TOSHA Fines Appalachian Electric After Lineman’s Death
WVLT

TOSHA Fines Appalachian Electric After Lineman’s Death

November 7, 2024

The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined Appalachian Electric after one of its linemen died on the job.

Nathan Potter died on July 23 after being electrocuted on a job site in Grainger County. He had been a lineman for more than a decade and was with Appalachian Electric for six years.

TOSHA says he was in a bucket truck tightening bolts on the framing of a transporter when he came into contact with a energized switch which was not insulated at the time of the incident.

TOSHA cited Appalachian Electric and fined the company $8,000.

An Investigation is Underway after a Failed Traffic Stop Ends after a Chase

An Investigation is Underway after a Failed Traffic Stop Ends after a Chase

November 7, 2024

Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating a car chase that ends in a deadly crash.

Campbell County Sheriff’s Office Deputies tried to pull over a car in the Valley View community yesterday afternoon (Wednesday), but the driver, identified by THP as 25-year-old Cassie Miller, didn’t stop and fled from police.

Miller then led deputies on a chase that ended in a crash on Howard Road in LaFollette when she tried to take a curve but ran off the road and struck a tree.

Troopers said Miller was fatally injured. A passenger, a 55-year-old man, was also injured in the crash.

Registered Sex Offender Taken into Custody at an Anderson County Elementary School
WVLT

Registered Sex Offender Taken into Custody at an Anderson County Elementary School

November 6, 2024

A registered sex offender is taken into custody after entering an elementary school. 

Anderson County Schools officials say a person on the registry entered Lake City Elementary School on Friday.

Security protocols, including a mandatory background check for all visitors, the school district said, immediately flagged the person and police responded.

“Thanks to the swift, professional response from both the Rocky Top Police Department and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the individual was safely taken into custody without incident, underscoring the dedication of all involved to keeping our schools safe,” ACS said.

District officials say no students, staff or faculty members were at risk.

“We are truly blessed to live in a community where our law enforcement partners work hand-in-hand with our schools to ensure the highest level of safety and security for our children and employees,” the district said.

Tennessee Majority Leaders Once Again Pushing for School Voucher Program

Tennessee Majority Leaders Once Again Pushing for School Voucher Program

November 6, 2024

Nashville, TN (WOKI) The dust from the election still settling, two of Tennessee’s top lawmakers are pushing forward another bill aimed at establishing a private school voucher program in the state.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and House Majority Leader William Lamberth Wednesday introduced the Education Freedom Act of 2025.

The numbers in this latest proposal are largely the same as the measure which failed last session: the bill promises 20,000 $7,000 scholarships to students who attend a private school in Tennessee, awarded based (mostly) on their family’s income.

Under the bill, 10,000 scholarships would go first to families who make less than 300% of the amount required by the state for a student to qualify for free or reduced lunch. The remaining half of the scholarships would go to any student who qualifies, regardless of income.

Among the changes this time around is language claiming that public school funding wouldn’t be affected by the voucher program and state testing for private school students who get a scholarship.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and House Majority Leader William Lamberth attached themselves to the bill, introducing it as the Education Freedom Act of 2025.
Maryville Police Charge Man in Decades-Old Cold Case Murder

Maryville Police Charge Man in Decades-Old Cold Case Murder

November 6, 2024

Maryville, TN (WOKI) Maryville Police solve a decades-old cold case making an arrest.

The case centers on the 39-year-old cold case murder of Billy Wayne Hearon. Police have charged 62-year-old Roger Oody in his murder.

Hearon was found dead in his home in Shady Acres Trailer Park, MPD said, adding that he had died from several stab wounds and trauma to the head.

Oody was convicted previously of killing Roy Stevens in the 1980s in Monroe County. He is currently serving a life sentence for that conviction.

Oody was a person of interest during the initial investigation into Hearon’s murder, and new evidence and technology helped investigators charge him.

He will make his initial appearance in court on Friday.

