Monroe County, TN (WOKI) A multi-agency drug bust is credited with getting fentanyl and guns off the streets in Monroe County.
Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones announcing that agents with the sheriff’s office together with the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations seized approximately 31 grams of fentanyl, multiple handguns, a large quantity of cash and other items while serving a high risk warrant Monday evening.
Jones says one suspect was also taken into custody following a foot pursuit in the area of Turnpike Road.
One in custody following multi-agency drug bust in Monroe County. (Courtesy: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 7/16: The victim from the deadly shooting that occurred early Tuesday morning has been identified as Jakhory Dortch, 22 of Athens, Tennessee.
Based on the findings of the still ongoing investigation, Dortch and another man were involved in a physical altercation outside of a room at the Days Inn on Dante Road when Dortch was shot. The other involved individual was detained at the scene by responding KPD officers and questioned by Homicide Unit detectives.
No charges have been filed at this time. Upon completion of the investigation, which is being led by the KPD Homicide Unit, the case file will be presented to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office.
ORIGINAL STORY: Knoxville Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a deadly shooting that happened at the Days Inn on Dante Road early Tuesday morning.
At just after 3 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, KPD officers were dispatched to the Days Inn at 114 Dante Road, where it was reported that two men were involved in a fight and shots were fired.
Officers located both men on scene, including one who had been shot. Despite life-saving efforts by responding Knoxville Fire Department personnel, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The other involved man was detained by responding officers and is being questioned by Homicide Unit detectives.
KPD crime scene technicians responded to the scene for evidence processing and collection.
The investigation into the shooting remains in the early stages and under active investigation. Additional information will be made available as the investigation progresses.
Knoxville, TN (KFD / WOKI) – This morning (Wednesday) around 4:50am, Knoxville Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire located on Wilson Avenue.
Knox County Communication District received a call that a house next door from the caller was on fire.
Engine 6 arrived on scene within minutes and stated that there was heavy smoke and fire showing from the whole right side of the residence. Firefighting operations started quickly and crews were able to attack the fire from inside the home.
The fire was under control within 10 minutes.
Crews are still on scene cleaning up and making sure there are no hot spots. The residence suffered heavy fire, smoke, and water damage and is a total loss.
It was reported that 5 people and 2 dogs were staying in the home. All occupants evacuated safely and were uninjured. The dogs were not in the home and are trying to be located.
There were no injuries from firefighters to report.
Many people felt and heard a large boom in Blount County and authorities are still working to determine what caused it.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office says they received several calls after the boom was heard at around 1:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon (Tuesday).
While thousands of people were without power after the boom, Blount County deputies patrolled the area for blown transformers and City of Alcoa officials say it was not electric-related.
Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp said no injuries have been reported.
TDOT and Vulcan Materials were not blasting at the time the boom was reported.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Two people are facing charges after several bullets hit a home in Powell Sunday afternoon.
According to charging documents, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office went to a home on Blueberry Road around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday after receiving a report of shots fired.
The victim told deputies his house had been hit by gunfire, and deputies found at least five bullet holes going into the home, including one that went into a child’s bedroom and landed in a laundry basket.
Further investigation lead to the arrest of 18-year-old Makyla Wesley and 18-year-old Juliun Laderach who police suspected of drinking while discharging a handgun near their neighbor’s home.
The pair are facing reckless endangerment and other charges and are scheduled to appear in court on July 16.
Makyla Wesley and Juliun Laderach (Courtesy: JIMS)
Monroe County, TN (WOKI) A now former Monroe County paramedic is facing federal child pornography charges.
According to court records, an investigation began into 27-year-old Nathan Lee Westbrook after investigators received a cyber tip involving the possession and distribution of child pornography on social media platform KiK in February.
A federal search warrant was executed on July 11 confirming a Kik account and associated email, from which six video files depicting child pornography were uploaded and distributed, were Westbrook’s.
Court records indicate Westbrook also admitted to having child pornography on his phone and computer, adding that no other person had used his computer or phone.
Monroe County EMS Director Randy White confirmed that Westbrook was a paramedic but has since been terminated.
