Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (Governor’s Office Video Message)
Nashville, TN (WOKI) In a video appeal to education leaders across Tennessee Wednesday, Governor Bill Lee announced that nearly $200 million in grants aimed at increasing student safety is now available to both public and non-public schools.
The money will come from two programs established in the “School Safety Bill” passed by the General Assembly this year.
“The first will provide funding to place a full-time armed SRO in each public school, and the second will provide critical funding to make physical security upgrades at public and non-public Tennessee schools,” said Lee.
A breakdown of the dollars sees $140 million going towards funding the SRO positions. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has opened applications for law enforcement agencies. They’re eligible for up to $75,000 per year, per school with an SRO from those departments.
Additionally, $40 million is going towards public school budgets for increased security, training and violence prevention programs. A final $14 million is available to non-public schools.
Lee says schools across Tennessee can apply for the grants now. For more information, including important application deadlines, and to apply go online to https://www.tn.gov/.
Roane County, TN (WOKI) A suspect in a Roane County shooting that happened in March has been indicted and charged by a Roane County grand jury.
One woman died and two other people were injured in the attack by 46 year old Brian Wilson at Midtown Auto Body on Roane State Highway in Harriman. Wilson was also shot and injured attempting to flee a Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper.
Wilson is charged with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder (three counts), aggravated assault (three counts), burglary, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon (two counts) and possession of a firearm with intent to go armed.
An investigation is underway after a fisherman from South Carolina dies after he fell from a boat into the Holston River in Grainger County.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says it happened yesterday (Tuesday) downstream of Smoky Island near Mary Lane in Rutledge. 75 year-old Robert Cogan fell overboard from a drift boat while on a guided trout fishing trip with another fisherman.
The guide was able to pull him to shore and performed CPR until EMS arrived but efforts were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
This incident marks the 14th fatal boating accident in the state this year.
A LaFollette woman allegedly has stolen more than $15,000 in lawn decorations outside of Food City stores across East Tennessee.
According to the Loudon Police Department, Ginger Smallwood went to Food City locations in Knoxville, Vonore, Lafollette and Anderson County and took Bear statues and Big Foot displays as well as other items. It is believed she stole more than 200 items.
Smallwood was caught on video loading the items into a pickup truck making several different trips.
“Believe it or not, she kept most of them. They were on her porch, her neighbor’s porch, the people across the street’s porch. She pretty much decorated her whole neighborhood,” According to Detective Brian Jenkins.
How did she manage to steal all those items? Investigators said Smallwood was caught on video loading the items into a pickup truck. She had to make several different trips, Jenkins said.
Smallwood is facing multiple felony charges but the investigation is ongoing as other agencies determine what charges may be filed in those counties.
Lenior City Police asking for help to find the suspect that fired shots in a Walmart.
It happened last night at the Walmart on Highway 321 a little after 8 p.m. Police say the shots were fired at the ceiling and no injuries were reported.
Mayor Tony Aikens says he’s hopeful someone will come forward with information about the shooting. Officials are offering a $5,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announces the launch of Project Milkweed, a new mail-order resource aimed at restoring and preserving habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinator species across Tennessee. Project Milkweed provides free native milkweed seeds to Tennesseans upon completion of an online form. Orders are taken on a rolling basis and will be fulfilled during September and October just in time for fall planting. To order seeds, get planting tips, and learn more about the benefits of milkweed, visit https://tnpollinators.org/milkweed/
“Pollinators are vital to life, growing food, and the economy of Tennessee,” TDOT Commissioner Butch
Eley said. “This effort is an excellent way to educate the public about their critical importance and the threats they face and expand pollinator-friendly practices from TDOT-owned rights-of-way to neighborhood backyards.”
Contrary to its name, milkweed is a flowering plant that serves a critical role as a host plant in the lifecycle of monarch butterflies. Host plants are necessary for the survival and growth of another organism. Milkweed provides a place for monarchs to lay their eggs and serves as food for their larvae and caterpillars. The natural toxins within the milkweed leave build-up in the body of the caterpillar and give the adult butterfly a bitter taste for protection against predators. Both the monarch butterfly population and milkweed habitats have experienced a 90% decline since 1992, and efforts like Project Milkweed are critical to restoring these pollinators and host plants.
Project Milkweed is a subset of TDOT’s Pollinator Habitat Program, a partnership between multiple state agencies and nonprofits that aims to conserve native pollinators and pollinator habitats. Pollinators are more diverse than just bees and butterflies and can include birds, bats, beetles, moths, and more. They are important not only for the growth of native wildflowers but also contribute an estimated $24 billion to the economy by pollinating food crops. Pollinators around the world are experiencing large population declines because of habitat loss, disease, pesticide use, and changing climate.
