VFL TODD HELTON HEADED TO COOPERSTOWN

VFL TODD HELTON HEADED TO COOPERSTOWN

Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball legend Todd Helton is headed to Cooperstown after being selected for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as revealed by the MLB Network on Tuesday evening.

In his sixth year eligible for selection, Helton appeared on 79.7 percent of the ballots from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, surpassing the 75 percent threshold. He becomes just the second player in Southeastern Conference history to be voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, joining Auburn’s Frank Thomas (2014).

Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by Colorado, Helton spent his entire 17-year Major League career with the Rockies and is still the franchise leader in games played (2,247), runs scored (1,401), hits (2,519), doubles (592), home runs (369), RBI (1,406), total bases (4,292) and walks (1,335).

Helton was a five-time MLB All-Star (2000-04), four-time Sliver Slugger award winner (2000-03), three-time Gold Glove winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and won the National League batting title in 2000. He also helped lead the Rockies to their first and only World Series appearance in franchise history in 2007. Helton joins Larry Walker as the second Rockies’ player to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

Already a member of the Tennessee Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2008), the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2017) and the National College Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2021), Helton had arguably the most decorated and dominant career of any player in program history and is still considered one of the greatest two-way players to ever play at the collegiate level.

During his time on Rocky Top, Helton was a standout performer at the plate and on the mound, setting numerous program records during his storied career. The Knoxville native still sits atop UT’s record book in career RBI (238), walks (147) and saves (23). He also holds single-season records for runs batted in (92 in 1995), earned run average (0.89 in 1994) and saves (12 in 1995).

Helton earned a multitude of national awards and accolades during his three seasons on Rocky Top, including winning the 1995 Dick Howser Trophy and earning National Player of the Year honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Helton was also named the 1995 SEC Player of the Year, a two-time first-team All-American (1994 & 1995) and a Freshman All-American (1993).

In his final season at UT, Helton helped lead the Volunteers to 1995 SEC regular season and tournament titles, as well as their first Men’s College World Series appearance in 44 years.

“What Todd Helton did for the Colorado Rockies organization is nothing short of legendary,” Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello said. “Nonetheless, folks here think just as highly of all he has accomplished in our great state. What he has done in this community prior to, during and after his time on Rocky Top may never be duplicated.

“He went from being a local superstar in high school to being a hometown representative for the University of Tennessee here in Knoxville. As many I’m sure have mentioned, he was not just a two-way standout on the baseball field but also a legit two-sport athlete. Athleticism helped create those opportunities, but extreme competitiveness helped fuel his success. Ever since his days of success in Major League Baseball have concluded, he has given back to UT in every way you can possibly imagine. He truly deserves every bit of love he receives from Vol Nation.”

The official induction ceremony for the 2024 Hall of Fame selections will take place in Cooperstown, New York on July 21.

For more information on Helton’s Hall of Fame selection and this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame Class, click HERE.

Courtesy / UT Athletics
Basketball Game vs. Alabama an “Orange Out”

Basketball Game vs. Alabama an “Orange Out”

Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee announced Wednesday that its men’s basketball game today against Alabama will be dubbed an “Orange Out.”

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and wear orange Tennessee attire to Food City Center for the matchup. Doors to the arena open at 12:30 p.m. and tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

In addition, the first 2,000 students in attendance will receive an “Orange Out” shirt for the matchup between a pair of teams in the top seven nationally in NET, KenPom, ESPN BPI and BartTorvik metrics rankings.

The contest between No. 6/7 Tennessee (13-4, 3-1 SEC) and Alabama (12-5, 4-0 SEC) is sold out and will be televised live on ESPN2. It is the third of six confirmed sellouts at Food City Center this season, a new venue record for the Volunteers.

Limited tickets are still available for just three remaining home games. Fans can buy their seats for the Jan. 30 contest against South Carolina HERE, the Feb. 7 outing versus LSU HERE and the Feb. 17 meeting with Vanderbilt HERE.

To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.

