The White Pine Police Department is investigating the death of five-year-old child.
Officers with the WPPD, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, White Pine Fire Department and Jefferson County EMS went to Harrison Road yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. The call was for a five-year-old child with special needs in cardiac arrest.
They arrived on the scene within two minutes of the call to find the child dead who was then taken to the Knox County Forensic Center for an autopsy.
One person was arrested at the scene on a charge not related to the child’s death.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Holiday lights are returning to The Cove at Concord Park this season, free to the public.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs will be flipping the switch to kick-off the 26th annual Holiday Festival of Lights during a family-friendly event at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2.
The spectacular community lighting display offers people a chance to take in the holiday spirit at no charge, though you are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for The Love Kitchen.
The Love Kitchen provides meals, clothes and emergency food packages to the homeless and unemployed population in the area. In addition to bringing donations, event-goers can buy a Christmas mug (and free hot chocolate), with all proceeds going towards the group.
“The Festival of Lights is one of our most popular and well-loved events countywide,” Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said. “Traditions like this are what makes this time of year special. Folks have the chance to drop by, enjoy the festive atmosphere, give back to the community, or just spend time taking in the lights and activities.”
In addition to the many light displays, Santa’s Workshop will be open every day to collect letters to Santa, tell North Pole tales, and host Christmas crafts. Patrons also will have the opportunity to purchase cookie-making items and decorate ornaments each night of the week. The event also features train rides on Mondays.
With the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the festival runs 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. through December.
Knox County puts on the display each year, offering people a chance to take in the holiday spirit at no charge, though people are encouraged to bring donations for The Love Kitchen. (Courtesy: Knox County)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Allegiant announcing Tuesday that the airline would be offering three new flights out of McGhee Tyson Airport.
The discount airline is adding flights to Sarasota, Florida, Gulf Shores, Alabama and Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport.
The new flights start next year with one-way fares as low as $39.00. Here’s the schedule, as of now:
Sarasota
Flights to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
Flights begin Feb. 14
One-way fares start at $49
Gulf Shores
Flights to Gulf Shores International Airport
Flights begin May 21
One-way fares start at $49
Washington
Flights to Dulles International Airport
Flights begin May 23
One-way fares start at $39
“We’re excited to announce that Allegiant is expanding nationwide, offering even more travel options to our customers,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s chief commercial officer. “These additions reflect our ongoing commitment to meet customer demand. By connecting more cities, we’re making it easier for travelers to visit family and friends, access top leisure destinations, and create new memories. Our research shows that customers increasingly want affordability and convenience when they fly. Our low-cost fares and nonstop flights make Allegiant a top choice for leisure travelers.”
Discounted fares are part of the new flights’ introduction. To lock in the rate, passengers need to buy tickets by November 20 and travel by July 25, 2025.
Monroe County, TN (WOKI) A Monroe County murder suspect remains held without bail Tuesday following his first court appearance.
Nicholas Wayne Hamlett led law enforcement on an almost month-long manhunt before he was taken into custody in Columbia, South Carolina on November 10. He is accused of killing 34-year-old Steven Lloyd near the Cherohala Skyway, then making a bogus 911 call under the guise that he was an injured hiker in need of help, giving responders a false name and leading them to the scene where they found Lloyd’s body.
Hamlett was also appointed a public defender and given a date, November 26, for a possible preliminary hearing.
Hamlett is the suspect in a Monroe County murder, identity theft scheme and nationwide manhunt. (Courtesy: WVLT)
WASHINGTON, DC (November 18, 2024) – AAA projects 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period*. For the first time, AAA’s forecast includes the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day to better capture the flow of holiday travelers. This year’s projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019.
“Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Americans reconnect with family and friends over Thanksgiving, and travel is a big part of that. AAA continues to see travel demand soar post-pandemic with our members looking for new adventures and memorable vacations.”
Thanksgiving Travelers By Mode
By Car: AAA projects a record 71.7 million people will travel by car over Thanksgiving – that’s an additional 1.3 million travelers on the road compared to last year. This year’s number also surpasses pre-pandemic numbers when 70.6 million people drove to their Thanksgiving destinations in 2019.
Gas prices are lower this Thanksgiving season compared to 2023. The national average last Thanksgiving Day was $3.26. Falling oil prices this autumn may help push the national average below $3 a gallon for the first time since 2021, and that could happen before drivers hit the road for Thanksgiving. Regionally, drivers east of the Rockies will find gas between $2.25 to $2.50 a gallon in more than a dozen states.
AAA car rental partner Hertz says Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, and Phoenix are the cities displaying the highest rental demand for the Thanksgiving holiday. The busiest car pick-up day is expected to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the busiest rental return days will be the Monday and Tuesday after the holiday.
