The University of Tennessee is one of 37 NCAA Power Five programs, including nine from the Southeastern Conference, to earn academic recognition from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, the WBCA announced on Tuesday.
The Lady Vols earned “Special Mention” status for their collective 3.323 grade point average as part of the WBCA’s 2024-25 Academic Team Honor Roll. That was an improvement over the 3.301 recorded in 2023-24. Earlier this summer, the UT women placed 11 members of their 15-player 2024-25 roster on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes college women’s basketball teams across the nation in their respective divisions that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2024-25 season is the 30th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor roll.
“The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women’s basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “The 119 teams we honor this year strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts. Congratulations!”
KNOXVILLE, TN (TDOT – WOKI) – Motorists traveling on I-275 in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a significant impact on traffic.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 18, I-275 will be closed in each direction as crews work to replace the bridge over Elm Street and Bernard Avenue. Motorists can bypass the work zone by using I-40 and I-640. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 21.
This is the second consecutive weekend closure of I-275 in this area. There will be a third weekend closure of I-275 in the Fall.
This project employs Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques, including innovative planning, design, materials, and construction methods. ABC works safely and cost-effectively to reduce the onsite construction time that occurs when building new bridges or replacing and rehabilitating existing bridges. ABC improves site constructability, total project delivery time, and work-zone safety for the traveling public.
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.
An East Tennessee man has pleaded guilty to claiming millions in false tax returns.
According to the United States Department of Justice, Ryan Glidewell, of Kingsport, conspired with others to file false tax returns seeking refunds based on the Employee Retention Credit and paid Sick and Family Leave Credit, both of which were created by Congress to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Glidewell worked with two co-conspirators, including his wife Aylissa, to create phony businesses that didn’t have any employees or operations to falsely claim the credits. All of the phony businesses were located in Sullivan County.
The DOJ says Glidewell filed several false tax returns for those businesses and directed the tax refunds to be mailed to an address he controlled.
In total, officials say the false returns claimed almost $3 and a half million in tax refunds, of which the IRS paid $1.8 million.
Glidewell pleaded guilty to Conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return Money laundering and is set to be sentenced on November 12, where he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud charge, a maximum of 10 years for the money laundering charge and a maximum of three years for the aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return charge.
This comes after Aylissa pleaded guilty in the scheme back in March to conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 15.
Jefferson City is asking residents to help conserve water.
Officials say the demand during high summer temperatures is putting strain on the utility system.
Jefferson City Manger James Gallup says the city is just looking to ease the demand on the utility system and there is no issue with utility infrastructure or equipment.
He asked that people limit extra water use which means holding off on things like using lawn sprinklers or washing cars.
Also, quickly report any leaks by calling public works at 865-475-6617 or the water plant at 865-475-3251.
Funds are available for local power companies, for-profit or non-profit organizations, and government entities, including local governments or public institutions of higher education based in Tennessee.
TDEC and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) initially partnered in 2021 to develop a statewide electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network designed to power the growth of EVs across Tennessee and reduce barriers to transportation electrification, leveraging various funding sources.
This solicitation is funded through the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust (EMT), from settlements resolving allegations that Volkswagen violated clean air standards in sales of vehicles in model years 2009-2016. The purpose of the trust is to execute environmental mitigation projects that reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides. Under the current solicitation, $2.8 million in EMT funding is available for eligible projects.
Projects implemented under this solicitation will support the continued development of the Fast Charge TN Network, building out direct current fast charging infrastructure at least every 50 miles along prioritized corridors. Following the first round of solicitation, 35 Fast Charge TN Network sites are now live and operational, and 18 sites are currently under development, but charging infrastructure gaps remain.
The Fast Charge TN Network program is managed by TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs and is intended to complement the State’s implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Grant Program, which seeks to build fast charging EV infrastructure along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. The national program is administered in the state by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
To avoid duplicative efforts, the prioritized areas for buildout under this second round of funding are areas that TDOT, TDEC, and TVA anticipate the State’s NEVI program will not address in Alternative Fuel Corridor buildout.
Priority will be given to locations within designated infrastructure gap zones as defined in the interactive infrastructure gap areas map. However, these areas are subject to change prior to final award announcements. More information on eligibility considerations and application requirements may be accessed in the application manual.
