Hoops Central: #5/4 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 5/4 Tennessee men’s basketball team is set to face Vanderbilt in an in-state battle Saturday afternoon at Food City Center. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY TIMES & BROADCAST INFO
- Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores
- Tipoff: Saturday, Feb. 15 | 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Food City Center
- Watch Online: SEC Network
- Online: Listen Live | Live Stats
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TENNESSEE
VANDERBILT
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Fans can catch Saturday’s game between the Volunteers (20-5, 7-5 SEC) and Commodores (17-7, 5-6 SEC) on SEC Network. Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Pat Bradley (analyst) will have the call.
Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
In Tennessee’s most recent outing, trailing No. 15/18 Kentucky by nine in the final minute of the first half and by seven with under 14 minutes to play, it roared back to take a three-point lead, but could not hold on down the stretch in a 75-64 setback.
Senior guard Zakai Zeigler, who entered the top 25 on the school’s all-time scoring list and the top six on the SEC’s career assists leaderboard, had game highs in points (17) and assists (six) for No. 5/4 Tennessee (20-5, 7-5 SEC) at Rupp Arena
THE MATCHUP
• UT’s 131 wins over Vanderbilt are its most versus any foe. Georgia (100) is the only other school it has defeated triple-digit times.
• Since Food City Center opened in 1987-88, Tennessee is 28-9 at home against the Commodres, including 15-4 in the last 19 affairs.
• UT has seven straight home wins over Vanderbilt, by an average of 13.4 ppg. Last year, it won by 35.
• The Volunteers are 13-2 in their last 15 contests against Vanderbilt, since 1/9/18. Both defeats were one-point road setbacks (66-65 on 2/8/23 and 76-75 on 1/18/25).
• This is the 14th time in the last 16 series meetings, also dating to 1/9/18, Tennessee is ranked and Vanderbilt is not. It is the ninth time in that stretch, including the sixth in a row, UT is in the top 10.
• Ranked UT teams are 23-9 all- time against unranked Vanderbilt squads, including 15-3—all three losses are by one—since 2/3/01.
• Coming off a 9-23 (4-14) campaign in 2023-24, Vanderbilt placed No. 16 in the SEC preseason poll.
• Junior guard Jason Edwards leads Vanderbilt with 17.4 ppg.
NEWS & NOTES
• Vanderbilt is the only team the Volunteers play at home in a five- game, 23-day stretch (Feb. 6-28).
• The Commodores are the first unranked SEC team visiting UT since 2/24/24, snapping an eight- game streak across two seasons.
• Over the past eight campaigns, all in the Rick Barnes era, UT is 27-9 (.750) in the second leg of regular season home-and-home series.
• Tennessee is 34-7 (.829) against in-state opposition under Rick Barnes, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games.
• The Volunteers have earned a top- 10 position in 31 of the 36 AP Poll releases over the last two seasons, including a top-eight spot in 27 of the last 30 releases.
• Igor Miličić Jr., is one of just five SEC players in the last 15 years (2010-25) to post at least 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in a game three-plus times in a single season. The others are Auburn’s Johni Broome (2024- 25), Texas A&M’s Tyrece Radford (2023-24), Tennessee’s Grant Williams (2018-19) and LSU’s Ben Simmons (2015-16).
• UT’s eight Quad 1 wins are tied for the second-most in the country, alongside Alabama and Kentucky. Only Auburn (13) has more.
• Zakai Zeigler has 651 assists, sixth-most in SEC history. He is five back of Georgia/Kentucky’s Sahvir Wheeler (656 from 2019-23) for fifth and 13 behind Alabama’s Terry Coner (664 from 1983-87) for fourth.
• Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler are each one victory away from becoming the seventh and eighth players to win 100 games at Tennessee.
• Felix Okpara (46) is four blocks away from the 13th 50-block season in UT history, while Chaz Lanier (84) is five made 3-pointers from No. 10 on the program’s single-season leaderboard (89).
• Tennessee’s 191 victories over the last eight seasons (2017-25) rank ninth in DI. Only Gonzaga (231), Houston (228), Kansas (208), Duke (206), Purdue (201), Saint Mary’s (193), San Diego State (193) and Auburn (192) possess more. Drake (190) and Liberty (190) tie to round out the top 10.
