VFL TODD HELTON HEADED TO COOPERSTOWN

VFL TODD HELTON HEADED TO COOPERSTOWN

Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball legend Todd Helton is headed to Cooperstown after being selected for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as revealed by the MLB Network on Tuesday evening.

In his sixth year eligible for selection, Helton appeared on 79.7 percent of the ballots from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, surpassing the 75 percent threshold. He becomes just the second player in Southeastern Conference history to be voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, joining Auburn’s Frank Thomas (2014).

Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by Colorado, Helton spent his entire 17-year Major League career with the Rockies and is still the franchise leader in games played (2,247), runs scored (1,401), hits (2,519), doubles (592), home runs (369), RBI (1,406), total bases (4,292) and walks (1,335).

Helton was a five-time MLB All-Star (2000-04), four-time Sliver Slugger award winner (2000-03), three-time Gold Glove winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and won the National League batting title in 2000. He also helped lead the Rockies to their first and only World Series appearance in franchise history in 2007. Helton joins Larry Walker as the second Rockies’ player to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

Already a member of the Tennessee Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2008), the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2017) and the National College Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2021), Helton had arguably the most decorated and dominant career of any player in program history and is still considered one of the greatest two-way players to ever play at the collegiate level.

During his time on Rocky Top, Helton was a standout performer at the plate and on the mound, setting numerous program records during his storied career. The Knoxville native still sits atop UT’s record book in career RBI (238), walks (147) and saves (23). He also holds single-season records for runs batted in (92 in 1995), earned run average (0.89 in 1994) and saves (12 in 1995).

Helton earned a multitude of national awards and accolades during his three seasons on Rocky Top, including winning the 1995 Dick Howser Trophy and earning National Player of the Year honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Helton was also named the 1995 SEC Player of the Year, a two-time first-team All-American (1994 & 1995) and a Freshman All-American (1993).

In his final season at UT, Helton helped lead the Volunteers to 1995 SEC regular season and tournament titles, as well as their first Men’s College World Series appearance in 44 years.

“What Todd Helton did for the Colorado Rockies organization is nothing short of legendary,” Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello said. “Nonetheless, folks here think just as highly of all he has accomplished in our great state. What he has done in this community prior to, during and after his time on Rocky Top may never be duplicated.

“He went from being a local superstar in high school to being a hometown representative for the University of Tennessee here in Knoxville. As many I’m sure have mentioned, he was not just a two-way standout on the baseball field but also a legit two-sport athlete. Athleticism helped create those opportunities, but extreme competitiveness helped fuel his success. Ever since his days of success in Major League Baseball have concluded, he has given back to UT in every way you can possibly imagine. He truly deserves every bit of love he receives from Vol Nation.”

The official induction ceremony for the 2024 Hall of Fame selections will take place in Cooperstown, New York on July 21.

For more information on Helton’s Hall of Fame selection and this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame Class, click HERE.

Courtesy / UT Athletics
Basketball Game vs. Alabama an “Orange Out”

Basketball Game vs. Alabama an “Orange Out”

Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee announced Wednesday that its men’s basketball game today against Alabama will be dubbed an “Orange Out.”

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and wear orange Tennessee attire to Food City Center for the matchup. Doors to the arena open at 12:30 p.m. and tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

In addition, the first 2,000 students in attendance will receive an “Orange Out” shirt for the matchup between a pair of teams in the top seven nationally in NET, KenPom, ESPN BPI and BartTorvik metrics rankings.

The contest between No. 6/7 Tennessee (13-4, 3-1 SEC) and Alabama (12-5, 4-0 SEC) is sold out and will be televised live on ESPN2. It is the third of six confirmed sellouts at Food City Center this season, a new venue record for the Volunteers.

Limited tickets are still available for just three remaining home games. Fans can buy their seats for the Jan. 30 contest against South Carolina HERE, the Feb. 7 outing versus LSU HERE and the Feb. 17 meeting with Vanderbilt HERE.

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.

Courtesy / UT Athletics

107.7 WIVK – General Contest Rules

OFFICIAL RULES

FOR CUMULUS RADIO STATIONS CONTEST & SWEEPSTAKES

A complete copy of these rules can be obtained at the offices of any radio station owned and/or operated by Cumulus Media Holdings Inc. (“Sponsor”) during normal business hours Monday through Friday or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Legal Department.

