Knox County is preparing for what could be East Tennessee’s first taste of real winter.
A wintry rain and possibly ice mix is being forecast over the next week or so, which has prompted the county to begin getting ready.
Senior Director of Engineering and Public Works Jim Snowden says this forecast is coming with some challenges.
Crews typically put down brine, a salt and water solution down but in this case, rain is preceding the icy conditions so crews probably won’t be able to do that because the brine will get washed off.
Snowden says his department is adjusting plans and their crews will stay overnight on Sunday.
There are about 1,800 miles of roads in the county with some of those in the city whose crews are ready to tackle any inclement weather.
As they have since early December, four local churches will be opening their doors as overnight warming centers to anyone who needs a warm, indoor space on nights when temperatures drop below 25 degrees. The Salvation Army is also opening homeless shelter overflow space at 409 North Broadway.
Centers will be open tonight (Saturday, Jan. 4) and and possibly Jan. 6-13.
Schedules will vary by site, and up-to-date bulletins will be sent to first responders, homeless outreach teams, hospitals, media outlets and other service providers.
Extreme cold weather is expected in Knoxville and Knox County from Jan. 6 to 13, 2025. According to the National Weather Service, the cold snap “could rival the historic and dangerous cold of December 2022,” during which Knoxville and Knox County experienced rolling blackouts and building damage due to frozen and burst pipes.
The Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability is assisting by coordinating volunteer services. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals, set up cots, provide transportation to people who need to get to warming centers, check people in, or stay overnight.
If you would like to volunteer for this community-wide effort, please see the site-specific contact information below:
Warming Center South Vestal United Methodist Church, 115 Ogle Ave. To volunteer, text AJ Jackson at 865-963-2661.
Warming Center East Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Magnolia Ave. To volunteer, text Kecia Armstrong at 865-228-0990.
Warming Center West Cokesbury Church, 9919 Kingston Pk. To volunteer, go to Cokesbury.tv/Warming and click the “Volunteer Interest” button
The Salvation Army is also opening homeless shelter overflow space at 409 North Broadway. To volunteer, sign up for a shift at SignUpGenius.
Supplies are also needed: new or gently used blankets, sleeping bags, gloves and hats; new toiletries and socks are especially appreciated.
If you would like to donate supplies, please drop them off at Knox Area Rescue Ministries at 418 North Broadway. A dedicated trailer has been set up to hold warming center donations, so all donations meant for warming centers will be reserved for that effort. If you’d like more information, please contact KARM at (865) 673-6540 or email [email protected].
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The forecast for the next 48 hours is fluid and should be watched closely. Any variation of temperatures and moisture into each elevation change can mean a difference in what you see.
Join us on the WVLT First Alert Weather app for iPhone or Android to stay informed. We share custom videos, and you can receive our messages on the latest conditions and forecasts at home.
WHAT TO EXPECT
First off, Saturday is going to be a calm day. If you still need to do any pipe protection or make that warm spot for outside pets, now is the time to do that. It’s sunny, but cold Saturday afternoon with temperatures staying in the mid to upper 30s.
The winds are light, but there is still a relative wind chill. Once that sun sets, we’re headed right back to the 20s overnight.
Sunday starts off cloudy with temperatures near 24.
LOOKING AHEAD
Sunday morning around 7 a.m. is when we’ll need to start checking in on-air and the WVLT First Alert Weather App. The moisture starts to move into the plateau counties and into the valley. It’s the morning hours that we will see a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow. Once again, that can change drastically depending on where you are and where you are headed.
The WVLT First Alert Weather Day is in effect on Sunday for the potential for frozen roads, bridges and overpasses and powerlines that could come down. A tenth of quart of an inch of ice is possible.
Winter Storm Watch is in effect for SE Kentucky while a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Tennessee.(WVLT)Sunday at noon will be the height of the event on Sunday with snow and freezing rain across the area.(WVLT)
Eventually, buy the afternoon, this is a transition to all rain, but for temperatures fall back below freezing on Monday for a transition back to snow.
Down the road, Wednesday and Thursday is clear of the precipitation, but we are below freezing for an extended period and that’s the reason for a WVLT First Alert Weather Day once again.
Two sets of WVLT First Alert Weather Days in the 8-Day Planning Forecast.(WVLT)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Knoxville and Knox County’s Office of Housing Stability is preparing for forecasted frigid temperatures, and the office needs a little help.
The next week is expected to bring temperatures that rival the freeze of December 2022, meaning the office is opening warming shelters for those in need. However, the office is also asking for volunteers and donations.
The warming shelters are located at the following locations:
Fountain City United Methodist Church, 212 Hotel Rd.
Vestal United Methodist Church, 115 Ogle Ave.
Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Magnolia Ave.
Cokesbury Church, 9919 Kingston Pk.
Salvation Army, 409 N Broadway (Homeless shelter overflow site)
Volunteers are needed to deliver meals, set up cots, provide transport, check people in or stay overnight. There’s several ways to get involved, depending on which site you’d like to volunteer for:
The office is also taking donations of key supplies like blankets, sleeping bags, gloves and hats; new toiletries and socks are especially appreciated. Those interested in donating can take supplies to Knox Area Rescue Ministries at 418 North Broadway.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Each of these weather systems affects the next, setting the stage for a greater impact each time. While we have cold winds and flurries to snow showers for now, this leaves us cold enough for the leading edge of rain on Sunday’s system to create a glaze of ice, with a WVLT First Alert Weather Day. After the rain to some snow, we’ll have an extended freeze and WVLT First Alert Weather Days next week.
Join us on the WVLT First Alert Weather app for iPhone or Android to stay informed. We share custom videos, and you can receive our messages on the latest conditions and forecasts at home.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This morning is mostly cloudy with some flurries flying around. We’re starting the day around 32 degrees.
Spotty flurries to snow showers continue until midday Friday, then as clouds break up this afternoon, we have stray mountain snow. We are only warming to around 42 degrees in Knoxville, and mid 30s in the higher elevations. Winds make it feel colder, with a westerly wind at 10 to 20 mph and gusts around 25 mph.
Tonight is frosty and frigid, with a clear sky and low of 21 degrees by Saturday morning.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday is calm and chilly, with temperatures 10 degrees below average all day. We’ll only warm to 38 degrees, but at least the wind is light.
Sunday to Monday are the days we’re watching closely for precipitation type changes. The First Alert Weather Day for Sunday is for the risk of ice development in the morning to midday, especially on the Plateau to Northeast Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky. A little ice is possible in the Valley, which can still be impactful.
It will be a slow warming to only 36 degrees Sunday afternoon with scattered rain to wintry mix showers. Actually we’ll keep warming into the 40s Sunday with a line of rain.
Monday is the next chance to see this change back to some ice and scattered snow showers, especially in the higher elevations outlining the Valley. It looks like the Valley will cool to the mid 30s Monday afternoon. It will be windy, with gusts around 30 mph, so it will feel like the 20s already.
In your First Alert 8-Day Planner, we have WVLT First Alert Weather Days for an extended freeze. We’ll barely be above freezing Tuesday, then we’ll fall into the low 20s and only warm to around 30 degrees next Wednesday and Thursday.
Nashville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) If you are looking for something to do on New Year’s Day, there’s no better place to go than the great outdoors!
Tennessee State Parks is inviting those who wish to jumpstart their New Year’s resolutions to be more active to get their hearts pumping at their local state park.
Park rangers will offer free guided hikes for all ages on January 1.
These “First Day Hikes” are part of Tennessee State Parks’ year-long “Signature Hikes” series, with most of the 59 parks hosting the events statewide.
The First Day Hikes vary from easy walks to strenuous ones.
The following are participating state parks in East Tennessee:
Harrison Bay
Sycamore Shoals
Norris Dam
Seven Islands
Cumberland Trail
Fort Loudoun
Panther Creek
Frozen Head
Indian Mountain
Red Clay
Hiwassee Ocoee
Roan Mountain
Cove Lake
Warriors Path
Rocky Fork
Officials said hikers are encouraged to wear closed-toed walking shoes and layered clothing and to bring water and snacks.
Click here for details about the First Day Hikes at each park.
The First Day Hikes vary from easy walks to strenuous ones. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Monroe County, TN (WOKI) A deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is recovering after being shot Sunday afternoon while attempting to serve a search warrant.
MCSO officials say crews responded to a home on Reed Springs Road for a downed tree in the roadway.
The man living in the home, Richard Brown, had an active felony warrant for his arrest out of Loudon County.
A deputy tried to speak to Brown, but he went back into the residence and started making threats.
More crews were called in to execute the warrant; that’s when a deputy was shot in the arm. The deputy was taken to UT Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Brown later surrendered and was taken to the Monroe County jail.
Monroe County deputy shot while serving warrant, sheriff says. (Courtesy: MCSO)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A missing toddler at the center of a late night AMBER Alert in Knoxville is found safe.
Knoxville Police Department officials say the 2-year-old child, identified as Elton Bailey, was found inside a Ford Explorer that was originally presumed stolen Sunday evening from a home on Old State Road.
According to police, Bailey’s grandfather stopped at the home briefly and left the car running with the child inside. When the grandfather came back out, the car was gone and he assumed someone had stolen it.
After an exhaustive search, Knox County deputies found Bailey inside the vehicle, unharmed, in a muddy construction site near where the car was reported stolen.
