TWRA Confirms New State Record for Blue Catfish Caught

TWRA Confirms New State Record for Blue Catfish Caught

July 14, 2023

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has confirmed a new state record for a blue catfish caught by the same man who held the previous record set just last year. Micka Burkhart landed the huge fish on Barkley Reservoir in Stewart County. It hit the scales at 122 pounds, 3 ounces and was 57.5 inches in length with a girth of 42.5 inches.

Burkhart made the catch June 28. It was certified and the official record process was completed by the TWRA on July 11.

The new record surpasses the previous mark of a 118-pound catfish that Burkhart landed on Barkley Reservoir in September 2022.  Burkhart released both of his trophy catches.

Micka Burkhart with the state record blue catfish caught on Barkley Reservoir in Stewart County. He later released the trophy catch as he did his previous record holder. 

All Lanes Have Re-Opened Following a Hazmat Situation on I-75 South in Campbell County

All Lanes Have Re-Opened Following a Hazmat Situation on I-75 South in Campbell County

July 14, 2023

Updated story: Interstate 75 South in Campbell County has re-opened this afternoon after the interstate being shut down due to a hazmat situation following an accident involving three commercial vehicles last night at mile marker 135 near the Caryville exit. One lane was re-opened this morning while crews were still working the scene.

Original Story: Interstate 75 South in Campbell County has one lane re-opened this morning after being closed due to a hazmat situation following an accident involving three commercial vehicles last night at mile marker 135 near the Caryville exit.

TDOT says the one Tractor and front trailer has been recovered from an embankment with the rear trailer recovery in progress.

The right lane remains closed. Please check back for any updates.

TWRA: Four Kids Injured in Tellico Lake Boating Crash

TWRA: Four Kids Injured in Tellico Lake Boating Crash

July 13, 2023
WindRiver Marina at Tellico Lake Source: Google Earth September 2015

Lenoir City, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency reports four children were injured in a boating crash Wednesday, July 12.

TWRA officials say the crash occurred around 1:00 p.m. Four children were on a tube that was being pulled by a boat near the WindRiver Marina on Tellico Lake when another boat hit them.

Three of the children were taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with serious injuries.

The TWRA is investigating the incident.

Four Arrested in Cocke County “Stairway to Heroin” Drug Bust

Four Arrested in Cocke County “Stairway to Heroin” Drug Bust

July 13, 2023
Courtesy: Cocke County Sheriff’s Office

Newport, TN (WOKI) A Facebook post from the sheriff’s office says a “Stairway to Heroin” is shut down and four people are arrested early Thursday morning in Cocke County.

The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office, Newport Police Department, and the ATF served a narcotics search warrant at a residence at 1982 Brisk Way seizing over 127 grams of suspected meth and nearly 5 grams of suspected heroin along with other drugs, a handgun, ammunition, and cash.

Courtesy: Cocke County Sheriff’s Office

Police arrested 44 year-old Jackie “Crackerjack” Wilson and 56 year-old David Shults, both of Newport, along with 36 year-old Kelly Roberts and 34 year-old Dustin Messner.

All four were taken to the Cocke County Jail.

Wilson is being held in the detention center on a $250,000.00 bond and faces the following charges:

  • Unlawful possession of a handgun
  • Possession of a handgun during the commission of a dangerous felony
  • Possession of methamphetamine with intent
  • Three counts of possession of Heroin, Meth and Marijuana

Shults is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sale and deliver.

Roberts was arrested on a capais, drug paraphernalia, and sale and delivery of drugs.

Messer was arrested on a violation of probation.

SNAP Recipients Falling Victim to Fraudulent Activity According to Tennessee Department of Human Services

SNAP Recipients Falling Victim to Fraudulent Activity According to Tennessee Department of Human Services

July 13, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP recipients urged to beware after the Tennessee Department of Human Services says some cardholders have reported their benefits stolen.

Officials say fraudulent activity such as skimming, cloning and phishing are a problem and they are unable to reissue any stolen benefits for EBT cardholders. A replacement plan is currently under review by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

More than 740,000 people in Tennessee receive SNAP benefits.

