Monday, December 2, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1956, a fire began at the Quaker Oats Company in Memphis, where over 70,000 tons of corncobs caught fire in spontaneous combustion. The fire spread over several acres and burned for an unbelievable 23 days.

Did you hear about the bobcat roaming a Nashville neighborhood? A local resident captured a video of the rare sighting, featured in our Et Cetera section below.

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Nashville Mayor Sued Over Transit Plan

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell is facing a lawsuit from The Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax following the recent approval of the Choose How You Move transit plan earlier this month.

The lawsuit argues that the plan violates state law by funding infrastructure projects that allegedly fall outside the legal scope of a transit improvement plan.

The plan, supported by voters, includes a 0.5% sales tax increase to fund enhancements such as expanded WeGo bus service, the installation of smart traffic signals at hundreds of intersections, and the construction of additional sidewalks.

Tax Preparers Charged with Stealing $65M

Two Tennessee tax preparers have been charged with defrauding the federal government of $65 million in COVID-19 relief funds, federal prosecutors announced.

Renata Walton, 44, and Nicole Jones, 36, were indicted on more than 50 charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, preparing false tax returns, and obstruction of justice, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Memphis.

Walton faces separate charges for allegedly submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program and disaster loan applications to the Small Business Administration.

Both women pleaded not guilty on Monday and were released on $100,000 bonds.

Santa's Train Visits Hurricane-Damaged Appalachia

Since 1943, the residents of Appalachian Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee have eagerly awaited Santa's arrival—not in a sleigh gliding across rooftops, but aboard a train.

This year marks the 82nd run of the Santa Train, which spreads holiday cheer and delivers gifts to small towns along a 110-mile stretch of the CSX rail line nestled in the remote river valleys of coal country.

Traveling from Shelby, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee, the train covered 110 miles in roughly nine hours, making a dozen stops with volunteers handing out gifts to the crowds gathered along the tracks. You can see photos here.

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➤ Johnson City: East Tennessee State University celebrated its performance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (See Pictures)

➤ Smyrna: A car crashed into Karin's Kustard and Hamburgers, narrowly missing employees, and shutting down the business until reconstruction can be completed. (More)

➤ Nashville: Belmont University's Christmas at Belmont debuts on Amazon's Prime Video and Amazon Music on Dec. 11, featuring a 90-minute live show including 600 student vocalists and instrumentalists. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: The Chatt Foundation's Cold Weather Center is now open for those who need shelter from below-freezing temperatures. (More)

➤ Gatlinburg: The 51st year of Gatlinburg's Festival of Trees began over the weekend to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains and the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation. (More)

➤ Kodak: Three companies are bidding to take control of the former Smokies Stadium in Kodak where Sevierville's minor league team previously played before its move to Knoxville. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans lost to the Washington Commanders 42-19 Sunday in a (score) game. Titans cornerback Roger McCreary injured his shoulder late in the game. (More)

➤ The University of Tennessee defeated Vanderbilt 36-23 in Nashville during their last regular season game, securing a spot in the 12-team college football playoffs. (More)

➤ Former University of Tennessee football head coach Bill Battle III passed away on Thursday at 82. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NFL | NCAAF | CFP | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW

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➤ Hollingsworth LLC in Memphis announced the layoffs of 46 people with plans to permanently close by February. (More)

➤ The Knoxville Utilities Board announced the completion of over 1,000 miles of fiber optic cable this year, providing thousands of customers with faster internet service. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Department of Agriculture says bird flu, or avian influenza, has caused a sudden spike in chicken deaths at a commercial farm in Gibson County. (More)

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➤ Middle Tennessee was ranked by SmartAsset as one of the top areas where U.S. military veterans are buying homes, listed at number 12 nationally. (More)

➤ Southern Living released its list of the 17 best places to eat in Knoxville, including Yassin's Falafel House and Vida. (More)

➤ A bobcat was spotted roaming through a Nashville neighborhood. While common in parts of the state, an urban sighting is rare. (See Video)

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