News Flash

MARYVILLE, TENNESSEE – Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong said deputies arrested a 42-year-old Louisville woman Wednesday afternoon after she fired a shotgun at a sanitation vehicle as it arrived to pick up her trash. 

Theresa M. Reynolds, 42, Cub Drive, Louisville, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault. She is being held on bonds totaling $20,000 pending a hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court at 9 a.m. June 2, 2023. 

At approximately 1:30 pm Wednesday, deputies responded to the area of Cub Drive after receiving a complaint from two sanitation workers that as they drove up a driveway to a residence on their route, they noticed a woman sitting on the front porch with a shotgun in her lap. The two men told deputies that she shot the ground with the shotgun toward the vehicle. They said the woman, identified as Theresa Reynolds, began yelling at them and pulled out an iPad and asked them if they wanted her to video her shooting them. The men turned their vehicle around in the driveway to leave the residence. As they drove past the house, Reynolds fired another round at their truck, striking the passenger door. The men drove to a safe area and called 911. When the deputies arrived at the residence, Ms. Reynolds refused to come out of the house. The Sheriff’s Office SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) and Crisis Negotiation teams arrived and eventually took Reynolds into custody.

Reynolds remains in custody in the Blount County Correctional Facility.

MARYVILLE, TENNESSEE – Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong announced two 12-year-old boys were charged with felonies following the burglary and vandalism of a church and two homes earlier this month. 

The boys were each charged with the following delinquent charges:

• Two counts of aggravated burglary 

• One count of vandalism $60,000 - $250,000 

• One count of vandalism under $2,500

• One count of vandalism under $1,000 

The boys, who deputies charged on May 23, made their initial appearance in Blount County Juvenile Court on May 25. One boy was released into the custody of his mother. The other boy was held an additional week due to his behavior during court. 

Sheriff’s deputies responded to Smyrna Baptist Church on Howard School Road on May 13 to the call of a burglary and vandalism of the church. Deputies found major damage inside the church, including chairs and pews overturned, broken windows, food items thrown on the floor and walls, damaged Bibles and books, a piano and organ that were destroyed, a flooded bathroom, and carpet that was destroyed by foam from a fire extinguisher. The damage to the church is estimated at $200,000. The case was turned over to the Sheriff’s Office Investigations unit. During their inquiry into the case, forensic and other evidence led investigators to the two boys as suspects, one of whom lives near the church. After speaking with boys and their guardians, the boys confessed to burglarizing and vandalizing the church, as well as two nearby homes between May 13 and May 20. 

In addition to the arrests in the Smyrna Baptist Church incident, on May 20th investigators also cited four juvenile boys, ages 15 to 17 years old, in the February 2023 burglary and vandalism of the Friends Church in Friendsville. Investigators cited the boys with burglary and vandalism after they vandalized the church’s pavilion and broke into the kitchen and set off a fire extinguisher and broke ceiling fans and a microwave oven, among other damages.

MARYVILLE, TENNESSEE – Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong said a 33-year-old man is dead and two others were injured following a serious car accident involving three vehicles on Sevierville Road Sunday evening. In addition, deputies arrested and charged the at-fault driver with multiple counts. 

Aaron Dixon, 33, of Rockford Street, Rockford, was pronounced dead on the scene by AMR Ambulance Service medical personnel. In addition, two other individuals, a 16-year-old boy and 23-year-old man in another involved vehicle were injured. The 23-year-old was flown by Life Start to U.T. Medical Center. The 16-year-old was taken by AMR Ambulance Service to U.T. Medical Center. 

The at-fault driver, William Odom, 34, of Raintree Drive, Maryville, was arrested and charged with the following:

• DUI, 2nd offense

• Vehicle Assault

• Vehicle Homicide

Odom remains in custody at the Blount County Correctional Facility on bonds totaling $350,000 pending a hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court at 1:30 pm May 22, 2023. 

Shortly before 7 pm Sunday, deputies responded to the call of a motor vehicle accident involving three vehicles on Sevierville Road at the intersection of Raintree Drive. The investigation conducted by deputies with the Traffic Safety Unit determined the following: the at-fault driver, William Odom, who was driving a 2006 Saab sedan, was attempting to make a left turn onto Sevierville Road from Raintree Drive when he pulled onto the roadway and failed to yield to a northbound 1994 Plymouth Voyager van driven by Aaron Dixon. The impact of that collision forced Dixon’s van into the opposite lane of travel, striking a 2001 F-150 Ford pick-up truck driven by Michael Roy, 23, of Maple Street, Alcoa. 

William Odom was evaluated on the scene by medics with AMR Ambulance Service before deputies conducted an investigation on him for DUI.  Michael Roy, the driver of the F-150 Ford pick-up truck was also evaluated at the scene and refused medical transport. Roy’s two male passengers, 16 and 23, remain hospitalized. 

Odom was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The deceased, Aaron Dixon, was wearing a seatbelt. Michael Roy and his two passengers were also wearing seatbelts. 

Sevierville Road remained closed for several hours Sunday evening due to the crash. Deputies with the BCSO Traffic Safety Unit are continuing the investigation into the accident. 

Sheriff Berrong is asking citizens to obey the laws regarding Tennessee’s DUI laws. 

“This serves as a sad reminder that drinking and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can lead to serious consequences,” Sheriff Berrong said. “Getting behind the wheel intoxicated is NEVER okay. Designate a sober driver, call a ride share service, or just stay at home if you’ve been drinking. A life was cut short due to negligence, and it could have been avoided. As summer approaches and you start making holiday plans, please think about the consequences of driving intoxicated before it’s too late.”

