Body Found at Norris Lake, TBI Working to Identify, Agency Says

Body Found at Norris Lake, TBI Working to Identify, Agency Says

May 10, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is asking for help to identify a body found earlier this month at Norris Lake.

TBI officials say the body of a man was found in the Grainger County section of Norris Lake on Saturday, May 4.

The man is believed to be between 40 and 50 years old and around 5′8″ tall. TBI says he was wearing blue and black plaid pajama pants, white socks, two Figaro chain necklaces and a black and grey Timex watch when he was found by investigators.

Officials do not know how long the body had been at the lake.

If you have any information, please call 1-800-TBI FIND.

Suspect in Sevier County Police Chase Identified, Faces More Than 25 Charges, Police Say

Suspect in Sevier County Police Chase Identified, Faces More Than 25 Charges, Police Say

May 10, 2024

Sevierville, TN (WOKI) The suspect at the center of a police chase Thursday in Sevier County is identified.

Officials with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office say Jonathan Sims was wanted by the Gatlinburg Police Department for aggravated assault and was in a stolen car when he fled from police who attempted to perform a traffic stop.

Sims crashed into a Sevierville Police Department Patrol car before being apprehended in a field.

No officers were injured, and Sims faces 27 charges in the incident.

The Aurora Borealis May be Seen in East Tennessee this Weekend

The Aurora Borealis May be Seen in East Tennessee this Weekend

May 10, 2024

For the first time since, 2005, NOAA has issued a G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm watch over the northern half of the U.S.

The storm could even bring aurora borealis, or northern lights, to East Tennessee skies.

G4 storms are the second-strongest type of geomagnetic storm. According to NOAA they can ““trip out key assets from the grid,” meaning possible widespread voltage problems.

National Weather Service are hoping we’ll get to see this and say the possibility of lights comes Saturday night.

As for Saturday’s weather, the skies in East Tennessee look clear.

For best viewing, get away from man-made lights.

The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office Needs Help to Find Missing Children

The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office Needs Help to Find Missing Children

May 10, 2024

The Sevier County Sheriff’s office needs your help to find two missing children.

Authorites say 10 year-old Alaina Willis and 15 year old Jesse Willis haven’t been seen since April 22nd.

They might be in the Pikeville Kentucky area.

We have their photos on our website Newstalk987.com.

If you have any information please call the Sheriff’s Office or 1-800-TBI FIND.

Alaina Willis is 4’10” tall and weighs around 120 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Jesse Willis is 5’11” tall and around 130 pounds with red hair and blue eyes.

Knoxville Fire Department Crews Battle Northwest Knoxville House Fire with Injuries

Knoxville Fire Department Crews Battle Northwest Knoxville House Fire with Injuries

May 10, 2024

Knoxville Fire Department crews are on the scene (Friday morning) of a house fire at the corner of Cottonwood Drive and Burwood Road.

Crews are battling the fire at 3400 Burwood and say a woman was awakened by smoke and jumped out a window before they arrived. She was treated for possible injuries at the scene and taken to the hospital.

Three dogs were located safely, and one cat is missing.

There were no working smoke alarms in the home. The home has suffered heavy fire damage.

The American Red Cross is assisting.

Man Hospitalized, Suspect Arrested after Shooting, Blount Co. Sheriff Says

Man Hospitalized, Suspect Arrested after Shooting, Blount Co. Sheriff Says

May 9, 2024

Louisville, TN (WOKI) A man is taken to the hospital Wednesday morning following a shooting in Louisville.

Officials with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office say deputies responded to a home on Samples Road around 10:00 a.m. and found the 63-year-old victim outside who had been shot at least once. He was taken to UT Medical Center in critical condition.

BCSO deputies and officers with the Alcoa Police Department arrested the suspect, 29-year-old Benjamin Absher, who is charged with attempted criminal homicide and is being held at the Blount County Correctional Facility on a $200,000 bond.

The investigation is ongoing.

LMU Names New President

LMU Names New President

May 9, 2024

Harrogate, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Lincoln Memorial University has named their next president.

Dr. Jason McConnell, who has served as the interim president since January 1, 2024 will now fill the role on a full-time basis. He is the 22nd president at the school.

“I am deeply honored to serve as the president of Lincoln Memorial University, an institution that holds a special place in my heart,” McConnell said. “I am committed to advancing LMU’s mission of providing transformative educational experiences to our students and fostering a culture of excellence. Together, with the support of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, I am excited to lead LMU into a new era of innovation and success.”

McConnell first joined LMU as a member of the Information Technology Department in 2001.

Former Utility Manager Pleads Guilty after State’s Investigation into ‘Questionable’ Overtime

Former Utility Manager Pleads Guilty after State’s Investigation into ‘Questionable’ Overtime

May 9, 2024

Morristown, TN (WOKI) The former Witt Utilities Board general manager has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Benjamin Harris pleaded guilty to theft of property and official misconduct on May 1 in Hamblen County Circuit Court and was sentenced to supervised probation.

He was charged in May of last year after the comptroller’s office found he had misappropriated at least $12,000 and received “questionable” overtime payments of almost $68,000 during part of 2022.

The investigation also found that Harris used a district-owned car to go to a bar in Knoxville to drink during work hours.

East Tennessee Storms Shut Down 11 Roads in Sevier County

East Tennessee Storms Shut Down 11 Roads in Sevier County

May 9, 2024

Sevier County, TN (WOKI) If you are traveling in Sevier County, you will need to take several road closures into account when choosing your routes Thursday. Severe storms that moved through East Tennessee Wednesday have shut many of them down.

At this time, 11 roads are compromised due to flooding and debris resulting from Wednesday’s severe weather in the region.

In Sevier County, the following roads have been affected:

  • Ridge Road at Sevier Solid Waste: Flooded
  • Waldens Creek Road/Old Valley Road at Goose Gap Road: Flooded
  • River Divide Road: Flooded
  • 425 Wiley Oakley Road/520 Edgewood Drive
  • 5289 Henry Town Road: Impassable
  • Jones Cove Road at Highway 321: Downed trees
  • Russie Gap Road at Old Valley Road: Flooded
  • Goose Gap Road at Waldens Creek Road: Flooded
  • Boogertown Road at Upper Middle Creek Road: Passable
  • Oldham Creek Road/Shady Grove Road: Flooded
  • Headrick Lead/N Clear Fork Road: One lane passable
Loudon Police Asking for Help to Find a Missing Man

Loudon Police Asking for Help to Find a Missing Man

May 9, 2024

Officials with the Loudon Police Department are asking for help finding Kevin Cruze, who has been missing since May 1st leaving his Loudon home.

Cruze is 5-foot-3-inches tall, and 120 pounds with hazel eyes.

Jenkins said that circumstances surrounding his disappearance cannot rule out foul play.

If you have any information about Cruzes’ whereabouts, contact Jenkins at (865) 408-0412.

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