SUMMARY: In Tennessee, there have been 130 railroad accidents this year, resulting in 13 deaths, including a recent incident where 66-year-old Shirley Holland was killed when her car was struck by a train. Her daughter raised safety concerns about the crossing, noting the absence of lights and gate arms, which may have contributed to the tragedy. The Tennessee Department of Transportation stated that the crossing should have train-activated flashing lights and is investigating. Holland’s family has launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures at the crossing.

A woman’s car was hit by a train Friday in Portland, TN.

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SUMMARY: The Knoxville Convention Center is transforming into a winter wonderland for the annual Fantasy of Trees event, which raises funds for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Volunteers are setting up trees, wreaths, and decorations created by designers, schools, and community groups. The event, open to the public starting Wednesday, will feature this year’s theme, “It’s Christmas Time in the City,” inspired by Central Park. Highlights include a canine café, a doggy wedding, and Santa photos for dogs. Fantasy of Trees runs through Sunday, with special hours on Thanksgiving Day, and Tabel Town will broadcast live on Tuesday.

The event will run from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1.

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SUMMARY: For the first time in Tennessee, a suspect in a decades-old cold case was identified using forensic genetic genealogy. George Robinson was accused of stabbing a teenager to death and sexually assaulting the teen’s mother in September 1997. Despite earlier DNA testing in 1997 yielding no matches, the case was reopened last year, and DNA was sent to a Texas lab specializing in genetic genealogy. Robinson was indicted for murder after nearly 30 years. When authorities attempted to arrest him, he barricaded himself and later shot himself during a standoff. He remains in the hospital.

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference Friday morning to announce the arrest and indictment of George Robinson, 60.

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