TDHS encourages people to change the PIN number for their EBT card regularly and to check your balance regularly.

Cardholders who suspect fraud are asked to contact the EBT customer service line at 1-888-997-9444.

Authorities Identify Victim in Fatal Alcoa Highway Accident while Investigation Continues

Authorities Identify Victim in Fatal Alcoa Highway Accident while Investigation Continues

July 13, 2023

Knoxville Police are investigating a fatal accident on Alcoa Highway and have now identified the victim.

KPD says 38 year-old Kimberly Mendes was killed in yesterday morning’s crash near Cherokee Trail which involved her car, a SUV and a Fedex truck.

The preliminary investigation shows Mendes was hit by the truck which tried to merge lanes but hit her car causing it to cross the median and she was hit by the SUV.

Mendes was pronounced dead at the hospital and the SUV driver was taken to the hospital for severe, non-life-threatening injuries.

Popular Norris Lake Access Point to Close for Several Weeks

Popular Norris Lake Access Point to Close for Several Weeks

July 12, 2023
Source: Google Earth

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Beginning July 17, boating enthusiasts frequenting Brogan’s Access Area on Norris Lake will have to find alternate means of accessing the lake.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has announced that the primary public access point to Norris Lake in Claiborne County will be closed for several weeks for improvements. TWRA officials say that the improvements coming to the access area include grading, paving, and striping for a new parking area for additional vehicle and trailer parking.

Brogan’s Access Area is expected to remain closed through August 30th.

The TWRA added that the actual boat ramp at Brogran’s Access Area will be replaced “during the upcoming winter pool.”

Tennessee Announces Annual Sales Tax Holiday for Back-to-School Bargains

Tennessee Announces Annual Sales Tax Holiday for Back-to-School Bargains

July 12, 2023

Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers is right around the corner!

From July 28th through July 30th, clothing, school supplies and computers may be purchased tax-free. Certain restrictions apply. Items sold online are also eligible.

Exempt items include general apparel that costs $100 or less per item, such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, dresses, etc.

School and art supplies with a purchase price of $100 or less per item also qualify. Example items are binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils, and rulers and art supplies.

Computers, laptops and tablets for personal use which cost $1,500 or less are also exempt.

To read further, visit https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday.html

UPDATE: Investigation Continues into Fatal Early Morning Accident on Alcoa Highway

UPDATE: Investigation Continues into Fatal Early Morning Accident on Alcoa Highway

July 12, 2023

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE:

Knoxville Police Department officials have released more details about a deadly crash early Wednesday morning on Alcoa Highway near Cherokee Trail.

KPD officials say officers responded around 7:30 a.m. to the crash involving three vehicles: a sedan, an SUV and a Fedex truck.

Officials say a preliminary investigation indicates the sedan was driving south along the highway when the truck tried to merge lanes, hitting the sedan. The sedan then spun across the median, to be hit by the SUV.

The driver of the sedan was pronounced dead at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, while the SUV driver was taken to UTMC for severe, non-life-threatening injuries.

ORIGINAL STORY: Knoxville Police are investigating an early morning fatal crash on Alcoa Highway.

The crash happened near Cherokee Trail, one person was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The investigation is in the early stages, our Pete Michaels reporting that two cars were involved in that crash.

An Investigation is Underway after a Knoxville Family Falls Victim to Swatting

An Investigation is Underway after a Knoxville Family Falls Victim to Swatting

July 12, 2023

An investigating is underway after a Knoxville family falls victim to a swatting call.

Knoxville Police showed up at their home Monday and forced them out, it was all caught on their ring door bell.

In the video, the mother is shouting, and police are telling her to get down.

Swatting is when somebody calls in a fake threat to police and gives them the address of an unsuspecting person.

Swatting Victim Tatyana Smith there were five or six cop cars and even more officers at her house. The security camera video also captured the nervous exchange between her and the police.

Police told Smith they were looking for a 17-year-old after the anonymous teen reportedly told a suicide hotline that they killed a 4-year-old boy at that house. That claim was found to false.

A few months ago, the FBI started a swatting database to better track where swatting attempts are happening and how to hold people accountable for phony threats.

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