A WILDFIRE INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HAS NOW GROWN TO 236 ACRES IN SIZE. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED SUNDAY AFTERNOON JUST WEST OF CADES COVE NEAR THE ABRAMS CREEK AREA. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESMAN BOB MILLER, A TOTAL OF 27 FIRE FIGHTERS ARE CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING TO CREATE A PERIMETER OF FIRE LINES TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE WHICH IS BURNING IN AN INACCESSIBLE AREA OF THE PARK. THE LITTLE BOTTOMS TRAIL, THE HATCHER MOUNTAIN TRAIL, PART OF THE ABRAMS FALLS TRAIL, PART OF THE COOPER ROAD TRAIL, AND THE BACK COUNTRY CAMPSITE 17 ARE ALL CURRENTLY CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CALL THE PARK SERVICE AT: 436 –1200.

5/25/2007

TWO SEVIER COUNTY MEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH THE BURGLARY OF A RENTAL HOME IN THE SHADY GROVE COMMUNITY. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF RON SEALS, DEPUTY MARK NOTTAGE WAS DISPATCHED TO A SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE CALL ON SHADY GROVE COURT. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE HE FOUND 29 YEAR OLD SCOTTIE LEE OWNBY AND 23 YEAR OLD PAUL MARION YAZEL IN POSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, DEPUTY NOTTAGE DISCOVERED THAT A NEARBY CABIN HAD BEEN BURGLARIZED. BOTH SUSPECTS WERE CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BURGLARY, YAZEL WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS AND FOR DRIVING ON A REVOKED LICENSE. BOTH MEN ARE CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

5/24/2007

A WILDFIRE INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HAS GROWN TO AN ESTIMATED SIZE OF 150 ACRES. . THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED SUNDAY AFTERNOON JUST WEST OF CADES COVE NEAR THE ABRAMS CREEK AREA. OFFICIALS WITH THE PARK SERVICE HAVE REQUESTED ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS FROM OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES. THE LITTLE BOTTOMS TRAIL, THE HATCHER MOUNTAIN TRAIL, PART OF THE ABRAMS FALLS TRAIL, AND THE BACK COUNTRY CAMPSITE 17 ARE ALL CURRENTLY CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CALL THE PARK SERVICE AT: 436 –1200.

5/24/2007

AN OFF DUTY SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER WAS INJURED TUESDAY MORNING, AFTER BEING ACCIDENTALLY RUN OVER BY A MOTORIST. 36 YEAR OLD DWEESE MILLIRON WAS WALKING ACROSS THE K-MART PARKING LOT WITH HIS TWO DAUGHTERS WHEN A SATURN BEING DRIVEN BY 63 YEAR OLD DOROTHY TAYLOR OF SEVIERVILLE BACKED OVER HIM. MILLIRON WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE, HIS DAUGHTERS. WERE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. ALL THREE ARE LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. OFFICIALS WITH THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL CHARGED TAYLOR WITH IMPROPER BACKING AND FOR A VIOLATION OF THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW.

5/23/2007

A WILD FIRE IS BURNING INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, THE BLAZE IS LOCATED IN A REMOTE AREA JUST WEST OF CADES COVE NEAR THE ABRAMS CREEK AREA. THE FIRE WAS REPORTED SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND HAS SO FAR BURNED ABOUT FIFTY ACRES. PARK OFFICIALS HAVE CLOSED THE LITTLE BOTTOMS TRAIL, THE HATCHER MOUNTAIN TRAIL, AND BACK COUNTRY CAMPSITE 17.

5/22/2007

A FIRE LAST NIGHT DESTROYED A VEHICLE, DAMAGED A SHED, AND AT ONE POINT THREATENED A MOBILE HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 6 O CLOCK AT A RESIDENCE IN THE THIRTY TWO HUNDRED BLOCK OF NUNS COVE ROAD, JUST OFF JONES COVE. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN RANDY CARR WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE BLAZE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED AS A BRUSH FIRE. LUCKILY NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE. A WILD FIRE IS BURNING INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, THE BLAZE IS LOCATED IN A REMOTE AREA JUST WEST OF CADES COVE NEAR THE ABRAMS CREEK AREA. THE FIRE WAS REPORTED SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND HAS SO FAR BURNED ABOUT FIFTY ACRES. PARK OFFICIALS HAVE CLOSED THE LITTLE BOTTOMS TRAIL, THE HATCHER MOUNTAIN TRAIL, AND BACK COUNTRY CAMPSITE 17.

5/22/2007

A SEVIERVILLE MAN WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT AND CHARGED WITH THE MANUFACTURE AND INITIATION OF METHAMPHETAMINE. 34 YEAR OLD TRAVIS SINCLAIR WAS FOUND SLUMPED OVER THE FRONT SEAT OF HIS VEHICLE, WHICH WAS PARKED IN A SHOPPING CENTRE ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY, ACROSS FROM BOWER FIELD. WHEN OFFICIALS SEARCHED THE CAR, THEY ALLEGEDLY FOUND A MEDIUM SIZE METH LAB IN THE TRUNK. SINCLAIR WAS ALSO DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

5/22/2007

THREE TEENAGERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH THE BURGLARY OF A SEYMOUR CHURCH LAST WEEKEND. ACCORDING TO SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF RON SEALS, 18 YEAR OLD DAVID JAMES LOVEDAY, ALONG WITH TWO MALE JUVENILES AGED 17 AND 16, ALLEGEDLY BROKE INTO THE SAINT PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON BOYD’S CREEK ROAD AND STOLE SEVERAL BRASS AND GOLD PLATED ITEMS, AS WELL AS A COMPUTER FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE. ALL OF THE ITEMS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED. LOVEDAY IS BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL, THE TWO JUVENILES ARE BEING HELD AT THE JUVENILE FACILITY. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

5/21/2007

A SEVIERVILLE MAN WAS KILLED FRIDAY MORNING FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE NEAR GATLINBURG. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9:30 AT THE WESTGATE RESORT, JUST OFF THE SPUR. 28 YEAR OLD TRAVIS JOE WILLIAMSON DIED WHEN THE FORKLIFT THAT HE WAS OPERATING APPARENTLY FLIPPED OVER AND PINNED HIM BENEATH IT. OFFICIALS WITH THE TENNESSEE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION ARE INVESTIGATING.

5/21/2007

A FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3:30 AT THE STRUCTURE IN THE NINE HUNDRED BLOCK OF YELLOW BRITCHES ROAD, JUST OFF JONES COVE ROAD. THE FIRE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE KITCHEN AREA. NO INJURIES FROM THE BLAZE WERE REPORTED, BUT ONE PERSON WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH A SNAKE BITE. THE ENGLISH MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

5/21/2007

GATLINBURG VOTERS WENT TO THE POLLS YESTERDAY AND GAVE THE THREE INCUMBENTS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE BY RETURNING THEM ALL FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEAR TERM. MIKE WERNER CAME IN FIRST WITH 639 VOTES, MIKE HELTON GARNERED 577 VOTES, AND JERRY HAYES RECEIVED 514 VOTES. CHALLENGER DEBBY COHEN WS FOURTH WITH 257 VOTES, FOLLOWED BY CLARK KING WITH 210 VOTES AND MIKE MAY WITH 183 VOTES. THE GATLINBURG ELECTION RESULTS WILL BE CERTIFIED BY THE SEVIER COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION NEXT WEEK.

5/16/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY TEENAGER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE LAST NIGHT AFTER SUSTAINING INJURIES TO HIS HANDS AND FACE AS A RESULT OF AN EXPLOSION. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9 O CLOCK. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF RON SEALS, 19 YEAR OLD JONATHAN HAYES WAS APPARENTLY ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A PYROTECHNIC DEVICE AT HIS HOME ON BOARDLY HILLS BOULEVARD WHEN THE DEVICE EXPLODED. HAYES UNDERWENT SURGERY EARLY THIS MORNING AND IS CURRENTLY LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION. NO CHARGES HAVE YET BEEN FILED BUT THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY BOMB RESPONSE UNIT, THE A.T.F, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE ALL RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

5/16/2007

THE CITY OF PIGEON FORGE HAS A NEW MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR. MOMENTS AFTER NEWLY ELECTED COMMISSIONER KEITH WHALEY WAS SWORN INTO OFFICE, HE WAS ALSO ELECTED MAYOR. COMMISSIONER KEVIN MCCLURE WAS CHOSEN TO BE VICE MAYOR. WHALEY TAKES OVER THE MAYORAL DUTIES FROM RALPH CHANCE WHO DECIDED NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION, AND MCCLURE TAKES OVER AS VICE MAYOR FROM HOWARD SEXTON, WHO WAS ALSO SWORN IN LAST NIGHT TO SERVE ANOTHER FOUR YEAR TERM.

5/15/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT AFTER ALLEGEDLY BEING FOUND IN POSSESSION OF A STOLEN VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED JUST AFTER 11:30 WHEN THE UN-NAMED DRIVER OF A CHEVY PICK-UP TRUCK WAS APPARENTLY HAVING MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE VEHICLE AT THE INTERSECTION OF OLD NEWPORT HIGHWAY AND JONES COVE ROAD. WHEN A DEPUTY WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT STOPPED TO HELP, THE VEHICLE CHECK CAME BACK AS A STOLEN VEHICLE OUT OF COCKE COUNTY. THE 25 YEAR OLD DRIVER ALSO HAD A FEMALE JUVENILE PASSENGER. HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

5/14/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED ARMED ROBBERY THAT OCCURRED WEDNESDAY EVENING AT THE ADVANCE AUTO PARTS STORE ON HIGHWAY 66. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER TIM RUSSELL, A MALE STORE EMPLOYEE REPORTED THAT A MAN ALLEGEDLY APPROACHED HIM JUST BEFORE 9:30 AS HE WAS LEAVING THE STORE AFTER CLOSING. THE SUSPECT HAD A HANDGUN AND ORDERED THE EMPLOYEE TO LET HIM INTO THE STORE. THE MAN THEN APPARENTLY TIED UP THE EMPLOYEE AND STOLE AND UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF MONEY AND VARIOUS AUTO PARTS. A MALE ACCOMPLICE REPORTEDLY ENTERED THE STORE AFTER THE EMPLOYEE WAS TIED UP. THE MALE SUSPECT BRANDISHING THE GUN WAS DESCRIBED AS A HISPANIC MALE, WITH BLACK HAIR AND A MUSTACHE APPROXIMATELY SIX FOOT TWO INCHES TALL, AND WEIGHING ABOUT 225 POUNDS. THE SUSPECTS APPARENTLY MADE THEIR GET-A-WAY IN A BLUE MINIVAN WITH TINTED WINDOWS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH AT: 453 – 5506.

5/11/2007

SEVIER COUNTY OFFICIALS LAUNCHED A NEW HEALTH PLAN WEDNESDAY MORNING THAT WILL HELP EMPLOYERS PROVIDE AFFORDABLE COVERAGE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES. THE SMART CARD PLAN ALLOWS EMPLOYERS TO JOIN THE PROGRAM BY PAYING INTO A GENERAL HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT FUND. EMPLOYEES CAN THEN RECEIVE BASIC PRIMARY CARE AT THE MOUNTAIN HOPE GOOD SHEPHERD CLINIC IN SEVIERVILLE, AFTER PAYING A TEN DOLLAR CO-PAY. EMPLOYERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE A PORTION OF THEIR MONEY BACK BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SMART CARD PROGRAM, CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AT: 428 – 2212.

5/10/2007

BUCKHORN ROAD IN GATLINBURG WAS CLOSED FOR OVER AN HOUR TUESDAY AFTERNOON, AFTER A TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENTALLY PULLED DOWN A UTILITY POLE AND POWER LINES NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH OGLE ROAD. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3:30. AUTHORITIES ARE NOT QUITE SURE HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE THE TRUCK DID NOT EXCEED THE LEGAL CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROADWAY. LUCKILY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE GATLINBURG POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

5/9/2007

PIGEON FORGE VOTERS WENT TO THE POLLS YESTERDAY AND ELECTED TWO OF THREE CANDIDATES TO SERVE ON THE CITY COMMISSION FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. CHALLENGER KEITH WHALEY CAME IN FIRST WITH 468 VOTES, INCUMBENT HOWARD SEXTON GARNERED 331 VOTES, AND JIMMY R. REAGAN RECEIVED 242 VOTES. WHALEY AND SEXTON WILL BE SWORN INTO OFFICE THIS MONDAY DURING THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING. DURING THAT MEETING, COMMISSIONERS WILL ALSO ELECT A NEW MAYOR. MONDAY’S MEETING BEGINS AT 5:30 PM.

5/9/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED A SEVIERVILLE MAN IN CONNECTION WITH A STRING OF BURGLARIES IN THE CHAPMAN HIGHWAY – ZION HILL AREA OF THE COUNTY. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF RON SEALS, 29 YEAR OLD WILLIAM CHAD SUTTON HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED BURGLARY. APPARENTLY, AN ALERT HOMEOWNER CALLED THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT WITH A SUSPICIOUS CAR DESCRIPTION, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO SUTTON’S ARREST. DETECTIVES WERE ABLE TO RECOVER SEVERAL OF THE STOLEN ITEMS. SUTTON, WHO WAS RECENTLY RELEASED FROM STATE CUSTODY FOR PRIOR BURGLARY CHARGES, WAS ON STATE PAROLE WHEN HE WAS APPREHENDED. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. ADDITIONAL CHARGES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.

5/8/2007

ONE PERSON IS DEAD FOLLOWING A TWO VEHICLE WRECK LAST NIGHT ON DOUGLAS DAM ROAD – HIGHWAY 139. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE TEN O CLOCK NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH ROBERTS ROAD. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS WITH THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL, A NISSAN ALTIMA BEING DRIVEN BY 26 YEAR OLD TONY RAY RAMSEY OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 22 YEAR OLD JASON OWENS OF SEVIERVILLE. APPARENTLY, RAMSEY WAS TRAVELLING EASTBOUND WHEN HE CROSSED THE CENTRE LINE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND HIT THE TRUCK HEAD-ON. RAMSEY WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. OWENS WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE ALSO RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

5/7/2007

THE CITY OF SEVIERVILLE HAS A NEW ALDERMAN. CHALLENGER BARRY GIBBS UNSEATED INCUMBENT ED WHITE DURING YESTERDAY’S MUNICIPAL ELECTION. TRAVIS MCCROSKEY CAME IN FIRST WITH 741 VOTES, JERRY LOVEDAY GARNERED 663 VOTES, GIBBS RECEIVED 560 VOTES, AND ED WHITE WAS FORTH WITH 492 VOTES. INCUMBENT MAYOR BRYAN ATCHLEY RAN UNOPPOSED AND WILL SERVE ANOTHER TWO YEAR TERM. PIGEON FORGE WILL HOLD THEIR ELECTION NEXT ON TUESDAY MAY 8TH, FOLLOWED BY GATLINBURG ON TUESDAY MAY 15TH.

5/4/2007

A FIRE DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME TUESDAY AFTERNOON. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9:30 AT 3208 COTTER WAY IN THE WEARS VALLEY COMMUNITY. ALTHOUGH THE HOME WAS A COMPLETE LOSS, THE OWNER, 87 YEAR OLD OLIVER COTTER WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE UN-INJURED. AN ACCOUNT HAS BEEN SET UP AT SEVIER COUNTY BANK FOR ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE A DONATION TO HELP COTTER GET BACK ON HIS FEET. THE WEARS VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

5/3/2007

TWO SEVIER COUNTY MEN HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR THE MURDER OF A COCKE COUNTY MAN. ACCORDING TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL JIMMY DUNN, 31 YEAR OLD TOBIAS “TOBY” SENTER AND 31 YEAR OLD EDWARD “LEON” TALLEY, BOTH OF RED BUD LANE, ALLEGEDLY MURDERED 20 YEAR OLD MIKEY GRIMES OF NEWPORT. SENTER AND TALLEY ARE ACCUSED OF BEATING AND SHOOTING GRIMES IN A FIELD BESIDE O’NEIL ROAD IN COCKE COUNTY, BECAUSE THE PAIR BELIEVED THAT GRIMES HAD BROKEN INTO THEIR HOME ON APRIL 6TH, AND STOLEN SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DRUG MONEY. A GRAND JURY INDICTED THE TWO SUSPECTS WHO ARE ALREADY IN FEDERAL CUSTODY ON UNRELATED CHARGES. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

5/3/2007

FIRE FIGHTERS ARE CURRENTLY BATTLING ANOTHER BRUSH FIRE IN THE WEARS VALLEY COMMUNITY. THE BLAZE WAS FIRST REPORTED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON JUST OFF TWIN CITY WAY. OFFICIALS WITH THE FORESTRY DIVISION WERE ORIGINALLY ABLE TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE, BUT THE FIRE JUMPED THE FIRE LINES THIS MORNING JUST AFTER ONE AM. AT LEAST THREE CABINS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER THREAT. FIRE FIGHTERS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE, WALDEN’S CREEK AND SEVIER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE CURRENTLY FIGHTING THAT BLAZE. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

5/3/2007

ONE PERSON WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN PIGEON FORGE TUESDAY MORNING. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 8 AM AT THE INTERSECTION OF WEARS VALLEY ROAD AND THE PARKWAY AT TRAFFIC LIGHT NUMBER THREE. ACCORDING TO LIEUTENANT RICHIE CATLETT WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 46 YEAR OLD ELIZABETH SANCHEZ OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH AN SUV BEING DRIVEN BY 37 YEAR OLD ANGELA KAY MCCARTER OF PIGEON FORGE. SANCHEZ WAS FLOWN TO UT WHERE HER CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. CHARGES AGAINST SANCHEZ ARE PENDING. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

5/2/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE F.A.A ARE INVESTIGATING A PLANE CRASH THAT OCCURRED LAST NIGHT AT THE GATLINBURG – PIGEON FORGE AIRPORT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 8 O CLOCK AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND. APPARENTLY, WHEN THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN, THE NOSE GEAR ON THE TRINIDAD SINGLE ENGINE FIXED WING AIRCRAFT COLLAPSED. THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE BOTH UNINJURED. THE PLANE WHICH IS OWNED BY A CHARLOTTE BASED CHARTER COMPANY, WAS EN-ROUTE FROM JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

5/1/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE SEARCHING FOR TWO MEN WHO ALLEGEDLY TIED, BEAT UP, AND ROBBED A 56 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED JUST AFTER 1:30 AT THE HOME ON NORTH ROGERS ROAD, WAS APPARENTLY WITNESSED BY THE VICTIM’S THREE YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF RON SEALS, THE VICTIM HAD BEEN BOUND AND HIT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE FACE BY THE TWO MEN WHO WERE BOTH WEARING MASKS. THE ASSAILANTS APPARENTLY TOOK SEVERAL WEAPONS FROM THE HOME AND LEFT THE SCENE IN THE VICTIMS BUICK. THE THREE YEAR OLD CHILD WHO HID UNDER A TABLE, WAS NOT HARMED. THE STOLEN VEHICLE WAS LATER FOUND ON DINKIN’S ROAD NEAR THE KNOX COUNTY LINE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE JEFF MCCARTER AT: 453 – 4668.

4/30/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY COUPLE WERE ARRESTED SUNDAY AFTERNOON AFTER THEY LEFT THEIR INFANT DAUGHTER UNATTENDED IN A CAR AT A KNOXVILLE SHOPPING CENTRE. 24 YEAR OLD DAVID MCCROSKEY AND HIS WIFE, 29 YEAR OLD CRYSTAL MCCROSKEY, WERE BOTH TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AT THE STORE ON NORTH BROADWAY. THE FEMALE INFANT WAS TAKEN TO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOR AN EVALUATION. THE MCCROSKEY’S ARE BEING HELD ON A TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR BOND. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

4/30/2007

A FIRE DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME SATURDAY NIGHT. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 7 O CLOCK AT 1479 RUSSELL HOLLOW ROAD, JUST OFF JONES COVE. ALTHOUGH THE HOME WAS A COMPLETE LOSS, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. FIRE FIGHTERS RETURNED TO THE HOME LAST NIGHT AFTER SMOLDERING EMBERS RE-IGNITED THE REMAINS OF THE STRUCTURE. THE ENGLISH MOUNTAIN AND SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

4/30/2007

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK THURSDAY AFTERNOON IN SEVIER COUNTY SENT ONE PERSON TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR, AND ANOTHER TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 4:30 IN THE TWENTY NINE HUNDRED BLOCK OF OLD NEWPORT HIGHWAY, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH SHARP ROAD. THE UN-NAMED FEMALE VICTIM WHO WAS FLOWN TO UT, WAS APPARENTLY THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE. HER CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE CAUSE OF THAT ACCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE RESCUE SQUAD, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

4/27/2007

A WILDFIRE IS CURRENTLY BURNING INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. ACCORDING TO PARKS SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, THE BLAZE NEAR WATERVILLE NORTH CAROLINA, HAS SO FAR CONSUMED ABOUT FORTY ACRES. THE BIG CREEK TRAIL, THE CHESTNUT BRANCH TRAIL, AND THE BAXTER CREEK TRAIL ARE ALL CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THE BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND AND HORSE CAMP ARE ALSO CLOSED. NATIONAL PARK FIREFIGHTERS ARE WORKING TO ESTABLISH FIRE LINES TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AT: 436 – 1200.

4/25/2007

TWO BRUSH FIRES WITHIN A MILE OF EACH OTHER, KEPT SEVERAL FIRE FIGHTERS BUSY TUESDAY MORNING. THE BLAZES WERE REPORTED JUST AFTER 6:30 NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF PINE MOUNTAIN ROAD AND OLD ENGELTOWN ROAD. ACCORDING TO PIGEON FORGE FIRE CHIEF TONY WATSON, BOTH FIRES TOOK ABOUT TWO AND A HALF HOURS TO EXTINGUISH. WATSON ALSO SAID THAT THE CAUSE OF THOSE FIRES IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT EARLY INDICATIONS SUGGEST THAT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN INTENTIONALLY SET. THE PIGEON FORGE, SEVIER COUNTY, WEARS VALLEY, AND THE WALDEN’S CREEK FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

4/25/2007

FIRE FIGHTERS SPENT SEVERAL HOURS LAST NIGHT FIGHTING A BRUSH FIRE IN SEVIER COUNTY. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9:30 NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF A.M. KING WAY AND UPPER MIDDLE CREEK ROAD. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME, AND LUCKILY NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED SO FAR. THE FIRE HAS BEEN CONTAINED AND FORESTRY OFFICIALS ARE MONITORING THE AREA. THE CATON’S CHAPEL, PIGEON FORGE, AND SEVIER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

4/24/2007

A FIRE SATURDAY NIGHT DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9 O CLOCK AT THE HOME IN THE ONE THOUSAND BLOCK OF HOLIDAY LANE. APPARENTLY, THE FIRE STARTED IN THE GARAGE AND IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A DRYER. NOT ONLY DID THE FIRE CLAIM THE HOME, IT ALSO APPARENTLY DESTROYED TWO VEHICLES AS WELL. LUCKILY THOUGH, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE SEVIER COUNTY, ENGLISH MOUNTAIN, AND NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

4/24/2007

SEVEN SEVIER COUNTY RESTAURANTS HAVE AGREED TO PAY NEARLY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS IN BACK WAGES TO EMPLOYEES, AFTER INVESTIGATORS WITH THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT, FOUND VIOLATIONS OF THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT. THE RESTAURANTS APPARENTLY PAID WORKERS LESS THAN THE REQUIRED MINIMUM WAGE OF $5.15 PER HOUR AND VIOLATED OVERTIME PROVISIONS. THE MANDARIN HOUSE CHINESE RESTAURANT IN PIGEON FORGE, THE CHIANG HOUSE IN PIGEON FORGE, THE NUMBER ONE CHINESE BUFFET IN PIGEON FORGE, KIN KA KU IN PIGEON FORGE, NO WAY JOSES IN PIGEON FORGE AND GATLINBURG, AND BLAINES BAR AND GRILL IN GATLINBURG, ALL AGREED TO PAY THE BACK WAGES.

4/23/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY TEENAGER WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY MORNING FOLLOWING A BOMB THREAT AT THE SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL. THE STUDENT, A JUVENILE Whose NAME AND AGE WAS NOT RELEASED, WAS CHARGED WITH A CLASS C FELONY FOR POSSESSION OF A HOAX DEVICE. INFORMATION RELAYED TO THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER LED TO THE EVACUATION OF THE SCHOOL, AND OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT BOMB RESPONSE TEAM FOUND THE FAKE DEVICE IN THE STANDS OF THE FOOTBALL STADIUM. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

4/23/2007

TWO PEOPLE WERE FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE SUNDAY MORNING FOLLOWING A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 7 AM IN THE NORTHBOUND LANES OF HIGHWAY 66 IN FRONT OF VOLUNTEER CHEVROLET. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER RAY BROWN, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 64 YEAR OLD DOUGLAS LITTRELL OF BRISTOL TENNESSEE, CROSSED THE CENTRE LANE AND HIT A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 47 YEAR OLD DIANE SWEET OF KODAK. SWEET WAS LISTED IN SERIOUS CONDITION, LITTRELL WAS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

4/23/2007

A FIRE THURSDAY AFTERNOON DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3:30 AT THE TRAILER IN THE EIGHTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF CREEK HOLLOW WAY, JUST OFF PEARL VALLEY ROAD. ALTHOUGH THE HOME WAS A TOTAL LOSS, LUCKILY NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. OFFICIALS DID HOWEVER ASK FOR A FIRE INVESTIGATOR TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE. THE SEVIER COUNTY, CATON’S CHAPEL, AND ENGLISH MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

4/20/2007

THE BOYD’S CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS EVACUATED FOR A SHORT TIME THURSDAY MORNING FOLLOWING A BOMB THREAT. APPARENTLY, THE MALICIOUS CALL WAS MADE TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE JUST BEFORE 9 AM. SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES AND A K-9 UNIT SEARCHED THE BUILDING, BUT FOUND NOTHING. DETECTIVES ARE INVESTIGATING. IF APPREHENDED, THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FACES UP TO SIX YEARS IN JAIL. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 4668.

4/20/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED THREE PEOPLE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOLLOWING A CALL FROM A CONCERNED CITIZEN CONCERNING A RECKLESS DRIVER. THE TAG NUMBER AND VEHICLE DESCRIPTION THAT WAS GIVEN TO DISPATCHERS CAME BACK MATCHING A TRUCK THAT HAD APPARENTLY BEEN STOLEN OUT OF KNOXVILLE. SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER PAUL LAYMAN LOCATED AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 66 NEAR MILE MARKER 16 POINT 5 JUST AFTER 1:30. OFFICER LAYMAN AND OFFICER TED NEWMAN ARRESTED THE TRUCK DRIVER, 32 YEAR OLD JOHN REED OF DUFF TENNESSEE, AND CHARGED HIM WITH FELONY THEFT, THEFT, AND FOR DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE. THE TWO PASSENGERS WERE ALSO ARRESTED : 38 YEAR OLD DEAN BAIRD OF LAFOLETTE WAS CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, AND 33 YEAR OLD DEBORAH PELLAM OF KNOXVILLE WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH THEFT. REED AND PELLAM WERE BOTH IN POSSESSION OF SEVERAL ALLEGEDLY STOLEN CHECKS AND HAD APPARENTLY BEEN USING THEM AT SEVERAL BUSINESSES IN SEVIER COUNTY. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

4/19/2007

THE RESULTS OF AN ANIMAL AUTOPSY PERFORMED ON THE HEAD OF A CAT THAT WAS DISCOVERED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A PIGEON FORGE RESIDENCE, SHOW THAT THE DECAPITATION WAS THE WORK OF A HUMAN AND NOT THE RESULT OF AN ATTACK BY ANOTHER ANIMAL. ACCORDING TO JAYNE VAUGHN WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, THE AUTOPSY ALSO REVEALED THAT THE HEAD WAS REMOVED AFTER THE CAT WAS DEAD. THE ADULT SHORT HAIRED CAT WAS ABOUT TEN YEARS OLD AND HAD GRAY TIGER MARKINGS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 9063.

4/18/2007

A SEVIERVILLE MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK AT THE WEEKEND. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 12:30 SATURDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER ERIC DENTON, 48 YEAR OLD RICKY PARTON LOST CONTROL OF HIS PICKUP TRUCK IN THE 1200 BLOCK OF SMITHWOOD ROAD AND HIT A TREE. PARTON WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THAT ACCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

4/17/2007

PARK RANGERS ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A MAN WHO WRECKED HIS VEHICLE ON THE SPUR SUNDAY AFTERNOON. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESMAN BOB MILLER, THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3:30 IN THE NORTHBOUND LANES OF THE SPUR NEAR THE TUNNEL. THE DODGE CARAVAN LEFT THE ROADWAY AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE, 45 YEAR OLD TERRY FOX OF GATLINBURG WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. GIVEN THE MINOR DAMAGE TO THE DODGE CARAVAN, RANGERS ARE INVESTIGATING THE POSSIBILITY THAT A MEDICAL SITUATION MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT AND BEEN THE CAUSE OF DEATH. OFFICIALS ARE AWAITING THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY.

4/17/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH THE RAPE OF A CHILD. THE INCIDENT ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE KENJO MARKET ON NEWPORT HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT MIKE HODGES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, 33 YEAR OLD STEVEN BRUCE HAWKINS OF RED BUD LANE, ALLEGEDLY FORCED THE 12 YEAR OLD FEMALE TO PERFORM A SEXUAL ACT UPON HIM IN HIS VEHICLE. HAWKINS IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET. ANOTHER SEVIER COUNTY MAN IS ALSO BEHIND BARS AFTER HE ALSO ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF RON SEALS, THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED BY DOCTORS AT THE EAST TENNESSEE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL YESTERDAY, CONCERNING AN ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT THAT HAPPENED IN KODAK. DETECTIVE STEPHANIE MCCLURE INTERVIEWED THE FIVE YEAR OLD BOY AND HIS MOTHER WHO SAID THAT THEY WERE VISITING THE HOME OF 49 YEAR OLD BOBBY GENE FALIN ON TEMPLIN WAY WHEN THE ASSAULT ALLEGEDLY TOOK PLACE. THE VICTIM’S MOTHER TOLD DETECTIVE MCCLURE THAT SHE SAW FALIN TOUCHING HER CHILD IN A SEXUAL WAY WHILE THE CHILD WAS SLEEPING. FALIN, A CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER WHO IS CURRENTLY ON THE TENNESSEE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY, WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF AGGRAVATED SEXUAL BATTERY. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

4/16/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND OTHER EMERGENCY WORKERS ARE LOOKING FOR A TEENAGER WHO WENT MISSING YESTERDAY. THE SIXTEEN YEAR OLD MALE WAS APPARENTLY DISTRESSED OVER A BREAKUP WITH A GIRL AND DISAPPEARED INTO A WOODED AREA JUST OFF MAPLES BRANCH ROAD IN THE RED BANK AREA. THE STUDENT WAS APPARENTLY COMMUNICATING WITH A FRIEND VIA CELL PHONE. THE SEARCH WAS CALLED OFF OVERNIGHT BUT IS EXPECTED TO RESUME TODAY.

4/13/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED THREE TEENAGERS EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. THE THREE JUVENILES FROM HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA, ALLEGEDLY THREW A CINDER BLOCK THROUGH THE WINDOW OF THE PATRIOT MART CONVENIENCE STORE AT THE CORNER OF TEASTER LANE AND OLD MILL AVENUE. WHEN AUTHORITIES ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, THE SUSPECTS WERE ALLEGEDLY HELPING THEMSELVES TO ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN DENNIS ADAMS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 18 YEAR OLD JOHN POWELL MATHIS WAS CHARGED WITH BURGLARY, VANDALISM, UNDERAGE CONSUMPTION, AND FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR. THE IDENTITIES OF THE OTHER TWO SUSPECTS IS BEING WITHHELD AS THEY ARE 16 AND 17 YEARS OF AGE AND LEGALLY STILL MINORS.

4/13/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED THREE TEENAGERS EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. THE THREE JUVENILES FROM HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA, ALLEGEDLY THREW A CINDER BLOCK THROUGH THE WINDOW OF THE PATRIOT MART CONVENIENCE STORE AT THE CORNER OF TEASTER LANE AND OLD MILL AVENUE. WHEN AUTHORITIES ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, THE SUSPECTS WERE ALLEGEDLY HELPING THEMSELVES TO ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN DENNIS ADAMS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 18 YEAR OLD JOHN POWELL MATHIS WAS CHARGED WITH BURGLARY, VANDALISM, UNDERAGE CONSUMPTION, AND FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR. THE IDENTITIES OF THE OTHER TWO SUSPECTS IS BEING WITHHELD AS THEY ARE 16 AND 17 YEARS OF AGE AND LEGALLY STILL MINORS.

4/13/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND OTHER EMERGENCY WORKERS ARE LOOKING FOR A TEENAGER WHO WENT MISSING YESTERDAY. THE SIXTEEN YEAR OLD MALE WAS APPARENTLY DISTRESSED OVER A BREAKUP WITH A GIRL AND DISAPPEARED INTO A WOODED AREA JUST OFF MAPLES BRANCH ROAD IN THE RED BANK AREA. THE STUDENT WAS APPARENTLY COMMUNICATING WITH A FRIEND VIA CELL PHONE. THE SEARCH WAS CALLED OFF OVERNIGHT BUT IS EXPECTED TO RESUME TODAY.

4/13/2007

A FIRE DESTROYED A GATLINBURG HOME EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO GATLINBURG FIRE CHIEF GREG PATTERSON, THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 1:30 AT THE RENTAL UNIT IN THE NINE HUNDRED BLOCK OF CLINE DRIVE, IN THE HIDDEN HILLS SUBDIVISION. LUCKILY, THE VISITORS THAT WERE STAYING AT THE CABIN WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE STRUCTURE WITHOUT INJURY, BUT THEY DID LOSE ALL OF THEIR POSSESSIONS. THE FIRE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED ON THE FRONT PORCH. THE GATLINBURG AND PITTMAN CENTRE FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

4/12/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE TBI ARE INVESTIGATING A HOMICIDE AFTER A BODY WAS FOUND NEAR THE PIGEON RIVER IN COCKE COUNTY. THE BODY OF 20 YEAR OLD MICHAEL DERRICK GRIMES OF NEWPORT WAS FOUND YESTERDAY AFTERNOON NEAR INTERSTATE FORTY MILE MARKER 439. GRIMES IS THE NEPHEW OF AN AGENT WITH THE TBI. DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL JIMMY DUNN SAYS THAT AN AUTOPSY IS SCHEDULED TODAY AT UT AND THAT DETECTIVES ARE INTERVIEWING SEVERAL WITNESSES. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE TBI AT: 800 TBI FIND.

4/12/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, ARE INVESTIGATING AN INCIDENT IN WHICH THE HEAD OF A DOMESTIC CAT WAS LEFT IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A PIGEON FORGE HOME. THE GRUESOME DISCOVERY WAS MADE ON SATURDAY. THE DOMESTIC SHORT HAIRED CAT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 9 – 10 YEARS OLD WITH GREY TIGER MARKINGS. THE HEAD HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE FOR AN AUTOPSY, IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISCOVER WHETHER THEIR WAS HUMAN INVOLVEMENT, OR IF THE CAT WAS THE VICTIM OF AN ATTACK BY ANOTHER ANIMAL. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 9063.

4/11/2007

A FORMER DIXIE STAMPEDE WORKER ACCUSED OF MOLESTING CHILD PERFORMERS IN 2004, WILL STAND TRIAL FOUR TIMES. ARMANDO GONZALEZ HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TWELVE COUNTS OF SEXUAL CONTACT WITH FOUR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF THIRTEEN. JUDGE REX HENRY OGLE MADE THE RULING YESTERDAY DURING A MOTIONS HEARING AT THE SEVIER COUNTY COURTHOUSE. ALL FOUR VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES ATTENDED THAT HEARING. GONZALEZ HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO ALL CHARGES. THE FIRST TRIAL IS SET FOR JUNE 27TH.

4/11/2007

THREE SEVIER COUNTY RESIDENTS ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING AND BEATING ANOTHER WOMAN, WERE ALL JAILED YESTERDAY FOLLOWING A PLEA AGREEMENT. ERIKA DAWN BAILEY OF KODAK, AND SHAWN GILBERT GREEN OF SEVIERVILLE, WERE BOTH SENTENCED TO TWELVE YEARS IN JAIL, AND BRADLEY FOX OF SEVIERVILLE WAS SENTENCED TO FIFTEEN YEARS. THE THREE ADMITTED TO KIDNAPPING JANNITA HARDIN AND HER TWO YEAR OLD SON. HARDIN WAS STUFFED IN THE TRUNK OF A CAR, TAKEN TO A HOUSE, TAPED TO A CHAIR, WHERE SHE WAS THEN BEATEN AND TORTURED. THE INCIDENT WAS ALL OVER A SIX HUNDRED DOLLAR DRUG DEAL THAT HAD GONE WRONG. HARDIN WAS EVENTUALLY FOUND AT A KNOX COUNTY HOME, BUT NOT BEFORE SHE HAD BEEN BURNED WITH CIGARETTES, HAD LIGHTER FLUID POURED ON HER FEET AND IGNITED, AND HAD HER FINGERS BROKEN WITH PLIERS. BAILEY, GREEN, AND FOX, WILL ALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE AFTER SERVING AT LEAST A THIRD OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PRISON TERMS.

4/10/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE SUSPECT WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO ROB A KODAK GAS STATION AT KNIFEPOINT YESTERDAY MORNING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1:30 AT THE SHELL MART CONVENIENCE STORE IN THE THIRTY THREE HUNDRED BLOCK OF WINNFIELD DUNN PARKWAY. THE MAN WAS APPARENTLY WEARING A CAMOUFLAGE JACKET WITH THE HOOD PULLED AROUND HIS FACE. HE REPORTEDLY LEFT THE STORE WITHOUT ANY MONEY. AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR A WHITE MALE IN HIS MID 20’S, APPROXIMATELY FIVE FOOT ELEVEN INCHES TALL, AND WEIGHING ABOUT 150 POUNDS. HE APPARENTLY MADE HIS GET-A-WAY IN A SMALL WHITE OR OFF-WHITE PASSENGER CAR. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH AT: 453 – 5506.

4/10/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED ARMED ROBBERY THAT OCCURRED EARLY THIS MORNING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1:30 AT THE SHELL GAS STATION AND CONVENIENCE STORE IN THE THIRTY THREE HUNDRED BLOCK OF WINNFIELD DUNN PARKWAY IN KODAK. AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR THE MALE SUBJECT WHO WAS APPARENTLY BRANDISHING A KNIFE AND WEARING A SKI MASK. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

4/9/2007

AN ALERT NEIGHBOR HELPED SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES APPREHEND TWO BURGLARS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE ONE O CLOCK AT A HOME JUST OFF NORTH PITNER ROAD IN SEYMOUR. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF RON SEALS, THE FEMALE WITNESS SAW TWO MEN KICK OPEN HER NEIGHBORS DOOR AND CALLED 911. DEPUTY WES RUTHERFORD AND DEPUTY ROY LOWE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE WITHIN FIVE MINUTES TO FIND THE TWO SUSPECTS LEAVING THE HOME WITH SEVERAL STOLEN ITEMS. 19 YEAR OLD JACK EDWARD NORTON OF KNOXVILLE WAS ARRESTED IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE SECOND MAN FLED THE SCENE ON FOOT. FOLLOWING A SHORT FOOT CHASE, 20 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER JAMES SLAY, ALSO OF KNOXVILLE, WAS APPREHENDED BY DEPUTY RYAN CLEVELAND. BOTH MEN WERE CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BURGLARY AND ARE CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL. HOWEVER, WHEN DETECTIVES ARRIVED AT THE HOME, THEY ALLEGEDLY FOUND DRUGS AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA BELONGING TO THE HOME OWNER. 24 YEAR OLD ANDREW NAPIER WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF A SCHEDULE SIX NARCOTIC FOR RESALE. HE WAS BOOKED AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL AND GIVEN A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

4/6/2007

A DANDRIDGE FAMILY BARELY ESCAPED WHEN HIGH WINDS BROUGHT A ONE HUNDRED FOOT TALL OAK TREE DOWN ONTO THEIR MOBILE HOME TUESDAY NIGHT. THE HOME ON DOUGLAS LAKE WAS SPLIT IN TWO BY THE IMPACT. KIM LEE AND HER HUSBAND WERE LESS THAN TWO FEET AWAY WHEN THE TREE CAME CRASHING INTO THEIR HOME. THEIR TWO YOUNG BOYS AGED SIX AND SEVEN, WERE ASLEEP IN THEIR BEDROOM. THE FAMILY IS CURRENTLY STAYING WITH RELATIVES.

4/5/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED A NORTH CAROLINA WOMAN AND CHARGED HER WITH FELONY FORGERY AND DRUG POSSESSION. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER TED NEWMAN, HE AND OFFICER DAVID FINCHUM RESPONDED TO A SEVIERVILLE STORE THAT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS ACCEPTING AN 871 DOLLAR CHECK. FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION, AUTHORITIES DISCOVERED THAT THE CHECK WAS STOLEN. 27 YEAR OLD APRIL MICHELLE LESTER OF CANTON NORTH CAROLINA WAS CHARGED WITH FELONY FORGERY AND FOR POSSESSION OF A SMALL AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

4/5/2007

A FORMER DIXIE STAMPEDE EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF MOLESTING SEVERAL CHILD PERFORMERS IN 2004, WILL FACE THE ALLEGED VICTIMS BEFORE HIS CASE GOES TO TRIAL. ARMANDO GONZALEZ IS CHARGED WITH 12 COUNTS OF SEXUAL CONTACT WITH FOUR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13. HIS TRIAL IS SET FOR JUNE 27TH BUT A MOTIONS HEARING THIS TUESDAY WILL MEAN THAT THE ALLEGED VICTIMS WILL HAVE TO FACE GONZALEZ. JUDGE REX HENRY OGLE WILL LISTEN TO THE WITNESSES TESTIMONY AND DECIDE IF GONZALEZ WILL BE TRIED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CHARGE. GONZALEZ FLED TO MEXICO IN 2004 BEFORE BEING CAPTURED IN NORTH CAROLINA IN 2006. HE HAS PLED NOT GUILTY TO THE CHARGES.

4/4/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN HAD PLED GUILTY TO INTERNET FRAUD. CHARLES EDWARD BUSH OF SEYMOUR ACCEPTED A PLEA AGREEMENT AND ADMITTED TO BEING THE SOLE OWNER AND EMPLOYEE OF INTERSTATE PRO VIDEO. THE BUSINESS WOULD ADVERTISE PROFESSIONAL GRADE VIDEO EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, BUT WHEN CUSTOMERS PAID FOR ITEMS, BUSH WOULD NEVER SEND THE EQUIPMENT TO THE PURCHASER. BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2002 AND DECEMBER 2005, BUSH HAD APPARENTLY GROSSED ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS. HE NOW FACES UP TO TWENTY YEARS IN JAIL, A 250 THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE, AND AN ORDER TO PAY BACK ALL THE MONEY THAT HE STOLE.

4/3/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED ARMED ROBBERY THAT OCCURRED JUST BEFORE 9:30 SATURDAY EVENING. APPARENTLY AN EMPLOYEE AT THE ADVANCE AUTO PARTS STORE IN THE TWO HUNDRED BLOCK OF WEARS VALLEY ROAD, WAS APPROACHED BY THE MALE SUSPECT WHO WAS ARMED WITH A SEMI AUTOMATIC HANDGUN. THE ROBBER LEFT THE STORE WITH AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF CASH. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR A WHITE MALE, APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS OF AGE, ABOUT FIVE FOOT NINE INCHES TALL, AND WEIGHING BETWEEN 160 AND 175 POUNDS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 9063.

4/2/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE NOW MADE AN ARREST IN CONNECTION WITH AN ARMED ROBBERY AT A LOCAL GAS STATION TWO WEEKS AGO. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE MATHEW CUBBERLY WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, 18 YEAR OLD THOMAS JOSHUA CARTER OF WINSTON GEORGIA, WILL BE EXTRADITED BACK TO SEVIER COUNTY TO FACE CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ROBBERY. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THAT CARTER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MARCH 15TH ROBBERY AT THE VALLEY MART EXXON CONVENIENCE STORE ON WEARS VALLEY ROAD. APPARENTLY EVIDENCE FOUND AT THE SCENE AND INFORMATION FROM A WITNESS LINKED HIM TO THE CRIME.

