^(This is a follow-up to the previous threads:)

• ^(Update 1: Collective action on prohibiting black bear interactions)
• ^(Update 2: Collective action on prohibiting black bear interactions)
• ^(Update 3: Collective action on prohibiting black bear interactions)

Friends and locals,

I attended today's Smokies BearWise Task Force meeting and wanted to report back to you all on the current situation. Per the city of Gatlinburg, there has been a 130% increase in nuisance bear calls in the past year - with a 203% increase this August compared to the previous August.

The TWRA is working overtime with some members maxxed out on hours. 45 bears have been removed this year, and each captured bear takes 5 hours to move. Despite the bear-resistant dumpster program being a renown success, littering is at levels previously unseen, trash receptacles/carabiner locks are not being used properly, and people are still directly feeding bears.

The city has spent over $3 million on dumpsters and $500k on facilities only to discover this is no longer a trash problem, but a population problem. As evidenced in this video from Monday, an unintended consequence of securing our garbage from bears means they are going to break into the next available thing: cars and homes. The GPD reported 5 bear break-ins just this last Friday.

But this isn't only a problem here, it is nation-wide. Parks in Nevada, Florida, Asheville, Yosemite, and Yellowstone are all experiencing a surge in break-ins. This year Tahoe has reported both record home entries - and subsequent euthanasia cases. Cubs are learning this behavior by watching, and once it has been taught it cannot be unlearned. Dan Gibbs from the TWRA floated the possibility that more drastic measures, implying euthanasia, may need to be taken in the future. But what is to stop bears from re-learning this behavior once again?

There is also concern over the fact that the forest is overdue for a Mast Failure; an ecological ripple where fruiting trees and shrubs all underproduce seeds to conserve energy - the last one having occurred all the way back in 2011. A lack of natural food would spur what one could perceive as a crime spree of break-ins this fall. According to officials, we will know what to expect by mid-September.

Some people have been hurt; at least one person with permanent facial injuries, but these incidents are not being reported in the news. The main reason why deaths don't occur more often is because of how tolerant black bears are. The financial damage from vehicle break-ins is leading others to swear off ever visiting the Smokies again. The city has identified this as a serious problem and is looking to outside agencies for advice.

Bear-resistant waste management and education needs to be a county-wide effort but from what I'm hearing, the Sevier County government has no interest in reducing human/bear conflicts. The BearWise Task Force is at a loss for influential allies.

^(I emailed Bryan McCarter about BearWise and encounter prevention on December 2, 2025. He never replied.)

---

On a positive note, as of now the City of Pigeon Forge is providing only bear-resistant commercial dumpsters and has switched residential polycart brands to bear-resistant, Kodiak products.

Gary from Duck River GCE was also at the meeting. He has been hard at work building his premium Bear Boxes and recently installed 45 new boxes in the Parkside Resort community, with more on the way. As a result, there has been a visible reduction in litter around the area.

Duck River Bear Box

Gary's Bear Boxes are IGBC tested and certified. They have metal flags to indicate to sanitation workers when they need servicing, and automated lighting features are in the works.

Paw Flag

I also spoke to Gary about the possibly of him producing hard covers for hot tubs to cut back on destructive vandalism, but he turned that down (no easy, universal fit). He stands by the use of electrified unwelcome mats as a proven solution. He could produce his own mats, but there isn't enough demand.

For the time being, anyone wanting to purchase a mat must order them online out of Tahoe, Nevada where they are used more commonly. This is where companies like DollyWood get their mats as well; I believe through Tahoe Bear Busters.

---

Complacency kills. Ultimately, we need more education on how to use bear-resistant dumpsters, trash can straps, and carabiner locks. We need to be proactive against littering, and relentless against feeding bears.

If you are coming to visit, please clean out your vehicles thoroughly. As soon as you get to your hotel or cabin, take any food inside immediately. Those first 5-10 minutes are often critical moments. Also consider taking any child seats inside or placing them in the trunk - bears are starting to recognize them as sources of crumbs and sugar stains.

^(In the words of Marc Maron,) ^(more later)^(.)

Elana Mutnick - WBIR:

>Sevier County brought in an attorney Monday during its Sevier County Emergency Services Committee meeting to examine the Red Bank Road housing development. Attorney Kyle Baisley told the committee and people in attendance that he reviewed the development, the property’s history and the city’s approval of the project.

