Smoky Mountains Recent News Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge
Sevier County recent area news.
Appears the Sheriff’s office is back in the light with claims of inadequate investigation capabilities. was quoted as stating ” I think our department is handling it properly”, speaking of the Hercutt accident now a homicide investigation. What a powerful statement hampered by the very words “I Think”…throws doubt in itself.
Wanted New Police Cruiser - Anyone have a new cruiser for sale cheap, seems one of the Deputies underestimated his driving skills and totaled their cruiser on the way to a fire. They were treated and later released, however the cruiser will be unable to attend any car shows this year.
Dennis Bolze, accused of running a lucrative Ponzi scheme in Sevier County, seems to be scheming his way to a plea deal. Others allegedly duped out of millions of dollars are trying desperately to get their money back through bankruptcy proceedings. Goo luck to the small people as it appears to many large companies have their hand in this, too many for the little person to succeed.
Sevier County Marine Corps League 1206 to hold car parking fundraiser September 10-13 and 19-20 in the Red Roof Mall parking lot.
Pigeon Forge is still entertaining approval of a 340 acre condo developmentoff the Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge River Spur. Appears citizens and taxpayers have nothing to worry themselves over, obviously the sewage treatment facility is not over taxed and sewage handling pipelines are adequate in size to handle the flow. We are getting a much needed road off the scenic Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge River Spur, wow what the land values will be along both sides of that new road!
Relay For Life wrapped up the year with having raised $313,000. This fell short of their goal, however in these very tough economic times the volunteers generous donators and hard working staff all deserve a hearty “Well Done”!
Gatlinburg Tennessee has received the honorable distinction of having been designated as “an official regional site for the observance of Veterans Day” by The Veterans Day National Committee and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Bravo Zulu to Gatlinburg Tennessee! The 7th Annual Gatlinburg Veterans Day Celebration will begin at 11a.m. November 11th. For more info contact:
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Gatlinburg City of Gatlinburg Mr. George Hawkins 303 Reagan Drive Gatlinburg, TN 37738 |
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| Phone: (865) 436-0500 Fax: (865) 436-3970 e-mail: georgeh@ci.gatlinburg.us |
Pigeon Forge TAX Deserves “F”- The city of Pigeon Forge didn’t get all the facts before they lept and now their attempt to raise even more taxes for the Sevier County schools looks to be in peril. After doing some research it appears taxes collected in the Tourist Development Zone (TDZ, most of Pigeon Forge) must be kept there to fund development, according to state law. Another twist to this, the Department of Revenue actually receives all local sales tax collections directly from the businesses, then distributes the money to the cities, county and school system based on percentages provided to it for those allocations. Well now this is a fine mess discovered the Pigeon Forge City Commissioners and city officials. So by their next meeting it appears the Mayor of Pigeon Forge wants an amendment to their resolution that would take the burden off the city and place it with the state. Aside from the willingness to shift responsibility, what happens now? All the city legal minds, city officials with years of experience and vast business skills, school officials with all their collective education lead to a few big Oops. Oops that have raised taxes collected from Pigeon Forge businesses by projected millions for Sevier County schools appear as though they won’t be, thus where will the school system go next to get these lost millions? It is the opinion of Charles Rhodes, a local citizen, that the tax needs to disappear until it can be applied as intended, rather than shift responsibility. Why not looking into applying taxes collected from within the Sevier County TDZ zones to schools in the TDZ zones, thus releasing some funds to these schools for use by Sevier County schools outside all TDZ zones?
Ripley’s Aquarium Gatlinburg Tennessee - Ripley’s is keeping its newest addition under wraps, however the Veranda Restaurant is now being removed to make way for a new attraction. Will post as more develops.
Christ In The Smokies Museum, formerly the site of Christus Gardens, is well under way with exhibits scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks.
Christmas Wonderland Light Show Smokies Stadium- Winterfest in the Tennessee Smokies is like a big compitition for the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. This year Shadrack Watersport and RV will bring “Christmas Wonderland” to Smokies Baseball Stadium, off exit 407 and I-40, starting November 6th and continuing through January 3rd. Nearly a mile long drive-through featuring hundreds of thousands of LED lights fully computerized and synchronized to holiday music. Drive through time is approximately 20 minutes. Hours of operation will be Sun-Thur 6-10pm, Fri-Sat 6-11pm, and cost $10 per vehicle. For more information call (423)652-0120. Unlike the Bristol Motor Speedway, there was no mention of vendors, eats and other winter festive treats. Will keep blog readers informed if this changes.
Pigeon Forge Sells Parking Lot
Pigeon Forge has sold usage of the newly constructed 40 acre parking lot along Teaster Lane. Organizers of an annual F-100 Truck Show have convinced the city of Pigeon Forge to allow them to use the vacant parking lot, that has set empty since its creation, for at least this one show.
The F-100 antique truck show will take place next May in the city’s parking lot. Pigeon Forge has agreed to allow the show to happen for at least one year at a cost to the show promoters of $3,300. Pigeon Forge also agrees to provide electricity and garbage pickup for this fee.
There was no mention of services for directing traffic, monitoring the safety of citizens and participants, wash down of the parking lot to eradicate spilled residues and foods, or parking arrangements for attendees of the show along with vendors. Given the experience of fees charged by promoters to vendors/jobbers at these events or the real cost associated with the resources to properly oversee and clean up after such events, it seems $3,300 is not near enough. However Pigeon Forge recognizes the revenues these car shows generate, to the point city officials are looking for more permanent solutions to hosting even more of these events in the future while minimizing parkway traffic and parking space concerns.
