Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man has been sentenced in the shooting death of his girlfriend in April of 2024.
According to court records, Michael Merrick shot his then girlfriend, 49-year-old Nicole Fanney, also known as Nicole Stewart, 13 times at their shared Knoxville apartment before fleeing to Kentucky.
Knoxville Police Department officers found Fanney dead at the apartment on Atchley Ridge Way.
Announcing Merrick’s sentencing Friday, District Attorney Charme Allen said prosecutors presented evidence that showed that Merrick and Fanney had been arguing prior to the murder.
Merrick was charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He will serve 25 years in prison and will not be granted parole.
Knoxville man sentenced for shooting girlfriend 13 times, DA says. (Courtesy: DA Charme Allen)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Friday the team’s non-conference slate for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
The Volunteers, coming off a campaign in which they won 30 games and reached the Elite Eight in the same year for the first time, will take the floor for 13 non-conference affairs between Nov. 3 and Dec. 30. The schedule features six consecutive outings against Power Five opponents, including five away from home, and eight games at Food City Center.
Fans looking for season tickets are encouraged to complete the 2025-26 Tennessee Basketball Season Ticket Interest Form HERE. This will allow individuals to get their names on a list and stay informed about future opportunities to secure seats for each game.
“Each year, we work to create a non-conference schedule that best sets our team up for success and prepares us for SEC competition. We feel we have once again done just that,” Barnes said. “In addition to four tough games we’ll get on planes for, we look forward to playing nine here in the Volunteer State, including eight on our home court, in front of our incredible fans.”
To begin the 2025-26 campaign, Tennessee hosts Mercer in a Nov. 3 matchup at Food City Center. Tennessee is 4-4 all-time versus the Bears, including 3-1 at home, and has won each of the past four meetings. The last game was an 84-60 Tennessee home win on Nov. 29, 2017.
Tennessee continues a five-game homestand Nov. 9 versus Northern Kentucky. This will be the first clash between the two sides, as well as the first time Barnes faces the Norse in his soon-to-be 39-year head coaching career.
Up next for the Volunteers is a Nov. 12 game against North Florida, for a second straight first-time series meeting. Barnes, though, has faced the Ospreys once, collecting a 70-48 home triumph on Dec. 14, 2010, during his tenure at Texas.
Tennessee welcomes former assistant Rob Lanier back to Knoxville during a No. 17 outing versus Rice, where he is now the head coach. Lanier worked under Barnes during his first four seasons on Rocky Top, 2015-19. Tennessee sports a 1-3 series record, including a 1-2 home mark, but the sides have not met since Dec. 6, 1963, when Rice tallied a 61-56 home win.
The Volunteers wrap up the homestand Nov. 20 when they face Tennessee State. This will be the seventh matchup between the in-state foes, with Tennessee winning each of the first six, all at home. The Tigers last came to Knoxville for the 12th game of the Barnes era, a 74-69 result on Dec. 29, 2015.
Tennessee then heads to Las Vegas, where it will compete in the Players Era Men’s Championship. It opens action with the first game of the event Nov. 24 against Rutgers, against which it is 2-0 all-time and last played on Nov. 19, 1992, when it earned an 87-79 road triumph. The Volunteers then face Houston, against which they are 3-3 overall and 0-2 at neutral sites, the next day. Tennessee fell to the Cougars, 69-50, last season, as the sides met March 30 in the 2025 Elite Eight. The Volunteers’ final game of the 18-team tournament will take place Nov. 26 or Nov. 27 against a to-be-determined opponent.
Next, Barnes takes his team to Syracuse, N.Y., where it plays Dec. 2 in a second straight ACC/SEC Challenge matchup with Syracuse. Tennessee is 5-3 against the Orange, including 1-1 on the road. This will be the third consecutive season the teams square off, as Tennessee claimed a 73-56 win on Nov. 20, 2023, in Honolulu and registered a 96-70 home triumph on Dec. 3, 2024.
Tennessee will then face another team, Illinois, in non-conference play for the third season in a row. The Volunteers and Fighting Illini will meet Dec. 6 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee owns a 4-1 series record, with this set to be the first neutral-site meeting, and swept the home-and-home the last two years. It posted an 86-79 home decision on Dec. 9, 2023, and then a 66-64 buzzer-beating victory Dec. 14, 2024, in Champaign, Ill.
