Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE8/12 4:21 p.m.: A man is charged with murder as an investigation into Tuesday morning’s fatal shooting in West Knoxville continues.
Knoxville Police Department officials say the shooting occurred at the Copper Pointe apartment complex at 401 S. Gallaher View Road. KPD says officers responded around 9:30 a.m. to find a man who had been shot inside of an apartment; he was taken to a nearby hospital but later died.
KPD says 46-year-old Timothy Adam Lee of Knoxville, was taken into custody by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryville Police Department while leaving the Walmart on US-411 a short time after the shooting happened.
Lee has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated domestic assault and interference with 911.
UPDATE: The Knoxville Police Department is investigating following a fatal shooting Tuesday morning in West Knoxville.
Knoxville Police Department officials say the shooting occurred at the Copper Pointe apartment complex at 401 S. Gallaher View Road. KPD says officers responded around 9:30 a.m. to find a man who had been shot inside of an apartment; he was taken to a nearby hospital but later died.
The suspect fled the scene but was found a short time later in Blount County.
“The suspect reportedly left the scene in a silver F-150 pickup truck,” KPD Communication Manager Scott Erland said. “With the assistance of LPR technology, the truck was found a short time later in Blount County, where the suspect was located and detained.”
The suspect, who has not been identified, was taken to the Public Safety Complex in Knoxville for questioning.
KPD says the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending in the incident.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Knoxville Police Department is investigating following a shooting Tuesday morning in West Knoxville.
Knoxville Police Department officials say the shooting occurred at an apartment complex at 401 S. Gallaher View Road. KPD says officers responded to find one person injured; that person was taken to a nearby hospital.
Bearden High School was placed on lockdown while officers responded, but the lockdown has since been lifted.
KPD says the investigation is ongoing, adding that detectives are “pursuing active leads.”
The shooting occurred at an apartment complex at 401 S. Gallaher View Road. KPD said officers responded to find one person injured; that person was taken to a nearby hospital. (Courtesy: KPD)
Knoxville, TN (Story courtesy of WVLT) 8/13/25 UPDATE – The Knoxville Police Department has identified two suspects who are accused of stealing a puppy from a pet store in Knoxville last week.
Police say Baylee Hatcher, 27, and David Parrott, 45, have been charged with felony theft.
According to a police report, on Aug. 6, the suspects went inside The Puppy Store, located at 5913 Kingston Pike, grabbed a miniature pinscher puppy and left the store without paying. The puppy was valued at $2,500.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE8/12: Knoxville police renewing their call for information as property crimes detectives continue to investigate what a store owner has called a puppy theft.
Security camera footage supplied by the owner of The Puppy Store on Kingston Pike in the Deane Hill area, last week, shows a woman lifting the dog out of a crib and carrying it out of the store, followed by a man.
The store’s owner says the puppy was a miniature pinscher valued at $2,500.
Anyone with information is asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
ORIGINAL STORY: Knoxville Police are investigating after security camera footage catches a woman and a man stealing a puppy from The Puppy Store on Kingston Pike.
KPD Communications Manager Scott Erland says the owners told officers the puppy was a miniature pinscher valued at $2,500.
Video footage shows a woman lift the dog out of a crib and carry it out of the store followed by a man Wednesday afternoon, August 6.
If you have any information, please contact authorities.
Knoxville police asking for info in puppy theft investigation. (Courtesy: Knoxville Police Department)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Health Department reports that West Nile Virus has now been detected in an area of North Knoxville.
KCHD says the presence of West Nile in mosquitoes was found during routine surveillance off Davanna Street in the Central Avenue area.
Mosquito control spraying will start in this area on Thursday, August 14, between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., weather permitting, to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of West Nile Virus to humans.
Residents and pets are encouraged to stay inside during this time or pets can be kept in the backyard.
Roads scheduled to be treated:
Elm Street
Baxter Avenue
Lee Street
Wray Street
Davanna Street
Oldham Avenue
North Central Avenue
Branner Street
Worth Street
West Columbia Avenue
Bernard Avenue
KCHD says West Nile virus is transmitted to humans from an infected mosquito’s bite. Most people do not develop symptoms, but about 1 in 5 may experience fever, headache, body aches, or rash.
Severe illnesses are rare but can occur, especially in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.
