#5 Vols Drop Series Opener to #22 Bulldogs
Credit / UT Athletics

#5 Vols Drop Series Opener to #22 Bulldogs

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 5/5 Tennessee had a night to forget in Friday’s series opener against No. 22/NR Georgia, losing 16-2 in seven innings in front of a sellout crowd at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Bulldogs, who entered the weekend leading the nation with 74 home runs, went deep four times in the game to power them to their fourth SEC win of the year.

Leadoff hitter Corey Collins homered twice, drone in six runs and scored three times to lead the attack while shortstop Kolby Branch also had a big night with three hits and three RBIs.

UT starter AJ Causey got off to a solid start, retiring the side in order in the top of the first to start the game, but was tagged for six runs (five earned) in the second and two more in the third before making way for the bullpen. The loss was the first of the season for Causey, who entered the series with an unblemished 5-0 record, including wins in both of his SEC starts.

Despite the loss, the Vols were able to record double-digit hits for the 16th time this season, finishing with 10 for the night. Blake BurkeDean Curley and Reese Chapman led the way with two hits apiece while Kavares Tears had the only RBI of the game for the Big Orange with a two-out double in the third inning.

Charlie Goldstein started on the mound and got the win for Georgia (22-4, 4-3 SEC), striking out three and walking none in six innings to improve to 4-0 on the year. The lefthander scattered nine hits, and both runs he gave up were unearned.

UP NEXT: Tennessee (22-5, 3-4 SEC) will look to bounce back and even the series on Saturday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.

STAT OF THE GAME: With a single in the third inning, Burke extended his hitting streak to 17 games and his on-base streak to 25 games. The junior added a double in the bottom of the seventh, his SEC-leading 15th of the season.

Late-Inning Surge Pushes #4 Lady Vols Past Auburn
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Late-Inning Surge Pushes #4 Lady Vols Past Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. – The fourth-ranked Lady Vols used a late-inning scoring surge to extend their winning streak to 19 straight games, defeating Auburn Friday night at Jane B. Moore Stadium, 5-1.
 
Tennessee (27-4, 7-0 SEC) owns the nation’s longest active win streak, while also claiming the second-longest road winning streak in the country – having won 11 in a row away from home.
 
Junior Sophia Nugent led Tennessee at the plate Friday, blasting two home runs to finish 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and three RBIs.
 
Nugent opened the scoring in the second inning with a two-run shot – her fifth of the season – deep over the left field wall.
 
Auburn (15-10-1, 2-8 SEC) answered back in the third as it loaded the bases before a hit batter brought home the Tigers’ lone run of the game.
 
Senior Rylie West kick-started the late push for UT as she clubbed her ninth home run of the year to lead off the sixth inning. West’s blast set a single-season career-high for home runs, surpassing her 2021 season when she knocked eight out of the park.
 
With two away, Nugent hit her second long ball of the night with a solo home run to extend Tennessee’s lead 4-1.
 
Tennessee scratched across one final run on a Zaida Puni single in the seventh.
 
Sophomore Karlyn Pickens got the start for the Lady Vols in the circle, lasting three innings before giving way to graduate right-hander Payton Gottshall in the fourth.
 
Pickens finished the night with two strikeouts, two walks and allowed one run on one hit. Gottshall tossed the final four frames, scattering three hits with three strikeouts en route to her 12th victory of the season.
 
Maddie Penta started for Auburn on Friday night, allowing four runs on six hits, with five strikeouts and three walks over six innings of work. She suffered the loss and is now 8-6 on the year.
 
Annabelle Widra relieved Penta to start the seventh and gave up a run on one hit and a walk.
 
STAT OF THE DAY
With Friday’s win, Tennessee tied the 2023 squad for the best start to conference play in program history.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Vols and Tigers are back in action Saturday for game two of the three-game series. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. ET.

Greene County Sheriff’s Department Arrests Suspect after Deadly Shooting, Sheriff Says

Greene County Sheriff’s Department Arrests Suspect after Deadly Shooting, Sheriff Says

Greene County, TN (WOKI) The Greene County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a suspect in connection to a deadly shooting Thursday afternoon.

Greene County Sheriff’s Department officials say the shooting happened around 4:35 p.m. at a home on Old Stage Road.

When deputies arrived on scene, they reportedly found 73-year-old Clarence Devoti with a gunshot wound; GCSD says Devoti died at the scene.

Police arrested 36-year-old William Harrison. He is being charged with second-degree murder.

Knoxville Police Investigating Two Robberies on Merchant Drive, KPD Says

Knoxville Police Investigating Two Robberies on Merchant Drive, KPD Says

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knoxville Police Department is investigating two robberies on Merchant Drive that it says could be connected.

KPD officials say they are searching for a white man about six-feet tall with blue eyes who they believe robbed the Subway at 314 Merchant Drive last Friday around 6:30 p.m. and then robbed the Casey’s gas station at 410 Merchant Drive around 2:00 a.m. Thursday, March 28.

Suspect in robbery of Subway on Merchant Drive (Courtesy: KPD)
Suspect in robbery of Subway on Merchant Drive (Courtesy: KPD)

The suspect is alleged to have robbed the Casey’s at knife point, and officials say he may also have had a weapon on him during the robbery at the Subway.

Suspect in robbery of Casey’s on Merchant Drive. (Courtesy: KPD)
Suspect in robbery of Casey’s on Merchant Drive (Courtesy: KPD)

Anyone with information is being asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers 865-215-7165.

Knox County Mayor, Knoxville Realtor Association Respond after Growth Plan Fails in Farragut

Knox County Mayor, Knoxville Realtor Association Respond after Growth Plan Fails in Farragut

Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs promises to “find a solution” in the wake of a vote Thursday night in Farragut against changing the county’s Growth Policy Plan.

Farragut’s Board of Mayor and Alderman voted against changing the plan, which hasn’t been updated since it was created in 2001. It’s a state law requirement that Farragut be involved in the vote, even though the plan would not involve the town. While the board did not pass the plan, it did see support from Farragut Mayor Ron Williams.

Mayor Jacobs released a statement Friday addressing the matter:

“First, I want to thank Farragut Mayor Williams and Farragut Vice-Mayor Povlin for their support of this crucial and vitally important growth plan. I’d also like to thank the Advance Knox team, who worked long hours during the past two years in collaborative effort with many stakeholders, to develop a proposal that addresses some of the most pressing issues facing our county.

I am greatly disappointed with the outcome of last night’s vote by the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Sometimes, when you are in a position of leadership, you must make tough, uncomfortable, decisions because it is the right thing to do.

Farragut was at the table throughout the discussions of this critical plan, and we incorporated the changes that they requested. Ultimately, the growth plan would change nothing for Farragut.

On the other hand, Knox County is in the midst of a major housing crisis, and also are trying to mitigate urban sprawl.

Last night’s decision by only three Farragut aldermen hurts our entire county. Housing prices will continue to skyrocket – a negative for the almost 500,000 people who call Knox County home.

Further, this decision will increase our homelessness problem.

In the end, we are talking about higher taxes and a lower quality of life.

This growth plan addresses all of these issues. And again, it would not change Farragut – something the Farragut leaders requested.

At this point, we will look at all possible options, and how to move forward.

Above all else, we cannot continue the path we have walked for the past two decades.

I promise we will find a solution.” – Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs

The Knoxville Realtor Association also provided a statement, as below:

“Tonight was a sad night for Knox County. The Town of Farragut’s Board of Mayor and Alderman has failed each and every resident of Knox County by choosing to reject a reasonable compromise in favor of maintaining an unsustainable and undesirable “no plan” approach to development that will perpetuate the status quo. Ultimately, those who will suffer the most as a result of tonight’s vote are essential workers — police officers, teachers, and nurses — who will no longer be able to afford to live in the county they serve.” – Knoxville Realtor Association

The development would’ve helped pave the way for an estimated 70,000 people who experts say are expected to move into Knox County over the next 20 years. With the vote failed, the plan will be put on pause or thrown out altogether.

New Details in the DUI Arrest of a Holston Middle School Bus Driver
Photo courtesy of WVLT

New Details in the DUI Arrest of a Holston Middle School Bus Driver

A bus driver contracted with Knox County Schools was arrested Thursday morning, charged with driving under the influence, Knoxville Police Department Communication Manager Scott Erland told WVLT News. We now know more about the arrest, thanks to an incident report obtained by WVLT News.

According to the report, Knox County Schools Security Lieutenant Dustin Tilly said that Holston Middle School had received calls about a bus driving erratically.

Lieutenant Tilly reportedly then called Officer James Manning at Holston Middle School to check on the bus driver, 63-year-old Matthew Leveque. Officer Manning said in court records that Leveque had missed several stops Thursday morning and was later than normal in dropping off 28 children at Rita Elementary at 19 kids at Holston.

The school security officer said in the report that Leveque’s eyes were pinpoint and were twitching, and when pulling the school bus camera video a KCS employee said he could smell alcohol coming from Leveque.

When school officers contacted Leveque he was still sitting in the driver’s seat of the school bus with the keys in the ignition, the report said.

Knoxville police officers responded to Holston Middle School, located at 600 Chilhowee Drive in East Knoxville, around 9 a.m. after being told about “potential issues” by a KCS security staff member.

Officers said that Leveque stated he had taken some medications for blood pressure, his heart and acid reflux. The officer said in the report that Leveque was delayed in his response to questions, had slurred and mumbled speech, had difficulty maintaining balance and smelled like alcohol.

Officers also said that when Leveque was asked what he had to drink he said that was unsure how much he had to drink because he was just pouring vodka into shot glasses and then mixing it with orange juice. Leveque told officers that he thought he might have drank approximately a quarter of a fifth of vodka.

The records also show that when officers searched the bus, they found several water bottles near the driver’s seat.

Even though there were students on Leveque’s bus, Erland told WVLT News that no one was hurt.

WVLT News reached out to KCS for a comment, and the school system sent the following:

KCS does not tolerate this type of behavior or any unsafe activity on buses that serve our students. The bus driver has been removed from the district’s roster of eligible drivers.

All families whose students were on the bus were made aware of the incident, and arrangements have been made to cover transportation going forward.

We appreciate KCS School Security and the Knoxville Police Department for their efforts in this matter. The safety of our students is and will remain our top priority.Knox County Schools

Leveque worked for Lynch Bus Lines, a third-party contractor for the school system.

WVLT News reached out for comment but had not heard back. Story courtesy of WVLT

A Raid on a Pawn Shop in Claiborne County Results in Three Arrests
Photo courtesy of WVLT

A Raid on a Pawn Shop in Claiborne County Results in Three Arrests

Police raid a pawn shop in Claiborne County for stolen property and arrest three people.

The Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office raided Middleton Pawn yesterday (Thursday) and arrested Kerry “Pete” Middleton Jr. and Brandie Fultaz who are charged with theft of property and criminal conspiracy and Wilma Middleton is charged with possession of a Schedule III controlled substance.

Officials say additional arrest and charges are possible as the investigation continues.

Oak Ridge Police Warning Residents About Burglaries in the Area
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Oak Ridge Police Warning Residents About Burglaries in the Area

Oak Ridge Police are warning residents about multiple attempted and some successful home burglaries.

The incidents happened in the Georgia, New York, Hendrix and Woodland areas.

Police are asking anyone with camera footage of suspicious activity to report it and anyone with information on the recent incidents are asked to call authorities.

Teen at the Center of a TBI Endangered Child Alert is Found Safe in Alabama

Teen at the Center of a TBI Endangered Child Alert is Found Safe in Alabama

Update: The TBI’s Endangered Child Alert for missing 15 year-old Isaac Steele has ended.

He was found safe today in Bridgeport Alabama

Original Story: The TBI has issued an Endangered Child Alert for missing 15 year-old Isaac Steele.

He was last seen in the area of Hamilton Avenue in South Pittsburg yesterday (Thursday) and may be on a camouflage Coleman Powersports mini bike.

he is 5’10”, 140 lbs., with blonde hair and blue eyes, last seen last night wearing a white shirt, white sweatpants, and green slide shoes.

We have his photo on our website Newstalk987.com.

If you have any information, please call 1-800- TBI FIND.

BJ’s Wholesale Club Announces Expansion into East Tennessee

BJ’s Wholesale Club Announces Expansion into East Tennessee

Maryville, TN (WOKI) BJ’s Wholesale Club is expanding into East Tennessee with a location in Blount County.

The new location in Maryville will be BJ’s fourth location in Tennessee and the first in East Tennessee. The mega-store will be situated near Foothills Mall, at the JC Penny location.

BJ’s Wholesale Club offers a convenient one-stop shopping experience that officials say includes a vast selection of fresh foods, produce, a full-service deli, household essentials, pet supplies and exclusive offerings.

Officials said BJ’s is expected to create about 150 jobs with hiring expected to begin soon. Those looking to work at BJ’s can click here for more information.

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