The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian this (Friday) morning in Campbell County.
The pedestrian was hit on I-75 north near mile marker 153, just south of Jellico and officers say the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The left lane is closed for the crash reconstruction investigation.
Three people are in custody after a drug bust by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in West Knoxville.
Deputies went to a home on Roundtree Road and found over 100 pounds of drugs, 19 guns and more than $70,000 in cash.
Gary Buell, Sadie Stallings and Shane Stallings are all facing drug and weapons charges.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) ICYMI: Permit-holders may now carry guns in Knox County libraries.
That change in policy going into effect last week per Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.
Jacobs, through an email to our news partner WVLT, explained his decision Thursday.
“I am a strong gun rights advocate,” said Jacobs. “I made the decision to discontinue the policy of prohibiting concealed carry in Knox County libraries after a constituent brought the issue to my attention saying, ‘Self-defense should not end in the parking lot of the library.’”
Prior to the change, no firearms were allowed in libraries. That restriction was enforced by Tennessee state code § 39-17-1359, which allows business, individuals or governments to restrict weapons inside buildings.
The policy change affects Lawson McGhee Library, all branch libraries, and the East Tennessee History Center.
Sevierville, TN (WOKI) A Sevierville couple is facing animal cruelty charges after police find more than 14 dogs Wednesday living in what officials say were “abhorrent” conditions inside a mobile home.
Following a complaint, Sevierville Police Department officers went to the home on East Casey Drive where they found and charged 57 year-old Norman Miller and 61 year-old Angela Miller.
SPD officials report that “the floor inside the mobile home was covered in feces and urine, and most, if not all, of the canines appeared to have mange and fleas.”
The conditions inside the mobile home required the Sevierville Fire Department to lend SPD officers protective equipment. Once they got inside, officers said they were able to capture 14 of the dogs that were living inside the home, but “several” more escaped before SPD could retrieve them. The 14 which SPD officers were able to capture were taken to the Sevier Animal Care Center.
Norman and Angela Miller face animal cruelty charges. SPD officials confirmed that officers are still looking for the escaped animals, with help from the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office animal control division.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The University of Tennessee Medical Center is offering free prostate cancer screenings at several locations across East Tennessee throughout August.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men, with over 6,000 estimated cases expected to be diagnosed in Tennessee this year.
The first cancer screening clinic will be held on August 4 from 1-3 p.m. at UT Regional Health Center in Halls with clinics in Hardin Valley and at the Cancer Institute on Alcoa Highway to follow:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1-3 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 8-9 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 8-10 p.m.
Men 45 and up should get screened if their family has a history of prostate cancer, and all men over 50 should be screened.
The much-anticipated “Oppenheimer” movie is in theatres.
It’s a war drama about the development of the atomic bomb in World War II which has ties to East Tennessee.
August 6th and 9th, 1945 are two of the most notable days in American war history. Those were the days the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, killing hundreds of thousands of people, essentially ending World War II.
The Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge was one of three places that worked on the atomic bomb with all three sites having different roles in developing that bomb.
A former firefighter is arrested for stealing over $60,000 of equipment from a fire engine and tanker at the New Market Fire and Rescue Station #2 in Strawberry Plains.
Three people, including the former firefighter identified as James Marshall, have been arrested in connection to yesterday’s theft according to Jefferson County Sheriff Office.
All items except one has been recovered and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest and recovery of the items.
Students are headed back to class in Knox County in less than three weeks but there are still a large amount of jobs left to fill.
Knox County Schools has 541 job listings posted on their website.
Alex Moseman Talent Acquisition with Knox County Schools says only 150 of those openings are for teachers.
Moseman says the majority of the vacant teaching positions are in the math, science and special education departments. He says they do not expect an operational impact to the education of students due to these vacant positions.
To see a list of openings, please go to https://knoxschools.munisselfservice.com/employmentopportunities/default.aspx
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Construction began Wednesday on Yardley Flats, the $70 million apartment complex to be located right behind Knoxville’s upcoming multi-use stadium.
Named in honor of William Francis Yardley, a civil rights leader and Knoxville’s first Black attorney, Yardley Flats will hold 233 units and will feature some nice amenities including a fitness center, pet spa, and a pool with a stadium view.
Building One is planned to be ready for the first Knoxville baseball season in 2025, with Building Two ready a few months after first pitch.
Leasing will begin in late 2024, but there is no word yet on how much the apartments will cost renters.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knoxville Police Department has named an interim replacement for outgoing deputy chief of professional standards Brooklyn Belk.
KPD officials Wednesday announced that retired Federal Judge H. Bruce Guyton will take on the role of interim deputy chief of professional standards.
“I respect and appreciate the Knoxville Police Department and look forward to becoming a part of the organization,” said Guyton. “I am grateful to Chief Noel and Mayor Kincannon for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the good work the men and women of the KPD do on a daily basis.”
Guyton’s hiring is set to be voted on Tuesday by the members of the Knoxville City Council. If approved, he’ll handle the job until the next permanent deputy chief of professional standards can be hired and onboarded.
Belk’s tenure concluded on July 16th though she has expressed interest in continuing to be a resource for KPD if needed.
KPD officials say the process to fill the role permanently is well underway. The job opening has been posted to state-wide and national forums, including the Tennessee Bar Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
