KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – A man convicted of attempted first-degree murder after shooting at a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper in January has been sentenced.
On January 12th, troopers saw Eugenio Abraham Solis Klarks, 31, driving 97 mph on I-75 North in Loudon County, according to the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office.
Solis Klarks was pulled over at a gas station off of Exit 81, and after giving troopers his Guatemalan Consular ID card, he drove away, leading police on a chase exceeding 100 mph into Knox County and off the Watt Road exit.
After crossing Watt Road, Solis Klarks lost control and crashed, prompting troopers to order him to show his hands. Officials said Solis Klarks got an assault rifle from his car and aimed it at one of the troopers.
Troopers and Solis Klarks exchanged gunfire, and as he ran toward the interstate entrance ramp, another trooper fired more rounds and hit Solis Klarks in the legs.
Solis Klarks was taken into custody and received medical treatment. No troopers were injured in the incident.
“This defendant has been held accountable because of the professionalism of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation,” said District Attorney Charme Allen.
Solis Klarks was convicted of attempted first-degree murder, and he was ordered on Thursday to serve 18 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
(Story courtesy of WVLT) – The school year is quickly approaching here in East Tennessee, with most students getting back to learning in late July or early August.
In preparation for the 2025-26 school year, Tennessee is holding it’s annual tax-free holiday at the end of July. Parents will be able to get some good deals on school supplies, clothes and technology.
Below is a list of East Tennessee school systems’ first days back in the classroom:
University of Tennessee
Monday, Aug. 18 (First day of school)
Alcoa City Schools
Friday, July 18 (First day of school)
Anderson County Schools
Monday, Aug. 4 (First day of school)
Blount County Schools
Thursday, July 31 (First day of school)
Campbell County Schools
Thursday, Aug. 7 (First day of school)
Claiborne County Schools
Wednesday, Aug. 6 (First day of school)
Clinton City Schools
Friday, Aug. 1 (Dismissal at 11:30)
Monday, Aug. 4 (First full day of school)
Cocke County Schools
Friday, Aug. 1
Cumberland County Schools
Monday, Aug. 11 (First day of school)
Fentress County Schools
Thursday, July 31 (first day of school)
Grainger County Schools
Monday, Aug. 4 (Early dismissal)
Tuesday, Aug. 5 (First full day of school)
Greene County Schools
Wednesday, Aug. 6 (First day of school)
Hamblen County Schools
Thursday, July 31 (11:15 a.m. dismissal)
Monday, Aug. 4 (First full day of school)
Hancock County Schools
Friday, Aug. 1 (9:30 a.m. dismissal)
Monday, Aug. 4 (First full day of school)
Hawkins County Schools
Monday, Aug. 4 (11:30 a.m. dismissal)
Tuesday, Aug. 5 (First full day of school)
Jefferson County Schools
Wednesday, Aug. 6 (Early dismissal)
Thursday, Aug. 7 (First full day of school)
Knox County Schools
Thursday, Aug. 7 (1/2 day for students)
Loudon County Schools
Monday, Aug. 4 (First day of school)
Lenoir City Schools
Tuesday, Aug. 5 (Staggered start last names, A-K)
Wednesday, Aug. 4 (Staggered start last names, L-Z)
Maryville City Schools
Monday, Aug. 4 (Staggered start last names, A-K)
Tuesday, Aug. 5 (Staggered start last names, L-Z)
McMinn County Schools
Friday, Aug. 1 (10:30 a.m. dismissal)
Monday, Aug. 4 (First full day of school)
Monroe County Schools
Friday, Aug. 1 (Dismiss at 10 a.m.)
Monday, Aug. 4 (First full day of school)
Morgan County Schools
Monday, Aug. 4 (Early dismissal)
Tuesday, Aug. 5 (First full day of school)
Roane County Schools
Thursday, July 31 (1/2 day for students)
Monday, Aug. 4 (First full day of school)
Scott County Schools
Friday, Aug. 8 (First day of school)
Sevier County Schools
Friday, Aug. 8 (First day of school)
Union County Schools
Wednesday, Aug. 6 (Staggered start, last names A-J)
Thursday, Aug. 7 (Staggered start, last names K-Z)
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office releases a message from their Deputy, Dalton Swanger, who was seriously injured while responding to call. KCSO updates and information follows Deputy Swanger’s message.
A message from Deputy Swanger-
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and I haven’t had the chance to speak to everyone directly. First, I want to start by thanking each and every one of you who stood by me through this experience.
