The City of Sevierville Public Works Department will begin construction of intersection improvements at SR 416 (Pittman Center Road) and Old Newport Highway on Monday, Nov. 2. The project includes the addition of turn lanes, drainage improvements, and installation of a new traffic signal.

Construction is expected to continue through Friday, Dec. 18. Lane closures will generally be limited to 9 a.m.-2 p.m. or overnight hours to minimize impacts during school arrival and dismissal times and peak traffic periods.

Motorists should anticipate changing traffic patterns and temporary delays throughout construction. Drivers are encouraged to use caution, watch for construction workers and equipment, and consider alternate routes during periods of heavy traffic.

The improvements are intended to increase intersection capacity, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety for motorists.

Previously:

BOMA approves traffic signal, turn lanes at intersection of Pittman Center & Old Newport

‘Feels very busy, very crowded over here these days’ | Improvements coming to busy Sevierville intersection

^{Jack Ziskin - WATE:}

Sevierville, TN - Republican Representative Diana Harshbarger is seeking a fourth term in Congress; she’s facing off against Democrat Kristi Burke for Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District. The race is one of several on the November 3 general election ballot.

Per the Cook Partisan Index, Harshbarger represents the most Republican district in Tennessee and the third most Republican district in the country. Harshbarger declined to be interviewed for this story; her opponent, Burke, said Harshbarger takes her seat for granted.

“I’ve talked to people all over this district who say they call, they email, they ask for town halls. They get nothing in return, and they’re not actually getting anything back from the congresswoman who was elected to serve them,” said Burke.

In 2024, Representative Harshbarger won over 78 percent of the vote; Democrats carried less than 20 percent. Burke is betting the numbers don’t tell the full story. “I don’t actually believe that this area is as red or Republican as people say. It is a nonvoting district. Most people don’t show up to vote,” said Burke. “And so, we actually don’t know what the majority of people think.”

Burke once held protests outside Harshbarger’s office; now she is calling for a debate. Her opponent has refused. “Debate is American tradition,” said Burke. “If she has a great record and she’s got a great plan for Tennessee, she should be able to stand on a stage and defend that.” Burke is knocking on doors across her district; 6 News followed her canvassing in Sevierville.

“I hate it that billionaires aren’t paying their fair share. And, but of course, politicians should be held accountable for their behavior. And I’ve got just lots—I got lots of issues,” said Ann Phillips, a Sevierville voter.

Phillips said she is worried about education, healthcare, and immigration. “They work hard, and they do a good job. And I can’t imagine what would happen to Sevier County if we didn’t have them. There’s nobody here, nobody locally [who] will take these jobs,” said Phillips. “They’re not taking a job from anybody.” Phillips said she wants more accountability and transparency from her representatives. “Release the Epstein files if there’s nothing there.”

On the campaign trail, Burke is focusing on affordability. “People are worried about kitchen table [issues], having more money in their wallet. That’s what people want: to have more money in their wallet. They want higher wages. They want health care. They want their kids to have fully funded education. They want to know that their tax dollars are actually funding their communities and their future, not billionaires’ tax breaks,” said Burke.

For Burke, this election is about more than left vs right; it’s about people vs corporate power. “She and I couldn’t be more on opposite ends of the spectrum. She is mostly funded by out-of-state corporate PAC money. I don’t take any corporate PAC money. I’m not beholden to anybody but the people that support my campaign and people of this district,” said Burke.

Per OpenSecrets, Harshbarger’s campaign has raised over $1.2 million this election cycle, with over $450,000 coming from the health sector, including donations from pharmacists and the pharmaceutical industry totaling between $150-200,000.

“We see somebody who was born and raised here, but is passing legislation that harms her neighbors, passing legislation that makes it more unaffordable to get healthcare, that takes food away from people who are hungry, defund SNAP,” said Burke. “These are the things that our representative is doing. She was born and raised in this district. She should be doing better for her neighbors. I have voted for Republicans before, but I don’t see any I could vote for now,” added Phillips.

To win, Burke needs to flip 100,000 voters and bring new ones into the fold. “I think the reason people don’t vote is because they don’t actually have candidates that they can trust, that they believe in. They feel disengaged,” said Burke. “I think that when they actually have a real person who’s willing to show up and listen to them and carry their needs to Congress, I think they will show up and vote.”

Follow the linked article to watch the full interview.

