Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a Knox County Schools student was hit by a car Thursday morning while waiting on a school bus.
The girl was at the bus stop at the intersection of Thornton and Hughlan Drive in the Farragut area. A passer by noticed her on the ground at about the same time the school bus arrived.
She was taken to UT Medical Center where she remains; her condition has not been released.
KCSO is asking if you live in the area, please check your cameras to see if you have captured any pertinent footage.
If you have any information, please contact the Sheriff’s office; you can remain anonymous.
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Thorton Drive and Hughlan Drive, KCSO said.
KNOX COUNTY – An ongoing investigation by special agents in TBI’s Drug Investigation Division and agents with the 5th Judicial District Drug Task Force has resulted in the indictment of 15 people.
In December, TBI agents and DTF agents began investigating the sale of large quantities of methamphetamine in Knox County and surrounding areas. During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that Richard Carroll Baker, a member of the outlaw motorcycle gang known as the Pagans, was the individual leading the distribution efforts. Further information revealed that Brian Batson Fox, another member of the Pagan Motorcycle Club, along with numerous other individuals, assisted Baker in distributing illegal narcotics throughout East Tennessee.
On July 31st, a Knox County Grand Jury returned indictments charging fifteen people as part of the ongoing investigation. At the time of this release, 14 of those individuals had been located and arrested.
Richard Carroll Baker (DOB: 09/11/78), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine, three counts of Sale/Delivery of 26 Grams of Methamphetamine.
Brian Batson Fox (DOB: 07/26/66), Dandridge – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
David Eugene Maples (DOB: 07/16/79), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Joseph Shane Moore (DOB: 03/22/77), Strawberry Plains – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Larry Douglas Bradford (DOB: 04/07/71), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Erin Elizabeth Wright, also known as Erin Fleenor (DOB: 10/11/81), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Deidre Nicole Hood (DOB: 08/19/86), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Connie Sue High (DOB: 06/04/84), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Jill Marie Jones (DOB: 11/03/79), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
LeAndrea Faye Osentoski (DOB: 10/09/73), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Alicia Mae Kristen Murphy (DOB: 04/08/87), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Bettina Clara Godwin (DOB: 12/03/82), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Charles Richard Robertson, Jr. (DOB: 06/28/61), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Courtney Janene Lewis (DOB: 11/01/79), Powell – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office, 9th Judicial District Drug Task Force, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are assisting with the investigation, which remains ongoing.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (Courtesy: TBI)
Knox County Schools are still dealing with a bus driver shortage.
While every child still has a ride to school and is not missing any instructional time some obviously are going to come a little bit earlier since those buses are doubling up.
The driver shortage has been impacting schools in East Tennessee for years but Ryan Dillingham, the director of transportation with Knox County schools tells our news partner WVLT that they’re working to hire more drivers.
KCS also has an app that allows parents to track the bus stop and sends alerts when the bus is 5 minutes away.
NASHVILLE— Tennessee’s state forests are undergoing a comprehensive inventory aimed at promoting sustainable forest management.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) engaged Steigerwaldt Land Services to conduct an in-depth inventory of the state’s 15 state forests.
“Sustainable management of Tennessee’s state forests is a responsibility we take very seriously,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “The data from this inventory will provide extensive, accurate, and up-to-date information that will strengthen our ability to steward Tennessee’s forest resources for future generations.”
The inventory will provide better data about current forest composition, from young, regenerating trees to mature timber. This will allow TDF’s state forest management team to develop growth and yield projections with greater accuracy and will enable the team to plan and manage based on current and future forest volume rather than area.
Growth and yield projections are used to develop forest management plans and determine how much timber can be responsibly and sustainably harvested each year. The new inventory data gives more detailed information to internal and external stakeholders, including timber buyers.
In addition, this data will enable TDF to optimize forest health by resetting timber harvest targets. As trees age beyond maturity, they can weaken, creating entry points for pests and pathogens and making them more susceptible to storm damage. Applying timber harvest targets that are calibrated to current data and changing where, when, and how much harvesting occurs will reduce the number of overmature trees in the forest.
Finally, re-inventorying the state forest system supports TDF’s compliance with the sustainable forest management standards set forth by the internationally recognized Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). TDF is SFI-certified and submits to extensive annual third-party audits to ensure compliance with rigorous sustainable management standards.
TDF protects Tennessee’s forests by fighting wildland fires, coordinating hazard emergency response, providing prescribed fire guidance, services, and wildland fire training. Additionally, the division promotes the responsible use of forest resources by assisting landowners, providing quality seedlings, monitoring insects and diseases, improving urban forests, managing state forests, protecting water quality, and collecting forest inventory data. TDF also promotes forest industries to stimulate the state’s economy. Visit https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.
The head football coach for Claiborne High School, Nathan Medlin, has resigned from his position, leaving Corey McGinnis to be named as interim head coach for the 2024-25 season.
Medlin’s resignation comes as police are investigating a “hazing incident” at the school.
