President Obama signs Tennessee disaster declaration for Sevier

The President on Thursday declared a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by wildfires during the period of November 28 to December 9, 2016.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Sevier County.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Sevier County.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named W. Michael Moore as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said that damage surveys are continuing, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Knoxville cmployees among the many rushing help to Sevier County: 3,100 hours at fire scene by KFD, KPD

Many communities rushed help in all forms – firefighters, search-and-rescue teams, food, supplies, prayers and charitable donations – to Sevier County communities devastated by the Nov. 28 wildfires.

Knoxville families, schools, churches and businesses contributed generously.

The City of Knoxville, alongside many other cities and agencies, lent its firefighting and emergency management expertise and equipment.

The Knoxville Fire Department dispatched more than 100 firefighters throughout the week as part of the State Mutual Aid System to battle the wildfires and help with the search for missing persons. The first Knoxville firefighters arrived within hours of the fires reaching Gatlinburg structures.

KFD also sent six pieces of firefighting apparatus – engines, tankers, a ladder truck and a 4-wheel-drive smaller truck specially designed to battle brushfires in hard-to-reach areas, along with 11 support vehicles.

KFD’s chaplain also was in Gatlinburg last week, helping to comfort displaced families as well as the First Responders.

In total, KFD committed more than 1,400 hours to battling the Sevier County fires and assisting families.

The Knoxville Police Department also sent help. Starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, KPD began rotating shifts of 12 to 15 officers, who initially assisted Sevier County law enforcement with emergency street closures.

By the end of last week, KPD chaplains were supporting families and First Responders. KPD’s Search and Rescue Team was deployed, and KPD investigators were working with federal task forces.

All told, 200 KPD employees were on the scene in Sevier County last week, contributing more than 1,700 employee hours.

At the start of the Dec. 6 City Council meeting, Mayor Madeline Rogero thanked the City employees who helped battle the fires and also praised the “huge outpouring of compassion, concern and generosity from so many people opening their hearts and their homes and making donations.”

“The fires were a disaster and a tragedy, but the response to them really shows the deep sense of community we have here in East Tennessee – the Volunteer Spirit at its best,” the Mayor said.

There are plenty of ways that Knoxville residents can help Sevier families get back on their feet.

Want to contribute or find out the best ways to help the fire victims? Call 2-1-1. The 2-1-1 phone line is run by the City’s 311 Call Center under contract to the United Way, and staffers answering the line can help connect people in need with resources - or provide information on ways that donors can contribute to relief efforts.

Also, the Sevier County Economic Development Council, in conjunction with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, has created a new website to coordinate all of the relief and resources. Visit www.mountaintough.org.

Cades Cove re-opens; Blount Co continues volunteers efforts

The National Park Service announced that the Townsend, Tenn., entrance to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has re-opened for visitors Thursday. Both the Cades Cove and Oconoluftee Visitor Centers in North Carolina have re-opened.

“We express deep sympathy for all the citizens in Sevier County for their loss and disruption of their lives during this week’s fires,” said Kim Mitchell, Director of Tourism for Blount County. “We vow to help with volunteer relief efforts. Currently the need is for monetary donations rather than physical supplies. We are asking anyone that can donate to please do and show the great volunteer spirit of this state.”

In addition, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and trails remain closed from the Gatlinburg entrance along Highway 411 to Smokemont, near Cherokee, N.C.

Places taking monetary donations include:

Gatinburg Relief Fund
SmartBank
P.O. Box 1910
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868
Call 865-453-2650 for more information.

American Red Cross
Call 865-862-3519 to donate
People can make a $10 donation by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999.

Dollywood
Online donation at Dollywoodfoundation.org

Knox County Schools organize myriad of Sevier County relief efforts

Tragedy struck this week in the mountain towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and schools in Knox County are stepping up in a number of ways to offer support to our afflicted neighbors. Below is a list of some of the specific relief efforts being organized across the county.

· Blue Grass Elementary has asked their students to donate spare change for the Red Cross. One student brought in $300 of his own money to help the cause.

