Sevierville, TN (WVLT/WOKI) Boasting 74-thousand square feet, over 100 gas pumps, and one friendly beaver with all the trappings, Buc-ee’s Sevierville location is tentatively set to open on June 26.
The long-awaited travel center is part of I-40′s Exit 407: The Gateway to Adventure. Included in that project is an entertainment and shopping district, a Marriott hotel and a soon-to-be-announced attraction.
Our news partner WVLT trekked to the Buc-ee’s in Adairsville, GA, south of Chattanooga, recently for a taste of what’s in store for patrons visiting the Sevierville operation. They found that, in addition to Buc-ee’s must-haves such as their signature crunchy-pancake “Beaver Nuggets” to “the most amazing brisket sandwiches you can get outside of Texas,” the amusement park atmosphere is what makes the convenience store stand apart.
Assistant General Manager of Buc-ee’s Adairsville, GA location Wes Harness says “Buc-ee’s is more an experience than just like gas and snacks. It’s almost hard to make people mad at Buc-ee’s because it’s just such an experience; it’s just a cool place to be.”
Harness says they are also still looking for great people to be a part of the Buc-ee’s team.
“We’re just looking for that personality. You can train skills with anybody, but we’re just looking for people that have that attitude and the personality that we’re looking for.”
At this time, Buc-ee’s has not released any information about a possible opening event.
The Safe Haven Baby Box installed at the Knoxville Fire Department Station number 17 on Western Avenue has been used for the first time.
KFD officials say a healthy baby boy was surrendered early Saturday morning. A “Baby Box Alert” went out and the station crew of three immediately went to the box and found the baby inside. They called for an ambulance to transport the child to the hospital for evaluation.
The Safe Haven Baby Box was installed in Knoxville on February 17th . This resource is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at Fire Station 17 and is entirely anonymous for any parent who needs a place to turn in a time of crisis.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say a Jonesborough woman has been indicted after she reportedly stole thousands from the church where she worked.
In Aug. 2022, TBI agents started to investigate a report of theft involving Ashlee White, a former employee of Grace Fellowship Church in Johnson City.
TBI says White used the church’s credit card to make personal purchases totaling more than $80,000 between January 2017 and July 2022.
On May 3, the Washington County Grand Jury returned an indictment, charging White with theft of property over $60,000. White turned herself in on Friday and she was booked into the Washington County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
UPDATE: NewsTalk 98.7 (WOKI) is learning more now about a shooting that occurred Monday afternoon (5/29) at Victor Ashe Park on Bradshaw Road.
Knoxville Police Department officials say the shooting was the result of a “transaction” turned robbery. KPD reports the gunshot victim arranged to make a transaction with two other individuals in the park but was then shot after he and another associate allegedly attempted to rob the other two individuals.
The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.
ORIGINAL STORY: Knoxville Police are investigating a shooting that happened at Victor Ashe Park.
It happened yesterday (Monday) afternoon in the 4900 block of Bradshaw Road, one man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police detained two people for further investigation.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee baseball team is headed back to the Palmetto State to begin its tournament run at the NCAA Clemson Regional, hosted by the Clemson Tigers at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The Volunteers are making their fourth straight NCAA Regional appearance and 13th trip to NCAA Tournament in program history.
UT will be the No. 2 seed in the regional and face off against No. 3 seed Charlotte in its opening game on Friday, June 2 at 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
The top seed in the regional and No. 4 national seed Clemson will take on No. 4 seed Lipscomb in their opening game on Friday at 1 p.m.
The Clemson Regional will feature some of the nation’s hottest teams, including three conference champions. Tennessee is 15-5 over its last 20 games, including an 11-4 record over its final five SEC series after a 5-10 start to league play.
Clemson had arguably the best finish to the season of any team in the country, winning 21 of its last 22 games, including 16 straight entering the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers went 4-0 to claim the ACC Tournament crown after finishing second in the regular-season standings behind No. 1 overall seed Wake Forest.
Charlotte was victorious in 10 of its final 11 games, including five wins in a row over a four-day span to capture the Conference USA Tournament title last weekend. Lipscomb went 17-5 down the stretch to capture both the Atlantic Sun regular season and tournament titles, as well.
Ticket Information
All-session and single-session tickets for the Clemson Regional will go on sale Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
The complete weekend schedule and broadcast details will be added to this release on UTSports.com when they become available.
NCAA Clemson Regional Schedule
Friday, June 2 Game 1 – Clemson vs. Lipscomb |1 p.m. ET (ESPN+) Game 2 – Tennessee vs. Charlotte | 6 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
Saturday, June 3 Game 3 – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | TBD Game 4 – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | TBD
Sunday, June 4 Game 5 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 | TBD Game 6 – Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 4 | TBD
Monday, June 5 Game 7 (if necessary) – Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 | TBD
ANAHEIM, Calif. – VFLBen Joyce of the 2022 Tennessee baseball team earned his big-league call-up on Sunday, having his contract selected by the Los Angeles Angels.