To guard against contracting West Nile Virus, the CDC lists these recommendations:
Use insect repellent
Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants outside
Treat clothing and outdoor gear
Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors
KCHD officials say that people and pets are encouraged to stay inside during spraying.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Vols went through fall practice No. 10 on Tuesday at Haslam Field as they work through the third week of training camp.
Running Backs coach De’Rail Sims spoke with local media following practice to talk through the progress his unit has made throughout the offseason and fall.
With competition still unfolding, Sims points to last year’s experienced duo of DeSean Bishop and Peyton Lewis as foundational leaders, while veteran transfer Star Thomas has impressed with a strong camp performance.
“I think you have to look at the two returning guys from last year, Bish (DeSean Bishop) and Peyton (Lewis), and then you have to look at the rest of the room,” Sims said. There’s no really any set numbers or rotation yet, I think that’s still working itself out as we get towards game week with the competition factor in that. I think you start with the two older guys and then you look at Star (Thomas), who is another guy who has played a ton of football, that’s working his way and has had a really good camp. And then you look at the two younger guys (Daune Morris and Justin Baker) that are fighting for a role on this team and have done a really good job too.”
Sims credits the program’s recent rushing success to a blend of rhythm with the offensive line and a collective, physical mindset.
“Everybody understands that we’re going to run the football in this program, and I think that the mentality that the offensive line sets, to what the tight ends set, to what we’re setting in the running back room, that’s allowed us to be successful in the run game. And they understand that, they understand the standard and expectation of us.”
The full transcript from Sims’ press conference can be seen below.
On who has emerged or set themselves apart so far during camp… “I think you have to look at the two returning guys from last year, Bish (DeSean Bishop) and Peyton (Lewis), and then you have to look at the rest of the room. There’s no really any set numbers or rotation yet, I think that’s still working itself out as we get towards game week with the competition factor in that. I think you start with the two older guys and then you look at Star (Thomas), who is another guy who has played a ton of football, that’s working his way and has had a really good camp. And then you look at the two younger guys (Daune Morris and Justin Baker) that are fighting for a role on this team and have done a really good job too. So, I think once we get towards game week that will work itself out.”
On how Desean Bishop has improved over the offseason.. “I think he’s taken a step in terms of leadership, number one. He’s been a dynamic guy in the room in terms of holding guys accountable. If somebody is not living up to the standard, he’s the first one to get on them, and that’s including all factors. I think from the pass protection standpoint, he’s taken the next step too. From a physicality standpoint, an eye discipline standpoint, he’s done a really good job. Running the ball is natural to him, I mean, you’re talking about a guy that was highly productive in high school and rushed for a ton of yards, so that came natural. The pass protection piece of it, he’s grown tremendously in that and done a really good job this camp.”
On what he likes from the offensive line this year… “I like how they’re coming off the ball. They’re coming off the ball hard, they’re coming off the ball creating vertical seams in the defense for us. They’re doing a really good job playing physical and doing a really good job of playing connected and playing together. Those guys have been tenacious in terms of the way that they came off the ball for us in terms of being able to run the ball. Their attitude has been tremendous, you see a different mentality in them collectively, which has been good for us.”
On what a good problem it is to have DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis, and now Star Thomas… “It’s a good problem because I think competition never lets you be complacent. We talk about it all the time, good is the enemy of great, so when you have a whole room, and it’s not just those three guys, you sit up there and look at the two freshmen that we have in Duane Morris and Justin Baker, they don’t want to take a back seat to anybody, so they’re competing their tails off as well. So, everybody in the room, including Hunter Barnes as well, you have six guys in that room that are competing their tails off to go play. So, I can’t have an off day, it can’t be one of those days that I’m not bringing my A game. I have to be an A player every single day when I have a big room in the way that we do.”
On how Star Thomas has changed through the offseason as a player… “He’s gotten comfortable in terms of knowing the offense inside and out. He’s grown so much between the spring, over the summer until now. You can just tell how comfortable he is, and now he can be himself. He’s the guy that you’ve seen on tape be productive last year. He’s grown even more in terms of being able to run the football behind his pads, that’s the biggest deal for us too, the physicality piece of it and then in pass protection. He’s done a good job in terms of being able to identify, the physicality piece is showing a lot with him in pass protection as well, which has been awesome.”
