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United Way awards $23,000 in grants

United Way of Blount County has awarded two venture grants to programs that support self-sufficiency in Blount County.

Adult Education Foundation of Blount County and Family Promise of Blount County each received $11,500 in venture grant funding.

"These venture grants are a concrete example of the community impact approach United Way of Blount County is using to address emerging needs within Blount County," said Michelle Hankes, United Way president and CEO.

The community impact committee evaluates the social service needs of Blount County and establishes partnerships with the nonprofit agencies that provide services to address those needs.

For more information about United Way of Blount County, please call 982-2251 or visit live unitedblount.org.

Guns, vest stolen from police officer's car

SEVIERVILLE -- Police in the Smoky Mountains gateway city of Sevierville are looking for SWAT team equipment stolen from an officer's car.

Authorities told The Knoxville News Sentinel that firearms, an armored vest and other items were taken when the car was broken into Wednesday.

The car belonged to a Pigeon Forge Police Department officer who was off duty at the time of the theft.

Sevier County Sheriff's Office Detective Matthew Cubberley would say only that the officer was not at home when the incident occurred.

There was no immediate information on possible suspects.

Alcoa plans WASP action

The Alcoa Police Department will participate in a wide area saturation patrol (WASP) today from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. Saturday.

Officers will concentrate on removing impaired drivers from area roadways, as well as enforcing all moving and non-moving violations -- particularly on Alcoa Highway (U.S. Highway 129).

Officers will also be watching for violations such as aggressive driving and seat belt/child restraint violations.

The WASP is part of the Governor's Highway Safety Office grant compliance and the Alcoa Police Department's continuing commitment to highway safety.

Man found guilty in coach's death

CLARKSVILLE -- A Robertson County jury has convicted Jeremy Jarvis of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a popular high school basketball coach and gym teacher.

According to police reports, Willard Ross was working at his family's fireworks stand in a Wal-Mart parking lot last year when Jovan Dixon began shooting out of a car at Jarvis.

Jarvis shot back, but the bullet missed Dixon and instead hit the 62-year-old Ross in the face.

Clarksville's The Leaf-Chronicle reports the jury on Thursday also found Jarvis guilty of the attempted second-degree murder of Dixon. Jarvis will have a sentencing hearing on Oct. 2.

Ross had recently retired from Northwest High School after a 40-year teaching and coaching career in the Clarksville-Montgomery County school system.

Dixon is also charged in Ross' death.