Volunteer Assisted Transportation Marks 3,000 Riders; Asks for Volunteers

Volunteer Assisted Transportation Marks 3,000 Riders; Asks for Volunteers

Posted on December 28, 2023
Volunteer Assisted Transportation marks 3,000 riders and asks for volunteers (Pexels)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Just ahead of the new year, a volunteer-driven service that helps seniors and people with disabilities get around Knox County hits a milestone.

Since its inception in 2009, Volunteer Assisted Transportation has helped more than 3,000 riders (3,011). From July 2022 through June 2023 alone, the service provided over 3,800 trips for more than 190 riders. Now, the organization is asking for a little more help to accomplish their mission.

Those interested need to have a driver’s license, be over 21 and be able to pass a background check and drug screen.

Anyone looking to help their community can do so by calling 865-673-5001 or visiting this website.

Worker Dies at Gatlinburg Convention Center, Police Say

Worker Dies at Gatlinburg Convention Center, Police Say

Posted on December 28, 2023
Worker dies at Gatlinburg Convention Center, police say (Courtesy: WVLT / Kyle Grainger)

Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) Officials with the Gatlinburg Police Department release the details of a workplace fatality at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

GPD says 66 year-old Jeffrey Coker died after falling while installing lights in the convention center’s ceiling; the incident occurred in the Great Hall area which has a 32-foot-tall ceiling.

Coker worked for The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Union No. 197 which had been hired to install stage elements for an upcoming event.

The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) is investigating the death. Those reports can take as long as 10 weeks to complete.

Workplace Death at Gatlinburg Convention Center under Investigation

Workplace Death at Gatlinburg Convention Center under Investigation

Posted on December 28, 2023
Workplace death at Gatlinburg Convention Center under investigation

Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) A workplace fatality at the Gatlinburg Convention Center is under investigation.

Officials with the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration report that an investigator was dispatched to the Convention Center to determine who employed the worker and what led to the death after receiving a report regarding a workplace fatality.

No other information about the death has been released by TOSHA. Officials expect the investigation to take between eight and ten weeks with a report detailing the agency’s findings open for review once the investigation is final.

Volunteers and Supplies Needed for Knoxville, Knox County Homeless Warming Centers

Volunteers and Supplies Needed for Knoxville, Knox County Homeless Warming Centers

Posted on December 28, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Knoxville and Knox County area homeless service providers and churches plan to open overnight warming centers for people who live outside during the year’s coldest days, but they need some help.

The Knoxville-Knox County Office on Housing Stability is partnering with various locations to offer warming centers. Still, the office said it needs volunteers and supplies to make it happen.

It needs volunteers to deliver meals, set up cots, check people in or stay overnight from Jan. 1 to Jan. 15. It also needs new or used supplies like sleeping bags, bedding (especially comforters) and scrubs of all sizes. It’s also asking for toiletries, socks and underwear, but only in new condition.

Those interested in donating can contact Knox Area Rescue Ministries at (865) 673-6540 or by email at [email protected] . Those interested in volunteering can do so by calling 211 or emailing the Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability at http://[email protected].

A Knoxville Laundromat Re-Opens After a Car Crashes Into Their Building

A Knoxville Laundromat Re-Opens After a Car Crashes Into Their Building

Posted on December 28, 2023

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – A Knoxville laundromat is in the process of repairs after a car crashed into their building early Tuesday morning around 7 a.m.

According to the Knoxville Police Department, the driver hit a curb, overcorrected, possibly hydroplaned, and veered off the road, and crashed into the front of Bluewater Laundromat.

“We just had a good ole day and were all ready to come into work, and then pow! There comes a car,” said employee Haley Smith.

The crash shattered multiple sets of glass windows of the business along with Christmas decorations in the front of the building.

There are now boards over the windows so the laundromat can remain open, as employees are thankful nobody was injured.

“We usually have people here early in the mornings, and if someone was there, someone could have gotten really, really hurt. Like, I mean, my mamaw was back there cleaning, and she could have gotten run over. I mean, it was a few minutes after she was done mopping,” said Smith.

