Latest news with #JustinBiggs
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Embattled Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs will have to take questions from other officials
It seems like everyone in Knox County government is talking about the state watchdog's investigation into Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs. Except Justin Biggs. The county's banker has been quiet since Knox News asked him in mid-April about the investigation and he fired staffer Jason Dobbins. It's not surprising someone in Biggs' position might be hesitant to talk to reporters. But Biggs, along with county finance director Chris Caldwell and Knox County Schools finance director Ron McPherson, are required to present a financial report every quarter at Knox County Finance Committee meetings. The committee will meet May 12, and Biggs is likely to be questioned by commissioners about more than just his report as the county's banker. It's the first time he'll be in front of other elected officials since Knox News broke the story April 14. Ethics are top of mind: The county officials who have the opportunity to question Biggs May 12 are the same ones who, two weeks ago, lamented about the delicate situation the county is in as state investigators make their way through government offices. "We're going to have to look at our policies and procedures with more scrutiny, and I'm starting that work," rules committee chair Kim Frazier said. "Our ethics policy needs a lot of work and we owe it to our constituents." People are staying away from Biggs: Though they aren't speaking out, local Republican heavyweights were absent from Biggs' reelection campaign kickoff April 23. Campaign kickoff events are a chance for candidates to show off their roster of supporters. Current and former elected officials and big campaign donors make it a point to be seen supporting their party's candidates, especially incumbents. Want to study up? You can find all of our reporting about Biggs and the investigation on our website. Use as a jumping off point. How to attend: The finance committee will meet at 1 p.m. May 12 in the main assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St. Knoxville cut ties with Turn Up Knox, the nonprofit it recruited in 2022 to connect those at-risk for gun violence with the resources they need to break the cycle, in February after a dispute between executive director Denzel Grant and city officials. The sudden disruption left the future of violence intervention in Knoxville in flux. On April 29, Mayor Indya Kincannon's administration proposed a solution: pay the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform to create a team of local leaders who are already doing violence intervention to replace Turn Up Knox. National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform used to work with Turn Up Knox, but in an advisory role rather than a management role. What city officials said: Knoxville's office of community safety and empowerment doesn't have the capacity to support Turn up Knox and its work. The $826,800 contract would take the pressure off that office and allow experts from National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform, based in California, to come in and fill the gap. The group will recruit community experts and will only be here for up to a year. What community advocates said: On the other hand, council members Gwen McKenzie, Amelia Parker, Charles Thomas and Seema Singh (Singh's partner is on the board of Turn Up Knox) sided with local violence interruption groups that are already doing the work NICJR is being brought in to do. Turn Up Knox, Renounce Denounce and Safe Haven argue the city's move to bring in an outside group "reinvents the wheel" and will alienate those whose buy-in is needed for the effort to work. What happened April 29: In a rare twist, city council members went against the mayor's proposal - kind of. They postponed their vote on the NICJR contract until May 13, after a meeting with stakeholders and community members takes place. That meeting was announced May 8 and will take place May 12. Want to study up? You can find the contract at Click the "agenda" option and find May 13. It's item 11.k. How to attend: The community meeting is 6-7 p.m. May 12 at Logan Temple AME Zion Church, 2744 Selma Ave. The city council will vote on the contract during its 6 p.m. May 13 meeting in the main assembly room at the City-County Building, 400 Main St. Both Knoxville and Knox County are moving through their budget approval processes for fiscal year 2026. Taxes will stay the same in the city and county based on the plans. City budget brief: Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon's proposed budget includes higher pay for firefighters and breaking ground on long-awaited projects including cosmetic upgrades to the Burlington neighborhood. The proposed budget totals $477.3 million, an increase over last year's $461.6 million budget. County budget brief: Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs' proposed budget includes plans for extra pay and equipment upgrades for the sheriff's office and fully funds Knox County Schools' asks. The proposed county budget is around $1.1 billion, roughly 3% higher than this year's budget, according to a press release from the county. Nearly two thirds of the spending is for KCS. Looking forward: The city council and county commission must approve their respective executives' budgets by June 30. You can weigh in: Both bodies will have public hearings, where you can sign up to speak about the budget: Knoxville budget public hearing: 4 p.m. May 13 in the main assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St. Knox County budget public hearings: 3 p.m. May 12 and May 19 in the main assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St. Want to study up? Knoxville's budget is at Click the government tab and then the budget option. Knox County's budget is at Click the finance option under the government tab. The proposed budget is at the top of the page. Here are some local news highlights from last week: Joanna Hayes answers your Old City questions Keenan Thomas breaks down UT System's $37 million loss Tyler Whetstone breaks the news a prosecutor was fired over posts praising Nazis, advocating killing migrants I broke the news that Gay Street Bridge repairs are under way I broke the news that Knoxville's planned pedestrian bridge is at risk as Trump targets word choices in applications Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs to appear before county commissioners
