A man is arrested after reportedly setting a gas pump on fire and stopping fuel from getting to the store, temporarily shutting thae store down.
It happened yesterday morning at the Western Avenue Casey’s. Police say the suspect, 30 year-old Matthew Kilgore allegedly ripped the gas nozzle and hose from one of the pumps, then lit it on fire.
He is charged with arson and vandalism.
Passenger train routes connecting Tennessee’s largest cities to each other and bordering states is still decades away, if it happens at all, according to a newly completed study from the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR).
The study was ordered by the state government to iron-out possible costs and obstacles to establishing a passenger train system between Tennessee cities. According to TACIR, there are significant benefits and costs connected to the possible project.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is warning that road travel in Tennessee is only going to get worse in the years to come. Trip times between major Tennessee cities could increase by an hour, according to TDOT. The reason for this, in part, TDOT says, is because Tennessee is the home of several freight crossroads, like Knoxville’s I-75 and I-40 crossing.
As such, TACIR’s study looked into how passenger rail could cut back on car traffic, while also offering other benefits, like economic boosts to Tennessee cities.
The plan was broken down into three tiers, based on priority:
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These routes could, the study said, cut down on road traffic between Tennessee cities. As part of the study, TACIR found that in a national sample, 53% of Amtrak riders said they would drive if a train was not available. Another 8% said if a train was not an option, they wouldn’t take their trip.
According to the study, this means that passenger rails can both cut down on car traffic and boost tourism, leisure and business visits to connected cities.
Observant East Tennesseans will notice, however, that Knoxville is only connected to the rest of the state through Chattanooga. That’s where the obstacles of a Tennessee passenger rail system come in.
Building the project would mean investing millions into infrastructure across the state, the study said. While some passenger trains would be able to use established freight routes, the project would need to avoid affecting Tennessee’s existing rail supply chain, causing problems for state businesses.
For example, the study pointed out a spot in Franklin County where rail lines are limited to a single-track tunnel through the Cumberland Mountains. Geographical hurdles mean a Knoxville-to-Nashville route is unlikely; it’s not even mentioned in the study.
Funding is another issue. Right now, the federal government is only on the hook for Amtrak routes longer than 750 miles. That means that, unless the state can bargain for private partner funding, the up-front costs will be Tennessee’s and Tennessee’s alone.
TACIR concluded that TDOT should establish a passenger rail office to look into the project further, an office other states like Virginia already have.
TACIR does offer another option, however: a public inter-city bus service. That option would cost less time and money.
Story courtesy of WVLT
A Scott County deputy is arrested and charged with domestic assault against a family member.
It happened last night, when Oneida Police responded to a domestic disturbance call and arrested 27-year-old deputy Rachel Thomas.
She is being held on a $1,000 bond. She was also placed on a mandatory 12-hour hold for the charge. she’s on administrative leave while the department investigates
Officials in Union County are searching for an escaped inmate.
Dean McPherson was being held at the jail for driving on a suspended license and escaped last night (Wednesday).
He is 6′11″ and 185 lbs. with brown hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 865-992-5212 or dispatch at 865-992-4062.
McMinn County, TN (WOKI) Speed appears to be the cause in a fatal motorcycle crash on the Fourth of July in McMinn County.
Tennessee Highway Patrol officials say 37 year-old Franklin Harris was riding a Suzuki motorcycle at what appeared to be a high rate of speed on U.S. Route 411 when a Toyota SUV traveling on County Road 850 attempted to make a left-hand turn onto U.S. Route 411.
The motorcycle hit the left side of the SUV. THP says Harris was pronounced dead at the scene. Two adults and three juveniles riding in the SUV were not injured.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Four teens are arrested Tuesday night following a chaotic scene involving fireworks and a car crash in Knoxville.
Knoxville Police Department officials say officers responded around 10:00 p.m. to a crash near Texas Avenue and Pascal Drive. Witnesses told officers that teens were hitting a black Hyundai with paintballs and fireworks, which caused it to crash into an F-150.