Courtesy / UT Athletics

107.7 WIVK – General Contest Rules

OFFICIAL RULES

FOR CUMULUS RADIO STATIONS CONTEST & SWEEPSTAKES

A complete copy of these rules can be obtained at the offices of any radio station owned and/or operated by Cumulus Media Holdings Inc. (“Sponsor”) during normal business hours Monday through Friday or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Legal Department.

Sponsor will conduct all Cumulus radio station contests and sweepstakes (“Contests” and “Sweepstakes”), including on-air contests, online and text-based sweepstakes, and contests and sweepstakes conducted through a Cumulus radio station’s social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.), substantially as described in these rules, and by participating, each participant agrees as follows:

  1. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited.  All federal, state, and local regulations apply.
    Eligibility.
      This Contest is open only to legal U.S. residents age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and who reside in the Station’s Designated Market Area (“DMA”) as defined by Nielsen Audio, who have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days, and whose immediate family members or household members have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days.   Void where prohibited by law.  Individuals age 13 to 17 may be eligible to participate in Contests and Sweepstakes with the approval of a parent or legal guardian, provided that the parent or legal guardian is a legal U.S. resident at least 18 years of age at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and resides in the Cumulus radio station’s listening area. Unless otherwise specified, Employees of Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., its parent company, affiliates, related entities and subsidiaries, promotional sponsors, prize providers, advertising agencies, other radio stations serving the Station’s DMA, and the immediate family members and household members of all such employees are not eligible to participate. The term “immediate family members” includes spouses, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and stepchildren.  The term “household members” refers to people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
  2. Contest or Sweepstakes Period. The Contest or Sweepstake will begin and end at the times specified by Sponsor.  Sponsor’s computer is the official time keeping device for all Contests and Sweepstakes.
  3. How to Enter. Entry methods for Contest and Sweepstakes will be specified by Sponsor and entries must be received during the Contest or Sweepstakes Period to be eligible. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification.  Sponsor shall not be responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, inappropriate or misdirected entries, all of which will be disqualified.  In the event of a dispute as to any entry, the authorized account holder of the email address or telephone number used to enter will be deemed to be the participant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned the telephone number by the wireless carrier or an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address.  Potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of Sponsor and will not be returned.  Sponsor reserves the right to contact entrants and all other individuals whose email address is submitted as part of a Contest or Sweepstakes.  Time Delay Between Over-the-Air Analog Signal and Other Signal DeliveryDue to the time delay that exists between a Cumulus radio station’s analog over-the-air signal and its online webcast, listeners who listen to a Cumulus radio station online may hear Contest or Sweepstakes information or a cue to call later than listeners listening to the station’s analog over-the-air signal. As a result, the odds of an online listener winning a Contest Sweepstakes may be diminished
  4. Winner Selection. Contest and Sweepstakes winners will be determined according to the method specified by Sponsor at Sponsor’s sole and exclusive discretion.  The winning entrant will be contacted using the email address and/or telephone number provided with the entry and may be awarded the prize (subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these rules or the specific Contest or Sweepstakes rules).  Sponsor’s decisions as to the administration and operation of Contests and Sweepstakes and the selection of potential winners is final and binding in all matters related to the Contest or Sweepstakes. Failure to respond to the initial verification contact within three (3) days of notification will result in disqualification.
  5. Verification of Potential Winner. POTENTIAL CONTEST AND SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST OR SWEEPSTAKES. The potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules and/or the Office Rules of the specific Contest or Sweepstakes, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. The potential winner will be notified by email and/or telephone call, after the date of random drawing. The potential winner will be required to sign and return to sponsor, within three (3) days of the date notice is sent, an affidavit of eligibility and a liability/publicity release (except where prohibited) in order to claim his/her prize, if applicable.  A winner who returns the affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release within the required time period will be deemed to have accepted the prize and thereafter will not be permitted to rescind their acceptance of the prize and/or return the prize.  If a potential winner cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the affidavit of eligibility and/or the liability/publicity release within the required time period (if applicable), or if the prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. In the event that the potential winner of a contest or sweepstakes prize is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor may award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries.
