#7 Vols Confident Group as They Prep for CFP Opportunity at #6 Ohio State
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#7 Vols Confident Group as They Prep for CFP Opportunity at #6 Ohio State

Posted on December 11, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Preparation for No. 7 Tennessee’s first College Football Playoff game is fully underway as the Volunteers get ready for their trip up north to take on No. 6 Ohio State on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET.

UT players met with the media on Tuesday for the first time since Sunday’s CFP selection show and voiced their excitement for the opportunity that awaits with their upcoming trip to Columbus.

“It’s amazing. We are in the playoffs. We get another game. Another opportunity, a fun opportunity to go out there and have fun,” senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas said. “Go out there, have fun and play with each other. It’s another opportunity for us. It doesn’t really matter where we play. We are more so ready for the opportunity, and we are blessed to be here, honestly.”

While the matchup pits two of the nation’s top teams against one another, it will also showcase two of the most recognizable brands in all of college football on full display in primetime on ABC/ESPN.

The Vols know they’ll need to be at their best in all phases of the game to meet the challenge that the Buckeyes will present. Sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Telander believes that the team’s confidence is at an all-time high as they prepare for this win or go home matchup inside Ohio Stadium.

“We’re extremely confident,” Telander said. “You earn confidence and confidence comes from preparation. Like you said, we’ve been preparing for this since January and the confidence is out of the roof right now. I just can’t wait to go out there and play with our guys.”

Sophomore LB Jeremiah Telander

On what is impressive about Ohio State and what will Tennessee focus on for the game…
“Yeah, they’re definitely a hard-nosed football team. From their offensive line to the running backs to their tight ends, they’re definitely hard-nosed. They like to run the ball and it’s going to be a great game, a great team that we’re going up against, and I’m just really excited.”

On containing Ohio State quarterback Will Howard…
“Yeah, I just think getting reps with a mobile quarterback, you know? You play a couple of games when the quarterback doesn’t run out of the pocket, you can kind of forget about that, and then you get a real fast guy who can scramble out of there. You just got to remember that and play the defense accordingly.”

On the team’s confidence now that they’re in the playoff…
“We’re extremely confident. You earn confidence and confidence comes from preparation. Like you said, we’ve been preparing for this since January and the confidence is out of the roof right now. I just can’t wait to go out there and play with our guys. It’s going to be so much fun.”

Senior DL Omari Thomas

On his thoughts facing Ohio State in the College Football Playoff…
“It’s amazing. We are in the playoffs. We get another game. Another opportunity, a fun opportunity to go out there and have fun. Showcase that we want to be the best team in the country, the best defense in the country and the best offense in the country. We just want to go out there and do that. Go out there, have fun and play with each other. It’s another opportunity for us. It doesn’t really matter where we play. We are more so ready for the opportunity, and we are blessed to be here, honestly.”

On how critical winning the line of scrimmage is against the Buckeyes…
“It’s very critical that you have to win the line of scrimmage. You have to win your one-on-ones all over the field, on the line of scrimmage and outside on the perimeter. Ohio State is a great team. They have players all over the field, weapons all over the field. They have a good offensive line, good running backs, quarterback and receivers, so they are definitely a stacked team with elite players. We just have to be on our A-game and win our one-on-ones, so that way we can win the battle.”

On how players stay in rhythm over the next few rest weeks of postseason prep…
“I would say our strength and conditioning coaches have done a great job of keeping us still in the same routine, sort of, but taking some off of us. That way when we do get up to this week right here and next week leading up to the game, there’s no real drop off. You still get the same practice periods and same everything. You might have guys that do a little less and get their bodies back right, but it’s still the same amount of periods and the same everything. That way, we still stay in that same routine.” 

RS-Junior DB Andre Turrentine

On the feelings of playing his former team…
“I’m just excited. Excited to get back on the field and play one more time with these guys. I’m excited to play that team. I know a lot of guys on that team, so just having that brotherhood and camaraderie from being a freshman there is going to be big in this game and for me personally. It gives you a reason to be excited for this game.”