Pigeon Forge had better hurry, Sevierville is hot on their trail to get the show car business. Already Sevierville is using the Smokies Baseball Stadium for car shows and it seems there has been a lot of discussion of indoor shows at the Sevierville Convention Center.
Scream N Shout Kids Show Pigeon Forge Tennessee
Pigeon Forge Theater For Kids
Coming to the Smokies and looking for something NEW and DIFFERENT for the children to do, check out SCREAM N SHOUT Interactive Kids Show!! The ONLY show in the Great Smoky Mountains specifically designed FOR KIDS!! Right down to the theater itself, SCREAM N SHOUT … is all about kids! We have SMOKE MACHINES, FOAM MACHINES, LASERS, SMOKE RING CANNONS, BUBBLE MACHINES.. you name it!!
For your future Hannah Montana’s we have a segment where they get on stage and THEY ARE THE STAR!! There is also a few parts where we get the parents involved as well!! I PROMISE your kids will have the time of their lives!!
Show times are every night at 8:00pm, located in the Scream N Shout Theater at Waldens Landing. Ticket prices are $10.95 for each child (12 and under). With each paid child’s ticket one adult (13 and over) can get in FREE!!! Adult tickets may be purchased for $5 each.
So get those hands ready to clap, those feet ready to stomp and voices ready to sing CAUSE YOU’RE ABOUT TO SCREAM N’ SHOUT!!!
SCREAM N SHOUT Hotline (865) 660-3510 for more information!!
Visit them on the web at WWW.SCREAMNSHOUT.COM.
Douglas Dam Alarm!
Sevier County anglers and boaters will be a lot safer on the French Broad River thanks to newly installed alarms. TVA installed audible alarms as well as strobe lights to indicate when water is being released from Douglas Dam into the French Broad River. No mention was made as to when the alarms would sound before dam gates opened and water began to pour into the river.
The fury created when water is released by TVA has in the past flipped several boats and caught manay an unsuspecting angler from shore off guard. TVA stated several signs will be posted explaining the strobes and sirens.
TVA has also installed the same alarm system at Cherokee Dam.
Dolly’s Splash Country - New Million Dollar Water Slide!
Dollywood’s Splash Country plans to open a new water slide in 2010, Slick Rock Racer. Construction on the slide will begin in a few weeks as the waterpark closes for the season.
The slide will permit 4 racers at a time to whisk down this large and fast 300 ft slide. With an initial drop to build speed and several humps along the way, riders are sure to find the experience exhilarating. An estimated 600 riders per hour will be able to make the wet and wild journey.
Gatlinburg Golf Course Needs More Players
Apparently all these years Gatlinburg Residents Only enjoyed discounts at the Gatlinburg Golf Course, located in Pigeon Forge. Tough economic times appeared to play a part in forcing the Gatlinburg City Commission members to vote and agree unanimously to allow all Sevier County residents to receive a 20% discount from June through October.
Obviously many golfers of Sevier County were unhappy with the Gatlinburg Only restriction. While Sevier County residents can book tee times up to 2 days in advance, Gatlinburg residents can book up to 30 days in advance. Gatlinburg Mayor, Jerry Hays, feels this is a win win situation.
Yes a discount is nice, should have been there from the start. But for the Gatlinburg Mayor to feel this is a win - win for all, he’s not the one selecting tee times from whats left over. Can someone comment on how it came about that the Gatlinburg Golf Course was built in Pigeon Forge?
Gatlinburg Golf Course - Discount Fees To Locals
The Gatlinburg City Commission has a resolution before them for consideration at this weeks meeting. This resolution is for reducing fees paid by Sevier County and Gatlinburg residents during the prime golfing season. Lets see how this goes. Feel it is important to mention to folks unaware, no there is not a regular golf course in Gatlinburg, the Gatlinburg Golf Course is located in Pigeon Forge just before the old Dollywood entrance.
Sevier County Tickets On Sale
Sevier County ADVANCE Fair tickets are on sale at Citizens National, Sevier County and Tennessee State Bank branch offices or the Boys and Girls Club.
These are $15 advance tickets to benifit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sevier County Tennessee, only available until September 2nd. The Sevier County Fair will operate September 7th-12th. For more information visit http://myseviercountyfair.com .
Dollywood Announces Auditions for Christmas Shows
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dollywood’s entertainment department will conduct children’s auditions Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Connor-Short Center at Walters State Community College’s Sevierville campus.
Dollywood is seeking performers to cast in the park’s live productions during its annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. Roles require boys and girls who can appear to be approximately eight to 12 years of age. Performers must be able to sing, act and move well. For those cast, rehearsals begin in October. Performances begin Nov. 7 and continue through Jan. 2, 2010.
For the audition, each child should be prepared to sing three songs that best demonstrate his/her ability. Children should audition in clothing that is comfortable and allows them to move. All children will be asked to learn a simple dance movement routine. A cassette/CD player will be provided as well as a keyboard accompanist. Participants should be prepared for at least a two-hour commitment for the auditions. For additional information, please visit http://dollywood.com/employment/schedule.aspx.
Teen Driving Collision Avoidance Training
Participants will receive instruction and practical experience in evasive maneuvers, cornering, backing, skid recovery, off-road recovery and emergency braking. The training will provide young drivers with the knowledge and skills to be safer and less likely to experience serious collisions.
