LADY VOL HOOPS SLATE TO INCLUDE WEST PALM BEACH CLASSIC

Posted on July 20, 2024

The University of Tennessee women’s basketball team is set to travel to Florida just prior to the school’s winter break, as it will compete in the 2024 West Palm Beach Classic on Dec. 20 and 21.

Opponents, game times and broadcast information will be released later for the event, which will be held on Massimino Court at Keiser University. The tournament is one of four showcases around the country organized by Coast 2 Coast Women’s Basketball.

Among the teams competing in last year’s tourney were Arkansas, Baylor, Illinois, San Diego State and South Florida among others. UT newcomer Samara Spencer, a transfer from Arkansas, averaged 15.0 ppg. a year ago at the West Palm Beach Classic for the Razorbacks to help lead her team to a pair of victories.

Spencer (13.9 ppg., 4.6 rpg., 3.5 apg.) is one of five incoming transfers, joining Rapuluchi “Favor” Ayodele (4.7 ppg., 6.2 rpg. at Pitt), Alyssa Latham (8.6 ppg., 7.0 rpg. at Syracuse), Lazaria Spearman (6.3 ppg., 6.0 rpg. at Miami) and Ruby Whitehorn (12.3 ppg., 5.6 rpg. at Clemson), on first-year head coach Kim Caldwell’s squad. Those performers are joined by two additional newcomers in 2023-24 redshirts Talaysia Cooper (No.18) and Kaniya Boyd (No. 35), who joined Whitehorn (No. 15) and Spearman (No. 30) as espnW top-35 ranked players coming out of high school. Spencer and Latham were slotted at No. 72 by BlueStar and espnW, respectively.

The Lady Vols welcome back eight players from the 2023-24 roster, including five who spent time in the starting lineup. Top statistical performers returning include last year’s second- and third-leading scorers in Jewel Spear (13.1 ppg.) and Sara Puckett (9.9 ppg.). Puckett also is Tennessee’s top returning rebounder (4.9 rpg.), while Spear (69), Tess Darby (44) and Puckett (38) led the team in three-pointers made and Spear posted the team’s number-two assist total (71).

Knoxville Police Recover Guns and Drugs Following Traffic Stop

Posted on July 19, 2024

Knoxville, Tn (WOKI) Drugs and guns are confiscated and a felon with multiple prior convictions is off the streets following a traffic stop Wednesday, July 17 in Knoxville.

Knoxville Police Department officials say CERT officers stopped a car in the area of Summit Hill Drive and Hill Avenue.

KPD says the stop resulted in officers recovering two handguns and narcotics, including suspected fentanyl.

The suspect was arrested and is facing drug and weapons possession charges.

*Two handguns were recovered after the stop, according to police*. (*Courtesy: KPD*)

Applications Now Open for Free and Reduced-Price Meals for Knox County Schools

Posted on July 19, 2024

Knoxville, Tn (WOKI) Knox County Schools says applications are now open for students to receive free and reduced-price meals for the 2024-2025 school year.

KCS says the application is open for families unable to pay for breakfast and lunch meals at school or whose students do not attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school.

All children in households receiving benefits from SNAP or Families First can get free meals regardless of their income. Children whose household’s gross income is within the free limits per the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines can also get free meals.

Officials stress that the application for free and reduced-price meals must be filled out annually.

You may click Please go to knox schools dot org forward slash meals to apply.

to apply. Anyone needing additional information is asked to call the Knox County Schools Nutrition Department at 865-594-9563.

Deputies Searching for Several Inmates after Escaping Hancock County Jail

Posted on July 19, 2024

Hancock County, TN (WOKI) A search is underway for escaped inmates out of Hancock County.

Officials with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office say a total of five inmates escaped the Hancock County jail around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

Two of the five, Adam Bailey and John Benton III, have been apprehended while Casey Denim, Todd Carroll, and Jason Collins remain at-large.

HCSO says the inmates are not known to be armed.

Anyone with information that can assist in the search is asked to call the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office at 423-733-2249.

