Four People Charged in What Knoxville Police say is a Heinous Crime
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Four People Charged in What Knoxville Police say is a Heinous Crime

Four people are charged in connection to a Knoxville woman’s death in what police say was a heinous crime.

Knoxville Police say the four are charged in connection to 22-year-old Danishka Sibaja Mejia death at her home on Gilbert Lane in South Knoxville on April 5th.

Latawyne Osborne, his mother, Angela Greenburg, Marquis Ellis and Edward Wilson have been charged in the case.

Osborne, Ellis and Wilson were all indicted on first-degree murder among other charges. Greenburg faces tampering with evidence and accessory after the fact charges.

Mejia reported she had been sexually assault the day before her murder, naming Osborne as the assaulter, he is charged with her rape.

Eight Unclaimed Veterans to be Buried at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery

Eight Unclaimed Veterans to be Buried at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery

Eight unclaimed veterans in East Tennessee will be buried at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

The majority of these unclaimed veterans were homeless and no family members were able to be contacted.  Each of these eight men will receive full military honors including a procession, flag presentation, and burial at the cemetery.  he services will take place on Thursday, May 9, at Noon and is open to the public to attend to show support.

We have the full list of Veteran’s to be laid to rest on our website newstalk987.com

“It’s heartbreaking to think that these guys served our country and that they’re out there without any support or homes,” said Knowles.

The veterans and details about their service are listed below:

  • Sgt. Billy Walter Sharbono who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1972-1978
  • Airman Richard Remine who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967-1968
  • Airmen Basic Michael Anthony Scales who served in the U.S. Air Force in 1980
  • Airmen Recruit Ray Harrison Cate who served in the Navy from 1973-1974
  • Gunners Mate Seamen Apprentice James Leonard Murrell who served in the Navy from 1976-1981
  • Pvt2 Michael David Sharpe Jr. who served in the Army from 1989-1992
  • John Paul Butler Jr. who served in the Marine Corps
  • William Hernandez who served in the Navy from 1957-1962..

Jeff Berry at Berry Funeral Home said he would spend a week calling on potential family members of these unclaimed veterans before ultimately not having any luck finding someone.

Each of these eight men will receive full military honors including a procession, flag presentation, and burial at the cemetery.

“This ensures that this person or that veteran won’t be forgotten,” said Knowles.

The services will take place on Thursday, May 9, at Noon and is open to the public to attend to show support.

Knoxville Police Searching for Man Who Assaulted Residents at Isabella Towers

Knoxville Police Searching for Man Who Assaulted Residents at Isabella Towers

Knoxville Police are searching for a man who assaulted multiple residents at an East Knoxville community.

The man, who goes by the name Snoop, assaulted a resident at Isabella Towers on April 3rd, and two others on April 11th,.

He is believed to be is around 6′3″ and between 170-190 pounds. We have his photo on our website, newstalk987.com

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.

Knoxville Police Identify Driver in Deadly Motorcycle Crash on Asheville Highway

Knoxville Police Identify Driver in Deadly Motorcycle Crash on Asheville Highway

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: Knoxville police identify the driver in a deadly motorcycle crash Wednesday in East Knoxville.

The crash happened in the 6400 block of Asheville Highway near Rich Road involving a motorcycle and an SUV. The man driving the motorcycle, 31-year-old Bradley Evans of Maryville, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Based on the preliminary investigation, Evans’ motorcycle was going east on Asheville Highway and the SUV was attempting to pull left into the westbound lanes of the roadway from Domino’s Pizza when the motorcycle struck the driver’s side of the SUV.

Speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.

ORIGINAL STORY: Knoxville Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash in East Knoxville.

It happened Wednesday in the 6400 block of Asheville Highway near Rich Road involving a motorcycle and SUV. The man driving the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene.

Based on the preliminary investigation, the motorcycle was going east on Asheville Highway and the SUV was attempting to pull left into the westbound lanes of the Highway from Domino’s Pizza when the motorcycle struck the driver’s side of the SUV.

Speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.

Police Identify Suspect Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting in Fountain City
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Police Identify Suspect Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting in Fountain City

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating and has identified the suspect in Wednesday’s fatal officer-involved shooting in Fountain City.

Knoxville police responded to a disturbance in the 5300 Block of North Broadway at the Exxon gas station where investigators say 41-year-old William Charles McBride Jr. was “allegedly acting erratically and potentially aggressively.” McBride, who was armed with two knives, left the store and confronted an officer in the parking lot; that confrontation resulted in the officer firing at McBride, hitting him once.

McBride was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he died from his injuries. The officer was placed on routine administrative leave.

UPDATE: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting in Fountain City.

Knoxville Police responding to a disturbance in the 5300 Block of North Broadway at the Exxon gas station. Officers found a man, who was armed with two knifes, leaving the store and confronted an officer in the parking lot. Police say the man was “allegedly acting erratically and potentially aggressively.”

The confrontation resulted in the officer firing at the man, hitting him once. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he died from his injuries.

No officers were injured. The officer was placed on routine administrative leave.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting in Fountain City.