On Star Thomas’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and his situational use… “No, I wouldn’t say he’s a situational guy. I think Star is a complete back. He’s not a guy that’s just going to catch the ball outside on the perimeter and be able to run. He’s a run between the tackles guy, he’s a run on the outside, he’s able to catch the ball and pass protect, so in my opinion, he’s a complete back.”
On what has led to the production of Tennessee’s run game in recent years… “I think it’s being in a rhythm and a flow with your offensive line, number one. I think the way that we play ball allows us to have the box counts that we do, but also at the same time, it’s a mentality. Everybody understands that we’re going to run the football in this program, and I think that the mentality that the offensive line sets, to what the tight ends set, to what we’re setting in the running back room, that’s allowed us to be successful in the run game. And they understand that, they understand the standard and expectation of us. Man, in this league you have to be physical, and you have to be able to run the football. No matter how many they put in the box, we have to be able to get downhill on people and go hit them in the mouth.”
On Peyton Lewis’ offseason and what he has shown thus far in fall camp… “We challenged him just to grow. He changed his body, you know. He looks like a Greek god when he walks out there on the field. And (we wanted him) to get comfortable. I wanted him to be Peyton like he was in high school in terms of when he was able to run behind his pads, he was able to run through the trash that was being created up front. He’s done a really good job from that standpoint. His eyes and his feet match now in the run game. His eyes and his feet match in the pass protection game, as well. You can see the maturation process, and he is playing faster. I think last year, especially him not being able to go through spring ball, when he came out of fall camp, he was still feeling his way through. There is no more of that now. He’s actually playing fast; he’s playing behind his pads. He’s doing a really good job in all three phases of the game for us right now.”
On determining the rotation at running back and splitting up drives during the game… “Throughout the game, we go through as a staff and talk about what the rotation is going to be about. The rotation takes care of itself during the week in terms of who’s competing. ‘Who has less (missing assignments), who is doing a really good job protecting the football, protecting the quarterback, and who’s being highly productive?’ I think going by that in the game, it kind of always sorts itself out. You know, you kind of always have a plan. I know last year, (Dylan Sampson) always went in for the first two series, then (DeSean Bishop) came in the third series. I’m not necessarily saying it will be that way this year. I think it kind of works its way through. But also, you have to look at how the offense is moving when you’re in the game. That’s what I always challenge the guys with, is it being highly productive and going up another level or is it staying consistent when you’re in the game? I think by that token of it, it always works itself out.”
On Daune Morris’ weight gain and progression… “I think you look at his body and see how much he’s changed since he got here. That’s been awesome. He takes pride in terms of putting the weight on the right way. The biggest deal with Daune is that he’s still growing. He’s natural in terms of being able to run the ball. He’s got vision, it’s like he is running blind at times, because he could feel his way through the holes which is really good. His acceleration is good. It’s always going to be pass protection for the young guys as they come in, but it’s not because he doesn’t want to, you know? That joker is physical. He’ll go in there and put his face in the fan and stop a charge. We just have to keep working on making sure his eyes are in the right spot, from a fundamental standpoint. But overall, we’re pleased with where he’s at. But he still has a ton of high, high ceiling to still continue to work to get to.”
On Peyton Lewis’ strength translating to the field… “You see it, because you see tacklers bounce off of him. That’s the biggest deal. He’s built his body in a way to where he has the armor to where he’s able to use his body as a weapon now, which is really good. I think that has translated into confidence as well. He understands that he can drop his pads in the run game, he can drop his pads in pass protection, and he’s able to stop people in their tracks. So, I think that piece of it has been awesome for him from a confidence standpoint.”
On what has led to the production of Tennessee’s run game in recent years… “I think it’s being in a rhythm and a flow with your offensive line, number one. I think the way that we play ball allows us to have the box counts that we do, but also at the same time, it’s a mentality. Everybody understands that we’re going to run the football in this program, and I think that the mentality that the offensive line sets, to what the tight ends set, to what we’re setting in the running back room, that’s allowed us to be successful in the run game. And they understand that, they understand the standard and expectation of us. Man, in this league you have to be physical, and you have to be able to run the football. No matter how many they put in the box, we have to be able to get downhill on people and go hit them in the mouth.”
