The Knoxville Fire department says an improper heating device inside a home is the cause of a house fire in South Knoxville that causes moderate damage to the home.
Crews called to Skyline Drive yesterday not long after responding to another fire in the area. They found the fire in the living room and say it was caused by a gas grill propane gas tank being used inside for heating purposes.
KFD says this is an extremely dangerous because not only can it cause a fire the CO emitted can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. The home did not have working smoke detectors.
One man lives in the home and the American Red Cross is assisting him.
No injuries were reported.
The Knoxville Fire Department says the cause of a South Knoxville house fire is unattended cooking equipment.
Crews called to a basement fire on Plymouth Road and found light smoke coming from the basement and they were told everyone was out of the home.
The home sustained moderate damage to a basement kitchen area.
Three adults live in the home.
No injuries reported. The American Red Cross is assisting residents.
KFD says unattended cooking is the leading cause of residential fires in the United States.
Update: Knoxville Police say the truck pulled out of the Holston River was reported stolen and they are still searching for a suspect.
Knoxville Fire Department crews and KPD responded to Holston River Park in East Knoxville yesterday to remove the truck from the river and no one was found in the vehicle.
KPD says the owner of the truck parked it outside his house on Churchwell Avenue Monday night but found it gone when he was leaving for work at 2 a.m. yesterday morning.
Original story: The Knoxville Fire Department and Knoxville Police investigating after a truck is found submerged in Holston River Park in East Knoxville.
KFD was called yesterday to remove the truck from the river and say no one was in the vehicle. KPD was also called to the scene and are looking into the circumstances that truck ended up in the water.
Tennessee lawmakers looking at many bills this session they expect will help keep children and the community safe.
Many bills involve more driving regulations for distracted drivers, harsher penalties for suspects accused of harming children and a new approach to informing youth about voting.
Some of those include:
Bill: SB0531
Goal: Requires the Department of Children’s Services to maintain staffing to allow case managers to have no more than 20 open social work cases.
Bill: SB1316
Goal: Increase the penalty for the offense of possession of a used, detached catalytic converter.
Bill: SB0445
Goal: To increase the penalty, from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor, for educational neglect of a child who is in poor academic standing
Bill: SB0193
Goal: To increase the penalty to a Class B felony with a fine of up to $100,000 for drug offenses involving 0.5 grams or more of fentanyl.
Bill: SB0378
Goal: To regulate the production and sale of hemp-derived cannabinoids, including products known as delta-8 and delta-10.
Bill: SB0983
Goal: Limits the offense of criminal abortion to only apply to elective abortions.
Bill: SB0022
Goal: To require each local law enforcement agency to assemble, by January 1, 2024, an adult sexual assault response team to assist in responding to incidents of sexual assault.
Bill: SB0346
Goal: To require each high school to inform each high school senior that upon reaching the age of 18 the student may be eligible to vote and provide information from the secretary of state about voter eligibility and how to register to vote.
Bill: SB0589
Goal: To enact the “Eddie Conrad Act,” which establishes the number of points to be charged to a person’s driving record for violations of driving while using a wireless telecommunications device.
Bill: SB0552
Goal: To enact the “Sergeant Chris Jenkins Law”; which requires loose items being transported in open beds or trailers to be secured.
A two-day undercover operation by special agents with the TBI Human Trafficking Unit, the Bristol Police Department, the 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the 2nd Judicial District Attorney General’s Office has resulted in the arrest of eleven men accused of seeking illicit sex from minors.
Over a two-day period beginning March 9th, as part of an undercover investigation aimed at addressing human trafficking in Northeast Tennessee, authorities placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex cases. The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. As a result of the operation, authorities arrested eleven men. All were booked into the Sullivan County Jail on the following charges:
Johnathan Michael Campbell (DOB: 11/2/92), Johnson City: Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor, two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor and one count of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia. $50,000 bond. James Stephen Samples (DOB: 9/28/72), Hurricane, WV: Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond. Isaac Darko Addo (DOB: 11/26/84), Johnson City: One count of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond. George Chavez Lopez (DOB: 3/10/94), Morristown: Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond. Casey Aaron Miller (DOB: 6/4/88), Boone, NC: One count of Solicitation of a Minor, one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor and one count of Simple Possession/Casual Exchange. $50,000 bond. Adonius Deondre Fields (DOB: 1/17/98), Johnson City: One count of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond. Stacy Ray Harrington (DOB: 3/18/74), Blountville: One count of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond. Ismael Villa Arzate (DOB: 6/17/90), Weaverville, NC: One count of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond. Paul Brandon Alley (DOB: 9/29/80), Hellier, KY: Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond. Carlos Perez-Jose (DOB: 2/11/93), Johnson City: Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond. Bruce M. Byrd (DOB: 3/12/83), Spartanburg, SC: Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond.
