Fentress County Child Abuse Case Moves to Grand Jury

Fentress County Child Abuse Case Moves to Grand Jury

Posted on April 5, 2024

Fentress County, TN (WOKI) The case of a Fentress County mother and father accused of abusing their adopted children was moved to the grand jury Thursday, April 4.

Jessica and Jason Klimp are suspected of abusing two of their four adopted children. One of those children, who is 12 years old, reportedly appeared so malnourished in February that doctors initially thought she was six years old.

According to court records, the couple is also accused of making the two children sleep in totes in their home’s basement as punishment for wetting the bed.

The Klimps are charged with aggravated child abuse, neglect or endangerment.

The grand jury is slated to meet next on April 18.

TBI: 13 Charged, 5 Pounds of Meth Seized in Blount County

TBI: 13 Charged, 5 Pounds of Meth Seized in Blount County

Posted on April 5, 2024

Maryville, TN (WOKI) Thirteen people from Blount County are indicted after an undercover investigation into methamphetamine distribution.

According to a release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the investigation was part of the 313 Initiative and focused on those trafficking illicit drugs into Blount and Knox Counties from Detroit, Michigan.

TBI says numerous search warrants were executed, resulting in the seizure of approximately five pounds of methamphetamine, more than a pound of fentanyl, cocaine and seven firearms.

Currently, eight of the 13 individuals have been arrested; all are charged with conspiracy to distribute 300 grams or more of methamphetamine.

TBI officials named the following as currently under arrest following their investigation:

  • Gregory Salvatore Celentano, 41, Maryville
  • Joseph Shane Todd, 38, Walland
  • Vida Elizabeth Clack, 38, Walland
  • Mary Faye Graham, 47, Knoxville
  • Matthew Clay Humphrey, 62, Maryville
  • Noah Olen McDowell, 42, Townsend
  • Seth Austin Stokes, 28, Maryville
  • Rashawn Maurice Jones, 30, Detroit, MI

According to the TBI, the 313 Initiative is a concerted and organized effort by numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to identify, target, and dismantle individuals and groups from the Detroit area who are bringing deadly drug combinations into Knox County and surrounding areas.

An Investigation is Underway Following a Knox County School Bus Crash
Photo courtesy of WVLT

An Investigation is Underway Following a Knox County School Bus Crash

Posted on April 5, 2024

An investigation is underway following a Knox County School bus crash.

Knoxville Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Tazewell Pike Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from Knox County Schools say there were 20 students on the bus, and they were taken by another bus through the rest of their route.

No injuries were reported.

A Fatal Train Crash is Under Investigation in Sweetwater

A Fatal Train Crash is Under Investigation in Sweetwater

Posted on April 5, 2024

A fatal train crash in Sweetwater.

Police responding to the Duck Park area yesterday (Thursday) afternoon and say a woman, identified as Sharlotte Castillo-Wong, was driving across the tracks when the crossing’s arms came down, keeping her in the path of a Norfolk Southern train. She was struck by the train as she attempted to get out of her vehicle and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say several roads and all tracks within the city’s limits will be shut down for an extended time.

Knoxville Police are Investigating a Murder in South Knoxville

Knoxville Police are Investigating a Murder in South Knoxville

Posted on April 5, 2024

A murder investigation is underway after Knoxville Police Department Homicide Unit detectives responded to a home in south Knoxville early Friday morning.

At around 1:15 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024, KPD officers were dispatched to a home in the 3200 block of Gilbert Lane.

Officers arrived on scene and found a 22-year-old woman dead inside the home. The cause of death is unknown at this time and pending the findings of the Regional Forensic Center autopsy. Officers also located a man and woman, both age 23, inside the home who had been shot. Neither victim’s injuries are expected to be life-threatening.

Sometime in the course of the investigation, another man, age 39, arrived at an area hospital to be treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. That individual, who is a person of interest in the Gilbert Lane investigation, was treated and released. He is currently being interviewed by Homicide Unit detectives.

