East Tennessee Cities and Counties Where Fireworks Are and Are Not Allowed
Photo courtesy of WVLT

East Tennessee Cities and Counties Where Fireworks Are and Are Not Allowed

July 2, 2024

Independence Day is just around the corner and you may be wondering if you will be able to celebrate with fireworks.

WVLT News has compiled a list of counties and cities in East Tennessee where fireworks are and are not allowed to be sold and used:

Anderson County-Illegal to sell and set off fireworks

Blount County- Legal to set off fireworks in the county in any location excluding Alcoa and Townsend. Fireworks are banned from being set off between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

City of Oak Ridge- Illegal to sell and set off fireworks

City of Alcoa – Illegal to sell and set off fireworks

City of Townsend – Illegal to sell and set off fireworks

Knox County- Illegal to sell and set off fireworks

Knoxville- Illegal to sell and set off fireworks without a permit from the city

Gatlinburg- Illegal to sell and set off fireworks

Pigeon Forge- Illegal to sell and set off fireworks

Sevierville – Illegal to sell and set off fireworks

LaFollette – Illegal to sell and set off fireworks

Athens- Illegal to sell and set off fireworks

Maryville – Legal to set off fireworks on private property from July 3 and 4 and Dec. 31 through Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Use of fireworks is prohibited at any public area, including, streets, roadways and parking lots.

Campbell County – Legal to sell and set off fireworks in county

Cumberland County – Legal to sell and set off fireworks

Crossville- Legal to sell and set off fireworks

Fentress County- Legal to sell and set off in county, banned within city limits

Grainger County- Legal to sell and set off fireworks

Greene County- Legal to sell and set off fireworks

Loudon County- Legal to sell and set off fireworks

McMinn County – Legal to sell and set off fireworks

Monroe County- Legal to sell fireworks and set off on July 3rd and 4th

Morgan County- Legal to sell and set off fireworks

Scott County- Legal to sell and shoot fireworks before 11:00 p.m.

Sevier County- Legal to sell and set off fireworks in the county but not in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville city limits

Roane County- Legal to sell fireworks, city leaders to determine areas where they may be set off

Kingston- Legal to sell and set off fireworks

Union County- Legal to sell and set off fireworks

Hawkins County- Legal to sell and shoot fireworks outside city limits between July 2 and July 6

Jefferson County- Legal to sell and shoot fireworks outside city limits

Story courtesy of our news partner WVLT

One Dead after Knoxville car crash on Pellissippi Parkway

One Dead after Knoxville car crash on Pellissippi Parkway

July 2, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) An investigation is underway following a deadly single-car crash Tuesday morning on Pellissippi Parkway.

Knoxville Police Department officials say officers responded around 8:30 a.m. to I-140 near Northshore Drive, where witnesses had reported that a car had flipped off the roadway.

When officers arrived on the scene, KPD says they found a car upside down next to a tree. The driver and only occupant of the car, an adult woman, was pronounced dead.

It was reported that the car lost control for reasons that remain under investigation and veered off of the roadway.

The identity of the victim has not been released.

Knoxville officers responded around 8:30 a.m. to I-140 near Northshore Drive, where witnesses had reported a car had flipped off the road.
Elderly Scott County Couple at Center of Silver Alert Found Safe, TBI says

Elderly Scott County Couple at Center of Silver Alert Found Safe, TBI says

July 2, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 7/3: An elderly Scott County couple at the center of a TBI Silver Alert has been found safe.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officials announcing Wednesday afternoon that 73-year-old Larry Young and 74-year-old Beverly Young were located after being seen last on Saturday, June 29 riding their ATV in the Brimstone Mountain area in Robbins, Tennessee.

Helicopters, drones and volunteers had been searching for the pair who were reported to have numerous medical conditions that may have impaired their ability to return safely without assistance.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued a Silver Alert for a missing elderly couple out of Scott County.

Officials with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office say 73-year-old Larry Young and 74-year-old Beverly Young have been missing since Saturday evening, June 29.

Larry Young, 73 (Courtesy: Scott County Sheriff’s Office)

The two, who both have medical conditions, were last seen at Brimstone Recreation ATV Park in Robbins, Tennessee. They were both last known to be on trail 43 near the monster pond.

