Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How one Knoxville third-grader turned a Christmas tree into hope.

Make time for The Official Christmas Bar Crawl - Knoxville on the Knoxville Patch calendar

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Greetings Knoxville! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How one Knoxville third-grader turned a Christmas tree into hope.
  • Why are more unhoused Knoxvillians dying despite growing local support efforts?
  • How a new giraffe is changing conservation at Zoo Knoxville

Also on today's calendar: The Official Christmas Bar Crawl - Knoxville and 4 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Cooler; windy this morning, with a high of 46 and low of 26 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 54, low: 38.
  • Sunday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 55 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fundraiser by cancer survivor, third-grade classmates brings Christmas joy to school, community (osvnews.com) — Knoxville’s St. Joseph School third-graders, inspired by cancer survivor Hattie Halter, created a Grinch-themed Christmas tree for the Fantasy of Trees fundraiser at the Knoxville Convention Center, benefiting East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Their project, rooted in Hattie’s ongoing care and ambassador role at the hospital, has rallied the school community and highlighted local support for pediatric cancer patients.
   

2. Homeless deaths rise in Knox County as leaders push prevention-focused housing (wate.com) — Homeless advocates report 161 people experiencing homelessness died this year in Knoxville and Knox County, a sharp rise from recent years. Local housing officials say the trend underscores the need for more prevention-focused, permanent supportive housing and outreach, and a memorial service will honor those lost while highlighting the human cost behind the numbers.
   

3. Mokolo the giraffe helps Zoo Knoxville drive endangered species conservation (wbir.com) — Zoo Knoxville has welcomed Mokolo, a 10-year-old male giraffe, as part of its broader conservation push to protect endangered species right here in Knoxville. Alongside Mokolo, the zoo has added several other animals and reported successful births, using close-up encounters to help visitors emotionally connect with wildlife and understand why these conservation programs matter.
   

4. Senate sends East TN attorney, three other Trump nominees to TVA board (knoxnews.com) — A Knoxville attorney has been confirmed to the Tennessee Valley Authority board, giving East Tennessee — and specifically TVA customers served by Knoxville Utilities Board — a stronger voice in big power decisions. Jeff Hagood joins three other Trump appointees who end months of TVA board gridlock, all backing nuclear expansion while pledging to keep the utility publicly owned.
   

5. Knoxville Central boys basketball off to best start since 2010 (wate.com) — Knoxville Central’s boys basketball team is off to its best start since 2010, already topping last year’s win total under new head coach JP Payne. The senior-heavy Bobcats sit at 11-2, are aiming for a district title, and hope their hard-nosed play gives Central fans and the Fountain City community something to rally around.
   

📸 Around Knoxville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • THANK YOU!!
    THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! To the precious Christmas elf that surprised us with a couple bags of kitty food for the FERALS. Everyone is doing well. I… (Nextdoor Lake Ridge & Tierra Verde)
  • Black Tuxedo cat escaped.
    8 month old. shy, first time out of the house. went down toward west town estates. We are house in the curve on Helmbolt Road. 865 368 3735. (Nextdoor West Town Estates)
  • A short time ago, members of KPD’s Community Engagement Response Team took 20-year-old Jayden Blevins into custody after spotting him driving on... (X: Knoxville_PD)
  • Almost time for winter break! Tomorrow, Dec. 19, is a half day for all KCS students. Find your school’s release time:... (X: KnoxSchools)
  • G2 Secure Staff posted a job opening for Skycap/Porter in Knoxville. Apply here.
  • Food City Supermarket posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk (Bagger) 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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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