RACKING UP RANKED VICTORIES
• TOP 25: In the past four years (2021-25), Tennessee’s 26 AP top-25 wins lead the nation. Only Connecticut (25), Kansas (25), Iowa State (24) and Purdue (23) are even within three, while the closest SEC school is four behind (Alabama with 22).
• TOP 20: Tennessee possesses an SEC-high 22 AP top-20 triumphs over that span, the co-second- most of any DI school, tied with Kansas (22) and trailing only Connecticut (23). Just Purdue (19), Alabama (closest SEC team with 18) and Iowa State (18) are even within five of the Volunteers.
• TOP 15: The Volunteers own an SEC-best 19 AP top- 15 decisions over those four years, good for second- most in the country, behind just Kansas (20). Only Alabama (closest SEC team with 16), Iowa State (15) and Kentucky (15) are even within four of UT.
• TOP 10: Since 2021-22, Tennessee owns nine AP top- 10 wins, co-second in the SEC and co-sixth nationally, both alongside Alabama. Only Connecticut (12), Iowa State (12), Kansas (12), Kentucky (11) and Purdue (10) have more. The nine such wins in that time are against #1 Alabama (2/15/23), #3 Kansas (11/25/22), #3 Auburn (2/26/22), #4 Kentucky (2/15/22), #5 Kentucky (3/12/22), #6 Arizona (12/22/21), #10 Texas (1/28/23), at #10 Kentucky (2/3/24) and #5 Florida (2/1/25).
• TOP FIVE: In that same four-year span, UT has six AP top-five victories, tied with Arizona for the most in the country. Only six other schools have even four: Alabama (five), Iowa State (five), Florida (four), Gonzaga (four), Kentucky (four) and Purdue (four).
HIGH-CALIBER COMPANY
• Tennessee and Kansas are the only two schools to earn an AP top-five ranking in each of the last four seasons (2021-25). Only two others, Arizona and Purdue, entered 2024-25 with a three-year streak.
• The Volunteers are one of only four teams to reach the AP top six in each of the past five seasons, alongside Alabama, Houston and Kansas.
• UT is one of just five programs to reach the AP top six in at least six of the last seven seasons (2018- 25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Kentucky. Those are also the only five schools to enter the AP top five in at least five different years in that stretch.
• The Vols are among only eight teams to reach the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll in at least two of the last seven seasons (2018-25), joining Auburn, Baylor, Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas and Purdue.
• Over that same seven-year stretch (2018-25), UT is also one of seven teams to claim an AP top-two position in at least three seasons, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Purdue.
• UT is one of seven schools with an AP top-20 ranking in each of the last eight years (2017-25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State and North Carolina. Just two others—Houston and Purdue—have even been AP top-25 each season.
• Additionally, over the last three years (2022-25), the Vols are one of just six teams to reach the AP top two in multiple seasons, joining Alabama, Connecticut, Duke, Kansas and Purdue.
PARTICULARLY POTENT AT HOME
• Under Rick Barnes, Tennessee is 22-8 (.733) versus AP top-25 teams at Food City Center, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games (since 1/30/21).
• The Volunteers are 17-7 (.708) at home against AP top-20 teams in the Barnes era, including 13-2 (.867) in their last 15 such contests (since 1/30/21).
• UT has a 14-5 (.737) mark when hosting AP top-15 squads under Barnes, including a 12-2 (.857) record in its last 14 such affairs (since 1/30/21).
• Barnes has led the Vols to an 8-1 (.889) ledger at Food City Center versus AP top-10 teams, with seven consecutive wins (since 3/2/19).
• UT is a perfect 6-0 when hosting AP top-five teams in the Barnes era (all since 1/24/17). The six straight wins are an SEC record, per ESPN, surpassing the mark of five by Kentucky in 1978-84 and 1956-59.
• The Vols won 12 straight home games against AP top-25 foes from 1/30/21 to 2/28/24. That is an SEC record, per CBS Sports, and the longest in DI since Kansas had 17 straight from 1/11/14 to 2/13/17. Nine of those victories were versus top-15 foes, with five against the top 10 and three over top-five teams.
