Knox Archives - Mediarabe

Knox County Health Department discusses local trick-or-treating guidelines

October 7, 2020

In past years, one neighborhood Sequoyah Hills saw thousands of trick-or-treaters. That may look different this year.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn — So many things have looked different this year, and now that may include Halloween celebrations.

The CDC and the Knox County Health Department released new guidelines about how to safely celebrate Halloween. They are meant to keep people safe while having fun.

In past years, Knoxville neighborhood Sequoyah Hills saw thousands of trick-or-treaters.

“I think last year we were told there were 2,000 – 3,000 children that showed up whether they lived here or not,” said neighbor Doug Peek. He said he knows his family won’t see that many kids this year.

“The fact we’re going to be wearing masks for Halloween but also wearing masks for Halloween it’s just a different world,” he said.

He’s ready to get creative for trick or treaters, along with his neighbors, but hopes

Knox County Board of Health votes to continue bar curfew to Oct. 15

October 1, 2020

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| Dept Of Health

The Knox County Board of Health met Wednesday after the Knox County Commission passes a resolution recommending limiting their power.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knox County Board of Health met on Wednesday to discuss their response to the spread of COVID-19 after officials reported a total of 10,255 cases in Knox County.

They discussed the county’s bar curfew, which requires all establishments offering on-premise consumption of alcoholic beverages or beer to close by 11 p.m.

Patrick O’Brien said that the curfew was originally supposed to last 28 days. So, he proposed a vote to extend it another 14 days to fulfill the original expectation of the order. He said that he hoped to be able to allow the curfew to expire at that time.

Members voted to continue the curfew, 7 – 1. Dianna Drake voted against the continuation.

Charity Menefee, who stood in for Martha Buchanan from the Knox

Knox Commission agrees to say it wants to strip the board of health

September 29, 2020

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At one point, more than four hours after the Knox County Commission’s marathon meeting had begun, Chairman Larsen Jay appealed to the chain of speakers still set before him there to talk about the Knox County Board of Health’s powers.

Bonnaroo organizer Ashley Capps asks commissioners to support board of health

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a group of people standing in front of a crowd: Protesters gathered outside the City County Building's large assembly room during the Knox County Commission meeting on Monday, September 28, 2020 in opposition to the Knox County Board of Health's safety mandates for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

© Saul Young/News Sentinel
Protesters gathered outside the City County Building’s large assembly room during the Knox County Commission meeting on Monday, September 28, 2020 in opposition to the Knox County Board of Health’s safety mandates for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

The commission would hear the remaining 20 or so speakers – adding another hour-plus to the meeting – but he’d prefer speakers consolidate their speeches to save time.

Someone from the crowded, unmasked balcony shouted, “You created this problem.”

And so it went.

a group of people standing in front of a crowd: Appriximately 300 people gathered outside the City County building on Monday, September 28, 2020 to protest the board of health and support a resolution to strip the board of its power to enact pandemic regulations.

© Saul Young/News Sentinel
Appriximately 300 people gathered outside

‘We did not create the pandemic’ | Knox County Board of Health addresses concerns about policy powers

September 27, 2020

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| Community Health

On Monday, the Knox County Commission met to discuss a proposal that would limit the Board of Health’s regulation powers.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — On Wednesday the Board of Health met after the Knox County Commission discussed a proposal that would limit the board’s powers to create regulations. After five hours of deliberations and public comments, the commission decided to hold off voting on the proposal until their next meeting on Sept. 28.

The proposed measure also said that Knox County citizens would not be arrested, cited or criminally prosecuted for not complying with an order from the Knox County Board of Health.

Kyle William Ward and Justin Biggs are co-sponsors of the proposal, according to officials. A separate online petition started Knox County citizens also expresses support for the Board of Health.

Hurt is calling out Mayor Jacobs for the Freedom Forward video released after thanking the board for the