Loudon County, TN (WOKI) A Canadian woman is arrested Thursday in Loudon County, accused of bilking people out of at least $60,000 in a scamming operation.
Officials with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office say Soki Hangi of Quebec was part of a scamming operation spanning Loudon and Monroe Counties wherein the suspects were calling older adults, claiming to be their grandchildren.
LCSO says the suspects, posing as grandchildren of the victims, would call claiming they’ve been arrested and need money for bail.
“The scammer will call, act as if they are the grandchild of the victim, and convince the victim that they (the supposed grandchild) have been arrested and need money for bail,” the office said. “The scammer is even using the same nicknames that the grandchild would call the grandparent (Grandpa, Mamaw, etc.) that helps further convince the victim that they are actually the victim’s grandchild.”
Hangi was reportedly acting as a courier, the person who would pick up the “bail money” from the victims.
Officials urge those who may also have been fooled by this scam to call police at 865-458-9081.
The Tennessee Valley Authority is sharing its findings after its evaluation of the Nolichucky Dam.
Crews were running inspections to see what needs to be fixed after massive flooding from Helene.
Crews say they used high-tech equipment like underwater remote control cameras and drones around the dam and engineers will continue to evaluate the area but so far no major damage to the dam structure has been found.
Nearly three weeks after severe flooding devastated parts of Tennessee and North Carolina, people are still pouring into the impacted areas and offering help.
Brian Minton owns a farm in Dandridge and has been to Asheville for several days over the last two weeks. He‘s shared what he’s seen on social media, and immediately received messages from people across the country offering their help.
Minton has trained mules on his farm and felt it would be a big help to bring them along on his trip to North Carolina. He then heard from several others who have specialized in training mules who wanted to join in and help.
“I told them I said, ‘Guys you can’t imagine what it‘s like, your life is going to change when you see this,’” said Minton.
There will be more than 25 miles and more than 25 people making the trip to Asheville first thing Thursday morning. People from Delaware, Kentucky, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee help make up the group looking to help.
Each of the farmers going has significant experience with mules and training them to help in a situation where they need to access a hard-to-reach area in the aftermath of a disaster.
“They’re very tough, and they’re very strong, and these are some very nice mules. And they can carry in 250 to 300 pounds of gear for everybody per mule easily,” said Arkansas farmer Max Bishop.
Bishop said the mules will help when they‘re in areas with washed-out roads because they’ll take the mules through the woods and steep terrain as they go to help others in need and work alongside first responders with recovery efforts.
It’s a group of cowboys from across the country who all heard about the devastation from the storm and wanted to put their area of expertise to good use.
“I’m blessed to have them I’m thankful for them being here and dang glad they’re on my team. Because we’re going to go up there and make a difference,” said Minton.
The group will leave Thursday morning and plan to stay in North Carolina for about a week. They‘ve also collected donations from across the country which they’ll be bringing to impacted communities.
PHILADELPHIA – The Maxwell Football Club announced Thursday that Tennessee football running back Dylan Sampson has been added to the mid-season watch list for the 88th Maxwell Award, presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football.
Established in 1937, the Maxwell Award is one of the most prestigious honors in college football. It is presented annually to the most outstanding player in the sport, recognizing excellence on the field and exceptional contributions to the game. The award is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, a distinguished sportswriter and influential figure in college football.
After a remarkable six-game stretch to begin the 2024 season, Sampson was one of 17 FBS players added to the Maxwell Award watch list by the selection committee. The junior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, leads the SEC in rushing touchdowns (15), rushing yards (699), and scoring (15.0 points per game).
Following his gritty three-touchdown effort in Tennessee’s 23-17 overtime victory over Florida, Sampson sits fourth in Tennessee history for both single-season (15) and career (28) rushing scores. He reached these milestones in only 20 quarters this season, as he did not play in the second half against Chattanooga or Kent State.
Sampson owns nine career 100-yard rushing games, including five out of the first six games this season. He was eight yards shy of hitting the mark at Oklahoma on Sept. 21. His nine career 100-yard games are tied with Tauren Poole (2008-11) and Arian Foster (2005-08) for the 10th most in Tennessee history.