3/30/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED HOME INVASION THAT HAPPENED EARLY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 12:30 AT A HOME IN THE ONE THOUSAND BLOCK OF EAST MADISON DRIVE. APPARENTLY, THE MALE SUSPECT THREW AN OBJECT THROUGH THE GLASS FRONT DOOR. THE UN-NAMED MALE HOME OWNER ALLEGEDLY FIRED A WEAPON AT THE SUSPECT WHO THEN FLED ON FOOT. AUTHORITIES DO NOT KNOW IF ANY SHOTS HIT THE SUSPECT. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

3/29/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED TWO PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF PASSING COUNTERFEIT MONEY. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE STEPHANIE MCCLURE WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE INCIDENT BEGAN ON MONDAY AFTERNOON JUST BEFORE 12:30. APPARENTLY, 26 YEAR OLD WILL RUSTON SPRAYBERRY OF OXFORD ALABAMA, AND 31 YEAR OLD MELISSA PRITCHETT OF MUNFORD ALABAMA, USED THE FAKE BILLS AT GO FORTH TIRE IN KODAK. A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR BLACK JEEP WAS FORWARDED TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND WAS LATER SPOTTED BY DEPUTY SELENA BALL ON HIGHWAY 321. BALL PURSUED THE VEHICLE ALONG 321 AND ONTO BRANHAM HOLLOW ROAD BEFORE THE OCCUPANTS FLED ON FOOT INTO A WOODED AREA. K9 OFFICER BRAD WILDS AND HIS PARTNER FOUND THE TWO SUSPECTS IN THE COBBLY NOB AREA. SPRAYBERRY AND PRITCHETT ALSO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO PASS THE COUNTERFEIT BILLS AT WAL-MART. BOTH FACE FEDERAL COUNTERFEITING CHARGES AND BOTH WERE CHARGED WITH EVADING ARREST. SPRAYBERRY WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH BEING A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE. ADDITIONAL CHARGES ARE LIKELY. THE PITTMAN CENTRE POLICE DEPARTMENT ASSISTED WITH THAT SEARCH.

3/28/2007

ANOTHER BRUSH FIRE KEPT SEVERAL SEVIER COUNTY FIRE FIGHTERS BUSY FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS LAST NIGHT. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 6:30 ON ENGLISH MOUNTAIN, JUST OFF BREEDEN BRANCH ROAD. FIRE FIGHTERS HAD TO HIKE INTO THE HEAVILY WOODED AREA AND DIG FIRE LINES. THE BLAZE WAS EVENTUALLY BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL AT 9:30. NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED. A BURN BAN IS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT FOR THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.

3/28/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN ARRESTED FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN TWO SHOOTINGS AND A ALTERCATION, WAS RELEASED FROM JAIL YESTERDAY FOLLOWING A PLEA AGREEMENT. PHONG TRAN PLED GUILTY TO AGGRAVATED ASSAULT FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN A NOVEMBER 2005 INCIDENT IN PIGEON FORGE, IN WHICH ANOTHER MAN ALLEGEDLY SHOT AT THREE PEOPLE IN A VEHICLE. TRAN ALSO PLED GUILTY TO A SECOND COUNT OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT FOR USING A BEER BOTTLE AS A WEAPON DURING AN ALTERCATION AT A PARTY. THE PLEA AGREEMENT REQUIRES TRAN TO SERVE TWO CONCURRENT FOUR YEAR SENTENCES, BUT AS HE HAD BEEN INCARCERATED SINCE 2005, HE WAS RELEASED ON TIME SERVED. JUDGE RICHARD VANCE ALSO PLACED HIM ON PROBATION AND TOLD THAN THAT HE MUST FIND EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS.

3/27/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE SHUT DOWN AN ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATION IN KODAK. DEPUTIES WENT TO THE SPEEDWAY DINER ON ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY FOLLOWING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM AREA RESIDENTS. FOUR MACHINES WERE CONFISCATED, TWO OF WHICH WERE VIDEO GAMES THAT WERE RIGGED TO SWITCH TO POKER MACHINES VIA REMOTE CONTROL. DEPUTIES ALSO SEIZED 338 DOLLARS THAT WAS INSIDE THE MACHINES. THE OWNER OF THE STORE, 54 YEAR OLD SHARON TARWATER, WAS CHARGED WITH THE ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICES AND WILL BE ARRAIGNED ON APRIL 27TH.

3/26/2007

TWO SEVIER COUNTY BUSINESSMEN WERE FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A THREE VEHICLE WRECK LAST NIGHT IN KENTUCKY. TODD THOMPSON AND DALE CARR OF THOMPSON, CARR AND ASSOCIATES, WERE TRAVELLING IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF INTERSTATE 75 IN WHITLEY COUNTY KENTUCKY, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED JUST BEFORE 6 O CLOCK. APPARENTLY, TWO PEOPLE TRAVELLING IN ONE OF THE OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED WERE PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THOMPSON AND CARR ARE BOTH CURRENTLY LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

3/23/2007

A CASE OF SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION CAUSED SOME ANXIOUS MOMENTS AT A SEVIERVILLE BUSINESS WEDNESDAY MORNING. AN EMPLOYEE AT THE LODGE CAST IRON FACTORY OUTLET ON KNIFE WORKS LANE, CALLED 911 JUST AFTER 7:30 TO REPORT THAT THE BUSINESS WAS FULL OF SMOKE. ACCORDING TO LIEUTENANT BENNY PICKENS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT, SOME OVERNIGHT WORKERS HAD DISCARDED SOME LINSEED OIL RAGS BY PUTTING THEM INTO A PLASTIC TRASH CAN. DURING THE NIGHT, THE RAGS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED THE TRASHCAN, FILLING THE STORE AND THE WORKSHOP TOOLS STORE NEXT DOOR WITH SMOKE. FIRE FIGHTERS EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE AND REMOVED THE TRASHCAN. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE SEVIERVILLE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

3/22/2007

A PIGEON FORGE MAN HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE AND WELL IN NORTH CAROLINA, THREE DAYS AFTER HE WENT MISSING. 79 YEAR OLD GRANVILLE ADAMS WAS FOUND TUESDAY AFTERNOON JUST BEFORE ONE O CLOCK IN HAYWOOD COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA. ADAMS TRUCK WAS FOUND WRECKED ON MONDAY IN THE WHITE OAK COMMUNITY NEAR WAYNESVILLE. ADAMS WHO IS BELIEVED TO SUFFER FROM DEMENTIA, WAS TAKEN TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL TO BE CHECKED.

3/21/2007

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE OVER THE WEEKEND SENT ONE PERSON TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED SUNDAY EVENING JUST BEFORE 7:30 AT THE INTERSECTION OF DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY AND VETERAN’S BOULEVARD. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER MIKE WILLIAMS, A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 27 YEAR OLD CANDACE COOK OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 26 YEAR OLD NICHOLAS CASS OF CONVERSE INDIANA. HIS PASSENGER, 26 YEAR OLD TARA CASS WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES. COOK WAS CITED FOR DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE, AND FOR FAILURE TO HAVE PROOF OF INSURANCE. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

3/20/2007

A FIRE SUNDAY MORNING DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME AND SENT ONE OF THE RESIDENTS AND A FIRE FIGHTER TO THE HOSPITAL. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9 AM AT THE HOME IN THE TWENTY FOUR HUNDRED BLOCK OF BIG RIVER OUTLOOK DRIVE. CHRISTINE GARNER WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE AND TREATED FOR SMOKE INHALATION. A FIREFIGHTER WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH CHEST PAINS. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE SEVIER COUNTY AND NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

3/19/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY JURY FOUND JOHN WAYNE BLAIR GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN THE DEATH OF HIS NEIGHBOR, 23 YEAR OLD KELLY SELLARS IN APRIL OF 2005. BLAIR WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE. THE JURORS TOOK ABOUT FOUR HOURS TO DELIBERATE THE VERDICT. DEFENSE ATTORNEYS TRIED TO PROVE THAT BLAIR WAS MENTALLY RETARDED AND THAT HIS FRIEND, TOMMY HUMPHREY WAS THE REAL KILLER. SELLARS BODY WAS FOUND IN A SHALLOW GRAVE ON ENGLISH MOUNTAIN. SHE HAD BLED TO DEATH AFTER BEING SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND STRUCK SEVERAL TIMES WITH A BLUNT OBJECT. 51 YEAR OLD BLAIR IS A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER WITH A PREVIOUS CONVICTION IN FLORIDA FOR SEXUAL BATTERY. PROSECUTORS HAD BEEN SEEKING THE DEATH PENALTY.

3/19/2007

THE JURY IN THE FIRST DEGREE MURDER TRIAL OF JOHN WAYNE BLAIR, IS NOW MADE UP OF EIGHT WOMEN AND FOUR MEN AFTER ONE OF THE ORIGINAL JURORS COLLAPSED YESTERDAY. THE MALE JUROR THREW UP AND PASSED OUT AFTER WATCHING A VIDEO SCREEN DISPLAY SHOWING THE WOUNDS THAT KILLED 23 YEAR OLD KELLY SELLERS. JUDGE REX HENRY OGLE ORDERED THE FIRST OF FOUR ALTERNATE JURORS TO TAKE THE MALE JURORS PLACE. DURING YESTERDAYS TESTIMONY, A MEDICAL EXAMINER EXPLAINED THAT A LOSS OF BLOOD CAUSED BY BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA IS WHAT KILLED SELLERS. THE VICTIM RECEIVED AT LEAST FIVE STRONG BLOWS TO THE HEAD, AND HAD OTHER BODY INJURIES CONSISTENT WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT. TBI CRIME LAB EXPERTS TESTIFIED THAT THE VICTIMS BLOOD WAS FOUND ALL OVER BLAIRS PROPERTY, INCLUDING UNDER THE CARPET IN HIS HOUSE, ON A PLASTIC BUCKET, ON HIS BACK PORCH, AND ON THE TAILGATE OF HIS TRUCK. PROSECUTOR AL SCHMUTZER JUNIOR SAID THAT HE EXPECTS TO CONCLUDE HIS CASE TODAY. PUBLIC DEFENDER ED MILLER SAID THAT HE COULD WRAP UP THE DEFENSES PRESENTATION BY TOMORROW AT THE LATEST. 51 YEAR OLD BLAIR IS ACCUSED OF KILLING 22 YEAR OLD KELLY SELLERS AT HIS HOME ON ENGLISH MOUNTAIN IN APRIL OF 2005. IF CONVICTED, HE COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY.

3/16/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED ARMED ROBBERY THAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9:30 AT THE VALLEY MART EXXON CONVENIENCE STORE IN THE THREE THOUSAND BLOCK OF WEARS VALLEY ROAD. APPARENTLY, A MALE SUBJECT WEARING A MASK, ENTERED THE STORE BRANDISHING A KNIFE AND DEMANDED CASH FROM THE CLERK. THE ROBBER THEN TOOK THE CASH DRAWER AND FLED THE SCENE ON FOOT. THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE IN HIS EARLY 20’S, APPROXIMATELY SIX FOOT TALL, AND WEIGHING ABOUT 150 POUNDS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 4668.

3/16/2007

THE MOTHER OF MURDER VICTIM KELLY SELLERS TOOK THE STAND YESTERDAY DURING THE MURDER TRIAL OF 51 YEAR OLD JOHN WAYNE BLAIR, THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HER. TAMMY PETERSON TESTIFIED THAT BLAIR WAS HER DAUGHTERS MARIJUANA SUPPLIER. SHE ALSO TESTIFIED THAT SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF BLEACH ON BLAIR AFTER HER DAUGHTER DISAPPEARED IN APRIL OF 2005. HER BODY WAS FOUND SEVERAL DAYS LATER IN A SHALLOW GRAVE ON ENGLISH MOUNTAIN. PROSECUTORS SAY THAT BLAIR’S HAIR WAS FOUND ON SELLERS BODY, AND THAT THE VICTIMS BLOOD WAS FOUND IN BLAIR’S TRAILER AND HER HAIR WAS FOUND IN THE BED OF BLAIR’S TRUCK. DEFENSE ATTORNEY’S SAY THAT BLAIR’S FRIEND TOMMY HUMPHREY WAS THE PERSON THAT KILLED SELLERS AND THEN HE FRAMED BLAIR WITH THE MURDER. THE DEFENSE IS ALSO ARGUING THAT INVESTIGATORS DID NOT HANDLE EVIDENCE PROPERLY AT THE CRIME SCENE. IF CONVICTED BLAIR COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY.

3/15/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY MINISTER WHO FIRED A PISTOL DURING A ROAD RAGE INCIDENT ON THE SPUR WAS PLACED ON A YEARS PROBATION YESTERDAY. MICHAEL DALE BECK PLED GUILTY IN DECEMBER TO A MISDEMEANOR CHARGE OF RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT. HE ADMITTED TO FIRING A 22 CALIBER PISTOL IN THE AIR AFTER A CONFRONTATION WITH ANOTHER MOTORIST, BUT SAID THAT HE NEVER POINTED THE GUN AT HIM. BECK ATTEMPTED TO RESIGN HIS MINISTRY AT THE LITTLE COVE BAPTIST CHURCH, BUT CHURCH MEMBERS OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED THE OFFER. BECK WAS ALSO ORDERED TO UNDERGO MANDATORY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, ORDERED TO TAKE ALL HIS PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, ORDERED TO PERFORM 150 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND FORBIDDEN TO POSSESS ANY FIREARMS.

3/15/2007

A MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROBBERY OF A SEYMOUR BANK IN DECEMBER, PLED GUILTY TO THE CRIME YESTERDAY. 39 YEAR OLD STEVEN CASTLES ADMITTED TO ROBBING THE BB&T BANK ON DECEMBER 27TH. HIS CO-DEFENDANT, 32 YEAR OLD BRITTANY MARTINEZ WHO WAS APPARENTLY THE GET-A-WAY DRIVER, ADMITTED THAT THE MONEY WAS TO BE USED TO BUY CRACK COCAINE. THE PAIR WERE ARRESTED ON STRAWBERRY PLAINS PIKE THE DAY AFTER THE ROBBERY, FOLLOWING A 20 MINUTE HIGH SPEED CHASE. CASTLES WILL BE SENTENCED ON JUNE 18TH AND FACES UP TO EIGHTEEN YEARS IN JAIL AND A 250 THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE.

3/14/2007

A JURY WAS SEATED YESTERDAY FOR THE FIRST DEGREE MURDER TRIAL OF JOHN WAYNE BLAIR. SEVEN WOMEN AND FIVE MEN HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO MAKE UP THE JURY WITH FOUR OTHERS THAT WILL SERVE AS ALTERNATES. THE TRIAL WILL BEGIN (BEGAN) TODAY AND JUDGE REX HENRY OGLE HAS ORDERED THAT THE GROUP OF SIXTEEN BE SEQUESTERED DURING THE TRIAL. 51 YEAR OLD BLAIR IS ACCUSED OF MURDERING HIS NEIGHBOR, 22 YEAR OLD KELLY SELLERS, IN APRIL OF 2005 AND BURYING HER BODY IN A SHALLOW GRAVE ON ENGLISH MOUNTAIN. BLAIR WAS CONVICTED IN FLORIDA IN 1995 OF ARMED SEXUAL BATTERY BEFORE MOVING TO EAST TENNESSEE IN APRIL OF 2005. IF CONVICTED HE COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY.

3/14/2007

THE JURY SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE FIRST DEGREE MURDER TRIAL OF JOHN WAYNE BLAIR IS NOW UNDERWAY. JUDGE REX HENRY OGLE, PUBLIC DEFENDER ED MILLER, AND PROSECUTOR AL SCHMUTZER JUNIOR, INTERVIEWED SEVERAL PROSPECTIVE JURORS ABOUT THE MEDIA COVERAGE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TOO, AND ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS CONCERNING THE DEATH PENALTY. BLAIR IS ACCUSED OF MURDERING 22 YEAR OLD KELLY SELLERS ON ENGLISH MOUNTAIN IN APRIL OF 2005. THE JURY WILL BE SEQUESTERED WHEN THE TRIAL BEGINS.

3/13/2007

FOR THE THIRD TIME IN AS MANY WEEKS, FIRE FIGHTERS FROM ALL ACROSS SEVIER COUNTY BATTLED ANOTHER WILD FIRE MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE LATEST BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 2:30 NEAR THE LAUREL BRANCH COMMUNITY, JUST OFF MCMAHAN – SAWMILL ROAD. ACCORDING TO PIGEON FORGE FIRE CHIEF TONY WATSON, THE FIRE CONSUMED ABOUT TEN ACRES OF WOODLAND, BUT LUCKILY NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO HOMES WERE DAMAGED. ABOUT A DOZEN PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED WHILE FIRE FIGHTERS FOUGHT TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE. THE FIRE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED NEAR A CONSTRUCTION SITE. THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

3/13/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE SEARCHING FOR TWO MEN WHO ALLEGEDLY BROKE INTO A HOME, TIED UP THE OCCUPANTS, AND ROBBED THEM OF TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CASH. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2:30 THURSDAY AFTERNOON AT A HOME ON HEATLEY LANE. THE VICTIMS TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT BOTH MEN WERE ARMED WITH GUNS. THE SUSPECTS ARE DESCRIBED AS BEING BETWEEN 18 AND 20 YEAR OF AGE, ONE HAD A LARGE BUILD, THE OTHER WAS WEARING A SKI MASK. THEY MAY HAVE BEEN DRIVING A DARK BROWN FORD BRONCO. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AT: 453-4668.

3/12/2007

INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THAT A WILD FIRE THAT BURNT APPROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED ACRES OF SHIELDS MOUNTAIN LATE LAST WEEK, WAS THE WORK OF AN ARSONIST. THE FIRES WERE STARTED EARLY WEDNESDAY EVENING AND KEPT OVER ONE HUNDRED FIRE FIGHTERS BUSY UNTIL THURSDAY AFTERNOON. ONE OF THE FIRES WAS STARTED NEAR A ROADWAY JUST OF SEATON SPRINGS ROAD, THE OTHER IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN STARTED IN THE MCCARTER HOLLOW AREA. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS REPORTED.

3/12/2007

AUTHORITIES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE NOW IDENTIFIED A DECEASED MALE THAT WAS FOUND IN A HOT TUB AT A SEVIER COUNTY RENTAL. THE DEAD MAN WAS IDENTIFIED AS NATHAN CHARLES HAZEL-BAKER OF FLORIDA. HE HAD APPARENTLY RENTED A CABIN JUST OFF RUSH BRANCH ROAD. HAZEL-BAKER WAS WANTED IN GEORGIA ON AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT FOR RAPE. THE CAUSE OF DEATH HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED.

3/9/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE AFTER HIS CRUISER WAS SIDE-SWIPED ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11 O CLOCK NEAR BOB’S MOUNTAINEER RESTAURANT. SHERIFF’S DEPUTY JOHNNY BOHANNON WAS TREATED AT FORT SANDERS SEVIER AND LATER RELEASED. THE FEMALE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OD DRIVING WHILST IMPAIRED. THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

3/9/2007

ALL FOUR OF THE MISSING CHILDREN TAKEN BY THEIR NON CUSTODIAL MOTHER LAST WEEK HAVE NOW BEEN LOCATED. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF RON SEALS, 16 YEAR OLD CASSANDRA BURRIS AND 15 YEAR OLD JIMMY BURRIS, TURNED THEMSELVES IN TO DETECTIVE MATHEW CUBBERLY LAST NIGHT AT THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. THE WOMAN THAT AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE WITH, 19 YEAR OLD CHRISTINA MUSE, ALSO TURNED HERSELF IN. SHE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED AND LATER RELEASED AFTER MEETING A TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR BOND. ON MONDAY, 33 YEAR OLD SANDRA BURRIS TURNED HERSELF IN, AS WELL AS 7 YEAR OLD CATELYNN BURRIS AND 12 YEAR OLD CAROL ANN BURRIS. ALL FOUR KIDS ARE NOW IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN SERVICES AND ARE SAID TO BE DOING FINE.

3/8/2007

TWO RAGING WILD FIRES ON SHIELDS MOUNTAIN HAS FORCED THE EVACUATION OF APPROXIMATELY ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE. THE FIRES WERE REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7 O CLOCK WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND HAVE BURNT ABOUT 70 ACRES SO FAR. SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES AFFECTED INCLUDE EAGLE CREST, TREE TOPS, AND THE SHIELDS MOUNTAIN GATED COMMUNITY. A RED CROSS SHELTER HAS BEEN SET UP AT THE PIGEON FORGE COMMUNITY CENTRE. SO FAR, NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED. FIRE FIGHTERS FROM EVERY DEPARTMENT IN SEVIER COUNTY ARE ON THE SCENE AS WELL AS FIRE FIGHTERS FROM COCKE COUNTY, JEFFERSON COUNTY, AND STATE FORESTRY EMPLOYEES. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

3/8/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY OPTOMETRIST ACCUSED OF RUNNING OFF THE ROAD AND KILLING A MAN ON HIS PORCH, HAS BEEN RE-INDICTED ON AN UPGRADED CHARGE OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER. DR. EDWARD SMITH OF KODAK WAS ORIGINALLY CHARGED WITH VEHICULAR HOMICIDE FOR THE INCIDENT THAT CLAIMED THE LIFE OF CHUCK FINCHUM IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006. OFFICIALS SAY THAT SMITH DROVE HIS PICK-UP TRUCK OFF NEWPORT HIGHWAY IN AN APPARENT SUICIDE ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND THEN PLOWED INTO A HOME WHERE FINCHUM WAS ASLEEP ON THE PORCH. FINCHUM WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. SMITH WAS RELEASED ON A ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND AND WILL APPEAR IN COURT AGAIN ON MARCH 26TH.

3/7/2007

RON SEALS WAS APPOINTED SHERIFF OF SEVIER COUNTY LAST NIGHT AT THE SEVIER COUNTY COURTHOUSE. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED TWENTY FOUR TO ONE IN FAVOR OF SEALS’ APPOINTMENT BY ACCLAMATION. AFTER THE VOTE, SEALS WAS SWORN INTO OFFICE BY COUNTY MAYOR LARRY WATERS. SEALS SAID HE WILL UPGRADE OFFICER TRAINING, WORK FOR AN ENHANCED RADIO SYSTEM WITH GPS, AND CONTINUE THE NEW JAIL PROJECT. HE WILL SERVE AS SHERIFF AT LEAST UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008. SEALS REPLACES BRUCE MONTGOMERY WHO PASSED AWAY ON FEBRUARY 9TH.

3/6/2007

TWO OF THE FOUR CHILDREN TAKEN BY THEIR NON-CUSTODIAL MOTHER LAST WEEK, ARE NOW BACK IN SEVIER COUNTY. 7 YEAR OLD CATELYNN BURRIS AND 12 YEAR OLD CAROL-ANN BURRIS WERE TAKEN TO THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL YESTERDAY BY THEIR MOTHER SANDY BURRIS, WHO WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE. THE CHILDREN WERE PLACED INTO THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN SERVICES. AUTHORITIES ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR THE OTHER TWO CHILDREN. BURRIS IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

3/6/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT CLOSED DOWN A METHAMPHETAMINE LAB AND ARRESTED TWO PEOPLE YESTERDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF RON SEALS, 29 YEAR OLD JERRY SHANE WEBSTER OF MCMAHAN SAWMILL ROAD IN SEVIER COUNTY, AND 23 YEAR OLD TARA ALISHA ROSE OF KNOXVILLE, WERE BOTH ARRESTED AT THE MAKESHIFT METH LAB INSIDE A RENTAL CABIN ON WEST SIDE HILLS ROAD. BOTH WERE CHARGED WITH MANUFACTURING METH, POSSESSION OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA, AND POSSESSION OF METH. WEBSTER AND ROSE WERE ALSO CHARGED WITH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AFTER OFFICIALS DISCOVERED THAT A SIX YEAR OLD CHILD WAS PRESENT. THEY ARE CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A 250 THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

3/6/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED A FORMER SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY ON TWO COUNTS OF FELONY THEFT. MARK VICTOR SHULTS OF KING HOLLOW ROAD WAS ASSIGNED TO THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DRUG TASK FORCE, BUT WAS SUSPENDED LAST YEAR FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING MISSING FUNDS. ACCORDING TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL JIMMY DUNN, SHULTS WAS RELEASED AFTER POSTING A THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND AND WILL BE ARRAIGNED AT THE SEVIER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT TODAY.

3/5/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED A SEVIER COUNTY MAN IN CONNECTION WITH A SERIES OF HOME BURGLARIES IN THE WALDEN’S CREEK AREA. DETECTIVES HAVE CHARGED 46 YEAR OLD JOHNNY RAY HILL OF GNATTY BRANCH ROAD, WITH SEVEN COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED BURGLARY. OFFICIALS ALLEGEDLY RECOVERED SEVERAL GUNS AND ITEMS OF JEWELRY THAT WERE STOLEN FROM HOMES IN THE AREA. HILL IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND MORE CHARGES ARE LIKELY.

3/5/2007

THE STEERING COMMITTEE ENTRUSTED WITH CHOOSING A NEW SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF MET LAST NIGHT AND RECOMMENDED CHIEF DEPUTY RON SEALS FOR THE POSITION. SEALS WAS THE ONLY PERSON NOMINATED FOR A VOTE BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. THE RECOMMENDATION WILL NOW GO BEFORE THE FULL SEVIER COUNTY COMMISSION ON MONDAY FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

3/2/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE GATLINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE LOOKING FOR FOUR CHILDREN, WHO WERE ALLEGEDLY TAKEN OUT OF SCHOOL EARLIER THIS WEEK BY THEIR NON – CUSTODIAL MOTHER. 16 YEAR OLD CASSANDRA BURRIS, AND 15 YEAR OLD JIMMY RAY BURRIS, WERE BOTH TAKEN FROM THE GATLINBURG PITTMAN HIGH SCHOOL, AND 12 YEAR OLD CAROLANN BURRIS AND 7 YEAR OLD CATELYNN BURRIS, WERE BOTH TAKEN FROM THE NEW CENTRE SCHOOL. ALL FOUR CHILDREN ARE BELIEVED TO BE WITH 33 YEAR OLD SANDY DIANE BURRIS. INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THAT THEY MAY BE IN THE OAK RIDGE AREA OR ON THEIR WAY TO FLORIDA. SANDY BURRIS IS BELIEVED TO BE DRIVING A 1994 MAROON COLORED OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS WITH THE TENNESSEE LICENSE PLATE 786 NKJ. SANDY BURRIS HAS BROWN HAIR,TATTOO’S ON HER CHEST, IS ABOUT FIVE FOOT TALL AND WEIGHS ABOUT 140 POUNDS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 4668.

3/2/2007

FIRE FIGHTERS FROM ALL ACROSS SEVIER COUNTY RESPONDED TO A BLAZE ON COVE MOUNTAIN IN THE WEARS VALLEY AREA YESTERDAY MORNING. THE FIRE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 5:30 AND IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN FIRE EARLIER THIS WEEK AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE. APPARENTLY, AT LEAST SIX CABINS WERE DESTROYED AND OVER 500 ACRES BURNED. RESIDENTS WITHIN A TWO MILE RADIUS WERE ORDERED TO EVACUATE BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

3/2/2007

A GATLINBURG – PITTMAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WAS KILLED EARLY THURSDAY MORNING AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT MIKE VON CANNON WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 6:30 ON JONES COVE ROAD NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH HENRYTOWN ROAD. 15 YEAR OLD JESSE NORELL AND 15 YEAR OLD NOAH ELROY WERE WALKING TOGETHER ALONG THE ROADWAY TO A NEARBY STORE TO CATCH A RIDE. NORELL WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 22 YEAR OLD JOSHUA STUART OF NEWPORT AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. ELROY WAS UNINJURED. NO CITATIONS WERE ISSUED AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT DRUGS OR ALCOHOL WERE INVOLVED. NORELL HAD BEEN LIVING WITH AN AUNT AFTER HIS MOTHER WAS KILLED IN A WRECK A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT HAVE NOT YET BEEN ANNOUNCED.

3/2/2007

THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IS TO RECEIVE A GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE YESTERDAY BY CONGRESSMAN DAVID DAVIS. THE ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT WILL BE FOR NEARLY FIFTY NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IS THE LARGEST VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT IN EAST TENNESSEE.

3/1/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A MAN WHO’S BODY WAS FOUND AT A SEVIER COUNTY CABIN MONDAY EVENING. THE UN-NAMED DECEASED MALE WAS FOUND JUST BEFORE 5:30 IN A HOT TUB AT A CABIN IN THE SIX HUNDRED BLOCK OF RUSH BRANCH ROAD. INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THAT THE MALE HAD BEEN IN THE HOT TUB FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE STEPHANIE MCCLURE WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE DISCOVERY WAS MADE AFTER OFFICIALS WITH THE FORSYTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT IN GEORGIA, REQUESTED ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS WANTED IN GEORGIA ON A WARRANT FOR RAPE. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

2/28/2007

A STEERING COMMITTEE ENTRUSTED WITH FINDING SEVIER COUNTY’S NEXT SHERIFF MET LAST NIGHT AND INTERVIEWED ALL SIX CANDIDATES. MARY BOSWELL, DEAN LEWIS, BRADLEY LOWE, JOEY PARTON JUNIOR, KIM PIERCE, AND RON SEALS, ALL SPENT BETWEEN FIVE AND TEN MINUTES DISCUSSING THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPLAINING WHY THEY SHOULD BE THE PERSON TO REPLACE BRUCE MONTGOMERY, WHO PASSED AWAY ON FEBRUARY 9TH. THE MAJORITY OF THE CANDIDATES WANTED TO OFFER CIVIL SERVICE TO THE DEPARTMENTS EMPLOYEE’S AND TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE STEERING COMMITTEE WILL MEET AGAIN THURSDAY EVENING TO SELECT THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHO WILL ANNOUNCE THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE ON MARCH 5TH.

2/28/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY COUPLE WHO WERE ACCUSED OF FEDERAL TAX EVASION, HAVE PLED GUILTY TO THE CHARGE AS PART OF A PLEA AGREEMENT. ARNOLD AND KATHLEEN SCHMID WHO REFUSED TO FILE INCOME TAX RETURNS BECAUSE THEY WERE LIVING SOULS AND NOT U.S. CITIZENS, WERE ARRESTED IN JULY OF 2005. HOWEVER, WHILST FREE ON BAIL, THE SCHMID’S FLED AND HID OUT IN THE NORTHWEST UNTIL AGENTS WITH THE U.S. MARSHALL’S OFFICE TRACKED THEM DOWN LAST APRIL. THE COUPLE WHO ALLEGEDLY MADE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SEVIER COUNTY REAL ESTATE VENTURES, AGREED TO A NEGOTIATED FIGURE OF FIFTY THREE THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY DOLLARS, AS THE TAX LIABILITY OWED TO THE GOVERNMENT. THE DEAL WILL ALSO CUT THE POTENTIAL PRISON TERMS BOTH FACE FROM YEARS TO MONTHS, MOST OF WHICH MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN SERVED DURING THE LAST TEN MONTHS. ARNOLD AND KATHLEEN SCHMID WERE RELEASED BUT REQUIRED TO WEAR ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICES. THEY WILL BE SENTENCED ON MAY 24TH.

2/27/2007

SIX CANDIDATES HAVE SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS TO TEMPORARILY FILL THE OFFICE OF SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY WAS FRIDAY AT NOON. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE CHOSEN BY THE SEVIER COUNTY COMMISSION ON MARCH 5TH, AND WILL SERVE AS SHERIFF UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2008. THE CANDIDATES ARE DEPUTY CHIEF RON SEALS, DEAN LEWIS AND KIM PIERCE, WHO BOTH RAN FOR THE POSITION LAST YEAR, JOEY PARTON, BRADLEY LOWE, AND MARY CURBO – BOSWELL. FORMER SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY PASSED AWAY ON FEBRUARY 9TH.

2/26/2007

A GATLINBURG TEENAGER WAS KILLED EARLY FRIDAY MORNING FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK IN KNOXVILLE. NINETEEN YEAR OLD ROLAND “ROLLIE” FILE APPARENTLY LOST CONTROL OF HIS SUV NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY AND JOHN SEVIER HIGHWAY. HIS FOUR PASSENGERS WHO WERE ALL WEARING SEATBELTS, RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES. FILE, WHO HAD JUST GRADUATED FROM GATLINBURG – PITTMAN HIGH SCHOOL, WAS A FRESHMAN AT CARSON NEWMAN COLLEGE. THE FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS FROM 4 UNTIL 8 TOMORROW AT ATCHLEY FUNERAL HOME. FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 11 WEDNESDAY MORNING AT ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH IN GATLINBURG.

2/26/2007

A NEW CENTRE MAN WAS ARRESTED ON SATURDAY AFTER HE WAS ALLEGEDLY FOUND IN POSSESSION OF NARCOTICS AND A LOADED HANDGUN. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE MATHEW CUBBERLY WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, DEPUTY BRAD WILDS RESPONDED TO A CALL JUST AFTER 12 NOON, ABOUT A SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE AT A NEWPORT HIGHWAY BUSINESS. DEPUTY WILDS APPARENTLY FOUND JOHN TREY LUCK THE THIRD SITTING IN HIS PICKUP TRUCK, AND FOLLOWING A SEARCH, CHARGED HIM WITH POSSESSION OF COCAINE FOR RESALE, POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE TWO AND FOUR MEDICATIONS, AND FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON. LUCK IS CURRENTLY FREE ON A TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR BOND AND WILL APPEAR IN COURT ON MARCH 23RD.

2/26/2007

A SEVIERVILLE WOMAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH STEALING AT LEAST TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE SEVIER COUNTY COURTHOUSE. 52 YEAR OLD SANDRA MANNING WAS ARRESTED ON WEDNESDAY BY AGENTS WITH THE TBI. MANNING WHO WAS EMPLOYED AT THE COURTHOUSE, WAS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF THEFT. SHE IS CURRENTLY FREE ON BAIL. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

2/23/2007

THE WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE RETURNED PETITIONS TO RUN IN THIS MAY’S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN SEVIERVILLE, PIGEON FORGE, AND GATLINBURG, CAME AND WENT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. ONLY JEFF OWNBY WHO WAS ON THE BALLOT FOR THE GATLINBURG ELECTION, DECIDED TO WITHDRAW HIS APPLICATION. SEVIERVILLE VOTERS WILL CHOOSE A MAYOR AND THREE ALDERMEN ON MAY 3RD, PIGEON FORGE VOTERS WILL CHOOSE TWO COMMISSIONERS ON MAY 8TH, AND GATLINBURG VOTERS WILL CHOOSE THREE COMMISSIONERS ON MAY 15TH.

2/23/2007

A FIRE EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 6:30 AT A HOUSE IN THE THREE HUNDRED BLOCK OF FALLEN OAK CIRCLE, JUST OFF BOYD’S CREEK HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO SEYMOUR FIRE CHIEF CHUCK GODFREY, LUCKILY, THE NEW OWNERS OF THE HOME HAD NOT MOVED INTO THE HOUSE, SO NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEYMOUR, SEVIER COUNTY, NORTHVIEW, AND WALDEN’S CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, ALL RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

2/22/2007

SEVIER COUNTY EMERGENCY WORKERS WILL KEPT BUSY MONDAY FOLLOWING SEVERAL WRECKS . THE FIRST ONE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 10:30 IN THE FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF KINGS BRANCH ROAD. APPARENTLY AND SUV AND A TRUCK HAULING A ATV COLLIDED. ACCORDING TO REPORTS, ONE OF THE VEHICLES ENDED UP IN A NEARBY CREEK. THE DRIVER HAD TO BE EXTRICATED AND THEN TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. ANOTHER DRIVER WAS ALSO TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH A HEAD INJURY FOLLOWING A TWO VEHICLE WRECK JUST BEFORE 2:30 ON ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH HIGHWAY 139. AND FINALLY, TRAFFIC WAS BROUGHT TO A NEAR STANDSTILL AFTER A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER OVERTURNED ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE FOUR O CLOCK IN THE WESTBOUND LANES NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH WHITE SCHOOL ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE RIG, OVER CORRECTED, AND FLIPPED IT ONTO IT’S SIDE, CAUSING ABOUT TWO HUNDRED GALLONS OF FUEL TO LEAK INTO A NEARBY CREEK. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

2/20/2007

SEVIER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MARCH 7TH TO SELECT AN INTERIM SHERIFF TO REPLACE THE LATE BRUCE MONTGOMERY WHO PASSED AWAY FEBRUARY 9TH. CHIEF DEPUTY T.J. CANTWELL HAS BEEN RUNNING THE DEPARTMENT ON A TEMPORARY BASIS SINCE MONTGOMERY’S DEATH, BUT COMMISSIONERS WILL CHOOSE A FULL TIME REPLACEMENT TO RUN THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1ST 2008 AT WHICH TIME THE WINNER OF A SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE SWORN IN. CHIEF DEPUTY RON SEALS IS EXPECTED TO BE NAMED SHERIFF AT THAT SPECIAL CALLED MEETING NEXT MONTH. ANYONE WISHING TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION HAS UNTIL NOON ON FRIDAY TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION TO COUNTY MAYOR LARRY WATERS. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL THE COUNTY MAYORS OFFICE AT: 453 – 7161.

2/20/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE FOLLOWING A CALL REGARDING A SUSPICIOUS PERSON LATE LAST WEEK. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE TIM COULTER WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, HE AND DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH RESPONDED TO THE CALL CONCERNING A MALE SUBJECT DRESSED IN BLACK, SITTING BESIDE A COMMUNICATIONS TOWER JUST NORTH OF HIGHWAY 448. WHEN THEY TRIED TO APPROACH THE SUSPECT HE BEGAN TO FLEA ON FOOT DOWN THE HILLSIDE BUT WAS INTERCEPTED BY SERGEANT ROBBIE BALL. AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH FLEEING FROM THE POLICE, 42 YEAR OLD THOMAS LAMBERT WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH BEING A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE IN OHIO, WHERE HE WAS WANTED FOR A PAROLE VIOLATION. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL AWAITING EXTRADITION BACK TO OHIO.

2/19/2007

A FIRE EARLY SUNDAY MORNING DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT AT 860 GUFFY HOLLOW ROAD, JUST OFF ALLENSVILLE ROAD. ALTHOUGH THE SINGLE WIDE TRAILER WAS A COMPLETE LOSS, LUCKILY NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

2/19/2007

YESTERDAY WAS THE DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES TO QUALIFY FOR MAY’S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN SEVIERVILLE, PIGEON FORGE AND GATLINBURG. SEVIERVILLE’S THREE INCUMBENT ALDERMEN, ED WHITE, JERRY LOVEDAY, AND TRAVIS MCCROSKEY, ALL RETURNED THEIR PETITIONS AND WILL BE CHALLENGED BY BARRY GIBBS. BRYAN ATCHLEY WILL RUN FOR MAYOR UNOPPOSED. IN PIGEON FORGE, HOWARD REAGAN, KEITH WHALEY, AND JIMMY REAGAN ALL RETURNED THEIR PAPERWORK. MAYOR RALPH CHANCE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION. MEANWHILE IN GATLINBURG, INCUMBENTS MIKE WERNER, MIKE HELTON, AND JERRY HAYES WILL BE CHALLENGED BY JEFF OWNBY, MIKE MAY, DEBORAH COHEN, AND BOBBY CLARK KING. SEVIERVILLE VOTERS WILL CHOOSE THREE ALDERMEN AND A MAYOR ON MAY 3RD, PIGEON FORGE VOTERS WILL CHOOSE TWO COMMISSIONERS ON MAY 8TH, AND GATLINBURG VOTERS WILL CHOOSE THREE COMMISSIONERS ON MAY 15TH.

2/16/2007

ONE MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIER COUNTY WEDNESDAY MORNING. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7:30 ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH ZION HILL ROAD. 24 YEAR OLD ALBERT GREEN OF KNOXVILLE WAS DRIVING IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES F CHAPMAN HIGHWAY WHEN HE APPARENTLY LOST CONTROL OF HIS PICK-UP TRUCK, HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 22 YEAR OLD DANIEL OWNBY OF SEVIERVILLE, AND THEN COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER LARGER STYLE TRANSFER TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 44 YEAR OLD MICHAEL CUPP, ALSO OF SEVIERVILLE.. GREEN DIED AT THE SCENE. THE DRIVER OF THE TRANSFER TRUCK WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. OFFICIALS BELIEVE THAT ICE AND SLUSH ON THE ROADWAY CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, THE RESCUE SQUAD, AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

2/15/2007

ANOTHER TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN SEVIERVILLE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SENT TWO PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE FOUR O CLOCK AT THE INTERSECTION OF DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY AND VETERAN’S BOULEVARD. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER TIM RUSSELL, A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 61 YEAR OLD JOHN LETHCO OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 16 YEAR OLD EMILY GRAVES ALSO OF SEVIERVILLE. GRAVES WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER, HER UN-NAMED FEMALE PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. LETHCO WAS APPARENTLY UNINJURED. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

2/15/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE SEARCHING FOR A MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY ROBBED A SEVIERVILLE DRUG STORE AT GUNPOINT MONDAY EVENING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7 O CLOCK AT STEWART’S DRUG STORE ON FORKS OF THE RIVER PARKWAY. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER JOHN WEST, WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE SUSPECT DISPLAYED A SEMI AUTOMATIC HANDGUN AND DEMANDED OXYCONTIN PILLS FROM THE PHARMACIST. APPARENTLY, THE PHARMACIST COULD NOT PROVIDE THE OXYCONTIN TO THE SUSPECT AND GAVE HIM SEVERAL BOTTLES OF ANOTHER DRUG INSTEAD. THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE, AGED BETWEEN 30 AND 40, APPROXIMATELY FIVE FOOT NINE INCHES TALL, AND WEIGHING ABOUT 190 POUNDS. HE WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A BLACK HOODIE WITH A CREAM COLORED DESIGN ON THE BACK. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH AT: 453 – 5506.

2/14/2007

A BRUSH FIRE SUNDAY AFTERNOON KEPT SEVERAL SEVIER COUNTY FIRE FIGHTERS BUSY. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST OFF ZION BAPTIST CHURCH ROAD IN SEYMOUR. BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE BLAZE, FIREFIGHTERS HAD A HARD TIME GETTING WATER TO IT. OFFICIALS MADE A FIRE LINE AROUND THE BLAZE TO CONTAIN IT AND WERE THEN ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE SEVERAL HOURS LATER. NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE WERE REPORTED AND THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEYMOUR, NORTHVIEW AND SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

2/13/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK MONDAY MORNING. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9 O CLOCK ON WALDEN’S CREEK ROAD NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH SULFUR SPRINGS WAY. APPARENTLY, THE UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS PICK-UP TRUCK AND ROLLED IT ONTO IT’S SIDE. THE EXTENT OF HIS INJURIES IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE WALDEN’S CREEK, WEARS VALLEY AND PIGEON FORGE FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK, AS WELL AS THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL.

2/13/2007

A FIRE DAMAGED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME MONDAY EVENING, BUT THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR A SPEEDY RESPONSE FROM FIRE FIGHTERS. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 5:30 AT 850 LOOP ROAD, JUST OFF BOYD’S CREEK HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN RANDY CARR WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE BLAZE STARTED IN THE CHIMNEY BEFORE SPREADING TO A SIDE WALL AND THE ATTIC. FIRE FIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO SAVE A LARGE PART OF THE HOME AND LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE SEVIER COUNTY AND SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

2/13/2007

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY WILL BE HELD THIS EVENING BEGINNING AT 7 CLOCK AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN GATLINBURG. THE FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS FROM 2 UNTIL 6 PM. INTERMENT WILL BE HELD AT 11 O CLOCK TUESDAY MORNING AT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN MEMORY GARDENS. SHERIFF MONTGOMERY PASSED AWAY FRIDAY MORNING AT THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A LONG BATTLE WITH CANCER. HE WAS 73 YEARS OLD.

2/12/2007

SEVIER COUNTY CIRCUIT JUDGE REX HENRY OGLE RULED ON FRIDAY THAT JOHN WAYNE BLAIR IS COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL AND FACE THE DEATH PENALTY, SHOULD HE BE CONVICTED OF KILLING HIS NEIGHBOR, 22 YEAR OLD KELLY SELLARS ON ENGLISH MOUNTAIN IN APRIL OF 2005. OGLE REJECTED THE DEFENSES ARGUMENT THAT BLAIR WAS MENTALLY INCOMPETENT AND SHOULD THEREFORE NOT FACE THE DEATH PENALTY. THE TRIAL IS SCHEDULED TO START IN APRIL.

