Knoxville, TN (WOKI) I-40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina line has reopened just over a week since four mudslides closed a portion of the interstate.
Officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation say one lane in each direction on the interstate has reopened. They are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution as workers are still present due to ongoing repairs in the area as a result of Hurricane Helene last fall.
The interstate’s closure had caused ripple effects across the state, especially in places like Cocke County, where rafting businesses were trying to get guests into the Little Pigeon River while working around the closure.
Pigeon Forge, TN (story courtesy of WVLT) Breaking Update: David Wear will be offered the position of Pigeon Forge city manager, city commissioners announced Friday.
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The search for Pigeon Forge’s new city manager is well underway, with candidate interviews planned for the end of this month.
WVLT News has obtained background information on all the candidates who hope to take over the position, as well as a breakdown of the responsibilities of the position itself.
That said, the latest update from the city said commissioners had narrowed the pool down to three finalists: Eric Brackins, David Wear and Jason Baiamonte.
What does Pigeon Forge’s city manager do? Pigeon Forge’s current city manager is Earlene Teaster. She was the state’s first woman to hold a city manager position, something she did for 44 years.
As for her responsibilities, Pigeon Forge’s city manager acts as the chief executive officer. The city manger oversees the 17 departments that make up the city’s government and recommends the city’s operating and long-term budgets.
Taking a look at the city’s website, The city manager also works closely with Pigeon Forge’s five commissioners and acts as a liaison with the state government. Beyond that, Teaster has also represented Pigeon Forge on several Sevier County boards, like the Sevier water, transportation and solid waste boards.
Who is in the running for the city manager job? Several people who already hold positions within the city government are hopeful for the job. The list includes Assistant Finance Director Jason Baiamonte, Assistant City Manager Eric Brackins, Assistant City Planner Loreto Ferrada, IT Director Rob Ogle and Mayor David Wear.
The city commission will begin interviewing three candidates for the position Wednesday. This decision on which candidates comes from MTAS on who would be best for the position. The three people are assistant city manager Eric Brackins, Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear and assistant finance director Jason Baiamonte.
WVLT News obtained each of the candidates’ application packets, which included resumes and cover letters. Here’s the breakdown:
Assistant Finance Director Jason Baiamonte Baiamonte has been a city employee since 1997 when he worked as a patrol officer for the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He held that job for 13 years before moving into the city’s finance department in 2010, which is where most of his administrative experience comes from.
The assistant finance director’s resume, Baiamonte’s responsibilities have included overseeing more than 20 cash accounts for the city, tracking city projects, helping with audit reports and capital assets and budgeting city expenses. He’s also the supervisor of seven other employees.
Baiamonte doesn’t only work for the city, however.
His resume includes a building contractor position, which he has held since 2003. There’s no business associated with it on his resume, however Baiamonte said he manages residential construction sites and supervises subcontractors as part of his position.
Baiamonte also said he had four college degrees, most of which are in business and management-related fields.
He is also one of three finalists.
Assistant City Manager Eric Brackins Eric Brackins works as the assistant city manager, a position he’s held since 2009. His resume outlined many of his current responsibilities, which mostly include helping Teaster as her right-hand man.
Specifically, Brackins said he oversees 360 employees with Teaster across several of the city’s departments, including administration, tourism and public works. Among his responsibilities, Brackins listed reviewing and interpreting city ordinances, playing his own part in compiling the city’s yearly budget, developing city projects and advising the commission on policy changes.
He also listed a few specific city projects he played a part in getting off the ground. Those include a $45 million wastewater treatment plant, appealing to the state for tourism project funding and a $48 million police and fire station, which is still in the works.
Brackins doesn’t claim to currently hold any non-city jobs. The closest thing to an outside position he holds is acting as a member of the Tennessee City Managers Association, a membership he’s had since 2007.
Prior to his time with Pigeon Forge, he acted as the City of Norris’ city manager and held a few city jobs in Louisville, KY. He also holds a masters in public administration and a bachelors in political science.
Brackins is a finalist.
Assistant City Planner Loreto Ferrada Lo Ferrada gave the city her resume when she applied for the city manager job. It outlines her current job, as well as two other positions she’s held: a credit analyst at Elavon and a planner for the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Development Center.
Ferrada has been Pigeon Forge’s assistant city planner since October of 2022. As the assistant city planner, Ferrada said to have developed land use regulations and overseen zoning applications, then recommending moves to the city’s commission.
Her resume lists a bachelors degree in urban studies and a masters in planning.
She also does not currently hold any positions outside of the city.
IT Director Rob Ogle Rob Ogle currently holds the IT director position— the only job he currently holds, according to his resume. He’s held the job since 2008.