Joyce becomes the first player from the 2022 draft class to be called up to the Major Leagues. The 2022 class was a historic one for the Volunteers, as a program-record 10 individuals were selected across the three days of selections. Joyce was immediately assigned to Double-A Rocket City and played in 27 games with the Trash Pandas before his promotion, posting five saves and five holds while striking out 44 batters in 28.2 innings.
He becomes the 45th player in program history to make it to the big leagues and joins Garrett Crochet, Yan Gomes and Nick Senzel as current major-leaguers who played at Tennessee.
Joyce and the Angels face the Miami Marlins at 4:07 p.m. ET on Sunday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
-UT Athletics
Ben Joyce – Los Angeles Angels / Credit: UT Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Electric pitching and a late-inning offensive explosion led No. 4 Tennessee to a 9-0 win over No. 13-seeded Texas Saturday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, earning the Lady Vols a trip to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in eight years.
UT’s trip to Oklahoma City for the WCWS marks the eighth time in program history and the first since 2015. The victory also gives Tennessee 49 wins on the season – the most since winning 52 games in 2013.
Tennessee held a one-run lead through five before tacking on a pair of runs in the sixth. The Lady Vols blew the game open and seized complete control of the contest with six runs in the seventh. UT’s nine-run output ties the most-ever runs scored in a super regional game in program history.
Kiki Milloy opened the game with a leadoff double – advancing to third on an error – and was brought home by Zaida Puni who reached on a fielder’s choice.
In the circle, Payton Gottshall got the start for the Lady Vols and carried a perfect game into the fifth inning before she allowed a free baserunner on a six-pitch walk. The righty surrendered just two hits on the night – giving up a single in the sixth and seventh.
The senior fanned five batters in the win and improved to 16-1 on the year.
Tennessee added to its one-run lead in the sixth, as Live Oak, Texas, native Destiny Rodriguez laced a single to right to plate Giulia Koutsoyanopulos and Rylie West. Rodriguez started both games of the super regional versus Texas, going 4-for-7 at the plate over the two games.
The Lady Vols scored six runs in the seventh on five hits and two Longhorn errors. Freshman Jamison Brockenbrough continued her hot streak with an RBI single for the first run in the frame. With the bases loaded, Koutsoyanopulos pushed a single into right field that was misplayed and rolled all the way to the wall.
All three runners on base scored as Koutsoyanopulos charged around the diamond and slid in safely at home. Tennessee scored its final run of the game after a pair of singles and a fielder’s choice brought Puni to the plate. She yanked a hot shot right at the third baseman who could not field it cleanly, allowing the Lady Vols’ ninth and final run of the game to score.
In all, UT collected 10 hits against Texas who also committed five errors in the game. Citlaly Gutierrez got the ball to start the game for the Longhorns, going 5.2 innings and allowing three runs on four hits. Sophia Simpson came on in relief and recorded two outs but surrendered three runs on two hits.
Mac Morgan – Friday night’s starter – followed Simpson and also notched just a pair of outs. She gave up three runs on four hits.
Gutierrez suffered the loss and ends the season 13-6.
NOTABLE Wrangling Cattle: Tennessee and Texas are now tied 5-5 in the all-time series with UT holding a 4-1 advantage at home on Rocky Top. In the postseason, the Lady Vols are 3-0 versus the Longhorns.
Record Attendance: A record 2,472 fans filled Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on Saturday to watch as the Lady Vols advanced to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in eight seasons. The total surpassed the previous mark of 2,459.
Ticketing Note: The Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office will have no tickets for sale to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. Please visit NCAA.com/tickets for ticket information.
UP NEXT Tennessee will play in the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2015, facing the winner of the Tuscaloosa Super Regional – Northwestern or Alabama – in its first game in Oklahoma City.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With a trip to the 2023 Women’s College World Series on the line, the fourth-seeded Lady Vols welcome No. 13 seed Texas to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium for the NCAA Knoxville Super Regional.
Tennessee is looking to punch its ticket to Oklahoma City for the eighth time in program history and for the first time since 2015.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION Fans are encouraged to visit the Tennessee softball gameday information page before making their way to Sherri Parker Lee to familiarize themselves with gameday policies and procedures.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE The two-team super regional will take place Friday to Sunday as a best-of-three series, with the winner advancing to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Friday, May 26 SPL gates open at 2:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. – Game 1 (Texas vs. Tennessee)
Saturday, May 27 SPL gates open at 1:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. – Game 2 (Tennessee vs. Texas)
Sunday, May 28 (if necessary) SPL gates open 90 minutes prior to first pitch TBD – Game 3 (Texas vs. Tennessee)
PARKING Sherri Parker Lee Stadium 2323 Stephenson Dr. Knoxville, TN 37996
Parking is available for free in lots S14 and C25 adjacent to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and Regal Soccer Stadium. Reserved bus parking is only available by pre-arrangement from the Event Management office by calling (865) 974-1205. There is no public RV or bus parking in Lee Stadium lots.
