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UT Board of Trustees Passes Guaranteed Admission for Top Tennessee High Schoolers

Posted on September 11, 2023

*University of Tennessee / Credit: UT Athletics*

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) With it’s growing nationwide popularity, admission to the University of Tennessee has become very selective, prompting anxiety for homegrown students who have dreamed of attending the school.

Now, with the passage of a proposal guaranteeing them admission to UT, Tennessee’s high school students can breathe a little easier.

The UT Board of Trustees passed the guaranteed admission proposal for top Tennessee high schoolers on Friday, September 8, 2023; to qualify, students must meet any of the following criteria:

Finish in the top 10% of their high school’s graduating class; or
Achieve a 4.0 or higher GPA; or
Achieve a 3.2 or higher GPA and have an ACT composite score of 23 or higher (or an SAT score of 1130-1150 or higher)

The Knoxville campus will require students to have a minimum of a 19 subscore in Math and English.

The proposal is effective immediately, starting with the fall 2024 class.

Medic / LifeSouth Annual UT Versus Florida Blood Drive is Underway

Posted on September 11, 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.

Donors will receive a lot of swag for your donation this week.

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

The Annual Rod Run Coming to Pigeon Forge This Week

Posted on September 11, 2023

People are making their way to Pigeon Forge for Rod Run, the annual event that brings automotive lovers together from all over the country.

The event’s rising popularity has dedicated fans taking precautions like arriving early to secure a parking spot and to get ahead on booking a hotel room for next year’s event.

Longtime fans say the high demand has created high prices for what used to be an affordable weekend trip. Thousands of people are expected to make the trip to East Tennessee for the event with some people already showcasing their cars, but the official show begins on Thursday and runs through Saturday.

An Investigation is Underway Following an Apartment Fire that Claimed the Life of Several Animals

Posted on September 11, 2023

An investigation is underway after several animals die in an Apartment Fire in Montgomery Village.

Knoxville Fire Department crews were called to the scene Friday and found heavy smoke coming from the front of the building which contained six separate apartments. The fire was quickly contained but one apartment suffered heavy fire damage the other had smoke damage and unfortunately officials say several animals did die and KFD is investigating the cause of that fire.

Man Dead after Claiborne County Stabbing, Sheriff Says

Posted on September 8, 2023

*When deputies arrived, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.*

Claiborne County, TN (WOKI) The Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man was reportedly stabbed to death Friday morning.

CCSO officials say deputies responded to a home in the Speedwell area at around 10:45 after dispatch received a call saying a man had been stabbed.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered the man who was then pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials say the body has been sent to the Knox County Forensic Center for an autopsy.

CCSO investigators are interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence to learn more about the incident.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, it is believed that the persons involved in the incident were known to each other, and there is no danger to the general public,” CCSO officials said.

KPD: Five Arrested in Overdose Death Investigation

Posted on September 8, 2023

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Five people are arrested Thursday following the execution of a search warrant at a home in the 1500 block of Minnesota Avenue.

Officials with the Knoxville Police Department say the search is part of an ongoing overdose death investigation stemming from a suspected overdose death in June of 2023. They add that other overdose deaths are suspected of being connected to the home.

KPD says the search resulted in the seizure of approximately 45 grams of crack cocaine as well as heroin and methamphetamine. Additionally, a total of six firearms were seized, including an AR-style pistol that was stolen during a Knox County home burglary.

The following people were arrested and charged:

Allan Brown, 47, of Knoxville, Tennessee

Charges: Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Schedule I Drugs; Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Schedule II Drugs; Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Meth; Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon; Maintaining a Dwelling for Drug Purposes; Possession of a Weapon with Intent to Go Armed; and Theft of a Firearm

Quentin McClain, 57, of Knoxville, Tennessee

Charges: Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Schedule I Drugs; Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Schedule II Drugs; Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Meth

Karen Davis, 55, of Knoxville, Tennessee

Charges: Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Schedule I Drugs; Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Schedule II Drugs; Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Meth

Michael Frances Garcia, 53, of Knoxville, Tennessee

Charges: Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Schedule I Drugs; Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Schedule II Drugs

Adrian Thomas, 39, of Maryville, TN

Charges: Outstanding Warrant for Probation Violation and Identity Theft

KPD says other charges are pending, and the overdose death is still under investigation.

BCSO: Body Found in Fort Loudoun Lake Identified

Posted on September 8, 2023

*The Blount Special Operations Response Team recovered the body. (Courtesy: WVLT)*

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 9/8: One of two bodies found in Fort Loudon Lake last week has been identified.

The Blount County Sheriff’s Office identified the body as 36-year-old Bill Jesse Miracle.

BCSO officials say Miracle was identified by fingerprints.

The Blount Special Operations Response Team recovered Miracle’s body from Fort Loudon Lake on the evening of August 29th; it was found near George’s Creek.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office found a second body in Fort Loudoun Lake on the same day. They continue to ask for help in identifying that body.

ORIGINAL STORY: A body has been recovered from Fort Loudon Lake.

Officials with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office report their Special Operations Response Team recovered the male body from Fort Loudon Lake Tuesday evening. It was found near George’s Creek.

BCSO says the body, which has not been identified, was taken to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center for an autopsy to be performed in the coming days.

TDOT Announcing Two Road Construction Projects that will Have an Impact on Traffic

Posted on September 8, 2023

The Tennessee Department of Transportation says a road construction project on Lovell Road in Knox County will have a temporary impact on traffic.

Beginning Sunday there will be lane closures on Lovell Road between Kingston Pike and Pellissippi Parkway to allow crews to mill and resurface the road.

These lane closures will be in place nightly Sundays through Thursdays between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. All road work is expected to be complete on or before September 29th.

TDOT says a road construction project on Alcoa Highway in Knox County will also have a temporary impact on traffic.

Beginning Sunday, the northbound right lane on Alcoa Highway will be closed between Woodson Drive and Cherokee Trail while crews install a temporary rock catchment fence. This closure will be in place nightly between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. through Thursday.

In addition, next week the contractor may utilize traffic pacing operations to move equipment and perform various work activities. These will be intermittent daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and should have a minimal impact on traffic.

Country Music Artist Zach Bryan Arrested

Posted on September 8, 2023

Country music artist Zach Bryan is arrested in Oklahoma.

Bryan confirmed this in a statement on his social media pages. Bryan says he “had an incident with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol” yesterday and his emotions got the best of him.

Bryan was booked into the jail and was charged with obstruction of investigation.

Bryan was released and says there is a mug shot “floating around.”

The 27-year-old singer served seven years in the Navy before being honorably discharged. Bryan’s debut album DeAnn was released in 2019.

Yesterday, the Country Music Association announced Bryan was one of five finalists for New Artist of the Year.

New Affordable Housing Complex Coming to North Knoxville

Posted on September 8, 2023

A new 66 unit housing complex will help address the housing crisis in Knoxville.

Inskip Flats offers two and three bedroom units and is set to open later this month in North Knoxville on Clinton Highway.

Mayor Indya Kincannon says this new housing plan is just another step in the right direction to bring affordable housing back to Knoxville.

This Complex is part of a $38 million dollar investment into affordable housing by the city. A two bedroom unit will run around $1,100 and a 3 bedroom unit will be around $1,200 with wi-fi included in the rent.