PINTAR NAMED TO SLOVENIAN OLYMPIC ROSTER

PINTAR NAMED TO SLOVENIAN OLYMPIC ROSTER

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the second time in her career, former Lady Vol All-American Tjasa Pintar will represent Slovenia at the Olympic Games.

Pintar earned a spot on the national roster as a member of the 4×100-meter free relay. Her first appearance in the Summer Games came in 2016, when she was the fastest swimmer on the Slovenian 4×200 free relay that finished 15th overall.

During her time at Tennessee, Pintar garnered All-American honors 10 times and was a three-time SEC Champion as a member of multiple Lady Vol relays. In total, she helped bring home seven total conference medals, and she was a member of both UT squads that won SEC Championships. She currently ranks sixth in program history in the 100-yard freestyle (47.82) and eight in the 200 free (1:44.40).

In total, the Big Orange boasts a program-record 17 Olympic qualifiers for the upcoming games. A combined 12 different nations will be represented by the Vols and Lady Vols in Paris. Swimming officially begins on Saturday, July 27, at 5 a.m. Here’s a full list of Tennessee’s Olympians and the events they qualified in:

Gui Caribe (Brazil) – 50 Free, 100 Free
Erika Connolly (USA) – 4×100 Free Relay
Jillian Crooks (Cayman Islands) – 100 Free
Jordan Crooks (Cayman Islands) – 50 Free, 100 Free
Brooklyn Douthwright (Canada) – 4×100 Free Relay
Lyubomir Epitropov (Bulgaria) – 200 Breast
Martin Espernberger (Austria) – 200 Fly
Ella Jansen (Canada) – 400 IM
Mona McSharry (Ireland) – 100 Breast, 200 Breast
Kayky Mota (Brazil) – 100 Fly
Julia Mrozinski (Germany) – 200 Free
Tjasa Pintar (Slovenia) – 4×100 Free Relay
Regan Rathwell (Canada) – 200 Back
Lamar Taylor (Bahamas) – 100 Free
Kira Toussaint (Netherlands) – 100 Back, 200 Back
Joaquin Vargas (Peru) – 400 Free
Ellen Walshe (Ireland) – 200 IM, 400 IM

TBI Silver Alert Issued for a Man Missing Out of McMinn County

TBI Silver Alert Issued for a Man Missing Out of McMinn County

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued a Silver Alert for 87-year-old Jack Ballard missing out of McMinn County.

According to TBI, Ballard is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 175 pounds. He is bald with brown eyes and was last seen wearing blue plaid pajamas in the area of Country Road 804 in Etowah.

Ballard also reportedly has a medical condition that may impair his ability to return home safely without assistance.

TBI said Ballard may be traveling in a gray 2020 Jeep Renegade with Tennessee tag 4IL 374.

Those with information are asked to call the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office at 423-745-3222 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Woman is Scratched by Bear Eating from Unsecured Trash Can at Gatlinburg Motel

Woman is Scratched by Bear Eating from Unsecured Trash Can at Gatlinburg Motel

A woman is recovering after she is scratched by a bear in Gatlinburg.

It happened over the weekend at the Super 8 Motel on Historic Nature Trail. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency says the woman left her hotel room and a bear was outside eating from an unsecured trash can and scratched her leg. The bear also had cubs and officials were able to get the bears out of the area.

TWRA says this is the second time something like this has happened at this motel. Just eight days ago, a man left his room and was scratched on his arm. The motel has been issued citation and provided with information on how to securely store their trash.

Black bear takes unexpected ride to Knoxville waste center, Tennessee wildlife agency says (Pexels / Aaron J. Hill)
One Person Arrested for Arson Following Early Morning House Fire in Knoxville
Courtesy of KFD

One Person Arrested for Arson Following Early Morning House Fire in Knoxville

A person is arrested and charged with aggravated arson following an early morning (Monday) fire at home in Northwest Knoxville where people were illegally living.

Knoxville Fire Department Crews called to the 1500 block of Massachusetts Avenue and the home was on fire as well as a small fire in the yard near the home.

Crews quickly extinguished the outside fire but the home suffered significant fire damage and is a total loss.

It had been uninhabitable a long time prior to the fire. The home did not have electricity. Three people, two women and a man were living in the home without permission.

No injuries have been reported. An investigation is underway.