“The actions of one individual do not reflect the integrity and dedication of the hardworking men and women of Monroe County EMS,” White said. “We hold all staff to the highest professional and ethical standards, and we remain committed to serving the public with honor and accountability.”
Monroe County Mayor Mitch Ingram added that it was a deeply concerning situation.
“This situation is deeply concerning, and while Mr. Westbrook is entitled to due process under the law, the safety and trust of our community remain our top priorities,” said Ingram. “We will continue to cooperate fully with all investigative authorities and ensure transparency as this matter unfolds.”
Westbrook is currently being held at the Blount County Justice Center. He is scheduled to have a detention hearing on Thursday.
Nathan Westbrook, 27 (Courtesy: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office)
Tellico Plains, TN (WOKI) A man is taken into custody after barricading himself inside a structure Tuesday morning in Tellico Plains.
Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones says officers responded just after 10:00 a.m. to a person who had barricaded himself inside a structure on Rafter Road near Shorty’s Market.
SWAT officers deployed two gas canisters into the rear of the building, forcing the subject to exit the front of the building.
The man was taken into custody and is undergoing a medical evaluation.
Deputies responded to Rafter Road in Tellico Plains near Shorty’s Market Tuesday morning. (Courtesy: WVLT)
KNOXVILLE, TN (TDOT – WOKI) – Motorists traveling on I-275 in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a significant impact on traffic.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 18, I-275 will be closed in each direction as crews work to replace the bridge over Elm Street and Bernard Avenue. Motorists can bypass the work zone by using I-40 and I-640. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 21.
This is the second consecutive weekend closure of I-275 in this area. There will be a third weekend closure of I-275 in the Fall.
This project employs Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques, including innovative planning, design, materials, and construction methods. ABC works safely and cost-effectively to reduce the onsite construction time that occurs when building new bridges or replacing and rehabilitating existing bridges. ABC improves site constructability, total project delivery time, and work-zone safety for the traveling public.
This schedule is contingent on favorable weather conditions. Motorists are advised to expect delays and use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present.
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and “Know Before You Go!” by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
An East Tennessee man has pleaded guilty to claiming millions in false tax returns.
According to the United States Department of Justice, Ryan Glidewell, of Kingsport, conspired with others to file false tax returns seeking refunds based on the Employee Retention Credit and paid Sick and Family Leave Credit, both of which were created by Congress to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Glidewell worked with two co-conspirators, including his wife Aylissa, to create phony businesses that didn’t have any employees or operations to falsely claim the credits. All of the phony businesses were located in Sullivan County.
The DOJ says Glidewell filed several false tax returns for those businesses and directed the tax refunds to be mailed to an address he controlled.
In total, officials say the false returns claimed almost $3 and a half million in tax refunds, of which the IRS paid $1.8 million.
Glidewell pleaded guilty to Conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return Money laundering and is set to be sentenced on November 12, where he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud charge, a maximum of 10 years for the money laundering charge and a maximum of three years for the aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return charge.
This comes after Aylissa pleaded guilty in the scheme back in March to conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 15.
ATLANTA – For the fourth straight year, Tennessee finished among the national leaders in players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.
The Volunteers had nine players chosen in the 2025 MLB Draft, including a record-setting four first-round picks and eight in the first three rounds. The nine selections were tied for the fourth most among Division I schools and are the second most in a single draft in program history, falling just one short of the 2022 team’s record 10 picks.
UT has had an NCAA-leading 45 players chosen since 2020 and under the leadership of head coach Tony Vitello, has had 52 players drafted since 2018, averaging just over 6.5 picks per year. The Big Orange have produced at least seven selections in each of the last five drafts dating back to 2021, with 10 in 2022, eight in 2023, eight in 2024 and nine this year.
It was a record-setting night for Tennessee on Sunday during Day 1 of the draft in Atlanta.
UT’s four first-round picks were also a program high and were tied with Arkansas for the most of any school in this year’s draft. Tennessee’s seven players picked in the first two rounds led all programs and was a school record, as well.
Arkansas, LSU and Florida State, who all had four players taken on Sunday night, were the next closest programs to the Big Orange in terms of total players selected on Day 1.
