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A fire of thus far unknown origin destroyed the Green Acres Flea Market on Alcoa Highway last night. The original structure and all the nearby outdoor vendor tents were destroyed. There was at least one large explosion as the fire raged. There were no injuries reported. Local news said one firefighter was overcome by heat.

Over the years, the flea market had become a center of culture and commerce for the local Latino community. Several members of that community were there this morning, surveying the damage with other local residents. Presumably, some were vendors.

Other vendors who showed up with their wares this morning were parked along roads and in nearby parking lots trying to make the best of it. One fellow was selling chickens and eggs. Another had a truckload of watermelons.

Most recent property records show the same owners since the early 70s. It was originally a discount department store, opened in 1966. It went through a few transformations before becoming a flea market in 1973.

We heard some chatter about recent interest in developing the site for some other use, possibly apartments or condos. No confirmation about any of that.

This Daily Times article from 2017 has more about the history of the property.

Seems like people should be able to vote in whatever primary they want to.

GOP-backed bill requires polling places to warn voters against voting in “wrong” primary

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Through the years municipalities have built highways through the cities. Now they are finding it was a big mistake.

In the 90s the City of Alcoa administration rejected TDOT's fix to Alcoa Highway in Alcoa. They pushed for an additional road to "relocate" Alcoa Highway taking hundreds of acres and spending millions of dollars. Apparently, 100 million to purchase rights of way.

The fix to Alcoa Highway along the entire route, except for the 5 miles in Alcoa, is to widen the existing route. Thus, they will have bottlenecks north and south of Alcoa.

When will they ever learn? A new administration?

Wish we could take a train to Nashville, or even Atlanta.

High-speed train Miami-Orlando: the Orlando station is READY!

Brightline Florida: A Model for Fast, Successful Trains

Brightline

Since 2014, there have been 49 people killed and 172 people injured at Dollar General stores, according to data from non-profit group Gun Violence Archive.

Violence is not unique to Dollar General. Retail stores are the second most common location for mass shootings (after the workplace), according to the Violence Project, non-profit group.

49 people have been killed at Dollar General stores since 2014. Workers are protesting for safer conditions

10 days 7 shootings in East Tennessee

Dr. Martha Buchanan, who was the Knox County Health Department’s leader against COVID-19 in the pandemic's early days, is moving to South Carolina to become the state’s lead public health consultant.

Scroll down past the Rosson section.

Congrats to Dr. Buchanan.

Surprised that South Carolina is more welcoming, but good to know.

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Yesterday it was 80 degrees or so. Today it will be a high of 71. Tomorrow the high is predicted to be 65 and rainy. What the heck? It's nearly June. I suppose in a month or so we'll be wishing for 65 degrees.

May she rest in peace.

"The legislation raises registration fees for battery electric vehicles from $100 to $200 from 2024 to 2026 — and further increases the fees to $274 in 2026... Drivers of conventional hybrids or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will have a new $100 registration fee."

“At $274, it would be the most expensive in the country,” said Erin Hafkenschiel, director of the nonpartisan think tank ThinkTennessee."

"electric vehicles currently account for about 0.4% of registered vehicles in the state. Tennessee had about 12,000 electric vehicles registered at the end of 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Energy."

With the $200 per year transportation fee for EVs and $100 per year transportation fee for Hybrid vehicles:
Owners of EVs and Hybrids will pay more per year in transportation (gas) tax than gas vehicles.

It is understandable that there will be a fee to offset lower gas taxes in order to maintain roads, bridges, etc. But, to charge more? I thought we were trying to incentivize moving to hyrbids/EVs, not deter.

200 miles per week
10,400 miles per year

TN Gas Tax 0.274/gal (0.26 + 0.014 special petroleum fee)

** Gas vehicles - 20 miles per gallon
$142.48 a year (52 weeks) (0.274 TN gas tax)
$2.74/week

** Hybrid vehicles - 40 miles per gallon
$171.24 a year (52 weeks) (0.274 TN gas tax plus $100 annual fee)
$3.29/week

** Electric vehicles
$200.00 a year (52 weeks) ($200 annual fee)
$3.84/week

Transportation Modernization Act of 2023

Go to the Summary tab and Scroll down to Electric Vehicles section (about 3/4 the way down on the page)

Too bad that couldn't have been with company in Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee said Monday they would build three new dorms, adding 2,500 beds for students by 2026.

They also said they found additional housing through a five-year master lease agreement with Lakemoor Station Apartments in South Knoxville,...

UT building three new dorms, signs lease agreement with South Knoxville apartment complex

"The Blount County property assessor’s office recently finished its quadrennial reappraisal of every piece of real property in the county. Assessor of Property Todd Orr said Thursday that the new values are “jaw dropping.”

It's been reported in the mainstream media and social media that property values have been reappraised up by 60% and in some cases doubled.

It is kind of a bad time for homeowners since we are at the top of a market and home prices are already going down. It will be another four years before the county appraisals can be normalized.

"Tennessee law doesn't allow the county government to earn more money from property reassessment. The process has to be revenue neutral. "

"The current property tax rate for Blount County is $2.47 for each $100 of assessed value. Orr estimates that will decrease to approximately $1.60 per $100 of assessed value. "

I didn't take long for Blount County commissioners to consider a tax increase.

"Commissioners and the public discussed a preliminary certified rate of $1.5953 per $100 of assessed value and a proposed increase to $1.69."

On Thursday, May 18, 2023, the Blount County commissioners were supposed to vote on the tax increase.
A "Resolution to levy a tax rate in excess of the Certified Tax Rate - Removed from agenda."

"I want our public to have public hearings and public committee meetings on June 5. Everyone needs to understand this is not final yet. I think when we get final numbers from the state, we will get the opportunity to adjust accordingly," said one commissioner."

According to the WBIR report it is state law where "local governments are required to conduct public hearings before adopting a property tax rate that generates more taxes overall in a reappraisal year than were billed the year before, at the previous year's lower values."

Working in his favor, though, is public polling in the state showing overwhelming support for stronger gun control laws. A Vanderbilt University survey this month found that 82% of registered voters in the state said they supported Lee’s executive order. Notably, the poll found that 72% of “self-described MAGA Republicans” said they backed the executive order. Separately, 75% of all respondents said they supported a red flag gun law.

Strange alliances emerge in Tennessee as the GOP governor pushes for gun reform

There is a bad haze today. Can't see the mountains on the horizon. What's the deal? This shouldn't happen until August. Are there fires burning somewhere? Coming from the Canadian wildfires?

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The first is in Sevier County, the second is in Texas...

SCSO: Man arrested after firing at deputies in Sevier County with 'AR-15 style rife' on May 12

12-year-old guns down fast food worker with AR-style rifle

WATE TV reports a "chemical spill" in North Knox County, an acid which has been cleaned up.

(link...)

But I question whether it was an accident. I am afraid there are too many companies/trucks that just leave open a valve and let hazardous materials spill onto our roads. I see white stuff quite often and wonder what it is.

This is a tremendous hazard to our health and environment because of cheats that don't want to pay to dispose of materials properly. I can only request that if you see anything suspicious, please let authorities know. They may not care but they may. Thanks.

The National Police Association and the Tennessee Firearms Association separately sued after the Metro Nashville Police Department denied open records requests for writings...

What we know about the complex court fight over the Nashville school shooter’s writings

The primary is Tuesday, Aug. 29; the regular, or general, election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Running for office: Final qualifying list for city mayor, council, judge released