WJSQ WLAR

11/22/2024

This morning Sugar Mountain North Carolina

11/18/2024

Friday afternoon a stroke patient was flown from the scene off Co Rd 550, Englewood by LifeForce to Erlanger Hospital Chattanooga. Time is of the utmost importance on a stroke patient for the chance of reversal on any symptoms that may occur with the stroke. Responding agencies were Englewood Rural Fire, AMR, and LifeForce. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

11/16/2024

Friday night @6:30 this 2020 Nissan Versa and 2019 Mazda collided on Hwy 39E @ Co Rd 576, Englewood. Both drivers refused transport by AMR. Responding agencies were McMinn County Sheriff’s Dept and Englewood Rural Fire Department. THP Sgt Ben Harrison investigated the accident. Photos by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

11/16/2024

11/08/2024

Wednesday night on Co Rd 790, Etowah this 2021 Manley trailer which was utilized as a mobile food trailer for Beans and Bites received minor smoke and fire damage but major water damage. Etowah Rural Fire and Claxton Fire Departments responded. Photo by Etowah Rural Fire Department

11/07/2024

ATHENS PUBLIC WORKS ANNOUNCES
CHANGES TO SPEED LIMIT SIGNS ON INGLESIDE AVENUE/HIGHWAY 305 FROM
GREEN STREET/HIGHWAY 30 T0 CONGRESS PARKWAY/HIGHWAY 11

The City of Athens Public Works Department announces the following traffic notice:

The area affected is INGLESIDE AVENUE/HIGHWAY 305 FROM GREEN STREET/HIGHWAY 30 TO CONGRESS PARKWAY/HIGHWAY 11.
The speed limits on Ingleside Avenue/Highway 305 will be as follows:

• Northbound lane from Green Street/Highway 30 to Henry Street – 30 MPH

• Northbound lane from Henry Street through intersection at Congress Parkway – 40 MPH

• Northbound lane from Congress Parkway towards I-75 – 55 MPH

• Southbound lane on John J. Duncan Highway to Congress Parkway - 50 MPH

• Southbound lane from Congress Parkway to Henry Street – 40 MPH

• Southbound lane from Henry Street to Green Street/Highway 30 – 30 MPH

Beginning THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. the new speed limits will be in effect.
Motorists are advised to watch for new speed limit signage in these areas and to use caution when traveling in this area.

For more information, please contact the Office of the Public Works Department at 423-744-2745.

11/07/2024

ATHENS PUBLIC WORKS ANNOUNCES STREET CLOSURES FOR VETERANS PARADE

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

Madison Avenue – McMinn Avenue to Jackson Street

Jackson Street – Madison Avenue to Washington Avenue

Washington Avenue – Jackson Street to McMinn Avenue

These areas will be closed on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Additionally, all streets adjacent to the parade route will be blocked during the parade.

Motorists are advised to use extreme caution and watch for traffic signage, workers, spectators, and
pedestrians. Motorists should allocate additional time for traffic delays when traveling in this area.

The purpose of this closing is for the Veteran’s Parade.

11/06/2024

Tuesday night @8 Tri Community Volunteer Fire Department requested assistance to a structure fire on Oak Grove Rd Madisonville. The fire caused extensive damage to the attic and center of the structure. Fire Departments responding were Madisonville City Fire, Notchy Creek Fire, Hopewell Fire, Englewood Rural Fire, Vonore Fire, and Niota Rural Fire. Other assisting agencies were Monroe County EMS, Monroe Sheriff’s Department, Fort Loudoun Electric Co-Op, THP and TBI, who is investigating the cause of the fire. Tri Community Volunteer Fire Chief Chad Leming was in command of the scene. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