>His conclusion: The county does not have a legal basis to stop the first phase. “There really is nothing that we can do or what I recommend that the county do at this juncture to, to challenge or somehow try to halt, you know, phase one,” he said.

>Baisley said the property was properly annexed into Sevierville in 2008 and that the first phase was approved under the city’s existing regulations. He also advised the county against filing a lawsuit he does not believe it could win.

>“Could something be filed? Absolutely. Does it have any merit or ability, in my opinion, to prevail? Absolutely not,” Baisley said. "I don't want us to get noisy and inactive when we really don't have anything legally to stand on. I would rather us ... keep our powder dry and make sure that when we do get involved, we get involved in a meaningful way."

>Instead, Baisley said the county should stay involved as future phases of the development are considered. “It doesn't mean that we're not gonna be involved going forward for this development and, and others,” he said. “We're being proactive in making sure that, you know, any future phases or development activity gets a proper look."

>D.R. Horton’s first phase includes 223 townhomes off Red Bank Road, the latest version of a larger proposal for the property. This comes after members of the Sevierville Planning and Zoning Commission decided not to move forward with D.R. Horton's original master plan in Oct. 2025, which would have brought more than 1000 new single-family homes to the area. Three months later, Sevierville leaders approved the relocation of Red Bank Road. 

>That road has one entrance and one exit, which has been a major concern for nearby residents. Neighbors have repeatedly told county and city officials they are concerned about emergency access and traffic.

>Terry Sailor, who lives about a mile from the development's location, told the committee Monday she worries about what could happen during an emergency. “God forbid that there be an emergency that can't get through to us. That's where the danger and the disaster loom,” she said.

>Patty Suggs, another concerned resident, said she believes the development creates risks for emergency responders. She is a nurse whose husband works in EMS.  “I feel like it's a risk for our firefighters. It's a risk for our EMS system. It's a risk for the people there,” Suggs said.

>Baisley said the county can't stop phase one, but he said officials can have a greater role in future phases. The county also plans to look into whether the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office can provide input on the development. For residents like Sailor, she plans to stay a part of the entire process.  “What's going to happen when there's more cars than our road can handle? That's a big problem,” she said. "You have a big voice. Please speak up for us."

Previously:

1 year ago: Residents voice opposition to DR Horton development off Pittman Center Road

10 months ago: Residents voice opposition to DR Horton development off Pittman Center Road

Related:

r/Sevier - ‘Bring it’: Late night host John Oliver eggs on Buc-ee’s, encourages chain to sue him

WATE:

>It’s Election Day in Sevier County, and voters will decide who will win the county general election and who will go on to the state and federal election in November.

>The polls closed at 8 p.m., and results will be updated periodically.

More:

PBS - Live Results: Tennessee midterm primaries

AP News - Tennessee primary election results

The Tennessean - Tennessee primary election results 2026 for governor, Congress, more

Matt Hollingsworth - WATE:

>There are plans for a 74,000-square-foot waterpark, a hotel, and a timeshare development in the Gateway 407 project in Sevier County.

>Exit 407: Gateway to Adventure has been in development for years. Marketed as the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, it currently features a massive Buc-ee’s Travel Center and a Courtyard Marriott.

>Now, a company is asking the Sevierville Planning Commission to approve plans for a 74,000-square-foot water park, a hotel featuring 175 units with 297 bedrooms, and a timeshare development with 150 units and 228 bedrooms. The water park would have outdoor features around 50 feet in height, and the overall building height would be about 65’5″, according to government documents.

>The site would be on Gateway Boulevard directly east of the Courtyard Marriott. The site plan has 819 parking spaces. The plans for the waterpark are on the agenda for the commission at 5 p.m. on Thursday. The company asking for approval is Robert Campbell and Associates.

>The Gateway 407 project also includes plans for a proposed Exit 408 scheduled to begin construction in 2030.

---

More from Smokies.LIVE:

Sports Illustrated Resort Water Park Plans Submitted For Approval Near Buc-Ee's in Sevierville

>A major new tourism development anchored by a 74,000-square-foot water park is one step closer to becoming a reality at Exit 407, the rapidly growing gateway to the Smoky Mountains.

>The Sevierville Planning Commission is scheduled to consider site plan approval for Project Gateway 407 during its meeting Thursday evening at the Sevierville Civic Center.

>The proposed development would be located on Gateway Boulevard in Kodak, directly east of the Courtyard by Marriott and adjacent to the planned Sports Illustrated Resort development at Exit 407.

