Man shoots, kills self while driving
MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. - The Meigs County Sheriff's Office has confirmed at a man shot and killed himself accidentally while driving Wednesday afternoon.
James "Tony" McKenzie was driving northbound on Highway 58 around 3:30 p.m. when the gun somehow went off and struck him in the upper leg, reports WRCB-TV. He pulled over to the side of the road and 911 was called by witnesses, but he died from loss of blood before emergency personnel could respond.
Suicide has been ruled out by investigators, and WRCB-TV reports that McKenzie had a carry permit and always carried a gun, according to his family.
The incident is still under investigation, according to the sheriff's office.
UT Foundation cutting budget
KNOXVILLE - The University of Tennessee Foundation is making cuts in the face of a $2.2 million shortfall expected in the upcoming budget cycle.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the foundation is considering a delay in the hiring of a new president, the elimination of positions that now are not filled and reassigning some positions.
Lisa Taylor, chief financial officer, told board members this week that the agency is also making $1.1 million in hard cuts.
UT President Joe DiPietro recommended waiting until 2015 to initiate a search for a new president, but UT trustee and foundation board member Charles Warton raised concerns about such a long delay.
No final decision was announced on the matter.
Ex-school official guilty in thefts
ALCOA, Tenn. - A former Alcoa City School District employee has pleaded guilty to embezzlement that caused losses of more than $400,000 to the district and two nonprofit organizations.
According to the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District of Tennessee and an audit by the state comptroller's office, Kathy Winters of Harriman was responsible for managing the school district's federal funds. Using fraudulent invoices, she diverted money into accounts for two nonprofits where she served as treasurer. She used the money to pay her mortgage; buy food, jewelry, clothing and iTunes songs; and invest in a local gym.
She also used the school district's credit cards for personal purchases and was reimbursed for 70 trips she did not take.
Winters pleaded guilty on Wednesday and sentencing is set for Oct. 7.
Ex-police chief facing charges
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Savannah's former police chief has been indicted on federal extortion and gambling charges less than nine months after he abruptly turned in his badge.
Willie Lovett, 67, pleaded not guilty during an initial appearance in U.S. District Court on Thursday, the day after a grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against him. Lovett retired suddenly last September after a subordinate officer filed a sexual harassment complaint, ending a 40-year police career that included four years as Savannah-Chatham County police chief.
The indictment accuses Lovett of extorting cash from operators of an illegal gambling ring in exchange for protecting them from police. The charges carry a potential combined sentence of up to 110 years in prison.