Sevier News Messenger

11/16/2023

10/11/2023

SEVIER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFERING FREE FLU SHOTS STARTING

NOVEMBER 1st FOR FIGHT FLU ’23

SEVIERVILLE, TN. – The Sevier County Health Department will participate in the statewide Fight Flu ’23 effort on November 1st, 2023, and provide free flu shots to all Tennesseans who are eligible, six months of age and older.
‘’We want to protect as many people as we can in our communities from the flu,” Director Emma Davis, PhD, MPH, CPH said. “Getting an annual flu shot is the best way to protect
yourself and everyone around you.”
Sevier County Health Department will provide free flu shots on November 1st, 2023, from 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at the Sevier County Health Department (719 Middle Creek Rd.).
There will also be an additional location on November 1st:
LOCATION: Northview Optimist Building
ADDRESS: 329 W Dumplin Valley Rd, Kodak, Tennessee 37764
HOURS: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
An appointment is not needed to receive a free flu vaccine at the Sevier County Health Department’s Fight Flu ’23 event.
The flu vaccine will remain free to anyone eligible to receive it at all local health departments across the state throughout flu season.
The flu vaccine is safe and effective and can protect individuals against the most common types of flu, and the virus’s worst symptoms and outcomes.
The flu virus is very contagious. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and people with certain medical conditions are at the highest risk of severe complications from the flu.
Annually, more than 7.5 million illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths could be prevented in the U.S. if more people chose to get the flu vaccine.
To prevent spreading the flu virus to others, follow precautions such as proper hygiene and handwashing, covering your coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, and staying home if you are sick.
For more information about the flu virus and Fight Flu ‘23, visit tn.gov/health/fightflu. For information about getting a free flu shot, contact the Sevier County Health Department at (865) 453-1032

07/20/2023

Two Persons Arrested on Animal Cruelty Charges
Sevierville Police Department officers arrested two persons on animal cruelty charges on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. After receiving a complaint, officers went to the East Casey Drive residence and discovered numerous canines inside a mobile home in abhorrent conditions.
57-year old Norman Miller was charged with felony animal cruelty, and 61-year old Angela R. Miller was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. Both persons reportedly lived at the home.
The floor inside the mobile home was covered in f***s and urine from the canines. Most if not all of the canines appeared to have mange and fleas. The Sevierville Fire Department responded and provided PPE gear to officers who needed to enter the structure to retrieve the canines.
Due to the large number of canines present, SPD officers requested assistance from Sevier County Sheriff’s Office animal control deputies. A total of fourteen canines were transported by SCSO deputies to the Sevier Animal Care Center https://www.facebook.com/Sevieranimalcarecenter . Several additional canines remained at large after attempts to capture them were unsuccessful. Officers will continue attempts to capture the remaining canines.
The City of Sevierville Codes Enforcement Department responded and has started condemnation proceedings on the home.
SPD thanks SCSO for their much needed assistance in this incident.
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

07/13/2023

Masters student at East Tennessee State University in the Appalachian Studies and Sociology programs is currently working on a study looking at veteran social structures and adaptation that focuses on veterans in East Tennessee. He is wanting to make sure that samples for the surveys are representative of the veteran population in East Tennessee but do not yet have any responses from veterans in Sevier County. www.etsu.edu/vetstudy

There are two parts to the study. One is a survey that can anonymously be completed online. The other is a live interview that will become part of a veteran archive at the Archives of Appalachia after the project is finished. Unlike prior projects, he is not documenting war stories. He is looking at the lived experiences of veterans in East Tennessee. These interviews are important because they will allow veterans across Appalachia to hear the experiences of other veterans after service exit.

05/26/2023

UPDATE: Arrest Made
May 25, 2023
At approximately 11:58 PM on May 24, 2023, Pigeon Forge Police Department officers responded to a shooting at Americana Inn. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim. The victim, 15-year-old juvenile, was transported to LeConte Medical Center where he later died as a result of his injuries.

