Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a small South Knoxville church is battling the winter bed shortage

And on the Knoxville Patch calendar - Smokies Winter Wonderland Light Show . Presented By ORNL FCU

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Friday December 12th Patch AM
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Good day Knoxville! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a small South Knoxville church is battling the winter bed shortage
  • Who are Knoxville’s new Community Champions fighting addiction and overdose?
  • Why Harrison Ford keeps quietly popping up around downtown Knoxville

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 9 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 53 and low of 33 degrees.
  • Saturday: A blend of sun and clouds, temps: high: 51, low: 25.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and much colder, with a high of 30 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Vestel Church in South Knoxville adapts to winter challenges (wbir.com) — South Knoxville’s Vestal United Methodist Church is pivoting into a winter support hub after HVAC problems delayed its usual warming center, even as Knoxville faces a serious shortage of cold-weather shelter beds. Volunteers and former clients are helping serve meals, share coats, and direct people to other centers while a GoFundMe campaign works to restore full overnight services.
   

2. Metro Drug Coalition honors ‘Community Champions' for prevention and recovery outreach (wate.com) — In Knoxville, the Metro Drug Coalition has honored ten “Community Champions” for their work in addiction prevention and recovery, while spotlighting resources available to local families. Leaders stress early education, open conversations, and easy access to help through programs like The Gateway on Fifth Avenue to prevent crises before they happen.
   

3. Did you spot Harrison Ford in Knoxville? Here's why he's visiting (knoxnews.com) — Harrison Ford has been spotted once again in downtown Knoxville, this time attending the Allman Betts Family Revival concert at the Tennessee Theatre on Dec. 10. The actor has become a familiar visitor thanks to his in-laws’ East Tennessee retirement, with past sightings at Pete’s Coffee Shop and around downtown, delighting locals who happen to cross his path.
   

4. Changes to a DNA and genealogy company's terms stall some cold case investigations (wbir.com) — Knoxville readers should know that Ancestry.com has tightened its rules to bar law enforcement use of its DNA services, a move that could slow some cold case identifications. Knox County’s Regional Forensic Center director explains how local teams now rely more on rapid DNA machines and outside genealogy labs to identify remains quickly and restore names to unidentified people.
   

📸 Around Knoxville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Help us find this missing boy please!!
    He ran away around 6 today and hasn’t been seen since, please call the police if you find him or see him. Red/brown hair, 5,10, 16, brown eyes, small… (Nextdoor Sweetbriar)
  • Sweet, long-haired dachshund (Gus) needs a loving home.
    Gus is an extremely loving, 10-year old little guy. He belonged to my grandmother who passed away earlier this year. We took him in because we… (Nextdoor Parkside Dr)
  • All of our thoughts are with Knox County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Bernie Lyon, his family and KSCO colleagues. We are hoping and praying that he... (X: Knoxville_PD)
  • All of us at @THPKnoxville are keeping Chief Deputy Bernie Lyon, his family, and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in our prayers. Wishing him... (X: THPKnoxville)
  • PrideStaff posted a job opening for Material Handler in Knoxville. Apply here.
  • P.L. Marketing posted a job opening for Reset Merchandiser 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 couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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