Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) The University of Tennessee is extending its enrollment confirmation deadline amid delays in processing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Department of Education’s change in the distribution of FAFSA information to universities across the country has resulted in delays in financial aid information for students and families, meaning they have less time to decide where to go to school.
“We are fully committed to providing unwavering support to our students by extending the confirmation deadline, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their college choices. Our team remains committed to welcoming and assisting the newest members of our Volunteer family. We will continue our efforts to meet our students’ needs wherever they are,” said Kari Alldredge, vice provost for the Division of Enrollment Management.
New incoming students who have finished the FAFSA are expected to get their financial aid packages from UT in late April. The new deadline is May 15, 2024.
On Thursday, April 18, Knox County Schools will host the “865 Ready! Hiring Expo”, which aims to connect local businesses with 11th- and 12th-grade job seekers.
The event will take place at the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center. Companies will conduct on-site interviews for temporary / seasonal employment, summer employment, part-time employment, full-time employment, youth apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, work-based learning, and internship opportunities.
Date: Thursday, April 18
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park, 3301 E. Magnolia
BROOKLYN, N.Y. –Rickea Jackson became the fourth consecutive Tennessee Lady Vol taken in the first round over the past four years of the WNBA Draft, with the 6-foot-2 forward going to the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 4 overall pick in the first round.
It marked the first time in school history that UT had players selected in the first round in four straight seasons. The previous high was three first-round picks in 2001 (Tamika Catchings), 2002 (Michelle Snow) and 2003 (Gwen Jackson, Kara Lawson), which was tied with the run from 2021-23. Tennessee is only the third school all-time to accomplish a four-year streak, joining UConn (2008-11, 2013-16) and Notre Dame (2012-15).
Jackson’s selection was the highest by a Lady Vol since Diamond DeShields was taken at No. 3 by the Chicago Sky in 2018. The Detroit native became the 19th all-time Lady Vol first-round selection in the collegiate draft (21st including the elite draft), following in the footsteps of No. 9 picks Rennia Davis (Minnesota Lynx, 2021), Rae Burrell (Los Angeles Sparks, 2022) and Jordan Horston (Seattle Storm, 2023) over the past three drafts.
Overall, Tennessee now has had 44 all-time selections in WNBA college drafts and 46 total including elite drafts. The four-time All-America honorable mention selection and three-time All-SEC performer is the Big Orange program’s 18th top-10 choice (20th including elite) and ninth top-five pick (10th including elite).
“Yeah, I’m definitely excited,” Jackson said about being drafted by the Sparks. “I’m just grateful that L.A. believed in me. They see something in me, and I see something in them, too. I had great talks with them prior to the draft, so I’m just grateful for it all.
“Playing at Tennessee and Mississippi State, it’s prepared me for this moment because life isn’t just trials and tribulations, but how you get through those, and I feel like I’ve overcome a lot of adversity. I’ve continued to stay strong, and that’s what got me to where I am today.”
Jackson joins Burrell in L.A., where the 2022 pick has spent the past two seasons. Jackson became the seventh Lady Vol to be selected by the franchise, following in the footsteps of Daedra Charles (1997 Elite, 1st Rd., 8th), Sidney Spencer (2007, 2nd Rd., 25th), Candace Parker (2008, 1st Rd., 1st), Shannon Bobbitt (2008, 2nd Rd., 15th), Cierra Burdick (2015, 2nd Rd., 14th) and Rae Burrell (2022, 1st, 9th).
“I feel like I’m excited to bring my versatility, play at any position, taking advantage of whether it’s a small guard on me or bigger or slower player, ” Jackson said. “I’m excited about that. Then, I just want to work on getting in tip-top shape after the injury. My conditioning was in the game trying to get back. I feel like when I’m in tip-top shape, world-class shape, that’s when I’m playing my best both ends of the floor.”
