Latest news with #PaulNoel
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
1,100-acre fire contained near Grant-Kittitas border
May 19—ELLENSBURG — On Sunday afternoon, around 12:35 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to Bourne Springs for a fast-moving wildland fire at the Yakima Training Center. "It occurred in an open training area, and it was caused due to training activities," Yakima Training Center Fire Department Public Information Officer Paul Noel said. The fire was located near the Grant County and Kittitas County border, near Mattawa. The fire spread quickly across the rugged terrain and was driven by gusty winds, according to Kittitas County Fire Protection District 6. Despite the challenging conditions, firefighters from KCFPD6, Yakima Training Center Fire Department, Kittitas County Fire District 1, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue and Kittitas County Fire District 7 worked together to swiftly contain the blaze. "We are just grateful for the support we got with our partners," Noel said. The fire scorched around 1,100 acres before it was brought under control at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday. No structures were ever at risk during the fire and no injuries occurred while suppressing the blaze, according to Noel. "It was brought under control," Noel said. "I think that's always a successful end to a fire." The air quality in Mattawa, as well as the rest of Washington, is good, according to AirNow.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
More funding requested by Knoxville Police as successful recruiting efforts bolster ranks
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Knoxville has 12 new police officers following the latest cadet class graduation ceremony on Thursday. The police department has more help coming as the current recruit class that started training in January is more than triple the size of tonight's graduating class. We have reported on agency's effort to bolster its ranks in recent years, which has proved to be a challenge at times. Over the last couple of years, Chief Paul Noel and department have been working to increase their reach for attracting new recruits. They are now pulling in people from across the country to fill positions needed within the department. Retired Knoxville Fire Department captain killed in 'accidental' I-640 shooting Noel told 6 News that with more recruits comes the need for more money. 'It's a good problem to have that we are needing to ask for more funds to outfit our recruits because we are adding new recruits everyday,' Noel said. 'We have 40 recruits in our academy right now. We are interviewing 57 people for our class in May and we are going to be interviewing probably an even bigger group of people for a class that is going to start in September.' During city budget hearings, KPD requested roughly $1.6 million of additional funding. $456,000 of which would be used on gear for new recruits like a uniform, ballistic vests, firearms, tasers and gas masks. Noel said they are roughly 60 officers short of being fully staffed, another reason for a huge push in recruitments. 'We are fully staffed at 416 and we have a lot of officers that are eligible to retire just like I talked about in my remarks, 30 years or more, that are starting to leave the department,' Noel said. 'That's why it's so important for us to bring new officers in, get them trained and get them out on the streets to keep our city safe.' Knoxville officers who responded to discovery of dynamite honored We are told from the time a recruit starts to the time they become a solo officer is close to a year. Noel said in the last couple of years, officers have gotten raises to make it more enticing to join the department. He added within the next couple of years, the department will look a lot different. 'For anyone out there that is considering a career with the Knoxville Police Department, you better start thinking about it soon because we are really starting to fill this place up,' Noel added. 'In 2026 and beyond we are really going to start running much smaller classes because our recruiting efforts are really going so great.' In addition to the $457,000 the department is asking for in funding for recruits gear, they are asking for $440,000 to help cover expenses with their co-response program alongside the McNabb Center. ▶ See more top stories on Thursday was the final day of Mayor Indya Kincannon's budget hearings. We will learn about Kincannon's budget proposal at her State of the City address on April 25. Her request then goes to City Council with those leaders discussing the budget in May ahead of a June 15 deadline to approve a budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
New Knoxville Police Dept. deputy chief to lead investigations bureau
KNXOVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department has added a new member to its leadership group ahead of the upcoming retirement of a longtime member. Police Chief Paul Noel announced Monday that Joe McHale is set to join the department as deputy chief. He will lead the KPD's Investigations Bureau, overseeing all investigative functions. McHale is tentatively expected to officially start in late April after spending the past six years as a Senior Research Associate with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research where he specialized in violence reduction strategies. The criminal justice nonprofit awarded McHale the 2024 Chairman of the Board's Award for Excellence, their highest annual honor. Knoxville officers who responded to discovery of dynamite honored He served as the Chief of Police in Marion, Iowa from 2016-2019 after a 25 years with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, rising to the rank of Major and East Patrol Division Commander. In 2014, his violence reduction and deterrence efforts help contribute to the city's largest reduction of homicides and the lowest total number of homicides since 1972. 'You rarely have the opportunity to hire someone with Chief McHale's depth of experience and expertise,' said Chief Noel. 'His executive leadership background, along with his recent work assisting departments across the country in implementing best practices to reduce crime and build community trust, will be invaluable and immediately elevate our department.' $3,000 reward offered for information on elk poacher McHale will replace current Deputy Chief Tony Willis, who is set to retire in June after nearly 30 years at the department. 'I am deeply honored and excited to join the Knoxville Police Department as Deputy Chief,' McHale said. 'I am eager to serve the Knoxville community and work alongside the dedicated men and women of the KPD. My initial priority will be to engage directly with citizens and civic leaders to understand their public safety priorities. While I bring 29 years of prior law enforcement experience to the role, I recognize I am joining one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the Southeast. I am confident that together, we can build upon the KPD's already exceptional reputation and further enhance the safety and well-being of all Knoxville residents.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Knoxville officers who responded to discovery of dynamite honored
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department has recognized a group of officers who put themselves in harm's way when a large amount of dynamite was discovered at a recycling center last year. Members of the KPD Bomb Squad and UAV team were presented with Meritorious Service Medals, one of the department's highest honors, during a ceremony on Tuesday with Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. How a box of explosives ended up at Knoxville recycling business 'I really appreciate the work that you all do. From time to time, whether it's dynamite on the weekend or a search-and-rescue when it's pouring rain and the men and women of KPD come out, step up, and do what it takes to get the job done safely,' said Police Chief Paul Noel. On October 10, police responded to the CMC Recycling facility along Western Avenue where workers had been cutting the hinges off of a steel box with a blowtorch when it began emitting smoke. Fearing that it might contain explosives, people within a 3,000-foot radius were urged to evacuate. Noel later told 6 News that officers had to wait for the fire on the box to go out before beginning the disposal process. Bomb squad technicians ultimately had to remove dynamite and blasting caps by hand. Police chief breaks down response to discovery of dynamite at Knoxville business The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the origin of the dynamite. Agents determined that the box was originally owned by an elderly Kingsport man who previously owned a construction company. The steel box was thought to be empty before it was sold to a Kingsport recycling company and ultimately ended up in Knoxville. No charges were filed in relation to the incident. 'Thankfully, we don't have too many large boxes of dynamite that come to Knoxville and I hope we never do again,' Kincannon said. 'But when it happened, your training did kick [in] and I had so much confidence when I had the opportunity to speak to you on the scene there that you were handling everything in brave, courageous and safe ways.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
