Latest news with #GreeneCo.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Knoxvillians weigh in on proposed sales tax increase to fund local improvements
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Earlier this week, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon announced she would ask the city council to put a half-cent local option sales tax increase on the November ballot. If approved, the increased sales tax could raise as much as $47 million for things like affordable housing, neighborhood investments, and park improvements. 6 News went out to Market Square to ask people residents their thoughts on the proposal. The proposed increase would raise the current rate of 2.25% to about 2.75%, bringing it in line with several other Tennessee counties. Knoxville mayor announces possible sales tax increase 'Initially thinking about it, I think it's a good idea. My only concern is when it comes to government, the money doesn't always go where they say it's going to go. So if they can show that that money will go to where it's supposed to go. Unfortunately, every day I'm seeing more and more homeless, and it breaks my heart. So if the money goes to the right place, I'm for it, ' said resident Uri Sankowski. The City of Knoxville has released a breakdown of how the revenue would be spent each year. There would be $10 million allocated for affordable housing, $5 million for facilities and maintenance, $12 million for road paving and greenways, $10 million for parks, and another $10 million for sidewalks and traffic calming. Pigeon River in East TN stocked with 10,000 walleye after Hurricane Helene concerns 'I'm actually a very large advocate for sidewalks, especially in some of the outskirts of towns like Bearden. On the north side of 1-40, there's entire neighborhoods that don't have any sidewalks,' said Rachel Young. 'So if we did have something like that and have affordable housing mixed with that urban improvements, that would be incredible.' Groceries would be exempt from the raised sales tax, as well as other significant household expenses like gas, utilities, rent, diapers, and baby formula. With penny blank supplier in Greene Co., leaders respond to treasury halt 'In general, I oppose it, but if it happens, it happens. And if we see it going towards good things, then I support it,' said Chris Adkins. 'Any time taxes go up, that's not a great thing. But obviously there are programs in situations where we need the money.' Mayor Kincannon said the city must invest in its growing needs. 'I think Knoxville is a very progressive town, and that's part of the reason why I moved here,' Young added. 'I'm not from Tennessee, but I really love the vibe and the culture of Knoxville and part of the reason why is because Knoxvillians always love to help people and it's the Volunteer State. So why not volunteer a half a cent?' ▶ See more top stories on The next step for the proposal will be a City Council workshop that will likely happen next Thursday, allowing the council to become more informed on their decision. The final vote will happen sometime in June and if passed, it will be placed on the November 2025 citywide ballot for voters to decide. Should voters approve the increase, it will take effect starting March 1, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Board removes Unicoi Co. Animal Shelter leadership
UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Unicoi County Animal Welfare Board voted on Thursday night to remove the county's animal shelter director. In a 5-2 vote, the board chose to remove shelter director Cody Walker and animal control officer and assistant director Pam Harris from their positions. Walker and Harris were not in attendance at the meeting. With penny blank supplier in Greene Co., leaders respond to treasury halt During a meeting, board members described conditions at the shelter, which was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, as 'deplorable.' Board members said the conditions at the shelter were still poor despite spending $72,000 for repairs and cleanup fees. So far in 2025, board members said 102 calls to animal control services have been made, and 42 of those calls went unanswered. The board also referenced a May 13 incident in which a child was bitten by a dog and animal control provided no response. Allegations of numerous dogs being at large in the county were also made prior to the vote. This is a developing story. More details will be added to the story through the evening. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘It's really weird;' Man says he found human remains while replacing porch on Greene County property
A man found human remains while working on renovations at a house in Greene County Tuesday afternoon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] >> PHOTOS: Greene Co. property searched for human remains News Center 7's Taylor Robertson talks to the man who made the discovery LIVE on News Center 7 at 11:00. TRENDING STORIES: Area Popeye's location 'temporarily closed' Did you feel it? 3.1 magnitude earthquake detected in Ohio Concerns raised after house demolished in ongoing murder investigation of 13-year-old girl The investigation started around 2:30 p.m. in the area of U.S. 68 and Clifton Road in Xenia Township. >>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Human remains found during renovation work at Greene County property Chris Frisby said his friends recently bought the house, and he's been staying here to help with renovations. 'I was going to re-deck the front porch, so I had to take the old deck off and when I did, I started discovering things,' Frisby said. Frisby said he found bones. Greene County Coroner Kevin Sharrett confirmed to News Center 7 that his office worked with the Montgomery County Coroner's Office to confirm that at least some of the bones found were human. 'At this point, it appears to be the remains of one individual,' Sharrett said. 'We won't know for sure, over the next couple of days, until we get the exhumation done, but this does not appear to be a fresh exhumation; these bones appear to have been there for quite a while.' Texas Equusearch responded to the scene to help excavate the bones. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Down came the whole thing;' Uprooted tree falls on house as result of severe storms
Wednesday night's severe storms caused a tree to fall on a house while a mother and daughter were inside. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7's Mason Fletcher visited the home today to speak with the homeowners and see the damage. Crews began cleanup Thursday morning, but the house has a long way to go News Center 7 at 5:00. Barbara McCarty and her daughter Sharon Williamson were in their Kettering home as heavy winds and rain rolled through the region. McCarty has lived in the house for over 30 years. She said she sat in her living room that night thinking the storm had already passed. TRENDING STORIES: Driver drops doughnut, causes multi-car crash in Ohio Greene Co. mother maintains her innocence after baby found in garbage truck High school staff member accused of offering student $2,000 to kill her husband '[Williamson] was coming up the hall and she said 'Oh, mom, did you hear? It's coming.' And down came the whole thing,' McCarty said. The tree was blown over around 12:30 a.m. Thursday. It dismantled the awning over their front porch. Their couch was covered in drywall and insulation. Both McCarty and Williamson made it out of the house without significant injuries. This story will be updated. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