*Pictured, left to right, Todd Carroll, Jason Holden Collins and Casey Denim* (*Courtesy: HCSO*)

Flights are Resuming at McGhee Tyson Airport Following a Worldwide Internet Outage Grounded Planes

Posted on July 19, 2024

McGhee Tyson Airport says there was a ground stop from 6 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. this morning.

Becky Huckaby, VP of Public Relations at the Airport says Flights are slowly resuming now but they are seeing cancellations and delays.

Those will continue throughout the day and possibly tomorrow. Anyone flying should contact their airline directly or download the airline app to check flight status.

A widespread technology outage wreaked havoc on airports, banks and more Friday morning. On that long list of airports that saw major setbacks: McGhee Tyson Airport. The problem hit Microsoft 365 apps and services, and is believed not to be security-related.

Crowds gathered at the airport’s gates, with flights delayed and canceled. The airport’s status boards, which show whether flights are on-time or running behind, were also not working.

The problem hit Microsoft 365 apps and services, and is believed not to be security-related.

Reports said airports in the U.S. were not the only affected; planes were stuck on the ground in the U.K., Europe and India as well.

Photo courtesy of WVLT

A Former Jacksboro Police Department Employee is Facing Theft of Vienna Sausages and Vandalism Charges Against the City’s Vice Mayor

Posted on July 19, 2024

An affidavit obtained by WVLT News outlines the entire event from the eyes of Campbell County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Tosha Tackett.

Tackett said he got a call on July 11 to investigate the incident, adding he was told that JPD Chief Daniel Smith had said it involved “disgruntled ex-employees.”

While on the scene, Tackett said he found evidence of the vandalism: ran-over cans of Vienna sausages in the street and two of the home’s windows, broken.

The CCSO sergeant also spoke with Snodgrass, who said he woke up around 11 p.m. to several “loud thumps.” Snodgrass reportedly looked around his house after waking up, finding the broken windows and “various cans of Vienna sausages lying around his residence.”

Tackett also spoke to one of Snodgrass’ neighbors, the report said, who had a security camera that could have captured the incident. However, the cameras were not working at the time.

Following a lead (the Vienna sausages were allegedly a brand only sold at Walmart), Tackett visited a nearby Walmart and spoke to an employee.

That employee then told Tackett that she’d thrown away a receipt that morning that showed several cans of Vienna sausages, which prompted Tackett to look into the store’s security footage.

Tackett said that Weaver was caught on camera at the Walmart’s self checkout, buying only seven of 15 cans of Vienna sausages and a black t-shirt before getting into a black van and heading in the direction of Snodgrass’s home.

CCSO Lieutenant Mickey Owens tracked down another person who was inside the van, Tackett said, and interviewed them.

“[The witness] stated that while eating and drinking numerous alcoholic beverages at the Indian River Marina, [Weaver] was agitated about the incident in which he resigned from his employment at the Jacksboro Police Department,” the report reads.

The report adds that, when others with him asked Weaver why he needed to stop at Walmart after leaving the marina, Weaver only said “it was going to be funny.”

Weaver has reportedly admitted to the crime. He was charged with vandalism and theft. Story Courtesy of WVLT

Courtesy / UT Athletics

Lady Vols In The WNBA Update: July 18, 2024

Posted on July 19, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s last three WNBA first-round picks shined brightly on July 16, as they combined for 48 points in Seattle’s 89-83 victory over Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. The trio helped their teams close out the season’s first half prior to the league’s extended break for the All-Star Game in Phoenix, Ariz., and Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Rae Burrell connected on a career-best five of seven three-point attempts to tally 18 points, and Rickea Jackson fired in 16 with six rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to earn their team a win. Instead, Jordan Horston contributed 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting and snared eight rebounds to help the Storm prevail in the showdown of Lady Vols. Another Tennessee alum, 2018 second-round selection Mercedes Russell, chipped in two points, a rebound and an assist in the victory for her team.

Those LVFLs, as well as Chicago’s Isabelle Harrison and Diamond DeShields, are off until Aug. 15 or 16. The WNBA All-Stars will meet the USA Women’s National Team on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC in this year’s showcase, and then the complete USA squad heads to Paris to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games.

