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Miles Kitselman Featured On Mackey Award Preseason Watch List

Posted on August 9, 2025

NEW YORK — The Mackey Award Foundation announced Friday that Tennessee redshirt senior tight end Miles Kitselman was named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 John Mackey Award, which is presented annually to the best tight end in college football.

Kitselman is one of 45 tight ends recognized on the list, including one of 10 from the Southeastern Conference. The Lyndon, Kansas, native enters his second season with the Vols in 2025 as a prominent leader for Tennessee’s offensive unit looking to build off its first College Football Playoff berth last fall.

Tennessee’s starting tight end in all 13 games last season, Kitselman led the unit with 301 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns and one rushing score, and his five total scores were third-most among SEC tight ends in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Kitselman is one of the top three returning tights in the SEC in 2025.

Eight Mackey Award semifinalists will be announced Thursday, Oct. 30, and that group will be narrowed down to three finalists on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The winner will be unveiled during ESPN’s live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards show, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. ET.

2025 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors

Head Coach Josh Heupel
Dodd Trophy Watch List

DeSean Bishop, RB, R-So.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)

Arion Carter, LB, Jr.
Butkus Award Watch List
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Third Team All-SEC (Media)

Boo Carter, DB, So.
Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)

Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)

Rickey Gibson III, DB, Jr.
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)

Max Gilbert, PK, R-So.
Lou Groza Award Watch List

Lance Heard, OL, Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)

Joshua Josephs, DL, Sr.
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)

Miles Kitselman, TE, R-Sr.
Mackey Award Watch List
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)

Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr.
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Nagurski Trophy 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)

Star Thomas, RB, Sr.
Doak Walker Award Watch List

‘Extremely Disappointed’ | Knox County Mayor Addresses Trustee Office Charges

Posted on August 8, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) We’re learning that another Knox County Government official has been indicted in connection to a state investigation into misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Former Knox County Trustee’s Office Director of Operations Jason Dobbins was indicted Wednesday on two counts of official misconduct. He was fired back in April because of policy violations. Knox County Property Assessor Phil Ballard was also indicted for official misconduct Wednesday.

Dobbins’ indictment comes as a grand jury Friday declined to indict Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs released a statement Friday saying, he is “extremely disappointed” to hear of the indictments handed down for Ballard and Dobbins.

“I am extremely disappointed to hear this news. While the property assessor and the trustee’s office both operate independently, and are not under the purview of the mayor’s office, allegations of misconduct by any elected official or employee undermine confidence in government, which is already rightfully low,” Jacobs said.

“As public servants, the term “servant leader” takes on a whole new meaning,” Jacobs’ statement read. “Your job is to serve the public, not to use your position to your own benefit. It is devastating when an individual’s ego or pocketbook causes them to act in a manner inconsistent with the highest levels of ethical conduct. Corruption has no place in Knox County. The people we serve deserve better.”

The trustee’s office is responsible for a large chunk of the county’s funding, including collecting all state and county property taxes, disbursing county funds and investing idle county dollars.

*Ballard and Dobbins are caught up in a state investigation into misuse of taxpayer dollars involving the trustee’s office*.

Knox County Trustee Avoids Grand Jury Indictment

Posted on August 8, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Blount County grand jury has declined to indict Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs,

District Attorney General Ryan Desmond’s office confirming Friday that the grand jury returned a “no bill” in the case.

It comes as his office is in the middle of a state investigation into policy breaches.

That investigation has led to at least one firing, and Wednesday Knox County Property Assessor Phil Ballard was indicted in Knox County on one count of official misconduct, accused of abusing the use of a county vehicle while also drawing a travel allowance.

Biggs’ case was assigned to the Blount County DA following the recusal of Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen.

*A state investigation has led to at least one firing, and Wednesday Knox County Property Assessor William Phillip Ballard was indicted in Knox County*. (*Courtesy*: *WVLT*)

Fugitive Found Hiding Under Home in Sweetwater, Sheriff Says

Posted on August 8, 2025

Sweetwater, TN (WOKI) A fugitive is arrested Wednesday after being found hiding under a home in Sweetwater.

Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones says his office helped the U.S. Marshals in the successful apprehension of Michael Blackwell, who was hiding underneath a residence on Old Highway 68 in Sweetwater.

In a Facebook post, Jones credits the strong partnerships between local and federal law enforcement for locating and taking the suspect into custody safely.

The Sweetwater Police Department, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office and the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force also assisted in the arrest.

12th Annual Covenant Health Big Kahuna Labor Day Festival 8/31/25

Posted on August 8, 2025

Sunday, August 31st
3pm – 9pm

The World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn

Tickets On Sale NOW!

The Big Kahuna Wing Festival has become one of the best culinary and firework events in the region. Every year, attendees from all over the Southeast enjoy thousands of pounds of wings, including flavors from around the world, cooking and eating competitions, live entertainment, kid’s activities, and the most comprehensive pyro musical fireworks show around. Come enjoy the fun this Labor Day weekend!