To the UT Medical staff, my brothers and sisters at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and my friends and family who tirelessly stood by my side and told me it was going to be okay — thank you.
To the entire team at On Patrol: Live, thank you for constantly checking in on my well-being.
To Stephania, my girlfriend — you stood by my side with unwavering strength. You had no obligation to be there, especially as much as you were, but you remained with me 24 hours a day with wholehearted determination that I would recover. That love will never be forgotten.
To every stranger who reached out by mail or third party — your prayers carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life.
To the fans of On Patrol: Live — your outpouring of love, support, and prayer was overwhelming. Every letter, every kind word made me feel more confident that I would return.
To everyone who contributed, helped organize, or supported the fundraisers — your assistance is invaluable to me and my family.
And above all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for renewing my faith and showing me that even when I don’t deserve His grace, it still falls upon me. He is my true strength.
⸻
What Happened
Many have asked about my injuries and what exactly happened that night. Here is a brief summary, to the best of my ability and with the most accuracy I can provide.
We responded to what was originally dispatched as a shots fired/domestic call. After contacting the complainant, we began searching for the alleged suspect. As we announced our presence, we were met with a violent and aggressive verbal response. It was incredibly dark — I could barely see. Once the suspect began making verbal threats, I stopped using my flashlight in order to avoid giving away my position and potentially becoming a target, should he have been armed.
Then, I began to hear objects landing around us. At the time, I didn’t know what they were. I believed I was behind a tree to protect my head — but in the darkness, I may have been mistaken. The next thing I remember was an overwhelming pain in my head. I saw what looked like a green starburst, my body completely locked up, and I fell. I couldn’t move.
I didn’t know if I had been shot or what had happened. As I was being dragged out of the woods by my partners, I felt something running down my head — which, I later learned from video footage, was blood. I was loaded into the ambulance, but I noticed my left leg had stopped functioning from the knee down.
While being transported, I suffered a grand mal seizure. To my knowledge, it lasted approximately an hour, resulting in hypoxia (oxygen deprivation). That is the last thing I remember prior to waking up in the hospital.
⸻
My Diagnosed Injuries:
• Depressed Skull Fracture
• Cerebral Contusion
• Disc Protrusions in my cervical spine
• Intracranial Contusion
As a result, I was placed into a medically induced coma for several days.
⸻
A Few Things I Want to Address:
1. The Incident Being Shown on TV
I know some people feel incidents like mine shouldn’t be aired on television. I respectfully disagree. Policing is complex — difficult to explain to those who haven’t lived it.
As deputies, we wear many hats. Every day on duty is different from the last, and you never know what the next call will bring. Sometimes, police work is terrifying, chaotic, and immediate, and things unfold in ways no one can prepare for. On that night, On Patrol: Live captured a moment that most people will never see — a raw, real, and violent side of policing that we hope never happens, but must always be ready for.
⸻
2. Why One Officer Stayed With Me, and One Didn’t
Some people have questioned why both officers didn’t stay to administer aid. From an officer’s perspective, this was absolutely the correct call. The suspect was still at large and remained an active threat — not just to us, but to the public. One officer rendered aid while the other continued to address the threat. This is how we are trained, and this is how lives are saved — including mine.
⸻
3. Am I Coming Back?
Yes. Unequivocally, yes.
This job has been my dream and passion since I was a kid. I remember watching The Fast and the Furious and deciding at 5 years old that I wanted to be a cop. There is no greater honor than waking up every day and putting on this uniform to serve my community.
Helping one person have a better day or making the community just a little bit safer — that gives my life meaning. I’m blessed and proud to call myself a Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy, and as long as God allows me to do this job, I will continue to do it with everything I have.
⸻
A Final Thought
This whole experience reminds me of a quote from Sons of Anarchy:
“There is an old saying: That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I don’t believe that. I think the things that try to kill you make you angry and sad. Strength comes from the good things: your family, your friends, the satisfaction of hard work. Those are the things that will keep you whole. Those are the things to hold onto when you are broken.”
To all of the incredible people, institutions, and moments that gave me something to hold onto when I was broken — thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
KCSO Deputy Dalton Swanger, his girlfriend Stephania
Messages from KCSO regarding Deputy Swanger’s recovery.
