What Do You Think of Parking in Downtown Knoxville? The City Wants to Know

What Do You Think of Parking in Downtown Knoxville? The City Wants to Know

November 14, 2023
Knoxville Skyline from the Bluffs (Courtesy: WVLT / Camruinn Morgan-Rumsey)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) What do you think of parking in downtown Knoxville? That’s the question city leaders are asking through a new survey.

As part of Knoxville’s strategic downtown parking plan, the city is launching a survey to gauge public opinion on the topic.

In September, the Knoxville City Council approved a contract with Walker Consultants to provide an analysis and recommendations for possible changes to parking. The survey will include topics such as affordability, convenience, location, and quality.

“This will be the plan that drives our parking operations, policies and regulations into the future,” said Chief of Staff to Mayor Indya Kincannon David Brace.

If you’d like to participate in the survey, the city has provided this link.

Kentucky Blood Center Leading Medic in Annual Blood Drive Competition

Kentucky Blood Center Leading Medic in Annual Blood Drive Competition

November 14, 2023

MEDIC is once again competing against Kentucky Blood Center in the 38th Orange and Blue Blood Drive.

Day one totals are in and Kentucky has a slight lead over Medic. The event runs through the Friday and the center collecting the most products in five days will take the trophy.

Donors will receive a special edition t-shirt, $10 e-gift card, ticket for Fantasy of Trees, and coupons to Smoothie King, Dunkin, Texas Roadhouse, Salsarita’s, Petro’s, and Papa John’s.

Please go to medic blood dot org to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

TBI says Search Remains Active for Man Charged with Numerous Sex Charges who Escaped Custody Last Month

TBI says Search Remains Active for Man Charged with Numerous Sex Charges who Escaped Custody Last Month

November 14, 2023

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says the search remains on-going for a man wanted on numerous sex charges including rape of a child who escaped custody.

Sean Williams escaped while being transported to the Greeneville courthouse from Kentucky for a hearing on October 18th. TBI says a reward of up to $7,500 is being offered for information leading to his arrest.

Please call 1-800-TBI-FIND.

The Knoxville Fire Department is Investigating Following Two Structure Fires Which Spread into Nearby Woods

The Knoxville Fire Department is Investigating Following Two Structure Fires Which Spread into Nearby Woods

November 14, 2023

An investigation is underway in East Knoxville after two sheds and woods catch fire.

The Knoxville Fire Department called to Andes Road yesterday and found the sheds, behind a home, fully engulfed and the fire had spread to woods due to the windy and dry conditions.

An estimate of 3 acres were burning which crews did manage to get under control.

Knoxville Officer Accused of Asking for Pictures of Naked Child Fired by Police Department

Knoxville Officer Accused of Asking for Pictures of Naked Child Fired by Police Department

November 13, 2023
(Courtesy: KPD)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville police officer Dan Roark, arrested on federal child pornography charges last week is now, officially, out of a job.

The decision was handed-down Monday by KPD Chief Paul Noel after investigators with the Office of Professional Standards conducted a “detailed” investigation into Roark’s conduct following allegations of Roark asking for naked pictures of a five-year-old girl from a Virginia woman with whom he was in a relationship, according to investigators.

Noel provided a statement after the firing, condemning Roark’s actions.

“Roark’s alleged actions are shocking and beyond comprehension.

The Office of Professional Standards conducted an investigation based upon the evidence that was presented in the federal complaint and during his initial appearance and detention hearing in federal court. A pre-disciplinary hearing was held today to review that evidence and the decision was made to terminate his employment, effective immediately.

I appreciate OPS for working through our internal, administrative investigation as quickly and thoroughly as possible. We will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing federal investigation.

I extend my deepest sympathies to the child victimized by his actions, who has undoubtedly suffered unimaginable trauma.” – Chief of Knoxville Police Paul Noel

Roark started working at KPD in 2007 and was last on patrol in 2020.

Lenoir City Man Wanted for Shooting Wife Now in Custody, Police Say

Lenoir City Man Wanted for Shooting Wife Now in Custody, Police Say

November 13, 2023
Lenoir City Shooting Suspect, James Burch (Courtesy: Loudon County Sheriff’s Office)

Lenoir City, TN (WOKI) The hunt for a Lenoir City man accused of shooting his wife multiple times Friday, November 10 is now over.

