WJSQ WLAR, 2110 Oxnard Road, Athens, TN (2024)

12/08/2023

FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO OUT OF CONTROL BRUSH FIRE

Wednesday around 1:30pm on Co Rd 442, Athens the homeowner was burning brush when it got out of control and burned about a quarter of an acre of grassland. Englewood Rural Fire and Athens Rural Fire both responded. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

12/06/2023

This 2023 Honda Accord LX clipped this 2001 Polar Craft boat and trailer which was being pulled by a 2016 Ford F 150 at the intersection of Zion Hill Rd and W Athens St, Englewood Tuesday morning around 8:30. No
Injuries were reported. Englewood Rural Fire Dept responded with Englewood Police Officer Anna West who investigated the accident. Photos by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

12/05/2023

Saturday evening on Hwy 30E and Co Rd 550, Athens close to 8:30 the driver of this 2003 Ford Focus was traveling on Co Rd 550 when the car hydroplaned clipping the guardrail and rolled several times down the embankment to Hwy 30E with no injuries reported. Etowah Rural Fire, Englewood Rural Fire, and McMinn County Sheriff's Department all responded. THP Officer Ethan Jones investigated the accident. Photos by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

12/05/2023

2023 Jimmy Liner Memorial Christmas Parade

12/04/2023

STREET CLOSINGS
JIMMY LINER MEMORIAL CHRISTMAS PARADE

The City of Athens Public Works Department announces the following updated street closures:

Keith Lane – Crestway Drive to Madison Avenue

Madison Avenue - Keith Lane to Jackson Street

Jackson Street – Madison Avenue to Cook Drive

White Street – Coach Farmer Drive to Madison Avenue

Washington Avenue – Jackson Street to Madison Avenue

These areas will be closed on Monday, December 4, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Additionally, all streets adjacent to the parade route will be blocked during the parade.

The purpose of this closing is for the Jimmy Liner Memorial Christmas Parade.

The parade starts at 6:30pm.

12/02/2023

Driver Escapes Injury

The driver of this 2019 Jeep Compass escaped injury when they overturned on Co Rd 468, Englewood close to 5pm Thursday. Englewood Rural Fire responded along with THP Officer Douglas Taylor who investigated the accident. Photo by Kenny Kirksey, Englewood Rural Fire Department

12/01/2023

It’s Gameday! Our first McMinn County Basketball radio coverage starts tonight when McMinn’s longest played opponent, Bradley Central makes the trip to Athens. Girls tip set for 6pm and Boys will start around 7:30pm.

Join Jared Wright and Tyler Sauceman as we bring you the call on WJSQ WLAR 101.7FM locally or thru Boggess Videography for audio feed here on Facebook.

12/01/2023

Got my Christmas lights up.

~Dan~

11/30/2023

STARR REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER TO HOST FIFTH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING EVENT

Starr Regional Medical Center (SRMC) will host its fifth annual community Christmas Tree Lighting event Thursday, November 30 from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. The event will take place on the Athens campus, located at 1114 West Madison Avenue.

"The Christmas season is especially joyous when we take time to gather with family, friends and neighbors," said John McLain, Chief Executive Officer of Starr Regional Medical Center. “We look forward to hosting our fifth annual Christmas Tree Lighting, a holiday tradition at Starr Regional Medical Center, and spending time with members of our community while enjoying Christmas carols, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and seasonal treats.”

In addition to the tree lighting, which will take place at 6 p.m., attendees will enjoy Christmas carols, photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, and refreshments, including cookies, hot chocolate and cider. The event is free, and everyone is invited to attend.

For more information about the event, please call (423) 745-1411 or visit StarrRegional.com.

11/30/2023

BREAKING: Henry Kissinger, former U.S. secretary of state during the Nixon and Ford administrations, has died. He was 100. https://abcn.ws/3GkygAK

11/24/2023

The view of Sunset Friday night from up here on the hill.
Nice office view.
~Dan~

11/23/2023

I dreamed they were both delicious.

