Two Knox County Students Arrested for Threats of Mass Violence

Two Knox County Students Arrested for Threats of Mass Violence

Posted on September 6, 2024

Update (9/7/24):

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detectives, Major Crimes Detectives, and Patrol Officers responded to various threats Friday at Halls Middle and High Schools in North Knox County.

The following arrests have been made as a result –

A 14-year-old Halls High School Student was arrested around noon this afternoon for threats of mass violence; he was taken to Richard L. Bean juvenile detention facility. Due to the suspect being a juvenile, no other information or details will be released.

An 18-year-old Halls High Student was arrested for threats of mass violence. Charles McCarter was arrested and taken to the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility later in the afternoon.

Additional threats are being investigated. In response to those threats, several additional resources assisted with the initial investigation, including the Knox County Sheriff’s Hazardous Device Unit, Multiple K-9 Teams, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Homeland Security, the Knoxville Police Department, and the Knox County Schools Security Division, and Dr. Jon Rysewyk KCS Superintendent.

“I can’t stress enough, as I have said many times before, WE WILL TAKE EVERY THREAT AGAINST OUR SCHOOLS SERIOUSLY.  There WILL be consequences for this behavior, and as long as I am the Sheriff, it will not be tolerated in Knox County.

I want to thank everyone who responded so quickly. We are grateful for our partnership with the Knox County School Security Division, The Knoxville Police Department, and The Tennessee Highway Patrol.  I commend our Patrol Officers assigned to our schools and our Juvenile and Major Crimes Units for their tireless efforts in keeping our schools safe.  We appreciate the cooperation of the Halls faculty and the parents. Please talk to your kids and let them know who their friends are and what they are doing online.  If you need help, reach out!”

-Tom Spangler, Sheriff

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Juvenile detectives with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Friday afternoon arrested a 14-year-old Halls High School Student.

KCSO officials say the student was arrested around noon for making threats of mass violence.

It comes the same day as the teen charged in a Georgia high school shooting appeared in court for the first time.

In a release, Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler doubled-down on his department’s pledge to take every threat against KCS schools “seriously,” adding that there will be consequences for this type of behavior.

“I can’t stress enough as I have said many times before, WE WILL TAKE EVERY THREAT AGAINST OUR SCHOOLS SERIOUSLY.  There WILL be consequences for this type of behavior and as long as I am the Sheriff it will not be tolerated in Knox County.” – Tom Spangler, Sheriff

Sheriff Tom Spangler is making his thoughts clear about threats to Knox County schools. (Courtesy: Knox County Schools)

Millions in Federal Funding Coming to Knoxville to Improve Chapman Highway

Millions in Federal Funding Coming to Knoxville to Improve Chapman Highway

Posted on September 6, 2024

(Story courtesy of WVLT)

Knoxville, TN Millions of dollars in federal funding is headed to Knoxville, aimed at improving a stretch of Chapman Highway.

The money is coming from the Biden administration’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, a pool of more than $1 billion for grants to local governments who are improving roads.

Knoxville’s receiving $17.8 million in funding to improve one of the city’s most-used thoroughfares through its own project: SAFER Knoxville 2.0. Specifically, the three-phase project will focus on the stretch from Blount Avenue to Woodlawn Pike.

“We’re doing significant improvements at Augusta quarry which is a really popular place. We’re doing a lot of improvements to urban wilderness and connectivity, we want people to move around in ways other than cars if that’s something they’re interested in and that invitation rings a lot truer when they can do so safely,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said.

According to state data, Chapman Highway saw 33 deadly or serious crashes from January of 2022 to July of 2024. Of those, seven were deadly (with eight total deaths) and 59 people were injured. Also, seven of those crashes, including four of the deadly ones, involved pedestrians.

That’s what the city is hoping to reduce. According to federal documentation on the funding, SAFER Knoxville 2.0 will focus on “high speeds, drivers failing to yield to people walking and biking and inconsistent pedestrian facilities.”

“By 2040 we want to have zero people die on the streets of Knoxville, every single person who dies on our streets or walking on our streets is an avoidable death, in my view, and we cannot rely on individuals to fix that,” Kincannon said.

So what will that look like? The same documents said the city is looking to build a sidewalk on the west side of Chapman Highway, install new pedestrian signals at intersections and throw in a median.

Not all the money for SAFER Knoxville 2.0 is coming from SS4A, however. The City of Knoxville is planning on contributing the rest, bringing the total cost of the project to $22,250,000.

Knoxville wasn’t the only group getting funding in East Tennessee, either. Fentress County, Dandridge and Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation are also on the list.

The money is coming from the Biden administration’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Blake Shelton to Perform at Food City Center in 2025

Blake Shelton to Perform at Food City Center in 2025

Posted on September 6, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Country music superstar Blake Shelton is coming to Knoxville!

Shelton’s “Friends & Heroes 2025” tour will play Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on February 28, 2025. His performance will include special appearances by Craig Morgan, Deana Carter, Trace Adkins and Emily Ann Roberts.

