Knox County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Multiple Vehicle Burglaries, Two Suspects in Custody

Knox County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Multiple Vehicle Burglaries, Two Suspects in Custody

October 19, 2023
(Frankly Media)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is investigating multiple vehicle burglaries in Knox County.

The string of vehicle burglaries occurred in Knox County in the months of September and October, some of the break-ins targeting police cars.

Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler provided an update to media Thursday.

“Fifteen to twenty confirmed vehicle burglaries, three of those were law enforcement vehicles; two stolen vehicles, both have been recovered; seven [stolen] firearms,” listed Spangler in his address to the media.

Sheriff Spangler says two suspects, William Bruster and Zachary Jordan, have also been arrested in connection to the series of burglaries that began near the end of September.

Knox County Vehicle Burglary Suspects Zachary Jordan (left) and William Bruster (right) (Courtesy: KCSO)

According to Spangler, Bruster was charged with three counts of vehicle burglary and one count of violation of probation. Jordan also faces two vehicle burglary charges and a violation of probation charge, along with a charge for vandalism.

Spangler said the investigation is ongoing and “probably will be for some time” as the sheriff’s office is working to get more information from Bruster and Jordan, adding that there may be more people involved with the burglaries.

Spangler and other office representatives are urging the public to “be diligent;” make sure there are no valuables in your car and keep it locked. They also warned that the approaching holidays can mean more car break-ins.

If you have any tips or information, KCSO asks that you call 865-215-2243 or send an email at [email protected]. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

KARM ‘Coats for the Cold’ 2023 Drive Underway

KARM ‘Coats for the Cold’ 2023 Drive Underway

October 19, 2023
Coats for the Cold 2023 (Courtesy: KARM website)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The annual “Coats for the Cold” drive to collect thousands of coats for those in our area who otherwise may not have a coat during this winter is underway.

You can donate new and gently-used men’s, women’s and children’s coats at any KARM Store or Prestige Cleaners location until November 11th.

Those in need of a coat are encouraged to contact local service agencies or churches to receive a coat voucher, then shop at any KARM Store between November 13th and December 9th.

A Woman Arrested in Meigs County for Aggravated Arson Charges

A Woman Arrested in Meigs County for Aggravated Arson Charges

October 19, 2023

A joint investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office into a residential fire in that county has resulted in the arrest of a Decatur woman.

On October 10th, TBI special agent fire investigators were requested to assist the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation of a fire at a residence in the 19-thousand block of North Nopone Valley Road. The investigation revealed that the fire had been intentionally set, and that two people had been inside the home at the time. During the course of the investigation, agents and deputies determined that Laura Huckabey was the individual responsible for setting the fire.

TBI agents obtained arrest warrants for Huckabey (DOB 12/05/1977) for two counts of Aggravated Arson. She was arrested on October 14th by Meigs County deputies and booked into the Meigs County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

The Blount County Sheriff’s Office is Asking for Help to Find a Man Missing Since February

The Blount County Sheriff’s Office is Asking for Help to Find a Man Missing Since February

October 19, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

The Blount County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help to find a man last seen in February.

He wasn’t reported missing until this month. He was last seen in a blue denim jacket with a yellow collar and a flannel shirt. He also does not own a cell phone or car.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 865-983-3620 or leave a tip https://www.blounttn.gov/?fbclid=IwAR0Fum-x4G67iY0NUyqa0HA-Nqs1ZDpJSDkKm3cmLA6KsHgpVsbUBG2hWrs

Tennessee Proposing Expansion of Third Grade Retention Law to Include Math

Tennessee Proposing Expansion of Third Grade Retention Law to Include Math

October 19, 2023

Tennessee might expand on its third grade retention law, something that got a lot of pushback from parents and teachers last school year.

This proposal would create a higher bar for the math section of TCAP, and it might get more support from teachers.

“If you can’t read and do math on grade level, how are you going to be successful in this world,” District 64 Rep. Scott Cepicky said.

The bill being drafted would require students in kindergarten through eighth grade to either go to summer school, or get a tutor if they miss the benchmark on the math section of TCAP. They would not be required to repeat a grade, which is different than the third grade retention law.

“So those are two good things that I think teachers would support,” President of Professional Educators of Tennessee, JC Bowman, said.

Bowman said math scores have fallen off since COVID, and haven’t recovered. He believed the bill could be a good thing for students.