• Tennessee is 19-5 (.792) in AP top-25 home matchups under Barnes, including 13-5 (.722) with both teams in the top 20, 8-2 (.800) with both in the top 15 and 4-0 (1.000) with both in the top 10.
1.3K CLUB
• Tennessee, Alabama (five), Ole Miss and Xavier—all but one are in the SEC—are the only schools with at least four 1,300-point scorers. Just 11 others programs have even three.
• In total, only 27 teams—10 are in the SEC—have four- plus players with even 1,000 collegiate points.
• Jordan Gainey possesses 1,441 points in 125 contests, an average of 11.5 ppg over four years.
• Darlinstone Dubar has 1,431 points in 136 outings, good for 10.5 ppg across five seasons.
• Chaz Lanier, the only member of the quartet who entered the season below 1K, now has 1,373 points in 129 outings, a 10.6 ppg ledger across five campaigns.
• Zakai Zeigler owns 1,365 points in 125 appearances, giving him a 10.9 ppg average in four seasons.
TOP-TIER TRIUMPHS
• Tennessee is 40-41 (.494) against AP top-25 foes under Rick Barnes, including 24-14 (.632) in its past 38 such games (since 1/22/22).
• The Volunteers are 34-33 (.507) versus AP top-20 teams in Barnes’ tenure, including 20-10 (.667) in their last 30 such affairs (since 1/22/22).
• UT is 26-26 (.500) against AP top-15 teams in the Barnes era, including 19-9 (.679) in its last 28 such games (since 12/22/21).
• The Vols own a 14-15 (.483) record versus AP top-10 foes under Barnes, including a 12-9 (.571) mark in their last 21 such contests (since 3/2/19) and a 9-6 (.600) tally in their last 15 (since 12/22/21).
• UT is 10-9 (.526) against AP top-five opponents in Barnes’ tenure, including 6-4 (.600) in its last 10 such affairs (since 2/15/22). It is 8-2 (.800) versus AP top-five SEC teams, including 7-1 (.875) in its last seven such outings (since 3/2/19).
20,000 STRONG
• In Rick Barnes‘ 10 seasons, Tennessee has played in front of a home crowd of at least 20,000 on 44 occasions (34-10), with 31 sellouts (24-7).
• In 2022-23, the Volunteers had five sellout crowds, at the time tying an arena single-season record.
• Tennessee well eclipsed that mark last season by selling out eight home games—including seven of nine in SEC play—good for its most ever at Food City Center. Four of those were over-capacity crowds, with the last three above 22,000.
• This season, Tennessee has already clinched six sellouts: Syracuse (12/3/24), Arkansas (1/5/25), Mississippi State (1/21/25), Kentucky (1/28/25), Florida (2/1/25) and Alabama (3/1/25).
HAPPY AT HOME
• Over the last four seasons (2021-25), the Vols’ .919 (57-5) home winning percentage is ninth in DI (co- sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In the last eight years (2017-25), UT is at .875 (112- 16), No. 11 in DI (sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In total, UT is 135-25 (.844) at Food City Center in Rick Barnes‘ 10 years and has twice gone undefeated at home (18-0 in 2018-19 and 16-0 in 2021-22).
#2/4 Vols Open Season in Dominant Fashion with Run-Rule Win Over Hofstra
Read Online | Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery | Download Postgame Media
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The reigning national champion Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2025 season with a bang by routing Hofstra, 15-0, in front of an Opening Day crowd of 6,212 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Eight different UT players drove in runs on the day, led by multi-RBI efforts from Dean Curley (two), Stone Lawless (two), Ariel Antigua (two) and Hunter High (three). High’s pinch-hit three-run homer, the first of his career, capped a seven-run sixth inning for the Big Orange.
Curley’s two-run blast into the porches in left center was the first of three Tennessee long balls on the day as the Big Orange cruised to a run-rule win.
Cannon Peebles had a great all-around day at the plate, as well, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI from the designated hitter spot.
With the win, the No. 2/4 Vols improved to 78-36-2 all-time in season openers and 4-1 in home season openers under head coach Tony Vitello.
Dazzling Debuts
A handful of players put up impressive performances in their Tennessee debuts, headlined by a masterful outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle. The Ole Miss transfer set a new career high with 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings to earn the win.