New this year, the draft was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York. It marked the first time the draft was a seated event with fans in attendance since the 2014-16 drafts were held at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Jackson, a 6-foot-2 forward, finished as the official SEC leader in scoring this season at 20.2 points per game and contributed a team-high 8.2 rebounds per contest while adding 2.3 assists per outing. Her single-season scoring average is the ninth-best ever recorded by a Lady Vol. Jackson shot 48.5 percent from the field and 78.0 percent from the free throw line after overcoming an early-season injury that sidelined her for eight games.
Jackson’s season stats were even more impressive against ranked teams, as she put up 25.0 ppg. and 10.0 rpg. in those contests in 2023-24. Over UT’s last 11 outings, which included three meetings with No. 1 South Carolina, one with No. 8 LSU and another with No. 11 NC State, the Big Orange star averaged 22.5 ppg. and 8.4 rpg. while shooting 52 percent from the field and 79 percent from the charity stripe.
The fifth-year standout recorded four double-doubles this season and 13 games with 20 or more points scored, including two with 30-plus. The number of 20+ efforts increased her two-year total on Rocky Top to 29, which ranks as the fifth-best ever by a Lady Vol behind only program legends Chamique Holdsclaw (83), Bridgette Gordon (58), Candace Parker (48) and Tamika Catchings (37). All of those players except Parker (three) spent four seasons at Tennessee.
Also reflective of her scoring prowess, Jackson tallied 1,176 points in only 60 games at UT, ranking No. 35 on a UT all-time scorer’s list that primarily features players who spent three or four seasons in Knoxville. Her 19.6 career average finished at No. 4 among Lady Vols, winding up behind only Patricia Roberts (29.9), Cindy Brogdon (20.8) and Chamique Holdsclaw (20.4) while finishing just ahead of Candace Parker and Jill Rankin (19.2).
For career point production, she generated 2,261 in 127 collegiate contests, ranking sixth among anyone who played at UT, including transfers. In 2023-24, she passed Tamika Catchings (2,113) and Candace Parker (2,137) and finished behind only Cindy Brogdon (3,204), Chamique Holdsclaw (3,025), Jill Rankin (2,851), Bridgette Gordon (2,462) and Patricia Roberts (2,447).
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash in Hancock County.
THP says 58-year-old Ronnie Kinsler’s pick-up truck had broken down in the southbound lane of Panther Creek Road Sunday night and he was standing behind it while another truck was parked in front it with the driver of the other standing between the two trucks.
Reports show that an SUV hit Kinsler and rear-ended his truck, he was killed, and the drivers of both the SUV and the other truck were injured.
Charges are pending against the driver of the SUV.
Anderson County Schools is investigating possible issues related to student grades and coursework at Clinton High School.
ACS believes that at least one student’s records were manipulated to satisfy graduation requirements, and a teacher and Clinton High School principal Dan Jenkins, Tennessee’s Principal of the Year award winner in 2023, were suspended. Jenkins resigned but says he looks forward to clearing his name. “In my 14 years at Clinton High, and the four most recent as its principal, I have been dedicated to my students, teachers, and the entire community. I look forward to the facts coming to light in this matter and clearing my name,” said Jenkins.
On Friday, April 12, Clinton High School Assistant Principal Amanda Powers was appointed by Director of Schools Tim Parrott as the school’s Interim Head Principal.
ACS is working with the Tennessee Department of Education to conduct the investigation.
Anderson County School Facebook page post: Recently, Anderson County Schools began investigating possible issues related to student grades and coursework at Clinton High School. When it became more clear during the course of the investigation that at least one student’s records were likely manipulated to satisfy graduation requirements, the decision was made to place both a Clinton High School administrator and a teacher on suspension status, pending further investigation into this situation. The teacher remains on suspension status, but the administrator at that time indicated his desire to resign. The Director of Schools accepted his resignation.