American Express Card members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Tuesday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. The general on-sale will begin Friday, September 13 at 10:00 a.m.

“The ‘Friends & Heroes’ Tour is one of my favorite tours because as a fan, I can’t think of a cooler concert to see,” Shelton said. “I get spoiled every night seeing these icons come out and do four or five of the biggest hits of their storied careers. And then get introduced to new talent like Emily Ann. I can’t wait.”

If you can’t make it to the Knoxville show, Shelton’s tour also stops by Lexington and Atlanta.

Shelton’s “Friends & Heroes 2025” tour is slated to stop in Knoxville on Feb. 28, 2025. (Courtesy: Food City Center)

Man Dies after Farming Accident in Lenoir City

Posted on September 6, 2024

Lenoir City, TN (WOKI) A man is killed after a farming accident Thursday in Lenoir City.

Officials with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office say deputies responded to a call on Cardwell Chapel Road around 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

They found a 76-year-old man had fallen off the tractor he was driving and then was run over by the bushhog he was pulling.

He died from his injuries.

Officials say that detectives ruled it a farming accident.

The man fell off a tractor and then was run over, according to Loudon County officials. (Courtesy: LCSO)
Man Accused of Dismembering Bodies Indicted on Murder Charges, Grainger County DA says

Man Accused of Dismembering Bodies Indicted on Murder Charges, Grainger County DA says

Posted on September 6, 2024

Grainger County, TN (WOKI) A Morristown man suspected of killing and dismembering two people in Bean Station last spring has now been indicted.

The Grainger County District Attorney’s office confirms Aaron White was indicted on August 28 on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of abuse of a corpse.

White was arrested in connection to a double homicide that happened in May. According to investigators, White killed 49-year-old Jon Atkins and 32-year-old Deven McDaniel, whose bodies were discovered along Rocky Springs Road in Bean Station on May 25.

The DA says White’s next court appearance is set for December.

Aaron White was accused of killing two men in Grainger County before dismembering their bodies. (Courtesy: Grainger County Sheriff’s Office)
Sevier County Sheriff’s Office Looking for Missing Man

Sevier County Sheriff’s Office Looking for Missing Man

Posted on September 5, 2024

Sevier County, TN (WOKI) The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help finding a missing man.

SCSO officials say 26-year-old Shawn Odell was reportedly last seen in Kodak Wednesday morning. The office has not released a description of Odell at this time.

Those with information are asked to call Detective Sergeant Graham Brantley at 865-868-1748.

Shawn Odell, 26 (Courtesy: SCSO)

Shooting Investigation Underway after Home Invasion, Monroe County Sheriff Says

Posted on September 5, 2024

Sweetwater, TN (WOKI) An shooting investigation is underway following a home invasion Thursday morning in Monroe County.

Officials with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office say deputies were called to a home on Brunner Road in Sweetwater early Thursday morning after the break-in, which prompted the investigation.

MCSO says a person was forced from the home before deputies arrived on the scene, adding that the person had tried to reenter the home, but was shot and killed by the homeowner.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office officials said deputies were called to a home on Brunner Road in Sweetwater early Thursday morning after the break-in. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Man Sentenced for Role in Defrauding Lenoir City Woman

Man Sentenced for Role in Defrauding Lenoir City Woman

Posted on September 5, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Jamaican man has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for his role in defrauding a 76-year-old Lenoir City woman.

Department of Justice officials say 24-year-old Morice Armani Brown and other co-conspirators bilked the woman out of nearly $700,000 by convincing her to pay various fees and taxes to claim winnings from a bogus sweepstakes competition.

Court records reveal Brown and his accomplices reportedly travelled to Lenoir City to collect the money from the victim, splitting the proceeds between themselves and others.

Brown pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and was sentenced to serve 63 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to repay nearly $700,000 in restitution.

The charges were the result of an investigation by the Lenoir City Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

So far, Brown’s co-conspirators, Marklyn Antonio Forrester, Jamali Jermaine Ramsay, and Jahmarley Kiboki McFarlane were sentenced to 63 months, 36 months, and 57 months in prison, respectively. A fifth individual, Tessa Nicole Hines, is scheduled to be sentenced in October for her role in laundering money related to the scheme.

Jamaican man sentenced for role in defrauding Lenoir City woman out of nearly $700,000.(Credit: Frankly Media)
Weekend Preview: #17 Lady Vols Host #25 UCLA, LIU
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Weekend Preview: #17 Lady Vols Host #25 UCLA, LIU

Posted on September 5, 2024

VolleyballSeptember 04, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 17 Tennessee volleyball returns home this week for a pair of matchups at Food City Center, including a third-straight contest against a top-25 opponent.

After seeing a record-breaking crowd last Friday against No. 7 Penn State, the Lady Vols host 25th-ranked UCLA this Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. That match will be televised on SEC Network. On Friday, the Big Orange will take on reigning Northeast Conference champions LIU. First serve for the contest will be at 6:30, and it can be streamed on SEC Network+.