To conclude the six-game stretch versus Power Five foes, Tennessee hosts Louisville in a Dec. 16 affair at Food City Center. It is the second leg of a home-and-home series, with Tennessee notching a dominant 77-55 road victory on Nov. 9, 2024. That result moved Tennessee to 9-12 all-time against the Cardinals; it is 1-5 at home.
The Volunteers next take the court Dec. 21 when they face Gardner-Webb at home for the second straight season. Tennessee logged an 80-64 win on Nov. 4, 2024, in last year’s season opener to improve to 3-0 in the series.
After eight days without a game, the Volunteers finish the 2025 calendar year with their non-conference finale, Dec. 30 versus South Carolina State at Food City Center. It will be the first matchup between the two programs, but Barnes has coached against the Bulldogs twice before. He led Clemson to a pair of home victories during the 1997 calendar year, first a 63-44 final on Jan. 4 and then an 84-60 decision on Dec. 28.
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.
FULL 2025-26 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE Nov. 3 – MERCER Nov. 9 – NORTHERN KENTUCKY Nov. 12 – NORTH FLORIDA Nov. 17 – RICE Nov. 20 – TENNESSEE STATE Nov. 24 – vs. Rutgers (Players Era Men’s Championship – Las Vegas) Nov. 25 – vs. Houston (Players Era Men’s Championship – Las Vegas) Nov. 26/27 – vs. TBD (Players Era Men’s Championship – Las Vegas) Dec. 2 – at Syracuse (ACC/SEC Challenge) Dec. 6 – vs. Illinois (Nashville, Tenn.) Dec. 16 – LOUISVILLE Dec. 21 – GARDNER-WEBB Dec. 30 – SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
Tennessee and UCLA, each ranked in the top 10 of preliminary preseason polls, announced on Friday a two-game series in women’s basketball, beginning with the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.
The Bruins, ranked No. 3 in ESPN’s “Way Too Early” Top 25, will play host to the No. 7 Lady Vols in a contest at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial on Nov. 30. UCLA is slated to travel to Knoxville for a contest at Food City Center during the 2026-27 campaign.
The match-up in Westwood this season will open a two-game West Coast swing for the Big Orange, who have a previously-announced visit to Stanford on Dec. 3 as part of the ACC/SEC Women’s Basketball Challenge. This will mark the fifth time Tennessee has faced both teams on the same journey out west and the third-straight occasion the Lady Vols-Bruins match-up has opened such a trip. UT has fashioned a combined 5-3 record in the previous back-to-back battles, including a 4-0 worksheet in Los Angeles.
In the all-time series with the Bruins, UT owns an 18-3 record, including 9-0 in L.A., 8-1 in Knoxville and 1-2 at neutral sites. UCLA, however, has won the last two meetings between the programs, defeating the Lady Vols, 89-77, in College Park, Md., on March 23, 2019, in the NCAA First Round and 80-63 on Nov. 20, 2022, at the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas.
In Kim Caldwell‘s first season on Rocky Top and as a Power 4 head coach in 2024-25, she guided the Lady Vols to a 24-10 record, NCAA Sweet 16 finish and No. 15 final AP ranking with a fast-paced attack on both ends of the court. Her squad set records for scoring and three-point shooting during the campaign and picked up victories over UConn, Ohio State, Iowa and Florida State along the way.
Tennessee returns three of its top four scorers and rebounders from a year ago. That group includes redshirt junior guard and All-SEC Second Team/SEC All-Defensive Team performer Talaysia Cooper (16.6 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 3.2 apg., 3.1 spg.), senior forward Zee Spearman (11.7 ppg., 6.0 rpg.) and senior guard Ruby Whitehorn (11.6 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 1.7 apg.).
Caldwell adds a transfer portal class rated No. 1 by ESPN’s Charlie Creme and a high school signing group rated No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation by most analysts. The transfer class includes 6-foot-4 forward and Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year Janiah Barker (7.4 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 1.4 apg.), who played for UCLA last season, 5-7 guard and All-ACC Second Team selection Nya Robertson of SMU (18.5 ppg., 62 3FGs, 111 FTs) and 6-5 forward Jersey Wolfenbarger of LSU (4.6 ppg., 3.4 rpg., 63% FG).