· Byington-Solway CTEC has organized a drive to collect items to help those that have lost belongings, including water, clothes and essential items like toothpaste and toiletries.

· Career Magnet Academy has organized a collection drive for water and snacks for the first responders. The first load was delivered on Nov. 29 and a second load will be delivered tomorrow, Dec. 1.

· Carter Elementary is collecting bottled water, Gatorade, lip balm, wool socks and cereal bars for first responders. They are also collecting diapers and wipes, cat and dog food for displaced residents. The items will be delivered on Friday.

· Cedar Bluff Elementary’s Nature Club is spearheading a collection of supplies and money/gift cards. The donations will be dropped off on Friday.

· Central High School’s P.E. Department is collecting donations for the Sevier County Animal Shelter to help care for the many displaced animals and pets.

· Christenberry Elementary: Encouraging students on Friday, Dec 2 to wear their favorite hat and/or pajamas to school and donate $1 toward those affected by the Sevier County fires. The school is also collecting new items to donate. All items can be brought to the school and staff volunteers will deliver them to local agencies directly helping those displaced.

· Corryton Elementary is having a collection on Friday, Dec. 2 for needed items such as food, water, toiletries, pet food, and more to be taken to Sevier County over the weekend.

· Dogwood Elementary staff is collecting supplies to be delivered at the end of the week.

· Farragut Middle is taking up monetary donations for the American Red Cross and collecting toiletry items and protein bars.

· Farragut High School SGA is taking up donations in first block classes.

· Gibbs High’s Criminal Justice classes have organized a schoolwide effort to take up bottled water, Gatorade, snacks, protein bars, eye drops, and more for first responders in Sevier County. The other students and members of the community have been helping with donations, collecting items and assisting in taking the items to Sevier County.

· Halls Middle’s Random Acts of Kindness Club is collecting donations and will deliver them to the Ford Dealership in Sevierville to distribute.

· Hardin Valley Academy is doing a schoolwide drive for items listed on WBIR’s website as needed for pets in particular, but is also collecting cash donations and water. The effort is being coordinated through the Planned Acts of Kindness Club.

· Karns High is requesting that students and staff bring needed items for the Gatlinburg Relief Fund.

· Karns Middle is collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste through its student council; the girls’ basketball team is collecting monetary donations; and the school has a hat day scheduled with earmarked for animal shelters and the care of animals.

· Northshore Elementary is hosting “Dimes for a Disaster” with a goal of raising $1,000 in support of relief efforts.

· Powell High is serving as a collection hub for the Powell community. The intent is to donate directly to Gatlinburg-Pitman High School to help displaced faculty, staff and students.

· Powell Middle is working with its PTSA to host a Food/Water/Supply Drive through Friday for the American Red Cross shelter in Sevierville, where many victims are currently staying.

· Ritta Elementary is conducting a money drive on Saturday, Dec. 3 during its holiday craft fair. Students are also being asked to bring in other needed items in the upcoming weeks.

· Sam E. Hill Preschool is making cards and collecting water and power bars for first responders as well as gathering games and activities for small children.
South-Doyle will be taking donations for Gatlinburg this Friday night at the first home basketball game. A case of water, pack of Gatorade, box of protein bars, a bag of dog/cat food or other needed items equal free admission into the game. All donations will be taken to the drop off point in South Knoxville.

· Sterchi Elementary is having hat day on Friday. Everyone who wants to participate can donate $1 with money raised donated to the relief effort.

· West High is collecting items for the relief effort with a special focus on the needs of first responders. It is gathering Chapstick, water, energy bars and gum. In addition, they are collecting donations of pet food, diapers and other items of necessity.

· West Valley Middle is hosting a donation drive through next Wednesday, Dec. 7 for the Red Cross.

Three essentials: healthcare, food and education focus of 'Inside Tn'

Stan Brock

It’s typically a political and public affairs program, but this Sunday’s edition of “Inside Tennessee” focuses on three charities in East Tennessee and three basics of life: healthcare, food, and education.

WBIR 10News anchor and the show’s moderator, John Becker, calls it perhaps the “most revealing” edition of “Inside Tennessee” this year.