2/12/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLING MONEY FROM THE NEW CENTRE LITTLE LEAGUE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 31 YEAR OLD JONATHAN MINIARD WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY AND CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT. MINIARD WHO WAS THE LEAGUES PRESIDENT LAST YEAR, ALLEGEDLY STOLE FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE ORGANIZATION. HE APPARENTLY USED LITTLE LEAGUE FUNDS FOR PERSONAL USE AND PURCHASES. MINIARD HAS ALSO BEEN CHARGED WITH FELONY MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT AFTER IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT HE HAD BEEN IN POSSESSION OF A STOLEN CHEVY TAHOE. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES ARE POSSIBLE.

2/9/2007

THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL ONE POINT NINE MILLION DOLLARS IN IT’S 2007 – 2008 BUDGET, AN INCREASE OF ELEVEN PERCENT COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE BY PRESIDENT BUSH ON MONDAY. THE EXTRA MONEY IS TO HELP THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR IT’S ONE HUNDRED YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN 2016. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OF THE ONE POINT NINE MILLION WILL BE USED TO COVER THE PAY COST INCREASES THIS YEAR. THE REMAINING MONEY WILL STILL BE THE LARGEST BASE INCREASE THAT THE PARK HAS EVER RECEIVED IN A SINGLE YEAR.

2/8/2007

SEVIERVILLE’S PLANNING BOARD MET LAST NIGHT AT THE CIVIC CENTRE. PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS APPROVED A SITE PLAN FOR A NEW RETAIL DEVELOPMENT BEHIND THE BB&T BANK ON WINNFIELD DUNN PARKWAY. THE BRYAN CROSSING DEVELOPMENT WOULD INCLUDE SEVERAL NEW BUSINESSES ANCHORED BY A NEW FOOD CITY GROCERY STORE. NO WORD YET ON WHEN WORK ON THE NEW SHOPPING CENTRE WILL BEGIN.

2/7/2007

TWO SEVIER COUNTY HOMES WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE OVERNIGHT. THE FIRST BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11:30 AT 2097 LITTLE VALLEY ROAD, JUST OFF WALDEN’S CREEK. THE MOBILE HOME WAS A COMPLETE LOSS BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE WALDEN’S CREEK AND WEARS VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE. THE SECOND FIRE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2 AM AT A HOME IN THE 2800 BLOCK OF NUN’S COVE ROAD, JUST OFF SHARP ROAD. THAT HOME WAS ALSO BADLY DAMAGED BUT AGAIN, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE. GATLINBURG FIRE FIGHTERS HAD A BUSY 12 HOURS WITH TWO RESIDENTIAL FIRES IN THE ARTS AND CRAFTS COMMUNITY. ACCORDING TO GATLINBURG FIRE CHIEF GREG PATTERSON, THE FIRST BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9 O CLOCK SUNDAY NIGHT AT A HOME ON LAUREL LANE, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH GLADES ROAD. THE HOME, WHICH ALSO DOUBLED AS A PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO, WAS FULLY INVOLVED WHEN FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. ALTHOUGH THE HOME WAS A COMPLETE LOSS, LUCKILY NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE SECOND BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9:30 MONDAY MORNING AT A HOME IN THE 900 BLOCK OF MOYERS DRIVE, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH GLADES ROAD. ALTHOUGH THE STRUCTURE WAS DESTROYED, LUCKILY AGAIN, THE HOME WAS UNOCCUPIED AT THE TIME. THE CAUSE OF BOTH FIRES IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE GATLINBURG FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO BOTH BLAZES.

2/6/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED THREE JUVENILES AND ONE ADULT IN CONNECTION WITH TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE DETONATION OF EXPLOSIVE DEVICES. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT KEN GARNER WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRST DEVICE WAS DETONATED LAST MONTH ON THE PORCH OF A HOME ON RIVERS EDGE LANE. LUCKILY THE EXPLOSION DID NOT CAUSE ANY DAMAGE OR INJURIES. 18 YEAR OLD NICK LAY OF SEVIERVILLE AND A 17 YEAR OLD SEVIER COUNTY JUVENILE WERE BOTH ARRESTED ON A CHARGE OF PROHIBITIVE WEAPONS EXPLOSIVE DEVICE. TWO OTHER TEENS WERE ALSO ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH AN EXPLOSION AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN THE FINE GLEN SUB DIVISION. THE 16 AND 15 YEAR OLD JUVENILES ALLEGEDLY DETONATED THE EXPLOSIVE DEVICE INSIDE A PORTABLE TOILET, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. BOTH WERE ARRESTED ON A CHARGE OF PROHIBITIVE WEAPONS EXPLOSIVE DEVICE, AND THE 15 YEAR OLD MALE WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH VANDALISM. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THAT IN BOTH INCIDENTS, LEGAL FIREWORKS WERE USED TO CAUSE THE EXPLOSIONS. NO COURT DATES HAVE YET BEEN SET.

2/6/2007

A NINE YEAR OLD CHILD WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE SEVIERVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE ONE O CLOCK. APPARENTLY, 9 YEAR OLD PHOENIX KEELER WAS WALKING THROUGH A PARKING LOT WHEN HE BENT DOWN TO PICK UP AN ITEM HE HAD DROPPED. AT THE SAME TIME, A DRIVER UNABLE TO SEE THE CHILD PULLED OUT AND DROVE OVER HIM. HE WAS TREATED AT UT FOR MINOR INJURIES BUT AMAZINGLY WAS RELEASED LATER THAT SAME DAY. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

2/5/2007

A FIRE EARLY SUNDAY MORNING DESTROYED A PIGEON FORGE HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2:30 AT A HOUSE IN THE FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF OGLE DRIVE. THE FIRE IS BELIEVE TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A WOOD FURNACE. LUCKILY, ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE FIRE UNINJURED. THE PIGEON FORGE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

2/5/2007

ONE MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING AN ATV ACCIDENT THURSDAY EVENING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE SIX O CLOCK ON LONG RIFLE ROAD IN THE WEARS VALLEY AREA, NEAR THE SEVIER – BLOUNT COUNTY LINE. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THAT THE UN-NAMED MALE VICTIM MAY HAVE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK WHILE RIDING THE VEHICLE. HIS NAME IS BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, WALDEN’S CREEK FIRE DEPARTMENT THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, RURAL METRO AND THE RESCUE SQUAD, ALL RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

2/2/2007

THE WILDERNESS RESORT COMPANY HAS NOW FINALIZED A DEAL WITH THE CITY OF SEVIERVILLE TO PURCHASE TWO PARCELS OF LAND ADJACENT TO THE NEW SEVIERVILLE EVENTS CENTRE. THE DEVELOPER AND CITY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING THE DEAL FOR ABOUT A YEAR. WILDERNESS RESORTS WILL BUILD A 236 ROOM, FOUR STORY HOTEL, WHICH WILL BE CONNECTED, TO THE EVENTS CENTRE VIA AN ENCLOSED CORRIDOR. THE HOTEL WILL ALSO INCLUDE A TWENTY THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT INDOOR WATERPARK. WILDERNESS WILL ALSO BUILD AN UPSCALE SIX STORY CONDOMINIUM RESORT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE EVENTS CENTRE. THE PROPERTY WILL CONSIST OF 233 CONDOS AND IT’S OWN FIFTY FIVE THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT INDOOR WATERPARK. THE COMPANY HOPES TO BREAK GROUND THIS APRIL AND COMPLETE THE HOTEL DEVELOPMENT BY EARLY 2008.

2/1/2007

SEVERAL SEVIER COUNTY FIRE FIGHTERS WERE KEPT BUSY TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FIGHTING A BRUSH FIRE IN THE NEW CENTRE COMMUNITY. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE ONE O CLOCK IN A WOODED AREA BETWEEN CONNASTER LANE AND ROBIN HOOD LANE. THE FIRE CONSUMED ABOUT TEN ACRES OF LAND. FIREFIGHTERS WERE FINALLY ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE JUST BEFORE 8 PM. NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS REPORTED. THE SEVIER COUNTY, ENGLISH MOUNTAIN, AND CATON’S CHAPEL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE, AS WELL AS FIRE FIGHTERS FROM THE STATE FORESTRY DIVISION.

1/31/2007

CAMPERS VISITING THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR CAMPSITE RESERVATIONS ONLINE OR VIA A TOLL FREE PHONE NUMBER BEGINNING FEBRUARY 7TH. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESMAN BOB MILLER, THE NEW SYSTEM WILL ALLOW RESERVATIONS TO BE MADE AT 12:01 AM FOR ARRIVAL UP TO SIX MONTHS LATER. CAMPERS WILL ALSO NOW BE ABLE TO SELECT A SPECIFIC CAMPSITE RATHER THAN JUST SELECTING A DATE AND HAVING A SITE ASSIGNED TO THEM UPON ARRIVAL. RESERVATIONS MAY BE MADE ON-LINE AT RECREATION DOT GOV, OR BY CALLING TOLL FREE AT: (877) 444 – 6777.

1/31/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED A 20 YEAR OLD SEVIER COUNTY MAN AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY ROBBED AN EMPLOYEE AT A CONVENIENCE STORE EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7 AM AT THE STOP AND SAVE CONVENIENCE STORE AT THE CORNER OF PITTMAN CENTRE ROAD AND JAYEL ROAD. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER BRYAN SHIVER, AN EMPLOYEE AT THE STORE STATED THAT SHE WAS GETTING CHANCE FOR ANOTHER CUSTOMER WHEN THE SUSPECT GRABBED AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF MONEY AND FLED THE STORE. A WITNESS WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE AUTHORITIES WITH THE TAG NUMBER OF THE WHITE GET-A-WAY VEHICLE. DEPUTIES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT WERE ABLE TO LOCATE THE VEHICLE A SHORT TIME LATER AND SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED 20 YEAR OLD EDMUND YAYZEL OF SHADY GROVE ROAD, WHO IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

1/29/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT VISITATION TO THE PARK LAST YEAR, WAS AT IT’S HIGHEST SINCE 2001. ACCORDING TO SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, A TOTAL OF NINE MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN THOUSAND PEOPLE ENTERED THE PARK LAST YEAR, AS OPPOSED TO JUST UNDER NINE POINT TWO MILLION PEOPLE IN 2005. LAST YEAR, INCREASES IN VISITATION WERE RECORDED IN JANUARY, MARCH, APRIL, AND SEPTEMBER THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. THE LARGEST SINGLE MONTH INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN NOVEMBER WHEN OVER 830 THOUSAND PEOPLE VISITED THE PARK, A FIFTEEN PERCENT INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

1/29/2007

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOW RELEASED THE NAMES OF THREE PEOPLE ARRESTED EARLY THURSDAY MORNING, IN CONNECTION WITH SEVERAL CABIN BREAK-IN’S AT THE LEGACY MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT. 22 YEAR OLD PAUL YAYZEL, 23 YEAR OLD ROY GAMBILL, AND 23 YEAR OLD AMANDA MILLS, ALL OF SEVIER COUNTY, WERE ALL CHARGED WITH BURGLARY BY DETECTIVE MIKE WATSON WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. ALL THREE WERE ALLEGEDLY RIDING IN A VEHICLE THAT ALSO CONTAINED SEVERAL OF THE STOLEN ITEMS. NO COURT DATES HAVE YET BEEN SET.

1/26/2007

A SEVIERVILLE WOMAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH THIRTY COUNTS OF FELONY EVASION OF SALES TAX AND ONE COUNT OF FELONY THEFT OF PROPERTY OVER SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE CHARGES WERE ANNOUNCED BY THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE YESTERDAY. 35 YEAR OLD NICOLE LYNN TIBBS OF THURMAN CIRCLE IN SEVIERVILLE, WAS THE MANAGER AT THE SLEEPY BEAR CABIN RENTALS COMPANY, A BUSINESS THAT WAS CLOSED DOWN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS IN AUGUST BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS THAT THE ORGANIZATION WAS NOT PAYING IT’S STATE SALES TAXES. IF CONVICTED, TIBBS FACES UP TO EIGHT YEARS IN JAIL AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN FINES. SHE IS CURRENTLY FREE ON A SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

1/26/2007

A VEHICLE PURSUIT LATE LAST NIGHT EVENTUALLY LED TO THE ARREST OF THE DRIVER. THE INCIDENT BEGAN IN PIGEON FORGE JUST AFTER 11 O CLOCK. APPARENTLY, A PIGEON FORGE OFFICER STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE PARKWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH OLD MILL AVENUE. THE DRIVER ALLEGEDLY REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH THE OFFICERS REQUESTS AND DROVE AWAY. THE UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER THEN LED AUTHORITIES ON A PURSUIT ALONG UPPER MIDDLE CREEK ROAD AND PITTMAN CENTRE ROAD, BEFORE EVENTUALLY BEING STOPPED ON JAYEL ROAD BY DEPUTY MARK NOTTAGE WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. SO FAR, CHARGES AGAINST THE DRIVER INCLUDE RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, RECKLESS DRIVING, FELONY EVADING, DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE OR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, SPEEDING, AND RESISTING ARREST. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

1/26/2007

A SEVIERVILLE MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THE STATUTORY RAPE OF A FOURTEEN YEAR OLD MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT. JOHN ROBERT NEAL WAS CAUGHT WITH THE YOUNG GIRL MONDAY AFTERNOON JUST BEFORE 2 O CLOCK IN A PARKED CAR AT THE END OF A NORTH KNOXVILLE ROAD. A NEIGHBOR ALERTED AUTHORITIES AFTER SEEING THE SUSPICIOUS BLUE PICKUP TRUCK PARKED AT THE END OF PRATT STREET, JUST OFF BROADWAY IN KNOXVILLE. THE GIRL WHO IS A STUDENT IN KNOX COUNTY WAS TAKEN TO A MEDICAL FACILITY FOR AN EXAMINATION. NEAL IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE KNOX COUNTY JAIL.

1/25/2007

SOME PRO-ACTIVE POLICE WORK OVERNIGHT BY DEPUTIES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, HAS LED TO THE ARREST OF THREE ALLEGED BURGLARS. THE INCIDENT BEGAN JUST AFTER 11 O CLOCK WHEN A CHECK OF CABINS IN THE LEGACY MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT, TURNED UP SEVERAL CABINS THAT HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO. DEPUTIES THEN OBSERVED THE AREA FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND WERE EVENTUALLY ABLE TO TAKE THREE PEOPLE INTO CUSTODY. THE THREE SUSPECTS ARE CURRENTLY HELPING DETECTIVE MIKE WATSON WITH HIS INVESTIGATION. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

1/25/2007

A FIRE LAST NIGHT DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 11 O CLOCK AT 1723 BLUFF MOUNTAIN ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE HOME WAS FULLY ENGULFED WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE WALDEN’S CREEK AND WEARS VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

1/24/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED VEHICULAR HOMICIDE, WAS INDICTED ON ADDITIONAL CHARGES BY A GRAND JURY YESTERDAY. 43 YEAR OLD LARRY BRUCE WILLIAMSON OF SEYMOUR WAS ALLEGEDLY INTOXICATED WHEN HIS TRUCK COLLIDED WITH A MOTORCYCLE ON NEWPORT HIGHWAY IN SEPTEMBER, A WRECK THAT CLAIMED THE LIVES OF 21 YEAR OLD BRANDON FRANKLIN, AND HIS 18 YEAR OLD WIFE JENILYN. WILLIAMSON ALSO NOW FACES CHARGES OF DRIVING AS A HABITUAL MOTOR OFFENDER. PROSECUTORS SAID THAT WILLIAMSON HAD ALREADY LOST HIS LICENSE BECAUSE OF THREE PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS. FOLLOWING THE DEADLY WRECK, WILLIAMSON ALLEGEDLY ADMITTED TO TAKING PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS, AND A SEARCH OF HIS VEHICLE APPARENTLY TURNED UP SEVERAL OTHER DRUGS. HE IS CURRENTLY STILL BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A FIVE HUNDRED AND FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. HIS NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 5TH.

1/24/2007

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A MAN WHO’S BODY WAS INSIDE A ROOM AT A LOCAL HOTEL ON SUNDAY. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE NOON AT THE LANDMARK INN ON FORKS OF THE RIVER PARKWAY. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER PAUL LAYMON, HOTEL STAFF REQUESTED ASSISTANCE REGARDING TWO POSSIBLY INTOXICATED INDIVIDUALS STAYING IN ONE OF THEIR ROOMS. OFFICER LAYMON RESPONDED TO THE ROOM AND FOUND 33 YEAR OLD JEFFREY MARK CARPENTER OF RUSSELLVILLE, DEAD AT THE SCENE. LAYMON ALSO ARRESTED 31 YEAR OLD CHRISTY LONG OF MORRISTOWN AND CHARGED HER WITH DRUG POSSESSION. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE TIM COULTER, NUMEROUS PRESCRIPTION PILLS WERE FOUND IN THE ROOM. COULTER ALSO SAID THAT THE INCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION AND OFFICIALS ARE AWAITING THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY. CHRISTY LONG IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL AND WILL APPEAR IN COURT ON MARCH 27TH.

1/23/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY FIRE FIGHTER AND E.M.T RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY LAST WEEK, WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD AND ARRESTED BY A STATE TROOPER. MIKE HUSKEY WAS DRIVING HIS PRIVATE VEHICLE WHEN HE HEARD A CALL FROM DISPATCH NEEDING AN EMERGENCY DRIVER TO HELP A NEARBY AMBULANCE. HUSKEY TURNED ON HIS FLASHERS AND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 85 IN A 55 MILES PER HOUR ZONE WHEN THE TROOPER TRIED TO PULL HIM OVER. HUSKEY RADIOED DISPATCH TO CALL OFF THE TROOPER BUT THE TROOPER ALLEGEDLY PULLED IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE AND CAUSED HIM TO WRECK. HUSKEY APPARENTLY EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO TROOPER JACKIE BAILEY, WHO STILL ARRESTED HUSKEY, HANDCUFFED HIM, AND TOOK HIM TO JAIL. HUSKEY RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET AND WAS CHARGED WITH FAILURE TO YIELD TO LIGHTS AND SIRENS. THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL IS NOW INVESTIGATING IF TROOPER BAILEY WENT TOO FAR IN FORCING THE FIREFIGHTER TO STOP. HUSKEY WILL APPEAR IN COURT NEXT MONTH.

1/22/2007

A FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2:30 AT 1718 HAGGARD ROAD, JUST OFF HIGHWAY 338 – DOUGLAS DAM ROAD. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED AND THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE SEVIER COUNTY AND NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

1/18/2007

TWO MORE SEYMOUR BUSINESSES HAVE DECIDED TO SUE THE SEVIER COUNTY BEER BOARD OVER IT’S DISTANCE PROVISION OF BEER RESOLUTION. LOCAL ATTORNEY STEVE MARSHALL WHO RECENTLY SUCCESSFULLY REPRESENTED THE PILOT CORPORATION IN THEIR BID TO SELL BEER AT THEIR SEYMOUR LOCATION, WILL ALSO BE REPRESENTING THE BOYD’S CREEK MARKET ON BOYD’S CREEK HIGHWAY, AND THE PRE-CONSTRUCTION WEIGELS STORE AT THE CORNER OF CHAPMAN HIGHWAY AND BOYD’S CREEK. THE COUNTY BEER LAWS WERE WRITTEN TO ONLY APPLY TO LAND THAT IS UN-ZONED, AND SINCE COUNTYWIDE ZONING WAS INSTITUTED LAST SEPTEMBER, MARSHALL WILL ARGUE THAT THE RESOLUTION IS NOW NULL AND VOID.

1/18/2007

A FIRE OVERNIGHT IN SEVIERVILLE DESTROYED A BARN AND APPARENTLY THREATENED TO SPREAD TO A NEARBY CONDO. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9:30 IN THE ELEVEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF EARNEST MCMAHAN ROAD. FIRE FIGHTERS WERE AT THE SCENE FOR OVER THREE HOURS. THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE SEVIERVILLE, SEVIER COUNTY AND NORTHVIEW FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

1/16/2007

SEVIER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MET LAST NIGHT AND VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE A TRANSFER FEE ON REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS. THE REQUEST MUST NOW GO BEFORE THE STATE LEGISLATURE, WHICH IN THE PAST, HAS DENIED SIMILAR REQUESTS FROM OTHER COUNTIES. HOWEVER, IF THE COUNTYWIDE REAL ESTATE TRANSFER FEE IS APPROVED, THE FEE WOULD BE 250 DOLLARS FOR REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS UP TO FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR TRANSACTIONS OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. COMMISSIONERS ALSO APPROVED A THREE PERCENT TAX ON ALL OVERNIGHT LODGING IN THE COUNTY. ALL OF THE NEW REVENUE WOULD BE EARMARKED TO BENEFIT THE SEVIER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM.

1/16/2007

SEVIER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL MEET TONIGHT AT THE COURTHOUSE. ON TONIGHT’S AGENDA, COMMISSIONERS ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON RESOLUTIONS TO ADD A THREE PERCENT COUNTY OVERNIGHT LODGING ROOM TAX, AND A GRADUATED REAL ESTATE TRANSFER FEE. THE PROPOSALS WERE MADE FOLLOWING RECENT DISCUSSIONS ON HOW THE COUNTY CAN RAISE MONEY FOR THE SEVIER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE PROPOSED REAL ESTATE TRANSFER FEE WOULD LEVY A $250 FEE ON REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS UP TO 500 THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND A $500 FEE FOR TRANSACTIONS ABOVE HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. EVEN IF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PASS THE RESOLUTION, IT WOULD STILL NEED TO BE PASSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE. TONIGHT’S MEETING GETS UNDERWAY AT 7 O CLOCK.

1/15/2007

A JEFFERSON COUNTY WOMAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD AFTER TRYING TO USE TENNCARE TO PAY FOR AN ALLEGEDLY FRAUDULENT PRESCRIPTION FOR THE PAINKILLER HYDROCODONE. . 31 YEAR OLD BRANDI WITT HAS BEEN INDICTED ON SEVEN COUNTS OF PRESCRIPTION FRAUD AND SEVEN COUNTS OF TENNCARE FRAUD. DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL JIMMY DUNN WILL BE PROSECUTING. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

1/12/2007

JUDGE RICHARD VANCE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DECLARE A MISTRIAL YESTERDAY IN THE TRIAL OF 34 YEAR OLD KEVIN ALLAN GENTRY. THE TRIAL HAD ONLY BEEN UNDERWAY FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS WHEN ATTORNEY’S LEARNT THAT A MEDICAL EXAM HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE ALLEGED VICTIM A FEW DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT HAD SUPPOSED TO HAVE OCCURRED. BOTH THE DEFENSE AND PROSECUTION ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL TIME TO RE- PREPARE THEIR CASES. JUDGE VANCE RESET THE TRIAL FOR JULY 26TH. GENTRY IS ACCUSED OF RAPING THE THEN NINE YEAR OLD FEMALE AT HIS HOME ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN 2004. GENTRY WAS ARRESTED IN SOUTH CAROLINA AFTER ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO FAKE HIS OWN DEATH IN 2005. HE APPARENTLY LEFT A RECORDED SUICIDE MESSAGE IN A VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED NEAR A BEACH IN SOUTH CAROLINA. HE ALSO HAS BEEN INDICTED ON 23 COUNTS OF ESPECIALLY AGGRAVATED EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR. GENTRY COULD FACE BETWEEN FIFTEEN AND TWENTY FIVE YEARS IN JAIL.

1/11/2007

THE TRIAL OF A SEVIER COUNTY MAN ACCUSED OF THE RAPE OF A CHILD, IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN TODAY. KEVIN ALLEN GENTRY WAS ARRESTED IN SOUTH CAROLINA AFTER ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO FAKE HIS OWN DEATH IN 2005. GENTRY APPARENTLY LEFT A RECORDED SUICIDE NOTE IN A VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED NEAR A BEACH IN SOUTH CAROLINA. JUDGE RICHARD VANCE RULED YESTERDAY THAT STATE PROSECUTORS CAN USE THE RECORDING AS PART OF THEIR CASE. GENTRY HAS ALSO BEEN INDICTED ON 23 COUNTS OF EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, AFTER AUTHORITIES ALLEGEDLY FOUND SEVERAL IMAGES ON HIS COMPUTER, AND WILL ALSO BE CHARGED WITH AN ADDITIONAL TWO COUNTS OF SEXUAL BATTERY. IF FOUND GUILTY, GENTRY COULD FACE BETWEEN FIFTEEN AND TWENTY FIVE YEARS IN PRISON.

1/10/2007

A SEVIERVILLE MAN WAS ARRESTED SATURDAY EVENING AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED TWO WOMEN AT THE SEVIERVILLE CITY PARK. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 7 O CLOCK. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE TIM COULTER WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, SERGEANT BRIAN LEWELLING AND OFFICER JASON BALLARD RESPONDED TO THE PARK AFTER RECEIVING A 911 CALL FROM ONE OF THE VICTIMS. WHEN THEY ARRIVED, THEY ARRESTED 23 YEAR OLD ALEX NOE ROSALES AND CHARGED HIM WITH ASSAULT AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. ROSALES ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED THE TWO UN-IDENTIFIED WOMEN AGED 19 AND 21, AS THEY WERE ENTERING THE COVERED BRIDGE AREA OF THE PARK’S WALKING TRAIL. ROSALES REPORTEDLY PUNCHED BOTH OF THE WOMEN AND ALSO HIT ONE OF THEM WITH A ROCK. ONE OF THE VICTIMS WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE FOR INJURIES TO HER FACE AND HEAD. ROSALES OF PAYNE STREET IN SEVIERVILLE, IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

1/9/2007

A SEVIERVILLE WOMAN THAT WAS STABBED DURING AN ARMED ROBBERY AT A DENTAL SURGERY OFFICE ON THURSDAY MORNING, IS RECOVERING AT THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. 26 YEAR OLD BETHANY BRANTON WAS STABBED IN THE LOWER LEFT TORSO JUST AFTER OPENING THE EAST TENNESSEE ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY OFFICE JUST OFF MIDDLE CREEK ROAD. HER ATTACKER ALLEGEDLY PUSHED HER DOWN AT KNIFEPOINT AND STABBED HER, BEFORE TAKING AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF MONEY FROM THE BUSINESS. THE MALE SUSPECT WAS WEARING A BLACK SKI MASK, BLACK GLOVES, AND A BLACK SWEATSHIRT. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE DOUG SHANKS AT: 453 – 5506.

1/8/2007

THE NORTHVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS RECEIVED A NINETY THOUSAND DOLLAR GRANT THANKS TO UNCLAIMED LOTTERY PRIZE MONEY. THE LOTTERY EDUCATION AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM ALLOCATED THE MONEY TO NORTHVIEW MIDDLE, TO HELP PAY FOR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW THAT NORTHVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL JIM DAVIS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING THE GRANT.

1/5/2007

A SEVIERVILLE MEDICAL WORKER WAS STABBED DURING AN ALLEGED ARMED ROBBERY THURSDAY MORNING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 8 AM AT THE EAST TENNESSEE ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY OFFICE ON MEDICAL PARK COURT, JUST OFF MIDDLE CREEK ROAD. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT T.C.FALCONER WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, HE AND OFFICER MIKE WILLIAMS RESPONDED TO THE DENTAL SURGERY OFFICE AND WERE TOLD BY A UN-IDENTIFIED FEMALE EMPLOYEE THAT A MAN HAD CONFRONTED HER AS SHE ENTERED THE BUSINESS. THE ATTACKER ALLEGEDLY PUSHED HER DOWN AT KNIFEPOINT AND STABBED HER. THE VICTIM WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE AND THEN FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HER CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE MALE SUSPECT WHO LEFT WITH AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF MONEY, WAS WEARING A BLACK SKI MASK, BLACK GLOVES, AND A BLACK SWEATSHIRT. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE DOUG SHANKS AT: 453 – 5506.

1/5/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY WOMAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH UNLAWFUL USE OF ANOTHER PERSON’S IDENTITY IN ORDER TO PAY FOR A FRAUDULENT PRESCRIPTION. 24 YEAR OLD AMANDA JULIE YORK OF SEYMOUR WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY AND CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF TENNCARE FRAUD, FOUR COUNTS OF ALTERING A FRAUDULENT PRESCRIPTION, FOUR COUNTS OF OBTAINING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE BY FRAUD, AND TWO COUNTS OF UNLAWFUL USE OF ANOTHER PERSONS IDENTITY. AUTHORITIES SAY THAT YORK PRESENTED A FRAUDULENT PRESCRIPTION FOR THE PAINKILLER HYDROCODONE, IN THE NAME OF A TENNCARE ENROLLEE AND USED THAT PERSONS BENEFITS TO PAY FOR THE PRESCRIPTION. IF CONVICTED SHE FACES UP TO SIX YEARS IN JAIL.

1/4/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY DRIVER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK LAST NIGHT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7 O CLOCK IN THE THIRTY EIGHT HUNDRED BLOCK OF SUTTON ROAD, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH HENRYTOWN ROAD. THE MALE PATIENT WAS EXTRICATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND TRANSPORTED TO THE JONES COVE SCHOOL AND THE WAITING LIFESTAR HELICOPTER. THE DRIVERS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, CATON’S CHAPEL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND THE RESCUE SQUAD, ALL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

1/4/2007

A THREE VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIER COUNTY TUESDAY AFTERNOON SENT ONE PERSON TO THE HOSPITAL AND DAMAGED A POPULAR CONVENIENCE STORE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER FIVE O CLOCK IN FRONT OF DUNN’S MARKET AT THE CORNER OF BIRDS CREEK ROAD AND UPPER MIDDLE CREEK ROAD. APPARENTLY THE INJURED DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE, HIT TWO OTHER CARS AND DROVE THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS OF THE STORE. LUCKILY, NO ONE INSIDE THE STORE WAS INJURED AND THE DRIVER RECEIVED A NON-LIFE THREATENING HEAD INJURY. THE CATON’S CHAPEL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

1/3/2007

ANOTHER FIRE DESTROYED A PIGEON FORGE RESTAURANT EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. THAT BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 6:30 AT THE ALL AMERICAN PANCAKE HOUSE AT THE CORNER OF THE PARKWAY AND WEARS VALLEY ROAD. THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE KITCHEN AREA AND THE CAUSE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE PIGEON FORGE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

1/2/2007

A SEVIER COUNTY CHILD IS DEAD FOLLOWING AN ATV ACCIDENT EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 12:30 NEAR BOHANON HOLLOW ROAD NEAR GATLINBURG. APPARENTLY, SEVEN YEAR OLD MICHAEL DAVID OGLE WAS RIDING THE FOUR WHEELER WHEN HE BECAME TANGLED UP IN A FENCE. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. FINANCIAL DONATIONS TO HELP COVER EXPENSES MAYBE MADE AT ANY TENNESSEE STATE BANK LOCATION.

1/2/2007

FIVE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL INMATES HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH RAPE FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT ON DECEMBER 5TH. THE FIVE FEMALES CHARGED ARE 28 YEAR OLD MICHELLE MAE GUNTER OF GATLINBURG, 27 YEAR OLD KANDI LEE ARWOOD OF PIGEON FORGE, 21 YEAR OLD KRYSTAL MARIE KAWALSKI OF STRAWBERRY PLAINS, 25 YEAR OLD MEGAN ASHLEY HUDSON OF KNOXVILLE, AND 19 YEAR OLD VANDY MORIN, ALSO OF KNOXVILLE. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE MATHEW CUBBERLY WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE FIVE WOMEN ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTED THE 46 YEAR OLD FEMALE VICTIM WHO THEY BELIEVED WAS HIDING DRUGS FROM THEM. ALL FIVE SUSPECTS WILL APPEAR IN COURT ON JANUARY 5TH.

12/22/2006

THE UNITED WAY OF SEVIER COUNTY HAS ANNOUNCED A CAMPAIGN TOTAL FOR THIS YEARS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN OF NINE HUNDRED AND SIXTY ONE THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY EIGHT DOLLARS. ALTHOUGH THE NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION DID NOT REACH IT’S ONE MILLION DOLLAR GOAL, THE ORGANIZATION WILL CONTINUE TO SOLICIT DONATIONS THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST. THE UNITED WAY OF SEVIER COUNTY SUPPORTS 28 LOCAL NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

12/21/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE AND HIS PASSENGER TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE, FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY THIS MORNING IN KODAK. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED ON HIGHWAY 139 – DOUGLAS DAM ROAD JUST BEFORE 2 AM. APPARENTLY THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH CANTWOOD DRIVE, HIT THE MULCH AND MORE FENCE, AND THEN HIT A TREE. THE UN-IDENTIFIED MALE VICTIM HAD TO BE CUT FREE FROM THE WRECKAGE AND WAS FLOWN TO UT WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE FEMALE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WHERE SHE IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL IS INVESTIGATING. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

12/21/2006

A FIRE IN SEVIERVILLE LAST NIGHT KEPT AREA FIRE FIGHTERS BUSY FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 8:30 AT THE JOHNSON MATHEY BUILDING ON OLD KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY. THE BUILDING WAS FORMERLY OWNED BY ACTIVATED METALS. ACCORDING TO PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER BOB STAHLKE, FIRE INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THAT SOME CHEMICALS INSIDE THE BUILDING DRIED OUT, REACTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CHEMICALS INVOLVED WERE BELIEVED TO BE NICKEL AND ALUMINUM WHICH WOULD POSE NO THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A PORTION OF KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY WAS CLOSED FOR OVER TWO HOURS. DAMAGE ESTIMATES ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE SEVIERVILLE, SEVIER COUNTY, NORTHVIEW AND PIGEON FORGE FIRE DEPARTMENTS, ALL RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

12/21/2006

A 42 YEAR ALCOA MAN WAS SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON AFTER FATALLY STABBING ANOTHER MAN DURING A FIGHT INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. 42 YEAR OLD WILLIAM JOSEPH MOYERS PLED GUILTY TO THE VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER OF 24 YEAR OLD STEVEN LYNN DAVIS OF GREENBACK AT THE ABRAMS CREEK CAMPGROUND ON MAY 21ST. INVESTIGATORS SAID THAT BOTH MEN HAD SPENT ALL DAY DRINKING WHICH LED TO VIOLENT HORSEPLAY AND ULTIMATELY THE DEATH OF DAVIS. MOYERS HAD ALSO PREVIOUSLY BEEN CHARGED WITH STABBING ANOTHER MAN DURING A BAR FIGHT IN NOVEMBER OF 2005.

12/20/2006

A FIRE DAMAGED A SEVIERVILLE HOME TUESDAY AFTERNOON. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 2:30 AT 420 CATE ROAD, JUST OFF THE PARKWAY. APPARENTLY, THE FIRE STARTED IN THE KITCHEN BUT WAS QUICKLY CONTAINED BY FIREFIGHTERS. THE KITCHEN AREA WAS BADLY DAMAGED AND THE REST OF THE HOME SUSTAINED SMOKE DAMAGE, BUT LUCKILY NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE SEVIERVILLE AND SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

12/20/2006

TWO NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS WERE ARRESTED SATURDAY EVENING FOLLOWING A FOOT PURSUIT IN SEVIERVILLE. THE INCIDENT BEGAN JUST BEFORE 7:30 WHEN DISPATCHERS RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE COMFORT INN ON HIGHWAY 66 ABOUT TWO PEOPLE BREAKING INTO A VENDING MACHINE. SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER DAVID FINCHUM AND HIS K9 PARTNER, RESPONDED TO THE MOTEL AND OBSERVED THE SUSPECTS WHO IMMEDIATELY FLED THE SCENE VIA THE RIVER. FINCHUM AND THE K9 TRACKED THE PAIR TO THE LANDMARK INN NORTH ON WINFIELD DUNN PARKWAY. WHEN OFFICERS CHECKED IN WITH THE DESK CLERK, HE INFORMED THEM THAT A COUPLE WHO WERE BOTH SOAKING WET HAD JUST RENTED A ROOM AND PAID FOR IT USING ONE DOLLAR BILLS. SUBSEQUENTLY, 41 YEAR OLD STEVEN DOUGLAS TAYLOR AND 42 YEAR OLD LISA SUZETTE HERNANDEZ, BOTH OF CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA, WERE ARRESTED AND EACH CHARGED WITH BURGLARY OF A COIN MACHINE. OFFICERS ALLEGEDLY FOUND THEM IN POSSESSION OF APPROXIMATELY 35O DOLLARS IN ONE DOLLARS BILLS AND COINS. BOTH ARE BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND EACH. SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICERS MIKE ODOM, JASON BALLARD, SERGEANT BRIAN LEWELLING, AND LIEUTENANT TODD NAILLON ASSISTED FINCHUM WITH THOSE ARRESTS.

12/19/2006

A BRUSH FIRE MONDAY AFTERNOON KEPT SEVERAL SEVIER COUNTY FIRE FIGHTERS BUSY FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2 O COCK AT 2232 CRESCENT WAY, NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF GLADES ROAD AND BIRDS CREEK ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE FIRE STARTED IN A SHED AND QUICKLY SPREAD TO A NEARBY WOODED AREA. THE BLAZE CONSUMED ABOUT TWO ACRES BEFORE FIRE FIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN IT. NO OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE OR INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE GATLINBURG, PITTMAN CENTRE, AND CATON’S CHAPEL FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE AS WELL AS FIRE FIGHTERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY.

12/19/2006

A SEVIERVILLE HOME WAS DAMAGED FOLLOWING A FIRE FRIDAY MORNING. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 8:30 AT THE HOUSE IN THE THIRTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF EAST RIDGE ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE SMALL FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY ELECTRICAL OUTLET. FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE TO THE LIVING ROOM AREA AND LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE SEVIERVILLE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

12/18/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HAVE NOW NAMED A TEENAGER THAT WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A FALL ON THURSDAY. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESMAN BOB MILLER, 18 YEAR OLD DAVID HOBSON OF BRENTWOOD TENNESSEE AND THREE COMPANIONS, WERE WALKING UP THE SPIRAL CONCRETE RAMP AT THE LOOK ROCK OBSERVATION TOWER, WHEN THE TEEN FELL APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET ONTO THE RAMP BELOW. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FALL, PARK RANGERS BELIEVE THAT HORSEPLAY WAS INVOLVED AND ARE INVESTIGATING. THE VICTIM STILL LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT UT.

12/18/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GATLINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE NOW RELEASED THE NAME OF MAN ARRESTED EARLY THURSDAY MORNING FOLLOWING A HIGH SPEED PURSUIT ON GLADES ROAD. ACCORDING TO GATLINBURG POLICE CHIEF RANDY BRACKINS, 31 YEAR OLD TROY DAVID WHIS-NANT OF GATLINBURG, WAS CHARGED WITH SPEEDING, DUI, EVADING ARREST, AND THEFT OVER TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE JEEP, WHICH WHIS-NANT WAS DRIVING, WAS APPARENTLY REPORTED AS STOLEN. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE AFTER WRECKING THE VEHICLE EAR COLE LANE. THE INCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION AND OTHER CHARGES ARE PENDING.

12/15/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK THURSDAY AFTERNOON IN SEVIERVILLE SENT ONE OF THE DRIVERS TO BAPTIST HOSPITAL. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1 O CLOCK AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 66 AND HUFFAKER ROAD. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER MIKE WILLIAMS, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 27 YEAR OLD JACOB HALL OF KODAK, COLLIDED WITH A VAN BEING DRIVEN BY 26 YEAR OLD COREY SCHULTZ OF SEVIERVILLE. SCHULZ WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES. ANOTHER TWO VEHICLE WRECK ON HIGHWAY 66 THURSDAY EVENING SENT THREE PEOPLE TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE SECOND ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7 PM. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER MIKE ODOM, A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 76 YEAR OLD DIXIE JOHNSON OF FLORIDA, COLLIDED WITH A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 23 YEAR OLD DUSTIN SIMPSON OF SEVIERVILLE. JOHNSON, SIMPSON, AND HIS PASSENGER, JOSIE PINDELL, WERE ALL TRANSPORTED TO UT WHERE THEIR CONDITIONS ARE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, RESPONDED TO BOTH WRECKS.

12/15/2006

AN UNIDENTIFIED TEENAGER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOLLOWING A FALL INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESMAN BOB MILLER, THE 18 YEAR OLD MALE AND THREE COMPANIONS WERE WALKING UP THE SPIRAL CONCRETE RAMP AT THE LOOK ROCK OBSERVATION TOWER, WHEN THE TEEN FELL APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET ONTO THE RAMP BELOW. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FALL, PARK RANGERS BELIEVE THAT HORSEPLAY WAS INVOLVED AND ARE INVESTIGATING. THE VICTIM IS LISTED IN SERIOUS CONDITION AT UT.

12/15/2006

PIGEON FORGE CITY COMMISSIONERS MET MONDAY NIGHT AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A NEW STRICTER ORDINANCE THAT WOULD REGULATE SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES AND THEIR EMPLOYEE’S. THE NEW ORDINANCE WILL CHANGE HOW MUCH OF A BUSINESSES INVENTORY CAN BE DEDICATED TO ADULT PRODUCTS, BEFORE BEING CLASSIFIED AS AN ADULT BUSINESS. THE NEW ORDINANCE WILL ALSO INCLUDE NEW LICENSING RULES, LIMIT THE HOURS THAT SUCH A BUSINESS CAN OPERATE, AND ONLY ALLOW ADULT ORIENTED BUSINESSES TO OPERATE FROM ONE OF TWO INDUSTRIAL ZONED AREA’S IN THE CITY.

12/14/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN PLED GUILTY YESTERDAY TO A RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT CHARGE FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT ON THE SPUR IN OCTOBER. MICHAEL DALE BECK ADMITTED TO FIRING A GUN DURING A ROAD RAGE DISPUTE WITH ANOTHER MOTORIST. BECK SAID THAT HE FIRED THE PISTOL INTO THE AIR, BUT DENIED POINTING THE GUN AT THE OTHER VEHICLE. BECK SAID THAT HE HAD STOPPED TAKING A PRESCRIBED MEDICATION FOR HIS ANGER PROBLEMS ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. BECK WILL BE SENTENCED ON MARCH 14TH AND COULD FACE UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL.

12/14/2006

A HIGH SPEED PURSUIT IN GATLINBURG EARLY THIS MORNING ENDED WHEN THE DRIVER WRECKED HIS VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT BEGAN JUST AFTER 1:30 WHEN AUTHORITIES TRIED TO PULLOVER THE DRIVER OF A JEEP NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 321 AND GLADES ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE DRIVER REFUSED TO STOP AND CONTINUED DOWN GLADES ROAD. THE UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AT THE INTERSECTION WITH COLE LANE AND WENT OVER THE EMBANKMENT. HE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND CHARGES ARE PENDING. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE GATLINBURG POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

12/14/2006

A FIRE TUESDAY MORNING DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 10 AM AT 2305 NEESE COURT, JUST OFF RED BUD LANE IN THE NEW CENTRE COMMUNITY. THE BLAZE APPARENTLY STARTED IN A BEDROOM AND QUICKLY CONSUMED THE HOME. LUCKILY, ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE THAT BLAZE. THE RESIDENTS MOVED TO SEVIER COUNTY LAST YEAR AFTER LOOSING EVERYTHING TO HURRICANE KATRINA. MONETARY DONATIONS FOR THE ROME FAMILY, CLOTHING ITEMS AND TOYS, MAY BE DROPPED OFF AT THE Y-12 CREDIT UNION ON DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY. THE SEVIER COUNTY, NORTHVIEW AND ENGLISH MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

12/13/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN PIGEON FORGE TUESDAY MORNING SENT ONE OF THE DRIVERS TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7 AM ON THE PARKWAY AT THE INTERSECTION WITH PINE MOUNTAIN ROAD AT TRAFFIC LIGHT NUMBER SIX. ACCORDING TO LIEUTENANT RICHIE CATLETT WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 39 YEAR OLD JAMES MARCUS CURRY OF SEVIERVILLE, WAS REAR ENDED BY A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 38 YEAR OLD CRYSTAL MICHELE CRUISE OF KODAK. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH NON LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

12/13/2006

DOLLY PARTON MADE A SURPRISE VISIT TO A CELEBRATION LAST NIGHT AT A PIGEON FORGE HOTEL. LOCAL POLITICIANS AND DIGNITARIES HAD JOINED THE STAFF OF COVENANT HEALTH TO CELEBRATE THE RECENT STATE APPROVAL TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL AND CANCER CENTRE. PARTON MADE A PLEDGE OF HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO THE BUILDING FUND AND WILL ALSO PERFORM AT A FUNDRAISING CONCERT AT SMOKIES STADIUM IN MAY.