On Peyton Lewis’ offseason and what he has shown thus far in fall camp… “We challenged him just to grow. He changed his body, you know. He looks like a Greek god when he walks out there on the field. And (we wanted him) to get comfortable. I wanted him to be Peyton like he was in high school in terms of when he was able to run behind his pads, he was able to run through the trash that was being created up front. He’s done a really good job from that standpoint. His eyes and his feet match now in the run game. His eyes and his feet match in the pass protection game, as well. You can see the maturation process, and he is playing faster. I think last year, especially him not being able to go through spring ball, when he came out of fall camp, he was still feeling his way through. There is no more of that now. He’s actually playing fast; he’s playing behind his pads. He’s doing a really good job in all three phases of the game for us right now.”
On determining the rotation at running back and splitting up drives during the game… “Throughout the game, we go through as a staff and talk about what the rotation is going to be about. The rotation takes care of itself during the week in terms of who’s competing. ‘Who has less (missing assignments), who is doing a really good job protecting the football, protecting the quarterback, and who’s being highly productive?’ I think going by that in the game, it kind of always sorts itself out. You know, you kind of always have a plan. I know last year, (Dylan Sampson) always went in for the first two series, then (DeSean Bishop) came in the third series. I’m not necessarily saying it will be that way this year. I think it kind of works its way through. But also, you have to look at how the offense is moving when you’re in the game. That’s what I always challenge the guys with, is it being highly productive and going up another level or is it staying consistent when you’re in the game? I think by that token of it, it always works itself out.”
On Daune Morris weight gain and progression… “I think you look at his body and see how much he’s changed since he got here. That’s been awesome. He takes pride in terms of putting the weight on the right way. The biggest deal with Daune is that he’s still growing. He’s natural in terms of being able to run the ball. He’s got vision, it’s like he is running blind at times, because he could feel his way through the holes which is really good. His acceleration is good. It’s always going to be pass protection for the young guys as they come in, but it’s not because he doesn’t want to, you know? That joker is physical. He’ll go in there and put his face in the fan and stop a charge. We just have to keep working on making sure his eyes are in the right spot, from a fundamental standpoint. But overall, we’re pleased with where he’s at. But he still has a ton of high, high ceiling to still continue to work to get to.”
On Peyton Lewis’ strength translating to the field… “You see it, because you see tacklers bounce off of him. That’s the biggest deal. He’s built his body in a way to where he has the armor to where he’s able to use his body as a weapon now, which is really good. I think that has translated into confidence as well. He understands that he can drop his pads in the run game, he can drop his pads in pass protection, and he’s able to stop people in their tracks. So, I think that piece of it has been awesome for him from a confidence standpoint.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee was back on the practice field Monday morning after its first of two fall scrimmages took place at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
Veteran secondary coach Willie Martinez and a handful of the Vols’ defensive backs met with the media following practice to talk about the group’s growth throughout the offseason and fall camp.
A consistent theme that emerged during Monday’s interviews was the selflessness and versatility that is ever present in this year’s secondary. All of the players who spoke to the media on Monday touched on the importance of being able to play multiple positions within the secondary and doing whatever is necessary to help the team perform at its best.
“It’s the culture that we’ve built here,” Martinez said. “Those are the guys that we want to bring in here that pour into the team first, before themselves.”
With veterans like Andre Turrentine, Jalen McMurray, Rickey Gibson III and Jermod McCoy leading the charge, newcomers such as Colorado transfer Colton Hood and UT’s group of talented freshmen have been able to merge seamlessly into the room to build some impressive depth within the unit.
Great leadership, man. I really love that room,” Martinez said. That room is built with some guys that have been around here and have taken it from some of the guys that have left here, whether it’s been Tank (Jaylen McCollough) or Alontae Taylor or Theo Jackson. You can see that the room is running on its own gas.”
The full transcript from Martinez’s Monday press conference can be seen below.
On his impressions of Colton Hood since he arrived in the summer… “On tape (when we recruited him), we saw an athletic player that can actually be very versatile in playing different positions. Didn’t know anything about his personality. When he first came on campus for the first time, boy, you could tell that he could fit into our room – just from a standpoint of maturity. He commands the room with some confidence, ultimate team guy. He has a team-first kind of mentality. And then obviously, when he starts working out with us, you can see the movements and the traits. He has taken that from the summertime with his teammates and bonded really well with our team, especially in the back end connecting with everybody. Which is something we really wanted to see, leadership skills. In camp here, he has really had a great fall camp up until this point. He gives us the versatility where he can play corner, he can also play STAR, he can play dime, which he is doing.”