UPDATE 12 – July 3, 2025 | 4:20 pm
Deputy Swanger is HOME, and we couldn’t be happier! Thank you for all the prayers. To the medical staff at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, our wonderful community, and the OP Nation for everything done on Deputy Swanger’s behalf. We are incredibly grateful to you all!
Deputy Swanger will continue to rehabilitate at home and is looking forward to being strong enough to have visitors and getting back to work with his shift!
We are grateful to report that Deputy Swanger has been moved to a room and is doing remarkably well. He will likely be going home in the near future. Deputy Swanger asked that we tell all of you who have prayed for him, those who have contributed to the approved fundraisers, and those who donated food/snacks for his shift, as well as the nurses and support staff, that he is eternally thankful for each one of you. He is blessed to be on the road to recovery and knows it is all because of the prayers.
Update 10 – June 30, 2025 | 2:50 pm
Deputy Swanger remains at UT in the ICU, but his condition is continuing to improve. As his recovery journey progresses, we will move our official updates to a once-a-week schedule, allowing Deputy Swanger and his family to focus on his health and rehabilitation while giving them as much privacy as possible. We know the prayers carried him to this point and will continue as he recovers. On behalf of everyone at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, we are forever grateful for the prayers, love, support, and monetary contributions on behalf of Deputy Swanger and his family.
Update 9 – June 28, 2025 | 8:00 pm
Deputy Dalton Swanger’s Recovery-
We are pleased to share the uplifting news that Deputy Dalton Swanger is awake and off the ventilator. He can speak and is doing well, though he faces a long road to recovery. The family and nursing staff request NO visitors to allow his medical team to work on his treatment and rehabilitation plan.
We are truly grateful for every prayer spoken on his behalf, the generous donations that will allow him to concentrate on healing, and the overwhelming love and well wishes from across the nation. Your support makes a difference in Deputy Swanger’s journey, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Please keep Deputy Swanger in your prayers as he works toward recovery. Your encouragement means the world to him and his family. Thank you for being a part of this strong, compassionate community.
Deputy Swanger remains in the Trauma ICU; he is critical but stable. We are happy to say he is improving each day. Words are inadequate to express our gratitude to everyone who is caring for him, those praying, and all of the acts of kindness shown.
UPDATE 7 – June 26, 2025 | 8:30 pm
Today has been a good day for Deputy Swanger. His nurses, doctors, therapist, girlfriend, and friends have been doing the heavy lifting while the community is praying fervently. We’re seeing progress, so keep those prayers coming. To everyone who has prayed, donated, and sent well wishes, “thank you” will never be enough! There’s a long road ahead, but with a support system like Deputy Swanger has, he won’t travel it alone.
UPDATE 6 – June 25, 2025 | 5:45 PM
Deputy Swanger remains in the Trauma ICU; his condition is critical but stable. Visitors have been further restricted as he needs to rest. On behalf of the family and everyone at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the prayers, support, and care shown since Saturday night have been heartwarming and incredibly humbling. Please continue to pray.
Approved Fundraisers:
– GoFundMe – Blue Line Tennessee
– Knoxville Tactical
– Knoxville Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union
UPDATE 5- June 24, 2025 | 5:45 pm
Deputy Swanger continues to improve, making minor yet significant improvements. This healing journey will take time, patience, and continued fervent prayer. Remember his family, blood and blue, and his girlfriend, who is incredibly strong for him. We can’t thank the community, our sister agencies, and all our first responder friends for your care, concern, and prayers. Dinner was provided this evening for Echo Shift and Deputy Swanger’s family by the Firehouse Subs Cedar Bluff location. Additionally, want to extend our gratitude to the OP: Live Crew, Hosts, and OP Nation fans. Y’all have been exceptional!
UPDATE 4- June 23, 2025 | 6:00 pm
Deputy Swanger remains in the Trauma Intensive Care and has moved all of his limbs this morning. This is an improvement. We are grateful for his progress and understand that with a head injury like the one he sustained, it will take time. Thank you for your continued prayers, positive thoughts, and encouragement. They mean so much to his family, friends, and blue family.
There is ONE approved GoFundMe established by Blue Line Tennessee Inc. If you suspect fraudulent fundraising efforts or would like to verify the validity of an organization or person raising money on Deputy Swanger’s behalf, please get in touch with Kimberly Glenn, Communications Director for KCSO, at [email protected] or Captain Aaron Yarnell at [email protected]
Back The Blue has coordinated a prayer vigil for tonight at 8 p.m. We will update you with additional information on Deputy Swanger’s progress as soon as possible.