It is believed the entire incident occurred inside of the Gilbert Lane home, where officers found multiple spent shell casings.

The investigation remains ongoing and in the early stages. The information provided is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation progresses. Updates will be provided when available.

A TBI Silver Alert has been Issued for a Missing Woman from Hamilton County

A TBI Silver Alert has been Issued for a Missing Woman from Hamilton County

Posted on April 5, 2024

A TBI SilverAlert has been issued for 80 year-old Donna Tripp, missing out of Hamilton County.

Donna was last seen April 4 in Chattanooga, wearing a pink plaid shirt, blue jeans.
Donna is 5’4”, weighs 155, with grey hair, brown eyes. She has a medical condition that may impair her ability to return safely without assistance.

She may be traveling in a 2017 blue Chevrolet Cruz, TX tag RHC 2388.

If you see Donna, please call the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office at 423-209-7000, or 1-800-TBI-FIND.

VOLS GO UNDER THE LIGHTS FOR SECOND SPRING SCRIMMAGE
Courtesy / UT Athletics

VOLS GO UNDER THE LIGHTS FOR SECOND SPRING SCRIMMAGE

Posted on April 5, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee football went under the lights of Neyland Stadium for its second spring scrimmage as the Volunteers worked all three phases in a two-hour workout Thursday night.

Unseasonably cool conditions, simulated crowd noise and the bright lights of Neyland at night greeted the team, which was a first for many of the new faces who joined the roster in January.

“Atypical spring night for here in Knoxville, but it’s an opportunity to get out and play in an environment that at some point next year we’re going to be in,” head coach Josh Heupel said. “The guys had a lot of energy tonight. They enjoyed being under the lights in a different type of day for a scrimmage. For us, it’s an opportunity that will parlay itself into a football game that we’re going to play next fall.”

The scrimmage saw the defense set the tone early with both first-team units going against each other followed by the second-team units squaring off.

“Defensively, I thought they started extremely fast and violent and destructive, got off the field on third downs and did a great job offensively and settled in on the second half of the scrimmage,” Heupel added.

Heupel was pleased with the Vols’ new-look, athletic secondary, which has made plays all spring led by safeties Andre Turrentine, Jourdan Thomas and Will Brooks and cornerbacks Jermod McCoy, Rickey Gibson III and Jalen McMurray.

“Will Brooks had a really good night tonight,” Heupel said. “(Andre Turrentine) has been really consistent throughout the course of spring ball. Jermod McCoy continues to play at a really high level. Those are a few of the guys that have been consistent, but also showed up tonight for us.”

On the ground, Knoxville native DeSean Bishop, Khalifa Keith and Hunter Barnes received a bulk of the carries with starter Dylan Sampson poised for a strong fall season.

“The running backs tonight, I thought DeSean Bishop ran extremely well tonight,” Heupel said. “Without watching the film, I’d say probably his best football that he’s played this spring. He’s a guy coming back off of an injury that is getting more comfortable as he’s gone through this spring.

Tennessee returns to the practice field Saturday to close out its third week of spring ball.

The Orange & White Game is set for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff in a limited capacity Neyland Stadium on April 13. Pregame and postgame festivities outside the stadium, highlighted by the Vol Village Music Festival and a watch party in Lot 9 are scheduled.

Escaped Cocke County Inmate Back in Custody, Sheriff Says

Escaped Cocke County Inmate Back in Custody, Sheriff Says

Posted on April 4, 2024

Cocke County, TN (WOKI) An inmate who escaped from the Cocke County detention center late Wednesday night is now back in custody.

Cocke County Sheriff’s Office officials say 37-year-old Stephen Jones was taken into custody Thursday afternoon on Shalebark Road in Newport after deputies received a complaint about a man in a hoodie matching Jones’s description.

He has been charged with felony escape.

Authorities had been searching the downtown area of Newport for Jones who escaped around 10:30 p.m.; he had been booked on charges of DUI, no insurance, open container, simple possession and false reporting.