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EARLY VOTING ENDS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD

TN Voter Information: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetn

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Tennessee's 1st Congressional District: Wikipedia | Ballotpedia | OpenSecrets

Matt Hollingsworth - WATE:

Two people were pronounced dead after a structure fire in Sevier County on Sunday, said the county government.

Just after 6 a.m., someone called 911 about a structure fire on the 3300 block of Willow Tree Road. Sevier County Fire-Rescue and other agencies responded, and they found the building heavily involved with flames. Bystanders said two occupants were unaccounted for.

Crews began to fight the fire while searching the structure. The firefighters found two victims and brought them out of the building where emergency medical care was initiated. The Sevier County Ambulance Service took the two victims to LeConte Medical Center, but both were later pronounced dead, according to the Sevier County government. They were then taken to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center for identification.

The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office and the Sevier County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the blaze. The other groups who helped were Waldens Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Pigeon Forge Fire Department, Seymour Volunteer Fire Department, Townsend Volunteer Fire Department, Sevier County Central Dispatch E911, and the Sevier County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Sevier County Electric System.

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press | Subscribe:

Sevier County Sheriff’s deputies charged a local man with rape, domestic assault and other offenses after he allegedly attacked a woman in her home on Thursday.

Corey Shea Whited, 41, of Sevierville, is also charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated stalking, stalking, interference with emergency calls, violation of a valid court order, and two counts of aggravated burglary. He was being held at the Sevier County Jail on Friday in lieu of $350,000 bond.

According to arrest warrants, deputies were dispatched to the alleged victim’s home on Thursday and initially spoke to her there. The Mountain Press does not generally name alleged victims of domestic assaults or sex crimes.

The warrants indicate the woman already had a restraining order against Whited and that he had entered a guilty plea on Aug. 11, 2026, to aggravated domestic assault and aggravated kidnapping involving her from an incident earlier this year.

Before the incident Thursday, she said, he had come to her place of work and tried to drag her out but other employees helped stop him. The day before, she came home to find that items in her home had been rearranged and found footage from a Ring camera showing he had entered her home without her knowledge.

On Thursday, she said he had again entered the residence without permission and was waiting on her when she came home. He took her phone when she tried to call law enforcement, and put her into a choke hold before sexually assaulting her. The warrants indicate that when officers arrived her clothes were torn and she had bruises and scratches on her neck as well as her hands and arms.

People facing any form of domestic violence can always reach out to SafeSpace. The shelter serves Sevier, Jefferson, Cocke and Grainger counties. SafeSpace offers counseling, support, legal aid and other services in addition to providing a shelter, so they have resources to aid people at each stage as they try to escape abusive or violent relationships.

SafeSpace can be reached by calling their 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-244-5968, or by filling out a form on their website. The organization also has links to other resources on its site, safespacetn.org.

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press:

Sevier County now has full control over planning and zoning in the unincorporated parts of the county after commissioners approved a resolution Monday eliminating regional planning commissions. Under state law, cities had been given some power over planning decisions in their urban growth boundaries — the areas outside the city limits where they might annex. The idea behind that was to give the cities some control over those issues in case the regions were later absorbed into the city.

But in practice, it’s been an added burden on property owners and officials with the cities and county. They would have to go to the cities to have plans reviewed and then bring them to the county as well in most cases. Many of the issues must be approved by county commission, and most of them require the city planning officials to apply the county’s regulations. “To me, it was a hardship on our citizens," said County Planning Director James Temple. In fact, only Sevierville and Pigeon Forge retained their regional planning authority — Gatlinburg and Pittman Center had already relinquished it.

A new state law enacted this year gave Sevier County the option to eliminate the regional planning commissions, and they acted quickly to take advantage of the opportunity. Officials with Sevierville and Pigeon Forge have not spoken out against the measure, and Temple said they’ve indicated they’ll be happy to give up the added responsibility. “They’re excited about this because they’ve been administering our regulations at their meetings,” he said. “They’d rather not be doing somebody else’s regulations.”

The county will work with developments that had already started under the existing rules. Attorney Kyle Baisley, who helped draft the resolution, said it will also call for developers in the urban growth boundary to declare whether they mean to seek annexation, so the county can work with city officials to see to it that the plans meet city regulations.

The measure does not eliminate municipal planning commissions — the cities still have full authority over planning and zoning inside their boundaries.