Sponsor will conduct all Cumulus radio station contests and sweepstakes (“Contests” and “Sweepstakes”), including on-air contests, online and text-based sweepstakes, and contests and sweepstakes conducted through a Cumulus radio station’s social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.), substantially as described in these rules, and by participating, each participant agrees as follows:

  1. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited.  All federal, state, and local regulations apply.
    Eligibility.
      This Contest is open only to legal U.S. residents age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and who reside in the Station’s Designated Market Area (“DMA”) as defined by Nielsen Audio, who have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days, and whose immediate family members or household members have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days.   Void where prohibited by law.  Individuals age 13 to 17 may be eligible to participate in Contests and Sweepstakes with the approval of a parent or legal guardian, provided that the parent or legal guardian is a legal U.S. resident at least 18 years of age at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and resides in the Cumulus radio station’s listening area. Unless otherwise specified, Employees of Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., its parent company, affiliates, related entities and subsidiaries, promotional sponsors, prize providers, advertising agencies, other radio stations serving the Station’s DMA, and the immediate family members and household members of all such employees are not eligible to participate. The term “immediate family members” includes spouses, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and stepchildren.  The term “household members” refers to people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
  2. Contest or Sweepstakes Period. The Contest or Sweepstake will begin and end at the times specified by Sponsor.  Sponsor’s computer is the official time keeping device for all Contests and Sweepstakes.
  3. How to Enter. Entry methods for Contest and Sweepstakes will be specified by Sponsor and entries must be received during the Contest or Sweepstakes Period to be eligible. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification.  Sponsor shall not be responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, inappropriate or misdirected entries, all of which will be disqualified.  In the event of a dispute as to any entry, the authorized account holder of the email address or telephone number used to enter will be deemed to be the participant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned the telephone number by the wireless carrier or an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address.  Potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of Sponsor and will not be returned.  Sponsor reserves the right to contact entrants and all other individuals whose email address is submitted as part of a Contest or Sweepstakes.  Time Delay Between Over-the-Air Analog Signal and Other Signal DeliveryDue to the time delay that exists between a Cumulus radio station’s analog over-the-air signal and its online webcast, listeners who listen to a Cumulus radio station online may hear Contest or Sweepstakes information or a cue to call later than listeners listening to the station’s analog over-the-air signal. As a result, the odds of an online listener winning a Contest Sweepstakes may be diminished
  4. Winner Selection. Contest and Sweepstakes winners will be determined according to the method specified by Sponsor at Sponsor’s sole and exclusive discretion.  The winning entrant will be contacted using the email address and/or telephone number provided with the entry and may be awarded the prize (subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these rules or the specific Contest or Sweepstakes rules).  Sponsor’s decisions as to the administration and operation of Contests and Sweepstakes and the selection of potential winners is final and binding in all matters related to the Contest or Sweepstakes. Failure to respond to the initial verification contact within three (3) days of notification will result in disqualification.
  5. Verification of Potential Winner. POTENTIAL CONTEST AND SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST OR SWEEPSTAKES. The potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules and/or the Office Rules of the specific Contest or Sweepstakes, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. The potential winner will be notified by email and/or telephone call, after the date of random drawing. The potential winner will be required to sign and return to sponsor, within three (3) days of the date notice is sent, an affidavit of eligibility and a liability/publicity release (except where prohibited) in order to claim his/her prize, if applicable.  A winner who returns the affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release within the required time period will be deemed to have accepted the prize and thereafter will not be permitted to rescind their acceptance of the prize and/or return the prize.  If a potential winner cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the affidavit of eligibility and/or the liability/publicity release within the required time period (if applicable), or if the prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. In the event that the potential winner of a contest or sweepstakes prize is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor may award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries.
  6.  Prizes. Contest and Sweepstakes prizes will be as specified by Sponsor.  Winner is responsible for all taxes associated with prize receipt and/or use.  Odds of winning a Contest or Sweepstakes prize depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to the number of eligible entries received by Sponsor during the Contest or Sweepstakes Period and the number of listeners participating at any given time.  Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any listed prize for one of equal or greater value for any reason.  For prizes that involve travel, unless otherwise specified, trips must be taken within the stated time periods or will be forfeited, winner and guest must travel on the same itinerary, and winner’s guest must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.  Trips are non-transferable and no substitution will be made except as provided at the Sponsor’s sole discretion.
  7. Entry Conditions and Release. By entering a Contest or Sweepstakes, each participant agrees to: (a) comply with and be bound by these Official Rules, the Office Rules of the specific Contest or Sweepstakes, and the decisions of Sponsor, which are binding and final in all matters relating to any Contest or Sweepstakes; (b) release and hold harmless Sponsor, Cumulus Media Inc., and its subsidiaries, related and affiliated companies, participating sponsors, the prize suppliers and any other organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Contest or Sweepstakes, and each of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a participant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in a Contest or Sweepstakes, acceptance or use or misuse of prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, exploitation or use of entry; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest or Sweepstakes and/or entrant’s acceptance, use, non-use or misuse of the prize.
  8. Publicity. Except where prohibited, participation in a Contest or Sweepstakes constitutes winner’s consent to Sponsor’s and its agents’ use of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
  9. Taxes. All State, Local, Federal and or other taxes, duties, tariffs, title fees, licensing fees, or other fees for prizes awarded in any Contest or Sweepstakes become the sole responsibility of the winner.  All those who win a prize or prizes valued $600 or more in any given year will be issued an IRS Form 1099 to report their winnings.
  10. General Conditions. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify any Contest or Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest or Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of a Contest or Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
  11. Limitations of Liability. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest or Sweepstakes; (2) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest or Sweepstakes; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or Sweepstakes or receipt or use, non-use or misuse of any prize. If for any reason an entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Contest or Sweepstakes, provided that if it is not possible to award another entry due to discontinuance or completion of the Contest or Sweepstakes, or any part of it, for any reason, Sponsor, at its discretion, may elect to hold a random drawing from among all eligible entries received up to the date of discontinuance for any or all of the prizes offered herein. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. In event that production, technical, programming or any other reason causes more than stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be available or claimed, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims.
  12. Disputes. Entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with a Contest or Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, other than those concerning the administration of the Contest or Sweepstakes or the determination of the winner, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with a Contest or Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved exclusively by the United States District Court or the appropriate state court located in the entrant’s Cumulus radio station’s listening area; (iii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering a Contest or Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (iv) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest or Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located.
  13. Entrant’s Personal Information. Information collected from entrants is subject to Sponsor’s Privacy Policy, which is available on every Cumulus radio station’s website under the “Privacy Policy” link. All entry blanks, forms, devices, and materials gathered during the course of entry, as well as all information contained on or within, shall become the sole property of Sponsor to be used, disposed of or destroyed in its sole discretion. Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information entered by website users, and assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to a Cumulus radio station website.
  14. Sweepstakes Results. A winners list may be obtained thirty (30) days after the conclusion of a Contest or Sweepstakes by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Sweepstakes Sponsor identified below.

