Public Invited to attend Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon’s Inauguration

Public Invited to attend Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon’s Inauguration

December 4, 2023
(Courtesy: City of Knoxville)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon invites you to attend her upcoming inauguration and the official swearing-in of those recently chosen in last month’s City of Knoxville election.

Mayor Kincannon’s inauguration will take place on Saturday, December 16 at 10:30 a.m. in the Main Assembly Room of the City-County Building at 400 W. Main Street.

Kincannon, City Council members Charlie Thomas, Lynne Fugate, Amelia Parker, Debbie Helsley, and newly elected City Judge Tyler Caviness will be sworn-in officially during the ceremony.

Kincannon won reelection in August, beating three other candidates, to serve another four years in office.

The ceremony will be hosted by Career Magnet Academy Senior William Mendoza.

After the swearing-in, a special City Council meeting will be held where Council members will select the next Vice-Mayor, Beer Board Chair, and Council’s Knoxville Transportation Authority representative.

A reception with light refreshments will be held in the breezeway after the meeting concludes.

To request language translation services during the inauguration, contact the City’s Human Resources Department at [email protected] or 865-215-3100. For disability accommodations, contact City ADA Coordinator Stephanie Brewer Cook at [email protected] or 865-215-2034.

LCSO: Suspect in Custody, Victim Identified in Loudon County Stabbing Incident

LCSO: Suspect in Custody, Victim Identified in Loudon County Stabbing Incident

December 4, 2023
Stabbing suspect, Dominic Comer, arrested in Loudon County. (Courtesy: LCSO)

Loudon County, TN (WOKI) The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, investigating a stabbing Saturday, December 2 has made an arrest in the case.

Late Saturday night LCSO was searching for a stabbing suspect after a person was stabbed in the 100 block of Comer Private Way.

The suspect, identified as Dominic Comer, ran from the scene but was arrested early Sunday morning, December 3 in the 1700 block of Corinth Church Road. The victim, 67 year-old Donna Talent, who is Comer’s grandfather’s girlfriend, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Comer is charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Knoxville Police Have Identified the Suspect and Victim in the Fatal Shooting at Arbor Place Apartments and are Asking for Help to Locate the Suspect

Knoxville Police Have Identified the Suspect and Victim in the Fatal Shooting at Arbor Place Apartments and are Asking for Help to Locate the Suspect

December 4, 2023

Updated story: Knoxville Police have identified the suspect and victim in a fatal shooting at Arbor Place Apartments and are asking for help to locate that suspect.

Homicide Unit detectives have obtained warrants charging Jesse Bailey Jr., 28 of Knoxville, Tenn., with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, stemming from the shooting on Sunday morning at the Arbor Place Apartments.  

At around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, December 3, 2023, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the 700 block of Lula Powell Drive, where a man was found inside of an apartment in the complex suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The victim, identified as 35-year-old Howard Jordan of Knoxville, was pronounced dead at the scene.  

Leads developed in the early stages of the investigation led to the identification of Jesse Bailey Jr., who was subsequently charged with Jordan’s murder and for allegedly shooting at two other individuals who were inside the apartment.  

Bailey Jr. is not in custody at this time and efforts are ongoing to locate him. Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts 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.  

Bailey Jr. should be considered armed and dangerous.   

Original Story: Knoxville Police are investigating a deadly shooting at Arbor Place Apartments.

Police were called to the 700 block of Lula Powell Drive yesterday (Sunday) for a shooting and officers found a man inside of an apartment who had been shot at least once. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect reportedly left the scene prior to the arrival of officers.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact authorities.

Felon, Alleged Gang Member Gets 14 years for Gun Possession, DA Says

Felon, Alleged Gang Member Gets 14 years for Gun Possession, DA Says

December 1, 2023
Donald D. Kirkland, 42 (Courtesy: DA Charme Allen’s Office)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A convicted felon and alleged gang member is sentenced Friday in a 2021 Knoxville traffic stop.

Donald D. Kirkland, 42, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted violent felon and reckless endangerment.

According to the Knoxville District Attorney’s office, Kirkland was charged following a traffic stop in November of 2021 after a call came in to KPD about a drunk driver at the Weigels on Western Avenue. When officers arrived, they tracked the driver down on Western Avenue, prompting a chase.