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Knoxville City Council approves violence reduction contract with California-based group
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Working on lowering violence was a big topic during Tuesday night's Knoxville City Council meeting. With a large crowd looking on, Knoxville City Council voted to extend a contract with the California-based National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform. The proposal passed 6-3. Those in favor of the proposal said the work is important and there needs to be a collaborative effort to continue reducing violent crime in the city. Meanwhile, those against the contract said it could take away from the hard work local organizations have already put in. Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs releases statement amid state investigation 'It didn't have any support for the already existing efforts in the city,' said Rashaad Woods, Tennessee Director of ReNOUNce DeNOUNce Gang Intervention Program. 'Right now, you have organizations that are sacrificing, risking their life to be established in these communities.' The City of Knoxville first entered into a contract with the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform in 2023. In that time, violent crime in the city has seen a continued downward trend. Terry Walker-Smith has lost two children to violent crime and says there's more to prevention than work in the street. 'I've had some of the training with NICJR, so to further that training for others as well as myself, to be able to help others and right now I do help others,' Walker-Smith said. 'Prevention is more than just on the ground. I've done prevention on a national level in Washington and at the state level.' For Woods, every organization like his has the same end goal but may have different ways to get there. He said their work is crucial for early intervention, while NICJR focuses mainly on ages 20-32. 'You can't just focus on that demographic because you're leaving that youth demographic out,' Woods said. 'Those individuals that are getting caught with guns at 14, 15 and 16, you want to make sure that you interact with them before they actually go out and commit a crime before they get 18 and 19, you don't want to leave them out. By saying that's the best model, you're leaving a gap. You're putting a Band-Aid over the current problem but you're leaving the wound to fester.' Tennessee State Veterinarian issues alert for flesh-eating parasite There was also heavy discussion among councilmembers. Councilwoman Amelia Parker voiced her displeasure with how this all came about. 'I'm very frustrated,' Parker stated. 'In my opinion, based on what we heard last night, this contract is insufficient to address the issues that we need addressing.' Councilwoman Gwen McKenzie said she wants there to be a time where all the organizations can come together to work on their common goal. 'I am going to stay encouraged and prayerful that our local organizations can come back together in that middle ground and have collaborative partnerships,' McKenzie said. 'I'm hopeful that each organization will come back to the table.' The discussion on this topic lasted just over two hours before the vote for approval was made. There were two other votes, one to deny the contract and another to postpone the vote until the next City Council meeting, both failed. ▶ See more top stories on We're told with the approval vote, the NICJR will add six positions in Knoxville. The contract is slated to cost the city $519,750 bringing the total payment to the institute to more than $800,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trustee Justin Biggs says he paid back Knox County for expenses on hotels and truck amid investigation
As the state's watchdog agency investigates him for misusing taxpayer dollars, Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs said May 13 he has reimbursed the county for "every cent spent over the recommended maximum hotel rate" and for his car allowance. Knox News reported exclusively April 14 on misuse of taxpayer dollars by Biggs and some of his staffers to pay for upgraded rooms and access at high-end hotels, as well as personal use of county vehicles. Biggs fired one of his top lieutenants, Jason Dobbins, hours after Knox News asked him questions about the excessive spending, and declined to answer questions about the expenses. Biggs notified media outlets about his reimbursement payment May 13. He did not issue an apology and instead said he "followed established Knox County policies and procedures for expenditures and received approval for these hotel stays." Biggs does not need approval from the county for travel because he is an independent officeholder. Biggs himself signed off on every travel authorization. Knox News on April 17 outlined six breaches of the county's travel policy committed by Biggs and some of his staffers. Biggs and his staff incurred $4,716.59 in costs that exceeded the county rate for hotel rooms. Additionally, the office is paying the leases for six new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive. In the five years of the lease agreement, the trustee's office will pay $397,968 for the trucks, $200,000 more than taxpayers would have paid for the typical vehicles used by other county offices. The state investigation is being conducted by the Comptroller of