation, and after this year, our Tennessee Dog Park Dash will have added or enhanced 100 dog parks across the state putting us well on our way,” said Randy Boyd, co-founder of The Boyd Foundation. “Jenny and I are amazed at how our Tennessee communities have rallied together to improve their communities for our residents and their pets.”

In 2018, the Boyd Foundation announced a commitment of $3 million and launched the Dog Park Dash to build 100 dog parks across the state of Tennessee. To date, Dog Park Dash has already awarded 83 deserving communities with their local grants. A full list of previous winners and a map displaying the locations of all currently open DPD parks can be found on our website at https://www.dogparkdash.com/find-a-park.

“Dog parks not only improve the health and quality of life for our pets, but for their owners too,” said Harrison Forbes, Grant Administrator for Dog Park Dash and pet expert. “We believe every community should have the opportunity to have a dog park, no matter their size.”

Knoxville Chamber launches 2022 registration for Explore, summer program for interns

How can the community encourage college graduates to start their career in Knoxville? Learning the answer to that question is one of the goals of Explore, a free program of the Knoxville Chamber that seeks to engage college interns and students with what the Knoxville region has to offer and to help them build a community of peers.

Tentative summer 2022 programming incorporates multiple professional development opportunities including courses on time management, leadership, and personal finance. In addition to scheduled programming, additional resources, conversation starters, and networking opportunities will be promoted in the group’s Slack channel.

Mattie Roediger, 2021 Explore participant said, “I really enjoyed getting to meet other young professionals in the Knoxville area at the event. Being a UT student from Murfreesboro has sparked a love for the Knoxville community in me and nights like this one truly solidify how much I enjoy this city!”

Companies are encouraged to sign up their interns versus the interns registering individually. “We know not all organizations can provide additional education and networking for their interns, so we hope they will use our program to increase the value of their internship,” said Lauren Longmire, director of regional enhancement at the Chamber. “Interns can be a valuable talent pipeline, and interns who see their employer pouring into their education are more likely to consider staying after graduation."

“We need the support of businesses to encourage their interns to become acquainted with our area and to allow them to do so on company time,” added Longmire. “Our region’s economic prosperity relies on attracting and retaining young professionals, and businesses can participate in that effort by making Explore part of their interns’ experience."

Companies interested in sending their interns to the Explore program can register using the form at www.knoxvillechamber.com/explore.

State of TN hosts expungement clinic, resource fair to celebrate second chance month

Knoxville, Tenn. – An expungement clinic, driver’s license services, and a job fair are just a few of the activities the Tennessee Office of Reentry (OOR) is planning at its upcoming Knoxville celebration. In observance of National Second Chance Month, the OOR is hosting a community resource fair on Friday, April 22. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Knoxville American Job Center located at 2700 Middlebrook Pike, Suite 100.

This event is designed to bring together employers, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, state agencies, and community partners who can help justice-involved individuals reenter society. Participation in this event is free and open to the public.

Confirmed activities at the April 22 celebration include:

• Expungement clinic facilitated by Access to Justice

• Driver’s license renewals, duplicates, and state IDs issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

• On-site registration into the Jobs4TN program

• Connections with employers and community organizations that operate in the reentry space

• Remarks from local and state leadership, including Commissioner Jeff McCord

“We’re committed to providing Tennesseans reentering society with the tools they need to safely contribute to their communities and thrive in our workforce,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “I commend the Office of Reentry for their meaningful work to strengthen public safety and look forward to participating in Second Chance Month.”

This event will be the third and final stop on a tour across Tennessee. The OOR kicked off Second Chance Month in Nashville on April 1, in the 37208 ZIP code, which, according to a 2018 Brookings Institution study, has the highest incarceration rate in the nation. Gov. Lee was among the featured speakers at the first event. The second event took place in Memphis on April 8, when over 125 attendees took part in the expungement clinic portion of the celebration.

“Access to adequate resources is a critical element for people who have completed their sentences and have a desire to become contributing citizens in our community,” said Dr. William Arnold, OOR Director. “We believe these community-based education events will raise awareness of the value of justice-involved individuals and their potential to reenergize our state’s workforce.”

For more information or to learn how to participate as an individual, organization, or state agency, please contact Jeremy White at jeremy.b.white@tn.gov or by phone at (615) 253-5267.

About the Office of Reentry

The OOR is housed in the Workforce Services Division of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and has been in existence since July 1, 2021. Inspired by Governor Bill Lee’s vision, the OOR’s mission is to provide comprehensive workforce services to support justice-involved individuals who are reentering society.

About National Second Chance Month

Second Chance Month, established and observed in the United States during April since 2017, is a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction and unlock second-chance opportunities for justice-involved individuals who are returning to their communities. In America, 95 percent of the nearly 2 million people incarcerated will be released at some point and will, therefore, return to our communities as our colleagues, neighbors, and co-workers.

MEDIC Regional Blood Center to celebrate National Volunteer Week and support efforts in Ukraine

MEDIC is celebrating National Volunteer Week by automatically entering all donors in a drawing for a $500 e-gift redeemable at hundreds of organizations. Donors must have a valid email address to win. The winner will be drawn on April 25.

Additionally, MEDIC will donate $5 per donor that chooses to “Skip the Gift” this week. Donors can choose to forgo the shirt, and MEDIC will donate money to support efforts in Ukraine. Just tell your phlebotomist that you don’t want the shirt.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be made online at www.medicblood.org or by calling 865-524-3074. Appointments allow our staff to mitigate wait times and control donor flow.

MEDIC is the primary blood product provider for 24 hospitals in 22 counties including Blount Memorial, Covenant Health System, East TN Children’s Hospital, Tennova Healthcare, and UT Medical Center.

As a reminder, the blood, platelets, and plasma products on the shelves now is what would be used in a trauma event, and it takes at least three days for donated blood to be processed and ready for distribution.

MEDIC is an independent, nonprofit organization. Products donated through MEDIC truly help community members in East TN and Southeastern Kentucky. Products donated through any other collection activity/organization do not stay in East TN or Southeastern Kentucky. Those products are shipped out of the area and nationally.

Spring showers bring more than a million blooms to Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival beginning April 22

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Monday, April 18, 2022) – For a third year, Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health (April 22 – June 5) blossoms against a Smoky Mountain backdrop to deliver brilliant floral hues to guests. During this year’s installment of the festival, guests can appreciate the vibrant beauty of more than a million blooms, explore the fresh flavors of spring with an immersive tasting pass and delight in unique entertainment offerings.

In 2021, the Flower & Food Festival was honored with the inaugural Brass Ring Award for “Best New Food and Beverage Festival or Special Event” by the International Association for Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). The festival features elaborate floral installations that emerge throughout the park to translate nature into living art, each coming together to create a breathtaking display of more than a million blooms in total. In fact, the Flower & Food Festival grows by 30% thanks to new displays, entertainment and interactive elements.

Mosaiculture icons include a peacock, a beekeeper tending to a hive and a mallard duck. These whimsical new additions join a lineup of beloved displays: the signature butterfly umbrella, woodland animal friends and the touching depiction of Dolly’s mother crafting the Coat of Many Colors. These sculptures are designed in partnership with Mosaicultures International, a Montreal-based company that specializes in the art of elaborate floral decorations.

“Spring has always been so wonderful to me, because the flowers start growing, the sun shines for a little longer, and the birds start singing a new song,” Dolly Parton said. “When I was little and the weather started warming up, all us kids would gather on the porch in the afternoon and enjoy lemonade that Mama brought out for us. That’s springtime to me – getting to make memories with my family and taking in the beautiful colors everywhere.”

“I hope that when families come to Dollywood during our festival, they get those same feelings of joy. This year, our guests can take a walk in my special butterfly garden and even see my Mama making my coat of many colors. I think the festival will continue to bloom even bigger and brighter right here in these beautiful mountains.”

While admiring the vivid colors blooming throughout the park, guests can explore a menu crafted with inspiration from fresh spring flavors and Smoky Mountain flair. Returning for this year is the tasting pass, which allows guests to partake in multiple food items at different festival locations.

The tasting pass, which can be purchased in the park or online, is $34.99 plus tax or $31.99 plus tax for gold and diamond passholders. With this pass, guests can sample five food offerings at any Flower & Food Festival culinary location. This year’s festival menu features a Cuban sandwich with mojo sauce, Reuben spring roll, chicken and andouille skillet, beef bulgogi nachos, seafood mac and cheese, berry and honey funnel cakes, and hand-decorated flower-themed cookies and cupcakes among many other tasty spring dishes.

A highlight of the festival this year is entertainment, including “Dolly’s Butterfly Garden” and the return of a former guest favorite to the park. Dolly’s Butterfly Garden is an immersive experience that allows guests to interact with nature elements in a new way. Created by Montreal, Canada’s Moment Factory, this exhibit will take place in Adventures in Imagination throughout the festival. Performers from Australia combine theatrical elements and acrobatics for a thrilling new show called “Bloom!” that takes place high above ground while performers are situated atop sway poles. Guests will not want to miss this elevated display.

Dollywood’s streets are filled with music during the Flower & Food Festival. The Hall Sisters, an energetic quartet of country pop performers, will set the stage in Craftsman’s Valley. A returning favorite show, “A Brighter Day,” features five daily performances at the Back Porch Theater. All shows are included with park admission. A full schedule of live performances is available at Dollywood.com.

Back to provide shade along Showstreet is the mesmerizing Umbrella Sky, which brings together hundreds of colorful umbrellas in a brilliant, suspended arrangement that makes for an “Instagram-worthy” background. Guests looking to capture picture-perfect memories at Dollywood can stop by several locations in the park for an amazing photo. These include the Hillside Carpet Display that brings a florally-crafted sunset to Rivertown Junction, the pathways of Adventures in Imagination that are decorated with creative chalk art portraits, and Dolly’s Butterfly Garden exhibit in Adventures in Imagination.

Festival elements carry over into Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa where guests find festive décor and stunning floral accents. Daily mocktails and cocktails will be served in The Lounge at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, each drawing inspiration from the essence of springtime. Families can enjoy live entertainment in the lobby atrium, festival-inspired cuisine at Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery and festival-themed activities at Camp DW. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa hosts a Winemaker’s Dinner for guests on Saturday, May 21 inside Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery. This unique dining experience pairs festival-inspired culinary creations with exemplary wines. Reservations for the dinner can be made by calling (865) 868-1246.

Dollywood looks forward to a season bigger and better than ever before. This is the perfect year to purchase a season pass in order to create memories with family and friends at the park all year long. Once the Flower & Food Festival is over, the fun continues with Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Bush’s Beans (June 18-Aug. 7), which features an expanded drone and fireworks show every night. Experience the all-new Hoot Owl Hollow as part of this year’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 23-Oct. 29), then get in the holiday spirit with Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 6-Jan. 1, 2023). The celebration continues all year long at Dollywood.

For more information about Dollywood or the Flower & Food Festival, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood mobile app.

South College expands accounting program to include tax preparation concentration

South College has expanded its Associate of Science in Accounting program to offer a concentration in Tax Preparation. The program is available to students via the college’s online platform, as well as at its Knoxville, Tennessee campus.

“The roots of South College from our 1882 founding are in business education, and our institution has a long history of offering quality business programs,” South College Chancellor Steve South said. “Adding a tax preparation concentration opens more doors for students, and we want to serve students by offering updated and relevant programs.”

The Associate of Science in Accounting with a Concentration in Tax Preparation program is designed to teach modern accounting and tax preparation methods with classes covering an array of accounting and business topics. Classes within the concentration are intended to help prepare students to sit for the IRS Enrolled Agent exams. The IRS Enrolled Agent certification is the highest credential awarded by the IRS and enables individuals to represent taxpayers before the IRS for audits, appeals, collections, and other tax matters.

South College offers student and career services and instructors with relevant real-world experience. Students have access to a range of financial aid programs for those who qualify, including the South College Promise Grant, Tennessee Promise Scholarship, HOPE Scholarship, and Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program.

The South College School of Business and Technology has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

To learn more about South College, including how to enroll, visit south.edu.

About South College

South College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the doctorate, educational specialist, master’s, baccalaureate, and associate levels, as well as certificates. Questions about the accreditation of South College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (sacscoc.org).

About IACBE accreditation

The School of Business and Technology at South College has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11374 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs, visit iacbe.org/memberpdf/SouthCollege.pdf.