~Dan~

11/22/2023

HOME DESTROYED BY FIRE

Close to 1am Tuesday morning 911 Dispatch received a call of a massive fire on Co Rd 906, Etowah that could be seen from Tennessee Avenue that was spreading fast. They were also notified there was also a structure on fire with entrapment. The occupants were able
to barely escape the single
wide mobile home with one having minor injuries. The structure and 2 vehicles were a total loss. Approximately 5 acres of woodland burnt. Agencies responding were Etowah Rural Fire, Etowah City Fire, Englewood Rural Fire, Athens Rural Fire, Athens City Fire , West Polk Fire and Tennessee Department of Forestry. Assisting Agencies were McMinn County EMA Director Tom Trotter, Athens City Fire Chief Brandon Ainsworth, McMinn County Sheriff's Department, AMR and EUB. Agencies standing by for Etowah Fire District was Bradley County Fire Department and for Englewood Fire District was Madisonville City Fire Department. The Command Post location was Calvary Baptist Church on Co Rd 890, Etowah. The Fire Grounds Operations Officer in command was Etowah Rural Fire Chief Adam Hafley and Incident Command Operations Officer in command was Englewood Rural Fire Chief Billy Roach.
Photos are special from several sources.

11/21/2023

A report of an illegal burn came in at the Fire Department close to 5:30pm Sunday on Co Rd 570, Englewood. Upon arrival of fire personnel they found multiple items of household garbage burning. It is illegal to burn household garbage in the State of Tennessee. The fire was extinguished quickly and the renter was advised of the law. Please remember a No Burn Ban remains in effect. Englewood Fire Department and McMinn County Sheriff’s Department both responded. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

11/18/2023

McMINN COUNTY UNDER BURN BAN

ATHENS, Tenn.— McMinn County Mayor John Gentry Friday in consultation with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture issued a burn ban for McMinn County.

“After speaking with fire safety experts, I believe it is in the best interest of the public to refrain from outdoor burning until current drought conditions improve,” said Gentry. “My office will continue to monitor this situation and will inform the public when the ban is lifted.”

A burn ban forbids any open-air fire, including leaves and brush; fence rows and ditch banks; construction debris boards, plywood, decking, and cardboard; fields and grassland; gardens; wooded areas; campfires and cooking fires; charcoal or wood fired grills; burn barrels; and air curtain destructors.

A violation of a burn ban is considered a class A misdemeanor. Burn bans do not apply to incorporated towns or cities that have ordinances controlling the setting of fires. Anyone with questions regarding McMinn County’s burn ban may contact the McMinn County Mayor’s Office at 423-745-7634.

11/17/2023

ROADSIDE FIRE

Around 4 pm Thursday this grass fire on Co Rd 850, Etowah was possibly caused by a cigarette being thrown out. Etowah Rural Fire and Englewood Rural Fire Departments responded. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

11/16/2023

ATHENS PUBLIC WORKS ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF LOOSE LEAF COLLECTION

11/11/2023

Meet the Cherokees

11/09/2023

Forest Service News Release
Fire Activity Continues in the Cherokee National Fores

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Wildfire activity continues to increase on the Cherokee National Forest prompting officials to issue minor restrictions, road closures and trail reroutes for public safety and to aid firefighters while they respond to human caused wildfires.

Firefighters assigned and assisting the Cherokee National Forest are currently looking to control four wildfires.

Wildfire updates as of 2p.m.:
-Tweed – Burning on the Cherokee National Forest in Cocke County, 13 miles southwest of Greenville, the 60-acre wildfire is 5 percent contained. Structures are threatened by this wildfire and structure protection mitigations are ongoing. Forest Service hotshot crews are responding alongside resources from Tennessee Division of Forestry, Greene County Sheriff's Office and Greene County Fire and rescue. Helicopters are aiding firefighters with water bucket drops. This wildfire is being investigated as human caused.

-Buck Bald – Burning in the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County, 3 miles north of Farner, the 350-acre wildfire is 50 percent contained. No structures are immediately threatened by this fire. The Forest Service is aided by crews from Americorps, the Bureau of Land Management, and out of state firefighters. The cause of this wildfire is being investigated as arson.

-Bullet – Burning in the Cherokee National Forest in Monroe County, 5 miles southeast of Etowah, the 103-acre wildfire is 20 percent contained. The fire is burning in steep inaccessible terrain and fire crews are using indirect tactics to control fire spread. Current fire activity is minimal. Firefighters from Mount Vernon VFD, Conasauga VFD and Tennessee Division of Forestry assisted with structure protection in the immediate area of the wildfire. The cause of this wildfire remains under investigation.

-Hogum Hollow – This fire 2 miles southwest of Roan Mountain is now contained. Tennessee Division of Forestry and Cherokee National Forest resources continue to monitor this area.

The US Forest Service is restricting backcountry fires to designated fire rings, grills, or gas stoves effective immediately to reduce the potential for more wildfires. This order is consistent with the National Park Service and neighboring National Forests.