“Because of the hard work and determination of the officers involved in this investigation and others like them who serve our community, the predators driving the demand for human trafficking can no longer hide in the shadows of the internet,” said Bristol Tennessee Police Department Chief, Matt Austin. “This operation sends the strong message that we remain vigilant and committed to the safety of our children. Be assured that the Bristol Tennessee Police Department will continue to commit its full resources to protecting our children and making sure those who harm or exploit them are held accountable.”
Information about human trafficking and law enforcement’s actions to address the issue in Tennessee can be found online at https://www.ithastostop.com/.
Knoxville Police are searching for two people in connection to a fatal shooting in Western Heights.
Police asking for help to find 26 year-old Ronald Rogers and 28 year-old Carissa Rogers for questioning in the shooting death of a 25 year-old victim of Detroit, Michigan.
The victim was found Saturday afternoon outside of an apartment complex on Reed Street, he died at the hospital.
Anyone with information is asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible to receive a cash reward.
The 313 initiative leads Knoxville Police to more fentanyl arrests in the on-going operation to stop drugs believed to be coming from Detroit to Knoxville.
KPD officers stopped a car with expired Illinois tags on Martin Luther King Drive Friday which led to the seizure of over 80 grams of suspected fentanyl packaged for resale, a loaded firearm and the arrest of convicted felon out of Detroit on numerous charges.
Back in February, district attorneys from across East Tennessee announced the new ‘313 Initiative.’ It’s a joint effort by five DA’s, TBI, the DEA, and several other law enforcement agencies to crack down on deadly drugs coming into East Tennessee.
Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen says cleaning up drugs in East Tennessee could also lead to the reduction of several other violent crimes since they’re often connected.
A man wanted for questioning in a missing person case by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is found.
Investigators say Lee Denton, who was wanted for questioning connection to the March 1 disappearance of a missing man, was found in Hamblen County after being arrested there on an unrelated charge.
The missing person investigation is still underway.
Rural Metro is investigating a house fire which sends two people to the hospital in critical condition.
It happened yesterday in the 4100 block of East Governor John Sevier Highway. Fire officials say that a man was outside of the home when they arrived and told responders that his wife was still inside. She was rescued by firefighters. Their conditions have not been updated this morning.
The Tennessee Smokies ballpark coming to downtown Knoxville is one step closer for construction to get underway as the Sports Authority Board approves to finalize the financial plan for the multi-use stadium.
The City of Knoxville, Knox County, and Owner of the Smokies, Randy Boyd now say the ballpark is going to cost $114 million.
Taxpayers will pay for $65 million of new downtown stadium through a bond issue.
Smokies owner Randy Boyd is paying more than $30 million and promised to cover the cost of any future price increases.
The final development agreement, and financial plan, will be voted on at a meeting later this month.
MEDIC Regional Blood Center is kicked off Blood Bank Madness with participating blood centers across the nation beginning Monday, March 6.
Inspired by the collegiate level basketball tournament, the second annual Blood Bank Madness includes 10 teams competing for the champion title to see which donor base rolls up their sleeves for some friendly competition.
“Everyone at MEDIC loves competition, and we love college sports so this is a great way to celebrate both while collecting much needed products,” said communications and public relations director Kristy Altman. “Donating blood products saves the lives of your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues, and your donation could help us bring home the title.”
Each week, two blood banks will compete in head-to-head matchups from March 6 through April 2. Points are calculated by the number of blood donations that each blood bank receives each week. The blood center that has the largest gain in donations compared to the same week in 2022 will move forward becoming one step closer to receiving the championship title.
MEDIC will be matched against ImpactLife. Results will be announced every Tuesday via social media at @medicbloodcenter. The final winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 4. Participating teams include:
Carter Blood Care (North, Central and East Texas)
Community Blood Bank (Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York)
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center (South Texas)
Houchin Community Blood Bank (California)
ImpactLife (Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin)
Inova Blood Donor Services (Virginia, DC and Maryland)
LifeServe Blood Center (Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota)
LifeSouth (Florida, Alabama, Georgia)
Medic Regional Blood Center (Tennessee)
Appointments are preferred, but walk-in donors are welcome. Donors can call 865-524-3074 to schedule their appointment or visit medicblood.org/donate or download the new MEDIC donor app to search for a drive closest to them and schedule their appointment. For more information on MEDIC Regional Blood Center, please visit our website at https://medicblood.org/ or by phone at 865-805-2008.
