Oak Ridge Water Service Lines at Risk for Lead Exposure, City Says

Oak Ridge Water Service Lines at Risk for Lead Exposure, City Says

November 18, 2024

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 Police Department Identifies Officers Involved in Shooting of Axe-Wielding Man

Knoxville Police Department Identifies Officers Involved in Shooting of Axe-Wielding Man

November 18, 2024

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)
A Popular Boat Launch on Douglas Lake Will Be Closed the Rest of this Year
Matt Cameron TWRA Douglas Boom

A Popular Boat Launch on Douglas Lake Will Be Closed the Rest of this Year

November 18, 2024

Shady Grove Boat Launch on Douglas Lake will be closed the rest of the year as TVA, FEMA and TWRA will be using it as a hub for debris removal due to flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. It is expected on re-open on January 1, 2025.

Darrell Guinn with TVA says there is still a boating advisory for Douglas Lake.

TVA and other involved agencies will hold an Open house on November 25th at the Field of Dreams Activity Center in Dandridge from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. to discuss what you can do with debris and discuss their clean-up plans.

FILE: Water from the remnants of Hurricane Helene washed out roads and submerged bridges in East Tennessee over the weekend. (Courtesy: WSMV)
Vols Football Drops in AP Poll Following Loss to Georgia

Vols Football Drops in AP Poll Following Loss to Georgia

November 18, 2024

The Tennessee Volunteers fell several spots in the AP College Football Poll following Saturday’s loss to Georgia on Saturday.

The latest poll has the Vols ranked No. 10 in the country, dropping four spots.

The loss dropped Tennessee to 8-2 on the season and 5-2 in SEC play.

The top 5 remains unchanged from last week with Oregon maintaining its No. 1 position in the poll.

Other SEC teams in the top 25 are No. 7 Alabama, No. 8 Georgia, No. 9 Ole Miss, No. 15 Texas A&M and No. 19 South Carolina.

The Vols take on UTEP this Saturday, kick-off set for 1 o’clock. You can watch it on the SEC network plus or ESPN plus or listen on one our sisters stations WIVK or WNML.

Former TWRA Officer Pleads Guilty to Using State Funds for Personal Use Indicted and Sentenced
WVLT

Former TWRA Officer Pleads Guilty to Using State Funds for Personal Use Indicted and Sentenced

November 18, 2024

A former Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officer pleads guilty to using state funds for personal use over the course of several years.

District Attorney General Russell Johnson’s office says an investigation into former agent Travis Buchanan began in February of 2023 after TWRA officials noticed discrepancies in the amount of gasoline purchased for his TWRA-issued pickup truck.

Buchanan, who worked for the TWRA for 19 years, was caught on surveillance using a state credit card to purchase more gasoline than his truck would use.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation then began surveillance of Buchanan, which documents repeated trips to a Morgan County gas station to fill up several gas containers in the back of his truck.

This resulted in him being indicted in September of 2023.

He was sentenced to six years probation and required to make an immediate restitution payment by certified check to TWRA in the amount of $46,000.

He also forfeited all rights to any pension funds and annuities that accumulated through the state retirement system, and he is barred from employment with the State of Tennessee.

Knox County District Attorney says Man Convicted of Vehicular Homicide has been Sentenced
WVLT

Knox County District Attorney says Man Convicted of Vehicular Homicide has been Sentenced

November 18, 2024

A Knoxville man is sentenced after he crashed into another car head-on on Tazewell Pike after drinking several margaritas in September 2021.

Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen says 68-year-old Dennis Hill drove partially off the right side of Tazewell Pike then into oncoming traffic, where he hit the victim’s car head-on, killing him.

Hill was convicted of vehicular homicide by intoxication and driving under the influence, he was sentenced to nine years in prison.

TBI Issues Silver Alert for Man Missing Out of Sevierville

TBI Issues Silver Alert for Man Missing Out of Sevierville

November 15, 2024

Sevierville, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Friday issued a Silver Alert for a man last seen in Sevierville.

According to the agency, 58-year-old Hank Brackins was last seen on Thursday near Arch Rock Drive.

TBI says Brackins also has a medical condition that could put him in danger and that he could be driving a 2000 Toyota 4Runner with license plate 26325PD.

Those with information are being asked to call 865-453-4668 or 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Hank Brackins, 58 (Courtesy: TBI)
Jefferson County Bus Driver Facing 14 Sex Crimes Charges, Sheriff’s Office Says

Jefferson County Bus Driver Facing 14 Sex Crimes Charges, Sheriff’s Office Says

November 15, 2024

Jefferson County, TN (WOKI) A Jefferson County Schools bus driver has been charged with sex crimes.

Officials with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Friday announcing 56-year-old James Robert Smith was arrested and charged with 14 counts of sexual contact by an authority figure.

The arrest comes after the Department of Child Services reached out to the school system informing them of a complaint.

JCSO adds that investigators reviewed bus camera footage before taking Smith into custody and charging him.

He is being held on a $100,000 bond and has since been terminated from the school system.

James Robert Smith, 56 (Courtesy: JCSO)
Cumberland County Teacher Threatened Student with Knife, Affidavit Says

Cumberland County Teacher Threatened Student with Knife, Affidavit Says

November 15, 2024

Crossville, TN (WOKI) A high school teacher in Crossville is arrested Thursday after threatening a student in a classroom.

According to an affidavit from Cumberland County’s circuit court, Stone Memorial High School teacher, 56-year-old James Green, threatened the student with a knife after becoming upset with him for not following directions. The document indicates Green “retrieved the knife that he used to prepare his lunch from his desk area and made a threat toward the student.”

Green was arrested, charged with reckless endangerment and booked on a $40,000 bond.

He was also suspended from work and banned by school officials from entering all school system properties.

A teacher at Stone Memorial High School was arrested after threatening students, according to officials with the Crossville Police Department. (Courtesy: City of Crossville via Facebook)

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