TDOT Ramping Up Repaving Efforts Statewide

TDOT Ramping Up Repaving Efforts Statewide

May 2, 2024

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is ramping up its pavement repair efforts to address those lingering potholes from January’s record winter storm. The department is investing an additional $15 million in a total of 121 various projects statewide over and above our annual work program. We accelerated Transportation Modernization Act dollars to supplement our state of good repair/maintenance budget. Without the extra funds, we could not afford to do this more permanent work. Media is welcome to use new b-roll of repaving with a TDOT courtesy.

Warmer temperatures in the spring and early summer months mean asphalt plants are regularly producing the hot mix needed for more permanent repairs. Most of the projects will involve milling which is the removal of the top layer and paving with a layer of fresh asphalt. There are two locations in east Tennessee in which we will be performing concrete rehabilitation of two bridges. 

In some cases, motorists should be prepared for short-term traffic delays during these operations. While every effort will be made to perform repairs during off-peak travel times (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. weekdays), some lane closures may extend into the late afternoon, evening, and weekends. We ask drivers to be patient and to watch out for TDOT crews on interstates and state highways. Work with Us – move over, slow down.

Please note – inclement weather, emergency repairs or incidents may disrupt daily schedules. Drivers can report potholes by calling the TDOTFIX Hotline at 833-TDOTFIX or by submitting an online maintenance request form.

Jefferson County Wildlife Officer Receives Shikar-Safari Officer of the Year Award

Jefferson County Wildlife Officer Receives Shikar-Safari Officer of the Year Award

May 2, 2024

TWRA Wildlife Officer Justin Pinkston has been honored with the Shikar–Safari Club International 2023 Tennessee Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.  Pinkston is assigned to Jefferson County in TWRA’s District 42.

The annual award from the conservation-based organization honors the officer whose efforts during the year display outstanding performance and achievement among TWRA law enforcement personnel.  Pinkston is among a distinguished group of officers to receive the honor from among all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces.  Along with his duties as a wildlife officer, Pinkston is very active in his community, representing the Agency at events and by teaching and assisting in educational programs. His work in Boater and Hunter Education courses resulted in more than 300 students graduating in 2023.  He also was a representative at the Agency’s popular Appalachian Fair display and at the Operation Dry Water media event.

Pinkston actively patrolled Cherokee and Douglas Lakes in Jefferson County, both of which are well known for fishing and recreation. He also patrolled the other District 42 counties’ lakes, rivers, streams, and access areas as well as adjacent wildlife management areas. He served as the lead investigator on eight boating incidents and arrested ten impaired operators for Boating Under the Influence (BUI). Pinkston also understands the importance of training, as he was selected and completed Advanced BUI, Boat Investigation Level 2, Firearms Instructor, and Advanced Interview and Interrogation Technique classes within the last year.  Shikar-Safari Club has been a great partner to the Agency by donating funds for TWRA’s elk program along with funding to acquire mounted wildlife to be utilized in law enforcement efforts. Shikar-Safari Club International was founded in 1952 for the purpose of advancing knowledge concerning wildlife of the world.

Knoxville Police Release Body Camera Footage in Fountain City Officer-Involved Shooting

Knoxville Police Release Body Camera Footage in Fountain City Officer-Involved Shooting

May 1, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) The Knoxville Police Department releases body camera footage Wednesday showing a deadly officer-involved shooting that happened in mid-April.

KPD officials say Officer Seth Beeler responded to an Exxon gas station at 5306 North Broadway around 5:30 p.m. on April 17. While there, a witness reportedly told Beeler that 41-year-old William Charles McBride Jr. was acting aggressively in the gas station and was armed with two knives.

KPD reports Beeler fired “at least once,” hitting McBride, who was taken in critical condition to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting while KPD’s Office of Professional Standards is conducting an internal investigation, as per KPD’s standard policy.

The full footage released by KPD, which is graphic in nature, can be viewed here . Viewer discretion is advised.

Beeler was placed on routine administrative leave after the shooting. At this time, there’s been no update from the TBI or KPD on his status.

Knoxville Police Identify Victim in Overnight Shooting

Knoxville Police Identify Victim in Overnight Shooting

May 1, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 5/2/24: Knoxville police have identified the victim of a fatal shooting late Tuesday night in the Morningside area.

Officers responded to the 1800 block of Prospect Place where they found the victim, 24-year-old Zackery Schwaller of Knoxville, who had been shot at least one time.

Schwaller was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

KPD says detectives are continuing to gather any and all pertinent evidence but that no suspects have been identified, arrested or charged at this time.

Anyone with information is being asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.

The investigation is ongoing at this time.

ORIGINAL STORY: A man is dead after a shooting that happened late Tuesday evening.

