The Knoxville Police Department is investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a motorcycle on Western Avenue.
It happened Wednesday night near University Avenue. Police believe the motorcycle was driving west on Western Avenue when it was rear-ended by a vehicle, believed to be a silver or a light-colored sedan, that drove away from the scene.
The motorcyclists was taken to the hospital where he has died from his injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
Updated story: An investigation is underway after Hardin Valley Academy dismisses students early after a gas valve in a science lab was left running overnight.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office investigated a tip and found that a contract custodian intentionally left the gas valve running.
Officials with Knox County Schools say the employee was arrested and immediately fired by his employer.
Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler says after this week’s events in Nashville, they and KCS take any threat seriously. (rj)
Original story: Hardin Valley Academy has dismissed students early after a gas valve in a science lab was left running overnight, causing disruptions to learning.
Knox County Schools says the air was tested and no trace of gas was detected.
A military investigation is underway and nine soldiers are dead after two Blackhawks from Fort Campbell crashed on Wednesday night in Trigg County, according to Fort Campbell officials.
Fort Campbell officials confirmed two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) helicopters were involved in a crash and confirmed all nine crew members died as a result. The command is currently focused on caring for the servicemembers and their families.
The crash happened just before 10 p.m. on Wednesday near Maple Grove Road and Lancaster Road. The crewmembers were flying two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters during a routine training mission when the incident occurred.
During a press conference, Fort Campbell officials said there were five soldiers on one Blackhawk and four in the other. The investigation into what caused the crash is ongoing.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear called this “a tragic day for Kentucky” during the press conference at Fort Campbell, adding that resources will be available for the families.
After news broke on Wednesday night, Governor Beshear sent a message via Twitter asking for prayers.
“We’ve got some tough news out Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected,” Beshear said.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) is at the scene assisting the military investigation, along with several other agencies.
KSP said the two Blackhawks crashed in a field area and no residential damage is being reported. A perimeter was established around the debris field and the few residents in the area were asked to evacuate.
Nick Tomaszewski lives in south Cadiz and often observes helicopters from Fort Campbell pass overhead, but he said the two that flew by on Wednesday night seem out of the ordinary.
“So it’s nothing out of the norm to see helicopters, we see them all the time, but tonight there were two that were coming kind of straight up over our house, headed straight northbound, Tomaszewski said. “I told my wife, ‘wow, those look really close tonight’ for whatever reason…about a minute later, they were coming across and there was a large explosion in the sky almost look like a firework went off. And then the entire tree line lit up.”
Law enforcement, military vehicles, and ambulances filed in and out of the perimeter Thursday morning. An American flag could be seen through the side window of one emergency vehicle draped over where a gurney would be placed inside.
Fort Campbell officials held a press conference at the base to provide an update on the deadly crash. Governor Beshear was on-hand and offered words of encouragement to the deceased soldiers’ families. Brigadier General John Lucas says the two helicopters went down in an open field across from a residential area, avoiding additional casualties. An aircraft safety team from Fort Rucker, Alabama is traveling to Kentucky to investigate the crash and determine what exactly happened.
Officials with the Knoxville Fire Department are investigating two early morning fires.
Crews were first called to Beaumont Avenue and McSpadden Street area for a church fire. Due to heavy fire and rapidly changing conditions, the crew was forced outside to fight that fire. The building is a total loss.
The second fire on Baxter Avenue. Crews called to a home which was supposed to be vacant but officials say people were living in the home, which did not have working utilities. The home suffered heavy fire damage.
Knoxville Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian-involved crash.
It happened this morning on Dandridge Avenue near Hazen Street when calls came in for an unresponsive person believed to have been hit by a car.
Responding Knoxville Fire Department and AMR personnel attempted life-saving measures but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police believe the victim, an adult woman, was walking on the road when the crash happened and the driver of the involved vehicle is cooperating with authorities.
Talks of stricter gun control being talked about by lawmakers following the tragic shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville this week which left seven people dead, including the suspect.
Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett says changing gun laws isn’t the answer to end gun violence changing the hearts of people is the answer.
The victims include three 9 year-old students, a substitute teacher, custodian and the Head of the School. The investigation into this shooting continues as Metro Nashville Police look for a possible motive reading through information obtained from a search of the suspect’s home and car including a manifesto. They also learned the suspect was being treated for an emotional disorder.
Governor Bill Lee’s Comments: Addressing Tennesseans in a pre-recorded message from behind his desk, Governor Bill Lee posted a five-minute video talking about The Covenant School shooting.
The speech came a day after six victims lost their lives to a shooter at The Covenant School on Monday. The shooter died at the hands of the police.
Transcript of Governor’s Remarks:
Tennesseans, I want to say a few words about what our state experienced yesterday. What happened at Covenant School was a tragedy beyond comprehension.
Like many of you, I’ve experienced tragedy in my own life, and I’ve experienced the day after that tragedy. I woke up this morning with a very familiar feeling, and I recognize that today many Tennesseans are feeling the exact same way – the emptiness, the lack of understanding, the desperate desire for answers and the desperate need for hope.
All of Tennessee was hurt yesterday, but some parents woke up without children, children woke up without parents and without teachers, and spouses woke up without their loved ones.
Maria woke up this morning without one of her best friends, Cindy Peak. Cindy was supposed to come over to have dinner with Maria last night after she filled in as a substitute teacher yesterday at Covenant.
Cindy and Maria and Katherine Koonce were all teachers at the same school and have been family friends for decades.
Four other Tennesseans and members of the Covenant family – Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Mike Hill – were taken in an horrific act of violence.
Six innocent lives – three of them were children.
We are enduring a very difficult moment. I understand there is pain. I understand the desperation to have answers, to place blame, to argue about a solution that could prevent this horrible tragedy.
There will come a time to ask how a person could do this. There will come a time to discuss and debate policy.
But this is not a time for hate or rage. That will not resolve or heal. Everyone is hurting, and remembering that as we grieve and walk together will be the way we honor those who were lost.
We can all agree on one thing – that every human life has great value. We will act to prevent this from happening again. There is a clear desire in all of us, whether we agree on the action steps or not, that we must work to find ways to protect against evil.
Yesterday, while we saw the worst of humanity, we also saw the best of humanity in the police officers who ran into danger, directly toward a killer with no regard for their own life thinking only about those kids, those teachers, those administrators.
I had the opportunity to speak with Officer Engelbert and Officer Collazo today – two brave Tennesseans whose actions saved lives.
Gratitude doesn’t begin to cover it – for the utter selflessness of putting their lives between a killer and the innocent.
I am calling on the people of Tennessee to pray. For the families of victims, for the Covenant family, for those courageous officers, for the family of the shooter, for those who are hurting and angry and confused.
Prayer is the first thing we should do, but it’s not the only thing.
Law enforcement officials and educators across our state have been working for years, especially in the last year, to strengthen the safety of schools. That work was not in vain – the courage and swift response by the teachers, officers, and this community without a doubt prevented further tragedy.
There will be a time to talk about the legislation and budget proposals we’ve brought forward this year. And clearly there’s more work to do.
But on this day after the tragedy, I want to speak to that which rises above all else.
The battle is not against flesh and blood, it’s not against people. The struggle is against evil itself. We can’t forget this – and it’s very difficult – but we are called to not only love our neighbors, but to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, to pray for those who intend harm.
There is hope in the midst of great tragedy because God is a redeemer. What is meant for evil can be turned for good.
May we grieve in the days ahead, but not without hope. May we also act with wisdom, discernment, and grace.
And may we love, especially those who have lost.
How can you help: There is a way you can help those affected by Monday’s deadly shooting. Nashville Mayor John Cooper has shared The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is accepting donations. All the proceeds will go to the victims’ families. You can go https://www.cfmt.org/.
