Chris Paris
Sep 25, 2026
Happy Friday, 865! |
Fall is starting to show up across East Tennessee, and this week’s edition has a little bit of everything — a huge Tennessee football weekend, major growth in Oak Ridge, new businesses opening around Knoxville and Farragut, community updates, and plenty of ways to get outside as the weather cools down.
We’re also looking ahead to the weekend with Cades Cove fall tips, easy beginner hikes around East Tennessee, local events, roadwork to watch, and a few stories that highlight the people and places shaping the region right now.
New to 865 Daily? We’re your weekly guide to local news, events, business openings, community stories, outdoor ideas, and useful updates from Knoxville, the Smokies, and surrounding East Tennessee communities. Thanks for spending part of your Friday with us. |
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Trivia Question❓ |
Which East Tennessee park became Tennessee’s first state birding park? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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Knoxville is bracing for a packed Saturday as 14th-ranked Tennessee hosts top-ranked Texas at noon in the teams’ first meeting at Neyland Stadium.
The sold-out game brings back Checker Neyland, while ESPN’s College GameDay broadcasts from Ayres Hall starting at 9 in the morning before moving inside the stadium at 11.
The GameDay pit opens at 6:30 in the morning, and stadium gates open at 9.
President Donald Trump is expected to attend, bringing enhanced Secret Service screening and possible road closures and changes to pedestrian routes.
Fans should arrive early, check their section’s updated orange-or-white color assignment, review bag and prohibited-item rules, and have mobile tickets ready.
Stadium re-entry will not be allowed.
Residents should expect heavy traffic around campus and downtown well before kickoff and after the game. Read More... |
Construction is underway on 865 Neyland, a planned entertainment district between Neyland Stadium and Food City Center in Knoxville.
University of Tennessee leaders and development partners broke ground Sept. 19 on the project, which aims to make the stadium area a year-round destination rather than a place that comes alive mainly on game days.
Plans include restaurants, shops, entertainment and lodging near two of the city’s biggest venues, giving residents and visitors more reasons to come for concerts, basketball games and campus events.
The development joins other major changes around downtown Knoxville, including the area surrounding Covenant Health Park.
For locals, the question is how much 865 Neyland will change a campus area now defined largely by venues, parking and infrastructure—and whether a trip to Neyland will someday mean dinner or an afternoon out, not just football. Read More... |
Oak Ridge’s role in advanced nuclear energy is growing as TRISO-X completes the main structure of its TX-1 fuel fabrication facility.
With the 214,000-square-foot building in place, work can move to the interior, manufacturing equipment and supporting facilities.
Once operating, TX-1 is expected to make about 700,000 TRISO fuel pebbles a year, enough to support up to 11 of X-energy’s Xe-100 small modular reactors.
TRISO-X has also expanded its Oak Ridge campus to roughly 180 acres and begun work on a research and development facility, with an $11 million state grant supporting further growth.
The project received a 40-year federal license to commercially fabricate fuel using high-assay low-enriched uranium.
X-energy says TX-1 could be the nation’s first new commercial-scale advanced nuclear fuel fabrication facility in more than 50 years, strengthening Oak Ridge’s longstanding nuclear research and technology sector. Read More... |
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United Way of Greater Knoxville is awarding $3.91 million in Community Investment Grants to 105 nonprofits serving Knox, Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson and Union counties.
The grants provide two years of operating support for work in economic mobility, early care and education, and healthy communities.
Funded programs address housing stability, job training, literacy, family needs and health services, helping local organizations respond to changing needs.
Of the recipients, 88 serve Knox County, 13 Jefferson County, seven Grainger County, three Claiborne County and two Union County; some work across multiple counties.
United Way says 110 community volunteers spent about 1,500 hours reviewing applications before funding decisions were made.
Since 2020, United Way says it has awarded more than $61 million to local nonprofits. Read More... |
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Starting Monday, October 5, about 19,000 Knoxville households will have a new every-other-week recycling pickup day, and roughly 2,800 will also see their weekly garbage pickup day change.
