| FEBRUARY | ARCHIVES |
It’s a new year, and that means a new communications tool from the Mayor. Are you signed up for the Memo from the Mayor? Click here to learn more!
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Battling the Snowstorm: ‘We Made a Difference’
The snow fell, and fell some more, and then kept falling. A record-setting mid-January storm dumped 9 inches of snow and crippled Knoxville – but not for long.
City crews scrambled and proactively braced for Mother Nature’s fury by brining the streets and prepping the snow trucks. Then, when the storm hit, selfless employees took on extra hours, extra duties.
Whatever it took to get the job done.
For hundreds of City employees, that meant a 24/7 commitment, for 10 straight days.
Battling the storm was costly, exhausting and sometimes dangerous.
But not a single call for emergency services went unanswered.
Ice-covered roads? KPD’s officers found a way, responding to more than 3,300 calls. KFD’s 4-wheel-drive Quick Response Vehicles were dispatched 462 times to reach car accident scenes and to treat medical emergencies.
Wherever they were needed, first responders got there.
Also a 24/7 effort: The City’s 24 trucks equipped to salt and clear streets were driven more than 17,000 miles by Public Service crews in a week and a half. The city’s largest streets were passable a day after the snowfall stopped.
Three thousand tons of salt were spread. Ten trucks at some point slid off into ditches. Thankfully, no one was injured.
The 3-1-1 Center for Service Innovation offered calm reassurance and connected people in need with resources. 3-1-1 staff answered an average of 1,200 calls a day.
There were plenty of unsung City heroes on the front lines – first responders, Public Service snow crews, Fleet Services technicians.
Whether plowing streets around the clock, or delivering groceries to shut-in elderly residents, or crawling under snow trucks in the middle of the night to chisel loose the built-up masses of ice in the wheel wells and undercarriages, City employees went above and beyond.
Click the button below to read some of their stories.
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KPD Reports Significant Decrease in Crime
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Community Agency Grants Support City Values
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New Recycling Guidelines and Posters
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Congrats to Our Newest 28 Firefighters!
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Ready for a Challenge?
 Just before Christmas, the City celebrated the opening of the new Morningside Park play areas. Along with 2 new playgrounds, fields, parking, and other upgrades—there is what many people would refer to as a “ninja-stye” obstacle course—have you seen it?
You can time yourself as motivation, or you can challenge others to beat your time!
Click the button below to see one of your colleagues try to conquer this course and to learn more about the more than $5 million in improvements at Morningside Park.
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 Knoxville Arts Center Fuels Creativity
Admit it.
Sometimes you get bored with the things you do to avoid boredom.
Yes, even scrolling Insta.
Maybe you need the kind of creativity refresh that classes and workshops at the Knoxville Arts Center can offer.
We talk to Arts Specialist Kelly Sullivan about the benefits of trying a new creative skill at KAC.
Assistant Chief Fortner Retires After 31 Years of Service
After 31 years in law enforcement, Knoxville Assistant Chief Mark Fortner has officially retired.
January 24, 2024, dozens of people came together in the Knoxville Coliseum Ballroom to share stories and celebrate his career.
But how much do you know about Chief Fortner and his years of service?
Click the button below to learn more and to see highlights from his official KPD retirement party.
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This month’s Mystery Employee is a life-long East Tennessean who has worked with the City of Knoxville for 12 years.
He spends a fair share of his work time collaborating with colleagues and supporting a department of 304 members.
He’s also on the front lines at job fairs, sharing information about why the City is a great place to work.
Do you know this Mystery Employee?
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 Happy anniversary to employees hired in the months of January and February!
Congratulations to the individuals and departments that recently won awards and KUDOS.
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CITY COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT |