Nico Iamaleava Named Manning Award Star of the Week
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Nico Iamaleava Named Manning Award Star of the Week

Posted on September 10, 2024

NEW ORLEANS – The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, announced Monday that Tennessee redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava is one of eight FBS quarterbacks recognized as Manning Stars of the Week.
 
College football fans can follow the Manning Award on social media (@ManningAward) or visit allstatesugarbowl.org to vote for what they think was the best performance from this past weekend. When voting closes on Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET, the top vote-getter will be announced as the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week.
 
Iamaleava, making his third career start, accounted for 276 yards of total offense and three touchdowns to lead Tennessee past No. 24 NC State, 51-10, in Charlotte. Iamaleava finished 16-of-23 for 211 yards and two touchdowns with two picks through the air and added 65 yards rushing on eight carries with a 31-yard touchdown run.
 
The signal caller from Long Beach, California, defeated a ranked opponent for the second time in three starts, and it was the second time in his career that he has rushed for at least one touchdown and passed for at least one touchdown. In Iamaleava’s three starts at quarterback, Tennessee has outscored its opponents 155-13.
 
It is Iamaleava’s first Manning Award Star of the Week honor.
 
In addition to being tabbed Manning Star of the Week, he also picked SEC Freshman of the Week for the second week in a row after Tennessee’s 51-10 victory over No. 24 NC State on Saturday.

TBI Investigation Leads to Indictment of Former Union County Clerk’s Office Employee

TBI Investigation Leads to Indictment of Former Union County Clerk’s Office Employee

Posted on September 9, 2024

UNION COUNTY – An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the indictment of a Maynardville woman.

In August, at the request of 8th Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler, TBI agents began investigating allegations of misconduct involving an employee with the Union County Clerk’s Office. During the investigation, agents learned that Whitney Goins (DOB: 9/3/86), while employed at the clerk’s office, fraudulently used a credit card she obtained from a citizen. Goins was terminated from the clerk’s office last month.

On Friday, a Union County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Goins with one count of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card and one count of Official Misconduct. Today, she was arrested and booked into the Union County Jail on a $2,500 bond.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says TikTok Shooting Threat is a Hoax
Courtesy of WVLT

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says TikTok Shooting Threat is a Hoax

Posted on September 9, 2024

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says an investigation has revealed a juvenile making a threat of possible school shootings that would happen today (Tuesday) is a hoax.

JCSO says Jefferson County Schools administrators and SROs began investigating the threat, which involved a possible school shooting that would happen at two schools in Jefferson County, after it was found on TikTok.

Officials with the School Safety Division and the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security found the post last (Monday) night and revealed that the entire threat was created by a juvenile and deemed a hoax.

The investigation’s findings will now be sent to school administrators and the Attorney General’s Office.

JSCO says Jefferson County Schools and their Office will always take all threats seriously and investigate them to the fullest.

Knox County, Knoxville Officers Respond to Sunnyview Primary School

Knox County, Knoxville Officers Respond to Sunnyview Primary School

Posted on September 9, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Sheriff’s Office, along with various other agencies, has responded to Sunnyview Elementary School in East Knox County.

KCSO officials, in a release to media this (Monday) afternoon just before 3:30, say a child told a teacher they thought they saw someone in the woods near the playground.

As a precaution, KCSO dispatched several units to the school and also deployed AirWatch.

Additionally, officials say KPD and THP also sent units to the scene.

At this time, no one has been located. The school was placed on lockdown as a precaution.

According to a representative with KCSO, a child told a teacher they thought they had seen someone in a wooded area near the school’s playground. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Two Out of Florida Dead after Crash on I-40 in Knoxville, Police Say

Two Out of Florida Dead after Crash on I-40 in Knoxville, Police Say

Posted on September 9, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 12:12 p.m.: Two people are dead and an investigation is underway following a crash Monday morning on I-40 East in West Knoxville.

Knoxville Police Department officials say the single-vehicle crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. near the I-640 East ramp.

KPD says evidence from the scene indicates the involved vehicle was traveling east on the I-40 ramp to I-640 when it ran off the road to the right for reasons that remain unknown, striking a guardrail.

The two occupants, identified as Florida residents, were pronounced dead at the scene.

UPDATE: An investigation is underway after two people are killed in a single vehicle crash on I 40 in West Knoxville. The I-40 East ramp to I-640 East has reportedly reopened following this morning’s crash.