Scheduled Vigils: Tonight, Nashville’s Mayor and Council members to hold a candlelight vigil at Public Square Park. Metro Police Chief John Drake expected to be in attendance.
On Thursday, the Town of Ashland City will be holding a candlelight Vigil at Riverbluff Park at 6:30 p.m. You’re encouraged to bring a candle to light in honor of the victims.
Knoxville Police say this will be an extraordinary busy weekend with several big events going on ranging from festivals to tournaments and concerts.
Some events include The Big Ears Festival, The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, Dogwood Arts’ Chalk Walk, The Eagles concert and the second home match of Knoxville’s new professional soccer team One Knox Sporting Club.
All of these events mean a significant amount of road closures and general traffic concerns including some road closures.
General Information City-Owned Garages:
Parking in garages and parking lots owned by the city is free on weeknights after 6 p.m. and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Those garages and lots include:
State Street, Locust Street, City County Building and Market Square parking garages Parking lots on W. Jackson Avenue, between Gay Street and Broadway, and on Magnolia Avenue, between Gay and N. Central streets Old City parking lot between Patton and E. Jackson, except the staging area of the Big Ears Parade and locations along the route Dwight Kessel Garage will also provide additional free parking on nights and weekends for the events For more information, you can find a map of all city-owned lots and garages here, as well as a real-time tracker here.
Knoxville Area Transit:
KAT buses and trolleys will run regular schedules this weekend. You can find routes, maps and schedules here.
Warnings for Drivers:
Knoxville City officials asked for drivers to remain vigilant when driving in and around downtown, UT campus and Fort Sanders areas. Officials also asked drivers to pay attention to signage denoting road closures or extended stops, as well as to keep an eye out for pedestrians, cyclists, e-bike and scooter riders.
Big Ears Festival events and concerts will be held all over the Knoxville area, so you can also expect higher-than-average traffic around the Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Bijou Theatre, St. John’s Cathedral, Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville Museum of Art and Jackson Terminal, among other venues and road closures during the festival.
FRIDAY Big Ears Festival Street Party
Closure: Friday, March 31 at 8 a.m. to Saturday, April 1 at 10 p.m.
Depot Avenue between Williams and N. Central streets will be closed due to events at the Southern Railway Station and The Mill & Mine.
Events include a parade featuring festival performers, larger-than-life puppets by Cattywampus Puppet Council and many local community and youth organizations. For the area impacted, you can check the Big Ears Festival website here.
SATURDAY Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk
Closure: Saturday, April 1 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in and around Market Square, with a final award ceremony at 7 p.m. at the main Market Square pavilion. The event features around 300 artists and creative teams creating chalk masterpieces on the grounds of Market Square and nearby sidewalks. The roads going to be shut down are:
Market Street between Union and Church avenues Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets Clinch Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets
These are the same roads and areas that are closed down for the Knoxville Farmers’ Market that takes place during the warmer months in Market Square.
Big Ears Festival Parade
Closure: Saturday, April 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The festival’s parade will step off from the staging area at Willow and Patton avenues, under James White Parkway at 1 p.m., with roads and on-street parking closed along the parade route.
The New Orleans-style second-line procession will move west on Willow and turn right on N. Central Street, turn left on Jackson Avenue through the Old City, turn right on Gay Street, proceed over the bridge, turn right on Depot and disband into a street party at Depot Avenue and Ogden Street.
Big Ears Festival Parade route. Big Ears Festival Parade route.(Big Ears Festival) For more information on the parade, you can check the Big Ears Festival website here.
Covenant Health 5K & Kids’ Run
Closure: Saturday, April 1 from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For most of the weekend, you can expect to see closings at:
Clinch Avenue between Henley Street and World’s Fair Park Drive World’s Fair Park Drive between Clinch and Grand avenues The Kids’ Run will start at 5 p.m. on Clinch Avenue. The route then goes north on World’s Fair Park Drive, south on 11th Street and makes a loop on Clinch before circling back to the World’s Fair Park.
