Knoxville Police Charge a Man with Vehicular Homicide and DUI after Two Pedestrians were Hit, One Died

Knoxville Police Charge a Man with Vehicular Homicide and DUI after Two Pedestrians were Hit, One Died

Photo courtesy of WVLT

Knoxville Police say a man is charged with vehicular homicide after two pedestrians are hit on North Broadway.

It happened Saturday night near Grainger Avenue. Police say 43-year-old Kenyan Warren was driving on Broadway towards the exit to Hall of Fame Drive when he struck two pedestrians who were crossing, a man and woman. The female victim did not survive her injuries.

Warren is charged with vehicular homicide and DUI.

The crash remains under investigation.

TBI is Investigating a Fire in Jefferson County that Leaves One Person Dead

TBI is Investigating a Fire in Jefferson County that Leaves One Person Dead

Photo courtesy of WVLT

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Jefferson County officials are investigating a fire that leaves one person dead.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responding to the fire Saturday night on State Route 92.

A woman reportedly told authorities that her husband was still inside of the home. Firefighters found a body inside the home. The victim was transported to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center for identification.

Dolly Parton is Filming a Christmas Movie at Dollywood and You Could be in it

Dolly Parton is Filming a Christmas Movie at Dollywood and You Could be in it

If you want to be in a movie, you may soon have your chance.

Movie role submissions are being accepted for a Christmas movie being filmed at Dollywood for the next couple of months.

Adult males and females are sought to portray audience members for a casino concert.

Those interested would need to be available on August 16.

In addition, submissions are also being accepted for a part being filmed on August. 18, August 31 and September 1 to wear Christmas attire and act as a guest visiting the park during the holiday.

All roles are paid $10 an hour.

Film producers are also seeking three stand-in roles, including:

Black female, thin build, under 5′4″
White male, Brown hair, thin to fit frame, around 6′
White female, brunette, 40′s, average build, height
Stand-in roles are needed for all 19 film dates from Aug. 9 to Sept. 1, except on Fridays and Saturdays. Hired applicants will be paid $12 an hour.

Interested individuals should send submissions to [email protected] with a subject line that includes the name Dolly and the available dates or roles they are submitting for. A spokesperson said applications should include their name, location, cell phone number and a current photo in the body of the email.

Knox County Schools Announcing New Security Measure for this Upcoming School Year

Knox County Schools Announcing New Security Measure for this Upcoming School Year

Knox County Schools on Friday announced new security measures that are being implemented to enhance student safety in the 2022-23 academic year.

At a news conference, Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk and Security Division Chief Jason Periard said KCS has launched the “Safe Schools, Safe Students” initiative, a series of actions designed to provide a safe learning environment for students and staff.

Dr. Rysewyk said KCS has asked the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Knoxville Police Department to provide an annual audit of the district’s safety plan and every school’s safety plan. The district will also take steps to increase its recruitment of military veterans as School Security Officers (SSOs).

Other steps include:

  • An anonymous tip line that will be monitored 7 days a week;
  • Upgraded body cameras for school security officers;
  • An integrated visitor screening system; and
  • Upgraded video surveillance capabilities throughout the district.

“Student safety is our most important responsibility, and I am very thankful that the Board of Education, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, and Knox County Commission approved $4.7 million in additional funding for school security this year,” said Dr. Rysewyk. “This is a crucial investment, and it highlights our determination to protect our schools against potential threats to students, staff and families.”

The additional funding will allow the district to add 22 positions to the Security Division, and KCS officials are working to recruit and retain outstanding SSOs. Dr. Rysewyk said the recently created Talent Acquisition team will focus on actively increasing the district’s recruitment of military veterans, and he is proposing an extension of paid military leave that would provide up to 30 days of military leave time for SSOs or other employees who are serving as reservists.

“We are working proactively to identify outstanding SSO candidates with a commitment to our educational mission,” said Periard. “As a Marine Corps veteran myself, I understand the capabilities that reservists and veterans bring to the security profession, and I am confident that we will continue to attract high-quality officers for these new positions.”

Dr. Rysewyk also announced that he has asked the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Knoxville Police Department to provide an annual audit of the district’s school safety plan. Deputies and officers from those two agencies serve as School Resource Officers in many district schools, supplementing the work of SSOs.

“I have full confidence in the KCS Security Division’s planning capabilities,” Dr. Rysewyk said. “However, it is always wise to have a second set of eyes review important documents, and I am grateful for the support of KCSO and KPD in this regard.”

“It is a privilege for our deputies to provide additional support within district schools, and I am proud of the strong partnership we have built with the district,” said Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler. “We will continue working to make sure district schools provide a safe learning environment for all students and staff.”

“I have appreciated the chance to work with Dr. Rysewyk and Chief Periard over the last eight weeks, and our officers look forward to supporting the Safe Schools, Safe Students initiative,” said Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel. “We are eager to do our part in supporting the district’s goal of Success For Every Student.”

For more information, visit https://www.knoxschools.org/safeschools

Man who Illegally Provided a Gun for an Austin East Magnate High School Student is Sentenced to Time Behind Bars

Man who Illegally Provided a Gun for an Austin East Magnate High School Student is Sentenced to Time Behind Bars

Photo courtesy of WVLT

A Knoxville man who illegally provided a gun to an Austin-East High School student is sentenced to almost a year behind bars.

A Judge sentenced 21 year-old Kelvon Foster to 10 months in prison for making false or fictitious statements in connection with the purchase of a firearm, which is informally known as “straw purchasing. Two years of supervised release is also part of his sentencing.

Foster says he purchased firearms for people prohibited from doing so themselves. One gun was purchased for Anthony Thompson Jr. in exchange for cash and marijuana.

Officials say that gun was recovered when Thompson Jr. was killed in an officer-involved shooting in 2021 at Austin-East Magnet High School.

Those officers were cleared of any wrong-doing.

There Are a Few Upsets as Election Results are Released

There Are a Few Upsets as Election Results are Released

A new mayor and sheriff will be taking office in two East Tennessee counties after both incumbents are voted out.

The current Campbell County Mayor E.L. Morton will be replaced by Jack Lynch.

The sheriff will also be changing. Eddy Wayne Barton II received more votes than incumbent Robbie Goins, who faced recent controversy on social media after a video was circulated about how deputies trained their K-9.

Scott County Mayor Jeff Tibbals will be leaving his office after voters choose Jarried Jeffers to take over the position.

Sheriff Ronnie Phillips will also be leaving his office as Brian Keeton defeats the incumbent.

According to the unofficial results, almost 56,000 voters cast a ballot in this election. Fewer voters cast ballots this year compared to four years ago.

According to the preliminary results, Republican Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has been reelected after defeating Democratic challenger Debbie Helsley.

Incumbent Republican Charme Allen beat out Democratic challenger Jackson Fenner to keep her seat as District Attorney General in Knox County.

Unofficial results show Elaine Davis secured the Republican nomination over Janet Testerman for the 18th District’s seat in the Tennessee House. Republican Steve Triplett secured a large win over independent Dominque Oakley with 71% of the vote. Republican Kim Frazier defeated Democrat Vivian Shipe with 54% of the vote to fill the open at-large seat.

But the race for mayor in Farragut between Bill Johns and incumbent Ron Williams has been frosty this summer and it ended in one of the closes races of the night.

Williams defeated Johns by fewer than 60 votes, according to unofficial results.

For a complete list of results, please go to https://www.knoxcounty.org/election/

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