The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office taking to Facebook Monday afternoon thanking the U.S. Marshals Service Smoky Mountain Fugitive Task Force for their assistance in apprehending James Burch.

Burch was arrested in Powell, TN and transported to the Loudon County Detention Center. He is being held without bond and faces several charges including Attempted 1st Degree Murder in the shooting of his wife last week at their home on Martel Road.

Police confirm that the victim is in stable condition at UT Medical Center after driving about 25 miles with three bullets, in her legs and face, to get to a hospital.

SEC Nation, Marty and McGee and Dolly Parton will be at Neyland Stadium for this Weekend’s Georgia Game

SEC Nation, Marty and McGee and Dolly Parton will be at Neyland Stadium for this Weekend’s Georgia Game

November 13, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

SEC Nation and Marty & McGee are coming to the University of Tennessee Saturday as the Vols face off against top-ranked Georgia.

Both shows will air from Ayres Hall live. It’ll mark SEC Nation’s second appearance on UT campus this season, and 11th all-time. The last time the show came to Rocky Top was the Texas A & M game.

SEC Nation will air from 10 a.m. to noon, following Marty & McGee at 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Before game day, The Paul Finebaum Show will air Friday from Ayres from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fans are welcome to join in the show.

Fans will also have a chance to see country music star Dolly Parton on campus Saturday as she announced this morning (Monday) she would be here for the Georgia game with 101,000 of her friends.

The Athletic Ranks Tennessee Basketball No. 1 in the Nation

The Athletic Ranks Tennessee Basketball No. 1 in the Nation

November 13, 2023

Tennessee’s basketball team is off to a hot start.

The Vols have a 2-0 record with wins over Tennessee Tech and Wisconsin.

The Vols’ 80-70 win at Wisconsin on Friday night offered an early resume boost for Tennessee, which also beat highly-ranked Michigan State in East Lansing in a preseason exhibition game.

One big reason for the early success has been Dalton Knecht, a wing transfer from Northern Colorado.

Knecht scored 24 points against Wisconsin and is averaging 20.5 points through the first two games. (He also scored 28 points against Michigan State.)

Knecht’s impact and the Vols’ returning talent caused CJ Moore of The Athletic to rank Tennessee No. 1 in the country after the first week of the season.

“I’m running for president of the Dalton Knecht fan club,” Moore wrote.” He is the All-American no one saw coming. We had Knecht at No. 44 in our transfer portal rankings, so it wasn’t like he was completely off the radar.

“But Knecht was on a losing team and a second-team All-Big Sky selection last year at Northern Colorado. Second team! If we had a do-over on the transfer rankings, I’d have him neck and neck with Hunter Dickinson (of Kansas) for the top spot. (Knecht is) that good.”

Moore, who predicted Knecht will go in the first round of the upcoming NBA Draft, is just the latest national media member to sing the praises of Tennessee (and Knecht).

Last week, ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg picked Tennessee as his national champion.

“They’ve got great depth,” Greenberg said on ESPN. “They’re playing with much greater flow. They’re playing in transition. They have more shot-makers. You know they’re going to defend. I think Tennessee makes a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.”

Long-time college hoops writer Andy Katz also ranked Tennessee No. 1 in his updated power rankings on Monday.

All of this came after Michigan State coach Tom Izzo called Tennessee a Final Four team following the Spartans’ exhibition game against Tennessee.

It’s very early in the college basketball season. Tennessee has a lot more to prove beyond one or two weeks of basketball.

The Vols will have a chance to showcase themselves further next week when they play in a loaded Maui Invitational in Honolulu.

But there’s no denying the hype surrounding Tennessee’s basketball team.

It’s only getting started.

Knoxville Police Department Going for National Accreditation, Seeks Public Input on Performance

November 13, 2023

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knoxville Police Department and its training academy are signing-on for a hefty exam next year.

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will examine all aspects of the Knoxville Police Department’s and KPD Training Academy’s policy and procedures, management, and operations next year.

They’ll arrive December 11 as part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation which is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. Agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at KPD’s CALEA Public Comment Portal, a link can be found here.

Comments can also be sent via email to [email protected] with the Knoxville Police Department mentioned in the subject line, or by mail to 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.

If attained, the accreditation will last for four years.

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