According to planning documents, the proposal includes:

• A 175-unit hotel with 297 bedrooms
• A 150-unit timeshare resort with 228 bedrooms
• A 74,000-square-foot water park
• Outdoor water attractions reaching approximately 50 feet in height

>The site is located within the city’s Tourist Commercial (TCL) Zoning District, an area designated for tourism-related development.

>Planning staff said they are continuing to review revisions involving utilities, stormwater infrastructure and sidewalks. Staff is recommending approval of the site plan subject to the resolution of those remaining comments.

>If approved, the project would become one of the largest new attractions planned for the Exit 407 corridor, adding a new water park and hundreds of lodging units to an area already seeing significant investment with the nearby Sports Illustrated Resort.

>The Sevierville Planning Commission will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Sevierville Civic Center.

>The Smokies.LIVE Adventure Center will be at the meeting and provide updates on the commission’s decision and any discussion surrounding the proposed development.

--

More from r/EasternBandofCherokee:

• Kituwah, LLC launches $316 million investment with Sports Illustrated Resorts
• Kituwah, LLC involved in new Sports Illustrated Resort in Tuscaloosa
• Kituwah LLC suing Sports Illustrated Resort co-investor over breach of loan agreement

^(Don Dare - WATE:)

40 pounds of cooked beef tossed during inspection at Sevierville restaurant

>The restaurant that had a bad day when the inspector visited is in Sevier County. Half a dozen critical violations were found.

>The grade is 65 at La Carreta Mexican Restaurant on Forks of the River Parkway in Sevierville. A grade of 69 and below is considered failing. There has not yet been a follow-up inspection.

>La Carreta Mexican Restaurant, 241 Forks of the River Parkway, Sevierville — Grade: 65, Follow-up: TBD

>To begin with, some employees were apparently unaware of proper hand washing. A server was observed slicing a lime with her bare hands, which is not allowed. Another kitchen worker was seen washing his hands while wearing gloves; they should have been removed first.

>In the walk-in cooler, a large metal pot of cooked beef that had been in the refrigerator overnight was too warm at 46 degrees. Bacteria can grow rapidly at that temperature. To be on the safe side, the cooked beef was thrown away, 40 pounds of it.

>Finally, the inspector writes he found multiple insects crawling around behind the kitchen oven. La Carreta Mexican in Sevierville will be re-inspected soon.

---

Related: Failing grade, lack of handwashing found during inspection at Maya Seafood and Latino Grill

WATE:

>Three people were found dead at a Sevier County apartment on Friday. Sevier County Sheriff Michael Hodges announced that detectives are at the scene of an apartment on Marine Way where three people were found dead. Hodges said in a statement that the preliminary investigation suggests that this was an isolated incident and there is no known threat to the public. No other details were immediately available.

>“Out of respect for the families involved and to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we are unable to release additional details at this time. We ask the community to keep everyone affected in their thoughts and prayers. Please allow investigators the time needed to conduct a thorough investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes appropriate to do so.

Alt source: The Mountain Press

>The Sevier County Sheriff's Office is investigating after the discovery of three bodies in an apartment on Marine Way. Sevier County Sheriff Michael Hodges shared information about the investigation at about 7:45 p.m. The apartments are located near the intersection of Chapman Highway and Boys Creek Highway.

>"At this early stage of the investigation, detectives are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding these deaths," he said. "Preliminary information suggests this was an isolated incident and there is no known threat to the public."

>The department was not prepared to release more information Friday evening Hodges said. "We ask the community to keep everyone affected in their thoughts and prayers," he said.

Alt sources: WVLT | WBIR

Update - 8/4/26:

Sevier County Sheriff: Man killed woman, 3-month-old in murder-suicide

>On Monday, Sevier County Sheriff Michael Hodges announced investigators determined that a man, 33, fatally shot a woman, 31, and a 3-month-old child before taking his own life. He added that the investigation remains open pending the autopsy results.

>“This was an extraordinarily difficult scene for our deputies, investigators, medical examiners, dispatchers, EMS, and all of our first responders. While they are trained to respond to the most challenging situations, incidents involving the loss of life, especially an innocent child, leave a lasting impact on everyone involved. Our hearts are with the families, friends, neighbors, and all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. We remain committed to completing this difficult investigation with compassion, while treating everyone involved with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Greg Wilkerson - The Mountain Press | Subscribe - July 31, 2026:

>An iconic route to the summit of Mt. LeConte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is continuing to undergo a complete rehabilitation thanks to funding from Friends of the Smokies.