Sampson has registered multi-touchdown rushing games in five out of his last six contests, and he has scored at least one touchdown in six straight games. The last Tennessee player with a rushing touchdown in six straight contests was Montario Hardesty, who did so in the opening six games of the 2009 season.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced Nov. 12, 2024, while the three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be unveiled Nov. 26, 2024. The winner of the 88th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 12, 2024. The formal presentation of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 14, 2025 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 900 recipients since 1935.
2024 Maxwell Award Watch List Additions – Oct. 17 Ryan Williams, Alabama (WR) Cam Skattebo, Arizona State (RB) Bryson Daily, Army (QB) Luke Altmyer, Illinois (QB) Kurtis Rourke, Indiana (QB) Kaleb Johnson, Iowa (RB) Alonza Barnett III, James Madison (QB) Tre Harris, Mississippi (WR) Blake Horvath, Navy (QB) Chandler Morris, North Texas (QB) Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State (WR) Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh (RB) Kyle McCord, Syracuse (QB) Dylan Sampson, Tennessee (RB) Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M (RB) Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (QB) John Mateer, Washington State (QB)
The City of Knoxville says crews would be beginning the final phase of renovations for Cradle of Country Music Park this fall.
The park is located at Gay Street and Summit Hill Drive near the Arts District. It’s a half-acre green space in the center of downtown that will soon be getting a large piece of public art and several new mature trees.
The sculpture was designed by a New York studio and marks a more than $1 million investment for the space between the art and the landscaping.
This park pays tribute to Knoxville’s role in shaping country music and soon will be able to host music and small concerts under the trees and is expected to reopen in full late fall.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (TDOSHS) is issuing free replacement identification licenses and driver licenses to citizens directly impacted by the East Tennessee floods at the Elizabethton Driver Services Center, Unicoi Police Department and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s (TEMA) three Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs).
Driver Services are available at the MARCs located at 466 Learning Road (or Learning Way) in Newport; 1749 HWY 19E in Elizabethton and 306 Forest Drive in Jonesborough. At the MARCs, individuals affected by Hurricane Helene can also access available resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal, state and regional partners. The MARCs are open Monday through Saturday from7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.
The TDOSHS Driver Services mobile unit is at the Elizabethton Driver Services Center, 1741 Hwy 19E Bypass, while the center is temporarily closed due to the storm. In addition to the free duplicate licenses for flood victims, any Tennessean can complete a road skills and vision test, obtain a regular driver license, commercial driver license, REAL ID, photo ID, or update, replace, or renew their driver license at the mobile unit. The mobile unit is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT and can only accept payment by credit or debit card.
The TDOSHS temporary location at the Unicoi Police Department, 3600 Unicoi Drive, provides Driver Services including free duplicate licenses to flood victims. This location is not serving the general public. The Unicoi Police Department temporary location is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT and can only accept payment by credit or debit card.
Due to storm damage, Driver Services are currently unavailable at the Greene County and Cocke County Clerk’s offices.
Citizens may also be able to complete many Driver Service transactions online. Visit tn.gov/safety/driver-services/online.html to learn more about the TDOSHS’s online services.
Three people are in custody after a shooting in Greene County.
Deputies with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office were called to the 7000 block of Old Stage Road for a burglary call on Friday.
Not long after the initial call, a woman called from the home saying she had been shot twice. When deputies got inside, they reportedly found a 24-year-old who had been shot in the hand and back, she is in stable condition.
GCSO says 23 year-old Mikaila Chapman-Delotto, 20 year-old Stephen Turner and 29 year-old Trevonde Conner are in custody.
Chapman-Delotto and Turner are facing charges for especially aggravated kidnapping, especially aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, theft and criminal responsibility for attempted first degree murder.
Conner is facing charges for attempted first degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, especially aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and theft.
Knoxville Police Department detectives are investigating a shooting and robbery that happened late Wednesday night at a West Knoxville bar.
At around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, KPD officers responded to the BucketHead Tavern on Ray Mears Boulevard.