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press | Subscribe:

Hours before police dragged Mark Harden out of a hotel room where he was hiding, Harden allegedly used gasoline to burn a woman’s face, according to arrest warrants. Sevierville Police apprehended Harden after an hours-long standoff at the Smokies Hotel on Friday morning. Officers found him hiding under a bed and pile of clothes and mattress, after deploying chemical agents, a drone and a K-9 into the room.

Arrest warrants show Sevier County law enforcement started searching for him Thursday after he allegedly left his girlfriend with first-degree and second-degree burns on her face after an incident on Mutton Hollow Road. Sevier County Sheriff’s deputies who responded to the house were told Harden had been arguing with his girlfriend “when he lit her on fire using gasoline and stated he was going to kill her.”

The woman said she was able to put out the fire and tried to take her clothes off to get in the shower, and when Harden didn’t let her do that she ran out the backdoor and yelled for help but Harden put her in a chokehold and pulled her back inside. By the time the deputies arrived Harden had allegedly taken the keys to her car and fled the house. The woman was taken to UT Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

Sevierville police tracked Harden to the hotel, where they dispatched the SWAT team and crisis negotiators who spent hours trying to convince Harden to surrender peacefully before breaching the room. He was charged with aggravated domestic assault, especially aggravated kidnapping, and theft of a vehicle worth $1,000-$10,000 in relation to the incident Thursday. He could face additional charges for the standoff with Sevierville police.

As of Monday, he was being held at the Sevier County Jail in lieu of $350,000 bond.

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More:

Man arrested after SWAT standoff at Kodak motel

Hope McAlee - WATE:

A man who was wanted on multiple felony warrants was arrested early Friday morning following a standoff with SWAT at a Kodak motel, the City of Sevierville announced Friday. Just after noon, a city spokesperson announced that Mark A. Harden, 33, had been arrested. Before the standoff, he was wanted on felony warrants for aggravated domestic assault, especially aggravated kidnapping and theft, the city said.

Initially, Sevierville Police located Harden at the Smokies Motel, located in the 100 block of East Dumplin Valley Road in Kodak, just after midnight on October 16. The city spokesperson said when officers tried to make contact with Hardin, he refused to exit the room and barricaded himself inside.

Because of the charges Hardin faces and the potential that he could have been armed, Sevierville Police’s SWAT team, crisis negotiators and a police K-9 responded to the hotel, the spokesperson explained. Although negotiators attempted to communicate with Hardin multiple times to end the standoff peacefully, he reportedly refused to comply. The spokesperson said the SWAT team used a tactical drone to enter the room in an attempt to locate and speak with Hardin.

After negotiations were unsuccessful, police used chemical agents and sent a police K-9 into the room to locate Hardin. The spokesperson said the K-9 found Hardin hiding under a pile of clothes and a mattress, and SWAT entered the room and took Hardin into custody at approximately 3:00 a.m. Hardin was treated at the scene for minor injuries, including a dog bite. He was then taken to a hospital for further treatment.

Sevierville Police thanked the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, Sevierville Fire Department, Sevierville Emergency Management, and Sevier County Emergency Management Agency for their assistance. The investigation into the standoff remains ongoing.

Sevier County: Tennessee's next Governor, Jerri Green, wants to meet YOU.

Jerri Green is running for Governor of Tennessee because our state deserves leadership with common sense, compassion, and courage.

She’s a mom, a public servant, and a lifelong Tennessean who’s lived in Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville. She knows our values, and she knows we’re ready for change.

This race matters far beyond Tennessee. From pushing back against political extremism to fighting for policies that actually work for working families, we're on the front lines of changing the narrative.

We’re excited to meet the good folks of Sevierville and hear what matters to you and your vision for the future of Tennessee. Join us on Sunday, October 18th at 6:30 PM. RSVP'ing is free: secure.actblue.com/donate/sevier4jerri.

Let’s run. Let’s win. Because Tennessee is worth fighting for.

Looking for laid-back, affordable rehearsal dinner options for around 40 people.
Was considering iron Forge in Sevierville. Has anyone had any experience with events there?

The Mountain Press:

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett is reminding all registered Tennessee voters that the early voting period for the Nov. 3 State and Federal General Election begins next week, on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

“Early voting makes it easy for registered Tennesseans to participate in the electoral process,” said Secretary Hargett. “With early voting beginning next week, now is the time to make a plan to vote. I encourage every eligible voter to take advantage of this convenient opportunity and participate in shaping the future of their communities, state, and nation.”

