The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office will hold a memorial service on the one year anniversary of Sergeant Chris Jenkins death.
Jenkins was killed in the line of duty when he was hit by a tractor-trailer on I-75 while trying to remove debris from the interstate. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Christopher Savannah, reportedly did not slow down with traffic while Jenkins was working and hit several cars and Jenkins.
The memorial service is set for this Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the sheriff’s office and is open to the public.
That topic reared its head once again after Tennessee toppled No. 10 Texas 82-71 Saturday in only the second matchup of top 10 teams in men’s basketball in Thompson-Boling Arena history.
It marked UT’s fifth straight home win over a top 10 opponent and it jumped the Vols from No. 4 to No. 2 in the AP poll.
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said Tennessee has no “impediment’’ to winning the national championship, other than an occasional scoring drought and “that’s not horribly unusual for teams.’’
Tennessee’s defense ahs been outstanding all season. The Vols lead the nation in field goal defense (34.4%) and 3-point field goal defense (21.9%). The 34.4% is believed to be the best in Division I since the 1970s. And UT’s defensive efficiency is ranked the best since KenPom began churning out that stat in 2001.
Can defense alone win a title?
“I can’t remember a bad defensive team that’s won a championship,’’ Bilas said, “but I also can’t remember an average offensive team winning it, either. If you go down through the stats and analytics of champions, usually they’re in the top 20 in offensive and defensive efficiency.’’
Entering Saturday’s game against Texas, UT was 203rd in the nation in field-goal percentage. They were 215 last year.
That’s not the formula Bilas described, but UT has had moments where it shot exceedingly well, like the 69% marksmanship in a blowout win earlier this season against Mississippi State.
Bilas also noted Kansas lost by 30 points on Jan. 28 a year ago before marching to the national championship and North Carolina had the same record a year ago as it does now (15-6) before advancing to the Final Four.
In other words, there’s still a lot of basketball to be played.
ESPN’s Seth Greenberg also thinks the Vols have championship criteria.
“When you look at this Tennessee team,’’ Greenberg said, “they can beat you in transition, they can beat you in the half court, they beat you with their defense, they beat you with their depth.
“Most importantly, you look at the DNA of teams that win championships, they have maturity and this team is a mature, experienced team.’’
Tennessee starts three seniors, a sophomore and a freshman and has two seniors that come off the bench.
Barnes met with his team on Friday and talked about Kentucky – not Texas.
Why Kentucky? Because that was the last “big’’ home game for the Vols and they failed the test. Despite jumping out to an 8-0 lead, the Vols fell 63-56 to the Wildcats and were outrebounded 43-23.
“We were terrible,’’ said Barnes, noting he felt his team was too “amped up’’ and “undisciplined.’’
Barnes said his team must ignore the hype that surrounds a big game, i.e., with ESPN’s Game Day crew in Knoxville for the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
“If we’re going to be the team we need to be,’’ Barnes said, “it’s strictly business.’’`
It was strictly business for senior forward Olivier Nkamhoua, who had a career-high 27 points and eight rebounds in arguably his best game in a Tennessee uniform.
But Nkamhoua also had two points and two rebounds in recent games against Kentucky and LSU.
“I hope this gives him the confidence he can build on,’’ Barnes said.
Nkamhoua recognizes he needs to be more consistent and he knows he’s capable or more. He’s had four 20-point games this season and two 10-rebound games.
“it’s been three years working to get where we are now,’’ he said. “We’ve been getting better all year and we’ll keep getting better.
“We have to come in with the mature attitude that we haven’t arrived. We haven’t won a national championship. We haven’t won an SEC Championship (this season). We haven’t won a regular-season championship. We haven’t won anything. … We have proven nothing with this team, so we have to stay hungry.’’
Traditionally, when child protective services case managers arrive on a family’s doorstep, there’s the implied or explicit threat that a child will be placed in out-of-home care. The situation can immediately become confrontational.
However, child welfare is not a one-size fits-all approach.
That’s why DCS uses the multiple response system to child maltreatment.
Different situations require different responses. DCS has a variety of ways of looking into and responding to allegations. We look at the severity of the alleged maltreatment, and we take into account a family’s needs. Using the Multiple Response System, child protective services case managers offer a variety of approaches that can be more helpful to families and promise more lasting change.
What is the Multiple Response System?
The Multiple Response System is a different way of responding to concerns of certain types of neglect or abuse by: • Ensuring children are safe • Avoiding negative labels for parents • Setting aside the issue of fault • Working in partnership with parents to identify the family’s strengths and needs • Asserting families are the experts at solving their own problems
A core value of the Multiple Response System is that most parents love their children and want them to be safe, but sometimes parents need help to make that happen.
To be clear: Some parents are not able to keep their children safe. For all reports of severe abuse, a traditional investigation will still take place. Law enforcement will be asked to assist in cases where severe abuse has been reported. This Investigative Approach is focused on finding out what caused the incident to be reported, and it seeks to find out who was responsible and what steps need to be taken to ensure a child’s safety.
