KNOXVILLE (WATE)- Snow hit the Knoxville area. WATE 6 on Your Side went to see how the weather was in your neighborhood.

Knox County

Drivers in Knox County used caution after a wintry mix sprinkled the area with snowfall.

Highway maintenance officials said the precipitation was more than expected.

“As first anticipated it was just going to be rain,” said Highway Maintenance Director. “We didn’t pre-treat it, so we just went into a reactive mode with salt trucks.”

With fourteen salt trucks on the roadways, Knox County residents said the driving conditions were fair. Parts of the county, including streets along Tazewell Pike, saw more than one inch of snow, while other areas had a dusting.

With the low temperatures, highway officials warn drivers of potential icy roads. “Just slow down,” Hubbs said. “That’s the best advice I can give anybody.”

Despite the wintry conditions, Hubbs said very few accidents have been reported in Knox County.

Hamblen County

Over in Hamblen County, there was a good amount of snow blanketing the ground on Tuesday. While school was out and conditions were dicey, it didn’t stop people from enjoying their time off.

It was a lonely playground, aside from the snowflakes and laughter. Nancy Guillen and her 13-year-old daughter, Faith, took a break from errands.

“Usually, I pack up my office and work from home when it’s going to be like this, but I didn’t,” said Guillen. “I didn’t think it was going to be like this.”

They took a break from the indoors as a way to shake off cabin fever. “We were getting ready to go home and we decided to stop and play while we could,” said Guillen.

Others were inside, escaping the snow in Morristown a more peaceful way. Amy Kent brought her two girls to the library.

“I don’t like them missing [school] because I don’t want them to fall behind,” she said.

But unlike school, the library didn’t get a snow day. “I swept off the sidewalk, got the money counted, and waited for patrons to come in,” said Library Director Steve Parrott.

On days like today, it’s quieter than most so that means doing chores, like weeding out unused books. “I would rather them do something like reading or playing games,” said Kent.

It was easy at the library with 135,000 places tucked on shelves to visit and escape the winter weather. “Never hurts to get in a good book on a cold, snowy day or a rainy day, or a sunny day,” said Parrott.

Jefferson County

Snow fell off and on for most of the day in Jefferson county. A lot of it accumulated in Dandridge.

Local hardware stores like Dandridge Hardware saw a lot of people coming in looking for snow necessities.

“Lots of kids coming in to get their sleds and stuff with their allowance money. It’s kind of cute,” said Dandridge Hardware’s Kari Anderson. “Mostly just sleds, and salt, and lots of snow shovels.”

They were stocked and ready since it was not their first round of winter weather this year.

“Seems like we’ve been getting a lot more snowfall than usual, especially like how deep it’s been getting,” said Anderson.

Some kids enjoyed having a snow day. They found the perfect hill, grabbed their sleds and headed up. “Scary, very scary!” they laughed.

The big flakes did not make an appearance everywhere, but left a coating where they did.

“You can just drive up the road a little bit like to Seymour and there’s nothing but then right here we’ve got a pretty good dusting,” said Anderson.

Road crews were able to keep most of the main roads clear for much of the day. No major issues were reported.

For more weather coverage, download the WATE weather app.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – With bitter cold temperatures across East Tennessee, First United Church of Morristown wanted to make sure homeless have more than a jacket to keep them warm.

Lining the fence outside their church are plastic bags filled with donated hats, gloves, scarves and socks. The bags say “If you are cold and need this please take it.”

Since First United Methodist Church of Morristown started their “fence ministry,” they said they have given away 326 bags over the last five weeks and have had great results. “It was immediate which we were shocked, but it’s been very positive from the neighbors around the church that watch people go around the fence,” said Leigh who heads the program.

Organizers said they started bagging the items together, but they actually had people return items to the fence in order to pass them along to others. As a result, they decided to bag items separately so people can take what they need.

The church said men’s items go quickly, but they also need donations for women and children. Anyone who would like to make a donation can drop off hats, gloves, socks and scarves at the church during business hours. The church is encouraging their congregation to take advantage of discounts towards the end of winter.

Next year, First United Church of Morristown said they plan on continuing their fence ministry, so any items that don’t get used will be saved for next year.

For more information visit First United Methodist Church of Morristown’s website.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – At a traffic stop in Hamblen County deputies found weapons, drugs and $11,760 in cash.

