TDOT Prepares for 2025 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
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TDOT Prepares for 2025 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

Posted on June 10, 2025

NASHVILLE, TN – Once again, Manchester, Tennessee, will host the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, one of the most popular live music events in the country. Since 2002, the event has featured a diverse assortment of performers on a 700-acre Middle Tennessee farm that becomes the temporary home for thousands from across the country. Over 65,000 people are expected to attend this year’s festival, which runs from Thursday, June 12, 2025, through Sunday, June 15, 2025.

The area in and around Manchester always sees increased traffic volumes during this time. And the Tennessee Department of Transportation is gearing up for the extra traffic. TDOT works closely with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Manchester Police Department, Manchester Fire and Rescue, Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Coffee County EMA, and festival promoters to keep traffic moving on I-24 while also getting Bonnaroo attendees to their destination.

“TDOT has once again coordinated with our agency partners to ensure safe and efficient travel during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival,” says Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “The main objective is to keep thru traffic moving smoothly on I-24 while getting festivalgoers safely into and out of the Bonnaroo site. Because of this advance planning, we can successfully minimize traffic delays throughout the weekend.”

TDOT HELP units will assist with traffic management during the festival and aid any motorists who require assistance. In addition, TDOT will be taking the following steps:

  • Efforts will be concentrated on keeping I-24 traffic flowing.
  • HELP trucks will be on-site, patrolling the interstate and state routes throughout the festival region.
  • Exit 111 (SR-55) will be used as the main festival exit. Alternate exits will be used if congestion occurs on the interstate.
  • TDOT maintenance units will be posted throughout the festival region, and maintenance personnel will be on call all weekend.
  • Variable message signs will be in place to warn drivers ahead of delays.
  • No construction-related lane closures on I-24 near the festival between Tuesday, June 10, 2025, and Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
  • Median crossovers will be guarded to prevent motorists from parking in the crossovers and blocking emergency vehicles.
  • Festival traffic will be kept in the right lane and/or on the shoulder of the interstate, allowing through traffic to utilize the left travel lane unimpeded.
  • Emergency vehicles will use county roads that will be kept at low volume.
  • Temporary communication towers will be in place to improve emergency communications.

If drivers need the assistance of a state trooper while traveling anywhere in Tennessee, they can dial *THP (*847) from their cell phone. They will be automatically connected to the nearest THP dispatch office and the operator will send a state trooper to their location.

From your desktop or mobile device, access the latest construction activity and live-streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. 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.

Knoxville’s Mayor Breaks Down What a Proposed Sales Tax Increase Will Support
Visit Knoxville

Knoxville’s Mayor Breaks Down What a Proposed Sales Tax Increase Will Support

Posted on June 10, 2025

Ahead of a first vote by the Knoxville City Council on Mayor Indya Kincannon’s proposed sales tax increase, Kincannon released a breakdown of what that added money will support.

The proposal is for a half-percent increase to the Local Option Sales Tax. This tax allows local municipalities, like cities, to charge their own sales tax on top of the 7% that Tennessee already charges statewide. Currently, this tax in Knoxville is 2.25%, and the increase would put the city’s rate at 2.75%.

Kincannon said that this would put Knoxville on par with several surrounding counties, including Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties.

If the increase is passed, the added money will go towards the Five-Year Neighborhood Investment Plan, which a spokesperson with the City of Knoxville said will ensure projects within that plan will happen in five years.

