The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has confirmed a new state record for a blue catfish caught by the same man who held the previous record set just last year. Micka Burkhart landed the huge fish on Barkley Reservoir in Stewart County. It hit the scales at 122 pounds, 3 ounces and was 57.5 inches in length with a girth of 42.5 inches.
Burkhart made the catch June 28. It was certified and the official record process was completed by the TWRA on July 11.
The new record surpasses the previous mark of a 118-pound catfish that Burkhart landed on Barkley Reservoir in September 2022. Burkhart released both of his trophy catches.
Micka Burkhart with the state record blue catfish caught on Barkley Reservoir in Stewart County. He later released the trophy catch as he did his previous record holder.
Updated story: Interstate 75 South in Campbell County has re-opened this afternoon after the interstate being shut down due to a hazmat situation following an accident involving three commercial vehicles last night at mile marker 135 near the Caryville exit. One lane was re-opened this morning while crews were still working the scene.
Original Story: Interstate 75 South in Campbell County has one lane re-opened this morning after being closed due to a hazmat situation following an accident involving three commercial vehicles last night at mile marker 135 near the Caryville exit.
TDOT says the one Tractor and front trailer has been recovered from an embankment with the rear trailer recovery in progress.
The right lane remains closed. Please check back for any updates.
Tennessee Athletics is set to host its second annual Champions Weekend in conjunction with the home football game against South Carolina on Sept. 30. That weekend, teams and individuals who won SEC and/or NCAA championships during specific years are invited back to Rocky Top to celebrate their achievements.
This year’s celebration includes all championship winners—both team and individual/relay—from the following calendar years:
2013 – 10-year celebration
2003 – 20-year celebration
1998 – 25-year celebration
1993 – 30-year celebration
1983 – 40-year celebration
1973 – 50-year celebration
Among the groups invited back this year are the 1998 SEC and National Championship football team, the 1998 SEC and NCAA Champion women’s basketball team and five different SEC track & field/cross country teams just from 1983—along with several other title-winning squads.
A complete list of 2023 Champions Weekend honorees can be found below. Those in attendance will be recognized on the field at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 30.
Champions from the years set to be celebrated this fall are encouraged to contact Assistant Director of Letterwinner Relations Mike Nguyen at [email protected] for additional details on the weekend schedule and complimentary football game tickets. Save-the-dates have been sent to those whose contact information is on file, and RSVPs are required.
Tickets to the Tennessee-South Carolina football game on Sept. 30 can be purchased HERE.
WindRiver Marina at Tellico Lake
Source: Google Earth September 2015
Lenoir City, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency reports four children were injured in a boating crash Wednesday, July 12.
TWRA officials say the crash occurred around 1:00 p.m. Four children were on a tube that was being pulled by a boat near the WindRiver Marina on Tellico Lake when another boat hit them.
Three of the children were taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with serious injuries.
Newport, TN (WOKI) A Facebook post from the sheriff’s office says a “Stairway to Heroin” is shut down and four people are arrested early Thursday morning in Cocke County.
The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office, Newport Police Department, and the ATF served a narcotics search warrant at a residence at 1982 Brisk Way seizing over 127 grams of suspected meth and nearly 5 grams of suspected heroin along with other drugs, a handgun, ammunition, and cash.
Courtesy: Cocke County Sheriff’s Office
Police arrested 44 year-old Jackie “Crackerjack” Wilson and 56 year-old David Shults, both of Newport, along with 36 year-old Kelly Roberts and 34 year-old Dustin Messner.
All four were taken to the Cocke County Jail.
Wilson is being held in the detention center on a $250,000.00 bond and faces the following charges:
Unlawful possession of a handgun
Possession of a handgun during the commission of a dangerous felony
Possession of methamphetamine with intent
Three counts of possession of Heroin, Meth and Marijuana
Shults is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sale and deliver.
Roberts was arrested on a capais, drug paraphernalia, and sale and delivery of drugs.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP recipients urged to beware after the Tennessee Department of Human Services says some cardholders have reported their benefits stolen.
Officials say fraudulent activity such as skimming, cloning and phishing are a problem and they are unable to reissue any stolen benefits for EBT cardholders. A replacement plan is currently under review by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
More than 740,000 people in Tennessee receive SNAP benefits.
TDHS encourages people to change the PIN number for their EBT card regularly and to check your balance regularly.
Cardholders who suspect fraud are asked to contact the EBT customer service line at 1-888-997-9444.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP recipients urged to beware after the Tennessee Department of Human Services says some cardholders have reported their benefits stolen.
Officials say fraudulent activity such as skimming, cloning and phishing are a problem and they are unable to reissue any stolen benefits for EBT cardholders. A replacement plan is currently under review by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
More than 740,000 people in Tennessee receive SNAP benefits.
TDHS encourages people to change the PIN number for their EBT card regularly and to check your balance regularly.
Cardholders who suspect fraud are asked to contact the EBT customer service line at 1-888-997-9444.
Knoxville Police are investigating a fatal accident on Alcoa Highway and have now identified the victim.
KPD says 38 year-old Kimberly Mendes was killed in yesterday morning’s crash near Cherokee Trail which involved her car, a SUV and a Fedex truck.
The preliminary investigation shows Mendes was hit by the truck which tried to merge lanes but hit her car causing it to cross the median and she was hit by the SUV.
Mendes was pronounced dead at the hospital and the SUV driver was taken to the hospital for severe, non-life-threatening injuries.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Beginning July 17, boating enthusiasts frequenting Brogan’s Access Area on Norris Lake will have to find alternate means of accessing the lake.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has announced that the primary public access point to Norris Lake in Claiborne County will be closed for several weeks for improvements. TWRA officials say that the improvements coming to the access area include grading, paving, and striping for a new parking area for additional vehicle and trailer parking.
Brogan’s Access Area is expected to remain closed through August 30th.
The TWRA added that the actual boat ramp at Brogran’s Access Area will be replaced “during the upcoming winter pool.”
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers is right around the corner!
From July 28th through July 30th, clothing, school supplies and computers may be purchased tax-free. Certain restrictions apply. Items sold online are also eligible.
Exempt items include general apparel that costs $100 or less per item, such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, dresses, etc.
School and art supplies with a purchase price of $100 or less per item also qualify. Example items are binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils, and rulers and art supplies.
Computers, laptops and tablets for personal use which cost $1,500 or less are also exempt.