SWEEPSTAKES SPONSOR: CUMULUS MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC., 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Contests and Sweepstakes.

Fifth Child Flu Death is Reported in Tennessee

Fifth Child Flu Death is Reported in Tennessee

A fifth child flu death has been reported in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Health this death is since the season started on October 1st, for privacy reasons, further details of location and age are withheld from their report.

The department’s weekly flu report has shown two new pediatric deaths in the state from the week of March 9.

Throughout the state, there have been 76 reported flu outbreaks since the season began.

From March 9-15, there was a slight uptick in positive cases but a downturn in outpatient visits in the state.

A link to the full report can be found https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep-weeklyreports/flu_summary/ILI_Summary_202511.pdf

Grainger County Sheriff’s Office along with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Other Agencies Arrest a Man on Numerous Charges Including Drugs
WVLT

Grainger County Sheriff’s Office along with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Other Agencies Arrest a Man on Numerous Charges Including Drugs

The Grainger County Sheriff’s Office arrests two people after four pounds of meth was found during a drug bust in Bean Station.

Officials with the sheriff’s office, Drug Task Force, Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at a home on Rocky Summit Road on Friday.

During the search, they found several bags of methamphetamine in a building that John Gardner was staying, the bags weighed about four pounds.

Officers also found an AR-style firearm, several fully-loaded magazines, a rifle and $694 in cash.

The Tennessee Department of Children Services was also called to the home because there was a four-year-old child in the driveway when officers arrived on the scene.

Gardner was charged with possession of methamphetamine for resale, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and maintaining a drug dwelling.

Rachel Emert was also arrested at the home for a warrant out of Claiborne County.

Brush Fire on Sharp’s Ridge is 25% Contained
WVLT

Brush Fire on Sharp’s Ridge is 25% Contained

A brush fire on Sharp’s Ridge is approximately 10 acres in size and is 25 percent contained. 

The fire broke out yesterday (Tuesday) as Knoxville Fire Department crews were called to the scene off Broadcast Way.  

TN State Division of Forestry was called to assist and continued to work the fire throughout the night and into this morning.

Officials say you will still see active fire and smoke due to the ongoing operations so there is no need to call 911 for fires seen in this area.

