Officials confirm at least five people have died in severe storms that moved through Middle and West Tennessee.
The weather-related deaths were reported in the following areas:
One in McNairy County
One in Obion County
One in Hardeman County
Two in Fayette County
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office say a 48-year-old man and his 16 year-old daughter were found dead at home in Moscow and the 46-year-old mother was taken to the hospital in critical condition, she was trapped underneath their home. Two other family members were taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Acting on a tip submitted through East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers, members of the Knoxville Police Department’s Community Engagement Response Team took wanted Michael Thomas into custody on Thursday evening.
Thomas, 18, was wanted for attempted first-degree murder stemming from a drive-by shooting that wounded a 41-year-old man in the 3700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue on October 13, 2024. Thomas was identified as the suspect from that shooting following exhaustive investigative efforts led by the KPD Homicide Unit.
Thomas was located on Thursday evening at a home on Lilac Avenue. He attempted to run from officers, discarding a backpack in the process, but was quickly apprehended.
Officers found a large amount of narcotics in the bag that Thomas tossed away, including almost 70 grams of cocaine and over six grams of crack cocaine. Officers also recovered drug paraphernalia and over $800 in cash from suspected drug transactions.
In addition to the outstanding attempted murder warrant, Thomas was also charged with multiple drug offenses and evading arrest.
Jefferson County, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash Wednesday in Jefferson County that involved a motorcycle.
Troopers were called to the crash on U.S. Highway 25/70 near Betty Lou Drive just after 3:00 p.m. and found that the driver of a 2005 Kawsaki motorcycle had attempted to pass a car on the highway when it hit a car traveling in the opposite direction head-on, causing the car behind the motorcycle to crash as well.
THP officials say the driver of the motorcycle, 35-year-old Jeremy Arangio, was killed and two others were taken to a local hospital with injuries.
THP reports Arangio was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
THP said that three vehicles were involved in the crash. (Courtesy: THP)
Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) Parts of Cataloochee Valley, the hardest-hit area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, are set to reopen, months after Hurricane Helene’s storms.
Helene brought damage and death to many parts of East Tennessee, including the national park.
Park officials say portions of the valley will reopen Friday, April 4 at noon for the first time since September of 2024.
According to the park, the following work has been done to reopen the valley:
Re-graveled sections of Cataloochee Entrance Road, Cataloochee Creek Road, parking areas near Palmer House and Cataloochee Group Camp Road.
Completed emergency stabilization of Hiram Caldwell Barn.
Addressed many downed and hazard trees around roads, campgrounds and buildings throughout the valley.
Assessed trail conditions across 60 miles of trails and completed some trail restoration.
Addressed significant erosion around Caldwell Barn and restrooms and Beech Grove School.
In addition, the park says the following roads are set to reopen:
Cataloochee Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School.
Cataloochee Creek Road to the Old Cataloochee Entrance Road Bridge
Old Highway 284. Visitors will be able to drive Cataloochee Valley Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School.
Regarding trail conditions, the park says most trails in Cataloochee Valley are open, but hikers should exercise extra caution as there are still downed trees, rutted or damaged sections of trail, exposed tree root balls, and landslides. Hikers should also plan for stream crossings on trails—most foot logs in Cataloochee Valley were lost during Hurricane Helene and have not been replaced. Several Cataloochee trails are closed to horses due to unstable trail surfaces and tree debris.
As for camping and picnic areas, officials say the campground, group campground, and horse camp in Cataloochee are all currently closed. The park will open additional campgrounds if operational capacity allows.
Although parts of the valley are reopening, park officials warn visitors to be extra cautious as there are still plenty of downed trees and other hazards in the area.
Helene brought damage and death to many parts of East Tennessee, including the national park. (Courtesy:GSMNP)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man is facing charges after pulling a gun on drivers Tuesday during dismissal for students at Cedar Bluff Middle School.
According to charging documents, the incident happened around 3:30 p.m. when 24-year-old Isaiah Renfroe became upset at a woman pulling out of the school.
Police say Renfroe got so upset that he pulled a handgun out of his backpack and pointed it at the car, waving it around.
Renfroe also reportedly threatened another driver with the gun before leaving the area; he was found nearby in possession of the gun and nine grams of marijuana on his person.
He was charged with aggravated assault, possession and reckless endangerment. The report claimed he put “the students of cedar bluff middle school in imminent danger.”
The incident happened around 3:30 p.m., police said, when 24-year-old Isaiah Renfroe became upset at a woman pulling out of the school. (Courtesy: Knoxville Police Department)
Nashville, TN (WOKI) President Trump Thursday approved Governor Bill Lee’s request for an Emergency Declaration after severe weather rocked portions of the Volunteer State Wednesday.
The approval directs FEMA to provide disaster assistance for Tennesseans after many areas were affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding Wednesday with the potential for more of the same into the weekend.
The assistance will be provided to all 95 Tennessee counties.
“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, under the public assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding.”
A State of Emergency remains in effect for Tennessee; all Tennesseans are encouraged to be prepared for severe weather through Saturday afternoon.
The assistance will be provided to all 95 Tennessee counties. (Courtesy: WVLT / WSMV)
Officials confirm at least three people have died in severe storms that moved through the Volunteer State.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) first confirmed one weather-related death in McNairy County, then confirmed another in Obion County.
One death reported in McNairy County The third weather-related fatality was reported in Fayette County after a tornado struck a home in the Moscow area.
Storms are still moving through the Midstate and other parts of West Tennessee.
The National Weather Service said multiple tornadoes moved through the Selmer area of McNairy County.
Nashville, TN (WSMV) Country music icon Dolly Parton is bringing her signature sparkle to the fashion world.
The limited edition denim line is called “Dolly’s Joleans,” named after her famous song “Jolene.”
Parton is collaborating with the brand Good American, which was co-founded by Khloé Kardashian. The brand is the first fully inclusive fashion brand, which offers pieces from size 00 to 32 Plus.
The line features denim pieces and tops with shimmering rhinestones and other glitzy details.
Parton says the jeans will “make any butt look good.”
The collection will be available for a limited time online and in-stores starting April 3rd. Prices range from $79 to $229.
The limited edition denim line is called “Dolly’s Joleans,” named after her famous song “Jolene.” (Courtesy: WVLT)
Join Blount Memorial Saturday, May 10 as they host their Inaugural Downtown Dash for Breast Cancer to honor breast cancer survivors, remember those who have fought the battle, and raise money to expand access to life-saving breast cancer screening and diagnostic services right here in Blount County! Gather for this event at Blount Memorial Health Center at Springbrook – 220 Associates Blvd. Alcoa, TN.
Did you know 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? Early detection is the best protection! So let’s raise money to add an additional mammography machine to Prisma Health-Blount Memorial’s Breast Center! One with that allows for contrast enhanced mammography to eliminate uncomfortable MRI’s and expand access to screening and diagnostic services! In 2024, the Breast Center did 12,217 screening exams and diagnosed 95 breast cancers – talk to your doctor and see when you should begin getting mammograms!
