Newport Bank Robbery Suspect Found in Los Angeles, Police Say

Newport Bank Robbery Suspect Found in Los Angeles, Police Say

April 1, 2024

Newport, TN (WOKI) A suspect in an armed bank robbery last week in Newport is taken into custody in Los Angeles.

Newport Police announcing Monday that Jeremiah Senter was found at the airport in Los Angeles after NPD worked with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI to track him down.

Senter had been on the run after reportedly going into the Newport Federal Bank and handing a teller a note demanding money, claiming he had a weapon, before running away from the bank.

He is charged with aggravated robbery and theft over $2,500.

Harper Out as Lady Vols Head Coach, Search Underway for New Women’s Basketball Coach

Harper Out as Lady Vols Head Coach, Search Underway for New Women’s Basketball Coach

April 1, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Lady Vols Head Coach Kellie Harper is out after five years at the helm of women’s basketball at the University of Tennessee.

UT’s Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announcing Harper’s firing Monday describing the move as a “change in leadership” while thanking Harper for giving her all for Tennessee and for the Lady Vols.

“After a thorough review of our women’s basketball program, I have informed Kellie we are making a change in leadership,” said White. “Decisions like these are never easy to make, especially with someone who has done so much for the Lady Vols as a three-time national champion student-athlete. Her love and passion for Tennessee and the Lady Vols is second to none. She has invested so much heart and soul into our program and truly has given her all for Tennessee. I thank Kellie for her stewardship of our women’s basketball program and wish her and Jon well in the next chapter of their lives.”

A nationwide search for a new coach is expected to begin immediately.

“After seeking input from our student-athletes, I will begin an aggressive search process to find the next leader for our iconic women’s basketball program,” said White. “To protect the integrity of this process, you will not hear from me until we are ready to announce our new head coach.”

“It has been an honor to serve at my alma mater and to coach a Lady Vol program I love so dearly,” Harper said. “I am grateful for the opportunity my staff and I have had to lead an amazing group of young women and to mentor them on the court as well as provide them with life skills that will benefit them far beyond the game of basketball.”

UT shared that during her time as a head coach, Harper directed her teams to 16 postseason appearances including back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16s in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Blount County Grand Jury Indicts Kenneth DeHart in Deputy’s Killing

Blount County Grand Jury Indicts Kenneth DeHart in Deputy’s Killing

April 1, 2024

Blount County, TN (WOKI) The suspect in the deadly shooting of a Blount County Sheriff’s Office deputy is formally indicted Monday by a grand jury.

Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr.’s indictment contains 21 counts to include a charge of premeditated first-degree murder in the death of Deputy Greg McCowan and an attempted first-degree murder charge in the shooting of Deputy Shelby Eggers during a traffic stop on February 8.

DeHart was also the subject of a five-day manhunt following the shooting. Several agencies assisted in the search, including the U.S. Marshals, Knoxville Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and more. DeHart was taken into custody at a Knoxville home following the search.

Eggers survived her wounds and testified at a preliminary hearing for the case on February 20.

Judge William Brewer sent the case for grand jury review following the two-hour hearing.

DeHart is expected in Blount County Circuit Court on Friday, April 5 at 9:00 a.m.

TBI Amber Alert Remains in Effect for 15-Year-Old Sebastian Rogers out of Middle Tennessee

TBI Amber Alert Remains in Effect for 15-Year-Old Sebastian Rogers out of Middle Tennessee

April 1, 2024

An Amber Alert issued by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation remains in effect for 15 year-old Sebastian Rogers who disappeared in Sumner County in Middle Tennessee over a month ago.

He has a form of autism and is believed to have walked away from his mother and stepfather’s home in the middle of night on February 26th.

Sebastian’s dad, Seth Rogers, says he has not given up hope and he’ll keep searching until his son is home.

Investigators say there’s nothing about Sebastian’s disappearance that points to foul play but there’s also nothing that rules that out. If you have any information please call 1-800-TBI FIND.

Megan Boswell Appears in Court, She’s Accused of Murdering Her 15-Month-Old Daughter
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Megan Boswell Appears in Court, She’s Accused of Murdering Her 15-Month-Old Daughter

April 1, 2024

Megan Boswell appeared in court on Thursday; she’s charged in the death of her daughter, 15-month-old Evelyn Boswell.