On the challenge that Ohio State’s receivers present…
“Each of them has their own unique qualities in what makes them special. Just understanding that they like to get the ball to those guys, what situations they like to get the ball to those guys and the special things that those guys do differently is going to be a great focal point of the secondary in how we stop and attack those guys.”

On if he’s had conversations with younger players about the stakes of a big postseason game…
“You do that as a leader. As a leader, I’ve been blessed to be able to lead and have those conversations with guys. You don’t make it a big conversation or create big pressure, but you tell these guys that they just need to be themselves. They just need to do the ordinary things at a high level as coach Heupel likes to say to us. Those guys understand that as well; they’ve shown up big for us throughout the year in being able to grow up fast in moments that they haven’t seen before being new to college and big moments. I believe all of our guys are prepared for the moment.”

Lady Vols Named USBWA Women’s Team of the Week
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Lady Vols Named USBWA Women’s Team of the Week

Posted on December 11, 2024

After defeating Florida State and No. 17/20 Iowa in back-to-back games to run its season record to 7-0, the Tennessee women’s basketball team has been named one of two United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Teams of the Week, the organization announced on Tuesday.

With Kim Caldwell in her first season at the helm in Knoxville, the Lady Volunteers outlasted a Seminoles squad receiving votes in the polls, 79-77, at Food City Center on Dec. 4. They then knocked off a Hawkeyes program that has been to the last two NCAA Final Fours, 78-68, in the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 7.

Those victories kept the Big Orange undefeated and vaulted UT into the AP Top 25 at No. 19 this week. It marked the program’s first return to that poll since November 2023, with Tennessee among 10 teams nationally still operating without a loss this season.

Caldwell, in her ninth year overall as a head coach, has guided a very entertaining team that ranks No. 3 in the NCAA in scoring offense (92.6); No. 2 in steals per game (16.6), turnovers forced per game (28.29) and turnover margin (13.71); No. 1 in offensive rebounds per contest (22.0) and No. 5 in three pointers made per game (10.6).

Tennessee returns to action with a weekend matinee, as North Carolina Central comes to town for a 2 p.m. ET contest on Saturday. The game will be streamed on SECN+ and broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and worldwide via UTSports.com.

#1 Vols Post 75-62 Win over Miami in Jimmy V Classic
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#1 Vols Post 75-62 Win over Miami in Jimmy V Classic

Posted on December 11, 2024

Game Recap: Men’s Basketball | December 10, 2024

NEW YORK – Facing a non-conference opponent as the No. 1 men’s basketball team in the nation for the first time in program history, the University of Tennessee defeated Miami, 75-62, Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier scored a game-high 22 points for top-ranked Tennessee (9-0), which trailed for just 35 seconds, in the Jimmy V Classic.

Both sides got off to blistering starts from 3-point range, connecting on four attempts in the first six minutes and six in the first 11. The Volunteers opened 4-of-6 and 6-of-11, while Miami (3-7, 0-1 ACC) was 4-7 and 6-of-12.

Tennessee built a 24-18 edge at the 9:25 mark, but the Hurricanes soon responded with seven points in 65 seconds to take their only lead, 25-24, with 7:57 on the first-half timer. The Volunteers then held Miami without a point for the rest of the half, forcing eight straight misses and five turnovers, while scoring the last 14 points of the frame to take a 38-25 advantage into the intermission.

Behind a 13-6 surge early in the second half that included seven points from sophomore forward Cade Phillips, Tennessee extended its margin to 18, 53-35, with 13:04 to go. It held the Hurricanes without a field goal for 4:35.

The Volunteers’ edge remained 15-plus until fewer than nine-and-a-half minutes remained, when Miami scored nine consecutive points in 1:06 to get it down to eight, 59-51, with 8:14 on the clock. The Hurricanes got the margin to seven, 63-56, with 5:39 to go, but Tennessee closed on a 12-6 run—it featured seven points by Lanier—over the final 4:41 to claim its ninth victory by 13-plus points in as many opportunities.

Lanier shot 8-of-15 from the floor, including 4-of-7 beyond the arc, for his fourth 20-point performance in the last five contests. Senior forward Igor Miličić Jr., totaled 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting and a team-best nine rebounds. Like Miličić, senior guard Zakai Zeigler, playing approximately 38 miles from his Long Island hometown of Wyandanch, N.Y., also finished just shy of a double-double, amassing 13 points and a game-leading nine assists.

