Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Makes Big Fentanyl Bust During Traffic Stop in I-75

Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Makes Big Fentanyl Bust During Traffic Stop in I-75

August 25, 2023
A photo of the items seized during a traffic stop on I-75 on August 20. Items shown include a handgun, a bag of fentanyl pills, money, and drug paraphernalia. (Courtesy: Loudon County Sheriff’s Office)

Loudon, TN (WOKI) A traffic stop late Sunday night, August 20, on I-75 in Loudon County results in a big drug bust for the sheriff’s office.

Officials with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office report four people were arrested after deputies found over 2 lbs. of pressed fentanyl pills and approximately $8,000 in cash during a probable cause search of the suspects’ vehicle following a traffic stop on the highway.

LCSO says the pills have a street value of $275,000. They say Richard Allen Jr., Jayden Jennings, Krista McDaniel, and Seneca Gentry were arrested and are facing drug charges.

Loudon County Drug Trafficking Suspects, left to right: Richard Allen Jr., Seneca Gentry, Jayden Jennings, Krista McDaniel (Courtesy: LCSO)

Additionally, when McDaniel entered the Loudon County Detention Center, LCSO said she “introduced approximately 80 pressed fentanyl pills and 1 oz of fentanyl powder.” Along with drug charges, McDaniel faces charges of assault, introduction of contraband into a penal facility, identity theft, and tampering with evidence.

A Bear is Rescued From a Car in Sevier County

A Bear is Rescued From a Car in Sevier County

August 25, 2023

Firefighters rescue a bear from a car in Sevierville.

The Waldens Creek Volunteer Fire Department received a call late Wednesday night about a bear trapped inside of a car.

Chief Tim Barker used a rope to lasso the handle to the car and let the bear out.

He reminds everyone to keep your windows rolled up because you never know who might drop in for a surprise visit.

The bear did not appear injured.

UT Football Fans will See Some of the Completed Renovations to Neyland Stadium this Season

UT Football Fans will See Some of the Completed Renovations to Neyland Stadium this Season

August 25, 2023
Photo courtesy of UT Sports.com

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees on Friday approved Tennessee Athletics’ request to increase the budget for phase 1 of the historic Neyland Stadium renovation project by $49 million to $337 million.

The project aligns with Tennessee Athletics’ stated goals of modernizing the fan and visitor experience through enhanced amenities and diversified seating options, improving fan safety and security and aligning stadium features and aesthetics with campus architectural standards.

Last fall, guests at Neyland Stadium observed a totally new state-of-the-art videoboard in the stadium’s north upper deck, enhanced video components in the existing south videoboard and the introduction of two new premium amenities in the lower-west club and upper-north social deck.

Future updates feature necessary upgrades to the south side and perimeter of the stadium, including the widening of concourses, construction of expanded gates and entryways and additional restrooms and concessions areas. The delivery of this component will dramatically improve fan comfort and safety, reduce wait times and allow for more food and beverage offerings.

As previously announced, the project will include new deliverables each football season through the fall of 2026. https://utsports.com/news/2023/3/3/general-as-my-all-campaign-flourishes-neyland-stadium-enhancements-continue.aspx

Fall 2023

  • Removal of South Stadium Hall with structural strengthening of the stadium’s south end
  • Partially completed Wi-Fi capabilities
  • Brick cladding around in-bowl vomitories
  • New restrooms under the Gate 10 ramp

Fall 2024

  • Full stadium-wide Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Stadium kitchen, commissary and loading dock
  • New southeast elevators vertically connecting all concourses
  • New Gate 4 entry plaza
  • Brick cladding around in-bowl vomitories (phase 2)
  • Renovations and upgrades complete for all stadium skyboxes (see updated renderings below) 
  • Initial construction for the westside Founders Suites New restrooms and concessions on north concourse two 

Fall 2025

  • Expanded south concourse 1 (increased restrooms, enhanced concessions, wider concourse)
  • Completed Founders Suites
  • Tee Martin Drive to shift south of the Gate 10 ramp

Fall 2026

  • Completion of entry plazas

Story courtesy of UT Sports

TVA Announces 4.5% Rate Increase, $15B in Investment

TVA Announces 4.5% Rate Increase, $15B in Investment

August 24, 2023
(Courtesy: Tennessee Valley Authority Facebook Page)

Chattanooga, TN (WOKI) Electricity will soon cost more in East Tennessee.