ORIGINAL STORY: An investigation is underway after two people are killed in a single vehicle crash on I 40 in West Knoxville.

As of 11 a.m., the I-40 East ramp to I-640 East is closed temporarily as KPD crash reconstruction personnel remain on scene of this morning’s (Monday) crash. The right lane and shoulder are also blocked.

Eddie Check to Host Free Testing Event for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Eddie Check to Host Free Testing Event for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on September 9, 2024

(Story courtesy of WVLT)

Knoxville, TN (WVLT) -While the leading cause of death in men is heart disease, the second is prostate cancer. With September being National Prostate Awareness Month, Eddie Check is working to raise awareness.

Eddie Check is a non-profit organization based out of Knoxville that works to educate East Tennessee men on the importance of regular testing for prostate cancer.

A PSA test is a simple blood test that checks PSA levels in the blood. If the PSA is elevated, it could indicate that something is wrong with the prostate.

Every year, Eddie Check partners with MEDIC Regional Blood Center to host events across East Tennessee for men to get free testing and donate blood for MEDIC.

“Men don’t have to donate blood to MEDIC to get the PSA test, but we hope that they do because that also saves lives,” Eddie Check founder Kevin Kirkland said. “So really the blood donation can save up to three lives and the PSA test can save theirs.”

Last year, the event allowed for more than 700 men to get tested and 600 pints of blood donated.

While HIPAA makes it difficult to get an exact number, Kirkland said the testing they do has already saved dozens of lives.

Kirkland founded Eddie Check because of his father Eddie who passed due to prostate cancer.

“[Back then,] once you found out you had prostate cancer, normally it was too late,” Kirkland said. “He died within two years of that fact that he found out he had prostate cancer. I always told myself when I had the means and the wherewithal I would do an event that would help men with understanding prostate health and prostate cancer and the fact that it’s really not a death sentence.”

Eddie Check is hosting their annual event on Sept. 12 and 13 across East Tennessee. Locations for the event can be found here.

(Courtesy: Eddie Check on Facebook)
Missing Sevierville Man Dead, Police Say

Missing Sevierville Man Dead, Police Say

Posted on September 9, 2024

Sevierville, TN (WOKI) The man at the center of a missing person alert out of Sevier County has been found dead.

Officials with the Sevierville Police Department taking to social media Sunday night to announce the passing of 26-year-old Shawn Odell.

Authorities in Sevier County had been looking for Odell who was reportedly last seen in Kodak Wednesday morning.

Additional details in Odell’s death have not been released, but police do not suspect foul play at this time.

Shawn Odell, 26 (Courtesy: SCSO)
Nico Iamaleava, Cooper Mays Earn SEC Weekly Honors
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Nico Iamaleava, Cooper Mays Earn SEC Weekly Honors

Posted on September 9, 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After Tennessee’s dominant performance against NC State in the Duke’s Mayo Classic, the Southeastern Conference announced Monday that a pair of Tennessee football players earned weekly recognition from the league office. Redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was tabbed SEC Freshman of the Week for the second week in a row, while senior center Cooper Mays garnered SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors for the second time in his career.

Iamaleava, making his third career start, accounted for 276 yards of total offense and three touchdowns to lead Tennessee past No. 24 NC State, 51-10, in Charlotte. Iamaleava finished 16-of-23 for 211 yards and two touchdowns with two picks through the air and added 65 yards rushing on eight carries with a 31-yard touchdown run.

The signal caller from Long Beach, California, defeated a ranked opponent for the second time in three starts, and it was the second time in his career that he has rushed for at least one touchdown and passed for at least one touchdown. In Iamaleava’s three starts at quarterback, Tennessee has outscored its opponents 155-13.

Mays, a preseason All-American and first-team All-SEC recipient, paved the way for a dominant Tennessee offense that put up 460 yards in the win over NC State. Mays did not allow a sack, a penalty or a QB hit against a solid Wolfpack defense that saw the Vols rush for 249 yards on the evening.

The Kingston native extended his streak of not allowing a sack to 16 straight games, which dates to 2022. Mays and the offensive line did not allow a sack the entire game. The 249 rushing yards were the most allowed by NC State in a regular season game since North Carolina had 300 in November 2021, and the 460 yards by the UT offense was the most allowed by NC State since Louisiana Tech had 480 on Oct. 2, 2021.

