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Knoxville Biz Ticker: Food City Treasure Hunt awards $121,000

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Food City Treasure Hunt Prize Patrol Awards Grand Total of $121,000

ABINGDON, VA (Monday, June 25, 2018) – On Saturday, Food City’s $100,000 Treasure Hunt Prize Patrol hit the road, visiting the homes of their final round winners - awarding a grand total of $40,700, and bringing the total contest payout to a whopping $121,000!!.

Glenda P. of Luttrell, TN won the maximum prize payout of $10,000, Randall J. of Maynardville, TN was not far behind with $9,300, Madeline H. of Rogersville won $5,300, Wanda T., also of Rogersville, TN won $5,400, Sally B. of Chattanooga, TN won $8,800 and Jennifer O., also of Chattanooga, TN won $1,900.

“Thank you so much!  I love shopping at Food City and appreciate what they do for Luttrell Elementary School,” said an excited Glenda P.

The contest began April 18th continued through June 13th.  Food City shoppers were automatically entered to win each time they used their ValuCard to purchase five or more Food City, Food Club, Pet Club/Paws/Flock’s, Top Crest, Top Care, Valu Time, Tippy Toes, @ease, Harvest Club, Nostimo, Terry’s, Kern’s, Kay’s, Lay, Moore’s, Misty Mountain, Buckley Farms, Sweet P’s, Over the Top, Full Circle Market, Simply Done, Culinary Tours, Wide Awake, B-Leve, Pure Harmony, Evolve, Cow Belle, Bistro Deli Classics, Domestix, Academix, Electrix, Aura and CharKing store brand products during the same shopping visit. 

 

Random winners were selected throughout the contest period and given ten minutes to present their Food City ValuCard and as many participating store brand products as possible.  Winners received $200 for showing their ValuCard and $100 for each qualifying product presented to the Prize Patrol within the allotted time frame, up to the maximum prize payout of $10,000.

The contest was part of Food City 100th Anniversary celebration.  “Food City is extremely proud to be celebrating our 100th Anniversary.  This would not be possible without the support and loyalty of our valued customers and associates.  To show our appreciation, we have lots of special surprises cued up.  But we felt it befitting to begin the celebration with the return of everyone’s all-time favorite – the $100,000 Treasure Hunt,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.”

The contest was open to legal residents of Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Alabama, 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.  Someone at least 18 years of age was required to be present at the time of the Prize Patrol visit to win cash prizes. 

“Our team has so many great memories from our former Treasure Hunt days.  It’s such a unique promotion and we’re excited that this year’s 100th Anniversary commemorative edition was one of our largest cash payouts on record,” adds Smith.  

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 132 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, Chattanooga and north Georgia.

Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute (NOLI), the region’s first comprehensive outdoor school, Announces Grand Opening

Erwin, TN— June 20, 2018 — The Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute (NOLI),
the region’s first comprehensive outdoor school, announced today that it is open for business and ready to begin accepting reservations for its numerous outdoor-themed classes.  Co-located with USA Raft on the banks of the Nolichucky River in Erwin, TN, NOLI offers courses and instruction for all ages and ability levels in a variety of disciplines including flat- and whitewater kayaking, whitewater canoeing, water safety awareness, swiftwater rescue, wilderness first aid, CPR, survival, map and compass, self-defense, conservation, and stand-up paddleboarding.  NOLI also offers special events such as riverside talks, wine and paint socials called Noli Flow, and team-building programs. And its Outdoor Arts School provides opportunities to explore artistic expression through activities such as riverside painting, photography and pottery, all taught by accomplished local artists.  Overall, a team of twelve instructors, all experts in their fields, will provide high quality instruction with a focus on both safety and fun.

Founder and lead instructor Scott Fisher is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer and airborne ranger who went on to successful corporate careers before deciding to combine his passion for the outdoors with his love of teaching to start NOLI. He is the former Safety and Education Chairperson for the regional paddling organization Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts and has been instructing whitewater kayaking and swiftwater rescue for close to 15 years, during which time he has taught hundreds of adults, youth and rescue professionals. “Our mission is to celebrate the outdoors and help others do the same” says Fisher.  “There are a limitless number of ways to enjoy and celebrate the outdoors and we are passionate to help folks do that here in northeast Tennessee. It’s what drives us.” After traveling extensively during his lifetime, it is the community and beauty of the region that led Fisher to lay down roots here and he says this is the first place he has wanted to call home. “It’s almost perfect” he says. “The natural resources we have here from an outdoor recreation standpoint are among the best in the country and we are happy to be a part of helping others experience all that this region has to offer.”  And taking note of an atmosphere supportive to their outdoor education venture he said “With the regional collaboration occurring with regards to outdoor development, led by the Northeast Tennessee Economic Development Partnership (NETREP), there’s never been greater interest and support to make something like this work. It’s perfect timing”.