Soaky Mountain Waterpark announces opening day for 2022 season

(SEVIERVILLE, Tenn.) – Officials for Soaky Mountain Waterpark, 175 Gists Creek Road in Sevierville, Tenn. today announced the waterpark will officially open for the 2022 season on May 14 and 15, and then daily starting May 20. A season pass holder celebration day is planned for Friday, May 20 from 10 am to 6 pm. All pass holders who purchase a 2022 souvenir cup will receive fee refills on all soda for the day.

According to Dave Andrews, general manager of Soaky Mountain Waterpark, “We are super excited for our third season. We listened to the feedback from our season pass holders and we’ve made our park even better for 2022.

Changes include addition of a new dueling watercoaster, The Edge set to open most likely in mid-June.

“‘The Edge’ is going to be a showstopper!” says Andrews. It will be perched on the edge of our waterpark, and will span two football fields in length. It’s fusing together WhiteWater’s Master Blaster water coaster with their iconic Boomerango. But, we are not adding just one slide, we are doubling it for a dueling thrill!”

A 70-foot tower will be home to the new slides. On it, double tubes will sit side by side, each in their own assigned lane. When the light turns green they will be propelled down a three-story mega drop that leads to the first valley of the ride. Then, they will be quickly blasted up a hill and into a section featuring a kaleidoscope of colors.

“Riders are sure to be mesmerized by the coaster’s AquaLucent rings (colorful circles) designed into the tube segments,” adds Andrews. “The distance between the rings will get closer and closer, giving riders an appearance of acceleration before they are surprised to see their competitors again as they are dropped into another heart-pounding drop.”

A second uphill blast will take riders into another enclosed tube segment, where this time they will be awed by colorful, laser-like AquaLucent stripes. These stripes will start longer, and then become shorter and shorter, giving a sense of sci-fi speed while the riders progress into a turn. When the riders shoot out of their tube, they will see not one, but two imposing Boomerango walls ahead of them, before dropping to the base of the wall, feeling extreme Gs. As the momentum takes the riders up the parallel walls, they will be able to see their competitors as they feel a sense of weightlessness before sliding back down. As a finishing touch, the riders will go over a zero-G hump to the end of the ride, the finish line is stacked with lights and effects to indicate who is the winner and who went over ‘The Edge’.

Andrews states, “The Boomerango is loved the world over, but our guests will be treated to very special version of it that has never done before. Our Boomerango walls are being designed to make the riders feel like they are going off ‘The Edge’ of the coaster. It is going to be spectacular.”

Other changes in the waterpark will include an expanded Tacolicious food truck; a new PHILLY UP! cheesesteak food truck; two new deck spaces with 1,000 new seats; and the addition of four more clamshell cabanas, three cabanas and five two-story cabanas.

Soaky Mountain Waterpark also includes the Avalaunch, a first-of-its kind watercoaster with four flying saucer features that create a drop-and-dive sensation and one wave curved wall; Soaky Surge, a massive, 35,000 square foot wave pool capable of generating waves 6 feet high; Black Bear Rapids, an adventure river encompassing 24,000 square feet; and The Hive, a bee-themed play-and-spray feature with countless hands-on activities for younger children.

If that’s not enough, there is also Boomers Bay, a super fun kid activity pool area with smaller versions of the adult-size towering slides including Lil’ Rattlers and Mini Mayhem so kids can experience the thrills and chills of the waterpark on their level; an adventure pool with a water obstacle course; a 3,800 square foot flat-water cabana pool for relaxing poolside; and Hang 10essee, a double FlowRider®️ surfing simulator.

In addition to the Avalaunch watercoaster, there are other massive slides including two five-person raft rides; a tubing tower with five flumes; two high-intensity body slides; and a four-lane, head-first mat racing challenge to satisfy everyone’s racing desires. Some of the slides feature translucent tubes which create a swirling array of light effects and others are themed in colors like the Rainbow’s Revenge which features all of the colors of the rainbow and the American Racer’s Rush which features red, white and blue stars and stripes.

Season admission passes are on sale now through April 30 for $109.99 and include one guest daily admission ticket. Starting May1 they will be $119.99. Daily admission tickets are $47.99 (if purchased online) for anyone above 42 inches and $39.99 for anyone under 42 inches. Children ages three and up require a ticket. The waterpark will be open through Labor Day and then weekends in September (weather permitting). Wilderness at the Smokies guests can purchase a discounted daily admission ticket for $19.99.

Wilderness Resorts and Waterparks currently owns and operates Wilderness at the Smokies in Sevierville, and Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Lodge, and Wilderness on the Lake, Wild Rock Golf Course, Sundara Spa and Glacier Canyon Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells.

For more information visit: SoakyMountainWaterpark.com.

RAM needing volunteers for Livingston free healthcare clinic

LIVINGSTON, TENN. (April 12, 2022) – Remote Area Medical – RAM® – a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free dental, vision and medical care to those in need – is seeking volunteer medical, dental and vision professionals and general support staff for its July 9-10 clinic. The two-day clinic is to be held at First Baptist Church of Livingston located at 708 E. Main St., Livingston, TN 38570. This clinic is in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Livingston, Tenn., and funded in part by a grant from UCEMC Cares, Inc.

We are also in need of interpreters and general support volunteers to help set-up and take-down. If you or your organization would like to volunteer your time to help provide free healthcare services to the Livingston, Tenn. and surrounding communities, please visit our website at www.ramusa.org or call us at 865-579-1530.

Additional Information:

• All RAM services are free, and no ID is required. Free dental, vision and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Services available at the RAM free clinic may include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental x-rays, eye exams, glaucoma testing, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women's health exams and general medical exams. Free take-home colon cancer screening test kits will also be available.

• About Remote Area Medical: RAM is a major nonprofit organization that operates pop-up clinics delivering free dental, vision and medical services to individuals in need who do not have access to, or cannot afford, a doctor. Founded in 1985, RAM has treated more than 888,000 individuals with $181.5 million worth of free healthcare and veterinary services. Since its foundation, nearly 183,000 volunteers – comprised of licensed dental, vision, medical and veterinary professionals, as well as general support staff – have supported RAM’s mission.

• About Rotary Club of Livingston: Rotary Club of Livingston, founded in 1947, is a membership and humanitarian service organization. Through membership of their local Rotary club, members use their time and talents to make a difference in their own communities and around the world. Rotary is open to anyone over the age of 18 who wants to give back to their community, meet new people and have fun. Rotary International was founded in 1905 in Chicago and is now the world’s largest international service organization with 1.2 million professional men and women as members. There are 35,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical regions. Rotary initiates local and global projects to promote world understanding and peace and improve life conditions for people of all ages and cultures. Follow on Facebook via Rotary Club of Livingston.

Cirrus Aircraft opens new sales office in France

Cirrus Aircraft announced the establishment of Cirrus France, a new, dedicated regional sales office offering new and existing French customers an ideally located aircraft sales location. The new office will be led by Cedric Dupont who has been appointed as Regional Sales Director of Cirrus France.

Cirrus Aircraft is committed to the French general aviation market considering the rich aviation culture in the country and in response to the ongoing demand for high-performance, luxury aircraft coupled with industry-leading safety features.

Cirrus France complements its existing European network of Cirrus Sales Agents, Cirrus Training Centers, and Authorized Service Centers.

The company plans to host Discover Cirrus events at regional airports for existing and prospective customers interested in connecting with the Cirrus Aircraft team, owners and pilots, and to learn more about the Cirrus Life.

Cirrus Aircraft is a globally recognized leader in personal aviation and the manufacturer of the best-selling SR Series for twenty years in a row and the Vision Jet for three years in a row.

Cirrus France officially launched on March 31.

For more information, please visit: cirrusaircraft.com/fr

About Cirrus Aircraft

Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet, as well as the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed 13 million hours and 220 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company now has eight locations in the United States and Europe, including Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Knoxville, Tennessee; Greater Dallas, Texas; Greater Phoenix, Arizona; Greater Orlando, Florida; Benton Harbor, Michigan and Valenciennes, France. Learn more at cirrusaircraft.com.

Tennessee Entertainment Commission launches new incentive program

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Entertainment Commission (TEC), in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Revenue and Department of Economic and Community Development, announced today a new franchise and excise (F&E) tax credit program aimed to advance Tennessee’s entertainment industry by promoting job creation and economic development.

Companies approved as a qualified production can apply for a tax credit generated through resident and non-resident Tennessee payroll expenses and apply for a point of purchase sales tax exemption certificate on non-payroll expenses. Qualified productions include scripted and unscripted television, feature films, video game development, animation, commercials and audio/visual postproduction.

“Tennessee is home to one of the most robust entertainment industries in the world, and we strive to provide the resources needed for our state to build upon this momentum,” TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe said. “We are proud to partner with the Department of Revenue and Tennessee Entertainment Commission and look forward to seeing how this new program will further strengthen our state’s entertainment footprint while creating additional jobs for Tennesseans.”

The F&E tax credit is generated by Tennessee payroll expenditures for all above-the-line and below-the-line talent services being performed in the state on a qualified production. The standard credit generates up to 40 percent on resident and non-resident payroll expenses, with a 10 percent uplift on payroll expenses for Tennesseans living in economically distressed areas.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and the entertainment industry to make this incentive a success,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said. “Through this collaboration, we are happy to support the continued growth of Tennessee’s entertainment industry.”

In addition to the tax credit, the program offers a point of purchase sales and use tax exemption on qualified goods and services providing an immediate and usable benefit to the taxpayer. This point of purchase sales tax exemption generates a savings of 9.25 percent to 9.75 percent on all taxable goods or services and tangible personal property necessary to the qualified production.

The program creates a sustainable model for the industry, encouraging musicians, professional filmmakers, television producers and video game developers to create and share their craft. The F&E tax credit program will also help market the state while supporting the talented professionals in the entertainment industry.

“Incentives play a pivotal role in the development of talent, workforce and infrastructure in the entertainment industry,” TEC Executive Director Bob Raines said. “The Tennessee Entertainment Commission continues to work toward dedicated and intentional strategies that reinforce and retain our creative class.”

TEC promotes and facilitates economic development of the entertainment industry through the recruitment of business to Tennessee. Since 2017, TEC has assisted more than 1,100 production projects, and nearly 10,000 Tennessee workers have been hired as a result of these projects.

To learn more about the new F&E tax credit program, visit tnentertainment.com/film/incentives/fe-incentive.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Like us on Facebook. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Active Energy Systems set to raise $1 million in seed funding to advance innovative cooling solution

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Active Energy Systems (AES), a cleantech company advancing an innovative cooling solution, today announced it met the initial conditions for a first close on a $1 million seed funding round, led by the Clean Energy Venture Group. Other investors include Queen City Angels and Three Roots Capital.

Climate change, aging infrastructure and rising costs all present significant challenges for today’s building owners’ ability to maintain safety, comfort and affordability with current cooling systems. AES is commercializing an advanced cooling solution with built-in energy storage to provide building owners with lower cooling costs, reduced carbon emissions and strengthened cooling resiliency.

“We are excited to announce the initial close of Active Energy’s seed round, and we are so pleased to bring Clean Energy Venture Group, Queen City Angels, and Three Roots Capital into our team,” said Levon Atoyan, co-founder and CEO, and Mitchell Ishmael, co-founder and CTO. “Over the next four months, we will secure final investment to complete this $1 million round, which will be used to file additional patent applications, further develop industrial collaborations, and strengthen Active Energy’s marketing.”

This funding will allow AES to advance its business development efforts, including investing in marketing opportunities and intellectual property protection. The company will also engage with potential HVAC manufacturing partners to further commercialize the technology. Looking ahead, AES intends to seek an opportunity to be acquired by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the HVAC sector.

"Active Energy's thermal storage technology has made significant progress, and it is exciting to be a part of their continued success,” said Coleman Adams, partner at Clean Energy Venture Group. “The impact that cooling load has on the electricity grid is substantial and AES’ technology is a critical piece in solving that growing problem."

"This is truly remarkable progress that Active Energy Systems has made in the development of their technology, strategic partnerships, a backlog of Federal agency development funding and customer relationships,” said John Bruck, member and investor of Queen City Angels and director of the Spark Innovation Center at the University of Tennessee Research Park (UTRP). “We're proud of the AES team and their advancements with this innovative energy storage technology and look forward to continuing to work with them as they grow and commercialize."

“Three Roots Capital has been associated with AES for more than three years, dating back to the first institutional capital raised by the company from the TennesSeed Fund, which is an affiliate of Three Roots, in April 2019,” said Grady Vanderhoofven, president and CEO of Three Roots. “Because Three Roots and AES are in the same town, and through that early investment, we’ve had a ringside seat and bird’s eye view of the maturation and evolution of AES, and we’ve had occasions to add value to the company in addition to invested capital. Three Roots is extremely enthusiastic about the progress the company has made and the opportunity to continue to support the growth of AES, especially alongside other capable investors.”