Graduate student center Lynn Kidd paced the Hurricanes with 14 points, 12 of which came in the second half, and a game-high 12 rebounds. Graduate student guard Nijel Pack scored 12 points on 4-of-9 long-range shooting, while redshirt junior guard A.J. Staton-McCray tallied 11 points.

Tennessee shot 48.1 percent (25-of-52) from the floor, including 40.0 percent (10-of-25) on 3-pointers, as well as 83.3 percent (15-of-18) at the line. Meanwhile, it held Miami to a 39.3 percent (24-of-61) clip overall, with a 24.2 percent (8-of-33) ledger from beyond the arc.

After allowing Miami’s 6-of-12 start on 3-pointers, Tennessee forced 17 consecutive misses before Pack hit two in the last four minutes.

Tennessee now heads to Champaign, Ill., where it faces Illinois, its third straight Power Five opponent, Saturday at 5:30 p.m., live on FOX from the State Farm Center.

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.

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS POSTGAME NOTES
• Tuesday marked the 11th game in program history with Tennessee ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, as it moved to 9-2, including 8-1 in head coach Rick Barnes‘ tenure.
• The Volunteers also improved to 22-4 all-time while ranked top-three in the AP Poll, including 19-2 under Barnes.
• Tennessee remained one of the only eight undefeated teams in the country and the lone school unbeaten in both men’s and women’s basketball.
• The Volunteers and Hurricanes have now played five games at five different locations, with Tennessee upping its mark to 4-1 in the all-time series.
• Tennessee improved to 1-2 all-time in the Jimmy V Classic, including 1-1 in games played at Madison Square Garden.
• The Volunteers moved to 8-12 all-time at Madison Square Garden, including 7-9 in neutral-site matchups and 3-7 in the regular season (3-4 in neutral-site contests).
• Two VFLs who were first-round NBA Draft choices, Allan Houston and Keon Johnson, attended Tuesday’s game.
• Barnes improved to 15-5 against ACC schools—based off the current membership—during his Tennessee tenure, including 14-2 versus all schools other than North Carolina.
• The Volunteers increased their record to 125-101 all-time versus current ACC institutions, including 8-1 over the last four seasons (2021-25) and 4-0 this year.
• Tennessee is now 9-0 to begin a season for the seventh time in program history, including the first since 2000-01.
• As announced before tip-off, the Volunteers played without fifth-year guard Darlinstone Dubar (concussion protocol), leaving them with eight available scholarship players, due to previous injuries to both sophomore guard Cameron Carr and sophomore forward J.P. Estrella.
• At the 11:28 mark of the first half, both teams were 4-of-9 on 3-pointers, 1-of-4 on 2-pointers and had two free-throw attempts (Tennessee made both, while Miami hit one).
• After conceding a 6-of-12 start from 3-point range, Tennessee forced Miami into misses on its final six attempts of the first half, making it a 6-of-18 (33.3 percent) ledger before the break on the way to a 6-of-29 (20.7 percent) tally through 36 minutes.
• Between the first and second halves, the Volunteers held the Hurricanes without a point for a span of 8:10.
• Through nine games this year, the Volunteers have led for 339:48 and trailed for just 6:38 of a possible 360 minutes.
• All eight of Tennessee’s wins thus far are by 13-plus points, with six by at least 22 and three by at least 35.
• Tennessee has held a lead of 18-plus points in each of its eight contests this season—this was the first  time it has not led by at least 26—and still has not faced a deficit larger than three.
• The Volunteers have held a halftime margin of nine-plus points in eight of their nine outings, including leading by double digits seven times, 12-plus five times, 14-plus four times and 23-plus twice.
• Tennessee has now conceded 35 or fewer points in every first half this season, including 29 or fewer in six and 22 or fewer in three.
• Phillips set career highs in free throws both made (five) and attempted (six) in the victory, all in a span of 3:35 during the second half.
• Zeigler has now finished either one point or one assist shy of a double-double on seven occasions in his career, in addition to the program-best eight points/assists double-doubles he owns.
• Along with his two double-doubles this year, Miličić has now finished either a point or a rebound shy of that mark in two additional outings.
• Senior guard Jordan Gainey registered multiple blocked shots for the sixth time in his career, including the first as a Volunteer.