Early voting runs through Thursday, Oct 29. Registered voters can find polling locations and hours, view sample ballots, check their voter registration status, and much more by downloading the free GoVoteTN app or visiting GoVoteTN.gov.

Those voting early or on Election Day must present a current or expired photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government when you vote in person. College student IDs, non-U.S. Citizen ID’s and IDs issued by local governments or other states are not accepted. To learn more about exemptions and how to get a free photo ID, along with more information about early voting, visit your trusted source for election information, GoVoteTN.gov.

Prior to casting a ballot, Tennessee voters are strongly encouraged to review the three proposed constitutional amendments that will appear on the November ballot in order to plan ahead. Each amendment will appear on the ballot as a separate yes-or-no question.

The summaries of the proposed amendments are available to read here: https://sos.tn.gov/elections/announcements/2026-proposed-constitutional-amendments

The summaries, prepared by the Office of the Attorney General pursuant to Tennessee law, are intended to help voters better understand each proposed amendment before Election Day. For more information, visit GoVoteTN.gov, or download the free GoVoteTN app.

The Mountain Press:

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, officers from the Sevierville Police Department and community members will come together in an informal setting to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.

All residents are invited to attend. From 8 a.m.-10 a.m., officers will be at Chick-fil-A, 770 Winfield Dunn Parkway (Highway 66). Please contact SPD Sergeant Todd Naillon with questions: 865-453-5506 ([tnaillon@seviervilletn.org](mailto:tnaillon@seviervilletn.org)).

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Sevierville’s neighborhoods. And the coffee will be free of charge!

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the county, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve. The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

Hope McAlee - WJHL - Sept. 29, 2026:

Nearly all of the bears that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has had to euthanize because of human-bear conflicts have been located in Sevier County, the agency told 6 News.

According to the TWRA, there have been 61 bears have had to be humanely killed this year because of human-bear conflicts. 60 of those bears were located in Sevier County. The only bear that has had to be euthanized outside of Sevier County was in Blount County.

A majority of human-bear conflicts occur between May and August, the TWRA said. However, this year, there have been more than double the number of bears humanely killed by the TWRA compared to last year. During 2025, the TWRA said it had to kill 23 bears in total.

It isn’t clear if there has been a single source responsible for why more bears have been killed this year. However, the primary cause of human-bear conflicts is bears becoming habituated to human food and trash. Once bears that routinely feed on garbage, birdseed, human food, and pet food lose their fear of humans, they start exhibiting bold behaviors and the process cannot be reversed, according to the TWRA’s website. Some of those bold behaviors include damaging property, breaking into vehicles and, in some cases, injuring people.

The TWRA’s decision to euthanize a specific bear is based on its behavior and the food source it has been feeding on. TWRA hopes that removing specific animals that become a public safety risk, providing education, and securing the things that attract bears to humans, the TWRA and the public can work together to keep other bears wild and safe.

Unfortunately, the TWRA says that by the time a bear starts exhibiting dangerous behaviors, there is no way to change that behavior. Relocating the bear does not change the behavior, and the behavior continuing can result in people illegally killing bears, poisoning them and other negative outcomes, the TWRA explained.

There is no statewide ban on feeding bears; however, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a law earlier this year to criminalize feeding bears in areas where notices have been placed stating that it is unlawful to feed black bears. It is illegal to feed bears in the City of Gatlinburg and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

To learn how you can help keep bears safe and be BearWise, click here.

Alt sources: WATE | WBIR

Since opening in November 2023, the nonprofit food pantry operated by the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation has distributed more than 100 tons of food and household essentials to individuals and families in need.

In celebration of Tennessee’s 9 to 5 Day, qualifying KAPA Kitchen clients visiting the pantry this week will receive a complimentary box of Dolly’s Blondies, while supplies last.

And our staff decided they couldn’t celebrate Dolly without getting into the spirit themselves! They traded their everyday work attire for wigs, rhinestones and a little 9 to 5 fun to create a Dolly-inspired video highlighting KAPA Kitchen and its mission to fight food insecurity in East Tennessee.