A school board meeting is scheduled for tonight but discussion of the incident or the football coach’s resignation is not listed on the agenda.
Nashville, TN (WOKI) TennCare and CoverKids members under the age of two are now eligible to receive up to 100 free diapers per month.
The TennCare Diaper Benefit is now live, and members are able to receive the diapers beginning Wednesday, August 7 at participating pharmacies across Tennessee; a prescription is not required.
Click here for the list of participating pharmacies from the Tennessee Division of TennCare.
TennCare will cover the following four major diaper brands:
Huggies
Cuties
Pampers
Luvs
According to TennCare, the participating pharmacies will select which diapers they carry from the approved list above. Package sizes and types of diapers from the four brands will be added as the list of covered products grows, TennCare stated.
TennCare and CoverKids members under age two eligible to receive free diapers. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The president and CEO of The Knoxville Area Urban League is stepping down.
Leaders with group announcing Wednesday that Dr. Charles F. Lomax Jr. is stepping down as president and CEO of the organization “to pursue other opportunities.”
In their statement, leaders expressed their “deepest gratitude” for Lomax’s service; he had been in the role since December of 2022.
KAUL’s board has picked Avice Reid to fill-in as interim president and CEO while a search committee is formed to find a permanent successor.
“I am honored to step into this role and continue the important work of the Knoxville Area Urban League,” Reid said. “I look forward to collaborating with our passionate team, community partners and members to further our mission of economic empowerment and social justice.”
Reid is a Knoxville native who has worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority and City of Knoxville as executive director of the police department’s Police Advisory and Review Committee.
Charles F. Lomax Jr. (Courtesy: Knoxville Area Urban League)
Cumberland County, TN (WOKI) A Crossville woman has been charged with second-degree murder following an investigation.
Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say 35-year-old Jerica Marie Hayes was indicted Monday, charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of delivery of fentanyl, in the death of 35-year-old Samuel Mashburn.
TBI says Mashburn was found dead on September 14, 2021 in the driveway of a home on Willow Street in Crossville and that an autopsy determined he died from acute combined multiple drug intoxication.
TBI’s investigation lead to Hayes, a friend of Mashburn’s, as the person who supplied him with fentanyl.
According to TBI, Hayes is currently housed at the Cumberland County Jail on a $1 million bond.
Samuel Mashburn was found dead in the driveway of a home on Willow Street in September 2021, TBI said. (Frankly Media)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— With school set to start tomorrow, Knox County Public Library wants to remind families that it offers dozens of research options to help local students get ahead.
First and foremost? A library card, which lets folks access free online tutoring, test prep courses, primary sources for historical research, and more.
“As we start out the new school year, I want to encourage everyone to make sure their library cards are up to date and active because our library system has many resources available to help students achieve academic success,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.
Additionally, Brainfuse Help Now is an online, live tutoring service that helps with math, reading, science and social studies. Students can get feedback on a writing assignment, take practice tests, and more.
Gale Power Search allows students to search an enormous collection of newspapers, magazine/journal articles, and books simultaneously. And, Transparent Language Online builds all four core skills of language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students can choose from more than 100 languages, including English and American Sign Language.
Additionally, the McClung Digital Collectionis full of photographs, manuscripts, documents, and scrapbooks from East Tennessee. These primary sources are invaluable in learning about the local role in woman suffrage, the early effort to create the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the 1982 World’s Fair, the George Barber architecture catalog, and more.
These are just a handful of online resources available to help students succeed this year. The library system also offers dozens more including historic newspapers and test prep courses. For even more information, check out knoxcountylibrary.org.
MEDIC and Chattanooga-based Blood Assurance kick off their annual competition on August 6 – 11. The center collecting the most red blood cells through the week will be the winner! This competition aligns with the Tennessee Smokies hosting the Chattanooga Lookouts at home!
Donors will receive a ticket to a Tennessee Smokies game, the August tie-dye shirt, a box of Girl Scout cookies, and a Texas Roadhouse coupon.
MEDIC offers several special incentives specifically for platelet donors including daily e-gift cards, MEDIC platelet punch card program, and the daily MEDIC gift. Platelet donors must make an appointment by calling 865-521-2684. Appointments can be made online at http://www.medicblood.org, via the MEDIC app, or by calling 865-524-3074.
MEDIC is the primary blood product provider for 25 hospitals including Blount Memorial, Covenant Health System, East TN Children’s Hospital,
Tennova Healthcare, and UT Medical Center. MEDIC recruits blood donors in 23 counties.
As a reminder, the blood, platelets, and plasma products on the shelves now are what would be used in a trauma event, and it takes at least three days for donated blood to be processed and ready for distribution.
MEDIC is an independent, nonprofit organization. Products donated through MEDIC truly help community members in East TN and Southeastern Kentucky. Products donated through any other collection activity/organization do not stay in East TN or Southeastern Kentucky. Those products are shipped out of the area and nationally.
