Knoxville set a record in hotel revenue in 2022, by nearly 30% from the year before.

”These are numbers just that Knoxville pre-COVID, we just didn’t experience, and it’s just a great high. I think the hotels and restaurants everyone is happy, how long can we maintain it but what does the dip look like, if it comes, but all of it, I think even if we went flat ‘23 to ‘22 it would still be a record high,” said President of Visit Knoxville, Kim Bumpas.

The year 2022, saw a nearly 30% increase from the year before, which is close to $60 million by the end of the year.

“It’s huge and that plays into all of the numbers and why occupancy, average daily rate, revenues everything was at an all-time high in 2022,” said Bumpas.

Hotels alone brought in $273,800,000.

That figure drives hotel/motel tax and much more for a state that depends on tourism dollars.

”Tourism is the number two industry in the state and it is an industry that all it does is give you revenue, they visit and then they go back to where they live,” said Bumpas.

The University of Tennessee Athletics played a major role in the massive boom, but with so much going on in the city, it wouldn’t be fair to pin it solely on a successful team on the gridiron.

”Can I say that the University of Tennessee is a huge part of these numbers, yes I can. I can also say that our events in Knoxville help contribute to these numbers,” said Bumpas.

The hope is with more events coming to town in 2023, the trend will continue and 2022 wasn’t a one-off.

Story courtesy of WVLT

Tennessee’s First Lady, Maria Lee, is through the first phase of treatment for lymphoma and is preparing to undergo a bone marrow transplant, according to an announcement by her husband, Governor Bill Lee.

Gov. Lee released a statement on Thursday morning, thanking everyone for all the prayers and support since doctors discovered Maria had cancer in August 2022.

“Maria and I are grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support we have received since her lymphoma diagnosis last August. The first phase of treatment went well, and we thank the medical team for their exceptional care and commitment. Later this month, Maria will begin the next phase of treatment, as she prepares to undergo a bone marrow transplant. While there are difficult days ahead, Maria and I have great trust in the Lord. We too are praying that God brings peace and comfort to all Tennesseans who are facing challenges in their own lives. Governor Bill Lee

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Crime Unit issue a search warrant on an East Knoxville business which leads to a man being charged with counterfeiting charges.

KCSO issued the warrant on Britney’s Purses and Accessories on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue which is operated by Vincent Jones.

Complaints that Jones was selling counterfeit items lead to that search. In 2018 detectives served a similar search warrant at the same location for Food Stamp Fraud, Criminal Simulation, Theft and Computer Offenses.

Jones was found to be operating the same business and selling similar items. KCSO says the sale of these types of items not only affect the brand name’s reputation but have far- reaching impacts on lost profits, forced labor and human trafficking.

Jones is charged with Deceptive Business Practices, Use of a Counterfeit Mark or Logo and Money Laundering.

Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrest 26 year-old Jasmine Johnson, 26, after police said she carried nearly three pounds of fentanyl and more than one pound of methamphetamine off a Greyhound bus in Knoxville.

Police have recognized Greyhound as a hub for drug trafficking, according to a criminal complaint against Johnson.

“Based on my experience with other investigations and the experience of other officers at the KCSO (Knox County Sheriff’s Office), I know that individuals have used the Greyhound bus system as a means of transporting illegal narcotics from Detroit, Michigan for distribution in Knoxville and have done so for many years,” the arresting officer wrote in the criminal complaint.

Johnson traveled on a Greyhound bus from Detroit. Police noticed she was clutching a black duffel bag. According to the complaint, she got in a Lyft. Police pulled the car over for speeding in a construction zone.

Johnson initially told police she was in Knoxville visiting her mother for a few days. A K-9 Unit arrived at the scene and sniffed narcotics in Johnson’s duffel bag.

In a police interview, police said Johnson admitted she transported drugs to Knoxville and had done so three other times. She had also moved drugs to Atlanta and Cincinnati, police said.

WVLT News attempted to contact Greyhound for comment, but they did not respond.

Story courtesy of WVLT

The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office will hold a memorial service on the one year anniversary of Sergeant Chris Jenkins death.

Jenkins was killed in the line of duty when he was hit by a tractor-trailer on I-75 while trying to remove debris from the interstate. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Christopher Savannah, reportedly did not slow down with traffic while Jenkins was working and hit several cars and Jenkins.

The memorial service is set for this Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the sheriff’s office and is open to the public.