Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies Hosts Yearly Career Expo

Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies Hosts Yearly Career Expo

(Story courtesy of WVLT News)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County students got the chance to rub shoulders Thursday with future employers during the school district’s third annual career expo.

The hiring event is part of Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies program and allows teens to get a jump start on summer jobs, seasonal employment or even careers.

“We want to make sure that every student has a plan as they graduate, whether that is to enroll in a post-secondary program, enlist in the military to serve our country or go into an employment,” Executive Director of College and Career Readiness for Knox County Schools Shannon Jackson said. “And if they go into employment, it is with the aim of having a career and a family sustaining wage.”

The University of Tennessee Medical Center continued the tradition of being the event’s title employer. Justin Newman with the hospital said it’s an event they look forward to.

“What we really try to do is break down the stigma that a hospital is just doctors and nurses,” Newman said. “We’ve got multiple booths set up that will have patient transport opportunities which we can hire high school students or somebody that’s just freshly graduated for.”

Dozens of employers participated in the event, including Zoo Knoxville and city and county organizations.

It’s part of Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies program. The hiring event allowed teens to get a jump start on summer jobs, season employment or even careers. (Courtesy: WVLT)
An Early Morning Hit and Run Crash in Halls Leaves One Person Injured
rural metro

An Early Morning Hit and Run Crash in Halls Leaves One Person Injured

An investigation is underway following an early morning (Thursday) hit and run accident in Halls.

Rural Metro Fire crews called to Maynardville Highway near East Emory Road and found one damaged car in the road while the other vehicle had fled the scene.

The driver of the vehicle at the scene was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

If you have any information, please contact authorities.

An Early Morning Hit and Run Crash in Halls Leaves One Person Injured
rural metro

An Early Morning Hit and Run Crash in Halls Leaves One Person Injured

An investigation is underway following an early morning (Thursday) hit and run accident in Halls.

Rural Metro Fire crews called to Maynardville Highway near East Emory Road and found one damaged car in the road while the other vehicle had fled the scene.

The driver of the vehicle at the scene was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

If you have any information, please contact authorities.

Driver Cited in North Knoxville Fatal Motorcycle Crash

Driver Cited in North Knoxville Fatal Motorcycle Crash

We now know more details in a fatal motorcycle crash in North Knoxville.

The crash happened Friday night on Green Estates Way off East Beaver Creek when a car, driven by 32 year-old Antonio Campos was pulling out from a gravel lot, homes are still under construction on this road, to turn left onto the road when a motorcycle driven by 24 year-old Derek Green hit Campos’ car. Police say the motorcycle was going fast and the driver hit a dumpster and was thrown across the road.

Campos, who does not speak English, was cited for not having a driver’s license, Financial responsibility and failure to yield right of way.

Driver Cited in North Knoxville Fatal Motorcycle Crash

Driver Cited in North Knoxville Fatal Motorcycle Crash

We now know more details in a fatal motorcycle crash in North Knoxville.

The crash happened Friday night on Green Estates Way off East Beaver Creek when a car, driven by 32 year-old Antonio Campos was pulling out from a gravel lot, homes are still under construction on this road, to turn left onto the road when a motorcycle driven by 24 year-old Derek Green hit Campos’ car. Police say the motorcycle was going fast and the driver hit a dumpster and was thrown across the road.

Campos, who does not speak English, was cited for not having a driver’s license, Financial responsibility and failure to yield right of way.

Knoxville Police are Searching for a Man Wanted on Two Counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder and Other Charges
KPD

Knoxville Police are Searching for a Man Wanted on Two Counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder and Other Charges

Homicide Unit detectives are attempting to locate 32-year-old Willie Tolbert, of Knoxville. Tolbert is wanted for two counts of attempted first-degree murder, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and additional weapon charges following a shooting that happened on Wednesday night. 

At around 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, KPD officers responded to an alley behind a home in the 2300 block of Brooks Avenue, where Tolbert allegedly fired multiple rounds at two other men. Neither man was struck by the gunfire. 