As the IT director, Ogle said he’s had experience overseeing technology growth across the city. He’s also got experience working with emergency management.
Ogle also lists a bachelors in computer engineering technology.
Mayor David Wear David Wear has been with the city as a commissioner and mayor since 2009, but that’s not the first position listed on his resume.
Wear, who describes himself as a “results-oriented leader with over a decade of management experience,” is the vice president of operations at the major entertainment district The Island. It’s a job he’s held since 2014.
As the vice president, Wear said he’s got experience creating the budget and operation plans for the multi-million dollar entertainment venture. He also said he oversees more than 350 staff members and works with more than 80 tenants.
He also said to be the overseer of The Island’s marketing and advertising projects.
As for his role as mayor, Wear said he has experience working with city administration to finalize policy decisions. He also said he’s played a “pivotal” role in major city projects, including the previously mentioned wastewater treatment facility.
Much like his fellow applicants, Wear said he’s worked on city budgets.
As for applicable skills, Wear said he has “extensive’ knowledge of municipal laws and local ordinances and codes.
Wear, a finalist, also holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice administration.
He spoke with WVLT News Tuesday, saying if he gets picked for the position, he would step down from his job at The Island.
We asked the city attorney, Nathan Rowell, Tuesday how the vote will go since Wear also serves on city commission. He said he will not have a vote and it’ll be up to the other 4 city commissioners to decide the next city manager.
What’s the salary difference among all the positions? WVLT News also obtained information about not just the city manager position, but the roles currently held by all the applicants. The current salaries breakdown like this:
City Manager: $223,929.19 Assistant City Manager: $181,488.33 Assistant Finance Director: $101,914.68 Assistant City Planner: $67,079.31 IT Director: $113,106.15 Mayor: $5,400
Who will pick the final candidate? City officials have said Peter Auger with the Knoxville-based Municipal Technical Advisory Service is consulting with the city to advise the process and evaluate candidates.
A representative for the city said candidate interviews are planned for the end of the month, a slight delay from the end-of-May deadline originally proposed.
The latest information from the city said the three finalists would face questions from the city commission at 1:30 p.m. on June 25. The final announcement is expected Friday.
Two corrections officers are out of a job after being accused of bringing drugs into the Monroe County Jail for inmates.
This week, Joshua Duncan was arrested and charged, accused of smuggling drugs into the jail for inmates.
According to Sheriff Tommy Jones, Duncan used a Bible to conceal drugs and several inmates were also charged for their role in the distribution of the drugs.
The Sheriff says it’s heartbreaking and disappointing and that moving forward, employees will be asked to go through the body scanner they use for inmates to detect drugs or other contraband.
“That is something we had done in the past, we had stopped doing, but it is going to start back where the employees themselves go through the X-ray machine and are being scanned,” said Jones.
In May, Cody Harrill was fired after a TBI investigation alleged she brought contraband into the jail.
Jones says hiring quality employees has been a constant struggle because ither departments in East Tennessee can pay more, and many know that the job of a corrections officer can be a challenging one.
If you’re interested in working for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, they’re looking to hire several open positions. If you’re interested in applying, please go to https://monroetnsheriff.com/employment/.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Jahmai Mashack of the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team went No. 59 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, picked in the second round Thursday night by the Houston Rockets, with his rights set to be dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in a proposed trade.
The final pick of the draft, on the second day of the event, Mashack was the 13th player selected from an SEC institution.
The 57th player ever drafted out of Tennessee, Mashack is the thirdselected by Memphis. He joins Fred Jenkins (No. 129 in 1987) and Michael Brooks (No. 88 in 1985) on the latter list.
Mashack is the 46th future NBA player to compete for Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes in his 38-year tenure leading a program, including the 35th draftee. Adding in his eight seasons as an assistant, Barnes has now coached 53 NBA players, 41 of whom were drafted.
A total of 12 Tennessee players have now reached the NBA in Barnes’ tenure, including 10 draft picks. All of them have come in the last seven years (2019-25).
Mashack is the second Volunteer drafted in 2025, as fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier went No. 37 overall to the Detroit Pistons. This is the 13th time multiple Tennessee players have been selected in the same NBA Draft, including the seventh—alongside 1977, 1989, 2002, 2014, 2019 and 2021—with two in the top 60. Three of those seven years are during the Barnes era.
Tennessee is one of seven schools with multiple draftees this year. The others are Duke, Florida, Georgetown, Illinois, Kentucky and Rutgers.
This is the fifth consecutive year a Tennessee player has been selected in the NBA Draft. The Volunteers are one of just five teams with at least a five-year streak, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke and Kentucky.
