👶 An I-40 roadside delivery and Knoxville’s Officer of the Year

We love finding the stories behind the places & people that make Knoxville what it is.

This week, that means celebrating a bakery that has been part of the community for decades, an “old new” spot bringing comfort food closer to the ballpark, and neighbors doing work that matters. Add in a packed event calendar, and there is plenty to look forward to.

🚛 A TDOT driver became a hero on I-40

The Gist: TDOT HELP truck driver Chester Hembree responded to a highway distress call on I-40 in Knox County last Friday and arrived to find a woman who had just delivered her baby. The baby wasn't crying, so Hembree cleared the airway and helped the child cry and breathe regularly. Mother, baby, and Hembree are all okay, and the dash camera footage has been shared by TDOT.

Why It Matters: The HELP Truck program just expanded statewide on May 28, the same week as Hembree's call. These trucks roam the interstates every day to clear breakdowns and assist drivers, and this is exactly the kind of moment that reminds everybody what the program is for.

🚓 KPD's Brian Foulks Named 2025 Officer Of The Year

The Gist: Knoxville Police Department Detective Brian Foulks was recently honored as the 2025 Officer of the Year after an incredible run in the Property Crimes Unit. A 20-year KPD veteran and Fulton High graduate, Foulks tackled 167 auto theft cases last year, clearing an impressive 46 percent of them, nearly triple the national average. He also cracked two massive multi-jurisdictional theft rings, resulting in dozens of felony charges across Knox and surrounding counties. When he is not digging into tough cases, the 48-year-old native passes his expertise down to new recruits at the training academy.

Why It Matters: Knowing we have such a dedicated, detailed-oriented neighbor protecting our streets and keeping the information pipeline flowing with surrounding counties makes Knoxville a safer place for all of us.

🍗 Ballpark neighbors with a legendary recipe

Jackie’s Dream opened its brand-new home right next to Covenant Health. The retro space brings the same celebrated comfort food steps away from the stadium.

The famous fried chicken lives up to the local lore, especially the fiery "Knoxville Hot" version. Pair it with brisket-smoked meatloaf, slow-cooked collards, and a nod to the home team with their first-ever menu of stadium-themed cocktails.

Open daily for lunch and dinner, with late weekend hours for game nights. The line moves fast, and the welcome is as warm as the kitchen.

🎂 Sweet twenty-seven year traditions take the cake

By Monday, Mer-Mer's Bakery will be back after a brief June vacation. This Black-owned staple has been a Knoxville landmark since 1998, drawing crowds for everything from June weddings, to Father's and Mother’s Day and graduations.

Friends swear by the legendary five-flavor pound cake and custom lemon-vanilla layers. Whether you are ordering a velvet grooms cake or grabbing thumbprint cookies, remember to bring cash for this beloved family operation.

🧦 Socks is a quirky three-year-old terrier mix

Weighing a sturdy forty-one pounds, this unique boy has a big personality, a love for mischief, and an absolute refusal to recognize the concept of personal space. Currently thriving in a local foster home, his adoption fee is one hundred dollars.

Socks does well with older kids and most dogs, though he prefers a home without cats. If you are looking for a true character to keep you entertained, he is ready to be your constant companion.

To learn more about this handsome boy,

🪔 Water Lantern Festival | Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center | 06/13 | More 
Decorate, launch, and watch thousands of glowing lanterns float across the water!

📖 Storytelling at the Playscape | Ijams Nature Center | 06/13 | More 
Community-focused storytelling and interactive outdoor nature exploration.

🧸 Poké-Mart Events: Pokemon Show | 8807 Kingston Pike | 06/13 | More 
Massive trading card showcase packed with vendors, collectors, and trading tables.

🦎 Knoxville Reptile Expo (Show Me Reptile Show) | Knoxville Expo Center | 06/13-06/14 | More 
Explore an expansive, diverse display of exotic animals and educational booths!

🌈 Summer Movie Magic: The Wizard of Oz | Tennessee Theatre | 06/14 | More
Technicolor fantasy classic returning to the historic screen in a 1928 movie palace.

🎸 Soundscapes at the KMA: All-White Party | Knoxville Museum of Art | 06/12 | More 
Sophisticated jazz paired with elegant, monochromatic summer fashion!

🌿 Stanley's Anniversary Sale | Stanley's Greenhouse | 06/13-06/14 | More 
Massive plant sale in an expansive, historic family farming environment.

🚀 Summer Movie Magic: Spaceballs | Tennessee Theatre | 06/14 | More
Mel Brooks' 1987 sci-fi parody in the city's grandest old movie palace.

🎷 Concerts on the Square: Jazz Tuesday | Market Square | 06/16 | More
Smooth contemporary jazz grooves beneath glowing string lights in the open air.

🧵 Smoky Mountain Quilters 45th Quilt Show | Knoxville Expo Center | 06/19-06/20 | More 
Stunning nationwide fabric masterpiece gallery displays.

Thanks for reading Our Newsletter! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

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