Responding officers were also targets as people started throwing fireworks at them and their cars. Those officers, along with backup, then had to escort the responding wreckers out of the area, officials said.
The teens, all males, ages 14 to 16 were charged, two with aggravated assault and evading arrest and two with disorderly conduct and evading arrest.
Knoxville Chief of Police Paul Noel was quick to condemn the minor’s behavior Tuesday.
“This behavior is completely unacceptable, and it puts our Officers and residents at risk of legitimate physical and mental harm,” said Noel. “I am relieved that nobody was seriously injured and thankful that none of our Officers were injured. I also appreciate how our Officers handled what was an incredibly chaotic and stressful situation.”
KPD officials also report that later in the night officers responded to the same area on another call of someone shooting fireworks at cars and people. They arrested 21 year old Corey Armstrong near the 1900 block of Minnesota Avenue for unlawful possession of a weapon. He reportedly had fireworks and a gun on his person.
Our Queen, Dolly Parton, says she does not want to become a hologram.
During a press event for her upcoming album “Rockstar”, she was asked about the idea of a digital hologram being used in her place after she dies.
77-year-old Dolly replied that the body of work she already has here on Earth will suffice.
Holograms have recently been used for performances by the late Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson.
Amazon is recruiting workers for its Amazon Robotics Fulfillment site in Alcoa and have a satellite hiring office at the Foothills Mall in Maryville.
They will be there today (Wednesday) from 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Starting the week of July 9, the office will be open seven days a week, between 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, they will be open from 11 a.m. through 6 p.m.
They are offering workers starting wages at $16 per hour and up and they are hiring for full-time, part-time and reduced-time positions.
For more information on Amazon jobs, please go to https://hiring.amazon.com/promotions/new-sites#/?cmpid=CGCYCG362H11
An investigation is underway following a deadly July 4th accident in South Knoxville.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office responding to the 600 block of West Marine Road and the preliminary investigation suggests the vehicle went off the road, hitting a utility pole. That driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The woman behind some big changes within the Knoxville Police Department is stepping down from her position in July.
KPD today announced that Brooklyn Belk will step away from her role as the Department’s Deputy Chief of Professional Standards effective July 16th.
Belk was named to the new position in February; despite her short time on the job, she is credited with helping to better the internal investigations process, initiating multiple innovative department-wide training opportunities, and chairing the internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion working group.
Knoxville Police Department Chief Paul Noel praised the University of Tennessee law professor and former federal prosecutor.
“I am truly grateful to Brooklyn for her contributions, which were significant,” said Noel. “She invested a lot in our department and quickly became a valued and trusted member of our executive leadership team. Brooklyn leaves behind big shoes to fill.”
City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon also thanked Belk for her efforts over the last five months.
“I want to thank Brooklyn for all that she has accomplished in a short amount of time,” said Kincannon. “The changes that she has helped implement in the last few months have contributed to a stronger foundation for a more efficient and accountable police force. I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.”
In today’s release from the Department, Belk offered thanks and praise of her own, noting that she would remain available in a consulting role if and when needed.
“Law enforcement’s roles as both protector and servant are vital to a thriving and safe community. I appreciate Chief Noel and Mayor Kincannon for the opportunity to use my expertise to make real contributions to this work at the Knoxville Police Department. As I move forward to the next steps in my career as an advocate, litigator, and educator, I will continue to be a resource for the KPD leadership team and my predecessor, if ever called upon, and look forward to seeing the Police Department grow and prosper with this community under the Mayor and Chief Noel’s leadership. I will miss those with whom I worked most closely. I wish the entire team, civilian and uniformed staff, particularly the Office of Professional Standards’ Captain Brian Evans and his team, great success and safety.“
The process of identifying and selecting Belk’s successor is underway. Qualified applicants from across the country will be considered for the position, which is appointed by the Chief of Police.
