THURSDAY APRIL 24
TWO ARRESTED AFTER INVESTIGATION INTO DAYCARE
TWO WOMEN WERE ARRESTED AFTER A MONTHLONG INVESTIGATION INTO REPORTED CHILD ABUSE AT AN ABINGDON CHILDCARE FACILITY. BLUE MOUNTAIN CHILDCARE CONFIRMED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THAT IT FIRED TWO EMPLOYEES AFTER DISCOVERING THE ALLEGED ABUSE, AND SELF REPORTING IT TO THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. 30 YEAR OLD AMBROSIA MONK OF BRISTOL VIRGINIA AND 25 YEAR OLD RACHEL PUCKETT OF SALTVILLE VIRGINIA WERE EACH CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AND BATTERY BY THE WASHINGTON COUNTY VIRGINIA SHERIFF’S OFFICE, STEMMING FROM INCIDENTS THAT OOK PLACE FROM JANUARY 1ST THROUGH MARCH 12TH.
CHARGE AGAINST SCOTT CO SHERIFF DISMISSED
A MISDEMEANOR CHARGE AGAINST SCOTT COUNTY SHERIFF JEFF EDDS WAS DISMISSED ON WEDNESDAY. IN SEPTEMBER EDDS WAS ISSUED A CRIMINAL SUMMONS, ACCUSING HIM OF MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY. EDDS WAS ISSUED THE SUMMONS AFTER A WOMAN WHO IDENTIFIED HERSELF AS HIS DAUGHTER IN LAW ALLEGED THAT HE PUSHED HER AND TRIED TO FORCE HER OUT THE DOOR OF A HOME. THE WOMAN CLAIMED SHE RETURNED TO HER HOME TO FIND HER CHILD’S BELONGINGS OUTSIDE, AND EDDS IN THE HOME, TELLING HER TO LEAVE. ACCORDING TO THE SCOTT COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, THE CHARGED WAS DISMISSED DURING A COURT APPEARANCE WEDNESDAY.
KINGSPORT MAN WITH WARRANTS IN TWO STATES ARRESTED
A KINGSPORT MAN IS FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES AFTER A TRAFFIC STOP TUESDAY. ACCORDING TO A RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERRIFF’S OFFICE, DEPUTIES ATTEMPTED A TRAFFIC STOP ON A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY 39 YEAR OLD TYLER SMITH. HE REFUSED TO STOP, DRIVING THROUGH THE YARD OF A RESIDENCE AND INTO AN ADJOINING FIELD. SMITH THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FLED ON FOOT BEFORE BEING APPREHENDED. HE WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF SEVERAL PILLS AND WAS FOUND TO HAVE WARRANTS OUT OF SULLIVAN AND COCKE COUNTIES, AS WELL AS GORDON COUNTY GEORGIA. HE WAS CHARGED WITH EVADING ARREST, SCHEDULE I DRUG VIOLATION, SIMPLE POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE III AND IV DRUGS, DRIVING ON A REVOKED LICENSE AND SPEEDING.
WOMAN DIES IN SINGLE-VEHICLE CRASH
A WOMAN IS DEAD AFTER A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH IN WYTHE COUNTY VIRGINIA. ACCORDING TO VIRGINIA STATE POLICE, THAT CRASH HAPPENED AT 7:25 PM TUESDAY ON INTERSTATE 81. INVESTIGATORS SAID THAT A NISSAN VERSA WAS TRAVELING SOUTH, WHEN IT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE FO THE ROAD, STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, BOUNCED BACK TO THE RIGHT, AND OVERTURNED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO REST IN THE TRAVEL LANES. THE DRIVER 24 YEAR OLD MOLLY JOMES OG BLAND VIRGINIA WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND DIED AT THE SCENE. OFFICIALS SAY JONES WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT. THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR $100M IN HELENE RECOVERY FUNDS IN TN
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE GOVERNOR’S RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND FOR VICTIM’S OF HURRICANE HELENE IN TENNESSEE. JOHNSON CITY SENATOR RUSTY CROWE SAID THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, NON-PROFITS ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, FARMERS AND FORESTERS IN CARTER, GREENE, HAWKINS, JOHNSON, SULLIVAN, UNICOI, ANS WASHINGTON COUNTIES, AMONG OTHER COUNTIES IN TENNESSEE, CAN APPLY FOR THIS FUND. IT WAS SAID THE FUND HAS 100 MILLION DOLLARS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR UNMET DISASTER RECOVERY NEEDS.
