- James Mackler is deferring to former Gov. Phil Bredesen by withdrawing from the 2018 Democratic Primary for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Bob Corker. In a letter to supporters, Mackler said, “We cannot risk any distractions in our fight to defeat Marsha Blackburn’s extreme agenda.” Instead, Mackler is launching a political action committee to support candidates who will “protect and expand our critical national service programs.”
- Bill Bruce, Knoxville principal of CRJA-IBI Group Architects, has announced the addition of landscape architect Chris Hall. He comes from the SWA Group in Los Angeles where he worked as a project designer for five years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and a master’s of landscape architecture from Louisiana State University.
- Pilot raised $66,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Greater East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia through the 2017 Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign, now in its 32nd year. Dan Fleming, vice president of operations for Pilot, presented the check to Teresa Underwood, executive director for the local MDA, at the Rocky Hill Pilot on Wednesday.
- Rural Metro Fire graduated its 2017 class of firefighters in ceremonies Dec. 12 at Kerbela Shrine Temple in South Knoxville. Jeffrey Bagwell said the 12 young men completed over 300 hours of training, some being the most intense imaginable.
- Gerdau warmed the holidays for 401 Lonsdale Elementary School students at its 18th annual Mitten Tree. The steel recycler donated hats, mittens, holidays treats and a visit from Santa for each child at the school. Principal Wendy Hansard said the Mitten Tree is truly appreciated, and Gerdau general manager Johnny Miller said it’s a way to support and spend time “with the students in our own backyard.”