Beverly Young, 74 (Courtesy: Scott County Sheriff’s Office)

Those with information are being asked to call the sheriff’s office at 423-663-0409 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

(Courtesy: TBI)
Knoxville Police have Identified the Victims and Suspects in a Fatal Shooting at The Pint House in North Knoxville

Knoxville Police have Identified the Victims and Suspects in a Fatal Shooting at The Pint House in North Knoxville

July 2, 2024

Update: The two victims who were killed in the shooting that happened early Tuesday morning in the parking lot of The Pint House on Merchant Drive have been identified as Zachery Herrera, 28 of Knoxville, and John Goosie, 41 of Knoxville.

Two suspects were positively identified after continued investigation throughout the day on Tuesday. The investigation was led by Knoxville Police Department Homicide Unit detectives and assisted by Field Operations Officers, Organized Crime Unit detectives and Knox County Sheriff’s Office personnel.

The suspects were identified as Kevin Matthews, 40, and Steven Davis, 36.

Based on the investigation, which included a review of the business’s surveillance footage, Matthews and Davis approached the bar and started assaulting Herrera outside of the front entrance for reasons that remain unknown. Herrera was a security guard at The Pint House. Goosie was a patron who was attempting to break up the fight.

At some point during the altercation, Matthews pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots, striking both Herrera and Goosie. An adult woman also suffered minor injuries from a graze wound to the foot. Herrera died at the UT Medical Center, while Goosie died at the scene.

Matthews is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder, while Davis was charged with aggravated assault and violation of parole.

Davis was taken into custody last night by Organized Crime Unit detectives and Community Engagement Response Team officers. Davis was located in the parking lot of the Shell gas station at 6210 Asheville Highway last night just before 10 p.m.

As of this morning, efforts remain ongoing to locate Matthews, who is shown in the attached picture. Anyone with information concerning Matthews’ whereabouts is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible to receive a cash reward. Matthews should be considered armed and dangerous.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Kevin Matthews

Original story: Knoxville Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a shooting with multiple victims that happened early Tuesday morning on Merchant Drive. 

At around 2:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, KPD officers responded to The Pint House at 815 Merchant Drive in regards to a shooting that occurred just outside of the front entrance of the bar. 

Officers arrived on scene and located three gunshot victims. One man was pronounced dead at the scene, while a second man was transported to the UT Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. The third victim, an adult woman, suffered minor injuries from a grazing wound. 

The suspect reportedly ran from the scene prior to officer arrival. At this time, a suspect has not been located, arrested or charged. 

The motive for the shooting remains under active investigation. As of this morning, detectives are continuing to gather evidence and witness statements. 

The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be provided as it progresses. 

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible to receive a cash reward. 

Reward Increases for Fugitive on TBI’s Most Wanted List Wanted for Two Counts of First-Degree Murder in Grainger County

Reward Increases for Fugitive on TBI’s Most Wanted List Wanted for Two Counts of First-Degree Murder in Grainger County

July 2, 2024

The reward is increased for information that leads to the capture of fugitive wanted on two counts of first-degree murder.

Aaron White is accused of killing two people in Grainger County and the reward is now $7,000 for information leading to his arrest in the deaths of Deven McDaniel and Jonathan Atkins whose bodies were found at one of the victim’s Bean Station home.

White is on the TBI’s most wanted list and is considered armed and dangerous.

If you have any information please call 1-800-TBI-FIND or Crime Stoppers 865-215-7165.

National Park Service Opens Concessions Business Opportunity for LeConte Lodge

National Park Service Opens Concessions Business Opportunity for LeConte Lodge

July 1, 2024

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The National Park Service (NPS) issued a prospectus for a concessions contract to provide lodging, food, beverage and retail services at LeConte Lodge within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The prospectus explains the business opportunity and the terms and conditions under which the NPS will award the 10-year concessions contract.

The NPS will hold a site visit for LeConte Lodge on July 11, 2024. Registration is required to attend the site visit. To register, please contact William Gordon, Interior Region 2 Concessions Management Specialist, at 470-445-0625 or [email protected].