UPDATE 3- June 22, 2025 | 10:55 pm
The condition of Deputy Swanger remains relatively the same. He continues to be in the Trauma ICU at this hour. With injuries of this nature, the recovery process requires time and patience. We at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office sincerely appreciate the overwhelming support from our community and neighboring areas and the countless prayers and well wishes for Deputy Swanger that have poured in from every corner of the country.
Please know that we will continue to share updates as we can. In the meantime, we encourage you to thank the officers and deputies you may know for their unwavering service, courage, and selfless sacrifice. This profession demands individuals of remarkable character—those willing to put the safety and well-being of others above their own. Deputy Swanger embodies such qualities, executing his duties with utmost professionalism and a faithful servant’s heart.
Thank you to the medical and support staff at UT Medical Center for your dedicated care of Dalton during this challenging time. Your expertise and compassion are greatly valued.
UPDATE 2- June 22, 2025 | 12:15 pm
The suspect, Christpher Michael Hensley, 44, of Powell, has been charged with the following –
-Attempted second-degree Murder
-Aggravated Assault on First Responder -Domestic Assault
-Possession of a firearm with intent to go armed
-Manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance
UPDATE- June 22, 2025 | 6:20 am
The suspect is in custody at this time. The Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation. The suspect’s identity and list of charges will be forthcoming.
Deputy Swanger remains in the Intensive Care Unit. We appreciate your prayers and are grateful for the support from our community. We will continue to update as more information becomes available.
June 22, 2025
-Knox County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Incident Involving Injured Deputy-
Knoxville, TN — The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an incident that occurred in the 7800 block of Stanley Road, where a complainant called 911 to report someone shooting just before 10:15 pm on June 21, 2025. When deputies arrived, there was an incident with the suspect, which resulted in injuries to Deputy Dalton Swanger.
During the incident, the suspect struck Deputy Swanger with a large rock or brick. Deputy Swanger was transported by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) for immediate medical attention. Upon arrival at the hospital, Deputy Swanger was confirmed to be in a critical condition.
The Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for the suspect involved in this incident. Efforts are underway to gather further details about the circumstances leading up to the injury, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Sheriff Tom Spangler stated, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Swanger and his family during this challenging time. We are committed to thoroughly investigating this matter and are utilizing all available resources to apprehend the individual responsible. I am at the hospital with Deputy Swanger and asking our community to do what they do best, pray!
Knox County, TN (story courtesy of WVLT) – Just after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday July 9 Deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office were involved in a shooting.
Kimberly Glenn with KCSO said that deputies were attempting to serve an outstanding warrant Wednesday morning on Windtree Oaks Lane in South Knox County off of Governor John Sevier Highway.
Glenn said that while officers were severing the warrant, an incident occurred resulting in at least one shot being fired by a deputy.
Court documents obtained by WVLT show that deputies were at the residence to serve a warrant on 49-year-old Brad Ellott Foster, who was wanted for violation of probation.
Foster is charged with 4 counts of aggravated assault, 4 counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon involved, 1 count of resisting arrest, and one count of attempted second degree murder, according to court records.
Officers said when they made contact with Foster, he was refusing to drop a knife in his hand and was barricaded in the bedroom. Officers said that Foster then moved the barricade and, threw the knife. He then grabbed a bayonet type sword and was waving it at officers in the doorway of the bedroom, according to court records.
Foster then threw the bayonet type sword hitting a officer, according to the court records.
Officers said that Foster continued to throw several knives and a metal spiked mace and chains at them.
Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say at one point, an officer fired a shot, hitting Foster in the hand.
Foster was transported to the hospital for treatment.
The TBI has been called to conduct the investigation into the officer involved shooting.
Johnson City, TN (WOKI) An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the indictment of a now-former Johnson City officer.
In June 2024, at the request of 1st Judicial District Attorney General Steve Finney, TBI agents began investigating allegations of misconduct involving Connor Cooper. Michael Dunavant was appointed by the Court to serve as District Attorney General Pro Tem upon the recusal of 1st Judicial District Attorney General Steve Finney. During the investigation, agents learned that in April 2024, while serving as an officer with the Johnson City Police Department and after being involved in a vehicle pursuit, Cooper intentionally disabled his police cruiser’s in-car video system and his body-worn camera, and instructed a trainee riding with him to turn off his body-worn camera in an effort to unlawfully tamper with, destroy, conceal, or limit the availability of the video footage.
