Four People are Arrested and Charged with Second Degree Murder and other Drug Related Charges in Connection to a LaFollette Woman’s Overdose Death

Four People are Arrested and Charged with Second Degree Murder and other Drug Related Charges in Connection to a LaFollette Woman’s Overdose Death

Posted on September 25, 2023

A joint investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the LaFollette Police Department has resulted in the arrest of four people in connection to an overdose death. 

On January 29th, TBI special agents joined investigators with the LaFollette Police Department in investigating the death of Rosezetta Wilson Morris (DOB: 6/11/72) after she was found deceased at her home in the 500 block of W 4th Street in LaFollette. Her cause of death was determined to be an overdose caused by fentanyl toxicity. During the course of the investigation, agents determined that Helena Wilson, Latasha Wilson, Christy Wilson, and Claude Collins were involved in distributing the drugs that caused Rosezetta Morris’s death. 

On Wednesday, the Campbell County Grand Jury returned indictments charging all four individuals in connection to the victim’s death.

  • Helena Sue Wilson (DOB: 5/14/71), LaFollette: One count of Second Degree Murder, one count of Sell of Schedule II – Fentanyl, and one count of Delivery of Schedule II – Fentanyl.
  • Latasha Denise Wilson (DOB: 7/3/87), LaFollette: One count of Facilitation to Second Degree Murder.
  • Christy Marie Wilson (DOB: 6/16/88), Caryville: One count of Second Degree Murder and one count of Delivery of Schedule II – Fentanyl.
  • Claude Edward Collins, Jr. (DOB: 10/29/63), LaFollette: One count of Second Degree Murder, one count of Sell of Schedule II – Fentanyl.

Helena Wilson, Latasha Wilson, and Claude Collins were arrested and booked into the Campbell County Jail.

Christy Wilson was served in the Campbell County Jail, where she was already being held on unrelated charges.

Rural Metro is Investigating a Building Fire Which Shut Down East Governor John Sevier Highway

Rural Metro is Investigating a Building Fire Which Shut Down East Governor John Sevier Highway

Posted on September 25, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

East Governor John Sevier Highway is re-opened this morning and Rural Metro Fire is investigating the structure fire that caused it to close down.

It happened yesterday (Sunday) afternoon in the 2000 block near Clanton’s BBQ and Asbury.

It was an unoccupied commercial property that was being used as storage and due to excessive hoarding conditions inside the building crews had difficulty fighting this fire.

No injuries were reported.

Where you can see the Wienermobile in East Tennessee this week

Where you can see the Wienermobile in East Tennessee this week

Posted on September 25, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is officially back and touring East Tennessee.

The iconic 27-foot hotdog on wheels took a brief hiatus over the summer after being renamed the Frankenmobile, which was not well-received by the public.

You can see the Wienermobile Thursday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m at the Maryville Kroger on Foothills Plaza Drive then at the Alcoa Kroger on South Hall Drive from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sept. 29: Knoxville Kroger, 9225 Kingston Pike from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sept. 29: Knoxville Kroger, 9501 South Northshore Drive from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Oct. 1: Knoxville Kroger, 189 Brooklawn Street from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Oct. 1: Knoxville Kroger, 9161 Middlebrook Pike from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
There are also several other events planned where locations and times have not been announced yet. Those details, when released, will be on the Oscar Mayer website https://www.oscarmayer.com/wienermobile

A Discrimination Lawsuit is Filed Against the Oak Ridge Schools System

A Discrimination Lawsuit is Filed Against the Oak Ridge Schools System

Posted on September 22, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

On Thursday, parents suing Oak Ridge Schools claimed that the softball teams are not treated equally to the baseball teams.

The lawsuit claims the softball teams do not receive equal funding, equipment, travel, game schedules, practice times, locker rooms, facilities for practice and competition or publicity.

Oak Ridge Schools officials allow more funds to go to boys’ sports compared the girls’ sports, according to the suit.

Parents of softball team members also must purchase the necessary supplies, including uniforms. The lawsuit claims that the baseball program receives more and higher quality pitching screens, fielding screens and a ball cart.

The baseball team also has two mobile batting practice cages while the plaintiffs claimed the softball team has none.

The lawsuit stated that the softball team also does not receive equal funding as the girls must provide their own transportation and pre-game meals.

“The imbalance in the treatment of female and male athletes at Oak Ridge Schools… demonstrates Oak Ridge Schools’ intention and conscious failure to comply with Title IX,” the lawsuit said, referring to the federal requirement that schools do not discriminate against students based on gender.

The parents asked for Oak Ridge Schools to acknowledge the unequal treatment in violation of Title IX and provide girls’ sports programs with equal treatment.

Please click here for a link to download the complaint : https://www.scribd.com/document/672938634/Oak-Ridge-Complaint

Story courtesy of WVLT

A Landfill Fire in Andersonville is Under Control

A Landfill Fire in Andersonville is Under Control

Posted on September 22, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

A landfill fire in Andersonville is under control.

