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KCHD reports first La Crosse infections of the year

Posted on July 23, 2025

Knox County, TN (KCHD / WOKI) – The Knox County Health Department is reporting two cases of La Crosse virus in children this month, marking the first reported illnesses of the year. Both children required hospitalization but are now recovering at home.

La Crosse virus is a mosquito-borne infection that does not cause symptoms in most people. If symptoms develop, they can include fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Rarely, people develop severe disease, which can lead to potential encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Severe disease occurs most often in children under 16 years old. Most severe cases require hospitalization but will recover with supportive care. However, up to 15 percent of cases can have major neurologic complications.

The best way to avoid a La Crosse infection is to prevent or reduce mosquito bites. La Crosse is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito, which bites primarily during dawn and dusk in wooded areas. People also should:

Use insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Treat clothing with repellents such as permethrin.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants if in, or near, wooded areas and cover strollers/baby carriers with mosquito netting.
Control the mosquito population in your yard by reducing standing water on the property.
- Once a week, turn over items that hold water, such as swings, buckets, toys, small swimming pools, and flowerpot saucers.

If you notice any new neurological issues (seizures, mental changes, drowsiness/trouble staying awake) in your child, seek emergency care. For any other concerns, contact your child’s pediatrician.

So far in 2025, the CDC is reporting 10 cases across the U.S. Nearly a third of those are in Tennessee, which also has the most cases of all the states listed.

KPD Investigating Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Chapman Highway

Posted on July 23, 2025

A motorcyclist died following a crash that happened late Tuesday night in South Knoxville.

At around 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Chapman Highway and Woodlawn Pike to investigate a crash involving a pickup truck and motorcycle. The motorcyclist was transported from the scene to the UT Medical Center and was later pronounced deceased.

Based on the investigation conducted at the scene and witness statements, it is believed that the motorcycle was speeding south on Chapman Highway when it collided with the rear of the pickup truck, which was stopped at the traffic light.

KPD crash reconstruction investigators responded to the scene and are leading the investigation into the crash.

TDOT Smartway

THP says a Woman is Facing Charges in I-81 Crash with Multiple Injuries Near I-40 Split

Posted on July 23, 2025

A woman is facing charges in connection to a serious crash that shut down I-81 North near the I-40 split and sent several adults and children to the hospital.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol says 33-year-old Sereena Carpenter was driving a mini van southbound on I-81 near mile marker one when she used a crossover to go into the left lane of the northbound side yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon causing a head-on crash with a pick-up truck.

There were five juveniles in the car with Carpenter. Two of them, along with Carpenter, were injured. In total, 12 people were involved in the crash and seven were taken to the hospital.

There’s no word on their conditions.

Carpenter is charged with failure to exercise due care and traffic control device.

Knoxville City Council Approves Nearly $20M for Pleasant Ridge Road Project

Posted on July 23, 2025

KNOXVILLE, TN. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – The Knoxville City Council met Tuesday night to discuss and approve two major agreements totaling nearly $20 million for Phase II of a project on Pleasant Ridge Road.

Councilmembers approved two contracts for improvements to Pleasant Ridge Road from Merchant Drive to the city limits.

According to the city, turn lanes will be added at Walnoaks Road, Sullivan Road and Murray Drive. Additionally, sidewalks and a new 1,25 mile greenway will be constructed and utilities will be upgraded.

Pleasant Ridge Road Phase II Project(City of Knoxville)

Charles Blalock & Sons, the contractor, will receive $17,686,117, and Johnson Mirmiran & Thompson will provide construction engineering and inspection services for $1,223,187.

City officials said this project complements earlier work on Pleasant Ridge Road that added turn lanes, sidewalks and utility upgrades on a 1.3 mile section between Merchant Drive and I-640.

Construction is slated to begin this fall and wrap up by the end of 2027. Before the start of construction, the city will hold a public meeting to answer residents’ questions.

KFD

An Investigation is Underway Following a House Fire in South Knoxville

Posted on July 23, 2025

The Knoxville Fire Department is investigating a house fire in South Knoxville.

Crews were called to the 200 block of Colonial Drive last night (Tuesday) and found light smoke coming from the side of the home. They were able to quickly put the fire out and officials say the home was empty and was under renovation.

No injuries were reported.

WVLT

Report Identifies Man Killed in Jefferson County Mine Rockfall

Posted on July 22, 2025

Strawberry Plains, TN (WOKI) The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration says roof material fell onto a miner’s loader at Young Mine in Jefferson County killing him.