Prior to this stretch, Tennessee’s longest NBA Draft streak in the two-round era (since 1989) was two years, as it had two selections in 2014 and one in 2015. Prior to that, the Volunteers had a nine-year streak from 1963-71 and a seven-year count from 1979-85.
In addition, this is the sixth time in the last seven years at least one Tennessee player has been picked. The Volunteers are among only four teams to have a player chosen in at least six of the last seven NBA Drafts, joining Arkansas, Duke and Kentucky.
Tennessee, Duke and Kentucky are the only schools with double-digit draft choices over the last seven years. The Volunteers are the only team to achieve that feat with the same coach the entire time.
A four-year contributor at Tennessee during the best stretch in the history of the program, Mashack helped the team to a 109-36 (.752) record, four NCAA Tournament appears, three Sweet 16 trips, two Elite Eight appearances, one SEC regular season title and one SEC Tournament crown.
Mashack and classmate Zakai Zeigler are tied for the most wins by a four-year player in program history. Across those four campaigns, 2021-25, Tennessee was ranked in the Associated Press Poll the entire team, placing top-20 in 75 of 80 weeks, with 50 top-10 nods, 24 top-five positionings and five spots at No. 1 overall.
As a senior in 2024-25, Mashack started all 38 games for the Volunteers, co-setting a program single-season record. He averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.5 assists per game, while shooting 45.4 percent overall and 35.1 percent from 3-point range.
One of four finalists for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Mashack finished with the second-best defensive box plus-minus (7.0) in the country. The 6-foot-4, 202-pound guard amassed a 6.28 mark in his career, seventh-best in Division I (min. 50 GP) in the last 15 seasons (2010-25).
A native of Fontana, Calif., Mashack won Field of 68 Defensive Player of the Year during his final collegiate campaign. He also made the SEC All-Defensive Team.
Mashack was a two-time SEC Community Service Team selection and a University of Tennessee Torchbearer. He was one of 14 Division I player—just six came from a Power Five league—to finish the year with at least 60 steals and 20 blocks. He was just the 14th SEC player—15th occurrence—in the last 20 seasons (2005-25) to reach those marks in a single campaign.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Chaz Lanier of the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team went No. 37 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, selected in the second round Thursday night by the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The seventh pick of the second round, on the second day of the draft, Lanier was the seventh player picked from an SEC school.
The 56th player ever drafted out of Tennessee, Lanier is the second Volunteer chosen by Detroit. He follows the program’s all-time leading scorer, Allan Houston, who went No. 11 in 1993.
Lanier is the 45th future NBA player whom Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes has coached in his 38-year tenure at the helm of a program, including the 34th draftee. Counting his eight years as an assistant, Barnes has now coached 52 NBA players, including 40 draftees.
Barnes has now produced 11 NBA players during his Tennessee tenure, nine of whom were drafted, all in the last seven years (2019-25).
This is the fifth consecutive year a Tennessee player has been selected in the NBA Draft. The Volunteers, with the draft not yet complete, are one of just five teams with at least a five-year streak, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke and Kentucky. One other, Gonzaga, can still join that group with 18 picks left.
Prior to this stretch, Tennessee’s longest NBA Draft streak in the two-round era (since 1989) was two years, as it had two selections in 2014 and one in 2015. Prior to that, the Volunteers had a nine-year streak from 1963-71 and a seven-year count from 1979-85.
In addition, this is the sixth time in the last seven years at least one Tennessee player has been picked. The Volunteers, with much of the second round remaining, are among only four teams to have a player chosen in at least six of the last seven NBA Drafts, joining Arkansas, Duke and Kentucky. Both Gonzaga and USC could still join that list with 18 picks to go.
Lanier is coming off a 2024-25 campaign, his lone one at Tennessee, in which he won the Jerry West Award as the nation’s premier shooting guard after averaging 18.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He shot 39.5 percent from long range and set a Tennessee single-season record with 123 made 3-pointers, tied for fourth-most in Division I and good for sixth-best in SEC history.
One of just 10 Wooden Award All-Americans, Lanier was selected as an NABC Third Team All-America and a The Sporting News Third Team All-American. He scored in double figures 36 times, the only player in the country to do so. He had 17-plus points in 25 of his 38 outings as a Volunteer, with 20-plus in 15 and 25-plus in six.
The 6-foot-5, 207-pounder was tabbed a First Team All-SEC pick by the AP and was named the SEC Newcomer of the Year by the league’s coaches. Lanier 684 points ranked No. 15 in Division I and ninth on Tennessee’s single-season leaderboard.