On Ty Redmond’s progression at STAR adding depth at that position… “Again, Ty had a really good spring. He’s right where he left off in the spring. You know, he’s really tacked on here in the fall. Showing a lot of consistency and playmaking ability. We feel really comfortable with Ty and what he has been able to do here in one-on-one situations with some of our great wide receivers. He has a good command about our package, meaning he knows our scheme. He knows how to play to it, so you build a trust, obviously within the staff and the players. Again, he gives us the versatility I was just talking about with (Colton Hood). He can move guys around. Whenever you have guys who can play out on the edges, like (Rickey Gibson III), like (Jermod McCoy), those kind of corners, you have a lot of flexibility inside.”
On Jalen McMurray’s growth and versatility… “I don’t want to sound repetitive, man, but the reason why we took him when we did take him is the same reason we took (Colton Hood). First yes, he has to be athletic, he has to be talented as heck, but he has to come into that room and have the leadership skills to fit in the culture that we’ve built here since we’ve been here. He’s done that from day one. And now moving forward, since he obviously has a really good shot inside playing STAR, he has that ability, because he had it where he came from. We didn’t really play him (at START) as much last year. We didn’t need to, even though he knew it. Again, he does a really good job of knowing where everyone is at, communicating with everybody. He has great communication skills. He’s really good in the meeting rooms. He gives us the experience that you want. Very similar to bringing Colton here, he gives us the depth that we want, that we need.”
On Rickey Gibson III naming Jalen McMurray the most competitive player on the team… “There are a lot of really good competitors in the room. I’m not going to disagree with it. If he’s not in, he’s coaching. I say that, in the meeting room. If we’re sitting there trying to go through a scheme and talk about the ins and outs of the position, he’s on this side over here. He has good awareness of the room. If it’s a young guy that doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do or it’s not coming quickly to him, he’ll move his seat to get where he has to be and doesn’t disrupt the meeting. Those are the little things that again, the guys in the room can see that. Again, it’s the culture that we’ve built here. Those are the guys that we want to bring in here that pour into the team first, before themselves.”
On Rickey Gibson III’s improvement from the end of last season… “Rickey is extremely smart, always has been. I’ll say he’s a lot better with ball skills; he’s very intentional about improving his ball skills, to track and locate stuff. You can see it when he’s doing drills. Maybe earlier in his first year or two, he was dropping balls in drills, and now it’s like a competitive thing with him. He’ll catch it even if he’s got a bad hand or a bad finger, you know what I mean? His attention to detail – very similar to what I just said about Jalen here – he’s always been coaching the young guys, even when he’s been a young guy. He’s smart. He got into a lot of plays last year, at the end of the year. As the season was going on, he was the most consistent, to be honest with you, on the edges. I know (Jermod McCoy) had an unbelievable year, don’t get me wrong, and the plays he made were phenomenal, but we leaned on Rickey a lot because he’s a guy who knows the scheme really well and was able to help Jermod last year, because Jermod was learning the defense. He’s a lot smarter, he’s more aware of what the safeties are doing, and he knows how they work with each other. Great leadership, man. I really love that room. That room is built with some guys that have been around here and have taken it from some of the guys that have left here, whether it’s been Tank (Jaylen McCollough) or Alontae Taylor or Theo Jackson. You can see that the room is running on its own gas.”
On Jermod McCoy’s recovery… “When you made the comment about who’s the most competitive person in the room, I can arguably just say Jermod McCoy. He’s itching to do whatever it takes; he’s always been that way. I’m not surprised that he’s hit all the benchmarks to this point where he needs to hit. The guys feel it and sense it. He’s in our room, and he’s engaged. So, it’s not like a one-time thing. You saw that he was on the field doing some drills at the last practice, fired everybody up to see him go through the individual drills, but they see him also doing all the things that he does in the room, in the team room, and the energy he brings each and every day. It’s exciting, it really is.”
On how having continuity on the coaching staff helps during the preseason… “Coach Heupel has done a great job with our staff. It starts with him and the coaches that are on this staff. When you elevate somebody or you bring in a new guy, it’s like it just flows, and that’s a credit to Coach Heupel. Knowing Coach Banks for a long time and being a part of his life for a very long time, and Rodney and I have been at the same (schools), it’s been 13 or 14 years together, so it helps. Especially when you are on the same side of the ball, tremendously.”