On July 3rd, the Washington County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Connor Cooper (DOB: 12/4/97) with two counts of Official Misconduct and one count of Tampering with Governmental Records. Today, he turned himself in and was booked into the Washington County Jail on a $3,000 bond.
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.
Knox County Schools is announcing its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
The 2025-26 school year begins on Aug. 7, and families that are unable to pay for breakfast and lunch meals at school – or do not attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school – can now apply for free and reduced-price meals.
Families can apply for meals through the LINQ Connect portal, and more information about LINQ Connect is available on this FAQ page. Paper applications are also available.
All children in households receiving benefits from SNAP or Families First can get free meals regardless of their income. In addition, children can get free or reduced meals if their household’s gross income is within the free or reduced limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. However, the application for free and reduced-price meals must be filled out annually.
For School Year 2025-26, KCS will continue to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) at select schools. All children at CEP schools will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge under this provision. A complete list of CEP schools as follows:
CEP Schools:
Adrian Burnett Elementary
Fountain City Elementary
Pond Gap Elementary
Amherst Elementary
Fulton High
Powell Elementary
Austin East High
Gap Creek Elementary
Powell High
Bearden Middle
Gibbs Elementary
Powell Middle
Beaumont Magnet
Gibbs High
Richard Yoakley
Belle Morris Elementary
Gibbs Middle
Ridgedale
Bonny Kate Elementary
Green Magnet
Ritta Elementary
Career Magnet
Gresham Middle
Sarah Moore Greene Magnet
Carter Elementary
Holston Middle
South Doyle High
Carter High
Inskip Elementary
South Doyle Middle
Carter Middle
Karns Elementary
South Knoxville Elementary
Cedar Bluff Elementary
Karns Preschool
Spring Hill Elementary
Cedar Bluff Middle
KAEC
Sterchi Elementary
Cedar Bluff Preschool
Lonsdale Elementary
Sunnyview Primary
Central High
Maynard Elementary
Vine Middle
Chilhowee Intermediate
Mooreland Heights Elementary
West Haven Elementary
Christenberry Elementary
Mount Olive Elementary
West Hills Elementary
Copper Ridge Elementary
New Hopewell Elementary
West View Elementary
Dogwood Elementary
Northwest Middle
Whittle Springs Middle
East Knox Elementary
Norwood Elementary
Fair Garden
Paul L. Kelley Volunteer
Fort Sanders
Pleasant Ridge Elementary
CEP is a key provision of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, which allows schools in low-income areas to eliminate school meal applications and serve breakfast and lunch at no charge to all enrolled students. Breakfast and lunch meals will follow the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for healthy school meals, so please encourage students to participate.
If students do NOT attend a CEP school, families are encouraged to submit a free and reduced-price meal application to determine their eligibility for free and reduced-price meals. A list of non-CEP schools is as follows:
NON-CEP Schools:
AL Lotts Elementary
Farragut Middle
Karns Middle
Ball Camp Elementary
Farragut Primary
Mill Creek Elementary
Bearden Elementary
Halls Elementary
Northshore Elementary
Bearden High
Halls High
Rocky Hill Elementary
Blue Grass Elementary
Halls Middle
Sequoyah Elementary
Brickey-McCloud Elementary
Hardin Valley Academy
Shannondale Elementary
Corryton Elementary
Hardin Valley Elementary
STEM Academy
Farragut High
Hardin Valley Middle
West High
Farragut Intermediate
Karns High
West Valley Middle
Children need healthy meals to learn. Knox County Schools offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast and lunch meals will follow the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for healthy school meals, so please encourage students to participate. “In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age or disability.”
Parents or guardians who need further information may contact Knox County Schools Nutrition Department at 865-594-9563.
1. How do I know if my children qualify as homeless, migrant, or runaway?
Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household? If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and haven’t been told your children will get free meals, please call or (865) 755-6248 (homeless), (865) 594-1760 (migrant) or (865) 755-6248 (runaway).
2. Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
No. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to: Knox County Schools Nutrition Department, PO Box 2188, Knoxville, TN 37901, ATTN: Federal Application Verification Clerk. You may also send it to the school cafeteria or apply online at www.linqconnect.com.
3. Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are already approved for free meals?
Please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Please make sure the letter you received is referring to the current school year. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact Mona Underwood at (865) 594-9563 or [email protected] immediately.