Guy Walter Mayns, 31, was arrested by the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office on February 9. Deputies discovered two pistols, brass knuckles and drug paraphernalia in his 2003 Ford Expedition.

After Mayns was arrested, a judge gave deputies a warrant to search Mayns’ vehicle. Police found more than $11,000, along with 1.6 grams of methamphetamine and additional drug paraphernalia.

At the time of the arrest, Mayns was on probation. Police charged him with violating probation, possession of drugs with intention to resale, two counts of possession of a firearm and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. Currently, Mayns is in jail on a $503,000 bond.

WHITESBURG (WATE) – The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) says a Hamblen County man found electrocuted at a furniture company last October due to improperly maintained and protected electrical equipment.

Jeffery Hensley, 26, died on October 7, 2015, while operating an electrical saw at the company when he was shocked.

Previous story: Hamblen County man dies from electrocution at furniture company

TOSHA says he was trying to clean wood dust and debris from the rip saw at Koch Tenn, Inc. in Whitesburg when damage in the electrical cord from a lifting table caused a live wire to come in contact with the table, electrifying it. TOSHA also says the cord was also not properly grounded.

TOSHA is proposing a fine of $14,750 to Koch Tenn, Inc. due to the numerous violations.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – A Hamblen County man is suing for $5 million, saying he was brutally beaten at the county jail by another inmate, a situation allegedly caused by indifference by jail officials and overcrowding.

Jeremy Garcia, 40, who is “intellectually disabled” according to the suit, had been repeatedly threatened by a group of inmates called “The House” in September 2014 and was transferred to another part of the jail. In February 2015, according to the suit, Garcia was incarcerated again at the jail, described as “overcrowded and understaffed.”

Garcia’s attorney says in the suit that he realized the men who previously threatened him were still in the jail and pleaded to not be housed with them, but his pleas were ignored. Then, according to the suit, a member of “The House” paid another inmate to beat Garcia while he slept on the jail floor, leading to multiple broken bones in his face, several cuts and bruises, a concussion and a hemorrhage in his eye.

Web Extra: Read the full lawsuit [PDF]

The suit says Garcia had to undergo emergency surgery, requiring plates and screws to be inserted into his face. Garcia was also left with post-traumatic stress and severe cognitive difficulties which require ongoing therapy.

One inmate was charged with and indicted for aggravated assault and is awaiting trial, but the suit says no other inmate was charged and no jail staff members were reprimanded or disciplined.

Garcia’s attorney says policies, customs and/or practices have turned the jail into a “house of mayhem” where inmates are packed together, poorly supervised, unmonitored, not properly separated and housed in a building not conducive to inmate safety.

Garcia is seeking compensatory and punitive damages totaling $5 million, plus medical costs, court costs and attorney fees.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – Police are searching for a suspect who allegedly robbed Fastop Market in Hamblen County.

The suspect is described as a white male who is around 5 feet 8 inches tall. Witnesses say he was wearing a grey jogging pants, grey and black tennis shoes, a beanie, a camouflage bandanna and a grey shirt.

Employee Tabatha Combs told investigators that a man walked into the store Monday night. He was holding a knife and tapped it on the counter.

The suspect took $500 and fled the scene.

Investigators say a witness saw the suspect enter the store. Before the robbery, he was in the rear of the building.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – The Morristown Police Department is asking for help to identify an aggravated robbery suspect.

Officers say Fastop, 3507 E. Andrew Johnson Highway, was robbed around 9:30 p.m. Monday. A man came in with a knife, tapping it on the counter and told the clerk to open the register.

The suspect was wearing gray jogging pants, black tennis shoes, a beanie, a camouflage bandanna and a gray shirt.

Anyone with information should call Det. Sgt. Al Herrera at (423) 585-4639 or if you want to remain anonymous, contact MPD’s anonymous tip line at (423) 585-1833.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – An 85-year-old man was killed after Morristown Police Department said he failed to yield to a Jeep that had the right of way.

The crash happened Thursday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 25E and South Davy Crockett Parkway at around 11:38 p.m. Officers said R.L. Taylor died at the crash.

According to the police report, R.L. Taylor, driving a Chevrolet Malibu, attempted to cross over U.S. Highway 25E, pulling into the direct path of a Jeep, driven by a 16-year-old girl. After the two cars hit, R.L. Taylor’s car rolled and the Jeep overturned.

