At approximately 5:20 am this morning (Tuesday), Knox County 911 Communications District received a call about their neighbors house on fire. The caller stated that they could see flames on their neighbor’s roof.
When the first engine company arrived, they had heavy fire through the roof of the home. The crew from the first due company was able to make entry into the home to attack the fire. Most of the fire was in the attic in the back part of the home.
The fire was mostly extinguished by 5:40 am with the rear of the home suffering major fire and water damage.
As of 6:15 am crews were still on scene extinguishing hotspots.
There was one individual and 5 cats living in the home. The homeowner was able to escape without injury and crews are working to locate the animals.
There are no injuries to report of personnel or citizens.
Knoxville Fire Department investigators are on scene working to determine a cause.
Nashville, TN (WOKI) A bill that would limit cell phone use in Tennessee classrooms has been introduced.
House Bill 13 (HB13), introduced Tuesday by State Representative Republican Scott Cepicky, would require school boards to adopt policies prohibiting students from using “wireless communication devices” during class, with some exceptions.
Exceptions include using phones for educational purposes, under the directive of teachers, for student health emergencies and for the needs of disabled students.
The measure would also allow teachers to take devices from students who break the rules of the usage policies.
Currently, at least eight states have cell phone restrictions in schools.
The 114th Tennessee General Assembly is set to convene on January 14.
Currently, at least eight states have cell phone restrictions in schools. (Tennessee State Capitol / Credit: State of Tennessee)
The Knoxville Police Department has released the pertinent body-camera footage from the police shooting that happened in the 2600 block of Fairview Street last Tuesday.
Just before 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Knox County 9-1-1 received multiple calls concerning an active disturbance involving a man armed with an axe. Minutes later, KPD officers Eric Smith and Alexandra Burns arrived at the scene and confronted the subject of that disturbance, who has since been identified as 52-year-old Christopher Arons. Arons was armed with a small axe.
After shots were fired, responding officers rendered medical aid until emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene and transported Arons to the UT Medical Center for further treatment. Arons is expected to recover from his injuries.
Arons has since been charged with two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of vandalism.
A link to the video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com.mcas.ms/watch?v=3wdmQjABoOI. The video release includes one of the 9-1-1 calls and body-camera footage that begins upon Officer Smith’s arrival at the scene. The video shows graphic images that could be disturbing to some viewers and viewer discretion is advised.
The shooting is being investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, per standard protocol, while the KPD’s Office of Professional Standards is also conducting an internal administrative investigation. Both of those investigations are still ongoing. Officers Smith and Burns remain on routine administrative leave.
Per department policy, in the event of a critical incident, the Office of Public Information in coordination with the Technical Services Unit and other appropriate department personnel, will immediately begin preparing a video of said incident for public release. The purpose of the video release is to inform the community of the circumstances that led to the incident in a timely fashion. The department strives to release critical incident video to the public as expeditiously as possible, in coordination with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
(Story courtesy of KNOXVILLE, TN WVLT) – The City of Knoxville is offering many holiday events as we get ever closer to the most wonderful time of year.
The city hosts yearly activities for those looking to get into the holiday spirit, and 2024 is no exception.
Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Great Smoky Mountains for Thursday night into late Friday morning prompting a number of road and trail closures.
The advisory began Thursday at 4:00 p.m. and goes until 10:00 a.m. Friday.
Officials with the National Park Service say the following roads are impacted:
US 441/Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg and Cherokee at 2 p.m.
Laurel Creek Road at 6 p.m.
Cades Cove Loop Road at 6 p.m.
Foothills Parkway West at 6 p.m.
Upper Tremont at 6 p.m.
NPS officials say they will assess conditions Friday morning and make a decision whether or not to reopen.
A Winter Weather Advisory was issued for the Great Smoky Mountains for Thursday night into Friday. (Courtesy: GSMNP)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Thursday marked the grand opening of Liberty Place, a veteran-focused housing development in Knoxville.
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) headed up the project, which aims to give veterans an affordable place to live with support from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Liberty Place provides safe and essential housing for veterans who need assistance to stabilize their life,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “It’s also important that these residents have the necessary resources to maintain that stability. Liberty Place not only provides a safe home, but also on-site supportive services to help ensure a successful transition to permanent housing.”
The complex also features 32 furnished units for veterans at risk of homelessness.
Project organizers are also taking supply donations for items like towels, sheets, cookware and more.
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) headed up the project, which aims to give veterans an affordable place to live with support from the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Courtesy: KCDC)
Kingston, TN (WOKI) A man is arrested after he was found sleeping in his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air in the parking lot of a Weigel’s.
The Kingston Police Department says they received a complaint about the man at the Gallaher Road store.
They found Timothy Wright, “slumped over in the driver seat.”
Police say his license was suspended and there was a warrant out for his arrest for violation of probation.
They found a baggy that they believed had more than 14 grams of methamphetamine.
Wright was arrested and charged with violation of probation, driving on a suspended license, manufacture, deliver and sale of a controlled substance and driving while in possession of methamphetamine.
Officers responded to the Weigel’s on Gallaher Road after getting a tip a man was passed out in a car in the parking lot. (Courtesy: Kingston Police Department via Facebook)
