Police in Oliver Springs are asking for help to find a missing teen.
14-year-old Alexis Cox was last seen yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon on Johnson Road.
If you have seen her or know anything you are asked to call the Oliver Springs Police Department at 865-435-7274.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Two men suspected of robbing a USPS truck Wednesday morning are on the loose.
Knoxville Police Department officials say officers responded around 10:00 a.m. to the 2200 block of Dandridge Avenue when a call came in that a USPS worker had been robbed at gunpoint. They say one of the men had driven away in the USPS truck, while the other had driven away in a white Toyota. The mail carrier was not injured.
About an hour later, officers canvassing the area found the USPS truck and one of the suspects in a vacant lot off of Cityview Avenue. KPD says the armed suspect ran from officers, who eventually lost sight of him in the Chester Avenue area.
Officers were also able to track down the white Toyota, also abandoned on Cityview Avenue. KPD says the suspect may have fled into the area of Walter P. Homes.
Knoxville Police say the efforts remain ongoing to identify and locate the suspects who were described as Black males wearing masks.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible to receive a cash reward.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man is facing multiple charges including assaulting an officer after he reportedly almost hit one with his car before leading police on a chase during a traffic stop.
The incident happened Monday around 9:00 p.m. when police spotted a vehicle which matched a BOLO (be on lookout) and attempted to pull over 30 year-old Demarcus Montgomery at Heiskell Avenue and North Central when he fled hitting an officer’s vehicle.
Montgomery drove off then fled on foot. When officers caught up, they say they tasered Montgomery before taking him into custody.
Once Montgomery was in custody, officers reportedly searched his car and found more than two pounds of marijuana. He’s now facing several drug, driving, and resisting arrest charges.
MEDIC Regional Blood Center is celebrating the Holiday Season as Blood Product Demand Increases.
Right now, medic has a critical need for O negative donors who will receive a $15 e-gift card if they donate before December 15th.
Other promotions in December include Ober Passes from the 18th – 23rd, while supplies last and that $15 e-gift care will be made available to all donors from the 26th to the 31st.
Also, through the 15th donors can choose to take a beanie or skip it and a $5 donation will be made to East TN Children’s Hospital.
Tennessee Valley Authority continues to work with the federal government and other countries to bring a new style of nuclear reactor to the states.
TVA president Jeff Lyash said, “We’re focused on the next generation of nuclear power right here behind us with what I think is the country’s leading project: the Clinch River Nuclear Site.”
Lyash said the nuclear reactor is smaller and they could build several of them across the region if the federal government approves it. He also said they are safer, more reliable, take less time to build and are cheaper than other reactors.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visited the Clinch River Nuclear site Tuesday. She said reactors like this are necessary to reach the country’s goal of being net zero by 2050.
“We are certainly supportive of this project and will be in continuous discussions with TVA of how we can be of further assistance,” Secretary Granholm said.
TVA has worked on this project for five years; it could take another five to seven years until we see this type of reactor in the state. The company still needs approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Costs for the project could also fall on millions of customers in Tennessee.
“We expect our Valley customers and TVA to make an investment for the better of the nation. I think there has to be broader investment moving forward, and I think that’s going to be a challenge,” Lyash said.
By 2030, when we could see this reactor built, Lyash said much of the economy could be based on the energy infrastructure. Secretary Granholm said they could spread energy made in the states to other countries.
“What is projected is a $23 trillion local market by 2030. So if we make it here, we can stamp it Made In America, and we can export is elsewhere,” Secretary Granholm said.
TVA will send a complete project plan to the federal government. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will help determine the cost to complete the project.
Story courtesy of WVLT
Thanks to federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding, Knox County is embarking on a community-led hydrological survey to remap eight stream corridors, with a specific focus on enhancing accuracy and updating floodplain maps to address local flood risk. Qualified surveyors and engineers from WSP Engineering and Robert Campbell Engineering, working on behalf of Knox County, started surveying the creeks in November. Survey professionals will take necessary precautions to minimize any disruption to properties during their surveying work. Property owners will receive notices in the mail if personnel plan to access the streams through their property.
Please be advised that surveyors will not require access to anyone’s home or any private structures on their land.
In Spring 2024, Risk Maps will be unveiled to the public at a Community Engagement and Risk Communication (CERC) meeting, with the primary objective of empowering community members with a clear understanding of their flood risk and the array of available options to bolster their resilience. While every community faces some level of flood risk, the new maps and flood products resulting from this project will provide vital information for mitigation strategies and informed decisions about insuring against flood risk.
The creeks that are scheduled to be surveyed are Strong Creek, Conner Creek, Roseberry Creek, Meadow Creek, Stock Creek, Shining Creek (Sinking East), Legg Creek, and Woods Creek. For more information about Knox County’s hazard mitigation planning, floodplain management, or to inquire about these initiatives, please contact Eddy Roberts at 865-215-5234 or [email protected].
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is asking for help to identify two men accused of stealing a purse and using one of the victims credit cards to purchase items at a Walmart.
The pair reportedly stole the purse from a car on Western Avenue on November 21st and reportedly used the stolen credit card at Walmart on Clinton Highway and then tried to use it at the Target across the street.
Please call Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165 if you have any information.
Knoxville Police and East Tennessee Crime Stoppers are asking for your help to find a man suspected of stealing from a South Knoxville Walgreens.
The man walked into the store on Chapman Highway on December 3rd and took several items and left the store after telling the store clerk he had a gun and would shoot her if she tried to stop him.
If you have any information, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
Helenwood, TN (WOKI) A former volunteer fire chief in Scott County is arrested Monday, December 4 charged with stealing thousands of dollars from his department.
Officials with the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office say 24 year-old Austin Lewallen stole nearly $14,000 from the Paint Rock Volunteer Fire Department’s funds through a combination of over-the-counter bank and unauthorized ATM cash withdrawals. He is also accused of using the VFD’s debit card to make over 40 personal purchases and paying a utility bill with Paint Rock VFD funds.
According to the state’s investigation, the theft occurred between May 2022 and January 2023.
Lewallen was removed as fire chief on March 27, 2023. He was indicted by the Scott County Grand Jury in November 2023 on one count of theft of property over $10,000 and one count of fraudulent use of a debit card.
Lewallen was released on a $20,000 bond Monday, December 4, 2023 following his arrest.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Junior Commissioner program is entering its second year, and the application portal is now open.
The Junior Commissioner program is open to any Knox County high school junior or senior at public, private or home schools. Each commissioner chooses a student from the application pool to attend work sessions, commission and zoning meetings, field trips and more, giving students a hands-on look into local government.
Applications are due by Wednesday, December 20. The junior commissioners will be announced the week of January 8.
