Three Face Charges after Stealing Cattle, Department of Agriculture Says

Three Face Charges after Stealing Cattle, Department of Agriculture Says

December 12, 2023
(Pexels / Denitsa Kireva)

McMinn County, TN (WOKI) Three people are facing charges after stealing at least five cattle in McMinn County.

Officials with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture say the theft occurred on December 3 in Englewood and that DOA investigators were able to track the cattle to a sale in Lincoln County on Craigslist.

During the course of their investigation, authorities identified Gary James Hill of Sweetwater and Thomas Dewayne Pressley and Donna Ann Vaughn, both from Athens, as suspects in the case.

All three were arrested last week and all are facing felony charges of theft over $6,000.

Officials say the cattle were returned to the owner, and some of the money from the Craigslist sale was recovered.

TBI Asking for Help Finding Missing East Tennessee Teen

TBI Asking for Help Finding Missing East Tennessee Teen

December 12, 2023
Lillian Rein (Courtesy: TBI)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking for a missing 14-year-old girl.

TBI officials say Lillian Rein, who is white with brown hair and blue eyes, stands five feet tall and weighs 120 pounds.

They say she is from Spencer, Tennessee, north of Chattanooga, and was last seen on December 9.

Those with information are being asked to contact the Spencer Police Department at 931-946-4000 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Morristown Hamblen Humane Society is Asking for Donations after 17 Dogs are Found in a Storage Unit

Morristown Hamblen Humane Society is Asking for Donations after 17 Dogs are Found in a Storage Unit

December 12, 2023
Photo courtesy of Morristown Hamblen Humane Society Facebook Page

The Morristown Hamblen Humane Society is asking for donations after 17 Chihuahuas were rescued from a storage unit.

Officials say the dogs were found Sunday and all needed vet evaluations and some were so young their eyes weren’t open yet.

They are asking for puppy pads, Purina dog chow small bites and blankets. These dogs are also in serious need of socialization so enrichment type toys for small dogs are also being requested.

Anyone with information on why the dogs were left in the storage unit are asked to contact Hamblen County Animal Control.

Knoxville Police are Still Searching for Carjacking Suspect in USPS Truck Theft

Knoxville Police are Still Searching for Carjacking Suspect in USPS Truck Theft

December 12, 2023

Knoxville Police are still searching for the suspect in the carjacking of a USPS truck.

KPD says now 18 year-old Kemian Strawder is being sought in connection to last week’s carjacking on Dandridge Avenue. At the time of the carjacking he was under 18, so police filed juvenile petitions charging him with carjacking, aggravated assault and weapons charges.

He should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information please call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.

Fire Crews Respond to Structure Fire on Washington Ave., 10 People Displaced

Fire Crews Respond to Structure Fire on Washington Ave., 10 People Displaced

December 11, 2023
The Knoxville Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 2100 block of Washington Ave. Saturday afternoon. (Courtesy: WVLT)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Ten people are now looking for a place to stay after a structure fire Saturday in East Knoxville.

The Knoxville Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 2100 block of Washington Avenue Saturday afternoon. KFD reported heavy fire in the basement of a two-story building.

Fire officials say approximately 10 people were displaced because of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

The Red Cross is assisting with the situation.

KFD Reopens Station 6 as City Proposes Plans for New Fire Station in East Knoxville

KFD Reopens Station 6 as City Proposes Plans for New Fire Station in East Knoxville

December 11, 2023
Station 6 in the Burlington area had been closed since the Spring due to renovations, but reopened Friday morning after safety concerns were addressed. (Courtesy: WVLT)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) After being without a station for months, the Knoxville Fire Department reopened its doors at Station 6 Friday in the Burlington area, but it’s part of a larger goal to provide area residents with a new fire station in the not-too-distant future.

“I hope it is going to encourage developers to be able to come in and to put quality buildings and businesses and investment back into this community so once again we can be thriving and our young people can see that and experience as part of their growing up,” said Knoxville City Councilwoman Gwen McKenzie at Friday’s reopening ceremony.

The East Knoxville fire station had been closed since the Spring due to renovations but reopened after safety concerns were addressed.

Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon is expected to propose more than $1 million in investments into building a new fire station in the same area.

Kincannon will make her pitch to the full city council Tuesday.

KPD Charges Woman with Vehicular Homicide, DUI after Fatal Crash on I-40

KPD Charges Woman with Vehicular Homicide, DUI after Fatal Crash on I-40

December 11, 2023
Woman charged after fatal crash on I-40 (Frankly Media)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A woman is charged after a fatal wrong-way crash on I-40 early Sunday morning, December 10.

Knoxville Police Department officials say the crash occurred around 1:20 a.m. near I-640 in west Knoxville when 34-year-old Ellen Rideout, traveling west in a Subaru sedan in the eastbound lanes of I-40, struck a Prius heading east.

Police report the driver of the Prius was not injured, but the passenger was taken to UT Medical Center and pronounced dead shortly after her arrival.

Rideout was arrested, charged with vehicular homicide and DUI and booked at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility, according to KPD.

The crash remains under investigation by KPD.

HCSO: Around $7,000 in Stolen TVA Tools Found with Help from Grainger Co. Deputies

HCSO: Around $7,000 in Stolen TVA Tools Found with Help from Grainger Co. Deputies

December 8, 2023
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office said the tools were found on Dec. 5 and belonged to the Tennessee Valley Authority. (Frankly Media)

Hancock County, TN (WOKI) Sheriff’s deputies from two counties collaborate to recover thousands of dollars worth of tools belonging to the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Officials with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office say around $7,000 worth of stolen tools belonging to the TVA were found on December 5th. The tools had been stolen from some property also belonging to the TVA in Hancock County.

Additional information about the theft, such as the kind of tools stolen or the identity of any suspects has not been made available though HCSO says it expects to charge multiple people.

HCSO officials thanked the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the recovery.

“The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office would like to express their appreciation to the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this recovery,” a release said.

The Annual Nativity Pageant of Knoxville Begins this Weekend

The Annual Nativity Pageant of Knoxville Begins this Weekend

December 8, 2023

The 55th Annual Nativity Pageant of Knoxville begins this weekend.

It will be tomorrow and Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Civic Coliseum and on Monday at 7 p.m.

The one-hour performance starts in darkness; please arrive early to avoid searching for seats in the dark.

Special music will begin 30 minutes prior to the pageant.

The Nativity Pageant is presented as a gift to the community and is free, no tickets are necessary.

You can donate to the pageant by going to https://www.knoxvillenativity.com/

Podcasts

What's happening