the Treasury and has not been released. "I'm committed to ensuring complete transparency and accountability in all matters. Upon completion of the State investigation, I will share with citizens a more expansive explanation of what occurred and what I have done to prevent future occurrences," Biggs in the May 13 press release. Biggs frequently traveled in the trustee-leased trucks, according to GPS data reviewed by Knox News, but he shouldn't because he receives an annual travel allowance from the county worth $4,999.80. Biggs is running for reelection in 2026 to keep his job against fellow Republican Nick McBride, the county's register of deeds. McBride announced his intention to run just days after Biggs' campaign kickoff. Knox News' investigation showed Biggs and his staff incurred $4,716.59 in costs that exceeded the county rate for hotel rooms on 10 trips from August 2023-November 2024. In all, Biggs and his staff paid $17,314.58 for those hotel rooms. Trustee staff also have driven county-leased vehicles for personal trips, according to GPS records obtained by Knox News. Biggs and his employees traveled in style – Biggs in 2023 leased six new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive. In the five years of the lease agreement, the trustee's office will pay $397,968 for the trucks, $200,000 more than taxpayers would have paid for the typical vehicles used by other county offices. The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury – the state's watchdog agency – is investigating these expenses. Knox County's audit department shared information about trustee's office spending with the comptroller, Knox News revealed in April. Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond is already reviewing reports from the comptroller, Knox News reported May 9, taking over a potential criminal investigation after the Knox County District Attorney Office recused itself from the process. Biggs fired one of his top lieutenants – Jason Dobbins, the trustee's office director of operations – hours after Knox News asked Biggs in April about the office's spending irregularities. Three days later, Knox News reported Dobbins had acquired two properties with delinquent taxes for a few thousand dollars in summer 2024 and flipped them for $67,000 in March. A week later, Knox News revealed Dobbins had access to insider information when he bought the properties. Knox News reported last week that Biggs blew through his county sick leave while campaigning for the trustee's office's top job in 2022. Property Assessor Phil Ballard also attracted the attention of state watchdog officials, Knox News reported April 24. Ballard addressed the matter before being approached by investigators. Ballard drove a county-owned 2022 Ford Explorer while also receiving an annual travel allowance worth $7,600, which is a violation of county policy. He told Knox News he didn't exclusively start driving the car for a few months after he took office in September. But once he started using it, he said, he drove it home, among other places. Ballard said he notified human resources in December he was using the vehicle on top of receiving the allowance, but there was an error in his paperwork that prevented him from rectifying the situation. In January, he said, he followed up with county finance and offered to pay back approximately $2,000 in allowance. Instead, he said, he was told the county would take it from three upcoming paychecks, money that has yet to be subtracted from his pay. Ballard requested he stop receiving the allowance and his last payment was received Jan. 17, Knox County Finance Director Chris Caldwell said and he requested the payback be taken out of his checks April 11. The pay will begin being taken out April 25. Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Trustee Justin Biggs says he paid back Knox County back for expenses on hotels, truck
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs will have to take questions from other elected officials
It seems like everyone in Knox County government is talking about the state watchdog's investigation into Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs. Except Justin Biggs. The county's banker has been quiet since Knox News asked him in mid-April about the investigation and he fired staffer Jason Dobbins. It's not surprising someone in Biggs' position might be hesitant to talk to reporters. But Biggs, along with county finance director Chris Caldwell and Knox County Schools finance director Ron McPherson, are required to present a financial report every quarter at Knox County Finance Committee meetings. The committee will meet May 12, and Biggs is likely to be questioned by commissioners about more than just his report as the county's banker. It's the first time he'll be in front of other elected officials since Knox News broke the story April 14. Ethics are top of mind: The county officials who have the opportunity to question Biggs May 12 are the same ones who, two weeks ago, lamented about the delicate situation the county is in as state investigators make their way through government offices. "We're going to have to look at our policies and procedures with more scrutiny, and I'm starting that work," rules committee chair Kim Frazier said. "Our ethics policy needs a lot of work and we owe it to our constituents." People are staying away from Biggs: Though they aren't speaking out, local Republican heavyweights were absent from Biggs' reelection campaign kickoff April 23. Campaign kickoff events are a chance for candidates to show off their roster of supporters. Current and former elected officials and big campaign donors make it a point to be seen supporting their party's candidates, especially incumbents. Want to study up? You can find all of our reporting about Biggs and the investigation on our website. Use as a jumping off point. How to attend: The finance committee will meet at 1 p.m. May 12 in the main assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St. Knoxville