Headlined by first rounders Doyle and Phillips, five of UT’s eight selections on Day 1 were pitchers, setting another highwater mark for the program. Prior to Sunday night, the most pitchers picked in the first three rounds of any draft was two in 2022 and 2006.
More information on each of Tennessee’s draft picks can be found below.
Fans can see every pick of this year’s draft on the MLB Draft Tracker.
2025 Tennessee Draft Picks
DAY 1 (ROUNDS 1-3)
LHP Liam Doyle – St. Louis Cardinals – First Round – No. 5 Overall
After earning unanimous first-team All-America honors as a junior this season, Doyle became the 22nd first-round pick in program history and highest drafted player of the Tony Vitello era, going No. 5 overall to the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the seventh Vol to be selected in the first round under Vitello (2018-present) and is the first UT player to be selected by the Cardinals since Benito Santiago was picked in the 34th round of the 2018 draft.
The flamethrowing lefthander is widely considered to have the best fastball in this year’s draft and finished his junior campaign ranked second in the nation with a Tennessee program record 164 strikeouts while his 15.64 strikeouts per nine innings led the NCAA. Doyle posted a 10-4 record and 3.20 ERA in 19 appearances (17 starts) to help lead Tennessee to its fifth consecutive NCAA super regional.
The Derry, New Hampshire, native, was just the third Vol to ever garner SEC Pitcher of the Year honors and was also the third player in program history to be named a finalist for both the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy, joining UT legends Todd Helton (1995) and Chris Burke (2001). His impressive list of accolades also included being named the Perfect Game National Pitcher of the Year and the NCBWA District 3 Pitcher of the Year.
SS Gavin Kilen – San Francisco Giants – First Round – No. 13 Overall
Kilen became the eighth first rounder of the Vitello era after being selected with the 13th pick in the first round by the San Francisco Giants. He is the second-highest drafted position player to be selected under Vitello behind Christian Moore, who was taken with the No. 8 overall pick by the Angels in the 2024 draft. Kilen joins fellow shortstop Maui Ahuna (fourth round – 2023) as the second player during Vitello’s tenure to be picked by the Giants.
Kilen made the most of his lone season on Rocky Top, earning All-America honors from three different outlets and ABCA Southeast All-Region accolades in 2025. The Milton, Wisconsin, native, led the team with a .357 batting average and four triples. The junior middle infielder also ranked second on the team in OPS (1.112), homers (15), total bases (141) and slugging percentage (.671) despite missing 12 games in the middle of the season with a hamstring injury. The versatile infielder was also a first-team All-SEC selection after racking up 32 extra-base hits and a career-high 46 RBIs.
3B Andrew Fischer – Milwaukee Brewers – First Round – No. 20 Overall
Fischer was the third Volunteer selected in the opening round, tying the program record from 2007. Like Doyle, the junior slugger was tabbed a unanimous first-team All-American as a junior in 2025 during his lone season with the Vols. With the pick, Tennessee has now had players selected by the Brewers in the first round in back-to-back years after Blake Burke went 34th overall to Milwaukee in 2024.
Fischer put together one of the most complete offensive seasons in program history, leading the Big Orange in OPS (1.257), runs (70), home runs (25), RBIs (65), total bases (165), slugging percentage (.760), on-base percentage (.497) and walks (63). His 63 walks tied Chase Headley’s program record from 2005 while his 25 long balls led the SEC and were the second most in a single season in UT history.
The Manasquan, New Jersey, native, was the only player in the country to reach base in every game, getting on in all 65 contests. Fischer’s marks in homers (third), walks (fourth), slugging percentage (11th) and total bases (18th) all rank in the top 20 nationally.
RHP Marcus Phillips – Boston Red Sox – First Round (CB-A) – No. 33 Overall
Phillips became the Vols’ record-setting fourth pick of the first round, being selected as a competitive balance pick with the 33rd overall selection by the Boston Red Sox. He is the fourth Tennessee pitcher to be taken in the first round under Vitello and pitching coach Frank Anderson, joining Doyle, Chase Dollander (2023 – Colorado Rockies) and Garrett Crochet (2020 – Chicago White Sox).
