Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Knoxville couple survived a third-floor leap from raging flames

Be sure to catch Dave & Buster's Sevierville NYE - 2 Parties to choose from on the Knoxville Patch calendar

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Friday December 26th Patch AM
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Hello Knoxville! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Knoxville couple survived a third-floor leap from raging flames
  • How Knoxville wants you to handle all that post-holiday trash
  • Why a UT Knoxville professor’s free-speech trial is years away

Also on today's calendar: Dave & Buster's Sevierville NYE - 2 Parties to choose from .

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

Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Mainly cloudy, mist; windy, with a high of 67 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy and warm, temps: high: 70, low: 54.
  • Sunday: Low clouds may break; warm, with a high of 67 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Couple survives apartment fire at the Collective at Sutherland after jumping out third-story window (wbir.com) — A Knoxville couple survived a devastating fire at the Collective at Sutherland apartments by jumping from their third-floor window, suffering serious injuries and losing their dog, Dixie. Knoxville Fire Department officials say a grease fire, fanned by strong winds, spread quickly and displaced 15 residents, but neighbors and the wider community have since stepped up with housing and donated furnishings.
   

2. City leader provides tips for cleaning up after the holidays (wbir.com) — Knoxville’s waste manager is urging residents to cut holiday trash by reusing, recycling correctly, and taking advantage of city programs. She highlights what wrapping materials are recyclable, promotes gifting experiences, and explains the free Knoxville Compost Project and local drop-off and convenience centers available for excess trash and food scraps.
   

3. Judge sets trial date for Tennessee professor's Charlie Kirk comment suit (knoxnews.com) — A suspended University of Tennessee at Knoxville professor’s free-speech lawsuit is now set for trial in January 2027 at the federal courthouse in downtown Knoxville. The case centers on whether her controversial Facebook comment about Charlie Kirk was protected speech, with UT leaders and attorneys preparing filings and testimony throughout 2026.
   

4. Sprawling Public Sculpture Unfurls Like a Giant Alien Reptile in a Knoxville Park (mymodernmet.com) — A new public sculpture called Pier 865, commissioned by the city of Knoxville, now winds through one of the city’s historic parks like a colorful, alien creature. Built from hundreds of painted aluminum strips, it creates shaded play, gathering, and quiet viewing areas that invite residents to explore the park in a fresh way.
   

5. How Rep. Harold Love secured the largest-ever funding boom for TSU — and what comes next (timesfreepress.com) — State Rep. Harold Love’s push to correct decades of underfunding at Tennessee State University also highlights how the University of Tennessee in Knoxville consistently received matching land-grant funds. Knoxville readers get context on how UT Knoxville’s funding history compares to TSU’s, and how recent political momentum in Nashville led to a $250 million infrastructure boost while larger repayment questions remain unresolved.
   

📸 Around Knoxville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Is anybody missing their sweet fur baby.
    Found and being fed near Foody City on Oak Ridge Highway (Nextdoor Ridgedale)
  • Our sweet elderly dog Bella went missing this evening.
    She has a bandanna with donuts on it and an invisible fence collar. We are on old tavern circle in Village Green. She is microchipped. (Nextdoor Village Green)
  • Starting today and running through the Christmas holiday, KPD Officers will conduct high-visibility traffic enforcement in an effort to prevent... (X: Knoxville_PD)
  • Not much in the way of rainfall through Sunday night. But, Sunday night through our Monday we'll likely pick up 1/4"-1/2". As the colder air settles... (X: MikeWitcherTV)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Knoxville. Apply here.
  • Nesco Resource posted a job opening for Machine Operator in Knoxville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Knoxville here.

Ok Knoxville! 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 guess I’m out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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