May 25, 2023 @ 4:15 PM
Based on follow up investigation. We have charged Andrew C. Ortiz, of Sevierville, with First Degree Murder. Ortiz is currently at the Sevier County Jail. The investigation is on-going.

05/10/2023

Sevier County Sheriff's Department Detectives arrested and charged William Nails with Attempted First-Degree Murder and Timothy Galvin with Accessory to Attempted First Degree Murder.

11/05/2022

From Sevier Emergency Management: Sevier County Fire Departments are currently working to contain a Brush Fire near Cocke County within the Rocky Flats Rd area. Emergency personnel are asking citizens to refrain from any open debris/trash burning at this time, and to extinguish any active piles which are being burned. There is weather moving in with increased winds which could spread the smallest of a fire.
Fireviewer shows that Rocky Flats fire at 60ac and 0% contained as of 11/05/22 13:28.

Public incidents viewer

08/26/2022

Pima County, Arizona Constables Office Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, a 5-month veteran of the department, was shot and killed yesterday, August 25, along with an apartment manager and neighbor by a subject who was to be evicted.

Constable Martinez-Garibay was also a veteran of the US Army and started a local chapter of PGA HOPE, an organization that works with veterans.

Please keep Constable Martinez-Garibay, her family, and the Pima County Constables Office and their staff in your thoughts and prayers.

07/14/2022

Drinking Water Warning Issued-Boil Drinking Water Until Further Notice-Sevierville and Portions of Sevier County

The City is also asking that residents, businesses and visitors conserve water whenever possible until the system is fully operational.

DRINKING WATER WARNING

The City of Sevierville Water system lost pressure in the distribution system. The following notice applies to all Sevierville Water System customers. This notice also applies to Sevier County Water System customers in the following areas: Sims Road, Flat Creek, Allensville, Lane Hollow, Thomas Cross Road, Boyds Creek, and Jayell Road.

BOIL YOUR WATER FOR THREE MINUTES BEFORE USING

The City of Sevierville Water system lost system water pressure, mainly at higher elevations, due to an interruption in treatment plant operations on Wednesday, July 12, 2022. This loss of pressure in the distribution system may cause backpressure, backsiphonage, or a net movement of water from outside the pipe to the inside through cracks, breaks, or joints in the distribution system that are common in all water systems. Such a system failure carries with it a high potential that f***l contamination or other disease-causing organisms could enter the distribution system. These conditions may pose an imminent and substantial health endangerment to persons served by the system.

What should I do?

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a rolling boil for at least (3) three minutes, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. ALL STORED WATER, DRINK OR ICE MADE RECENTLY FROM THIS SUPPLY SHALL BE DISCARDED.

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.

The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

What happened? What is being done?

The severe storms and flash flooding on July 12 carried significant debris to the water treatment plant intake. The debris caused blockage of intake filters and disrupted plant operation capabilities. Employees have been working diligently to clean the intake filters and restore water service and system pressures.

We will inform you when you no longer need to boil your water. For more information, please contact Sevierville Water Systems during normal business hours M-F 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at 865-453-5522, or visit www.seviervilletn.org.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Water System ID #: 0000617
Date distributed: Thursday, July 14, 2022

03/31/2022

The City of Gatlinburg is issuing a mandatory evacuation in the areas of Ownby Hills and Hidden Hills in Gatlinburg due to an approximate one acre brush fire, which ignited shortly before midnight on Wednesday, March 30 due to downed power lines.

An emergency shelter has been established at the Gatlinburg American Legion Building, located at 1222 East Parkway in Gatlinburg. Anyone impacted by the fires in the area are directed to proceed to the American Legion Building.

For the latest updates from the City of Gatlinburg, visit GatlinburgTN.gov or visit the City’s Social Media pages on Facebook and Twitter.