Walmart promises jobs to vets

For the fifth year, Walmart is promising a job to any eligible honorably discharged U.S. veteran.

The company has already hired more than 200,000 veterans nationwide, including 5,700 in Tennessee, according to a news release. The goal of the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment is to hire 250,000 by the end of 2020.

“At Walmart, we recognize our veteran associates and leaders as tremendous resources across the company,” retired Brig. Gen. Gary Profit, senior director of Military Programs for Walmart, said in the announcement. “Our veterans bring dedication and value to our workforce, and we feel a great sense of duty to ensuring our men and women in uniform can find not just a job, but a fulfilling career, here at Walmart and beyond.”

For more information on jobs for veterans, go to www.walmartcareerswithamission.com or www.corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/veterans-military-families.

The company’s Military Family Promise also guarantees jobs at a nearby Walmart of Sam’s Club for all military spouses or personnel who already work for Walmart but have to move due to a military transfer. Walmart recruits veterans and military spouses at career fairs, and provides job training, transition help and education assistance, according to the news release.

Walmart has seven stores in Knoxville and 155 in Tennessee.

Hickory Construction builds new Big Springs Veterinary Hospital

Big Springs Veterinary Hospital in Maryville is getting a new, improved home, the work of Alcoa-based Hickory Construction, the builder announced Thursday.

The new 4,382-square-foot facility at 820 Ross Drive is adjacent to the veterinarian’s current location. It should be finished before Christmas 2018, according to a news release.

“The owners, Dr. Carrie Talley and Dr. Deanna Walker, contacted us after receiving recommendations from past clients,” Chris Duncan, vice president of Hickory’s commercial operations, said in the announcement. “They expressed their desire to build a new facility in a design-build fashion. When we started the conversation, they had two different lots in mind and asked us to provide input. We walked the lots together and landed on the property we both felt suited their needs.”

Stuart Anderson of George Armour Ewart was the architect. The new hospital has two exam rooms for dogs and two for cats, a dog wash area, an X-ray room, surgery room, treatment area and lab, office and storage space, and separate boarding area, the news release said.

Home Federal Bank dedicates its 27th Habitat House

Home Federal Bank employees gathered on May 19 with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity representatives and new homeowner Ingrid Elmore for a dedication ceremony celebrating the completion of her new home in North Knoxville.

The dedication of this home marks Home Federal Bank’s 27th consecutive year as a covenant partner with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity. Covenant partners provide a substantial amount of the funding to build a house, currently $40,000, plus significant manpower to aid in construction. Home Federal provided 50 plus volunteers and put in over 350 hours of community service to build this home. Home Federal Bank is Knoxville Habitat for Humanity’s longest-standing covenant partner.

Ingrid Elmore works two jobs to provide for the needs of Messiah, age 10 and Lyn’Jiria, age 4. Over the last two years after her 12-hour shifts, Elmore has worked to fulfill her 500 hours of sweat equity and; earned the right to purchase her home.

She works very long hours, but takes great pride in being able to provide a comfortable home for her family. 

“My children have seen me struggle, but I hope I’ve taught them that no matter what life gives you, don’t give up. You keep going…you work hard…set your goals, and keep your eyes on those goals and keep your head up,” says Elmore.

Elmore said she looks forward to being able to plant a flower garden, and play outside with her children.

Tenn. Lightweighting-Related Employment Continues Upward Trend

Advanced manufacturing employment in Tennessee reached new heights in 2018 with more than 425,000 workers employed – the greatest employment level since 2001. This according to a new report from Detroit-based LIFT—Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow.

Employer demand for lightweighting-related skills grew by 17 percent between Q4 2017 and Q1 2018 with 9,445 job postings, which is up 15 percent over five years ago.