Applications must be received by Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. CDT. TDEC will announce awards after conducting a comprehensive review and evaluation of all complete and eligible grant applications. Grant contracting efforts will occur shortly thereafter.
TDEC will host a mandatory application workshop webinar on July 14 from 1-3 p.m. CDT. Registration can be accessed online. The workshop will be recorded and posted on the TDEC website for applicant reference.
Applicants will be required to attend the virtual application workshop prior to application submission, either by participating during the initial webinar session or viewing the recording. The application workshop will provide guidance on the application process and program terms and conditions, including project eligibility, timelines for implementation, and reporting requirements.
Interested individuals and organizations are advised to sign up for the TDEC VW Settlement email list to be kept apprised of all future and related announcements.
KNOXVILLE – Motorists traveling on I-275 in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a significant impact on traffic.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 11, I-275 will be closed in each direction as crews work to replace the bridge over Elm Street and Bernard Avenue. Motorists can bypass the work zone by using I-40 and I-640. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 14.
Motorists should be aware that I-275 will also be closed beginning on Friday night, July 18, through Monday morning, July 21. A third weekend closure of I-275 will be necessary in the Fall.
This project employs Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques, including innovative planning, design, materials, and construction methods. ABC works safely and cost-effectively to reduce the onsite construction time that occurs when building new bridges or replacing and rehabilitating existing bridges. ABC improves site constructability, total project delivery time, and work-zone safety for the traveling public.
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.
A multi county police chase which started with a robbery suspect in Knox County and ends in Loudon County.
The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect was taken into custody early Sunday morning after firing shots following the chase on Highway 70.
A suspect wanted on robbery charges led deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office on a chase into Loudon County and when the suspect turned onto Highway 321 they hit a Lenoir City Police Department cruiser.
The suspect was boxed in and safely taken into custody. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
At 3:49pm Wednesday, the neighbors of 5201 Camelia Dr called 911 to report that the house was on fire. When Knox County Communications dispatched the KFD units, they reported that fire was coming out of the front window.
Crews arrived within minutes and saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the home. Squad 14 was able to make quick entry and knock the fire down within minutes. Crews are still on scene overhauling and cleaning up. Fortunately, the fire was able to be extinguished quickly, the hot days can present additional challenges. Thankfully there was no one home at the time of the fire.
There are no injuries reported.
Investigators are on scene trying to determine a cause.
Wednesday, the City of Knoxville announced that Augusta Quarry would reopen to the public. It comes after a lengthy renovation and not long after a missing swimmer, who still has not been found, prompted a search effort from the Knoxville Fire Department.
The city closed the quarry in March of 2024 to carry out an extensive renovation project, which added new floating platforms, bathrooms, changing rooms and a walkway around the quarry.
On June 16, the Knoxville Fire Department announced it was on the lookout for a man who disappeared while swimming at Augusta Quarry while it was still closed. The search has since been scaled back; the person has not been found.
Wednesday, Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks told WVLT News that crews wouldn’t be at the quarry consistently, but people may see them doing the occasional shore search for the missing man or doing training exercises.
The additions to Augusta Quarry are aimed at making it easier to access and safer.
“Augusta Quarry didn’t even open to the public until 2017,” Urban Wilderness Coordinator Wes Soward said. “Even then, it was a raw experience. You’d have to make your way down a rutted old gravel quarry road, and parking was severely limited, so it was challenging just to get to the water. Now, it’s a safer environment, and a lot more family-friendly.”
Soward added that the city’s agreement with River Sports Outfitters, who will be an on-site vendor, means that life jackets will be available to borrow for free. Other watersports equipment, like paddleboards and inflatable tubes, will be offered to rent.
Other additions include:
Three bathrooms
A changing room
A water bottle refilling station
An outdoor shower
A path connecting a 38-vehicle parking lot with the overlook, trailheads, the new buildings and the water’s edge
A floating “beach” platform at the end of the walkway, lining the quarry lake’s southwestern edge, with ladders
A circular floating swim platform, also with ladders
An expanded overlook
The quarry will be open from 7:45 a.m. each day and close at 8 p.m. There will be staff there from 10 a.m. to close, but no lifeguards.