Once officers were able to stop the car, the DA says, they found that Kirkland was driving and his passenger was overdosing. The Knoxville Fire Department treated the passenger, and KPD officers found a handgun in Kirkland’s pocket.

“Gang members caught with guns can expect to receive long sentences, especially when those gang members have violent criminal histories,” said DA Charme Allen.

Kirkland has a prior robbery conviction from 2007 and three drug trafficking convictions; he is also a reported member of the Crips street gang.

KPD: Officers Recover Five Guns from Convicted Felons after Shots Fired in North Knoxville

KPD: Officers Recover Five Guns from Convicted Felons after Shots Fired in North Knoxville

December 1, 2023
(Frankly Media)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Police take two convicted felons into custody after confiscating five guns.

KPD responded to north Knoxville after getting a report of shots being fired on Forestdale Avenue early Friday morning.

Officers say the driver of a car told them that two people in his vehicle, identified as 21-year-old Alexander Foye and 36-year-old Buddy Blair, held a gun on him and had fired shots into the air.

Three AR-style pistols and two semi-automatic pistols were found; both suspects are charged with felon in possession of a weapon, and Foye was charged with aggravated kidnapping.

McMinnville Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

McMinnville Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

December 1, 2023
(Courtesy: TBI)

An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) squad, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and the McMinnville Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a man charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor.

ICAC agents received a cybertip via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) concerning a user of a messaging app who was engaging in sexual conversations with minors. During the course of the investigation, investigators identified the user as Eddie Pease. The investigation further revealed that Pease engaged in this behavior on various social media platforms.

On November 29th, TBI agents and McMinnville officers arrested Eddie Dwight Pease (DOB 05/23/1993). He was charged with Soliciting Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – Exploitation of a Minor by Electronic Means and was booked into the Warren County Jail on a $50,000 bond. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone who may have had communication with the username of eddiepease722 on Snapchat, or on TikTok, as Eddiesfoodreviews, eddiepease2024, or Eddieschristiancookingshow is asked to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Look Before You Click, National Park Service Investigates Online Scamming Attempt  

Look Before You Click, National Park Service Investigates Online Scamming Attempt  

December 1, 2023

The National Park Service (NPS) is investigating an online scam selling fraudulent parking tags to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Someone posing as the National Park Service is directing individuals and organizations to a website titled “Smokies Park Pass.” This website looks like it belongs to our park partner, Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA), but it is not a GSMA or NPS website. Please don’t visit or buy parking tags from this website.   

Official Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking tags are available for sale online ONLY through smokiesinformation.org or http://Recreation.gov.   

Thank you for continued support of Park It Forward. One hundred percent of the funds generated by park fees stay right here in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to improve visitor safety, increase park ranger presence and to repair, enhance and maintain public park facilities.  

TVA Plans Overnight Outage for the Jellico Area on Saturday

TVA Plans Overnight Outage for the Jellico Area on Saturday

November 30, 2023
(Courtesy: TVA)

Jellico, TN (WOKI) Utilities customers in the Jellico area will be without power for a time overnight Saturday, December 2.

Officials with Jellico Utilities say the Tennessee Valley Authority has scheduled a planned outage from 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 2 to 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 3.

They say the outage will impact all Jellico Utilities customers and that during the planned event, TVA will be conducting essential system maintenance.

“We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and assure you that every effort will be made to minimize the duration of the interruption,” Jellico Utilities said. 

Knoxville Pet Sitter Pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty Charges

Knoxville Pet Sitter Pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty Charges

November 30, 2023
(Credit: Frankly Media)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A former Knoxville pet sitter has pleaded guilty to two charges of aggravated cruelty to animals.

That plea coming nearly nine months after 38 pets were removed from the home of 23 year-old Haylee Morris. Court documents indicate Morris pleaded guilty to the two animal cruelty charges as well as a violation of the rabies vaccination law; she was sentenced to serve 3 years, 364 days of probation.

Morris’ plea agreement also stipulates that she be banned for life from owning companion animals and pay $34,000 in restitution to Young-Williams Animal Center, where she had adopted and fostered pets previously.

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