All fans looking to attend the softball regional should be prepared for traffic congestion. Fans are reminded that parking shuttles will be free and available at the Agriculture Campus all weekend. When Stephenson Drive lots are full, fans will be directed to the free Ag Campus Parking and Shuttles on River Drive.
Shuttle information: Friday, May 19: Beginning at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, May 20: Beginning at 11:00 a.m. (Gates will open at 11:30 a.m.) Sunday, May 21: Beginning at 12:00 p.m. (Gates will open at 12:30 p.m.)
BACK TO SUPERS UT is back in the Super Regionals for the first time since 2019 and is hosting supers for the first time since 2017. It is the 12th time in program history the Lady Vols have advanced to Super Regionals. Tennessee owns an 83-44 record in the postseason showcase and is in the NCAA Tournament for the 20th time.
SCOUTING TEXAS Texas (45-13-1) Head Coach: Mike White (Record at Texas: 205-69-2) Series Record: Texas leads 5-3 Key Player/Stat: Entering this weekend’s NCAA Knoxville Super Regional, Texas’ top three RBI leaders are true freshmen: Viviana Martinez (52), Reese Atwood (43) and Leighann Goode (41). The Longhorns are the only Division I softball team in this year’s NCAA Super Regionals to have its top three RBI leaders to be true freshmen.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Former two-time American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and top-six Heisman Trophy finisher McKenzie Milton, who shined at quarterback under head coach Josh Heupel, has joined Tennessee’s football staff as an offensive analyst.
Milton, a native of Mililani, Hawaii, launches his coaching career after an inspirational journey as a player in lifting UCF to the pinnacle of college football. He led the Knights to 27-6 record as a starter—including an undefeated 2017 season—to go along with two AAC championships, two New Year’s Six Bowl appearances and multiple top-10 Heisman Trophy finishes.
“McKenzie represents everything that is great about college football,” Heupel said. “His perseverance, determination and leadership are attributes that made him successful as a player and will no doubt translate to him being an outstanding future coach. He’s always been a student of the game and understands the why behind what we do. We are thrilled to welcome McKenzie, Jany and Madden to Rocky Top.”
“I couldn’t be more excited about starting my coaching career at Tennessee and reuniting with Coach Heupel,” Milton said. “I am grateful to Coach Heupel and Director of Athletics Danny White for giving me this opportunity. Their leadership makes a difference. I look forward to helping the program in any way I can.”
In three seasons on the field for UCF from 2016-18, Milton threw for 8,683 yards and 72 touchdowns—both of which ranked fourth in school career annals. His 9,761 yards of total offense ranks third in UCF history, while his passer efficiency rating of 152.3 is also third in school record books. Milton was responsible for 92 touchdowns and owned a 61.8 completion percentage.
After a freshman season of 2016 in which he started 10 games, Milton took his game to another level in guiding the Knights to a 13-0 record in 2017 and a victory over Auburn in the Peach Bowl. He was tabbed as the game’s most valuable player. Milton finished eighth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, and he was a finalist for the Manning Award. He broke single-season program records for passing yards (4,037), passing touchdowns (37), passing efficiency (179.29) and passing yards per attempt (10.2).
The 2018 season saw his game elevate even more in Heupel’s first campaign with the Knights as he finished sixth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. UCF completed an undefeated 11-0 regular season, and Milton was once again the catalyst throwing for 2,663 yards and 25 touchdowns. On Nov. 23, 2018, Milton’s playing career was in jeopardy as he suffered a devastating knee injury that required reconstructive surgery.
Undeterred by the major injury, Milton still became the first two-time AAC Offensive Player of the Year. After multiple surgeries, Milton sat out the 2019 season but was cleared to resume football activity in 2020 through his hard work and determination. He spent the 2020 season with the Knights before enrolling at Florida State as a graduate transfer in 2021.
On Sept. 5, 2021—1,018 days since the devastating injury—Milton made his triumphant return to the field in primetime, helping the Seminoles rally from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime against Notre Dame. He played in six games with four starts that season for Florida State, completing 81-of-139 passes for 775 yards and three touchdowns.
His inspirational journey was recognized as he earned the 2021 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year and the ACC Piccolo Award. He also was a nominee for the Orange Bowl FWAA Courage Award.
Milton, the 2014 Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year, earned his undergraduate degree from UCF in sport and exercise science in December 2019 before completing a master’s degree in educational leadership in May 2022.
He and his wife, Jany, have an 11-month-old son, Madden.