JURY, ALTERNATES SEATED IN TRAIL OF FORMER TN HOUSE SPEAKER
A 12 PERSON JURY AND 4 ALTERNATES HAVE NOW BEEN SEATED IN THE TRAIL OF A FORMER TENNESSEE HOUSE SPEAKER AND HIS LONG-TERM AIDE. GLEN CASADA AND HIS EX-CHIEF OF STAFF CADE COTHREN BOTH FACE 20 CHARGES, INCLUDING BRIBERY, WIRE FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING AND THEFT, ALL TIED TO AN ALLEGED KICKBACK SCHEME INVOLVING A FAKE MAILER COMPANY. FORMER HIXON REPRESENTATIVE ROBIN SMITH WHO EARLIER PLEADED GUILTY TO FEDERAL WIRE FRAUD CHARGES, WILL PROVIDE KEY TESTIMONY IN THE TRIAL. OPENING STATEMENTS IN THE TRIAL ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN TODAY.
BILL AIMING TO PROTECT ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL MEDICATION PASSES TN LEGISLATURE
A BILL AIMED AT SAFEGUARDING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL MEDICATIONS FOR TENNESSEANS THROUGH THE 340B PROGRAM, HAS PASSED THE STATE LEGISLATURE. THE 340B DRUG PRICING PROGRAM IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT HELPS CERTAIN HOSPITALS AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, OR COVERED ENTITIES, PURCHASE OUTPATIENT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AT DISCOUNTED PRICES. HOSPITALS INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM ARE ST JUDE’S CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL AND ERLANGER BARONESS HOSPITAL. THE BILL ENSURES THAT DRUG MANUFACTURERS CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE CONTRACT PHARMACY ARRANGEMENTS WITHIN 340B PROVIDERS, ENSURING THE DISCOUNTED PRICE FOR TENNESSEANS WHO UTILIZE THE PROGRAM. THE BILL ALSO PROHIBITS DRUG MANUFACTURERS FROM IMPOSING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS ON 340B ENTITIES. THE BILL OW AWAITS THE GOVERNORS SIGNATURE.
BOIL WATER ADVISORY ISSUED AFTER WATERLINE BREAK IN WISE CO
THE WISE COUNTY SERVICE AUTHORITY HAS ISSUED A BOIL WATER ADVISORY FOR SOME CUSTOMERS DUE TO A WATERLINE BREAK ON GUEST RIVER ROAD. THE UTILITY SAID THE BREAK OCCURRED NORTH OF UNION HALL. THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY WAS ISSUED OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION FOR CUSTOMERS ON GUEST RIVER ROAD NORTH OF UNION HALL ROAD, ROCKY FORK, DAY TOWN ROAD, WAMPLER HOLLOW ROAD, POWELL RIVER, NEEDMORE, THACKERS BRANCH, BLACKWOOD. DUNBAR, KENT JUNCTION ROAD, MONEYHUN ROAD AND SURROUNDING AREAS. CUSTOMERS IN THOSE AREAS SHOULD NOT CONSUME TAP WATER BEFORE BRINGING IT TO A ROLLING BOIL FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE AND LETTING IT COOL.
TUESDAY FIRE IN GREENE CO REKINDLES WEDNESDAY
EMERGENCY PERSONAL WERE CALLED BACK, AFTER A BARN FIRE IN BULLS GAP REKINDLED ON WEDNESDAY. THE FIRE WAS INITIALLY REPORTED IN THE 600 BLOCK OF EAST WELLS HILL LANE ON TUESDAY. THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY KENNETH LAMONS TOLD THE GREENE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT A NEIGHBOR CALLED TO REPORT THE BARN FIRE. ACCORDING TO LAMONS, THERE WAS NO ELECTRICITY RUNNING TO THE BARN WHICH WAS ONLY USED TOS TORE HAY. ABOUT 200 BALES WERE DESTROYED. THE BARN WAS VALUED AT 30,000 DOLLARS. THE MOSHEIM VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BACK TOP THE SCENE AROUND 1:30 PM WEDNESDAY. THE TOWN OF MOSHEIM, AND MIDWAY AND UNITED VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE LATER CALLED TO ASSIST.
GEA BOARD HEARS BROADBAND, SOLAR UPDATES
GREENEVILLE ENERGY AUTHORITY BOARD HEARD BROADBAND AND SOLAR UPDATES DURING THEIR APRIL MEETING THIS WEEK. BROADBAND DIRECTOR PHIL BRADLEY TOLD BOARD MEMBERS THAT WHILE MONTHLY REVENUES CONTINUE TO TREND UPWARD, THERE ARE STILL NUMEROUS COSTS IN THE CONTINUED STARTUP OF THE PROGRAM. HE SAID PAPERWORK FOR THREE GRANTS TOTALING 21.3 MILLION DOLLARS WITH A 25 PERCENT MATCH HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO HELP CONNECT UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THE COUNTY. SINCE NO OTHER SOLAR SITES ARE ALLOWED IN GREENE COUNTY, THE AUTHORITY HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH TVA, WHICH WILL ALLOW OFF SITE SOLAR PARTICIPATION. THE FLEXIBILITY 2.0 SOLAR SITE AGREEMENT, ALLOWS FOR A PERCENTAGE OF POWER TO BE OBTAINED OUTSIDE OF GREENE COUNTY.
