Local News Stories from 92.3 WNPC
 
Thursday, April 29, 2021

US 411 Project News
On Wednesday, the Tennessee Department of Transportation along with Governor Bill Lee released TDOT's annual 3-year transportation program. About $2.6 billion in infrastructure investments are planned for 68 individual projects in 45 counties across the state. One of those projects will affect residents in Cocke County who travel US 411 known as Newport Highway from Newport to Sevierville. Construction should begin in 2022 to continue the construction of the new 4 lane expansion of US 411 from near the Bush Beans plant in Chestnut Hill to Sims Road in Sevier County. That is Good News!

Mill Creek Wildfire Update
Good news and bad news with the Mill Creek Wildfire. The bad news....that fire has now more than doubled in size now consuming over 650 acres and yesterday smoke could be seen blanketing the southwestern part of Cocke County...the good news is that residential structures and the I-40 Welcome Center are no longer threatened by this fire....although the Stone Mountain Trail (#9) is temporarily closed from Mills Creek to Hall Top for safety reasons. Today, crews from the department of agriculture's forestry division along with firefighters from the department of forestry will patrol and monitor all containment lines. Minimal fire activity is expected today...with some possible rain this afternoon and tonight...the fire is expected to cool down even more by tomorrow. That wildfire is now 75% contained. While things are getting better, Motorists traveling I-40 in that area are urged to use caution because of the potential for thick smoke in that area.

More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
A bill aimed at helping to pay for a proposed downtown stadium and entertainment complex in Knoxville will now head to the governor’s desk....after passed the Tennessee Senate on Wednesday... That bill is designed to keep new taxes from the area around the proposed stadium and put it toward the debt of building....that stadium would house the Tennessee Smokies baseball team currently housed in Sevier County at Smokies Stadium in Kodak off exit 407 on I-40. he new stadium in Knoxville estimated to cost $65 million from public money and another $100 million from private investment. and is expected to be completed within the next two years. The bill passing the senate yesterday was aimed primarily at the Knoxville bid to move the Smokies...as...it allows for "a sports authority to keep new revenue that happens within a quarter mile of the center of the stadium. It has to be a stadium for minor or major league baseball and it has to be up and running before the end of 2025."

Thursday, April 29, 2021

  • US 411 Project News
  • Mill Creek Wildfire Update
  • More Bad News For Smokies' Fans

    Wednesday, April 28, 2021

  • Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
  • Goodbye Smokies?
  • Keep Cocke County Beautiful
  • Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!

    Tuesday, April 27, 2021

  • The fireflies are coming!
  • Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
  • Gas prices drop
  • Tennessee keeps all US House seats

    Monday, April 26, 2021

  • Boat accident victim ID'd
  • Traffic stop yields drug arrest
  • Cocke County Wildfires

    Friday, April 23, 2021

  • Leaving WNPC
  • Mathis announces candidacy
  • Newport drug roundup
  • Cruise Against Cancer
  • Jobless numbers


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