The driver was cited for no proof of insurance but was not arrested, according to KPD.

Bluewater Laundromat is open once again after closing for one day, and are actively working to repair and replace the damaged areas.

Christmas Tree Recycling in Knox County Begins Next Week

Christmas Tree Recycling in Knox County Begins Next Week

Posted on December 28, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – With Christmas in the rear-view mirror, Knox County is preparing to take Christmas trees for recycling from any and all Knox County residents.

The county’s tree recycling program begins after the new year. Throughout the month of January, residents can bring their trees, cleared of all ornaments, lights, wire and other decorations, to drop-off centers at no cost. It’s a free service that also benefits the environment.

The county is planning to reuse the trees to make things like mulch and other soil products, keeping the trees out of landfills. Anyone with an unwanted tree can take it to one of these locations:

  • Carter Convenience Center – 8815 Asheville Hwy
  • Dutchtown Convenience Center – 10618 Dutchtown Rd.
  • Halls Convenience Center – 3608 Neal Dr.
  • John Sevier Convenience Center – 1950 West John Sevier Hwy
  • Karns Convenience Center – 6930 Karns Crossing Ln.
  • Powell Convenience Center – 7311 Morton View Ln.
  • Tazewell Pike Convenience Center – 7201 Tazewell Pk.
TWRA: Black Bear Takes Unexpected Ride to Knoxville Waste Center

TWRA: Black Bear Takes Unexpected Ride to Knoxville Waste Center

Posted on December 27, 2023
Black bear takes unexpected ride to Knoxville waste center, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says (Pexels / Aaron J. Hill)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A black bear took an unexpected ride to a Knoxville trash center this week.

Officials with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency say the bear was dumpster diving when a truck came along and picked up the dumpster, taking its cargo to the Waste Connections trash center on Prosser Road.

The TWRA then responded to the scene, relocating the bear to a wildlife management area.

TWRA says the bear was a young male in good health. Officials remind you to always alert the right people and keep your distance whenever you do see a bear.

Rural Metro Rescues Three Dogs in Farragut House Fire

Rural Metro Rescues Three Dogs in Farragut House Fire

Posted on December 27, 2023
Rural Metro rescues three dogs in Farragut house fire (Courtesy: Rural Metro Fire)

Farragut, TN (WOKI) An investigation is underway into the cause of a house fire in West Knoxville with several pets rescued.

Rural Metro Fire crews rescued three dogs from the home in the 200 block of Fruitwood Lane in Farragut Wednesday morning.

Officials say crews contained the fire to one room, but the majority of the home suffered significant smoke damage.

No one other than the dogs was home at the time of the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

ELK CALF POACHED ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA IN CLAIBORNE COUNTY

ELK CALF POACHED ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA IN CLAIBORNE COUNTY

Posted on December 27, 2023

TWRA is seeking any information leading to the identification of the person or persons responsible for the poaching of a young calf elk in the Valley Creek area of the Ed Carter Unit of North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area in Claiborne County.  

A hunter discovered the elk calf on Friday, December 22 and contacted TWRA.  Wildlife officers responded to the area and say that the elk appears to have been shot by a small caliber rifle. 

A $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible has been generously donated by Campbell Outdoor Recreation Association (CORA), Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF), and the Pine Mountain Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).

Please contact Wildlife Manager Brenden Marlow at 615-571-4792, Wildlife Officer Stone Payne at 731-441-6018, or Wildlife Officer Michael Cavins at 865-318-3349 with any information regarding this poaching incident. 

A Member of Clinton-Based The McKameys Southern Gospel Group has Died

A Member of Clinton-Based The McKameys Southern Gospel Group has Died

Posted on December 27, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

A local, popular southern gospel group announcing the death of one of their members.

The McKameys say Peg McKamey Bean, also known as Ms. Peg, passed away yesterday (Tuesday) after suffering a stroke earlier in this month.

The McKameys are a family group based in Clinton making music for over six decades, performing across the U.S. and were regulars at Dollywood. In 2016, Peg McKamey Bean was inducted into The Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame.

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