According to Kincannon, the plan prioritizes several infrastructure needs, including the following:

  • Sidewalks within one-mile of schools (Parental Responsibility Zones, or PRZ), impacting neighborhoods surrounding nearly half the schools in the city
  • Repairs to existing greenways, facilities and parks
  • Increasing road paving
  • 1,000 affordable housing units

The following are some of the infrastructure upgrades included in the plan across Knoxville’s six districts:

  • District 1
    • Sidewalks
      • Young High Pike near Hedgeapple Lane – PRZ South-Doyle Middle School
      • Woodlawn Pike near Moody Avenue – PRZ Dogwood Elementary School
      • W. Martin Mill Pike near Chapman Highway
      • W. Martin Mill Pike near W. Moody Avenue
      • Chapman Highway near E. Young High Pike
      • Chapman Highway near Childress Street
    • Parks
      • Charter Doyle Park – playground equipment and dog park renovations
      • Ijams Nature Center Park – infrastructure improvements
      • Gary Underwood Park – renovations including basketball goal and playground equipment
      • Mary Vestal Park – renovations including playground equipment
      • Scottish Pike Park – renovations including playground equipment
    • Greenways
      • Sam Duff Greenway – resurface walking track
    • Facilities
      • South Knoxville Community Center – renovations
      • River Bluff Wildlife Area – improvements to parking, trails and overlook
  • District 2
    • Sidewalks
      • Buckingham Drive near Vanosdale Road – PRZ West Hills Elementary School
      • Cortland Drive near Sheffield Drive – PRZ West Hills Elementary School
      • Westwood Road near Herron Drive – PRZ Bearden Elementary School
      • Middlebrook Pike near W. Hills Road – PRZ Bearden Middle School
    • Parks
      • West Hills Tennis Center – pickle ball improvements including new bathrooms and new courts
      • Safety City – renovations including parking and playground equipment
    • Greenways
      • Third Creek Greenway – improvements and repairs
      • Jean Teague Greenway – improvements and repairs
      • Papermill Bluff / Weisgarber Greenways – improvements and repairs
      • Middlebrook Greenway to Jean Teague Greenway – new section – Third Creek connection
    • Facilities
      • Deane Hill Community Center – renovations
  • District 3
    • Sidewalks
      • Francis Road near Bearden View Lane – PRZ Bearden Middle School
      • Glenn Avenue near Fillmore Avenue– PRZ West View Elementary School
    • Parks
      • Victor Ashe Park – multi-purpose field improvements
      • Westview Park – renovations including playground equipment
    • Greenways
      • Northwest Greenway – new section connector toward Middlebrook Pike
      • Pleasant Ridge Greenway – new section from I-640 to Wilson Road
      • Pleasant Ridge Greenway – new section from Wilson Road to Western Avenue
    • Facilities
      • Cumberland Estates Community Center – renovations
  • District 4
    • Sidewalks
      • Buffat Mill Road near Teeple Street – PRZ Belle Morris Elementary School
      • Barton Street near Washington Pike – PRZ Belle Morris Elementary School
      • Cecil Avenue near Eighth Avenue – PRZ Fulton High School
      • Garden Drive near Jacksboro Pike – PRZ Central High School
      • Garden Drive near Rosebay Road – PRZ Fountain City Elementary, Gresham Middle, and Central High Schools
      • Jacksboro Pike from school entrance to Essary Drive – PRZ Central High School
      • Valley View Drive near Whittle Springs Road – PRZ Whittle Springs Middle School
      • Tazewell Pike and Beverly Road intersection improvements – PRZ Shannondale Elementary School
      • Millertown Pike near Loves Creek Road
      • Sanders Drive near Tazewell Pike
    • Parks
      • Whittle Springs Golf Course – renovations including parking lot and facility upgrades
      • Edgewood Park – renovations including fencing and playground equipment
      • First Creek Park – renovations including playground equipment
    • Greenways
      • First Creek Greenway – new section from Mineral Springs to Edgewood Park
    • Facilities
      • Fire Hall #15 (Jacksboro Pike) renovations
  • District 5
    • Sidewalks
      • Bruhin Road near Dutch Valley Drive – PRZ Inskip Elementary School
      • Central Avenue Pike near E. Inskip Drive – PRZ Inskip Elementary School
      • E. Columbia Avenue near Harvey Street – PRZ Christenberry Elementary School
      • Harvey Street near Churchwell Avenue – PRZ Christenberry Elementary School
      • Huron Street near Oglewood Avenue – PRZ Christenberry Elementary School
      • Henegar Street near Shamrock Avenue – PRZ Christenberry Elementary School
    • Parks
      • Sam E. Hill School – renovate into a community center including a basketball court
      • Lonsdale Park – renovations including a pavilion
      • Inskip Park – renovations including playground equipment
      • Adair Park – renovations including playground equipment
    • Greenways
      • Adair / Sue Clancy Greenway – new section toward downtown
    • Facilities
      • Inskip Pool – renovations to the facility, pool and grounds
  • District 6
    • Sidewalks
      • Boyds Bridge Pike near Brooks Avenue – PRZ Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy
      • Boyds Bridge Pike near Border Street – PRZ Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy
      • College Street near Jourolman Avenue – PRZ Beaumont Magnet Academy
      • S. Castle Street near Wilson Avenue – PRZ Austin-East Magnet High School
      • Wilson Avenue near S. Hermbree Street – PRZ Austin-East Magnet High School
    • Parks
      • Holston River Park – renovations including playground equipment
      • Chilhowee Park – infrastructure
    • Greenways
      • East Knox Greenway – new section toward Knoxville Botanical Gardens
      • Lower First Creek Greenway – new section connecting Caswell Park
    • Facilities
      • Dr. E.V. Davidson Community Center – renovations