The Knox County Sheriff’s says Missing Teen is Found Safe

The Knox County Sheriff’s says Missing Teen is Found Safe

Update: Officials with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office say 18 year-old Lucia Ogburn has been found safe. She was found last night and no other information has been released.

Original story: The Knox County Sheriff’s Office needs help to find a missing Knox County Teen.

18 year-old Lucia Ogburn of Knoxville was last seen in the Crosswood Blvd. area at approximately 1 a.m. this morning (Sunday).

Detectives want to contact Ms. Ogburn for a welfare check.

She was last seen wearing a white hoodie, black Nike shorts, and white Vans tennis shoes.

If you have any information on Ms. Ogburn’s whereabouts, contact Major Crimes Detectives at 865-215-2243.

An Escaped Tennessee Inmate who May be Involved in Missing Carter County Man’s Disappearance is Arrested in South Carolina
Photo courtesy of WVLT

An Escaped Tennessee Inmate who May be Involved in Missing Carter County Man’s Disappearance is Arrested in South Carolina

An escaped Tennessee inmate, who may be connected to a missing Carter County man’s disappearance, has been taken into custody in Greenville County South Carolina.

Billy Fletcher was arrested Thursday night after waling off from his work detail at the Carter County Detention Center here in Tennessee on June 20th.

Authorities are still investigating how Fletcher is connected with the disappearance of Victor Birchfield.

Birchfield’s daughter reported him missing on June 21st along with his silver 2004 Toyota 4Runner which was found in South Carolina.

The search for 61-year-old Victor Birchfield is ongoing with a TBI Silver Alert still in effect.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Greeneville Police are Investigating After a Decomposing Body is Found
Greeneville Police Department Facebook

Greeneville Police are Investigating After a Decomposing Body is Found

The Greeneville Police Department is investigating after a decomposing body is found in a culvert.

The body was found lying in a culvert in the 1700 block of Moore Avenue Saturday morning.

Police believe the body has been at there for about a week due to the state of the decay.

Due to the condition of the body, investigators can’t confirm anything more about the age or sex of the body.

The body was sent to the William L. Jenkins Forensic Center in Johnson City for identification and an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

TWRA says 11th Boating Fatality on Tennessee Waters Has Happened in Meigs County

TWRA says 11th Boating Fatality on Tennessee Waters Has Happened in Meigs County

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says the 11th boating related fatality has occurred on Tennessee waters this year.

TWRA officers and local authorities responding to a call Friday about a man, reportedly in his 70’s, who was fishing with a friend and believed to have suffered a medical emergency and fell into the water where the Hiwassee and Tennessee Rivers meet in Meigs County.

He was not wearing a life jacket and the man still on board tried to save him and called 911, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation with More Lane Closures on Alcoa Highway and Information on Project
Courtesy of TDOT

The Tennessee Department of Transportation with More Lane Closures on Alcoa Highway and Information on Project

Motorists traveling on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a temporary impact on traffic.

Beginning on Monday, July 8 and continuing through Friday, July 12, the contractor will perform rolling roadblocks on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) between Woodson Drive and Cherokee Trail. These rolling roadblocks will take place in short intervals (approximately 20 minutes each) and will be spaced out to allow traffic to return to normal flow between operations.  These rolling roadblocks will be intermittent daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and are necessary to allow crews to safely mobilize equipment and perform rock excavation and clearing activities.

In addition, beginning on Monday, July 8, and continuing through Friday, July 12, crews will be conducting flagging operations on the ramp from northbound Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) at the traffic signal at Cherokee Trail and along Cherokee Trail between the Alcoa Highway interchange and Medical Center Way.  The flagging operations will take place daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and are necessary to allow crews to unload materials and for trucks to safely enter and exit the work areas.

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.

Investigation Into Deadly Domestic Shooting at Linden Avenue Home Underway by Knoxville Police

An investigation into a deadly domestic shooting is underway after Knoxville Police Department officers responded to a Linden Avenue home early Saturday morning. 

At just after 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2024, KPD officers were dispatched to a home in the 2700 block of Linden Avenue in response to reported shooting with a victim. 

Officers arrived on scene, where an adult man had been shot. Responding Knoxville Fire Department personnel attempted life-saving care, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Based on the investigation being led by KPD Homicide Unit detectives, it is believed that the victim was engaged in a domestic dispute with family members when he pulled out a gun. The victim was then shot by an individual inside the home, who remained on scene. There were no other injuries reported. 

No charges have been filed at this time and the investigation remains ongoing. 

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