CARTER CO MAN CHARGED AFTER MISSING MAN FOUND DEAD IN FREEZER

A CARTER COUNTY MAN IS FACING 1^ST DEGREE MURDER CHARGES AFTER ALLEGEDLY KILLING A MAN WHO WAS REPORTED MISSING THE END OF MARCH. 46 YEAR OLD JOEY GUINN IS CHARGED WITH MURDER, ABUSE OF A CORPSE, AND TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE, AFTER BEING ARRESTED WEDNESDAY IN THE DEATH OF 64 YEAR OLD EDWARD ELLIOTT, WHOSE BODY WAS DISCOVERED BY SEARCH TEAMS, OFF A REMOTE ROAD IN HAMPTON WEDNESDAY. THE ARREST FOLLOWS AN INVESTIGATION AND INTERVIEWS THAT BEGAN IN EARLY APRIL. AFTER A CADAVER DOG POSITIVELY INDICATED AN ODOR CONSISTENT WITH HUMAN DECAY, AGENTS RECOVERED A LARGE FREEZER UNDER THE SOIL CONTAINING HUMAN REMAINS BELIEVED TO BE ELLIOTT. AS OF THURSDAY GUINN WAS BEING HELD ON 5 MILLION DOLLAR BOND.

MAN FOUND WITH DEAD WOMAN IN BACK SEAT

A MAN IS IN CUSTODY AFTER HE WAS REPORTEDLY FOUND DRIVING WITH A DEAD WOMAN IN THE BACK SEAT OF HIS VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO WASHINGTON COUNTY VIRGINIA SHERIFF BLAKE ANDIS, THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE RECEIVED A CALL AROUND 2 PM THURSDAY, REGARDING THE INCIDENT IN THE EXIT 7 AREA OFF INTERSTATE 81. THE SUSPECT WAS FOUND IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. NO IDENTITIES HAVE BEEN RELEASED PENDING THE NOTIFICATION OF NEXT OF KIN. ANDIS SAID VIRGINIA STATE POLICE ARE ASSISTING IN THE INVESTIGATION.

SHOTS FIRED AT KINGSPORT BURGER KING

A SUSPECT IS IN CUSTODY AFTER SHOTS WERE FIRED AT A BURGER KING RESTAURANT IN KINGSPORT THURSDAY. KINGSPORT POLICE SAY THE SHOTS WERE FIRED AT THE RESTAURANT ON WEST STONE DRIVE NEAR NETHERLAND INN ROAD IN KINGSPORT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE INCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM BEGINS MAY 28^TH

WASHINGTON COUNTY SCHOOLS NUTRITION WILL BEGIN ITS SUMER FOOD PROGRAM ON MAY 28^TH. FROM MAY 28^TH TO JULY 26^TH, THE SUMER FOOD PROGRAM WILL OFFER TWO FREE MEALS A DAY FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18. REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED. MEALS CAN BE PICKED UP AT GRAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OR JONESBOROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED FROM 8:30 TO 9 AM, AND LUNCH WILL BE SERVED FROM 11 AM TO 12 PM DAILY. THE SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM WILL ALSO OFFER THE OPTION TO PICK UP A WEEK’S WORTH OF FOOD AT BOONES CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 12 TO 12:30 PM UNTIL JULY 17^TH.

PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SULLIVAN CO COMMISSIONERS PULLED

A COMMISSIONER PULLED HIS RESOLUTION TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SULLIVAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FROM 24 TO 12 AT THURSDAY’S MEETING. COMMISSIONER HUNTER LOCKE BELIEVES THE COUNTY HAS TOO MANY COMMISSIONERS. HIS PROPOSAL AIMED TO REDUCE THE CURRENT 11 DISTRICTS TO 7, WITH THE ELECTION OF 2 COMMISSIONERS FROM EACH OF THOSE 7 DISTRICTS. LOCKE SAID HE PULLED THE RESOLUTION DUE TO LACK OF SUPPORT. LOCKE COULD PUT THE PROPOSAL BACK ON THE TABLE IN THE FUTURE.

SITE PLAN APPROVED FOR GREENE CO RV CAMPGROUND

THE SITE PLAN FOR A PROPOSED RV CAMPGROUND IN GREENE COUNTY HAS BEEN APPROVED, GIVING CONSTRUCTION THE GO AHEAD. THE PRESIDENTIAL VIEW RV RANCH SITE IS LOCATED ALONG WOOLSEY COLLEGE ROAD. THE GREENE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED THE SITE PLA. THE OWNERS OF THE CAMPGROUND WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING THE PARK PRIOR TO THE RECONSIDERATION OF ZONING REGULATIONS IN THE COUNTY. IN FEBRUARY A LAWSUIT WAS FILED AGAINST THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE RV CAMPGROUND OWNERS ON BEHALF OF A NEARBY RESIDENT. SHE CLAIMED THE PROPERTY DID NOT HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THE CAMPGROUND. OTHER RESIDENTS IN THE AREA HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERNS REGARDING THE CAMPGROUND AND ITS POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITY.