Medic’s Pint Before Christmas Event
Medic

Medic’s Pint Before Christmas Event

Posted on December 11, 2024

MEDIC Regional Blood Center’s Pint Before Christmas gets underway next week.

The event runs December 16th – Christmas Eve and holiday donors will receive a long-sleeved holiday shirt, a night session pass to Ober Mountain, and a coupon for Texas Roadhouse. Shirts and passes are while supplies last.

Schedule your appointment at medic blood dot org.

Man Convicted in 1995 Knoxville Murder Likely Will Not Get Parole
WVLT

Man Convicted in 1995 Knoxville Murder Likely Will Not Get Parole

Posted on December 11, 2024

Recommendation is that a man convicted in the 1995 murder of a Knoxville couple should not get parole.

David Scarbrough was one of three men charged in connection to the murder of Les and Carol Dotts, who were murdered inside their Knoxville home.   Yesterday (Tuesday), Board member Zane Duncan said his vote is to decline parole because of the seriousness of the offense and to continue correctional treatment for three years.

Throughout the hearing, Scarbrough maintained that he had nothing to do with the Dotts’ murder.

The Dotts daughter says she wasn’t convinced that Scarbrough deserved to get out of prison.  Scarbrough was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Six Vols Receive Coaches’ All-SEC Honors
UT Sports

Six Vols Receive Coaches’ All-SEC Honors

Posted on December 10, 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference office announced Tuesday afternoon that six members of the Tennessee football team were selected to the coaches’ 2024 All-SEC teams.

Tennessee’s six honorees on the coaches’ All-SEC teams are its most since also having six players recognized in 2012. Junior running back Dylan Sampson, senior center Cooper Mays and junior edge rusher James Pearce Jr. claimed First Team All-SEC accolades, while sophomore cornerback Jermod McCoy was tabbed Second Team All-SEC in his first year on Rocky Top. Senior guard Javontez Spraggins and redshirt sophomore kickoff specialist Josh Turbyville rounded out the honorees for the Vols, earning Third Team honors from the league coaches.

Tennessee has now produced 14 Coaches All-SEC honorees in the Josh Heupel era (2021-present), its most in a four-year span since also having 14 recognized from 2009-12.

Sampson was selected first team as both a running back and all-purpose recipient, becoming the first Vol running back to earn first-team honors since Travis Stephens in 2001. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native produced the most prolific rushing campaign in Tennessee history during the 2024 regular season, breaking school records for rushing yards (1,485), rushing touchdowns (22), points scored (132), total touchdowns scored (22) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). He led the conference in 11 different categories, including 123.8 rushing yards per game and 22 rushing touchdowns — tied for the fifth-most rushing scores in SEC single-season history.

A Rimington Trophy finalist, Mays is the Vols’ first first-team center since Scott Wells in 2003. He anchored Tennessee’s offense in 2024 as UT produced a top 10 rushing offense and total offense in the country and punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff. Mays played a team-high 816 offensive snaps according to PFF and did not allow a sack or QB hit throughout the entire campaign, and he carries a current streak of 26 consecutive games without allowing a sack that dates back to the 2022 season. Mays led an offensive line unit that paved the way for the top rushing attack in the SEC for the second year in row. Tennessee’s 232.0 rushing yards per game ranked first in the conference and ninth in the FBS, while its 462.9 yards of total offense per game were second in the league and eighth nationally.

At least one UT offensive lineman has received first or second team accolades in all four seasons under Heupel and six consecutive seasons overall dating back to 2019.

Pearce earned First Team All-SEC acclaim from the league coaches for the second consecutive season, and the Vols have now produced a first-team defensive lineman under the direction of Rodney Garner for three straight seasons. The junior from Charlotte, North Carolina, generated 52 total pressures according to PFF, which led the SEC and ranked fifth among edge rushers in the Power Four conferences. His 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks led the Tennessee defense in 2024, including an impressive stretch of logging at least half a TFL in eight straight games – spanning Sept. 21 at Oklahoma through Nov. 23 against UTEP.

