Nothing Found after Primary Sweep at Hardin Valley Middle School, KCSO Says

Nothing Found after Primary Sweep at Hardin Valley Middle School, KCSO Says

Posted on April 2, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: 4/2 3:00 p.m. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a student at Hardin Valley Middle School made a verbal threat.

KCSO officials say the threat came in around 1:00 Tuesday afternoon prompting deputies to respond to the school and sweep it for any dangers.

KCSO says a primary sweep found nothing, but deputies did another sweep out of caution.

No one was hurt during the incident; however, the school was evacuated.

KCS did say that the school was evacuated as a precaution and that law enforcement was on the scene. (Courtesy: WVLT)

KCSO says charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.

ORIGINAL STORY: Hardin Valley Middle School was evacuated Tuesday afternoon for a “potential threat.”

Knox County Schools officials say the school was evacuated as a precaution and that law enforcement was on the scene.

According to officials with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, deputies did a primary sweep of the school and found nothing.

As of approximately 1:45 p.m., deputies were still on-scene doing another sweep.

KCSO says no one was hurt.

One Dead, One Injured after Shooting in Strawberry Plains, Suspect in Custody

One Dead, One Injured after Shooting in Strawberry Plains, Suspect in Custody

Posted on April 2, 2024

Jefferson County, TN (WOKI) A suspect is in custody after a deadly shooting in Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office along with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene near Thorngrove Pike in the Strawberry Plains area Tuesday morning.

Officials say one person was killed and another was taken to UT Medical Center.

A suspect was taken into custody but neither the suspect nor the victim has been identified.

JCSO is asking everyone to avoid the area as the investigation is ongoing.

Young Williams Animal Center is in Full Control of All Animal-Related Calls in Knox County

Young Williams Animal Center is in Full Control of All Animal-Related Calls in Knox County

Posted on April 2, 2024

Young-Williams Animal Center is in full control of all animal-related calls in Knoxville and Knox County as part of the animal control system.

YWAC has hired a director of animal services, an animal service supervisor and 17 animal service officers.

They plan to use the officers as a tool to provide pet owners with resources rather than writing citations and seizing animals from owners. These officers will have the same power as law enforcement.

Animal officers can remove an animal from a home if they feel an animal could be seriously harmed or die if left on a property.

Two East Tennessee Wildfires are Burning, One is Contained

Two East Tennessee Wildfires are Burning, One is Contained

Posted on April 2, 2024

A wildfire is burning in Cocke County in the Hartford community.

Crews responded to the scene last night (Monday). Several agencies are on the scene and smoke is present in the area so please use caution as crews are on the scene. No word on the cause of the fire or if there are any injuries.

Also, the brushfire near Townsend which threatened up to 15 homes in Blount County is now 100% contained this morning (Tuesday). Emergency crews responded to the fire yesterday (Monday) afternoon which grew to be 30-50 acres in size. Smoke could still be present in the area.

An East Tennessee Senator is Taken to the Hospital Following a Medical Emergency on the Senate Floor
Photo Courtesy of WVLT

An East Tennessee Senator is Taken to the Hospital Following a Medical Emergency on the Senate Floor

Posted on April 2, 2024

Tennessee Senator Steve Southerland from Morristown is taken to the hospital after experiencing a medical emergency on the Senate floor.

He was rushed out of the chamber and taken to the hospital via ambulance yesterday (Monday) afternoon and is being treated and evaluated.

No information has been released on what caused the medical emergency.

Man Accused of Deadly Easter Sunday Shooting Now on TBI’s Most Wanted List

Man Accused of Deadly Easter Sunday Shooting Now on TBI’s Most Wanted List

Posted on April 1, 2024

Nashville, TN (WOKI) A man accused of a deadly Easter Sunday shooting in Nashville is now on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s “Most Wanted List.”

TBI officials say 46-year-old Anton Rucker remains at-large and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Rucker is a black man, 6 feet tall, 208 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

He is wanted for allegedly shooting multiple people, one fatally, during an Easter Sunday brunch at Nashville restaurant Roasted in Salemtown. Police said Rucker fled the scene in a Mercedes GLS 450, which has been recovered.

Anyone who sees Rucker should call 615-862-8600 or 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Newport Bank Robbery Suspect Found in Los Angeles, Police Say

Newport Bank Robbery Suspect Found in Los Angeles, Police Say

Posted on April 1, 2024

Newport, TN (WOKI) A suspect in an armed bank robbery last week in Newport is taken into custody in Los Angeles.

Newport Police announcing Monday that Jeremiah Senter was found at the airport in Los Angeles after NPD worked with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI to track him down.

Senter had been on the run after reportedly going into the Newport Federal Bank and handing a teller a note demanding money, claiming he had a weapon, before running away from the bank.

