logo
Darlene Verito Triail and Vicky Cowden accused Melinda Stites of being a "lying, mentally-unstable bully" who scammed fire victims out of $620 by using an alias to start an online fundraiser that falsely claimed she lost everything in the fire.
not logged in
Gatlinburg wildfires

Video: Gatlinburg fire survivors clash over cyberbullying on 'Dr. Phil'

Three women who survived the Gatlinburg wildfires appeared Wednesday on Dr. Phil McGraw's nationally-syndicated talk show to hurl accusations of scamming and cyberbullying at one another.

Jan 25, 2018 at 9:44 AM
In this Nov. 21, 2017 photo, a placard on the Memorial Forest Walk at Anakeesta adventure park in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The Memorial Walk includes photos and stories of the wildfires that killed 14 people and destroyed or damaged 2,500 buildings in the Gatlinburg area last November. Work had just begun on Anakeesta when flames roared through its land. The $30 million Gatlinburg resort opened in September, with $8 million in additions planned. (AP Photo/Jonathan Mattise)
AssociatedPress
Gatlinburg wildfires

Gatlinburg: Charred Smokies town rebounds, doubts fires are 'new normal'

Though downtown Gatlinburg was essentially untouched by the fire, and Sevier County was open for business quickly afterward, it cost an extra $1 million-plus in Gatlinburg advertising and more state money to convey that to travelers.

Updated Dec 2, 2017 at 9:50 AM
zvance
Gatlinburg wildfires

One year later: Over 500 attend Gatlinburg wildfire memorial ceremony

Elaine Brown. Alice Hagler. Robert Hejny. Pam Johnson. Bradley Phillips. Constance, Chloe and Lily Reed. Janet and Jon Summers. The Rev. Edwin Taylor. John and Marilyn Tegler. And May Evelyn Norred Vance.

Nov 28, 2017 at 11:00 PM
FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2017, file photo, Dolly Parton presents the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles. Five people have been charged in Tennessee with conspiring to defraud the My People Fund of Dolly Parton's Dollywood Foundation, set up to help people affected by wildfires last year. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
AssociatedPress
Gatlinburg wildfires

Study examining effectiveness of Dolly Parton wildfire fund

The Dollywood Foundation says its My People Fund helped 900 families with roughly $9 million in the first six months after the fires.

Updated Nov 17, 2017 at 1:44 PM
AssociatedPress
Gatlinburg Fires

Gatlinburg water utility seeks to charge more after Tennessee wildfires

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — A water utility is seeking to charge hundreds of customers in Tennessee to recover costs as the region rebuilds from wildfires in November that killed 14 people and destroyed nearly 2,500 buildings in the Gatlinburg area.

Updated Oct 5, 2017 at 12:17 PM
Smoke continues to rise from the Alamo Steakhouse in Gatlinburg, Tenn., Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, after it burned during deadly wildfires. Businesses remained closed Monday in the fire-ravaged Tennessee community but many were in cleanup mode in hopes of reopening to the public, possibly by midweek. (AP Photo/Jonathan Mattise)
not logged in
Gatlinburg wildfires

Attorney: Arson charges against teens in fatal Gatlinburg wildfire dropped

Prosecutors have dropped charges against two Anderson County teenagers they labeled as responsible for the state’s deadliest wildfire in a century, an attorney confirmed Friday.

Jun 30, 2017 at 12:50 PM
In this March 11, 2017 photo, Kurtis McCarter gives his son, Asher, a piggy-back ride during his first birthday celebration at French Broad Valley Baptist Church in Kodak, Tenn. McCarter's parent's lost their home in the Gatlinburg wildfire on Nov. 28. The recovery has been slow, but recently the couple had the opportunity to celebrate one of life’s biggest milestones, the first birthday of their only grandchild, Asher. (Saul Young/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
not logged in
Gatlinburg wildfires

Gatlinburg family finds reason to celebrate after wildfire

For Lisa and Kevin McCarter, who lost their Gatlinburg home to the wildfire, reasons to celebrate have been scarce.

Apr 2, 2017 at 2:58 PM
Richard T. Ramsey and Sue Ramsey hold hands while looking at the skyline from the remains of their house of 41 years, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. They safely evacuated from their home as wildfire approached Monday evening. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
not logged in
Gatlinburg wildfires

Gag order: Gatlinburg wildfire victims denied answers

Sevier County authorities offered no answers Monday when victims of November's wildfires asked them about the extent and purpose of a prosecutor's order to withhold information on the firestorm from the public.

Updated Mar 21, 2017 at 9:46 AM
Richard T. Ramsey and Sue Ramsey hold hands while looking at the skyline from the remains of their house of 41 years, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. They safely evacuated from their home as wildfire approached Monday evening. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
ContributedToThePress
Gatlinburg wildfires

Wildfires: Appalachia Service Project, Methodist Churches offer long-term recovery effort in Sevier County

On November 28, 2016, a fire that started in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was pushed by strong winds out of the park and into Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The fire killed 14 people and destroyed over 2,800 buildings, eventually burning over 17,000 acres of land.

Updated Mar 2, 2017 at 2:09 PM
The remains of the Alamo Steakhouse and Saloon in Gatlinburg.
not logged in
Gatlinburg wildfires

Hydrants ran dry during Gatlinburg wildfires

Firefighters from across the state flocking to Gatlinburg to battle a growing firestorm couldn't be sure the fire hydrants they uncapped would provide any water.

Feb 17, 2017 at 12:03 PM
Reede Copeland, assistant general manager of Sugarlands Distilling Company, poses Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, as customers return for moonshine tasting following the Gatlinburg fire.
not logged in
Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg businesses rebound over holidays

GATLINBURG — Downtown Gatlinburg saw an increase in business traffic over the holidays with many businesses crediting local support for the revival.

Jan 4, 2017 at 10:19 AM
Johnson City Press Videos