Waste Connections, the city’s collection contractor, is adjusting routes so more households have trash and recycling collected on the same day of the week.
Affected customers have been notified by mail and through the Waste Connections mobile app.
Residents can confirm their current and new pickup days using the city’s Service and Sort lookup tool.
Backdoor pickup customers and downtown residents served directly by city crews will keep their existing schedules.
Before putting carts out the week of October 5, residents should check their address rather than rely on their usual routine. Read More... |
Quote Of The Day |
“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” — Unknown |
Farragut Business Growth Continues as Biddle Farms Nears Full Occupancy |
Farragut continues to add new businesses at a steady pace, with Town Administrator David Smoak saying the community has averaged more than two new business certificates of occupancy per month in 2026.
Much of that activity is visible at Biddle Farms at Town Center, where the commercial portion was completed last year and is now close to full occupancy. Smoak said only a couple of spaces remained open, and those were already in the process of being leased.
Current businesses at Biddle Farms include Aldi, Bradley’s Gift and Home, Elle Boutique, Super Chix, Tupelo Honey, Parlor Doughnuts, Nékter Juice Bar, Chase Bank, SweatHouz, Urban Nail Bar, Diamond Gallery and Covenant Health Urgent Care. A Paris Baguette location is also expected to open later this year, with a late-November to early-December target.
The growth is not limited to Biddle Farms. Nearby Turkey Creek has also added new tenants this year, including Nordstrom Rack and several food, wellness and specialty concepts.
For Farragut residents, the trend means more shopping, dining and service options close to home — and a commercial landscape that is continuing to fill in quickly. |
Farragut Residents Have Until Today to Help Shape the Town’s Next Decade |
Farragut residents have until today, Friday, Sept. 25, to take part in a survey that will help guide how the town grows over the next several years.
The survey is part of Farragut’s update to its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which helps determine what kinds of development can happen in different parts of town. Officials say the new plan will be built largely from resident input and will help shape future zoning, regulations and development decisions.
The survey also asks for feedback on the town’s new 70-acre park property near McFee and Boyd Station roads. Planning for that site includes possible roads, parking, trails, pedestrian and bicycle access, and other park amenities.
The timing is especially important because Farragut says only about 10% to 15% of the town remains undeveloped. That means future decisions will increasingly focus on how remaining land is used, how existing areas are redeveloped, and what residents want the town to look like as it continues to grow.
Farragut’s previous land-use plan, adopted in 2012, helped guide projects including revitalized shopping centers and the town center. The current update process will continue with additional public meetings and review before a final plan is adopted.
Residents who want their input included in this round should complete the survey before the end of the day. Take the Farragut land-use survey
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Things to Do Around Knoxville This Weekend |
If you’re making plans around East Tennessee this weekend, there’s a lot happening beyond the Tennessee–Texas game.
Knoxville has a strong mix of music, markets and downtown activity. Friday night includes Ashley McBryde at the Tennessee Theatre, Sam Barber at the Civic Auditorium and Zoso at the Bijou. Saturday brings the Market Square Farmers Market, while Sunday includes “Weird Al” Yankovic at Food City Center and Bach & Bluegrass at the Bijou.
Oak Ridge has one of the more interesting family-friendly options of the weekend. A free BioBlitz for National Public Lands Day runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Elza Gate Park, where participants can look for birds, plants and wildlife and help document local species. The Oak Ridge Farmers’ Market is also open Saturday morning at Jackson Square.
There’s also a National Public Lands Day volunteer project in Oak Ridge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, focused on cleaning and preserving the historic Crawford Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Gatlinburg is leaning into fall with the Gatlinburg Harvest Festival underway, plus the Gatlinburg Farmers Market on Saturday. In Pigeon Forge, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival continues, bringing fall décor, seasonal food and evening atmosphere to the park. Run Dollywood Race Weekend also adds extra activity around the area through Sunday.