For many of the families we encounter at DCS, there are plenty of other, less adversarial ways we can help, particularly in the low-to-moderate risk cases. This is where the three-track Multiple Response System steps in. It offers two other approaches in addition to the traditional investigation.
The Assessment Approach
The Assessment Approach seeks to understand the underlying conditions and factors that could jeopardize a child’s safety. The focus becomes not just the child but the entire family and its identifiable strengths. By building on those strengths and understanding a family’s needs, DCS can help families avoid the pitfalls that may have previously put their children at risk.
The Resource Linkage Approach
The Resource Linkage Approach is primarily for families who demonstrate no immediate or current safety risk. Many times, these families can really use some of the help that’s available to them in their local communities, be it through government programs, non-profit organizations or counseling services. DCS can best help these families by putting them in touch with a variety of resources, all with the aim of keeping kids safe and helping families grow stronger.
The Traditional Investigative Approach
Some parents are not able to keep their children safe. For all reports of severe neglect or abuse, a traditional investigation will still take place. Law enforcement will be asked to assist in cases where severe abuse has been reported.
The Family Assessment Approach
When the Department receives a call with concerns relating to certain types of abuse and neglect, the choice may be made to approach the family in order to complete a family assessment.
Child Protective Services and the family will work to develop true partnerships to ensure the safety of the child.
A holistic approach will be used, looking at all the needs of the family.
The family assessment approach is not voluntary.
A safety assessment is conducted. The case manager and family gather information together from several sources.
A child and family team meeting may be called to devise a workable plan to ensure the child’s safety and family’s needs are met.
The Case Decision
After gathering information, the family team will determine what further services are needed. If services are not recommended, the case is closed. If services are required, DCS or other community resources will provide them.
Safety Comes First
If at any time it is determined that the child’s safety cannot be maintained in the home or if the family chooses not to participate in the Family Assessment process, or if new allegations of abuse, neglect, or dependency arise during the process, our Department has the legal obligation to take one of the following actions:
A traditional investigative approach will be initiated.
The family may be asked to choose a safe place for their child other than their own home.
It may ultimately be necessary for the Department to seek custody of the child.
Rights of the Family
An important part of working with families in need is acknowledging their rights:
Families have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
Families have the right to know DCS’s legal authority and right to intervene.
Families have the right to know our expectations of them, and in turn what they can expect from us.
Families have the right to have their phone calls returned within one working day. If the case manager is unavailable, please call the case manager’s supervisor.
Authorities are asking for help to find the man responsible for a theft at Great Smokies Flea market.
When the store was closed, a man was caught on cameras breaking in and taking thousands worth of merchandise then picked up by someone in a white minivan. Victim Brandon McCoy
says the man took more than $2,000 worth of merchandise from him.
If you have any information, you are asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into a deadly house fire in Union County.
Crews responding to the fire in the 300 block of Clinch Valley Road in Luttrell yesterday (Sunday) afternoon.
TBI says Four juveniles and one adult were found dead inside the home.
TBI is working with the Union County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the fire.
Original story: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating a deadly house fire in Union County.
WVLT reporting Fire Crews were called to the 300th block of Clinch Valley Road in Luttrell yesterday (Sunday) for a house fire and discovered a dead body inside.
TBI is working with the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued an Endangered child alert for an 8 year-old boy out of Maryville who is believed to be with his non-custodial mother.
Jycon Rogerson is believed to be with 31 year-old Alisha Jones. She is wanted by Maryville Police for Custodial Interference.
If you have any information, please call 1-800- TBI- FIND.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Fourth-ranked Tennessee emerged with an impressive 11-point victory, putting 10th-ranked Texas away, 82-71, in what was a raucous environment Saturday in a sold-out Thompson-Boling Arena.
Tennessee (18-3) has won six of its last seven games against AP top-10 opponents.
Vols forward Olivier Nkamhoua led all scorers in the victory, logging a career-high 27 points on 12-for-15 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, three assists and a block. All-American candidate Zakai Zeigler stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points on 7-for-10 shooting in 37 minutes, including a 3-of-6 mark from 3-point range, a career-high-tying 10 assists, three boards and a pair of steals.
Josiah-Jordan James was Tennessee’s third-highest scorer with 14 points, also producing seven rebounds in the top-10 triumph over the Longhorns (17-4). Santiago Vescovi also impacted the winning effort with 12 points and eight rebounds while finishing with a team-best plus/minus rating of +18.
The Vols limited fifth-year Texas guard Marcus Carr, who entered the game averaging 17.6 points per game and a 3-point accuracy rate of 41.5 percent, to 11 points on 1-for-6 (.167) shooting from behind the arc Saturday. The Longhorns were led by Sir’Jabari Rice, who scored 21 off the bench.
The score was knotted at 17-17 after 10 minutes of play. The Vols scored 11 of the ensuing 13 points to seize a 28-19 advantage with just over four minutes to go in the opening half.
As the game continued its back-and-forth flow, Tennessee’s lead grew to nine, 26-17, by the 7:15 mark of the first half. The Vols edged Texas 14-11 from that point forward, as Tennessee took a 40-28 lead into halftime.