PHILADELPHIA – The Maxwell Football Club announced Monday that Tennessee football standouts Arion Carter and Jermod McCoy were named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
The Bednarik Award watch list features 90 players, including 23 individuals from the Southeastern Conference. Tennessee is one of 23 FBS programs in the country with multiple selections featured.
Carter returns for his junior season after starting all 13 games at linebacker in 2024 and leading UT with 68 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss. The in-state product also had six pass breakups and an interception to go along with three quarterback hurries as a sophomore to help lead the Big Orange to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
After representing the Vols at SEC Media Days in mid-July, Carter was chosen by the media as a third team preseason All-SEC selection. He also garnered All-SEC second team preseason acclaim from Athlon Sports and was one of 18 SEC linebackers named on the Butkus Award preseason watch list.
McCoy enters the year widely regarded as one of the nation’s top corners after earning first team All-SEC recognition as well as second team All-America honors from the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated last season. He finished third on the team with 44 total tackles and led the team with 13 passes defended, which ranked fourth in the conference. He also tied for the team lead with four interceptions in 2024, two of which occurred in the end zone and prevented touchdowns.
Entering this season, McCoy had already been recognized as a first-team preseason All-American by multiple outlets and was named an All-SEC preseason first-team selection by the media after being tabbed a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award in 2024.
Semifinalists for the 2025 Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 11, while the three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 25. The winner of the 31st Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 11. The formal presentation of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed metrics and performance-based assessments to selection committee staff, with several senior PFF analysts being members of our selection committee. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine.
Miles Kitselman, TE, R-Sr. Mackey Award Watch List Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr. Bednarik Award Watch List Nagurski Trophy Watch List Jim Thorpe Award Watch List Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List First Team All-American (Athlon, PFF, Sporting News, Walter Camp) First Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media)
Jackson Ross, P, R-Jr. Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Tennessee Senator Ken Yager of Kingston pleads no contest in his 2024 Georgia driving under the influence and hit-and-run case.
It comes after Yager was charged in December of last year. The Georgia Department of Public Safety says state troopers found Yager in a parking lot.
Troopers detected a distinct odor of alcohol on his breath and he admitted to being involved in a crash earlier but did not know law enforcement was en route.
Yager faced three charges in total: DUI, hit-and-run and failing to stop at a stop sign. The hit-and-run and stop sign charges were dismissed but he will see punishment for the DUI charge.
Yager was sentenced to 12 months of probation, a fine of $750 and 40 hours of community service. Yager’s license was also suspended and he was ordered to attend DUI school.
Sevier County, TN (WOKI) – We have an update about a brush fire in Sevier County.
The Richardson Cove Road Brush Fire is now 80% contained. Crews have completed containment lines around a 15-acre burn area.
The fire was caused by a lightning strike from a thunderstorm last week. Crews will continue to monitor fire activity to ensure it remains controlled. No structures are threatened or have been damaged.
Several agencies are working to contain this fire.
UNION COUNTY, TN (TWRA / WOKI) — After another serious boating injury on Norris Lake Saturday afternoon, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) wants to continue to remind boaters about the dangers of propeller strikes.
At approximately 2:22 p.m. on August 9, 2025, TWRA dispatch received a report of a boating incident involving a person in the water on Norris Lake near Hickory Star Marina in Union County. Witness statements and evidence suggest the victim had been kneeboarding behind a vessel when he fell into the water. As the operator attempted to retrieve him, the vessel’s lower unit and propeller made contact with the victim, causing severe lacerations to his leg and foot.
The victim was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. This incident marks the ninth propeller-strike injury and the 34th serious injury boating incident in Tennessee this year.
Propeller strikes can cause deep lacerations, broken bones, amputations, and even death. TWRA urges boaters to:
Shut off the engine when swimmers or fallen riders are close to the boat.
Use a spotter to keep constant watch on those in the water.
Approach slowly and from a safe angle to avoid contact.
“Propeller strikes are almost always preventable,” said TWRA Boating Investigator Captain Roy Smith. “A few extra seconds of caution can prevent life-changing injuries.”
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