The mother reported her daughter missing in February of 2020, saying she hadn’t been seen since December of 2019. In March of 2020, the toddler’s remains were found beneath a shed on a family member’s property.

Megan Boswell faces 19 charges, including two counts of felony murder. She also faces a dozen counts of false reporting, among other charges. In the past, there’s been concern with selecting a jury for the eventual trial, with Judge James Goodwin saying the court plans to prepare a questionnaire to gauge possible jury candidates.

It’s that notoriety that prompted Megan Boswell’s attorney, Gene Scott, to ask to move the case out of the county. Thursday, Goodwin set Boswell’s next hearing date, where the court will decide whether or not to move the case. According to court records, that date is June 20.

State prosecutors have also said they plan to seek life in prison for Megan Boswell. There’s a timeline of the case available at  https://www.wvlt.tv/2020/08/19/timeline-of-the-evelyn-boswell-case/. Story courtesy of WVLT

Expansion and Construction at McGhee Tyson Airport Could Add Some Time to Your Airport Experience

Expansion and Construction at McGhee Tyson Airport Could Add Some Time to Your Airport Experience

April 1, 2024

A major parking garage expansion is underway at Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport. Because of the construction, about 700 long term parking spaces are closed. To offset that closure, the airport opened a new economy parking lot that offers about one thousand new spaces and provides free shuttle service to the terminal. Airport spokesperson, Becky Huckaby, says there are more expansion plans in the future. The parking garage expansion is expected to take at least two years.

Huckaby, says McGhee Tyson has experienced passenger growth for more than 12 consecutive months. The airport and airlines are also expanding their service to East Tennessee.

An Arrest is Made in the Death of Two People in Greenback

An Arrest is Made in the Death of Two People in Greenback

April 1, 2024

The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of two people in Greenback.

LCSO responding to the 25000 of Highway 321 South yesterday (Sunday) and found a husband and wife stabbed to death. A neighbor found the man dead in the backyard and police found the woman dead inside the home.

Police say the victims knew the suspect, 53-year-old Julian Goodrum. Goodrum and went out to eat with the him on Saturday before their murders which is when police believe the murders happened.

The sheriff’s office believes Goodrum may have suffered a mental breakdown and could also suffer from PTSD due to his years in the service, he is custody.

TBI Silver Alert for a Missing Johnson City Man

TBI Silver Alert for a Missing Johnson City Man

April 1, 2024

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued a Silver Alert for a missing man out of Johnson City.

53 year-old Mark “Shoestring” Nichols was last seen March 27th and there’s no information what direction he may be traveling. He has several medical conditions that may impair his ability to return safely without assistance.

We have his photo on our website newstalk987.com.

Please call TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND if you have any information.

Greene County Sheriff’s Department Arrests Suspect after Deadly Shooting, Sheriff Says

Greene County Sheriff’s Department Arrests Suspect after Deadly Shooting, Sheriff Says

March 29, 2024

Greene County, TN (WOKI) The Greene County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a suspect in connection to a deadly shooting Thursday afternoon.

Greene County Sheriff’s Department officials say the shooting happened around 4:35 p.m. at a home on Old Stage Road.

When deputies arrived on scene, they reportedly found 73-year-old Clarence Devoti with a gunshot wound; GCSD says Devoti died at the scene.

Police arrested 36-year-old William Harrison. He is being charged with second-degree murder.

Knoxville Police Investigating Two Robberies on Merchant Drive, KPD Says

Knoxville Police Investigating Two Robberies on Merchant Drive, KPD Says

March 29, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knoxville Police Department is investigating two robberies on Merchant Drive that it says could be connected.

KPD officials say they are searching for a white man about six-feet tall with blue eyes who they believe robbed the Subway at 314 Merchant Drive last Friday around 6:30 p.m. and then robbed the Casey’s gas station at 410 Merchant Drive around 2:00 a.m. Thursday, March 28.

Suspect in robbery of Subway on Merchant Drive (Courtesy: KPD)
Suspect in robbery of Subway on Merchant Drive (Courtesy: KPD)

The suspect is alleged to have robbed the Casey’s at knife point, and officials say he may also have had a weapon on him during the robbery at the Subway.

Suspect in robbery of Casey’s on Merchant Drive. (Courtesy: KPD)
Suspect in robbery of Casey’s on Merchant Drive (Courtesy: KPD)

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

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