Powell, TN (WOKI)

UPDATE: The Knox County Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Timothy Hooks is facing charges after driving drunk and leaving the scene of a fatal single-car wreck on Collier Road.

Hooks and passenger, 35-year-old April Satterfield, were traveling southbound on Collier Road at a high rate of speed when Hooks made an improper pass on a blind hill and left the road. KCSO reports the car struck a tree. Hooks fled the crash leaving Satterfield in the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

KCSO says Hooks was found on Granville Conner Road and was taken to UTMC. Charges are pending against Hooks.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash in Powell.

It happened Tuesday night on Collier Road involving one vehicle. KCSO believes alcohol may be involved.

The road was shut down for several hours while investigators and the Crash Reconstruction Unit were on the scene.

New details in the fire that destroyed the Green Acres Flea Market Saturday night.

Blount County building code officials say several of the buildings were listed as unsafe and people were barred from entering.

The county cited the buildings for not being up to international fire and building codes and causing fire safety concerns, specifically that they’re “dangerous to human life.”

The investigation into the fire remains on-going.

A woman is arrested in connection to the murder of 26 year-old John Willis, who was killed in 2021.

The Alcoa Police Department says Heidi Litton was arrested yesterday (Monday) with 11 indictments.

Another suspect, Steven Greene, was charged with criminal homicide in 2021 and pleaded guilty this year. APD officials say he cooperated with investigators to help indict Litton for planning the homicide.

Litton was taken to the Blount County Correction Facility and is being held on a $1 million bond.

Knox County Commission on June 5, 2023, approved the General County Budget, which included the $660.7 million Fiscal Year 2024 general purpose budget for Knox County Schools, as well as the county-wide Capital Improvement Plan (including district construction projects).

The spending plan will make significant investments in crucial areas, including:

• Investments in staff
  • 4% base salary increases for all certified and classified staff
  • An additional 8% base salary increase for custodians, school clerical, educational assistants, security officers and food service (for a total of 12%)

• Investments in students
  • 20 new FTE interventionists (10 behavioral, 10 academic), allocated at 2 schools per region
  • 6 new FTEs at Richard Yoakley, KAEC, and Ridgedale
  • 18 new pre-K positions

• Investments in schools
  • An increase in playground investments, from $90,000 (FY23) to $590,000 (FY24)
  • Three growth solutions
    • Farragut ($4 million)
    • Mechanicsville, Lonsdale, Beaumont ($3.4 million)
    • South Knoxville ($4.1 million in FY25)
  • $3 million in school security investments including locks, video systems, emergency communication, and perimeter security

“We are grateful for the strong support of Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and the Knox County Commission in approving this budget,” said superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk. “Knox County Schools is committed to using taxpayer dollars wisely and effectively. Access to adequate funding is critically important to making gains in our four district priorities:  Excellence in Foundational Skills, Great Educators in Every School, Career Empowerment and Preparation, and Success for Every Student. We appreciate our partnership with Knox County and Mayor Jacobs and their ongoing commitment to the success of our students.”