Tennessee Highway Patrol Investigating After Firefighter Passes Out and Crashes Truck and Boat into a Building
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Tennessee Highway Patrol Investigating After Firefighter Passes Out and Crashes Truck and Boat into a Building

August 1, 2024

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating after a Dandridge firefighter has a medical episode and crashes his truck, towing a boat, into a building.

Fire Chief Andrew Riley says no one was seriously injured yesterday (Wednesday) morning after the fireman, Logan Inman, lost consciousness behind the wheel and crashed the command truck, which was towing the department’s boat for service, into a building near Main Street in downtown.

During the crash, the truck hit two parked cars, which helped save the building from seeing major damage and potentially stopped an employee inside from getting hurt.

Inman was taken to the hospital and his passenger left the crash with bumps and bruises.

The truck was totaled and the boat saw major damage. The Jefferson County Rescue Squad has a boat of their own for on-water emergency response.

THP: Two Teens Killed in Cocke County Crash, Investigation Underway

THP: Two Teens Killed in Cocke County Crash, Investigation Underway

July 31, 2024

Cocke County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating following a deadly crash Tuesday night in Cocke County.

According to a report from THP, only one car was involved in the crash which happened on Thinwood Drive near Highway 25/70.

Officials say the 19-year-old driver of the car was reportedly following a curve in the roadway when they hit a parked tractor-trailer.

Both the driver and a 15-year-old passenger in the vehicle died as a result of the crash.

According to officials with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office, at least one of the victims was a Cocke County High School student.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating following a deadly crash Tuesday night in Cocke County.

THP officials say the crash happened on Thinwood Drive and West Highway 25/70.

According to officials with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office, two juveniles died in the crash. CCSO says at least one of the victims was a Cocke County High School student.

“We are all devastated for the families involved.  Our community will come together for these families and do whatever we can to help them in this time of need. Everyone involved needs the prayers to lift them up during this tragedy that has taken place,” Sheriff CJ Ball said.

No other details have been released.

A Tennessee Highway Patrol cruiser. (Courtesy: WVLT / WSMV)
Jefferson City Police Release New Details in Standoff

Jefferson City Police Release New Details in Standoff

July 31, 2024

Jefferson City, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 7/31: The Jefferson City Police Department has released more details  regarding a standoff at a Jefferson City home Tuesday morning.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is helping the Jefferson City Police Department investigate the incident.

According to the department, officers responded to a home on Morrisett Avenue near State Route 92 after receiving a call about a suicidal man who had threatened a woman Tuesday morning.

Department representatives said the woman had escaped the home and ran to a neighbor’s to call 911.

The man reportedly did not cooperate with police, refusing to come out of the home. The JCPD special response team took action, deploying chemical munitions and continuing negotiations with no success.

The man was eventually taken from the home with a gunshot wound to the head; police say it is likely the man shot himself.

He was taken to a nearby trauma center for treatment.

ORIGINAL STORY: A suspect is in custody following a standoff with law enforcement Tuesday morning in Jefferson City.

Jefferson City Police were called to the scene near Morrisett Avenue shortly after 9:15 a.m. A man was refusing to leave the residence, barricading himself inside. The suspect was taken into custody around 11:00 a.m.

JCPD officials say the incident began as a domestic call, and officers were able to get the girlfriend out of the home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirms the agency assisted in the response.

Police responded near Morrissett Avenue and State Route 92, according to JCPD. (Frankly Media)
Several County School Systems Start Dates

Several County School Systems Start Dates

July 31, 2024

Alcoa City Schools are already back in the classroom with several other schools systems starting including Blount County Schools which have their first day of class today but they are off tomorrow for Election Day.

The start of school means crossing guards and students will be in those crosswalks at schools and Buses will be back on the roads as well as those reduced speeds in school zones.

Many schools systems do start back Friday, including Clinton City Schools, Cocke, Hamblen, McMinn, Roane and Scott Counties.

Knox County Schools start back August 8th along with Campbell and Sevier Counties.