Anderson County Schools continues to investigate this situation, and remains in communication with the Tennessee Department of Education regarding the same. As the materials and evidence being reviewed as part of this investigation stem from confidential student records, the school system can offer no further comment at this time. Once the full investigation stands as complete though, and Anderson County Schools has a better idea as to the scope of any related issues, a full report will be delivered to officials, parents, and community members during a future meeting of the Anderson County Board of Education.
On Friday, April 12, 2024, Director of Schools Tim Parrott appointed Clinton High School Assistant Principal Amanda Powers to serve as the school’s Interim Head Principal. As an experienced educator and administrator, Director Parrott has full faith and confidence in Principal Powers as she leads Clinton High School through the remainder of this school year.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: A missing 5-year-old at the center of a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Endangered Child Alert early Monday afternoon has been found safe.
TBI officials say 5-year-old Nolen Wilmeth and his mother, Emily Livesay, were both believed to be missing but have since been located and are safe.
TBI making that announcement around 2:45 p.m. Monday.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issues an Endangered Child Alert Monday afternoon for a missing 5-year-old out of Knox County.
TBI officials say 5-year-old Nolen Wilmeth and his mother, Emily Livesay, are both missing and are believed to be traveling in a silver 2016 Honda CRV with the Tennessee tag BFL0737.
Anyone with information that can aid in the search is asked to call the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at 865-215-2243 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
UPDATE: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has ended for missing 68-year-old Darrel Sanders out of Fentress County.
TBI officials say he was found safe.
Original Story: Fentress County, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued a Silver Alert for a missing Fentress County man.
TBI officials say 68-year-old Darrel Sanders has a medical condition that could impair his ability to return safely without assistance. He was last seen on April 12 in the area of Fairgrounds Road in Jamestown.
Officials add Sanders may be traveling in a 1990 tan GMC Sierra 1500 with red Chevrolet emblems and Tennessee license plate PD12163.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fentress County Sheriff’s Office at 931-879-8142 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A teen is arrested, and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office is investigating following a bomb threat Monday afternoon at Gibbs High School.
KCSO officials report the Bomb Unit and an Explosive Detection K-9 Unit arrived at the scene around 2:30 p.m.
According to KCSO, nothing was found after officers made an initial sweep of the school; however, they say a 17-year-old has been arrested and charged with making a false report.
Anderson County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: The Sheriff’s Office has identified the pilot killed in a plane crash Friday in Anderson County.
Officials with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office say 45-year-old James Evan Scarlett died when his single-engine Piper PA-32 crashed Friday night in the woods along Raccoon Valley Road and the Ashley Lane area.
ACSO also confirming that Scarlett, the CEO of Scarlett Machinery Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the only person on board at the time of the crash.
James Evan Scarlett, 45 (Courtesy: Scarlett Machinery on Facebook)
An investigation into the crash is being conducted by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
ORIGINAL STORY: The FAA confirms that one person has died in a plane crash in Anderson county.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office says the Single-engine Piper plane crashed Friday night in the woods along Raccoon Valley Road and Ashley Lane area.
Parts were found in the Tillery Road area as well as pieces of the plane, along with luggage, found in that Ashley Lane area.
The FAA says two people were on board. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will assist in leading the investigation.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: The daughter of a Knoxville council member is identified as the victim in a fatal weekend car crash in West Knoxville.
Officials with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office say 21 year-old Kylie Roberto was killed in Sunday night’s accident on Schaeffer Road.
Preliminary investigation suggests that one vehicle crossed the center line, hitting the other head-on.
KCSO says speed and alcohol are contributing factors, and charges are pending.
Kylie is the daughter of Knoxville 2nd District Council member Andrew Roberto who took to Facebook to post about the incident.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal car crash in West Knoxville.
It happened tonight (Sunday) on Schaeffer Road and preliminary investigation suggests that one vehicle crossed the center line, hitting the other head-on.
Speed and alcohol are contributing factors, and charges are pending. The road is closed and is expected to re-open by 11:30 p.m.
