Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Knox County briefly became America’s worst COVID hotspot

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

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Sunday December 28th 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:

  • Why Knox County briefly became America’s worst COVID hotspot
  • How a Tazewell stabbing chase ended near Knox County
  • What happened to that dusty Trek frame from Two Bikes Knoxville?

Also on today's calendar: Dave & Buster's Sevierville NYE - 2 Parties to choose from and 6 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I’m trying to think of a new cloud joke. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Sunday: Low clouds may break, with a high of 71 and low of 39 degrees.
  • Monday: A couple of morning showers, temps: high: 45, low: 22.
  • Tuesday: Cold with abundant sunshine, with a high of 37 and low of 25 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Knox County worst region in country for COVID burden over winter break (utdailybeacon.com) — Knox County recently led the nation in COVID burden for regions its size, with Knoxville’s high spread tied to holiday gatherings and light state restrictions on in-person events. Local health leaders urge residents and returning students to double down on masking, distancing, and the “five core actions,” while about 14,000 county residents—mainly high‑risk groups—have already received a first vaccine dose.
   

2. Police: Pagan's Motorcycle Club members flee after stabbing in Tazewell (wate.com) — A stabbing tied to alleged Pagan’s Motorcycle Club members in Tazewell led to a multi-county chase that ended with a crash near the Knox County line and two people flown to UT Medical Center in Knoxville. Local and state agencies are still investigating the disturbance outside Catdaddy’s Market and the suspects’ attempted flight through Union County.
   

3. Rough Around the Edges: Reimagining My 1982 Trek 613 (theradavist.com) — A local rider turns a donated vintage Trek from Two Bikes Knoxville into a custom randonneuring-style commuter, learning brazing and wheelbuilding along the way. The detailed build uses classic steel tubing, 650B wheels, and carefully chosen silver components to create a calm, steady all-day bike. It’s a deep dive into DIY bike culture that may inspire Knoxville tinkerers.
   

4. ETSU grad has 'emotional' online graduation from war-torn Ukraine (knoxnews.com) — Knoxville-area readers may appreciate how ETSU held a special online graduation for Ukrainian war journalist Pavlo Rybaruk, who finished his Appalachian studies master’s while reporting from a war zone. In a Q&A with Knox News, he connects lessons from Appalachia and Ukraine’s Carpathian region, arguing that mountain communities’ traditional knowledge can guide resilience, sustainability, and cultural survival during crisis.
   

📸 Around Knoxville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Knoxville

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Would anyone be interested in a pet rabbit.
    He was found wondering and has made his way into my home and is very sweet. We have tried finding his home with no luck. Was hoping to find him a… (Nextdoor Fox Den)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Max was LOST on December 26, 2025 in Knoxville, TN 37919 near Kingston pike west mall Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Laurel Woods/Nickle Road)
  • Troopers Rohrbaugh and Burchett proudly represented the Tennessee Highway Patrol as we honored the life and sacrifice of fallen Washington State... (X: THPKnoxville)
  • TRAFFIC ADVISORY (Fort Sanders) - KUB crews will implement a temporary road closure on a short section of Grand Avenue between 17th Street and 18th... (X: KnoxKUB)
  • ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Day Porter in Knoxville. Apply here.
  • Johnston & Murphy posted a job opening for Full-Time Stock Associate 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 haven’t the foggiest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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