“The Special Crimes Unit is continuing their investigation to determine if somebody did briefly attempt to steal the vehicle or if it was potentially left in gear and rolled down several ravines into the construction area where it was found,” officials said.
Multiple agencies helped with the ground search and KPD thanked the public for their help.
Knoxville police searching for stolen car with two-year-old toddler inside. (Courtesy: KPD)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Dylan Sampson produced the most prolific rushing season in Tennessee history in leading the Volunteers to their first College Football Playoff berth. On Friday, the junior running back and 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year officially began the next chapter of his football career by declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Sampson announced his decision on social media and thanked his coaching staff, teammates and Vol Nation. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native was part of Josh Heupel‘s first signing class in December of 2021 and is seeking to become the third straight Vol starting running back to make an NFL roster in the Heupel era.
Sampson rewrote the record books in 2024, shattering school single-season records in rushing yards (1,491), rushing touchdowns (22), total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). His durability, toughness and leadership were on display the entire season as he collected 929 yards after contact and accounted for 40 percent (22 of 55) of the Vols’ offensive touchdowns.
Sampson was rewarded for his MVP efforts, becoming the second Tennessee player in three years to be named SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He also was a second-team All-America recipient by nearly every outlet and organization. Quarterback Hendon Hooker won the honor in 2022. Sampson was the sixth running back in SEC history to win the award.
Sampson led the SEC in nine different categories, including rushing attempts (258), rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games (10), rushing yards per game (114.7), points scored, points per game (10.2), all-purpose yards (1,638) and all-purpose yards per game (126.0). In conference-only games, he also led nearly every rushing category, including yards (1,051) and touchdowns by a running back (12).
The junior finished his 2024 season tied for fifth place in SEC single-season history rushing touchdowns with LSU’s Leonard Fournette. His 22 rushing scores were the most by an SEC player since Alabama’s Najee Harris tallied an FBS-best 26 touchdowns in 2020.
Off the field, Sampson was a leader in the community and a scholar-athlete. He was a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient, producing a 3.43 GPA while majoring in information sciences. He was a member of the 2023-24 VOLeaders Academy that visited South Africa in the summer of 2024. The trip was featured on a segment of ESPN College Gameday earlier this fall.
Sampson now begins his pro preparations. The 2025 NFL Combine is set for Feb. 27-March 2, and the 2025 NFL Draft is April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
Where Sampson Finished In UT Single-Season Record Books Rushing Attempts – 258 (5th) Rushing Yards – 1,491 (1st) Rushing Touchdowns – 22 (1st) Rushing Yards Per Game – 114.7 (3rd) 100-Yard Rushing Games – 10 (2nd) Total Touchdowns Scored – 22 (1st) Points Scored – 132 (1st) All-Purpose Yards – 1,638 (7th) Consecutive Games With a Rushing TD – 11 (1st)
Where Sampson Finished In UT Career Record Books Rushing Yards – 2,492 (9th) Rushing Touchdowns – 35 (t2nd) 100-Yard Rushing Games – 13 (t3rd) Consecutive Games With a Rushing TD – 11 (1st)
2024 Sampson Honors SEC Offensive Player of the Year (AP, Coaches) SEC Player of the Year (USA Today) All-America Second Team (The Athletic, FWAA, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Walter Camp) All-America Third Team (AP) Maxwell Award Semifinalist Doak Walker Award Semifinalist All-SEC First Team (AP, Coaches) SEC Offensive Player of the Week (vs. Alabama, 10/21)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Food City will pay more than $8 million as part of a settlement with the federal government connected to the ongoing opioid epidemic.
It’s the latest news from the U.S. Department of Justice, which announced Monday that K-CA-T Food Stores, Food City’s parent company, had agreed to the settlement.
Court documents said that from Jan. 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2018, 24 Food City stores dispensed opioids that were medically unnecessary.
“When pharmacies fill prescriptions for opioids and other powerful controlled substances without regard to their legitimacy or medical necessity it significantly contributes to the opioid epidemic, causing great harm to our citizens and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “This settlement agreement demonstrates that the United States Attorney’s Office and federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, are using all tools available to address the opioid crisis.”
Our news partner WVLT News reached out to K-VA-T Food Stores for a statement, below:
The allegations focused primarily on circumstances from more than a decade ago. K-VA-T has continually disputed the validity of these allegations, and the settlement agreement clearly states there is no admission of liability by K-VA-T. This case is another example of the many cases nationwide brought against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of opioid products. – K-VA-T Food Stores
In total, $8,488,378 will go to the federal government. Another $78,621 will go to the states of Virginia and Kentucky for claims paid to Food City through state Medicaid programs.