"We have crews marking trail closures and reroutes, but this is a dynamic situation with frequent access interruptions to roads and trails,” said Stephanie Bland, deputy forest supervisor. “We ask the public to please avoid these areas and let our firefighters and our partners do their work to control the spread of these fires.”

11/09/2023

OUT OF CONTROL FIRE

Tuesday close to 4:30pm on Co Rd 804, Etowah the homeowner was burning leaves in a bag when it got out control setting 2 acres of woodland and a stack of power poles on fire.
Etowah Rural Fire and Englewood Rural
Fire Departments both responded. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department
***JUST A REMINDER until May15th, 2024 a Burn Permit is required through Tennessee Division of Forestry.***

11/08/2023

Fire Starts in Kitchen

5pm Monday on Co Rd 804 Etowah fire departments were dispatched to a brush fire threatening a trailer. AMR was first to arrive on the scene to find it was a mobile home on fire. The occupant had grease heating on stove then stepped outside upon returning found the grease had caught the stove on fire. The remainder of the trailer had smoke damage. Etowah Rural Fire, Englewood Rural Fire, McMinn County Sheriff’s Dept and EUB all responded. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

11/07/2023

NEWS RELEASE FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

MCMINN COUNTY WOMAN ENTERS GUILTY PLEA

11/06/2023

ATHENS FIRE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE

11/06/2023

DRIVER ESCAPES INJURY

Saturday night @11:30 on Co Rd 480, Englewood the driver of this 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer said an oncoming vehicle ran him off the road when he overcorrected he flipped the suv. No injuries reported. AMR, Englewood Rural Fire, and Etowah Rural Fire all responded. McMin County Sheriff’s Sgt Jason Lee investigated the accident. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

11/03/2023

It’s play-off time again and with a 4-1 region record, the Cherokees have earned another home game for the 1st round. The Clinton Dragons travel to Athens Friday night , bringing an offense that averages 31 points per game and a team that finished 3rd in Region 3-5A. McMinn County and Clinton have met 10 times since 1948, with the Cherokees holding a slight edge in the series 5-4-1. It’s “survive and advance” from this point forward!

Join Terry Patrick, “Voice of the Cherokees”, along with Jared Wright and Terry Stansell for all the play-off action. The Ray’s Auto Body Coach’s Bench Show begins at 6:30 this week, and kick-off is at 7.

Hear it all on 101.7 FM WJSQ and 1450 AM WLAR. Go Cherokees!

11/01/2023

Tennessee Wesleyan University will host “A Cure for Hate” on Thursday, November 2, in Townsend Auditorium on the college’s campus.

The community is invited to attend this free event sponsored by the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, the TWU Office of Multicultural Affairs, and TWU History Department.

11/01/2023

The owner of this outbuilding/house located on Co Rd 448, Athens found the locks broken off and he left to return around 1:30 Monday morning finding the structure destroyed by fire. Englewood Rural Fire, Athens Rural Fire and McMinn County Sheriff’s Department all responded. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

10/27/2023

The McMinn County Cherokees host the Walker Valley Mustangs Friday night and the winner is the Region 4-5A champion. The #10 ranked Cherokees are undefeated in region play. The Mustangs are 3-1, but a win over the Tribe gives them the top spot. Join Terry Patrick, “Voice of the Cherokees” along with Jared Wright and Terry Stansell for a full night of coverage. Cherokee GameDay begins at 6 and our guest is longtime sportscaster and Athens native Darrell Patterson. The Coach’s Bench Show with Head Coach Bo Cagle begins at 7, and the championship game begins at 7:30. Hear it all at 101.7 FM WJSQ and 1450 AM WLAR Go Cherokees!

10/25/2023

Skeletal Remains Identified

10/25/2023

TRUCK OVERTURNED ON HWY 307

Tuesday close to noon the driver of this 2008 GMC 4500 overcorrected on Hwy 307 at Co Rd 422, Athens causing the truck to overturn. The driver escaped without injury. Englewood Rural Fire Dept, McMinn County Sheriff’s Dept, and Monroe County Sheriff’s Dept all responded with THP Officer DJ Taylor investigating the accident. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Dept

10/23/2023

McMinn County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Human Remains

The McMinn Co Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into human remains found off Hwy 30 West of Athens.

According to Sheriff Joe Guy, sheriff’s deputies responded to the report Thursday morning just after 10am, after hunters found what appeared to be skeletal human remains in a wooded area off Highway 30 west of Athens, near County Rd. 119, in the area of the Double C and Friendly City Body Shop.

“Our deputies spoke with the group of hunters, who directed them to the site several yards off the highway,” said Sheriff Guy. “The area was immediately secured as a possible crime scene.”