  6.  Prizes. Contest and Sweepstakes prizes will be as specified by Sponsor.  Winner is responsible for all taxes associated with prize receipt and/or use.  Odds of winning a Contest or Sweepstakes prize depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to the number of eligible entries received by Sponsor during the Contest or Sweepstakes Period and the number of listeners participating at any given time.  Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any listed prize for one of equal or greater value for any reason.  For prizes that involve travel, unless otherwise specified, trips must be taken within the stated time periods or will be forfeited, winner and guest must travel on the same itinerary, and winner’s guest must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.  Trips are non-transferable and no substitution will be made except as provided at the Sponsor’s sole discretion.
  7. Entry Conditions and Release. By entering a Contest or Sweepstakes, each participant agrees to: (a) comply with and be bound by these Official Rules, the Office Rules of the specific Contest or Sweepstakes, and the decisions of Sponsor, which are binding and final in all matters relating to any Contest or Sweepstakes; (b) release and hold harmless Sponsor, Cumulus Media Inc., and its subsidiaries, related and affiliated companies, participating sponsors, the prize suppliers and any other organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Contest or Sweepstakes, and each of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a participant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in a Contest or Sweepstakes, acceptance or use or misuse of prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, exploitation or use of entry; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest or Sweepstakes and/or entrant’s acceptance, use, non-use or misuse of the prize.
  8. Publicity. Except where prohibited, participation in a Contest or Sweepstakes constitutes winner’s consent to Sponsor’s and its agents’ use of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
  9. Taxes. All State, Local, Federal and or other taxes, duties, tariffs, title fees, licensing fees, or other fees for prizes awarded in any Contest or Sweepstakes become the sole responsibility of the winner.  All those who win a prize or prizes valued $600 or more in any given year will be issued an IRS Form 1099 to report their winnings.
  10. General Conditions. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify any Contest or Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest or Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of a Contest or Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
  11. Limitations of Liability. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest or Sweepstakes; (2) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest or Sweepstakes; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or Sweepstakes or receipt or use, non-use or misuse of any prize. If for any reason an entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Contest or Sweepstakes, provided that if it is not possible to award another entry due to discontinuance or completion of the Contest or Sweepstakes, or any part of it, for any reason, Sponsor, at its discretion, may elect to hold a random drawing from among all eligible entries received up to the date of discontinuance for any or all of the prizes offered herein. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. In event that production, technical, programming or any other reason causes more than stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be available or claimed, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims.
  12. Disputes. Entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with a Contest or Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, other than those concerning the administration of the Contest or Sweepstakes or the determination of the winner, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with a Contest or Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved exclusively by the United States District Court or the appropriate state court located in the entrant’s Cumulus radio station’s listening area; (iii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering a Contest or Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (iv) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest or Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located.
  13. Entrant’s Personal Information. Information collected from entrants is subject to Sponsor’s Privacy Policy, which is available on every Cumulus radio station’s website under the “Privacy Policy” link. All entry blanks, forms, devices, and materials gathered during the course of entry, as well as all information contained on or within, shall become the sole property of Sponsor to be used, disposed of or destroyed in its sole discretion. Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information entered by website users, and assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to a Cumulus radio station website.
  14. Sweepstakes Results. A winners list may be obtained thirty (30) days after the conclusion of a Contest or Sweepstakes by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Sweepstakes Sponsor identified below.

SWEEPSTAKES SPONSOR: CUMULUS MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC., 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Contests and Sweepstakes.

CDC Adds Tennessee to List of States with Measles Cases
CDC

CDC Adds Tennessee to List of States with Measles Cases

Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee has been added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) growing list of states with measles cases.

According to the CDC, Tennessee is one of 30 states that have measles cases with six confirmed outbreaks since March.

Tennessee Department of Health officials reported the first measles case on March 21 in Rutherford County. So far in April, five more cases have been reported in Middle Tennessee.