12/13/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARRESTED A MAN OVER THE WEEKEND AFTER HE WAS ALLEGEDLY IMPERSONATING AN A.T.F AGENT. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN LARRY MCMAHAN WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, 35 YEAR OLD JAY ROBINSON OF ROANOKE VIRGINIA, WAS ARRESTED ON SATURDAY NEAR A HOME IN THE 1300 BLOCK OF HODGES FARM WAY. AUTHORITIES APPARENTLY FOUND SEVERAL WEAPONS IN THE VAN THAT HE WAS DRIVING. THE A.T.F IS ASSISTING WITH THAT INVESTIGATION. ROBINSON HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT, AND IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL.

12/12/2006

THE FRIENDS OF THE SMOKIES NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION RECEIVED A HUGE DONATION YESTERDAY, THANKS TO A SETTLEMENT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE CHECK FOR NEARLY EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS CAME FROM A PRICE FIXING LAWSUIT AGAINST THE POLYESTER INDUSTRY THAT WAS FILED IN NEWPORT. THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE SUIT AGREED THAT A GIFT TO THE FRIENDS OF THE SMOKIES WOULD BE A LOT MORE PRACTICAL THAN DISBURSING THE FUNDS AMONGST AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS.

12/12/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A NEWLY WED COUPLE IN SEPTEMBER APPEARED IN COURT YESTERDAY, FOR A PRELIMINARY HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE WAS ENOUGH PROBABLE CAUSE TO WARRANT A TRIAL. LARRY WILLIAMSON OF SEYMOUR, WAS DRIVING A TRUCK ON NEWPORT HIGHWAY WHEN HE ALLEGEDLY CROSSED THE CENTRE LINE AT STRUCK A MOTORCYCLE BEING RIDDEN BY BRANDON AND JENILYN FRANKLIN OF KODAK. BRANDON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE, JENILYN DIED AT THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. WILLIAMSON WHO ALLEGEDLY HAD SLURRED SPEECH AND TROUBLE WALKING, HAD ALREADY BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF BEING A HABITUAL MOTOR OFFENDER AND PREVIOUSLY ORDERED NOT TO DRIVE. AUTHORITIES ALSO APPARENTLY FOUND SEVERAL BOTTLE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN HIS TRUCK. AUTHORITIES ARE AWAITING THE BLOOD TEST RESULTS TO DETERMINE IF WILLIAMSON WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. JUDGE JEFF RADER SENT THE TWO VEHICULAR HOMICIDE CHARGES AGAINST WILLIAMSON TO A GRAND JURY. IN THE MEANTIME, WILLIAMSON IS BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A FIVE HUNDRED AND FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

12/12/2006

A MIDDLE TENNESSEE MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO NEARLY TWENTY TWO YEARS IN JAIL FOR HIS PART IN A DEADLY DRAG RACING WRECK ON THE SPUR LAST MARCH. 20 YEAR OLD JONATHAN HALL OF LEBANON PLED GUILTY TO SECOND DEGREE MURDER IN JUNE, AFTER THE VEHICLE HE WAS DRIVING SLAMMED INTO A VEHICLE CARRYING FIVE VISITORS FROM VIRGINIA. ALL FIVE OCCUPANTS WERE KILLED. THE OTHER DRAG RACER, STEVEN WILLIAMS WAS SENTENCED LAST MONTH TO EIGHT AN A HALF YEARS.

12/11/2006

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOW RELEASED THE NAMES OF TWO WOMEN WHO DIED FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE TEN O CLOCK IN THE TWENTY TWO HUNDRED BLOCK OF BLACK OAK RIDGE ROAD, JUST OFF ATCHLEY ROAD. 36 YEAR OLD KATHY SOEHN OF SEVIERVILLE AND 43 YEAR OLD TAMMY SHARP, ALSO OF SEVIERVILLE, WERE BOTH PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. ANOTHER PASSENGER, 39 YEAR OLD STEPHANIE MCCARTER OF SEVIERVILLE WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HER CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE, 42 YEAR OLD WILLIAM CROSS THE SECOND OF SEVIERVILLE, HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE AND ONE COUNT OF VEHICULAR ASSAULT. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL.

12/8/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE LOOKING FOR A MAN WHO ATTEMPTED TO ROB A MOTEL AT GUNPOINT THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 1:30 AT THE SUPER EIGHT MOTEL ON PICKEL STREET. THE SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY PULLED A HANDGUN AND DEMANDED MONEY FROM THE HOTEL CLERK, BUT LEFT ON FOOT EMPTY HANDED. THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE, APPROXIMATELY SIX FOOT TWO INCHES TALL, WITH A SLENDER BUILD. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 9063.

12/8/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING AN ACT OF VANDALISM THAT OCCURRED EARLY THIS MORNING JUST BEFORE 4 AM. APPARENTLY, SOMEONE THREW A ROCK THROUGH THE WINDOW OF THE PIGEON FORGE OUTLET FASHION TEE’S STORE ON OLD MILL ROAD. INITIAL INDICATIONS SUGGEST THAT NO MERCHANDISE WAS STOLEN. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 9063.

12/7/2006

TWO PEOPLE ARE DEAD FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIER COUNTY LAST NIGHT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 10 O CLOCK IN THE TWENTY TWO HUNDRED BLOCK OF BLACK OAK RIDGE ROAD, JUST OFF ATCHLEY ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS CHEVY BLAZER AND ROLLED THE VEHICLE DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SURVIVED THE ACCIDENT, BUT APPARENTLY HIS TWO FEMALE PASSENGERS WERE BOTH KILLED. THE NAMES OF THE DECEASED ARE BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF THE NEXT OF KIN. BLACK OAK RIDGE ROAD WAS CLOSED FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS. THE DRIVER HAS APPARENTLY BEEN CHARGED WITH VEHICULAR HOMICIDE AND IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, THE RESCUE SQUAD, AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL, ALL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

12/7/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3:30 ON OLD KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH LOVE ROAD. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT ERIC RAMSEY WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 38 YEAR OLD PAUL FUTCH OF SEYMOUR, LOST CONTROL OF HIS CAR AND HIT A POWER POLE. THE COLLISION BROUGHT DOWN SEVERAL POWER LINES AND MEANT THAT FUTCH HAD TO BE EXTRICATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE EXTENT OF HIS INJURIES IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

12/6/2006

A FIRE TUESDAY MORNING SERIOUSLY DAMAGED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 7:30 AT 1852 ALLENSVILLE RIDGE ROAD. ACCORDING TO ASSISTANT CHIEF MATT HENDERSON WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A WALL HEATER. LUCKILY, THE OWNERS OF THE HOME NOW RESIDE AT A NURSING HOME, SO THE PROPERTY WAS VACANT AT THE TIME OF THAT BLAZE. ONE ROOM WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE, THE REST OF THE HOUSE SUSTAINED SMOKE DAMAGE. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

12/6/2006

ANOTHER FIRE LATE LAST NIGHT DAMAGED A PIGEON FORGE RESTAURANT. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 11:30 AT THE GREAT AMERICAN STEAK AND BUFFET ON THE PARKWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH SUGAR HOLLOW ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE FIRE STARTED IN THE KITCHEN AREA AND BROKE THROUGH THE ROOF OF THE BUILDING. FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE TO THE KITCHEN, AND ARE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE PIGEON FORGE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

12/6/2006

A COURT APPEARANCE BY A SEVIER COUNTY MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING TWO MOTORCYCLE RIDERS IN SEPTEMBER, HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL MONDAY AFTERNOON. 43 YEAR OLD LARRY B. WILLIAMSON WAS DRIVING A PICK-UP TRUCK WHEN HE ALLEGEDLY CROSSED THE CENTRE LINE OF NEWPORT HIGHWAY, AND COLLIDED WITH A MOTORCYCLE BEING RIDDEN BY 21 YEAR OLD BRANDON FRANKLIN AND HIS WIFE, 18 YEAR OLD JENILYN, BOTH OF KODAK. BRANDON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE, JENILYN DIED AT THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. WILLIAMSON HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE AND ONE COUNT OF HABITUAL MOTOR OFFENDER.

12/5/2006

A SIX HUNDRED POUND BULL ELK FROM THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WAS EUTHANIZED AFTER BEING HIT BY A VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE FORTY AT THE WEEKEND. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11:30 SATURDAY NIGHT NEAR THE CATALOOCHE EXIT. PARK SPOKESMAN BOB MILLER SAID THAT THE ELK WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE RELEASED SIX YEARS AGO BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. LUCKILY, THE DRIVER WAS UNINJURED BUT THE VEHICLE WILL PROBABLY BE A WRITE – OFF

12/5/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE FRIDAY MORNING SENT ONE OF THE DRIVERS TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 10 AM ON FORKS OF THE RIVER PARKWAY AT THE INTERSECTION WITH BRUCE STREET. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER JOHN TURNER, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 43 YEAR OLD CHARLES RENO OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A VAN BEING DRIVEN BY 32 YEAR OLD MISTY NOHMER, ALSO OF SEVIERVILLE. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE MINOR INJURIES. RENO WAS CITED FOR FAILURE TO OBEY A TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

12/4/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY SCHOOL STUDENT WAS ARRESTED WEDNESDAY AFTER HE APPARENTLY TOOK A GUN TO SCHOOL WITH HIM. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT THE SEYMOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL. THE JUVENILE ALLEGEDLY HAD THE WEAPON STORED IN HIS BACKPACK, WHICH WAS CONFISCATED BEFORE ANY SHOTS WERE FIRED. THE MIDDLE SCHOOLER WAS CHARGED WITH CARRYING A WEAPON ON SCHOOL PROPERTY BY OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. THE STUDENT IS BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTRE AND WILL BE ARRAIGNED TODAY.

12/1/2006

THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH A HOME INVASION AND SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED ON NOVEMBER 13TH. ROY AND WANDA TAYLOR WERE ATTACKED IN THEIR DANDRIDGE HOME NEAR HIGHWAY 25 – 70. ROY TAYLOR WAS SHOT AND WANDA TAYLOR WAS STABBED. BUT A FEMALE SUSPECT WAS ALSO SHOT DURING THE ROBBERY ATTEMPT. THOSE ARRESTED ARE 38 YEAR OLD RICHARD STAPLETON, WHO WAS CAUGHT IN NORTH CAROLINA, 35 YEAR OLD RANDALL HALL, WHO WAS CAUGHT IN ATLANTA, AND 20 YEAR OLD MIRANDA BRISCOE, WHO WAS FOUND IN TOLEDO OHIO. ALL THREE HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ESPECIALLY AGGRAVATED ROBBERY, BUT ADDITIONAL CHARGES ARE POSSIBLE. THE THREE SUSPECTS WERE APPARENTLY LIVING IN THE NEWPORT AREA DURING THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND ADDITIONAL SUSPECTS MAY BE ARRESTED.

11/30/2006

THREE PEOPLE WERE FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 6 AM ON MAIN STREET NEAR CARL OWNBY HARDWARE. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER JAMIE ROBERTS, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 23 YEAR OLD FELICIA COBURN OF SEVIERVILLE, LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A POWER POLE. HER PASSENGERS, 23 YEAR OLD ROY GAMBLE OF SEVIERVILLE AND 20 YEAR OLD RACHEL VOYER OF SEVIERVILLE, WERE ALSO INJURED. THE VICTIMS CONDITIONS ARE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

11/30/2006

A GRAND JURY HAS RETURNED AN ELEVEN COUNT INDICTMENT AGAINST A SEYMOUR MAN ACCUSED OF DEFRAUDING CUSTOMERS VIA THE INTERNET. 52 YEAR OLD CHARLES EDWARD BUSH IS ACCUSED OF POCKETING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FROM CUSTOMERS ALL OVER THE WORLD, BY OFFERING EXPENSIVE CONSUMER GRADE ELECTRONICS THROUGH HIS BUSINESS “INTERSTATE PRO VIDEO.” BUSH WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK BY FBI AGENTS AND WAS ARRAIGNED YESTERDAY. HE FACES UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON AND/OR A FINE.

11/29/2006

THE OWNERS OF A PIGEON FORGE AMUSEMENT RIDE A BEING SUED BY A LEBANON TENNESSEE MAN, WHO CLAMS THAT HE WAS INJURED WHILE EXITING THE RIDE AFTER IT MALFUNCTIONED IN APRIL. JESSIE DUKE JUNIOR ALLEGEDLY SLIPPED AND FELL AFTER THE JURASSIC JUNGLE BOAT RIDE STOPPED, AND OPERATORS ASKED CUSTOMERS TO WALK TOO AN EXIT. DUKE APPARENTLY FELL INTO THE WATER, HIT A METAL RAIL, AND SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES. DUKE IS SEEKING FORTY FIVE THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY THREE DOLLARS IN COMPENSATORY DAMAGES, AND TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN PUNITIVE DAMAGES.

11/29/2006

A KODAK MAN WHO’S VEHICLE RAN OFF NEWPORT HIGHWAY IN SEPTEMBER AND KILLED A MAN IN HIS HOME, WAS CHARGED YESTERDAY WITH VEHICULAR HOMICIDE. ACCORDING TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL JIMMY DUNN, 56 YEAR OLD EDWARD WILCOX SMITH, A SEVIERVILLE OPTOMETRIST, HAS BEEN CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF 57 YEAR OLD CHUCK FINCHUM. FINCHUM WAS ASLEEP ON A COUCH ON AN ENCLOSED PORCH AT HIS HOME, WHEN A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY SMITH HIT A TREE IN THE YARD AND THEN HIT THE HOME. SMITH WAS ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE. FINCHUM WAS KILLED INSTANTLY. SMITH WILL APPEAR FOR A PRELIMINARY COURT HEARING ON MARCH 26TH.

11/28/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH RAPE FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT LAST WEEK. 50 YEAR OLD JAMES EDWARD WHITTED OF SOUTH GEORGIA WAY, ALLEGEDLY FORCED HIMSELF ON A FEMALE ACQUAINTANCE AT HER HOME LAST MONDAY. WHITTED WAS BOOKED AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL AND LATER RELEASED ON A ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

11/28/2006

SEVEN PEOPLE WERE FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE AND FOUR OTHERS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT AT A SEVIER COUNTY RENTAL CABIN FRIDAY AFTERNOON. ACCORDING TO GATLINBURG FIRE CHIEF GREG PATTERSON, THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3:30 AT 720 PINE CREST DRIVE, JUST OFF WILEY OAKLEY. APPARENTLY, 34 PEOPLE WHO WERE ATTENDING A FAMILY REUNION, WERE GATHERED ON AN OUTDOOR STAIRCASE FOR A PICTURE WHEN IT COLLAPSED. THE VICTIMS WHO WERE AGED BETWEEN 4 AND 45 AND VISITING FROM FLORIDA, FELL APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN FEET. THREE OF THE VICTIMS SUFFERED BROKEN BONES, THE OTHERS ALL RECEIVED VARIOUS CUTS AND BRUISES. ALL WERE RELEASED LATE SATURDAY. THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF'’ DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND THE RESCUE SQUAD RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

11/27/2006

ONE PERSON WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A THREE VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE SATURDAY NIGHT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 8:30 IN THE 3400 BLOCK OF WINNFIELD DUNN PARKWAY. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER KEVIN STONE, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 60 YEAR OLD EDITH MOORE OF KENTUCKY, PULLED OUT OF THE ZOOMERS PARKING LOT AND COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 37 YEAR OLD GREG PHILLIPS OF MASCOT, AND ANOTHER VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 40 YEAR OLD FRED ROSE OF DANDRIDGE. MOORE’S CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE OTHER TWO DRIVERS WERE NOT INJURED. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

11/27/2006

SEVIER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A THIRTY SIX MILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE DURING A MEETING MONDAY EVENING AT THE COURTHOUSE. THE BOND WILL HELP TO FUND SEVERAL PROJECTS INCLUDING NEW SCHOOLS, THE NEW MINIMUM SECURITY JAIL, WATER PROJECTS, AND A NEW LIBRARY. THE BOND ISSUE WILL PROBABLY MEAN A 2 TO 5 CENT PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR SEVIER COUNTIANS.

11/22/2006

A SEYMOUR MAN WAS ARRESTED ON MONDAY AND CHARGED WITH INTERNET FRAUD. 52 YEAR OLD CHARLES BUSH WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AT HIS HOME BY FBI AGENTS. BUSH, VIA HIS COMPANY, INTERSTATE PRO VIDEO, ALLEGEDLY DEFRAUDED SEVERAL OTHER COMPANIES BY MEANS OF THE INTERNET. HE FACES UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON AND / OR A FINE.

11/22/2006

THE PILOT CORPORATION HAS WON IT’S LAW SUIT AGAINST THE SEVIER COUNTY BEER BOARD REGARDING A BEER PERMIT FOR A NEW SEYMOUR CONVENIENCE STORE. THE DECISION WAS MADE ON FRIDAY BY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE DUANE SLOANE. SEVIERVILLE ATTORNEY STEVE MARSHALL WHO WAS REPRESENTING PILOT, SUCCESSFULLY ARGUED THAT REFUSING THE PERMIT BASED ON THE LIBRARY BEING CLASSIFIED AS A GATHERING PLACE WAS UNREASONABLE. MARSHALL’S ARGUMENT WAS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE SEYMOUR POST OFFICE HAS MANY MORE PATRONS THAN THE LIBRARY, AND THAT THREE BUSINESSES WITHIN TWO THOUSAND FEET OF THE FACILITY, HAD BEEN ISSUED BEER PERMITS AFTER THE LIBRARY HAD OPENED. THE PILOT CORPORATION WAS GIVEN IT’S BEER PERMIT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE HEARING.

11/21/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING A BREAK IN THAT OCCURRED EARLY MONDAY MORNING AT THE FLEA MARKET ON WEST DUMPLIN VALLEY ROAD. A CASH REGISTER AND SOME RECEIPTS WERE FOUND ALONGSIDE PARKER BOULEVARD JUST BEFORE 10 AM YESTERDAY. THE INCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 5506.

11/21/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARRESTED A DANDRIDGE MAN ON SATURDAY, AND CHARGED HIM WITH EXTORTION, STALKING, AND TELEPHONE HARASSMENT. 49 YEAR OLD LANCE KRAMER ALLEGEDLY, REPEATEDLY CALLED A LOCAL WOMAN ON HER CELL PHONE, MADE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT COMMENTS, AND THREATENED TO HARM HER UNLESS SHE COMPLIED WITH HIS REQUESTS. KRAMER IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

11/20/2006

THREE WRECKS WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF EACH OTHER SATURDAY NIGHT, SENT AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS, THREE OF THEM TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR. THE FIRST ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 5 O CLOCK ON OLD NEWPORT HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH CROSSOVER. THE FEMALE DRIVER WAS FLOWN TO UT. ONE MINUTE LATER, ANOTHER WRECK WAS REPORTED ON OLD MOUNTAIN ROAD, BEHIND CATON’S CHAPEL SCHOOL. THE FEMALE DRIVER APPARENTLY LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE AND HIT A UTILITY POLE. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER AND THEN FLOWN TO UT. THE THIRD AND MOST SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 7 O CLOCK ON JONES COVE ROAD AT THE INTERSECTION WITH DIXON BRANCH. THE UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS FORD STATION WAGON AND ROLLED THE VEHICLE DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. HE WAS ALSO FLOWN TO UT, HIS TWO PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER. THE CONDITION OF ALL THE VICTIMS IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

11/20/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK LATE LAST NIGHT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11 O CLOCK IN THE FOUR THOUSAND BLOCK OF ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY, NEAR THE HANDY DANDY STORE. THE UN-NAMED 49 YEAR OLD VICTIM APPARENTLY LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE NAME OF THE VICTIM IS BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF THE NEXT OF KIN. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL, ALL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

11/17/2006

A NEWPORT NURSING HOME HAS BEEN ORDERED TO PAY A ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR JUDGEMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEATH OF A SEVIERVILLE MAN LAST YEAR. THE VERDICT CAME FOLLOWING A NINE DAY TRIAL CONCERNING THE DEATH OF THOMAS PARM SENIOR, WHO DIED JANUARY 15TH 2005, AT THE MARINER HEALTH FACILITY IN NEWPORT. THE LAWSUIT FILED BY THE FAMILY ALLEGED THAT AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE AND IMPROPER CARE, PARM DEVELOPED SEVERE KIDNEY AND URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS, THAT ULTIMATELY LED TO HIS DEATH.

11/17/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK CLOSED PART OF THE NEW VETERAN’S BOULEVARD EARLY TUESDAY AFTERNOON. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE ONE O CLOCK NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER JOHN WEST, A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 64 YEAR OLD CHARLES MAPLES OF SEVIERVILLE, REAR ENDED A FORD F150 BEING DRIVEN BY 44 YEAR OLD ROBERT YOUNGER OF GATLINBURG. EARLY INDICATIONS SUGGEST THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED WHEN MAPLES SUFFERED AN UNKNOWN MEDICAL PROBLEM. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

11/15/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE CITY OF GATLINBURG HAVE NOW INSTALLED A NEW TRASH COMPACTOR AT THE CITY OWNED GARBAGE DUMP ON HEIDEN DRIVE. THE EIGHT BY TWENTY FOUR FOOT COMPACTOR IS TOTALLY ENCLOSED EXCEPT FOR ONE DOOR. THE UNIT ALSO HAS A HYDRAULIC RAM THAT COMPACTS THE TRASH, AND WILL BE EMPTIED ONCE A WEEK. THE NEW COMPACTOR IS DESIGNED TO BE COMPLETELY BEAR PROOF. THE CITY IS WORKING TO HOOK UP ELECTRICITY TO THE UNIT AND HOPES TO HAVE IT UP AND RUNNING TOMORROW.

11/15/2006

AUTHORITIES IN DANDRIDGE ARE LOOKING FOR A MAN AND WOMEN WHO ALLEGEDLY STOLE A TRUCK, BROKE INTO A HOME, AND TRIED TO ROB THE HOMEOWNERS. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE ONE O CLOCK MONDAY AFTERNOON AT THE HOUSE JUST OFF HIGHWAY 25 – 70. ROY AND WANDA TAYLOR, THE HOMEOWNERS, WERE BOTH INJURED. WANDA TAYLOR WAS APPARENTLY STRUCK IN THE HEAD, AND ROY TAYLOR WAS SHOT IN THE SHOULDER. HOWEVER, TAYLOR SAID THAT HE DID SHOOT BACK AND HE BELIEVES THAT HE HIT THE FEMALE. AFTER THE ATTACK, THE ROBBERS REPORTEDLY DROVE TO A NEARBY GAS STATION AND DUMPED THE STOLEN TRUCK WHICH DID HAVE BLOOD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. BOTH ROY AND WANDA TAYLOR WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE THEY ARE LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

11/14/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE OVER THE WEEKEND, AFTER THE MAN TRIED TO BUY A SHOTGUN AT A LOCAL STORE. 56 YEAR OLD RONALD LEONARD WEEKS WAS WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH A 1994 KIDNAPPING CASE IN COLORADO. HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

11/14/2006

A POWER OUTAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN SEVIERVILLE LEFT MOST OF HIGHWAY 66 WITHOUT ELECTRICITY. THE OUTAGE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3 O CLOCK AND CAUSED PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL BUSINESSES, RESIDENTS, AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS. APPROXIMATELY EIGHT THOUSAND CUSTOMERS WERE WITHOUT POWER FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. APPARENTLY THE OUTAGE WAS CAUSED BY A MECHANICAL FAILURE THAT SHUT DOWN TWO TVA SUBSTATIONS.

11/13/2006

A SEVIERVILLE BUSINESS BUILDING WAS DAMAGED FOLLOWING A FIRE THURSDAY MORNING. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9 AM AT THE JOHNSON MATTHEY COMPANY ON OLD KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO LIEUTENANT BENNY PICKENS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE BLAZE STARTED IN A DUCT SYSTEM AND SPREAD TO A SMALL PORTION OF THE EXTERIOR WALL. THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEVIERVILLE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

11/10/2006

A BLOUNT COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL BATTERY FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT AT DOLLYWOOD AT THE WEEKEND. 51 YEAR OLD JAMES HERRON OF LOUISVILLE WAS ARRESTED BY OFFICIALS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHED THREE YOUNG GIRLS WHO WERE WAITING IN LINE FOR A RIDE. HERRON WAS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF AGGRAVATED SEXUAL BATTERY AND TWO COUNTS OF SEXUAL BATTERY. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

11/10/2006

A FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2 AM AT A MOBILE HOME IN THE 300 BLOCK OF EAST DUMPLIN VALLEY ROAD. OFFICIALS BELIEVE THAT NO ONE WAS LIVING IN THE TRAILER AND ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE. THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

11/9/2006

SEVERAL SEVIER COUNTY HOMES HAD TO BE EVACUATED LAST NIGHT AFTER A NEIGHBOR APPARENTLY TRIED TO KILL HIMSELF. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11:30 AT A HOME IN THE SIXTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF SNAPP ROAD. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT MIKE HODGES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE GIRLFRIEND OF THE DISTRESSED 31 YEAR OLD SEVIER COUNTY MAN, CALLED AUTHORITIES AND TOLD THEM THAT HER BOYFRIEND HAD LOCKED HIMSELF IN THE HOME AND RIPPED THE GAS LINE AWAY FROM THE FIREPLACE. HE THEN LOCKED HIMSELF IN A BATHROOM WHILE THE HOME FILLED WITH GAS. ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF MATT HENDERSON HAD SCUD TURN OFF THE GAS SUPPLY TO THE HOME AND THEN VENTILATED THE HOME BY BREAKING SEVERAL WINDOWS. SERGEANT HODGES AND DEPUTY J.J. BREEDEN THEN ENTERED THE HOME JUST BEFORE 2 AM, AND FORCIBLY REMOVED THE MAN BEFORE TRANSPORTED HIM TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION. CHARGES ARE PENDING. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY UTILITY DISTRICT, ALL RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

11/8/2006

A FORMER SOLDIER WAS SENTENCED TO NEARLY NINE YEARS IN JAIL ON MONDAY, FOR HIS PART IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE SPUR THAT KILLED FIVE PEOPLE. THE WRECK HAPPENED IN MARCH 2005. 20 YEAR OLD STEVEN WILLIAMS MADE THE PLEA AGREEMENT FOR HIS ROLE IN A DRAG RACE AGAINST 19 YEAR OLD JONATHAN MATHEW HALL, WHO WILLIAMS WILL ALSO TESTIFY AGAINST. HALL WHO WAS APPARENTLY HIGH ON MARIJUANA AND ALCOHOL, CRASHED INTO THE MINIVAN, KILLING ALL FIVE OCCUPANTS WHO WERE VISITING THE AREA FROM VIRGINIA BEACH. HALL WILL BE SENTENCED NEXT MONTH.

11/8/2006

A SMALL GROUP OF PROTESTERS TOOK TO THE STREETS OF GATLINBURG OVER THE WEEKEND, TO PROTEST THE CITY’S APPARENT FAILURE TO ENFORCE IT’S OWN ORDINANCE REGARDING BEAR PROOF GARBAGE CONTAINERS. THE PROTESTERS HELD UP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE PARKWAY AND HIGHWAY 321. THE PROTEST COMES A WEEK AFTER SEVERAL BEAR INCIDENTS IN THE HEIDEN DRIVE AREA, INCLUDING THE EUTHANIZATION OF A MOTHER BEAR AND THREE CUBS. IN JUNE OF 2000, A CITY WIDE ORDINANCE WENT INTO EFFECT REQUIRING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO BEAR PROOF THEIR TRASH CONTAINERS OR FACE FINES. THE CITY HAS HOWEVER, RECENTLY PURCHASED A TRASH COMPACTOR TO REPLACE THE DUMPSTERS THAT HAVE BEEN ATTRACTING NUISANCE BEARS IN THE HEIDEN DRIVE AREA.

11/7/2006

TWO SEVIER COUNTY MEN THAT WERE STABBED DURING AN ALTERCATION SUNDAY NIGHT, ARE STILL RECOVERING AT THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE MARK TURNER WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, 25 YEAR OLD JACOB CAMPBELL IS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND 24 YEAR OLD JUSTIN STINNETT IS LISTED IN SERIOUS CONDITION. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 7:30 AT A HOME ON GRINDSTONE RIDGE ROAD, JUST OFF MILL CREEK ROAD. AT LEAST THREE OTHER PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY HELPING DETECTIVES WITH THAT INVESTIGATION. SO FAR, NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED.

11/7/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE TWRA TRAPPED AND RELOCATED A MALE BLACK BEAR THURSDAY MORNING, THAT HAD APPARENTLY BEEN RUMMAGING THROUGH GARBAGE ON HEIDEN DRIVE IN GATLINBURG. THE TRASH COLLECTION CENTRE WHERE THE BEAR WAS CAUGHT IS CLOSE TO WHERE A 72 YEAR OLD WOMAN WAS BITTEN BY ANOTHER BEAR AT THE WEEKEND. OFFICIALS SAID THAT THE 350 POUND BEAR HAD BEEN FEEDING IN THE AREA FOR QUITE SOME TIME. HE WAS RELOCATED TO A BEAR RESERVE IN MONROE COUNTY.

11/3/2006

THE WINDSTORM THAT HIT THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, IS EXPECTED TO COST THE PARK OVER FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESMAN BOB MILLER, THE COST INCLUDES CLEARING TRAILS AND REPAIRING VEHICLES AND STRUCTURES. MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND TREE’S WERE BLOWN DOWN AND APPROXIMATELY TWENTY FOUR TRAILS REMAIN CLOSED TO HORSE TRAVEL. THE MOST SERIOUS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WAS TO THE HISTORIC DAN LAWSON BARN AT CADES COVE, WHICH WAS PARTIALLY BLOWN OFF IT’S FOOTINGS. OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED A THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR STORM DAMAGE RELIEF REQUEST TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. FUTURE ADDITIONAL SALARIES AND OVERTIME COST WOULD MAKE UP THE ADDITIONAL TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

11/2/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON IN SEVIER COUNTY SENT TWO PEOPLE TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 4:30 IN THE TWO THOUSAND BLOCK OF NEWPORT HIGHWAY, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH WALNUT GROVE. APPARENTLY, RACHEL ROWE OF SEVIER COUNTY, LOST CONTROL OF HER CHEVY BLAZER WHICH ENDED UP ROLLING ONTO IT’S TOP. ROWE AND HER PASSENGER, BILLY GUNTER WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO UT WHERE THEIR CONDITIONS ARE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND THE RESCUE SQUAD, ALL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

11/2/2006

A HOUSE FIRE EARLY TUESDAY MORNING HAS CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A SEVIER COUNTY MAN. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3:30 AT 984 HICKS WAY IN SEYMOUR. THE HOME AND SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE FULLY INVOLVED WHEN FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. ACCORDING TO SEVIER COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL FRED ATCHLEY, THE BODY OF 66 YEAR OLD CHARLIE MCMURRAY WAS FOUND INSIDE THE DESTROYED HOME. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

11/1/2006

TWRA OFFICERS HAVE EUTHANIZED FOUR BEARS FOLLOWING A WEEKEND ATTACK IN GATLINBURG THAT INJURED A 72 YEAR OLD WOMAN. ONE OF THE CUBS WS CAUGHT BY A TRAP AND THE REMAINING MOTHER AND TWO CUBS WERE SHOT AFTER CONTINUING TO SHOW SIGNS OF AGGRESSION. CAROL BENOIST WAS ATTACKED SATURDAY MORNING WHILST WALKING HER DOG AT HER HOME ON HEIDEN DRIVE. THE FEMALE BEAR THAT SCRATCHED HER WAS WITH TWO CUBS RUMMAGING THROUGH GARBAGE ON THE DECK OF THE HOME. BENOIST WAS RELEASED FROM FORT SANDERS SEVIER AFTER BEING TREATED FOR MINOR INJURIES. A TWRA SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FEEDING THE BEARS HUMAN FOOD WILL OFTEN CAUSE BEARS TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE.

10/31/2006

THE SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL WAS EVACUATED MONDAY MORNING FOLLOWING ANOTHER BOMB THREAT. ACCORDING TO JOHN ENLOW, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES FOR THE SEVIER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM, THE NOTE WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO A WALL INSIDE THE SCHOOL, WAS DISCOVERED JUST BEFORE TEN O CLOCK. THE BUILDING WAS EVACUATED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF WHILE K9 UNITS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT SEARCHED THE SCHOOL. THE THREAT TURNED OUT TO BE A HOAX AND AN INVESTIGATION IS NOW UNDERWAY. THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE COULD FACE UP TO SIX YEARS IN JAIL.

10/31/2006

A FIRE DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME EARLY THIS MORNING. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3:30 AT 984 HICKS WAY IN SEYMOUR. THE HOME AND SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE FULLY INVOLVED WHEN FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THERE IS NO WORD YET ON POSSIBLE CASUALTIES. SEVIER COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL FRED ATCHLEY IS INVESTIGATING. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

10/31/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2:30 AM ON BIRDS CREEK ROAD NEAR CATON’S CHAPEL ROAD. APPARENTLY, 30 YEAR OLD JOHN WHALEY OF SEYMOUR, LOST CONTROL OF HIS PICKUP TRUCK, RAN OFF THE ROADWAY, AND ROLLED THE VEHICLE ONTO IT’S TOP. WHALEY WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. OFFICIALS WITH THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL BELIEVE THAT DRUG USE MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THAT ACCIDENT. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE CATON’S CHAPEL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

10/30/2006

A GATLINBURG WOMAN WAS APPARENTLY ATTACKED BY A BEAR SATURDAY MORNING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 10 O CLOCK AT A HOUSE ON HEIDEN DRIVE. APPARENTLY, 72 YEAR OLD CAROL BENOIST, STEPPED OUT OF HER HOME TO WALK HER DOG WHEN THE FEMALE BEAR LUNGED AT HER. THE BEAR AND TWO CUBS WERE APPARENTLY RUMMAGING THROUGH GARBAGE ON THE DECK. BENOIST WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH BITE WOUNDS TO HER ARM AND LEG. TWRA OFFICERS ARE SEARCHING FOR THE BEAR AND TRAPS HAVE BEEN SET.

10/30/2006

A FEMALE VISITOR TO SEVIER COUNTY WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE THURSDAY MORNING AFTER SHE WAS APPARENTLY INVOLVED IN A DOMESTIC DISPUTE. SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES FOUND THE UNNAMED 41 YEAR OLD FEMALE WANDERING ALONG SILVER POPLAR LANE IN THE SKY HARBOR COMMUNITY JUST BEFORE 9 AM. THE VICTIM INITIALLY LOOKED AS IF SHE WAS INTOXICATED, BUT WAS IN FACT SUFFERING FROM INJURIES TO HER HEAD, NECK, AND PELVIC AREA. SHE WAS ALSO SUFFERING FROM HYPOTHERMIA. REPORTS SUGGEST THAT SHE HAD WANDERED FROM THE TIMBER TOPS CABIN THAT SHE WAS STAYING AT TO THE ROADWAY BEFORE COLLAPSING. HER CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING.

10/27/2006

THE WIDOW OF A GATLINBURG REALTOR WHO’S BODY WAS FOUND IN PITTMAN CENTRE LAST JUNE, HAS FILED A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT AGAINST THE GONDOLIER RESTAURANT IN GATLINBURG AND A TAXI DRIVER IN CONNECTION WITH HIS DEATH. EDWINA MONTGOMERY CLAIMS THAT HER HUSBAND, THOMAS MONTGOMERY, WAS OVER SERVED ALCOHOL BY THE RESTAURANT AND THAT THE TAXI DRIVER STRANDED MONTGOMERY ON HIGHWAY 321 AFTER THE TWO MEN GOT INTO A DISAGREEMENT AS THEY DROVE TOWARDS THE BENT CREEK AREA. THE DRIVER KEN KIRKLAND, THEN CALLED DISPATCHERS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT TO ADVISE THEM OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED. ON JUNE 26TH, MONTGOMERY’S BODY WAS FOUND UNDER A RIDGE IN THE LITTLE PIGEON RIVER. AN AUTOPSY DETERMINED THAT HE WAS HEAVILY INTOXICATED AND DIED AS A RESULT OF BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA INJURIES SUSTAINED WHEN HE FELL FROM A BRIDGE. MONTGOMERY’S WIFE IS ASKING FOR TWO POINT FIVE MILLION DOLLARS IN COMPENSATORY DAMAGES, AND FIVE MILLION DOLLARS IN PUNITIVE DAMAGES. SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY STATED THAT THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT HAS ENDED AND THAT NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED.

10/26/2006

THREE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN SEVIER COUNTY ON THURSDAY AS PART OF AN ON-GOING INVESTIGATION INTO A LOCAL METHAMPHETAMINE RING. OFFICIALS WITH THE TBI AND THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DRUG TASK FORCE ARRESTED 42 YEAR OLD JAMES O’DELL OF KODAK, 37 YEAR OLD ROBERT LYNN HICKMAN OF NEWMARKET, AND 50 YEAR OLD PAULINE JOHNSON OF KNOX COUNTY. ALL THREE WERE CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTE METH. NO COURT DATES HAVE YET BEEN SET.

10/25/2006

PIGEON FORGE CITY COMMISSIONERS MET LAST NIGHT AND AGREED TO AWARD THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR A NEW ROAD IN THE RECENTLY DESIGNATED TOURIST DEVELOPMENT ZONE, TO CHARLES BLALOCK AND SONS. THE THREE POINT ONE MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON FALLS LANE WILL RUN FROM TEASTER LANE BESIDE THE BELZ OUTLET MALL, AND CONNECT WITH A PROPOSED EXTENSION OF JAKE THOMAS ROAD. THE NEW ROAD IS EXPECTED TO TAKE BETWEEN NINE AND TWELVE MONTH’S TO COMPLETE.

10/24/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT SOME HORSE TRAILS HAVE HAD TO BE CLOSED DUE TO RECENT STORM DAMAGE. THE AFFECTED TRAILS ARE ON THE TENNESSEE SIDE OF THE PARK BETWEEN ELKMONT AND CADES COVE. FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF TRAILS THAT ARE CLOSED TO EQUESTRIAN USE, CALL THE PARK SERVICE AT: 436 – 1200 OR LOG ONTO NPS.GOV FORWARD SLASH G R S M.

10/24/2006

A SEYMOUR WOMAN WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE LAST NIGHT FOLLOWING AN ATV ACCIDENT IN THE RICHARDSON COVE COMMUNITY. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 4:30 NEAR JOHNSON HOLLOW TRAILS, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH PITTMAN CENTRE ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE VICTIM RECEIVED A PELVIC INJURY BUT IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE PITTMAN CENTRE AND GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE RESCUE SQUAD, ALL RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

10/23/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY FOURTH GRADE STUDENT IS CLAIMING THAT SHE WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY ANOTHER GIRL IN HER CLASS. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED LAST WEEK AT THE SEVIERVILLE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. THE NINE YEAR FEMALE WAS APPARENTLY STANDING IN LINE TO USE THE BATHROOM WHEN THE OTHER STUDENT ALLEGEDLY INITIATED THE INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT. THE VICTIM ALSO CLAIMS THAT THE SAME STUDENT HAD A SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONVERSATION WITH HER LAST YEAR. THE STUDENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO ANOTHER CLASS AND OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ARE INVESTIGATING.

10/23/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE SATURDAY AFTERNOON SENT THREE PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 5 O CLOCK IN THE EASTBOUND LANES OF DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY NEAR THE HIGH SCHOOL. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER KEVIN STONE, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 23 YEAR OLD ELIO RAMOS OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY SARAH THOMPSON, ALSO OF SEVIERVILLE. THOMPSON WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES. RAMOS AND HIS PASSENGER, 19 YEAR OLD VANESSA GARNER, WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. RAMOS WAS CITED FOR RECKLESS DRIVING. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

10/23/2006

TWO MEN WILL BE HEADING TO A FEDERAL PRISON AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO GUN TRAFFICKING FROM A SEVIER COUNTY FLEA MARKET. 71 YEAR OLD GEORGE MANUS AND 49 YEAR OLD TIMOTHY COBB, MADE THEY PLEA AGREEMENT AFTER UNDERCOVER A.T.F AGENTS MASQUERADING AS CONVICTED FELONS AND DRUG DEALERS, WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE SEVERAL WEAPONS FROM THE PAIR. MANUS AND COBB WILL BE SENTENCED IN JANUARY.

10/20/2006

SEVERAL ROADS INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK THAT HAD BEEN CLOSED DUE TO RECENT STORM DAMAGE, ARE ONCE AGAIN OPEN. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, U.S. HIGHWAY 441 – NEWFOUND GAP ROAD BETWEEN GATLINBURG AND CHEROKEE, CLINGMAN’S DOME ROAD, LITTLE RIVER ROAD, AND LAUREL CREEK ROAD, HAVE ALL REOPENED. THE CADES COVE LOOP ROAD SHOULD OPEN TODAY TO HYATT LANE,PROVIDING AN EIGHT MILE LOOP THROUGH THE COVE. THE FOOTHILLS PARKWAY WAS ALSO REOPENED. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON PARK CAMPGROUNDS, FACILITIES AND CONCESSIONS, CALL THE PARK AT: 436 – 1200.

10/19/2006

A CHILD WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE, FOLLOWING A FALL WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE FOUR O CLOCK AT CATARACT FALLS, JUST BEHIND THE SUGARLANDS VISITOR CENTRE. APPARENTLY THE SIX YEAR OLD FEMALE FELL APPROXIMATELY THIRTY FEET. HER CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. PARK RANGERS AND THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

10/19/2006

A FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY CABIN. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 2:30 AT 1612 LITTLE CABIN LOOP, JUST OFF OF RAINBOW ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE STRUCTURE WAS FULLY ENGULFED WHEN FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, BUT LUCKILY NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE PIGEON FORGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

10/18/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY TEACHER WAS HONORED MONDAY NIGHT DURING AN AWARDS BANQUET IN NASHVILLE. HELEN BLAIR WAS ONE OF THE FINALISTS IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S, 2007 TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD. BLAIR WHO TEACHES AT SEVIERVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL, ALSO RECEIVED A ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR GRANT.

10/18/2006

STORMS THAT MOVED THROUGH THE AREA YESTERDAY REEKED HAVOC INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, WIND GUSTS UP TO 106 MILES PER HOUR WERE REGISTERED AT THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM, TOPPLING SEVERAL TREE’S AND SENDING DEBRIS ONTO ROADWAYS. NEWFOUND GAP ROAD, LITTLE RIVER ROAD, LAUREL CREEK ROAD AND CHEROKEE ORCHARD ROAD, WERE SOME OF THE MAJOR PARK ROADWAYS THAT WERE CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE STORM. MANY CAMPGROUNDS WERE ALSO AFFECTED AND A SIX YEAR OLD BOY WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER A TREE FELL ON THE CAMPER THAT HE WAS SLEEPING IN AT THE CADES COVE CAMPGROUND. FOR UP TO DATE ROAD CONDITIONS INSIDE THE PARK, CALL: 436 – 1200.

10/18/2006

HIGH WINDS AND RAIN OVERNIGHT CAUSED SEVERAL POWER OUTAGES ACROSS SEVIER COUNTY. SOME OF THE WORST HIT AREA’S WERE THE WEARS VALLEY COMMUNITY, CATON’S CHAPEL AND GATLINBURG, ESPECIALLY IN THE CARTERTOWN ROAD AREA. AT ONE POINT EARLY THIS MORNING, APPROXIMATELY TWELVE HUNDRED PEOPLE WERE WITHOUT POWER. OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ALSO ADVISE THAT SEVERAL TREE’S HAVE COME DOWN AND ADVISE MOTORIST TO USE CAUTION.