And if the Smokies are part of your weekend, keep wildlife safety in mind. Park officials are reminding visitors this fall to stay at least 25 yards from elk and 50 yards from black bears.
For a quieter outing, consider Oak Ridge’s BioBlitz, the Gatlinburg Farmers Market, a fall walk at Ijams, or a short drive to Look Rock instead of heading directly into the busiest parts of the park. |
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East Knoxville Community Cleanup Returns Saturday |
Keep Knoxville Beautiful is bringing neighbors together Saturday morning for its sixth annual East Knoxville Community Cleanup, with volunteers working across roads, creeks and parks from 9 a.m. to noon.
The event will be based at Ashley Nicole Dream Playground, 620 Winona Street, with volunteer options that include litter pickup at the playground and First Creek at Caswell Park, plus invasive-species removal at Dr. Walter Hardy Park in partnership with Ijams Nature Center.
Keep Knoxville Beautiful will provide litter pickers, gloves, safety vests and trash bags. Volunteers are asked to wear closed-toe shoes, consider long pants and bring their own water. Individual sign-ups remain open until spots are filled.
The cleanup is planned rain or shine, with Sunday, Sept. 27 listed as the severe-weather backup date.
For anyone looking for a simple way to spend a few hours helping the community, this is an easy opportunity to pitch in and leave East Knoxville a little cleaner than you found it. |
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Fall brings colorful leaves, cool mornings and wildlife to Cades Cove, but it also brings some of Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s heaviest traffic.
For a quieter visit, choose a weekday and arrive before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m., when crowds may be lighter and animals are often more active.
Allow several hours for the 11-mile, one-way loop, especially in October.
Through Sept. 30, 2026, Wednesdays are reserved for pedestrians and cyclists; vehicles return on Wednesdays in October.
Color usually reaches the Cove later than higher elevations, though weather can shift the timing from year to year.
Take time to see the valley’s historic buildings, use designated pullouts rather than stopping in the road, and give wildlife plenty of space.
A parking tag is required if you park for more than 15 minutes, and the loop is open from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting. Read More... |
Fall hiking in East Tennessee doesn’t require a steep climb into the Smokies: easy walks near Knoxville offer colorful woods, rivers and lakes.
At Ijams Nature Center, just outside downtown, more than 14 miles of trails include gentle routes near the Visitor Center and River Boardwalk.
Seven Islands State Birding Park in Kodak offers rolling fields, French Broad River views and opportunities to spot migrating birds.
North of Knoxville, Norris Dam State Park pairs wooded trails with lake scenery, while Cove Lake State Park in Caryville is a relaxed choice for a short walk or picnic.
For a flexible walk on a more predictable surface, try the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway; for quieter river scenery close to town, explore Forks of the River in South Knoxville.
Wherever you go, start early, carry water and wear shoes with traction for wet leaves and uneven ground. Read More... |
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Before Dolly Parton became a global star, Knoxville gave the young singer some of her first audiences.
Traveling from Sevier County with her uncle Bill Owens, she performed on WIVK radio and Cas Walker’s broadcasts, gaining experience that helped launch her career.
After Parton’s death on Aug. 25 at age 80, those early appearances became part of a deeply personal local remembrance.
Her Knoxville ties grew over the decades: she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Tennessee, sang at Neyland Stadium and returned to the Bijou Theatre to celebrate her family’s musical roots.
In 2026, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital took her name, while her Imagination Library, founded in neighboring Sevier County, continued sending books to local children.
From the old WIVK building on North Gay Street to her mural in Strong Alley, familiar Knoxville places still carry her story. Read More... |
This newsletter sponsored by |
Morning Grace Daily |
Start your morning with a little more peace, hope, and encouragement. Morning Grace Daily offers faith-filled inspiration designed to help you begin the day grounded in what matters most. Visit the website for uplifting daily devotionals, then join the Facebook group to connect with others who are starting their mornings with faith, reflection, and encouragement. A few quiet minutes each morning can help set the tone for the whole day. |
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East Tennessee’s first cold snap can arrive quickly, making late September a good time to get homes ready for winter.