Before coming to Tennessee as a fifth-year transfer, Lanier spent four years at North Florida. The Nashville, Tenn., native averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game as a senior in 2023-24, shooting 44.0 percent from 3-point range to rank fifth nationally. He earned First Team All-Atlantic Sun and NABC First Team All-District 3 accolades in his final year with the Ospreys.
Overall, Lanier totaled 1,613 points over 142 games in his five-year career, good for an average of 11.4 per contest. He shot 276-of-867 from 3-point range to finish with a 40.2 percent clip from beyond the arc.
Lanier is the second straight fifth-year guard transfer to join the Volunteers, win a Naismith “Starting Five” award, collect All-America honors and hear his name called in the NBA Draft, following Dalton Knecht in 2023-24.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) An investigation is underway after a body is found in East Knox County.
Officials with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office say their major crimes unit went to a home around noon yesterday (Wednesday) on Strawberry Plains Pike near Avis Lane.
KCSO says the investigation is ongoing and information, at this time, is limited.
This is a developing story.
The investigation brought the sheriff’s office’s major crimes unit to a home on Strawberry Plains Pike near Avis Lane, according to KCSO officials. (Courtesy: WVLT)
For the first time in school history, Tennessee Athletics achieved its third consecutive top-10 finish in the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, as announced by the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) on Thursday.
Tennessee ranked sixth in the nation, marking its second-best finish since the Directors’ Cup was established in 1993.
The top three finishes for Tennessee in the Directors’ Cup have occurred in the last three years.
It has continued at a torrid pace since the arrival of Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White in January 2021. The Big Orange has steadily ascended in the Directors’ Cup standings over the last five years since the competition was canceled in 2019-20. Tennessee finished 26th in 2020-21, 13th in 2021-22, sixth in 2022-23 and last year’s high-water mark of No. 3.
Before UT’s three consecutive top-10 rankings over the previous three years, Tennessee last achieved a top-10 Directors’ Cup finish in 2006-07, when it reached a previous-best No. 7.
“We are thrilled to have achieved success across all 20 of our sports, culminating in this sixth-place finish in the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. “This result not only ties for our second-best finish in school history but also marks the first time we have achieved a Top 10 ranking for three consecutive years. Congratulations to our exceptional student-athletes, coaches and staff for giving their all for Tennessee!”
All 20 sports at Tennessee reached the postseason (NCAAs and a bowl game) for just the second time in school history – with both achievements coming in each of the last two years.
Tennessee is the only Power Five school to have every sport reach the postseason in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
With 1,078 total points this year, Tennessee finished behind Texas (1,255.25), Southern California (1,253.75), Stanford (1,251), North Carolina (1,195.25), and UCLA (1,149).
Five sports finished in the top five nationally, led by softball’s national semifinal finish. Overall, 12 UT programs placed in the final top 15 for the 2024-25 academic year.
Tennessee’s four consecutive top-15 finishes align with one of the strategies outlined in the department’s Rise Glorious Strategic Plan, published in July 2022. Under its Competitive Excellence priority, the plan aspires for UT to “finish in the top 15 [in the Directors’ Cup] in three out of every five years.”
NASHVILLE – Road construction won’t slow motorists across Tennessee over the July 4 holiday. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes from noon on Thursday, July 3, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7, to provide maximum roadway capacity for holiday travelers.
AAA predicts record travel in Tennessee this year, with 1.5 million Tennesseans hitting the road, a 1.8% increase over last year.
“With so many people driving on and around the Fourth of July, we want to do all we can to ensure they reach their destinations safely and without necessary delays,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “We are suspending lane closures during this busy holiday travel time. Be mindful that our HELP Trucks will be on patrol and drivers must obey the law by moving over and slowing down for all emergency vehicles on the side of the road.”
Motorists will still encounter some long-term lane closures on construction projects. While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on-site in zones, and reduced speed limits in work zones will still be in effect. Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possibly increased insurance premiums.
Get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras from your desktop or mobile device at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 for statewide travel information. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
Today has been a good day for Deputy Swanger. His nurses, doctors, therapist, girlfriend, and friends have been doing the heavy lifting while the community is praying fervently. We’re seeing progress, so keep those prayers coming. To everyone who has prayed, donated, and sent well wishes, “thank you” will never be enough! There’s a long road ahead, but with a support system like Deputy Swanger has, he won’t travel it alone.
UPDATE 6 – June 25, 2025 | 5:45 PM
Deputy Swanger remains in the Trauma ICU; his condition is critical but stable. Visitors have been further restricted as he needs to rest. On behalf of the family and everyone at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the prayers, support, and care shown since Saturday night have been heartwarming and incredibly humbling. Please continue to pray.
