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Morgan Wallen Pleads Guilty in Chair-Throwing Case

Posted on December 12, 2024

Nashville, TN (WOKI) Update 12/12: Country music star Morgan Wallen appeared in a Nashville courtroom Thursday pleading guilty in his now infamous chair-throwing case.

Wallen pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor reckless endangerment charges, reduced Wednesday from felony reckless endangerment.

A Nashville judge approved a plea deal wherein the award-winning singer will serve seven days of jail time at a DUI rehab center.

The 31 year-old was arrested after he was seen throwing a chair from the top of Eric Church’s bar Chief’s during their opening weekend on April 7th.

The chair reportedly landed just a few feet away from two officers with the Metro Nashville Police Department, who were on foot patrol that night along Broadway.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV / WVLT) Update 12/10: Country singer Morgan Wallen did not appear in court on Tuesday but his lawyer went before a Nashville judge regarding his charges from April 2024, when he threw a lounge chair off the top of a Broadway bar.

Wallen, 31, was arrested for throwing a chair from the top of Chief’s, Eric Church’s bar on the night of April 7, 2024.

According to an arrest report, two Metro Nashville Police Department officers said the chair landed three feet from where they were patrolling on Broadway.

Wallen was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of disorderly conduct as a result.Wallen’s lawyer attempts to explain what’s next for the singer’s court case in Nashville.

Wallen’s lawyer appeared briefly and filed the paperwork on Tuesday with the Davidson County judge. Now Wallen’s case will head to the Circuit Criminal Court.

A new court date has yet to be finalized.

Original: (WOKI) Knoxville native and Country music superstar attorney’s will appear in a Nashville court today on behalf of Morgan Wallen.

Wallen faces four charges stemming from an April incident where he was arrested for allegedly throwing a chair from a rooftop bar on Broadway.

The chair was thrown six stories from Chief’s, Eric Church’s bar.

Two Metro Nashville Police Department officers say the chair landed three feet from them.

Wallen was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of disorderly conduct.

South Carolina Man Sentenced to Life in 2022 Gatlinburg Rental Cabin Shooting

Posted on December 12, 2024

Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) A South Carolina man is convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend at a Gatlinburg rental cabin in May, 2022.

According to Sevier County court records, a jury found Julian Popoca, of Wellford, South Carolina, guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday; he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The shooting took place on May 30, 2022 at a cabin on Caney Creek Road, off of the Gatlinburg Spur.

Popoca was arrested following the incident. His arrest warrant shows Popoca admitted to deputies that he had shot his girlfriend during an argument.

*A South Carolina man is convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend at a Gatlinburg rental cabin in May, 2022*. (*Credit*: *Frankly Media*)

AAA Predicts Record Number of Travelers this Holiday Period

Posted on December 12, 2024

Triple A projects over 119 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the year-end holiday period which runs from December 21st to January 1st.

Triple A expects an additional 3 million travelers this holiday season compared to last year and is we are expected to be the record set in 2019.

It is forecast that 107 million people or 90% of travelers driving to their destination while almost 8 million will fly.

If you’re driving, the worst traffic delays will be the weekends before Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

KPD

Knoxville Police Take a Teen into Custody after Reportedly Firing Shots after Domestic Dispute

Posted on December 12, 2024

Knoxville Police say a 17-year-old is taken into custody after firing shots following an argument.

Officers responding to a shots fired call in the area of Walker Boulevard and Underwood Place yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

Witnesses reported that the suspect walked away from the scene after the shooting but Officers found him within minutes on Valley View Drive and took him into custody.

KPD says the suspect admitted to firing the gun into the air multiple times following a domestic argument.

The suspect was charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a weapon.

No injuries were reported.

Courtesy / UT Athletics

2025 Football Schedule Dates Announced

Posted on December 12, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A season-opener versus Syracuse in Atlanta followed by Southeastern Conference home games against Georgia, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt highlight the 2025 Tennessee football schedule.

The league office unveiled the full slate of 2025 dates on the SEC Network Wednesday evening. Conference opponents are identical to 2024 with the game location flipped from what was played this season.

All four of the Volunteers’ non-conference games were previously announced. Tennessee opens the season in the Aflac Kickoff Game on Aug. 30 against Syracuse in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

A Sept. 6 home opener versus East Tennessee State precedes the Vols’ SEC opener against Georgia on Sept. 13 in Neyland Stadium. It will be the earliest meeting between the two teams in 30 years since UT won 30-27 in Knoxville on Sept. 9, 1995.

A third straight home game against non-conference foe UAB on Sept. 20 is followed by Tennessee’s first road appearance of the year, a Sept. 27 matchup at Mississippi State. UT will make just its second appearance in Starkville since 2008 and first since Oct. 13, 2012.

