News Hole [ˈnüz ˈhōl] — The vast media chasm that devours and records bits of timely information from around East Tennessee and beyond. This is a sporadic roundup of thought-worthy morsels scoured from its depths.
An Atlanta developer wants to replace a parking lot downtown with a nine-story Marriott hotel. It would fit on the south side of W. Church Ave. between Gay and State streets.
Some nonprofit is giving Knoxville kudos for being playful. Another group says the town is more known for its proliferation of speed traps.
A west side bar could be at risk of losing its liquor license after one of its owner was arrested during an FBI sting and charged with patronizing prostitution. Todd Sweeney, co-owner of the Casual Pint in the Northshore Town Center, was arrested along with 32 others. If convicted of the crime, the beer joint’s license could be on the line for violation of a “moral turpitude” clause written into its beer permit.
UPDATE June 2, 2016: A Casual Pint spokesperson sent us a statement this morning: “Jeff Sweeney is no longer an owner of or in any way associated with any Casual Pint franchise. It is our understanding that the Casual Pint at the Northshore Town Center is in good standing with the Beer Board and all licensing entities. We will continue to operate as normal and welcome our customers.”
This East Tennessee teen just made an animated appearance on Cartoon Network’s Teen Titans. This East Tennessee teen just got added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Top 10 Most Wanted list.
Hundreds of people turned out to voice opposition to a methadone clinic proposed to open in Gray, a town of about 1,200 people northwest of Johnson City. Proponents say it will help address the area’s growing opiate problem, while those against it say it’ll be too close to schools and will cause more traffic on the road.
A former burglar who used to break into homes to fund his opiate habit is now offering tips on how to avoid becoming a burglary victim.
The Tennessee Department of Health announced a third Zika virus case in the state late last week, but State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. John Dreyzehner said all the infections were acquired by people while they were abroad. There is still no sign that mosquitos in Tennessee are carrying the disease, although they could become carriers by biting infected people. The disease, for which there is no treatment or vaccine, can cause birth defects if pregnant women become infected.
The Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus is hosting a political workshop during Memorial Day weekend to encourage more women to get involved in the political process. The workshop, held on Saturday, May 28 at 311 Morgan Street in Knoxville, will run from 2 to 4 pm. The workshop and meeting is free for current members, and $50 for non-members.
Featured image: Pexels/Creative Commons
Former Mercury staff reporter Clay Duda has covered gangs in New York, housing busts in Atlanta, and wildfires in Northern California. And lots of stuff about Knoxville.
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