The passenger in the Malibur, Tiffany Taylor, 25, and the passenger of the Jeep, a 13-year-old girl, were both transported by ambulance to a Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System Hospital.

KNOXVILLE (WATE) – An East Tennessee fifth grader shared a special connection with University of Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs.

Riley Ripley is a huge University of Tennessee fan and Dobbs is her favorite. She says it is because he is a great person on and off the field and shows her that she can do anything she puts her mind to.

However, it wasn’t until she saw a photo of Dobbs that the 11-year-old realized she has something in common with her favorite football player. “He had some hair, but what really made me know is he had no eyebrows,” said Ripley. “It was really cool to think a pro-athlete, like really famous, had the same thing I did, because at first I thought I was the only person.”

At four-years-old, Ripley started losing her hair. By nine it was gone.

“I got to third grade, I would play with my hair, I would twirl it and I would pull my hand down and chunks would just come out.in huge pieces I was scared at first, because I didn’t know what was happening,” said Ripley.

Ripley was diagnosed with alopecia, a condition that occurs when your immune system attacks hair follicles. Going back to school was scary for her.

“I was nervous because I was afraid everyone was going to make fun of me, because I was the only girl that everyone knew of that had no hair,” said Ripley. When she saw a close-up shot of Dobbs, showing he was missing hair too, she was inspired.

Ripley decided to write Dobbs a letter asking him about if he was worried about people making fun of him. A few weeks later she got a note back, signed by Joshua Dobbs.

More: Read Riley Ripley’s letter to Joshua Dobbs

“He said I’m just like you, I have alopecia and I don’t worry about anybody because those people I just can’t pay attention to them,” said Ripley.

More: Read Joshua Dobbs letter to Riley Ripley

Watching Dobbs achieve so much on and off the field gives Riley confidence. “It shows me that no matter what you h ave you can be what you want to be and do what you want to do,” she said.

The Morristown fifth grader said she hopes to meet her hero somebody, although she admits she’s a little nervous. WATE 6 On Your Side reached out to Dobbs, but he is it out of town on spring break.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – A Hamblen County man faces charges for being cruel to animals after a woman found her cats dead.

Related: Pennslyvania horse abandoned at stable riddled with paintball remnants

Investigators say Lamar Jacobs was left alone at the residence of Krystal Purdue in Morristown on July 1, 2015. Jacobs is the father of Purdue’s child. When Purdue came back to the house at 793 Central Church Road, she found Lamar outside vomiting. She claims that Lamar admitted to “scolding” one of the cats for defecating in the house. Purdue saw a small amount of feces near the front door, however, the residence smelled horrible, according to the report.

Lamar told the victim that after drinking a glass of water he became sick, according to Purdue. The report says Lamar claimed one of the cats ran behind the stove. Purdue found the cat with a bloody nose. Investigators say Purdue asked Lamar about the pet’s nose, he said the cat might of ran into the stove.

Purdue claims she noticed her other cats were missing. She called police to force Lamar to leave the residence on July 4, according to the report. Investigators say Purdue thought the suspect was “causing trouble.”

Later that day, Purdue found the other pets dead. She claims King Tut, Pretty Kitty and Midnight were wrapped in a Wal-Mart bag. The bag was inside a trash can outside of the home.

Investigators believe Purdue found cat toe nails and burnt cat hair inside the stove. She says the stove’s odor was as foul as when she found the cat feces.

The U.T. College of Veterinary Medicine performed a necropsy on the three pets. They believe Midnight and Pretty Kitty died of blunt force trauma and more. Singe marks were found on the cats’ bodies and foot pads. Also, blisters were found on the cats’ paws. The cats’ toe nails were missing. Investigators believe the animals were still alive while in the stove.

The report says King Tut died from blunt force trauma.

Also, Purdue claims to have found a broom handle behind her couch. It was dented and broken. She believes the handle was fine when Lamar originally arrived to the house.

WHITESBURG (WATE) – A Hamblen County woman faces charges for child abuse and neglect after an arrest Wednesday.

Investigators say an escaped inmate, Jason Hughes, was discovered at 200 Silver City Road in Whitesburg. A detective noticed the environmental conditions of the residence. Also, four children had physical signs of abuse, according to the report.

The children are between the ages of 1-years-old and 9-years-old, according to investigators. Currently, they are staying with family members at another location.

