Community Corner

🌱 How Gatlinburg’s new $10 million public safety hub is taking shape

Also check out Admin Planning Meeting on the Gatlinburg Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 18th Patch AM
Thursday December 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello again Gatlinburg! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Gatlinburg’s new $10 million public safety hub is taking shape
  • Would you know what to do if a bear neared downtown?
  • Which Gatlinburg neighbors just earned college degrees this fall?

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Gatlinburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Cloudy; p.m. rain, breezy, with a high of 58 and low of 39 degrees.
  • Friday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, temps: high: 47, low: 29.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and not as cool, with a high of 58 and low of 39 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Gatlinburg's public safety building project progresses (themountainpress.com) — Gatlinburg is moving ahead on a new three-story public safety building at City Hall, giving police, fire, and emergency operations much-needed space. Despite about 25 rain days, the project remains on schedule, with a hoped-for move-in around August next year. City leaders recently approved additional bonding, bringing the estimated project cost to roughly $10 million.
   

Find out what's happening in Gatlinburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Man Quickly Realizes Why Approaching A Black Bear Is Never A Good Idea (unofficialnetworks.com) — A recent close call near The Glass House Café in Gatlinburg shows why you should never approach or touch the black bears commonly seen around town. Wildlife guidance stresses staying at least 150 feet away, backing off slowly, and contacting officers instead of trying to distract or interact with a bear. The incident underscores how quickly a seemingly calm animal can react when provoked.
   

3. Sevier students among recent WSCC grads (themountainpress.com) — Several Gatlinburg students are celebrating new degrees and certificates from Walters State Community College’s fall 2025 commencement, including graduates in nursing, speech communication, and basic law enforcement. The college awarded 421 credentials overall, with Sevier County well represented across programs from culinary arts to emergency medical services and criminal justice.
   

4. This NC park will be a No. 1 travel destination in 2026, Airbnb says (citizen-times.com) — If you live in Gatlinburg, expect even more visitors soon: Airbnb says Great Smoky Mountains National Park is among the world’s top-trending destinations for 2026, especially with Gen Z travelers. Searches for park stays are surging, and the report highlights a boom in short, nature-focused trips and a wide range of lodging options around the park.
   

📸 Around Gatlinburg

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

📣 Gatlinburg Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The Sevier County Board of Commissioners voted Monday evening to appoint Donnie Adams as Sevier County Road Superintendent.
    Adams has served as Interim Road Superintendent since September 1, following the resignation of longtime Road Superintendent Jonas Smelcer, which… (Nextdoor )
  • Westgate Resorts posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Gatlinburg. Apply here.
  • Ripley Entertainment, Inc. posted a job opening for Cashier - Retail in Gatlinburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gatlinburg here.

Ok Gatlinburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Gatlinburg