Before this current investment, AES raised over $2.4 million in non-dilutive funding through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants from the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation, along with matching funds from Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN). AES is a graduate of the Innovation Crossroads program operated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Energy Mentor Network run by the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council in partnership with LaunchTN and a current participant in the Spark Incubator Program at UTRP.

In August 2021, the company moved to a new facility in Oak Ridge, choosing to remain in the region due to easy access to high-quality talent from UT and ORNL, low operating costs and support from the local entrepreneurial and energy ecosystem.

About Active Energy Systems

Active Energy Systems is leveraging its scientific expertise to create and commercialize an enhanced form of ice thermal energy storage. Such an enhancement will not only further open the current ice energy storage markets, such as comfort cooling and process cooling, but also help enable an upcoming form of electricity storage: pumped thermal energy storage.

About Clean Energy Venture Group

Clean Energy Venture Group is an angel investment group which provides seed capital and management expertise to early-stage cleantech and climate-tech companies. The group is comprised of seasoned operating executives with strong capabilities in the energy and environmental sectors. With each investment, we bring not only capital but also the value of our experience and network to help companies achieve their goals. We focus on companies located in North America.

About Queen City Angels

Queen City Angels (QCA) is a group of more than 165 experienced and maturing accredited investors in the Cincinnati region. QCA members reside in 16 states and include company founders, former corporate executives and entrepreneurs. QCA investor members evaluate early-stage angel investment opportunities and provide ongoing mentoring to young businesses with exceptional growth potential. QCA members typically donate the equivalent of $5,000,000 per year in pro-bono mentoring, coaching, and guidance for entrepreneurs to improve their success and the success of angel investors. Since 2000, QCA members have directly invested $75 million in more than 95 portfolio companies. The total capital invested in these companies, including QCA members’ capital, syndication partners’ capital, follow-on venture capital funds and venture debt is over $620 million. CB Insight ranked QCA second out of 370 national angel organizations. For more information, visit www.qca.com.

About Three Roots Capital

Three Roots Capital (3Roots) is an innovative finance company that provides loans and equity investments to small businesses and real estate projects in Tennessee and Appalachia. 3Roots was established to address the chronic need for investment capital in central and southern Appalachia. 3Roots supports small businesses, entrepreneurs, real estate projects, and communities in economically challenged areas throughout the region.

3Roots is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and as a Community Development Entity (CDE). For more information, visit www.3rootscapital.org.

Go paperless and get $5 with KUB Paperless Billing

Knoxville, TN – KUB customers who switch from a traditional paper bill to KUB’s Paperless Billing option are eligible to receive a $5 gift card from popular retailers. New enrollees who sign up for the program by May 31, 2022, may choose a gift card from one of 30 participating retailers.

It's never been easier to to enroll in paperless billing and it’s free. Customers can enroll online at www.kub.org/paperless or in the KUB mobile app, which is available for both Apple and Android devices.

“With our website and mobile app, there are more ways to access your KUB bill than ever before. This allows customers to make the choice to go paperless, reducing their paper clutter at home and helping reduce paper usage in our community,” said Elizabeth Hannah, KUB Manager of Executive Services and Environmental Stewardship. “Customers who go paperless will still receive emails and notifications when their bill is due without needing to visit their mailbox. This is a win for customer convenience.”

Customers who enroll in Paperless Billing will also receive the following benefits:

• An e-mail* when their bill posts each month, including the amount due and the due date

• A courtesy reminder two days before their bill is due

• Secure online access to 18 months of their bills

• Secure payment options that allow them to pay online or by phone

• Peace of mind – no worries about bills being lost or stolen by identity thieves

Among the 30 retailers participating in the campaign are Walmart, Amazon and Panera Bread. **

Visit www.kub.org/paperless for more information about Paperless Billing.

*Customers may also set their preferences to receive text notifications for their bill.

**The listed merchants are in no way affiliated with KUB nor are the listed merchants considered sponsors or co-sponsors of this program. Uses of merchant nanes and/or logos are by permission of each respective merchant and all trademarks ar the property of their respective owners.

KUB is a municipal utility serving Knox and parts of seven adjacent counties and provides electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services to more than 473,000 customers.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee to host College and Career Fair

[Knoxville, TN] Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee (BBBS-ETN) will host their 2022 College and Career Fair presented by Arconic on April 28, 2022, from 4:30pm-6:30pm. The fair will take place at the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater.

This year’s event theme is Be Inspired! encouraging all youth to reach their biggest potential. This is a public event open to middle school and high school students, recent graduates, young adults, parents, and guardians.

The outdoor College and Career Fair will feature two-year and four-year colleges/universities, trade schools, as well as local companies and businesses. Participating vendors include: Allstate- Joy LaForce Agency, Ametek, Apex Bank, Arconic, Bank of America, CAC AmeriCorps, Cherokee Health Systems, Dollywood Parks and Resorts, East TN Spine and Sport, First Horizon, Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville TVA Employee Credit Union, Knoxville Utilities Board, KnoxWorks, Lincoln Memorial University- Knoxville Physician Assistant Program, Maryville College, Mesa Engineering, New Horizon’s Computer Learning Centers, Pellissippi State Community College, Remington College, Tennessee Tech University, The University of Tennessee- College of Social Work, United Healthcare, Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, and Wavely.

At 5:30pm, BBBS-ETN will host a panel discussion, The Be Inspired! Panel. The panel will feature East Tennessee leaders who will share their insight on how to take your goals and dreams to the next level. Panelists include Eden Leo of Knoxville Utilities Board, Dr. Dash Lundy of Knoxville College, and Chris McAdoo of the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center.

Visit www.TennesseeBig.org/events for more information,

The 2022 College and Career Fair is made possible with support from Arconic, Mesa Associates, and The University of Tennessee- College of Social Work.

Knoxville Center for Behavioral Medicine celebrates grand opening

KNOXVILLE, TN (April 7, 2022) --The Knoxville Center for Behavioral Medicine celebrated its grand opening by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ceremony was attended by physicians, hospital partners, community leaders, and special guests.

The 64-bed hospital will provide a comprehensive continuum of care for adults and geriatric patients with psychiatric, emotional, and addictive disorders. The center will open in phases beginning with geriatric care and will open adult services soon after. The hospital is a result of a partnership among National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE American: NHC), Tennova Healthcare, and The University of Tennessee Medical Center.

“We are thrilled to open the hospital and provide access to high quality behavioral healthcare services for the East Tennessee community,” said Clay McCoy, chief executive officer of the Knoxville Center for Behavioral Medicine. “The community needed this critical lifeline for patients, and we are proud to see the efforts of this collaborative partnership come to fruition.”

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, in 2020, more than 800 deaths by suicide occurred among adults between the ages of 25 and 64 in Tennessee. More than 160 deaths by suicide alone occurred in the East Tennessee region.

"Tennova Healthcare remains committed to our mission of ensuring that key healthcare needs are available for our community to improve their quality of life," states Tony Benton, chief executive officer Tennova Healthcare. "We are honored to partner with National HealthCare Corporation and The University of Tennessee Medical Center to dedicate resources and build the Knoxville Center for Behavioral Medicine. This important initiative helps bridge the gap of services needed for some of our most vulnerable patients. This critically important partnership is timely as we have continued to see an increase in demand for mental health services."

“This partnership supports The University of Tennessee Medical Center’s goal to reduce health care disparities by providing care across the behavioral health continuum and will expand much-needed access by providing availability of behavioral health resources,” said Joe Landsman, president and chief executive officer of The University of Tennessee Medical Center. “By offering high quality inpatient behavioral health care, the Knoxville Center for Behavioral Medicine will enhance our ability to coordinate care for all the patient populations we serve throughout their entire episode of care.”

The 55,000-square-foot facility is located at the new Tennova Health Park at 1240 Tennova Medical Way. The center will provide more than 200 jobs for Knox County.

For more information, visit www.knoxvillebehavioralmedicine.com.

About National HealthCare Corporation

NHC affiliates operate for themselves and third parties 75 skilled nursing facilities with 9,473 beds. NHC affiliates also operate 24 assisted living communities, five independent living communities, one behavioral health hospital, 34 homecare agencies, and 28 hospice agencies. NHC’s other services include Alzheimer’s and memory care units, pharmacy services, a rehabilitation services company, and providing management and accounting services to third party post-acute operators. For more information, visit www.nhccare.com

About Tennova Healthcare

The Tennova Healthcare network of hospitals in East Tennessee includes Jefferson Memorial Hospital, LaFollette Medical Center, Newport Medical Center, North Knoxville Medical Center and Turkey Creek Medical Center with nearly 16,000 admissions, 410,000 outpatient visits and 125,000 emergency department visits each year. Learn more at www.Tennova.com.

About The University of Tennessee Medical Center

The mission of The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC), a Magnet® recognized hospital also certified by The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, is to serve through healing, education and discovery. UTMC is a 710-bed, not-for-profit academic medical center, with a regional network of primary care and specialty care physicians and practices as well as outpatient regional health centers and urgent care locations throughout its 21-county primary service area. The medical center, the region’s ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center and state designated regional perinatal referral center with a Level III private room NICU, is one of the largest employers in Knoxville. UTMC features eight Centers of Excellence, including the Brain & Spine Institute, Cancer Institute, Emergency & Trauma Center, Heart Lung Vascular Institute, Orthopaedic Institute, Center for Perioperative Medicine, Primary Care Collaborative and Center for Women & Infants. Visit UTMedicalCenter.org for more information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee to host The Big Night Out

[Knoxville, TN] Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee (BBBS-ETN) is excited to announce their inaugural event, The Big Night Out, presented by FirstBank. The Big Night Out will be an evening celebrating the driving force of our mission, Mentors. The awards dinner will be held on May 12 from 5:30pm-8:30pm at The Mill & Mine, 227 W. Depot Avenue.

At The Big Night Out, BBBS-ETN will induct three new individuals to the BBBS-ETN Hall of Fame. Beal Bourne of Jarnigan & Son Mortuary and BBBS-ETN’s first black Big Brother; Chip DeBlois, and William “Ed” Harmon are the 2022 inductees. DeBlois and Harmon are co-founders of BBBS-ETN. Additionally, Compassion Coalition and First Horizon will be inducted as Community Partners. The Hall of Fame honors individuals and partners that have been instrumental in providing direction, energy, and support to the shaping of BBBS-ETN.

BBBS-ETN will honor Jim Clayton as the first winner of the East Tennessee Mentor of the Year award recipient. This new award honors someone who has made a positive and lasting impact in East Tennessee through mentorship (personal and professional). “Mr. Clayton’s dedication to leading causes and investing in initiatives to improve East Tennessee has resulted in untold thousands of East Tennessean lives being improved” said Tyler Boldin, CEO of BBBS-ETN.

In addition to honoring the award winners, the evening will feature a cocktail hour, live auction, and dinner. Individual tickets are $150, tables of 8 are $1,000. Leading up to the event, BBBS-ETN will host a virtual auction from April 12 through May 12. The auction will include gift packages and a new and unique element, one-on-one mentoring hours with leaders in East Tennessee. Participating mentors include Colleen Bhatti, Patricia Bible, Gabe Bolas, Randy Boyd, Senator Becky Duncan Massey, Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Mayor Indya Kincannon, Eugene Naughton, Jack Neely, Chancellor Donde Plowman, and Dr. Thomas Zacharia. Visit www.TennesseeBig.org/events to purchase tickets, bid in the auction, and find more information.

The Big Night Out is made possible with support from FirstBank, KaTom, Regal, Pilot Company, North Knox CDJR, Secret City CDJR, PALS, WATE-TV, Beverage Control, Elst Brewing Company, and Post-Modern Spirits.

Full artist lineup announced for Dollywood's Rock the Smokies

PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee (Friday, April 8, 2022) — Dollywood’s Rock the Smokies returns to the popular Pigeon Forge park for the first time since 2019, providing an inspirational way to put an exclamation point on the end of summer for families and church groups. Rock the Smokies takes place Saturday, Aug. 27 and features headline performances in DP’s Celebrity Theater by TobyMac and Newsboys.

Several other contemporary Christian artists visit during this well-loved event. Christian hip-hop artist Aaron Cole, Katy Nichole, sister pop duo RENEE and Ben Fuller are set to perform for park guests on stages in the park. All performances outside of DP’s Celebrity Theater are free with park admission. Actor and comedian Heath Arthur serves as the emcee for the performances in DP’s Celebrity Theater. Additional artists may be announced at a later date.

