A Hamblen County correctional officer was charged and arrested Monday for bringing drugs into the Hamblen County Jail, according to the Hamblen County Sheriff (Courtesy: HCSO)
Hamblen County, TN (WOKI) A Hamblen County correctional officer is charged and arrested Monday, July 17 for bringing drugs into the Hamblen County Jail.
Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office officials say 27 year-old Chasity Merritt, a new-hire at the jail, was caught bringing 14.6 grams of methamphetamine, hydrocodone pills and other drug paraphernalia into the facility. Officers also found a loaded .38 caliber handgun and more drugs in her car.
“I hold my employees to a higher standard and no one is above the law,” said Sheriff Chad Mullins. “If any of my folks are found to have made a conscious decision to break the law, they will be fired, charged and jailed.”
Merritt is facing several drug charges and firearm use in association with dangerous felonies. She was released on bond.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football’s home opener vs. Austin Peay on Sept. 9 will kick off at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+/SEC Network+ from Neyland Stadium, it was announced on Tuesday.
The first three kickoff times are now set for the Volunteers, who open the season a week earlier on Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET vs. Virginia from Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The opener will be televised by ABC.
Tennessee’s SEC opener on Sept. 16 at Florida is slated for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Vols carry a nine-game home winning streak into the Austin Peay contest. Tennessee outscored opponents 387-152 and drew six straight sellouts to close 2022 in Neyland Stadium.
People across the country have a chance to vote for the nation’s best-looking police cruiser in the 2023 America’s Best Looking Cruiser Contest and the Tennessee Highway Patrol would like your vote.
THP’s entry features a trooper, a 2021 Ford Explorer cruiser and a 2022 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Motorcycle center stage on the Grand Ole Opry. The 13 states with the highest vote totals will be featured on the 2024 wall calendar which will be available to purchase later this year.
The Tennessee basketball program has finalized its non-conference schedule for the upcoming 2023-24 season, its ninth under the direction of head coach Rick Barnes.
Fans interested in immersing themselves in the action at Thompson-Boling Arena next season are encouraged to click HERE. Big Orange fans have seen the Vols win 90 percent of their games at home over the last three years (43-5).
Tennessee’s lone public exhibition is set to take place on Halloween, as the Big Orange welcome Lenoir-Rhyne to Thompson-Boling Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
The regular season opens on Monday, Nov. 6, with a home game against Tennessee Tech. The Volunteers then hit the road to face Wisconsin on Friday, Nov. 10. The following week, UT returns to Rocky Top to host Wofford on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
For the fourth time in program history, Tennessee returns to Hawai’i for the Maui Invitational the week of Thanksgiving. While the bracket has not yet been revealed, the loaded eight-team field features the Vols, Chaminade, Gonzaga, Kansas, Marquette, Purdue, Syracuse and UCLA all squaring off Nov. 20-22.
The month of November closes with a trip to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where Tennessee faces UNC to highlight the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
The Vols then charge into December with a three-game homestand that includes clashes with George Mason (Tuesday, Dec. 5), Illinois (Saturday, Dec. 9) and Georgia Southern (Tuesday, Dec. 12).
On Saturday, Dec. 16, Tennessee heads to San Antonio, Texas, for a neutral-site Hall of Fame Series showdown against NC State at the AT&T Center, home of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.
The Vols’ final two games before entering the SEC gauntlet are consecutive home dates against Tarleton State on Thursday, Dec. 21 and Norfolk State on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Tennessee’s 11-day holiday break is its longest since 1977-78.
Southeastern Conference play begins Saturday, Jan. 6.
Tipoff times and television details for the aforementioned games—as well as Tennessee’s SEC schedule—will be announced later this fall.
The new year proved positive for Knox County students. From the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 tests, districtwide scores increased in all four categories, English Language Arts, math, science and social studies.
Students received a performance score in four categories: “Below Expectations,” “Approaching Expectations,” “Met Expectations,” and “Exceeded Expectations.”
Across Knox County Schools, less than half of all students scored proficient in the four categories. Math was where KCS students struggled the most, with only 34% of students scoring proficient.
