PAGE APB The Knoxville Focus March 30, 2020 March 30, 2020 www.knoxfocus.com PAGE A1 Visit www.knoxfocus.com The Knoxvillele to access OCUS FREETake One! www.knoxfocus.com F March 30, 2020 Phone: 865-686-9970 | PO Box 18377, Knoxville, TN 37928 | Located at 4109 Central Avenue Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37912 TVA Tower and Summer Place Complex on Commission Agenda By Mike Steely Senior Writer [email protected] In the agenda for the Knox County Com- mission’s Zoom meeting this afternoon are two items dealing with the school administration’s move to the TVA Towers. The commission is being asked to approve $3.97 million from General Funds and a Bond Premium for “renovations to the TVA East Tower.” The resolution is con- tingent on all documents relating to the contracts with TVA be settled granting a term easement for the East Tower and Meeting by video on Zoom, the Knoxville City Council had some lighter moments. The council is one of the first government bod- a permanent easement to the Summer ies in the state to use video conferencing, permitted in an order from the governor, during the Coronavirus emergency. Screenshot Place Complex. of CTV coverage. A second resolution would appropri- ate $1.6 million to the acquisition of the Summer Place Complex there via a per- manent easement and a permanent ease- Council passes bond issues ment to the Fritts Parking Lot. Both resolutions are being requested by the Finance Department. On the digital meeting format, Knox and home delivery of beer County Commission Chairman Hugh Nys- trom said, “We will be sending out the By Mike Steely Senior Writer meeting. CTV telecast the session with Gwen McKenzie seconded the motion agenda along with insight to Zoom pro- [email protected] images of the council members. The test to add it to the agenda as an emergency cess and everything is moving pretty of the system earlier in the week appar- ordinance and the matter passed unani- quickly” of information going out to the In an online video conference of the ently helped iron out difficulties. Each mously. commissioners. Knoxville City Council on Zoom, sever- council member responded from their Councilwoman Amelia Parker also When asked if he’s been isolating, Nys- al important bond issuance resolutions homes and each could see the other offered a resolution that passed, sup- trom said, “Other than taking food and passed. Maybe more immediately impor- members. porting the city’s Coronavirus effort and water to my mother in-law, I have not been tant was an emergency ordinance intro- Roberto, who chairs the city’s Beer authorizing the use of emergency funds away from our house in about 10 days. I duced by Councilman Andrew Roberto to Board, cleared the beer delivery with when needed including possible rent sub- have spent a lot of time on phone calls.” permit home delivery of beer. the city attorney and said the resolu- sidies. The funds could go to the Commu- The meeting will be aired on Community “It went pretty well,” commented Mayor tion will “help support our local vendors nity Action Commission or other agencies Television of Knoxville and streamed on Indya Kincannon after the two-hour and keep folks employed.” Vice Mayor Continue on page 2 their website, ctvknox.org, at 5 p.m. today. CAC Emergency Knox County Schools unveils Response Fund voluntary distance learning plan to Help Mobile By Ken Lay website Thursday afternoon. assignments of students during this clo- In a specially called meeting, the Knox The work is solely intended to keep sure because not all students have equal Meals, Seniors, County Board of Education unveiled its students engaged in learning while the access, and some may require additional plan for distance learning for its students schools remain close. services that cannot be offered at home.” and Families while schools remain closed for approxi- High school students can take part in Many board members, including Patti mately another month due to the Corona- distance learning online. Bounds, commended Thomas, Rysewyk virus pandemic. “At this point, we feel like going online and their teams for the work that they’ve with Children The plan is strictly voluntary for stu- with our high schools, because of the done in devising the distance learning The Knoxville-Knox County Community dents, who are slated to return to school variety of programming, is the way to go,” plan. Action Committee serves the citizens of on April 24 after Governor Bill Lee request- Rysewyk said. “I’d like to thank all the people for all Knox County from children to seniors. Now ed extended closure following spring break The work packets for elementary and the work that they’ve done behind the more than ever, they need community sup- for Knox County Schools. middle school students will be distributed scenes,” Bounds