>The rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail began in 2025. The National Park Service trail rehabilitation crew, with the help of youth trail crews from the American Conservation Experience and Southeast Conservation Corps, is expected to complete the almost 7-mile project in November.

>"Part of what makes this project so special is there's so many different people working together on it," said Great Smoky Mountains National Park Chief of Staff Katie Liming. "We have our incredible trail crew — a Trails Forever crew that is up there every day and has just such expertise and knowledge of this trail. We have the Friends of the Smokies who are donating the funds for most of this project. We saw interns, an incredible volunteer crew, and then a youth conservation crew, which is helping us throughout the summer, so it's just such an example of all the different groups that come together to do this incredible project."

>Through the Trails Forever program, Friends of the Smokies has been able to fund a permanent trail maintenance crew in the national park to maintain some of the Smokies’ most iconic and frequently used trails. The program focuses on a specific trail for an extended project, often lasting two years. In 2024 the trail rehabilitation team completed work on Ramsey Cascades Trail. 

>Other trails that have been restored as part of the program include Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops and Forney Ridge. Bullhead Trail is closed through the week for the rehabilitation, but remains open on weekends for hikers.

>"The trail is not closed for the summer. We reopen the trail every Friday, so we invite you to come hike it Friday through Sunday, and you can see the work in progress. It's a great trail, a slightly quieter route up to LeConte, and we can't wait to celebrate its completion later this year," Liming said.

>Great Smoky Mountains National Park has almost 850 miles of trails, with many popular routes used by thousands of visitors annually, requiring significant maintenance and upkeep. The Trails Forever program allows the National Park Service to complete more extensive work on a specific trail that wouldn't otherwise be possible.

>"We had a front-country crew that would hike up from the bottom and go out every day, and also a backcountry crew that would stay up at the LeConte bunkhouse," said Trails Forever Supervisor Josh Shapiro. "This middle section of the trail is mainly what we focused on this year. It's about two-and-a-half miles up from the trailhead and extends about a mile. This section was hit pretty hard by the 2016 wildfires, so the erosion is much worse in this area."

>As part of the Bullhead Trail rehabilitation project, the crews also worked on the upper LeConte trails near LeConte Lodge, including the upper portion of Rainbow Falls Trail that needed some extra attention. BullHead Trail was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and has not received a major rehabilitation in decades.

>"A lot of this trail was very rocky with lots of roots. A lot of the trail tread on the side slopes were sloughed down to where you were just walking on the very outside edge. Between widening the trail, getting rocks and roots out and putting new drains in, it looks a lot different," Shapiro said. "Without Friends of the Smokies, the Trails Forever Endowment and the extra funding that they also put on top of that, this project would not be possible."

>Highlights of the project include regrading sections of the trail surface for improved safety and better drainage, repairing existing retaining walls, adding new stone steps and building turnpikes and erosion control structures, removing tripping hazards, widening sections of trail and pruning overgrown vegetation.

>A volunteer crew helps with vegetation removal on Wednesdays, with new faces routinely joining. The volunteer crew also includes a dedicated group of volunteers who have donated their time for several years on multiple trail projects.

>"The work on Bullhead Trail is far more than routine maintenance. Every day the Trails Forever crew is rebuilding it to withstand all the heavy use the trail receives because it leads to one of the most iconic places in the park, Mt. LeConte, and they're doing it in a way that protects the surrounding landscape," said Friends of the Smokies President and CEO Dana Soehn. "I think it's also very unique that they are using time-tested techniques from the days of the CCC with some modern improvements, and they're making those improvements with natural stone and wood that blends into the landscape. It's leaving a trail system that sheds water and reduces the erosion, and hopefully stands up for future hikers being able to enjoy that trail."

>She said projects like the Bullhead Trail rehabilitation are only possible because of this partnership between the National Park Service, Friends of the Smokies and the organization's donors.

>"It's the generosity of donors who continue to believe in this work that makes the work possible. When we continue to receive funding to support the youth corps, the skilled crew, the materials and supplies that it takes to do this level of work, is what allows us to to end up with a restored trail," Soehn said. "People can help support this work by getting involved by volunteering. There's a work day every Wednesday on the trail where people can join the crew and learn the techniques and be a part of it. They can also help support this work by hiking with us twice a month. We have hikes across the park, and the proceeds that people pay to participate on those hikes goes directly back into the Trails Forever program."

