Latest news with #RockyBot
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Turn Up Knox receives outside funding after city contract terminated
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A local violence prevention nonprofit has secured outside funding after the City of Knoxville decided to end its partnership with the organization. Turn Up Knox's contract with the city was canceled in February, and the nonprofit received over $100,000 of outstanding payments from the city in April. The city partnered with the organization in 2022 to launch violence prevention and intervention initiatives following an increase in gun violence. 18-year-old charged with attempted murder after shooting in Knoxville Executive Director Denzel Grant said the city funding helped build the organization from the ground up, but Turn Up Knox will continue to operate despite losing this funding. 'We do have our 501(c)(3) status now. Currently, we've received funding from the Gene [and Florence] Monday Foundation. The Appalachian Fund has been a great resource for us as well, and we're continuing to have conversations with other philanthropists who are out here supporting the work,' said Grant. Knoxville 311 launches 'Rocky Bot' AI tool launched to help residents 6 News conversation with Denzel Grant continues Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Tennessee This Week. He and Bo Williams talk more about violence prevention in the community, and the Knoxville City Council District 6 race which Grant announced he was running. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New zipline in Pigeon Forge becomes asset to East Tennessee tourism
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — America's longest zip line has opened in Pigeon Forge, named the 'MegaZip.' The zip line soars over 1,100 miles above ground and stretches a little over a mile. The attraction is a new addition to WildSide Adventure Park, which opened its doors six months ago. 'Places like WildSide are going to be important because it's another new experience that's really like nothing else they can get in their home state or even close by,' said Tennessee Commissioner of Tourist Development Mark Ezell. Ezell was one of a few people who got to ride the zipline on Thursday. He called it an asset to the tourism industry. 'It's an incredible thing to have a state that has great tourism assets,' he said. 'We're a sales tax state in Tennessee, we love that we don't have a personal income tax as a resident. What it means is that more visitors come and they spend their money, and that sales tax revenue, it benefits the whole residents of all of Tennessee.' Knoxville 311 launches 'Rocky Bot' AI tool launched to help residents WildSide co-founders Bob and Bryce Bentz, who are also behind Anakeesta, said they wanted to bring something Pigeon Forge didn't already have. 'That's really what drove the concept of the MegaZip,' said Bryce Bentz. 'Longest zip line in the United States, it's hard to find topography that allows for something like that, and that really inspired us to say, 'Hey, what's the fastest way to get from the very top of the mountain to the very bottom?' And a two and a half minute ride down a mile is the fastest way to do so.' They also have a number of mountain biking trails and UTV tours. While they told 6 News they don't expect to bring in millions of people like they do at Anakeesta, they hope to draw people with a thrill for the outdoors. 'I think when you look at the Great Smoky Mountains area, you know, we have different sides to the park,' said Bob Bentz. 'We have the North Carolina side, we have the Tennessee side, Townsend as the peaceful side, I think we're now the wild side.' Inspector finds hand washing issues at Grainger County restaurant Since WildSide's opening, Bob and Bryce Bentz said they have created 50 jobs, doubled their biking trails and plan to add more UTV tours in the future. They added, while it is still in the works, they also plan to add more attractions like the MegaZip. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