Knoxville Police responding to a disturbance in the 5300 Block of North Broadway at the Exxon gas station across from the Duck Pond.  They found a man with a knife inside the store who came outside and that’s when shots were fired.  There is no information in to what lead up to shots being fired.

No officers involved in the shooting sustained any injuries.  The man shot was taken to the hospital where he died.

Man Sentenced for Second-Degree Murder in Overdose Death at Knox County Motel

Man Sentenced for Second-Degree Murder in Overdose Death at Knox County Motel

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The man convicted of second-degree murder in a woman’s overdose death at a Knox County motel has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison.

The Knox County District Attorney’s Office sharing that
52-year-old Wesley Allen Lacey was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison in the overdose death of a woman at a motel in Carter on April 2, 2022.

The DA’s office says the two-day trial included evidence of Lacey admitting to giving the woman the drugs, namely fentanyl, that killed her during an interview with a Knox County Sheriff’s Office detective.

“Fentanyl and it’s analogues have been the number one drug found in overdose deaths in our community since 2016,” said DA Charme Allen in the release Thursday. “Our work with the Drug Related Death Task Force aims to reduce the amount of fentanyl coming into Knox County in order to save lives.”

CDC Warns of Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Trader Joe’s Basil

CDC Warns of Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Trader Joe’s Basil

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) An herb sold at Trader Joe’s locations nationwide has been linked to a salmonella outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issuing a food safety alert Thursday for contaminated basil distributed by Infinite Herbs and sold at Trader Joe’s stores in Washington and 29 states, including Tennessee and Kentucky.

According to the CDC, there’s been 12 cases of illness and one hospitalization related to the basil.

The CDC also said that Trader Joe’s had pulled the contaminated product from shelves and the distributor, Infinite Herbs, is cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration to initiate a voluntary recall.

The CDC is recommending that people do not eat any of the contaminated basil.

Crime Stoppers Asking for Help to Find Suspects who Allegedly Stole Allergy Medicine from a Pharmacy

Crime Stoppers Asking for Help to Find Suspects who Allegedly Stole Allergy Medicine from a Pharmacy

East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is asking for help to identify two suspects accused of stealing allergy medication.

The two entered a business on Town and Country Boulevard in Knoxville and reportedly stole over 29 boxes of allergy medicine from the pharmacy. They were seen leaving in a silver mini van.

We have their photos on our website newstalk987.com.

If you recognize either or both, please call Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Expanding Adaptive Ranger-Led Program

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Expanding Adaptive Ranger-Led Program

The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Catalyst Sports, Knox County, Kampgrounds of America Foundation, and Friends of the Smokies, is pleased to announce the expansion of adaptive ranger-led programs in 2024. Using assistive technology, the ranger-led programs are designed for visitors of all abilities and their families to learn about the natural and cultural history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.       

“We strive to create equal and accessible experiences for visitors of all abilities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “And we are thrilled to work with our partners to expand the adaptive programs and offer off-road wheelchairs.”  

Expanding on the adaptive programs offered in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the first time in 2023, this year’s lineup includes three opportunities for hiking, two for biking, one for kayaking and one overnight camping trip:  

  • June 8-9: Hiking Cooper Rd Trail and camping at backcountry campsite #1
  • June 22: Kayaking from Fontana Marina
  • July 13: Hiking at Hazel Creek Hike/Boat Tour
  • September 7: Hiking at Bradley Fork Trail
  • September 14: Biking at Deep Creek Trai
  • September 15: Biking at Forge Creek Road
  • October 5: Hiking at Middle Prong Trail or Little River Trail 

Register for the programs at  https://www.catalystsports.org/great-smoky-mountain-adaptive-hike-bike? and find more information at Catalyst Sports, a non-profit organization that provides outdoor adventures for people with physical disabilities. Registration is required to ensure equipment and volunteers are available for the programs. Registered participants are welcome to bring their own adaptive equipment. Information about volunteering can be found below.  

“These programs connect individuals with nature, promoting environmental awareness and stewardship. Expanding offerings and experiences will enhance inclusion for all,” said Eric Gray, CEO of Catalyst Sports.  

Outside of the scheduled programs, four GRIT Freedom Chairs, a type of off-road wheelchair, will be available for visitors to check out and use on park trails evaluated for the equipment, like the Little River trails or Deep Creek trails.

The programs and GRIT Freedom Chairs were made possible through the generous support of Friends of the Smokies, Kampgrounds of America Foundation and National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).  

Serving as the philanthropic partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Friends of the Smokies raises money to support special park projects, including accessibility initiatives, education opportunities, historic preservation and wildlife management.

Would you like to volunteer for the adaptive programs?  

The NPS is expanding opportunities for visitors of all abilities with the help of volunteers. Accessibility Awareness and Adaptive Equipment Training is required before volunteering with the adaptive programs. The NPS will offer volunteer training with Knox County and Catalyst Sports on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sugarlands Visitor Center Training Room, near the Gatlinburg entrance to the park. This volunteer position requires moderate to high fitness levels.

To register to volunteer, contact Katherine Corrigan at [email protected].