By Pete Gawda Pleasant Ridge Elementary School has a unique window to the past thanks to artist Gale Hinton. She recently covered the walls of the school’s hallway with murals. The most striking and probably the most personal is dedicated to the Nickle family. While...

By Mike Steely steelym@knoxfocus.com The Emerald Youth Center’s hopes to build a $9 million facility in Lonsdale came one step closer to a reality recently when the Knox County Commission agreed to give the city a portion of the Sam E. Hill School Property. The...

By Steve Williams Change is in the air for Powell High football. Rodney Ellison, beginning his third year as head coach after 2-9 and 1-9 seasons, has announced a new starter at quarterback. Six new assistant coaches also are part of his staff. And there is a feeling...

By Steve Hunley publisher@knoxfocus.com If like me, you have a pet you realize that precious creature is a part of the family. Regular readers of The Focus will recall the frequent mentions of my little Jack Russell terrier, Opie. From the time I saw him, I instantly...

By Mike Steely steelym@knoxfocus.com “We will be one of the largest antique and vendor malls in America, right here in Knoxville, Tennessee,” said Donald Jenkins. He and his wife, Crissie, have opened Mega Peddler’s Mart of Knoxville in the former Kmart location at...

By Steve Williams Hardy Johnson, longtime shoe cobbler in Fountain City, only stopped working for short periods of time on his 89th birthday last Wednesday. His son Jim, who manages Custom Shoe Rebuilders at 5503 North Broadway St., would normally have been working...