An investigation is underway after a teen is killed in a car crash in Anderson County.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol says a 16-year-old died in the crash on Frost Bottom Road in Anderson County Monday morning and three teens were injured.
A 14-year-old teen was behind the wheel of a car which lost control and came to rest at an embankment near Highway 116.
None of the teens were wearing seatbelts. THP says charges are pending against all of the teens.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee wide receiver group has taken big steps during spring ball with the new additions of transfers and incoming freshmen. With the new boost of faces, the squad is leveling up their production each practice under the direction of third-year coach Kelsey Pope.
Pope and receivers Squirrel White, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Chris Brazzell II spoke with local media following the conclusion of the eighth spring practice on Wednesday afternoon. The Vols worked out in shoulder pads prior to Thursday night’s scrimmage.
“It’s been physical, and it’s good to see,” Pope said. “I’ll tell you, there are some days the defense wins. You don’t always like that as a coach, but you do like to see which guys will respond to tough situations. That’s one of the things we have tried to put an emphasis on in the spring. It’s putting our guys in more physical situations. Last year, I can’t tell you if we got a pass interference call. You probably are not going to get one. So, we have to start practicing that way and not even anticipating it. Regardless of what happens, you have to go make plays regardless of who is draped over you or pulling you.”
White, a third-year veteran junior, returns as one of the main leaders in the receiving core. The Birmingham, Alabama, native produced his best season during the 2023 campaign with 67 receptions for 803 yards and two touchdowns. He produced three 100-yard receiving games, doing so against South Carolina, Alabama and Vanderbilt.
“The competition has been really good,” White said. “The defense, they are flying around making plays. We are getting each other better each and every day. Coming out there with a mindset of having fun out there, just playing from snap to whistle.”
Thornton Jr., a former Oregon transfer, returns as a primary outside threat for the Vols. Thornton Jr. posted 224 receiving yards on 13 receptions while securing one touchdown at Missouri, in which he sustained a lower-body injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
“To start, I am feeling very confident now that I have a year under my belt with the offense,” Thornton remarked. “I feel like everything is a lot easier for me. Now I can play faster, and not have to think too much while I am playing. With things going a little bit better towards the end of last season, then with me going down, that’s nothing I can control. I just used that as a way to get deeper in the playbook, build my faith and know what I need to work on when I come back.”
Brazzell II has made his way to Rocky Top after a two-year stint at Tulane. Brazzell II brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the field and in the film room. The 6-foot-5 lengthy receiver saw action in all 13 games during last season and boasted 44 receptions for 711 yards while hauling in five touchdown passes.
“I’m a bigger and also a taller receiver,” Brazzell said. ” I’m not really like a big-body receiver who runs big-guy routes. I’m able to run a slant, curl or a dig route. I’m also able to take the top off. I feel like I am an all-around receiver.”
Police need your help to find an inmate that’s on the loose after escaping from the Cocke County detention center.
Cocke County Sheriff C.J. Ball says 37-year-old Stephen Jones escaped last night (Thursday) and was last seen in the parking lot of Food City on Broadway Street.
Jones was wearing blue jeans, a dark blue shirt, and a black hat. He is charged with DUI, no insurance, open container, simple possession and false reporting.
If anyone has information, contact dispatch at 423-623-3064.
Alcoa, TN (WOKI) The Alcoa Police Department is asking for help finding five suspects in an apartment vandalism.
APD says officers and detectives went to the Ardmore Apartments construction site on Monday, April 1 after receiving a report of vandalism.
Police say construction workers reported finding signs of vandalism in multiple buildings including the destruction of appliances and light fixtures, flooding through floors of several apartments, and paint on carpeting, hardwood flooring, and drains.
APD says the vandalism happened sometime after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 29 and before 3:00 a.m. on March 30, where security camera footage shows the five suspects (who police say appear to be juveniles) leaving the property.
To view the entirety of the footage click here.
Anyone with information leading up to the vandalism or about the suspects in the videos is asked to contact the APD Criminal Investigations Section at 865-981-4111 or East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Neighbors in South Knox County are calling on Heartland Development to stop a proposed plan to bring around 170 homes to the Tarklin Valley area.
Heartland Development plans to get the land rezoned by the Knox County Planning Commission to allow them to build single-family homes off Pickens Gap Road.
Most people living in the area are against the plan, and they have already organized a petition against the development which has garnered more than 100 signatures.
Residents opposing the plan are expected to attend the Knox County Planning Commission meeting on April 11.
This plan is not a part of Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs’ Growth Policy Plan that was voted down by Farragut last week.
An investigation is underway after a daughter is charged in her mother’s death in Cocke County.
Sheriff C.J. Ball says deputies responded to Battle Road in Newport after getting a call from 36 year-old Polly Fox saying she had found her mother dead in her home.
