Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A man is facing decades in prison after being convicted Thursday for sexually assaulting two minors.
According to District Attorney Charme Allen’s office, 35-year-old Ray Elliott III assaulted a 14-year-old girl in January of 2023, and the girl reported the assault to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office the next day.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation tested evidence in the case, finding Elliot’s DNA in the girl’s underwear. During the investigation, officers also found that another child victim had been abused by Elliot.
Elliot has four previous felony convictions. After his conviction Thursday, Elliott is facing three counts of rape, statutory rape by an authority figure and aggravated sexual battery and one count of attempted aggravated sexual battery and sexual activity involving a minor.
He’ll be sentenced on September 20 and is looking at between 12 and 20 years for each conviction.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A 16-year-old Knox County Schools student is in critical but stable condition Friday morning following a hit and run crash in West Knox County.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened around 7:30 Thursday morning, August 8 at the intersection of Thornton and Hughlan Drive in the Farragut area.
Police say a passer by saw the girl laying on the ground as the bus pulled up.
At this time, KCSO does not have a description of the involved vehicle and is asking those who live in the area to check security cameras and report any information to the sheriff’s office’s Traffic Unit (TANGO) at 865-215-2243; ask for Officer Simerly. You can remain anonymous.
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Thorton Drive and Hughlan Drive, KCSO said. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Nashville, TN (WOKI) As school starts back, lawmakers are reminding everyone of Tennessee’s new parental consent law.
The new law requires the doctor or nurse to consult with parents by phone or text before treatment in non-emergency situations. It also applies to school counseling; however, lawmakers say counselors can still listen to a student’s problems or concerns without parental consent.
Should an emergency situation arise, the law does stipulate that any person, including a school nurse, can provide a child with medical assistance to include treating a wound or taking a child to the emergency room in the event of a serious injury.
Seven other states have similar laws that require parental consent for non-emergency medical services: Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The new law requires the doctor or nurse to consult with parents by phone or text before treatment in non-emergency situations.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a Knox County Schools student was hit by a car Thursday morning while waiting on a school bus.
The girl was at the bus stop at the intersection of Thornton and Hughlan Drive in the Farragut area. A passer by noticed her on the ground at about the same time the school bus arrived.
She was taken to UT Medical Center where she remains; her condition has not been released.
KCSO is asking if you live in the area, please check your cameras to see if you have captured any pertinent footage.
If you have any information, please contact the Sheriff’s office; you can remain anonymous.
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Thorton Drive and Hughlan Drive, KCSO said.
KNOX COUNTY – An ongoing investigation by special agents in TBI’s Drug Investigation Division and agents with the 5th Judicial District Drug Task Force has resulted in the indictment of 15 people.
In December, TBI agents and DTF agents began investigating the sale of large quantities of methamphetamine in Knox County and surrounding areas. During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that Richard Carroll Baker, a member of the outlaw motorcycle gang known as the Pagans, was the individual leading the distribution efforts. Further information revealed that Brian Batson Fox, another member of the Pagan Motorcycle Club, along with numerous other individuals, assisted Baker in distributing illegal narcotics throughout East Tennessee.
On July 31st, a Knox County Grand Jury returned indictments charging fifteen people as part of the ongoing investigation. At the time of this release, 14 of those individuals had been located and arrested.
Richard Carroll Baker (DOB: 09/11/78), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine, three counts of Sale/Delivery of 26 Grams of Methamphetamine.
Brian Batson Fox (DOB: 07/26/66), Dandridge – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
David Eugene Maples (DOB: 07/16/79), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Joseph Shane Moore (DOB: 03/22/77), Strawberry Plains – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Larry Douglas Bradford (DOB: 04/07/71), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Erin Elizabeth Wright, also known as Erin Fleenor (DOB: 10/11/81), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Deidre Nicole Hood (DOB: 08/19/86), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Connie Sue High (DOB: 06/04/84), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Jill Marie Jones (DOB: 11/03/79), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
LeAndrea Faye Osentoski (DOB: 10/09/73), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Alicia Mae Kristen Murphy (DOB: 04/08/87), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Bettina Clara Godwin (DOB: 12/03/82), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Charles Richard Robertson, Jr. (DOB: 06/28/61), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Courtney Janene Lewis (DOB: 11/01/79), Powell – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office, 9th Judicial District Drug Task Force, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are assisting with the investigation, which remains ongoing.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (Courtesy: TBI)
Knox County Schools are still dealing with a bus driver shortage.