Here’s a list from our news partner WVLT:

Alcoa City Schools: 7/19, staggered start
Anderson County Schools: 8/5, staggered start
Blount County Schools: 7/31
Campbell County Schools: 8/8
Claiborne County Schools: 8/7
Clinton City Schools: 8/2
Cocke County Schools: 8/2
Cumberland County Schools: 8/7
Fentress County Schools: 8/5
Grainger County Schools: 8/5
Hamblen County Schools: 8/2
Hancock County Schools: 8/1
Jefferson County Schools: 8/6
Knox County Schools: 8/8
Loudon County Schools: 8/5
Lenoir City Schools: 8/5 – 8/6 Orientation, 8/7 1st full day
Maryville City Schools: 8/5 staggered start
McMinn County Schools: 8/2
Monroe County Schools: 8/12
Morgan County Schools: 8/1
Roane County Schools: 8/2
Scott County Schools: 8/2
Sevier County Schools: 8/8
Union County Schools: 8/7 staggered start

Firefighters and Residents Injured and Four Dogs Die in LaFollette House Fire
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Firefighters and Residents Injured and Four Dogs Die in LaFollette House Fire

July 31, 2024

An investigation is underway after firefighters and residents of a home are injured and four dogs are killed in a Campbell County house fire.

Two members of the LaFollette fire department and all four people inside the home were injured in Saturday’s fire, all are expected to make full recoveries.

Unfortunately, four of the family’s five dogs died in the fire.

Officials believe the fire started either on the front porch or near the front of the home.

A Go Fund Me has been set up to help the family, which is now homeless, at https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-lost-home-everything-to-fire-clothes-shoes-needed?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet_ai&utm_content=amp1v2&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=sms

One Person Rescued from Flood Waters and Thousands Without Power Following Severe Storms that Hit East Tennessee
Photo courtesy of WVLT

One Person Rescued from Flood Waters and Thousands Without Power Following Severe Storms that Hit East Tennessee

July 30, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Thousands of East Tennesseans are without power after storms move through the area this afternoon (Tuesday).  

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Flash Flooding affecting many counties and motorists evening commute with several interstate ramps under water during rush hour.  Flood waters quickly receded in many areas but one person was rescued after driving their car into flood waters according to officials with the Knoxville Fire Department.  KFD says that person drove into flood waters on Fifth Avenue this (Tuesday) afternoon.

Jefferson County dispatch told WVLT News about 30-40 roads were closed due to downed trees and nearly 3,000 customers were out of power as of 6:18 p.m. (Tuesday)

As of 9:10 p.m. Tuesday night: Appalachian Electric Cooperative reporting 1,960 customers are without power. Clinton Utilities Board reporting 292, Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative reporting 239, Knoxville Utilities Board reporting 3,241, LaFollette Utilities reporting 7,397 and only 32 Sevier County Electric customers are without power at this time.

The Knoxville Police Department says you can report flooded roads by calling 865-215-4010.

Knoxville Police Charge 20-Year-Old in Home Robbery

Knoxville Police Charge 20-Year-Old in Home Robbery

July 30, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Police have arrested a suspect in connection to an early morning robbery Monday at a home on Chester Avenue.

KPD says officers responded to a home in the 2200 block of Chester Avenue around 4:00 a.m. where a 27-year-old woman reported that two people in masks had broken into her home, held her at gunpoint and had stolen a PlayStation 5 and more than $3,000 in cash.

An investigation led to the arrest of 20-year-old Dwan Woodly who was taken into custody at a home on Blue Star Drive.

Woodley was charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.

Dwan Woodly, 20 (Courtesy: JIMS)
Sevier County Sheriff’s Office Looking for Missing Man, Office Says

Sevier County Sheriff’s Office Looking for Missing Man, Office Says

July 30, 2024

Sevier County, TN (WOKI) The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help finding a missing man.

SCSO officials say 46-year-old George Raymond Millington was last seen on July 22 near Clark Street in Seymour.

Police say he reportedly drove away in a red 1996 Pontiac Sunfire with a Tennessee license plate, 957BKXX.

Anyone with information is being asked to call the sheriff’s office at 865-453-4668 or 865-774-3935.

George Raymond Millington, 46 (Courtesy: SCSO)
TWO CHARGED IN TBI HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION

TWO CHARGED IN TBI HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION

July 30, 2024

MEIGS COUNTY – Two people face felony human trafficking charges following a six-month investigation by special agents assigned to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit.

Agents began investigating Tristin Epperson and Clarissa McKinney in early 2024, after receiving information concerning their interactions with a juvenile.

On Thursday, the Meigs County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging Epperson (DOB 4/19/1999) with one count of Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor, six counts of Statutory Rape, and one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. The grand jury returned indictments charging McKinney (DOB 7/30/1991) with one count of Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor, six counts of Facilitation of Statutory Rape, and one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

On Monday, authorities arrested and booked both into the Meigs County Jail. The court set Epperson’s bond at $100,000, while McKinney was released on her own recognizance.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (Courtesy: TBI)

Podcasts

What's happening