After getting a groundout to start the game, Doyle retired the next eight batters he faced via strikeout before giving up the Pride’s only hit of the game. Doyle ended up facing the minimum through five innings after the runner was thrown out at second on the play after recording the single.
Fellow Ole Miss transfer Andrew Fischer also put his stamp on the game by drawing two walks, scoring a pair of runs and hitting a solo homer in the third inning. Louisville transfer Gavin Kilen finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a triple while scoring two runs, as well.
Redshirt freshman Stone Lawless got the start behind the dish and drove in a pair of runs with a double in UT’s seven-run sixth inning. Freshman infielder Manny Marin got the starting nod at third base and recorded two hits of his own in his first collegiate contest.
Rounding out the group of productive debuts was junior right hander Tanner Franklin, who stuck out four over the final two innings and did not allow a hit.
Up Next
Tennessee and Hofstra will square off again on Saturday in game two of the weekend series. First pitch, which was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., has been moved up to 2 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast. Sunday’s series finale has also been moved up an hour and is now slated to begin at 11 a.m.
Taylor Pannell Sparks #6 Lady Vols to Doubleheader Sweep
Game Recap: Softball | February 15, 2025
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell had a standout performance at the plate, sparking No. 6 Tennessee to a doubleheader sweep of McNeese on Friday night at Cowgirl Stadium. The Lady Vols won the first game 12-0 before securing a 10-2 victory in game two.
Pannell went 6-for-8 with four runs, one double, two home runs, and seven RBIs across the twin bill. She has now homered in three consecutive games and in four of the last five.
Ella Dodge also had an impressive night, finishing 3-for-7 with two home runs and three RBIs.
GAME ONE: #6 TENNESSEE 12, McNEESE 0
Three multi-run home runs powered Tennessee to a 12-0 win in game one, which ended in six innings. Dodge hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Lady Vols a 4-0 lead.
A six-run sixth inning was sparked by a three-run shot from Pannell and a two-run blast from Laura Mealer.
Junior Karlyn Pickens earned the win, tossing five innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five. Freshman Peyton Tanner pitched one inning of relief, giving up one hit and one walk.
GAME TWO: #6 TENNESSEE 10, McNEESE 2
Tennessee hit three more home runs in game two, with Dodge and Pannell going deep again, while sophomore Gabby Leach hit her first career homer in the fifth inning.
Leading 3-2 in the fourth, Pannell hit a two-RBI double to extend the lead. Leach then added a solo shot in the fifth to pad the advantage.
Both Pannell and Dodge homered again in the sixth, with each hitting solo shots.
Sophomore Ryan Brown capped the scoring in the seventh, doubling down the left-field line to score Pannell and Katie Taylor.
Erin Nuwer started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. She was relieved in the second but returned to finish the game in the seventh.
Sage Mardjetko threw five shutout innings of relief, giving up one hit, walking two, and striking out five. Mardjetko earned her third win of the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee will play two games on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. ET against Lamar, followed by a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Tulsa. Both games will be held at the LU Softball Complex in Beaumont, Texas. The contest against Lamar will be streamed on ESPN+.
Knox County Looking to Buy Fire-Prone North Knoxville Recycling Facility
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County leaders have launched a proposal to acquire the site of a North Knoxville recycling facility prone to fires and currently owned by a company that owed hundreds of thousands in back taxes.
The agreement, which still needs to be approved by Knox County Commission, proposes the county take over two locations — 2742 Hancock Street and 302 North Avenue — in exchange for over $4.3 million.
County reps say they plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility.
“We plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility,” said county representative Chris Caldwell. “We hope to start programming soon after approval and start conversations with KCS about a possible partnership. This property will help us begin the process of vacating the Knox Central property with the hope of getting it back on the tax rolls.”
The properties are currently owned by Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling and Edstock LLC.
Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling owns the Hancock Street location which was the scene of a large-scale fire in August of last year. According to county documents from last summer, the company owed the county and city over $257,000 in back taxes.
Man Wanted on Rape of Child Charges Out of Alcoa is Arrested in Kentucky
A man wanted on rape of a child charges out of Alcoa is arrested in Kentucky.
U.S. Marshals and investigators checked multiple residences throughout Knoxville, Blount County and Loudon County to find Horacio Mejia-Villegas.
