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Knox County Health Department to Offer Fall Prevention Events for Seniors

Posted on September 13, 2023

*(Credit: Knox County Health Department)*

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Health Department will recognize the importance of preventing falls among older adults with two events this month.

The first is Friday, September 15 at Marble Hall in Lakeshore Park; the event will begin at 10:00 a.m., but participants should arrive by 9:45 a.m. The second event will be at the John T. O’Connor Senior Center next Friday, September 22, from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

The health department will introduce The Stay Active and Independent for Life program which is designed to help seniors prevent falls. The program includes exercises, educational materials, and self-assessments.

Water and snacks will be provided.

Trial Date Set for UT Football’s Jaylen McCollough

Posted on September 13, 2023

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A trial date was set Wednesday morning for UT football player Jaylen McCollough in an assault case from October 2022.

The court set the trial date for February 12, 2024 with a pretrial conference on January 12. McCollough was not present at Wednesday’s court hearing, having waived his right to an appearance.

McCollough was indicted on the assault charge back in June, accused of assaulting Zion Spencer who allegedly entered the wrong apartment back in October 2022.

McCullough is claiming self-defense in the case; he says Spencer refused to leave after being asked multiple times to do so. Spencer claims he left the [McCollough’s] apartment immediately and was followed out by McCullough who punched him causing him to fall down the stairs.

McCollough is a fifth-year senior who plays safety for Tennessee football and has started in the Vols’ recent match-ups against Austin Peay on September 9, 2023 and Virginia on September 2, 2023.

Medic with Only a Slight Lead in the Annual UT vs Florida Blood Drive

Posted on September 13, 2023

It’s time to beat Florida off the field, the annual blood drive competition is underway until Friday between MEDIC Regional Blood Center and LifeSouth Blood Center. The competition allows both blood centers to have fun celebrating SEC football and stabilize the blood supply. The center who collects the highest number of red blood cell products will be declared the winner!

Mayor Glenn Jacobs has made a friendly wager with Gainesville Mayor Harvey Wade over the competition. We can’t wait to hear Mayor Wade singing Rocky Top!

Donors will receive a special edition t-shirt (while supplies last) and coupons from Texas Roadhouse, Salsarita’s, Petro’s Smoothie King, Dunkin, and Papa John’s. Appointments can be made online at https://medicblood.org/, via the MEDIC app, or by calling 865-524-3074.

Protests Derail Proposed Choto Landing Development

Posted on September 12, 2023

*People in a West Knox County neighborhood are fighting against a proposed affordable housing development.(Courtesy: WVLT)*

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Recent protests have now derailed an affordable housing development planned for the Choto community in West Knoxville.

Officials with developer Dominion Group telling our news partner WVLT Tuesday that plans to develop Choto Landing, a 56-unit townhome community providing quality and affordable housing for people who earn less than $70,000 a year, has been stopped.

People in the community had been fighting against the proposed development, citing concerns about increased traffic in the area and potential flooding concerns.

“Dominion Group remains committed to developing affordable housing and appreciates the individuals and organizations that support this cause in every community,” officials said in a statement.

Representative Jason Zachary also spoke out about the development, saying he had confirmed that Dominion sold their property off Northshore.

“When people engage, it changes the trajectory,” Zachary said.

Three Arrested and Nearly $300,000 Worth of Meth, Fentanyl Seized in Madisonville Drug Operation, Police Say

Posted on September 12, 2023

Police seize “staggering” quantity of drugs and arrest three in Madisonville drug trafficking operation. Pictured, left to right, suspects: Joshua Kareem Mccowan, Amelia Beth Moore, and Elsie Marlene Moore. (Courtesy: Madisonville Police Department)

Madisonville, TN (WOKI) Three people are arrested and a “staggering” amount of drugs are seized Tuesday dismantling a major drug trafficking network in Madisonville.

Officials with the Madisonville Police Department say their year-long sting operation resulted in the seizure of one pound of fentanyl and nearly 10 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of nearly $300,000. Officers also confiscated 20 grams of cocaine, marijuana, prescription medication, and a handgun.