Knoxville Police Department officials say officers responded to the 1800 block of Prospect Place in the Morningside area, where they found the victim, only identified as a man who had been shot at least once.

The man was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

At this time, there is no suspect, and officers are canvassing the area. Anyone with information is being asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.

Teen Charged with Attempted Murder in Knox County Shooting, Sheriff’s Office Says

Teen Charged with Attempted Murder in Knox County Shooting, Sheriff’s Office Says

May 1, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A 17-year-old is facing an attempted first degree murder charge after firing shots into a North Knox County home.

Knox County Sheriff’s Office officials say deputies responded to the home on Paxton Drive Monday just after midnight. Five people were inside when the suspect fired shots, hitting two cars parked in the driveway and the building itself.

KCSO says detectives interviewed the teen who admitted to firing the shots.

He was taken into custody and faces numerous charges including attempted first degree murder, four counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment to an occupied dwelling, reckless endangerment by shooting from a moving car, felony vandalism and felony theft.

Multiple Bills Dealing with Street Racing on Governor Bill Lee’s Desk

Multiple Bills Dealing with Street Racing on Governor Bill Lee’s Desk

May 1, 2024

Multiple bills cracking down on street racing now sit on Governor Bill Lee’s desk and may soon become law here in Tennessee.

The first one makes street racing a more severe felony. A second would create a street racing task force where law enforcement and Mayors across the state would study street racing and come up with ways to stop it.

The Governor has nine days left to either sign the bills or veto them. If he does nothing they’ll automatically become law.

The Girlfriend of the Man Accused of Killing One Blount County Deputy and Injuring Another is Indicted by a Grand Jury

The Girlfriend of the Man Accused of Killing One Blount County Deputy and Injuring Another is Indicted by a Grand Jury

May 1, 2024

Carrie Matthews, the girlfriend of Kenneth DeHart, Jr. has been indicted by the Sevier County Grand Jury on an accessory after the fact charge.

DeHart is charged in the death of Blount County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Greg McCowan and the shooting of Deputy Shelby Eggers. DeHart was stopped by Eggers, who later called for McCowan, while driving in February when the situation escalated, prompting DeHart to fire on both deputies and led police on a five day manhunt.

Matthews is accused of helping DeHart by warning him when police came to her home. She will be in court for an arraignment on May 6th.

Girlfriend of Suspect in Blount County Deputy’s Death Indicted by Grand Jury

Girlfriend of Suspect in Blount County Deputy’s Death Indicted by Grand Jury

April 30, 2024

Sevier County, TN (WOKI) A grand jury Monday indicts the girlfriend of the man accused of killing a Blount County Sheriff’s Office deputy during a traffic stop in February.

Carrie Matthews, the girlfriend of Kenneth DeHart, was indicted by the Sevier County Grand Jury on an accessory after the fact charge.

Matthews is accused of helping DeHart evade capture following the shooting death of Deputy Greg McCowan and the shooting of Deputy Shelby Eggers by warning him when police came to her home.

Matthews has been out of jail on a $350,000 bond with a requirement that she wear an ankle monitor.

She is due back in court for an arraignment on May 6.

Stolen Car Crash on Broadway Briefly Locks Down Knoxville Middle School

Stolen Car Crash on Broadway Briefly Locks Down Knoxville Middle School

April 30, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville middle school was placed on lockdown briefly Tuesday morning as Knoxville police investigated a crash involving a stolen car.

Knoxville Police Department officials say officers reportedly spotted the car and tried to stop it around 11:30 a.m. before the driver sped away, crashing in the parking lot of the Shoney’s in the 4000 block of Broadway.

KPD says multiple people ran from the car three of whom officers detained, but a fourth person could have gotten away.

Whittle Springs Middle School was placed on a brief lockdown during the incident.

Man Found Guilty in Claiborne County Boating Crash that Killed 12-Year-Old

Man Found Guilty in Claiborne County Boating Crash that Killed 12-Year-Old

April 30, 2024

Claiborne County, TN (WOKI) A man is found guilty Tuesday in a Claiborne County boat crash on Norris Lake that killed a 12-year-old child.

Norman Joe Sturgill was sentenced on 13 charges to include vehicular homicide by intoxication and several counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

He was ordered to serve eight years in prison followed by eight years on probation. In addition to the time served, Sturgill was ordered to pay $5,000 to a fund for the victims, pay court costs, forfeit his boat and everything on board, face a 10-year driver’s license suspension and take alcohol and drug assessments randomly during his probation.

According to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials, Sturgill was boating on July 22, 2023, when he crashed into another boat near Norris Landing Marina. Twelve year old Connor Catlett died in the crash while two other boaters were knocked into the water and had to swim to shore, TWRA said.

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