Roger Dale Oody, 62 (Courtesy: BCSO)
Election Results for Tennessee Races and Presidential Race

Election Results for Tennessee Races and Presidential Race

November 6, 2024

Multiple media outlets calling the Presidential race – President Trump has reached 277 electoral votes, enough to win the presidency once again becoming the 47th president-elect.

Marsha Blackburn keeps her Senate seat beating Knoxville’s Gloria Johnson who will keep her current State House District 90 seat.

Tim Burchett retains his United States House of Representatives District 2 seat with 69% of the vote beating Jane George.

City Council amendment 2 was close but it failed with 51% voting against it. To view Knox County Election Results click here: https://elections.knoxcounty.org/results/scrolling.php or https://www.knoxcounty.org/election/ for all the information.

Links to Tennessee Election Results:

https://www.elections.tn.gov/categories/president/offices

https://www.elections.tn.gov/categories/us-senate/offices

https://www.elections.tn.gov/categories/us-house/offices

https://www.elections.tn.gov/categories/us-house/offices

NCDOT Expects I-40 to Reopen by January
WVLT

NCDOT Expects I-40 to Reopen by January

November 5, 2024

The North Carolina Department of Transportation expects I-40 across the state line to be open through the Pigeon River Gorge by New Year’s Day.

NCDOT says traffic would be moving slower than normal, estimating a 40 mph speed limit with one lane in each direction.

The news comes just over a month after Hurricane Helene brought floodwaters to the area, washing away several areas of the interstate’s eastbound lanes.

Long-term plans are still in early development and there‘s no set date for when construction on the final repairs would start or how much they’ll cost.

Free Parking in Downtown Knoxville to Stay, City Says

Free Parking in Downtown Knoxville to Stay, City Says

November 5, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Free parking on nights and weekends in downtown Knoxville is here to stay.

The announcement coming from City of Knoxville officials Monday night though additional details about the City’s “updated parking plan” have not been released.

In May, the city released a report from Walker, a group hired to evaluate Knoxville’s current parking situation. In that report, Walker suggested charging for parking seven days a week, among other changes.

That study prompted a response from downtown Knoxville business owners, who circulated a survey asking people to defend the city’s current free parking rules.

A City Council workshop is slated for Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at the City County Building on Main Street where more discussion of the parking plan is expected.

The latest update in the ongoing downtown Knoxville parking saga came Monday night, when the city announced a City Council workshop, slated for Thursday. (Courtesy: Visit Knoxville)
KPD says a 15 Year-Old Charged for Threat of Mass Violence

KPD says a 15 Year-Old Charged for Threat of Mass Violence

November 5, 2024

A 15-year-old male has been charged for making a threat of mass violence following a late-night Knoxville Police Department investigation.

On Monday, November 4, 2024 at around 7:30 p.m., KPD detectives were made aware that the aforementioned male, a Bearden High School student, had made a verbal threat to commit an act of violence at the school.    

After continued investigation and consultation with the Knox County District Attorney’s Office concerning the circumstances, detectives responded to the student’s home in West Knoxville. The student was subsequently taken into custody and charged with threat of mass violence.

The investigation was assisted by Tennessee Homeland Security agents and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Needs Your Help to Identify a Woman Found on I-40 in Roane County and Later Died from Her Injuries
TN Dept Homeland Security

Tennessee Highway Patrol Needs Your Help to Identify a Woman Found on I-40 in Roane County and Later Died from Her Injuries

November 5, 2024

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is asking for help to identify a woman who was found along I-40 in Roane County and died from her injuries.

THP says troopers were dispatched to a person lying in the emergency lane of I-40 East in Roane County at mile marker 341 on October 13th.

THP says the victim is African-American and is believed to be 38 years old, about 5’4″ and 175 pounds with a mole on her nose and no tattoos.

Anyone with information is asked to call the THP Knoxville District Dispatch Center at 865-544-3380, Extension 0.

The incident remains under investigation.

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