As of April 24, 2025, nearly 900 measles cases have been confirmed in the following states:

  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York City
  • New York State
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Texas has the highest amount with 646 cases of measles so far. New Mexico has the second highest number of cases, with 65.

Texas has the highest amount with 646 cases of measles so far.
Knoxville Mayor Delivers State of the City Address

Knoxville Mayor Delivers State of the City Address

(Story courtesy of WVLT News)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon delivered at Covenant Health Park Friday her State of the City address.

Kincannon chose Covenant Health Park as the backdrop of her speech said it “exemplifies her faith in the enduring strength of collaboration,” referring to the work done between the city, county, sports authority and Boyd Sports to the bring the ballpark to life.

Kincannon’s speech is often also the presentation of the budget for the coming fiscal year.

Mayor Kincannon is proposing a $477.3 million net budget she said prioritizes city services and public safety, while investing in strategic capital projects.

City officials said this budget is balanced, and the city’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $2.1556 per $100 of assessed value.

Another highlight: nearly 21.2% of the budget addresses spending for Knoxville police and fire, a total of $101.2 million.

Firefighters and police will see 4.2% step raises along with a cost of living increase for general government employees. Included is nearly $225,000 in salary increases for firefighters to bring them up to market level, the city said.

The budget also sets out to invest $8.2 million in affordable housing, aiming to send $4.2 million to Transforming Western, $2.5 million to the Affordable Rental Development Fund and $1.5 million to support permanent supporting housing projects.

The budget will also invest $350,000 to be matched by Knox County to increase beds in shelters across the city during cold weather.

The mayor’s office also said Kincannon is committed to building a clean and sustainable future and that her budget supports that mission.

$2.5 million for repairs to city buildings’ roofs and heating and ventilation systems, the city said, will pay for its self over time in energy savings.

The city will also invest $500,000 to fund community charging stations.

The largest piece of funding, outside investments in police and fire, is a $25 million lump sum payment on debt for the convention center.

City officials said this would decrease annual debt payments from $9.8 million a year to $5.7 million, saving $30.2 million, resulting in the city paying off the Knoxville Convention Center two years ahead of schedule.

The mayor’s proposed budget will be read for the first time by City Council on April 29 with a second reading on May 27.

Mayor Kincannon delivered her State of the City address from Covenant Health Park.
Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic (5/2)

Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic (5/2)

Friday, May 2nd

Avalon Country Club

700 Turnberry Cir, Lenoir City, TN 37772

The Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic has been transforming young lives for more than 26 years! The event traces its roots back to July 1, 1979, when the first D.D. Lewis Celebrity Golf Tournament was held at Whittle Springs Golf Course. D.D. Lewis, a Club alumnus, played football at Fulton High School, went on to Mississippi State, and then to the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to the dedication of its founders—Tournament Director Emmett P. “Buck” Vaughn Jr., Mr. James S. Bush, Mr. Larry Cox, and Mr. Buddy Burchell—the tournament has flourished. In 2000, it became the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, and since then, it has raised over $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.

For more information regarding the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, please call Maria at (865) 232-1113 or email Maria.


2025 Fulmer Auction – April 28th at 9am – May 2nd at 6pm EST

We have exciting items from Vol Network, Tailgate Tennessee, Lexus of Knoxville/Lexus Champions for Charity, Dollywood/Splash Country Package, and Flatrock Motorclub.

VISIT THE FULMER AUCTION

A Multi-County Police Chase Ends on Hardin  Valley Road with One Person Arrested

A Multi-County Police Chase Ends on Hardin Valley Road with One Person Arrested

A multi-county chase ends in Hardin Valley and a man is arrested for stealing a car, hitting three Knox County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Cars and various other offenses.

Deputies arrested Joshua Mayes yesterday following the chase. On Tuesday, Mayes burglarized two cars before stealing a red mustang parked in a driveway. KCSO spotted the car in West Knox County the next day and Mayes fled at high speed, driving recklessly.

