Fourth of July festivities are set to begin this weekend, and with celebrations taking place up to the holiday Tuesday, there will be five days of opportunities to observe Independence Day in the region.
After sightings of black bears across the region including Collegedale and Athens, Tennessee, near the Cherokee National Forest state wildlife officials are warning Tennesseans to be watchful for wandering young male bears.
A 20-minute, $45,000 Fourth of July fireworks display for residents of Athens, Tennessee, was approved by a 4-0 vote, despite a pending lawsuit over the 2022 display.