Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Authorities in the Knoxville area are asking for help finding a missing mother and her two children.
According to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers, Shanicca Ewing and her two children, Nathan and Izayah Thomas, were last seen on July 23, when Ewing’s mother dropped them off at KARM.
Crime Stoppers says Ewing’s mother “has been unable to reach Shanicca and is concerned for Shanicca and the boys’ safety.”
Those with information are being asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
Shanicca Ewing and her two children. (Courtesy: ETVCS)
Madisonville, TN (WOKI) One man is dead and an investigation is underway following an officer-involved shooting Friday morning inside the Monroe County Justice Center in Madisonville.
Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say the situation unfolded around 8:00 a.m. when a man showed up at the Justice Center and fired shots in the parking lot then fired again at the building’s front door and walked inside.
TBI says “a deputy confronted the man and fired his service weapon, striking the man, who later died at a local hospital.”
Several other agencies also responded to the scene, including the Blount County Sheriff’s Office and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
TBI is investigating the shooting.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation responded to the Monroe County Justice Center Friday morning, TBI said. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Rural Metro says one person has been taken to the hospital after a tree fell on a home in East Knox County.
Crews were called to the home in the 5900 block of Edmondson Lane early this (Friday) morning and found that a very large tree had fallen into the house during overnight storms with one person trapped in the home by the tree. She was taken to the hospital after being pulled from the rubble with non-life threatening injuries.
Knoxville Police Department officers are investigating two separate and unrelated fatal crashes that happened on Thursday night.
At around 9 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024, KPD officers were dispatched to a single-car crash on I-40 West near Hall of Fame Drive. The involved vehicle had hit the center median wall, for reasons that remain under investigation. The driver was pronounced dead at the UT Medical Center. Officers are investigating the possibility that the driver experienced a medical issue that led to the crash.
About 30 minutes later, at around 9:30 p.m., KPD officers were dispatched to a two-car crash on Martin Mill Pike at Lester Drive. Based on the investigation conducted at the scene, a Ford Mustang was travelling north on Martin Mill Pike when it crossed the center line and struck a Kia sedan. The driver of the Mustang was pronounced dead at the UT Medical Center. The Kia driver was also transported to UTMC with non-life-threatening injuries. The factors that contributed to the crash remain under active investigation.
The identities of the victims from the I-40 West and Martin Mill Pike crashes are being withheld at this time. Both of the fatal crash investigations remain ongoing.
Tennessee State Parks will pay tribute to Veterans of the U.S. military with Salute to Service days when all Veterans will be eligible for free camping and golf on the birthdays of each branch of military service. The first is on Sunday, Aug. 4, birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard, which was created in 1790.
All Veterans are eligible for a complimentary one-night camping stay and waived fees for golf on each of the branch birthdays. The free camping and golf will also apply to all Veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
The Salute to Service series leads to the 250th anniversary of the nation in 2026.
Dates for the free camping and golf days by branch are:
Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024 (Coast Guard)
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 (Air Force)
Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024 (Navy)
Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 (Marines)
Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 (Veterans Day)
Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 (National Guard)
Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 (Space Force)
Saturday, June 14, 2025 (Army)
Monday, Aug. 4, 2025 (Coast Guard)
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 (Air Force)
Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 (Navy)
Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 (Marines)
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025 (Veterans Day)
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 (National Guard)
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 (Space Force)
Sunday, June 14, 2026 (Army)
“The Tennesseans who have bravely served our state and nation deserve our highest honor and respect,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “These free activities are one small way we can honor these remarkable individuals and show our appreciation. We hope Veterans will take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy our state parks, and we thank them for their unwavering dedication to our country.”
“We are always eager to honor our Veterans, and we hope they will take advantage of these special benefits at Tennessee State Parks,” said Commissioner David Salyers of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “Our Veterans protect our way of life in the United States, and the parks are just one example of our freedom. We welcome our Veterans and pledge to continue to honor their service.”
“The expansion of benefits for the Veterans of Tennessee is a fantastic development! Our state parks are unrivaled, and our Veterans truly enjoy being outdoors,” said Commissioner Tommy Baker of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. “We are grateful to Commissioner Salyers and his team for their dedication to making Tennessee the top choice for Veterans to live and prosper!”
To claim a free stay on the commemorative dates, Veterans must call the Tennessee State Parks reservation line at 888-867-2757. Reservations for the one-night camping dates can be made at any time. Premium campsites are excluded from the offer. Official ID and proof of Veteran status are required upon check-in.