The 5K race will begin at 7 p.m. with the route running from World’s Fair Park on Clinch Avenue through the Fort Sanders neighborhood, utilizing mostly White Avenue for the westbound path and Forest and Grand avenues for the return leg of the race. The previously mentioned roads as well as those crossing the race route will be closed to through traffic. This will also include 17th Street, which the race route crosses twice.
Drivers in the area should expect to be stopped at intersections that cross the route. KPD officers positioned at road closures will allow cars to cross when there’s a break between runners.
Covenant Health 5K & Kids’ Run Covenant Health 5K & Kids’ Run(City of Knoxville) ON UT CAMPUS The Eagles in concert
The Concert begins at 8 p.m.
The concert will overlap with the Covenant Health’s 5K race, beginning at 7 p.m., with road closures including 17th Street. For all roads affected, you can check the course map here.
Parking in the lots and garages nearest Thompson Boling Arena will be $20, with cash as the only payment method accepted.
Free parking is available on the Agriculture campus starting at 4 p.m., with a shuttle that leaves from River Drive heading to the arena beginning at 6:30 p.m. The shuttle is wheelchair accessible.
One Knox Sporting Club
Gates at 5:30 p.m. with kick-off at 7 p.m.
Limited parking is available near the Regal Soccer Stadium, located off Neyland Drive via Joan Cronan Way. Parking on Stephenson Drive near the stadium is available for $5, payable by credit card only.
Alternatively, fans can park for free on the Agriculture campus visitor lot near the intersection of Joe Johnson and E. J. Chapman Drive and ride a shuttle to the stadium.
Men on Boats
Show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Men on Boats will also have showings at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and another on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Parking for Clarence Brown Theatre patrons is available in Lot 23 and in the McClung Tower on Volunteer Blvd.
SUNDAY Covenant Health Marathon and Half Marathon
Closure: Sunday, April 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Both the half and full marathons begin on Clinch Avenue at World’s Fair Park, connect to Philip Fulmer Way to Neyland Drive, to Kingston Pike through the Sequoyah Hills neighborhood.
The eastbound route goes along Third Creek Greenway, Tyson Park and through the Fort Sanders neighborhood following along Forest Avenue to World’s Fair Park. The half marathon ends there.
The route for the full marathon continues through the Old City into the Fourth & Gill neighborhood, takes a loop through East Knoxville including East Fifth and Washington Avenues before crossing Magnolia Avenue at North Bertrand. The route continues along Martin Luther King Jr Avenue to East Summit Hill behind downtown to East Hill Avenue and James White Parkway. The route then continues through South Knoxville along Island Home and Sevier avenues before heading back to World’s Fair Park by Gay Street through Market Square.
The Knoxville Fire Department is investigating the cause of an early morning house fire in North Knoxville.
Crews responding to Cedar Heights Road after someone driving by called to report the fire then knocked on the door of the home, a woman and her dog were inside and they made it out safe.
The caller used a water hose in an attempt to put out the fire and firefighters say it likely kept the fire from spreading before they arrived.
The back of the home has sustained moderate fire damage and smoke damage throughout the house.
The home did not have any working smoke alarms.
The Knoxville Fire Department is investigating the cause of an early morning house fire in North Knoxville.
Crews responding to Cedar Heights Road after someone driving by called to report the fire then knocked on the door of the home, a woman and her dog were inside and they made it out safe.
The caller used a water hose in an attempt to put out the fire and firefighters say it likely kept the fire from spreading before they arrived.
The back of the home has sustained moderate fire damage and smoke damage throughout the house.
The Historic Dogwood Trails open once again this Saturday to kick off Knoxville’s favorite springtime celebration.
Dogwood Arts is celebrating 68 years of its Trails & Gardens program by featuring the Trails of North Knoxville in 2023: Fountain City, North Hills, and Halls/Timberline.
The Dogwood Trails, Open Gardens, and Camera Sites are open to the public April 1-30th.
