Due to the predicted inclement weather, MEDIC has canceled all MOBILE drives for Monday, January 15. The centers will open on a delay at 10 a.m.
Medic Cancels Blood Drives Ahead of Inclement Weather, Centers Opening Late
Knoxville Woman Sentenced after Shooting Passenger in Ex-Boyfriend’s Car
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville woman is sentenced Friday after she shot a passenger in her ex-boyfriend’s car during an argument in July 2022.
Officials with DA Charme Allen’s office say 23 year-old Kyeisha Dalton was convicted of Second Degree Murder and Reckless Endangerment in November 2023. She was sentenced to 16 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
In November, prosecuting attorneys relayed how Dalton had fired a handgun into the rear passenger seat of her ex-boyfriend’s vehicle, killing Tianja Duff, who was in the backseat after Dalton and the ex-boyfriend had gotten into a heated physical altercation and car chase on July 18, 2022.
“This is another unfortunate case where an argument quickly escalated to gun violence, and in this case, the person who paid the ultimate price wasn’t even part of the argument,” said DA Allen.
Knox County DA Closes Investigation into the Shooting Death of KCSO Deputy Tucker Blakely
Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen says she’s reviewed and closed the case file involving the shooting and death of Knox County Deputy Tucker Blakely and the suspect involved in the case.
Deputies Blakely and James Loft responded to a domestic call in October in West Knox County. Officials say when they got there they found an armed man inside the home, that’s when shots were fired and Blakely was hit and killed.
Investigators say Deputy Loft returned fire killing the suspect.
Allen says those actions by Deputy Lloft were justified, he will not face any charges and the investigation is closed.
A Tennessee Lawmaker with a Bill to Crack Down on Street Racing Following Deadly Crash in East Knoxville
Lawmakers are trying to crack down on street racing in Tennessee.
A new proposal allows offenders to lose their driving privileges and possibly their car. This proposal comes after a deadly drag racing crash on Magnolia Avenue which left one man dead and injured two children in June of last year. Right now, drag racing is a Class A misdemeanor.
State Representative John Gillispie says he thinks his proposed bill will help stop drag racing. He initially introduced this bill last year, since then he’s added language that says the money earned when the drag racer’s car is sold at auction would go to the state’s traumatic injury trust fund.
KPD to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoint this Month
The Knoxville Police Department will conduct a sobriety checkpoint on the night of Friday, January 26, 2024 just outside of downtown Knoxville.
KPD officers will staff the checkpoint, which will be set up in the Fort Sanders area. The purpose of the checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, prevent serious or fatal crashes, and increase public awareness of the consequences of driving while under the influence.
During the checkpoint, officers will check motorists for signs of alcohol or drug impairment.
Alcohol or drug impairment possibly contributed to over 43 percent of the fatal crashes that happened in Knoxville in 2022.
In 2022, the KPD acquired a DUI checkpoint trailer through the Tennessee High Safety Office (TNHSO) Traffic Services grant at no cost to Knoxville taxpayers that will be used during the January 26th sobriety checkpoint.
The Knoxville Police Department reminds motorists to always practice safe driving habits in all situations. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, buckle up, reduce distractions, pay attention to the road, and never drive while under the influence.
Knoxville Man who Attacked Nurse at Fort Sanders Turns Himself In, Police Say
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 1/12: A Knoxville man who attacked a nurse at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center earlier this month has turned himself in.
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers say 57 year-old Jackie B. Bell turned himself in Thursday evening; Bell was wanted for attacking the nurse while visiting a patient at the hospital on January 2.
Officials thank everyone who submitted a tip regarding Bell’s whereabouts.
ORIGINAL STORY: East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is looking for a man wanted for attacking a nurse at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.
Investigators say Jackie Bell was visiting a patient at the hospital on January 2 when he assaulted a nurse in the hospital room.
Bell is an African-American male who is bald with brown eyes and a moustache.
If you have any information, please call Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
Sevierville Police Department Looking for Missing Man
Sevierville, TN (WOKI) The Sevierville Police Department is asking for help finding a missing man who was last seen in October.
Sevierville Police Department officials say 25 year-old Steven Maradiaga was last seen on October 24, 2023. He is Hispanic, stands 6-feet-tall and has black hair and brown eyes.
Officials say Maradiaga was last seen near Pickens Drive. Those with information are being asked to call 865-868-1751.
TBI Charges McMinn County Man in Child Sex Crimes Case
Athens, TN (WOKI) An Athens man is arrested and charged after allegedly uploading child sexual abuse material to Snapchat.
Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say 27 year-old Kenterrius McGuffie was arrested at his workplace in Sweetwater Monday following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning child sexual abuse material being uploaded by a Snapchat user, later identified as McGuffie.
Following a search of his home, TBI agents subsequently arrested McGuffie, charging him with 13 counts of Aggravated Rape of a Child, 12 counts of Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, one count of Continual Sexual Abuse of a Child, and one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (Over 50 Images).
McGuffie is being held in the McMinn County Jail on a $400,000 bond.
TBI says this is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is being asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
The Knox County Growth Policy Coordinating Committee approves a plan that outlines how Knox County will grow over the next 20 years
The Knox County Growth Policy Coordinating Committee approves a plan that outlines how Knox County will grow over the next 20 years.
The original proposal detailed over 16,000 acres of rural land in areas like Karns, Corryton, Halls, Gibbs, and Hardin Valley and the new revised plan is preserving more than 2,000 acres of that original proposed land.
The proposed changes include things like building more places to live, widening roads, and updating infrastructure to make sure the area is sustainable for growth.
This plan will still need to be approved by the Knoxville City Council and Town of Farragut before it becomes official.
Knox County Again Earns ‘Triple Crown’ of Finance Reporting
Knox County has again achieved one of the highest honors in the arena of governmental accounting and finance reporting, winning what is considered the “triple crown” for finance departments.
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recently recognized the county for receiving all three of its awards:
• The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
• Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award
GFOA, a non-profit founded in 1906, studies and reviews the planning, financing, and implementation of more than 21,000 checkpoints of governmental operations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Knox County is one of about 300 governments to receive the honor.
“I’m extremely proud of our finance department, which I believe is among the best in the state,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. “Winning these awards once again proves just how good they are.”
In their review of the county reports, the GFOA took a thorough look at every aspect of the files from cover to cover. Each of the reports adhered to every applicable accounting standard in effect by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). They also graded on reader appeal and understandability.
GFOA officials also praised the county finance department’s hard work.
“The Triple Crown designation represents a significant achievement,” said Natalie Laudadio with GFOA. “To qualify, each entity must meet the high standards of all three separate award programs. Each award program recognizes governments that produce reports which communicate their financial stories in a transparent manner and meet applicable standards.”
