Monroe County, TN (WOKI) A multi-agency drug bust is credited with getting fentanyl and guns off the streets in Monroe County.
Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones announcing that agents with the sheriff’s office together with the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations seized approximately 31 grams of fentanyl, multiple handguns, a large quantity of cash and other items while serving a high risk warrant Monday evening.
Jones says one suspect was also taken into custody following a foot pursuit in the area of Turnpike Road.
One in custody following multi-agency drug bust in Monroe County. (Courtesy: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office)
Knoxville, TN (KFD / WOKI) – This morning (Wednesday) around 4:50am, Knoxville Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire located on Wilson Avenue.
Knox County Communication District received a call that a house next door from the caller was on fire.
Engine 6 arrived on scene within minutes and stated that there was heavy smoke and fire showing from the whole right side of the residence. Firefighting operations started quickly and crews were able to attack the fire from inside the home.
The fire was under control within 10 minutes.
Crews are still on scene cleaning up and making sure there are no hot spots. The residence suffered heavy fire, smoke, and water damage and is a total loss.
It was reported that 5 people and 2 dogs were staying in the home. All occupants evacuated safely and were uninjured. The dogs were not in the home and are trying to be located.
There were no injuries from firefighters to report.
Many people felt and heard a large boom in Blount County and authorities are still working to determine what caused it.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office says they received several calls after the boom was heard at around 1:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon (Tuesday).
While thousands of people were without power after the boom, Blount County deputies patrolled the area for blown transformers and City of Alcoa officials say it was not electric-related.
Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp said no injuries have been reported.
TDOT and Vulcan Materials were not blasting at the time the boom was reported.
KNOXVILLE, TN (TDOT – WOKI) – Motorists traveling on I-275 in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a significant impact on traffic.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 18, I-275 will be closed in each direction as crews work to replace the bridge over Elm Street and Bernard Avenue. Motorists can bypass the work zone by using I-40 and I-640. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 21.
This is the second consecutive weekend closure of I-275 in this area. There will be a third weekend closure of I-275 in the Fall.
This project employs Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques, including innovative planning, design, materials, and construction methods. ABC works safely and cost-effectively to reduce the onsite construction time that occurs when building new bridges or replacing and rehabilitating existing bridges. ABC improves site constructability, total project delivery time, and work-zone safety for the traveling public.
This schedule is contingent on favorable weather conditions. Motorists are advised to expect delays and use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present.
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and “Know Before You Go!” by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
An East Tennessee man has pleaded guilty to claiming millions in false tax returns.
According to the United States Department of Justice, Ryan Glidewell, of Kingsport, conspired with others to file false tax returns seeking refunds based on the Employee Retention Credit and paid Sick and Family Leave Credit, both of which were created by Congress to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Glidewell worked with two co-conspirators, including his wife Aylissa, to create phony businesses that didn’t have any employees or operations to falsely claim the credits. All of the phony businesses were located in Sullivan County.
The DOJ says Glidewell filed several false tax returns for those businesses and directed the tax refunds to be mailed to an address he controlled.
In total, officials say the false returns claimed almost $3 and a half million in tax refunds, of which the IRS paid $1.8 million.
Glidewell pleaded guilty to Conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return Money laundering and is set to be sentenced on November 12, where he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud charge, a maximum of 10 years for the money laundering charge and a maximum of three years for the aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return charge.
This comes after Aylissa pleaded guilty in the scheme back in March to conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 15.
(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)
Jefferson City is asking residents to help conserve water.
Officials say the demand during high summer temperatures is putting strain on the utility system.
Jefferson City Manger James Gallup says the city is just looking to ease the demand on the utility system and there is no issue with utility infrastructure or equipment.
He asked that people limit extra water use which means holding off on things like using lawn sprinklers or washing cars.
Also, quickly report any leaks by calling public works at 865-475-6617 or the water plant at 865-475-3251.
Funds are available for local power companies, for-profit or non-profit organizations, and government entities, including local governments or public institutions of higher education based in Tennessee.
TDEC and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) initially partnered in 2021 to develop a statewide electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network designed to power the growth of EVs across Tennessee and reduce barriers to transportation electrification, leveraging various funding sources.
This solicitation is funded through the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust (EMT), from settlements resolving allegations that Volkswagen violated clean air standards in sales of vehicles in model years 2009-2016. The purpose of the trust is to execute environmental mitigation projects that reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides. Under the current solicitation, $2.8 million in EMT funding is available for eligible projects.
Projects implemented under this solicitation will support the continued development of the Fast Charge TN Network, building out direct current fast charging infrastructure at least every 50 miles along prioritized corridors. Following the first round of solicitation, 35 Fast Charge TN Network sites are now live and operational, and 18 sites are currently under development, but charging infrastructure gaps remain.
The Fast Charge TN Network program is managed by TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs and is intended to complement the State’s implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Grant Program, which seeks to build fast charging EV infrastructure along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. The national program is administered in the state by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
To avoid duplicative efforts, the prioritized areas for buildout under this second round of funding are areas that TDOT, TDEC, and TVA anticipate the State’s NEVI program will not address in Alternative Fuel Corridor buildout.
Priority will be given to locations within designated infrastructure gap zones as defined in the interactive infrastructure gap areas map. However, these areas are subject to change prior to final award announcements. More information on eligibility considerations and application requirements may be accessed in the application manual.
Applications must be received by Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. CDT. TDEC will announce awards after conducting a comprehensive review and evaluation of all complete and eligible grant applications. Grant contracting efforts will occur shortly thereafter.
TDEC will host a mandatory application workshop webinar on July 14 from 1-3 p.m. CDT. Registration can be accessed online. The workshop will be recorded and posted on the TDEC website for applicant reference.
Applicants will be required to attend the virtual application workshop prior to application submission, either by participating during the initial webinar session or viewing the recording. The application workshop will provide guidance on the application process and program terms and conditions, including project eligibility, timelines for implementation, and reporting requirements.
Interested individuals and organizations are advised to sign up for the TDEC VW Settlement email list to be kept apprised of all future and related announcements.
KNOXVILLE – Motorists traveling on I-275 in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a significant impact on traffic.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 11, I-275 will be closed in each direction as crews work to replace the bridge over Elm Street and Bernard Avenue. Motorists can bypass the work zone by using I-40 and I-640. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 14.
Motorists should be aware that I-275 will also be closed beginning on Friday night, July 18, through Monday morning, July 21. A third weekend closure of I-275 will be necessary in the Fall.
This project employs Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques, including innovative planning, design, materials, and construction methods. ABC works safely and cost-effectively to reduce the onsite construction time that occurs when building new bridges or replacing and rehabilitating existing bridges. ABC improves site constructability, total project delivery time, and work-zone safety for the traveling public.
This schedule is contingent on favorable weather conditions. Motorists are advised to expect delays and use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present.
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and “Know Before You Go!” by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
A multi county police chase which started with a robbery suspect in Knox County and ends in Loudon County.
The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect was taken into custody early Sunday morning after firing shots following the chase on Highway 70.
A suspect wanted on robbery charges led deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office on a chase into Loudon County and when the suspect turned onto Highway 321 they hit a Lenoir City Police Department cruiser.
The suspect was boxed in and safely taken into custody. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