LeConte Lodge, the only overnight lodging facility in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, lies just below Mount LeConte’s summit at 6,360 feet. Accessible only by foot or horseback, the lodge offers a unique experience for its guests.

All offers must be received by the NPS no later than 4 p.m. EDT on September 5, 2024.

Knoxville Police Release Video from June Police Shooting on Belle Terra Road

Knoxville Police Release Video from June Police Shooting on Belle Terra Road

July 1, 2024

The Knoxville Police Department has released the pertinent body-camera footage from the police shooting that happened on Belle Terra Road on the morning of Thursday, June 20, 2024.

At around 7:17 a.m. on June 20, 2024, KPD officers responded to the 2000 block of Belle Terra Road in regards to a woman who was reportedly armed with a knife and threatening to harm herself and others.

Officers Arim Ismail, Tisha Knickerbocker and Riley Lackey arrived at the scene at around 7:30 a.m. and made their way towards the home. As officers approached the home from the street, the woman, since identified as 49-year-old Shilo Rice, charged towards them while wielding a knife in a threatening manner.  

Officers ordered Rice to stop but she continued to run towards officers, at which time all three officers fired. Rice was struck multiple times. Officers rendered aid until medical personnel arrived at the scene. Rice was transported to the UT Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

A link to the video can be here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOLt9Af6gOA. * The video shows extremely graphic images that could be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. The video starts as officers are approaching the home and ends shortly after the shooting, as officers are providing medical care.

The shooting is being investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, per standard protocol, while the KPD’s Office of Professional Standards is also conducting an internal administrative investigation. Both of those investigations are still ongoing. Officers Ismail, Knickerbocker and Lackey remain on routine administrative leave.

Per department policy, in the event of a critical incident, the Office of Public Information in coordination with the Technical Services Unit and other appropriate department personnel, will immediately begin preparing a video of said incident for public release. The purpose of the video release is to inform the community of the circumstances that led to the incident in a timely fashion. The department strives to release critical incident video to the public as expeditiously as possible, in coordination with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Body Found by Sevierville Utility Worker Identified, ‘Foul Play’ Not Suspected

Body Found by Sevierville Utility Worker Identified, ‘Foul Play’ Not Suspected

July 1, 2024

Sevierville, TN (WOKI) An investigation is underway, and the body of a man found dead late Friday afternoon in Sevierville is identified.

A city spokesperson says 50-year-old Kenny Charles Davis of Sevierville was found dead in a vehicle just off Two Rivers Boulevard. Davis is believed to have been homeless and was found by a city utility employee.

The spokesperson adds that “no foul play is suspected” at this time, but they are waiting for the medical examiner’s determination.

The investigation remains ongoing.

(Frankly Media)
Rezoning in South Knoxville Sparks Protests

Rezoning in South Knoxville Sparks Protests

July 1, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) South Knoxville residents are working to save Bower Field from rezoning.

Currently, the land is listed as “public park,” but a proposal in November of 2023 to the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission is trying to change that designation to “general business.”

If granted, the change would allow for the company who owns the land to build more homes, transforming that part of Chapman Highway from a rural area into a residential area.

A Facebook page has been started by concerned citizens who want to keep the ball park.

The planning commission will meet on July 11 to hear the rezoning proposal.

Rezoning proposal could get rid of Bower Field, protestors gather to help fight against that possibility. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Knoxville Police are Investigating after Three People are Killed in a Crash on I-40 East

Knoxville Police are Investigating after Three People are Killed in a Crash on I-40 East

July 1, 2024

Three people were killed, including two young children, in a crash that happened early Monday morning on I-40 East.

At around 3:25 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to a single-car crash on I-40 East just east of Strawberry Plains Pike.

Based on the investigation conducted at the scene, it is believed that a Honda sedan was traveling east on I-40 when it went off the road to the right for reasons that remain under investigation and came to rest after the rear side of the vehicle crashed into a tree.

Two children, a 3-year-old and a five-month old, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, an adult man, and the front passenger, an adult woman, were transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. The man has since been pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries, while the woman remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Speed was possibly a factor in the crash, which remains under active investigation by KPD crash reconstruction investigators.

The identities of the deceased is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

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