Another LVFL and former WNBA player, Cierra Burdick, is a member of the USA 3×3 team headed to Paris. Before heading overseas, she and her teammates will take part in the All-Star festivities on Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, as they play against the USA U23 National Team in an exhibition.

Horston and Russell have their team in second place in the Western Conference standings and ranked No. 4 overall in the WNBA through the first half of the campaign. DeShields and Harrison have Chicago sitting in eighth overall in the league, while Jackson and Burrell play on the WNBA’s No. 10 overall squad. Only the top eight teams advance to postseason play.

Player Updates:

Rae Burrell

6’2 | G-F | Los Angeles Sparks | 3rd Season

Rae Burrell (2018-22) has appeared in 21 games for the Sparks this season, matching her season-best 32 minutes and adding a season-high 18 points against Seattle on July 16. During that contest, she made six out of nine field goals, including a career-topping five of seven three-pointers. Burrell is averaging 5.0 points and 13.6 minutes per game thus far.

Next Game: August 15 vs. New York Liberty (9 p.m. ET on ESPN)

Diamond DeShields

6’1 | G | Chicago Sky | 7th Season

Since returning to the Sky this season, Diamond DeShields (2014-17) has appeared in 21 contests. DeShields is averaging 4.5 points per game, with 1.5 assists and 1.4 rebounds while playing 14.9 minutes per contest. DeShields has scored in double figures twice this season, and her most recent brush with double digits came on July 2, when she tallied nine points on 3-of-5 shooting in Atlanta.

Next Game: August 15 vs. Phoenix Mercury (8 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video, Arizona’s Family Sports, Marquee Sports Network, Mercury Live (Livestream)

Isabelle Harrison

6’3 | F | Chicago Sky | 8th Season

Isabelle Harrison (2011-15) has seen action in 20 games during her first active season with the Sky. After missing 2023 due to injury, she is averaging 5.9 points and 3.7 rebounds while playing 14.7 minutes per game. In her most recent action, she helped Chicago win at Las Vegas on July 16 by contributing eight points, six rebounds and a pair of assists during a 14-minute stint. She had 12 points vs. New York on July 11 and 11 points vs. Seattle on July 7 for her second and third double-digit scoring efforts of the year.

Next Game: August 15 vs. Phoenix Mercury (8 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video, Arizona’s Family Sports, Marquee Sports Network, Mercury Live (Livestream)

Jordan Horston
6’2 | F | Seattle Storm | 2nd Season

In her second season in the league, Jordan Horston (2019-23) is averaging 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals over 24.6 minutes per contest for the Storm. After undergoing off-season shoulder surgery, she has gained momentum as the season has progressed. Heading into the All-Star break, Horston logged back-to-back games of 16 and 14 points, respectively, vs. Atlanta on July 14 and Los Angeles on July 16. She now has nine double-figure scoring efforts for the season, including eight in her last 13 contests.

Next Game: August 16 at Atlanta Dream (7:30 p.m. ET on Ion Television and WNBA League Pass)

Rickea Jackson

6’2 | F | Los Angeles Sparks | 1st Season

In her inaugural season with the Sparks, Rickea Jackson (2022-24) has appeared in all 24 of the Sparks’ matchups and started 19 of them. Jackson is averaging 11.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 26.1 minutes per contest while shooting 45.0 percent from the field and 76.6 from the charity stripe. Jackson had a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and a pair of assists during a 29-minute stint on July 13 during the Sparks’ 87-81 victory at Dallas. The LVFL has now reached double figures in 14 appearances, including 10 of her past 14 contests.

Next Game: August 15 vs. New York Liberty (9 p.m. ET on ESPN)

Mercedes Russell

6’6 | C | Seattle Storm | 7th Season

In her seventh season with Seattle, Mercedes Russell (2013-18) continues to make strides in the paint. This year, she has participated in 23 games, averaging 3.8 points and 2.9 rebounds and shooting 57.6 percent from the field over 14.9 minutes per contest. Most recently, she played seven minutes and added two points, a rebound and an assist in the Storm’s victory at Los Angeles on July 16.

