Police in Jefferson County are searching for a robbery suspect in Strawberry Plains and asking for the public’s help.
Police were called to the Roadside Market and Deli in the 2300 block of West Highway 11 E. Video shows the suspect was wearing all black, wearing glasses and armed with a semiautomatic handgun.
If you have any information or observed any vehicles parked west of this location during the time of this robbery contact Det Sgt Robby McMahan at 865-471-6000 ext 1109 or Jefferson County Central Dispatch 865-475-6855
The National Park Service is requesting the public’s help in identifying those responsible for the start of the Rich Mountain Fire in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The initial investigation indicates that two fires were started on November 20th in the Rich Mountain area by an unknown arsonist. The fires were started under high wind conditions, a red flag warning and a park-wide burn ban. The Rich Mountain Fire was reported on November 20th around 2:30 pm near the intersection of Old Cades Cove Road and Rich Mountain Road. The fire prompted an early-morning voluntary evacuation of homes near the park boundary on November 21st.
“Intentionally setting fires in the park, except in designated rings or picnic areas, is always illegal and is extremely dangerous, especially under the extreme weather conditions we saw this week,” said Boone Vandzura, Chief Ranger of Resource and Visitor Protection. “We are asking visitors and neighbors for help as we work to identify those responsible for this suspected arson.”
A white truck was seen at the Rich Mountain trailhead on November 20th around 10 a.m. This vehicle may not be involved in the incident, but the occupants may have seen something and have information that can assist the investigation. Information from visitors is often very helpful to investigators. If you have information that could help identify those responsible for this suspected arson, the park asks you to please submit a tip. You don’t have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know. A financial award is available for validated tips.
As of Wednesday (11/22/23), the Rich Mountain Fire is 100% contained. Firefighters continue to mop up the fire and will monitor it through the weekend. 31 personnel are assigned to the Rich Mountain Fire, including National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service and firefighters.
An investigation is underway following a fatal fire in South Knox County.
Rural Metro was called to the 4200 block of Eddington at Beechmont last night (Sunday) and found a camper trailer fully involved and despite efforts by Rural Metro and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, one person inside the camper died.
Christmas in the city at Knoxville’s Safety City begins tomorrow (Tuesday).
It will be from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. at 165 South Concord Street. Dates and times are subject to change for weather. Guest may bring bicycles, non-motorized scooters, strollers and wagons to come ride or walk thru the City and you must have helmet to ride and you have to stay on the street so pedestrians can walk on sidewalk.
No running around buildings or grass due to lights and cords and no motorized scooters/bikes, roller-skates/blades, hoverboards, one wheels, or skateboards are allowed.
Children must be accompanied by an adult and no pets are allowed.
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Knox County to host 25th annual Holiday Festival of Lights at the Cove in December. (Courtesy: Knox County)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs will flip the switch to open the 25th annual Holiday Festival of Lights at The Cove at Concord Park this Friday, November 24.
The family-friendly Festival will run from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. through Saturday, December 31, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The park is located at 11808 S. Northshore Dr.
The event is free and open to the public though visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to The Love Kitchen, which provides meals, clothing, and emergency food packages for the homebound, homeless, and unemployed.
“This will be the 25th anniversary, and traditions like this are what makes this time of year special,” Jacobs said. “Folks have the chance to drop by, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and even help give back to the community or just spend time taking in the lights and activities.”
Opening night will feature Storytime and letters to Santa. A concession stand will also offer snacks like pizza and hot dogs throughout the month.
During the festival, the park’s greenway trail will be decorated by a light display coordinated with music. The Cove also has several grills and fire pits available for the public.
KFD firefighters battle fire in the 2200 block of McCalla Avenue Wednesday. (Courtesy: KFD)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A home in East Knoxville suffers heavy fire damage and a partial roof collapse due to an early morning blaze.
KFD firefighters battle fire in the 2200 block of McCalla Avenue Wednesday. (Courtesy: KFD)
Knoxville Fire Department officials say they received a call shortly before 4:00 Wednesday morning for a house that had thick black smoke coming from it in the 2200 block of McCalla Avenue.
Officials say KFD crews made a quick attack on the fire but were met with heavy fire conditions, and it appeared that the fire had been burning for sometime. Firefighters getting that blaze under control shortly after 4:30 a.m.
KFD says no one was home at the time of the fire, and the home was under renovations. No injuries were reported.
Escaped sex crimes suspect caught. Sean Williams, 52 (Courtesy: TBI)
Greene County, TN (WOKI) On the run for more than a month, the hunt for a man wanted on numerous sex charges including rape of a child, is now over.
Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say 52-year-old Sean Williams was arrested without incident after being tracked down by a K9 team with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida; he was taken into custody Tuesday night near Tampa.
The former Johnson City businessman escaped while being transported to the Greeneville courthouse from Laurel County, Kentucky for a hearing on October 18th.
In a prior update from TBI Tuesday afternoon, it was confirmed that authorities have Williams last spotted in Pinellas County in Florida. The FBI’s Tampa account on X posted that they are still searching for Williams and requested that anyone with information on his whereabouts call 911.
Pinellas County, FL (WOKI) Just days after a former Johnson City businessman and accused child rapist was spotted in western North Carolina, authorities announce the fugitive was spotted again, this time near Tampa, Florida.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Tampa office says Sean Williams was seen Tuesday, November 21 in Pinellas County, which is located across the bay from Tampa and includes the cities of Clearwater and St. Petersburg.
Williams has been on the run since his escape from a prison transport van in Greeneville, Tennessee on October 18th. Last Friday, he was spotted at a shopping center in Sylva, North Carolina, prompting an active search by authorities.
Williams also has three unique tattoos, all on his left arm and hand, pictured below:
(Courtesy: TBI)
A reward of up to $7,500 is being offered for information leading to Williams arrest. Please call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Loudon County, TN (WOKI) A Georgia murder suspect’s time on the run ends early Tuesday morning with his arrest in East Tennessee.
Loudon County Sheriff’s Office officials say 37-year-old Brandon Howard of Dallas, Georgia was taken into custody in the early morning hours Tuesday, November 21 for active warrants related to a homicide in that city.
Howard reportedly led officers on a brief chase before being taken into custody at a home in the 300 block of Get Good Hollow Road. LCSO officials say investigators placed Howard at the residence using a phone ping and FLOC cameras.
The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office together with Loudon City Police and the Tennessee Highway Patrol collaborated to apprehend Howard.
“The collaboration between agencies showcased the effectiveness of teamwork in apprehending dangerous individuals,” THP officials said.
Howard is being held at the Loudon County Detention Center pending extradition back to Georgia.