Deputies found Mayes spray painting the mustang behind a business on Emory Road with agencies from Knox, Anderson and Loudon counties involved in the chase which resulted in Mayes hitting the KCSO patrol cruisers. No one was injured during the pursuit which ended when deputies deployed spike strips and Mayes was arrested on Hardin Valley Road.

Mayes previously had multiple warrants from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces additional charges.

TBI investigating an Inmate Death in Claiborne County Where the Search for an Escaped Inmate Continues
WVLT

TBI investigating an Inmate Death in Claiborne County Where the Search for an Escaped Inmate Continues

Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are looking into the death of an inmate at the Claiborne County Jail.

TBI says that the District Attorney General requested an investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of 48-year-old Jeremy Eastridge.

He was unresponsive in his cell yesterday (Thursday) and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Officials say Eastridge’s body has been sent for an autopsy and the investigation remains active and ongoing.

The death investigation comes as the deputies continue to search for an escaped Claiborne County inmate Larry Poore, who has been missing for more than a week after escaping on a work detail.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Begins Multi-Year Rehabilitation of Iconic Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Begins Multi-Year Rehabilitation of Iconic Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte

GATLINBURG, TN (WOKI) —The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, is beginning a multi-year rehabilitation of the iconic Bullhead Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Beginning May 5, the park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 6, 2025.

The Bullhead Trail is one of several routes that lead to Mount LeConte, offering a challenging 13.6-mile roundtrip hike to the summit. Through this rehabilitation, the park will enhance overall trail safety by repairing tread surfaces, improving drainage, constructing trail structures such as staircases, turnpikes, and retaining walls, and removing tripping hazards like exposed rocks and roots. These efforts will also help protect the park’s natural resources.

Hikers are welcome to hike Bullhead Trail Friday through Sunday. The park plans to reopen the trail fully on November 6 and resume the rehabilitation in May 2026.

Following the completion of the Ramsey Cascades Trail rehabilitation in 2024, the park and Friends of the Smokies are beginning this rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail as the next project in the Trails Forever program. This program funds a permanent, highly skilled trail crew dedicated to the rehabilitation of high-use trails throughout the park. To date, Friends has contributed more than $4 million to rehabilitation projects, including those on Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, Forney Ridge and Ramsey Cascades trails.

James Pearce Jr. Selected In First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
Courtesy / UT Athletics

James Pearce Jr. Selected In First Round of 2025 NFL Draft

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two-time first-team All-SEC edge rusher James Pearce Jr. became the latest Tennessee Vol to add his name to the program’s legacy of first round draft choices.

Pearce Jr. was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who traded up to take him Thursday night. With the draft taking place in Green Bay, Pearce Jr. held a family draft party in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pearce is Tennessee’s 48th all-time first round pick and the second in three years under head coach Josh Heupel. Offensive tackle Darnell Wright was taken No. 10 overall by Chicago in 2023.

Pearce is the first Tennessee player to be selected by Atlanta since defensive end Demetrin Veal went in the seventh round in 2003.

Pearce’s path to Tennessee began as a five-star recruit out of Chambers High School in Charlotte. In his three seasons on Rocky Top, he was a key part of the program’s resurgence and defensive prowess as the Vols won 29 games and ranked in the top 10 in the nation in tackles for loss his last two years.  

Pearce generated 113 quarterback pressures in his three seasons and finished tied for 10th in UT all-time career sacks with 19.5, representing the most by a Vol since first rounder Derek Barnett had a school record 33 from 2014-16.

Pearce became the first UT defensive lineman to earn back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors since College Football Hall of Famer John Henderson from 2000-01. Pearce finished his junior season with 55 total pressures, 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries. He also showed up in a significant way in big games, logging tackles for loss against Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State.

It’s the third time in four years that Tennessee has produced at least one defensive lineman selected in the first five rounds under the tutelage of Rodney Garner and Levorn Harvin.

Additional Vols now wait to hear their names called the next two days. Rounds two and three are Friday beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven get underway at noon Saturday. 