Welcome to Gatlinburg, TN

03/31/2022

Thomas Divide Complex

Daily Update
Acres: 941 (decreased due to more accurate mapping)
Containment: 60%
Location: 2 miles east of Bryson, NC
Date of origin: 3/27/2022
Cause: Undetermined
Structures Lost: 0
Resources
Crews: 5
Engines: 4
Helicopters: 1 Type 1
Personnel: 121
Today

The Southern Area Gold Incident Management Team, under the leadership of Incident Commander Debbie Beard, joined the North Carolina Forest Service in unified command of the Thomas Divide Complex at 7 a.m.

Firefighters from multiple agencies continued to mop up along the fires’ perimeters and establish and maintain structure protection around the fireline. Mopping up means ensuring the fireline is cooled down enough that it cannot re-ignite, even during high wind events. Little fire activity has been observed over the last two days.

Approximately 30 personnel were assigned to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Tennessee side, 20 of which provided support to the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire in Sevierville.

Tomorrow

Firefighters plan to complete line construction on Indian Motor Trail while others will continue to mop up and patrol private property and infrastructure within the Cooper Creek drainage. They will also collect GPS data for more accurate mapping. Personnel also will respond to incidents within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as needed.

Weather

A Red Flag Warning and High Wind Advisory remain in effect in until 6 a.m. on Thursday across the Thomas Divide Complex and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Overnight, winds are expected to increase substantially with gusts approaching 50 mph. Just west of the fire area, on the Tennessee side of the national park, winds are expected to gust to 90 mph. Downed trees, limbs and powerlines are likely.

Thomas Divide Complex Update

Precipitation is expected within the next 24 hours. Rainfall amounts are forecasted to be between .25 to 1 inch. All areas of the complex are expected to receive at least some precipitation. Fuels will likely be wet by daybreak. Little fire activity is anticipated during the day tomorrow other than an isolated heavy smoke.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)

A TFR remains in place over the Thomas Divide Complex until April 16, 2022. For more information, visit https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_2_9840.html.

Firefighting aircraft and drones both fly at very low altitudes. When unauthorized drones fly over or near wildfires, it can lead to a mid-air collision or pilot distraction that could result in a serious or fatal accident. We ask the public not to fly drones near or over a wildfire. If you fly, we can’t.

Closures

The following areas remain closed within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park related to the Thomas Divide Complex Fire:

Newfound Gap Road
Toms Branch Road near Deep Creek
Backcountry campsites 46 and 51- 60
Deep Creek and Thomas Divide Trails from Deep Creek to Newfound Gap Road
Pole Road Creek, Indian Creek, Stone Pile Gap, Deep Creek Horse Bypass, Juney Whank Falls, Deeplow, Fork Ridge, Sunkota Ridge, Martins Gap, Indian Creek Motor Nature, Mingus Creek, Newton Bald, Kanati Fork and Loop Trails
Deep Creek Campground and Picnic Area are not scheduled to open for the season until April 15.
The following areas are additionally closed within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park related to the High Wind Warning on 3/30/22:

Little River Road
Wear Cove Gap Road
Laurel Creek Road
Tremont Road
Cades Cove Loop Road
Cherokee Orchard Road
Foothills Parkway (East and West)
Cataloochee Entrance Road
Hwy 284
Lake View Drive

03/31/2022

As of 8:30 p.m., the Hatcher Mountain/Indigo Lane fire was approximately 1,000 acres in size and had affected 35 structures.

03/31/2022

The map below shows the current fire evacuation area. If you are within or near this area you should evacuate immediately. If you are unsure if you are in this area, you should evacuate immediately.

The map will be updated as additional information becomes available.

03/30/2022

If you are in the Wears Valley or Walden's Creek areas please evacuate immediately. The map below shows the evacuation area. If you are unsure if you are in this area, you should evacuate.

03/29/2022

Thomas Divide Complex Fire 40 percent contained

Great Smoky Mountains National Park fire officials reported that the Thomas Divide Complex Fire is now 40 % contained. Park firefighters and multiple agencies continued fire suppression efforts to extinguish the Thomas Divide Complex Fire east of Bryson City, North Carolina. The complex is comprised of two wildfires including the Stone Pile Fire and the Cooper Creek Fire.

