The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is giving the U.S. Forest Service over 4 and a half million dollars in “quick release” emergency funds to repair road damage caused by August’s storms and flooding in Tennessee.
The money is mainly for repair work in the Cherokee National Forest where flood damage caused several road closures in the area, including the closure of two campgrounds. The funds will go towards extended repairs in this area.
Officials are investigating the 24th fatal boating incident on Tennessee waters this year.
It happened on Fort Loudon Lake and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says two men were on board the boat, presumably fishing when the boat was pulled into the spillway of Fort Loudon Dam and capsized, sending both men into the water.
One man is rescued by a fisherman on another boat, while the other was later recovered dead at the dam.
The surviving man taken to the hospital, his condition has not been released.
Park reports 5-10 acre wildfire on Fontana Lake shore
Great Smoky Mountains National Park firefighters are suppressing a 5-10 acre wildland fire near backcountry campsite 87 on Fontana Lake’s shore.
The Lake Fire was reported at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26. Firefighters were on scene early this (Tuesday) evening and will remain in the area overnight to monitor and continue to suppress the fire. No structures are threatened by the fire. Smoke may be visible.
The fire is smoldering and creeping through timber and brush understory with significant leaf litter. Firefighters are using a full suppression attack and there is no threat to fire lines at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Backcountry campsite 87 has been closed to all use.
Update: Robert Lawson has been found safe.
Original story: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issues a Silver Alert for 72 year-old Robert Lawson out of Campbell County.
He was last seen yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon in the area of Pleasant Ridge Road in Lafollette. He may be traveling on a bronze Honda Foreman Rubicon four-wheeler.
He has a medical condition that may impair his ability to return safely without assistance.
Anyone with information please call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Kodak, TN (WOKI) Smokies Stadium is expecting near-record attendance for Thursday’s upcoming Oliver Anthony concert, and as such, stadium representatives have released a plan for parking.
Due to crowd expectations for the “Rich Men North of Richmond” singer, the stadium is opening up three overflow lots with complimentary shuttles. The main lot can only hold 1,600 cars, so police will also be on hand to direct people to the appropriate spot.
Additionally, stadium representatives caution that Thursday’s show is general admission; so, the earlier you arrive, the more likely it is that you’ll get the seats you want.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Billboards warning of the dangers of drugs like fentanyl are coming to Knoxville.
Statewide data shows the alarming trend of increases in overdose deaths involving fentanyl; now, Ohio-based activist group Rachel’s Angels is helping raise awareness of it’s dangers here in East Tennessee.
Founded in 2017, Rachel’s Angels has been putting up billboards around the country for the last several years from California to Kentucky. Coming this December, one will be on Clinton Highway and another on East Central Street in Knoxville.
If you’d like to donate to help Rachel’s Angels continue to fundraise so they can put more billboards up, you can go to their website.
A man is arrested and charged after pointing a gun at his neighbor.
Knoxville Police responding to a disturbance call at a home in the 1900 block of Granville Terrace in the Morningside area last night (Monday).
The suspect, 41 year-old Justin Teixeira, refused to come out of his home once officers arrived on the scene so KPD negotiators were called to the scene and he finally came out after two hours. He is charged with aggravated assault.
Another suspect is arrested in connection to a shooting that resulted in the death of a 24 year-old woman from Bebo’s Cafe.
Knoxville Police say 24 year-old Destiny Jones was shot in the parking lot on May 15 and they believe she fled the scene in a vehicle driven by 22 year-old Issac Armes which crashed on Kingston Pike throwing Jones from the car and died at the hospital.
Armes was arrested yesterday (Monday) and charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence.
In August, Jaheim Houston was arrested for attempted first-degree murder.
Knoxville Police are investigating a school bus crash involving students.
It happened this morning (Tuesday) on North Broadway when the bus tried to turn left onto Adair and was hit by a car.
KPD says five students were on board but no injuries were reported.
Update: Morristown Police say a missing grandmother and her grandson are found safe.
Barbara Ann Smith took her 3 year-old grandson, Jaiden Barger for a walk and they were last seen at Fred Miller Park last night, the boy’s mother reported them missing.
Original Story: Morristown Police are asking for your help to find a missing Grandmother and her Grandson.
Investigators are currently searching for a grandmother and her three-year-old grandson after
the pair were reported missing to the Morristown Police Department by the child’s mother.
Barbara Ann Smith took her 3 year-old grandson, Jaiden Barger, for a walk from his home on Sulphur Springs Road around 5:30 pm yesterday in a black and gray Radio Flyer wagon with a canopy. The pair were seen at Fred Miller Park at approximately 7:30 pm. and have not returned home.
Jaiden is a White male, approximately 3’ tall and weighs 30 pounds. He has sandy brown hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing a peach-colored shirt with a dinosaur on the front. Barbara is a 53-year-old White female, approximately 5’3” tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has blonde hair and hazel eyes. Barbara was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt and blue capri pants.
The MPD is asking anyone with information concerning Barbara and Jaiden’s location to contact police immediately through the dispatch center at 423-585-2701.