While every child still has a ride to school and is not missing any instructional time some obviously are going to come a little bit earlier since those buses are doubling up.
The driver shortage has been impacting schools in East Tennessee for years but Ryan Dillingham, the director of transportation with Knox County schools tells our news partner WVLT that they’re working to hire more drivers.
KCS also has an app that allows parents to track the bus stop and sends alerts when the bus is 5 minutes away.
NASHVILLE— Tennessee’s state forests are undergoing a comprehensive inventory aimed at promoting sustainable forest management.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) engaged Steigerwaldt Land Services to conduct an in-depth inventory of the state’s 15 state forests.
“Sustainable management of Tennessee’s state forests is a responsibility we take very seriously,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “The data from this inventory will provide extensive, accurate, and up-to-date information that will strengthen our ability to steward Tennessee’s forest resources for future generations.”
The inventory will provide better data about current forest composition, from young, regenerating trees to mature timber. This will allow TDF’s state forest management team to develop growth and yield projections with greater accuracy and will enable the team to plan and manage based on current and future forest volume rather than area.
Growth and yield projections are used to develop forest management plans and determine how much timber can be responsibly and sustainably harvested each year. The new inventory data gives more detailed information to internal and external stakeholders, including timber buyers.
In addition, this data will enable TDF to optimize forest health by resetting timber harvest targets. As trees age beyond maturity, they can weaken, creating entry points for pests and pathogens and making them more susceptible to storm damage. Applying timber harvest targets that are calibrated to current data and changing where, when, and how much harvesting occurs will reduce the number of overmature trees in the forest.
Finally, re-inventorying the state forest system supports TDF’s compliance with the sustainable forest management standards set forth by the internationally recognized Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). TDF is SFI-certified and submits to extensive annual third-party audits to ensure compliance with rigorous sustainable management standards.
TDF protects Tennessee’s forests by fighting wildland fires, coordinating hazard emergency response, providing prescribed fire guidance, services, and wildland fire training. Additionally, the division promotes the responsible use of forest resources by assisting landowners, providing quality seedlings, monitoring insects and diseases, improving urban forests, managing state forests, protecting water quality, and collecting forest inventory data. TDF also promotes forest industries to stimulate the state’s economy. Visit https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.
The head football coach for Claiborne High School, Nathan Medlin, has resigned from his position, leaving Corey McGinnis to be named as interim head coach for the 2024-25 season.
Medlin’s resignation comes as police are investigating a “hazing incident” at the school.
A school board meeting is scheduled for tonight but discussion of the incident or the football coach’s resignation is not listed on the agenda.
Nashville, TN (WOKI) TennCare and CoverKids members under the age of two are now eligible to receive up to 100 free diapers per month.
The TennCare Diaper Benefit is now live, and members are able to receive the diapers beginning Wednesday, August 7 at participating pharmacies across Tennessee; a prescription is not required.
Click here for the list of participating pharmacies from the Tennessee Division of TennCare.
TennCare will cover the following four major diaper brands:
Huggies
Cuties
Pampers
Luvs
According to TennCare, the participating pharmacies will select which diapers they carry from the approved list above. Package sizes and types of diapers from the four brands will be added as the list of covered products grows, TennCare stated.
TennCare and CoverKids members under age two eligible to receive free diapers. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The president and CEO of The Knoxville Area Urban League is stepping down.
Leaders with group announcing Wednesday that Dr. Charles F. Lomax Jr. is stepping down as president and CEO of the organization “to pursue other opportunities.”
In their statement, leaders expressed their “deepest gratitude” for Lomax’s service; he had been in the role since December of 2022.
KAUL’s board has picked Avice Reid to fill-in as interim president and CEO while a search committee is formed to find a permanent successor.
“I am honored to step into this role and continue the important work of the Knoxville Area Urban League,” Reid said. “I look forward to collaborating with our passionate team, community partners and members to further our mission of economic empowerment and social justice.”
Reid is a Knoxville native who has worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority and City of Knoxville as executive director of the police department’s Police Advisory and Review Committee.
Charles F. Lomax Jr. (Courtesy: Knoxville Area Urban League)