Gibbs High School Alum Kenny Chesney to be Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame

Gibbs High School Alum Kenny Chesney to be Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame

(Story courtesy of WVLT News)

Nashville, TN (WVLT) East Tennessee native and former Gibbs High School student Kenny Chesney is set to enter the Country Music Hall of Fame.

From Luttrell, Tennessee, Chesney has earned 16 platinum albums, more than 50 top-ten country hits and 23 No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart.

Chesney spent time in Knoxville before making it big in the country music world and attended Gibbs High School, the same alma mater as fellow country star Morgan Wallen.

With hits like “The Good Stuff,” ”There Goes My Life” and “The Boys of Fall,” Chesney has been voted CMA Entertainer of the Year four times: in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

From Luttrell, Tennessee, Chesney has earned 16 platinum albums, more than 50 top-ten country hits and 23 No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart. (Courtesy: Country Music Hall of Fame via You Tube)
Roane County School Bus Driver Facing Slew of Charges after Crash Injures Two Students

Roane County School Bus Driver Facing Slew of Charges after Crash Injures Two Students

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 3/25: A Roane County school bus driver is now facing a slew of charges after a crash Monday morning that injures two students.

Officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol say 64-year-old Paul Perrin was driving the bus on Ponders Gap Road just before 8:00 a.m. when it went off the right side of the road, down an embankment and came to a stop against a tree. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Twenty-one students were on board the bus at the time of the crash; two were injured in the incident.

THP says Perrin has been charged with false reporting, reckless endangerment, child abuse, aggravated reckless driving, due car and violating the hands-free law.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating after two students are injured in a school bus crash in Roane County.

THP says 64-year-old Paul Perrin was driving the bus on Ponders Gap Road yesterday (Monday) morning when it went off the right side of the road and went down an embankment, coming to a stop against a tree. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

21 students on board the bus at the time of the crash, two were injured and their conditions have not been released.

THP says charges are pending against Perrin. District Attorney General Russell Johnson says the charges are related to Perrin being on his cell phone when he ran off the road.

After Nearly 50 Years, Rural Metro Fire to Begin Charging Non-Subscribers for Emergency Services

After Nearly 50 Years, Rural Metro Fire to Begin Charging Non-Subscribers for Emergency Services

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) For the first time in almost 50 years, Rural Metro Fire will begin charging its non-subscribers for emergency medical services.

The department, making that announcement Monday before Knox County commissioners, says it will start charging non-subscribers a flat fee of $600 per call beginning sometime after April 15.

Officials shared that first responder medical missions, such as automobile wrecks, account for about 60% of all of Rural Metro’s calls for service and that fee-for-service charges can no longer financially sustain the company’s local operations.

Though it charges non-subscribers for responding to fires on a per-call basis,  Rural Metro has not charged non-subscribers for first responder medical services since it started Knox County operations in 1977.

Rural Metro says residential subscriptions for the department’s services run an average of $425 a year and vary based on the size of the home.

The department said it will start charging non-subscribers a flat fee of $600 per call beginning sometime after April 15. (Courtesy: Rural Metro Fire)
Rossini Festival- Knoxville Opera- April 12th & 13th

Rossini Festival- Knoxville Opera- April 12th & 13th

The Rossini Festival is Knoxville Opera’s annual International Street Fair that celebrates the global impact on the music, food, art, and culture of East Tennessee.

Throughout the festival, the public is treated to non-stop entertainment on four outdoor stages showcasing opera, classical, jazz, gospel, ethnic music, ballet, modern, and ethnic dance. Attendees can purchase from scores of food vendors and more than 75 artisans throughout the day, while The Y FunZone keeps children entertained. More than half a million residents of Knox County and the surrounding area have enjoyed the Rossini Festival over the years.

Fun and family-oriented. Admission is always free.

Learn more

Rossini Festival

  • Saturday, April 12, 202510:00 AM 
    Sunday, April 13, 20256:00 PM
Pickens Makes History as #7 Lady Vols Top #14 Arkansas, 3-2
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Pickens Makes History as #7 Lady Vols Top #14 Arkansas, 3-2

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The seventh-ranked Lady Vols closed out their SEC series against No. 14 Arkansas with a 3-2 victory at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on Monday night.
 
Down 2-0 after the top of the first inning, Tennessee (27-6, 3-3 SEC) quickly responded in the bottom of the first as Sophia Nugent put the Lady Vols on the board with a sacrifice fly. Laura Mealer followed with a two-RBI double to give Tennessee a 3-2 lead.
 