MAN DIED FROM ACCIDENTAL DROWNING

POLICE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY, THAT A KINGSPORT MAN FOUND IN THE HOLSTON RIVER ON APRIL 30^TH DIED FROM AN ACCIDENTAL DROWNING. KINGSPORT POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A DROWNING ON THE SOUTH FORK OF THE HOLSTON RIVER AT RIVERBEND PARK. THE BODY WAS IDENTIFIED BY AUTHORITIES AS 75 YEAR OLD RONALD WAYNE DAVIDSON. AN AUTOPSY DETERMINED DAVIDSON’S CAUSE OF DEATH TO BE AN ACCIDENTAL DROWNING. DAVIDSON WAS BELIEVED TO BE FISHING IN OR AROUND THE RIVER AT THE TIME.

RACKS BY THE TRACKS ROAD CLOSURES

THE Q5TH ANNUAL RACKS BY THE TRACKS FESTIVAL AND RACKS BY THE TRACKS 10K AND 5K ROAD RACES WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY MAY 18^TH. IN PREPARATION FOR THE FESTIVAL, CLINCHFIELD STREET FROM WEST CENTER STREET TO PRESS STREET WILL CLOSE TODAY BEGINNING AT 3 PM. ALL LANES OF TRAFFIC WILL BE CLOSED AND WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR THE DURATION OF THE EVENT ON SATURDAY. SEVERAL OTHER ROAD CLOSURES WILL OCCUR SATURDAY FOR THE ROAD RACES. THOSE ROAD CLOSURES WIL START AROUND 7 AM. THE AFFECT STREETS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO CLINCHFIELD, ARCH, PRESS, ROLLER, WEST SULLIVAN, AND SEQUOYA STREETS, CHEROKEE VILLAGE AND LOVEDALE DRIVE.

YOUNGKIN GENERAL ASSEMBLY STILL WORKING ON SKILL GAMES LEGISLATION

BEFORE VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS EVEN LEFT RICHMOND ON MONDAY AFTER APPROVING A STATE BUDGET, SOME WERE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT COMING BACK, THIS TIME TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE OF SKILL GAMES. WITH THE GOVERNOR LIKELY TO VETO THE BILL CURRENTLY ON HIS DESK, HE AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGREED TO CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT WAYS TO LEGALIZE THE POPULAR GAMES THAT ARE OFTEN FOUND IN CONVENIENCE STORES. DELEGATE TERRY KILGORE AND SENATOR AARON ROUSE SAID THAT IF AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED, LAWMAKERS WILL RETURN TO RICHMOND IN THE SUMMER TO DEBATE THE BILL. MEANWHILE OPPONENTS OF SKILLS GAMES ARE REACTING TO THE PROSPECTS OF LAWMAKERS RETURNING TO RICHMOND, WITH A GROUP CALLED VIRGINIANS AGAINST NEIGHBORHOOD SLOT MACHINES SAYING, THE AMOUNT OF OXYGEN BEING WASTED ON CONVENIENCE STORE SLOT LEGISLATION IS TRULY EMBARRASSING FOR THE COMMONWEALTH.

TWRA LAUNCHES SAFE BOATING CAMPAIGN AS SUMMER APPROACHES

THE TWRA WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE 2024 NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK, MAY 18^TH THROUGH THE 24^TH, REMINDING ALL BOATERS TO BRUSH UP ON BOATING SAFETY SKILLS, ANS PREPARE FOR THE BOATING SEASON. BETSY WOODS, TWRA BOATING EDUCATION COORDINATOR SAID TO BE SURE TO BOAT RESPONSIBLY. KEEP ALCOHOL TO A MINIMUM, MAKE SURE YOUR BOAT IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER, AND BY ALL MEANS WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET, IT MAY INDEED SAVE YOUR LIFE.

WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER VEHICLE STRIKES HOME

A WOMAN WAS ARRESTED FOR DRIVING ON A REVOKED LICENSE, AFTER THE VEHICLE SHE WAS DRIVING REPORTEDLY STRUCK A RESIDENCE IN THE 900 BLOCK OF APPLE STREET WEDNESDAY NIGHT. ACCORDING TO A REPORT, GREENEVILLE POLICE WERE CALLED TO INVESTIGATE A HIT AND RUN, AND IDENTIFIED THE DRIVER AS KIRA BURGESS OF GREENEVILLE. HER VEHICLE ALLEGEDLY HIT A SMALL TREE, A BIRDBATH, AND THEN THE HOUSE. SHE WAS LOCATED NEAR MCDONALD’S ON ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY, AND TOLD OFFICERS SHE WAS REVERSING, AND HER BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. BURGESS SAID SHE PANICKED AND DROVE AWAY AFTER HITTING THE HOME. HER LICENSE WAS CONFIRMED TO BE REVOKED DUE TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

TWO ARRESTED ON DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGES

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES AND DEA AGENTS ARRESTED TWO PEOPLE THIS WEEK FOR CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE LARGE AMOUNTS OF METH. 36 YEAR OLD AMANDA STANTON FELLERS OF CHUCKY WAS ARRESTED WEDNESDAY, 46 YEAR OLD MICHAEL NEIL HACKLER OF JONESBOROUGH WAS ALSO CHARGED WHILE ALREADY IN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER, FOR A STRING OF MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS. AUTHORITIES SERVED SEARCH AND ARREST WARRANTS. ADDITIONAL ARRESTS ARE PENDING.