McCoy made an immediate impact on the Tennessee secondary in his first season with the Vols, starting all 12 games during the regular season and leading the Big Orange with 13 passes defended (four interceptions, nine pass breakups) which ranked second in the SEC and second among underclassmen nationally. The sophomore from Whitehouse, Texas, is tied for the SEC lead with four picks, and his 13 passes defended are the most by a Vol since Theo Jackson also had 13 in 2021. McCoy’s 90.3 coverage grade according to PFF ranks second in the SEC and fifth in the FBS among cornerbacks in 2024.

One of the most experienced Vols in the trenches, Spraggins picked up Third Team All-SEC honors after starting 11 of 12 games in 2024 at right guard and helping pave the way for the league’s No. 1 rushing offense. The East St. Louis, Illinois, native saw action on 740 offensive snaps throughout the season and allowed only two sacks according to PFF, including no sacks allowed in his last seven games played. The seasoned veteran has appeared in 56 games with 48 career starts – the most of any player on the 2024 Tennessee roster – and helped the Vols earn three consecutive honors as Joe Moore Award semifinalists.

A former Knoxville Catholic standout, Turbyville handled kickoff duties for Tennessee for the second year in a row in 2024 and was effective on a national scale. His 66 touchbacks ranked second in the SEC and tied for third in the FBS, while his 84.62 touchback percentage and 63.87 kickoff average ranked third and fifth in the league, respectively.

The SEC office will continue to announce postseason awards throughout the week, recognizing its conference players and coach of the year on Wednesday before unveiling the league’s All-Freshman team on Thursday.

2024 Coaches’ All-SEC Teams

First Team All-SEC

Offense

QB
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

RB
Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

WR
Ryan Williams, Alabama
Luther Burden III, Missouri

TE
Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

OL
Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Will Campbell, LSU
Tyler Booker, Alabama
Tate Ratledge, Georgia

C
Cooper Mays, Tennessee

All-Purpose
Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

Defense

DL
Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
James Pearce Jr., Tennessee*
Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss*

LB
Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Whit Weeks, LSU

DB
Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Malachi Moore, Alabama
Jahdae Barron, Texas

Special Teams

PK
Alex Raynor, Kentucky

P
Kai Kroeger, South Carolina

RS
Barion Brown, Kentucky

KOS
Peyton Woodring, Georgia

LS
Beau Gardner, Georgia

Second Team All-SEC

Offense

QB
Quinn Ewers, Texas

RB
Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M

WR
Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn

TE
Gunnar Helm, Texas

OL
Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
Armand Membou, Missouri
Emery Jones Jr., LSU

C
Jared Wilson, Georgia

All-Purpose
Barion Brown, Kentucky

Defense

DL
Bradyn Swinson, LSU
Landon Jackson, Arkansas
R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
Johnny Walker Jr., Missouri*
Mykel Williams, Georgia*

LB
Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Jalon Walker, Georgia
Chris “Pooh” Paul, Ole Miss

DB
Malaki Starks, Georgia
Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Will Lee III, Texas A&M
Isaac Smith, Mississippi State

Special Teams

PK
Peyton Woodring, Georgia

P
Jesse Mirco, Vanderbilt

RS
Martel Hight, Vanderbilt

KOS
Aeron Burrell, LSU

LS
Rocco Underwood, Florida

Third Team All-SEC

Offense

QB
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

RB
Quintrevion Wisner, Texas
Trevor Etienne, Georgia

WR
Tre Harris, Ole Miss
Kevin Coleman, Mississippi State

TE
Mason Taylor, LSU

OL
Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
Torricelli Simpkins III, South Carolina
Fernando Carmona, Arkansas
Javontez Spraggins, Tennessee

C
Eli Cox, Kentucky

All-Purpose
Davon Booth, Mississippi State

Defense

DL
Jared Ivey, Ole Miss
Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
JJ Pegues, Ole Miss*
Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M*
Deone Walker, Kentucky*

LB
Chaz Chambliss, Georgia
Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Xavian Sorey Jr., Arkansas

DB
Daylen Everette, Georgia
Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
Andrew Mukuba, Texas
Dan Jackson, Georgia