Lady Vols Ink Former No. 7 Prospect Wolfenbarger
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Lady Vols Ink Former No. 7 Prospect Wolfenbarger

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Kim Caldwell announced that she has received an Institutional Financial Aid Agreement (IFAA) from transfer forward Jersey Wolfenbarger, the No. 7 ranked prospect by espnW in the 2021 high school class and a contributor in every game last season for LSU.

She joins forward Janiah Barker of UCLA and guard Nya Robertson of SMU in UT’s spring portal signing group. Wolfenbarger becomes the eighth player on UT’s projected 2025-26 roster who was ranked among the top 30 high school prospects in their class by espnW and the seventh who was named a McDonald’s All-American. 

The 6-foot-5 rising senior appeared in 37 games in 2024-25 and started nine, averaging 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds over 13.2 minutes per contest. She shot a career-best 63 percent from the field for the Tigers last season after making the move to Baton Rouge following two playing seasons at Arkansas.

A product of Fort Smith Northside High School, Wolfenbarger scored in double figures eight times a year ago and tallied two games with 10+ rebounds and a pair of double-doubles. She notched career highs of 18 points and 15 rebounds vs. Louisiana on Dec. 15. Her 23 steals and 35 free throws also were collegiate bests for her.

“Jersey will provide size and speed, which is the perfect combination of what we are looking for,” Caldwell said. “She is a transition player who will help make our team faster and is one of the best rim runners out there. She will be a great fit here.”

For her career, Wolfenbarger has appeared in a combined 102 games at the two SEC schools, earning 35 starts and averaging 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. She amassed 22 games of scoring in double figures, five contests with 10 or more boards and four double-doubles.

As a freshman at Arkansas in 2021-22, Wolfenbarger started 23 of 30 games for the Razorbacks, averaging 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds while hitting a career-high 17 three-pointers. She also posted career bests of 32 assists and 27 blocks along with 21 steals and was honored as SEC Freshman of the Week on Nov. 30.

Along the way, the SEC All-Freshman Team honoree carded 12 games of double-digit points, two with 10 or more rebounds and a pair of double-doubles. She notched season bests of 16 points vs. Central Arkansas, 11 rebounds vs. Missouri and three treys vs. Tennessee en route to 13 points, with the latter igniting a four-game run of double-digit scoring.

In 2022-23, she produced 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while appearing in 35 contests and starting three as a sophomore. She scored in double figures twice and produced 10 or more rebounds on one occasion. Her season highs included 15 points vs. Arkansas State, 12 rebounds and four blocks vs. Oral Roberts and three deep balls vs. Troy. 

Wolfenbarger was a consensus five-star player in high school and one of five finalists for the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Player of the Year Award. She was chosen as the Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020 and earned Arkansas player of the year honors from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Max Preps and the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association in 2021. She won two state titles during her high school career, hitting a buzzer-beater to win the 2019 6A State Championship.

Internationally, Wolfenbarger represented the United States at the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup, helping her country claim a gold medal with a 7-0 record in Debrecen, Hungary.

Applications Open for Tennessee’s Helene Recovery Funding

Applications Open for Tennessee’s Helene Recovery Funding

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) More money for businesses and individuals impacted by Hurricane Helene is now available directly from the State of Tennessee.

Tennessee legislators have set $100 million aside as part of the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund to give help to current and future disaster recovery needs, including needs from Helene.

“Tropical Storm Helene was an unprecedented disaster for our state, and the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund is part of a comprehensive plan to provide flexible financial resources for current and future emergencies,” said Gov. Lee. “I thank the General Assembly for their partnership and acting swiftly to provide necessary relief for Tennesseans.”

The application window for the assistance opened Monday and is available for local governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, farmers and foresters across more than a dozen counties in East Tennessee, including: Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington.

Those interested can apply for help here. The deadline is May 31.

Tennessee legislators have set $100 million aside as part of the Response and Recovery Fund to give help to current and future disaster recovery needs, including needs from Helene. (Courtesy: Tennessee Secretary of State)

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