4. Can I apply online?
Yes! You are encouraged to complete an online application instead of a paper application if you are able. The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as the paper application. Visit LINQ Connect (www.linqconnect.com) to begin or to learn more about the online application process. Contact Knox County Schools Nutrition Department at (865) 594 -9563 if you have any questions about the online application.
5. My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out a new one?
Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year, through September 19, 2025. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year. If you do not send in a new application that is approved by the school or you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price for meals.
6. I get WIC. Can my children get free meals?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Please send in an application.
7. Will the information I give be checked?
Yes. In accordance with program regulations, school officials will be verifying the income of some households at some time during the school year. Selected households will be requested to provide income documentation in order to continue receiving free and reduced-price meals.
8. If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?
Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
9. What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?
You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Knox County Schools Nutrition Department, Attn: Brett Foster, PO Box 2188, Knoxville, TN 37901; (865) 594 -3640.
10. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced-price meals.
11. What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1,000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made
$1,000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
12. What if some household members have no income to report?
Household members may not receive some types of income we ask you to report on the application or may not receive income at all. Whenever this happens, please write a 0 in the field. However, if any income fields are left empty or blank, those will also be counted as zeroes. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.
13. Do I have to provide my social security number?
Only the last 4 digits of the social security number of the household’s primary wage earner or another adult household member (or an indication of “none”) is required.
14. May I decline benefits?
Yes. Households notified of their children’s eligibility must contact Knox County Schools Nutrition Department if they choose to decline the free or reduced meal benefits.
15. What if all children eligible for benefits are not on the notice of eligibility letter?
If children or households receive benefits under Assistance Programs or Other Source Categorically Eligible Programs and are not listed on the notice of eligibility and are not notified by the school of their free meal benefits, the parent or guardian should contact Knox County Schools Nutrition Department or should submit an income application.
16. We are in the military. Do we report our income differently?
Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. If you get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income.
17. What if there isn’t enough space on the application for my family?
List any additional household members on a separate piece of paper and attach it to your application. Contact Knox County Schools Nutrition Department at (865) 594-9563 to receive a second application.
18. My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?
To find out how to apply for TN SNAPor other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office at (865) 594-6151 or call (866) 311-4287.
If you have other questions or need help, call Knox County Schools Nutrition Department at (865) 594-9563.
USDA NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
The Knox County Schools Board of Education passing a new cell phone policy plan on first reading.
The school board decided during last night’s (Thursday) meeting they want to ban cell phone use across all grades.
This is happening due to a new State Law requiring all school districts to have a plan in place for cell phone use in schools.
KCS’s previous plan allowed students to use their phones for educational purposes during class. Now this new plan would allow students to keep their phones turned off and use their phones during emergencies only.
This policy does require another approval before it goes into effect .
Also during last night’s (Thursday) meeting, Knox County Schools says the District is cutting almost 30 jobs due to a recent freeze in federal funding.
These jobs are from the District Office and include more than a dozen Regional Content Facilitators, 11 Students Staff Support and 3 Family Center Liaisons.
Their Human Resource team is working to put these people in other open positions.
The Knox County School Board has approved its contract with the construction company chosen to renovate Sterchi Elementary School.
Renovations include building new encore spaces, a special education space as well as more offices.
It’s expected cost 8 million dollars but the money had already been squared away for Sterchi improvements in 2024 as part of KCS’s Capital Improvement Plan. That money was carried over into the current budget.
Knox County Schools announced applications are now open for students to receive free and reduced-price meals for the 2024-2025 school year.
A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper is involved in a crash on Highway 62, also known as Knoxville Highway, which is under investigation.
THP officials say the crash happened near Oliver Springs on a stretch of the highway that has seen four people die in crashes in less than a month. Yesterday’s (Thursday) crash shut down the highway for several hours. It has since re-opened.
THP Sergeant Richard Conatser told WVLT News last week that the agency had upped its presence in the area because of the uptick in deadly crashes.
The response was prompted by a crash involving an accused drunk driver and another crash which involved a senior living facility’s bus.
THP says that all the people involved in yesterday (Thursday’s) crash are uninjured.
The man involved in an officer-involved shooting in Anderson County is sentenced and will spend time behind bars.
27-year-old Dylan Phillips is accused of leading Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office on a chase in December of last year.
The chase ended on I-75 when Phillips pulled over and pointed a weapon at officers who fired at him.
He pleaded guilty to several charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest and has been sentenced to four years in prison.
We will update you with additional information on Deputy Swanger’s progress as soon as possible.