“We cut to the core of the need across our community for the very basics of survival,” he said. “It is hard to overstate the influence these three charities have had on improving the lives of people across East Tennessee. I think our viewers will appreciate the challenges ahead and will be interested in the role Washington politics may play in shaping their future.”

The guests include Stan Brock, the founder of Remote Area Medical; Elaine Streno, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank; and Emmette Thompson, the executive director for Mission of Hope.

“(We) want to offer a glimpse into the lives of people on the frontline of topics that often take a political turn,” Becker said. “We spend some time talking about the influence of the November election and what they’re expecting in the coming Trump administration.”

For example, Becker noted, Brock offers his take on the one change lawmakers in Washington, D.C. could make the would open up more people to dental and vision care across the country.

Sunday’s guests will answer the question: Are we better off now than we were a decade ago when it comes to meeting the basic needs of people in healthcare, food, and education.

They’ll also talk about their biggest challenges ahead.

“We hope viewers learn a bit more about these homegrown operations, the influence they have on our community, and why they do what they do,” Becker said.

The 30-minute program, which was taped Wednesday, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WBIR 10News.

Knox County to collect unwanted medication at disposal event

Members of the East Tennessee Regional Medication Collection Coalition will collect and properly dispose unwanted medication on Saturday.

Knox County residents can dispose of unwanted prescription medications or over-the-counter medicines on Saturday at the Ingles at 430 East Emory Road.

Saturday’s event goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents can only drop off medicines at the Ingles in Powell during Saturday’s event. At all other times, residents can bring old or unused medicines to the Knoxville Police Department Safety Building at 800 Howard Baker Jr. Ave., which is open 24/7.

Go to Knox County’s website for more information.

Burchett renews effort to raise funds for wreaths at veteran cemeteries

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is once again launching a Wreaths Across America team in an effort to raise funds to place as many live wreaths as possible on the graves of veterans buried at the three veterans cemetery locations in Knox County. 

A $15 sponsorship will pay for a wreath made of live greenery to be placed on a veteran’s grave at either the Old East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Lyons View Pike, the New East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Governor John Sevier Highway or the Knoxville National Cemetery on Tyson Street near Old Gray Cemetery.

“If you simply sponsor one wreath or choose to sponsor 100, you are honoring veterans and families who have honored our community with their service,” Burchett said. “Whether the men and women buried in our veteran cemeteries were lost during combat or after living a long life, we do this for the family members who are still living.”

There are more than 15,000 veterans buried at the three veteran cemetery locations in Knox County.

Anyone wanting to sponsor a wreath can do so by visiting http://www.knoxcounty.org and clicking on the Wreaths Across America banner.  The organization is also offering a “three-for-two” sponsorship special, which means it will donate a wreath for every two that are sponsored.

The deadline for online donations is Nov. 28, and the deadline for donations made by check is Nov. 21. Checks should be made payable to “Wreaths Across America” and mailed to 400 Main Street, Suite 615, Knoxville, TN 37902. The wreaths will be placed on the graves Dec. 17.

Wreaths Across America is a national non-profit that works to place live wreaths on veteran graves during the holidays.

East TN remembers 9/11 victims

Fifteen years after the events of September 11, people across East Tennessee spent Sunday remembering victims and praying for unity.

A number of services were held in Knoxville to honor victims, first responders and families affected from the events of 9/11.

Crown College and Temple Baptist Church hosted "Knoxville Remembers." The event reflected on why people are proud to live in America through songs and guest speakers. A number of elected officials, military service members and first responders were recognized during the service.

"We had all been attacked, and at that moment, we felt like we all needed to come together and just be Americans. To stand up for what we knew was true and stand up for freedom," said Tim Tomlinson, the Vice President of Administration for Crown Community College.

The city of Knoxville and Knox County held its own service Sunday morning, which was led by first responders.

A moment of silence was held before the names of three 9/11 victims with ties to East Tennessee were read.  The ceremony also recognized local first responders who went to New York City in 2001 to help with recovery.