Special Teams

PK
Brock Taylor, Vanderbilt

P
Brett Thorson, Georgia

RS
Zavion Thomas, LSU

KOS
Josh Turbyville, Tennessee

LS
Ben Anderson, Oklahoma

* – ties

2024 Tennessee Postseason Award Honors as of Dec. 10

DC Tim Banks
Broyles Award Semifinalist

DB Will Brooks
Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist

QB Nico Iamaleava
Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalist

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

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

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

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

LB Keenan Pili
NFF Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

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

OL Javontez Spraggins
All-SEC Third Team (Coaches)

KOS Josh Turbyville
All-SEC Third Team (Coaches)

Offensive Line
Joe Moore Award Semifinalist

Nearly 70,000 Pounds of Litter Removed from Tennessee Roadways in No Trash November

Nearly 70,000 Pounds of Litter Removed from Tennessee Roadways in No Trash November

Posted on December 10, 2024

Nashville, TN (WOKI) A resounding success, the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT’s) month-long initiative “No Trash November” sees nearly 70,000 pounds of litter removed from Tennessee roadways.

TDOT officials say over 2,400 volunteers participated in 175 cleanups, collecting more than 3,200 bags of litter, weighing almost 70,000 pounds.

Among the groups recognized this year by TDOT for the most pounds of trash collected was Keep Knoxville Beautiful, collecting nearly 12,000 pounds of litter, about 17% of the total picked up around the state.

Additional groups recognized throughout the state for removing the most litter in their communities were Donnie E Horton Post 254 (2,095 pounds collected), Conservation Kid in Hamilton County (315 pounds collected) and TN Delta Alliance (6,110 pounds collected).

“We are grateful to the more than 2,400 Tennesseans that came together in November to help us in our mission to prevent and reduce litter,” said Michael McClanahan with the TDOT Beautification Office. “Community cleanups and individual actions taken last month showcase what we can achieve when we work together to preserve our state’s beauty. We encourage all residents to be a part of the solution to end littering. Even small, simple actions can help, from reducing single-use plastics to recognizing that food waste is litter, every effort counts.”

New to Nobody Trashes Tennessee and No Trash November is the Trash Masters Rewards program. Participants earn points for various activities like taking a litter quiz, attending cleanup events, and spreading awareness. Points may be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including discounts at local businesses and exclusive Nobody Trashes Tennessee swag. “More than 1,600 people have signed up since we launched the program in October. It’s a fun and engaging way for individuals to contribute to a litter-free Tennessee while being recognized for their commitment to the environment,” said McClanahan.

Nearly 70,000 Pounds of Litter Removed During TDOT’s 4th Annual No Trash November, say officials.

Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office Looking for ‘Armed and Dangerous’ Felony Suspect

Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office Looking for ‘Armed and Dangerous’ Felony Suspect

Posted on December 10, 2024

Claiborne County, TN (WOKI) The Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office is on the lookout for a felon officials say is armed and dangerous.

CCSO officials say 48-year-old Ralph E. Ray cut his ankle monitor off and could be traveling with his girlfriend or fiancée Tracy Ann Brooks.

While the office isn’t sure where Ray is, officials did say he has contacts in Knoxville and Anderson County. They also say Ray has been traveling to Nashville recently.

He is wanted for possession of meth, fentanyl and a firearm while committing a dangerous felony.

Those with information are asked to call 911 or 423-626-2501.

Ralph E Ray and Tracy Ann Brooks (Courtesy: CCSO)
Jefferson County teacher accused of assaulting student had violated policy before

Jefferson County teacher accused of assaulting student had violated policy before

Posted on December 10, 2024

WHITE PINE, Tenn. (WVLT) – A White Pine teacher accused of hitting a student with an iPad had had previous problems at the school system, according to a personnel file obtained by WVLT News.

The case centers on Joseph Lee. Friday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Lee had assaulted the student and was facing a charge for child abuse.

According to Lee’s personnel file, it isn’t the first time he faced consequences for his treatment of students. The file contains a letter outlining a “conference of concern” claiming Lee violated a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) in April of last year.

An IEP outlines how students with special needs are to be educated and treated while at school. According to the file, Lee took a student outside in direct sunlight, even though they had a sensitivity to light.