Watch our KAPA Kitchen “9 to 5 Day” Dolly video here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdjWAfGxpEk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

It’s a lighthearted celebration with a serious purpose: raising awareness that access to nutritious food is an important part of individual and community health.

I’ve attached the full news release with additional information. We would be happy to coordinate interviews, photos, video or a visit to KAPA Kitchen for anyone interested in covering the story.

Thank you for helping us shine a light on food insecurity — and the community effort helping East Tennessee families put food on the table.

www.KAPAtn.org

Best,

David Caudill
Senior Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation

BREAKING - Man dead after fleeing ICE agents in Grand Rapids

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Current story:

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press | Subscribe

ICE was in the process on Tuesday of releasing a Sevier County High School student from detention after determining he was a minor, according to information from the agency.

The arrest of Kristopher Jareth Rivas-Betanco caused shock waves around the community where he’s lived for about seven years. He and his mother, Gladys Betanco Martinez, were detained in Sevier County on Thursday. Records here showed he had just turned 18 the week before he was detained, but ICE indicated Tuesday they learned that he is still under 18.

 “ICE arrested Gladys Betanco-Martinez and a minor, illegal aliens from Honduras, Sept. 17 in Sevierville, Tennessee after the minor was arrested by local police for driving without a license,” said Melissa Egan, a public affairs specialist for ICE.

 “On April 21, 2019, U.S. Border Patrol Agents encountered Betanco-Martinez and a minor near the Rio Grande Valley sector in Texas after they illegally entered the country. At the time of the 2019 encounter, information Betanco-Martinez provided to authorities indicated her son, the minor, was 18 years old at the time of the Sept. 17 arrest.

 That same information was provided during processing on Sept. 17. After reviewing documents, officials determined the birthdate Betanco-Martinez provided for her son was incorrect. The minor was immediately removed from detention, transported back to Tennessee, and will be released to a guardian,” she said Tuesday afternoon.

Family friends said they were monitoring the situation Tuesday and he had not been released at the time this story was published. ICE records showed that Gladys Betanco-Martinez was still being held at a detention facility in Alabama on Tuesday.

Friends of the family, and particularly of Kristopher, have been speaking up about the detention since it happened last week. To their knowledge, the SCHS senior had just turned 18 a week before it happened, said Rachel Keohane.

Her sons are friends with Kristopher, and she was among the local people who took to social media and contacted local officials after learning about the incident. Just hours before the arrest, he’d been out with friends at a local swimming hole. “He was on his way home from picking up his mom from work,” she said.

Friends of the family say that they came to Sevier County in 2019 — when Kristopher was 11 — and have been here since. Immigration court records show that the family had sought asylum, but a judge dismissed their case in 2024.

Related: Asylum Denials Rise to 94% Amid the Remaking of the Immigration Court

 “All illegal aliens receive due process through immigration proceedings,” Egan said. “ To be clear a pending application or work authorization does not confer legal status in the United States."

 "We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $3,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way.”

Family and friends here have started a gofundme to help raise money to hire an immigration attorney for the family. For local families, much of the contact with Kristopher has come through school and sports. Charles Ottolini coached him in youth soccer. Kristopher grew up with his sons.

“My boys both like him, they think the world of him,” he said. “I have always found him to be extremely polite. Even now when I’m not coaching he always comes and shakes my hand.” Talking to teachers over the past few days, he got the impression his sons were not alone. “They all say he is a great young man,” he said.

And that’s one of the things that drives home the difference in Kristopher and many other people who have been detained by ICE over the last few months. Since ICE held an operation in East Tennessee on Labor Day, hundreds of people have been held on immigration detainers at the Sevier County Jail.

Few have caused the outcry that Kristopher’s detention did, because so many have gotten to know him and because he came here as a child and was either still a minor or had just turned 18 and is still in high school. For Ottolini, that all made him different from what he imagined when the current crackdown on immigration started.

“When they talked about illegals and stuff like that they talked about drug dealers and criminals and stuff like that and now they’re taking people off the streets like him,” Ottolini said. “He’s an 18-year-old kid. He should be in school and should be graduating with his friends.”

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Recent ICE news:

Today - Man shot by ICE speaks out, says bullet is still in him

Yesterday - Judge Blocks Warrantless ICE Construction Site Raids After Agents in Alabama Arrested a U.S. Citizen 3 Times

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Update: SCHS student back home after ICE detention

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/farm-to-fork-on-court

It's a fundraising event for the old post office.