Officers arrived on scene, where man had been shot multiple times in the parking lot. The victim, a 61-year-old man from Florida, was transported to the UT Medical Center for treatment for injuries that are not expected to be life-threatening.
Detectives learned that the victim exited the bar and was confronted at gunpoint by at least two currently unidentified suspects. The victim was shot, and the suspects left the scene in the victim’s car, a red Cadillac XT6.
The victim’s vehicle was found abandoned this morning on Atlantic Avenue. Efforts remain ongoing to identify the suspects.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is encouraged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers anonymously at 865-215-7165.
As the leaves begin to change and the air grows crisp in Knoxville, wide receiver Bru McCoy stands at the threshold of a pivotal moment in his life. Halfway through his sixth and final season of college football and third with the Volunteers, McCoy’s journey has been marked by resilience, growth and a profound desire to impact his community. This year, he steps onto the field not just to play football but to honor the lessons learned throughout his time at Tennessee.
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As he goes through his last fall on Rocky Top, the Southern California native has made a conscious effort to cherish every moment with his teammates on the practice field and in the meeting rooms of the Anderson Training Center.
You just have an appreciation for it. I’ve kind of found myself never really being in a hurry to get out of the building, because you enjoy being around your teammates and how special it is. It’s definitely made practice a lot more enjoyable. You’re a lot more present where you are because you know it’s your last time around.
Bru McCoy
Suiting up for a rare sixth season of college football was not a decision McCoy made lightly. After sustaining a season-ending fracture-dislocation of his right ankle against South Carolina on Sept. 30, 2023, he dove head-first into the recovery process and began weighing his options. Relying heavily on his family and his faith, McCoy announced his decision to return to Knoxville for the 2024 campaign on Jan. 2, 2024 – one day after Tennessee shut out Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
I was actually back home in California when I was trying to figure out what I was going to do … My family is just so thankful for everything Tennessee has done for me. A lot of what I had going on factored into it. What was already pretty evident to me, was that Tennessee was where I wanted to be. It was a special opportunity to be able to come back … When I looked at what I wanted to do, it was just to be here.
McCoy rehabbed throughout the spring and worked his way back into playing shape for the start of preseason training camp. He entered the 2024 season with a new number and renewed mindset, donning No. 5 – his favorite number that he previously wore during a five-star, All-American prep career at powerhouse Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California.
“You don’t want to leave any stone unturned, have any regrets or feel like you didn’t maximize your opportunity while you were here,” McCoy explained. “For me (entering the season), it was just trying to make sure every box was checked, every T was crossed.
“Changing to number 5, that’s been my favorite number my whole life. It’s a special number to me, but I think it became extra special (at Tennessee) after Hendon Hooker wore it. I gave it a year to kind of relax, and then for my last year I was like, ‘I’m going to wear the number I always wanted.’”
Known for his intense, physical play style and instant impact on UT’s record-setting offense, McCoy quickly blossomed into a fan favorite during the 2022 season. Volunteer faithful remember his gutsy effort on the bayou with 140 receiving yards at No. 25 LSU, his spectacular go-ahead touchdown catch against No. 20 Florida late in the first half, and a tone-setting touchdown grab in the first quarter of Tennessee’s Capital One Orange Bowl win over No. 7 Clemson.
No on-field moment stands out more than McCoy’s clutch effort on Oct. 15, 2022. His 27-yard catch with two seconds remaining set up former USC teammate Chase McGrath’s 40-yard, game-winning field goal as time expired to knock off No. 3 Alabama and send Neyland Stadium into a field-storming frenzy that will be regarded as one of the greatest nights in program history.
Through the highs and lows of his journey on Rocky Top, McCoy notes the unwavering support of Vol Nation. Beyond the memorable plays on the field, his platform and status as a Tennessee football standout has led to incredible experiences off the field – including a recent appearance accompanying country music star Morgan Wallen for his second show at Neyland Stadium.