On the other hand, social studies was Knox County students’ best subject. 50% of students scored proficient across all tested grades.
“We are pleased with our progress and applaud our teachers and principals for remaining focused on our district priorities. Their commitment is evident in the gains we are making,” said Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk. “I also want to thank our great community of parents, nonprofits, and business partners for their continued support of our students and schools. We are just getting started and I am excited about the future for our next generation.”
Anyone interested can view the full report below.
English Language Arts (ELA)
Districtwide, 41.2% of students scored proficient on ELA assessments across all tested grades.
1.7 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 39.5%
7.4 percentage point increase from 2020-21′s proficiency rate of 33.8%
In grades 3-8, 39.5% of students scored proficient on ELA assessments.
In grades 9-10, 43% of students scored proficient on ELA assessments.
Math
Districtwide, 33.9% of students scored proficient on math assessments across all tested grades.
3.6 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 30.3%
4.9 percentage point increase from 2020-21′s proficiency rate of 29%
In grades 3-8, 37.7% of students scored proficient on math assessments.
In grades 9-11, 24.7% of students scored proficient on math assessments.
Science
Districtwide, 46.5% of students scored proficient on science assessments across all tested grades.
2.2 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 44.3%
2.1 percentage point increase from 2020-21′s proficiency rate of 44.4%
In grades 3-8, 45.6% of students scored proficient on science assessments
In grade 10, 46.8% of students scored proficient on science assessments
Social Studies
Districtwide, 49.5% of students scored proficient on social studies assessments across all tested grades.
0.9 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 48.6%
4 percentage point increase from 2020-21′s proficiency rate of 45.5%
In grades 6-8, 49.9% scored proficient on social studies assessments.
In grade 11, 41.2% scored proficient on social studies assessments.
When considering district-wide numbers:
41.2% of students met or exceeded grade-level expectations in ELA;
33.9% of students met or exceeded grade-level expectations in math;
46.5% of students met or exceeded grade-level expectations in science; and
49.5% of KCS students met or exceeded grade-level expectations in social studies.
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee’s First Lady announces her initiative, Tennessee Serves, will work to support back-to-school efforts for a third year in a row.
Throughout July, Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative will provide new backpacks to school-aged children in the state’s economically disadvantaged areas. Tennessee Serves has partnered with the state’s Family Resource Centers to distribute the backpacks in 11 identified counties:
Bledsoe County
Clay County
Cocke County
Grundy County
Hancock County
Hardeman County
Lake County
Lauderdale County
Scott County
Morgan County
Perry County
The backpacks will be distributed by each school district. For more information on distribution, contact the school district’s Family Resource Center.
Knoxville Police are continuing their investigation into the body that was found in the creek in Third Creek Greenway Park on Saturday and need your help to identify him.
Despite exhaustive measures, the man has not been identified so police are asking if you can identify one of his numerous unique tattoos, including some pictured tattoos you can see on our website newstalk987.com, to please contact KPD Violent Crimes Unit at 865-215-7317.
Foul play is not suspected in his death at this time.
Jerry Steven Helton is wanted for federal violation of supervised release and unregistered sex offender. (Courtesy: ETVCS)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The U.S. Marshals and the Knoxville Police Department are searching for a man they warn is a “sexually violent predator.”
Jerry Steven Helton is wanted for federal violation of supervised release and unregistered sex offender.
Helton is 6′1″ and weighs 180 lbs with brown hair and green eyes.
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is warning “DO NOT APPROACH” Helton if you see him or know where he might be. Instead, anyone with information on Helton is urged to contact ETVCS at 865-215-7165 or online.
The toddler was found walking alone in the 5200 block of Asheville Highway with an unleashed golden doodle. (Courtesy: Knoxville Police Department)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A two year old child is found walking alone in Knoxville Tuesday afternoon, July 18. Now, Knoxville Police Department officials are asking for your help in finding the child’s guardians.
KPD says the toddler was found walking alone in the 5200 block of Asheville Highway with an unleashed golden doodle. The child is safe and unharmed, but Knoxville police are looking for the child’s guardians.
Anyone with information regarding the child’s caretakers is asked to call 911.