More info

The Big Kahuna Wing Festival has become one of the best culinary events in the region. Last year the festival attendees enjoyed over 100 different sauces from 25 different teams representing restaurants, cooking teams, businesses, and The University of Tennessee Culinary Institute. Attendees and visitors come from all over the region. All for the love of the “Buffalo Wing” and to raise money for charity.

Tickets on sale now!

Competition Applications

Become a Sponsor

EAT Judging Information

Presented by

ABOUT THE BIG KAHUNA LABOR DAY FESTIVAL

In 2011, Matt Beeler traveled to Memphis to be a part of the local Hot Wing Festival. It was there that he discovered something that was missing from his hometown on the other side of the state. With all the wing lovers in the East Tennessee area why wasn’t there a festival to celebrate Wings!

Upon returning to Knoxville, he began the process of building a wing festival with the intent to donate 100% of the proceeds local charities, asking the community for its support. That was over 13 years ago and over $630,000 in charitable contributions! Now, the wing festival has evolved into a full-fledged Flavor Day event with great live music, numerous family activities, and the much-anticipated Pyro musical fireworks show!

Athens Police Capture Suspect after Deadly Shooting

Posted on August 8, 2025

Athens, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 8/8: The suspect wanted in connection to a deadly shooting Wednesday night in Athens has been captured.

Officials with the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office say Carlos Quintana was taken into custody late Thursday night in Bradley County with assistance from the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Quintana was wanted in the shooting which occurred around 7:00 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Tell Street and Howard Street in Athens.

Authorities in Athens say responding officers found two men who had been shot; one victim was alert at the scene and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, and the second individual was pronounced dead on scene.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Athens Police Department is searching for a person of interest after a shooting that left one dead and one injured Wednesday evening.

Authorities say Carlos Quintana is wanted in connection to the shooting which occurred around 7:00 p.m. in the area of Tell Street and Howard Street in Athens.

Quintana is described as a younger Hispanic man with multiple tattoos who was last seen fleeing from Harris Street toward the Tell Street area.
Police say he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone who sees Quintana, or who has tips or potential evidence should call the Athens Police Department at 423-744-2730 or (after hours) call dispatch at 423-745-3222.

*Carlos Quintana, person of interest in Athens shooting*. (*Courtesy*: *Athens Police Department*)

Arrest Made after Body Found in Burning Refrigerator in Tennessee

Posted on August 8, 2025

Overton County, TN (WOKI) A man has been arrested and charged one week after a body was found in a burning refrigerator on the side of a Tennessee road.

Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say 49-year-old Edward Randolph was arrested Wednesday in connection to the death of his girlfriend 48-year-old Hope Parrott.

The TBI says investigators determined that Randolph killed Parrot and transported her body in a refrigerator, which he later set on fire along Sunk Cane Road in Crawford.

Randolph was charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of abuse of a corpse and booked into the Overton County jail on a $50,000,000 bond.

*Edward Randolph*, 49. (*Courtesy*: *District Attorney Bryant Dunaway*)

FAA Investigating Tellico Plane Crash

Posted on August 7, 2025

Tellico Plains, TN (WOKI) The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a small plane crashed Tuesday afternoon in Tellico Plains.

According to the FAA’s preliminary report, the crash happened around 3:30 p.m.; it does not specify where in Tellico Plains the aircraft went down.

The report indicates that the Sonex aircraft crashed into trees, for unknown reasons, shortly after takeoff from Tellico Plains Municipal Airport and that the plane caught fire after the crash.

Only the pilot was on board. Tellico Police confirm he was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash and that he is in stable condition.

*The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a small plane crashed Tuesday afternoon in Tellico Plains*.

Motorcyclist Killed in Greeneville Crash, Report Says

Posted on August 7, 2025

Greeneville, TN (WOKI) An investigation is underway in Greeneville following a deadly motorcycle crash Wednesday.

Officials with the Greeneville Police Department report the crash happened around 9:30 p.m. at the intersection between Andrew Johnson Highway and Harlan Street. Officers responded to the crash, which was between a motorcycle and a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

GPD says the motorcyclist, identified as Kaitlyn Malone, was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the Grand Cherokee was also taken to a nearby hospital.

*The crash happened around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, the report said, at the intersection between Andrew Johnson Highway and Harlan Street*.

Knox County Property Assessor Indicted for Official Misconduct

Posted on August 7, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County Property Assessor Phil Ballard is indicted Wednesday on criminal charges by a Knox County grand jury.

According to court records, Ballard was indicted on one count of official misconduct; he is accused of abusing the use of a county vehicle while also drawing a travel allowance.

The 71-year-old Ballard was booked Thursday morning into the Knox County Jail but later released on a $5,000 bond.

The Knox County property assessor is an elected office. Ballard was elected in 2024 to a four year term after two previous terms as the assessor in Knox County.

The office is responsible for assessing all real and personal property within the county for tax purposes.