The stellar prep class includes McDonald’s All-Americans Mia Pauldo, Deniya Prawl and Jaida Civil, as well as Mia’s twin sister, Mya Pauldo, and Lauren Hurst, all of whom rank among espnW’s top 60 recruits in the class of 2025. Mia Pauldo (No. 9), Prawl (No. 17) and Civil (No. 20) make UT the only school with three players rated among the top 20 in the 2025 class by espnW.
UCLA, meanwhile, finished at No. 3 in the final 2024-25 Associated Press poll, compiling a 34-3 overall record and 16-2 mark in the Big Ten. It advanced to its first-ever NCAA Final Four, falling to eventual champ UConn, 85-51, in the semifinals.
Head Coach Cori Close’s squad returns five of its top six leading scorers, including 6-foot-7 senior center Lauren Betts (20.2 ppg., 9.5 rpg.), 5-11 senior guard Kiki Rice (12.8 ppg., 5.0 apg.) and 6-0 senior guard Gabriela Jaquez (9.6 ppg., 5.3 rpg.). The Bruins also added the No. 12 prep class to that mix, including 6-4 forward Sienna Betts, the younger sister of Lauren and the nation’s No. 2-ranked recruit, as well as the No. 4-ranked transfer in 6-0 graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens of Utah (19.3 ppg., 5.0 rpg., 3.0 apg.).
For the most up-to-date information about the program, follow Lady Vol basketball on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook.
KNOXVILLE, TN ( Story courtesy of WVLT) – The Blount County Register of Deeds Office is getting a lot of calls and people walking in to talk about letters homeowners are receiving in the mail.
A group has asked people to send them money so they’re able to get their property deed. The group is charging people $89, which is causing some concern for the register of deeds.
“It’s heart wrenching. It really is,” Phyllis Crisp said.
Crisp is the register of deeds and said people would be able to do it for a lot cheaper if they go through her office.
“It’s a dollar a page, so one to two dollars and you have an original,” Crisp said.
The letters also have Nashville and St. Petersburg, Florida addresses along with the wrong county seal on them.
Crisp said several people are impacted by this but feels they’re targeting the older generation most.
“Senior citizens, they think it’s someone trying to take their property. So we’ve had several of them come in and had several phone calls from them,” Crisp said.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to WVLT News it is technically not illegal since the group eventually sends homeowners the deeds.
Crisp is asking homeowners in the county to reach out to them directly if they need their property deed.
“I don’t want them relating that to my office and them think that I’m ripping them off,” Crisp said.
WVLT News reached out to the group sending the letters, Clerk’s Property Office. They told us they only deal with home warranties even though the letters clearly indicate them asking about property deeds and property deed transfers.
Over the course of the past year, Summit Medical Group (Summit) has engaged in good-faith negotiations with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST). Despite its best efforts, Summit has been unable to reach a fair and sustainable agreement.
As a result, Summit has sent a formal notice of non-renewal to BCBST. Without an updated contract, Summit providers will be out-of-network for BCBST commercial and Medicare Advantage products starting Jan. 1, 2026.
Summit Medical Group was founded with a clear mission: to provide patient-first care rooted in independent, community-based medicine. Summit’s providers are neighbors embedded in the communities they serve, committed to delivering personalized, relationship-focused care.
“Issuing the notice of non-renewal was a necessary step to protect the future of independent medicine and ensure patients continue to have access to high-quality, personalized care,” Summit Medical Group CEO Ed Curtis said. “We remain committed to reaching a fair agreement that supports our providers and the communities we serve.”
Summit wants to assure patients that nothing changes for now and they can continue to seek care at Summit as usual. While Summit is hopeful an agreement can be reached before the contract expires to avoid any disruption, there is a strong possibility Summit may be out-of-network starting in 2026.
Patients will be kept informed with updates as negotiations continue in the coming months.
About Summit Medical Group:
Summit Medical Group is one of Tennessee’s largest independent health care organizations, with more than 500 providers at 96 locations in 23 counties. Summit also consists of four diagnostic imaging centers, mobile diagnostic services, eight physical therapy centers, four express clinics, central laboratory, and sleep services center. Summit provides healthcare services to more than 435,000 patients, averaging over two million encounters annually. For additional information, visit https://www.summitmedical.com/
KNOX COUNTY, TN (TBI / WOKI) – A joint ongoing investigation that began earlier this year has resulted in the arrest of a Knoxville man and the seizure of cocaine and other illicit drugs.