Next Game: August 16 at Atlanta Dream (7:30 p.m. ET on Ion Television and WNBA League Pass)

TDOT Announces Closure of West Topside Road in Knoxville

Posted on July 19, 2024

KNOXVILLE – Motorists traveling on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) southbound and West Topside Road in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a temporary impact on traffic.

Beginning on Monday, July 22, the connection between Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) southbound and West Topside Road will be temporarily closed. This closure will be in place 24/7 and is necessary to allow the contractor to have a safe working space to construct the proposed pedestrian tunnel beneath West Topside Road.

This method of installing a precast pedestrian tunnel will limit the overall length of time that West Topside Road will be closed in comparison to traditional construction methods of cast in place. This alternative method of construction will minimize impacts to traffic while construction takes place.

During this closure, traffic will be temporarily detoured for this phase of construction. These traffic patterns are expected to be in place for approximately two weeks.

To access West Topside Road from Alcoa Highway southbound, traffic will be detoured by exiting Alcoa Highway southbound at the John Sevier Highway (State Route 168) interchange. Traffic will then take John Sevier Highway to Maryville Pike and then onto West Topside Road.

To access Alcoa Highway southbound from West Topside Road, traffic will be detoured by taking Alcoa Highway northbound to the John Sevier Highway (State Route 168) interchange. Motorists will then access Alcoa Highway southbound at the John Sevier Highway interchange.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and “Know Before You Go!” by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

courtesy of WVLT

A Global Internet Outage is Affecting Airlines, Banks, Media and Offices

Posted on July 19, 2024

You may be running into several issues right now due to a significant Global Internet outage.

Microsoft users worldwide, including banks and airlines are reporting widespread outages.

You are going to want to check your flights before you head out to McGee Tyson this morning. The FAA has grounded flights from several carriers due to this outage. It’s affecting airlines including United, Allegiant Delta and American.

It’s unclear how long this grounding will last and that same outage led to an hours long standstill for multiple flights late last night.

The cause, exact nature and scale of this outage is clear and cybersecurity experts are tracking growing outages in services at ADT security, even Amazon.

Several media broadcasters worldwide lost access to their computer systems. Microsoft acknowledged connectivity and service issues for some customers in the central U..S and say they have determined the cause of the outage and a fix to it is underway.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Microsoft users worldwide, including banks and airlines, reported widespread outages on Friday, hours after the technology company said it was gradually fixing an issue affecting access to Microsoft 365 apps and services.

The cause, exact nature and scale of the outage was unclear. Microsoft appeared to suggest in its X posts that the situation was improving but escalating outages were still being reported around the world hours later.

The website DownDectector, which tracks user-reported internet outages, recorded growing outages in services at Visa, ADT security and Amazon, and airlines including American Airlines and Delta.

News outlets in Australia reported that airlines, telecommunications providers and banks, and media broadcasters were disrupted as they lost access to computer systems. Some New Zealand banks said they were also offline.

Microsoft 365 posted on X that the company was “working on rerouting the impacted traffic to alternate systems to alleviate impact in a more expedient fashion” and that they were “observing a positive trend in service availability.”

The company did not respond to a request for comment. It did not explain the cause of the outage further.

Australian outages reported on the site included the banks NAB, Commonwealth and Bendigo, and the airlines Virgin Australia and Qantas, as well as internet and phone providers such as Telstra.

News outlets in Australia — including the ABC and Sky News — were unable to broadcast on their TV and radio channels, and reported sudden shutdowns of Windows-based computers.

An X user posted a screenshot of an alert from the company Crowdstrike that said the company was aware of “reports of crashes on Windows hosts” related to its Falcon Sensor platform.

The alert was posted on a password-protected Crowdstrike site and could not be verified. Crowdstrike did not respond to a request for comment. Story courtesy of WVLT

Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for January 2022 Murder in North Knoxville

Posted on July 18, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A man is sentenced to life in prison for a January 2022 murder in North Knoxville.

According to District Attorney Charme Allen’s office, 61-year-old Johnny Robert McBee has been convicted of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon and sentenced to life in the Tennessee Department of Correction for shooting and killing 42-year-old Jerome Nance following an argument on January 30, 2022.

Trial records indicate McBee fired three shots at Nance, killing him, after Nance exited his vehicle when both men arrived at 930 Atlantic Avenue following an argument about Nance dating McBee’s niece earlier that day.