Tickets for the headline events are extremely popular, and premium seats tend to sell out quickly. Tickets go on sale April 14. Super early bird pricing ends June 24, and early bird pricing ends July 29. Sign-ups for an exclusive pre-sale take place at rockthesmokiesfest.com.

Meet & Greet opportunities are available through the platinum VIP package. Special Dollywood season passholder pricing also is available on the event website.

By combining all the adventure of a day at the theme park with great music, Dollywood has crafted a unique event packed with fun for all ages. A ticket purchase includes admission to Dollywood. Discounts are available for groups, season passholders and guests who order tickets early. Packages are available that include VIP seating, t-shirts and much more!

For more information about the event, visit rockthesmokiesfest.com. To learn more about multi-day ticket options or 2022 Dollywood season passes, visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.

Provectus Biopharmaceuticals announces presentation of multiple protein kinase signaling targets for PV-10 immunotherapy at American Association for Cancer Research 2022 annual Meeting

KNOXVILLE, TN, April 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Provectus (OTCQB: PVCT) today announced that preclinical research on systemic administration of investigational cancer immunotherapy PV-10 (rose bengal sodium) for the treatment of high-risk and refractory adult solid tumor cancers is being presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), being held April 8-13, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

This PV-10 research has been led by Aru Narendran, MD, PhD and his team from the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Dr. Narendran and his colleagues previously showed that PV-10 induced cell death at pharmacologically-relevant concentrations in a panel of phenotypically-diverse adult solid tumor cell lines comprising breast, colorectal, head and neck, and testicular cancers (Tran et al. 2021 ASCO). The University of Calgary team subsequently investigated target validation and modulation of PV-10 treatment on protein kinase signaling and associated impacts on specific oncogenic pathways in these adult solid tumor cancers.

A copy of the AACR poster presentation is available on Provectus’ website at https://www.provectusbio.com/media/docs/publications/AACR2022_PV-10_Adult_Tumor_Poster.pdf.

Highlights from the 2022 AACR Presentation:

• PV-10 delivers cytotoxic activity in vitro against a panel of high-risk and refractory adult solid tumor cell lines

• PV-10 is cytotoxic at pharmacologically-relevant concentrations across all cancer cell lines

• PV-10 treatment shows target modulation of key markers associated with apoptosis and autophagy induction

• Western blot analyses yield time-dependent target modulation of pro-apoptotic protein markers and autophagic regulators in all cancer types

• PV-10 targets multiple protein kinase signaling pathways, including the phosphorylation of WNK lysine deficient kinase 1 (WNK1)

• PV-10 treatment leads to consistent inhibition of WNK1 phosphorylation at the T60 site in all cancer types based on protein kinase profiling of PV-10-treated cancer cells compared to vehicle-treated cells

• Corresponding β-catenin levels for each cancer type are also shown

• PV-10 treatment inhibits the migration of cancer cells similar to pan-WNK inhibitor WNK463 in different head and neck cancer cell lines

Dominic Rodrigues, Vice Chair of Provectus’ Board of Directors, said, “WNK1 is recognized as an inhibitor of autophagy and a promoter of cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in breast cancer, glioblastoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. WNK1 potentially regulates important oncogenic pathways, including Wnt signaling by controlling β-catenin levels. We are grateful to Dr. Narendran and his University of Calgary team for their many discoveries related to PV-10 cancer treatment, including now identifying multiple, specific, actionable drug targets.”

About PV-10

Intralesional (IL) administration of PV-10 for the treatment of solid tumor cancers can yield immunogenic cell death within hours of tumor injection, and induce tumor-specific reactivity in circulating T cells within days. This PV-10-induced functional T cell response may be enhanced and boosted in combination with immune checkpoint blockade (CB). In CB-refractory disease, PV-10 may restore disease-specific T cell function. IL PV-10 has been administered to over 450 patients with melanoma and cancers of the liver in both monotherapy and combination therapy settings. IL PV-10 is administered under visual, tactile, or ultrasound guidance to superficial malignancies, and under CT or ultrasound guidance to visceral hepatic tumors.

Systemic administration of PV-10 is undergoing preclinical study as prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for high-risk and refractory adult solid tumor cancers, and as a therapeutic treatment for relapsed and refractory blood cancers.

About Provectus

Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Provectus or the Company) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapy medicines for different disease areas based on a class of small molecules called halogenated xanthenes. Multi-route of administration drug discovery and development programs include investigational drugs and drug targets in oncology (clinical-stage), dermatology (clinical-stage), hematology, virology, microbiology, ophthalmology (clinical-stage), and animal health. Information about the Company’s clinical trials can be found at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) registry, www.clinicaltrials.gov. For additional information about Provectus, please visit the Company’s website at www.provectusbio.com.

Trademarks

PV-10® is registered trademark of Provectus Pharmatech, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Nursing receives $5.5 million grant to support vaccine education and outreach

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s College of Nursing has been awarded a $5.5 million grant—its largest to date—from the Tennessee Department of Health to increase immunization rates for children and older adults in the state of Tennessee.

The project will place 14 registered nurses, dubbed community RN navigators, across the state to provide county-level support to improve the rates of vaccination against COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The project will also provide UT Extension professionals with a knowledgeable liaison to help enhance vaccine education and outreach.

Victoria Niederhauser, dean and Sara Rosenbalm Croley Endowed Dean’s Chair of the college, and Nan Gaylord, associate dean of practice and global affairs, will be leading the grant.

“As we have navigated through a global pandemic for the last two years, our immunization rates in Tennessee have dropped,” said Niederhauser. “We believe that deploying RNs across the state to assess barriers and create interventions to improve these rates will lead to better health outcomes for children and older adults in Tennessee.”

Additionally, the college will leverage students, faculty, and staff from other nursing schools within the UT System in order to support county-specific interventions that will help educate and increase access to vaccines for all Tennesseans.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination rates in children and older adults declined, according to the Tennessee Department of Health, for a variety of reasons: many medical offices were either closed or limiting in-person visits, patients and parents feared COVID-19 exposure, and health departments were overwhelmed with COVID issues.

Part of the college’s mission is to improve the health of communities, families, and individuals by addressing policy and social issues through advocacy and leadership. The college seeks innovative partnerships to help improve health for everyone.

“Our efforts will increase the immunization rates in counties across the state to help protect Tennesseans against communicable diseases,” said Gaylord. “The college has a strong commitment to the health and well-being of our Tennessee community. This project aligns with our mission and efforts to continue to improve health for all.”

The project began in January and runs through 2024.

KMA unveils two exhibitions celebrating and empowering women artists

April 7, 2022 (Knoxville, TN) - The Knoxville Museum of Art, in conjunction with the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, showcases what two important Tennessee cultural organizations are doing to support and empower women artists. Women Artists: Highlights from the Hunter Museum of American Art is on view at the KMA April 22-July 24, 2022, and Currents: Women Artists from the KMA Collection is on view May 13-August 14, 2022. Both exhibitions pay tribute to contemporary women artists represented in each museum’s respective collections.

Since 2000, the Hunter Museum of American Art has prioritized the acquisition of works by women artists from around the United States, who have long lagged behind their male counterparts when it comes to museum-level recognition. Highlights of the Hunter exhibition include an installation by Lesley Dill featuring floor-to-ceiling banners and hand-embroidered text, a silhouette pop-up book by Kara Walker examining the history of American race relations, a textile by Vadis Turner questioning inherited gender roles, and a mixed media installation by Beverly Semmes inspired by composer John Cage’s minimalist music.

Like the Hunter, the Knoxville Museum of Art has actively sought to acquire outstanding works by women for its collection. The selection on view reflects women’s broad technical and aesthetic range found in contemporary art. A mixed media painting on wooden sections by Alison Moritsugu conveys a monumental landscape, expansive yet incomplete. Nancy Rubins elevates graphite drawing into a large sculptural construction apparently shaped by violent forces. British artist Marilène Oliver constructs provocative portraits of her family in the form of acrylic sheets imprinted with digital medical scans. Patty Chang uses water and mirrors to transform her own image taken in a Belgian church into a complex photographic work fragmented by harsh angles and provocative reflections. In her video Joan of Arc, Alex McQuilkin responds to Maria Falconetti’s memorable lead role in the legendary 1928 French silent film by Carl Dreyer and the film’s themes of adolescent desire, faith, and suffering. These and other selected works call overdue attention to women’s significant role in reshaping the contemporary art landscape.

According to KMA Executive Director David Butler, “The KMA celebrates East Tennessee’s rich and diverse visual legacy, which includes important women artists going back as far as the nineteenth century. We’re proud to join forces with our sister organization in Chattanooga, the Hunter Museum of American Art, to showcase the vital role played by women more recently, whether from our region or further afield.”

The Knoxville Museum of Art gratefully acknowledges the generous support of The Frank and Virginia Rogers Foundation for both exhibitions.

Knoxville Museum of Art

The Knoxville Museum of Art celebrates East Tennessee’s rich, diverse visual culture and its connections to the wider currents of world art.

The museum is located in downtown Knoxville at 1050 World's Fair Park. It is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10am–5pm, and Sunday, 1pm-5pm. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, contact Sarah Kaplan at 865.934.2034 or visit www.knoxart.org.

UT joins new SEC artificial intelligence, data science consortium

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is among the 14 member universities of the Southeastern Conference forming a new artificial intelligence consortium. The consortium is designed to grow opportunities in the fast-changing fields of AI and data science, which are expected to be foundational for the future of industry, education, and research. It is believed to be the first athletics conference collaboration to focus on AI for workforce development.

“Artificial intelligence and data science have universal applications, and we are proud to join with SEC universities to lead education and research in these emerging fields,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick. “The consortium will create exciting opportunities for our faculty, staff, and students to explore AI and data science and shape their future.”

Through the SEC AI Consortium, SEC universities will share educational resources such as curricular materials, certificate and degree program structures, and online presentations of seminars and courses; promote faculty, staff, and student workshops and academic conferences; and seek joint partnerships with industry. In addition, universities will share best practices for ensuring that students graduate with AI and data science skills that benefit the region and country while also resonating globally.

“This consortium acknowledges the rapid advances and increased applications of AI and data technology in all sectors of society, and it ensures our students are prepared to prosper in a workforce in which AI is expected to play an increasingly important role,” said University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead, the current president of the SEC. “With this effort, SEC institutions are also answering the call from local, state, and federal leaders who recognize the importance of enhanced training and workforce development to retain US global competitiveness.”

SEC mini-conference on artificial intelligence

A virtual mini-conference for interested SEC faculty members will be held April 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. It will provide an introduction to the SEC AI Consortium; an orientation on integrating AI into any department, discipline, or major; and a time for discussion within disciplinary breakout groups about current and future opportunities to add AI to existing curricula. Register online.

RAM needing volunteers for Knoxville free healthcare clinic

KNOXVILLE, TENN. (April 4, 2022) – Remote Area Medical – RAM® – a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free dental, vision and medical care to those in need – is seeking volunteer medical, dental and vision professionals and general support staff for its June 25-26 clinic. The two-day clinic is to be held at Central Baptist Bearden, located at 6300 Deane Hill Dr., Knoxville, TN 37919. This clinic is in collaboration with Central Bearden.

We are also in need of interpreters, as well as general support volunteers to help set-up and take-down. If you or your organization would like to volunteer your time to help provide free healthcare services to the Knoxville, Tenn. community, please visit our website at www.ramusa.org or call us at 865-579-1530.

Additional Information:

• All RAM services are free, and no ID is required. Free dental, vision and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Services available at the RAM free clinic include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental x-rays, eye exams, glaucoma testing, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women's health exams and general medical exams. Free take-home colon cancer screening test kits will also be available.

• About Remote Area Medical: RAM is a major nonprofit organization that operates pop-up clinics delivering free dental, vision and medical services to individuals in need who do not have access to, or cannot afford, a doctor. Founded in 1985, RAM has treated more than 888,000 individuals with $181.5 million worth of free healthcare and veterinary services. Since its foundation, nearly 183,000 volunteers – comprised of licensed dental, vision, medical and veterinary professionals, as well as general support staff – have supported RAM’s mission.

Comcast hiring for 300 virtual positions

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.– April 4, 2022 – Comcast is accepting applications for 300 virtual Inbound Sales (IBS) Representatives across its southeast region, which includes its Knoxville and East Tennessee markets. Among the available positions, the company has openings for 50 bilingual representatives who must be fluent in English and Spanish. Comcast aims to onboard applicants as early as April and will continue through June.