Deputies found Ola Schumacher dead with a “deep cut to her throat.” Police have charged 35 year-old Rayanna Keene and Fox with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
On Tuesday, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced that Tennessee has joined a multistate lawsuit against Mariner Finance over widespread violations of multiple consumer protection laws. The suit alleges that Mariner Finance charged consumers for hidden add-on products that consumers were not fully informed about or, in some instances, did not agree to buy. In doing so, Mariner illegally added hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars to the amounts consumers owed the company. In 2019 alone, Mariner charged consumers $121.7 million nationwide in premiums and fees for add-on products.
“My duty is to ensure that companies treat Tennessee consumers fairly and honestly,” Attorney General Skrmetti said. “Businesses that engage in deceptive practices deprive Tennessee consumers of making an informed choice, and that is illegal and wrong. I’m proud to join this bipartisan lawsuit on behalf of The Volunteer State.”
The lawsuit also alleges that Mariner engages in illegal, aggressive sales tactics to extend credit to new borrowers. These kinds of predatory sales practices can lead consumers into a cycle of debt that’s hard to overcome.
On April 1, 2024, the Court granted Tennessee’s previously filed joint motion to intervene, allowing The Volunteer State to intervene and join the litigation by filing a Second Amended Complaint that includes the intervening states as parties.
According to Mariner’s website, Mariner has 34 branches in Tennessee. Any consumer who believes they have been deceived by Mariner’s harmful practices can file a complaint with Tennessee. Consumers can find more information about how to submit a complaint to the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office https://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/working-for-tennessee/file-a-consumer-complaint.html?
In addition to Attorney General Skrmetti, today’s Second Amended Complaint includes as Plaintiffs the attorneys general of Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Fire Investigation unit is investigating following a fatal house fire in Halls.
Rural Metro crews were called to the 4200 block of Eiffel Lane at Andersonville Pike yesterday afternoon (Tuesday). A man and two dogs perished in the fire.
Updated story: The National Weather Service in Sunbright yesterday (Wednesday) surveying damage caused by what they say is an EF1 tornado.
Sam Roberts with the National Weather Service says maximum winds of 105 mph were associated with this twister which was about 100 yards wide and it’s path 2.8 miles long.
Cleanup continues as several homes and businesses were damaged.
Original story: The National Weather Service says a tornado did touch down near Sunbright.
Morgan County E-911 says the tornado was confirmed just after 5:30 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday). No fatalities have been reported. Wartburg Police Chief Michael Cox says no injuries were reported during yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) twister.
Highway 27 was shut down and traffic was being rerouted because of downed trees, powerlines and debris on the roads. Most power has been restored after thousands were in the dark after the storm. Officials set up an emergency shelter at Central High School in Wartburg.
Several businesses suffered significant damage from the tornado including Schubert Funeral Home. It’s not known when the funeral home will reopen but services will continue in Wartburg.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The second annual Vol Village Music Festival surrounding pregame and postgame festivities of the 2024 Orange & White Game will feature award-winning, chart-topping artist Lindsay Ell and Knoxville-raised singer/songwriter Greylan James on Saturday, April 13.
The game kicks off at 1 p.m. in a limited capacity Neyland Stadium due to construction. Tickets are sold out. It will be televised live on SEC Network+.
Vol Village opens at 10:30 a.m. in Lot 9 and is free admission. For fans unable to make it into Neyland Stadium, big screens will be stationed in Lot 9 and the amphitheater outside Gate 21 to watch the Orange & White Game live, as well as the Vols’ 5:30 p.m. baseball game versus LSU.
Vol Village will feature food trucks, vendors, beverage stations, an appearance by the Spirit Squad, Smokey and VFL Sterl The Pearl. There will be free sponsor giveaways, interactive displays, face painting and fun activities for all ages.
Prior to entering Neyland Stadium, the 2024 Vols will take part in the Vol Walk beginning on Phillip Fulmer Way at the corner of Peyton Manning Pass at 11:10 a.m.
The free pregame concert begins at 11:15 a.m. in Lot 9 with Ell, one of country music’s most celebrated female voices, taking the stage. Ell has been lauded as one of the most exciting and talented young artists and holds a No. 1 platinum single with Brantley Gilbert in 2019.
The free postgame concert starts at 3:15 p.m. with James taking the Lot 9 stage. The Knoxville-raised singer/songwriter has written multiple No. 1 songs for Kenny Chesney and Jordan Davis. Greylan was nominated for CMA Song of the Year “Next Thing You Know” with Davis. A rising country artist in his own right, Greylan just wrapped up his run supporting Scotty McCreery’s CAB IN A SOLO TOUR and will open on select dates of Adam Doleac’s WRONG SIDE OF A SUNRISE TOUR beginning on April 25.
On-campus parking lots will open at 7 a.m. on gameday. Season ticket holders will receive information regarding on-campus parking availability. Free parking will be available at Ag Campus with shuttles to and from beginning at 9:30 a.m. Free parking will also be offered at the White Avenue and 11th Street parking garages. Phillip Fulmer Way will be closed from Lake Loudoun Blvd. to Cumberland Ave.
Fans interested in purchasing future new season tickets can fill out the season ticket interest form.