Rest of story right HERE.

Parents scramble for money to reopen Powell Elementary School playground

With a new school year underway, parents at Powell Elementary are scrambling to raise as much as $12,000 to get the school’s playground up and running again.

The move comes after inspectors told school officials in early July that the playground’s mulch was no good and suggested shutting it down.

"It's going bad and it will be bad by the time this school year is over, so it needed to be replaced before this school year started," said Randy Smith, who works in the county's Risk Management Department. "The mulch eventually breaks down and turns to dirt.”

Since then, work crews have removed all of the old mulch, but school officials and parents are trying to figure out how to replace it and who should cover the costs.

Typically, the area’s various student-support organizations raise funds for playgrounds and the equipment. But, officials with the Powell Elementary School PTA say at this point they can’t afford it.

“Our operating budget is not even near what we need to fund the mulch and do the other things we do for our students,” such as family engagement activities, Halloween festivities, movie nights and staff appreciation events,” said Melissa Hammond, the school’s PTA president. “If we expend what this will take, we will have nothing left to do those other things for our school.”

Hammond said the organization each year budgets between $1,700 and $3,000 for the playground, which usually includes bringing in “a load or two” of mulch to top off what is already there.

Over the years, however, the mulch hardened and created a dangerous surface.

Replacing all of it will require at least four loads – maybe more – and cost between $10,000 and $12,000.

Rest of story right HERE.

Letter: KPD Chief thanks community

David Rausch

Letter to the Knoxville Community,

Thank you to all of you who have called, sent letters, emails, messages, personal contact and dropped off food in support of the women and men of the Knoxville Police Department.

The outpouring of support has been tremendous and humbling. We strive every day to assure that we provide fair, equal, and Constitutional policing for our community. The sanctity of life is our primary focus.

We attempt to be engaged from the officer on the street to the Chief’s Office with all in our neighborhoods. These efforts are to assure that tragic events that have happened over the past week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Falcon Heights, Minnesota, Johnson City, Tennessee, and Dallas, Texas do not happen here.

We have had a number of calls wanting to hold events for our employees at KPD at various locations throughout the city. We really do appreciate this show of support and desire to show our officers you are there for them.

The challenge of having events is that it pulls officers away from their duties when they are on the job and away from their families when they are at home.

We have found the best way to show officers how you feel is to tell them publicly when you see them. Others like our Chaplains Corps and the Cookie Crusaders have provided goody bags to the officers as they are leaving their roll calls.

If you would like to arrange to do something like this, please contact my office and our team can coordinate with you. There have been offers of financial support as well, and we ask you to consider donating to the Knoxville Public Safety Foundation, a foundation that supports the needs of local first responders, that can be contacted at www.publicsafetyfoundation.org

These are challenging times and those of us in law enforcement service in the City of Knoxville remain committed to assuring the safety of all in our community.

Thank you again to all of you who have been so very kind and considerate of those in blue serving you.

Humbly,
David Rausch
Chief of Police

Unwanted medication collection event

Members of the East Tennessee Regional Medication Collection Coalition will be on hand to collect and properly dispose of unwanted medicines Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Food City in Fountain City located at 4805 North Broadway near Adair Drive.

Medicines can only be dropped off at this location during the event. At all other times, Knox County residents can bring old or unused medicines to the Knoxville Police Department Safety Building at 800 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. The Safety Building is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This event is sponsored by: the Knoxville Police Department, Knox County and City of Knoxville Solid Waste Offices, Knox County Health Department, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, UT Academy of Student Pharmacists, KUB, the Metropolitan Drug Commission, WBIR and WUOT.

For more information visit http://www.medicationcollection.org/.

'Stop The Violence: A Community Conversation' tonight on WBIR

Knoxville leaders and our community will gather at Fulton High School on Wednesday night to talk about ways to help at-risk kids, and take a stand against violence following the shooting death of Zaevion Dobson.

WBIR is partnering with WATE, WVLT and the Knoxville New Sentinel for a one-hour public forum called "Stop the Violence: A Community Conversation."

