Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The University of Tennessee Medical Center is implementing visitor restrictions due to an increase in flu and COVID activity.
UTMC announced this week that anyone under the age of 12 and anyone exhibiting signs of illness are restricted from visiting patients at this time. Signs of illness include cough, congestion, and stomach upset. This restriction does not include those seeking care.
Data released by the CDC late last month placed Tennessee among the states with “very high” levels of respiratory illness, to include influenza, COVID-19 and RSV.
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One person was hit and killed by a vehicle, according to KPD (Courtesy: KPD)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Police say they have found the driver accused of hitting and killing a man on Chapman Highway.
The crash happened Tuesday night on Chapman Highway near East Moody Avenue.
KPD says a man was hit while crossing the busy road; he died at the scene.
After finding a piece of the involved car at the scene, officials say both the car and the suspect have been found; officials are now working on charges for the suspected driver.
Medical examiners are still trying to identify the man who was killed in this crash.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol helped with the investigation.
Jeffrey Scott Cicirelli was arrested and charged with arson, reckless endangerment, burglary and vandalism. (Courtesy: MPD)
Morristown, TN (WOKI) A man is now facing charges in connection to a fire Tuesday that likely destroyed the historic Parks-Belk building in downtown Morristown.
Morristown Police Department officials say 33 year-old Jeffrey Cicirelli of Livonia, Michigan is charged with Arson, Reckless Endangerment, Burglary and Vandalism; he is in custody in the Hamblen County jail.
“Investigators were able to determine that Cicirelli has been staying at a west end motel for the past several days after his vehicle broke down while traveling,” officials said. “At this time, officers do not think he has any connection to the Morristown area.”
Police became suspicious of Cicirelli when he lingered around the scene Tuesday night asking first responders about the fire.
Historic Morristown building likely a total loss after fire, MFD says (Courtesy: WVLT)
Firefighters fought the blaze for more than twelve hours, and one firefighter was injured.
“The MPD would like to express appreciation to the citizens who came forward with information and all who assisted in this investigation,” officials said.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Highway Patrol plans to conduct sobriety roadside safety checkpoints around East Tennessee on multiple dates in January.
Sobriety checkpoints are scheduled for Douglass Dam Road at Amanda Lane in Sevier Couny Friday, January 5.
Officers will then conduct sobriety checkpoints on Oak Ridge Highway at Karns Valley Road in Knox County on January 12 and another on January 26 on Northshore Drive west of Concord Road in Knox County.
On January 19, troopers will conduct a sobriety checkpoint on Demory Road at White Bridge in Campbell County.
THP reminds everyone that impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures over 300,000 others every year in the United States. THP troopers will be evaluating drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment.
THP is legally required to release the dates and locations when they plan sobriety checkpoints.
That data, however, has not been audited by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, so it’s technically unofficial.(Courtesy: KPD)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Unofficial data from the Knoxville Police Department shows that crime rates, for the most part, dropped in 2023.
As the report data has yet to be audited by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, it’s technically unofficial. Even so, it shows that most types of crimes were less common in Knoxville than in years past.
According to the department’s year end summary, the number of murder victims dropped from 36 to 24 from 2022 to 2023, a nearly 35% reduction and the lowest total in Knoxville since 2019. As of the reports’ release, 17 of those 24 murder cases in Knoxville are closed, a 70% closure rate.
“I am so overwhelmingly proud of the men and women of this department, whose collective, relentless efforts throughout 2023 resulted in a meaningful reduction in crime,” Chief of Police Paul Noel said. “Preventing crime and improving community safety in all corners of the City are our top priorities, and our officers across every rank and assignment continue to display an unceasing commitment to that mission.”
The data shows a drop in other types of crimes as well, including a 34% decrease in reported car burglaries and an 11% decrease in vehicle thefts.
“As we enter the new year, I am so proud to say that crime numbers are down all across our city,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon. “These trends are an example of what we can achieve when we all come together with a heightened commitment to public safety and the well-being of all Knoxvillians. Thank you to Chief Noel, all of KPD, our violence reduction partners, and LaKenya Middlebrook and the Office of Community Safety and Empowerment—all your hard work is making a huge difference in our city.”
Reported robberies stayed the same from 2022 to 2023, though, and aggravated assaults went up eight percent. Of those assaults, KPD said it’s believed that more than half were domestic.
Morristown fire crews respond to structure fire on Main St. ( Courtesy: Morristown Fire Department)
Morristown, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: The historic Parks-Belk building in Morristown is likely a total loss after crews responded to a fire there on Main Street.
Morristown Fire Department officials providing that update after responders, joined by the Jefferson City Fire Department, worked to put out the fire, which broke out around 9:00 p.m. Tuesday.
Officials say crews worked overnight and this morning to keep the fire from spreading to other buildings on Main Street.
The empty four-story building was reportedly being turned into an apartment complex. No injuries have been reported, and there is still no word on what started the fire.
ORIGINAL STORY: An historic building is burning in downtown Morristown.
Morristown Fire Department crews remain on the scene after responding to a fire shortly before 9:30 Tuesday night at the Parks-Belk Building.
The historic building at the intersection of Main Street and Cumberland Street was in the process of being renovated into an apartment complex and was vacant when the fire broke out. No injuries have been reported.
Morristown fire crews respond to structure fire on Main St. (Courtesy: Morristown Fire Department)
Fire officials say the building is likely to end up being a total loss.
Long’s Drug Store closing this month (Courtesy: WVLT)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville staple will be closing its doors for good to start the new year.
Long’s Drug Store in Bearden notified customers Tuesday, January 2 that after 67 years of serving the community, it will be closing its doors this January.
The owner says the closure is due to the difficulty of running a small, independently-owned pharmacy and challenges posed by the pandemic.
“The healthcare world has changed over these past six decades, and unfortunately, it’s very difficult for small independent pharmacies to continue to operate within this new landscape,” said Hank Peck, Owner and Pharmacist in Charge at Long’s, in a press release. “In addition to these changes, like many local businesses, the pandemic posed significant challenges for us.”
Long’s last day to be opened is Tuesday, January 16. “Ultimately, this is one of the most difficult decisions we’ve ever made,” Peck said.
Peck is a second-generation owner of the family-owned drugstore. Peck’s father, Jim Peck, came to work for Dr. Clarence Long shortly after the store opened in 1956. Jim and his brother Ed purchased Long’s after Dr. Long passed away, and it has remained one of Knoxville’s few family-owned and operated pharmacies.
Hank said taking care of customers is still Long’s number one priority and said customer prescription records will be transferred to a CVS on January 17 after the store closes for good.
“This store has been here for a long time because of the people who have supported it, and the folks who come in here are our family,” Peck said. “We are so thankful to our community for trusting us with their health and for the many wonderful friendships and memories we have made here over the years. We will miss it very much.”
