News: Knoxville News Sentinel

For Thomas Manayathara, citizenship just couldn't wait any longer. Before Friday, the 47-year-old native of South India had lived in the United States without the rights of being a citizen for 24 years.

As the first day of testimony in a deadly love triangle case came to a close Friday, the verdict was clear: Guilty.

Knox County commissioners will redo committee appointments after a commissioner raised concern Friday that the process violated the state sunshine law and new Law Director Bill Lockett recommended a redo.

The final version of the audit of Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale's Hospitality Fund was released Friday with no substantive changes to findings that his office violated state law and the county charter in handling the account.

Celebrating its 89th anniversary, the Tennessee Valley Fair opened its gates Friday afternoon, tempting Knoxville's crowds with funnel cakes, Ferris wheels and fireworks.

Knox County Election Commission officials expect to spend the rest of the month counting even more petition signatures, now that they've got a batch from advocates for liquor by the drink outside the city limits.

CLINTON - A handwritten "hit list" containing the names of the Anderson County High School principal, a vice principal and eight students has led to the expulsion of two 15-year-old boys.

Knox County Commission approved a new method Friday for forming a Charter Review Committee, and voters will decide whether to OK it Nov. 4.

LOUDON - A 28-year-old Loudon County man walking on train tracks listening to music with headphones apparently didn't hear the train that came up from behind and killed him, police said Friday.

Employees in the Knox County clerk's office will have two fewer paid days off in the administration of Foster D. Arnett Jr., who started work this week.

OAK RIDGE - The state Department of Health has barred new admissions to a nursing home and fined the administration $1,500.

A West Knox County man was in critical condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center after he was found beaten in his home Friday, authorities said.

Two Campbell County law enforcement officers were arrested Friday for allegedly stealing drugs from the Jacksboro Police Department and swapping them for prescription drugs, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

All westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near Strawberry Plains Pike are being shut down due to a traffic accident, according to the Knox County E-911 center.

Police believe a power outage in the Fort Sanders neighborhood this morning might have been caused by vandalism, according to KUB.

The Tennessee National Guard has mobilized another 550 soldiers and airmen to assist with hurricane relief efforts on the Gulf Coast, officials said today.

Knox County Election Commission officials picked up another load of petition signatures this week, this time from advocates for liquor by the drink outside the city limits.

In a slip of the lip echoing a misstatement 20 years ago, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey cast Tennessee's 55 votes at the Republican National Convention for "George S. McCain."

The new Knox County Clerk Foster D. Arnett Jr. announced today he is cancelling two paid holidays clerk employees have received for years.

CLINTON - Two 15-year-old sophomores have been expelled from Anderson County High School for preparing a "hit list" that included the names of the principal, vice principal and eight fellow students, school officials said.