MORE: County dedicates Jan. 24 to Dobson

Anyone who can't make it can watch at home on any of the three networks, or at WBIR.com.
The forum starts at 7 p.m. ET.

Join the conversation using #ZaevionDobson.

Arts & Cultural Alliance to host photography exhibition by Dean Rice

Dean Rice

The Arts & Culture Alliance will present a new exhibition of photographs by Dean Rice, the county Mayor's Office chief of staff and an avid photographer.

The event will take place from Dec. 4-23 at the Emporium Center. 

These photographs show the faces of Syrian children who now live in the Zaatari Refugee Camp in the desert of Jordan and children who are orphaned living in Amman, Jordan. 

“We talk often of instability in the Middle East, and today we struggle with balancing our national security interests with our humanitarian desires to help the helpless,” Rice said in a released statement. “Through these photographs, however, we see the faces that can bring lasting stability, peace, friendship and gratitude.”

Rice is a member of the national advisory board of the Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF). In the spring of 2015, he traveled to Jordan to visit the Zaatari refugee camp and meet with various Syrians in exile. The photographs of children in this exhibition are some of those he met. Rice is a Global Security Fellow with the University of Tennessee’s Institute for Nuclear Security and serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Tennessee’s College of Communication and Information. 

In 2013, Rice received the Society of Universal Dialogue’s Atlantic Institute "Peace Award" in recognition of his efforts to promote inter-cultural engagement and dialogue. His photographs and paintings have been displayed in multiple exhibitions. A permanent exhibition of his refugee photos is scheduled to open at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC in January, 2016.

The exhibition will be on display in the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville from December 4-23, 2015. 

An opening reception will take place as part of First Friday activities on December 4 from 5:00-9:00 PM with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and chocolate fondue by the Melting Pot of Knoxville. 

The First Friday reception features music by Pistol Creek Catch of the Day from 5:00-7:00 PM. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sundays, December 6 & 20, 3:30-6:30 PM. 

Please note, the Emporium will be closed December 24 – January 1 for the holidays. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.

Effort started to raise funds for wreaths at veteran cemeteries

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is once again launching a Wreaths Across America team in an effort to raise funds to place as many live wreaths as possible on the graves of veterans buried at the three veterans cemetery locations in Knox County. 

 

A $15 sponsorship will pay for a wreath made of live greenery to be placed on a veteran’s grave at either the Old East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Lyons View Pike, the New East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Governor John Sevier Highway or the Knoxville National Cemetery on Tyson Street near Old Gray Cemetery.

 

“If you simply sponsor one wreath or choose to sponsor 100, you are honoring veterans and families who have honored our community with their service,” said Mayor Burchett. “Whether the men and women buried in our veteran cemeteries were lost during combat or after living a long life, we do this for the family members who are still living.”

 

There are more than 15,000 veterans buried at the three veteran cemetery locations in Knox County.

 

Anyone wanting to sponsor a wreath can do so by visiting http://www.knoxcounty.org and clicking on the Wreaths Across America banner.  The organization is also offering a “three-for-two” sponsorship special, which means it will donate a wreath for every two that are sponsored.

 

The deadline for online donations is Nov. 30, and the deadline for donations made by check is Nov. 23. Checks should be made payable to “Wreaths Across America” and mailed to 400 Main Street, Suite 615, Knoxville, TN 37902. The wreaths will be placed on the graves on Dec. 12.

 

Wreaths Across America is a national non-profit that works to place live wreaths on veteran graves during the holidays.

Mayor Burchett to dedicate bridge to fallen Korean War veteran on Tuesday

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will formally dedicate the Connor Road bridge over Bullrun Creek in memory of Corporal Lawrence E. Lett, Navy Cross and Silver Star recipient, 1st Marine Division, US Marine Corps.

The event will take place Oct. 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Cpl Lett was killed in action while serving in Korea on Oct. 27, 1952.

More information about Cpl Lett can be found HERE, and information about his Navy Cross and Silver Star citations can be found HERE. 

The bridge is located just north of E. Brushy Valley Drive. The program will be held in the parking lot of Sunny View Baptist Church.