That would be all the offense either team would muster, as the game turned into a pitchers’ duel. After Arkansas’ (23-7, 3-6 SEC) Ella McDowell’s second-inning leadoff single, neither team would record another hit for the rest of the night.
 
The Razorbacks opened the scoring with a two-out-two-run home run from Bri Ellis.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Tennessee’s pitchers dominated the final six innings. Starter Sage Mardjetko went 2.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out three.
 
Junior Karlyn Pickens came on with two out in the third and shut down Arkansas with 4.1 scoreless, hitless innings, striking out six to earn her 11th win of the season in her 17th appearance.
 
HISTORY MADE
In the sixth inning, Pickens made history by throwing the fastest pitch in softball history at 78 mph, surpassing the previous record of 77 mph. The previous mark had been set by Tennessee legend Monica Abbott in 2012 as a professional with the Chicago Bandits and was matched by Pickens earlier this season.
 
DUE UP
The Lady Vols will travel to Norman, Oklahoma, to face the Sooners in their first matchup since Oklahoma joined the SEC. The three-game series is set for March 28-30, with Friday and Sunday’s games streamed on SEC Network+ and Saturday’s contest airing at 2 p.m. on ESPN.

Tennessee National Guard Rescues Injured Hiker in the Smokies
WVLT

Tennessee National Guard Rescues Injured Hiker in the Smokies

SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) – A crew from the Tennessee National Guard rescued a hiker in the Great Smoky Mountains Saturday.

The state made the announcement Monday, saying guardsmen were called to rescue an injured hiker in a remote area in the park, near Ramsey Cascades, located east of Gatlinburg.

The crew — Capt. Andrew Rines and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Brasfield, the crew chief, Sgt. Christopher Burke, and two flight paramedics, Sgt. 1st Class John Sharbel and Giovanni Dezuani — responded around 7:30 p.m., after the hiker’s call reached the state around 5:30 p.m.

From there, the state said, the crews took a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to the hiker’s location. It took about 15 minutes for the crew to arrive. After getting to the park, the guardsmen took the hiker to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The hiker’s condition is unknown.

While waiting on the National Guard, the state said, park rangers helped the hiker.

Story Courtesy of WVLT

Health Experts in East Tennessee Prepare for Potential Measles Outbreak after First Confirmed Case in Tennessee

Health Experts in East Tennessee Prepare for Potential Measles Outbreak after First Confirmed Case in Tennessee

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH) is preparing for a potential measles outbreak. This comes as the first case of the highly contagious virus was confirmed in Middle Tennessee on Friday.

“We’re just sort of waiting for it to happen,” said Dr. Suzanne Rybczynski, the chief medical officer at ETCH. “We anticipate it could happen any time.”

It’s a deadly outbreak moving closer to home. Nearly 400 cases have been reported in 18 different states, and it already surpasses the nationwide total from 2024. The CDC reports that 95% of cases are people who aren’t vaccinated, or whose vaccination status is unknown.

“If you aren’t vaccinated or you don’t have immunity and you’re exposed to measles, you have a nine out of 10 chance of getting measles,” said Rybczynski.

Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. Experts thanked the vaccine, but the rate of people getting the shot is trending downward nationally and locally.

Across Tennessee, 75% of kids ages 4-6 have received the measles vaccine. In East Tennessee, Morgan County has the highest vaccination rate at 92%, which is the second-highest in the state behind Houston County. Meanwhile, Hancock County has the lowest rate at 56%, but this is far above the statewide lowest of just 35% in Clay County. Knox County sits just below the state average at 73%.

“If your child is vaccinated, the concern is honestly minimal because the vaccine is just that good,” said Roberta Sturm with Knox County Health Department.

Rybczynski said ETCH leaders have been watching the nationwide outbreak closely and planning for months.

“Most doctors and nurses and health care professionals alive today have never seen a case,” Rybczynski said. “We really have to think how we will handle that kid when they come through our door.”

Rybczynski said they are thoughtfully working to create protocols and navigate logistics so they can avoid facing complications if there is a case.

“Once that patient is in our system, like I said, you have to shut down a room for two hours,” Rybczynski said. “No one can go into a room that someone has had measles in.”

Knox County Health Department said they are also preparing for if there is a case.

Rybczynski said the most effective way to protect yourself and your children from Measles is with the vaccine. She suggests contacting your primary care provider.

Vaccines are also available at the Knox County Health Department.

Story courtesy of WVLT

Weather

  • Forecast
  • Currents
  • Planner