Hughes is in Hamblen County Jail on a $40,000 bond.

MORRISTOWN  (WATE) – A Morristown man faces charges after multiple robberies occurred in Hamblen County.

Investigators say Cory Ryan Berfield, 27, was arrested Friday when hiding underneath a pile of clothes at his residence.

A victim claims a robbery occurred March 29 when someone entered a residence on Murrell Road. The suspect stole jewelry, keys and a 2004 Dodge truck.

Investigators found the Dodge truck on Panther Creek Road.

Another incident occurred on March 30. The report says the suspect went into a barn on Collinson Ford Road. A chain saw, sawzall and a 1975 Ford truck was stolen.

Berfield faces charges fro burglary and stealing items over $1,000.

The suspect is at the Hamblen County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – The good book could become Tennessee’s state book. A bill to male the Holy Bible the official state book is set to be back on the Senate floor Monday. The bill originally came up in 2015 and was resurrected this year by Sen. Steve Southerland from Morristown who says this is a move most Tennesseans want.

‘I think we just need to get back to the basics and follow the golden rule and what the Bible teaches us is right and wrong and I think in a sense the bible needs to be incorporated,” said Deborah Stuart of Talbott.

Previous story: Effort renewed to make Bible official book of Tennessee

Lawmakers say designating the Bible as the state book is to recognize its historical and cultural contributions in Tennessee, but not everyone agrees with the idea.

“I know our forefathers were founded on that but today I think it needs to be separate. Everyone has their own opinion,” said Trever Reed of Morristown.

Currently Tennessee does not have a state book. Other states have tried similar legislation, but it’s failed. If the bill passes here, Tennessee would be the first.

“If it causes people to read the Bible more, as a pastor I would be very excited about that. If it causes people to be introduced to the God of the Bible and the good news of his son Jesus,” said Pastor Dean Haun of First Baptist Church of Morristown.

Lawmakers say there’s no specific version that would be listed, just the Holy Bible.

“I don’t think it diminishes the Bible in terms of, I think it actually honors and puts the bible in a special place, a special position. And it says, ‘Hey, this is a book above all other books,” said Pastor Haun.

Whether this bill passes or fails, Pastor Haun says he salutes the message.

“Anything that would cause them to want to hear He has a plan for their lives, that God loves them. I’m all for it.”

As a guideline this time around, Sen. Southerland says he’s using a 2005 Supreme Court ruling from Texas finding the 10 Commandments are allowed on public property.

The ACLU of Tennessee Executive Director Hedy Weinberg released this statement:

We are disappointed that Tennessee lawmakers have voted to use their official positions to promote their personal religious beliefs.  The rich religious diversity in our state is best respected by ensuring that government does not promote specific religious books.  Selecting the Bible as the state book amounts to government promotion of one religion over other religions, which clearly violates both the U.S. and Tennessee Constitutions.  America is a place where people are free to practice religion, or not, without government officials deciding which beliefs should be endorsed.  We will continue to fight this unconstitutional legislation.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – A bizarre arrest in Hamblen County Monday morning, taking place not on necessarily land rather on a paddle boat in the middle of Cherokee Lake.

Investigators say Bruce White, 53, fled the scene of an accident after wrecking his car on Copper Ridge Road near Brights Pike. The Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office warning homeowners about the search for White who they say is a dangerous fugitive from West Virginia.

The Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office saying it all started with a car accident around 3 a.m. on Monday. Investigators say White ran away from his crashed car into a neighborhood close by, leaving behind his girlfriend and children.

Hamblen County Sheriff’s office said White stole a paddle boat from a nearby home. “No way he was getting away,” said homeowner Jack Kirk.

“Actually I guess he went about a half a mile to a mile trying to get across the lake in my opinion. Across the lake is Grainger County and it would divide us and him with what he felt was some type of safety,” said Hamblen County Sheriff Esco Jarnigan.

Law enforcement surrounded White on land, water, and air. Kirk used his boat to help investigators. “But when we got up to him, two officers jumped in the boat with him and pulled him to the dock and they got him out,” he said.

There were challenges during the four hour search, but more so for White. The sheriff’s office said the boat had been winterized and was leaking.

“He was pretty well chilled to the bone by the time we were able to bring him back to the shore,” said Sheriff Jarnigan.