Community to celebrate Gibbs Middle

The Nicholas Gibbs Historical Society of Tennessee, along with residents, churches, businesses and other members of the Corryton and Gibbs community are hosting a cookout to show appreciation for the soon-to-be-built Gibbs Middle School. 

The cookout, which is open to the public, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. behind Gibbs Elementary School, 7715 Tazewell Pike. 

A news released notes that the community is appreciative of the entire commission and board of education, but especially for the work and support of Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, Knox County Commissioner Dave Wright, School Board members Mike McMillan and Doug Harris, and Superintendent Jim McIntyre.

In addition to free food, there will be live music and fellowship among neighbors.

Event sponsors include: Huddletown BBQ, Midway IGA, Easy Stop Exxon, Weigel’s, Highway Markings, Walgreen’s, Dollar General, CVS, Twisters, Henry’s Deli & Bakery, Shell Breadbox, Patterson TnWaste, Gibbs Car Wash, Gibbs Service Center, The Knoxville Focus, Knox County, Former County Commissioner Jack Huddleston and Former Board of Education Member Steve Hunley.

Bridge dedicated in veteran's memory

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, Commissioner John Schoonmaker and others will formally dedicate the one-lane bridge on Coward Mill Road over Beaver Creek in memory of the late Donald Caldwell.

The event will take place today at 1 p.m. at Ben Atchley State Veterans’ Home Parking Lot
9910 Coward Mill Road.

Caldwell was active in the Karns and Hardin Valley area, and worked to preserve the bridge that is now being dedicated in his memory. Members of his family will also be in attendance.

For the safety of participants and attendees, the bridge dedication program will be held on Ben Atchley State Veterans’ Home property located near the bridge. Members of his family will also be in attendance.

 

In the late 1980s, Caldwell and others organized an effort to preserve the historic bridge, one of only five in the state, and it remains in use today. He also helped pioneer the effort to plant daffodils and redbud trees along Pellissippi Parkway.

 

In addition to serving his community, Caldwell was an Air Force veteran who served in the Korean War, prior to moving to Knoxville to work for the Knoxville Utilities Board.

He passed away in May 2014 at the age of 84.

10 years later: Return to Bay St. Louis; a look at what's happened

We wrapped up a week-long series on the Hurricane Katrina aftermath and recover of Bay St. Louis. As you might recall, WBIR 10 News and East Tennessee donated a ton of time, money and volunteers efforts to help the small coastal Mississippi town.

The storm absolutely devastated the city.

We sent two reporters and two photographers down several weeks ago to talk with the residents and local leaders to hear their stories. It's a pretty amazing piece of work. Check it out RIGHT HERE.

KCSO to donate seized baby formula

Seized baby formula

The Knox County Sheriff's Office will be donating over 200 cans of baby formula to a local charity today at 10 a.m.

The formula was left over from a June 2015 baby formula raid will be donated to the Fish Hospitality Pantries, located at 122 West Scott Avenue. 

The baby formula being donated includes 210 cans that were donated by Kroger ORC Division and the manufacturers during an illegal baby formula investigation led by the Knox County Sheriff's Office in June 2015.

The KCSO raided Wee Care and Rugrats on Chapman Highway and Penney's on Broadway, and arrested five people for selling stolen baby formula. The cans being donated to the FISH Hospitality Pantry were not used during the investigation, and both Kroger and the manufacturer asked that the KCSO donate them to a local charity of its choosing.

All of the formula seized during the search warrant execution of the three businesses is being held as evidence for the pending court cases.

FISH Hospitality Pantries is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that operates four pantries in East, South, Northwest, and West Knoxville. The organization currently provides food to more than 11,000 needy families each month.

Officials to launch 'Purple Out Day'

Knox County Criminal Court Clerk Mike Hammond will launch the inaugural statewide "Purple Out Day" campaign in Knox County benefiting Alzheimer's Tennessee, a non-profit organization.

Hammond and a number of top local elected county officials will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Monday at the City County Building to talk more about the initiative and how the community can participate.

Read the news release right HERE.