During the Josh Heupel era (2021-present), Tennessee has compiled 32 SEC weekly honors — including five Freshman of the Week awards and 10 Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades.

SEC Weekly Awards – Week 2

Offensive Player of the Week
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

Defensive Player of the Week
Nick Emmanwori, FS, South Carolina

Special Teams Player of the Week
Kai Kroeger, P, South Carolina

Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week
Jake Majors, C, Texas
Cooper Mays, C, Tennessee

Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week
Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
Tim Keenan III, DL, Alabama

Freshman of the Week
Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee

Tennessee Football – 2024 SEC Weekly Honors (3)

SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week (1)
Cooper Mays (vs. NC State, 9/7)

SEC Freshman of the Week (2)
Nico Iamaleava (vs. Chattanooga, 8/31; vs. NC State, 9/7)

Vols Continue Poll Climb Into Top 10, Return To Neyland Stadium
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Vols Continue Poll Climb Into Top 10, Return To Neyland Stadium

Posted on September 9, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football heads into its third week and a return to Neyland Stadium ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 9 in the AFCA Coaches poll released on Sunday.

The Vols climbed more than any team in the AP poll, leaping seven spots from No. 14. Tennessee (2-0) jumped three places to No. 9 in the Coaches poll. Six of the top seven teams in the country hail from the SEC.

Tennessee has been ranked for 33 consecutive weeks in the Coaches poll. That is the Vols’ longest streak since being ranked 34 straight weeks from 2003-05. The current run dates back to Sept. 11, 2022.

Led by a dominant rushing attack and a stout defensive effort, Tennessee throttled then-No. 24 NC State, 51-10, on Saturday night in Charlotte. The Wolfpack managed only 143 total offensive yards and were 3-of-12 on third down. The 143 yards were the fewest allowed by the Vols against an AP ranked opponent since No. 11 Auburn had 110 on Sept. 29, 1973.

Tennessee’s defense stretched its quarter streak without allowing a defensive touchdown to 12. The Vols have not allowed a defensive touchdown in three straight games for the first time since 1985. That year, Georgia Tech had six points on Oct. 26 (two field goals), Rutgers was shutout on Nov. 2 and Memphis managed seven points (blocked punt return for a touchdown) on Nov. 9.

Neyland Stadium is sold out for a 14th straight game next Saturday. The Vols take on Kent State for the first time on the gridiron. Kickoff is 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

Associated Press Top 25 (Sept. 8)
1. Georgia (54)
2. Texas (4)
3. Ohio State (5)
4. Alabama
5. Ole Miss
6. Missouri
7. Tennessee
8. Penn State
9. Oregon
10. Miami
11. USC
12. Utah
13. Oklahoma State
14. Kansas State
15. Oklahoma
16. LSU
17. Michigan
18. Notre Dame
19. Louisville
20. Arizona
21. Iowa State
22. Clemson
23. Nebraska
24. Boston College
25. Northern Illinois

AFCA Coaches Poll (Sept. 8)
1. Georgia (50)
2. Ohio State (3)
3. Texas (1)
4. Alabama
5. Ole Miss
6. Oregon
7. Penn State
8. Missouri
9. Tennessee
10. Utah
11. USC
12. Miami
13. Oklahoma
14. Oklahoma State
15. Kansas State
16. Michigan
17. LSU
18. Arizona
19. Notre Dame
20. Clemson
21. Louisville
22. Washington
23. Iowa State
24. Nebraska
25. Memphis 

Manhunt is Underway for Person of Interest in a Multiple Vehicle Shooting That Injures Several on I-75 in Kentucky
Courtesy of WVLT

Manhunt is Underway for Person of Interest in a Multiple Vehicle Shooting That Injures Several on I-75 in Kentucky

Posted on September 8, 2024

A man hunt is underway after nine cars are shot into on I-75 in London, Kentucky.

The interstate was shut down Saturday night after shots were fired into the vehicles on both the north and southbound lanes.

Five victims were seriously injured and there is no word on their condition.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office says they are searching for a person of interest, 32-year-old Joseph Couch. As of yesterday (Sunday morning), the search for Couch is ongoing.

Police say do not approach Couch as he is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information regarding Couch’s whereabouts is asked to contact the London-Laurel County 911 Center by calling 911 or 606-878-7000.

Country News

Weather

  • Forecast
  • Currents
  • Planner