The Vols return home to host Arkansas on Oct. 11, representing the Razorbacks’ first trip to Knoxville since 2015. Tennessee then plays back-to-back road games with its Alabama rivalry renewed in Tuscaloosa on the traditional Third Saturday in October (Oct. 18) followed by a Oct. 25 game against Kentucky in Lexington.

Three of the Vols’ four games during the month of November will be played in Neyland Stadium. For the first time since the double-overtime thriller on Sept. 12, 2015, Oklahoma visits Knoxville on Nov. 1. Tennessee’s final non-conference game is Nov. 15 against New Mexico State in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

The Vols then travel to Gainesville to take on Florida on Nov. 22 in what will be the latest meeting between the two teams in the Swamp since the infamous Dec. 1, 2001, UT win. That contest was rescheduled after the events of 9/11.

Tennessee closes the regular season at home versus Vanderbilt on Nov. 29.

The 2025 schedule once again features two open dates. Tennessee will be idle on Oct. 4 and Nov. 8.

Fans can renew their 2025 season tickets at AllVols.com. Fans interested in joining the 2025 season ticket waiting list can fill out the season ticket interest form at UTsports.com/seasontickets.

The Volunteers carry 20 consecutive home sellouts into the 2025 campaign. Tennessee drew a combined 713,405 fans in Neyland Stadium in 2024, which ranked sixth in the FBS and third in the SEC.

2025 Tennessee Football Schedule
Date, Opponent, Location
Aug. 30, vs. Syracuse, Atlanta, Ga. (Aflac Kickoff Game)
Sept. 6, EAST TENNESSEE STATE, KNOXVILLE
Sept. 13, GEORGIA*, KNOXVILLE
Sept. 20, UAB, KNOXVILLE
Sept. 27, at Mississippi State*, Starkville, Miss.
Oct. 11, ARKANSAS*, KNOXVILLE
Oct. 18, at Alabama*, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Oct. 25, at Kentucky*, Lexington, Ky.
Nov. 1, OKLAHOMA*, KNOXVILLE
Nov. 15, NEW MEXICO STATE, KNOXVILLE
Nov. 22, at Florida*, Gainesville, Fla.
Nov. 29, VANDERBILT*, KNOXVILLE

* – denotes SEC game

Courtesy / UT Athletics

AP, Coaches Tab Dylan Sampson As SEC Offensive Player of the Year

Posted on December 12, 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference office announced Wednesday afternoon that Tennessee junior running back Dylan Sampson was selected by the league’s head coaches as the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native received the same recognition from the Associated Press, becoming the second Vol in three years to sweep the awards as selected by the coaches and the AP.

Sampson becomes the sixth running back in conference history to be named the coaches’ SEC Offensive Player of the Year since the award’s inception in 2003. He joins Darren McFadden (2006-07), Trent Richardson (2011), Tre Mason (2013), Derrick Henry (2015) and Kerryon Johnson (2017) as the only running backs to receive the honor.

During the Josh Heupel era (2021-present), Tennessee has garnered three player of the year honors from the league’s head coaches. In addition to Sampson, Velus Jones Jr. was recognized as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021 while Hendon Hooker was selected as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. Hooker was also tabbed the AP SEC Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts during the 2022 campaign.

Sampson produced the most prolific rushing campaign in Tennessee history during the 2024 regular season, breaking school records for rushing yards (1,485), rushing touchdowns (22), points scored (132), total touchdowns scored (22) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). Sampson led the conference in 11 different categories, including 123.8 rushing yards per game and 22 rushing touchdowns — tied for the fifth-most rushing scores in SEC single-season history.

2024 Tennessee Postseason Award Honors as of Dec. 11

DC Tim Banks
Broyles Award Finalist

DB Will Brooks
Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist

QB Nico Iamaleava
Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalist
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalist

OL Cooper Mays
Rimington Trophy Finalist
All-SEC First Team (Coaches)
All-SEC Second Team (AP)

WR Bru McCoy
Witten Award Semifinalist
Comeback Player of the Year Semifinalist
SEC Community Service Team

DB Jermod McCoy
Thorpe Award Semifinalist
All-SEC First Team (AP)
All-SEC Second Team (Coaches)

DE James Pearce Jr.
Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Lombardi Award Semifinalist
Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
All-SEC First Team (Coaches)
All-SEC Second Team (AP)

LB Keenan Pili
NFF Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

RB Dylan Sampson
SEC Offensive Player of the Year (AP, Coaches)
USA Today SEC Player of the Year
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Doak Walker Award Semifinalist
All-SEC First Team (AP, Coaches)

OL Javontez Spraggins
All-SEC Third Team (Coaches)

KOS Josh Turbyville
All-SEC Third Team (Coaches)