Multiple fire agencies called to the scene of that fire on Fleenor Mill Road early this (Friday) morning.

The Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department say about half an acre of trash was burning at the Chestnut Ridge Landfill and there was no threat of it spreading to areas outside of the landfill.

A Weigel’s Employee is Arrested and Charged for Reportedly Pulling a Gun on a Customer

A Weigel’s Employee is Arrested and Charged for Reportedly Pulling a Gun on a Customer

Posted on September 22, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

A Weigel’s employee is in arrested and charged after reportedly pulling a gun on a customer at a South Knoxville store.

It happened yesterday (Thursday) at 3939 Chapman Highway and police say 47 year-old Hector Ramirez got into an argument with a customer and reportedly pulled out a gun.

About 15 other customers fled the store once Ramirez pulled the gun and reports say that customer, his estranged wife’s boyfriend, provoked him.

Ramirez is charged with reckless endangerment.

Man Suffers Minor Injuries in Accidental Shooting at Madisonville Hardee’s

Man Suffers Minor Injuries in Accidental Shooting at Madisonville Hardee’s

Posted on September 21, 2023

Madisonville, TN (WOKI) One person was injured Thursday afternoon following an accidental shooting inside a Madisonville Hardee’s.

Madisonville Police Department officials say the incident took place around 1:30 p.m. inside the Hardee’s on New Highway 68.

They say a man dropped his gun; it discharged, and the bullet grazed him. No other injuries were reported in the incident.

Monroe County EMS took the man to a local hospital for treatment. Police adding that the man’s injuries were minor, and that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.

Food City Settles Tennessee Opioid Misconduct Case for Nearly $45 Million

Food City Settles Tennessee Opioid Misconduct Case for Nearly $45 Million

Posted on September 21, 2023
Food City settles Tennessee opioid misconduct case for $44.5 million (Courtesy: WVLT/City of Huntsville)

Nashville, TN (WOKI) Grocery giant Food City has agreed to pay nearly $45 million to settle the company’s opioid misconduct case.

The announcement coming Thursday from the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office which had filed a lawsuit in February 2021 accusing Food City of unlawfully selling opioids.

“Every entity that contributed to the opioid crisis must be held accountable. Our Consumer Protection Division remains relentless in the pursuit of justice and I am proud of their aggressive enforcement in this case,” said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. “By paying a hefty price to resolve past misconduct, Food City provides critical resources to save lives and protect families and can now get back to the business of serving its customers and supporting Tennessee communities.”

The AG’s office says the $44.5 million Food City will pay will go towards Tennessee’s Opioid Abatement Fund, primarily, which supports local efforts in addressing the opioid epidemic.

Additionally, Food City agreed to up-training for pharmacy staff, updating their prescription validation process, and reporting more data to the state.

Food City released a statement following Skrmetti’s announcement, saying the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing, but the company is hoping to contribute to opioid-related programs.

“The agreement states that it is not an admission or evidence of any liability or wrongdoing,” Food City said, adding that the company “will contribute to the opioid-related programs that are being established as a result of the previous settlements with national retailers and distributors.”

The settlement also includes an agreement for Food City to provide employment opportunities for Tennesseans recovering from opioid addiction.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs says they are Working on a New Contract for Ambulance Service after Emergency Operation Center Temporarily Opened due to Ambulance Shortage

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs says they are Working on a New Contract for Ambulance Service after Emergency Operation Center Temporarily Opened due to Ambulance Shortage

Posted on September 21, 2023

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs says there is an ambulance shortage in the county and they are working to be sure that everyone who needs help won’t have to wait.

American Medical Response, the company that currently holds the contract for ambulance service in Knox County, has been fined by the county, who has waived most of those, for taking too long to respond to calls as part of their contract with the county which may not be renewed as the county is looking at other providers. Just last week, the county opened an emergency operations center after a shortage of ambulances and an overwhelming amount of calls in a short amount of time.

WVLT reporting bodies laid on the side of the road for more than six hours. Firefighters and police officers were forced to transport some patients to hospitals themselves because an ambulance wasn’t available. Mayor Glenn Jacobs says that just because an ambulance might take longer to respond to an emergency call, that does not mean patients aren’t receiving care. He says paramedics are usually on scene providing care until an Ambulance arrives and they are administering care to the patient.

County Commission will review the new contract at a meeting which is expected in late October.

A Tazewell Man is Charged with Multiple Crimes Against Children While Awaiting Trial for 100 Counts of Crimes Against Children

A Tazewell Man is Charged with Multiple Crimes Against Children While Awaiting Trial for 100 Counts of Crimes Against Children

Posted on September 21, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

A Tazewell man is charged with multiple crimes against children while awaiting trial for another 100 counts of crimes against children.

32-year-old Daniel Goins indicted on five counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child and one count of aggravated rape by a Claiborne County grand jury.

The investigation determined there were multiple victims in different locations.

Goins was extradited from Indiana and returned to Claiborne County for his arraignment.

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