Dolly Parton and the Dollywood Foundation donating one million dollars each to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims.
The donations help jumpstart the efforts of Mountain Ways to provide essential financial resources directly and efficiently to the most affected areas. Mountain Ways also will coordinate other relief efforts, including distributing food, water and other necessary supplies.
Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation are donating a total of $10 million to hurricane relief efforts across the affected states.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation with an update on when travelers can expect I-40 to reopen in Cocke County near the North Carolina state line.
Officials say over the next two weeks, they will be working to return traffic to this roadway, one lane in each direction between the Tennessee/North Carolina state line and mile marker 447, Hartford Road.
All that traffic will be pushed over to the westbound lanes. Currently, I-40 is closed at Exit 447 for westbound drivers and Exit 440 for eastbound drivers.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation says I-40 from the state line to mile marker 20 will be closed indefinitely.
An investigation is underway following a north Knoxville house fire which injures a firefighter.
Crews called to the 2000 block of Bradshaw Garden Road yesterday (Sunday) and found a fire on the porch in the rear of the home which had extended into the attic space. Crews quickly put the fire out and the home has suffered moderate smoke, water, and fire damage.
A Knoxville Fire Department firefighter received minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
The two occupants, a woman and girl, and their dog escaped without injury.
Investigators have identified skeletal remains found in Knoxville nearly two years ago.
In November 2022, skeletal remains were found by a tree trimming service which were sent to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.
Experts determined the person was a man and in December, investigators entered details on the case into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System but the case went cold due to a lack of leads.
Last year, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center sent the remains to an out of state lab who identified the remains as 33 year-old Cody Wilhite who had been missing from the Knoxville area since 2020.
Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen says a man is sentenced after he assaulted a woman, begged her not to tell the police, and then claimed she beat herself up.
Knoxville Police Officers went to Tennova North Medical Center for an assault call on Whittle Springs Road in November 2022.
Officers spoke to the victim who says over the course of four hours, Sanders strangled and punched her, knocked her to the ground and kicked her repeatedly before urinating on her.
She was treated for several injuries at the hospital and Sanders reportedly texted her “begging her to not call the police”.
Sanders, who’s been convicted of aggravated assault and domestic assault, was sentenced to three years behind bars.
It was a strange week across all of college football, with four teams ranked in the top 11 losing to unranked opponents, including the Tennessee Vols.
It’s led to quite a shakeup in the latest AP Poll rankings, Tennessee dropped four spots to number 8 in the country after enduring a 19-14 loss to unranked Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Alabama suffered a head-scratching 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt, dropping them from No. 1 down to No. 7.
The Vols take on the Gators on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Neyland Stadium. You can listen on our sister stations WIVK or WNML. You can watch on ESPN.
Smokey taking a run down the field during a Vols football game.
The Knoxville Police Department and Knox County Regional Forensic Center are seeking public assistance to help identify a woman whose remains were found in Knoxville in 2022.
On August 16, 2022, the remains of an unidentified woman were discovered in a wooded area around E. Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue in the 4th and Gill community.
As part of the ongoing effort to positively identify her, artists with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) recently completed a facial composite of the victim. That composite is attached. DNA samples have also been submitted for forensic genetic genealogy testing.
It appears that the woman was around 5’1″ in height and between the ages of 35-55 with blonde hair. At the time of her death, she was wearing a black tank top, black leggings and a black hat with a Carhartt logo. KPD detectives and medical examiners with the Regional Forensic Center have ruled out multiple missing persons in the course of their efforts to identify her.
Anyone with information that could possibly assist in identification is asked to contact the Regional Forensic Center at 865-215-8000 or East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
Following the devastating flooding last week from Hurricane Helene, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti issues a stern warning to scammers and price gougers:
“While most Tennesseans are showing the best of the Volunteer spirit to our neighbors devastated by Helene, a few bad actors always slime out of the woodwork to take advantage of those in need,” said Tennessee Attorney General Skrmetti. “Price gouging and scamming vulnerable people after disasters is not only repulsive, it’s illegal. My office will not hesitate to enforce Tennessee’s consumer protection laws against any bad actor attempting to rip off Tennesseans recovering from the storm.”
The AG’s Division of Consumer Affairs reminds Tennesseans to be cautious and wary of disaster relief scams. Many Tennesseans look to hire professionals to make repairs to damaged property, find a temporary shelter, or purchase essentials or other supplies while repairing homes or businesses. Others not directly affected by the flooding may want to donate money to help those in need. Although many people will lend a hand during challenging times, some will take advantage of the vulnerable position of survivors of natural disasters or the generosity of donors.
The following information provides helpful tips to reduce the chances of being scammed as you seek help for yourself and your loved ones or wish to donate to those in need.
Price Gouging
After natural disasters, bad actors unreasonably raise the prices of essential goods. In Tennessee, it is illegal to “unreasonably raise prices or unreasonably restrict supplies of essential goods, commodities or services” as a direct response to a natural disaster. Tennessee law also states that upon a declaration of economic disruption by the governor or executive order, people and businesses cannot charge a price that is grossly in excess of the price generally charged for any of the following types of goods or services:
“Repair or construction services,” which means services performed by any person for repairs to residential or commercial property of any type that is damaged as a result of a disaster or terrorist attack;
“Emergency supplies,” including water, flashlights, radios, batteries, candles, blankets, soap, diapers, temporary shelters, tape, toiletries, plywood, nails, and hammers;
“Medical supplies” including prescription and nonprescription medications, bandages, gauze, isopropyl alcohol, and antibacterial products;
“Consumer food items,” which means any article that is used or intended for use for food, drink, confection, or condiment by a person or animal;
“Building Materials” which means lumber, construction tools, windows, and anything else used in the building or rebuilding of property;
“Gasoline” which means any fuel used to power any motor vehicle or power tool;
“Transportation, freight, and storage services,” which means any service that is performed by any company that contracts to move, store, or transport personal or business property or rents equipment for those purposes;
“Housing” which means any rental housing leased on a month-to-month term; and
“Temporary healthcare staffing provided by a temporary healthcare staffing agency.”
