Probation Office Shooting Leaves Man Dead, Woman Injured, Maryville Police Chief Says

Probation Office Shooting Leaves Man Dead, Woman Injured, Maryville Police Chief Says

November 14, 2024

Maryville, TN (WOKI) One man is dead and a woman is injured following a shooting Thursday morning at the office of adult probation in Maryville.

Officials with the Maryville Police Department say an active shooter call prompted a large police response around 10:00 a.m. at Blount County’s adult probation office.

The caller told police that two people, a man and a woman, had been shot; they were later identified as 39-year-old Brian Steven Yates and 43-year-old Rikki Nicole Allen.

MPD says Yates shot Allen then himself. Officials add that the two share two children, but neither were present during the shooting.

No other injuries were reported, and the investigation is ongoing.

Scene safe after shooting in Maryville, police say. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Monroe County Murder Suspect’s Wife Arrested, Warrant Says

Monroe County Murder Suspect’s Wife Arrested, Warrant Says

November 14, 2024

Monroe County, TN (WOKI) The wife of a man accused in a Monroe County murder has been arrested.

Nicholas Hamlett made headlines after he was accused of murdering 34-year-old Steven Lloyd, making a fake call to 911 claiming he was a distressed hiker, then fleeing the state; he was taken into custody on Sunday.

According to charging documents, Hamlett’s wife, Taylor Fiber, is now facing numerous charges including lying to police concerning her husband’s identity and helping Hamlett evade capture by purchasing him a bus ticket to South Carolina so he could flee the state.

Fiber’s arrest warrant also states she warned Hamlett that law enforcement was on the lookout for him.

Nicholas Wayne Hamlett made headlines after he was accused of murdering 34-year-old Steven Douglas Lloyd, making a fake call to 911 claiming he was a distressed hiker, then fleeing the state. (Courtesy: TBI)
Child Sex Crimes Suspect Sean Williams Found Guilty in Greeneville Trial

Child Sex Crimes Suspect Sean Williams Found Guilty in Greeneville Trial

November 14, 2024

Greeneville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 11/14: The verdict is in for Sean Williams. The federal trial undertaken this week in East Tennessee for Williams who prompted a month-long manhunt after escaping custody in October of 2023.

The 55-year-old Williams found guilty on all counts after less than 30 minutes of jury deliberation Thursday in his child sex crimes trial.

Williams faces a minimum of 15 years on each count and a maximum of 30 years on each.

The former Johnson City businessman is charged with three federal counts of child sex crimes; specifically, court documents said he had several pictures and videos of minors that he assaulted in Johnson City.

Williams’ case also prompted a lawsuit against Johnson City, which claimed police officers knew about his crimes but never charged him.

The department has denied the allegations.

ORIGINAL STORY: After a series of delays and an eleventh-hour rejection of a plea deal Tuesday, the federal trial for child sex crimes suspect Sean Williams is underway in Greeneville.

The 55-year-old Williams led law enforcement on a manhunt after escaping custody in October of 2023 while being transported from Laurel County, Kentucky to Greeneville, Tennessee.

Williams was later taken into custody and charged with three federal counts of child sex crimes. Specifically, court documents said he had several pictures and videos of minors that he assaulted in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Apart from the charges Williams faces, his case also prompted a lawsuit against Johnson City, which claimed police officers knew about his crimes but never charged him. The department has denied the allegations.

Sean Williams is arrested after fleeing custody. (Courtesy: Avery Jordan | Tennessee Bureau of Investigation)

Teen Charged with Second Degree Murder for the Stabbing Death of a 13 Year-Old in Powell to be Tried as Adult
WVLT

Teen Charged with Second Degree Murder for the Stabbing Death of a 13 Year-Old in Powell to be Tried as Adult

November 14, 2024

There is an update and the murder case of a 13-year-old girl in Powell.

Prosecutors say the 15-year-old suspect Malakiah Harris could be tried as an adult during a preliminary hearing yesterday (Wed). Steps are in motion to transfer him to adult court.

Judge Tim Irwin says this could take a while, Harrris will appear in court again next year in January.

He is accused of stabbing a 13 year-old girl to death in Broadacres Subdivision on October 22nd.

Harris’s is charged with second degree murder.

Man Facing Felony Charge Out of Virginia in Custody After Lengthy Knoxville Police Chase
WVLT

Man Facing Felony Charge Out of Virginia in Custody After Lengthy Knoxville Police Chase

November 14, 2024

A Knoxville man is in custody after a lengthy police chase.

35 year-old Anthony Dennis is facing several charges, including felony reckless endangerment, after the chase.

He was spotted by police Friday night at his home on Langly Place and officers who tried to take him into custody for an existing warrant but he left the scene in his car on Parkside Drive “driving extremely erratic.”