Sheriff Jarnigan says it wasn’t until investigators were back on shore they realized this fugitive’s criminal history, “He has killed people. He has assaulted people. He has carried weapons in violation of federal law, he’s also suspected in the drug scene.”

Investigators warned homeowners because it’s believed White knocked on a  few doors, as well as tried making a phone call from someone’s home, but that homeowner wouldn’t let him inside.

While no one was hurt, Sheriff Jarnigan says he can see there’s a bit of humor in this, “Matter of fact there was a scene in one of Andy Griffith’s Mayberry series that took place almost exactly like what took place here. But in this case the guy didn’t swim back to Andy, we had to go get him.”

It was an unusual morning. “Just glad it’s over with and it could’ve been a lot worse,” said Kirk.

The sheriff’s office said it is not clear if White’s girlfriend willface any charges. Sheriff Jarnigan said they are working to extradite White back to West Virginia.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – A fundraiser will convince foodies to flock to Hamblen County Thursday.

The Taste of Morristown will host 25 restaurants and food vendors at Walters State Community College. The event benefits Girls Inc. of Hamblen County.

The non-profit provides support to girls ages 6-18-years-old. The organization creates a girls-only environment for research-based programming.

Guests will experience “taste-sized” food samples. Also, at the event, there will be a silent auction.

The event starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from a Girl’s Inc. of Hamblen County board member for $12 or at the door for $15.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – Two people were arrested after two people were hit by a car at a Hamblen County car show.

Armondo Vega Benitez, 28, is charged with two coutns of aggravated assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license. Yearadin Vette Santana, 26, is charged with aggravated assault, public intoxication, assault, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Hamblen County deputies were called to the “Layd Out at the Park” car show at Cherokee Park Saturday for a disturbance. Several people said they tried to stop the pair from driving, knowing they had been drinking. As two bystanders tried to approach the car, they said Benitez sped up, running over one bystander’s leg and dragging the other for several hundred yards.

Deputies also say after Santana was taken to the jail, she became irate and assaulted two corrections officers. She was then charged with two counts of aggravated assault on an officer.

Both remain in the Hamblen County Jail.

KNOXVILLE (WATE) – “Good Morning Tennessee” viewers got a surprising sight Thursday…a 5th-grade student telling the weekly forecast.

Union Heights Elementary School student Ethan helped WATE 6 On Your Side Team Meteorologist Trent Magill with the weather.

Magill visited the Morristown school to talk to kindergarten-2nd-grade students in March. Principal Chuck Carter introduced Magill to Ethan. 

The student has been fascinated with the weather for a long time. He gives teacher Jenny Russell and Tori Callahan credit for inspiring him.

He says unlike other children, he is not afraid to watch thunder-storms.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – A man was arrested in February for making false statements in the case of a missing Morristown woman.

According to the Morristown Police Department, Simeon Cruz Mendoza was arrested and charged on February 19 with making false reports/statements relating to the disappearance of Inesha Haygood. No other details were released in the case.

Haygood, 24, was last seen on December 28 walking form her house on Lakeview Circle. Since then, volunteers have been looking for any sign of her.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Morristown Police Department at (865) 585-4675.

Previous story: Family keeps searching for missing Morristown woman

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – A suspect is on the run after investigators say the man robbed a Hardee’s in Hamblen County.

The incident occurred Wednesday morning at the restaurant located on Buffalo Trail in Morristown.

Investigators believe suspect was last seen wearing red Air Jordan sweatpants, a light colored hoodie, black shoes and a bandanna covering his head. The suspect is described to be between 6 and 6-feet and 3-inches tall.

If anyone has information, call the Morristown Police Department at 423-584-4680. Callers can report anonymously at 423-585-1833.

MORRISTOWN (WATE) – The Tennessee Housing Development Agency is opening the Section 8 housing choice voucher list in Hamblen County for the first time in nearly three years.

The list opens at 6 a.m. on May 1 and closes the same day at 11:59 p.m. Waiting lists in Macon and Giles will also be open that day. The Hamblen County waitlist was last opened on September 1, 2013, and there were 44 applicants. Those interested in applying do not have to be Hamblen County residents, but but be willing to relocate to Hamblen County for at least a year.

Applicants will be placed on the list in chronological order, so officials urge people to apply as early as possible on May 1. Applicants are selected by special criteria outlined in THDA’s administrative plan.

More online:

• Section 8 application
• Instructions and tips