In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather - Partly Cloudy with a High of 60

📰 Knoxville Boy Scout Earns Prestigious Conservation Service Award for Major Environmental Projects

📰 Tennessee Officials Investigate Juvenile Center for Excessive Isolation

🏀 Lady Vols Suffer Second Season Loss Amid Offensive Struggles and Jackson's Absence

🦃Dolly Parton Shines in Halftime Show at Thanksgiving Football Game

🎄 Buy a Tree, Change a Life!

📅 Events & Entertainment - Things to Do This Weekend

💰 Financial Tip of the Day

🦃 Black Friday Store Opening Times

💡 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!
 

Knoxville Boy Scout Earns Prestigious Conservation Service Award for Major Environmental Projects

Luke Williams, a Boy Scout from Knoxville, achieved the Conservation Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America, a distinction earned by only a few scouts each year. This award required Williams to complete two significant conservation projects. The first was a restoration of the deteriorating Little Greenbrier Cemetery in a National Park, where he led efforts to control soil erosion and repair damaged headstones.

The second project involved upgrading the lighting at the Great Smoky Mountain Council’s scout camp, replacing fluorescent lights with more energy-efficient LED fixtures. Williams successfully raised $2,500 for these projects, with excess funds donated to the National Park. Recognized for his efforts, Williams became the 39th recipient of the Distinguished Conservation Service Award. His leadership extends beyond these projects, as he holds several key roles in various scouting groups, including the Order of the Arrow and Sea Scouts.

Tennessee Officials Investigate Juvenile Center for Excessive Isolation

The Tennessee Department of Children Services is investigating the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Service Center following a ProPublica report about excessive isolation of juvenile inmates. DCS officials have prioritized addressing these concerns. John Valliant, the center's Board of Trustees Chairman, was unaware of the issues and committed to investigating further.

A 2021 law in Tennessee limits isolation in juvenile detention to six hours daily and prohibits its use as punishment. Following the law, the center's policies were reviewed and revised. Valliant plans to engage more with inmates after the report. State Senator Heidi Campbell and other lawmakers have called for an audit of juvenile facilities, expressing concerns about law violations and potential abuse at the center.

Lady Vols Suffer Second Season Loss Amid Offensive Struggles and Jackson's Absence

The Lady Vols basketball team experienced their second loss of the season, not due to their defense but because of offensive struggles, particularly noticeable in the absence of senior forward Rickea Jackson. They were defeated 71-57 by 19th-ranked Indiana, with the game being played at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Tennessee's record fell to 3-2, while Indiana improved to 4-1.

Officiating in the game seemed to favor Indiana, adding to the Lady Vols' challenges. Junior forwards Karoline Striplin and Sara Puckett each scored 13 points for Tennessee. Senior point guard Jasmine Powell returned from a wrist injury, but sophomore Avery Strickland and Jackson were still out, the latter missing her third game due to a lower leg injury.

Dolly Parton Shines in Halftime Show at Thanksgiving Football Game

Dolly Parton performed at the Thanksgiving Day football game's halftime show between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders. Dressed in an outfit inspired by the Cowboys cheerleaders, she sang a medley of her hits and covered Queen songs.

Earlier in the week, Parton also performed at a Tennessee football game, where she faced technical difficulties but expressed joy in being part of the event and her love for her home state.

Things To Do This Weekend

Have an event to add? Let us know! [email protected] 

Friday, 11/24

• Black Friday Shopping!

• Downtown Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt BEGINS TODAY: 11/24/2023 - 1/8/2024​​. More Info

• Downtown Peppermint Trail BEGINS TODAY: 11/24/2023 - 1/7/2024. More Info

• Ice Skating in Market Square BEGINS TODAY: An open-air ice rink available from 11/24/2023, to 1/2/2024. More info

• KISS: End of the Road World Tour, Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, 7:30 pm. More Info

• Regal Celebration of Lights: Lighting of the 42-foot tall Mickey Mallonee Christmas in the City Tree, downtown​ More Info.

Saturday, 11/25

• Tennessee Volunteers Football vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Football at Neyland Stadium

Sunday, 11/26

• A Christmas Carol, Clarence Brown Theatre, 2 pm. More Info

• Classical Christmas: Messiah, Tennessee Theatre, 2:30 pm. More Info

• Creekside Creatives Holiday Market, 1 pm - 7 pm. More Info

• Keyboards at Christmas, Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum Tuesday, 11/21, 2:30 pm More info

Multi-Date Events:

• Dinovember, Norwood Branch Library Merchant Drive, November 1st - 30th

• Downtown Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt: 11/24/2023 - 1/8/2024​​. More Info

• Downtown Peppermint Trail: 11/24/2023 - 1/7/2024. More Info

• Ice Skating in Market Square: An open-air ice rink available from 11/24/2023, to 1/2/2024. More Info

• Jazz at the Emporium, Tuesdays in November at the Emporium Center, 100 South Gay Street. from 7 pm - 8:30 pm. Tickets are Free - More info

Financial Tip of the Day

Tip: If you struggle with sticking to your savings goals, keep the vision in front of you! Think of creating a VISION BOARD to encourage you and keep you focused on your goals.

Today’s Financial Tip of the Day is brought to you by Sara Hobbs of Stewardship Advisory Services.

Buy a Tree, Change a Life!

Buy a Tree, Change a Life starts today! A beautiful selection of live Christmas trees awaits you! They are fresh and waiting on the perfect family to take them home! Not only do you get a lovely tree this holiday season, but you also get to CHANGE LIVES!

Open daily 10am - 8pm starting November 24th!
318 E. Emory Road, Powell, TN 37849
Corner of I-75 and Emory Road

Find out more at batcalpowell.org

🦃🎄🎅 
Local Shopping this Season

Black Friday Store Opening Times

Are you going shopping on Black Friday? Here are large store opening times. Are you a locally-owned business opening early for Black Friday hours? Let us know here, and we will add you to this list! [email protected] 

Opens at 5:00 a.m.

• Academy Sports

• Bass Pro Shops

• JCPenney

Opens at 6:00 a.m.

• At Home

• Belk at West Town Mall

• Big Lots

• Dicks House of Sports at West Town Mall

• Dillard’s

• Foot Locker

• Gap

• H&M

• Home Depot

• Lowe’s

• Pottery Barn

• Sephora

• Tanger Outlets Sevierville

• Tractor Supply Company

• ULTA

• Victoria’s Secret

• Walmart

• West Town Mall

• Williams Sonoma

Opens at 7:00 a.m.

• Belk in Turkey Creek

• Home Goods

• Marshalls

• T.J. Maxx

Opens at 8:00 a.m.

• Barnes & Noble

• Guitar Center

Opens at 9:00 a.m.

• Staples

We Want To Spotlight Your Business!

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in front of thousands of Knoxville area residents in an upcoming issue of Knoxville Insider?

We ❤️ Local Businesses!

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you're a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! "Knoxville Insider" is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our town. Let's collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special. Send us a message to [email protected] and let's celebrate the spirit of Knoxville together! Not a business owner, but love a local business? Tell us all about it at the email address above!