Offensive Line
Joe Moore Award Semifinalist

Nativity Pageant of Knoxville

The 56th Year of the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville

Posted on December 11, 2024

The Pageant returns: Saturday, December 14 at 3p.m.; Sunday, December, 15 at 3p.m. and Monday, December, 16 at 7p.m.
Location: Knoxville Civic Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Avenue
Price: No Charge for admission. $5 parking.
Phone: 865-209-8705
Website: KnoxvilleNativity.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Nativity Pageant of Knoxville
Instagram: @nativitypageant
Join us as we celebrate the 56th year of the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville with a presentation of the traditional
Christmas story of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Plan to bring your entire family to witness the portrayal of
Christ’s birth story with realistic sets, live animals, a full orchestra, a 150 member cast, and 150 voice choir. No tickets
necessary; the doors will open 1 hour prior to showtime. Special music and photo opportunities will be offered one
hour prior to showtime.
All performances will offer accommodations for deaf & hearing impaired and Spanish translations.
While there is NO charge for admission, parking fees are determined by the Coliseum and set at $5.
Visit http://KnoxvilleNativity.com for more information.

Case of Man Accused in Grisly Slaying of Girlfriend Heads to Grand Jury

Posted on December 11, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) New details revealed in court Wednesday in the murder of an 18-year-old in Knoxville.

Juan Carlos Diaz Perez is charged in the murder of his girlfriend Suceli Perez back in July. Her body was found in a truck bed in Oak Ridge, a day after KPD received a report of a potential deadly assault.

Disturbing information from the autopsy report was released in court Wednesday detailing multiple chopping wounds and fragments of bone and teeth found in the victim’s hair. The report also indicated Suceli Perez was strangled.

The case was turned over to the grand jury. The suspect’s bond set at $250,000.

*Juan Carlos Diaz Perez* (*Courtesy*: *KPD*)

Man Charged with Murder in ‘Suspicious Death,” Police Say

Posted on December 11, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Police investigating a “suspicious death” Tuesday in South Knoxville have now charged a man with murder.

KPD says officers were dispatched around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to an apartment in the 1500 block of Daylily Drive where a woman was found dead on the front porch.

One person, later identified as 60-year-old Charles Hornberger, was detained for questioning; he is charged with first-degree murder after admitting to shooting the victim who was identified as his wife.

During the investigation, police say detectives learned from witnesses that Hornberger was heard yelling and causing a disturbance earlier in the day.

Additional information, including the woman’s identity, has not been released.

ORIGINAL STORY: Knoxville Police detectives and forensics staff are investigating a “suspicious death” in South Knoxville.

KPD says a woman was found dead at an apartment in the 1500 block of Daylily Drive, and one person was detained for questioning.

The woman’s identity, has not been released.

*Police say 60-year-old Charles Hornberger was charged with first-degree murder after Knoxville Police Department officers responded to an apparent suspicious death*. (*Courtesy*: *KCSO*)

Courtesy / UT Athletics

Iamaleava Named Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Finalist

Posted on December 11, 2024

HONOLULU — Redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been named a finalist for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday.

Selected from a watch list of nearly 100 players, Iamaleava is one of eight finalists for the award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who epitomizes great ability and integrity.

Iamaleava has had a strong first season as Tennessee’s starting signal caller, throwing for 2,512 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has also been effective on the ground, rushing for just over 300 yards and one touchdown. The Long Beach, California, native is the first UT quarterback to win 10 regular-season games since 2003.

A four-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree, Iamaleava closed the season with back-to-back games of four or more touchdown passes, becoming the first Vol to do so since 2012. His four SEC Freshman of the Week selections are a Tennessee single-season record, as well.

Iamaleava has guided the Vols to their first College Football Playoff berth in program history and will lead the team into Columbus to face No. 6 Ohio State at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 21.

The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 19, 2024.

2024 Tennessee Postseason Award Honors as of Dec. 11

DC Tim Banks
Broyles Award Semifinalist

DB Will Brooks
Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist

QB Nico Iamaleava
Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalist
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Finalist

OL Cooper Mays
Rimington Trophy Finalist
All-SEC First Team (Coaches)

WR Bru McCoy
Witten Award Semifinalist
Comeback Player of the Year Semifinalist
SEC Community Service Team

DB Jermod McCoy
Thorpe Award Semifinalist
All-SEC Second Team (Coaches)

DE James Pearce Jr.
Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Lombardi Award Semifinalist
Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
All-SEC First Team (Coaches)

LB Keenan Pili
NFF Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

RB Dylan Sampson
USA Today SEC Player of the Year
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Doak Walker Award Semifinalist
All-SEC First Team (Coaches)

OL Javontez Spraggins
All-SEC Third Team (Coaches)

KOS Josh Turbyville
All-SEC Third Team (Coaches)

Offensive Line
Joe Moore Award Semifinalist