He was charged with rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery out of Alcoa.
Detectives found he was taken to Lexington, Kentucky to hide from the police and him at a restaurant where he worked, he gave officers a fake name. He was arrested and will be extradited back to Tennessee.
He will be held for ICE for deportation after he serves his time if he is convicted.
‘Stronger than it’s ever been’ | UT System President Randy Boyd Giving Annual ‘State of the University’ Address
Murfreesboro, TN (WOKI) University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd delivered his annual ‘State of the University’ address Thursday.
Boyd says that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been.
“I’m happy to report that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been in our entire history,” Boyd said.
Multiple topics were discussed including a record-breaking enrollment rate for the entire UT system.
Currently, the school serves over 62,000 students, an over 18% increase since the start of this decade and while the higher number of students is great, Boyd says they are in need of more places to put them.
Boyd says they have 1,020 buildings that are on average 67 years old and need to be replaced.
“We need to build more infrastructure, we’re always asked to our friends in the legislature and the governor, where they gonna sit, you know, so it’s great to bring all these kids in, but we’ve got aging plant, our facilities are on average 67 years,” Boyd said. “We got 1,020 buildings on average 67 years old, so we’ve got buildings that we need to replace, we need to build new buildings to help support this growth.”
Additionally, Boyd said this week, Gov. Bill Lee and other legislators offered a record quarter of a billion dollars put toward the university’s infrastructure.
Governor Bill Lee Signs Bill Which Will Give a Refund of Property Taxes to Those Whose Home was Damaged or Destroyed by Hurricane Helene
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill that will give a 130% refund of property taxes to those whose home was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
However, only one owner per property is eligible for the relief, and if more than one owner requests relief, the payment will be sent to the property owner who submitted all the needed documentation first.
It was unanimously passed by both the Tennessee House and Senate.
To receive the relief payment, those eligible must submit all needed and necessary documentation to the Comptroller of the Treasury by June 30th.
HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF PAYMENTS
In connection with a disaster certified by the federal emergency management agency (FEMA) occurring on or after September 26, 2024, and before September 30, 2024 (“qualified disaster”) and subject to the requirements of this bill and an appropriation by the general assembly, this bill requires the comptroller of the treasury to disburse payments directly to owners of all real or personal property that is subject to taxation in this state, excluding intangible personal property or public utility property (“property”), (i) whose property was destroyed or damaged by a qualified disaster, as determined by the assessor of property by January 28, 2025, and is located in a county included in the FEMA declaration; and (ii) who owned the affected property at the time of the qualified disaster. This bill requires such payments to be in an amount equal to the total amount of the tax levied on the property for tax year 2024 plus 30%.
By June 30, 2025, this bill requires owners of property who are eligible for such payments to provide to the comptroller of the treasury all information and correctly completed documentation necessary for payment disbursement, as determined by the comptroller. The comptroller must determine the means by which owners of property must submit the necessary documentation and information. Failure to provide all necessary information and correctly completed documentation under this bill results in forfeiture of eligibility for payment under this bill.
This bill clarifies that the provisions of this bill apply regardless of whether the property was restored or replaced by December 31, 2024. However, the provisions of this bill are deleted on December 31, 2025.
MUTUAL AID DURING DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES
Present law generally (i) authorizes mutual aid during an imminent threat of an event or an actual event and its aftermath, whether natural or man-made, that could lead to or results in bodily injury or property damage and (ii) enhances public safety and homeland security by facilitating assistance among governmental entities in a state of emergency or declared disaster while conforming to federal guidelines relative to reimbursement of costs for assistance rendered. Specifically, upon receiving a request for mutual aid in an occurrence or for assistance from a requesting party in a municipal, county, state, or federal state of emergency, present law authorizes a governmental entity that requests or responds to a request for aid or assistance to send its personnel and equipment outside its boundaries and into any other jurisdiction necessary to respond to the request. This bill revises that specific authority by subjecting such authority to the approval of the chief executive officer of the governmental entity.
ON JANUARY 29, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 6007, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 revises the provision of the bill that excludes public utility property from the definition of “property” as used in the bill. This amendment removes that exclusion and, instead, excludes from such definition utility and carrier property that is assessed pursuant to the property tax laws of this state.
