Melanie Russell

Dec 17, 2024 | wate.com | Melanie Russell

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — If you’re planning a hike around New Year’s Day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of its most popular trails will be closing during the first week of January for improvements and more. Park officials announced on Tuesday that crews will “begin a major rehabilitation” on Laurel Falls Trail, which will close for 18 months starting Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Crews are slated to make improvements to the trail and parking areas.

Dec 16, 2024 | wate.com | Melanie Russell

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (WATE) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that they were searching for a Jefferson City woman last seen on Sunday walking toward her mailbox. The woman, identified as Amber Nancy Cox, 36, was seen near her residence on Murph Road at around 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. She has a medical condition that causes seizures and did not have her medication with her, according to a Missing Person flyer shared by JCSO.

Dec 13, 2024 | wate.com | Melanie Russell

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — Drivers along the Gatlinburg Bypass will need to be aware of an upcoming sobriety checkpoint in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Officials said Friday that GSMNP law enforcement officers and other local law enforcement agencies will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint in the park on Friday, December 20, on the Gatlinburg Bypass.

Dec 11, 2024 | wate.com | Melanie Russell

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A wintry mix of rain and snow morphed into soft snowfall early Wednesday across parts of East Tennessee. The 6 Storm Team said that on Wednesday morning, scattered showers were expected; as colder air rushes in, there will be a changeover from rain to snow for some of the area. Higher elevations are expected to see more snow, since temperatures will be cool enough for accumulation, according to 6 Storm Team. Between 1″-3″ of snow is expected for the higher elevations.

Dec 11, 2024 | yahoo.com | Melanie Russell

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A wintry mix of rain and snow morphed into soft snowfall early Wednesday across parts of East Tennessee. No injuries reported after fire at Rockwood Walmart garden center The 6 Storm Team said that on Wednesday morning, scattered showers were expected; as colder air rushes in, there will be a changeover from rain to snow for some of the area.