Gov. Lee Signs ‘Jillian’s Law’

Gov. Lee Signs ‘Jillian’s Law’

April 24, 2024

Nashville, TN (WOKI) “Jillian’s Law,” a bill requiring people committed to remain institutionalized until “competency” is restored or until a court approves an outpatient treatment plan, is now law in Tennessee.

Governor Bill Lee signed the measure Wednesday which also keeps those who are institutionalized from owning a firearm.

The bill passed the House and Senate unanimously earlier in the week.

It is named after Jillian Ludwig, a freshman at Belmont University in November 2023, who was shot and killed by a man who was deemed incompetent to stand trial for a prior crime.

Officials say a Dryer Likely Sparked a West Knoxville House Fire
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Officials say a Dryer Likely Sparked a West Knoxville House Fire

April 24, 2024

Officials with Rural Metro say a dryer catches fire and causes significant damage to a West Knoxville home.

Crews were called to the 10000 block of Summitt Mountain Court this (Wednesday) morning and found a dryer fire had spread into the void space between the floors.

Firefighters were able to keep it from spreading to other areas in the home.

All occupants got out safe and no injuries were reported.

A Controversial Bill Passes the House and Awaits Governor Bill Lee’s Signature

A Controversial Bill Passes the House and Awaits Governor Bill Lee’s Signature

April 23, 2024

The Tennessee House of Representatives passes a controversial bill that will allow teachers to be armed with a concealed handgun in schools. 

The bill, which passed today (Tuesday), is sitting on Governor Bill Lee’s desk. There have been protest from teachers, parents and lawmakers opposed to the bill at the Capital this week and one teacher was asked to leave the gallery for shouting during the debate for the bill.

Knox County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk says whenever any bill passes into law, that’s when they start getting more direction for what it means and what the school system requirements are and KCS will follow state law.

Knox County schools already have armed school resource officers in the buildings. 

The bill stipulates that anyone wanting to carry on school grounds would need permission from a superintendent, principal and chief of police or law enforcement agency and requires those carrying weapons undergo yearly background checks, psychological evaluations and 40 hours of training. 

An Investigation is Underway Following a House Fire in East Knoxville

An Investigation is Underway Following a House Fire in East Knoxville

April 23, 2024

The Knoxville Fire Department is investigating a house fire in East Knoxville.

Crews called to the 2100 block of Hoitt Avenue last night (Tuesday) and found smoke coming from the side of the home which was moving quickly into the house through the attic.  They put the fire out in a matter of minutes but the house suffered smoke, fire, and water damage.

There were 3 people living in the house but they weren’t home but are now displaced. 

There were no injuries reported.

Semi-Truck Driver Dies in Cocke County Crash, Tennessee Highway Patrol Says

Semi-Truck Driver Dies in Cocke County Crash, Tennessee Highway Patrol Says

April 23, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI The driver of a tractor-trailer that overturned in Cocke County this (Tuesday) morning is dead.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol releasing the news in a preliminary report which indicates that the driver was headed east on I-40 around 8:15 a.m. when he moved off the interstate, hitting a cable barrier.

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the crash closed the right lane of I-40 for several hours.

The identity of the driver has not yet been released.

TOSHA: Company Fined Thousands after Employee Falls to Death at Gatlinburg Convention Center

TOSHA: Company Fined Thousands after Employee Falls to Death at Gatlinburg Convention Center

April 23, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A third party working at the Gatlinburg Convention Center is now facing thousands in fines following a workplace death in December of last year.

According to a report from the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), Appalachian Staffing Service, LLC was fined $8,200 after 66-year-old Jeffrey Coker fell from the center’s rafters on December 26, 2023.

Investigators say employees were working on rigging equipment to the ceiling when the Coker fell 32 feet onto a concrete floor.

Appalachian Staffing Service is facing four citations, ranging in fines from $1,200 to $1,400 each. The violations mostly cover safety checks-and-balances, claiming the company did not verify that all equipment was working correctly.

Teen Charged Following Threat and Lockdown at Fulton High School, KPD Says

Teen Charged Following Threat and Lockdown at Fulton High School, KPD Says

April 23, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: A teen is facing several charges following a brief lockdown Tuesday morning at Fulton High School.

Knoxville Police Department officials say KPD School Resource Officers responded to the school around 11:30 a.m. after a person called the school threatening to hurt a student.

Officers detained a 16-year-old male suspect near the school who police say had two knives on him.

He was charged with aggravated criminal trespass, harassment and carrying weapons on school property.

KPD says no one was hurt, and the suspect is not a student at the school.

ORIGINAL STORY: Fulton High School was placed on a brief lockdown Tuesday morning after a report stated a teen had threatened another student.

Knoxville Police Department officials say no one was hurt in the incident, and one student was detained for investigation.

The school has since lifted the lockdown.

No additional details have been provided.

Rural Metro is Investigating a North Knoxville House Fire which Results in an Arrest
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Rural Metro is Investigating a North Knoxville House Fire which Results in an Arrest

April 23, 2024

Rural Metro is investigating an early morning (Tuesday) fire in North Knox County which results in an arrest.

Crews called to the 9100 block of Brock Road near Texas Valley Road and found a module home on fire.

The owner was safely outside and no injures were reported.

Officials say the owner was “using power” via an extension cord from his neighbor and went to jail after an outstanding warrant was found by law enforcement. Rural Metro says the fire appears to have started near a wood stove.

Knox County 20 Year Growth Plan Approved by Commissioners
Photo Courtesy of WVLT

Knox County 20 Year Growth Plan Approved by Commissioners

April 23, 2024

Knox County’s Twenty year Growth Plan is unanimously approved after five hours of debate.

Knox County Commissioners meeting last night (Monday) discussing the plan also known as Advance Knox. It creates an outline for Knox County development and infrastructure future with 70,000 people expected to move into the county over the next 20 years.

The Farragut Board of Alderman and Mayor voted against the plan before ultimately passing it a week later after about 19 amendments and changes were made to the plan.

Mayor Glenn Jacobs says he’s please the plan has finally passed.

County Commission members say you’ll first see rezoning in affected areas then infrastructure changes like expanding roads within that 20 year span. Knox County hopes this plan will save them millions of dollars.

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