From the Sevier County government:

Sevier County, the City of Sevierville, the City of Pigeon Forge, the City of Gatlinburg, and the Town of Pittman Center will jointly proclaim September 25 as Dolly Parton Day, recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary life, enduring legacy, and lifelong connection to her hometown of one of Sevier County’s most recognized and influential daughters. 

A special signing ceremony will be held at 9 AM on Friday, September 25, on the steps of the historic Sevier County Courthouse, located at 125 Court Avenue in Sevierville (map). Leaders from Sevier County and the participating cities will gather to officially sign the joint proclamation and commemorate this historic day. 

Beginning September 25, 2026, and continuing each year thereafter, Dolly Parton Day will give the people of Sevier County, businesses, organizations, schools, and visitors an opportunity to celebrate Dolly’s remarkable contributions while reflecting on the values she has demonstrated throughout her life. 

Born and raised in Sevier County, Dolly Parton carried the spirit of the Great Smoky Mountains and her East Tennessee roots with her throughout a career that has touched generations around the world. Her accomplishments in music, entertainment, and business helped shape the tourism industry of Sevier County, while her generosity and commitment to helping others have created a legacy that extends far beyond her professional achievements. 

Through the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, her support of pediatric healthcare, and her response to the 2016 wildfires through the My People Fund, Dolly consistently demonstrated a commitment to children, families, and the communities she calls home. 

Residents, businesses, organizations, schools, and visitors throughout Sevier County are encouraged to celebrate Dolly Parton Day in their own way and, most importantly, to dream big, work hard, care for others, give generously, and never forget where you come from. 

Dolly Parton Day will be observed annually on September 25 throughout Sevier County.

Image source: Reuters

Cindy Simpson - The Mountain Press | Subscribe:

Residents will get a chance to see plans for a proposed 408 interchange at I-40 and connector road when the Tennessee Department of Transportation holds a public meeting on the project on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026.

The meeting is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sevierville Convention Center, Ballrooms A and B, 202 Gists Creek Road, and is an opportunity for community members to give input and ask questions about the purpose and need for the proposed project as well as a range of alternatives under consideration.

It's a project local leaders have looked to for easing congestion at the busy Exit 407 interchange and to help drive economic growth as the area is expected to continue to grow.

"Exit 408 has been in front of the joint transportation committee for probably several decades now. It has been part of the long range plan to handle traffic. With TDOT placing this on a more definitive timeline, certainly it fits into our longterm plans for transportation in the county," said Sevier County Mayor Bryan McCarter.

"We are glad TDOT has recognized that Sevier County needs significant infrastructure improvements over the next five to 10 years to be able to handle growth, yes, but the current volume of traffic that travels that particular corridor coming into the cities and county."

The project has been something the city and county have been discussing for years, with the project most recently coming back up in 2023 when the Sevier County submitted the proposed project to TDOT for consideration under the Statewide Partnership Program.

"It's truly great to have the partnership with the other jurisdictions and the state and federal partners to really get this kicked off and get this on an actual set timeline and plan, because the ultimate goal is this continued economic vitality that our region has created and that our residents and citizens benefit from, but also the safety aspect of being able to get people in and out safely and in a timely, efficient manner," said Sevierville City Administrator Dustin Smith.

The proposed project includes an interchange as well as a new north-south connector road linking the interchange and E. Dumplin Valley Road and State Route 139 (Douglas Dam Road) in Sevier and Jefferson counties. The project is part of TDOT's 10-year project plan and officials estimate construction could start in fiscal year 2030. 

Design elements of the new interchange and connector road include a new diverging diamond interchange at Exit 408, the connector road, and construction of a new east-west roadway alignment as Gateway Boulevard, parallel to the southern boundary of I-40, which would intersect the connector road approximately .2 miles south of Exit 408. At its western terminus, Gateway would connect to a future expansion to be constructed by others.

A new 10-foot greenway along Bryan Road, traveling under I-40 and along Gateway Boulevard and the connector road to Douglas Dam Road is also proposed as part of the project.

Traffic signals are also proposed at the following intersections: Connector Road and East Dumplin Valley Road, Connector Road and Gateway Boulevard and Connector Road and SR-139 (Douglas Dam Road). 

The meeting will include an open house format where project information will be presented, with TDOT officials available to answer questions. A Powerpoint will also be cycling continuously during the meeting. 

