Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett visited several South Knoxville businesses Wednesday morning to hear firsthand the impact the Henley Street Bridge closure is having on them.  Mayor Burchett is also encouraging citizens from across Knox County to make a conscious effort to visit and do business in South Knoxville and South Knox County.

“The Henley Street Bridge construction project is important, and it will benefit Knox County residents and visitors alike when it is finished,” Mayor Burchett said.  “In the meantime, though, businesses along Chapman Highway, many of them locally owned, need the support of the entire community.  Occasionally driving a couple extra miles south of the river to eat out, shop or conduct other business is an easy way citizens can help.”

Mayor Burchett visited the Disc Exchange, Allen Sign Co., Rush’s Music, Crow’s Alignment, Emery’s 5 & 10 and Comic Xchange.  Many of the business owners and employees said they have seen a significant impact in business due to reduced traffic on Chapman Highway and were encouraged by the mayor’s visit.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I hope all of our citizens understand that what happens in one part of the county affects all parts of the county,” Mayor Burchett said.  “Spending time and money in South Knoxville not only helps these businesses, but it will help our local economy.”

For more information about all South Knox has to offer, visit http://www.southknoxisopen.com.

Knox County Health Department (KCHD) will be spraying three areas Thursday night, weather
permitting.

The most recent lab reports confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in
mosquitoes in South Knox County and again in the Carter community. The Milligan Street area of East
Knox County near the zoo will receive a follow up treatment in accordance with Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention protocol.

The affected areas will be sprayed to reduce the mosquito population
and the risk of further WNV spread. Spraying is scheduled for this Thursday, Sept. 22 from 9 p.m. to
midnight. Signs will be erected in the affected area to alert residents, who are asked to stay inside
during spraying and to keep pets inside or in the back yard. 

Weather could impact the spraying schedule. Spraying is not recommended in rain, when wind blows
more than 10 miles per hour or if the temperature drops below 55 degrees. Health officials will be
watching the weather closely for Thursday’s scheduled spray. Follow up sprayings will be scheduled as
weather permits.

“Usually about this time of year the weather starts to help us out,” said Ronnie Nease, KCHD
environmental health director. “This is later than normal to be spraying. If the weather stays cool, it will
really reduce mosquito activity.” 

The spray areas will include:

East Knox County around Milligan Street
All areas east of North Cherry Street; north of Magnolia Avenue; west of North Beaman Street and
South of I-40. Also included are Lakeside and Kirkwood Streets and American Avenue. 

South Knox County
These streets: Echodale Lane, Wise Hill Road, Stone Road, Stoneoak Lane and Magazine Road from
Stone Road to Martin Mill Pike; Royal Heights Drive, Judith Drive, Grandin Drive, Larry Drive,
Beachwood Drive, Liveoak Drive, West Red Bud Road, Sarvis Drive South West and Maple Loop Road
from Sarvis Drive to West Red Bud Road.

Carter Community
All of Carter Mill Subdivision; Knox County’s Carter Park; Strawberry Plains Pike from Asheville
Highway to Carter School Road; Carter School Road from Strawberry Plains Pike to Asheville Highway; 
Asheville Highway from Carter School Road to Strawberry Plains Pike