Man in LCSO Custody after Barricading Himself Inside Home

Man in LCSO Custody after Barricading Himself Inside Home

Posted on April 4, 2024

Lenoir City, TN (WOKI) Authorities in Loudon County say an armed man who had barricaded himself inside a home in Lenoir City Thursday morning is now safe and in custody.

Officials with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office say officers responded to the home in the 4000 block of Harrison Lane around 8:00 a.m. after a woman called to say her husband was threatening himself and others with a gun.

LCSO says officers arrived to find the man had barricaded himself inside the home with a weapon.

He came out of the home and was taken into custody around 11:30 following negotiations with the sheriff’s department.

LCSO says the man will receive medical attention, including a mental evaluation.

The 2024 Covenant Health Knoxville Half Marathon and 5k are This Weekend and Road Closures will be in Place

The 2024 Covenant Health Knoxville Half Marathon and 5k are This Weekend and Road Closures will be in Place

Posted on April 4, 2024

It’s marathon time in Tennessee.

The 2024 Covenant Health Knoxville Half Marathon is scheduled for 7:30 am this Sunday but first the Kids Run gets underway on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and the Covenant 5k starting at 7:00 p.m.

There will be road closures in place in and around downtown Knoxville to accommodate runners.

Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon announces road closures along race routes

Streets and lanes will be blocked within the center city and surrounding areas for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon race events on April 6-7. All roads are expected to be open by 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7.

Chalk Walk, live events and more will be happening simultaneously in Downtown Knoxville, and organizers are expecting high volume. Participants are urged to arrive at least 30 minutes before their race starts. Preferred routes include:

  • Traveling along 11th Street and parking in the 11th Street Garage.
  • Traveling south on 17th Street, turning left onto Grand Avenue, turning left into the Blackstock Parking Lot before The Foundry.
  • Exit Interstate 40 to downtown and park in Market Square or Locust Street garages.

Downtown Knoxville live parking availability and a map of lots and garages can be accessed at https://www.downtownknoxville.org/explore/parking/?t%5b%5d=37. Knoxville Police Department will provide more traffic and parking information on social media.

The Clinch Avenue Viaduct is the start for all races and will be closed to traffic starting at 1 p.m. Saturday until 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Parking will be prohibited on Clinch Avenue between 11th and 16th streets, and vehicles parked on the street will be towed Saturday evening.

On Saturday, the Covenant Kids Run starts at 5:30 p.m., necessitating closures of 11th Street and World’s Fair Park Drive in front of the former Candy Factory building and Knoxville Museum of Art, and periodic closures of Clinch and White avenues between 11th and 13th streets and a small portion of 13th Street between Clinch and White avenues during the run.

The 5K starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday with closures throughout the Fort Sanders neighborhood until about 8:30 p.m.

On Sunday morning, the marathon will require staggered road closures from 7:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. throughout downtown Knoxville and the following neighborhoods: Fort Sanders, Sequoyah Hills, Fourth & Gill, Parkridge, Island Home and Old Sevier.

Motorists who need to reach Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital on Sunday morning should take Alcoa Highway to the Cumberland Avenue/Kingston Pike exit and enter the Fort Sanders area via 20th Street.

The details for specific road closures are as follows:

  • World’s Fair Park Drive: Closed from start of race until half-marathon passes from 11th Street, then closure is moved to south of parking lot beside the Knoxville Museum of Art; closed on north end by Fort Kid.
  • Clinch Avenue Viaduct from Henley to 11th streets: Closed throughout marathon weekend events.
  • Clinch Avenue: Closed at the start of marathon, 5K and Covenant Kids Run from 11th to 16th streets and at end of marathon between Union Avenue to World’s Park Drive.
  • White Avenue: Closed for 5K from James Agee to 22nd streets.
  • Lake Loudoun Boulevard: Southbound lanes from Todd Helton Drive to Neyland Drive closed for marathon.
  • Neyland Drive: Eastbound and westbound lanes closed for marathon from Walnut Street to Kingston Pike until turnaround is complete.
  • Kingston Pike: Eastbound lanes closed between Neyland Drive and Cherokee Boulevard; traffic will be two-way in westbound lanes.
  • Cherokee Boulevard: Southbound lanes closed.
  • Blows Ferry Road: Westbound lanes closed.
  • Alta Vista Way: Northbound lane closed.
  • Noelton Drive: Right lane closed from Alta Vista Way to Kingston Pike.
  • Kingston Pike: Right lane closed westbound from Noelton Drive to Forest Park Boulevard.
  • Forest Park Boulevard: Northbound right lane closed from Kingston Pike to Newcom Avenue.
  • Newcom Avenue: Closed from Forest Park Boulevard to Lebanon Street.
  • Lebanon Street: Closed from Newcom Avenue to Third Creek Greenway.
  • Tyson Park: Closed at Kingston Pike entrance and road closed sign inside Tyson Park at Highway 129 overpass.
  • Cumberland Avenue: Right westbound curb lane closed from Tyson Park to 22nd street.
  • 22nd Street: Closed for 5K from White to Clinch avenues. Closed for marathon from Forest to Cumberland avenues.
  • 23rd Street: Closed for 5K from Clinch to Grand avenues.
  • Forest Avenue: Closed for 5K from 13th to 21st streets. Closed for marathon from 17th to 22nd streets; continued closure from 17th Street east to 13th Street.
  • Highland Avenue: Eastbound lanes closed from 11th to 13th streets.
  • 11th Street: Closed from Highland to Western avenues.
  • Grand Avenue: Closed for 5K from 19th to 23rd streets. Closed for marathon between both intersections with World’s Fair Park Drive.
  • 21st Street: Closed for 5K from Grand to Forest avenues.
  • Gay Street: Northbound right lane closed from Jackson Avenue to Summit Hill Drive.
  • Magnolia Avenue: Closed between Gay and North Central streets.
  • Central Street: Closed between Magnolia Avenue and Broadway.
  • 3rd Avenue: Closed between North Central and Eleanor streets.
  • Deery Street: Closed between 4th and Lovenia avenues.
  • Lovenia Ave: Closed between Deery and Luttrell streets.
  • Luttrell Street: Closed between Lovenia and Wells avenues.
  • Wells Avenue: Closed between Luttrell and Eleanor streets.
  • Eleanor Street: Closed between Wells and 3rd avenues.
  • Fourth Avenue: Closed between Deery to Central streets.
  • 5th Avenue: Closed between Hall of Fame Drive and Winona Street.
  • Hall of Fame Drive: Closed between the two intersections with 5th Avenue.
  • Winona Street: Northbound lane closed between 5th and Washington avenues.
  • Washington Avenue: Closed between Winona and North Bertrand streets.
  • North Bertrand Street: Closed from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to McCalla Avenue.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue: Westbound lanes closed from North Bertrand Street to Summit Hill Drive.
  • Summit Hill Drive: Westbound lanes closed from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to Patton Street.
  • Cumberland Avenue: Closed between Central and State streets.
  • State Street: Closed between Cumberland and Hill avenues.
  • Hill Avenue: Closed between State Street and the James White Connector.
  • James White Parkway: Closed between State Street Connector to Sevier Avenue ramp.
  • Sevier Avenue: Right lane closed from James White Parkway to Island Home Avenue; cones 6-8 feet from westbound curb for runner lane from Island Home Avenue to Council Place.
  • Island Home Avenue: Closed from Sevier Avenue to Maplewood Drive; westbound traffic to use Hillwood Drive.
  • Council Place: Closed between Sevier Avenue to Gay Street.
  • Wall Avenue: Closed between Gay Street and Market Square.
  • Union Avenue: Closed between Market Square and Locust Street.
  • Locust Street: Closed between Union and Clinch avenues.

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