Knox County Sheriff Daniel Weckesser informed the Board of Commissioners during their July 31 meeting that he expects his department to be fully staffed by the end of August.
According to a YouTube video of the meeting, Weckesser said that James Crawford has been chosen as the next jail administrator and is expected to begin work this month.
In the same video, Weckesser mentioned that on the morning of July 31, there were 78 male and 15 female individuals incarcerated at the jail. One individual was housed in another facility. The jail population has fluctuated between 95 and 105 over recent weeks, with a maximum capacity of 100.
Weckesser also noted that new appliances have been received, installed, and are operational in the jail kitchen. The Sheriff's Office equipment update has been completed, with four cruisers outfitted, including one configured as a K-9 unit. Additionally, the parking lot has been resurfaced and remarked.
County Administrator Jason Booth indicated that contractors have reviewed the evidence room project and it is progressing. Weckesser expressed anticipation for the building's upgrade. Completion of this project will free up rooms currently used for evidence storage, which should then serve as the department's crime lab. Booth added that an architect will make recommendations on awarding bids for the project, potentially placing it under contract by early September.