Deputies and detectives processed the scene, located and collected the partial human remains. A full investigation is underway with the assistance of the TBI and members of the District Attorney General’s Office. The remains were sent to the Knoxville Forensics Center.

“The case remains active,” added Sheriff Guy. “The present evidence prevents any definite rendering of a cause of death, age or s*x of the victim until the Forensics Center conducts further testing.”

10/20/2023

The Cherokees are back in action Friday night as they travel to north Knoxville for a non-region match-up with the Powell Panthers. McMinn County moved up to #7 in the state high school football rankings, while Powell enters the game ranked at #10. Both McMinn and Powell feature high scoring offenses and both are headed to the TSSAA play-offs.
Join Terry Patrick, “Voice of the Cherokees” along with Jared Wright and Terry Stansell. The Ray’s Auto Body Coach’s Bench Show begins at 6:30 this week, and kick-off is at 7. Hear it all on 101.7 FM WJSQ and 1450 AM WLAR. Go Cherokees!

10/19/2023

This 2015 Nissan Rouge and 2012 Lincoln MKZ collided at the intersection of Hwy 411N and Co Rd 516, Englewood Tuesday @ 3:30pm. The driver of the Nissan was slightly injured with no medical transport.
Englewood Rural Fire, Etowah Rural Fire, AMR, McMinn County Sheriff's Department, and Englewood City Police Department all responded along with THP Officer Becca Nye, who investigated the accident. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

10/17/2023

Friday night @6:30 on Co Rd 849, Etowah this power line snapped and landed on the asphalt and heated it up. Please note if you see a power line down to report to your local Utility company and do not approach the line. Englewood Rural Fire Department and EUB both responded. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

10/13/2023

Midnight Tuesday this chicken litter shed on Co Rd 781, Riceville was destroyed by fire. Claxton Fire, Etowah Rural Fire, Englewood Rural Fire Departments responded and AMR assisting. Firefighter Dexter Key was in command of the scene. Photos by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

10/12/2023

DRIVER LOSES CONTROL ON HWY 307

The driver of this 2018 Chevrolet Cruze lost control close to 4:30 Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Hwy 307 & Co Rd 422, Athens. Passengers were injured in the car and one was transported to Starr Regional Hospital Athens by AMR. Athens Rural Fire, Englewood Rural, Niota Rural Fire, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and THP all responded with THP Sgt Kyle Millsaps investigating the accident. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

10/09/2023

PRESS RELEASE
October 9, 2023
Joe Guy, McMinn Co Sheriff

McMINN DEPUTIES INVESTIGATE CRASH, ASSAULT, SHOOTING, DRUGS

McMinn County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of a vehicle crash that wound up involving an assault, a gunshot, and drugs early Monday morning.

According to Sheriff Joe Guy, around 900am, deputies were notified of a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of County Roads 100 and 110.

“Dispatchers advised that a UPS driver came upon the traffic crash and what appeared to be 3 males and 1 female engaged in an argument,” said Sheriff Guy. “One male claimed he had been injured by the others and another male claimed he’d been shot. When they realized deputies were on the way, the two injured males and the female left the scene in a separate vehicle together and the other male ran off on foot.”

Deputies responded along with Tennessee Highway Patrol and an investigation ensued with the additio0n of Drug Task Force Officers and TBI Agents. The male who had been assaulted, Daniel Ferguson, of Meigs County, was located a few minutes later at a residence on County Road 115, and was transported to a regional hospital with a head wound.

“A few hours later, the female, Kelsey Roberts, and the male who had been shot, Tommy Conn, both of Meigs County, were located in a wooded area nearby,” added Sheriff Guy.

Roberts was arrested on an active Violation of Probation warrant and also faces warrants from Meigs County. Conn was transported to a regional hospital for treatment.

“As we understand it at the present time, Mr. Ferguson was assaulted by someone in the group, and at some point Mr. Ferguson shot Mr. Conn,” said Sheriff Guy. “The whole thing was related to the vehicle crash, and may also involve drug issues because a large quantity of narcotics were also recovered at the scene. We are still investigating the incident and attempting to put the pieces together.”

The 4th suspect, who the Sheriff’s Office believes is Peyton Adam Womac, is described as a white male, wearing a black hoodie, with scruffy brown hair and beard. Sheriff Guy believes this suspect was picked up by someone not long after the crash.

Roberts remains in custody without bond, and charges are pending against Conn and Ferguson. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Womac is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office.

END OF RELEASE