Knoxville City Council is set to meet for a first vote on Tuesday. A second vote will then follow on June 24, and if both of those votes are in favor of raising the sales tax, the item will go on the Nov. 4 election ballot, allowing residents to decide whether or not their sales tax will increase.

Story courtesy of our news partner WVLT

Several Agencies Investigating ‘Suspicious Package’ Found at Kingston Church-Run Thrift Store

Several Agencies Investigating ‘Suspicious Package’ Found at Kingston Church-Run Thrift Store

Posted on June 9, 2025

Kingston, TN (WOKI) Several agencies respond Sunday to a report of a bomb at a church-run nonprofit in Kingston.

Officials with the Kingston Police Department say officers were told a “suspicious object” had been dropped off at the donation area at the
Clothes Closet on Kentucky Street, a thrift store run by Kingston United Methodist Church.

Police say the object turned out to be a possible blasting cap which was collected and disposed of by the Knox County Bomb Squad.

The incident remains under investigation. Police are asking anyone with information to call 865-376-2081 or 865-354-8045.

Officials say the object turned out to be a possible blasting cap.
Ten-Year-Old in Critical Condition, Man Dead in Tazewell Shooting, Police Say

Ten-Year-Old in Critical Condition, Man Dead in Tazewell Shooting, Police Say

Posted on June 9, 2025

Tazewell, TN (WOKI) A man is dead and a 10-year-old is in critical condition after a shooting in Tazewell.

Tazewell Police Department officials say officers responded to Miley Drive just after 8:15 p.m. Sunday. Upon arrival, they found a man dead from a gunshot and the 10-year-old, who was shot but still alive.

Officials report that officers administered life saving measures on the juvenile while awaiting EMS; the juvenile was then flown by helicopter to the University of Tennessee Medical Center where he is currently in critical condition.

The police department is investigating, with help from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The police department is investigating, with help from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. (Courtesy: Tazewell Police Department via Facebook)
Suspect Search Underway after Two Hurt in Sevier County Shooting, Sheriff’s Office Says

Suspect Search Underway after Two Hurt in Sevier County Shooting, Sheriff’s Office Says

Posted on June 9, 2025

Sevier County, TN (WOKI) An investigation is underway in Sevier County after two people were found with gunshot injuries.

Officials with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office say deputies responded Monday to a home on Maples Branch Road finding two people who had been shot inside the residence.

SCSO says deputies administered first aid to the two gunshot victims until they could be taken to the hospital.

An investigation is underway, and the office is looking for suspects.