Construction and Repair Scams
You should be wary of contractors who don’t have proper licensing to work on your home or property. Contractors in Tennessee are required to register and be licensed by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Ask contractors offering services to provide the name they used to register with the Tennessee Board of Licensing Contractors. You can look up contractors you’re considering hiring to make sure that they are properly registered in Tennessee by searching the company name or contractor information here: https://search.cloud.commerce.tn.gov/ Another way to learn more about a contractor’s history of providing services is by searching the contractor’s name online along with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaints,” and reviewing the results to see if others have complained about being scammed by a contractor. You can also search the BBB’s website for complaints and rating information about a contractor’s company.
You do not need to pay for the cost of home repairs in full upfront. Home improvement contractors in Tennessee are generally prohibited from charging more than one-third of the contract price for a deposit, except in certain specific instances. Home improvement contractors are also required to provide a written contract with the names of all parties executing the contract, the nature of the work being completed, the amount you are paying, and when the work will begin.
If your insurance is covering part or all of the cost of repairs, be sure to avoid signing over your entire insurance check or claim to the contractor before the work is completed. That helps ensure that the contractor completes the work, and you have a chance to give your approval.
When applying for assistance for home repairs, know that federal and state entities and reputable not-for-profits do not solicit or accept funds as a condition of providing emergency assistance. You are not required to pay a company to facilitate your application for assistance, but instead, you can submit the application yourself.
Charity Scams
Make sure your donations count and are going to the people who really need your help. You can research your charity by going to any of the following websites:
The Knoxville Police Department will partner with numerous local faith-based organizations for Faith & Blue Weekend 2024, which is set to be celebrated nationally October 11-14.
In recognition of Faith & Blue Weekend 2024, the KPD will take part in six separate events across the City through the end of October. Each of the department’s Field Operations Bureaus are hosting individual events, while the Investigations Bureau and Management Services Bureau are participating in events or initiatives.
The Faith & Blue events are designed to enhance the police-community bond by fostering new community partnerships and strengthening existing relationships.
Below is the list of upcoming Faith & Blue events and initiatives.
Friday, October 11, 2024
The Management Services Bureau is partnering with Callahan Road Baptist Church at 1317 Callahan Drive for an item drive to support the Newport, Tennessee community, which was devastated by historic flooding from Hurricane Helene.
Monday, October 14, 2024
In partnership with the Alliance for Community Transformation, the Field Operations East District will host an “Ice Cream Social” at the Jacob Building at 3301 E. Magnolia Avenue from 6-8 p.m. The event will include local entertainment as well as area resource and service providers.
Additionally, the Field Operations Central District will host a “Touch-a-Truck” event from 6-8 p.m. at Meridian Baptist Church, located at 6513 Chapman Highway. The event will include police, fire and other City vehicles for families to explore while interacting with members of those departments.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
The Investigations Bureau will host a special Halloween-themed event for kids at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church at 2137 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue from 6-8 p.m. The event will include a mystery game for kids, candy and a cookout.
Thursday, October 17, 2024
For the second year in a row, the KPD will host a blessing of the department’s K-9s at Immaculate Conception Church on W. Vine Avenue. The blessing will be held at 9:30 a.m. outside of the front entrance of the church.
Friday, October 25, 2024
First Apostolic Church at 5020 Pleasant Ridge Road will host a trunk-or-treat event with representatives from the Field Operations West District in attendance. The event will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Community members and families are invited to attend or participate in any of this year’s Faith & Blue events.
“Last year’s Faith & Blue events were a huge success, and we are looking to top it this year,” Chief of Police Paul Noel said. “We value our community partnerships deeply, and Faith & Blue is an amazing opportunity for us to strengthen our connections in Knoxville.”
About Faith & Blue
Faith & Blue was launched to facilitate safer, stronger, more just and unified communities by directly enabling local partnerships among law enforcement professionals, residents, businesses and community groups through the connections of local faith-based organizations.
The initiative aims to re-calibrate police-community relations through solutions-focused, in-person, socially distanced and/or virtual activities that are organized jointly by faith-based or other community groups and law enforcement agencies.
Business and personal recovery assistance are available in the wake of Helene on uninsured or otherwise uncompensated disaster losses.
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofits in the counties listed below are eligible for disaster loans with favorable terms to repair or replace real estate, equipment, inventory, and for working capital, future mitigation, etc.
Homeowners and renters are also eligible for disaster loan assistance to repair or replace a principal residence and personal property.
Counties included: Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington. They are eligible for coverage of both physical damage and economic injury as a result of the storm.
Contiguous Counties: Grainger, Hancock, Jefferson, Sevier and Sullivan. They are eligible for coverage of economic injury as a result of the storm.
From Friday, October 4, 2024 – Thursday, October 17, 2024, McGhee Tyson Airport is expecting higher than normal passenger numbers that will create longer lines at the airline and rental car counters as well as at the security checkpoint. It is imperative that passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure time. Passenger levels will also impact parking and the airport is encouraging guests to visit https://flyknoxville.com/ before leaving for the airport to check on parking lot availability. The website offers real-time parking capacity options.