This amendment requires payments under this bill to be provided to only one owner per property. If more than one owner seeks payment for the same property, then the comptroller of the treasury must disburse payment to the owner who first submits all necessary information and correctly completed documentation as required under this bill.
#15/16 Lady Vols Ride Hot Shooting To 99-61 Win Over Auburn
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 15/16 Tennessee women’s basketball team shot a season-high 55.7 percent from the field and scored its most points against an SEC foe in 14 years to roll past Auburn, 99-61, on Thursday night at Food City Center.
The Lady Vols (18-6, 5-6 SEC), who carded their highest output since a 110-45 home win over Alabama on Jan. 6, 2011, were led offensively by fifth-year guard Jewel Spear, who knocked down five three-pointers and finished with a team-high 17 points. The Big Orange had four others in double figures, including junior guard Ruby Whitehorn with 15, junior forward Zee Spearman with 14, redshirt freshman guard Kaniya Boyd with 11 and redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper with 10.
The Tigers (12-13, 3-9 SEC) were paced by DeYona Gaston, who recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds. Yuting Deng chipped in 13 points, with 10 of those coming in the first quarter before the Lady Vols limited her to 1-of-4 shooting the rest of the way.
Auburn opened the game in good form, hitting 50 percent over the opening six-plus minutes to grab a 7-2 lead behind 3-of-7 marksmanship from Deng. A Jillian Hollingshead kiss off the glass and a Spear three-pointer, however, narrowed the deficit to three, 14-11, by the 3:44 media timeout. The Lady Vols warmed up after the break, grabbing their first lead, 15-14, with 2:35 remaining. After AU jumped up 18-15, UT finished the frame on a 7-2 burst, getting a Boyd backdoor layup, a spinning Whitehorn layup and then a trey from Whitehorn to close out the period with a 22-20 edge.
Tennessee continued its momentum into the second stanza, building a 28-20 gap by the 8:29 mark on a Spearman free throw, Cooper three and Whitehorn layup. The Lady Vols then got an Alyssa Latham bank shot and Sara Puckett inside bucket to push ahead, 37-26, by the 4:31 media timeout, shooting 66.7 percent from the field to begin the quarter. UT continued to pad its lead, moving up 41-28 on a Tess Darby trey, 44-30 on a Spear three and 48-32 on a Puckett layup before a Spearman put-back sent her team into the locker room with a 50-34 cushion behind 73.3-percent marksmanship in the second stanza. UT carved out a 28-14 advantage in paint points during the opening half.
Auburn was the aggressor early in the third frame, tallying four straight points to open the period and outscoring Tennessee, 12-8, to cut the deficit to 12, 58-46, by the 4:54 media timeout. The Tigers crept to within 11, 61-50, with 2:48 left, but a three-pointer from Hollingshead as the shot clock was winding down and an old-fashioned three-point play from Cooper moved the gap to 17. Then, a turnaround jumper by Cooper and a layup from Boyd sent the home team into the final frame with a game-best 71-52 margin.
Tennessee built its lead to 20, 74-54, on a three by Darby with 8:32 left and then extended it to 80-59 on back-to-back treys from Samara Spencer and Darby, forcing Auburn to ask for time with 5:29 remaining. A Boyd driving layup pushed the margin to 31, 90-59, with 3:15 to go, and an Avery Strickland driving layup with 39 seconds on the clock pushed her team within one of the century mark and closed out the scoring.
UP NEXT: Next on the schedule for the Lady Vols is a noon ET home matchup with RV/RV Ole Miss on Sunday at Food City Center. The contest will be streamed by SECN+ and also will be broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and via audio stream on UTSports.com. The matchup will be UT’s Black History Month game.
A JEWEL SPEAR SPECIAL:Jewel Spear tallied 17 points against Auburn on Thursday night, connecting on five of eight three-point attempts for her fourth game of 5+ treys this season. The fifth-year guard also finished with four assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. Spear has carded 14 games thus far with 10 or more points, running her total to 108 for her career. The Colony, Texas, native has logged three consecutive games of ten points or more, dating back to Feb. 6 against UConn.