By Air: Thanksgiving air travel is also expected to set a new record. AAA projects 5.84 million people will fly domestically this holiday. That’s an increase of 2% compared to last year and a nearly 11% increase over 2019. According to AAA booking data, air travelers are paying 3% more for domestic Thanksgiving flights this year, while the number of flight bookings is similar to last year. International flight bookings are up 23% compared to last Thanksgiving, in part because the cost to fly internationally is down 5%.
By Other Modes: Nearly 2.3 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises, and trains. This category is seeing an increase of almost 9% compared to last year and an 18% jump over 2019, in large part due to the popularity of cruising. The demand for cruises has been red-hot post-pandemic. Domestic and international cruise bookings are up 20% compared to last Thanksgiving.
Best/Worst Times to Drive and Peak Congestion by Metro
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says the worst times to travel by car over Thanksgiving are Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. The best time to hit the road is Thanksgiving Day itself when interstates and highways are typically clear. Drivers returning home on Sunday should leave early in the morning, and those coming back on Monday should expect a mix of travelers and work commuters on the road.
“With a record number of travelers expected to be on the road, drivers should follow traffic apps and local news alerts to avoid major delays,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “This is especially important for drivers in metropolitan areas like Boston, New York, LA, Seattle, and Washington, DC, where traffic is expected to be more than double what it typically is on a normal day.”
Please note that the times listed below are for the time zone in which the metro is located.
For example, Atlanta routes = ET and Los Angeles routes = PT.
MEDIC Regional Blood Center is behind in the 37th Orange and Blue Blood Drive against Kentucky Blood Center.
Tennessee is trailing Kentucky by 66 units after the first day of the competition which last through Friday.
MEDIC has lost to the Kentucky Blood Center in the last two years.
A big change for this year, the event is appointment only. Please go to https://medicblood.org/ to schedule yours today.
Donors will receive a special edition hoodie and coupons for various local organizations. Sizing is first come, first served. Sizes are not guaranteed with an appointment.
With assistance from the Organized Retail Crime Unit and S.W.A.T., the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant in the 7000 block of Dogwood Drive in the Rocky Hill community this afternoon.
The search warrant was in response to numerous complaints from nearby residents regarding suspected drug activity, including overdoses.
As a result of the search warrant, two suspects have been arrested.
Jackie Hunley, 50, of Knoxville, is charged with maintaining a dwelling for drug use and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Leslie Pilipovic, 45, of Knoxville, had an outstanding warrant.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are expected.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) The City of Knoxville will cut the ribbon on the Sunsphere’s new welcome center Wednesday, but the center won’t be the only change for the Knoxville icon.
The welcome center’s canopy will also house an array of solar panels, which will power the venue through solar energy.
Chroma Energy Group is behind the addition; the group said the array will pay homage to the 1982 World’s Fair’s theme: “Energy Turns the World.”
“As Knoxville continues to position itself as a clean energy hub for businesses and residents, Chroma is honored to take part in this pivotal project for downtown Knoxville,” said Ed Rottmann, CEO of Chroma Energy Group. “This installation not only generates clean electricity but serves as an educational tool, demonstrating how solar power can be seamlessly integrated into historic structures while preserving their architectural significance.”
The welcome center’s canopy will house 30 7.7 kilowatt solar panels which will generate around 10,000 kilowatt-hours of power each year.
Those interested in stopping by the Sunsphere for the Welcome Center’s opening day are invited to do so on November 20.
Chroma Energy Group said the array will pay homage to the 1982 World’s Fair’s theme: “Energy Turns the World.” (Courtesy: Rich Benjamin and or Ray Surface RBA Marketing & Media | Visit Knoxville)
Oak Ridge, TN (WOKI) Several Oak Ridge residents can expect a letter from the city telling them they could have been exposed to lead through drinking water service lines.
The city says crews conducted a service line survey and found that “many properties” have lines made out of “an unknown material” which means people could have been exposed to lead.
Service lines connect water mains to building inlets. Oak Ridge’s service line is owned in part by the city and in part by the owner of the property it services. City officials say the unknown material was found in both portions of the service line.
If you get the notice, you are being asked to fill out a survey to help crews identify what material the line is made of. Please go to oak ridge tn dot gov and search lead exposure.
Oak Ridge officials said crews conducted a service line survey and found that “many properties” have lines made out of “an unknown material.” (Pexels)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Police Department officials have identified the officers involved in the shooting of an axe-wielding man Tuesday in North Knoxville.
KPD says Officers Alexandra Burns and Eric Smith were “involved” in the shooting in the 2600 block of Fairview Street and that both have been with the department since 2020 serving the Field Operations East District.
The officers were called to a domestic situation, finding 52-year-old Christopher Arons of Knoxville outside of the home armed with an axe.
Christopher Arons, 52 (Courtesy: JIMS)
Arons was reportedly shot at least one time after refusing the officers’ requests to drop the axe and continuing to advance upon them.
He remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Per standard protocol, both officers have been placed on routine administrative leave.
It happened in the 2600 block of Fairview Street Tuesday afternoon, department officials said.(Courtesy: WVLT)