SCSO officials reporting that deputies responded Monday to a home on Maples Branch Road. (Courtesy: SCSO)
#14 Vols’ Season Comes to a Close in Fayetteville Super Regional
Courtesy / UT Athetics

#14 Vols’ Season Comes to a Close in Fayetteville Super Regional

Posted on June 9, 2025

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 14 Tennessee’s season came to an end on Sunday afternoon with an 11-4 loss to No. 3 Arkansas in game two of the NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional at Baum-Walker Stadium.

A five-run fourth inning from the Razorbacks proved to be the difference as the Volunteers were unable to dig themselves out of a six-run hole.

Tennessee starter Liam Doyle fell to 10-4 on the year after pitching just 3.2 innings while allowing five runs on five hits. The junior lefthander and Golden Spikes Award finalist had six strikeouts to add to his single season program record and finish with 164 for the year.

After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the third, the Vols (46-19) had a chance to tie or take the lead in the bottom of the inning after loading the bases with three consecutive singles from Cannon Peebles, Manny Marin and Gavin Kilen to start the frame but were only able to scratch across one run after the next two batters grounded into a double play and flied out to center field.

Arkansas (48-13) carried that momentum into its big fourth inning that changed the course of the game. Cam Kozeal scored on a wild pitch to open the scoring in the frame and Logan Maxwell provided the big swing with a two-out grand slam that barely cleared the left-field fence and landed in the UT bullpen to make it 7-1.

Things continued to get away from the Big Orange in the seventh inning as the Razorbacks tacked on three more runs to increase their lead to nine and effectively end any hope of a UT comeback.

Cole Gibler tossed 2.2 innings of shutout relief for the Hogs, allowing just one hit while striking out four to earn the win. Starter Gage Wood did well to hold the Vols’ bats in check in the early portion of the game, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 3.1 innings of work.

In an otherwise disappointing day for the pitching staff, junior righthander AJ Russell put together another successful relief appearances, allowing one run on just one hit over 2.1 innings. Sophomore lefty Dylan Loy was also effective in 2.1 innings out of the bullpen, allowing a run on two hits.

Tennessee’s offense struggled for the majority of the day but showed some life in the later innings and finished with eight hits. Kilen finished with a single, a walk and a run scored while Dean Curley added an RBI single in the eighth inning.

Freshman pinch hitters Chris Newstrom and Jay Abernathy didn’t let UT go down without throwing one finally punch and accounted for the Vols final two runs of the game. Newstrom doubled to left center field before scoring on a mammoth 429-foot homer off the videoboard by Abernathy a few batters later, his first long ball of his collegiate career.

Redshirt senior Hunter Ensley also had a base hit in what was the final game of his unforgettable Tennessee career that included four combined SEC titles, three trips to Omaha and the program’s first national title.

Andrew Fischer had a single and also drew a walk in his first at-bat to finish the year having reached base in all 65 contest. The walk was his 63rd of the season, which tied Chase Headley’s single-season program record set back in 2005.

Another 40-Win Season Under Vitello

Despite Sunday’s season-ending loss, it was another successful season under the guidance of head coach Tony Vitello, who led the Volunteers to their sixth consecutive 40-win season (not including 2020 COVID year) and fifth straight super regional, both of which are the longest streaks in program history.

Including this year, Tennessee, Arkansas and Southern Miss are the only three programs in the country to reach the 40-win mark in each of the last six full seasons.

Missing Zebra is Found Safe in Middle Tennessee
WVLT

Missing Zebra is Found Safe in Middle Tennessee

Posted on June 8, 2025

Ed the Zebra has officially been captured and is safe and healthy.

Ed was found yesterday ( Sunday) morning, the owners say a team from Texas, Tango 82, was able to capture him within an hour after finding him in a pasture near the Buchanan Estates subdivision near Interstate 24.

Deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency established command and officers were on standby to make sure residents who lived nearby were safe.

The zebra was then airlifted and flown by helicopter to a waiting animal shelter.

The pet zebra, owned by Taylor and Laura Ford, was brought to Rutherford County  May 30 and went missing the very next morning. “This has been a long, stressful week, and I am so happy that it ended the way it did and no one got hurt,” Laura Ford said.

