Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Anthony Wise’s retirement means for Pellissippi State and Knoxville students

Coming up: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness on the Knoxville Patch calendar

Wednesday September 16th Patch AM
Wednesday September 16th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Knoxville! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Anthony Wise's retirement means for Pellissippi State and Knoxville students
  • What the Optimist Club's closure means for Knoxville volunteers and youth
  • How Knoxville families can benefit from the new pediatric clinic opening

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)


From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 92 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: An afternoon thunderstorm, temps: high: 93, low: 71.
  • Friday: Sunshine, a t-storm; warm, with a high of 90 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Pellissippi State Community College president to retire (wbir.com) — Pellissippi State Community College President Anthony Wise, long based in Knoxville, plans to retire at the end of the 2026–27 school year after nearly three decades on campus. His tenure includes major growth, Tennessee Promise's rollout in Knox County, and new partnerships like a UT Federal Credit Union deal that will fund student-athlete scholarships, travel, and facility upgrades.
   

2. Optimist Club to disband + Remembering Bob Leonard + Neighbors notes (knoxtntoday.com) — Knoxville residents connected to the Optimist Club should know the 106-year-old organization will hold its final official meeting on Friday, September 18, after voting to disband. Members are gathering memorabilia, planning to keep meeting informally at Shoney's, and honoring decades of youth programs and leaders like former Farragut mayor Bob Leonard who shaped local service traditions.
   

3. Dolly Parton Children's Hospital to Open New Pediatric Primary Care Clinic in Knoxville (wivk.com) — Families in Knoxville will soon have another option for children's checkups as Dolly Parton Children's Hospital opens a new pediatric primary care clinic at 611 22nd Street, with a ribbon-cutting set for Wednesday morning. The site will also train future pediatricians through UT's Knoxville residency program, expanding both immediate care access and long-term pediatric expertise for East Tennessee communities.
   

4. Frontier Airlines Passengers Stranded Overnight After Crew Timeout From Weather Diversion (aeroxplorer.com) — Passengers on a Frontier flight were unexpectedly stranded overnight at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville after severe weather forced a diversion and the crew hit federal duty-time limits, leading to a full cancellation. With Frontier having recently suspended regular Knoxville service, the airline struggled to provide hotels and support, ultimately offering transportation and travel vouchers while many travelers navigated lodging and rebooking on their own.
   

5. Y-12/UTK Joint Professor and Distinguished Chair in Advanced Manufacturing (ans.org) — A new Distinguished Chair in Advanced Manufacturing will split time between Y-12 and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, leading the National Security Prototyping Center and teaching in the Tickle College of Engineering. The role is aimed at a senior researcher who can drive advanced manufacturing for national security while contributing to UT's fast‑growing engineering programs. Applications receive priority if submitted by October 15, 2026.
   


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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hi I'm Beth England l live in unit 4204.
    My toy Maltipoo got out this morning. I live in Steeplechase. He is sandy color and answers to Lil Baby. Please let me know if you see him. (Nextdoor Steeplechase)
  • UPDATE: Young Williams has picked her up.
    Found this little puppy. I think it's a black lab running loose over here. Hovering around two houses. Nobody knows who she belongs to. She's been… (Nextdoor Norwood)
  • American Eagle Outfitters posted a job opening for Aerie - Stock Associate - Early Morning (Off-Hours) in Knoxville. Apply here.
  • Burger King (Carrols) posted a job opening for Team Member in Knoxville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Knoxville here.

Ok Knoxville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


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