In February, special agents with the TBI Drug Investigation Division, the 5th Judicial Drug Task Force, and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into the sale and distribution of large amounts of cocaine and other drugs in Blount and Knox Counties. During the course of the investigation, Charles Sherman Hicks was identified as a supplier. On July 16th, a search warrant was executed at Hicks’ residence in the 6400 block of Sevierville Pike in Knoxville. Upon entering the home, authorities located approximately one kilogram of cocaine, approximately sixteen pounds of marijuana, over 160 grams of what are believed to be pressed fentanyl pills, and numerous oxymorphone pills. A handgun, more than $35,000 in cash, several vehicles, and various other assets were also seized.
Charles Sherman Hicks (DOB: 12/2/77) was arrested and charged with Possession of Schedule II Drugs for Resale, Possession of Schedule VI Drugs for Resale, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Maintaining a Dwelling for Drug Use, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is currently being held in the Knox County Jail.
The Knoxville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration also provided assistance.
The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
Jefferson County, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating after a woman is injured after crashing into a bridge Thursday morning on Old Dandridge Pike.
THP’s preliminary report indicates the crash happened around 7:20 and that the driver, a 52-year-old woman, told troopers she fell asleep while driving and crashed into a concrete and metal bridge before coming to a stop in the ditch.
The woman was taken to UT Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
THP says there was no indication of impairment.
Additional information was not released.
Woman injured in crash after falling asleep while driving in Jefferson County, THP says. (Courtesy: THP Fall Branch / WVLT)
Maryville, TN (WOKI) A Maryville man is facing several charges following an investigation into alleged drug sales out of a home in Blount County.
Officials with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office say 27-year-old Jamel Daion Mathis was arrested during a search of a home in the 200 block of Seals Crossing Way.
BCSO reports investigators seized more than two pounds of marijuana as well as THC edibles and other THC-related products, a firearm, and over $2,300 in cash.
Mathis is charged with possession of a Schedule VI substance for resale, maintaining a dwelling where drugs are used or sold, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. He is being held at the Blount County Correctional Facility on bonds totaling $15,000, pending a court hearing on July 23.
The investigation into Mathis began after complaints were made to the Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force that Mathis was distributing marijuana and THC products to juveniles and others.
“The Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force remains committed to working to keep illicit drugs out of Blount County by thoroughly investigating all narcotic and other illicit drug-related complaints,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a statement released Thursday afternoon.
The Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force is made up of deputies and officers from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, the Alcoa Police Department and the Maryville Police Department.
The sheriff’s office says 27-year-old Jamel Mathis was arrested during a search of a home in the 200 block of Seals Crossing Way. (Frankly Media)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced Thursday its team and individual academic honors for the 2024-25 academic year, with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball program earning plaudits in both areas.
The Volunteers received the NABC Team Excellence Award for the fourth consecutive year. They are the only SEC team to claim the distinction each of the last four seasons, with no other program even owning a three-year streak.
Six fellow SEC schools made the cut in 2024-25. Tennessee joined Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Ole Miss and Texas on the list. The latter three are the only other SEC schools with even back-to-back recognitions.
The team designation is awarded to schools that post a GPA of at least 3.0 during the academic year. Tennessee vastly exceeded that figure with a 3.54 team GPA to set a new program record. That tally included a 3.59 GPA in the spring, the best single-semester GPA in program history.
In addition, five Volunteers netted NABC Honors Court recognition, which goes to juniors, seniors and graduate students who record a 3.2 GPA for the academic year.
Grant Hurst (recreation and sport management) made the cut for the second consecutive year, with four teammates joining him on the list. Fellow returnee Zakai Zeigler (retail and merchandising management) also garnered the designation, as did three first-year Volunteers.
Felix Okpara (retail and merchandising management) collected the honor in his first year of eligibility, while Darlinstone Dubar (strategic and digital communication) and Chaz Lanier (agricultural leadership, education and communications) did so in their graduate programs.
The complete list of 2024-25 NABC academic honorees, for both players and teams, can be found HERE.
All 14 players on the 2024-25 Tennessee roster were named to either the SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll or the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll, both of which require a GPA of 3.0 or above.
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.
LEXINGTON, KY – March 20, 2025 – The Tennessee Volunteers during the first round game of 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Wofford Terriers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