10/17/2006

A FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING DAMAGED A SEVIERVILLE HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1:30 AT THE MOBILE HOME IN THE ONE HUNDRED BLOCK OF JERSEY STREET, JUST OFF OLD KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, THE FEMALE OCCUPANT AND HER PETS WERE ALL ABLE TO ESCAPE UNINJURED. THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE WHICH APPARENTLY STARTED IN THE BEDROOM AREA OF THE HOME, IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIERVILLE AND SEVIER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

10/17/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY THIS MORNING SENT AT LEAST ONE PERSON TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3:30 IN THE TWO THOUSAND BLOCK OF MAPLES BRANCH ROAD, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH HIGHWAY 416. APPARENTLY, THE MALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS JEEP LAREDO AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. HE AND HIS MALE PASSENGER WERE BOTH INJURED. OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE ALSO RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

10/16/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN WAS ARRESTED EARLY THURSDAY MORNING AND CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BURGLARY. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE JEFF MCCARTER WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, JUST BEFORE 12:30 AM, A BURGLAR ALARM WAS ACTIVATED AT A HOME IN THE 700 BLOCK OF HICKORY HILLS ROAD. THE HOMEOWNERS SON ARRIVED AT THE RESIDENCE TO FIND A VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE FRONT DOOR OPEN. THE BURGLAR EXITED THE HOME AND FLED THE SCENE IN A TRUCK, BUT NOT BEFORE THE HOMEOWNERS SON WAS ABLE TO GIVE AUTHORITIES A GOOD DESCRIPTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED ON HARDIN LANE AND THE DRIVER DETAINED. ITEMS FOUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE ALLEGEDLY MATCHED THE ITEMS THAT HAD BEEN TAKEN FROM THE HOME. THE SUSPECT WAS IDENTIFIED AS 22 YEAR OLD BRANDON LEE SMITH OF HARDIN LANE IN SEVIERVILLE. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A THIRTEEN THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

10/13/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SENT ONE PERSON TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 4 O CLOCK ON THE PARKWAY AT THE PARK ROAD INTERSECTION IN SEVIERVILLE. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER STEVE FORD, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 33 YEAR OLD JOHN WOLFENBARGER, COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 60 YEAR OLD MARY ANN TRENTHAM. APPARENTLY, WOLFENBARGER STATED THAT HIS BRAKES FAILED AS HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT THE INTERSECTION. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

10/12/2006

AN OFFICER WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY BASED DRUG TASK FORCE HAS APPARENTLY BEEN SUSPENDED. MARK SHULTZ WAS SENT HOME FROM WORK ON TUESDAY BY TASK FORCE DIRECTOR MACK SMITH. OFFICIALS WITH THE ORGANIZATION AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY JIMMY DUNN ARE INVESTIGATING SOME ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

10/12/2006

CHARLES BLALOCK AND SONS IS THE APPARENT LOW BIDDER TO BUILD PIGEON FORGE LANE, THE FIRST CONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO BEGIN THE CITY’S NEWLY DESIGNED TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ZONE. PIGEON FORGE LANE WILL START AT TEASTER LANE JUST SOUTH OF THE BELZ FACTORY OUTLET MALL AND WILL CONNECT WITH A PROPOSED EXTENSION OF JAKE THOMAS ROAD. ACCORDING TO JOHN JAGGER WITH THE CITY OF PIGEON FORGE, THE THREE POINT ONE MILLION DOLLAR ROAD SHOULD TAKE BETWEEN NINE AND TWELVE MONTH’S TO COMPLETE. THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BE AWARDED DURING THE OCTOBER 23RD CITY COMMISSION MEETING.

10/11/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE NOW ARRESTED A MALE JUVENILE IN CONNECTION WITH A BOMB THREAT AT THE NEW CENTRE SCHOOL ON THURSDAY. THE UNNAMED PUPIL HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THE OFFENCE OF MAKING A FALSE REPORT AND IS CURRENTLY BEING DETAINED AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JUVENILE FACILITY. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. FOUR FEMALE STUDENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN ARRESTED BY OFFICIALS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN CONNECTION WITH A BOMB THREAT AGAINST THE PIGEON FORGE MIDDLE SCHOOL. THE NOTE WAS FOUND MONDAY ON A PICNIC TABLE AT THE PIGEON FORGE CITY PARK. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

10/11/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WILL FACE FEDERAL CHARGES FOLLOWING AN ALLEGED ROAD RAGE INCIDENT ON THE SPUR. MICHAEL DALE BECK WAS APPARENTLY WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC WHILST DRIVING FROM GATLINBURG TOWARDS PIGEON FORGE. ANOTHER MOTORIST, RONALD DELACRUZ, SAID THAT HE CHANGED LANES TO ALLOW BECK’S TRUCK TO PASS. AS THE TWO VEHICLES PASSED EACH OTHER, BECK ALLEGEDLY FIRED THREE SHOTS INTO THE AIR FROM THE WINDOW OF HIS VEHICLE, AND THEN POINTED THE PISTOL AT DELACRUZ. DELACRUZ SLOWED HIS CAR TO AVOID FURTHER CONTACT WITH BECK’S TRUCK AND NOTIFIED THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHOSE OFFICERS STOPPED BECK AS HE ENTERED THE CITY. BECK ADMITTED FIRING HIS PISTOL INTO THE AIR, BUT CONTENDS THAT HE FIRED THE WEAPON ONLY ONCE. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD RECENTLY STOPPED TAKING MEDICATION FOR SOME EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS AND THAT HE HAD HAD A BAD DAY AT WORK. BECK IS CURRENTLY FREE ON BOND AND WILL BE IN COURT ON OCTOBER 20TH FOR A PRELIMINARY HEARING.

10/10/2006

THE NEW CENTRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS OPEN AGAIN TODAY AFTER SCHOOL OFFICIALS DECIDED TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL YESTERDAY. THE DECISION WAS MADE AT THE WEEKEND FOLLOWING A BOMB THREAT THAT WAS MADE LAST THURSDAY. SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOUND A NOTE WRITTEN ON A BATHROOM WALL THAT APPARENTLY STATED THAT THE BOMB WOULD GO OFF AT THE SCHOOL ON MONDAY. AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE, ONE MORE THOROUGH SWEEP OF THE PROPERTY WAS MADE ON MONDAY BY K9 UNITS FROM THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE, COULD FACE UP TO SIX YEARS IN JAIL.

10/10/2006

A MAN WHO TRIED TO KIDNAP A NINE YEAR OLD GIRL FROM A PIGEON FORGE MOTEL LAST YEAR, HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO ELEVEN AND A HALF YEARS IN JAIL. JUDGE RICHARD VANCE HANDED DOWN THE SENTENCE TO CHARLES CHRISTOPHER WHITE OF KNOXVILLE AFTER HE PLED GUILTY TO AGGRAVATED SEXUAL BATTERY. WHITE ADMITTED TO GRABBING THE YOUNG GIRL, THREATENING HER WITH A GUN, AND COMMITTING A LEWD ACT UPON HER. WHITE APPARENTLY HAS A LONG CRIMINAL RECORD INCLUDING PREVIOUS CHARGES OF INDECENT EXPOSURE AND INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHING A WOMAN AT A KNOXVILLE MALL.

10/9/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE CHARGED TWO PEOPLE WITH A RASH OF RECENT CABIN BURGLARIES. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE STEPHANIE MCCLURE WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, 23 YEAR OLD TRAVIS RAY WILKINS OF NEWPORT AND 32 YEAR OLD LINDA BEACH WILKINS OF SEVIERVILLE, ALLEGEDLY STOLE VARIOUS TV’S FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT CABINS DURING THE MONTH’S OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. THE ITEMS WERE APPARENTLY RECOVERED FROM A HOME IN COCKE COUNTY AND A HOME JUST OFF BOYD’S CREEK HIGHWAY. TRAVIS WILKINS IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A 150 THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND, LINDA WILKINS IS AWAITING ARRAIGNMENT.

10/9/2006

ONE PERSON WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN GATLINBURG THURSDAY MORNING. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11 O CLOCK ON CAMPBELL LEAD AT THE INTERSECTION WITH WILEY OAKLEY DRIVE. ACCORDING TO GATLINBURG FIRE CHIEF GREG PATTERSON, THE 17 YEAR OLD FEMALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE, TRAVELED ABOUT 15 FEET DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. SHE WAS FLOWN TO UT WHERE SHE IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE GATLINBURG FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

10/6/2006

THE NEW CENTRE SCHOOL WAS EVACUATED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS THURSDAY MORNING FOLLOWING A BOMB THREAT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 11 O CLOCK. ACCORDING TO JOHN ENLOW, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES FOR THE SEVIER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM, THE THREAT WAS ACTUALLY WRITTEN ON A WALL INSIDE THE FACILITY. OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT CHECKED THE SCHOOL FOR ANY SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES BUT FOUND NOTHING.

10/6/2006

ONE MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A BOATING ACCIDENT IN SEVIER COUNTY THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3:30 ON THE FRENCH BROAD RIVER NEAR BINGHAM ISLAND, CLOSE TO THE RIVER MEADOWS SUBDIVISION. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT DARREL LEE WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, 65 YEAR OLD RALPH LEE HUSKEY OF PIGEON FORGE, AND 61 YEAR OLD EUGENE WISE OF SEVIERVILLE, WERE FISHING IN A BORROWED 16 FOOT BOAT WHEN APPARENTLY THE MOTOR QUIT. THE CURRENT CARRIED THE BOAT INTO AN AREA OF BRUSH ON BINGHAM ISLAND WHERE THE BOAT FILLED WITH WATER AND CAPSIZED. HUSKEY WAS ABLE TO SWIM SAFELY TO THE ISLAND. WISE HELD ON TO A TREE LIMB FOR A SHORT WHILE BEFORE BEING OVERPOWERED BY THE CURRENT. HIS BODY WAS FOUND ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER NEAR THE RIVER ISLANDS GOLF COURSE. HUSKEY WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER FOR A BLOOD ALCOHOL TEST, AND THEN TO THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A CHARGE OF BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE. THE TWRA IS INVESTIGATING AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES ARE POSSIBLE. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND VARIOUS OTHER LOCAL EMERGENCY WORKERS RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

10/6/2006

A FIRE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SERIOUSLY DAMAGED A SEVIERVILLE HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 12:30 AT 970 CANDY TUFT ROAD. FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE MOBILE HOME JUST MINUTES AFTER THE FIRE WAS REPORTED AND WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE. THE DAMAGE WAS CONTAINED PRIMARILY TO THE LIVING ROOM AND KITCHEN AREA. AN ADULT FEMALE WAS TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR SMOKE INHALATION BUT WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FEMALE RESIDENT REPORTED THAT THE FIRE WAS STARTED WHEN A LIT CANDLE WAS KNOCKED OVER BY A DOG. THE SEVIERVILLE AND SEVIER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE FIRE, AS WELL AS THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE.

10/5/2006

COUNTY CLERK JOE KEENER HAS ANNOUNCED THAT SEVIER COUNTIANS MAY ONCE AGAIN PAY THEIR CURRENT PROPERTY TAX AT THE COUNTY CLERK’S DRIVE THRU LOCATION AT THE BACK OF THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. IN ORDER TO PAY AT THE DRIVE THRU FACILITY, PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BY CHECK, YOU MUST HAVE YOU TAX NOTICE WITH YOU, AND NO DELINQUENT TAX PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE AT: 453 – 2767.

10/5/2006

GATLINBURG CITY COMMISSIONERS MET LAST NIGHT AND APPROVED A THIRD AND FINAL READING ON AN ORDINANCE THAT AMENDED THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO THE NUMBER OF O.P.C LOCATIONS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS APPROVED WAS WITHOUT THE AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN PROPERTY OWNERS A 30 DAY PERIOD TO RENT TO ANOTHER O.P.C BUSINESS, IF THE CURRENT O.P.C LOST IT’S LEASE.

10/4/2006

A TOP RATED DAYCARE FACILITY IN SEVIERVILLE IS CLOSING IT’S DOORS. THE “JUST FOR KIDS” LEARNING CENTRE WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHILDREN’S HOME, HAS GIVEN PARENTS AND EMPLOYEES 3O DAYS NOTICE. THE CENTRE WILL CLOSE IT’S DOORS ON NOVEMBER 1ST. ALTHOUGH THE DAY CARE HAD A THREE STAR RATING – THE HIGHEST SCORE THE STATE CAN GIVE, THE FACILITY HAS APPARENTLY BEEN LOOSING MONEY FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.

10/4/2006

TWO PEOPLE WERE FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIER COUNTY LAST NIGHT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 8:30 AT THE INTERSECTION OF MILL CREEK AND LAUREL LICK. APPARENTLY, THE UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER OF A PICK UP TRUCK, LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. HE AND HIS MALE PASSENGER WERE BOTH FLOWN TO UT WHERE ONE OF THEM IS LISTED IN SERIOUS CONDITION. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE PIGEON FORGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

10/4/2006

THE SENTENCING OF TWO MEN WHO PLED GUILTY TO CAUSING A DEADLY WRECK ON THE SPUR WHILST DRAG RACING, HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL OCTOBER 26TH. 19 YEAR OLD JONATHAN HALL OF LEBANON AND 20 YEAR OLD STEVEN WILLIAMS OF MURFREESBORO, ADMITTED IN JUNE TO THE OFFENCE WHICH CLAIMED THE LIVES OF FIVE PEOPLE IN MARCH OF 2005. THE TWO WERE APPARENTLY DRAG RACING AT SPEEDS OF UP TO ONE HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR WHEN HALL’S CAR HIT A VEHICLE CARRYING FIVE TOURISTS FROM VIRGINIA BEACH. AL FIVE WERE KILLED. HALL AND WILLIAMS EACH PLED GUILTY TO ONE COUNT OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON AND FINES UP TO TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

10/3/2006

TWO SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES ARE NO LONGER WITH THE DEPARTMENT AFTER ALLEGEDLY BEING TOLD TO RESIGN OR BE FIRED. SERGEANT DAVID ROBERTSON AND DEPUTY JUSTIN CLABO SAY THAT THEY WERE FORCED FROM THEIR JOBS FOLLOWING SEVERAL INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS. APPARENTLY, ROBERTSON WAS ACCUSED OF CONDUCTING AN ILLEGAL SEARCH AND CLABO WAS ACCUSED OF TAKING MONEY FROM A DRUG SUSPECT. REPRESENTATIVES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT DECLINED TO COMMENT OTHER THAN TO CONFIRM THAT BOTH MEN HAD RESIGNED.

10/3/2006

TWO PEOPLE WERE FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A MOTORCYCLE WRECK INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ON SATURDAY. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2:30 IN THE NORTHBOUND LANE OF NEWFOUND GAP ROAD, NEAR THE CHIMNEY TOPS TRAIL. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, GEORGE HEATON LOST CONTROL OF HIS HARLEY DAVIDSON AFTER THE BIKE’S LEFT FOOT PEG APPARENTLY MADE CONTACT WITH THE PAVEMENT. HEATON AND HIS WIFE MELINDA, WERE BOTH THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. GEORGE HEATON RECEIVED MASSIVE HEAD INJURIES AND IS STILL UNCONSCIOUS AND LISTED IN SERIOUS CONDITION. MELINDA HEATON RECEIVED SEVERAL FRACTURES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BODY. PARK RANGERS AND THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

10/2/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY HOME WAS DAMAGED BY A LIGHTNING STRIKE THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3:30 AT 313 WICK CLIFF COURT, IN THE ALLEN RIDGE ESTATES SUB DIVISION. ACCORDING TO SEVIER COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL FRED ATCHLEY, THE LIGHTNING HIT A NEARBY TREE, THEN TRAVELED ALONG AN UNDERGROUND GAS LINE TO A GAS METER ON THE SIDE OF THE HOME. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE DAMAGE WAS KEPT TO A MINIMUM BY A NEIGHBOR WHO FOUGHT THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THE GAS SUPPLY HAD TO BE CUT WHILE WORKERS REPLACED THE UNDERGROUND LINE AND METER. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

9/29/2006

A FIRE TUESDAY EVENING IN GATLINBURG SERIOUS DAMAGED A SKI MOUNTAIN HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 8:30 AT 1125 LOWER ALPINE ROAD. ACCORDING TO GATLINBURG FIRE CHIEF GREG PATTERSON, THE BLAZE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAULT IN A WATER HEATER THAT WAS IN THE BASEMENT OF THE HOME. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE LOWER STORY AND LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE GATLINBURG FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

9/28/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL HAVE NOW RELEASED THE NAMES OF TWO PEOPLE THAT WERE KILLED FOLLOWING A WRECK ON NEWPORT HIGHWAY TUESDAY AFTERNOON. THE DECEASED HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 21 YEAR OLD BRANDON FRANKLIN OF KODAK, WHO WAS DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE, AND HIS PASSENGER, 18 YEAR OLD JENILYN FRANKLIN, ALSO OF KODAK. THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK THAT HIS THE MOTORCYCLE, 43 YEAR OLD LARRY WILLIAMSON OF SEYMOUR HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE AND ONE COUNT OF DRIVING AS A HABITUAL MOTOR OFFENDER.

9/28/2006

TWO PEOPLE ARE DEAD FOLLOWING A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIER COUNTY TUESDAY AFTERNOON. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 4:30 ON NEWPORT HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH HATTIE BRANCH ROAD. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, THE COLLISION INVOLVED A MOTORCYCLE AND A TRUCK, BOTH OF WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK, 43 YEAR OLD LARRY WILLIAMSON OF SEYMOUR, ALLEGEDLY CROSSED THE CENTRE LINE AND HIT THE MOTORCYCLE HEAD-ON. THE MALE DRIVER OF THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. HIS FEMALE PASSENGER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE BUT DIED DURING SURGERY. THE NAMES OF THE DECEASED ARE BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF THE NEXT OF KIN. WILLIAMSON HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE AND ONE COUNT OF HABITUAL MOTOR OFFENDER. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL. OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL ARE INVESTIGATING. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND THE RESCUE SQUAD, ALSO RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

9/27/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE CITY OF SEVIERVILLE HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THE PORTION OF OLD KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY BETWEEN GIST’S CREEK ROAD AND EAGLES LANDING GOLF COURSE, WILL REOPEN TO TRAFFIC TOMORROW AFTERNOON. WEATHER PERMITTING, TWO LANES OF THE FUTURE FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WILL BE OPEN. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ROAD PROJECTS WITHIN THE CITY OF SEVIERVILLE, LOG ONTO: SEVIERVILLE TN DOT ORG.

9/26/2006

A KNOX COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN INDICTED ON A VEHICULAR HOMICIDE CHARGE IN THE DEATH OF A SEVIERVILLE WOMAN. APPARENTLY, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 64 YEAR OLD WILLIAM JEFFERY SWEET, CROSSED THE CENTRE LINE ON CARMICHAEL ROAD IN KNOXVILLE LAST DECEMBER, AND ALLEGEDLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 23 YEAR OLD ADAM FLYNN OF KNOXVILLE. THE COLLISION KILLED ERICA MANNING OF SEVIERVILLE WHO WAS A PASSENGER IN FLYNN’S CAR. THE ACCIDENT LEFT SWEET SEVERELY INJURED WITH POSSIBLY A PERMANENT BRAIN IMPAIRMENT. NO TRIAL DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

9/26/2006

THE TWO VICTIMS THAT WERE INJURED DURING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN SEVIERVILLE HAVE NOW BEEN IDENTIFIED. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 4:30 ON WEST MAIN STREET NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH CENTRE STREET. THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP TRUCK WAS 27 YEAR OLD DEBORAH GIBSON OF SEVIERVILLE. SHE AND HER PASSENGER, 16 YEAR OLD WILLIAM WILLIAMSON ALSO OF SEVIERVILLE, WERE BOTH FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE THEY WERE LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION.

9/26/2006

TWO PEOPLE WERE FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 4:30 ON WEST MAIN STREET NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH CENTRE STREET. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER JOHN BOSCO, THE UN-NAMED 27 YEAR OLD FEMALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HER FORD RANGER PICKUP TRUCK AND HIT SEVERAL TREES. PART OF WEST MAIN STREET WAS CLOSED FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE DRIVER AND HER 16 YEAR OLD JUVENILE PASSENGER WERE BOTH FLOWN TO UT WHERE THEIR CONDITIONS ARE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

9/25/2006

JUDGE GARY WADE WILL BE SWORN – IN AS A TENNESSEE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE TODAY ON THE LAWN AT THE SEVIER COUNTY COURTHOUSE. THE CEREMONY WHICH BEGINS AT 2 O CLOCK, WILL BE ATTENDED BY GOVERNOR PHIL BREDESEN AND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IN CASE OF RAIN, THE EVENT WILL MOVE TO THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

9/22/2006

THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES BASEBALL TEAM HAS SIGNED A TWO YEAR ASSOCIATION ALIGNMENT DEAL WITH THE CHICAGO CUBS ORGANIZATION. THE AGREEMENT ENDS THE SMOKIES TWO YEAR ASSOCIATION WITH THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS.

9/22/2006

A FIRE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME WEDNESDAY EVENING. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 5:30 AT 216 MARYVILLE HIGHWAY IN SEYMOUR. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FIRE APPARENTLY STARTED IN THE KITCHEN AREA OF THE HOME, WHICH BELONGS TO OSCAR JOHNSON. THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

9/21/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED A PARROTSVILLE TENNESSEE MAN IN CONNECTION WITH NUMEROUS CHARGES. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 22 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER BLACK HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BURGLARY, AGGRAVATED STALKING, FELONY VANDALISM, AND HARASSMENT. BLACK HAD APPARENTLY VIOLATED A NO CONTACT ORDER BETWEEN HIMSELF AND HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED BY A JUDGE, FOLLOWING A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGE AGAINST HIM EARLIER THIS YEAR. LAST MONDAY, BLACK ALLEGEDLY ENTERED HIS EX-GIRLFRIENDS RESIDENCE WITHOUT PERMISSION, ASSAULTED HER, DESTROYED PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND SEVERELY VANDALIZED HER CAR. BLACK IS CURRENTLY FREE AFTER POSTING A TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

9/20/2006

THREE PEOPLE WERE SHOT DEAD DURING A CONFRONTATION LAST NIGHT AT A DANDRIDGE BASEBALL COMPLEX. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED JUST BEFORE 10 O CLOCK AT FIELD OF DREAMS FACILITY ON U.S. HIGHWAY 25-70. THE NAMES OF THE THREE ADULT VICTIMS HAVE NOT YET BEEN RELEASED. A FOURTH FEMALE ADULT WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HER CONDITION IS NOT KNOW AT THIS TIME. APPARENTLY, ONE PERSON PULLED THE GUN FOLLOWING AN ARGUMENT AMONGST FANS WATCHING A BASEBALL GAME. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

9/19/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, INDIVIDUALS WANTING TO MARRY INSIDE THE PARK AND BUSINESSES THAT PUT TOGETHER WEDDING PACKAGES FOR WEDDINGS INSIDE THE PARK, WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A PERMIT. INDIVIDUALS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY FIFTY DOLLARS, BUSINESSES, INCLUDING WEDDING CHAPELS, WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A TWO HUNDRED DOLLAR APPLICATION FEE AND PAY TEN DOLLARS A MONTH DURING THE 24 MONTH LIFE OF THE PERMIT. THE NEW FEE’S WILL ALSO APPLY TO PEOPLE WANTING TO HAVE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN INSIDE THE PARK. PARK OFFICIALS STATED THAT THE NEW APPLICATION PROCESS WILL HELP THEM BALANCE THE INTERESTS OF PEOPLE PERFORMING WEDDING CEREMONIES, REGULAR PARK VISITORS, AND STAFF AND RESOURCE USE.

9/19/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN IS RECOVERING AFTER ALLEGEDLY BEING BEATEN WITH A POOL CUE. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3:30 MONDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE DOUG SHANKS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 68 YEAR OLD ROBERT HOLLAND OPENED THE DOOR OF HIS HOME ON CATE BYRD ROAD, JUST OFF EAST DUMPLIN VALLEY ROAD, AND WAS ATTACKED BY THE UNKNOWN ASSAILANT, WHO WAS APPARENTLY LOOKING FOR A MAN THAT HOLLAND DID NOT KNOW. THE VICTIM WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

9/19/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY THIS MORNING. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 1 AM IN THE NORTHBOUND LANES OF THE SPUR, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH KINGS BRANCH. THE UNNAMED 35 YEAR OLD MALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS JEEP AND HIT THE EMBANKMENT. THE EXTENT OF HIS INJURIES IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE PIGEON FORGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

9/18/2006

AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED ARMED ROBBERY THAT OCCURRED OVERNIGHT IN SEVIERVILLE. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT AT THE HOLLYWOOD VIDEO STORE ON HIGHWAY 66 NEAR STAPLES. EARLY REPORTS SUGGEST THAT TWO BLACK MALES WHO WERE BOTH BRANDISHING HANDGUNS, ENTERED THE BUSINESS JUST AS THE STORE WAS CLOSING. DURING THE ROBBERY, ONE OF THE MALE STORE CLERKS WAS ASSAULTED. LUCKILY, HIS INJURIES WERE NOT THOUGHT TO BE SERIOUS. THE TWO MEN THEN MADE THEIR ESCAPE IN A DARK COLORED SUV WITH AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF CASH. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 5506.

9/18/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE NOW ARRESTED A MAN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEATH OF A TEENAGER, WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND AT AN APARTMENT ON CROFFORD STREET IN APRIL. DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS CHARGED 44 YEAR OLD MELVIN GRAY BLAKE OF SEVIERVILLE WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER, IN THE DEATH OF 19 YEAR OLD BRITNEY MONIQUE FOSTER OF PIGEON FORGE. AN AUTOPSY REVEALED THAT FOSTER DIED OF A DRUG OVERDOSE AND OFFICIALS BELIEVE THAT BLAKE WAS THE PERSON THAT SUPPLIED AND ADMINISTERED THE LETHAL CONCOCTION. AUTHORITIES WHO HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR BLAKE SINCE APRIL, RECEIVED A CALL ON WEDNESDAY FROM AN EMPLOYEE AT THE SEVIERVILLE K-MART, ABOUT A SUSPICIOUS PERSON INSIDE THE STORE. WHEN OFFICERS ARRIVED THEY IDENTIFIED THE MAN AS BLAKE AND TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

9/15/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED THREE PEOPLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN ALLEGED ATTEMPTED ROBBERY AND ASSAULT. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE MIKE WATSON, ON AUGUST 31ST JUST BEFORE TEN O CLOCK, SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO A HOME ON NORTH ROGER ROAD IN SEYMOUR WHERE THEY FOUND A 69 YEAR OLD FEMALE THAT HAD BEEN BEATEN AFTER SHE ANSWERED HER FRONT DOOR. THE VICTIM HAD SEVERAL BROKEN RIBS, A BROKEN COLLARBONE, AND SEVERAL LACERATIONS TO HER FACE. FOLLOWING A LENGTHY INVESTIGATION, DETECTIVES ARRESTED 20 YEAR OLD JASON KEITH SEATON OF SEYMOUR, 19 YEAR OLD PAUL KEITH GALYON, ALSO OF SEYMOUR, AND A 15 YEAR OLD FEMALE JUVENILE. APPARENTLY, THE THREE SUSPECTS STATED THAT THERE INTENT WAS TO ROB THE VICTIM AND HER HUSBAND, BUT RAN FROM THE SCENE AFTER BEATING THE FEMALE AND HEARING HER HUSBAND COMING TO HER AID. ALL THREE WERE CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND AGGRAVATED ROBBERY. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

9/14/2006

A FIRE WEDNESDAY MORNING SERIOUSLY DAMAGED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9 AM AT A HOUSE IN THE 800 BLOCK OF GUFFY HOLLOW ROAD, JUST OFF ALLENSVILLE ROAD. ACCORDING TO LIEUTENANT GREG PARTON WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, EARLY INDICATIONS SUGGEST THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE SEVIER COUNTY AND NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

9/14/2006

A VISITOR FROM ALABAMA WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TUESDAY AFTERNOON JUST BEFORE 3 O CLOCK. ACCORDING TO CHIEF GREG PATTERSON WITH THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE UN-NAMED 42 YEAR OLD MALE WAS HIKING WITH HIS WIFE JUST OFF THE MOTOR NATURE TRAIL WHEN HE SLIPPED, FELL INTO A CREEK, AND HIT HIS HEAD ON A ROCK. THE VICTIM WAS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION AT U.T. THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PARK RANGERS RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

9/13/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS ARRESTED SUNDAY EVENING FOLLOWING A PURSUIT THAT BEGAN IN PIGEON FORGE. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT STEVE HELTON WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11 PM ON THE PARKWAY NEAR LIGHT NUMBER 10. APPARENTLY, PIGEON FORGE POLICE OFFICER LYNN MILLER TRIED TO STOP A CHEVY CAMARO THAT WAS ALLEGEDLY BEING DRIVEN ERRATICALLY. THE DRIVER REFUSED TO STOP AND HEADED TOWARDS THE SPUR. GATLINBURG OFFICERS WERE WAITING FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN IT ENTERED THEIR CITY AND EVENTUALLY MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR NEAR TRAFFIC LIGHT NUMBER ONE. 61 YEAR OLD RONNIE HARRISON GIBBS OF CAMP CREEK ROAD WAS CHARGED WITH EVADING ARREST, SEVERAL TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, RESISTING ARREST, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A HANDGUN AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

9/13/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN THE WEARS VALLEY AREA MONDAY AFTERNOON SENT TWO PEOPLE TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 5:30 AT THE INTERSECTION OF LYON SPRINGS ROAD AND MARION LAKE WAY. APPARENTLY, A HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE RIDDEN BY AN UN-NAMED MAN FROM INDIANA, COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY A LOCAL MAN. THE CONDITIONS OF BOTH VICTIMS IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE WEARS VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE. ANOTHER TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN SEVIERVILLE AT THE WEEKEND SENT A MOTORCYCLE RIDER TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THAT WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3:30 FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE PARKWAY AND APPLE VALLEY ROAD. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT KEN GARNER WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 61 YEAR OLD ROBERT BRYANT OF CINCINNATI WAS RIDING A HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 29 YEAR OLD BILLY HILTON OF SEVIERVILLE. BRYANT WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

9/12/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE MONDAY AFTERNOON AFTER HE FELL FROM A TREE. THE UN-NAMED 38 YEAR OLD MALE WAS APPARENTLY TRIMMING TREE LIMBS WHEN HE FELL APPROXIMATELY FORTY FEET, AND THEN ROLLED A FURTHER THIRTY FEET DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1:30 AT A HOME IN THE 600 BLOCK OF WILEY OAKLEY DRIVE. THE VICTIM IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

9/12/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING A ROBBERY THAT OCCURRED EARLY THIS MORNING AT THE HUDDLE HOUSE RESTAURANT ON EAST DUMPLIN VALLEY ROAD. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 2 AM. APPARENTLY, A BLACK MALE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN ARMED, ALLEGEDLY GRABBED SOME CASH FROM THE REGISTER. AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR A BLUE ASTRO VAN THAT WAS USED AS THE GET-A-WAY VEHICLE. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

9/12/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN IS DEAD AFTER BEING HIT BY A TRUCK WHILST HE SLEPT IN HIS HOME. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON JUST AFTER 6:30 PM. ACCORDING TO SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, 56 YEAR OLD EDWARD SMITH OF KODAK, ALLEGEDLY LOST CONTROL OF HIS TOYOTA TRUCK WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN THE FORTY ONE HUNDRED BLOCK OF NEWPORT HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND THEN HIT A HOUSE. THE HOME OWNER, 57 YEAR OLD CHUCK FINCHUM WAS ASLEEP ON THE SOFA ON THE ENCLOSED PORCH OF THE HOME. THE TRUCK STRUCK FINCHUM WHO WAS KILLED INSTANTLY. SMITH WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL IS INVESTIGATING AND CHARGES ARE POSSIBLE. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE ALSO RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

9/11/2006

A WRECK INVOLVING TWO MOTORCYCLES SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN SEVIERVILLE SENT TWO RIDERS TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 1:30 IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF HIGHWAY 66 IN FRONT OF VOLUNTEER CHEVROLET. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER RAY BROWN, THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS WERE TRAVELLING TOGETHER SIDE BY SIDE WHEN THEY COLLIDED. THE UNNAMED 51 YEAR OLD MALE RIDER OF ONE OF THE BIKES WHO IS FROM KNOXVILLE, WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WITH A HEAD INJURY. 57 YEAR OLD PATRICIA LEWIS OF KNOXVILLE WHO WAS A PASSENGER ON THE OTHER BIKE, WAS ALSO TRANSPORTED TO UT WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE NON LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

9/11/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY THIS MORNING SENT THE DRIVER TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE, AND THEN TO JAIL. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1:30 IN THE NORTHBOUND LANES OF THE SPUR NEAR THE PIGEON FORGE CITY LIMIT. APPARENTLY, THE UN-NAMED 36 YEAR OLD MALE DRIVER FROM FLORIDA, LOST CONTROL OF HIS AUDI AND FLIPPED IN ONTO IT’S TOP. AFTER BEING TREATED FOR MINOR INJURIES, THE DRIVER WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH DUI. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

9/8/2006

A SEVIERVILLE WOMAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THE STATUTORY RAPE OF A FOURTEEN YEAR OLD BOY. 22 YEAR OLD DIANE MICHELLE PARTON OF OLD MILL DRIVE, DID ALLEGEDLY ADMIT TO A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TEENAGER DURING THE SUMMER. PARTON WAS RELEASED ON TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

9/8/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ARE WARNING PARK VISITORS AND NEIGHBORS, THAT THEY ARE EXPECTING A HIGHER THAN NORMAL BEAR ACTIVITY THIS FALL. PARK WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST KIM DELOZIER EXPECTS BEARS TO BE ESPECIALLY ACTIVE AND PERSISTENT IN SEEKING FOOD, BECAUSE OF A COMBINATION OF LIMITED NATURAL FOOD SOURCES AND HIGHER BEAR NUMBERS THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. RESIDENTS, VISITORS, AND THOSE IN THE LODGING BUSINESS, ARE ENCOURAGED TO BE EXTRA VIGILANT WHEN PROTECTING THEIR FOOD AND GARBAGE FROM ATTRACTING BEARS. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL THE PARK SERVICE AT: 436 –1200.

9/8/2006

A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WEDNESDAY MORNING SENT TWO PEOPLE TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 10 AM ON LITTLE RIVER ROAD ABOUT A MILE WEST OF ELKMONT. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, 35 YEAR OLD JOHN FULLER OF TRINITY ALABAMA, LOST CONTROL OF HIS YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE AND SLID ALONG THE ROADWAY. FULLER SUFFERED SEVERE FACIAL INJURIES AND HIS WIFE, WHO WAS HIS PASSENGER, RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER LEFT LEG. PARK RANGERS AND THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

9/7/2006

A FIRE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3 O CLOCK IN THE EIGHT HUNDRED BLOCK OF CARTER STREET, IN THE EAGLES DEN SUBDIVISION OFF BOYD’S CREEK HIGHWAY IN SEYMOUR. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

9/7/2006

THE PI BETA PHI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN GATLINBURG HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A RECIPIENT OF THE 2006 “TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA NATIONAL AWARD.” THE SCHOOL WAS RECOGNIZED IN THE SCHOOL PROGRAM CATEGORY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROJECTS PERFORMED INSIDE THE PARK AND IN GATLINBURG. SCHOOL PRINCIPAL GLEN BOGART AND PARK SUPERINTENDENT DALE DITMANSON WILL TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON D.C. ON SEPTEMBER 14TH FOR THE AWARDS CEREMONY AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

9/6/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING A RASH OF BREAK-INS AND ATTEMPTED BREAK-INS THAT OCCURRED LAST NIGHT. THE BURGLARIES WERE REPORTED JUST AFTER 9:30 AT SEVERAL CABINS ON OLD MOUNTAIN ROAD IN THE CATON’S CHAPEL COMMUNITY. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 4668.

9/6/2006

A SEVIERVILLE WOMAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FILING A FALSE POLICE REPORT AFTER SHE SAID THAT HER EIGHT YEAR OLD SISTER WAS MISSING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED SUNDAY MORNING JUST AFTER 11 O CLOCK. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE TIM COULTER WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 19 YEAR OLD AMANDA NELSON TOLD AUTHORITIES THAT HER EIGHT YEAR OLD SISTER WAS MISSING FROM THE NEW HOPE CHURCH OF GOD. SEVERAL OFFICERS AND CHURCH MEMBERS SEARCHED THE AREA BEFORE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT NELSON DID NOT HAVE AN EIGHT YEAR OLD SISTER. SHE WAS CHARGED WITH A CLASS D FELONY. NELSON IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

9/5/2006

DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL AL SCHMUTZER JUNIOR HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A SUSPECT HAS NOW BEEN INDICTED IN THE MURDER OF KYM BLEVINS, WHO WAS FOUND DEAD AT HER JEFFERSON CITY DUPLEX IN AUGUST 2004. BLEVINS WORKED FOR SEVERAL YEARS AT A SEVIERVILLE TRAVEL AGENCY. 24 YEAR OLD MARCUS SHERAD FLOWERS OF KNOXVILLE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER, FELONY MURDER, AND ATTEMPTED RAPE. THE DEFENDANT IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED AT A FEDERAL PRISON IN BECKLEY WEST VIRGINIA. EXTRADITION ARRANGEMENTS ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.

9/1/2006

A FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING HAS DESTROYED A RESORT PAVILION AND A CAR THAT WAS PARKED BESIDE IT. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1:30 AT THE LITTLE VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESORT, JUST OFF LIGHTFOOT WAY IN THE WEARS VALLEY COMMUNITY. THE WOODEN STRUCTURE AND THE NISSAN THAT WAS PARKED BESIDE IT WERE BOTH DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE WALDEN’S CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

9/1/2006

A THREE VEHICLE WRECK WEDNESDAY MORNING IN SEVIER COUNTY SENT TWO PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 8 AM IN THE 3500 BLOCK OF BIRDS CREEK ROAD. APPARENTLY, 51 YEAR OLD WANDA HAYES LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE AND HIT A TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELLING IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. ANOTHER VEHICLE THEN STRUCK HER VAN IN THE REAR. HAYES WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE WRECKAGE OF HER VEHICLE FOR NEARLY AN HOUR BEFORE EVENTUALLY BEING FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE UN-NAMED DRIVER OF THE TRUCK WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH MINOR INJURIES. HAYES CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE CATON’S CHAPEL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND THE RESCUE SQUAD RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/31/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED TWO MEN WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO SELL A STOLEN WRECKER. DETECTIVE MATHEW CUBBERLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL C.I.D. AUTO THEFT DIVISION, SET UP THE UNDERCOVER PURCHASE ON TUESDAY IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE BASS PRO SHOP. THE 1999 CHEVY ROLLBACK WRECKER WAS REPORTED STOLEN IN MAY. THE TWO MEN SOLD THE VEHICLE TO AN UNDERCOVER OFFICER FOR SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS. 32 YEAR OLD JODY GIBSON AND 26 YEAR OLD JAMES GIBSON BOTH OF KNOXVILLE, WERE CHARGED WITH THEFT AND ARE CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND. BOTH WILL APPEAR IN COURT ON OCTOBER 6TH.

8/31/2006

THE BOYD’S BEAR COMPANY WILL BE CLOSING THEIR PIGEON FORGE RETAIL LOCATION ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 29TH. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE YESTERDAY BY BOB COCCOLUTO, CEO OF THE BOYD’S COLLECTION BASED IN GETTYSBURG PA. COCCOLUTO THANKED EVERYONE IN THE PIGEON FORGE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THEIR DEDICATED EMPLOYEE’S. THE CATES LANE BOYD’S LOCATION OPENED IN PIGEON FORGE IN NOVEMBER 2004 AND EMPLOYED 115 PEOPLE.

8/30/2006

TWO PEOPLE WERE FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE MONDAY AFTERNOON FOLLOWING A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN PITTMAN CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE FOUR O CLOCK ON HIGHWAY 321 NEAR THE PITTMAN CENTRE FIRE HALL. ACCORDING TO FIRE CHIEF ANTHONY CARR, THE REAR END COLLISION INVOLVED TWO TRUCKS. A 23 YEAR OLD MALE AND A 30 YEAR OLD MALE WERE BOTH FLOWN TO UT WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. THE TWO VICTIMS ARE BOTH FROM VIRGINIA BUT WERE APPARENTLY WORKING IN THE AREA. THE PITTMAN CENTRE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE PITTMAN CENTRE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE GATLINBURG AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/30/2006

A LIGHTNING STRIKE IN THE KODAK AREA EARLY THIS MORNING HAS DESTROYED OR DAMAGED SEVERAL MOBILE HOMES. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2 AM IN THE FOUR THOUSAND BLOCK OF BENT ROAD. OFFICIALS BELIEVE THAT A LIGHTNING STRIKE HIT ONE OF THE HOMES WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT APPEARS THAT THE BLAZE THEN SPREAD TO TWO NEARBY HOMES. EARLY INDICATIONS SUGGEST THAT ALL THREE HOMES WERE VACANT. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

8/29/2006

THE TRIAL OF JOHN WAYNE BLAIR HAS BEEN POSTPONED ONCE AGAIN. JUDGE REX HENRY OGLE HAS RESET THE TRIAL FOR JANUARY 23RD 2007. BLAIR IS ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS NEIGHBOR, 22 YEAR OLD KELLY SELLERS, AT HIS ENGLISH MOUNTAIN HOME IN APRIL OF 2005. THE CASE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SET FOR VARIOUS DATES, THE LAST ONE BEING DECEMBER 4TH. APPARENTLY THE TRIAL DATE WAS RESET AT THE REQUEST OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND BLAIR’S PUBLIC DEFENDER, NEITHER OF WHICH WANTED TO START THE TRIAL RIGHT BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

8/29/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK ON THE SPUR EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 1 AM IN THE NORTHBOUND LANES ABOUT A MILE FROM PIGEON FORGE. APPARENTLY, 24 YEAR OLD JOSH MCCARTER LOST CONTROL OF HIS TRUCK AND HIT A TREE. HE WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR. PARK RANGERS, THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, AND THE PIGEON FORGE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/28/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS ARRESTED EARLY SATURDAY MORNING FOLLOWING A HIGH SPEED PURSUIT THAT STARTED ON OLD NEWPORT HIGHWAY AND ENDED IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. APPARENTLY, SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY JASON MADISON, ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE DRIVER OF A VAN WHO RAN A RED LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF OLD NEWPORT AND NEWPORT HIGHWAY JUST BEFORE 3 AM. THE DRIVER, 34 YEAR OLD ROBIN GLEN ANGEL OF CONNER HEIGHTS ROAD, ALLEGEDLY REFUSED TO STOP AND TOOK AUTHORITIES ON A 25 MILE PURSUIT THAT AT TIMES REACHED NEAR ONE HUNDRED MILES PER HOUR. OFFICERS FROM COCKE AND JEFFERSON COUNTY ALSO JOINED THE PURSUIT, BEFORE ANGEL FINALLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. OFFICERS HAD TO PHYSICALLY REMOVE ANGEL FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER HE REFUSED TO EXIT THE VAN. HE WAS CHARGED WITH THIRD OFFENSE DUI, THREE COUNTS OF RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, VIOLATION OF THE IMPLIED CONSENT LAW, RESISTING ARREST, EVADING ARREST, DRUG POSSESSION AND FOR DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND AND WILL APPEAR IN COURT ON SEPTEMBER 29TH.

8/28/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE NOW IDENTIFIED A WOMAN THAT WAS KILLED DURING A WRECK ON WEST MAIN STREET EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. THE VICTIM WAS 27 YEAR OLD JO FORD OF SEVIERVILLE. SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. APPARENTLY, HER CAR CROSSED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE AND COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 33 YEAR OLD JEFFERY JOINER OF CLARKSVILLE TENNESSEE. JOINER AND HIS PASSENGERS WERE UNINJURED.

8/28/2006

ONE PERSON IS DEAD FOLLOWING A TWO VEHICLE WRECK EARLY THIS MORNING IN SEVIERVILLE. ACCORDING TO PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER BOB STAHLKE, THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3:30 ON WEST MAIN STREET NEAR FOOD LION. APPARENTLY A 28 YEAR OLD FEMALE DRIVING ONE OF THE VEHICLES WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IS BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING. THE SEVIERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/25/2006

TER – AGENCY COOPERATION BETWEEN THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, LED TO THE ARREST OF THREE PEOPLE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE INCIDENT BEGAN JUST AFTER 2:30 AT THE WORKSHOP TOOLS STORE BEHIND KNIFEWORKS. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER STEVE FORD, TWO MALE SUBJECTS AND ONE FEMALE WERE IN THE STORE AND HAD ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS WORTH OF TOOLS IN THEIR POSSESSION. 35 YEAR OLD SHANNON ARRIAGA OF KNOXVILLE, WAS ATTEMPTING TO WRITE A CHECK FOR THE TOOLS AND WAS ASKED FOR IDENTIFICATION. WHEN SHE WENT TO THE VEHICLE FOR HER I.D., SHE AND THE TWO MALES ALLEGEDLY LEFT THE STORE WITH THE TOOLS THAT HAD NOT BEEN PAID FOR. THE THREE THEN HEADED DOWN BOYD’S CREEK HIGHWAY TOWARDS SEYMOUR, BUT A SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY WAS ABLE TO INTERCEPT THEM NEAR THE DEERFIELD TRAILER PARK. THE DRIVER THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE AROUND AND HEADED BACK TOWARDS HIGHWAY 66 AND THE APPROACHING SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICERS. THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY STOPPED ABOUT A MILE FROM THE SEVIERVILLE CITY LIMITS. DETECTIVE DOUG SHANKS CHARGED ARRIAGA WITH FELONY FORGERY. ALSO CHARGED WERE 35 YEAR OLD DEREK PRICE AND 35 YEAR OLD WILLIAM LUNDSFORD, BOTH OF KNOXVILLE. BOTH MEN WERE CHARGED WITH THEFT OF PROPERTY AND BOTH ALSO HAD OUTSTANDING WARRANTS IN KNOX COUNTY. ALL THREE WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL FOR BOOKING.

