Knox County Sheriff’s Office will comply with the county commission’s ordinance related to fixed automated license plate reader system. In a press release on October 7, Sheriff Brent Gibson said KCSO has “ceased the purchasing, leasing, acquiring, installing, operating and maintaining of all fixed (ALPR) system. Additionally, no contract or agreement related to fixed ALPRs is being renewed or extended. This compliance includes fixed ALPRs being uninstalled, or access suspended, on both county roads and state roads.”

Gibson went on to say that KCSO “knows firsthand the invaluable benefit these tools provide our officers,” but his department will continue to work with the tools available.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Knox County Mayor Betsy Henderson, Knox County Commission and the Law Director’s Office to ensure we are operating within any guidelines provided by the Knox County Charter.

“Knox County deserves a Sheriff’s Office they can trust to always do the right thing, and we look forward to continuing to earn that trust.”

Amazing and refreshing, isn’t it, to hear a sheriff simply comply with requests from the mayor and commission rather than fighting, suing and generally ignoring such concerns.

Judge Thomas Varlan takes senior status

Thomas Varlan

The Hon. Thomas A. Varlan of the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee has taken senior status effective on October 5, 2026.

Judge Varlan has served as an active Article III district judge for over 23 years. He was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U. S. Senate by a vote of 97-0. He took the oath of office on April 5, 2003, becoming only the 21st judge to serve the Eastern District of Tennessee and the first person of Greek descent to hold a federal judgeship in this district. He served as chief judge of the district from 2012-19.

By taking senior status, Varlan may continue to handle a reduced caseload, but his status change creates an opening on the court to be filled by nomination by President Trump and confirmed by the senate. Here’s an overview of his tenure on the bench: Career Highlights of Thomas Varlan

Pinnacle adds three

Pinnacle Financial Partners has added three financial services veterans to its Knoxville team. All will be based at Pinnacle’s Northshore office.

  • Rand Thomas, financial advisor, joins Pinnacle from Bank of Tennessee.
  • Andrew Pankratz, financial advisor, was previously with First Horizon.
  • Jamie Harrington, a trust and wealth advisor, returns to Pinnacle, where she previously spent six years as a senior vice president and financial advisor in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Trust Company adds staff, recognizes others

The Trust Company of Tennessee has hired five new team members. Marlee Biggs has been added as a client service associate; Weston Mattice as client specialist; Gabby Osgood as client service associate; Deena Turner as retirement plan services relationship manager; and Paul Wich as director of information technology.

Three team members have earned promotions, including Kevin Fillers, who now serves as vice president of retirement plan services; Vanessa Gilenson, associate relationship manager; and Melissa Hanson, revenue accountant.

Three team members have earned new financial credentials. Elizabeth Bradshaw, client specialist, has earned the Accredited Trust Fiduciary Advisor (ATFA) designation; Vice President and Specialty Trust Director Dalia Matthews has earned the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation; and Samuel Williams, client specialist, is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Notes & quotes

Fountain City BPA will meet Wednesday, October 14, at noon at the Fountain City Lions Club Building. Angie Howell will update members on activities at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital and the upcoming Fantasy of Trees. Lunch is $15, catered by Sweet P’s. Christmas Parade applications are open through October 23 and spots are limited. The parade will step off at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2026. Parade info here.

America Plastics LLC has agreed to pay $2.25 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by applying for, receiving and obtaining forgiveness of a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) for which it was not eligible. By settling the case, the company avoided a trial and there was no finding of liability. Details here.

Outdoor Knoxville lists hundreds of activities, many free, all outdoors.

Quote: “The goal with a big piece of social legislation is to have a bipartisan result, so the country will accept it.” – Lamar Alexander

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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes the Let’s Talk series for KnoxTNToday – Let’s Talk – Leaders archive. Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Get daily articles in one place with our free newsletter. Send comments to news@knoxtntoday.com/.