said. “We have 60,000 port to provide essential services to those “This is voluntary and it will not have a online and at any of the 25 Knox County students in our district and we care about in need. In addition to the monetary dona- positive or negative on a student’s grade,” Schools meal distribution points. The each and every one of them. tions needed, CAC needs grocery store gift said Knox County Schools Assistant school district also announced plans to “I’ve seen other plans in other districts cards and gas cards. Those can be sent Superintendent and Chief Academic Offi- make teachers available to teach lessons and I think ours is one of the best. In one to P.O. Box 51650, Knoxville, TN 37950- cer Dr. Jon Rysewyk. “Grades are frozen.” based on the packets. Those lesson ses- 1650 or dropped off curbside at 2247 After nearly two hours of discussion with sions may be viewed on the district’s web- district, they put together 800 packets Western Ave, Knoxville, TN 37921. Please eight board members present, the board site or on the Knox County Schools televi- and only 250 of them were picked up.” call 865-546-3500 for curbside pick-up. agreed to begin supplying work packets sion station. BOE Chair Susan Horn said that this Donations will be used for store gift to students, with input from teachers, for KCS superintendent Bob Thomas said time could be especially difficult for Knox cards, groceries, gas cards, household students in grades K-8. The work will all that the packets and teaching sessions County Schools due to the diversity of the hygiene items, and other necessities. be review material and Rysewyk said that are meant only to keep students engaged districts. To donate to this fund, visit knoxse- the work will be distributed in three tiers in the learning process. “I want to commend everyone for their niors.org or knoxcac.org or mail a check (grades K-2, grades 3-5 and grades 6-8) “Because we don’t have the capabilities hard work,” she said. “We have a diversi- for made out to CAC to the address above. and will deal exclusively in the core sub- to offer online instruction for all students, ty because we have rural, urban and sub- If you are interested in volunteering, email jects of math, science, English and social we must follow federal guidelines concern- urban communities. That makes things [email protected] or call the studies. The meeting was held remotely ing distance-learning initiatives,” Thomas unique for us because some districts only Office on Aging at 865-524-2786. and streamed on the Knox County Schools said. “Therefore, we cannot require have one of those.” Penny Pawn Loans Coins Jewelry Antiques ONLINE GUN GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE AUCTION EVERYTHING MUST GO FRIDAY, APR 3 AT 6PM Collectibles, Fixtures, Safes, Antiques & Jewelry See pictures at 4821 N. Broadway Knoxville, TN 37918 fountaincityauction.com 865-687-1985 PAGE A2 The Knoxville Focus March 30, 2020 Giving a Statement Go for a Treasure Hunt Daniel leaving Jacoby Yarbo is to the Insurance without leaving home primary worthy of a kidney By Mike Steely Senior Writer to raise $1,600. to three Company [email protected] Thursday Kevin When involved into leading Want to take part Jeske-Polyak, Acting candidates in an accident people one way in something to General Manager of By Mike Steely where you may or another. help your neighbor- CTV, issued “Neigh- Senior Writer be seeking com- What I do see hood without going borhood Search War- [email protected] pensation from a lot though is out of your house? rants” as part of the someone for your that everyone During the “Safer Treasure Hunt. State Representative injuries, there wants to over- at Home” campaign “There are even Martin Daniel said last week is usually an share. They against the Coronavi- form to become a vol- greater benefits relat- that more attention to his insurance com- By Jedidiah want to ramble rus the Office of Neigh- unteer Treasure Hunt ed to neighbor engage- personal family life and busi- pany that gets McKeehan on and on, borhoods, Community Coordinator or submit ment, providing oppor- ness has prompted him not involved. attorneyknoxville@ and by doing Television, and partici- a Hunter Registration tunities for neighbors to seek re-election. His con- The insurance gmail.com so, they may pating neighborhoods Form to become a Trea- to get to know each firmation of the decision is company is the hurt their case are holding a “Treasure sure Hunter yourself. other better through resulting in other prominent entity that might be paying by disclosing or saying Hunt” and asking you From April 17th the their participation as Republicans stopping to pick you for the injuries you something that they did to search your attic, items will be show- donors, promoters, up nominating petitions.