Inbound Sales Representatives work directly with customers over the phone to promote and sell Comcast products and services. They support customers who want to set up new service, transfer service from one address to another or add a new product to their existing services.

Comcast offers competitive pay and benefits that start on the first day of employment, including insurance, free Xfinity television and internet services for employees who live in serviceable areas, 401K match, and an employee stock purchase program. In addition, this position offers career advancement opportunities within six months to one year of employment.

Potential candidates can find out more and apply online on the virtual IBS representative and bilingual representative job postings at ComcastCareers.com.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, Peacock, NBC News, NBC Sports, Sky News

South College again earns Top 10 Military Friendly School designation

South College again has earned the Military Friendly® School designation and is among the Top 10 in the country for 2022-2023.

“It is a privilege to create programs and opportunities for our military-connected students, veterans and their families,” South College Chancellor Steve South said. “We hold members of the military in high esteem and this honor recognizes our continued commitment.”

South College, which first earned the Military Friendly® School designation in 2016, has been a longtime advocate for veterans and supporter of the U.S. military.

The South College Military Grant program provides tuition benefits to veterans and spouses of veterans with honorable discharge status; active duty military and spouses; and dependents who are eligible for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits. The institution also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps cover eligible participants’ tuition not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

South College, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, also has campuses in Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; Asheville, North Carolina; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Orlando, Florida, and offers online classes and programs.

The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. South College is one of 665 Military Friendly® Schools across the country.

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process,” said Kayla Lopez, national director of military partnerships for Military Friendly®. “Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.”

To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.

The 2022-2023 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issues of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at militaryfriendly.com.

About South College

South College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the doctorate, educational specialist, master’s, baccalaureate, and associate levels, as well as certificates. Questions about the accreditation of South College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

About Military Friendly® Schools

The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at militaryfriendly.com.

The Trust Company of Tennessee again earns national retirement plan recognition

The Trust Company of Tennessee again has earned national recognition for its retirement plan services by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA).

The list of the Top Defined Contribution (DC) Advisor Multi-Office Firms includes 31 U.S. companies that have more than one office and exceed $1 billion in defined contribution assets under advisement as of Dec. 31, 2021. Defined contribution retirement plans are ones to which an employee, employer or both make regular contributions.

This is the fourth year that NAPA has released the Top DC Advisor Multi-Office Firms list, and The Trust Company of Tennessee has been the only Tennessee firm on the list each time. To view the list, visit napa-net.org/top-dc-advisor-multi-office-firms-2021.

“With more than 30,000 retirement plan participants, our team offers excellent services and guidance to help each client build a more financially secure retirement,” The Trust Company of Tennessee President Daniel Carter said. “We’re grateful to again be acknowledged for such an important part of our business, and I commend the entire retirement plan services team.”

Founded in 1987 and with offices in Chattanooga, Knoxville and the Tri-Cities, The Trust Company of Tennessee currently has more than $4.5 billion under management. The firm helps individuals, families, business owners and nonprofits make better financial decisions through wealth management, personal investment strategy, corporate retirement plans, estate planning and personal trust services.

The firm offers monthly, no-cost Retirement Plan Academy sessions offering best practices and advice to retirement plan sponsors. To register for an upcoming live session and view archived topics on-demand, visit thetrust.com/rpa.

About The Trust Company of Tennessee

Founded in 1987 by Sharon J. Pryse, The Trust Company of Tennessee is a state-chartered trust company with more than $4.5 billion under management and more than 95 employees. Based in Knoxville, the firm also has offices in Chattanooga and the Tri-Cities. The company helps individuals, families, business owners and nonprofits make better financial decisions through wealth management, corporate retirement and personal trust services. For more information, visit https://www.thetrust.com.

TAEBC, FirstBank announce strategic partnership with new podcast, “Energizing Tennessee” at 2022 annual meeting

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On March 29, the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) hosted its virtual 2022 Annual Member Meeting, sponsored by TAEBC Member Silicon Ranch Corporation. The theme of this year’s event was “strategic partnerships,” and featured speakers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, the University of Tennessee Research Park’s Spark Innovation Center, and Tennessee-based FirstBank.

TAEBC Executive Director Cortney Piper kicked off the event’s festivities by providing an overview of the TAEBC’s accomplishments in 2021 and gave a glimpse at priorities for the organization and events moving forward into 2022. She then announced new TAEBC Board Members and Officers, including TAEBC’s new President Steve Seifried, the Tennessee Account Executive for Ameresco.

“The past year has been an exciting one for the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council. From automakers and electric vehicle battery manufacturers announcing billions in electrification investments, to TAEBC partnering with entrepreneurial organizations like the University of Tennessee Research Park for the launch of the Spark Cleantech Accelerator, the advanced energy industry in our state is truly booming, outpacing the growth of the overall state economy. Looking ahead, I am optimistic that Tennessee’s goal of becoming the number one state in the country for the electric vehicle supply chain is indeed becoming a reality.”

Featured speaker Melissa Klembara, the U.S. Department of Energy’s acting Deputy Director for Portfolio Strategy in the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), spoke about her background, goals for the new Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, and specific ways DOE supports advanced energy innovation.

Established under the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law last year, OCED will help move clean-energy technologies out of the lab and into local and regional economies across the country, proving the value of technologies that can deliver for communities, businesses, and markets. Klembara discussed the Office’s goal of hiring the best and brightest talent to invest in cutting edge clean energy projects, including clean hydrogen, carbon capture, grid-scale energy storage, small modular reactors, and more.

“We hope that every dollar we invest in cleantech projects will have that follow-on effect of unlocking private sector capital, so that OCED becomes a center of excellence for clean energy commercialization pathways while ensuring sound project management oversight processes,” said Klembara.

During the audience Q&A, Klembara answered questions on a range of topics, including the size and scale of clean energy demonstration projects, forms of financing mechanisms the Office is exploring, and how TAEBC can support the new Office and help the Administration achieve its decarbonization goals.

During the event, TAEBC Executive Director Cortney Piper and FirstBank’s Nashville North Regional President Jim Mosby announced a new strategic partnership with the creation of “Energizing Tennessee,” the number one podcast for news about Tennessee’s advanced energy sector, launching this fall.

“We’ve heard from many energy entrepreneurs that access to capital is one of their biggest hurdles. Partnering with FirstBank will help TAEBC provide mentorship services and access points to capital for cleantech energy innovators across the state,” said Piper.

Piper and Mosby announced further details of the new podcast, including a focus on electrification and decarbonization strategies in the Tennessee Valley with episodes spanning a range of topics from Ford’s Blue Oval City to Tennessee’s Green Star Partnership and rural solar energy development to the future of clean hydrogen in meeting carbon reduction targets.

“On behalf of the Board Members, TAEBC would like to thank FirstBank for supporting our mission of championing advanced energy as a job creation and economic development strategy, which includes helping Tennessee become the number one location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs,” said Piper. “To that end, we couldn’t be more excited about the launch of this podcast and partnership with FirstBank, which will help inform our nation’s workforce, policymakers, and industry leaders about the powerful role of advanced energy in our State’s economy.”

Members and participants also heard from John Bruck, TAEBC Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Director of UT Research Park's Spark Innovation Center, who shared insights into the continued development of the Center, including the new Spark Cleantech Accelerator.

Bruck discussed the mission of the program and its goal of recruiting early-stage, high-growth business companies that aid the development of decarbonization and other technology solutions targeting the climate crisis while simultaneously supporting Tennessee’s advanced energy and circular economies. With applications due by April 11, Bruck said the program is excited to welcome its first cohort of startups in June 2022.

“The Energy Mentor Network, which TAEBC runs in partnership with Launch Tennessee, is perfectly positioned to help support these startups in the challenges they face, all the way through financial modeling and preparing for investor pitches. I’m not just hopeful, I’m confident the advanced energy ecosystem here in Tennessee will continue to grow,” said Bruck.

The addition of the Spark Cleantech Accelerator makes the Knoxville-Oak Ridge region the only location in America to host three high profile energy-focused business accelerators (Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Innovation Crossroads, TechStars Industries of the Future, and now the SPARK Cleantech Accelerator).

Piper also announced at the event a new TAEBC media initiative launching this spring, dubbed the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council “Powerhouse,” which will include advanced energy experts representing different industries within TAEBC’s leadership.

As TAEBC works to maintain its reputation as the number source of advanced energy news in Tennessee, the Powerhouse will serve as the ultimate expert resource for media outlets covering the advanced energy industry. Powerhouse members will participate in interviews, speaking engagements, conferences, and events around the region, serving as the premiere information source for media interested in advanced energy topics.

About Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council

TAEBC champions advanced energy as an economic development and job creation strategy. Advanced energy is technology neutral and includes electricity and transportation. Anything that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure or more efficient is in the tent. No other entity in the state concentrates specifically on this robust sector. We educate public officials and business leaders about Tennessee’s advanced energy economy, establish strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and inform policy that expands and strengthens the industry. For more information, visit: https://tnadvancedenergy.com/.

Home Federal Bank receives state award for support of higher education

Home Federal Bank's longtime support of Pellissippi State Community College has earned the Knoxville-based bank the 2022 TBR Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy.

The award, announced March 30 in Nashville, recognizes individuals and organizations that have given special assistance to at least one Tennessee Board of Regents institution. TBR governs the state’s 13 community colleges and 27 technical colleges.

Pellissippi State President L. Anthony Wise Jr. nominated Home Federal Bank for the award, citing its rich history of outstanding community service and exceptional integrity. The college has received more than $114,000 from Home Federal Bank since 1986, he noted.

“Home Federal Bank has been a key partner in growth,” he said. “Pellissippi Sate has depended on their support to jumpstart new initiatives. In fact, Home Federal Bank was one of the first businesses in our community to establish an endowed scholarship through the Scholars Today and Tomorrow program, and that scholarship has provided awards to students for 28 years.”

Other significant contributions from Home Federal Bank over the years have helped Pellissippi State:

• Renovate a historic high school in an urban setting into the college’s Magnolia Avenue Campus;

• Establish the Nursing program; and

• Build the Bill Haslam Center for Math and Science on the Hardin Valley Campus.

“Home Federal Bank’s generous support has served as a driving force for innovation,” Wise said. “In addition to their philanthropy, volunteers from Home Federal Bank also have served for many years on the Pellissippi State Foundation’s Board of Trustees.”

“Education and career preparedness are essential to a vibrant, healthy community and economy,” said Home Federal Bank Chief Executive Officer David Reynolds. “Investing in education is not just the right move, but it is also smart economics. Education brings about increased insights and opportunities for students, and we are really grateful to be part of that work with Pellissippi State.”

For more information about Pellissippi State, visit www.pstcc.edu or call 865.694.6400.

UTHSC Team receives $2 million for breast cancer genetics research

Memphis, Tenn. (March 31, 2022) – A University of Tennessee Health Science Center team has received $2.05 million from the National Cancer Institute for an advanced genetics project that could contribute to targeted therapies and personalized treatment for breast cancer. Liza Makowski, PhD, professor of Hematology and Oncology in the UTHSC College of Medicine, is the lead investigator on the award.

Developing new therapies for breast cancer depends on a deeper understanding of individual genetics. Pre-clinical research is often hampered by the lack of genetic diversity in most animal models, which does not represent the wide variation in humans. Dr. Makowski’s team has created a pre-clinical model using one of the largest and best genetic reference populations, the BXD family of mice. The team crossed the BXD with a model that develops triple negative breast cancer, creating unique hybrids with robust, reliable, and reproducible phenotypic and genomic variation. The genetic variation will be analyzed to determine which regions of DNA contribute to certain characteristics of the breast cancer.

Dr. Makowski’s preliminary data show large differences in triple-negative-breast-cancer characteristics, including early onset tumors, which suggests genetic modifiers impact disease. The team will also test therapies to pinpoint underlying genetics, which will help identify genetic strains that respond well to therapy.

The goal is to identify and validate underlying genetic modifiers of breast cancer, enabling advances to improve predictive and personalized treatments.

“This model allows researchers to test the underlying genetics on the impacts of cancer timing, severity, and response to different therapies to identify candidate genes using advanced systems genetics,” Dr. Makowski said.

Dr. Makowski’s interdisciplinary team has extensive expertise in chemo- and immune therapy in pre-clinical breast cancer models, immunology, pathology, systems genetics, and advanced computational methods. From UTHSC’s department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics are Rob Williams, PhD, department chair and professor, Lu Lu, MD, professor, and David Ashbrook, PhD, assistant professor. Neil Hayes, MD, MPH, director of the UTHSC Center for Cancer Research, is also on the team.