Following the public meeting, public meeting materials will be available at https://tinyurl.com/I40Exit408. Materials will include the project displays, public meeting handout, PowerPoint presentation, and comment card.

Those who cannot attend the meeting and have questions can call 1-877-SmartWay (1-877-76278929) and leave a voicemail message with your name, phone number and question by Sept. 29, 2026.

 A TDOT representative will respond to questions within seven business days.

Those wishing to record a verbal comment can do so with the court reporter at the public meeting or by calling the toll free number above and leaving a message with name, phone number and comment. 

They can also complete an online comment form available on the I-40 Proposed Exit 408 project website at https://tinyurl.com/I40Exit408 or send an email to [TDOT.Comments@tn.gov](mailto:TDOT.Comments@tn.gov) using the subject line “Interstate 40 Proposed Exit 408 Project”.

Mail a comment card or letter to the following address: Interstate 40 Proposed Exit 408, C/O Kimley-Horn and Associates, 10 Lea Avenue, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37210. Public Comments received or postmarked by October 6, 2026, will be included in the official summary of the public meeting. 

As part of this project, TDOT and the Federal Highway Administration are preparing an Environmental Assessment to identify and evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed project and to identify measures to minimize harm.

Don Dare - WATE:

The grade is a 78 at Sakura Japanese Super Buffet on the Parkway in Sevierville. The popular eatery seats nearly 150 people. 78 is a passing score. A grade of 69 and below is considered failing. There has not yet been a follow-up inspection.

Sakura Japanese Super Buffet, 624 Parkway, Sevierville — Grade: 78, Follow-up: TBA

To begin with, the inspector found several insects crawling around the dishwasher, and he watched flies buzzing around in the kitchen.

Food temperatures were also off. In the cooler, raw fish and cooked chicken were at 55 degrees. Eight pounds of cooked oysters, eight pounds of cooked dumplings and two pounds of cooked ribs were also too warm at 54 degrees. At that temperature bacteria grow rapidly. Food in the refrigerator should be at 41 degrees and below.

The inspector watched a kitchen worker who was using tongs remove bacteria-filled raw beef from one of the service coolers. Then the worker placed those now-bacteria-filled tongs into a container of raw onions. The inspector ordered the onions thrown away to prevent potential food borne illness.

The Sakura Japanese Super Buffet will be re-inspected soon.

Are there comic book dealers at the flea market in Sevierville?

Gregory Raucoules - WATE:

Elevated levels of mercury found in bass have led state officials to issue a consumption advisory for two East Tennessee counties.

A precautionary consumption advisory for largemouth bass, spotted bass, and smallmouth bass in the French Broad River in Sevier and Knox counties was issued Friday by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The advisory extends from the confluence with Fort Loudoun Reservoir upstream to Douglas Dam.

Children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should avoid eating any fish. All others should limit consumption to one meal per month. Other recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, swimming, wading, and catch-and-release fishing carry no risk.

State officials worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority and Environmental Protection Agency to collect fish for tissue analysis from 1998 to 2025. The combined-weight mercury average of the tested black bass was 0.42 milligrams per kilogram. The mercury trigger point for a precautionary advisory is 0.3 mg/kg.

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Official text:

TDEC Issues Precautionary Fish Consumption Advisory for French Broad River in Sevier and Knox Counties

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today issued a precautionary consumption advisory for black bass due to mercury in the French Broad River in Sevier and Knox counties.

TDEC advises that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children avoid eating the largemouth bass and that all others limit consumption to one meal per month. Other recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, swimming, wading, and catch-and-release fishing carry no risk.

From 1998- 2025, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and EPA, in cooperation with TDEC, collected fish for tissue analysis on French Broad River. The targeted fish species were black bass (largemouth bass, spotted bass, and smallmouth bass). Fish were analyzed for mercury by TDH through a contract with TDEC and at the EPA laboratory. French Broad River is a tributary to the Tennessee River near Sevierville, Tenn.

The mercury trigger point for a precautionary advisory is 0.3 mg/kg. Black bass were above the trigger point with a combined weight mercury average 0.42 mg/kg. The advisory for this section of the Duck River is part of TDEC’s responsibilities under the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act.

The new precautionary advisory extends from confluence with Tennessee River (Fort Loudon reservoir) upstream to Douglas dam.