The quarterly reports, highlighting employment trends, top jobs, and required skills in advanced manufacturing through Q1 2018, are completed with research and analysis from the Workforce Intelligence Network of Southeast Michigan (WIN) and Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, a region that’s home to more than 50 percent of the metalworking jobs in the country.

The top in-demand lightweighting-related occupations in Tennessee in Q1 2018 included: Laborers and Freight, Stock and Material Movers (1,479 postings), Maintenance and Repair Workers (946 postings), Production Workers (717 postings), Industrial Engineering Technicians (410 postings) and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers (361 postings).

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against United Community Bank

Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC (BS&J) of Nashville, Tennessee, has filed a class action lawsuit against United Community Bank (UCB), a regional bank headquartered in Georgia with locations in three additional states, including Tennessee. BS&J filed the lawsuit with Cohen & Malad, LLP (C&M) of Indianapolis, Indiana.

The suit was filed Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Plaintiff Dennis A. Jones, on behalf of himself and others similarly situated throughout the U.S., filed the suit seeking redress for UCB’s alleged routine practice of assessing overdraft fees on debit card transactions that did not overdraw checking account available balances, along with multiple insufficient funds fees on a single transaction. The lawsuit is brought as a class action under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

“United Community Bank’s improper debit card fee practices are costing Dennis Jones, and many others like him, exorbitant sums and taking away a substantial percentage of income,” said Gerard Stranch, managing partner of BS&J. “Their practice of conducting authorized-positive, settled-negative transactions is deceptive and bears potential impact on all of UCB’s clients. UCB’s customers should be aware of the bank’s practices and the frequency with which they result in significant, unforeseen, personal cost to customers.”

The lawsuit alleges that:

UCB breached the terms of its account documents by charging overdraft fees on transactions that were authorized into a sufficient available balance, but whose balances were allegedly insufficient at the time the transactions were settled; UCB breached the terms of its account documents by charging multiple insufficient funds fees on a single transaction; UCB breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing through its overdraft policies and procedures; and UCB engaged in deceptive acts or practices relating to the imposition of overdraft fees on consumers in violation of the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act.

McDonalds to hire 8,500 summer employees

With summer around the corner, McDonald’s and its independent franchisees are gearing up to hire approximately 8,500 restaurant employees in Tennessee to better serve customers this busy season.

This investment will provide almost 400,000 U.S. restaurant employees with an opportunity to earn a high school diploma, receive upfront tuition assistance for college courses, access academic advising courses and learn English as a second language. Additionally eligible crew will have access to $2,500/year in tuition assistance, up from $700/year and eligible managers will have access to $3,000/year, up from $1,050.

This is good news for job seekers who are interested in pursuing an education while working since McDonald’s recently announced that it is allocating $150 million over five years to its global Archways to Opportunity education program, including  lowering eligibility requirements from nine months to 90 days of employment and dropping weekly shift minimums from 20 hours to 15 hours, making new summer restaurant employees eligible by the end of the season.

More than half of the hires at company-owned restaurants are projected to be between the ages of 16 to 24 years old, and for many, it is their first job.

Get first look at new Subaru model

You are invited to be a guest and get the "First Look" at this NEW vehicle before anyone else in Knoxville! 

The NEW 2018 Subaru Ascent will be at Grayson Subaru on Wednesday May 23rd from 10am-2pm

We will have Subaru Corporate on site to answer questions and you will be able to see, touch and take pictures of this extraordinary new vehicle in person!

All you need to do is show up between 10am-2pm on Wednesday the 23rd at Grayson Subaru located at 8729 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37923

Subaru Ascent

Solinity secures senior living contract

Solinity, a Knoxville-based senior living consulting, development and management firm, has acquired a new client. The firm will manage CaraVita Village, a property in Montgomery, Alabama that has been acquired by Sierra Cove Group.

The facility will offer resort-style living and amenities to seniors. Changes to the facility will include renovations to the property, a new wellness center, concierge services and health care coordination. 

This is Solinity's first community management project. The company focuses on boutique-style, affordable communities in the independent living, assisted living, and memory care continuum.

"Right now, middle-class seniors do not have housing options that incorporate high-quality amenities, concierge services and the lifestyle they desire," said Joshua Crisp, CEO and president of Solinity. "Our industry needs to cater to this group – especially with more boomers retiring – and this is the first step toward reaching seniors who would not have these options otherwise."