To claim the free round of golf, Veterans must contact the course directly. Tee times should be booked within the listed booking window for each course. The information about golf at Tennessee State Parks is available at https://tnstateparks.com/golf?.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knoxville Police Department is asking for information in their search for a second suspect wanted in connection to a shooting last month at a gas station.
The shooting happened on July 20 at the Shell gas station on Summit Hill Drive. KPD says 20-year-old Robert Steed is wanted for aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.
According to police, “it is alleged that Steed, who was shot during the incident, fired multiple rounds at the Shell.”
He is also accused of firing at a home on Hazen Street earlier that morning.
Another suspect, 23-year-old Dereke Upton, was also charged with aggravated assault in connection to the shooting.
Madisonville, Tn (WOKI) A suspect is in custody and more than 800 fentanyl pills are off the street following a drug bust Wednesday in Sweetwater.
Officials with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office say more than 800 pressed fentanyl pills, cash and other drugs were recovered by law enforcement after deputies and Sweetwater Police officers executed a search warrant at the Sweetwater Hotel in reference to the sale and delivery of fentanyl.
MCSO estimates the pressed fentanyl pills carry a Monroe County street value of over $5,500.
“Recovered from the search warrant was over 800 pressed fentanyl pills that carries a Monroe County street value of over $5500,” Sheriff Tommy Jones shared in a social media post titled “Search Warrant Results in Large Fentanyl Bust.” “Also recovered was various other drugs, drug paraphernalia, and over $900 in currency.”
One suspect, who has not been identified, was taken into custody and transported to the Monroe County Justice Center.
More than 800 pressed fentanyl pills, cash and other drugs were recovered by law enforcement in Sweetwater on Wednesday, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With 30 days remaining until Tennessee football’s 2024 season opener, position battles are beginning to take shape as the Vols progress through fall training camp. A pair of new transfers and young, budding talent in the tight end room make that competition particularly intriguing as UT’s Aug. 31 matchup with Chattanooga draws closer.
Second-year tight ends coach Alec Abeln met with the media after Thursday’s practice at Haslam Field and fielded questions on the depth, chemistry and versatility of his group through two practices of preseason camp.
“Their chemistry is great,” Abeln said. “They all obviously want to play. They all obviously want to be the starter. That’s still up for grabs, it’s open competition this camp. That’s the stock coach answer, but that’s the reality of it.
“They each have different skill sets, which allows you to do different things with each guy. It gives us flexibility as a staff as far as what we can get into and what we can call for certain guys. The offense is still the offense, but it definitely gives us the ability to use guys really intentionally.”
With the departure of veteran tight ends Jacob Warren and McCallan Castles to the NFL, Abeln has seen his players improve their leadership skills over the course of the offseason. He acknowledged Miles Kitselman and Holden Staes, who both transferred into the program this past spring, and redshirt freshman Ethan Davis as standouts early in camp.
“Honestly, every guy in our room has a leadership quality that’s been really good,” Abeln explained. (Miles Kitselman) comes to work every day and attacks stuff. He’s a little bit more vocal, little bit more blue collar if you will. (Holden Staes) shows up with great energy and great attention to detail every day. He’s a positive influence. E (Ethan Davis), man, when his energy is the right way, there’s nobody that’s got a better personality, better energy for our group. When he shows up with that type of energy it’s contagious for all of us, but really all of those guys have stepped up in a big way.”
Full comments from Abeln’s Thursday press conference can be viewed below, along with select quotes from freshman running back Peyton Lewis, freshman wide receiver Braylon Staley and freshman offensive lineman Bennett Warren.
Campbell County, TN (WOKI) One man is killed and several other people are injured during a boating accident Friday, July 26 on Norris Lake.
Officials with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency say the crash happened around 10:00 p.m. near the shoreline of the Cove Creek area, upstream from Mountain Lake Marina.
According to TWRA, ten people were on the boat, six of whom were injured in the crash. Two people, including the boat’s driver, 51-year-old Ralph Miller of Powell, were airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center; Powell died on Wednesday, July 31.
TWRA says a woman who was hospitalized with serious injuries is no longer in critical condition and is expected to be released from UT Medical Center soon.
Campbell County Emergency Services, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, the Campbell County Rescue Squad and the Campbell County Fire Department responded to the crash.
TWRA says the incident marks the 14th boating death in Tennessee this year.