Today’s wind speeds decreased enough to allow air support efforts to resume, after being shut down yesterday due to excessive wind speeds. The fire has affected approximately 950 acres, with 39% of the affected area being inside park boundaries and 61% being Swain County private property. No permanent structures have been lost.

The Unified Command Center continues to coordinate the suppression efforts with approximately 70 personnel from the National Park Service, North Carolina Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bryson City Fire Department, Swain County Emergency Services, and Jackson County Emergency Management. Firefighters will continue suppression efforts tomorrow from both ground and air, if wind speeds allow.

The following areas remain closed: Backcountry campsites 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60; Deep Creek and Thomas Divide trails from Deep Creek to Newfound Gap Road; Pole Road Creek, Indian Creek, Stone Pile Gap, Deep Creek Horse Bypass, Juney Whank Falls, Deeplow, Fork Ridge, Sunkota Ridge, Martins Gap, Indian Creek Motor Nature, Mingus Creek, Newton Bald, Kanati Fork, and Loop trails. Toms Branch Road near Deep Creek is also closed. The Deep Creek Campground and Picnic Area are not scheduled to open for the season until April 15.

03/27/2022

Park trails remain closed due to Thomas Divide Complex Fire

Great Smoky Mountains National Park firefighters and multiple agencies are working together to extinguish the Thomas Divide Complex Fire east of Bryson City, North Carolina. The complex is comprised of two wildfires including the Stone Pile Fire which is estimated to be approximately 140 acres and the Cooper Creek Fire which is estimated to be approximately 170 acres. The fire is estimated to be 10 percent contained with about half of the fire burning within the park boundary. Several park trails and backcountry campsites remain closed between Deep Creek and Newfound Gap Road.

A Unified Command Center has been established to coordinate suppression efforts and includes personnel from the National Park Service, North Carolina Forest Service, Bryson City Fire Department, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Approximately 50 firefighters are working to establish firebreak lines using hand crews and bulldozers. Outside the park, firefighters are working to provide structure protection. Air resources are available to respond if wind speeds allow.

The following areas remain closed: Backcountry campsites 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60; Deep Creek and Thomas Divide trails from Deep Creek to Newfound Gap Road; Pole Road Creek, Indian Creek, Stone Pile Gap, Deep Creek Horse Bypass, Juney Whank Falls, Deeplow, Fork Ridge, Sunkota Ridge, Martins Gap, Indian Creek Motor Nature, Mingus Creek, Newton Bald, Kanati Fork, and Loop trails. Toms Branch Road near Deep Creek is also closed. The Deep Creek Campground and Picnic Area are not scheduled to open for the season until April 15.

03/26/2022

Park closes NC trails and backcountry campsites due to fire

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials closed several trails and backcountry campsites at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, due to wildfire activity between Deep Creek and Newfound Gap Road in North Carolina. At this time, two wind-driven wildfires that originated south of the park boundary are now active inside the park.

The following areas are now closed: Backcountry campsites 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60; Deep Creek and Thomas Divide trails from Deep Creek to Newfound Gap Road; Pole Road Creek, Indian Creek, Stone Pile Gap, Deep Creek Horse Bypass, Juney Whank Falls, Deeplow, Fork Ridge, Sunkota Ridge, Martins Gap, Indian Creek Motor Nature, Mingus Creek, Newton Bald, Kanati Fork, and Loop trails. Toms Branch Road near Deep Creek is also closed. The Deep Creek Campground and Picnic Area are not scheduled to open for the season until April 15.

At approximately 1:00 p.m., park officials were notified that a fire south of the park near Cooper Creek was approaching the park boundary. When responding to this fire, Park Rangers detected another fire near Stone Pile Gap near the Thomas Divide area. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is leading suppression efforts for the Cooper Creek Fire. Bryson City Fire Department is leading suppression efforts for the Thomas Divide Fire Complex. National Park Service, state, and county resources have also responded to support efforts. An Incident Command Post has been established at the Swain County East Elementary School.