After another fun summer of camps, Friday’s contest will be the Camper Reunion match. All campers in their 2024 camp shirt will receive a complimentary ticket at the gates. At the conclusion of the match, we will host a postgame camper clinic.

Doors open one hour before each match, and fans can purchase tickets on AllVols.com. Parking is available in G3, G4 and G5 lots beside the arena. Gate B will be the entrance for general fans, while students and player guests are encouraged to use Gate C. The clear bag policy is in effect for all matches. Additional items to know before coming out for a competition can be found on the Volleyball Gameday Page.

UT Fans Shatter Program Attendance Record
During the season opening match against Penn State, Vol Nation showed up in full force to support the Lady Vols. A total of 6,193 fans packed into Food City Center to set the program record for a single home match, soaring past the previous record of 3,376 against Kentucky on Oct. 27, 2021. For the first week of NCAA volleyball, the crowd marked the eighth largest in the country and was the highest total for an SEC home match.

New Look Lady Vols in 2024
The 2024 edition of Tennessee volleyball will look much different than last season’s team. The Lady Vols lost five starters and several bench players, while only Caroline Kerr and Kiki Granberry return in their starting roles. Plenty of new faces have joined the program, as the Big Orange added nine players with their signing class and through the transfer portal. Some of them will see major playing time starting Day One, while others could see their roles increase as the season progresses.

Kerr Named to Preseason All-SEC Team
After establishing herself as one of the best setters in the country last year, Tennessee’s Caroline Kerr earned a spot on the 2024 Preseason Volleyball All-SEC Team. During the 2023 campaign, Kerr received All-America Second Team recognition from AVCA and was a Fourth Team selection by VolleyballMag.com, joining Julie Knytych (2004-05) and Mary Pollmiller (2011) as the only setters in program history to earn All-America honors. The Champaign, Illinois, native ranked third nationally, second in the SEC and led all NCAA freshmen in assists per set at 11.75, recording 14 40-assist efforts and five 50-assist performances on the year.

Who’s the Next Great Tennessee Outside Under Rackham Watt?
A major storyline going into this season is how the Lady Vols replace the All-American outside duo of Morgahn Fingall and Jenaisya Moore. While that will be a tall task, head coach Eve Rackham Watt and her staff have consistently found success offensively since arriving on Rocky Top, ranking inside the top 15 nationally in kills per set in three out of her first six seasons. Now, the question becomes, who will replace that duo? The top options are transfers Nina Cajic, who earned 2023 CAA Player of the Year honors at Towson, and Hayden Kubik, the former top-ranked recruit from Nebraska. Several other individuals will also factor into the rotation as well.

Market Square Madness Set for Oct. 18
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Market Square Madness Set for Oct. 18

Posted on September 5, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s and women’s basketball programs will host the third annual Market Square Madness event Oct. 18, as announced Wednesday morning.

Held at Market Square in downtown Knoxville, fewer than 1.5 miles north of the Tennessee campus, festivities will officially begin at 7:30 p.m.

Starting 30 minutes earlier, at 7 p.m., fans will have the chance to take photos with Smokey and members of the Tennessee Spirit Squads, as well as visit face painting stations and compete in on-court contests for prizes. DJ Sterl will be on-site, as well.

After a performance by the Tennessee dance team, DJ Sterl will introduce the 2024-25 Volunteers and Lady Volunteers, with skill challenges and fan contests to follow.

Admission to Market Square Madness is free. Attendees are encouraged to park in the Market Square Garage, State Street Garage or Locust Street Garage, each of which will be free to access after 6 p.m.

Fans interested in purchasing season tickets to see the women’s basketball team in action this season can do so HERE. Men’s basketball season tickets are already sold out, but fans interested in learning more about season tickets for future years can do so by clicking HERE. Additionally, fans seeking to bring a large group to Food City Center this season can begin that process HERE.

Single-game tickets for both programs will go on sale at AllVols.com at a later date.

The Lady Vols enter the 2024-25 campaign under the direction of first-year head coach Kim Caldwell. The UT women feature six experienced players returning from last season, including starters Jewel Spear and Sara Puckett, and welcome five additions from the transfer portal as well as a pair of highly-regarded redshirts. The squad will employ Caldwell’s trademark high-octane offense and intense pressure defense, looking to propel Tennessee to its 43rd-consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Coming off arguably its best season ever, the Tennessee men’s basketball team brings back seven players, including senior guard Zakai Zeigler, the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year. The Volunteers went 27-9 (14-4 SEC) in 2023-24, won an outright SEC regular season title, reached the Elite Eight and finished a program-best fifth nationally in both major polls. Tenth-year head coach Rick Barnes welcomes five new scholarship players, including a quartet of Division I transfers, to this year’s roster.

To keep up with the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team on social media, follow @LadyVol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /BallWithTheLadyVols on Facebook.

For news and information about the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.

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