As Tennessee’s only public, statewide, academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health through education, research, clinical care, and public service, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region. The main campus in Memphis includes six colleges: Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. UTHSC also educates and trains medicine, pharmacy, and/or health professions students, as well as medical residents and fellows, at major sites in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville. For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu. Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/uthsc, on Twitter: twitter.com/uthsc and on Instagram: instagram.com/uthsc.

East Tennessee Human Resource Agency and Free Medical Clinic join forces

Knoxville/Oak Ride, March 31, 2022 – East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA) and Free Medical Clinic (FMC) join forces to combat uninsured and low-income families and individuals’ needs in East Tennessee.

On March 28, 2022, Free Medical Clinic hosted a Progressive Dinner Bus Tour and Clinic Tour. ETHRA provided the transportation with two of their public transportation vans.

FMC exists for the 14,000 residents in Anderson, Morgan, and Roane Counties in Tennessee that are low-income and uninsured. Anyone meeting the eligibility can receive no charge primary care services. FMC is the only healthcare many in our communities have to help them with their medical care. FMC loves helping people!

ETHRA was formed by local public officials to serve 16 county region in 1973 and has served over 100,000 clients in the 30 plus programs they offered in 2021. ETHRA provides services such as legal assistance, public transportation, homemaker services, home-delivered meals, housing and utilities and many other programs!

FMC is positioning their clinics to be “best in class” for the underserved. “We believe that care to low- income should be as excellent as care given to those who have insurance. We are working each day to become the best in our field, using creativity and innovation to increase the quality of our care, and improving our entire organization for those we exist to serve. We have a worth mission and are maximizing our opportunities to make great things happen for our patients. As we continue to build our community partnerships, we will create a better future for our communities.”

With many partnerships in the area, FMC is excited to now partner with ETHRA and together, these service-oriented non-profits are sure to make a positive impact in our communities. As quoted by Billy Edmond, Executive Director of FMC ….”We are really honored to partner with ETHRA to help bring about a better future for our communities. It will take us all.”

Gastrointestinal Associates invites public to attend inaugural Gastrointestinal Festival

On Wednesday, March 30, from 4-6:30 p.m. at 1311 Dowell Spring Blvd., Gastrointestinal Associates (GIA) will host healthcare partners and the public to celebrate reaching 50 years in practice and recognize National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

GIA’s CEO Jeff Dew will open the event and address the importance of continuing colorectal care and preventing the disease. Michael Holtz, a rectal cancer survivor and awareness advocate, also will be onsite to share his story, emphasizing screenings and inspiring attendees.

Guests will be free to explore the festival, which will include a tent of GIA staff who can answer questions and schedule appointments, vendors booths with resources and giveaways, music and Nolan the Rollin’ Colon, a giant inflatable tunnel shaped like a human colon.

CNS awards STEM grants to East Tennessee schools

Oak Ridge, Tenn.—From aquaponics to pneumatics, five schools in East Tennessee will soon be advancing their educational efforts in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) thanks to grants from Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), the managing and operating contractor for Y-12 National Security Complex. This month, CNS awarded five $1,000 grants for STEM activities in the classroom and to help develop Y-12’s future workforce.

Grants were awarded to the following schools and projects:

• Central High School, an aquaponics teaching lab;

• Maryville Junior High School, new curriculum in pneumatics;

• Oakdale School, rainwater runoff design challenge; and

• Roane County High School, introducing students to civil and environmental engineering, construction, and computer-aided design to beautify the campus; and

• Wartburg Central High School, creation of a maker space for business and technology.

Grant applications accepted to recognize careers in engineering

CNS announced the grant opportunities in recognition of Engineers Week in February. In March, a total of 24 submissions were evaluated by a panel of volunteer engineers at Y-12 National Security Complex. The group carefully reviewed all the applications and narrowed the impressive list down in order to recommend the five winners.

“The creativity and quality of the submissions were exceptional,” said Kristin Waldschlager, Y-12 education outreach specialist. “We appreciate the efforts of our local STEM educators, and we’re thrilled to be able to enhance their efforts through these grants. We look forward to seeing the results of these projects.”

The Arc Knox County Hosts Over the Edge - Knoxville

Knoxville, Tenn. – March 2022: This year, The Arc Knox County will host the Over The Edge Knoxville on June 4th, 2022 at The Trotter Building (625 Market Street) starting at 9:00 am. Registration is $35 a participant. Participants who raise a minimum of $1,000 will have the opportunity to rappel the 16 stories Trotter Building in downtown Knox.

Whether you are fearless or looking to overcome a fear, you can be a part of this extreme experience. Don’t wait! Space is limited. Register today and start collecting donations toward your rappel.

To registers a team, visit: https://fnd.us/ote-arcknox?ref=shbB4in5

Too scared to step Over the Edge? No problem. You can still help the individuals at The Arc Knox County from on the ground and win amazing prizes! Donate straight to the event with $100 or more or and you’ll get your name added to the list of drawings for cool prizes and more.

Rappelling isn’t the only thing happening on Saturday, June 4th, there’s also a FREE Block Party on the street below all the action!

Bring your friends and families from 9 am -until the last rappeller is through and enjoy fun games for both kids and adults, snacks, a chance to win great prizes in the raffle drawings, and visit interactive sponsor booths. We will be adjacent to the regular Saturday Farmers Market on Market Square - it's one big party that day!

The Arc Knox County is a nonprofit organization that is committed to providing programs and services for people with intellectual disabilities in Knox County; safeguarding their rights and protecting their welfare, and helping each individual achieve the highest possible level of personal growth and independence.

The Arc Knox County is a private, nonprofit agency, founded in 1953 with the express purpose of serving Knoxville area citizens with intellectual disabilities. It is affiliated with both the National Arc and the Tennessee Arc. The Arc Knox County is and has always been concerned about the right of all persons with disabilities to participate in programs and receive services as needed to achieve maximum personal, social, educational, and vocational development. It is our belief that if appropriate programs are available, every individual with an intellectual disability can learn and grow, reaching increasing levels of self-fulfillment. This is a lifetime process that begins at birth and extends throughout a person’s life. Additionally, The Arc Knox County has been instrumental in educating the community with respect to those it serves and has worked to change the stereotypes so often associated with these individuals.

Programs available to those families in Knoxville include Community and Facility-Based, Early Intervention, Leisure Services, Residential Services, Supported Employment and Sunshine Industries.

Home Builders Association 2022 Home Show is Friday through Sunday, March 25-27

KNOXVILLE, TENN. – March 23, 2022 – The Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville (HBAGK) Home Show 2022 is scheduled to take place at the Knoxville Expo Center this weekend. The show opens on Friday, March 25 at 11 a.m. and continues until Sunday evening March 27 at 5 p.m.

The HBAGK Home Show, sponsored by ORNL Federal Credit Union, features East Tennessee’s premier builders, subcontractors and suppliers. Tickets are available for $5 online at www.HBAGKHomeShow.com or at the door.

What to Expect at the HBAGK Home Show

• “Meet the Vols” with NIL UT athletes: Aaron Beasley, Trevon Flowers, Derrick Furlow and Eunique Valentine will attend and meet with guests for autographs and pictures.

• Family-friendly fun activities including Corn Hole, Jenga-XL, and food trucks

• The HBAGK Home Show returns to the Knoxville Expo Center conveniently located off Interstate 75 at 5441 Clinton HWY Knoxville, TN 37912

• FREE on-site parking at the Expo Center

The HBAGK Home Show is the region's favorite and longest-running home show – this is the 71st anniversary of the association – and the only home show for people wishing to have face-to-face contact with the area's premier builders, designers, financial lenders, flooring companies, kitchen and bath remodelers, home security system providers, door and window companies and more. The current housing market has impacted vendor participation at the show with many companies struggling to keep up with demand or staffing shortages overall.

"Contractors and trades pros have backlogs of work, and a shortage of labor, so we are happy to have vendors available at the show to talk with customers about their home projects," HBAGK President Nathan Anderson said. "The HBAGK Home Show is the only show that gives people direct access to the region’s most established and reputable building industry professionals."

The Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville represents the most trusted, professional and experienced home builders, developers and remodelers in Knox, Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Fentress, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union counties.

For more information about the HBAGK Home Show 2022, visit www.HBAGKHomeShow.com.

KCDC fully reopens Love Towers after $6.5 million renovation

Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has fully reopened Guy B. Love Towers after a $6.5 million renovation of the affordable housing community for elderly and disabled residents that features new flooring and appliances in units and a landscaped courtyard.

The renovations also include new cabinets, lighting and heating and air conditioning units to align with KCDC’s sustainability and energy-efficiency initiatives. Additional improvements outside include an urban wildlife habitat, certified butterfly garden and community gardens.

Other amenities that are coming soon include a wellness center that will serve Love Towers residents and a dog park that will be available to the North Knoxville community. Residents will continue to have access to an on-site social worker through a partnership with the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC).

“The renovation of Love Towers addresses the overall well-being of our residents,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “From energy-efficient lighting and appliances to outdoor areas to socialize and interact with nature, the residents will be better connected to each other and the community. The improvements to each unit also will boost everyday quality of life for our residents.”

Guy B. Love Towers was built in 1966 and is located at 1171 Armstrong Ave., in North Knoxville off Broadway. The two towers consist of seven stories each with a total of 249 units. Renovations were completed by floor to minimize the number of units needed to be taken offline at any given time.

The certified butterfly garden and urban plant installation was installed last fall for the enjoyment of residents. The garden is designed with specific nectar- and pollen-producing plants to attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators, giving these important animals a place to fill up so they will continue pollinating plants in the area. It also provides a habitat for wildlife affected by urbanization inside the city. The Native Plant Rescue Squad generously donated two planter beds with low-maintenance annuals so Love Towers residents can easily care for the garden for years to come.

“The organization recognizes the need for our residents to have a relaxing space that brightens their day and betters the environment,” said Darlene Farmer, Love Towers property manager for KCDC. “This garden and all of the renovations will give the Love Towers community an opportunity to pick up a new hobby or simply love where they live even more.”

Studio Four Design served as the architect for the renovation project with BESCO as the contractor and Management Solutions, LLC, as the owner representative. All three companies are based in Knoxville.

About Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation

Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville. KCDC’s mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing high-quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call 865-403-1100 or visit http://www.kcdc.org.

Iron Forge Brewing Company to break ground on new brewery & restaurant in Sevierville

Knoxville, TN, March 22, 2022 - A new brewery comes to the city of Sevierville

Summer 2022. On Friday, March 4, 2022, Iron Forge Brewing Company held their

Groundbreaking Ceremony which symbolized hard work and dedication. The project sits in a 4-acre lot that will include a 25,000-square foot brewery, an indoor tasting room, an

outdoor patio, and an enclosed beer garden that will offer dramatic views of Le Conte and the Little Pigeon River.

The company is working with MasseyProperties, Joseph Construction, and Project Design by George Armour Ewart Architects and is scheduled to begin immediately. Iron Forge will be located at 371 Lonesome Valley Road, just down the road from the Apple Barn and Cider Mill, in the heart of the great Smoky Mountains.

Co-founders, Audrei and Rani Dabul and Herus and Edlaine Schultz, developed Iron Forge as a chance to create a friendly neighborhood environment, welcoming to all, to the Great SmokyMountains. The brewpub will be built on sharing their love of beer, food, and spending time with friends and family. The new brewery – which will allow Iron Forge Brewing Company to brew as much as 30,000 barrels of beer annually, with room to grow – will also include a brewpub that will bring patrons a warm and inviting dining experience like no other.

Together, the Iron Forge Team brings years of experience in brewing, restaurant management, marketing, and sales. Audrei and Herus are long-time friends and met in 2013 through their love of beer and craft breweries. Dabul and Schultz have made this brewery a reality. With their combined industry background, education, and core beliefs, Iron Forge hopes to establish a brand that not only engages customers but provides consumers an educational opportunity like no other. Originally from Brazil, Herus and Edlaine Schultz were prior owners of a successful brewery, known for their award-winning Lager in South America. Also from Brazil, Audrei received his doctoral degree in Molecular Biosciences from Arkansas State University. He has been working in business and product management for years. His wife, Rani Dabul, has her master’s in communication studies and will bring her marketing and management experience to

this new endeavor.

