Michael Pelton, the UT professor emeritus and wildlife biologist who studied black bears for more than 30 years, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at age 86. The University of Tennessee School of Natural Resources announced his death with this statement:

“Pelton joined the UT Forestry Department in 1968 as one of the two original wildlife faculty members. He planned to study cottontail rabbits, but that changed after the National Park Service called and asked him to study black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“What started under Pelton led to one of the longest continuous studies of a bear population in the world. ‘I’m a strong proponent of long-term studies. It takes a long time to see how bears respond through the different seasons,’ Pelton told Our Tennessee in 2018. ‘Similar to humans in many ways, bears are the other intelligent omnivore.’

“Our faculty, staff, students and alumni send our condolences to his family and loved ones.” Read about his time at UT here. Full obituary here.

‘Shiny Objects’ coming to SoKno Art Walk

Legacy Parks Foundation is bringing more color and creativity to South Knoxville with the installation of a second mural along the upcoming SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk.

This mural, “Shiny Objects” by artist Naomi Haverland, is being painted on the vertical tower portion of Kern’s Bakery at 2201 Kerns Rising Way. It is one of four large-scale murals planned for the Art Walk, which will transform blank walls throughout the corridor into an evolving outdoor art gallery.

Artist at work. Shadows give 3-D effect.  (photo from Legacy Parks)

Over the coming months, additional murals and four larger-than-life sculptures will be installed along the trail, creating a vibrant and unique outdoor art experience accessible to everyone, per Legacy Parks Facebook post.

Inspired by a favorite pastime in East Tennessee and the unexpected beauty of ordinary fishing lures, the mural will use vivid colors, reflective details and trompe l’oeil techniques to make these oversized lures appear to hang right off the building. A $1 million gift from the Lawson Family Foundation is funding the initial installations.

For “Shiny Objects,” Haverland drew inspiration from fishing lures – as a nod to East Tennessee and an ordinary object with surprisingly beautiful features.

“I was drawn to fishing lures because they’re such unexpectedly beautiful objects. They’re designed to catch the eye, with reflective metals, vivid colors, intricate patterns and shapes that mimic living things. Enlarging them to an exaggerated scale gave me an opportunity to really celebrate those details,” she said.

The SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk is a 3.8-mile rail-to-trail project connecting Chapman Highway to Ijams Nature Center. The Art Walk will be a vibrant 1.5-mile segment of the trail, from Chapman Highway to Island Home, integrating art, nature and recreation into an accessible experience for all, said Carol Evans, executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation.

Dogwood Arts is managing artist selection, coordination and art installations of much of the art along the corridor. Learn more at Legacy Parks. 

Panther Creek State Park honored for operational excellence

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has honored Panther Creek State Park in Hamblen County with the Excellence in Operations Award as part of the Tennessee State Parks annual Awards of Excellence.

“The leadership at Panther Creek State Park has focused on strengthening its people, processes and preparedness, resulting in a well-operated park that provides a high level of service to its guests,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers.

The award recognizes a park for distinguished achievement in strengthening the systems that support effective park management. The evaluation considers how staff capacity is developed, how performance standards are applied, how resources are managed responsibly and how operations are sustained during periods of significant challenge or complexity, in alignment with the Tennessee State Parks 10-Year Comprehensive Strategic Plan.

TDEC announced awards for parks in other categories:

  • State Park of the Year: Roan Mountain State Park
  • Excellence in Resource Stewardship Award: Johnsonville State Historic Park
  • Excellence in Visitor Experience Award: Pickwick Landing State Park
  • Excellence in Amenities Award: Pickett CCC Memorial State Park
New assistant commissioner at TDA

Blake Ramsey

Blake Ramsey is the assistant commissioner for business development for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA). The announcement came from Commissioner Andy Holt.

Ramsey previously served as the director of business development for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

“Blake understands how to connect businesses and industry partners with new markets and opportunities, and I’m confident his expertise will help us continue growing Tennessee’s agricultural economy and strengthening rural communities across the state,” Holt said.

Ramsey earned an MBA in marketing and business analytics from the University of Georgia in Athens. He also holds a master of agribusiness degree and a bachelor of science in agricultural economics from Texas A&M.

Notes & quotes

Master Gardeners of Knox County will host a free event (with free parking) on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at UT Gardens, 2518 Jacob Drive, Knoxville. Events include workshops, exploration of the gardens and food for purchase. Info here.

Music in the Grove will feature musician Tony Paul, a Karns native, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 2026. Club members built a performance stage in a grove of cedar trees behind the Karns community building at 7708 Oak Ridge Hwy. Concert is free. Info here.

ORNL FCU’s final Summer Sessions concert is Saturday, September 19, at the Museum of Appalachia. Singer-songwriter Shawn Camp will headline the free concert, which will also feature Verlon Thompson and Madelyn Tallent. The history museum, located at 2819 Andersonville Highway in Clinton, will host the free event starting at 6 p.m. The concert is sponsored in partnership with WDVX. Details here.

Quote: “As the gardener, by severe pruning, forces the sap of the tree into one or two vigorous limbs, so should you stop off your miscellaneous activity and concentrate your force on one or a few points.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes the Let’s Talk series for KnoxTNToday – Let’s Talk – Outdoors 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/.