No additional information is available at this time.

--NPS--

02/17/2022

WANTED BY SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
February 17th 2022
According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, Sevier County Sheriff’s Office is currently trying to locate a wanted subject in the Kodak area of Sevier County and is asking for the public’s help. The subject has been identified as Adam D. Wilson W/M, age 36 of Lazeys Springs, Alabama and is thought to be in a stolen 1996 Blue Ford F-150 truck bearing Tn Reg -355 with white graphics lettering. The vehicle was taken earlier today in the area where Wilson was known to be on foot and direction of travel is unknown at this time. Wilson is wanted for violation of pre-trial release bond condition based on charges out of Alabama. Anyone with information or makes contact with the subject or vehicle are asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or call Sevier County Sheriff’s Office at 865-453-4668.

02/14/2022

Sevier County Child Suffers Gunshot Wound after Accessing Firearm

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, On Wednesday Feb. 9th 2022 at app. 6:30pm Sevier County Sheriff’s officers responded to an accidental shooting in the 3700 block of Wears Valley Road. Officers arrived and found a 5-year-old male child with a GSW to the head and finger. The Victim was transported to UT Medical Center in Knoxville for treatment for his injuries and is expected to survive. The investigation revealed that the child obtained a handgun from a bedroom in the home and he accidentally fired it striking himself. The investigation is ongoing by Sevier County Detectives and Dept. of Children Services.

02/04/2022

2426 active covid cases among Sevier County Residents (visitors not included in this total). 1207 new cases this week. 8 Sevier Residents died due to covid this week. 7-day positivity rate of tests was 46%. TN Dept. of Health is only posting data updates weekly on Wednesdays.

02/04/2022

ONE available ICU bed across all 19 hospitals in the Knox and East Tennessee region (16 counties) that input data into HRTS.

"Available" refers to the number of beds/ventilators that the hospitals have adequate staff to support. This data is collected from the Tennessee Healthcare Resource Tracking System (HRTS) and represents the inpatient information for all the hospitals in Knox and the surrounding 16 counties. All 19 hospitals in the Knox and East Tennessee region (16 counties) input data into HRTS.

01/26/2022

2934 active COVID cases among Sevier County Residents (visitors not included in this total). The highest since the pandemic began. 1787 new cases this week. 7 Sevier Residents died due to covid this week. Averaging about 255 new cases daily. 7-day positivity rate of tests was 53.2%. TN Dept. of Health is only posting data updates weekly on Wednesdays.

01/20/2022

2589 active COVID cases among Sevier County Residents (visitors not included in this total). The highest since the pandemic began. 14 Sevier Residents died this week. Averaging about 250 new cases daily. TN Dept. of Health is only posting data updates weekly on Wednesdays.

04/20/2021

The Sevier County Health Department has approximately 200 first dose COVID-19 vaccinations available today, Tuesday, April 20, from until 2:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary. To get a shot, please go to the Sevier County Health Department entrance off of Blanton Drive in Sevierville.

04/19/2021

The Sevier County Health Department has approximately 300 first dose COVID-19 vaccinations available today, Monday, April 19 until 3:30pm. No appointment is necessary. To get a shot, please go to the Sevier County Health Department entrance off of Blanton Drive in Sevierville.

04/07/2021

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on April 6, a fire was reported at Bud's Ridge Way in the Wears Valley community of Sevier County. Fire crews arrived to find a fast-moving wildfire. The fire is approximately 20 acres in size and as of 6 p.m. 40% contained. One structure is damaged and there was one minor injury. Around 100 firefighters from local and state agencies responded. Crews will continue to work throughout the night.

03/24/2021

The Sevier County Health Department is expanding vaccine eligibility to residents 16 and older. Free COVID-19 vaccination is available at certain local pharmacies, physician offices and at the Sevi…

03/24/2021

MAPCO, the convenience store chain with nearly 340 stores throughout the Southeastern region of the United States, is growing in Tennessee and looking for team members to join the MAPCO family at i…