8/24/2006

THE UNITED WAY OF SEVIER COUNTY HAS SET A CAMPAIGN GOAL OF ONE MILLION DOLLARS FOR 2006. ACCORDING TO ELAINE DELOZIER, THE GOAL WOULD REPRESENT A TEN POINT FIVE PERCENT INCREASE OVER LAST YEARS TOTAL OF JUST OVER 905 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE UNITED WAY OF SEVIER COUNTY FINANCIALLY SUPPORTS 28 LOCAL NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

8/24/2006

A DANDRIDGE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A CLEMSON UNIVERSITY STUDENT AND RAPING A SEVIERVILLE WOMAN, WILL FACE THE DEATH PENALTY IF HE IS FOUND GUILTY. PROSECUTORS IN SOUTH CAROLINA MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY. JERRY BUCK INMAN ALLEGEDLY RAPED AND MURDERED 20 YEAR OLD TIFFANY SOWERS ON MAY 26TH NEAR HER OFF – CAMPUS APARTMENT. INMAN IS ALSO ACCUSED OF RAPING A 28 YEAR OLD WOMAN AT HER HOME IN THE BELLE MEADOWS SUBDIVISION ON MAY 22ND. A TRIAL DATE IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA CASE HAS YET TO BE SCHEDULED.

8/23/2006

A MUDSLIDE TUESDAY MORNING DAMAGED PART OF THE WESTGATE RESORT IN GATLINBURG. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9:30 AM AT THE 70 ACRE RESORT JUST OFF WILEY OAKLEY DRIVE. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT ONE FAMILY WAS FORCED TO RELOCATE AND AT LEAST ONE CABIN WAS DAMAGED. CLEAN UP EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY.

8/23/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY EDUCATOR HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR. JERRY WEAR IS ONE OF NINE FINALISTS NOMINATED BY THE STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED DURING THE ANNUAL EDUCATION LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE BANQUET IN OCTOBER.

8/23/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF A FIRE THAT DESTROYED A HOUSE EARLY THIS MORNING. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 12:30 AT A HOME IN THE FOURTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF RUSSELL HOLLOW ROAD, JUST OFF JONES COVE ROAD. THE SAME PROPERTY HAD ALREADY BEEN DAMAGED BY A FIRE THAT OCCURRED SATURDAY NIGHT. THE HOME WAS VACANT AT THE TIME OF THE BLAZE. SEVIER COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL FRED ATCHLEY IS INVESTIGATING. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE ENGLISH MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

8/22/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED A MORRISTOWN MAN FRIDAY EVENING, AFTER HE DROVE THE WRONG WAY ON INTERSTATE FORTY AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7 O CLOCK NEAR MILE MARKER 402. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER STEVE FORD, 30 YEAR OLD SOLOMON PEREZ AQUINO, ALLEGEDLY FORCED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL WHILST TRYING TO AVOID AQUINO’S TRUCK. OFFICER CHRIS CARTER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE NEAR MILE MARKER 412. AQUINO WAS CHARGED WITH DUI, LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT, AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

8/21/2006

A FIRE DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE ONE AM AT A CABIN IN THE 300 BLOCK OF SAINT ANDREWS WAY IN COBBLY NOB. FIREFIGHTERS HAD PREVIOUSLY RESPONDED TO A CALL AT THE SAME LOCATION FRIDAY EVENING TO EXTINGUISH A SMALL FIRE AND TURN OFF THE ELECTRICITY. THE HOME WAS VACANT AT THE TIME OF THE BLAZE AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE PITTMAN CENTRE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

8/21/2006

A SEVIERVILLE WOMAN IS HALF A MILLION DOLLARS RICHER AFTER SHE STOPPED FOR GAS IN ACWORTH GEORGIA, AND PURCHASED A LOTTERY SCRATCH – OFF TICKET. 41 YEAR OLD ANGELA HALL BOUGHT THE JUMBO JUMBO BUCKS GAME TICKET BECAUSE SHE LIKED THE COLORS ON IT. HALL, WHO MANAGES A CONVENIENCE STORE IN SEVIERVILLE, WAS ON HER WAY TO FLORIDA. SHE PLANS TO BUY A NEW HOME AND PAY OFF SOME BILLS.

8/21/2006

A FIRE THURSDAY AFTERNOON DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2 O CLOCK AT 2159 WALNUT GROVE ROAD NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH CIRCLE SEE WAY. ALTHOUGH THE HOME WAS A LOSS,, LUCKILY NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

8/18/2006

THE BODY OF A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS FOUND THURSDAY EVENING JUST OFF WILHITE ROAD. THE DISCOVERY WAS MADE JUST BEFORE 5:30 NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH JONES COVE. APPARENTLY, A MOTORCYCLE WAS SPOTTED IN A WOODED AREA BESIDE THE ROADWAY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE BODY OF 24 YEAR OLD WILLIAM HURST WAS DISCOVERED ABOUT THIRTY FEET FROM THE BIKE. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THAT THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE HAPPENED THREE OR FOUR DAYS AGO. THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL IS INVESTIGATING. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE ENGLISH MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT ALSO RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

8/18/2006

A VISITOR TO THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A FALL LATE THURSDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, 30 YEAR OLD MIKE PARKER OF MONROE MICHIGAN WAS VISITING THE PARK WITH FAMILY WHEN THEY DECIDED TO STOP AT THE CHIMNEY’S PARKING LOT OVERLOOK JUST BEFORE NOON. APPARENTLY, PARKER LOST HIS FOOTING, SLID ABOUT 15 FEET DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, AND THEN FELL AN ADDITIONAL 15 FEET OF THE SIDE OF A LEDGE. PARK RANGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM, TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR TO RESCUE PARKER WHO HAD SUSTAINED A SEVERE LACERATION TO HIS KNEE. HE WAS TREATED AT FORT SANDERS SEVIER AND LATER RELEASED.

8/18/2006

A FIRE DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT AT A MOBILE HOME IN THE FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF ALLENSVILLE ACRES. APPARENTLY, THE HOME WAS FULLY ENGULFED WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE BUT LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE

8/17/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED FOUR JUVENILES IN CONNECTION WITH A RECENT RASH OF VEHICLE BURGLARIES. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, THE BREAK-INS OCCURRED SUNDAY AND MONDAY AT THE DEERFIELD PARK TRAILER COMMUNITY JUST OFF BOYD’S CREEK ROAD. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT MIKE HODGES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, A TWELVE YEAR OLD, TWO FOURTEEN YEAR OLDS, AND A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD, WERE ALL CHARGED WITH EIGHT COUNTS OF THEFT OF PROPERTY. THE JUVENILES WERE ALLEGEDLY IN POSSESSION OF THE STOLEN STEREO AND SPEAKER EQUIPMENT. THEY WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE SEVIER COUNTY JUVENILE FACILITY FOR BOOKING.

8/17/2006

THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOW IDENTIFIED THE MAN THAT WAS ARRESTED LATE FRIDAY AND CHARGED WITH THE ILLEGAL DISPOSAL OF BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE. 59 YEAR OLD STEPHEN ADAMS OF STRAWBERRY PLAINS WAS ARRESTED BY SERGEANT KEN GARNER AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY DUMPED ABOUT 500 POUNDS OF USED SYRINGES, URINE, MEDICAL BAGS AND SOME MEDICAL RECORDS IN A DUMPSTER ON WEST DUMPLIN VALLEY ROAD. ADAMS WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH THE POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON AFTER A RIFLE WAS DISCOVERED INSIDE HIS TRUCK. NO WORD YET ON WHERE THE MEDICAL WASTE CAME FROM. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

8/16/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED A MAN THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT MONDAY EVENING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 6:30 ON WEST DUMPLIN VALLEY ROAD NEAR THE COMFORT INN. ACCORDING TO AN EYEWITNESS, 20 YEAR OLD DONAVAN DAVIS OF KODAK WAS RIDING A BICYCLE WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY A TRUCK. THE TRUCK DRIVER CONTINUED WITHOUT STOPPING ONTO WINNFIELD DUNN PARKWAY. THE WITNESS FOLLOWED THE TRUCK AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER AT A CAR DEALERSHIP. THE TRUCK DRIVER THEN RETURNED TO THE ACCIDENT SCENE UNTIL A POLICE OFFICER ARRIVED. SEVIERVILLE POLICE SERGEANT ROBBIE BALL CHARGED 46 YEAR OLD CHARLES WILLIAMS OF KODAK WITH LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT AND FOR DRIVING ON A REVOKED LICENSE. DAVIS WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST MARY’S HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/16/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY MORNING SENT THE DRIVER TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS DISCOVERED JUST AFTER 4 AM BY A SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY IN THE TWELVE THOUSAND BLOCK OF CHAPMAN HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH SOUTH SHILOH ROAD. THE UN-IDENTIFIED MALE WHO WAS DRIVING A WHITE DODGE, WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. A TWO VEHICLE WRECK MONDAY AFTERNOON SENT TWO PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER ONE O CLOCK AT THE INTERSECTION OF CHAPMAN HIGHWAY AND WEST MACON LANE IN SEYMOUR. APPARENTLY, THE UN-NAMED DRIVER OF A 1995 FORD, COLLIDED WITH A MOTORCYCLE. THE EXTENT OF THE VICTIMS INJURIES IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/15/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN WAS ARRESTED OVER THE WEEKEND FOLLOWING A FOUR HOUR ROBBERY SPREE IN KNOXVILLE. 33 YEAR OLD KEITH JOSEPH MCGOVERN WAS CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED ROBBERY, ASSAULT, AND FELONY FLEEING. MCGOVERN ALLEGEDLY GRABBED CASH FROM THE REGISTER AT A FAST FOOD STORE ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY, AND AT GAS STATIONS ON MAGNOLIA AVENUE, WESTERN AVENUE AND ON NORTH BROADWAY. MCGOVERN IS ALSO ACCUSED OF USING HIS VEHICLE TO KNOCK OVER A WITNESS, WHILST MAKING HIS ESCAPE FROM THE NORTH BROADWAY ROBBERY. OFFICIALS SPOTTED MCGOVERN’S SILVER HYUNDAI NEAR WASHINGTON PIKE, AND FOLLOWING A SHORT CAR CHASE, TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

8/15/2006

THE SEVIERVILLE WAL-MART STORE WAS EVACUATED SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOLLOWING AN ANONYMOUS TELEPHONE BOMB THREAT. JUST BEFORE 5 O CLOCK, THE CALLER TOLD A STORE EMPLOYEE THAT THE EXPLOSIVE DEVICE HAD BEEN PLACED IN ONE OF THE BATHROOMS. THE STORE WAS EVACUATED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHILE A SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT BOMB SNIFFING K9 SEARCHED THE BUILDING. OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING. IF CAUGHT, THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE COULD FACE UP TO FIFTEEN YEARS IN JAIL.

8/14/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE CHARGED A MAN WITH THE ILLEGAL DISPOSAL OF APPROXIMATELY FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS OF MEDICAL WASTE. THE DISCOVERY WAS MADE FRIDAY EVENING IN A DUMPSTER AT THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS CRAFT FAIR ON WEST DUMPLIN VALLEY ROAD. ACCORDING TO PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER BOB STAHLKE, THE WASTE INCLUDED USED SYRINGES, URINE, AND SOME MEDICAL RECORDS. THE SUSPECT WAS CHARGED ON SATURDAY BUT AUTHORITIES ARE NOT RELEASING HIS NAME BECAUSE OF THE ON-GOING INVESTIGATION. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

8/14/2006

AN OBSERVANT OFF DUTY PIGEON FORGE POLICE OFFICER HELPED OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARREST A SUSPECTED DRUNK DRIVER. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TUESDAY AFTERNOON JUST BEFORE 4 O CLOCK IN THE WESTBOUND LANES OF INTERSTATE FORTY NEAR EXIT 407. APPARENTLY, PIGEON FORGE OFFICER JAMES BERGADO CALLED DISPATCHERS TO REPORT THAT A VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ERRATICALLY AND HAD ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. WHILE SEVIERVILLE OFFICER PAUL LAYMAN WAS EN ROUTE TO THE AREA, OFFICER BERGADO WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN LAYMAN ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, HE ARRESTED 52 YEAR OLD MICHAEL KING OF KINGSPORT AND CHARGED HIM WITH DUI AND VIOLATION OF THE IMPLIED CONSENT LAW.

8/11/2006

ONE MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK LAST NIGHT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 6 O CLOCK ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY NEAR THE WYE. APPARENTLY, HAROLD MCCARTER JUNIOR OF SEYMOUR, LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND ENDED UP DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/11/2006

A BIZARRE INCIDENT IN PIGEON FORGE WEDNESDAY MORNING RESULTED IN A FEMALE VISITOR BEING FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11 O CLOCK IN THE 3500 BLOCK OF THE PARKWAY NEAR POP’S CATFISH. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT STEVE HELTON WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE VICTIM APPARENTLY DECIDED TO JUMP FROM A VAN THAT WAS TRAVELLING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR. ACCORDING TO EYE WITNESSES, 34 YEAR OLD JENNIFER MARIE PATTERSON OF NORTHFIELD NEW JERSEY, OPENED THE REAR DOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND JUMPED. SHE RECEIVED A MASSIVE HEAD TRAUMA AND IS CURRENTLY LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. THE INCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

8/10/2006

A THREE VEHICLE WRECK ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT SENT TWO PEOPLE TO LOCAL HOSPITALS. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH SUGARLOAF ROAD. APPARENTLY, A UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER FROM SEVIER COUNTY WAS TRANSPORTED TO UT WITH A HEAD INJURY. THE OTHER INJURY OCCURRED WHEN CONSTABLE JACKIE GALYON WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DIRECTING TRAFFIC AT THE SCENE. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH MINOR INJURIES. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/10/2006

A KNOXVILLE MAN PLED GUILTY YESTERDAY TO MOLESTING A NINE YEAR OLD GIRL AT A PIGEON FORGE MOTEL LAST JULY. 34 YEAR OLD CHARLES CHRISTOPHER WHITE DECIDED TO ADMIT TO THE CRIME, MOMENTS BEFORE HIS TRIAL WAS DUE TO BEGIN. JUDGE RICHARD VANCE HAS SCHEDULED HIS SENTENCING DATE FOR OCTOBER 4TH. WHITE WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED SEXUAL BATTERY, FACES UP TO 12 YEARS IN JAIL.

8/10/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GATLINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A SEVIER COUNTY MAN. APPARENTLY, PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED TO THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN BREWERY JUST AFTER 6:30 TUESDAY EVENING, AFTER THE UN-NAMED MALE VICTIM WHO WAS EMPLOYED BY THE RESTAURANT, DROPPED DEAD. OFFICIALS ARE AWAITING THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

8/10/2006

A FORMER SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY WHO PLED GUILTY IN MAY TO THEFT OF PROPERTY, WAS SENTENCED YESTERDAY. DOUG TRENTHAM WAS SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS OF SUPERVISED PROBATION FOR THE AGGRAVATED BURGLARY CHARGE, EIGHTEEN MONTH’S PROBATION ON A CHARGE OF THEFT OF PROPERTY, AND ORDERED TO SERVE THREE HUNDRED HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. JUDGE RICHARD VANCE ALSO ORDERED THAT THE SENTENCE STAY ON TRENTHAM’S CRIMINAL RECORD. TRENTHAM ADMITTED TO STEALING SEVERAL ITEMS FROM THE HOME OF JOHN WAYNE BLAIR DURING A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION. BLAIR ALLEGEDLY MURDERED 23 YEAR OLD KELLY SELLERS AT HIS ENGLISH MOUNTAIN HOME IN APRIL 2005.

8/9/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN GATLINBURG SUNDAY NIGHT HAS CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A LOUISIANA WOMAN. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER TEN O CLOCK ON WILEY OAKLEY DRIVE NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH SKI MOUNTAIN ROAD. APPARENTLY THE DRIVER OF A FORD PICKUP TRUCK, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ROLLED IT ONTO IT’S TOP. THE FEMALE PASSENGER WAS APPARENTLY PINNED UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND DIED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE VICTIM WAS IDENTIFIED AS 25 YEAR OLD RACHEL LAMPIASI. THE DRIVER, 42 YEAR OLD MARK OSTARLY ALSO OF LOUISIANA, SUSTAINED JUST MINOR INJURIES. THE GATLINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/8/2006

A CONSTRUCTION WORKER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A FALL MONDAY AFTERNOON IN GATLINBURG. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3 O CLOCK ON WALLACE LANE, JUST OFF BASKIN’S CREEK ROAD. ACCORDING TO LIEUTENANT VICKI MCCARTER WITH THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE UN-NAMED MALE VICTIM FELL APPROXIMATELY TWENTY FEET FROM THE SECOND STORY OF A CONDOMINIUM THAT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. HE WAS FLOWN TO UT WITH A HEAD INJURY AND A POSSIBLE BROKEN LEG. THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

8/8/2006

ADVANCE TICKETS FOR THIS YEAR’S SEVIER COUNTY FAIR GO ON SALE TODAY. THE REGULAR ADULT PRICE FOR ADMISSION AND UNLIMITED RIDES IN TWENTY ONE DOLLARS AT THE GATE, BUT PURCHASERS WILL SAVE SIX DOLLARS PER TICKET AND PAY ONLY FIFTEEN DOLLARS IF TICKETS ARE PURCHASED BEFORE AUGUST 25TH. ADVANCE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT ANY BOY’S AND GIRLS CLUB IN SEVIER COUNTY, ALL STOP AND SAVE CONVENIENCE STORE LOCATIONS, OR AT ANY BRANCH OF CITIZEN’S NATIONAL BANK, SEVIER COUNTY BANK OR TENNESSEE STATE BANK. A PORTION OF THE ADVANCE TICKET SALES WILL BENEFIT THE BOY’S AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY FAIR OFFICE AT: 453 – 0770.

8/7/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 12:30 ON DUPONT ROAD, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH ALPINE ROAD IN SEYMOUR. APPARENTLY, 78 YEAR OLD ROY ADAMS LOST CONTROL OF HIS PICKUP TRUCK WHILST NEGOTIATING A SHARP CURVE. HIS VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND OVERTURNED. ADAMS DIED FROM INJURIES THAT HIS SUSTAINED TO HIS HEAD AND CHEST AREA. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK. ANOTHER TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN SEVIER COUNTY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A MOTORCYCLE RIDER. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2 AM ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY NEAR BOB HOLLOW ROAD. APPARENTLY, 23 YEAR OLD JAMES COLEMAN OF SEYMOUR, RAN INTO THE BACK OF A PICKUP TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 19 YEAR OLD DUSTIN MCNALLY OF MARYVILLE. HE AND HIS PASSENGER, 17 YEAR OLD AMBER PICKENS OF SEVIERVILLE, WERE BOTH UNINJURED. COLEMAN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/7/2006

A SEVIERVILLE WOMAN WAS SERIOUS INJURED TUESDAY NIGHT, AFTER SHE WAS HIT BY A BOAT PROPELLER ON DOUGLAS LAKE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 6:30 NEAR COWBOY’S RESTAURANT. 51 YEAR OLD CAROL ANN PANZERA WAS SITTING ON THE FRONT OF A SKI BOAT BEING DRIVEN BY 40 YEAR OLD ERIC SPILLMAN OF SEVIERVILLE. APPARENTLY SPILLMAN WHO WAS TOWING A SKIER, MADE A SHARP TURN, CAUSING PANZERA TO FALL INTO THE LAKE. SHE WAS THEN INJURED BY THE BOAT PROPELLER AND RECEIVED NUMEROUS LACERATIONS. PANZERA WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. SPILLMAN WAS CHARGED BY TWRA OFFICERS WITH ESPECIALLY RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT AND NEGLIGENT OPERATION.

8/4/2006

ALTHOUGH VOTER TURNOUT WAS LIGHT YESTERDAY, THERE WERE NO SURPRISES IN THE SEVIER COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION OR STATE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES. ONLY NINE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND THIRTY REGISTERED VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOT. ALL REPUBLICAN NOMINEES WON THEIR SEATS IN THE FIVE CONTESTED COUNTY COMMISSION RACES. INCUMBENT SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY AND REGISTER OF DEEDS SHERRY ROBERTSON HUSKEY BOTH WON BY LANDSLIDES, AND LARRY WATERS TOOK ABOUT SEVENTY PERCENT OF THE COUNTY MAYOR VOTE, BUT ONLY ABOUT 61% OF THE VOTE FOR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE ELECTION RESULTS ARE UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED NEXT WEEK.

8/4/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT IN CHATTANOOGA SUNDAY NIGHT. APPARENTLY 45 YEAR OLD MONTGOMERY ELROD HOLMES WAS HIT BY A MINIVAN WHILST TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY HIGHWAY. HE HAD BEEN IN CRITICAL CONDITION SINCE THE ACCIDENT AT ERLANGER HOSPITAL, BUT PASSED AWAY TUESDAY NIGHT WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE TO WITHDRAW LIFE SUPPORT. HOLMES WAS IDENTIFIED THROUGH HIS FINGERPRINTS. NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST THE DRIVER.

8/3/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SENT TWO PEOPLE TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 4:30 IN THE SEVENTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF EAST UNION VALLEY ROAD, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH DINKINS ROAD. APPARENTLY, 18 YEAR OLD WILLIAM DAVIS LOST CONTROL OF HIS TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK AND ENDED UP DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. DAVIS AND HIS UN-NAMED PASSENGER WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO UT WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/3/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK TUESDAY AFTERNOON IN SEVIERVILLE SENT BOTH DRIVERS TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 12 NOON AT THE INTERSECTION OF COLLIER DRIVE AND RIDGE ROAD. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER MIKE ISRAEL, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 53 YEAR OLD SHIRLEY MEE-HAH OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 34 YEAR OLD ELIZABETH MCCLAIN OF CHURCHILL. MEE-HAH WAS CITED FOR FAILURE TO YIELD. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK. ANOTHER TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN PIGEON FORGE ALSO SENT TWO PEOPLE TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 2 O CLOCK AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE PARKWAY AND JAKE THOMAS ROAD. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN DENNIS ADAMS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 41 YEAR OLD DEBORAH JARMAN OF KODAK, COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 41 YEAR OLD DAVID NEWMAN OF INDIANA. JARMAN AND A PASSENGER IN NEWMAN’S VEHICLE, 45 YEAR OLD SALLY NEWMAN, WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER. JARMAN WAS CITED FOR FAILURE TO OBEY A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND BOTH DAVID AND SALLY NEWMAN WERE CITED FOR NOT WEARING SEATBELTS. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

8/2/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING A STRONG ARMED ROBBERY THAT ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED MONDAY EVENING AT AN EASTGATE ROAD BUSINESS. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE CHIEF DON MYERS, OFFICER PRESTON PARRISH RESPONDED TO HENDERSON’S PRODUCE JUST AFTER 5 O CLOCK AND OBSERVED TWO PEOPLE FIGHTING IN THE PARKING LOT. APPARENTLY, 20 YEAR OLD ADAM SPURGEON OF SEVIERVILLE WAS FIGHTING WITH AN EMPLOYEE OF THE STORE. SPURGEON WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH ROBBERY BASED ON EYE WITNESS REPORTS. TWO OTHER INDIVIDUALS FLED THE SCENE BUT WERE APPREHENDED MINUTES LATER. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES COULD BE FILED. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH AT: 453 – 5506.

8/2/2006

A FIRE DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2 O CLOCK IN THE EIGHTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF R.L. WILLIAMS WAY, JUST OFF KINGS BRANCH. ALTHOUGH THE HOME WAS A COMPLETE LOSS, LUCKILY NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE PIGEON FORGE AND GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT’S RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

8/1/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A BURGLARY IN PROCESS MONDAY AFTERNOON, AND CAUGHT ONE OF THE SUSPECTS RED HANDED. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 4:30 AT 419 WEST MILL CREEK ROAD, JUST OFF CONNER HEIGHTS ROAD. OFFICERS APPREHENDED 55 YEAR OLD JAMES JOHNSON OF KNOXVILLE AT THE SCENE AND SEIZED A VEHICLE. A SEARCH WAS ALSO INITIATED AT THE SCENE FOR ANOTHER SUBJECT THAT MAY HAVE FLED ON FOOT, BUT AN ACCOMPLICE WAS NEVER FOUND. JOHNSON WAS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BURGLARY AND BOOKED ON A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. HE WILL BE ARRAIGNED ON AUGUST 25TH. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

8/1/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE NOW RELEASED THE NAMES OF TWO MEN THAT WERE ARRESTED FOLLOWING A VEHICLE PURSUIT LATE SUNDAY EVENING. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE CHIEF DON MYERS, OFFICERS WERE LOOKING FOR 34 YEAR OLD DENNIS TRENTHAM, WHO WAS WANTED ON A THEFT WARRANT. SERGEANT T.C. FAULCONER SPOTTED TRENTHAM JUST AFTER 11 O CLOCK ON EARNEST MCMAHAN ROAD, RIDING AS A PASSENGER IN A CHEVY IMPALA. WHEN HE TRIED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, THE PURSUIT BEGAN. THE DRIVER LED OFFICERS ALONG MIDDLE CREEK ROAD INTO PIGEON FORGE, DOWN TEASTER LANE, ACROSS THE PARKWAY AND ONTO SAND PLANT ROAD WHICH IS A DEAD END STREET. AT THAT POINT, THE DRIVER RAMMED A PIGEON FORGE CRUISER BEING DRIVEN BY OFFICER GARY OTT, AND CONTINUED ONTO WEARS VALLEY ROAD. HE RAMMED THE CRUISER A SECOND TIME BEFORE FINALLY LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WRECKING NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH HENDERSON SPRINGS ROAD. THE DRIVER WAS IDENTIFIED AS 44 YEAR OLD HAROLD MILLER JUNIOR OF SEVIERVILLE. MILLER WAS CHARGED WITH EVADING ARREST, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, RECKLESS DRIVING, POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, AND DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE. TRENTHAM WAS ALSO ARRESTED ON THE OUTSTANDING WARRANT. LUCKILY, PIGEON FORGE POLICE OFFICER GARY OTT WAS NOT INJURED.

8/1/2006

TWO SEVIER COUNTY MEN WERE ARRESTED LAST NIGHT FOLLOWING A PURSUIT THAT BEGAN IN SEVIERVILLE AND ENDED IN PIGEON FORGE AFTER A POLICE CRUISER WAS RAMMED. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11 WHEN SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICERS ATTEMPTED TO STOP A VEHICLE ON EARNEST MCMAHAN ROAD. THE DRIVER REFUSED TO STOP THE CAR AND LED OFFICERS ALONG MIDDLE CREEK ROAD INTO PIGEON FORGE, DOWN TEASTER LANE, ACROSS THE PARKWAY AND ONTO SAND PLANT ROAD WHICH IS A DEAD END STREET. AT THAT POINT, THE DRIVER RAMMED A PIGEON FORGE CRUISER, AND CONTINUED ONTO WEARS VALLEY ROAD. HE RAMMED THE CRUISER A SECOND TIME BEFORE FINALLY LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WRECKING NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH HENDERSON SPRINGS ROAD. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

7/31/2006

A VISITOR TO SEVIER COUNTY WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE FRIDAY AFTERNOON, AFTER BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 6:30 AT THE SMOKY BEAR CAMPGROUND ON HIGHWAY 321 IN THE PITTMAN CENTRE AREA. THE UN-IDENTIFIED MALE VICTIM WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS FOR A SHORT TIME BEFORE MEDICS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE PITTMAN CENTRE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

7/31/2006

A FORMER SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER WAS SENTENCED YESTERDAY, TO SIX MONTHS IN JAIL FOLLOWED BY TWELVE MONTHS OF SUPERVISED PROBATION, AFTER SHE PLED GUILTY TO THE STATUTORY RAPE OF A 16 YEAR OLD FORMER STUDENT. 33 YEAR OLD KRISTI OAKES WAS ALSO ORDERED TO REGISTER WITH THE SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRY, RECEIVE COUNSELING WHILE ON PROBATION, AND PAY ALL COURT COSTS. OAKES IS SCHEDULED TO REPORT TO PRISON ON AUGUST 27TH.

7/28/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING A RASH OF BURGLARIES THAT HAPPENED EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. THE BREAK-INS WERE REPORTED JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT AT SEVERAL CABINS IN THE BOOGERTOWN ROAD AND SILVER POPLAR ROAD AREA’S. THE THIEVES GOT AWAY WITH SEVERAL PERSONAL ITEMS FROM TWO CABINS, AND VIRTUALLY CLEANED ANOTHER ONE OUT. DETECTIVES BELIEVE THAT THE SUSPECTS MAY HAVE BEEN DRIVING A WHITE LATE MODEL PICKUP TRUCK. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AT: 453 - 4668.

7/28/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN PIGEON FORGE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SENT ONE PERSON TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3 O CLOCK AT THE INTERSECTION OF OGLE DRIVE AND THE PARKWAY. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN DENNIS ADAMS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, A VAN BEING DRIVEN BY 17 YEAR OLD JONATHAN HARRELL OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 21 YEAR OLD JOSHUA BREAUX OF LOUISIANA. HIS PASSENGER, 41 YEAR OLD TIMOTHY SEIBERT, ALSO OF LOUISIANA, WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES. HARRELL WAS CITED FOR FAILURE TO YIELD. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

7/27/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A WRECK IN PIGEON FORGE MONDAY NIGHT, BUT AUTHORITIES DO NOT BELIEVE IT WAS THE ACCIDENT THAT KILLED HIM. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 8 O CLOCK ON THE NEW MIDDLE CREEK ROAD NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH JAY-EL ROAD. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN DENNIS ADAMS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 64 YEAR OLD BARRY C. WILLIAMS OF SEVIERVILLE, LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND ENDED UP DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THAT WILLIAMS MAY HAVE LOST CONTROL OF HIS TRUCK FOLLOWING A HEART ATTACK OR OTHER SIMILAR MEDICAL CONDITION. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

7/26/2006

TICKETS TO SEE THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND AT THIS YEARS SEVIER COUNTY FAIR GO ON SALE THIS SATURDAY AT 9 AM. RESERVED SEATING FOR THE SHOW ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH ARE TWENTY DOLLARS AND AVAILABLE BY CALLING TICKETS UNLIMITED AT: 656 – 4444. TICKETS MAY ALSO BE PURCHASED AT SMOKIES STADIUM, CAT’S MUSIC, OR AT THE RHYTHM SECTION, OR ONLINE AT: KNOXVILLE TICKETS DOT COM.

7/26/2006

A SEVIERVILLE TEENAGER WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT AFTER ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING AND KILLING A PEACOCK AT THE LIL PONDEROSA RIDING STABLES ON LITTLE COVE ROAD. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, DISPATCHERS WERE ADVISED OF SHOTS BEING FIRED AT SEVERAL ANIMALS JUST AFTER 7 O CLOCK. THE WITNESS WAS ALSO ABLE TO PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUSPECTS VEHICLE. PIGEON FORGE POLICE OFFICERS STOPPED THE GOLD COLORED SUV ON DOLLYWOOD LANE AND THE OCCUPANTS WERE HANDED OVER TO SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS. DEPUTIES STUART REAGAN AND LESLIE FRANKLIN DISCOVERED THAT THE OWNER OF THE RIDING STABLE HAD ALSO FOLLOWED THE SUSPECT VEHICLE AFTER OBSERVING ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS SHOOT THE PEACOCK THAT BELONGED TO HIM. 18 YEAR OLD CHRIS FERNANDEZ WAS ARRESTED FOR KILLING THE PEACOCK AND CHARGED WITH THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT. DEPUTIES ALSO CONFISCATED A .38 CALIBER PISTOL. ADDITIONAL CHARGES ARE ALSO EXPECTED.

7/25/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY MONDAY MORNING SENT THE DRIVER TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 6 AM ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH SHILOH CHURCH ROAD. APPARENTLY, JESSICA KELLY OF SEVIER COUNTY, LOST CONTROL OF HER CHEVY AND ENDED UP DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE EXTENT OF HER INJURIES IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

7/25/2006

TWO SEPARATE ACCIDENTS ON THE SPUR ON FRIDAY SENT TWO PEOPLE TO THE UT MEDIAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, THE FIRST ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF THE SPUR NEAR THE WELCOME CENTRE JUST AFTER 7:15. APPARENTLY, 54 YEAR OLD PATSY OWNBY OF SEVIERVILLE LOST CONTROL OF HER CAR AND FLIPPED IT ONTO IT’S TOP. SHE WAS FLOWN TO UT WHERE SHE IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE SECOND WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 12:30 IN THE NORTHBOUND LANES AT THE TUNNEL. APPARENTLY, 59 YEAR OLD JERRY COLE OF SEVIERVILLE, HIT A RETAINING WALL AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE TUNNEL, AFTER THE DRIVER OF A BRINKS ARMORED VEHICLE MADE AN IMPROPER LANE CHANGE. HE WAS ALSO FLOWN TO UT WHERE HE IS ALSO LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE BRINKS DRIVER, 54 YEAR OLD BRENDA LEONARD OF KNOXVILLE WAS CITED. THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT, SEVERAL LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND PARK RANGERS RESPONDED TO BOTH WRECKS.

7/24/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE LATE LAST NIGHT AFTER ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTING HIMSELF. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 11:30 AT A HOUSE ON COUNTY LINE WAY. APPARENTLY, THE UN-NAMED VICTIM WHO HAD ALLEGEDLY BEEN DRINKING, SHOT HIMSELF IN THE HAND AND WILL PROBABLY LOOSE SEVERAL FINGERS. HIS CURRENT CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

7/21/2006

A PIGEON FORGE MAN WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY AFTERNOON AFTER ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTING TO KIDNAP A CHILD. 39 YEAR OLD LEONARDO DOMINGO ROSALES WAS APPARENTLY DRINKING AT THE JESS WILSON TRAILER PARK, WHEN SEVERAL OTHER RESIDENTS NOTICED THAT HE WAS ALLEGEDLY FONDLING HIMSELF THROUGH HIS CLOTHING WHILST LOOKING UP THE SKIRT OF A TEN YEAR OLD GIRL. WHEN CONFRONTED, ROSALES ALLEGEDLY GRABBED A TWO YEAR OLD CHILD. HE WAS CHARGED WITH ESPECIALLY AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING, SEXUAL BATTERY, INDECENT EXPOSURE, RESISTING ARREST, AND FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

7/20/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN JAIL AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO CHARGES OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, AND DRIVING ON A REVOKED LICENSE. 29 YEAR OLD KEVIN PAUL LANDEEN LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE ON ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY IN KNOXVILLE IN APRIL OF 2004, AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING AT A PARTY. HIS VEHICLE HIT A TREE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF HIS THEN GIRLFRIEND, 21 YEAR OLD ASHLEY NICOLE WILLIAMS OF STRAWBERRY PLAINS. LANDEEN IS ASKING THAT HE SERVE HIS PLEA AGREEMENT SENTENCE ON PROBATION. THE JUDGE HAS SET AN AUGUST 28TH HEARING TO DECIDE THAT ISSUE.

7/20/2006

A MOTORCYCLE RIDER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK TUESDAY AFTERNOON. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED IN THE THIRTY FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF NEWPORT HIGHWAY, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH THOMAS CROSSROAD. THE UN-NAMED 32 YEAR OLD MALE RIDER FROM SEVIER COUNTY APPARENTLY RECEIVED A SERIOUS ANKLE INJURY AS WELL AS VARIOUS OTHER CUTS AND BRUISES

7/19/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE ABLE TO ARREST A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING. SERGEANT BRYAN LEWELLING AND OFFICER TED NEWMAN STOPPED A VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 66 JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT, FOLLOWING A TIP FROM A CITIZEN. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE, 29 YEAR OLD CAPRICE WASHINGTON OF KNOXVILLE, WAS WANTED IN MARYVILLE ON AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGES. DURING THE TRAFFIC STOP, K9 OFFICER DAVID FINCHUM AND HIS DOG AXLE SEARCHED THE VEHICLE AND ALLEGEDLY FOUND 33 OUNCES OF MARIJUANA AND A LOADED SEMI AUTOMATIC HANDGUN, THAT HAD BEEN REPORTED AS STOLEN FROM A SEVIERVILLE RESIDENCE EARLIER THIS YEAR. WASHINGTON WAS CHARGED WITH FELONY POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY, AND POSSESSION OF A WEAPON WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL.

7/19/2006

A THREE VEHICLE WRECK IN PIGEON FORGE SATURDAY NIGHT SENT ONE OF THE DRIVERS TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9:30 ON WEARS VALLEY ROAD AT THE INTERSECTION WITH LAUREL CREST. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN DENNIS ADAMS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 31 YEAR OLD FRANCISCO LOPEZ OF PIGEON FORGE, COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 16 YEAR OLD ASHTON RIENHART OF SEVIERVILLE. THAT COLLISION IN TURN FORCED RIENHART’S VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 51 YEAR OLD JEFFERY KAPLAN OF PIGEON FORGE. LOPEZ WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HE IS LISTED IN SERIOUS CONDITION. HE WAS ALSO CITED FOR DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE AND FOR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. KAPLAN WAS ALSO CITED FOR DRIVING ON A REVOKED LICENSE. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

7/18/2006

A FIRE DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 4 O CLOCK IN THE ELEVEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF VALLEY VIEW CIRCLE JUST OFF BOYD’S CREEK HIGHWAY. LUCKILY ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE WITHOUT INJURY. SEVIER COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL FRED ATCHELY IS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

7/18/2006

A SEYMOUR WOMAN WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE MONDAY AFTERNOON AFTER SHE WAS ATTACKED INSIDE HER APARTMENT. SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY WES RUTHERFORD RESPONDED TO THE SMOKY CROSSING APARTMENTS ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY JUST AFTER 6 O CLOCK FOLLOWING A 911 CALL CONCERNING A FEMALE SCREAMING FOR HELP. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, RUTHERFORD FOUND THE WINDOWS BROKEN OUT OF A CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. HE THEN PROCEEDED INTO AN APARTMENT WHERE HE FOUND A MALE SUBJECT ATTACKING A FEMALE WITH A HAMMER. 56 YEAR OLD KEVIN MARK COOPER OF KNOXVILLE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. THE FIFTY YEAR OLD FEMALE VICTIM WHO IS RELATED TO COOPER, WAS TRANSPORTED TO UT WITH MULTIPLE TRAUMA’S TO HER HEAD AND FACE. DETECTIVES JEFF MCCARTER AND STEPHANIE MCCLURE ARE INVESTIGATING. COOPER WAS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, ESPECIALLY AGGRAVATED BURGLARY, AND VANDALISM. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND AND WILL BE ARRAIGNED ON AUGUST 18TH. THE VICTIM’S CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

7/18/2006

A MAN WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING WAS ARRESTED IN SEVIER COUNTY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT 28 YEAR OLD ROBERT HORNE WAS AT A HOUSE ON ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY. HORNE WAS WANTED FOR A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING IN KNOXVILLE THAT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY AND FOR A PAROLE VIOLATION OUT OF OHIO. AFTER WATCHING THE RESIDENCE, DEPUTIES STOPPED A VEHICLE THAT LEFT THE HOME. THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR CONFIRMED THAT HORNE WAS IN THE HOME WITH A FEMALE AND A CHILD AND WAS ARMED. AS DEPUTIES WERE SECURING THE AREA, HORNE FLED INTO A WOODED AREA BEHIND THE HOME. SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES INCLUDING A K9 SEARCHED THE AREA AND ARRESTED HORNE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO KNOX COUNTY FOR BOOKING.

7/17/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK THURSDAY AFTERNOON IN SEVIER COUNTY SENT THE DRIVER TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2:30 IN THE TWENTY FOUR HUNDRED BLOCK OF OLD NEWPORT HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH CROSSOVER ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS ISUZU RODEO AND FLIPPED IT ONTO IT’S SIDE. THE DRIVER RECEIVED AN INJURY TO HIS NECK. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE NEW CENTRE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE RESCUE SQUAD, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

7/14/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SENT THE DRIVER TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2:30 NEAR MILES MARKET. APPARENTLY, 21 YEAR OLD BRANDON HUSKEY OF SEVIER COUNTY WAS EJECTED FROM HIS VEHICLE, WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS PICKUP TRUCK, AND ROLLED IT ONTO IT’S TOP. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO UT WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

7/13/2006

THE SEVIER COUNTY COMMISSION BUDGET COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED A THIRTY POINT NINE MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET FOR THE 2006 – 2007 FISCAL YEAR. THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL NOW GO BEFORE ALL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON JULY 24TH. THIS YEARS BUDGET WILL NOT REQUIRE A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED DROPPING THE TAX RATE TO OFFSET RECENT INCREASED PROPERTY VALUES. THE CURRENT RATE OF A DOLLAR SIXTY SIX PER 100 DOLLARS OF TAXABLE PROPERTY, WOULD BE REDUCED TO A DOLLAR THIRTY FOUR, WHICH WILL ALLOW HOMEOWNERS TO PAY ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAX AS LAST YEAR.

7/13/2006

A PIGEON FORGE MAN WHO BRUTALLY BEAT A HOTEL CLERK WITH A TIRE IRON LAST DECEMBER, WAS SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON YESTERDAY. JUDGE REX HENRY OGLE SENTENCED 29 YEAR OLD TERRELL THOMAS BALL TO THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SENTENCE, AND CALLED THE INCIDENT A COLD BLOODED AND SENSELESS ATTACK. BALL ATTACKED 33 YEAR OLD REBECCA OAKES AT THE MUSIC ROAD HOTEL IN THE EARLY HOURS OF DECEMBER 11TH. DURING HIS TESTIMONY, BALL SAID THAT HE STILL DID NOT REMEMBER THE INCIDENT BUT DID APOLOGIZE TO THE VICTIM AFTER SEEING THE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE TAPE OF THE ATTACK. BALL WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE AFTER SERVING THREE AND A HALF YEARS.

7/12/2006

THE MAN ACCUSED OF MOLESTING SEVERAL CHILD PERFORMERS AT THE DIXIE STAMPEDE IN PIGEON FORGE, ENTERED A NOT GUILTY PLEA YESTERDAY INSIDE A SEVIER COUNTY COURTROOM. 32 YEAR OLD ARMANDO GONZALEZ WILL NOW BE TRIED BEFORE A JURY ON TWELVE COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED SEXUAL BATTERY. GONZALEZ FLED TO HIS NATIVE MEXICO AFTER THE ALLEGATIONS WERE MADE IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. HE WAS CAPTURED IN NORTH CAROLINA THIS MARCH. THAT TRIAL IS SET TO BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 16TH.

7/11/2006

A THREE YEAR OLD CHILD INJURED IN A WRECK ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY LAST WEDNESDAY MORNING HAS DIED. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED JUST BEFORE 6 AM AT THE SEVIERVILLE CITY LIMIT. CHARLES LOVEDAY APPARENTLY FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL OF HIS PICK UP TRUCK, RAN OFF THE ROAD, AND ENDED UP PARTIALLY SUBMERGED IN A NEARBY CREEK. 14 YEAR OLD CHARLIE LOVEDAY SURVIVED BY BREATHING FROM A SMALL AIR POCKET IN THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. THREE YEAR OLD SAMMY LOVEDAY WAS RESTRAINED IN A CHILD SEAT AND HAD STOPPED BREATHING BEFORE PARAMEDICS RESUSCITATED THE INFANT. THE CHILD WAS FLOWN TO UT BUT SUCCUMBED TO HIS INJURIES AT THE WEEKEND.