11/05/2024

EARLY MORNING FIRE

Monday morning @4 McMinn County Sheriff’s Department was the first to arrive on the scene of this fully involved structure fire on Co Rd 655, Athens. The family was awaken by smoke detectors going off and finding smoke after opening an inside door but were safely able to escape the structure according to Riceville Rural Fire Chief Brandon Ainsworth. The following agencies responded Riceville Rural Fire, Claxton Fire, Calhoun Fire, Athens Rural Fire, Englewood Rural Fire, Etowah Rural Fire, North McMinn Fire, Clearwater Rural Fire and Niota Rural Fire Departments. Also assisting agencies were AMR and VEC. Agencies assisting in covering fire districts were Etowah City Fire, Athens City Fire, West Polk Fire and Madisonville City Fire Departments. Riceville Rural Fire Chief Brandon Ainsworth was in command of the scene. Photos furnished by Englewood Rural Fire Department

11/04/2024

11/02/2024

DELANO FIRE

Close to 9 Thursday night on Delano Rd, Delano this house which was a new construction that only lacked 2 months or so to completion. Upon arrival of fire personnel the structure was engulfed in flames by at least 50 %. Responding agencies were West Polk Fire, Etowah Rural Fire, Englewood Rural Fire and Bradley County Fire. Other assisting agencies were Polk County Sheriff’s Department, Ameri Pro EMS, and VEC. West Polk Fire Captain Chris Jones was in command of the scene. Photo by Lynn Ingram, Englewood Rural Fire Department

10/29/2024

FIRE TRAINING

Etowah City Fire and Etowah Rural Fire Departments attended a training Saturday, October 26th. The training tower was set up behind the library in Etowah. The course, Above Ground Fires, was taught by Tennessee Fire Service Codes and Enforcement Academy Instructors Kenneth McQueen and Brandon Phillips. The course taught placement of ladders for rescue and fire suppression, hoisting equipment for multi story structures and knots for ropes used in hoisting the equipment. Photos by Etowah Rural Fire Department

10/25/2024

ETOWAH MAN CHARGED AFTER SHOTS FIRED INTO VEHICLE

An Etowah man is facing charges of Attempted Murder, Reckless Endangerment, and Possessing a Weapon While Committing a Dangerous Felony after shots were fired into a woman’s car on Wednesday night.
According to Sheriff Joe Guy, McMinn County deputies received a call of shots fired into a family’s vehicle on Hwy 39 E near Englewood around 1040pm Wednesday night. Deputies responded to find Flor Antonia Guznam who reported that she was pulling into her driveway with her son Fabian Romero Guzman, 23, and her 8 year-old daughter in the car with her when they heard several shots and the right rear window glass was shattered and something struck her arm. Officers were also able to see what appeared to be a slight wound to Ms Guzman’s arm and also noticed other damage in the car, as well as what appeared to be a previously fired bullet in the floorboard. Detectives Amber Cook and Kevin Gray responded and continued the investigation as witnesses nearby said they had heard gunshots and saw someone either riding a bicycle or running across Hwy 39 at the Eureka Trail and then what appeared to be a Grey Nissan pickup truck leaving the scene.
“Ms Guzman stated that she had recently broken off a relationship with a coworker, Keith M. Jackson, 54, of Hoffman St in Etowah, who she said had previously damaged her vehicle and had acted in a threatening way toward her when she tried to break the relationship off. She also said he drove a truck similar to the one witnesses had described,” said Sheriff Guy. “So our officers established Mr. Jackson as a person of interest and they along with and Etowah Police officers began looking for the vehicle so we could speak to Mr. Jackson.”
Within the hour, Etowah Police made contact with the suspect’s vehicle and were able to stop it on County Road 890 east of Etowah, where they were joined by McMinn County deputies. As the officers spoke with Keith M. Jackson, deputies noticed a loaded handgun in Mr. Jackson’s vehicle. Jackson, a convicted felon, was placed under arrest.
“Deputies seized the truck, and the detectives obtained a search warrant for the vehicle,” said Sheriff Guy. “Upon executing the search warrant, the firearm was recovered and evidence suggested it had recently been fired. A bicycle was also located in the rear of the truck.”
Keith M. Jackson was arrested on 3 counts of attempted murder, felony reckless endangerment, and possessing a firearm while committing a dangerous felony, and was booked into the McMinn Co Jail on $262,000 bond.

END OF RELEASE