During his trial, McBee reportedly said the revolver “accidentally discharged three times,” but District Attorney Charme Allen said he was ultimately found guilty of first degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The DA’s office described McBee as a “career criminal,” having six prior felonies from the 1980s for armed robbery, assault with intent to murder, and other burglary offenses.

*Johnny Robert McBee, 61* (*Knox County DA’s Office*)

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Courtesy / UT Athletics

LADY VOL HOOPS SLATE TO INCLUDE WEST PALM BEACH CLASSIC

Posted on July 20, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments

Knoxville Police Recover Guns and Drugs Following Traffic Stop

Posted on July 19, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments

Knoxville, Tn (WOKI) Drugs and guns are confiscated and a felon with multiple prior convictions is off the streets following a traffic stop Wednesday, July 17 in Knoxville. Knoxville Police Department officials say CERT officers stopped a car in the area of Summit Hill Drive and Hill Avenue. KPD says the stop resulted in officers…… Continue Reading

Applications Now Open for Free and Reduced-Price Meals for Knox County Schools

Posted on July 19, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments

Knoxville, Tn (WOKI) Knox County Schools says applications are now open for students to receive free and reduced-price meals for the 2024-2025 school year. KCS says the application is open for families unable to pay for breakfast and lunch meals at school or whose students do not attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school. All…… Continue Reading

Deputies Searching for Several Inmates after Escaping Hancock County Jail

Posted on July 19, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments

Hancock County, TN (WOKI) A search is underway for escaped inmates out of Hancock County. Officials with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office say a total of five inmates escaped the Hancock County jail around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night. Two of the five, Adam Bailey and John Benton III, have been apprehended while Casey Denim, Todd…… Continue Reading

Flights are Resuming at McGhee Tyson Airport Following a Worldwide Internet Outage Grounded Planes

Posted on July 19, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments

McGhee Tyson Airport says there was a ground stop from 6 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. this morning. Becky Huckaby, VP of Public Relations at the Airport says Flights are slowly resuming now but they are seeing cancellations and delays. Those will continue throughout the day and possibly tomorrow. Anyone flying should contact their airline directly…… Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of WVLT

A Former Jacksboro Police Department Employee is Facing Theft of Vienna Sausages and Vandalism Charges Against the City’s Vice Mayor

Posted on July 19, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments

JACKSBORO, Tenn. (WVLT) – A former Jacksboro Police Department employee, Joseph Weaver, is facing charges, accused of stealing cans of Vienna sausages to vandalize the home of Jimmy Snodgrass, the city’s vice mayor. An affidavit obtained by WVLT News outlines the entire event from the eyes of Campbell County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Tosha Tackett. Tackett…… Continue Reading

Courtesy / UT Athletics

Lady Vols In The WNBA Update: July 18, 2024

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s last three WNBA first-round picks shined brightly on July 16, as they combined for 48 points in Seattle’s 89-83 victory over Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. The trio helped their teams close out the season’s first half prior to the league’s extended break for the All-Star Game in Phoenix,…… Continue Reading

TDOT Announces Closure of West Topside Road in Knoxville

Posted on July 19, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments

KNOXVILLE – Motorists traveling on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) southbound and West Topside Road in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a temporary impact on traffic. Beginning on Monday, July 22, the connection between Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) southbound and West Topside Road will be temporarily…… Continue Reading

courtesy of WVLT

A Global Internet Outage is Affecting Airlines, Banks, Media and Offices

Posted on July 19, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments

You may be running into several issues right now due to a significant Global Internet outage. Microsoft users worldwide, including banks and airlines are reporting widespread outages. You are going to want to check your flights before you head out to McGee Tyson this morning. The FAA has grounded flights from several carriers due to…… Continue Reading

Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for January 2022 Murder in North Knoxville

Posted on July 18, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A man is sentenced to life in prison for a January 2022 murder in North Knoxville. According to District Attorney Charme Allen’s office, 61-year-old Johnny Robert McBee has been convicted of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon and sentenced to life in the Tennessee Department of Correction for shooting and…… Continue Reading