Tennessee Valley Authority’s directors approved a 4.5% electricity rate increase Thursday in addition to $15 billion in investments for building additional electricity generation capacity and upgrading its power grid.

TVA officials say the agency expects demand to increase by 30% over the next 10 years and are working to add 3,800 megawatts to the system.

The rate increase amounts to an average of $3.50 a month on a typical monthly residential energy bill. Prior to this increase, TVA’s base power rates had remained flat for four years.

For the complete news release from TVA and to learn more, click here.

MCSO: ‘Fen balls’ Seized in Drug Bust after Traffic Stop in Monroe County

MCSO: ‘Fen balls’ Seized in Drug Bust after Traffic Stop in Monroe County

August 24, 2023
(Courtesy: Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones’ Facebook page)

Madisonville, TN (WOKI) A local fentanyl distribution network is disrupted after a late night drug bust in Monroe County.

Officials with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office say Andrew Wayne Pierce was arrested late Wednesday night following a traffic stop on Highway 411 in the Gudger area; they say Pierce is a “key individual” in the local trafficking of fentanyl.

Andrew Wayne Pierce (Courtesy: Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones’ Facebook page)

MCSO reports a search of Pierce’s vehicle revealed “a staggering haul of 196 pressed fentanyl pills,” commonly known as ‘fen balls’ along with cash and other contraband.

Pierce was taken into custody without any incident and transported to the Monroe County Jail.

Two People Charged in Deadly Drag Racing Crash on Magnolia Avenue are Indicted

Two People Charged in Deadly Drag Racing Crash on Magnolia Avenue are Indicted

August 24, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

The drivers of the Chargers who were reportedly drag racing on Magnolia Avenue crashing into a vehicle killing that driver and injuring two children are indicted.

21 year-old Trinity Clark and 20 year-old Tra’Shawn Glass were indicted yesterday for drag racing and vehicular homicide.

The pair ran a red light at Milligan and hit an SUV in January. 65 year-old Michael Williams died at the hospital and his grandchildren, ages 5 and 11 were critically injured in the crash.

Several Area High Schools Delay Kick-Off for Football Games due to Temperature Concerns

Several Area High Schools Delay Kick-Off for Football Games due to Temperature Concerns

August 24, 2023

Multiple East Tennessee schools are pushing back the start time for tomorrow night’s football games.

The reason for this change is that temperatures are expected to be near 100 degrees, schools decided to push kickoff.

The following games are delayed:

Powell at Farragut was moved to 8 p.m.
William Blount at Karns was moved to 8 p.m.
Sevier Co. at Jeff Co. was moved to 8 p.m.
Knoxville West at Clinton was moved to 7:45 p.m.
Bearden at Alcoa was moved to 7:30 p.m.

Knoxville Apartment Complex Terminates Leases Due to August Tornado Damage

Knoxville Apartment Complex Terminates Leases Due to August Tornado Damage

August 23, 2023
Storm damage in West Knox County (Courtesy: WVLT)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Residents at Knoxville’s Lovell Crossing Apartments, still dealing with the fallout from an August 7 damaging tornado, face another setback as their leases are terminated.

A letter sent to residents living in several buildings at the complex states that Lovell Crossing had no choice but to terminate leases due to the extent of the damage caused by the tornado.

Residents were told that they must vacate their apartments by no later than September 5 though a schedule for move-outs puts some out of their units as early as Thursday, August 24.

The complex is refunding removed residents for rent paid from August 7 forward.

Allegiant Air: Travelers Advised to Arrive 3 Hours Early to McGhee Tyson Due to Processing Issues

Allegiant Air: Travelers Advised to Arrive 3 Hours Early to McGhee Tyson Due to Processing Issues

August 23, 2023
Allegiant expects processing times to take longer than normal (Courtesy: Allegiant Air)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Allegiant is out with a warning Wednesday, August 23 for customers traveling from McGhee Tyson airport in the next 24 hours.

Airline officials are urging customers to arrive at McGhee Tyson three hours prior to their scheduled departure times due to issues with a recent system update.

If you are traveling in the next 24 hours and are not able to check your flight information or access your boarding passes, Allegiant claims they will have a team member available for assistance at the ticket counter at the airport. The airline adds they will also waive all fees associated with printing boarding passes at the airport.

Additional information for Allegiant passengers including travel alerts can be found here.

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