News
January 10, 2019 by Michelle Hollenhead
Ruthie McIntyre was a storyteller for many years — she just didn’t realize it.
The long-time teacher and educational administrator, now 80, said she used storytelling almost daily in her work. However, it was an introduction to the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough that led to the latest award-winning chapter in her adventure-filled life.
After more than two decades of concentrated work in the genre, the National Association of Black Storytellers recognized the Farragut resident’s talents and presented her with the 35th Annual Brother Blue Circle of Elders Award.
Named for Dr. Hugh Morgan “Brother Blue” Hill, “This esteemed award recognizes contributions and honored presence of Elders in the storytelling community,” a press release stated. “Ruthie’s passion and presence has been felt. We are honored to recognize her unwavering support of our mission.”
McIntyre has been a member of the group for the last five years and said she is honored by the award.
“I just pinch myself that I’m still alive,” she said with a smile and a hearty laugh.
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Drive-thru Town Starbucks has Feb. 7 targeted opening
January 10, 2019 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut Gateway, located at the corner of Kingston Pike and South Campbell Station Road, is in its final stages of construction.
Paul Schaffer, a partner with First Farragut Development, LLC, which is developing the property that will include a drive-through Starbucks, said he expects Starbucks to open Thursday, Feb. 7. adding he expects a spring or early summer opening for the rest of the site.
Schaffer said the only work remaining at Starbucks is signage and a screen on the roof to cover the HVAC unit.
The development is comprised of 12,000 square feet in two separate buildings, with Starbucks taking up 2,200 square feet.
“I think it’s going to be a really nice space,” he said, adding the development will include a park-like patio for people to gather.
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January 10, 2019 by Michelle Hollenhead
Farragut tapped an award-winning documentary filmmaker to bring the Town and its history to life in a video that will premier Thursday, Jan. 31.
Keith McDaniel of Oak Ridge, whose acclaimed works have included “Secret City: Oak Ridge Story Parts 1 and 2” and “The Clinton 12” — both of which have won numerous awards — was chosen last year to expand the Town museum’s recorded oral histories.
“We had several oral histories in house, and some small videos, but we had in mind for (something larger) for a little while and it grew into creating a video,” said Julia Barham, Farragut Museum and Historical Resources coordinator, adding “we wanted it to be a professional video.”
McDaniel said he had previously worked with Museum Committee member Steve Stow, who reached out to him “about a year ago” about helping produce a Farragut documentary.
In addition to his filmmaking experience, McDaniel said he also has been involved with the Center for Oak Ridge Oral History “since its beginning nine years ago.
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January 10, 2019 by
• At 3:20 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2, Knox County Sheriff’s Office units responded to Firestone Tire, 11215 Kingston Pike, in reference to theft by an employee. Upon arrival, officers made contact with complainant. He said his employee (eventual arrestee) had been refunding money from the store onto his personal debit card. Complainant said he confronted the employee about it, to which he admitted to stealing the money and even filled out a statement admitting to the theft. Upon contact with employee, he said to officers he has been refunding money onto his debit card since October of 2018. Complainant printed off store records since October and discovered employee had stolen $5,067.39 by refunding the funds onto his personal debit card. A KCSO detective, retail theft division, was notified of the incident. Store records and statements were turned over to him. Arrestee also was issued a criminal trespass warning and instructed not to return to Firestone Tire. He was taken into custody and transported to Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility without incident.
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Ruthie McIntyre recently earned the BBCEA Storyteller Award.
