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.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI/WVLT) A brief police chase in Knoxville Monday ends with the arrest of two men and the seizure of enough fentanyl to kill thousands of people.
Knoxville Police Department officials report a chase ensued around 7:30 p.m. at Magnolia Avenue and Milligan Street after a van traveling erratically on the roadway attempted to evade police intervention.
Police arrested the driver of the van, Marshall Alderson and his passenger, DeAngelo Brown, who attempted to flee on foot.
KPD officials say officers searching the van found a backpack with 50 grams of a white powder they suspected to be fentanyl.
Our news partner WVLT, citing data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, reports that fentanyl is an opioid about 100 times more potent than morphine.
WVLT reports “the DEA claims that just two milligrams of fentanyl can kill a person, depending on size and weight, when used incorrectly. Based on that math, the fentanyl found in the backpack could kill 25,000 people.”
Alderson is facing aggravated assault, drug and evading arrest charges. He was also found to be a felon out of Michigan. Brown is facing weapons, drug and evading charges.
Hamblen County, TN (WOKI) A Hamblen County correctional officer is charged and arrested Monday, July 17 for bringing drugs into the Hamblen County Jail.
Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office officials say 27 year-old Chasity Merritt, a new-hire at the jail, was caught bringing 14.6 grams of methamphetamine, hydrocodone pills and other drug paraphernalia into the facility. Officers also found a loaded .38 caliber handgun and more drugs in her car.
“I hold my employees to a higher standard and no one is above the law,” said Sheriff Chad Mullins. “If any of my folks are found to have made a conscious decision to break the law, they will be fired, charged and jailed.”
Merritt is facing several drug charges and firearm use in association with dangerous felonies. She was released on bond.
An investigation is underway by Tennessee Highway Patrol in Loudon County after a pedestrian is killed after being hit by a car on I-40 East.
The crash happened yesterday afternoon near the 356 mile marker and temporarily shut down the interstate.
People across the country have a chance to vote for the nation’s best-looking police cruiser in the 2023 America’s Best Looking Cruiser Contest and the Tennessee Highway Patrol would like your vote.
THP’s entry features a trooper, a 2021 Ford Explorer cruiser and a 2022 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Motorcycle center stage on the Grand Ole Opry. The 13 states with the highest vote totals will be featured on the 2024 wall calendar which will be available to purchase later this year.
To cast your ballot, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bestlookingcruiser2023 before 8 a.m. July 31st.
The new year proved positive for Knox County students. From the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 tests, districtwide scores increased in all four categories, English Language Arts, math, science and social studies.
Students received a performance score in four categories: “Below Expectations,” “Approaching Expectations,” “Met Expectations,” and “Exceeded Expectations.”
Across Knox County Schools, less than half of all students scored proficient in the four categories. Math was where KCS students struggled the most, with only 34% of students scoring proficient.
On the other hand, social studies was Knox County students’ best subject. 50% of students scored proficient across all tested grades.
“We are pleased with our progress and applaud our teachers and principals for remaining focused on our district priorities. Their commitment is evident in the gains we are making,” said Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk. “I also want to thank our great community of parents, nonprofits, and business partners for their continued support of our students and schools. We are just getting started and I am excited about the future for our next generation.”
Anyone interested can view the full report below.
English Language Arts (ELA)
Math
Science
Social Studies
When considering district-wide numbers:
Story courtesy of WVLT
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee’s First Lady announces her initiative, Tennessee Serves, will work to support back-to-school efforts for a third year in a row.
Throughout July, Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative will provide new backpacks to school-aged children in the state’s economically disadvantaged areas. Tennessee Serves has partnered with the state’s Family Resource Centers to distribute the backpacks in 11 identified counties:
The backpacks will be distributed by each school district. For more information on distribution, contact the school district’s Family Resource Center.
