Wildfires Continue to Burn in East Tennessee and Several Cities and Counties Issuing Burn Bans

Wildfires Continue to Burn in East Tennessee and Several Cities and Counties Issuing Burn Bans

November 8, 2023

Wildfires continue to burn in parts of East Tennessee.

There are two active fires according to the Tennessee Division of Forestry: One in Anderson County, the Scott Brogan Lane fire which started over the weekend. That fire is almost 400 acres and is now 85% contained. The other is in Morgan County on Hawn Road is affecting 5 acres and is 90% contained.

There are 15 contained fires in our area and a handful of fires which have been extinguished.

Rural Metro says due to an elevated fire risk with gusty winds and low relative humidity, open burning is banned in Knox County today (Wednesday).

Morgan County and the cities of Oak Ridge and Loudon have also issued burn bans due to dry conditions.

The Tennessee Division of Forestry is requiring the permits for anyone who wants to burn debris on their property. They are required by the state from October 15 to May 15, however Knox County requires a burn permit year-round.

A permit is needed for any open-air fire that is within 500 feet of a forest, grassland, or woodland and burning trash is not allowed.

An Upset in the 2023 City of Knoxville Regular Election, Here’s a Look at the Results

An Upset in the 2023 City of Knoxville Regular Election, Here’s a Look at the Results

November 8, 2023

In unofficial results in the Knoxville City Election from the Knox County Election Commission, Tyler Caviness wins the Knoxville Municipal Judge race defeating incumbent John Rosson, Jr.

Also, incumbent Amelia Parker wins another term in the City Council defeating Tim Hill.

Debbie Helsley also wins a City Council Seat and Lynn Fugate and Charles Thomas were unopposed in their City Council Races.

Mayor Indya Kincannon won her re-election bid in the Primary election.

Knoxville City Election results 2023Download
TBI Fugitive Wanted for Sex Crimes including Rape of a Child Being Sought by Authorities

TBI Fugitive Wanted for Sex Crimes including Rape of a Child Being Sought by Authorities

November 8, 2023

The search continues for a man wanted on numerous sex charges including rape of a child.

Sean Williams escaped while being transported to the Greeneville courthouse from Kentucky for a hearing on October 18th. A reward of up to $7,500 is now being offered for information leading to the arrest of https://twitter.com/hashtag/TNMostWanted?src=hashtag_click fugitive Sean Williams. The U.S. Marshals Service are offering up to $5,000 and TBI is offering up to $2,500.

Please call 1-800-TBI-FIND if you have any information.

An Endangered Child Alert issued for a 2-Year-Old Missing from Sweetwater Ends

An Endangered Child Alert issued for a 2-Year-Old Missing from Sweetwater Ends

November 8, 2023

An Endangered Child Alert is in effect for a 2 year-old missing from from Sweetwater.

Willow Coon, is 2’5″, 24 lbs. with blonde hair and blue eyes, she was last seen on Sunday and is believed to be with her noncustodial grandmother, Tanya “Lynette” Coon, who is wanted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office to face a charge of Custodial Interference.

Please call 1-800-TBI-FIND if you have any information.

Knoxville Veterans Day Parade is Scheduled for Later This Week

Knoxville Veterans Day Parade is Scheduled for Later This Week

November 8, 2023
Photo courtesy of City of Knoxville

Knoxville is set to host its annual Veterans Day Parade down Gay Street on Friday.

The parade will start at 10:45 a.m. and is organized by the American Legion Post 2 and the city and will feature 105 parade units, including the Budweiser Clydesdales.

Other groups like high school marching bands and ROTC groups, local businesses and military organizations will also take part.

Starting at 8 a.m. several downtown roads will be closed. All roads are set to reopen by 12:30 p.m.

Lights on the pedestrian bridge over Henley Street will also be red, white and blue tomorrow through Monday to honor veterans.

Starting at 8 a.m., Gay Street between Sevier and Hill avenues, Hill Avenue between Gay and State streets and Main Street between Walnut Avenue and Gay Street will be closed.

Starting at 9 a.m., Market Street between Union and Clinch avenues and Union Avenue between Walnut Avenue and Gay Street will be closed.

Wall Avenue will close at 10 a.m., and Gay Street between E. Hill and Magnolia avenues will close at 10:15 a.m.

Morgan County Issues Burn Ban after Wildfire Spreads Over County Line

Morgan County Issues Burn Ban after Wildfire Spreads Over County Line

November 7, 2023
Morgan County issues burn ban after wildfire spreads over county line (Pexels / Revac Films & Photography)

Morgan County, TN (WOKI) An “open air burn ban” is declared Tuesday, November 7 in Morgan County.

The ban takes effect immediately and comes after a wildfire jumped the county line from Anderson County over the weekend, prompting days of emergency response.

The State Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry has also put a hold on burn permits through at least Friday, November 10. Officials say no one is allowed to burn things like brush, construction debris, fields and gardens, or wooded areas. The use of charcoal and wood-fired grills is also prohibited.

The ban is a fire prevention tool, officials said, aimed at preventing more fires breaking out amid dry weather.

Body Found by Hunters in Greene Co is Missing Virginia Woman, Police Say

Body Found by Hunters in Greene Co is Missing Virginia Woman, Police Say

November 7, 2023
(Frankly Media)

Greene County, TN (WOKI) Officials with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office say forensic teams have identified a body found by hunters last week.

GCSO says deputies responded to the West Pines area last Thursday around 5:00 p.m. on a report of a body being discovered by hunters who were on the property to put up a deer stand.

Forensics experts have positively identified the body as a missing 27-year-old woman from Chesterfield, Virginia named Le’Keyshia Bracy. Bracy’s family had reported her missing to the Chesterfield County Police Department.

The investigation into how Bracy died is ongoing, but officials do not suspect foul play at this time.

Maynardville Police: ‘No Threat’ after HAZMAT Crews Respond to Incident at Sewage Treatment Plant

Maynardville Police: ‘No Threat’ after HAZMAT Crews Respond to Incident at Sewage Treatment Plant

November 7, 2023
(Pexels / Bo Ponomari)

Union County, TN (WOKI) Maynardville crews are working to clean up chemicals after a HAZMAT scare at a sewage treatment plant Tuesday morning, November 7.

Maynardville Police Department officials say fire and HAZMAT crews responded after two chemicals used to treat water combined “that shouldn’t have” at the Maynardville Waste Water Plant on Johnson Road.

Police report that crews determined there was no threat to the public and no impact to the water supply or environment after containing the chemicals. No one was injured as a result of the incident.

Police say the company with whom the city works has responded to clean up, pick up, and replace the tainted chemicals.

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