Iron Forge will feature an eclectic array of inhouse brewed beers, including award

winning recipes from head brew master, Herus Schultz, owner of the best American

Lager in South America (Brazilian Beer Festival 2021). Iron Forge Brewing Company

will feature a traditional American menu with appetizers, burgers, main and side

dishes, and kid friendly options. There will also be Brazilian specials present on the

menu. The company plans to bring full and part-time positions to the community.

The name reflects the location and community. Iron Forge was named to keep

the traditional values of this area alive. When this community was formed, the Little Pigeon River served as the heart of blacksmiths calling Sevierville home. Keeping in mind the location, Iron Forge’s founders wanted to bring a modern touch to the area. We have plans to incorporate touches of tradition while bringing a modern flair.

This Sevier County brewery, expected to be complete summer 2022, is in a residential and touristic area just miles away from Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Iron Forge Brewing Company will be within walking distance of accommodations including resorts, long and short-term rentals, and residents.

Holston Gases acquires Dixie Welding Supply

Holston Gases is proud to announce that they have signed a letter of intent to purchase Dixie Welding Supply effective May 2nd. Dixie's location in Atlall, Al and Oxford, Al increase Holston's locations in Alabama to 8 and the company totals to 42.

Holston Gases President/CEO, Robert Anders said, "We are excited to add Dixie Welding Employees, customers and product lines to those of Holston Gases. This is a perfect fit. Dixie Welding and the Williams Family have an outstanding reputation in North Alabama and we look forward to partnering with them to enhance the offerings they can provide their customers."

Dixie Welding Supply owner, Kenny Williams, agreed that the businesses are a great match. "We are very proud to become part of the larger Holston Gases Family. Combining with Holston's people and resources will be great for our customers. We've known the Holston Gases folks for a long time and we think a lot of them. Our customers will really benefit from this combination."

Holston Gases is a regional distributer of industrial, medical, specialty and propane gases as well as welding, safety and industrial supplies. Holston has been in business for over 64 years. It's headquarters are in Knoxville, TN and it now has 42 locations in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Highway Transport achieves recruiting and retention goals for professional drivers

Highway Transport, a leader in bulk chemical transportation, has achieved a record number of professional drivers on staff thanks to the company’s recent and continued efforts to celebrate, support and reward its elite team of tanker truck drivers.

The company is achieving its 2022 goals for driver count, through both recruiting and retention, by enhancing Highway Transport programs that support individual drivers, owner-operators and the entire team across its 15 U.S. service centers.

“We employ an elite class of drivers who consistently deliver on ‘Our Promise’ to our customers every day, arriving safely and on time,” Highway Transport President and CFO Marshall Franklin said. “They are hardworking and committed to our standard of excellence, and we are committed to making Highway Transport the best place for them to choose to work. We asked our drivers for feedback, and that led us to make significant, intentional changes aimed at giving drivers the freedom and flexibility the want and deserve.”

These efforts include:

• Fostering Highway Transport’s family culture with meaningful communication, dedicated team member support and the launch of the CARE program, committed to supporting drivers with an aim to Communicate, Appreciate, Respect and Evaluate

• Supporting drivers in ways that make their daily lives easier and better, including changes to load planning with the driver’s schedule in mind in order to get drivers more flexible home time.

• Redesigning Highway Transport’s owner-operator program and creating a dedicated department to help these drivers achieve success as entrepreneurs

• Investing in technology upgrades that support drivers, including a new fleet management system, redesigned driver app, enhanced customer portal and TempTrack™, a solar-powered real-time location and temperature monitoring system

• Building on 2021 pay increase with a substantial pay increase enacted earlier this year for hourly, mileage, training and holiday rates – representing an increase in compensation of up to 20 percent for drivers, depending on their experience and location

In addition to a culture of support and recognition and a historic pay increase, Highway Transport drivers enjoy consistent weekly pay and miles; flexible options for home time; choice of driving positions; top-quality equipment and maintenance programs; and an assigned driver manager providing personal, one-on-one attention. The company also offers benefits including paid vacation and holidays; 401(k) with company match; group health plans; company-paid basic life insurance; supplemental life insurance; major medical, dental and life coverage; and flexible spending and health savings accounts. Highway Transport also continues to deliver on its commitment to drivers by constructing new service centers and reimagining current facilities to provide drivers with a best-in-class experience.

“We trust our drivers, value them and want to recognize, compensate and reward them fittingly,” Franklin said. “Pay is one area we strive to show our commitment and gratitude, but equally important to our drivers are a supportive culture and a focus on getting them home each night. On top of that, we offer operational and other support through investments in technology to make drivers’ jobs easier and more efficient, focus on training, state-of-the-art equipment, our internal CARE program and a continued emphasis on safety.”

Thanks in great part to the diligence and safety record of its drivers, Highway Transport earned the 2021 Responsible Care® Partner of the Year Award from the American Chemistry Council. Highway Transport driver Tom Frain recently was nominated as one of eight finalists for the 2021-2022 Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year Grand Champion by NTTC (National Tank Truck Carriers), and the winner will be unveiled at the NTTC 2022 Annual Conference April 23-26. Highway Transport also has received recognition as a “Top 20 Company” for women by Women In Trucking.

“We’ve spent nearly 75 years in this business, so we know the heart of the driver. They give their best every day, and they deserve our best,” Franklin said.

Drivers on the team have received pay adjustment details from their managers, and compensation details are available to new drivers applying and training to join Highway Transport. The company currently is hiring experienced drivers. Drivers interested in working for the company can apply at Drive4Highway.com.

Pilot Company begins round-up fundraiser for Ukraine relief

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (March 16, 2022) – In recognition of the growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, Pilot Company is raising funds through an in-store round-up campaign for Save the Children, a global humanitarian organization actively working to meet the urgent needs of children and their families in Ukraine and the region. Now through April 3rd, visit any of the more than 650 participating company-operated travel centers in the U.S., including Pilot and Flying J travel centers and restaurants, to round-up purchases* to the nearest whole dollar and donate the additional amount to Save the Children.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by the international crisis in Ukraine,” said Shameek Konar, CEO of Pilot Company. “We are deeply saddened by the effects of this conflict and are doing a roundup in our stores to help raise funds for Save the Children that will go towards immediate assistance for Ukrainian children and families. We will be matching up to $100,000 of donations raised as part of our commitment to giving back to our communities on a local and global scale.”

Pilot Company will donate 100% of the funds raised, along with the $100,000 matching contribution, directly to Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. Save the Children is distributing critical emergency supplies in Ukraine and the region and establishing safe spaces for children where possible. These funds will support their efforts to provide lifesaving relief, including food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support and cash assistance for children and their families impacted by the conflict.

To learn more about Pilot Company and its longstanding commitment to giving back, visit pilotcompany.com/about. For nearby travel center locations to donate, download the myRewards PlusTM app**. More information on Save the Children is available at https://www.savethechildren.org/.

*Certain purchases (including, without limitation, fuel and fuel additives and purchases made on fleet cards or direct bill programs) are not eligible for round-up contributions.

**Data rates may apply. Other terms and conditions apply.

About Pilot Company

Pilot Travel Centers LLC (“Pilot Company”) keeps North America’s drivers moving as one of the leading suppliers of fuel and the largest operator of travel centers. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Company has grown its network to more than 800 retail and fueling locations and as the third largest tanker fleet in North America, supplies more than 14 billion gallons of fuel per year to the market. Its energy division also supplies DEF, bio and renewable fuels and provides hauling and disposal services to the oil field sector. Pilot Company serves 1.5 million guests per day and provides over 70,000 fleet customers with solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, services and rewards. Its Pilot Flying J Travel Center network includes over 750 locations in 44 states and five Canadian provinces with more than 790 restaurants, 75,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and offers truck maintenance and tire service with Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. The One9 Fuel Network connects a variety of fueling locations to provide smaller fleets and independent professional drivers with everyday value, convenience, credit, and perks. More information on locations and rewards are available in the myRewards PlusTM app.

Pilot Company is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of America’s Largest Private Companies. For additional information about Pilot Company, its 28,000 team members and commitment to giving back, visit www.pilotcompany.com.

About Save the Children

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Local Urban League is one of six chapters nationwide chosen to bolster vaccine rates in their communities

The Knoxville Area Urban League joins five other chapters across the country selected to receive funding so that the organizations can recruit, hire, train and support community health navigators to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates and acceptance in their communities.

The National Urban League has been awarded $11.125 million by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to fund the initiative. The Knoxville Area Urban League will receive $1.4 million of the funding for its community health navigators. The people in these positions will conduct outreach and engagement activities in the community and assist residents in getting vaccinated and boosted.

“I am honored that the National Urban League recognizes our organization as change-making chapter and is equipping us with the resources to protect our beloved community,” said Phyllis Nichols, president and chief executive office of the Knoxville Area Urban League. “We will continue caring for our people with these necessary positions so that we can once and for all end this pandemic.”

“One lesson we’ve learned through the COVID-19 pandemic is that trusted voices within communities, such as our affiliate Presidents and CEOs, are the best way to overcome vaccine hesitancy, combat misinformation, and connect people with health care providers,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “With the support of the HRSA, our affiliates can expand their reach by hiring a local Community Health Navigator workforce to help keep our communities informed, safe and healthy.”

The National Urban League is one of many dedicated community-based organizations receiving a combined $250 million in American Rescue Plan funding to increase vaccine access for the hardest-hit and most vulnerable communities. Other chapters receiving funding for the program include:

• Houston Area Urban League

• Mississippi Urban League

• Urban League of Greater Kansas City

• Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc.

• Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis

For more information on the Knoxville Area Urban League and its programs, call 865-524-5511 or visit thekaul.org.

About the Knoxville Area Urban League

Since 1968, the Knoxville Area Urban League has assisted disadvantaged people attain social and economic stability and self-sufficiency through direct services and advocacy. The League works to provide a skilled and diverse workforce; to increase homeownership; to support economic and small business development, and to enhance education efforts for our youth. The Knoxville Area Urban League is a United Way partner agency and affiliate of the National Urban League. The League’s work and results are evident in the lives of the over 11,000 people it impacts each year. For more information, call 865-524-5511 or visit thekaul.org.

RAM needing volunteers for Jellico Free Healthcare Clinic

JELLICO, TENN. (March 11, 2022) – Remote Area Medical – RAM® – a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free dental, vision and medical care to those in need – is seeking volunteer medical, dental and vision professionals and general support staff for its May 21-22 clinic. The two-day clinic is to be held at Jellico Elementary School located at 551 Sunset Trail, Jellico, TN 37762.

We are also in need of interpreters and general support volunteers to help set up and take down. If you or your organization would like to volunteer your time to help provide free healthcare services to the Jellico, Tenn. community, please visit our website at www.ramusa.org or call us at 865-579-1530.

Additional Information:

• All RAM services are free, and no ID is required. Free dental, vision and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Services available at the RAM free clinic include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental x-rays, eye exams, glaucoma testing, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women's health exams, flu shots and general medical exams. Free take-home colon cancer screening test kits will also be available.

• About Remote Area Medical: RAM is a major nonprofit organization that operates pop-up clinics delivering free dental, vision and medical services to individuals in need who do not have access to, or cannot afford, a doctor. Founded in 1985, RAM has treated more than 888,000 individuals with $181.5 million worth of free healthcare and veterinary services. Since its foundation, nearly 183,000 volunteers – comprised of licensed dental, vision, medical and veterinary professionals, as well as general support staff – have supported RAM’s mission.

Wholesale Furniture and Linens commands $6.1 million price tag

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn., March 14, 2022 – Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in investment sales, financing, research and advisory services, announced today the sale of Wholesale Furniture and Linens in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, according to Jody McKibben, Marcus & Millichap first vice president and regional manager. The asset, including the property, the business and its inventory, sold for $6,100,000.

“Finding the right buyer was the most important factor,” says Wendy Davis, an investment advisor based in Marcus & Millichap’s Knoxville office. “The seller would only sell the property if the buyer also purchased the business and inventory.”

Davis had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the owner, in addition to securing the buyer, an Asheville, North Carolina-based partnership. The new ownership plans to continue running the business and lease the second building as a triple-net lease.

“With high demand for warehouses in Sevier County and this property being located only 1.5 miles from the parkway, the second building should be leased quickly,” added Davis.

Wholesale Furniture and Linens is located at 1215 Wears Valley Road in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The multimillion-dollar business caters its goods to hotels, cabins and restaurants in the tourism-dense region. Sevier County welcomed over 14 million visitors in 2021 and expects at least an additional million in 2022, according to the county’s tourism website.