>Bullhead Trail is expected to fully reopen in November. The trail is located outside Gatlinburg with the trailhead near the Rainbow Falls parking area along Cherokee Orchard Road. The 13.6-mile roundtrip hike is considered strenuous.

>For more information on the Trails Forever project, volunteer opportunities, or the Trails Forever hiking series, visit friendsofthesmokies.org.

---

From the NPS - April 20, 2026:

>Beginning May 4, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 19. During this time, the park will continue the rehabilitation of the Bullhead Trail in partnership with Friends of the Smokies.  

>Hikers are welcome to hike Bullhead Trail Friday through Sunday and on federal holidays. The park plans to reopen the trail fully in November. The Bullhead Trail is one of several routes that lead to Mount LeConte, offering a challenging 13.6-mile roundtrip hike to the summit.

Through this rehabilitation, the park will enhance overall trail safety by: 

• Repairing tread surfaces 
• Improving drainage 
• Constructing trail structures such as staircases, turnpikes and retaining walls 
• Removing tripping hazards like exposed rocks and roots

Specific improvements to the Bullhead Trail include: 

• Regrading 3 miles of trail surface for improved safety and better trail drainage 
• Repairing existing drystone retaining walls, adding new stone steps and building turnpikes and erosion control structures  
• Removing tripping hazards, including roots and rocks 
• Widening sections of trail that are eroding and sloughing off of the hill side 
• Pruning overgrown vegetation in the trail corridor to improve views and the hiker experience

>The park is also improving the top sections of several trails around the top of Mount LeConte to address erosion and rehabilitate parts of those trails. These efforts will also help protect the park’s natural resources.  

>Following the completion of the Ramsey Cascades Trail rehabilitation in 2024, the park and Friends of the Smokies began the rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail as the next project in the Trails Forever program. This program funds a permanent, highly skilled trail crew dedicated to the rehabilitation of high-use trails throughout the park.  

>The program also funds youth trail crews from the American Conservation Experience and Southeast Conservation Corps who assist with the rehabilitation each year. There will also be volunteer opportunities to assist the crew each Wednesday on Bullhead Trail starting May 20.  
To date, Friends of the Smokies has contributed more than $4 million to rehabilitation projects, including those on Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, Forney Ridge and Ramsey Cascades trails.

Addy Bink - WATE:

>Buc-ee’s, the beloved Texas-based convenience store chain, is hitting another growth spurt, with plans to open at least two dozen additional stores in the coming years. The company has also made headlines for recently wowing international visitors during the World Cup, perhaps thanks to its coveted Beaver Nuggets, its smoked meats, its plethora of merchandise plastered with its mascot Buc-ee, and its qualifications as a wedding venue. But, like many large brands, Buc-ee’s is protective of its branding. That has prompted several lawsuits.

>Earlier this year, shortly before opening its first location in Ohio, Buc-ee’s sued a gas station chain in the northern part of the state, accusing the company of using a logo that too closely resembled its beaver. These gas stations, known as Mickey’s, have been using their Mickey the Moose mascot since at least 2020 — long before Buc-ee’s opened its first location in Ohio. The case is still being litigated, according to court records.

>Last year, Buc-ee’s sued a Florida store and a South Carolina apparel company over alleged copyright infringement. And a Missouri business settled while another shuttered after Buc-ee’s accused both of trademark infringement, Nexstar’s KOLR reported.

>An Oklahoma underwear and apparel company also vowed to fight back against a lawsuit brought by Buc-ee’s, with owner Jarrad Hewett telling Nexstar’s KFOR in November that “it’s time that somebody stands up and says, ‘This isn’t right.'”

>A late-night TV host apparently agrees with Hewett. Earlier this week, “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver took aim at Buc-ee’s and its lawsuits during a segment, egging the company on to sue him. Oliver explained that Buc-ee’s had won many of the more than a dozen lawsuits it has brought against businesses, mainly over their animal-based logos.

>“And that’s probably because most just don’t have the resources to fight a company this big,” Oliver said before referring to an article by Fast Company in which a legal expert warned Buc-ee’s that it could soon “run into somebody who has the means or the will to fight with you.”

>“It turns out, we very much have the will to get into a fight with Buc-ee’s,” Oliver added. The host then referred to a former segment that featured Mr. Nutterbutter, a squirrel mascot who has previously appeared on the show.