Nkamhoua led all scorers at the break with 14 points to go along with four rebounds and a block. Zeigler approached double-figure scoring after 17 first-half minutes, tallying eight points and six assists by halftime.
Tennessee opened the second-half red-hot from the field, burying nine of its first 10 field-goal attempts, including eight consecutive makes at one point. Zeigler was responsible for four of the eight made shots—10 points with a pair of 3’s and two layups—within just over a two-minute span during the Vols’ electric offensive punch coming out the half.
Tennessee’s lead surpassed 20 points on the eighth made basket of that run, a 3-point splash from Vescovi. That 22-point lead was Tennessee’s largest of the day, coming at the 13:50 mark of second half. In all, the Vols led for just under 35 minutes of game time.
Nkamhoua and Zeigler each reached the 20-point threshold prior to the game’s final media timeout.
The Longhorns suffered a scoring drought of nearly three minutes in the game’s waning moments, prior to knocking down five of six shot attempts to cut their deficit to 11 with under one minute remaining.
UP NEXT: After Saturday’s brief hiatus with the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, Tennessee resumes conference play on Wednesday at Florida. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
ANOTHER TOP-10 TBA TAKEDOWN: With Saturday’s win, Tennessee has now won five straight home games against top-10 opponents.
Saturday’s game between No. 4 Tennessee and No. 10 Texas marked just the second men’s top-10 matchup in the 36-year history of Thompson-Boling Arena.
ZEIGLER NOTCHES ANOTHER DOUBLE-DOUBLE:Zakai Zeigler’s 22-point, 10-assist double-double marked his third career double-double—making him one of just four Vols ever to record three or more career points/assists double-doubles.
Zeigler’s performance on Saturday also was just the seventh in program history to include 20 or more points and 10 or more assists.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Fourth-ranked Tennessee emerged with an impressive 11-point victory, putting 10th-ranked Texas away, 82-71, in what was a raucous environment Saturday in a sold-out Thompson-Boling Arena.
Tennessee (18-3) has won six of its last seven games against AP top-10 opponents.
Vols forward Olivier Nkamhoua led all scorers in the victory, logging a career-high 27 points on 12-for-15 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, three assists and a block. All-American candidate Zakai Zeigler stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points on 7-for-10 shooting in 37 minutes, including a 3-of-6 mark from 3-point range, a career-high-tying 10 assists, three boards and a pair of steals.
Josiah-Jordan James was Tennessee’s third-highest scorer with 14 points, also producing seven rebounds in the top-10 triumph over the Longhorns (17-4). Santiago Vescovi also impacted the winning effort with 12 points and eight rebounds while finishing with a team-best plus/minus rating of +18.
The Vols limited fifth-year Texas guard Marcus Carr, who entered the game averaging 17.6 points per game and a 3-point accuracy rate of 41.5 percent, to 11 points on 1-for-6 (.167) shooting from behind the arc Saturday. The Longhorns were led by Sir’Jabari Rice, who scored 21 off the bench.
The score was knotted at 17-17 after 10 minutes of play. The Vols scored 11 of the ensuing 13 points to seize a 28-19 advantage with just over four minutes to go in the opening half.
As the game continued its back-and-forth flow, Tennessee’s lead grew to nine, 26-17, by the 7:15 mark of the first half. The Vols edged Texas 14-11 from that point forward, as Tennessee took a 40-28 lead into halftime.
Nkamhoua led all scorers at the break with 14 points to go along with four rebounds and a block. Zeigler approached double-figure scoring after 17 first-half minutes, tallying eight points and six assists by halftime.
Tennessee opened the second-half red-hot from the field, burying nine of its first 10 field-goal attempts, including eight consecutive makes at one point. Zeigler was responsible for four of the eight made shots—10 points with a pair of 3’s and two layups—within just over a two-minute span during the Vols’ electric offensive punch coming out the half.
Tennessee’s lead surpassed 20 points on the eighth made basket of that run, a 3-point splash from Vescovi. That 22-point lead was Tennessee’s largest of the day, coming at the 13:50 mark of second half. In all, the Vols led for just under 35 minutes of game time.
Nkamhoua and Zeigler each reached the 20-point threshold prior to the game’s final media timeout.
The Longhorns suffered a scoring drought of nearly three minutes in the game’s waning moments, prior to knocking down five of six shot attempts to cut their deficit to 11 with under one minute remaining.
UP NEXT: After Saturday’s brief hiatus with the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, Tennessee resumes conference play on Wednesday at Florida. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
ANOTHER TOP-10 TBA TAKEDOWN: With Saturday’s win, Tennessee has now won five straight home games against top-10 opponents.
Saturday’s game between No. 4 Tennessee and No. 10 Texas marked just the second men’s top-10 matchup in the 36-year history of Thompson-Boling Arena.
ZEIGLER NOTCHES ANOTHER DOUBLE-DOUBLE:Zakai Zeigler’s 22-point, 10-assist double-double marked his third career double-double—making him one of just four Vols ever to record three or more career points/assists double-doubles.
Zeigler’s performance on Saturday also was just the seventh in program history to include 20 or more points and 10 or more assists.
