News

Federal transportation officials arrived Tuesday at the site of a helicopter crash in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and say it may take a year to complete their investigation. Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board joined local police at a location off Rainbow Road where a sightseeing helicopter crashed just before 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 4, ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials will reopen the Whiteoak Sink area with limited access effective April 1 through May 15, 2016 to limit human disturbance in critical bat habitat and help hikers avoid interactions with bats. Park biologists will continue monitoring bat populations near the site as they emerge from winter hibernacula to collect population, ecological and behavioral data ...

Park rangers say a man suffered a medical emergency Wednesday in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and was evacuated by helicopter. According to Dana Soehn, spokesperson for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the park’s Emergency Communication Center received a call at 2:14 p.m. on March 30, 2016 from a hiker who said his hiking partner, 66-year-old ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced plans to open Clingmans Dome Road this weekend beginning Saturday, March 26, 2016 as weather permits. Due to mild temperatures this week, park crews have been able to prepare the road and facilities for the seasonal spring opening ahead of schedule allowing additional opportunities for visitors to reach the popular destination. Accessible by ...

In a year that saw visitation to Great Smoky Mountains National Park exceed 10 million for only the fifth time in history, Great Smoky Mountains Association – which generates its support for the Smokies primarily through visitor center sales – was able to contribute just shy of $1.5 million to park programs and services in 2015. “This was a year ...

The Gatlinburg Fire Department unveiled a new Public Safety Training Center at Fire Hall Number One on Thursday, March 24, 2016. Funded by the United Way of Sevier County and donations of area businesses, the department built a 3,000 square foot structure where they can hone their fire fighting skills. Built to resemble a two-story house or a multi-resident property, the ...

A local woman faces a murder charge in the death of her newborn baby. According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, 24-year-old Stephanie M. Brown, of Sevierville, has been charged with 1st degree murder for allegedly smothering her baby shortly after giving birth. Brown brought her deceased newborn infant to LeConte Medical Center on Jan. 14, 2016, where medical staff ...

With construction complete, the first Zaxby’s restaurant in the city of Gatlinburg has opened in the Mountain Mall. A Southeast favorite for chicken fingers and wings, the new fast casual restaurant opened for business on February 29th, 2016. “We believe that this area is the perfect fit because of the great reputation that Zaxby’s already has in Tennessee but also ...

UPDATE: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Appalachian Piedmont Zone fire staff have rescheduled a prescribed burn for March 30th, 2016. Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Appalachian Piedmont Zone fire management staff plan to conduct a prescribed burn on approximately 888-acres of forested area northwest of Cades Cove beginning on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Stony-Arbutus Ridge fire ...

The City of Gatlinburg has scheduled Sparkle Days for April 4-8, 2016 and April 11-15, 2016. The 35-year-old program has been very successful in spurring Gatlinburg residents to clean up their property and homes in time for spring. During Sparkle Days, Gatlinburg’s Street Department will pick up, free of charge, items not normally included in garbage collection. Public Works Director ...