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It’s pretty surreal. You don’t even really realize it, because you’re kind of in a bubble. But man, the fan support and the opportunities it has given me, it’s just something that you’re truly thankful for. You kind of want to pay it back, pay it forward, which is why I try to be so involved in the community and do a lot of the things I do. I’m really thankful for the way the fan base has embraced me and how they’ve lifted me up, especially after my injury. I’m just thankful.
McCoy serves as one of Tennessee’s leaders in the community, most notably through his “Huddle For Hearts” initiative which has helped provide local youth athletic organizations with AEDs (automated external defibrillator), a medical device designed to save those experiencing Sudden Cardiac Arrest. He hosted a charity golf tournament with his teammates in Knoxville to benefit Huddle For Hearts this past summer and has an NIL deal in place where for every touchdown he catches, an AED will be donated to the community.
When asked about his motivation to pay it forward in the community, McCoy expressed his desire to humbly establish his character and leave an impactful legacy during his brief stint as a Tennessee Volunteer.
If you don’t write your own story, someone will write it for you … It’s important to me that I put my character on display and take ownership for who I am on a day-to-day basis. That means doing the things that make my heart feel good, which is getting out in the community, using my platform for the right things and keeping myself grounded in those ways.
Posted on October 18, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments
Loudon County, TN (WOKI) A Canadian woman is arrested Thursday in Loudon County, accused of bilking people out of at least $60,000 in a scamming operation. Officials with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office say Soki Hangi of Quebec was part of a scamming operation spanning Loudon and Monroe Counties wherein the suspects were calling older…… Continue Reading
The Tennessee Valley Authority is sharing its findings after its evaluation of the Nolichucky Dam. Crews were running inspections to see what needs to be fixed after massive flooding from Helene. Crews say they used high-tech equipment like underwater remote control cameras and drones around the dam and engineers will continue to evaluate the area…… Continue Reading
Nearly three weeks after severe flooding devastated parts of Tennessee and North Carolina, people are still pouring into the impacted areas and offering help. Brian Minton owns a farm in Dandridge and has been to Asheville for several days over the last two weeks. He‘s shared what he’s seen on social media, and immediately received…… Continue Reading
Posted on October 17, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
PHILADELPHIA – The Maxwell Football Club announced Thursday that Tennessee football running back Dylan Sampson has been added to the mid-season watch list for the 88th Maxwell Award, presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Established in 1937, the Maxwell Award is one of the most prestigious honors in college football. It is presented annually…… Continue Reading
The City of Knoxville says crews would be beginning the final phase of renovations for Cradle of Country Music Park this fall. The park is located at Gay Street and Summit Hill Drive near the Arts District. It’s a half-acre green space in the center of downtown that will soon be getting a large piece…… Continue Reading
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (TDOSHS) is issuing free replacement identification licenses and driver licenses to citizens directly impacted by the East Tennessee floods at the Elizabethton Driver Services Center, Unicoi Police Department and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s (TEMA) three Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs). Driver Services are available at the MARCs…… Continue Reading
Rural Metro Fire is investigating a house fire in Halls. The fire was along Hallsdale Road overnight (Thursday) and when crews arrived they found a bedroom on fire, with flames spreading into the attic. The residents were safely outside, and officials say the home suffered smoke and heat damage to the majority of the house.…… Continue Reading
Three people are in custody after a shooting in Greene County. Deputies with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office were called to the 7000 block of Old Stage Road for a burglary call on Friday. Not long after the initial call, a woman called from the home saying she had been shot twice. When deputies got…… Continue Reading
Knoxville Police Department detectives are investigating a shooting and robbery that happened late Wednesday night at a West Knoxville bar. At around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, KPD officers responded to the BucketHead Tavern on Ray Mears Boulevard. Officers arrived on scene, where man had been shot multiple times in the parking lot.…… Continue Reading
Posted on October 17, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
As the leaves begin to change and the air grows crisp in Knoxville, wide receiver Bru McCoy stands at the threshold of a pivotal moment in his life. Halfway through his sixth and final season of college football and third with the Volunteers, McCoy’s journey has been marked by resilience, growth and a profound desire…… Continue Reading