The hard-throwing righthander had a breakout season in 2025, staking his claim in the weekend rotation. Phillips started all 17 weekends for the Big Orange and finished the year with a 3.90 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and 98 strikeouts over 83.0 innings. Phillips was a 2025 Perfect Game Midseason All-American and named the College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Week on March 18.
RHP AJ Russell – Texas Rangers – Second Round – No. 52 Overall
One of the most talented arms in this year’s draft, Russell was the third UT hurler to come off the board after being selected by the Texas Rangers with the 52nd overall pick in the second round. The Franklin, Tennessee, native, is third Tennessee player to be drafted by the Rangers under Vitello, joining pitcher Jackson Leath (12th round – 2021) and outfielder Dylan Dreiling (2nd round – 2024).
Despite being limited in 2025 while working his way back from offseason elbow surgery, Russell still put up solid numbers as a junior, posting a 3.55 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 25.1 innings of work. Following his debut season in 2023, Russell earned freshman All-America honors from three different outlets and was also named an NCBWA Third-Team All-American after recording a 0.89 ERA in 24 appearances. He struck out 47 and issued just seven walks over 30.1 innings, primarily as a reliever on Tennessee’s College World Series squad.
During his three seasons at UT, Russell finished with a 2.70 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 70.0 innings pitched (42 appearances, 11 starts) while holding opposing hitters to a .179 batting average.
SS Dean Curley – Cleveland Guardians – Second Round – No. 64 Overall
The starting shortstop on the Vols’ national championship team as a true freshman in 2024, Curley was selected in the second round with the 64th overall pick by the Cleveland Guardians. He is the 10th Tennessee position player to be taken in the top two rounds under Vitello.
The California native was a freshman All-American and earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2024 before posting an impressive sophomore season in 2025 in which he started all 65 games and batted .315 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs, all of which ranked top four on the team. During his two seasons on Rocky Top, Curley hit .301 with 46 extra-base hits, 26 homers, 101 RBIs and 76 walks.
RHP Tanner Franklin – St. Louis Cardinals – Second Round (CB-B) – No. 72 Overall
Franklin made it four Volunteer pitchers taken in the first two rounds after being selected as a competitive balance pick by the St. Louis Cardinals at No. 72 overall. The hard-tossing righthander is the seventh Tennessee hurler to be picked in the opening two rounds under Vitello and Anderson.
The Jefferson City, Tennessee, native, boasts a 100-plus MPH fastball and was one of the Vols most relied upon relievers in 2025. Franklin struck out 52 batters in 38.2 innings pitched with a 1.27 WHIP and had two saves over 27 appearances during his lone season in Orange and White.
RHP Nate Snead – Los Angeles Angels – Third Round (SUP) – No. 105 Overall
Snead rounded out the Vols’ night one selections, going to the Los Angeles Angels with the final pick of the night at No. 105 overall. The junior righthander the sixth Vol to be drafted by the Angels during the Vitello era, joining the likes of Christian Moore (first round – 2024), Zach Joyce (14th round – 2023), Ben Joyce (third round – 2022), Garrett Stallings (fifth round – 2019) and Zach Linginfelter (ninth round – 2019).
Snead was one of Tennessee’s most trusted relievers during his two-year stint with the program and played an instrumental role on the Vols’ 2024 national championship team, earning ABCA Southeast All-Region honors that season after going 10-2 with a 3.11 ERA and six saves.
The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native, posted an impressive 14-2 record and 11 saves in 52 appearances during his two years on Rocky Top after starring at Wichita State as a freshman in 2023.
The pinch-hitting backstop had a solid junior year as UT’s No. 1 catcher, especially during the second half of the season. Peebles hit 11 homers and drove in 41 runs while posting a .335 on-base percentage. During conference play, he was tied for second on the team with seven long balls and 22 RBIs and was named to the SEC All-Tournament team.
Peebles burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2023 with NC State, batting .352 with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs for the Wolfpack to earn freshman All-America honors from multiple outlets. During his three-year college career, the Ashland, Virginia, native, slashed .275/.387/.511 with 26 doubles, 25 homers and 115 RBIs.
