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.

Knoxville Police Alerting the Public of a Phone Scam

Knoxville Police Alerting the Public of a Phone Scam

May 9, 2024

Knoxville Police say they have been made aware of more recent scam attempts where scam callers are identifying themselves as Knoxville Police Department officers.

In the particular scam, the caller is claiming to be a KPD officer and tells the person they missed jury duty and a warrant has been issued for their arrest and will need to provide a cash bond.

KPD or any legitimate law enforcement agency will never request money if there is a warrant for your arrest.

Police say hang up if you get one of these calls and report scams to them.

A Knox County Man is Sentenced, Facing Jail Time for Assault and Kidnapping
Photo courtesy of WVLT

A Knox County Man is Sentenced, Facing Jail Time for Assault and Kidnapping

May 9, 2024

A Knox County man is facing jail time accused of kidnapping and assaulting his girlfriend.

Timothy Stanton is sentenced to 12 years in prison without parole. District Attorney Charme Allen Stanton locked his girlfriend and himself inside a camper on her mother’s property and assaulted her for hours on December 31st 2022.

Stanton’s girlfriend suffered broken ribs a concussion with several cuts to her head. She was able to escape and call for help while Stanton was moving her from the camper.

Name a Parakeet after Mom for Mother’s Day at Zoo Knoxville

Name a Parakeet after Mom for Mother’s Day at Zoo Knoxville

May 9, 2024

Zoo Knoxville is hoping to help you out this year for a gift for Mom, but you do need to act fast. For a $10 donation to the Zoo, you can symbolically name a parakeet after your Mom. Each donation also includes a digital fact sheet and certificate, plus a free seed stick to feed the parakeets if you visit them between 10am-4pm on Mother’s Day.

You only have until midnight tonight (Thursday) to make your submission. They will be featured publicly on a poster inside of the Budgie Landing Aviary in Kids Cove  from Saturday through Monday.  Only first names will be displayed.

Please go to

Man Taken to Hospital after Officer-Involved Shooting at Clayton Park, Knox Co. Sheriff Says

Man Taken to Hospital after Officer-Involved Shooting at Clayton Park, Knox Co. Sheriff Says

May 8, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A man is taken to the hospital Wednesday afternoon following an officer-involved shooting in Knox County.

Officials with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office say deputies were trying to negotiate with a man who had a gun, around 4:30 p.m., at Clayton Park on Norris Freeway.

KCSO says the suspect was shot and was then taken to the hospital for treatment. His current condition is unknown.

No officers were injured in the incident.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will be investigating the shooting and the circumstances surrounding it.

Further information has not been released.

This is a developing story.

Knoxville Police Department Releases Body Camera Footage from West Knoxville Officer-Involved Shooting

Knoxville Police Department Releases Body Camera Footage from West Knoxville Officer-Involved Shooting

May 8, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knoxville Police Department has released body camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that happened in West Knoxville last month.

KPD says the shooting happened April 27 when officers responded, around 8:00 a.m., to 4705 Santala Drive on the report that a man, 25-year-old Jamauri Griffin, was armed with a gun.

As officers Hunter Powers and Cayden Riddle approached, they heard a woman shout and entered the home. While inside, Griffin reportedly shot the woman, which prompted the officers to fire back.

Griffin was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The shooting is being investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and KPD’s Office of Professional Standards, which conducts internal investigations. Officers Powers and Riddle are still on administrative leave.

The video, which is extremely graphic, can be viewed here . Viewer discretion is advised.

Hamblen County School Damaged by Severe Weather, All Students Safe, Superintendent Says

Hamblen County School Damaged by Severe Weather, All Students Safe, Superintendent Says

May 8, 2024

Russellville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Russellville Intermediate Elementary School in Hamblen County was damaged by severe weather Wednesday.

Superintendent Arnold Bunch Jr. tells WVLT News that all students are safe after a tornado warning was issued for the area, but no tornadoes have yet been confirmed.

According to Bunch, the school sustained damage to its roof causing a number of ceiling tiles to fall and water to infiltrate multiple classrooms.

First and most importantly, all of our students and staff are safe. We are very thankful.

We have teams on site assessing the damage at Russellville Intermediate Elementary School. We have damage to the roof and temporary patches are being installed to minimize water leakage. There are a number of ceiling tiles down and multiple classrooms have water. Teams are removing the water and cleaning up the school.

Russellville Intermediate Elementary School will not have classes tomorrow. We will continue to assess the damage to get a better assessment of when we can reopen. Simultaneously, we will review options to get our students into class either in person or virtually. As we get additional information, we will keep parents/guardians informed.

I greatly appreciate the outpouring of concern and offers of assistance from the community as well as other School Districts. – Superintendent Arnold Bunch Jr.

The school will be closed Thursday, May 9 as teams continue to clean up the building and assess the damage.

Podcasts

What's happening