He is charged with aggravated robbery and theft over $2,500.

Harper Out as Lady Vols Head Coach, Search Underway for New Women’s Basketball Coach

Harper Out as Lady Vols Head Coach, Search Underway for New Women’s Basketball Coach

Posted on April 1, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Lady Vols Head Coach Kellie Harper is out after five years at the helm of women’s basketball at the University of Tennessee.

UT’s Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announcing Harper’s firing Monday describing the move as a “change in leadership” while thanking Harper for giving her all for Tennessee and for the Lady Vols.

“After a thorough review of our women’s basketball program, I have informed Kellie we are making a change in leadership,” said White. “Decisions like these are never easy to make, especially with someone who has done so much for the Lady Vols as a three-time national champion student-athlete. Her love and passion for Tennessee and the Lady Vols is second to none. She has invested so much heart and soul into our program and truly has given her all for Tennessee. I thank Kellie for her stewardship of our women’s basketball program and wish her and Jon well in the next chapter of their lives.”

A nationwide search for a new coach is expected to begin immediately.

“After seeking input from our student-athletes, I will begin an aggressive search process to find the next leader for our iconic women’s basketball program,” said White. “To protect the integrity of this process, you will not hear from me until we are ready to announce our new head coach.”

“It has been an honor to serve at my alma mater and to coach a Lady Vol program I love so dearly,” Harper said. “I am grateful for the opportunity my staff and I have had to lead an amazing group of young women and to mentor them on the court as well as provide them with life skills that will benefit them far beyond the game of basketball.”

UT shared that during her time as a head coach, Harper directed her teams to 16 postseason appearances including back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16s in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Blount County Grand Jury Indicts Kenneth DeHart in Deputy’s Killing

Blount County Grand Jury Indicts Kenneth DeHart in Deputy’s Killing

Posted on April 1, 2024

Blount County, TN (WOKI) The suspect in the deadly shooting of a Blount County Sheriff’s Office deputy is formally indicted Monday by a grand jury.

Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr.’s indictment contains 21 counts to include a charge of premeditated first-degree murder in the death of Deputy Greg McCowan and an attempted first-degree murder charge in the shooting of Deputy Shelby Eggers during a traffic stop on February 8.

DeHart was also the subject of a five-day manhunt following the shooting. Several agencies assisted in the search, including the U.S. Marshals, Knoxville Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and more. DeHart was taken into custody at a Knoxville home following the search.

Eggers survived her wounds and testified at a preliminary hearing for the case on February 20.

Judge William Brewer sent the case for grand jury review following the two-hour hearing.

DeHart is expected in Blount County Circuit Court on Friday, April 5 at 9:00 a.m.

Tennessee Athletics Announces Change Of Leadership In Women’s Basketball
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Tennessee Athletics Announces Change Of Leadership In Women’s Basketball

Posted on April 1, 2024

Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced on Monday a leadership change with Tennessee women’s basketball as head coach Kellie Harper will not return as head coach next season.
 
“After a thorough review of our women’s basketball program, I have informed Kellie we are making a change in leadership,” said White. “Decisions like these are never easy to make, especially with someone who has done so much for the Lady Vols as a three-time national champion student-athlete. Her love and passion for Tennessee and the Lady Vols is second to none. She has invested so much heart and soul into our program and truly has given her all for Tennessee. I thank Kellie for her stewardship of our women’s basketball program and wish her and Jon well in the next chapter of their lives.” 
 
A nationwide search will begin immediately.
 
“After seeking input from our student-athletes, I will begin an aggressive search process to find the next leader for our iconic women’s basketball program,” said White. “To protect the integrity of this process, you will not hear from me until we are ready to announce our new head coach.”
 
One of only two skippers to guide four different programs to the NCAA Tournament, the 1999 UT graduate and three-time national champion point guard Harper led the Vols to a 108-52 record (53-24 in conference play) in her five seasons as head coach on Rocky Top.
 
“It has been an honor to serve at my alma mater and to coach a Lady Vol program I love so dearly,” Harper said. “I am grateful for the opportunity my staff and I have had to lead an amazing group of young women and to mentor them on the court as well as provide them with life skills that will benefit them far beyond the game of basketball.”
 
In her 20th year as a head coach, Harper owns a career record of 393-260 and has directed her teams to 16 postseason appearances (9 NCAA, 7 WNIT) as a head coach.
 
She led UT to back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16s in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
 
Harper guided UT to four straight third-place SEC finishes from 2020-23 and to the 2023 SEC Tournament Championship game, the program’s first appearance since 2015.
 
As a college player, Harper was part of a women’s basketball dynasty at Tennessee. As a junior, she helped guide the Lady Vols to a 39-0 record and their third-straight national championship.

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