Hendersonville, TN (WOKI) The father of missing teen Sebastian Rogers has hired private investigators to assist in the search.
Seth Rogers confirming Wednesday that early on in the search for his son, he had hired some private investigators but fired them due to a lack of results. These are the third and fourth private investigators he has hired since Sebastian’s disappearance in late February.
Rogers also said that he’s grateful for the volunteers that continue to hand out flyers, but urges them to be safe when searching.
The 15-year-old with autism was last seen on Monday, February 26 near Stafford Court in Hendersonville and has been missing ever since.
In early April, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office said they had “no actionable leads” in the search for Sebastian.
Those with information in the disappearance of Sebastian Rogers are urged to please call 1-800-TBI FIND.
Governor Bill Lee’s bill to give students private school vouchers in Tennessee appears to be dying. The intent was to let 20,000 public school students go to private institutions across the state and give them $7,000 each.
For four weeks lawmakers have rolled Gov. Lee’s voucher plan, but as the session starts to wind down, many wonder if the different bills in the Senate and House are dead or alive.
“Well, it’s not dead in the Senate,” said Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin). “As the sponsor in the Senate, it’s not dead unless I take it off notice and I haven’t done that.”
Sen. Johnson said he is still pushing the Senate version of the bill. That one requires all students to take standardized tests and has open enrollment.
The House bill eases testing requirements and has more teacher benefits.
WSMV4 asked Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton where the House version of the bill stands.
In a statement, he said:
“Our conversations with the Senate and the governor are ongoing. We will continue our conversations in hopes that we can reach an agreement before the session ends. We all agreed not to move the bill forward if a consensus cannot be reached.”
Democrats who want nothing to do with vouchers hope both versions are done.
“I really hope the education voucher bill is dead,” said Representative Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville). “It’s been the governor’s soul thing that he’s pushed, and I think it just doesn’t make sense to spend public dollars on private education.”
Sen. Johnson said the Senate plans to take up the voucher bill later this week. The Senate did pass its budget on Tuesday, it did not include the $400-million House voucher plan. Story courtesy of WVLT – WSMV
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 2/3 Tennessee ran its winning streak to seven games with a 20-5 midweek victory over Bellarmine on Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols started fast with seven runs in the second inning to take an early lead and went on to score in six of the eight innings they batted in, finishing with six home runs and 20 hits on the night.
Blake Burke went 2-for-2 with a grand slam in UT’s seven-run second inning, the first of his career. It was Burke’s 13th homer of the season and 43rd of his career, putting him back in the lead for career home runs at Tennessee, one ahead of Christian Moore.
Burke’s single in the first inning also extended his hitting streak to 27 straight games, tying Condredge Holloway’s 49-year old program record that was set back in 1975.
Reese Chapman also had a big night at the dish, recording his first multi-homer game while driving in three runs and scoring three of his own.
Kavares Tears, Charlie Taylor and Colby Backus also went deep for the Big Orange in the win as the Vols tied their single-season high with six long balls, marking the fourth time this year they’ve accomplished the feat.
Seven different players recorded multiple hits for UT, led by Ariel Antigua’s career-high three base knocks, while 10 separate Vols drove in at least one run.
Marcus Phillips made his first-career start on the mound and looked sharp in two innings of work, retiring all six batters he faced with a pair of strikeouts.
Matthew Dallas picked up the first victory of his career after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings of relief with one punchout.
With the win, the Vols improved to 26-2 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium and 10-0 in midweek games this season. Their 26 home victories are the most in the country this year.
STAT OF THE GAME: With their six homers on Tuesday night, the Big Orange have now hit an NCAA-leading 101 on the year, marking the third consecutive season they have hit 100-plus long balls.
UP NEXT: Tennessee hits the road for a massive series at No. 3/3 Kentucky this weekend in Lexington. First pitch for Friday’s opener is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET and all three contests will be streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
The Greene County Sheriff’s Department says two people are charged with child abuse involving a four-month-old baby.
On March 28th, deputies were called to Greeneville Community Hospital for a report of possible child abuse involving a four-month-old baby. Yesterday (Tuesday), a Grand Jury handed down indictments for 18-year-old Faith Stewart and 21-year-old Danny Furr.
Stewart was indicted on aggravated child endangerment and Furr was indicted on aggravated child abuse and child abuse and criminal impersonation.
Both have been arrested with a bond of $150,000. They are scheduled to appear in court on July 31st.
The child has been placed in the custody of the Department of Children’s Services.
Sullivan County, TN (WOKI) Human remains found on a property in Kingsport earlier this month have been identified as a man missing since 2020.
Kingsport Police Department officials report the remains found at a Wadlow Gap Road property on April 7 are those of Nicholas Massengill.
Massengill, age 38 at the time of his disappearance, was reportedly last seen at Indian Path Hospital on April 27, 2020. According to the KPD, Massengill wasn’t a patient at the hospital but was visiting a friend.
KPD says the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Both the Tennessee House and Senate passed “Jillian’s Law,” so the bill now heads to the governor’s desk.
Jillian Ludwig was a freshman at Belmont University in Nashville who was shot and killed in November of last year. The bullet was fired by a man who was deemed incompetent to stand trial for a prior crime.
The new law (HB1640/SB1769) will require people committed to remain institutionalized until “competency” is restored or until a court approves an outpatient treatment plan. It would also keep them from owning a firearm.
The Senate passed the bill unanimously. The House vote was almost unanimous as four representatives did not vote.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — First-year Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Kim Caldwell has announced the addition of four dynamic staff members, including three who previously served as associate head coaches and two from SEC schools who possess impressive credentials in the world of recruiting and player development.
Joining the Lady Vol program as assistant coaches are Roman Tubner, former associate head coach/recruiting coordinator at Alabama; Gabe Lazo (pronounced Lazzo), former associate head coach/defensive coordinator at Mississippi State; Jenna Burdette, former associate head coach at Marshall; and Angel Rizor (pronounced Riser), former assistant coach at Marshall.
“I am very pleased to welcome our new coaching staff members to Rocky Top,” Caldwell said. “It’s an outstanding group of high-energy coaches that is gifted in the areas of recruiting, teaching, motivating, mentoring and player development. I’m so excited to get our basketball team on the court with this group and can’t wait to see what we can collectively do as a staff to help our current players and future Lady Vols become the best they can possibly be.”
Tubner, who has spent the past three seasons working with Kristy Curry at Alabama, was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2023-24 campaign. A 2019 selection to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s 30 Under Thirty and a member of Silver Waves Media’s 2023 50 Most Impactful Assistants, he helped the Crimson Tide to three consecutive 20+ win seasons for the first time since 1999, including a 24-victory campaign in 2023-24 that was Bama’s best since 1998.
A contributing factor to that on-court success was UA’s effort in recruiting, where he led the charge in the signing or commitment of 16 players during his tenure as recruiting coordinator. He recruited and assisted in development of two All-SEC players and an SEC All-Freshman selection in 2023-24 and helped land a 2023 recruiting class ranked No. 11 by espnW and a portal class rated No. 25 by 247Sports and Brandon Clay Scouting that season as well.
A 2011 graduate of Centenary College in Louisiana (psychology) with a master’s from Arkansas-Monticello (physical education & coaching) in 2012, Tubner began his coaching career at UAM in 2011 as a graduate assistant and quickly rose to the role of assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in 2013-14. Before joining Alabama in 2021, he made assistant coaching stops at Arkansas Tech (2014-17), Austin Peay (2017-18), Indiana State (2018-19), UNC Wilmington (2019-21) and Ball State (2020-21).
Lazo, who was the first hire for Sam Purcell at Mississippi State, has spent the past two seasons in Starkville and recently was promoted to associate head coach there. He is known as a relentless recruiter, a motivator and a mentor to, and developer of, student-athletes. Lazo also served as MSU’s designated defensive coordinator, providing opponent scouting and defensive approach as well as in-game tactics and adjustments from the bench.
His ability to identify talent and build relationships was critical to the Bulldogs landing the No. 3 transfer class ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. He also played a key role in Mississippi State securing highly regarded classes over the past two signing cycles, including the 16th-rated class in 2022-23, which was the second best in school history. Those efforts enabled MSU to card back-to-back 20-win seasons and earn an NCAA berth in 2023 and a WBIT Elite 8 finish in 2024.
Lazo earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Barry University in 2008 and played professionally in Puerto Rico after graduation. He served as head coach of the Miami Suns EYBL basketball program and at Ferguson High School, earning Miami-Dade County Coach of the Year three times and carding a pair of state runner-up finishes. He moved to the college ranks from 2017-19 at Florida International and made stops at Stony Brook (2019-21) and George Washington (2021-22) before arriving at Mississippi State in 2022.
Burdette comes to Knoxville with five years of experience as an assistant, including three seasons working with Caldwell in stints at Glenville State and Marshall. Her overall record in coaching is 114-42, including a 58-34 mark in three seasons at MU and 56-8 in two seasons at GSU.
At Glenville State, Burdette aided in directing two NCAA Division II Tournament teams that also swept Mountain East Conference regular season and tournament titles from 2018-20. She was at Marshall for two seasons prior to Caldwell arriving and elevating her to associate head coach in 2023-24, helping set the stage for a 26-7/17-1 campaign that saw the Thundering Herd post a school-record total for victories. The Herd also swept Sun Belt Conference regular season and tournament titles and made the school’s first NCAA appearance since 1997.
A 2018 graduate with a degree in exercise science from Dayton, Burdette starred on the hardwood for the Flyers. In her first coaching position at GSU, she worked with Caldwell to help the Pioneers average 102.3 and 106.8 points per game over those two seasons to lead the nation. The team also was tops in three-pointers made, threes per game and treys attempted per game in each season and finished third and fourth nationally in steals per contest, respectively.
Rizor also joins the Lady Vol staff with prior experience working alongside Caldwell, in fact serving as an assistant on last year’s record-setting Marshall squad with Burdette as well. She also served as an assistant at Glenville State with Caldwell in 2021-22, when the Pioneers went 35-1 overall and 22-0 in the Mountain East Conference, claiming the NCAA Division II National Championship and the MEC regular season crown.
Between those stints at Glenville State and Marshall, Rizor continued her coaching education while playing professionally in Germany in 2022-23. She led several local high school and club teams to gain an international perspective on the game of basketball.
A 2020 graduate of Cincinnati with a degree in health promotion and education: exercise and fitness, Rizor was a four-year starter for the Bearcats. In her first college coaching position, she assisted as Glenville State again led NCAA Division II in points per game at 95.5 as well as threes made and attempted. At Marshall last season, she helped shape a squad that put up 85.3 ppg. to rank fourth in NCAA Division I and finish third in steals per game (13.2) and fifth in offensive rebounds per contest (16.4).
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).
