Greenville, TN (WOKI) Two access areas on the Nolichucky River in Greene County are reopening following damage wrought by Hurricane Helene.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is reopening the Poplar Springs Access Area and Joe Johnson Access Area at Bird’s Bridge for public use, both of which were severely damaged in late September when the Nolichucky River flooded during Hurricane Helene.
Poplar Springs Access Area (Courtesy: TWRA)
TWRA officials are reminding boaters and anglers to continue using caution when boating in Helene-affected waters by keeping a lookout for debris and changes in overall river conditions, as well as always wearing a personal floatation device.
Rankin Access Area on the French Broad River was also damaged and will likely remain closed until the spring of 2025.
Joe Johnson Access Area at Bird’s Bridge (Courtesy: TWRA)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knox County Schools student is arrested Tuesday morning for having a gun on school property.
Knoxville Police Department officials say a KPD School Resource Officer at West High School was notified that a 15-year-old student had potentially brought a gun to school.
KPD says another student notified school administration that the student was showing off the gun in a school bathroom.
The 15-year-old student was searched and found in possession of a loaded handgun in his backpack; he was charged for carrying a weapon on school property.
KPD adds that the student had not made any threats of violence.
Knoxville police say a Knox County Schools student has now been arrested for having a gun on campus.(Courtesy: WVLT)
Medic Regional Blood Center loses the 37th annual blood drive against Kentucky who keeps the trophy for the third year in a row but Medic is still a winner. Both Blood Centers have been able to stock blood supplies during a period when donations are low.
Kentucky collected 2,453 pints of blood during the week long blood drive while Medic collected 2,059 units which will be helpful during the holiday season.
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.