Their report says it happened on July 12, killing 36-year-old Alan Whitaker who had been working at the mine for just over three years.

Young Mine is located near Strawberry Plains and is owned by Nyrstar East Tennessee. An in depth investigation into the incident is ongoing, and Nyrstar is cooperating fully with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”).

In 2021, the company’s Immel mine was cited for safety concerns before an employee was killed in a mine collapse.

*The Labor Department released the report Monday, outlining some of the details about the mine cave-in*. (*Courtesy*: *WVLT*)

TBI

Missing Knox County Man Found Dead, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Says

Posted on July 22, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 7/22: Keith Conley, a missing Knox County man, has been found dead.

The announcement Tuesday afternoon coming from officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation after the Knox County Sheriff’s Office said the man’s truck had been found crashed with a body inside.

According to KCSO, Conley’s truck was found Monday evening crashed near Highway 129 close to Topside Road.

While there has been no word that the body inside was Conley, TBI confirmed Tuesday that he had died.

Conley, 65, was last seen on Friday, July 11 leaving South Knox County at around 5:00 a.m. to head to work in Solway; however, he never arrived at this destination.

“The community rallied together during the search efforts,” KCSO said. “We are grateful for the assistance of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, TBI, and the Alcoa Police Department, who helped with the search, the many citizens who also gave their time, and our media partners who helped spread the word.”

An autopsy is slated to be performed by the Medical Examiner to determine the cause of death and to positively identify the person in Conley’s truck.

Additionally, the Alcoa Police Department is leading the investigation into the crash and the cause of death.

UPDATE 7/21: Sheriff Tom Spangler confirms that the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Tracking team, Aviation & Detective Division, discovered the truck belonging to the missing Knox County man, Keith R. Conley. The truck, which had crashed near Highway 129, close to Topside Road, contained an individual who, due to extenuating circumstances, could not be positively identified at the scene.

The community rallied together during the search efforts. We are grateful for the assistance of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, TBI, and the Alcoa Police Department, who helped with the search, the many citizens who also gave their time, and our media partners who helped spread the word.

The Alcoa Police Department will lead the investigation into the crash and the cause of death. An autopsy will be performed by the Medical Examiner to determine the cause of death and to positively identify the single occupant.

The TBI Silver Alert will Remain in Effect for Conley pending identification of body found in his truck.

ORIGINAL STORY: A TBI Silver Alert has been issued for a Knox county man.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office says 65-year-old Keith Conley was last seen leaving South Knox County on July 11, heading for work in Solway but he never arrived.

He drives a 2003 White Ford Ranger XL Cab with Tennessee license plate BFN1492.

The truck has a distinctive blue toolbox in the bed. It was last sighted on Alcoa Highway near Topside Road.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office has been employing various resources, including Air Watch and the KCSO dive team to find Conley.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND or contact Major Crimes at 865-215-2243 or send tips through tip 411.

Cocke County Highway Department Fire Under Control, Mayor Says

Posted on July 22, 2025

Newport, TN (WOKI) All personnel are accounted for following a fire just before noon Tuesday) at the Cocke County Highway Department.

According to Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis, the fire, at the department’s facility on Lower Quarry Road in Newport, was brought under control around 1:00 p.m., adding that the building contained “dangerous explosives” inside.

Mathis says the county also evacuated the nearby Keurig Dr. Pepper plant as a precaution.

He urges the public to avoid the area as smoke is still thick and emergency responders will remain on scene for several more hours.

This is a developing story.

(*Courtesy*: *Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis*)

Courtesy / UT Athletics

Lady Vols Earn WBCA Academic Special Mention

Posted on July 22, 2025

The University of Tennessee is one of 37 NCAA Power Five programs, including nine from the Southeastern Conference, to earn academic recognition from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, the WBCA announced on Tuesday.

The Lady Vols earned “Special Mention” status for their collective 3.323 grade point average as part of the WBCA’s 2024-25 Academic Team Honor Roll. That was an improvement over the 3.301 recorded in 2023-24. Earlier this summer, the UT women placed 11 members of their 15-player 2024-25 roster on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes college women’s basketball teams across the nation in their respective divisions that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2024-25 season is the 30th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor roll.

“The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women’s basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “The 119 teams we honor this year strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts. Congratulations!”