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🌱 Patch AM: How South Knoxville neighbors escaped a Christmas Eve house fire

Coming up on the Knoxville Patch calendar: Dave & Buster's Sevierville NYE - 2 Parties to choose from

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Hey hey Knoxville! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How South Knoxville neighbors escaped a Christmas Eve house fire
  • How Farragut’s 230-year-old inn is reopening for your next event
  • How a Knoxville immigration detention upended one East Tennessee family’s holidays

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 little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, mist; warm, with a high of 67 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Friday: Mainly cloudy, mist; windy, temps: high: 67, low: 57.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy and warm, with a high of 70 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. KFD: 1 person injured after South Knoxville house fire on Christmas Eve (wbir.com) — Fire crews rushed to a South Knoxville home on Keeble Avenue Christmas Eve after a blaze trapped a man on the roof, sending him to a local hospital. Eleven residents, including four children, escaped as Knoxville firefighters knocked down heavy flames within minutes and managed to save some of the kids’ presents.
   

2. Campbell Station Inn reopens soon, renovated to honor its long history (knoxnews.com) — A long-anticipated renovation of Farragut’s historic Campbell Station Inn is finished, and the landmark will reopen Jan. 8, 2026 as a welcome center and event space. Just west of Knoxville, the town invested over $5.6 million to restore original features, add tourism offices, and create rentable community space that will soon be open to the public.
   

3. ‘Flipped our family life upside down' Family of man detained in Knoxville speaks out (wate.com) — An East Tennessee family is reeling after Diego Hernandez Garcia was detained by immigration authorities in Knoxville, deported to El Salvador despite a judge’s order, and then returned to ICE custody in Louisiana. His former teacher in Maryville, now caring for his nephews, says the Knoxville detention and sudden deportation have upended their lives as they hope the legal process will protect him.
   

4. Powerball players in Knoxville dream big amid $1.7B jackpot frenzy (wbir.com) — Knoxville residents are lining up at Weigel’s on North Cherry Street, dreaming about what they’d do with a record $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot. From helping the homeless to having the “best Christmas ever,” steady ticket sales show how the massive prize is giving locals something hopeful to talk about this holiday season.
   

5. Knoxville couple goes viral with ice rink proposal in Market Square (wbir.com) — A Knoxville couple’s second engagement on the Holidays on Ice rink in Market Square has gone viral, turning downtown into the backdrop for a feel-good holiday moment. Surrounded by cheering strangers, they’re using their story to highlight everyday kindness and “love out loud” in their hometown.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hey guys!
    My golden retriever was found. Thank you for helping me out, what a great app this is too! I love the community bond it offers. (Nextdoor Rock Hill)
  • My mom needs cataract surgery.
    Does anyone have any suggestions for a great surgeon? (Nextdoor West Hills/Wesley)
  • Starting today and running through the Christmas holiday, KPD Officers will conduct high-visibility traffic enforcement in an effort to prevent... (X: Knoxville_PD)
  • Mounted Patrol officers spent part of this beautiful Christmas Eve on patrol on the recently reopened Gay Street Bridge. Merry Christmas, Knoxville!... (X: Knoxville_PD)
  • TravelCenters of America posted a job opening for Porter - PT- Site 312 in Knoxville. Apply here.
  • Tennessee Staffing posted a job opening for Customer Service - Self Storage Manager 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 not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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