7/11/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN IS IN JAIL AFTER HE STOLE TWO CARS AND LED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON A THREE HOUR CHASE ACROSS TWO COUNTIES. THE INCIDENT BEGAN LATE SATURDAY NIGHT AND FINALLY ENDED JUST AFTER 4:30 SUNDAY MORNING. APPARENTLY, THE FIRST CAR WAS STOLEN FROM GATLINBURG BUT WAS WRECKED A SHORT TIME LATER. THE SECOND CAR, A 1995 BUICK, WAS STOLEN FROM A HOME IN THE THREE THOUSAND BLOCK OF HIGHWAY 321 IN THE PITTMAN CENTRE AREA. OFFICERS SPOTTED THE VEHICLE NEAR COSBY AND BEGAN THE PURSUIT. THE UN-IDENTIFIED MALE DRIVER LED SEVIER COUNTY AND COCKE COUNTY OFFICERS ON A JOURNEY THAT COVERED MOST OF EAST SEVIER COUNTY, COSBY, AND NEWPORT, BEFORE FINALLY ENDING ON ENGLISH MOUNTAIN AFTER THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A FLAT TIRE. SEVERAL CHARGES ARE PENDING. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

7/10/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HAVE NOW RELEASED THE NAME OF A MAN WHO DROWNED AT ABRAMS FALLS ON SUNDAY. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESMAN BOB MILLER, THE BODY OF 26 YEAR OLD VIVEK KUMARALINGHAM OF MANCHESTER CONNECTICUT, WAS RECOVERED EARLY MONDAY MORNING. THE NOTIFICATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS TOOK ADDITIONAL TIME BECAUSE THEY RESIDE IN RURAL INDIA.

7/7/2006

TWO PIGEON FORGE POLICE OFFICERS WERE ATTACKED LAST NIGHT FOLLOWING A TRAFFIC STOP. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 6 O CLOCK BEHIND THE OLD LOUISE MANDRELL THEATRE. ACCORDING TO PIGEON FORGE POLICE CHIEF JACK BALDWIN, OFFICER JAMES BERGADO OBSERVED A VEHICLE DRIVING SLOWLY AROUND PARKED VEHICLES AND INITIATED A TRAFFIC STOP. HE WAS JOINED AT THE SCENE BY OFFICER RALPH CARR. WHILE THE OFFICERS WERE TALKING WITH THE MALE DRIVER, A FEMALE EXITED THE VAN AND SPRAYED BOTH OFFICERS WITH BEAR SPRAY, A FORM OF TEAR GAS. THE TWO THEN FLED THE SCENE, HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE PARKWAY IN SEVIERVILLE, HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT AT TANGER FIVE OAKS, AND THEN FLED ON FOOT. THE TWO WERE ARRESTED BY OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AFTER THEY RENTED A ROOM AT THE COMFORT INN MOTEL. 37 YEAR OLD KENNETH WOMBLE AND 32 YEAR OLD REGINA VALENTINE OF NASHVILLE, WERE BOTH CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, RESISTING ARREST, BURGLARY, FELONY POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, FELONY EVADING, DRIVING ON A REVOKED LICENSE, AND VEHICULAR ASSAULT. OTHER CHARGES ARE ALSO PENDING.

7/7/2006

SEVIER COUNTY JUDGE REX HENRY OGLE HAS RESET THE TRIAL OF JOHN WAYNE BLAIR TO MONDAY AUGUST 28TH. THE TRIAL WAS ORIGINALLY SET TO BEGIN THIS TUESDAY. THE DELAY WAS REQUESTED BY THE DEFENSE BECAUSE AN ADDITIONAL ATTORNEY HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO THE CASE AND WILL NEED ADDITIONAL TIME TO PREPARE. BLAIR IS ACCUSED OF KILLING 22 YEAR OLD KELLY SELLARS AT HIS HOME ON ENGLISH MOUNTAIN IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR.

7/6/2006

A FIRE TUESDAY NIGHT DAMAGED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9:30 AT A TRAILER ON HARDIN ROAD IN THE KODAK AREA. ACCORDING TO SEVIER COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL FRED ATCHLEY, THE BLAZE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN STARTED BY SOME NEIGHBORS THAT WERE SHOOTING OFF FIREWORKS. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE NORTHVIEW AND SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

7/6/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING IN SEVIER COUNTY SENT THREE PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 6 O CLOCK IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF CHAPMAN HIGHWAY NEAR THE SEVIERVILLE CITY LIMITS. 36 YEAR OLD CHARLES LOVEDAY OF JEFFERSON CITY APPARENTLY FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL OF HIS PICK UP TRUCK, HIT A GUARDRAIL, AND ENDED UP IN A NEARBY CREEK. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH A SUSPECTED FRACTURE. 14 YEAR OLD CHARLIE LOVEDAY WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HE WAS TREATED AND LATER RELEASED. THE THIRD VICTIM, 3 YEAR OLD SAMMY LOVEDAY, WAS RESTRAINED IN A CHILD SEAT AND TRAPPED IN THE PARTIALLY SUBMERGED VEHICLE. THE INFANT WAS RESCUED AND RESUSCITATED DUE TO THE HEROICS OF SEVERAL POLICE OFFICERS, FIRE FIGHTERS, AND EMT’S. THE CHILD WAS LATER FLOWN TO UT WHERE HE IS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

7/6/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN IS SUING THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES AFTER SEVERAL OF HIS ROOSTERS WERE KILLED DURING AN FBI RAID AT A COCK FIGHTING PIT A YEAR AGO. THE RAID WAS MADE IN DEL RIO IN JUNE OF 2005. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED, AND OVER 300 ROOSTERS WERE CAPTURED AND LATER EUTHANIZED. WILLIAM TODD WEBB IS SEEKING TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN COMPENSATION AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES. WEBB WILL APPEAR IN COURT ON NEXT MONTH.

7/5/2006

A 27 YEAR OLD MAN HAS DROWNED WHILST SWIMMING INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. THE BODY OF THE UN-NAMED VICTIM WAS FOUND EARLY MONDAY MORNING AT THE BASE OF ABRAMS FALLS. HE WAS LAST SEEN BY FRIENDS JUST BEFORE 5 O CLOCK SUNDAY EVENING. PARK RANGERS AND DIVE TEAM MEMBERS RECOVERED THE BODY JUST AFTER 6:30 MONDAY MORNING. THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IS BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF THE NEXT OF KIN.

7/5/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A TRAGIC ACCIDENT SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT DOUGLAS LAKE. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 5:30. APPARENTLY, 25 YEAR OLD NICK MAPLES JUMPED ABOUT 60 FEET FROM A BLUFF INTO THE WATER BELOW, BUT NEVER RESURFACED. HIS BODY WAS RECOVERED FOLLOWING A FORTY FIVE MINUTE SEARCH. OFFICIALS ARE AWAITING THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH. THE TVA POLICE, THE TWRA AND THE RESCUE SQUAD RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

7/3/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN WAS APPARENTLY ATTACKED BY A BEAR FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN GATLINBURG. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 4 O CLOCK JUST OFF SKI MOUNTAIN ROAD NEAR DIAMOND MOUNTAIN RENTALS. 5O YEAR OLD MAX LEMMONS WAS REPORTEDLY TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OF A FEMALE BEAR AND HER CUBS WHEN HIS DOG JUMPED FROM HIS CAR AND CHASED AFTER THE BEARS. LEMMONS WAS ATTEMPTED TO RETRIEVE HIS DOG, WHICH WAS BEING ATTACKED BY THE MOTHER BEAR, WHEN HE WAS SWATTED BY THE BEAR ON HIS FACE AND CHEST AREA. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HE REQUIRED STITCHES FOR HIS WOUNDS. THE DOG WAS NOT INJURED. THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND OFFICERS FROM THE T.W.R.A RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

7/3/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN WAS ARRESTED LATE FRIDAY EVENING AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY SLASHED ANOTHER MANS THROAT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 11:30. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE JEFF MCCARTER WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, 20 YEAR OLD PABLO DIONICIO OF CLINTWOOD WAY IN PIGEON FORGE, ALLEGEDLY HAD HIS THROAT CUT BY 22 YEAR OLD ANTHONY COSLOW OF KANDY WAY IN SEVIERVILLE. OFFICIALS BELIEVE THAT THE ATTACK MAY HAVE BEEN THE RESULT OF A DRUG DEAL GONE BAD. DIONICIO WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE, COSLOW WAS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

7/3/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY COUPLE HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON AFTER BEING FOUND GUILTY OF KILLING A SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESSMAN. 36 YEAR OLD DAVID WENDELL EDENS AND 28 YEAR OLD JENNIFER HOLLOWAY, MURDERED 71 YEAR OLD JIM COCKMAN, WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND IN A FREEZER INSIDE A SEVIERVILLE STORAGE UNIT IN SEPTEMBER 2004. THE JURY IN GREENVILLE COULD NOT ALL AGREE ON THE DEATH PENALTY, SO EDENS AND HOLLOWAY WERE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE.

6/30/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN PIGEON FORGE THURSDAY MORNING SENT TWO PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 10:30 ON THE PARKWAY NEAR LIGHT NUMBER SIX. ACCORDING TO LIEUTENANT RICHIE CATLETT WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 37 YEAR OLD WILLIAM CASEY OF BRISTOL TENNESSEE, COLLIDED WITH A JEEP CHEROKEE BEING DRIVEN BY 46 YEAR OLD PAMELA BOWLES OF WALLINGFORD CONNECTICUT. 35 YEAR OLD HAZEL SPICER OF BRISTOL, WHO WAS A PASSENGER IN CASEY’S VEHICLE, WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. HER 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER. CASEY WAS CITED FOR VIOLATION OF REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

6/30/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE LOOKING FOR A SUSPECT THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A ROBBERY LAST NIGHT AT THE OLIVE GARDEN RESTAURANT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 6 O CLOCK. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER JOHN WEST, TWO ELDERLY WOMEN WERE GETTING OUT OF A CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. AS ONE OF THE VICTIMS WAS HELPING THE OTHER OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WERE APPROACHED BY A MAN WHO GRABBED HER PURSE AND FOUGHT WITH HER BEFORE SHE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE SUSPECT THEN RAN SOUTH TOWARDS RED LOBSTER AND WAS JOINED BY ANOTHER MAN. THEY THEN RAN DOWN NEW ERA ROAD AND LEFT IN A WHITE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY A GEO TRACKER OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. THE 68 YEAR OLD VICTIM WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE WITH VARIOUS CUTS AND BRUISES. THE SUSPECT WHO STOLE THE PURSE IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE IN HIS TWENTIES, ABOUT FIVE FOOT SIX INCHES TALL, AND WEIGHING ABOUT 140 POUNDS. HE HAD SHORT BROWN HAIR, CLEAN SHAVEN, AND WA WEARING A LIGHT COLORED BASEBALL CAP, A GRAY WINDBREAKER, AND TAN COLORED BERMUDA STYLE SHORTS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE DOUG SHANKS AT: 453 – 5506.

6/29/2006

THREE TEENAGERS ARE SAFE AFTER SPENDING THE NIGHT LOST IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. THE TEENS WERE WITH A CHURCH GROUP VISITING THE AREA FROM GEORGIA. THEY WENT OUT AT ABOUT SEVEN O CLOCK TUESDAY NIGHT AND WERE EVENTUALLY FOUND BY RESCUERS JUST AFTER 8:30 WEDNESDAY MORNING NEAR OLD SETTLERS TRAIL. ALL THREE WERE UN-INJURED. VOLUNTEERS FROM THE PITTMAN CENTRE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE PARK SERVICE, AND THE RESCUE SQUAD, TOOK PART IN THAT SEARCH.

6/29/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE STILL LOOKING FOR TWO SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN AN ARMED ROBBERY LATE TUESDAY NIGHT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11:00 AT THE AUTO CONCEPTS BODY SHOP IN THE NINETEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF CHAPMAN HIGHWAY. THE OWNER OF THE STORE, 34 YEAR OLD MICHAEL SUNDERLAND WAS SHOT IN THE STOMACH BY ONE OF THE SUSPECTS. HE WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HE IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE ROBBERS ALSO ALLEGEDLY SET FIRE TO THE BUSINESS WHICH WAS DESTROYED. AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR A DARK COLORED PICK-UP TRUCK, POSSIBLY A FORD RANGER. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE JEFF MCCARTER AT: 453 – 4668. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT, THE SEYMOUR AND SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

6/29/2006

OFFICIALS HAVE NOW RELEASED THE NAME OF A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WHO WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE TUESDAY NIGHT WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND. 37 YEAR OLD DARREN ALBANO WAS FOUND AT A RESIDENCE ON LIDDER DRIVE JUST OFF OLD NEWPORT HIGHWAY, WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND TO HIS STOMACH AREA. HE HAS NOW BEEN TREATED AND RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL. DETECTIVES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING.

6/28/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE LOOKING FOR TWO SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN AN ARMED ROBBERY LATE LAST NIGHT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11:00 AT THE AUDIO CONCEPTS BODY SHOP BUSINESS IN THE NINETEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF CHAPMAN HIGHWAY. ONE OF THE PERPETRATORS APPARENTLY SHOT THE UN-NAMED 34 YEAR OLD MALE OWNER OF THE STORE DURING THE ROBBERY. HE WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE ROBBERS ALSO ALLEGEDLY SET FIRE TO THE BUSINESS WHICH WAS DESTROYED. AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR A DARK COLORED PICK-UP TRUCK, POSSIBLY A FORD RANGER. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

6/28/2006

TWO MEN ACCUSED OF KILLING FIVE TOURISTS WHILST DRAG RACING ON THE SPUR LAST YEAR, PLED GUILTY IN A FEDERAL COURTROOM YESTERDAY. 19 YEAR OLD JONATHAN HALL OF LEBANON TENNESSEE, AND 20 YEAR OLD STEVEN WILLIAMS OF MURFREESBORO, EACH PLED GUILTY TO ONE COUNT OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER. THE OTHER FOUR CHARGES AGAINST THE MEN WERE DISMISSED AS PART OF A PLEA AGREEMENT. THE WRECK OCCURRED ON THE SPUR IN MARCH 2005. HALL AND WILLIAMS WILL BE SENTENCED ON OCTOBER 3RD.

6/28/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE MONDAY MORNING SENT FOUR PEOPLE TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 7:30 ON EARNEST MCMAHAN ROAD NEAR FINE GLENN. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER CHRIS CARTER, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 55 YEAR OLD CHRISTINE CANOVA OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A VAN BEING DRIVEN BY 29 YEAR OLD CHARLES DAVIS OF BEAN STATION. CANOVA AND THREE PASSENGERS IN THE VAN WERE TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE INJURED VAN PASSENGERS WERE 36 YEAR OLD JAMES CARTER, 17 YEAR OLD NICHOLAS HOCKER, AND 15 YEAR OLD LOGAN THACKER. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

6/27/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING AN APPARENT ACCIDENT IN PITTMAN CENTRE. THE BODY OF 53 YEAR OLD THOMAS MCCONNELL MONTGOMERY OF EAST SCENIC DRIVE IN GATLINBURG, WAS FOUND EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING BY DEPUTIES LYNN BREEDEN AND STUART REAGAN. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE MATHEW CUBBERLY WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE VICTIM HAD APPARENTLY SPENT MOST OF SATURDAY EVENING DRINKING AT A GATLINBURG RESTAURANT. HE THEN APPARENTLY TOOK A TAXI HOME BUT ALLEGEDLY BECAME UNRULY WHILST IN THE VEHICLE, AND WAS DROPPED OFF ON HIGHWAY 321 NEAR WEBB CREEK. THE TAXI DRIVER DID CALL 911 AND REPORT THE INCIDENT. SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES SEARCHED FOR MONTGOMERY UNTIL MONDAY MORNING WHEN HIS BODY WAS FOUND IN THE RIVER NEAR WALDROUP ROAD IN PITTMAN CENTRE. OFFICIALS ARE AWAITING THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE RESCUE SQUAD RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

6/27/2006

DETECTIVES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED LAST NIGHT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 8 O CLOCK AT A HOME ON LINDDER DRIVE, JUST OFF OLD NEWPORT HIGHWAY. APPARENTLY, WHEN OFFICERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, THEY FOUND THE UN-NAMED MALE VICTIM WHO CLAIMED THAT HE HAD BEEN SHOT BY ANOTHER PERSON. HE WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

6/27/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY FAIR HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND WILL HEADLINE THIS YEARS FAIR. ACCORDING TO ALLEN NEWTON, CHARLIE DANIELS WILL PERFORM ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH AT THE ARENA AREA OF THE FAIRGROUND SITE. A LIMITED NUMBER OF RESERVED SEATS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TICKETS UNLIMITED LOCATIONS FOR TWENTY DOLLARS, WHICH WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE FAIR GATE ADMISSION. OTHERWISE, GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE CONCERT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE GATE ADMISSION PRICE OF THREE DOLLARS FOR ADULTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WEEK LONG EVENT, CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY FAIR OFFICE AT: 453 – 0770.

6/26/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY COUPLE HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF THE KIDNAPPING AND MURDER OF A SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESSMAN. A JURY IN GREENVILLE TOOK ABOUT TWO HOURS TO CONVICT 36 YEAR OLD DAVID WENDELL EDENS AND 28 YEAR OLD JENNIFER HOLLOWAY, IN THE DEATH OF 71 YEAR OLD JIM COCKMAN, WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND IN A FREEZER INSIDE A SEVIERVILLE STORAGE UNIT IN SEPTEMBER 2004. THE SENTENCING PHASE OF THE DEATH PENALTY TRIAL BEGAN YESTERDAY. WE WILL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE ON THOSE PROCEEDINGS.

6/26/2006

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOW FINALLY IDENTIFIED THE BODY OF A MAN THAT WAS FOUND ALONG SIDE INTERSTATE FORTY NEAR COSBY IN NOVEMBER OF 2000. THE BODY WAS DISCOVERED WRAPPED IN TRASH BAGS AND SEALED WITH DUCT TAPE. TBI OFFICIALS NOW BELIEVE THAT THE DECEASED WAS 47 YEAR OLD ALFONSO GLEN TEASLEY OF WADE NORTH CAROLINA. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING BY HIS FAMILY IN OCTOBER 2000 AFTER HE DISAPPEARED WHILE GOING TO A NASCAR RACE IN ROCKINGHAM. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

6/23/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A TIP YESTERDAY THAT A RUNAWAY AND A FUGITIVE FROM KANSAS, WERE AT THE RED BANK SWIMMING HOLE ON RED BANK ROAD. WHEN DEPUTY AARON WHALEY AND SERGEANT MIKE VONCANNON ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, THEY WERE ABLE TO LOCATE 21 YEAR OLD SEAN FIFE AND THE 16 YEAR OLD FEMALE RUNAWAY. FIFE, FROM OBERLIN KANSAS, WAS WANTED FOR STATUTORY RAPE AND FLED THE SCENE ON FOOT. THE 16 YEAR OLD JUVENILE WAS APPREHENDED AND TAKEN TO THE SEVIER COUNTY JUVENILE CENTRE. ACCORDING TO THE RUNAWAY, THE PAIR HAD BEEN STAYING AT A MOTEL IN PIGEON FORGE FOR THE LAST MONTH. AUTHORITIES ARE STILL LOOKING FOR FIFE WHO IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE WITH BLUE EYES AND BLONDE HAIR, APPROXIMATELY 160 POUNDS, AND ABOUT FIVE FOOT NINE INCHES TALL. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 4668.

6/23/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY GRAND JURY HAS NOW INDICTED JERRY BUCK INMAN ON CHARGES THAT HE RAPED A 28 YEAR OLD WOMAN AT A HOME IN THE BELLE MEADOWS SUBDIVISION LAST MONTH. THE SPECIALLY CONVENED JURY INDICTED INMAN ON CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED RAPE AND AGGRAVATED BURGLARY. DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL AL SCHMUTZER JUNIOR SAID THAT INMAN WILL BE TRIED FOR THESE ALLEGED OFFENCES ONCE SOUTH CAROLINA HAS FINISHED WITH HIM. INMAN IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD BY SOUTH CAROLINA AUTHORITIES FOR THE ALLEGED RAPE AND MURDER OF A CLEMSON UNIVERSITY STUDENT.

6/22/2006

A GATLINBURG PITTMAN HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER WAS ARRESTED EARLIER THIS WEEK AND CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA. 34 YEAR OLD MATHEW JOHN EVANS OF SKI VIEW DRIVE IN GATLINBURG WAS STOPPED BY PIGEON FORGE POLICE OFFICER HELEN WRIGHT, JUST AFTER 4 AM ON THE PARKWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH CONNER HEIGHTS. THE TRAFFIC STOP WAS APPARENTLY INITIATED FOLLOWING A REQUEST BY THE GATLINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING A COMPLAINT AND VEHICLE DESCRIPTION. EVANS WAS RELEASED ON A FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLAR BOND. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

6/22/2006

A TRAFFIC STOP IN SEVIERVILLE LATE MONDAY, LED TO THE ARREST OF A SEVIERVILLE MAN. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11 O CLOCK ON HOWARD DRIVE. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER JAMIE ROBERTS, HE STOPPED A VEHICLE FOR SPEEDING AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER, 29 YEAR OLD COREY GUNSALLUS, WAS WANTED FOR VIOLATION OF PROBATION IN CHATHAM COUNTY GEORGIA. GUNSALLUS WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL TO AWAIT EXTRADITION TO GEORGIA.

6/21/2006

A FIRE TUESDAY AFTERNOON DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 12:30 IN THE FOUR HUNDRED BLOCK OF THUMPER LANE, JUST OFF OLD NEWPORT HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN RICKY RAY WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE TRAILER WAS FULLY INVOLVED WHEN FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. LUCKILY, THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE UNINJURED. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE ENGLISH MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

6/21/2006

THE TENNESSEE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS HAS DENIED THE APPEAL OF TWO DEATH ROW INMATES CONVICTED IN THE 1992 MURDER OF A SEVIER COUNTY WOMAN. ACCORDING TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL AL SCHMUTZER JUNIOR, JAMES DELLINGER AND GARY WAYNE SUTTON, UNSUCCESSFULLY ARGUED THAT THEIR ATTORNEY’S HAD BEEN INEFFECTIVE DURING THEIR 1993 TRIAL. THEY WERE CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER FOR THE DEATH OF 34 YEAR OLD CONNIE BRANAM, WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND INSIDE HER BURNED VEHICLE. DELLINGER AND SUTTON WERE ALSO CONVICTED IN BLOUNT COUNTY FOR THE MURDER OF BRANAM'S BROTHER, 24 YEAR OLD TOMMY GRIFFIN. BOTH MEN WERE SENTENCED TO DEATH.

6/21/2006

A SPECIAL GRAND JURY WILL CONVENE TODAY IN SEVIER COUNTY, TO SEEK AN INDICTMENT AGAINST ACCUSED KILLER JERRY BUCK INMAN. INMAN IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD BY SOUTH CAROLINA AUTHORITIES FOR THE RAPE AND MURDER OF A CLEMSON UNIVERSITY STUDENT. DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL AL SCHMUTZER JUNIOR ALSO WANT’S TO INDICT INMAN FOR THE RAPE OF A 28 YEAR OLD WOMAN AT HER HOME IN THE BELLE MEADOWS SUBDIVISION LAST MONTH.

6/21/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY THIS MORNING. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT ON HIGHWAY 139 – DOUGLAS DAM ROAD NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH ALLISON DRIVE. APPARENTLY, THE 23 YEAR OLD MALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS FORD THUNDERBIRD AND WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

6/20/2006

A FORMER SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER PLED GUILTY YESTERDAY TO THE STATUTORY RAPE OF A 16 YEAR OLD MALE STUDENT. 33 YEAR OLD KRISTI OAKES WAS FOUND IN A PARKED CAR NEAR DOUGLAS DAM WITH THE TEENAGER IN JUNE 2004. SHE HAS SINCE RESIGNED HER POSITION AS A SCIENCE TEACHER. SEVIER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE RICHARD VANCE HAS SET A SENTENCING HEARING FOR JULY 24TH. DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL AL SCHMUTZER JUNIOR IS RECOMMENDING AN EIGHTEEN MONTH SENTENCE FOR OAKES WHO WILL UNTIL THEN, REMAIN FREE ON BOND.

6/20/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE FRIDAY EVENING SENT THREE PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS AND CLOSED PART OF WEST MAIN STREET FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 6 O CLOCK NEAR THE GATHERING CHURCH. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT BILL BARTON WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, A NISSAN FRONTIER BEING DRIVEN BY 17 YEAR OLD NATHAN HARP OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A KIA OPTIMA BEING DRIVEN BY 23 YEAR OLD ASHLEY BIRCH OF KNOXVILLE. BIRCH AND HER PASSENGER, 42 YEAR OLD ROY SHAW OF SAN ANTONIO TEXAS, WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. HARP WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE AND CITED FOR FAILING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE.

6/19/2006

A RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED RENTAL CABIN WAS DESTROYED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON FOLLOWING A PROPANE EXPLOSION. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 4:30 IN THE TWENTY TWO HUNDRED BLOCK OF HEADRICK LEAD IN THE SHAGBARK COMMUNITY. APPARENTLY, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE PROPONE TANK EXPLODED AND STARTED THE CABIN FIRE AND TWO BRUSH FIRES. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE WALDEN’S CREEK AND WEARS VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE, AS WELL AS THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT.

6/19/2006

TWELVE JURORS AND THREE ALTERNATIVES HAVE NOW BEEN SELECTED FOR THE DEATH PENALTY TRIAL OF A SEVIER COUNTY COUPLE ACCUSED OF KILLING A SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESSMAN. 36 YEAR OLD DAVID WENDELL EDENS AND 28 YEAR OLD JENNIFER HOLLOWAY ARE ACCUSED OF THE KIDNAP AND MURDER OF 71 YEAR OLD JIM COCKMAN IN SEPTEMBER 2004. COCKMAN’S BODY WAS FOUND IN A FREEZER INSIDE A SEVIERVILLE STORAGE UNIT. THE JURY SELECTION PROCESS WAS FINALIZED SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND THE TRIAL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN TODAY IN GREENVILLE SOUTH CAROLINA. PROSECUTORS HAVE SAID THAT IF EDENS AND HOLLOWAY ARE FOUND GUILTY, THEY WILL SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY. WE WILL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE ON THOSE PROCEEDINGS.

6/19/2006

SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICERS ARRESTED TWO MEN EARLY THIS MORNING, THAT COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A RECENT RASH OF VENDING MACHINE BURGLARIES IN SEVIER COUNTY. THE TWO SEVIER COUNTY RESIDENTS WERE PULLED OVER IN THE LOWES PARKING LOT IN A VEHICLE THAT MATCHED THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SUSPECT CAR. SEVERAL VENDING MACHINES HAVE BEEN PRIED OPEN DURING THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

6/16/2006

A VISITOR TO THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A FALL WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3 O CLOCK AT THE LAUREL FALLS TRAIL. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, 53 YEAR OLD PAT PHYLPO OF MICHIGAN, FELL AND BROKE HER RIGHT ANKLE AT THE FALLS AREA OF THE TRAIL. THREE PARK RANGERS RESPONDED TO THE AREA, STABILIZED HER ANKLE, AND CARRIED THE INJURED WOMAN THE ONE POINT TWO MILES TO THE TRAILHEAD AND A WAITING AMBULANCE. THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT ALSO RESPONDED TO THAT ACCIDENT.

6/15/2006

A VISITOR TO PIGEON FORGE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A FREAK ACCIDENT WEDNESDAY MORNING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11 AT THE RAMADA INN ON THE PARKWAY. ACCORDING TO LIEUTENANT RICHIE CATLETT WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE FROM TOCCOA GEORGIA, INADVERTENTLY POURED ADDITIONAL LIGHTER FLUID ONTO A CHARCOAL GRILL THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN LIT. SHE APPARENTLY RECEIVED BURNS TO HER FACE AND UPPER BODY AREA. HER CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

6/15/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE EARLY TUESDAY AFTERNOON SENT A MOTORCYCLE RIDER TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 12:30 AT THE INTERSECTION OF EAST MAIN STREET AND GARY WADE BOULEVARD. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT REBECCA COWAN WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, A MOTORCYCLE BEING RIDDEN BY 50 YEAR OLD JOHN MICHAEL ELLIS OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A DODGE CARAVAN BEING DRIVEN BY 45 YEAR OLD WILMA HARRIS OF NEWPORT. ELLIS WAS FLOWN TO UT WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. HARRIS WAS APPARENTLY UNINJURED. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

6/14/2006

GOVERNOR PHIL BREDESEN HAS INCREASED THE REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 2004 MURDER OF A JEFFERSON CITY WOMAN, WHO ALSO WORKED FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN SEVIERVILLE. 32 YEAR OLD KYM BLEVINS WAS FOUND MURDERED AT HER RESIDENCE ON AUGUST 28TH 2004. THE REWARD HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM FIVE TO TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. BLEVINS WORKED FOR SEVERAL YEARS AT A SEVIERVILLE TRAVEL AGENCY. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE JEFFERSON CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT AT: (865) 475 – 3845.

6/14/2006

JURY SELECTION BEGAN YESTERDAY IN THE TRIAL OF A SEVIER COUNTY COUPLE ACCUSED OF KILLING A SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESSMAN. 36 YEAR OLD DAVID WENDELL EDEN’S AND 28 YEAR OLD JENNIFER HOLLOWAY ARE ACCUSED OF THE KIDNAP AND MURDER OF 71 YEAR OLD JIM COCKMAN IN SEPTEMBER 2004. COCKMAN’S BODY WAS FOUND IN A FREEZER INSIDE A STORAGE UNIT IN SEVIERVILLE. THE COUPLE ALLEGEDLY LURED THE MAN AWAY FROM HIS GREENVILLE HOME BY PRETENDING TO BE INTERESTED IN BUYING HIS VEHICLE. IF FOUND GUILTY, BOTH EDEN’S AND HOLLOWAY COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY. WE WILL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE ON THAT TRIAL.

6/13/2006

A KODAK MAN WHO WAS INJURED LAST WEDNESDAY WHEN HE BECAME PINNED BETWEEN A TRUCK AND A WALL, HAS DIED. 28 YEAR OLD TONY LETHCO WAS WORKING AS A LANDSCAPER AT THE NEW SUMMITT DEVELOPMENT JUST OFF WALDEN’S CREEK ROAD WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. LETHCO WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WITH SEVERAL BROKEN BONES AND SOME INTERNAL BLEEDING, BUT ON FRIDAY HE APPARENTLY SUFFERED TRAUMA SHOCK AND DIED. THE STATE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION IS NOW INVESTIGATING. LETHCO’S FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS TOMORROW FROM 5 UNTIL 7 AT ATCHLEY FUNERAL HOME. HIS FUNERAL WILL BE HELD THURSDAY MORNING AT 11.

6/13/2006

A SEYMOUR MAN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY SATURDAY EVENING AT THE DOUGLAS DAM HEADWATERS AREA. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9 O CLOCK. APPARENTLY, 21 YEAR OLD JEREMY CARSON WAS ARRESTED BY A TVA OFFICER AND CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, AND FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR. CARSON WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL BY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL AND LATER RELEASED ON A TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

6/12/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK THURSDAY MORNING IN SEVIER COUNTY SENT BOTH DRIVERS TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9 AM ON WINDY LANE, JUST OFF UPPER MIDDLE CREEK. APPARENTLY, A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY CONNIE BREEDEN, COLLIDED WITH A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY KEVIN HAGA. LUCKILY, NEITHER DRIVER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK. ANOTHER TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT WEDNESDAY EVENING IN SEVIERVILLE INJURED ONE DRIVER AND CAUSED TRAFFIC DELAYS FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. THAT WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 5:30 ON DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH CHEROKEE CIRCLE. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER JOHN TURNER, A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 36 YEAR OLD TAMARA MCGAHA OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 75 YEAR OLD BETTY OGLE, ALSO OF SEVIERVILLE. APPARENTLY, MCGAHA'S TRUCK HAD STALLED IN THE RIGHT WESTBOUND LANE OF DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

6/9/2006

THE SUSPECT IN THE RAPE AND MURDER OF A CLEMSON UNIVERSITY STUDENT IS APPARENTLY ALSO NOW A SUSPECT IN A SEVIERVILLE RAPE THAT OCCURRED LAST MONTH. JERRY BUCK INMAN WAS ARRESTED IN DANDRIDGE TUESDAY NIGHT CLOSE TO WHERE HIS PARENTS LIVE. SO FAR HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH RAPE, MURDER, AND KIDNAPPING, BUT ADDITIONAL CHARGES COULD SOON BE ANNOUNCED. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THAT INMAN COULD ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RAPE OF A 28 YEAR OLD WOMAN AT A HOME IN THE BELLE MEADOWS SUBDIVISION ON MAY 22ND. DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL AL SCHMUTZER JUNIOR SAID THAT THE STATE IS SEEKING TO EMPANEL A GRAND JURY IN SEVIER COUNTY ON JUNE 21ST TO HEAR THE EVIDENCE AGAINST INMAN.

6/8/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED THREE MEN EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING AND CHARGED THEM WITH DRUG POSSESSION. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 4 AM. APPARENTLY, THE UN-NAMED SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED FOLLOWING A TRAFFIC STOP. OFFICIALS ALLEGEDLY FOUND THEM IN POSSESSION OF CRACK COCAINE AND MARIJUANA. THE VEHICLE THAT THEY WERE RIDING IN WAS SEIZED BY THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SUSPECTS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL FOR BOOKING. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

6/8/2006

SEVIER COUNTY RESCUE WORKERS WERE KEPT BUSY WEDNESDAY MORNING. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 10:30 AT THE SUMMITT DEVELOPMENT JUST OFF WALDEN’S CREEK ROAD. APPARENTLY, A LANDSCAPE WORKER BECAME PINNED BETWEEN A TRUCK AND A WALL. 31 YEAR OLD TONY LETHCO OF KODAK WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HE IS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION. ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER, A TWO VEHICLE WRECK ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY WAS REPORTED NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH WHITE SCHOOL ROAD. APPARENTLY, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 77 YEAR OLD ROBERT SETTLE OF SEYMOUR, COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 43 YEAR OLD CHRISTINE DUNLAP, ALSO OF SEYMOUR. SETTLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER, DUNLAP WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE AND THE RESCUE SQUAD, RESPONDED TO BOTH ACCIDENTS.

6/8/2006

A FIRE EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3 AM AT A TRAILER IN THE THIRTY TWO HUNDRED BLOCK OF OLDHAM CREEK ROAD, JUST OFF UPPER MIDDLE CREEK. APPARENTLY THE HOME WAS VACANT. THE PIGEON FORGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE. ANOTHER FIRE LATER WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON DAMAGED A SEYMOUR HOME. THAT BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2 O CLOCK AT A HOME IN THE 700 BLOCK OF SOUTH SHILOH ROAD. APPARENTLY THE FIRE STARTED IN A BEDROOM BUT LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE DAMAGE WAS CONTAINED TO THAT ROOM. THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

6/8/2006

JUDGE GARY WADE HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR PHIL BREDESEN TO THE TENNESSEE SUPREME COURT. WADE WHO HAS SERVED AS PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE STATE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS SINCE 1998, FILLS ONE OF TWO VACANCIES CREATED BY RECENT RETIREMENTS.

6/7/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED THREE WOMAN SUNDAY AFTERNOON AFTER THEY ALLEGEDLY STOLE APPROXIMATELY FORTY EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS WORTH OF MERCHANDISE FROM TANGER FIVE OAKS. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER MATT AYERS, A STORE EMPLOYEE CALLED DISPATCHERS AND STATED THAT THREE WOMAN HAD ALLEGEDLY STOLEN SEVERAL ITEMS. THE WITNESS WAS ALSO ABLE TO GIVE AUTHORITIES A DESCRIPTION OF THE GET-A-WAY VEHICLE. OFFICE AYERS WAS ABLE TO LOCATE AND STOP THE VEHICLE AT TGI FRIDAY’S ON THE PARKWAY, AND APPARENTLY RECOVERED THE STOLEN GOODS. ARRESTED WERE 34 YEAR OLD KIMBERLY GRIFFIN, 32 YEAR OLD DAPHNE BUCHANAN, AND 31 YEAR OLD TINIKA BALLARD, ALL OF CHATTANOOGA. ALL THREE WOMEN WERE CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

6/7/2006

A TEENAGER THAT WAS ARRESTED FOR CARRYING A GUN ON SCHOOL PROPERTY LAST SEPTEMBER WAS SENTENCED YESTERDAY. JOSH LIVAUDAIS PLED GUILTY IN APRIL TO THE INCIDENT AT THE PIGEON FORGE HIGH SCHOOL. HE WAS SENTENCED TO THE MAXIMUM TWO YEAR SENTENCE, BUT HAS BEEN RELEASED BECAUSE HE HAS ALREADY SERVED AT LEAST 30 PERCENT OF HIS SENTENCE WHILE AWAITING TRIAL. LIVAUDAIS WAS ALSO ORDERED TO OBTAIN A G.E.D.

6/7/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT VISITORS WISHING TO WITNESS THE ANNUAL MATING PERIOD OF THE SYNCHRONOUS FIREFLY BEETLES AT ELKMONT THIS MONTH, WILL HAVE TO RIDE THE TROLLEY FROM THE SUGARLANDS VISITOR CENTRE. THE MANDATORY SERVICE WILL BEGIN THIS FRIDAY AND RUN THROUGH JUNE 18TH. TROLLEY’S WILL RUN EACH DAY BETWEEN 6 AND 11 PM AT A COST OF ONE DOLLAR ROUND TRIP. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CALL THE PARK SERVICE AT: 436 –1200.

6/6/2006

ONE PERSON WAS ARRESTED AND OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING FOR THE OTHER PERPETRATORS WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO STEAL A CAMPER EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE STEPHANIE MCCLURE WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 12:30 AM AT A HOME IN THE FIVE THOUSAND BLOCK OF HENRY TOWN ROAD. APPARENTLY THE RESIDENTS OF THE HOME CALLED AUTHORITIES AFTER SEEING THEIR POP-UP CAMBER BEING STOLEN. MINUTES LATER, DEPUTY SELENA BALL SPOTTED THE VEHICLE ON HOLDERS GROVE ROAD, JUST ACROSS THE COCKE COUNTY LINE. AFTER INITIATING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE OCCUPANTS JUMPED FROM THEIR TRUCK AND FLED ON FOOT. DEPUTY BALL WAS HOWEVER ABLE TO APPREHEND 22 YEAR OLD KELLY SANTELLA OF CLINTWOOD WAY IN PIGEON FORGE. SHE WAS CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT, EVADING ARREST, AND BOOKED ON A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND ADDITIONAL ARRESTS ARE EXPECTED.

6/6/2006

A THREE VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE SATURDAY AFTERNOON SENT THREE PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS, INCLUDING ONE TO UT VIA LIFESTAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 3 O CLOCK AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 66 AND HIGHWAY 139 – DOUGLAS DAM ROAD. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER TIM RUSSELL, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 63 YEAR OLD PAUL SAXON OF JEFFERSON CITY, COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN BY 86 YEAR OLD REVEA BEESLEY OF KNOXVILLE. THE COLLISION CAUSED SAXON’S CAR TO THEN ALSO COLLIDE WITH A TRUCK BEING DRIVEN BY 25 YEAR OLD MICHAEL RICKER OF DANDRIDGE. BEESLEY WAS FLOWN TO UT, SAXON AND HIS PASSENGER, 62 YEAR OLD RAMONA SAXON WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO ST. MARY’S. THE VICTIMS CONDITIONS ARE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

6/5/2006

A LOUISIANA MAN WAS ARRESTED BY OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT EARLY TUESDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER TED NEWMAN, HE NOTICED A SUSPICIOUS PERSON BEHIND A GAS STATION ON HIGHWAY 66 JUST BEFORE 4 AM. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, OFFICER NEWMAN DISCOVERED THAT THE MAN WAS A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE. 25 YEAR OLD BRANDON BELL FROM OPELOUSAS LOUISIANA WAS ARRESTED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL FOR BOOKING AND EXTRADITION.

6/2/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE CHARGED A LOCAL MAN WITH RAPE FOLLOWING AN ALLEGED INCIDENT ON TUESDAY. 23 YEAR OLD DENNIS RUBIN ESCOTO OF CANDY TUFT DRIVE IN SEVIERVILLE, ALLEGEDLY RAPED THE WOMAN WHILE STAYING AT HER HOME AS A GUEST OF A ROOMMATE. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. NO COURT DATE HAS YET BEEN SET.

6/2/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED A KNOXVILLE MAN ON TWO COUNTS OF SEXUAL BATTERY INVOLVING A MINOR. 50 YEAR OLD ANDREW MORTON WAS HELPING TO CHAPERONE A GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL AGE KIDS WHEN THE INCIDENT ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED AT A GATLINBURG CONDOMINIUM LAST MONTH. MORTON IS FREE ON A TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND AND WILL BE FORMALLY ARRAIGNED ON JUNE 5TH.

6/1/2006

SEVERAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS THROUGHOUT SEVIER COUNTY YESTERDAY KEPT EMERGENCY WORKERS BUSY. THE FIRST WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 8:30 ON THE PARKWAY IN SEVIERVILLE NEAR BLALOCK’S. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE SERGEANT RICHIE MCMAHAN, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 38 YEAR OLD STACY CRUISE OF PIGEON FORGE, COLLIDED WITH AN S.U.V BEING DRIVEN BY 59 YEAR OLD JUDY LAUREANO OF KODAK. CRUISE WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE, LAUREANO WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE CONDITIONS OF BOTH DRIVERS IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK. ANOTHER ACCIDENT INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK CAUSED SOME TRAFFIC DELAYS ON NEWFOUND GAP ROAD. THE WRECK THAT INVOLVED TWO MOTORCYCLES AND A CAR, WAS REPORTED NEAR THE CHIMNEY’S PICNIC AREA JUST BEFORE 11:30. LUCKILY, THE TWO MOTORCYCLISTS FROM QUEBEC AND THE CAR DRIVER FROM GEORGIA WERE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. PARK RANGERS AND THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

6/1/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAVE NOW IDENTIFIED THE TEENAGER WHO WAS INJURED FOLLOWING AN EARLY MORNING FALL AT THE SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE STEPHANIE MCCLURE, 18 YEAR OLD LUCAS WALKER WAS ONE OF FIVE STUDENTS WHO BROKE INTO THE SCHOOL ALLEGEDLY TO VANDALIZE THE PROPERTY. WALKER WAS APPARENTLY CLIMBING A PIPE IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE ROOF OF THE SCHOOL WHEN HE FELL APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET TO THE GROUND AND HIT HIS HEAD ON A GAS PIPE. WALKER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HE IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

5/31/2006

A DOMESTIC DISPUTE IN SEVIER COUNTY TUESDAY AFTERNOON LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF A METHAMPHETAMINE LAB. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 2 O CLOCK AT A HOME IN THE SEVEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF TUCKAHOE ROAD. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, DEPUTIES ARRIVED AT THE RESIDENCE OF MARY AND HARRY BEARDEN FOLLOWING A REPORT OF AN ALTERCATION. HARRY BEARDEN HAD LEFT THE HOME BY THE TIME DEPUTIES ARRIVED, HOWEVER THEY DID ALLEGEDLY FIND SEVERAL COMPONENTS CONDUCIVE WITH THE MANUFACTURE OF METH. 48 YEAR OLD MARY BEARDEN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF ATTEMPTING TO MANUFACTURE, AND CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINST HARRY BEARDEN. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE SOUTH EAST METH TASK FORCE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

5/31/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GATLINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO POLICE CHIEF RANDY BRACKINS, OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE HOLIDAY INN SUNSPREE ON AIRPORT ROAD JUST BEFORE 5 AM. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY FOUND A MALE JUVENILE THAT HAD BEEN SHOT IN THE LOWER CHEST AREA. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, DETECTIVES ARRESTED 32 YEAR OLD WILLIE SHEPHERD OF CORBIN KENTUCKY. HE WAS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. THE TEENAGE VICTIM IS CURRENTLY LISTED IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

5/31/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GATLINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO POLICE CHIEF RANDY BRACKINS, OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE HOLIDAY INN SUNSPREE ON AIRPORT ROAD JUST BEFORE 5 AM. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY FOUND A MALE JUVENILE THAT HAD BEEN SHOT IN THE LOWER CHEST AREA. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, DETECTIVES ARRESTED 32 YEAR OLD WILLIE SHEPHERD OF CORBIN KENTUCKY. HE WAS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. THE TEENAGE VICTIM IS CURRENTLY LISTED IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

5/31/2006

AN UN-IDENTIFIED MALE WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE EARLY THIS MORNING, AFTER APPARENTLY FALLING FROM THE ROOF OF THE SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1 AM. THE VICTIM WAS WITH A GROUP OF ABOUT FIVE TEENAGERS WHO HAD BROKEN INTO THE SCHOOL. HE APPARENTLY FELL ABOUT 25 FEET AND HIT HIS HEAD ON A PIPE. HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

5/30/2006

A FIRE LATE LAST NIGHT BADLY DAMAGED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11 O CLOCK AT A HOUSE JUST OFF OAK LANE IN THE KODAK COMMUNITY. NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED AND THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

5/30/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED A MAN OVER THE WEEKEND AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY KIDNAPPED A SEVIER COUNTY WOMAN FROM A GAS STATION IN PIGEON FORGE. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER JOHN TURNER, 22 YEAR OLD ISAILAIS LOPEZ CAR JACKED THE UN-IDENTIFIED WOMAN JUST AFTER 5 O CLOCK FRIDAY EVENING. A SHORT TIME LATER, HE ORDERED HER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT THE OKEE DOKEE MARKET ON HIGHWAY 66 WHERE HE ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTED THE WOMAN. THE VICTIM WAS ABLE TO GET AWAY FROM LOPEZ AND NOTIFY AUTHORITIES. LOPEZ WAS CHARGED WITH PUBLIC INTOXICATION, KIDNAPPING, AND SEXUAL BATTERY. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL.

