Great Smoky Mountain National Park is recruiting volunteers to staff the Information Center at Clingmans Dome, from April 1 through Nov. 30, 2017. Volunteers will work at the seasonal information center that includes a bookstore/sales area managed by Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA). Volunteers will assist in educating visitors about the park and provide recreational and trip planning information and ...
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Smokies Volunteers to Record Data for Phenology Study
Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers are recruiting volunteers to adopt a tree monitoring plot in areas throughout the park to collect information as part of an important research project tracking seasonal biological change called phenology. Volunteers will record when trees leaf out and when leaves start to change colors. They may also track the presence of target migratory birds. ...
Read More »Smokies Plans Prescribed Burns to Restore Cades Cove Meadow Habitats
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Appalachian Piedmont Zone fire management staff plan to burn approximately 800 acres of fields near Hyatt Lane and the western end of Cades Cove. Weather permitting, burn operations will occur Thursday, February 16 through Sunday, February 19, 2017. Over the last 20 years, park managers have conducted these burns during the spring and fall ...
Read More »Trout Stocking to Resume in Sevier County after Decades-Old Water Contamination Advisory Lifted
Following the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s lifting of water contact advisories for rivers and streams in Sevier County, the state wildlife agency is resuming its trout stocking program in the Little Pigeon River. TDEC reports that for over two decades, there was a public advisory against water contact due to elevated fecal coliform bacteria in the lower Middle ...
Read More »Listeria Contamination Prompts Cheese Recall of Sargento, Other Brands
UPDATED WITH EXPANDED RECALL INFORMATION. Routine testing of cheese by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture found Listeria in a sample of Amish Classic Colby deli cheese and the finding has prompted a cheese recall of other brands produced by the same manufacturer, including Sargento brand, Mejier’s and a number of others. Many of the cheeses were supplied to deli counters ...
Read More »Forum Planned to Aid Property Owners with Wildfire Related Insurance Claims
State insurance regulators are hosting a forum to address the concerns and complaints from consumers filing insurance claims due to the Sevier County wildfires. A community insurance assistance forum for home and property owners affected by the wildfires in Sevier County will be held 5–7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 at Rocky Top Sports World, 1870 Sports World Blvd. ...
Read More »Woman Shot After Chase from Gatlinburg to Cosby, Running Down Officer
Authorities say a woman fled from a traffic stop late Sunday night, leading police on a chase from Gatlinburg to Cosby that ended when an officer shot her. According to a release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, a woman was shot after allegedly hitting an officer with her vehicle following a chase involving a National Park Service Ranger, officers ...
Read More »Team to Begin Chimney Tops 2 Fire Review in Smokies
A team of fire experts is assembling at Great Smoky Mountains National Park to conduct a review of the Chimney Tops 2 fire that started in the park on Nov. 23, 2016. The purpose of the review team is to identify the facts leading up to and during the Chimney Tops 2 fire within the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains ...
Read More »Bald Eagles Shot in Meigs And Rhea County Euthanized Due to Injuries
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are investigating the shooting of two bald eagles in the Tennessee River Valley. The first injured eagle was reported on January 30 around 2 p.m. in Meigs County. TWRA Wildlife Sergeant Chris Combs responded to the call and found the bald eagle alive, but injured off of State ...
Read More »Trained Facilitators to Lead Wildfire Survivor Support Groups
Two wildfire survivors support groups led by trained facilitators are organizing in Gatlinburg and will begin meeting next week. Anyone affected by the fires is encouraged to attend one or both of the groups and support one another in the days ahead. Monday, Feb. 6, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. Our Savior Lutheran Church 423 Historic Nature Trail (light #8) in ...
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