Lenoir City Police Department

09/05/2026

⚠️ STREET FESTIVAL AND CAR SHOW BRINGS ROAD CLOSURES ⚠️

On Saturday, September 12th, the Lenoir City Street Festival & Classic Car Show will be taking place in downtown Lenoir City. The festival will be set up on Broadway and Depot Street, which will bring road closures.

From 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Broadway, from Hill Street to D Street will be closed. Depot Street, from Nelson Street to C Street, will also be closed. Eastbound Broadway traffic will be diverted to 1st Avenue. Westbound Broadway traffic will be diverted to 1st Avenue and Industrial Park Drive.

If you're traveling through the area, please refer to the traffic pattern map below or consider an alternate route. Commercial traffic is encouraged to completely avoid the area. Please use caution, expect delays, and be prepared for increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

09/01/2026

INVESTIGATION UPDATE

LCPD and TBI have determined through a preliminary investigation that the fire was not intentionally set. The fire appears to have originated from a mechanical issue within the engine compartment of one bus, which resulted in the fire spreading to the other buses.

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SUSPICIOUS FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION

Early this morning, the Lenoir City Police Department, along with the Lenoir City Fire Department, were dispatched to the 120 block of Panther Drive regarding multiple school buses on fire.

Upon arrival, multiple buses were found to be actively burning. The Lenoir City Fire Department worked diligently to extinguish the fire and prevent further damage.

LCPD’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) responded to the scene and began investigating the incident. Investigators determined that four buses are a total loss, while two additional buses sustained significant damage. The total damage is estimated to be approximately $800,000.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the fire, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) was requested to assist LCPD in determining the cause and origin of the fire.

The incident remains under investigation by the Lenoir City Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. No further information is available at this time, and all information released is based on the preliminary investigation.

We ask that the public stay clear of the area while the investigation remains active and ongoing. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and patience as investigators continue their work.

08/27/2026

⚠️⚠️ Reminder of the upcoming road closures tonight, 8/27, starting at 4:30 PM. ⚠️⚠️

08/27/2026

PROACTIVE POLICE WORK LEADS TO DRUG SEIZURE

Earlier this week, officers with LCPD's Special Assignment Detail conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. During the stop, officers detected the odor of ma*****na and conducted a search of the vehicle.

During the search, officers located a vacuum sealer and vacuum-sealed bags, items commonly associated with the distribution of ma*****na. Officers also discovered a concealed factory compartment beneath the vehicle’s bed liner. Inside the compartment, officers located 297.6 grams, approximately 10.5 ounces, of ma*****na.

The driver was arrested and charged with Manufacture, Sale, Delivery, or Possession of Schedule VI, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving on a Suspended License, and other traffic-related charges.

Great work, officers!

08/26/2026

08/23/2026

Although Eaton Elementary School and North Middle School are outside Lenoir City limits, LCPD continues to monitor and enforce the portion of the school zone along Hwy 321. In collaboration with the Loudon County Sheriff's Office, TN, we want to make our community aware of the new traffic pattern.

Please use caution and allow extra time when traveling through the area.

08/21/2026

✅ BROADWAY AND DEPOT STREET BACK OPEN ✅

Broadway and Depot Street have both been re-opened. Thank you for your patience and for taking alternative routes while the roads were closed.

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⚠️⚠️ BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE FESTIVAL BRINGS ROAD CLOSURES ⚠️⚠️

On Thursday, August 27th, the Battle of the Bridge Festival will be taking place in downtown Lenoir City. The festival will be set up on Broadway and Depot Street, which will bring road closures.

From 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Broadway, from Hill Street to C Street will be closed. Depot Street, from Nelson Street to B Street will also be closed. Broadway and Depot Street traffic will be diverted to 1st Avenue and Industrial Park Drive.

If you’re traveling through the area, please refer to the traffic pattern map below or consider an alternate route. Commercial traffic is encouraged to completely avoid the area. Please use caution, expect delays, and be prepared for increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

08/19/2026

JUVENILE LOCATED SAFELY AFTER COORDINATED INVESTIGATION

Last week, we reported a missing and endangered juvenile, 13-year-old Rowan Lawson. After receiving the initial call, Lenoir City Police Department officers immediately began working to locate Rowan by following up on leads and actively searching for her.

The night Rowan was reported missing, LCPD officers, detectives, and command staff conducted an extensive search operation with assistance from our partners at the Loudon County E-911 Center, Loudon County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol Aviation Unit, Lenoir City Fire Department, Loudon County Fire and Rescue, Loudon County EMA, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Priority EMS.

When the initial search operation did not locate Rowan, LCPD's Criminal Investigation Division (CID) continued working to develop leads and determine her whereabouts. Within 24 hours, a concerned citizen provided information regarding concerning behavior that ultimately helped CID identify the vehicle Rowan was believed to be traveling in by sharing a Meta Glasses video the citizen provided. This is the first time this particular technology has been used to assist LCPD in an investigation.

By utilizing Flock Safety License Plate Readers (LPRs), within approximately 30 minutes, CID was able to identify the vehicle and determine a possible address in North Carolina where Rowan was staying.

Once the address was identified, deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to the location and successfully located Rowan. She was located and recovered safely within 2 hours of receiving the Meta Glasses video.

Two subjects involved in aiding Rowan and driving her to North Carolina have been charged. The driver of the vehicle, 70-year-old North Carolina resident Michael VanWinkle, and her 21-year-old grandson, North Carolina resident Robert Queen, have both been charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Harboring a Runaway Child, pending extradition back to Tennessee.

Through the combined efforts of LCPD's patrol division and CID, the assistance of our numerous law enforcement and public safety partners, and the use of Flock Safety LPR technology, Rowan was safely located in approximately 28 hours after the initial report.

We are incredibly grateful that Rowan was found safe and thankful for the dedicated work of everyone involved in bringing this case to a safe conclusion. This is a prime example of the difference one concerned community member reporting their observations to authorities, combined with investigative technology and prowess, can make in helping achieve a safe outcome.