5/30/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEYMOUR THURSDAY AFTERNOON SENT ANOTHER TWO PEOPLE TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 4:30 ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY AT THE INTERSECTION WITH SHILOH CHURCH ROAD. APPARENTLY, A FORD ESCORT BEING DRIVEN BY 45 YEAR OLD SALLY BORDEAUX OF SEYMOUR, WAS REAR-ENDED BY A KIA SORENTO BEING DRIVEN BY 18 YEAR OLD JENNIFER LANCE OF SEVIERVILLE. BORDEAUX AND HER THREE YEAR OLD NEPHEW WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO UT WHERE SHE IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION, AND THE CHILD IS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION. LANCE WAS NOT INJURED BUT WAS CITED FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE

5/26/2006

THERE WERE SOME SCARY MOMENTS THURSDAY AFTERNOON IN SEYMOUR WHEN RESIDENTS IN THE OLD ZION HILL ROAD AREA, REPORTED SEEING WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SMALL ENGINE AIRCRAFT GO DOWN BEHIND SOME TREE’S. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3:30. SEVERAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THE AREA BUT FORTUNATELY, THE AIRCRAFT HAD MADE WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A FORCED LANDING. APPARENTLY, THE CESSNA 150 ENGINE HAD STOPPED SHORTLY AFTER TAKE-OFF FROM THE GATLINBURG – PIGEON FORGE AIRPORT. LUCKILY, PILOT JACK GILBERT AND CATHY WINTERS WERE BOTH UN-INJURED.

5/26/2006

A 35 YEAR OLD FEMALE IS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER FALLING FROM A PIGEON FORGE MOTEL ROOM. ACCORDING TO PIGEON FORGE POLICE CHIEF JACK BALDWIN, THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 6:45 THURSDAY AFTERNOON AT THE GREEN VALLEY MOTEL IN THE FOUR THOUSAND BLOCK OF THE PARKWAY. SHE APPARENTLY FELL FROM THE THIRD FLOOR AND RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AND FACE. THE UN-IDENTIFIED VICTIM WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

5/26/2006

THE SUSPECT THAT HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH AN ALLEGED MURDER THAT HAPPENED INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ON SUNDAY, PLED NOT GUILTY IN A FEDERAL COURT YESTERDAY. 42 YEAR OLD WILLIAM MOYERS JUNIOR OF ALCOA IS ACCUSED OF STABBING 25 YEAR OLD STEVEN DAVIS OF GREENBACK SEVERAL TIMES IN THE CHEST AT THE ABRAMS CREEK CAMPGROUND. INVESTIGATORS SAY THAT THE MURDER BEGAN AS HORSEPLAY AND ESCALATED INTO A FIGHT. MOYERS IS CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND WILL APPEAR IN COURT AGAIN ON AUGUST 1ST.

5/25/2006

SEVIER COUNTY MAYOR LARRY WATERS MADE IT OFFICIAL YESTERDAY AND FORMALLY ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR THE FIRST DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT CURRENTLY HELD BY BILL JENKINS. WATERS, WHO HAS SERVED AS COUNTY MAYOR FOR THE LAST 28 YEARS, MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT DURING A LUNCHTIME RALLY YESTERDAY AT THE SEVIER COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

5/24/2006

PIGEON FORGE CITY COMMISSIONERS MET LAST NIGHT AT CITY HALL AND APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR DONATION TO THE SEVIER COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, TO HELP PURCHASE A NEW INCINERATOR. THE CITIES OF SEVIERVILLE, GATLINBURG, AND THE COUNTY HAVE ALSO AGREED TO THE SAME AMOUNT. THE MONEY WILL NOW BE MATCHED BY SEVERAL PRIVATE DONATIONS, INCLUDING A SIGNIFICANT DONATION GIVEN BY THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN GIFT SHOW.

5/23/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HAVE NOW IDENTIFIED A MAN WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY MURDERED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING AT THE ABRAMS CREEK CAMPGROUND. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, 25 YEAR OLD STEVEN LYNN DAVIS OF GREENBACK WAS STABBED TO DEATH FOLLOWING AN ALTERCATION WITH 42 YEAR OLD WILLIAM JOSEPH MOYERS JUNIOR OF ALCOA. MOYERS APPEARED BEFORE A U.S. MAGISTRATE MONDAY AFTERNOON AND WAS ORDERED HELD WITHOUT BOND. MOYERS IS CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND WILL APPEAR FOR A PRELIMINARY HEARING TOMORROW.

5/23/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED RAPE THAT OCCURRED EARLY MONDAY MORNING IN THE BELLE MEADOWS SUB DIVISION. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH, AN ADULT WOMAN REPORTED THAT A MAN ENTERED HER HOME ON BLAKE LEA, AND RAPED HER IN THE BEDROOM AREA. AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR A WHITE MALE IN HIS LATE 30’S, APPROXIMATELY FIVE FOOT SEVEN INCHES TALL AND WEIGHING ABOUT 200 POUNDS. THE VICTIM ALSO SAID THAT THE SUSPECT HAD A SHAVED HEAD AND MAY BE A CIGARETTE SMOKER. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE BUSH AT: 453 – 5506.

5/23/2006

ONE MAN IS DEAD AND OTHER IN POLICE CUSTODY FOLLOWING AN ALTERCATION INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK YESTERDAY. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 4 AM AT THE ABRAMS CREEK CAMPGROUND. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESPERSON NANCY GRAY, THE UN-NAMED 25 YEAR OLD WHITE MALE VICTIM DIED FROM AN APPARENT STAB WOUND. A MALE SUSPECT WHO WAS ALSO CAMPING AT THE SITE, IS BEING DETAINED FOR QUESTIONING AND POSSIBLE CHARGES. APPARENTLY, ALCOHOL MAY HAVE BEEN A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. THE VICTIM’S IDENTITY IS BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF THE NEXT OF KIN. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

5/22/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK AND CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS ON FELONY BURGLARY. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE ROBBIE BALL WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 26 YEAR OLD ANTHONY WELLS OF KODAK WAS CHARGED WITH TAKING TOOLS FROM THREE TRUCKS PARKED AT THE BEST WESTERN HOTEL ON HIGHWAY 66, AT THE CRACKER BARREL ON HIGHWAY 66, AND FROM THE BASS PRO SHOP. THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF ALL THE STOLEN TOOLS IS OVER THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS. WELLS IS CURRENTLY FREE AFTER POSTING A TWELVE THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR BOND.

5/22/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK THURSDAY MORNING IN SEYMOUR SENT THE DRIVER TO THE HOSPITAL. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 10:30 IN THE TWELVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF SOUTH KNOB CREEK WAY. APPARENTLY THE DRIVER - APRIL BRYANT, LOST CONTROL OF HER CHRYSLER AND HIT A TREE. THE EXTENT OF HER INJURIES IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

5/19/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DRUG TASK FORCE ARRESTED A MARYVILLE MAN ON MONDAY FOR ALLEGEDLY SELLING DRUGS. 37 YEAR OLD ARTHUR WILLIAM DITTMAR WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER ALLEGEDLY DELIVERING FORTY PERCOCET AND TWENTY TWO OXYCONTIN PILLS TO UNDERCOVER OFFICERS AT A LOCATION ON MIDDLE CREEK ROAD IN PIGEON FORGE. DITTMAR WAS CHARGED WITH SALE AND DELIVERY AND BOOKED ON A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

5/18/2006

TWO PEOPLE ARE DEAD FOLLOWING AN APPARENT MURDER – SUICIDE TUESDAY MORNING IN SEVIER COUNTY. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 10:30 AT A HOUSE ON RED BUD LANE. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT MIKE HODGES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SISTER OF ONE OF THE VICTIMS CALLED AND ASKED THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT TO PERFORM A WELFARE CHECK. WHILE DEPUTIES WERE ON THEIR WAY, THE SISTER CALLED BACK AND REPORTED GUN SHOTS. WHEN SERGEANT HODGES ARRIVED AT THE SCENE HE FOUND TWO VICTIMS IN A FIELD BEHIND THE HOME. 35 YEAR OLD ESTER EBERHART HAD WHAT APPEARED TO BE A GUN SHOT WOUND TO THE BACK OF HER HEAD AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. 36 YEAR OLD BRIAN KEITH EBERHART HAD AN APPARENT GUN SHOT WOUND UNDER HIS CHIN, AND WAS STILL ALIVE, BUT ALSO DIED SHORTLY AFTER. OFFICERS RECOVERED A NINE MILLIMETER PISTOL AT THE SCENE. THE INCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE AND THE RESCUE SQUAD RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

5/17/2006

SEVIERVILLE’S BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN MET LAST NIGHT AT THE CIVIC CENTRE, AND AGREED TO AN ADDITIONAL TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR DONATION TO THE SEVIER COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY TO PAY FOR A NEW INCINERATOR. ALDERMEN ALSO ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR A RIGHT TURN LANE FROM ERNEST MCMAHAN ONTO MIDDLE CREEK ROAD, AND A LEFT TURN LANE FROM MIDDLE CREEK ONTO ERNEST MCMAHAN AT THE SAME INTERSECTION. CONSTRUCTION COULD BEGIN THIS SUMMER. SEVIER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ALSO MET LAST NIGHT AND ALSO APPROVED THEIR PART OF THE TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR DONATION TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY. COMMISSIONERS ALSO APPROVED A FINAL ZONING RESOLUTION AND MAP BY A VOTE OF EIGHTEEN TO SEVEN. THE NEW ZONING LAW COULD GO INTO EFFECT THIS SEPTEMBER.

5/16/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS ARRESTED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY STOLE TWO ATV’S. ACCORDING TO SERGEANT MIKE HODGES WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE INCIDENT BEGAN JUST AFTER 6:30 SATURDAY MORNING WHEN A FOUR WHEELER WAS STOLEN FROM A HOME ON SMOKY MOUNTAIN QUEEN ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RECOVERED LATER THAT SAME DAY BY DEPUTY BLAINE LEWIS FOLLOWING INFORMATION GIVEN TO LEWIS BY THE VICTIM. HOURS LATER, ANOTHER ATV WAS STOLEN FROM A HOME ON PLEASURE ROAD. THAT VEHICLE WAS RECOVERED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER BY DEPUTY JUSTIN CLABO. AT THIS TIME, OFFICIALS KNEW THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR 19 YEAR OLD RAY HERRON OF SHARP ROAD. AT 4 AM SUNDAY MORNING, DEPUTY CLABO SAW THE SUSPECTS VEHICLE AND FOLLOWING A BRIEF PURSUIT, INITIATED A TRAFFIC STOP AT A GAS STATION ON NEWPORT HIGHWAY. HERRON ALLEGEDLY EXITED HIS VEHICLE WITH A KNIFE AND THREATENED CLABO. HE THEN DISCARDED THE WEAPON AND TOOK OFF ON FOOT. DEPUTY CLABO WAS ABLE TO TACKLE HERRON AND SUBSEQUENTLY PLACED HIM UNDER ARREST. HERRON WAS CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT, ASSAULT, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON, EVADING, RESISTING ARREST AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A 250 THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

5/16/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK ON THE SPUR SATURDAY MORNING SENT TWO PEOPLE TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR. THE WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 11 AM JUST OUTSIDE OF GATLINBURG. APPARENTLY A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 72 YEAR OLD ITALO FIORE OF SEVIER COUNTY, COLLIDED WITH A HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE BEING RIDDEN BY 36 YEAR OLD DOUGLAS HODSON OF INDIANA. HODSON AND HIS WIFE WHO WAS HIS PASSENGER, WERE BOTH LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. FIORE WAS CITED FOR THE UNSAFE OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE. THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PARK RANGERS RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

5/15/2006

ONE MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A FIGHT IN SEVIER COUNTY FRIDAY NIGHT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9 O CLOCK AT A HOME IN THE FOUR HUNDRED BLOCK OF THORN GROVE PIKE. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, THE ALTERCATION WAS BETWEEN 47 YEAR OLD DANA CHESNEY OF HICKMAN ROAD IN KODAK, AND 43 YEAR OLD ANTHONY YARBER. DURING THE ALTERCATION, CHESNEY HAD APPARENTLY BEEN STABBED AND WAS IMMEDIATELY FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HE SUBSEQUENTLY DIED EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. DETECTIVE MARK TURNER ARRESTED YARBER AND CHARGED HIM WITH VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

5/15/2006

THE STATE BUILDING COMMISSION HAS APPROVED PIGEON FORGE’S AMBITIOUS ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY TWO MILLION DOLLAR BUILDING PROGRAM. THE DECISION WAS CONFIRMED YESTERDAY DURING A MEETING IN NASHVILLE. ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUES FROM THE NEW TOURIST DEVELOPMENT ZONE WILL ALLOW THE FUNDING OF A NEW CIVIC CENTRE, NEW PARKING FACILITIES AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. DEVELOPMENT ON THE FORMER JAKE THOMAS FARM SHOULD BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR.

5/12/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK THURSDAY AFTERNOON IN SEVIERVILLE SENT THE DRIVER TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 4:30 ON OLD KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY NEAR WEST LOOP. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER JOHN TURNER, 30 YEAR OLD JONATHAN MURPHY OF SEVIERVILLE, LOST CONTROL OF HIS TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK, HIT A TREE, AND FLIPPED THE VEHICLE ONTO IT’S TOP. MURPHY HAD TO BE EXTRICATED BY EMERGENCY WORKERS. HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

5/12/2006

TWO TEENAGERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH SEVERAL LOCAL BURGLARIES. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, A JOINT INVESTIGATION BETWEEN OFFICIALS WITH THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, LED TO THE ARREST OF 18 YEAR OLD JOSHUA RYAN FOX OF EIGHT POINT WAY AND 18 YEAR OLD JOSHUA CRAIG COONS OF BLUFF MOUNTAIN ROAD. FOX WAS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED BURGLARY, TWO COUNTS OF FORGERY, AND A VIOLATION OF PROBATION, AND IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. COONS WAS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BURGLARY AND A VIOLATION OF PROBATION, AND IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND FURTHER ARRESTS ARE EXPECTED.

5/12/2006

THE SEVIER COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION MET ON TUESDAY AND VOTED TO RECOMMEND A FINAL ZONING RESOLUTION AND MAP TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION. A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE COURTHOUSE ON MONDAY FROM 5 UNTIL 7, AND THEN THE COMMISSIONERS WILL VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION DURING THEIR REGULAR MEETING THAT BEGINS AT 7:30. IF APPROVED, A NEW ZONING REGULATION COULD GO INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1ST.

5/11/2006

A MOTORCYCLE WRECK INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ON TUESDAY, HAS CLAIMED A SECOND LIFE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9 O CLOCK ON LITTLE RIVER ROAD. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESMAN BOB MILLER, 68 YEAR OLD HUGH SCULLY OF LONG BEACH MISSISSIPPI, LOST CONTROL OF HIS HONDA GOLD WING AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. HIS PASSENGER, 59 YEAR OLD THOMAS MOCK ALSO OF LONG BEACH, PASSED AWAY EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING AT THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE.

5/11/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY RAPED A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, 50 YEAR OLD JAMES HAROLD NELSON OF BATES GIBSON ROAD, ALLEGEDLY RAPED THE CHILD SEVERAL TIMES AT HIS HOME. NELSON WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY LAST WEDNESDAY AND CHARGED WITH THE RAPE OF A CHILD LESS THAN THIRTEEN YEARS OF AGE. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A 250 THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND AND WILL BE ARRAIGNED ON JUNE 2ND.

5/11/2006

THE SEVIER COUNTY SOLID WASTE ORGANIZATION HAS RECEIVED A WASTE TIRE GRANT FOR NEARLY FIFTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION. THE GRANT IS SUPPORTED BY THE WASTE TIRE FUND THAT RECEIVES A STATE SURCHARGE ON THE PURCHASE OF NEW TIRES.

5/11/2006

A NIGHT OF DRINKING AND TROUBLEMAKING IN SEVIERVILLE EARLY TUESDAY MORNING, LED TO THE ARREST OF ONE ADULT AND TWO JUVENILES. THE INCIDENT BEGAN AROUND ONE AM WITH A CALL ABOUT NOISY YOUNGSTERS, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER CALL AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30 ABOUT JUVENILES STEALING STREET SIGNS. SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO LOCATE THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED 22 YEAR OLD HAROLD MAYS AND TWO MALE TEENAGERS. ONE OF THE JUVENILES ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTED TO ESCAPE ON FOOT BUT WAS QUICKLY APPREHENDED BY OFFICER TED NEWMAN. ALL THREE HAD APPARENTLY BEEN DRINKING. MAYS WAS CHARGED WITH RESISTING ARREST, DUI, CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR AND THEFT. THE JUVENILES WERE BOTH CHARGED WITH UNDERAGE CONSUMPTION AND THEFT.

5/10/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY TUESDAY MORNING INSIDE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, HAS CLAIMED THE LIFE OF THE DRIVER. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9 O CLOCK ON LITTLE RIVER ROAD. ACCORDING TO PARK SPOKESMAN BOB MILLER, THE UN-NAMED 68 YEAR OLD MAN FROM MISSISSIPPI, LOST CONTROL OF HIS GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. HIS 59 YEAR OLD MALE PASSENGER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE NAMES OF BOTH VICTIMS ARE BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF THE NEXT OF KIN.

5/10/2006

A CONSTRUCTION WORKER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A FALL TUESDAY MORNING. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9:30 AT THE WINDSWEPT DEVELOPMENT JUST OFF BLUFF MOUNTAIN ROAD. APPARENTLY THE 34 YEAR OLD MALE FELL APPROXIMATELY TWENTY FEET FROM A ROOF. HE WAS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE WALDEN’S CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

5/10/2006

A FORMER SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY PLED GUILTY YESTERDAY TO AGGRAVATED BURGLARY AND THEFT OVER FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. DOUG TRENTHAM ADMITTED TO THE CHARGES WITHOUT A PLEA AGREEMENT FROM THE STATE. TRENTHAM ADMITTED THAT HE STOLE A NUMBER OF PIECES OF EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS FROM THE HOME OF JOHN WAYNE BLAIR, WHO IS CHARGED WITH THE FRIST DEGREE MURDER OF 23 YEAR OLD KELLY SELLARS, WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY KILLED AT BLAIR’S HOME IN APRIL 2005. TRENTHAM WILL BE SENTENCED ON AUGUST 8TH.

5/9/2006

A SEVIERVILLE MAN WAS ARRESTED MONDAY FOLLOWING A BRIEF CAR CHASE ALONG DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE NOON WHEN A CITIZEN REPORTED A SUSPICIOUS LOOKING MALE, THAT WAS REPORTEDLY LOOKING IN PARKED VEHICLES AT THE NATIONAL FITNESS CENTRE. WHEN THE SUBJECT LEFT THE AREA, THE CITIZEN PROVIDED AUTHORITIES WITH THE TAG NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH SEVIERVILLE POLICE DISPATCHERS DETERMINED HAD BEEN STOLEN IN KNOXVILLE. SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER DWEESE MILLIRON WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE VEHICLE ON GARY WADE BOULEVARD AND PURSUED IT DOWN DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY, OLD NEWPORT HIGHWAY AND THEN ONTO EDGEWOOD LANE, WHERE THE DRIVER ABANDONED THE VEHICLE AND FLED ON FOOT. OFFICER MILLIRON AND OFFICER PAUL LAYMON EVENTUALLY FOUND THE SUBJECT HIDING IN SOME NEARBY BUSHES AND TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY. 39 YEAR OLD STEVEN SHREVE OF SEVIERVILLE WAS CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY, FELONY EVADING, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, AND DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE. ADDITIONAL CHARGES ARE ALSO PENDING.

5/9/2006

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOW NAMED THE GATLINBURG MAN WHO DIED FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOLLOWING A FREAK ACCIDENT AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2:30 AT THE SUMMITT DEVELOPMENT IN THE WALDEN’S CREEK COMMUNITY. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, 46 YEAR OLD DARRELL STEWART OF MILLS PARK ROAD, WAS OPERATING A BOBCAT WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN THE MUD NEAR A BURNING BRUSH PILE. APPARENTLY, THE BOBCAT AND STEWART BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. DETECTIVE MATHEW CUBBERLY AND FIRE MARSHALL FRED ATCHLEY ARE INVESTIGATING.

5/8/2006

A FIRE SATURDAY NIGHT DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT IN THE TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF ROBERTS ROAD IN KODAK. ALTHOUGH THE SINGLE WIDE TRAILER WAS A COMPLETE LOSS, LUCKILY, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

5/8/2006

A PIGEON FORGE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER STALKING AND HARASSING LOUISE MANDRELL. KIRK EASTWOOD WHO USED TO WORK AT THE LOUISE MANDRELL THEATRE AS A PYROTECHNICIAN, PLED GUILTY AND ADMITTED TO SENDING A PACKAGE TO THE COUNTRY MUSIC STAR ON APRIL 27TH. THE PACKAGE THAT INCLUDED A KNIFE, SOME TAROT CARDS, A GREETING CARD PYRAMIDS AND A CRYSTAL BALL, HAD TO BE OPENED BY THE BOMB SQUAD DUE TO EASTWOOD’S BACKGROUND WITH PYROTECHNICS. EASTWOOD IS FORBIDDEN FROM ANY CONTACT WITH MANDRELL OR ANY OF HER EMPLOYEE’S.

5/8/2006

A CONSTRUCTION WORKER WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A FALL IN GATLINBURG THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 12:30 IN THE FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF JOHNSON LANE. ACCORDING TO GATLINBURG FIRE CHIEF GREG PATTERSON, THE 23 YEAR OLD MALE VICTIM FELL APPROXIMATELY TWENTY FEET FROM THE ROOF OF A CABIN. THE EXTENT OF HIS INJURIES IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE GATLINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

5/5/2006

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOW NAMED THE SEYMOUR MAN THAT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED DURING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1:30 AM IN THE SIXTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF BOYD’S CREEK HIGHWAY NEAR TEMPLE ROAD. THE DRIVER HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 23 YEAR OLD DANIEL DUNLAP OF SMOKY MOUNTAIN VIEW DRIVE. HE WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE HE REMAINS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

5/5/2006

TWO SEPARATE WRECKS OVERNIGHT SENT TWO PEOPLE TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE FIRST ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT IN THE EIGHT HUNDRED BLOCK OF ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER OF A CHEVY IMPALA COLLIDED WITH A HORSE THAT HAD ESCAPED FROM IT’S FIELD. THE UN-NAMED DRIVER’S CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE HORSE DIED FROM THE IMPACT. THE SECOND WRECK WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1:30 AM IN THE SIXTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF BOYD’S CREEK HIGHWAY, NEAR TEMPLE ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE MALE DRIVER FROM SEYMOUR, LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND ENDED UP WITH THE FORD WEDGED BETWEEN TWO TREE’S. HE WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE AND IS CURRENTLY LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING.

5/4/2006

ON ON-GOING NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION IN SEVIER COUNTY HAS LED TO THE ARREST OF THREE MEN. 23 YEAR OLD JESSE RAMZANALI OF ATLANTA GEORGIA, 21 YEAR OLD JORGE COREAS AND 27 YEAR OLD FRANCISCO ZELAYA, BOTH OF HOUSTON TEXAS, WERE ALL ARRESTED ON TUESDAY AFTER ALLEGEDLY DELIVERING FOUR KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE, WORTH AN ESTIMATED 84 THOUSAND DOLLARS, TO AN UNDERCOVER TBI AGENT. DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL AL SCHMUTZER JUNIOR SAID THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND ADDITIONAL ARRESTS ARE EXPECTED. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DRUG TASK FORCE TOOK PART IN THAT BUST.

5/4/2006

SEVIER COUNTIANS WENT TO THE POLLS YESTERDAY AND DECIDED THE OUTCOME OF SEVERAL HOTLY CONTESTED RACES. INCUMBENT SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY WAS EASILY RE-ELECTED WITH 56% OF THE VOTE, AND RITA ELLISON WON THE CIRCUIT COURT CLERK’S RACE, BEATING JAN REAGAN TODD WITH 70% OF THE VOTE. ALTHOUGH JOE BAKER TOOK SEVIER COUNTY, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY RACE FOR THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT WAS EVENTUALLY WON BY JIMMY DUNN WITH 52% OF THE VOTE FROM ALL FOUR COUNTIES. OF THE ELEVEN COUNTY COMMISSION REPUBLICAN RACES, EIGHTEEN INCUMBENTS WERE RE-ELECTED, FIVE LOST THEIR SEATS, AND SEVEN NEW COMMISSIONERS WERE ELECTED. RUN-OFF’S WITH A DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER WILL BE HELD IN AUGUST IN THREE COMMISSION DISTRICTS.

5/3/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A FIVE YEAR OLD GIRL. SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER T.C. FALCONER RESPONDED TO A SEVIERVILLE RESIDENCE WHERE THE ALLEGED INCIDENT HAD TAKEN PLACE ON APRIL 12TH. ON MONDAY, DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH CHARGED 45 YEAR OLD NOEL GREY SMITH WITH FELONY AGGRAVATED SEXUAL BATTERY. SMITH IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

5/3/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK LAST NIGHT IN SEYMOUR SENT AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE, ONE OF THEM VIA LIFESTAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 7:30 ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY NEAR THE KROGER GROCERY STORE. APPARENTLY, A CHEVY CAR BEING DRIVEN BY A UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER FROM KNOXVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A HONDA MOTORCYCLE BEING RIDDEN BY A MALE SEVIERVILLE RESIDENT. THE VICTIMS CONDITIONS ARE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

5/2/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY STUDENT IS ONE OF TWELVE TENNESSEANS SELECTED AS A SEMI-FINALIST IN THE ANNUAL PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS AWARD PROGRAM. ANNE CALKINS FROM THE SEVIER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL COULD BE INVITED TO WASHINGTON D.C. IF SHE IS CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE 2006 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS. THE PROGRAM HONORS THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF OUTSTANDING GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

5/2/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK LAST NIGHT SENT THE PASSENGER TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 11:30 IN THE FOURTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF CHAPMAN HIGHWAY NEAR THE SEVIERVILLE CITY LIMIT. APPARENTLY, THE UN-IDENTIFIED MALE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS CHEVY CELEBRITY AND ENDED UP DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. HIS TEENAGE FEMALE COMPANION RECEIVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE NON LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE SEVIERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

5/1/2006

TWO PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED LAST NIGHT FOLLOWING A DRUG BUST AT A LOCAL MOTEL. THE ARRESTS WERE MADE JUST BEFORE 9:30 IN A ROOM AT THE SUPER EIGHT MOTEL ON HIGHWAY 66 IN SEVIERVILLE. BOTH WERE CHARGED WITH SIMPLE POSSESSION AND ARE CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION SHOULD IT BECOME AVAILABLE.

5/1/2006

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOW RELEASED THE NAME OF A MAN THAT DIED FOLLOWING A WRECK MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2:30 AT THE INTERSECTION OF DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY AND MIDDLE CREEK ROAD. ACCORDING TO SEVIERVILLE POLICE OFFICER RAY BROWN, A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 62 YEAR OLD PATRICIA HEACOX OF SEVIERVILLE, COLLIDED WITH A YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE BEING DRIVEN BY 47 YEAR OLD RODNEY BUCHANON OF CAMDEN INDIANA. BUCHANON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. HIS PASSENGER, 16 YEAR OLD KAIYLA RACKLIFF OF SEVIERVILLE WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE, WHERE SHE WAS TREATED AND LATER RELEASED. HEACOX WAS TREATED AND RELEASED FROM FORT SANDERS SEVIER. SHE WAS ALSO CITED FOR FAILURE TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

4/19/2006

SEVIERVILLE’S BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN HAVE AGREED TO SELL THE OLD DAN RIVER PROPERTY TO COVENANT HEALTH, THE PARENT COMPANY OF FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. COVENANT HEALTH PURCHASED THE PROPERTY FOR ABOUT FOUR MILLION DOLLARS AND PLAN TO BUILD A NEW EIGHTY MILLION DOLLAR HOSPITAL. COVENANT HEALTH WILL NOW APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF NEED FROM THE STATE, AND BEGIN WORKING ON A MASTER PLAN FOR THE NEW FACILITY. COVENANT EXPECTS TO CLOSE ON THE DEAL WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK.

4/19/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THE MANUFACTURE OF MARIJUANA AND FOR THEFT OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT WERE NOTIFIED JUST BEFORE 7:30 MONDAY MORNING, OF A CAR BEING STOLEN FROM THE GLEN SMITH WELL DRILLING BUSINESS ON NEWPORT HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, THE PERPETRATOR HAD USED A TRUCK FROM THE SAME BUSINESS TO RAM THE FRONT GATE OPEN, AND THEN TOOK THE OTHER VEHICLE FROM THE LOT. AN INVESTIGATION BY DETECTIVES JEFF MCCARTER AND STEPHANIE MCCLURE, LED THEM TO A HOME ON PEARL VALLEY ROAD WHERE THE STOLEN VEHICLE WAS RECOVERED. DETECTIVES ALSO ALLEGEDLY FOUND SEVERAL CONTAINERS AT THE HOME FILLED WITH MARIJUANA. 36 YEAR OLD RUSSELL ALVIN NALLEY WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND HELD ON A FIFTY FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR BOND. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND MORE ARRESTS ARE POSSIBLE.

4/18/2006

A FREAK ACCIDENT SATURDAY EVENING IN SEVIER COUNTY SENT A KODAK MAN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE VIA LIFESTAR. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7 O CLOCK AT A HOME JUST OFF DUMPLIN VALLEY ROAD. THE UN-NAMED VICTIM WAS APPARENTLY USING A RIDING LAWN MOWER WHEN IT EXPLODED, SPEWED GASOLINE OVER HIM, AND CAUGHT HIS CLOTHING ON FIRE. HE WAS BURNED OVER ABOUT NINETY PERCENT OF HIS UPPER BODY. THE NORTHVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

4/18/2006

A TWO VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE MONDAY AFTERNOON, CLAIMED THE LIFE OF ONE PERSON AND SENT TWO OTHERS TO AREA HOSPITALS. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 2:30 AT THE INTERSECTION OF DOLLY PARTON PARKWAY AND MIDDLE CREEK ROAD. THE UN-NAMED DECEASED WAS RIDING A MOTORCYCLE AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. HIS JUVENILE FEMALE PASSENGER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE. THE FEMALE CAR DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE CONDITION OF BOTH FEMALE VICTIMS IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

4/18/2006

A MORRISTOWN MAN WANTED FOR A VIOLATION OF THE SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRY WAS ARRESTED OVER THE WEEKEND IN SEVIER COUNTY. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, DEPUTY RANDY THOMAS HAD APPROACHED THE SUBJECT AS HE WALKED ALONG WEARS VALLEY ROAD ON SATURDAY MORNING. THE SUSPECT SAID THAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR A RIDE HOME. WHILE THOMAS WAS VERIFYING THE MAN’S IDENTITY, THE SUBJECT TOOK OFF ON FOOT INTO A WOODED AREA. DEPUTY THOMAS, A K9 OFFICER AND MEMBERS OF THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT SEARCHED THE AREA AND EVENTUALLY ARRESTED DANNY ALAN BRYANT. HE WAS CHARGED WITH VIOLATION OF PROBATION, VIOLATION OF THE SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRY, AND FOUR COUNTS OF FELONY EVADING ARREST. BRYANT IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE SEVIER COUNTY JAIL ON A TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND AND WILL APPEAR IN COURT ON MAY 19TH.

4/17/2006

U.S. MARSHALL’S HAVE ARRESTED A PIGEON FORGE COUPLE THAT CLAIM THAT THEY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO TAX LAWS, OR ANY OTHER LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. ARNOLD AND KATHLEEN SCHMID HAVE BEEN ON THE RUN SINCE LAST SEPTEMBER TO AVOID CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE GOVERNMENT, AND WILLFUL FAILURE TO FILE TAX RETURNS. THE COUPLE WERE ARRESTED IN PORTLAND OREGON. THE SCHMID’S ARE ACCUSED OF USING SHELL COMPANIES TO HIDE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INCOME FROM THEIR SEVIER COUNTY CABIN RENTAL BUSINESS AND THE ALPINE MOUNTAIN CHALET RESORT IN WEARS VALLEY. THE COUPLE WILL NOW FACE EXTRADITION BACK TO SEVIER COUNTY.

4/17/2006

A MULTI VEHICLE WRECK ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY THURSDAY MORNING, CLAIMED ONE LIFE AND SENT SIX PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7 AM IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF CHAPMAN HIGHWAY NEAR HIGHLAND VIEW. APPARENTLY NINE VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED IN THE WRECK INCLUDING A MOTORCYCLE. THE DECEASED WAS IDENTIFIED AS 21 YEAR OLD STEVEN LYNN TERRY JUNIOR OF POWELL. EARLY INDICATIONS SUGGEST THAT THE PILE-UP BEGAN WHEN TERRY’S VEHICLE DRIFTED OVER THE DIVIDING DOUBLE YELLOW LINE, AND SIDE-SWIPED A CAR BEING DRIVEN BY 20 YEAR OLD JONATHAN OWENS OF SEYMOUR. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. THE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

4/14/2006

A FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING DESTROYED ONE BUILDING AND DAMAGED A DUMPSTER AT A SEVIER COUNTY CONVENIENCE CENTRE. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 2:30 AT THE FACILITY LOCATED AT 759 ALLENSVILLE ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE STAFF SHED BURNED TO THE GROUND AND ONE OF THE TRASH CONTAINERS WAS ALSO BADLY DAMAGED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE SEVIER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

4/14/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING A BURGLARY THAT OCCURRED EARLY THIS MORNING. THE BREAK-IN WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 2:30 AT THE DYNAMITE LIQUIDATORS STORE ON CHAPMAN HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH WHITE SCHOOL ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE THIEVES WERE ABLE TO REMOVE AN ATM FROM THE STORE AND HAUL IT AWAY. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AT: 453 – 4668.

4/13/2006

A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK IN SEVIERVILLE LAST NIGHT SENT THREE PEOPLE TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 8 O CLOCK ON RIDGE ROAD NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH RAINBOW ROAD. IT APPEARS THAT THE UN-NAMED MALE DRIVER FELL VICTIM TO A MEDICAL PROBLEM AND LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE. HE AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS WERE ALL TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER. THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT WRECK.

4/13/2006

A COSBY RESIDENT WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK LAST NIGHT IN SEVIER COUNTY. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 6 O CLOCK IN THE FORTY FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF JONES COVE ROAD, NEAR THE SCHOOL. THE 46 YEAR OLD UN-NAMED FEMALE DRIVER HAD TO BE CUT FREE FROM THE WRECKAGE. HER CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

4/12/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WHO WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE FROM OFFICERS WHILE BEING TRANSFERRED BETWEEN SEVIER COUNTY AND JEFFERSON COUNTY OFFICIALS NEARLY TWO WEEKS AGO, IS NOW IN CUSTODY. 26 YEAR OLD ROBERT DANIEL VICKERS OF BLUE GRASS ROAD WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AT THE SEVIER COUNTY COURTHOUSE ON MARCH 31ST BECAUSE OF AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. HE APPARENTLY ASSAULTED A PRISON OFFICER AND ESCAPED ON FOOT. VICKERS WAS ARRESTED ON FRIDAY AFTER BEING FOUND AT A NURSERY OWNED BY HIS FATHER IN LAW. VICKERS RAN FROM THE SCENE BUT WAS FOUND ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER HIDING IN A DRAINAGE CULVERT NEAR CLEVELAND NORTH CAROLINA. HE IS AWAITING EXTRADITION BACK TO SEVIER COUNTY. OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE U.S. MARSHALL’S SERVICE, AND THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS FUGITIVE TASK FORCE WERE ALL INVOLVED IN VICKERS APPREHENSION.

4/12/2006

A SEVIERVILLE WOMAN WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE TUESDAY AFTERNOON, AFTER INADVERTENTLY ELECTROCUTING HER SELF AT HER PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 1:30 AT THE PIGEON RIVER POTTERY STORE ON OLD MILL AVENUE. APPARENTLY, AMANDA CHRISTOPHER WAS CHANGING A LIGHT BULB WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. SHE WAS TAKEN TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER FOR OBSERVATION AFTER COMPLAINING THAT SHE FELT WEAK. THE PIGEON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

4/12/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN HAS PLED GUILTY TO VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER. 46 YEAR OLD CURTIS OWNBY WAS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT TOMORROW BUT DECIDED TO MAKE A DEAL WITH THE STATE. OWNBY ADMITTED TO SHOOTING 42 YEAR OLD MARY ANN RAYFIELD OUTSIDE HIS HOME ON CRAWFISH WAY. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN MAY OF 2004 FOLLOWING A NIGHT OF DRINKING AND ARGUING. OWNBY WAS SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN JAIL AND MUST SERVE AT LEAST THIRTY FIVE PERCENT OF HIS SENTENCE BEFORE BEING ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE.

4/11/2006

A SEVIER COUNTY MAN WAS ARRESTED ON SUNDAY AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY STOLE SEVERAL TOOLS FROM A CONSTRUCTION SITE. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF BRUCE MONTGOMERY, THE BURGLARY WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 9:30 AT A HOUSE THAT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE FOURTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF WEST MILFORD HAVEN DRIVE. LATER THAT SAME DAY, SHERIFF’S DEPUTY AARON WHALEY SPOTTED A VEHICLE PARKED ON PULLEN ROAD THAT MATCHED THE DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUCK THAT WAS USED DURING THE BURGLARY. FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION BY DETECTIVE MARK TURNER, JACKIE RUSTON WHALEY OF 1080 PULLEN ROAD WAS CHARGED WITH THE BURGLARY. SEVERAL OF THE STOLEN TOOLS WERE ALLEGEDLY RECOVERED FROM HIS HOME. HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

4/11/2006

FOUR SEVIER COUNTY MEN HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER FOLLOWING A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING IN PIGEON FORGE THURSDAY NIGHT. ACCORDING TO PIGEON FORGE POLICE CHIEF JACK BALDWIN, 18 YEAR OLD DUSTIN MYLES VAN HOOSE OF PIGEON FORGE, 18 YEAR OLD WILLIAM HAYES OF SEVIERVILLE, 20 YEAR OLD ADRIAN CRAWFORD OF SEVIERVILLE, AND 22 YEAR OLD TIMOTHY IRICK OF SEVIERVILLE, HAVE ALL BEEN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED AT 3136 GLENN HUSKEY DRIVE IN PIGEON FORGE. APPARENTLY 19 YEAR OLD JOHN MCCLURE, 20 YEAR OLD JUSTIN BERRY, AND 20 YEAR OLD JAMES DISSARY, ALONG WITH TWO MALE JUVENILES WERE IN THE YARD, WHEN THE FOUR SUSPECTS ALLEGEDLY FIRED MULTIPLE SHOTGUN AND HANDGUN ROUNDS AT THEM. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

4/11/2006

A FIRE FRIDAY EVENING DESTROYED A SEVIER COUNTY HOME. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 9 O CLOCK AT A RESIDENCE IN THE EIGHT HUNDRED BLOCK OF YELLOW BREECHES ROAD ON ENGLISH MOUNTAIN. THE CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME, BUT LUCKILY NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE ENGLISH MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

4/10/2006

OFFICIALS WITH THE SEVIERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A YOUNG WOMAN Whose BODY WAS FOUND IN AN APARTMENT ON TUESDAY. THE DECEASED HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS NINETEEN YEAR OLD BRITNEY MONIQUE FOSTER OF PIGEON FORGE. HER BODY WAS FOUND INSIDE AN APARTMENT AT 505 CROFFORD STREET. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO FORT SANDERS SEVIER MEDICAL CENTRE WHERE SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. DETECTIVES HAVE REQUESTED AN AUTOPSY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE KEVIN BUSH AT: 453 – 5506.

4/7/2006

TWO SEVIER COUNTY STUDENTS HAVE BEEN NAMED AS PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR CANDIDATES BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. GATLINBURG PITTMAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT LINDSEY OAKLEY AND SEVIER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ANNE CALKINS, WERE BOTH RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ON COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS. THE COMMISSION ON PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS WILL NAME THE 2006 SCHOLARS IN MAY.

4/6/2006

SEVIER COUNTY MAYOR LARRY WATERS HAS DECIDED TO RUN FOR CONGRESS. WATERS WILL SEEK THE FIRST DISTRICT SEAT CURRENTLY HELD BY BILL JENKINS, WHO ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT LAST MONTH. WATERS WILL NOT TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING HIS CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN, AND WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS COUNTY MAYOR.

4/6/2006

A FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING HAS DESTROYED TWO RENTAL CABINS AND SLIGHTLY DAMAGED A THIRD. THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 1:30 AM IN THE 700 BLOCK OF CHICKASAW GAP WAY IN PIGEON FORGE. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE PIGEON FORGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE WALDEN’S CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THAT BLAZE.

4/6/2006

A CONSTRUCTION WORKER WAS FLOWN TO THE UT MEDICAL CENTRE TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOLLOWING A FALL IN THE WEARS VALLEY AREA. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 3 O CLOCK JUST OFF HATCHER MOUNTAIN ROAD. APPARENTLY, THE UN-NAMED 33 YEAR OLD MALE VICTIM FELL APPROXIMATELY TWENTY FEET FROM A CABIN, AND LANDED ON A STEEL ROD. HE APPARENTLY SUFFERED INJURIES TO HIS HEAD, STOMACH AND RECEIVED A SUSPECTED BROKEN ANKLE. THE WEARS VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SEVIER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONDED TO THAT SCENE.

4/5/2006

A PIGEON FORGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO TOOK A GUN WITH HIM TO SCHOOL LAST SEPTEMBER, PLED GUILTY YESTERDAY IN SEVIER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT. 17 YEAR OLD JOHN LIVAUDAIS ENTERED THE GUILTY PLEA AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF A WEAPON ON SCHOOL GROUNDS, WHICH IS A FELONY, POSSESSION OF A WEAPON UNDER THE INFLUENCE, AND FOR RESISTING ARREST. LIVAUDAIS WHO IS BEING TRIED AS AN ADULT, HAS A SENTENCING HEARING SET FOR JUNE 6TH.

4/5/2006

PIGEON FORGE CITY OFFICIALS HAVE REDUCED THE SIZE AND AMOUNT OF THE BUILDING PLAN, WHICH IS AT THE CENTRE OF THEIR PROPOSED TOURIST DEVELOPMENT ZONE APPLICATION. OFFICIALS ORIGINALLY WANTED THE STATE TO APPROVE AN AMBITIOUS BUILDING PROJECT BASED AROUND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER JAKE THOMAS FARM PROPERTY ON TEASTER LANE. APPARENTLY STATE OFFICIALS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE ORIGINAL TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT, AND HAD ISSUES WITH SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS THAT WOULD NOT QUALIFY AS A BENEFIT TO A PUBLIC USE FACILITY. PIGEON FORGE OFFICIALS HAVE NOW REDUCED THE PROJE