Approved Fundraisers:
– GoFundMe – Blue Line Tennessee
– Knoxville Tactical
– Knoxville Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union
UPDATE 5- June 24, 2025 | 5:45 pm
Deputy Swanger continues to improve, making minor yet significant improvements. This healing journey will take time, patience, and continued fervent prayer. Remember his family, blood and blue, and his girlfriend, who is incredibly strong for him. We can’t thank the community, our sister agencies, and all our first responder friends for your care, concern, and prayers. Dinner was provided this evening for Echo Shift and Deputy Swanger’s family by the Firehouse Subs Cedar Bluff location. Additionally, want to extend our gratitude to the OP: Live Crew, Hosts, and OP Nation fans. Y’all have been exceptional!
UPDATE 4- June 23, 2025 | 6:00 pm
Deputy Swanger remains in the Trauma Intensive Care and has moved all of his limbs this morning. This is an improvement. We are grateful for his progress and understand that with a head injury like the one he sustained, it will take time. Thank you for your continued prayers, positive thoughts, and encouragement. They mean so much to his family, friends, and blue family.
There is ONE approved GoFundMe established by Blue Line Tennessee Inc.Blue Line Tennessee Inc. by Knoxville Tactical. If you suspect fraudulent fundraising efforts or would like to verify the validity of an organization or person raising money on Deputy Swanger’s behalf, please get in touch with Kimberly Glenn, Communications Director for KCSO, at [email protected] or Captain Aaron Yarnell at [email protected]
Back The Blue has coordinated a prayer vigil for tonight at 8 p.m. We will update you with additional information on Deputy Swanger’s progress as soon as we can.
UPDATE 3- June 22, 2025 | 10:55 pm
The condition of Deputy Swanger remains relatively the same. He continues to be in the Trauma ICU at this hour. With injuries of this nature, the recovery process requires time and patience. We at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office sincerely appreciate the overwhelming support from our community and neighboring areas and the countless prayers and well wishes for Deputy Swanger that have poured in from every corner of the country.
Please know that we will continue to share updates as we can. In the meantime, we encourage you to thank the officers and deputies you may know for their unwavering service, courage, and selfless sacrifice. This profession demands individuals of remarkable character—those willing to put the safety and well-being of others above their own. Deputy Swanger embodies such qualities, executing his duties with utmost professionalism and a faithful servant’s heart.
Thank you to the medical and support staff at UT Medical Center for your dedicated care of Dalton during this challenging time. Your expertise and compassion are greatly valued.
UPDATE 2- June 22, 2025 | 12:15 pm
The suspect, Christpher Michael Hensley, 44, of Powell, has been charged with the following –
-Attempted second-degree Murder
-Aggravated Assault on First Responder -Domestic Assault
-Possession of a firearm with intent to go armed
-Manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance
UPDATE- June 22, 2025 | 6:20 am
The suspect is in custody at this time. The Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation. The suspect’s identity and list of charges will be forthcoming.
Deputy Swanger remains in the Intensive Care Unit. We appreciate your prayers and are grateful for the support from our community. We will continue to update as more information becomes available.
June 22, 2025
-Knox County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Incident Involving Injured Deputy-
Knoxville, TN — The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an incident that occurred in the 7800 block of Stanley Road, where a complainant called 911 to report someone shooting just before 10:15 pm on June 21, 2025. When deputies arrived, there was an incident with the suspect, which resulted in injuries to Deputy Dalton Swanger.
During the incident, the suspect struck Deputy Swanger with a large rock or brick. Deputy Swanger was transported by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) for immediate medical attention. Upon arrival at the hospital, Deputy Swanger was confirmed to be in a critical condition.
The Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for the suspect involved in this incident. Efforts are underway to gather further details about the circumstances leading up to the injury, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Sheriff Tom Spangler stated, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Swanger and his family during this challenging time. We are committed to thoroughly investigating this matter and are utilizing all available resources to apprehend the individual responsible. I am at the hospital with Deputy Swanger and asking our community to do what they do best, pray!
Request for customers to conserve energy has been lifted
Knoxville, TN – KUB is returning to normal operations following a period of increased electricity demand caused by extremely high temperatures. The regional power grid operated by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is also returning to normal operations following the increase in demand.
The public appeal to conserve energy and reduce demand on the overall system was a precautionary effort to maintain the regional electricity supply. Requests to lower energy use have been lifted, but consumers should continue to conserve energy when possible.
“We appreciate the efforts of our customers who helped alleviate the situation through voluntary conservation measures,” said Gabriel J. Bolas II, KUB President and CEO.