Park rangers have responded to three reports of visitors feeding bears this week GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The National Park Service urges visitors to not feed or approach black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park has seen an increase in incidents involving visitors feeding bears. Feeding wildlife is illegal and endangers you, other visitors and…… MORE
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Health Department reports that West Nile Virus has now been detected in an area of North Knoxville. KCHD says the presence of West Nile in mosquitoes was found during routine surveillance off Davanna Street in the Central Avenue area. Mosquito control spraying will start in this area on Thursday,…… MORE
Tennessee Senator Ken Yager of Kingston pleads no contest in his 2024 Georgia driving under the influence and hit-and-run case. It comes after Yager was charged in December of last year. The Georgia Department of Public Safety says state troopers found Yager in a parking lot. Troopers detected a distinct odor of alcohol on his breath…… MORE
Sevier County, TN (WOKI) – We have an update about a brush fire in Sevier County. The Richardson Cove Road Brush Fire is now 80% contained. Crews have completed containment lines around a 15-acre burn area. The fire was caused by a lightning strike from a thunderstorm last week. Crews will continue to monitor fire…… MORE
(Story courtesy of WVLT News) Gatlinburg, TN (WVLT) One week after Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was close, the park service says the road will stay closed on the Tennessee side until early October. The park service is now looking for a contractor to come in and make the repairs.…… MORE
Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) We’re learning that another Knox County Government official has been indicted in connection to a state investigation into misuse of taxpayer dollars. Former Knox County Trustee’s Office Director of Operations Jason Dobbins was indicted Wednesday on two counts of official misconduct. He was fired back in April because of policy…… MORE
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Blount County grand jury has declined to indict Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs, District Attorney General Ryan Desmond’s office confirming Friday that the grand jury returned a “no bill” in the case. It comes as his office is in the middle of a state investigation into policy breaches. That investigation has…… MORE
Tellico Plains, TN (WOKI) The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a small plane crashed Tuesday afternoon in Tellico Plains. According to the FAA’s preliminary report, the crash happened around 3:30 p.m.; it does not specify where in Tellico Plains the aircraft went down. The report indicates that the Sonex aircraft crashed into trees, for…… MORE
Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) We have an update on the progress of repairs to the Gay Street Bridge in Knoxville as it is being converted to a pedestrian walkway. Blalock and Sons is in charge of the project that is the result of the bridge closing in June of last year after a Tennessee…… MORE
Cocke County, TN (WOKI / WVLT) – An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office results in a former School Resource Officer in Cocke County being indicted. The investigation began last December after officials with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office reported questionable activity by Leahla Hance, who served as the SRO at Centerview Elementary School during…… MORE