We are ready to kick off this holiday season!  Our Hometown Christmas is set for Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Blount County Courthouse.  The program will kick off at 6:30pm with the official tree lighting for the Festival of Trees, followed by Mayor Mitchell's presentation of the annual Pride of Tennessee Award to a local resident who has gone above and beyond in their commitment to community service.  Choirs from Carpenters Elementary School, Carpenters Middle School, and Blount County Schools Employees will close out the program.    

Then at 7:00pm the Courthouse lobby and grounds will be open for refreshments, Santa visits, and hayrides in the street.  In the lobby, you’ll be blessed by music from Eagleton Elementary’s 4th and 5th Grade Choir and the Clayton Bradley Academy Orchestra while enjoying treats provided by Blount County Commissioners and Parks & Rec staff.

Outside, you can grab a hot chocolate provided by the Salvation Army while you admire the Festival of Trees entries. The Festival of Trees is a unique Blount County tradition organized with the help of Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks & Recreation.  Over 30 businesses, organizations, churches, schools and individuals have signed up to provide and decorate a Christmas tree for this upcoming season!

Oh and we can’t forget the guest of honor - SANTA!  He’ll be available for anyone who’d like to get a photo with him before the “Big Day”! 

Join us for this special event to start off the Christmas season!  If you aren’t able to make it on December 4, the Festival of Trees will remain on display at the Courthouse until December 31.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

LOCAL AND STATE PARTNERS TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK OPERATIONS DURING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THROUGH EARLY 2026

Blount County, Tennessee (October 31, 2025) – Joint Statement

Since the federal government shutdown began in early October, state and local partners have provided funding to maintain full operations of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As the shutdown enters November, these partners have agreed to continue supporting the park to ensure that key areas remain open to the public through Sunday, January 4, 2026, if the shutdown continues.

Working closely with Acting Superintendent Sellars and the National Park Service, partners have identified ways to adjust operations in line with normal seasonal changes that occur during late fall and winter months while maintaining visitor access and essential services. Some positions will be furloughed to concentrate on visitor services and operations. This continuation allows the park to remain open beyond the current agreement, which was previously set to end on November 2.

Under the agreement, visitor services will operate as normal, with traditional seasonal closings of certain facilities taking place throughout the months of November and December. All four visitor centers will remain open through January 4, with the exception of Kuwohi Visitor Center, which normally closes on November 30. Additionally, Cades Cove Campground and Smokemont Campground will remain open, with Elkmont Campground closing as normal on November 30. The Cades Cove Picnic Area, Deep Creek Picnic Area, Greenbrier Picnic Area, and Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area will remain open, while Chimneys Picnic Area will close as normal on November 30.

The effort to keep Great Smoky Mountains National Park accessible continues to be supported by Sevier County, the Cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Pittman Center, Blount County, Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Friends of the Smokies, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Additionally, beginning with this new agreement, Smokies Life has joined in the effort to support the national park. This funding from local partners is partially offset by revenues from the Park It Forward parking tag program.

Partners will continue to monitor the status of the federal government and plan to meet again in mid-December to discuss next steps if the shutdown remains in effect.

 This collaboration ensures that Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park, remains open and accessible to residents and visitors while maintaining essential services and prioritizing public safety during this period.

To assist the staff of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with promoting what is open and operational during this agreement, here is the full listing of facilities and trails. Always check the park website before your visit: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Visitor Centers

• Cades Cove (Cable Mill) Visitor Center, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and Sugarlands Visitor Center are open year-round
• Kuwohi Visitor Center and Kuwohi Road are open until November 30, subject to closure due to snow, ice and other hazardous weather events

Roads and Motor Nature Trails

• Anthony Creek Horse Camp - open until November 8
• Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove Loop Road, Upper Tremont Road, Wear Cove Road, Cataloochee Road, and the Foothills Parkway - open year-round, subject to closure due to snow, ice and other hazardous weather events
• Kuwohi Road - open until November 30, subject to closure due to snow, ice and other hazardous weather events
• Forge Creek Road - open until December 31, subject to closure due to snow, ice and other hazardous weather events
• Parson Branch Road and Rich Mountain Road - open until November 9
• Little Greenbrier Road - open until November 29
• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail - open until November 29, subject to closure due to snow, ice and other hazardous weather events

Hiking Trails

• Most hiking trails remain open year-round; however, some trailheads may be inaccessible to motor vehicles due to seasonal or weather-related road closures. Numerous trails remain closed in the Cataloochee area due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Check the park website for the latest status on all trails : https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

Park Concessions

• Smokemont Riding Stable - open until November 22
• LeConte Lodge - open until November 25
• Cades Cove Riding Stable and Sugarlands Riding Stable - open until December 6
• Cades Cove Campground Store and Bike Rental - open until December 13

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**PRESS RELEASE**

UPDATE: LOCAL AND STATE PARTNERS COMMIT TO KEEPING GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK OPEN THROUGH NOVEMBER 2

AGREEMENT EXTENDED TO FUND CONTINUED OPERATIONS OF GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK DURING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Blount County, Tennessee (October 17, 2025) – Joint Statement

Our local and state partners support keeping Great Smoky Mountains National Park open and in full operation through Sunday, November 2, 2025, amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. 

The effort to keep the national park open is supported by Sevier County, the Cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Pittman Center, Blount County, Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Friends of the Smokies, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Through this agreement, local and state partners will continue to ensure uninterrupted operations of the national park. While the November 2 date extends beyond a standard increment, multiple agreements will be signed over the next couple of weeks to maintain funding through Sunday, November 2, if necessary. If the federal government shutdown continues into early November, the partners plan to meet during the week of October 27–31 to discuss next steps.

This commitment ensures that Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains open and fully operational for residents and visitors, with all facilities, roadways, visitor centers, restrooms, campgrounds, and trails continuing to operate as normal.

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