6 News Stories

Our series "Identity Crisis" raised eyebrows among several parents I know. They couldn't believe that their kids would be the easy targets that we came across in our stories. But unfortunately, they probably are.

Our investigation found that college students are particularly susceptible to identity theft. Within just a few minutes, with help from one of our college-aged associate producers, we were able to gather a number of names, addresses, birth dates and even social security numbers.

Everyone knows that UT is a dry campus, but not really. Go to any tailgate party on University property on gameday, and you'll witness alcohol being consumed. No one really makes an attempt to hide it, though most are discreet. I'm no saint, I've been around these activities for years.
Police are pretty liberal about not enforcing the no drinking rule and for the most part, I guess, people drink responsibly.

County Commissioner Greg "Lumpy" Lambert is a reporter's dream. It seems he never fails to deliver a good quote when he's in the middle of something; and he's always in the middle of something.

Whether he's giving away guns at his car lot...or wearing a giant "screw" outift while voicing his opposition to an income tax..or petitioning against the County's wheel tax, you can count on Lumpy for copy.

This weekend brought another example of why he gets so much coverage. Lumpy says he was trying to sell a young fellow a car, when the young man pulled a gun on him.

The State Supreme Court is expected to issue its opinion regarding the validity of Knox County's Charter Friday afternoon.

It will be interesting to see how County Commission handles the announcement. Earlier, Chairman Scott Moore said Commissioners would meet in executive session with County Law Director John Owings to discuss the ramifications of the ruling.

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has said meeting in private would not be the right thing to do.

6 News reported on our evening edition tonight, the formation of the Public Trust PAC. The political action committee hopes to encourage political newcomers to run for office.

The committee is co-chaired by two of the most distinguished and arguably most trusted former politicians in the area: former State Senator Ben Atchley and former County Executive Tommy Schumpert.

I spoke with Atchley earlier today. He says the committee doesn't plan to recruit candidates.

The deadline has passed to run in Knoxville's September 25 elections and an interesting name has cropped up in the race for Knoxville Mayor.

Mark Saroff, owner of the McClung Warehouse buildings, filed papers today announcing his intention to run for Mayor.

Also filing papers today is Isa Infante, who lists a Gill Avenue address. The two will face incumbent mayor Bill Haslam. Haslam filed his papers last month.

In the City Council races, the only incumbent facing opposition is Councilman Joe Bailey.

"Smoking Gun?"

Knoxville attorney Herb Moncier believes a letter to Chairman Scott Moore, dated January 19, and electronically signed by 14 commissioners (including Moore) is the "smoking gun" in the lawsuit that accuses Commissioners of violating the state's sunshine law in appointing 12 term limited positions on January 31.

In the first day of testimony, Moncier painted a picture of two differing opinions regarding the appointments. Playing back the January 16 intergovernmental and finance comittee meetings, he suggests one group can be heard wanting public hearings.

- News Sentinel Reporter Scott Barker raised eyebrows and more than a few chuckles when he described a scene outside the Main Assembly room during a recess of the January 31 Special Called Commission meeting.

Barker recounted observing an effort to swear-in Richard Cate to fill 4th District Commissioner John Schmid's seat. (our camera was also there)

When Schmid found out, he confronted the group which included Commissioner Greg "Lumpy" Lambert and demanded they stop.

I once witnessed a man point a revolver at himself and pull the trigger.
The round caught him dead center in his stomach. He grimaced, fell back -- and grinned.

The shooting was a demonstration of the stopping power of bullet resistant vests; and the "victim" was a salesman for the company.

The salesman had apparently done this countless times for other reporters in other communities. Still, I thought the guy was crazy.

Lots of interesting points made today by the candidates at a forum hosted by the Halls Business and Professional Association.

Sheriff JJ Jones raised one of the most compelling, arguing that a large number of inmates in Knox County custody should not be in the system, but should be being treated for mental health and addiction problems at healthcare facilities.

Jones said, once in the system, these individuals lose their Tenncare benefits, forcing the County to pick up the tab - which in many cases - includes very expensive psychotropic drugs.

Just weeks ago, we were writing that violence can happen anywhere.

In the aftermath of the deadly shootings at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, the thought was - if it can happen at a church, no place is truly safe.

But even given that tragedy, I didn't think it could happen again so soon. And certainly not at a school.

But it did.

16 year old Ryan McDonald was shot to death in what police say was a confrontation with another boy at Central High School.

It's doubtful that anyone could have prevented this tragedy.

I doubt anyone watching the murder trial of Eric McLean was surprised with the verdict. Reckless homicide seemed to fit the evidence.

The prosecution was unable to prove that McLean set out deliberately to kill 18 year old Sean Powell. The jury apparently agreeing with the defense that McLean killed the teen accidentally when he pointed a loaded rifle at Powell in an effort to get him off his property.

Both sides showed McLean to be a sad, pathetic individual, especially in how he dealt with his now ex-wife's infidelities.