DENSO deploys Beam Global Sustainable Electric Vehicle Charging Systems at Tennessee location, supports company's green focus

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DENSO, a leading mobility supplier, has deployed five EV ARC™ solar-powered charging systems from Beam Global (Nasdaq: BEEM, BEEMW), a leading clean technology provider, at its Maryville, Tennessee, location. The charging systems, which have been installed at buildings across campus, are available to all DENSO employees with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

In addition to providing employees with convenient vehicle charging options, the EV ARCs make and store their own electricity to deliver clean and renewable energy. They also monitor how much carbon is saved compared to combustion engine vehicles with each use. Together, these capabilities contribute to DENSO's Two Great Causes: Green – achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 – and Peace of Mind – creating a safe and seamless world for all.

"The charger deployment helps us support our employees and represents a key part of DENSO's future vision: helping society become greener and safer through innovative technology," said Mark Moses, vice president of Electrification Systems at DENSO. "We're doing this by reducing the environmental impact of our manufacturing operations, of the energy we use and of the products we produce. Beam's technology contributes to these efforts, providing a sustainable solution that helps protect our local communities and the planet."

The charger deployment comes as DENSO is transforming its 2.6-million-square-foot, 4,500-person Maryville location into a manufacturing hub for electrification and safety systems. Such technologies are critical to the automotive industry as it continues to create vehicles that are more electrified and connected than ever before.

"DENSO is empowering its team members to get to and from work more sustainably with the carbon-free electricity that EV ARC systems provide. And they're removing environmental impact from the EV charger installation because EV ARC deploys without construction," said Beam Global CEO Desmond Wheatley. "We applaud DENSO leadership and look forward to providing for their expanding needs and the needs of the many corporations who will do the same thing."

If you're interested in working at company that's focused on creating a better world through innovative and sustainable solutions, apply for open DENSO positions today at densocareers.com.

About DENSO

DENSO is a $44.6 billion global mobility supplier that develops advanced technology and components for nearly every vehicle make and model on the road today. With manufacturing at its core, DENSO invests in its 200 facilities to produce thermal, powertrain, mobility, electrification, & electronic systems, to create jobs that directly change how the world moves. The company's 168,000+ employees are paving the way to a mobility future that improves lives, eliminates traffic accidents, and preserves the environment. Globally headquartered in Kariya, Japan, DENSO spent 10.0 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. For more information about global DENSO, visit https://www.denso.com/global.

In North America, DENSO is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and employs 27,000+ engineers, researchers and skilled workers across 51 sites in the U.S, Canada and Mexico. In the United States alone, DENSO employs 17,700+ employees across 14 states (and the District of Columbia) and 41 sites. In fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, DENSO in North America generated $9.3 billion in consolidated sales. DENSO is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion inside the company and beyond – a principle that brings unique perspectives together, bolsters innovation and pushes DENSO forward. Join us, and craft not only how the world moves, but also your career: densocareers.com. For more information, go to https://www.denso.com/us-ca/en/.

About Beam Global

Beam Global is a clean technology leader providing innovative, sustainable products and technologies for electric vehicle (EV) charging, energy storage, energy security and outdoor media. Core platforms include Beam EV ARC™ and Solar Tree® sustainable EV charging systems, Beam AllCell™ high-performance energy storage solutions, energy resiliency and disaster preparedness products and a deep patent library.

Beam EV ARC™ EV charging infrastructure systems support any quality brand EV charging service equipment, and Beam AllCell™ battery solutions power micro-mobility, terrestrial EVs, aviation, maritime and recreational vehicles as well as stationery and energy-security platforms.

Beam develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean mobility solutions that protect the environment, save customers time and money, empower communities and keep people moving. Based in San Diego and Chicago, the company produces Made-in-America products with the mission to Lead the World to Clean Mobility. Beam Global is listed on Nasdaq under the symbols BEEM and BEEMW. For more information visit BeamForAll.com, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter.

Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians to hold meet-and-greet with nationally acclaimed hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis

Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians (GSCSA) will host the second-annual “Reach for the Peaks” fundraiser March 5-13 to coincide with National Girl Scout Week and the 110th anniversary of the founding of Girl Scouts. The independent hike event encourages Girl Scout troops, their families, former Girl Scouts, supporters, and the public to register to hike 3.12 miles.

As part of the week-long event, GSCSA will host Jennifer Pharr Davis on Saturday, March 12. Pharr Davis is an internationally recognized adventurer, long-distance hiker, speaker, author and entrepreneur who has hiked more than 14,000 miles of trails on six different continents. Pharr Davis was named National Geographic’s 2012 Adventurer of the Year and is the 2022 honorary GSCSA “Reach for the Peaks” hiker.

The event will take place at the Knoxville Museum of Art (1050 World’s Fair Park Drive).

UScellular announces winners of Seventh Annual Black History Month Art Contest

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (March 9, 2022) – UScellular has announced the three winners of its Seventh Annual Black History Month Art Contest that was held in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley in recognition of influential Black icons in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Public voting for the finalists’ artwork was available online, and the winning artists earned gift cards during a celebration at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley in the following amounts:

• Alina Fominy, $250, first place

• Keith Seay, $150, second place

• Roman Staples, $100, third place

This year, UScellular introduced a new element to the contest with Boys & Girls Club members encouraged to create original pieces of artwork in recognition of STEM icons, including historical figures, world leaders, scientists and educators. Representatives from the Boys & Girls Clubs and local UScellular leaders chose 10 finalists based on creativity, quality, interpretation, clarity of theme and overall impression. Public voting for the finalists was made available online throughout the month of February. In addition, the finalists’ artwork was digitally displayed in select stores.

“It was amazing to see the creativity and wide range of inspirations the club members used to create their art,” said Thomas White, director of sales for East Tennessee at UScellular. “We’re thrilled to be able to team with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley to celebrate Black History Month and to highlight the STEM achievements of these Black icons. We extend our appreciation for all the submissions and congratulate our winners.”

UScellular is focused on addressing gaps in STEM education and is committed to connecting more than 200,000 of tomorrow’s innovators each year with the resources they need today to help shape future opportunities. For more information about UScellular’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, please go to newsroom.uscellular.com/community.

No Purchase Necessary. Entrants who are minors must have parental consent to participate in the Contest. Official Contest Rules, including full entry details and Finalist and Winner selection criteria/voting are available by email request to USCDLMediaRelations@uscellular.com.

About UScellular

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com. Connect with UScellular on social media at facebook.com/uscellular, twitter.com/uscellular, instagram.com/uscellular, YouTube.com/uscellularcorp and linkedin.com/company/uscellular.

New Food City coming to Alcoa

ABINGDON, VA (Friday, March 4, 2022) – Earlier today, company officials broke ground on the new Food City, located at 1388 Tesla Blvd. in Alcoa, TN. The 54,000+ square foot supermarket, which will serve as a replacement for the existing location is expected to open early Fall.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to construct a new state-of-the-art Food City to serve our loyal customers,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer. “They can expect to find the same smiling faces, top quality products and low prices they have come to expect from Food City, along with some great new services and conveniences.”

The location includes an in-store bakery/deli, complete with a hot food bar, large 40+ café seating area, fresh sushi, fireplace, Wok/Asian hot food bar, hickory smoker, pizza oven, fresh food bar, offering a variety of soup, salad and fruit selections and full-service catering and event planning. Full-service meat and seafood departments offer pre-marinated and seasoned oven ready products, plus a complete selection of top-quality meats that are all-natural with no solutions added, including Certified Angus Beef. In-house meat cutters hand cut steaks and fresh meat to order. Expanded grocery and produce departments offer a complete selection of gourmet, international and specialty items. The Food City Floral Boutique is staffed with a designer seven days per week, offering a full assortment of fresh-cut floral arrangements, bouquets, gift items and more. Rapid checkout service is provided by six check-out lanes and seven self-checkouts. For added convenience, the store includes a Food City Pharmacy, equipped with a private consultation room and drive-thru window, Food City Gas n’ Go with large 5 pump station, GoCart curbside pick-up and home delivery, for customers who wish to shop on-line. The location also features a Starbucks café, offering a wide assortment of blended hot and cold coffees and beverages, as well as an assortment of tasty breakfast sandwiches and pastries.

Several award-winning energy saving concepts are also included, ranging from energy efficient glass cooler doors, parking lot lights and refrigeration systems to motion sensors and 100% LED lighting, as well as an open rafter ceiling design.

“Our customers will enjoy the expanded variety/selection and exciting new conveniences and services the new store will offer,” says district manager, Barry Brogan.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 138 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.

KUB plants trees at Habitat for Humanity homes

KUB has celebrated Tennessee Arbor Day by planting trees at Habitat for Humanity homes for 14 years. Today KUB and its contractor KMF3 Landscaping planted nine dogwood trees throughout the community.

Trees add beauty and life to our community, as well as help conserve energy, increase property values, and clean our air and water. As a participating member of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Line USA program since 2001, KUB follows best practices in utility arboriculture through quality tree care, annual worker training, tree planting, and public education.

KUB encourages customers who are interested in planting their own trees to use proper tree planting techniques; including planting the right species of tree in the right place to avoid future growth into power lines and calling 811 to prevent dig-ins on utility lines during an excavation project.

KUB serves more 213,000 electric customers and maintains more than 5,000 miles of electric lines. For more information on how to plant the right tree in the right place, Tennessee’s Call 811 system, or KUB’s tree pruning services, visit www.kub.org/plantsmart.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity, visit www.knoxvillehabitatforhumanity.com.

UScellular offering support to customers with free calls to Ukraine

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (March 1, 2022) – To help those needing to connect with family, friends and loved ones, UScellular is offering customers free calls to Ukraine from the United States. From Feb. 25 through March 31, customers can make outbound calls to Ukraine with no international dialing rates applied.

Postpaid customers will have charges automatically waived. Prepaid customers whose plans allow for international calls can contact customer service at 1-888-944-9400 or *611 from their mobile phone to receive credits for applicable calls.

Visit uscellular.com/plans/international/long-distance for more information on UScellular’s international calling options.

About UScellular

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com. Connect with UScellular on social media at facebook.com/uscellular, twitter.com/uscellular, instagram.com/uscellular, YouTube.com/uscellularcorp and linkedin.com/company/uscellular.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee accepting nominations for the East Tennessee Mentor of the Year Award

[Knoxville, TN, February 2022] Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee (BBBS-ETN) is excited to announce their newest award, the East Tennessee Mentor of the Year Award. The BBBS-ETN East Tennessee Mentor of the Year Award is a new award that will recognize an individual who has been instrumental in providing direction, energy, and support through mentorship in East Tennessee.

Individuals who have made a positive and lasting in East Tennessee will be considered. Nominations are being accepted now through March 18, 2022, at tennesseebig.org/events/. This individual does not need to be affiliated with BBBS-ETN but is someone who has made an extraordinary impact in the lives of East Tennesseans.

BBBS-ETN Chief Executive Officer, Tyler Boldin, says “This award represents the heart of our mission and the volunteer spirit of East Tennessee. Mentorship changes lives forever, and we are thrilled to honor those who have dedicated their lives to providing this incredible gift to others.”

The nominee selected will be announced at BBBS-ETN’s new event, The Big Night Out, on May 12 at The Mill and Mine. Tickets for this event may be purchased at tennesseebig.org/events/ beginning March 1, 2022.

The East Tennessee Mentor of the Year award and The Big Night Out is made possible by the generous support of FirstBank.

Pattersons Home Appliances opens new location in Alcoa

(Alcoa, TN, March 2022) Pattersons Home Appliances has opened a new retail/scratch and dent outlet location in the Midland Plaza Shopping Center at 148 S Calderwood St, Alcoa, Tennessee. The new location marks the seventh store in Tennessee, accompanied by stores in Harriman, Oak Ridge, Farragut, the Rockwood Scratch & Dent Outlet, Crossville, Cookeville plus the Luxury Appliances Design Center in Downtown Knoxville.

Since 1965, Pattersons has provided its communities with care and experience through brands such as Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, JennAir, and more. Pattersons customers are served by non-commissioned, knowledgeable sales specialists who understand the importance of great customer service and enjoy helping customers fit their specific appliance needs. Pattersons also services what they sell with in-house factory-trained service technicians.

The sales staff at Pattersons Home Appliances’ Alcoa store can be reached at 865-268-4700 and are available today to help customers find the right kitchen and laundry appliances to fit their needs. Customers can also chat online with sales staff during their normal business hours or conveniently shop online at www.pattersonsappliances.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Massey Services acquires Mar-Von Termite & Pest Control of Athens, TN