Authorities say Amelia Beth Moore, Elsie Marlene Moore and Joshua Kareem Mccowan were arrested and face charges for their involvement in the drug operation.

Medic with a Slight Lead in Annual Blood Drive Against Florida

Posted on September 12, 2023

It’s football time in Tennessee and you can support the Vols while helping to save a life.

The Medic versus LifeSouth blood drive runs through Friday, it’s the annual UT versus Florida Blood drive to see which blood bank can collect the most blood donations.

Last year, Medic won so let’s keep the winning streak going and as of yesterday, Tennessee is winning 282 to 278 units of blood.

Donors will receive a lot of swag, including coupons to various restaurants, for your donation this week.

Please go to https://medicblood.org/ to schedule your appointment.

TWRA says an Alligator has been Caught in East Tennessee

Posted on September 12, 2023

The Vols are taking on the Gators this weekend but an alligator has been found in East Tennessee.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency say they had a surprising call yesterday in the Whites Creek area of Rhea County where they trapped a four-foot alligator.

The gator was taken to the Chattanooga Zoo.

Officials say that alligators are not native to this part of Tennessee and ask that residents not dump unwanted animals. Currently, alligators are found in Shelby and Hardin Counties in West Tennessee.

TWRA says alligators are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states and can survive Tennessee winters by going into a hibernation.

A Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper is Injured in Crash While Responding to Another Crash

Posted on September 12, 2023

An investigation is underway after multiple people are recovering following a crash involving a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper who was responding to a separate crash.

Preliminary reports say the first crash involved a 33 year old man who was going South on Maynardville Highway hitting a guardrail before spinning out of control, crossing the center line and hitting another car. Two people were injured in that crash. Charges are pending against the driver.

The second crash also happened on Maynardville Highway just past Raccoon Valley Road. A trooper was responding to the first crash with his lights and sirens on when a driver pulled in front of the trooper, the trooper hit that car causing both of them to run off of the road. Both drivers and a three-year old inside of that car were injured.

Former Indiana Councilman Charged with Raping Girl May be in Gatlinburg, Police Say

Posted on September 11, 2023

*Steve Sumner, 55, is a former Indiana councilman who is charged with raping an underage girl. (Courtesy: East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers)*

Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) A former Indiana councilman, charged with raping a girl, may be in the Gatlinburg area, and law enforcement is asking for your help to find him.

The United States Marshals Service and Indiana State Police are on the hunt for 55 year-old Steve Sumner. Sumner, who also goes by the name Craig, is charged with multiple felony counts related to the rape of an underage girl.

Police say Sumner has been in and may still be in the Gatlinburg area. He also has connections with Waynesville, NC, and Maryland.

Officials say Sumner has a history of participating in the Nazarene Church in Montana and Colorado. He may also be working as a handyman.

They say Sharon Bailey Wood Barker is helping Sumner.

*Courtesy: East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers*

Anyone who may have seen Sumner or Barker is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers.

BCSO: Man Charged after Killing Mom, Cat at a Home in Louisville

Posted on September 11, 2023

*Zachary Hayes, 25 and Kimberly Hayes’ son, was identified as a suspect in his mother’s murder. (Courtesy: Blount County Sheriff’s Office)*

Louisville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man is in custody facing murder and other charges in the death of his mother Thursday night inside her Louisville home.

Officials with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office say 63-year-old Kimberly Hayes was pronounced dead at her residence on Samples Road Friday. BCSO deputies had responded to the home after receiving a call about a possible dead body.

A subsequent autopsy discovered Hayes had been stabbed multiple times consistent with homicide. Investigators also found a cat inside the house that had also died after being stabbed.

On Saturday, BCSO arrested 25-year-old Zachary Hayes, Kimberly Hayes’ son at his home on Pickett Avenue in Knoxville before 7:00 p.m.

Zachary Hayes is being held at the Blount County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

• Criminal homicide
• Aggravated burglary
• Abuse of a corpse
• Intentional killing of an animal

Hayes is scheduled to appear in Blount County General Sessions Court at 1:30 p.m. September 13, 2023. He remains in custody on bonds totaling $1.76 million.