From there, the report outlines how Dennis drove through residential neighborhoods, along Kingston Pike and even on Pellissippi Parkway in the wrong direction.

During the chase, which spanned several officers as they made the decision to pull back and others reengaged, Dennis drove dangerously.

Officers outlined how Dennis swerved in front of cars while driving in the wrong direction, moving out of the way at the last second to avoid hitting them before he eventually crashed on Ball Camp Byington Road in the Hardin Valley area.

According to the report, Dennis then tried to run on foot, but was caught by an officer’s K9.

Dennis is wanted out of Virginia for a felony violation of parole.

Knoxville Fire Department is Investigating a South Knoxville House Fire
KFD

Knoxville Fire Department is Investigating a South Knoxville House Fire

November 14, 2024

An investigation is underway following a house fire in South Knoxville.

The Knoxville Fire Department called to the fire in the 2600 block of Bafford Place last night (Wednesday) and found a small fire near the home’s fireplace which had extended into the attic space.

The home has suffered moderate smoke, water and fire damage.

Everyone inside including several dogs were able to escape uninjured.

The American Red Cross is assisting.

Collaboration Between Knoxville Agencies Aims to Lower Response Times in Knox County

Collaboration Between Knoxville Agencies Aims to Lower Response Times in Knox County

November 13, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) American Medical Response and the Metro Drug Coalition are leading a new initiative aimed at decreasing emergency response times in the Knoxville area.

AMR, which provides ambulance service to Knox County, together with MDC and several other agencies have formed the Mission District Medical Team to address, specifically, medical needs among the city’s homeless population which don’t actually require an emergency response.

The team is collaborating to offer services like wound care, drug resources and STI tests every Tuesday and is comprised of responders with:

  • AMR
  • The Knox County Health Department
  • The Knoxville Fire Department
  • Knoxville Area Project Access
  • The Metro Drug Coalition

AMR has long pointed to the Mission District, the area on North Broadway underneath the I-40 overpass near Knox Area Rescue Ministries and The Salvation Army, as a reason for increased ambulance wait times.

Leaders behind the project said they are hopeful this effort will reduce the number of non-emergency hospital visits, in turn freeing up resources and improving response time.

Collaboration between Knoxville agencies aims to lower response times in Knox County. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Knoxville Police Investigating Fifth Deadly Motorcycle Crash in Less Than a Month

Knoxville Police Investigating Fifth Deadly Motorcycle Crash in Less Than a Month

November 13, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Police are investigating the fifth fatal motorcycle crash in less than a month, this one on Western Avenue with speed believed to be a contributing factor.

The crash happened Tuesday night at Knoxville College Drive involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck.

The investigation revealed that the motorcycle was going west on Western Avenue at speeds possibly in excess of 100 miles per hour when it collided with the rear of a pickup truck, which had turned onto Western Avenue from 21st Street prior to the collision.

The motorcycle driver, a 35-year-old man, was taken to UT Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The crash happened Tuesday night, around 7:45, on Western Avenue at Knoxville College Drive. (Frankly Media)
Alabama Town says a Water Tower ‘screams’ Tennessee Vols Isn’t a Prank
City of Calera Facebook page

Alabama Town says a Water Tower ‘screams’ Tennessee Vols Isn’t a Prank

November 13, 2024

A water tower in Calera, Alabama has many residents raising their eyebrows over its color and design.

The City shared a photo of a new water tower that is brightly painted orange and white in a checkerboard design that looks similar to the end zones found on Shields-Watkins Field inside Neyland Stadium.

City officials said it‘s not an elaborate prank instead, the design is federally-mandated by the FAA because of its proximity to an airport.

(City of Calera Facebook post) Attention, citizens! We’ve been flooded with calls about the new water tower on County Road 12 near Savannah Pointe. Yes, we know that bright, gaudy orange and white checkered pattern might scream “Tennessee Volunteers’ end zone”—but rest assured, this is not some elaborate prank by city employees, and it hasn’t been “vol-untarily” vandalized. 🏈

Believe it or not, this eye-catching design is federally mandated by the FAA because of the tower’s proximity to the Shelby County Airport. ✈️ Safety first, fashion second! So while it may look like we’re making a bold statement in orange, we’re just following the rules—no team loyalty implied!

A Maryville Man Wanted on Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Other Charges is Arrested in Georgia
WVLT

A Maryville Man Wanted on Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Other Charges is Arrested in Georgia

November 13, 2024

A Maryville man, charged with Sexual exploitation of a minor, trafficking and other charges, is arrested in Georgia

The Blount County Sheriff’s Office says 51-year-old Shane Rewis was indicted earlier this month on multiple charges including two counts of sexual abuse of a child, Trafficking for a commercial sex act and various other charges.

An investigation began in May after two female juveniles reported that he contacted them with inappropriate comments and photos.

He is being held in a Georgia Jail pending extradition to Tennessee on his charges.

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