Latest news with #SpringRodRun
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Augusta Quarry expected to reopen in early summer as renovations nearly complete
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Renovations to a popular Knoxville swimming spot are finishing up just in time to open for the summer. Augusta Quarry at Fort Dickerson Park is getting some major upgrades. South Knoxville neighbors are looking forward to its reopening, as its been closed for over a year due to construction. Pigeon Forge police warn visitors ahead of 2025 Spring Rod Run 'I grew up in South Knoxville and it's always been an awesome park that the neighborhood loves, and it's like the best little hidden swimming spot that's right next to downtown,' Rachel Jernigan said. Wes Soward, Urban Wilderness Coordinator for the City of Knoxville, said the upgrades aim to improve accessibility and safety at the quarry. 'We have five new building structures, which will incorporate some bathrooms, changing rooms, and front of house park staff space as well. One of the biggest things you'll see that has changed at the quarry is the addition of new floating docks and swim platforms in the quarry lake itself,' he said. Landowners near Knoxville 'rail-to-trail' project file lawsuits seeking compensation The project cost $5.4 million and began in 2019. It's been completed in phases, the first phase made improvements on the perimeter of the park. 'There was a gateway that was installed on Chapman Highway, it's the main entrance to the upper part of Fort Dickerson Park. A driveway and parking lot which is where we're standing now was completed previous to this phase, and we also installed the utilities to support the buildings we're building now,' Soward said. The city is also looking to improve safety at the quarry. New railings and a more accessible trail down to the water will be installed. The docks also aim to deter people from cliff jumping, which has claimed several lives there over the years. Blount County launches Tennessee Safe Baby Court program 'It's something they've needed for a long time because there were a few accidents that happened kind of in close succession back to back,' Jernigan said. 'It's something they've needed down there for a while so I'm glad its going a lot safer than it used to be.' There is not a set date yet for the reopening, but it is expected to be early summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
PHOTOS: Vehicle crashes into Oneida McDonald's after police pursuit
ONEIDA, Tenn. (WATE) — A suspect's truck crashed into a McDonald's in Oneida after a police pursuit Wednesday morning, law enforcement said. According to the arrest warrant, Andrew A. Leininger, 40, fled from law enforcement. It says he 'drove at extreme speeds,' ran a red light, left the road and was involved in a crash on 3rd Avenue and Highway 27. He then fled the scene of the crash and had a second crash into a McDonald's on Alberta Street off Highway 27, damaging the building, documents say. Pigeon Forge police warn visitors ahead of 2025 Spring Rod Run Leininger told the police that he had taken medications, according to the arrest warrant. Law enforcement found a pill bottle containing marijuana and a small glass pipe in his car, they report. Law enforcement arrested him and he was booked in to the Scott County Jail. Leininger faces multiple charges including: Driving under the influence Possession of schedule 6 drugs Leaving the scene of a property crash Reckless driving Aggravated assault Duty to provide aid and give info This is a developing story. or for updates. Where is the line between murder and self-defense? Lawyer breaks down case of Texas track meet stabbing The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pigeon Forge police warn visitors ahead of 2025 Spring Rod Run
PIGEON FROGE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Pigeon Forge Police Department is reminding visitors and residents to be prepared ahead of the Spring Rod Run event, which brings thousands of people to the city every year. This spring's Rod Run is slated to take place at the LeConte Center between April 10 and 12. The event brings together automotive enthusiasts from across the country to admire and show off their classic cars. The event also includes a swap meet and vendors. Pigeon Forge gears up for busy summer as vacationers flock to East Tennessee On Wednesday, PFPD asked those who will be traveling around the city to be prepared for congestion on the roads, sidewalks and in parking lots that will require drivers to be patient and observant. In addition to congestion at the LeConte Center, the department warned the traffic will spill over into primary, secondary and tertiary roads. In addition to slowing down, the department also reminded drivers to move to the right lane when they are not near an intersection. Moving over near the intersection and stopping blocks the intersection. Those traveling in the area should also keep an eye out for pedestrians, and pedestrians should watch for vehicles. Some might remember that there was a fatal crash near Spring Rod Run last year, that left a man who was driving a scooter dead after someone opened a vehicle door at a red light, according to police. While Pigeon Forge is known to attract many vacationers, Rod Run car shows are known to fill up hotels and bring in an economic boom to the region. The Spring Rod Run is the first of two Rod Run events in Pigeon Forge. The second, a Fall Rod Run, is scheduled to take place from September 11-13, 2025. Ford, GM among over 160,000 vehicles recalled Those hoping to sell vehicles during the Spring 2025 Rod Run should also keep in mind that the City of Pigeon Forge has an ordinance that prohibits the advertisement of cars for sale on state roads within city limits. Although the ordinance, passed just a month before the Fall 2024 Rod Run, helps to clear up some parking, it left some event attendees dismayed. Vehicles that are found to violate the ordinance will be towed by the city if police cannot determine or get ahold of the person who owns the vehicle. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