>To poke the beaver further, Oliver showcased merchandise featuring a cartoon version of Mr. Nutterbutter with the slogan “Buc-off” in a very Buc-ee’s style. All of the merchandise, ranging from t-shirts and hats to onesies and coffee mugs (the stickers are listed as sold out, as of Tuesday) can be found at Buc-off.com.

>Proceeds from the online store, which, at least for now, is slated to be open until September 8, will reportedly go to Hunger Free America. A notice on the website warns that the items are “not authorized by or affiliated with Buc-ee’s.”

>“So, if any prominent gas station chain out there has an issue with our new logo and products and wants to get lawyers involved, then you know what? Bring it the f— on,” Oliver warned. “Although, remember, in doing so, you’d be directly taking food out of hungry people’s mouths.”

>“So, at this point, Buc-ee’s, I guess the Beaver Nugget is in your court. The next move is yours,” the TV host added before walking toward a set built to look like a Buc-ee’s, complete with a bronze statue of Mr. Nutterbutter. A costumed mascot of the aforementioned squirrel joined Oliver on stage after walking out of the doors of what appears to be a Buc-off store.

>Buc-ee’s did not immediately respond to Nexstar’s request for comment.

Related:

Last Week Tonight Youtube Short

r/LastWeekTonight: John Oliver challenges Buc-ee's over trademark lawsuits in new episode

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Update: Days after John Oliver's dare, Buc-ee's sues again

>Days after being taunted by "Last Week Tonight" host John Oliver to sue him and HBO, popular gas station chain Buc-ee's has filed a lawsuit against a corner store in Ohio. According to a federal lawsuit filed on July 28, Buc-ee's is suing Beaver's Mini Mart, a small corner store located in the middle of a neighborhood in Beavercreek, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton, for more than two decades.

>The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported that despite the mini mart having no gas pumps and being miles from the nearest interstate, Buc-ee's says its customers may be confused by the mini mart's logo, which features a smiling beaver standing tall next to the store's name in a red-letter font.

>Vik Boparai has owned the mini mart for more than a decade, years before Buc-ee's first expanded out of Texas in 2018 and long before it opened its first Ohio store north of Dayton in April, according to The Enquirer. The news outlet also reports beavers are a popular figure across all of Beavercreek, with numerous businesses and even the local high school featuring different versions of the rodent on their mascots.

>"I don't know why they would sue a small business like mine," Boparai said to the Enquirer. "I have two kids and this store is how I feed them." Beavercreek Vice Mayor Zach Upton was equally shocked when he heard that the mini mart was in Buc-ee's crosshairs. Upton told the Enquirer the lawsuit is an overreach of Buc-ee's desire to protect their brand.

>"Common sense is not prevailing," Upton said. "I can't imagine anyone would be confused by the mini mart and Buc-ee's. It's not even in the same ballpark."

Matt Hollingsworth - WATE:

>Townsend, Tennessee -  Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) welcomed its first rescued black bear cub in over a year. ABR recently began accepting orphaned bear cubs again after 13 bears were euthanized in December 2024 when an illness was found.

>A Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officer rescued the cub — now known as Hemlock — on Tuesday. The cub had reportedly been seen alone near a Gatlinburg home for two weeks, and when the officer found him, he was less than half the weight of an average healthy cub during this part of the year. No one is sure why the bear’s mother is absent.

>“It has been just over a year and a half since bears were last housed at the ABR facility. Welcoming Hemlock Bear into our care is a testament to the resilience of our staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters,” said Greg Grieco, executive director of ABR. “It’s a reminder that when government agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and our local community all work together we can accomplish great things.”

>Hemlock is the 427th bear admitted into ABR’s care during its 30-year history. He is currently in ABR’s Hartley House receiving medical care and nutritional support. As he grows healthier, ABR plans to move him to an outdoor enclosure before returning him to the wild. ABR said orphaned cubs require round-the-clock staffing and dedicated care.

>Supporters will soon be able to “symbolically adopt” Hemlock through ABR’s website and social media to follow his progress, ABR said. Proceeds will directly support care for bears like Hemlock.

>In December 2024, TWRA euthanized 13 cubs at ABR to try to stop a disease from potentially spreading to wild bears. A few months later, TWRA and ABR announced that no more bears would be placed at the facility until new sanitation protocols were implemented. Then, in July 2025, the organizations signed a new agreement in which ABR would build new enclosures.