Following the shooting, Tolbert fled the scene in a black Mercedes with Washington state tags. 

Anyone with information concerning Tolbert’s whereabouts is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers anonymously at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can be eligible to receive a cash reward. 

Tennessee, Georgia Tech Schedule Home-and-Home Football Series
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Tennessee, Georgia Tech Schedule Home-and-Home Football Series

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee and Georgia Tech have finalized a home-and-home football series for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, it was announced Wednesday.

The Volunteers will travel to Atlanta to face the Yellow Jackets on Sept. 12, 2026. Georgia Tech will make a return trip to Neyland Stadium the following season on Sept. 11, 2027.

The series agreement replaces Nebraska on Tennessee’s schedule after the Cornhuskers canceled meetings in 2026 (Lincoln) and 2027 (Knoxville).

“After Nebraska canceled the series, our main focus was to secure another home-and-home matchup with an opponent from a Power Four conference, which seemed improbable at the time,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “I sincerely appreciate Athletic Director J Batt’s creativity in modifying Georgia Tech’s schedule to make this series possible. We look forward to seeing plenty of orange in Atlanta in 2026!”

The Vols’ 2026 non-conference slate also currently includes home games against Furman (Sept. 5) and Kennesaw State (Sept. 19). 

Tennessee leads the all-time series with Georgia Tech, 25-17-2, and the two routinely faced off decades prior. The two programs met all but three years from 1954-87, though the 2026 matchup will be just the second meeting in the last 38 years.

The last contest saw the Vols survive a double-overtime thriller, 42-41, on Sept. 4, 2017, in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Knoxville Fire Department Says Arson is the Cause of Business Fire on Liberty Street
KFD

Knoxville Fire Department Says Arson is the Cause of Business Fire on Liberty Street

Today, April 9, 2025, Knoxville Fire Department investigators arrested and charged 42-year-old Brandon Humfleet with arson.

Humfleet was arrested earlier this morning following a fire at a business at 1520 Liberty Street. The fire was initially reported at 3:50 a.m.  

When firefighters arrived at the business, they determined that the blaze had been intentionally set. Investigators worked throughout the morning to identify and locate the suspect.

Humfleet has now been charged with one count of arson and is being held at the Knox County Detention Facility. 

No injuries were reported.  The building received moderate fire damage and is open for business.

Knoxville Fire Department Says Arson is the Cause of Business Fire on Liberty Street
KFD

Knoxville Fire Department Says Arson is the Cause of Business Fire on Liberty Street

Today, April 9, 2025, Knoxville Fire Department investigators arrested and charged 42-year-old Brandon Humfleet with arson.

Humfleet was arrested earlier this morning following a fire at a business at 1520 Liberty Street. The fire was initially reported at 3:50 a.m.  

When firefighters arrived at the business, they determined that the blaze had been intentionally set. Investigators worked throughout the morning to identify and locate the suspect.

Humfleet has now been charged with one count of arson and is being held at the Knox County Detention Facility. 

No injuries were reported.  The building received moderate fire damage and is open for business.

Blount County Sheriff Warning of Scam Involving Ankle Monitors

Blount County Sheriff Warning of Scam Involving Ankle Monitors

Maryville, TN (WOKI) The Blount County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to be aware of an ongoing phone scam involving ankle monitors.

BCSO officials say scammers claiming to be law enforcement are telling victims that they need to pay for an ankle monitor after being released from jail or be arrested.

BCSO says that the scammer is telling victims to use Apple Pay, PayPal or gift cards to pay, adding that some victims have lost thousands of dollars to this scam.

“The Blount County Sheriff’s Office, nor any agency in Blount County, will call an individual after they’ve been released from jail to tell them they need to pay for an ankle monitor,” Sheriff James Lee Berrong said. “Any bond conditions are settled prior to an individual being released from jail.”

BCSO says “if you receive a call like this, ignore it.”

Anyone who questions the legitimacy of a phone call is asked to call BCSO’s main number at 865-273-5000 during normal business hours.