cut ties with Turn Up Knox, the nonprofit it recruited in 2022 to connect those at-risk for gun violence with the resources they need to break the cycle, in February after a dispute between executive director Denzel Grant and city officials. The sudden disruption left the future of violence intervention in Knoxville in flux. On April 29, Mayor Indya Kincannon's administration proposed a solution: pay the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform to create a team of local leaders who are already doing violence intervention to replace Turn Up Knox. National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform used to work with Turn Up Knox, but in an advisory role rather than a management role. What city officials said: Knoxville's office of community safety and empowerment doesn't have the capacity to support Turn up Knox and its work. The $826,800 contract would take the pressure off that office and allow experts from National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform, based in California, to come in and fill the gap. The group will recruit community experts and will only be here for up to a year. What community advocates said: On the other hand, council members Gwen McKenzie, Amelia Parker, Charles Thomas and Seema Singh (Singh's partner is on the board of Turn Up Knox) sided with local violence interruption groups that are already doing the work NICJR is being brought in to do. Turn Up Knox, Renounce Denounce and Safe Haven argue the city's move to bring in an outside group "reinvents the wheel" and will alienate those whose buy-in is needed for the effort to work. What happened April 29: In a rare twist, city council members went against the mayor's proposal - kind of. They postponed their vote on the NICJR contract until May 13, after a meeting with stakeholders and community members takes place. That meeting was announced May 8 and will take place May 12. Want to study up? You can find the contract at Click the "agenda" option and find May 13. It's item 11.k. How to attend: The community meeting is 6-7 p.m. May 12 at Logan Temple AME Zion Church, 2744 Selma Ave. The city council will vote on the contract during its 6 p.m. May 13 meeting in the main assembly room at the City-County Building, 400 Main St. Both Knoxville and Knox County are moving through their budget approval processes for fiscal year 2026. Taxes will stay the same in the city and county based on the plans. City budget brief: Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon's proposed budget includes higher pay for firefighters and breaking ground on long-awaited projects including cosmetic upgrades to the Burlington neighborhood. The proposed budget totals $477.3 million, an increase over last year's $461.6 million budget. County budget brief: Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs' proposed budget includes plans for extra pay and equipment upgrades for the sheriff's office and fully funds Knox County Schools' asks. The proposed county budget is around $1.1 billion, roughly 3% higher than this year's budget, according to a press release from the county. Nearly two thirds of the spending is for KCS. Looking forward: The city council and county commission must approve their respective executives' budgets by June 30. You can weigh in: Both bodies will have public hearings, where you can sign up to speak about the budget: Knoxville budget public hearing: 4 p.m. May 13 in the main assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St. Knox County budget public hearings: 3 p.m. May 12 and May 19 in the main assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St. Want to study up? Knoxville's budget is at Click the government tab and then the budget option. Knox County's budget is at Click the finance option under the government tab. The proposed budget is at the top of the page. Here are some local news highlights from last week: Joanna Hayes answers your Old City questions Keenan Thomas breaks down UT System's $37 million loss Tyler Whetstone breaks the news a prosecutor was fired over posts praising Nazis, advocating killing migrants I broke the news that Gay Street Bridge repairs are under way I broke the news that Knoxville's planned pedestrian bridge is at risk as Trump targets word choices in applications Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs to appear before county commissioner
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Metro-east woman, 48, dies in Jeep crash, sheriff's department says
A 48-year-old Valmeyer woman died in a single-vehicle crash early Saturday in Monroe County and a man was critically injured, the sheriff's department said. The names of the victims have not been released. A preliminary accident investigation shows a 2023 Jeep with two occupants crashed at about 1:24 a.m. on Bluff Road near Harris Lane south of Columbia, according to a news release from Sgt. Justin Biggs of the Monroe County Sheriff's Department. 'Deputies, along with several Good Samaritans who came upon the scene shortly after the crash, immediately began rendering first aid to both individuals,' according to the news release. The woman was pronounced deceased at the scene while the driver, a 53-year-old Valmeyer man, was transported to a St. Louis area hospital and was listed in critical condition. 'Out of respect for the families involved, the identities of the occupants are being withheld pending notification of next of kin,' Biggs said in his announcement. 'At this time, it is unknown what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway,' he said. The Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit responded to assist in the investigation. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Investigator Jim Vogt of the Monroe County Sheriff's Department at 618-939-8651, ext. 271. This was the second fatal crash in the past week in the Columbia area. A Caseyville man died after a motorcycle crash in Columbia on Saturday, April 26.