Appalachian Bear Rescue: appalachianbearrescue.org

BearWise: bearwise.org

Related:

Tennessee governor signs bill to criminalize feeding black bears

Hope McAlee - WATE:

>It’s almost time for students to return to the classroom, and there are many school supply drives planned to help schools and students whose families may be needing a little assistance to get ready for the next school year.

>From free school supplies and shoes to free haircuts, here is a list of events happening across East Tennessee to help students get ready for the upcoming school year.

Sevier County

>From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 1, the Back to School Bash hosted by Temple Strong Coffee Co. located at 941 Dolly Parton Parkway will be offering children free haircuts and backpacks. The event is also set to feature bounce houses, face painting and more.

>On Monday, August 3, the Salty Barber Company’s 3rd Annual Back-to-School Haircut event will be taking place from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Hangar at Pathways Church from 1210 Airport Road.

Hannah Moore - WATE:

>A bear cub died in Sevier County after a trash bin fell on it, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency shared with 6 News. According to the TWRA, the bear family likely accessed garbage from the bin previously, which can happen when bins are “not consistently latched, maintained, or replaced as their hardware, such as carabiners, begins to fail.” The agency recommends that residents and businesses in the area use trash bins that are certified bear‑resistant.

>The Appalachian Bear Rescue first shared about the cub’s death, saying that it took place in a Sevier County neighborhood, outside the Gatlinburg city limits. The nonprofit echoed TWRA’s call and urged people to use bear-resistant trash containers to minimize human-bear interactions.

>“It is important that we are not only using bear-resistant containers in our communities but that we are using them properly. This cub’s mortality was completely preventable and would not have happened if the bear-resistant trash receptacle had been properly secured to the ground. However, the bigger picture is that this bear family was poking around these trash receptacles because they most likely have received food rewards from unsecured trash in the past. We don’t want bears to ever get food from trash because it so often ultimately leads to a bear’s death whether directly like in this case or indirectly through a bear’s loss of fear of humans. In human-bear conflict situations, the bear is almost always the ‘loser’,” wrote ABR on Facebook.

>Both TWRA and ABR also noted the lack of laws requiring secured, bear‑resistant garbage outside the city limits of Gatlinburg. In fact, outside of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are no statewide laws prohibiting the feeding of bears in Tennessee. The TWRA added that “proper trash management remains one of the most effective ways to reduce human‑bear conflicts and prevent incidents like this.”

^(From The Appalachian Bear Rescue) ^(on facebook)^(:)

WARNING: Graphic image, proceed with caution...

Monday, July 13, 2026: Garbage Kills Bears

>You all have heard us say time and time again that "garbage kills bears" but usually we are speaking metaphorically. Unfortunately today, garbage literally has resulted in a deceased cub in a neighborhood in Sevier County, outside of Gatlinburg city limits.

>It is with heavy hearts that we share this extremely tragic story that was sent to us today by a local supporter. A mother bear pulled an unsecured trash receptacle onto her cub, resulting in its death. This mother bear had likely been in the area because she had been able to access human food in these trash bins.

>It is important that we are not only using bear resistant containers in our communities but that we are using them properly. This cub's mortality was completely preventable and would not have happened if the bear resistant trash receptacle had been properly secured to the ground. However, the bigger picture is that this bear family was poking around these trash receptacles because they most likely have received food rewards from unsecured trash in the past. We don't want bears to ever get food from trash because it so often ultimately leads to a bear's death whether directly like in this case or indirectly through a bear's loss of fear of humans. In human-bear conflict situations, the bear is almost always the "loser".

>There are no ordinances outside of Gatlinburg city limits that require bear resistant trash containers or prohibit the feeding of bears, purposefully or otherwise.

>As members of the Smokies BearWise Taskforce, we do as much as we can to raise awareness of these issues through education and outreach and our communities are making steps in the right direction to make the places we live safer for bears. However, preventable bear deaths like this one will continue to happen until enforceable laws are passed at local and state levels that protect our black bears and that hold humans accountable.

>Let's be better NeighBears to the wildlife that shares our home!

>For more information on how you can keep bears wild and safe, visit: https://www.gatlinburg.com/listing/smokies-bearwise/5044/ | www.bearwise.org

Related:

r/Gatlinburg - Update 3: Collective action on prohibiting black bear interactions

r/Gatlinburg - Tennessee governor signs bill to criminalize feeding black bears