Throughout the week, the zebra was spotted in many different areas, including running down I-24.

Rural Metro Fire Crews Rescue Disc Golfer in North Knox County Park
Rural Metro

Rural Metro Fire Crews Rescue Disc Golfer in North Knox County Park

Posted on June 8, 2025

Rural Metro Fire rescues disc golfer in North Knox county Park.

Crews received a rescue call in the Disc Golf course at Tommy Schumpert Park.  The disc golfer fell in the woods near hole #17 and suffered non life-threatening injuries but could not walk out on their own. 

Squad crews used their wheeled litter cart or stretcher wheel cart to safely get the golfer back to the beginning of the course, about 1/4 mile.  Their condition has not been released.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Makes Major Fentanyl Bust
KCSO

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Makes Major Fentanyl Bust

Posted on June 8, 2025

Post by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office: In the early morning hours of June 8, 2025, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, with the assistance of the Organized Retail Crime Unit and SWAT, executed a search warrant on Silver Spur Lane (off Lovell Road).

This operation is part of our ongoing commitment to the 313 Initiative, targeting Detroit-based drug trafficking organizations that are flooding our communities with deadly narcotics.

📦 Inside the home, investigators seized:

• Over 2.5 pounds of pure fentanyl

• Cutting agents

• 2 handguns

• More than $10,000 in U.S. currency

💰 Based on street-level calculations, that’s over 4,500 doses of fentanyl—valued at more than $500,000—taken off our streets.

🚨 Arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses:

• Asher Merritt – Detroit, MI

• Derek Bryant – Detroit, MI

• Joshawn Wilson – Detroit, MI

• Jason Washington – Benton Hill, MI

• Taylor Fair-Beck – Knoxville, TN

One of the suspects summed it up with:

“Am I in trouble?”

Yes. You are.

This is just another example of our continued effort to protect Knox County and keep deadly poison out of our community.

#KCSO#NARCUnit#ORCUnit#FentanylCrisis#313Initiative#NotInOurCounty#KnoxCountySheriff#SWAT#SafeCommunities

Curley, Fischer Homers Not Enough as #14 Vols Drop Game One of Super Regional to #3 Arkansas
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Curley, Fischer Homers Not Enough as #14 Vols Drop Game One of Super Regional to #3 Arkansas

Posted on June 8, 2025

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 14 Tennessee dropped a tightly-contested battle at No. 3 Arkansas, 4-3, in game one of the NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional on Saturday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.

Dean Curley and Andrew Fischer both homered to drive in the Vols’ three runs, but the offense struggled overall against Razorbacks’ starter Zach Root, who earned the win after allowing just two runs on one hit over seven innings.

Marcus Phillips put forth a gritty effort on the mound for Tennessee (46-18), striking out five over 5.1 innings but was stuck with the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks.

Arkansas (47-13) opened the scoring in the second inning when Cam Kozeal raced home from third on a wild pitch.

The Big Orange responded and took their only lead of the game in the top of the fifth after Dalton Bargo reached on a hard-hit line drive that was ruled an error to lead off the inning before Curley launched his 14th long ball of the year over the left-center field fence to make it 2-1.

The Hogs responded immediately with a two-run homer of their own in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead before adding another insurance run in the sixth to take a 4-2 lead.

The relief duo of Brandon Arvidson and Tanner Franklin combined for 2.1 scoreless frames to keep the Vols within striking distance as they entered the ninth inning trailing by two runs.

Fischer hammered a 2-0 pitch over the right-field wall for his 25th homer of the year with one out in the top of the ninth to cut the deficit to a run, but Gabe Gaeckle got a groundout and a strikeout to secure his second save and end the UT comeback bid.

Up Next

Sunday’s game is a must win for Tennessee as it’ll look to keep its season alive and force a decisive game three on Monday. First pitch between the Vols and Razorbacks is set for 3 p.m. (ET) on Sunday afternoon on ESPN.

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