For older adults, especially those living alone, small checks now can prevent costly repairs and safety risks later.
Schedule a furnace or heat pump inspection, replace the filter and make sure vents are clear.
Seal drafts around doors and windows, disconnect garden hoses and insulate pipes exposed to freezing air.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and check outdoor lights, steps and walkways before wet leaves or ice make them hazardous.
Leave roof work, tall ladders and repairs involving gas or electricity to someone qualified.
Eligible KUB customers may qualify for efficiency upgrades through TVA Home Uplift, while Project Help can assist households struggling with heating costs.
A little preparation now can make winter safer and more comfortable at home. Read More... |
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GARMO Bringing Cheese, Charcuterie and Specialty Foods to Gay Street |
Downtown Knoxville is getting a new specialty food shop this fall.
GARMO is targeting an October opening at 418 S. Gay Street, taking over the former Status Dough space in the Phoenix Building. The concept will combine a neighborhood market with a European-style cheese and charcuterie shop.
Plans call for artisan cheeses and cured meats cut to order, along with specialty pastas, sauces, preserves, pickles, antipasti and pantry items from imported, regional and local producers. Fresh baguettes, croissants and other baked goods from Lilou will also be available, along with prepared foods and fresh pasta.
Customers will also be able to preorder cheese and charcuterie boards, and GARMO plans to serve Italian deli-style sandwiches for lunch.
The shop comes from Jessica King and Aaron Thompson, the team behind Brother Wolf, Osteria Stella and Lilou, along with certified cheese professional Jess Benoit. The concept is intended to serve both downtown residents looking for everyday ingredients and visitors wanting a quick lunch or something to take home.
GARMO’s planned hours are 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday, once the shop opens. |
Roads to Watch Around Knoxville Next Week |
Several major Knoxville-area routes are scheduled for lane restrictions or mobile closures as TDOT construction continues into next week.
Neyland Drive could see temporary lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday from Locust Street to Lake Loudon Boulevard while crews perform roadside construction.
On Rutledge Pike, drivers should expect two separate work zones: nightly lane closures between Spring Hill Road and Timothy Avenue for milling and resurfacing, plus daytime closures between Idumea Road and Circle Road for bridge joint repairs.
Alcoa Highway remains an active construction zone between Woodson Drive and Cherokee Trail, with possible overnight lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and intermittent traffic pacing during the day as crews move equipment and materials.
Drivers on Pellissippi Parkway/I-140 should also watch for mobile lane closures between mile markers 8 and 9 on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for roadway testing.
TDOT notes that schedules can change because of weather or construction conditions. Anyone traveling through these corridors should allow extra time and check traffic conditions before leaving. |
A Month of Lane Closures Is Underway on Boyds Creek Highway |
Drivers in Sevier County should plan for delays on Boyds Creek Highway through Oct. 23 as crews install a new waterline across the bridge just east of Winfield Dunn Parkway.
The eastbound lane is being closed daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with traffic maintained through the work zone. City officials say the project began Sept. 21 after an earlier start date was pushed back because of a supply issue.
The work is happening on the bridge over the Little Pigeon River, a busy connection for residents traveling between the Boyds Creek area and Sevierville.
Delays are expected to be most noticeable during heavier traffic periods. The City of Sevierville is advising drivers to watch for shifting traffic patterns, stopped vehicles, workers and equipment in the roadway.
For drivers looking to avoid the construction zone, officials suggest Old Knoxville Highway between West Main Street and Boyds Creek Highway, along with Gists Creek Road, as possible alternate routes.
Weather or other construction conditions could change the schedule, but the city currently expects the work to wrap up by Friday, Oct. 23. |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Seven Islands State Birding Park |
Thanks for reading 865 Daily.
We’ll keep bringing you useful local updates from greater Knoxville and East Tennessee — from weekend events and outdoor ideas to road reminders, new openings, community news, and the small details that make life here easier to navigate.
Have a great weekend, and we’ll see you in the next edition. |