This announcement is made in conjunction with National Pollinator Week; a nationwide celebration and awareness effort that calls attention to the steps everyone can take to protect and restore pollinator populations. More information about National Pollinator Week can be found at https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator-week
Fox News reporting that President Biden’s son Hunter has reached a tentative agreement with federal prosecutors to plead guilty to two minor tax crimes including failing to pay federal income tax and admit to the facts of a gun charge under terms that would likely keep him out of jail, according to court papers filed today in U.S. District Court in Delaware.
Any proposed plea deal would have to be approved by a federal judge, and it is not immediately clear what day Hunter Biden will appear in court to enter his guilty plea.
The agreement caps an investigation that was opened in 2018 and has generated intense interest and criticism since 2020 from Republican politicians who accused the Biden administration of reluctance to pursue the case.
Knox County Engineering and Public Works received $1.5 million from TDOT as part of the Transportation Alternatives Program Grant. The funding from this grant will go towards the construction of the Powell Greenway and Pedestrian Bridge.
The greenway will connect the sidewalks of Powell Drive with the existing greenway on W Emory Road near Powell High School, Crown College to the high school, and the kayak launch on the northside of the river to the southside of the river. It will also include a pedestrian bridge that will cross Beaver Creek.
“Recreation is one of my top Knox County Priorities. The grant will help connect several outdoor recreation areas and make Powell more walkable,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.
EPW will work with the Legacy Parks Foundation, Knox County Parks and Recreation, and Enhance Powell to design the greenway. The project is estimated to cost $2.2 million; the grant will cover 80 percent of construction costs.
Another important milestone for Dollywood’s newest resort property, the much-anticipated Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, takes place on June 26 as guests can begin making reservations for stays this fall. The earliest available stay date is November 3, 2023.
On June 26, guests can visit Dollywood.com/HeartSong and search available dates to plan their visit to the Smokies’ newest premium resort.
Created with the same award-winning service and attention to detail made famous at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, HeartSong Lodge & Resort adds to the welcoming hospitality offerings guests have come to expect when visiting Dollywood Parks & Resorts.
“The opening of the booking window really starts to make things feel real,” said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “To know we’re just a few short months away from welcoming our first guests to this magnificent new property is really exciting. Each time I walk through HeartSong Lodge & Resort, it changes and evolves so much; it causes my anticipation of opening day to increase more and more. I believe everyone is going to be in awe as soon as they walk through the front doors. The hardest decision for our guests probably is going to be trying to decide which of our world-class resorts to stay at next!”
With its location in the rolling foothills of the majestic Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort offers a place where awe and inspiration await guests thanks to thoughtful details that emerge around every turn. From spacious accommodations to well-planned amenities, guests can enjoy a variety of spaces to recharge and relax within the 302-room lodge. Welcoming the outdoors in with high ceilings, exposed beams and natural layered textures, Dollywood’s newest resort offers lodging options for multi-generational families and couples. Spacious family suites and bunk rooms feature lovely touches that are inspired by the beauty of the Smokies, inviting guests of all ages to gather for meaningful connections.
For one-of-a-kind getaways, the five-story resort also features themed suites and loft rooms tucked into the dormers. Many of the rooms include balconies with sweeping views of the vast resort property. This Smoky Mountain lodge features four-story, lantern-inspired windows in the resort’s welcoming atrium, epic indoor and outdoor pools that provide guests a refreshing escape in all seasons, and a picture-perfect outdoor cove with family gathering spaces. With 26,000 ft. of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space, the property can accommodate gatherings for several hundred guests. The resort offers numerous options to provide a unique setting for groups, including the two-story HeartSong Event Center, numerous outdoor meeting spaces and an event lawn.
Guests can discover delicious new dining options, created by resort chefs, in the full-service restaurant, lounge, private dining room, and Songbird Market Grab & Go eatery. In addition, Honeysuckle & Pine Storied Goods Mercantile offers unique gifts and treasured keepsakes from this very special place.
All Dollywood resort guests also receive priority access to Dollywood parks, as well as Saturday early park entry for exclusive ride time on one of Dollywood’s world-famous attractions. Additionally, resorts stays include complimentary Dollywood TimeSaver passes, door-to-door transportation and package delivery for items purchased inside Dollywood theme park. All privileges only are available for guests with valid park admission.