“On April 18, your mentor strongly advised you against taking this student outdoors and despite the student being escalated you chose to take [them] outdoors,” the letter said.

That same document claimed that Lee was also reprimanded for “continued inappropriate contact with students.”

It said Lee was seen throwing a student into the air playfully and letting students sit on his lap.

“You commented several times to the class that you knew you were not to engage in this behavior but chose to do so,” the letter said.

Lee was taken to the Jefferson County Detention Center on Friday. He’s also been suspended from the school system.

Story courtesy of WVLT

Vols Take No. 1 Spot in National Rankings
UT Sports

Vols Take No. 1 Spot in National Rankings

Posted on December 10, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team is ranked atop both major national polls, as announced Monday afternoon.

Tennessee (8-0) climbed two spots in both the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and the USA TODAY Coaches Poll to No. 1 overall. It is just the second team to hold the top position in either poll this year, alongside Kansas.

This is the sixth time in program history, across three different seasons, Tennessee is first in the AP Poll. The Volunteers held the top spot once in 2007-08 (Feb. 25), as well as four times in 2018-19 (Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11). This is the earliest the program has ever ascended atop the poll and the first time it has done so during non-conference play.

Five of Tennessee’s six all-time AP No. 1 rankings are under the direction of head coach Rick Barnes, who is now in his 10th year on Rocky Top. Over the last seven years (2018-25), the Volunteers are one of just seven programs to claim the No. 1 position in the AP Poll in multiple seasons, alongside Baylor, Duke, Gonzaga, Houston and Purdue.

This is the 65th straight week the Volunteers are in the AP Poll, a span stretching across four campaigns that dates to the 2021-22 preseason poll. The mark is 28 weeks longer than the program’s previous record and is the third-longest active tally in America, behind just Houston (91) and Kansas (70). No other school is even 50-plus, while the closest SEC team is Kentucky (27), ninth nationally and 38 weeks shy of Tennessee.

The Volunteers are in the AP top 15 for the 39th time in the last 42 releases, dating to Nov. 28, 2022. Tennessee now has 61 AP top-10 nods in Barnes’ tenure, including 29 in the top five, the latter mark 12 greater than the program’s entire total before his hire. The Volunteers also now have thrice as many AP top-two rankings (six) under Barnes as they had before his 2015 arrival (two).

Barnes has led Tennessee to an AP top-five ranking in each of the past four seasons, a mark only Kansas can match. He has also guided the Volunteers to an AP top-six ranking in each of the last five years, a ledger only Alabama, Houston and Kansas can equal.

Tennessee won its only outing last week, turning in a dominant 96-70 triumph Tuesday over Syracuse in the SEC/ACC Challenge at Food City Center behind a game-best 26 points from fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier. The Volunteers were one of just two teams in last week’s AP top eight that did not lose last week, including the only one in the top five.

In its eight outings so far, Tennessee has led for 303 minutes and 50 seconds of possible 320 minutes, while trailing for just six minutes and three seconds. It has led by at least 26 points in every game, winning all of them by 15-plus, and has not faced a deficit larger than three.

The Volunteers earned 1,544 of 1,550 points in the AP Poll balloting, a 193-point ascension from last week, and collected 58 of 62 first-place votes. In the Coaches Poll, Tennessee registered 770 of a possible 775 points, a 51-point increase from last week, and received 26 of 31 first-place votes.

Tennessee is among nine SEC teams in the top 25 of at least one poll. It is joined by second-ranked Auburn, fifth-ranked Kentucky, No. 7/8 Alabama, No. 9/7 Florida, No. 13/17 Oklahoma, No. 17/18 Texas A&M and No. 19/15 Ole Miss in each poll, while Mississippi State is No. 25 in the AP Poll and atop the receiving votes section of the Coaches Poll. Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri and Texas garnered points from both voting bodies, while LSU did so from the coaches.

Additionally, the Volunteers, who are among eight remaining undefeated teams, once again place first in the NCAA NET rankings and second in KenPom’s rankings.

Tennessee is back in action Tuesday in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York, where it faces Miami at 6:30 p.m., live on ESPN.

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.

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