“If the availability of a tutor is there in the school, I mean we would want that,” Bowman said. “And if the state’s going to pick up the tab and pay for it, absolutely I think it’s a good deal.”

The third grade retention law got a lot of pushback last school year, since 60% of third-graders in the state did not score high enough on the English section of TCAP, threatening their fourth grade eligibility. By comparison, 66% of all grade levels did not pass the math section.

However, not everyone is on board with the proposal.

“But as far as punishing children for how well they do on a test, I think that’s absolutely absurd,” District 4 Representative of the Knox County Schools Board of Education, Katherine Bike, said.

Bike is also a mom to a KCS elementary school student. She thinks teachers should have more say in passing a child.

“TCAP can be used as a tool to show what interventions need to be put in place for children, and where needs are,” she said.

Bike said the state would be better off addressing the teacher shortage. Knox County Schools is offering $5,000 signing bonuses for math teachers, and $7,000 for special education.

The bill is being drafted, and is expected to be talked about during session, beginning in January. (Story courtesy of WVLT)

An Investigation is Underway in Union County Following a Structure Collapse Which Leaves One Person Dead

An Investigation is Underway in Union County Following a Structure Collapse Which Leaves One Person Dead

October 19, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

An investigation is underway after one person dies following a structure collapse in Union County.

Emergency crews called to the Sharps Chapel community yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

Two people had already been removed from the structure when the rescue squad arrived on Oak Grove Road.

One person was taken to the hospital by Lifestar while the second person, a man, died from his injuries at the scene.

City Council Member, Knoxville Icon Larry Cox Dies

City Council Member, Knoxville Icon Larry Cox Dies

October 18, 2023
Councilman Larry Cox (Courtesy: Knox City Council)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville City Council Member and Knoxville icon Larry Cox has died.

Cox was a prominent figure in the community for almost 35 years, not only serving on the council but going to bat for kids’ access to sports as a past coach and director of the non-profit inner city sports program the Knoxville Falcons.

Cox graduated from Fulton High School in 1960 and was instrumental in keeping the school from shutting down in 1992.

He earned an Associates Degree from Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee in 1963 and later his bachelor’s from Middle Tennessee State. Cox also served in the military including 15 years with the Air National Guard.

TOSHA Fines Rodriguez Paving And Foundation after Employee Death in April

TOSHA Fines Rodriguez Paving And Foundation after Employee Death in April

October 18, 2023
(Credit: Frankly Media)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) has fined Rodriguez Paving and Foundation over $42,000 after the death of one of their employees in April.

The incident happened on Leslie Way in Sevierville when 20 year-old Gabriel Rodrigues, of Pigeon Forge, was operating a skid-steer at a construction site. A retaining wall collapsed resulting in Rodrigues falling and rolling down the mountainside in the skid steer, striking his head and body inside the machine. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the conclusion of their investigation, TOSHA cited Rodriguez Paving and Foundation for three serious violations. TOSHA determined the employer did not have an employee with a valid certificate in first-aid training available at the worksite, the employer failed to instruct and educate all employees on how to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions, and the employer willfully neglected to maintain a safe working environment free from hazards that could cause death or serious injury.

The investigation report also states that no training had been conducted for the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions.

Reward Offered for Information Leading to the Arrest of an Escaped Child Rape Suspect

Reward Offered for Information Leading to the Arrest of an Escaped Child Rape Suspect

October 18, 2023
Photo courtesy of Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Updated Story:

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation urging residents to be on the lookout for fugitive Sean Williams escaped from federal custody while being transported to U.S. District Court in Greeneville.

He escaped yesterday (Wednesday) morning. He’s wanted on numerous charges, including Rape of a
Child.

TBI is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest. Please call 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Original Story: Grainger County, TN (WOKI) The U.S. Marshals, along with several East Tennessee agencies, are on the lookout for an escaped suspect who has been charged with the production of child pornography.

Officials with the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office say 52 year-old Sean Williams escaped Wednesday, October 18 while being transported to Greeneville, Tennessee from Laurel County, Kentucky. That route went along US Highway 25 East through Claiborne, Grainger and Hamblen Counties.

Green County Sheriff’s Department officials said Williams was wearing “jail type” clothes, adding that Williams “is desperate to escape custody and has attempted [to do so] previously.”

Anyone with information on Williams’ whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.

U.S. Marshals looking for escaped child sex crimes suspect. Sean Williams, 52 (Courtesy: U.S. Marshals Service)

Podcasts

What's happening