BIG ORANGE PRESSURE: The Tennessee defense forced Auburn to turn the ball over a total of 21 times. Fifteen of the Lady Vols foes thus far have committed at least 20 miscues. The Tennessee press resulted in a 10-second violation, and the inbound play defense forced a five-second infraction. The Big Orange has harassed opponents into 22 10-second violations thus far. The 10-second call happened at the 7:46 mark in the third quarter. UT forced a season-most five violations against Western Carolina on Nov. 26.
TENNESSEE TREYS: Tennessee carded its 15th performance in 2024-25 with ten or more three-pointers in a single contest, knocking down 14 against Auburn. The 14 threes tie for sixth place in program history. Previously, UT also was first with 30 vs. N.C. Central, tied for third with 15 makes vs. Middle Tennessee and tied for sixth with 14 vs. Liberty and Tulsa. The Lady Vols have surpassed the previous school best of six for most games with double-digit three-pointer production.
HIGHEST FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE OF THE SEASON: Tennessee tallied its highest field goal percentage of the season, shooting 55.7 percent versus Auburn. The previous best was 53.0 vs. Winthrop on Dec. 29. The Lady Vols made 39 of 70 field goal attempts and bottomed 14 three-pointers. The Big Orange fired off a 73.3-percent showing in the second quarter and a 64.7-percent result in the final stanza. Ruby Whitehorn led the crew in field goals, sinking seven of 11, while Zee Spearman was six of eight and Jewel Spear five of nine, including a 5-of-8 night from the arc.
Jury Renders Sentence on First-Degree Murder Charges in Megan Boswell Trial
Sullivan County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: Megan Boswell, the Sullivan County mom found guilty of murdering her 15 month-old daughter, Evelyn, will now spend decades behind bars.
The jury in the case rendering a unanimous sentence on the first-degree murder charges against Boswell Thursday afternoon, sentencing her to life in prison for each of the three murder charges against her.
The jury also found Boswell guilty on various child abuse and neglect charges, tampering with evidence, 11 counts of false report and abuse of a corpse. The judge Thursday setting a formal sentencing hearing on the remaining charges for May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
ORIGINAL STORY: The verdict is in and Megan Boswell is found guilty of all 19 charges in the death of her 15 month old daughter Evelyn in 2019.
Boswell was found guilty of the following charges:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect
- Aggravated child abuse
- Aggravated child neglect
- Tampering with evidence
- 11 counts of false report
- Abuse of a corpse
- Failure to report a death under suspicious, unusual or unnatural circumstances
The next step will be to determine Megan’s sentence as Prosecutors have said they would not seek the death penalty but possible life in prison without the possibilty of parole.
The trial began February 5th.
Historic Cocke County Bridge Destroyed by Helene Gets Federal Funding for Replacement
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) In the wake of devastation wrought months ago by Hurricane Helene comes some good news for Cocke County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 75% of the cost to rebuild Conway Bridge, a historic structure in Cocke County.
The bridge, previously spanning the Nolichucky River, was built around 1925 and was washed away by flood waters brought on by Hurricane Helene.
Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis says the bridge replacement will cost around $8 million, adding that the project was approved recently.
Hoops Central: #5/4 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 5/4 Tennessee men’s basketball team is set to face Vanderbilt in an in-state battle Saturday afternoon at Food City Center. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY TIMES & BROADCAST INFO
- Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores
- Tipoff: Saturday, Feb. 15 | 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Food City Center
- Watch Online: SEC Network
- Online: Listen Live | Live Stats
RELATED LINKS
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TENNESSEE
VANDERBILT
THE LATEST FROM THE VOLS
#5/4 Vols Fall Short, 75-64, at #15/18 KentuckyLanier Named to Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List Vols Place No. 5/4 in Major Polls #4 Vols Cruise to 70-52 Victory at Oklahoma “Vanderbilt Matchup Sold Out
Fans can catch Saturday’s game between the Volunteers (20-5, 7-5 SEC) and Commodores (17-7, 5-6 SEC) on SEC Network. Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Pat Bradley (analyst) will have the call.
Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
In Tennessee’s most recent outing, trailing No. 15/18 Kentucky by nine in the final minute of the first half and by seven with under 14 minutes to play, it roared back to take a three-point lead, but could not hold on down the stretch in a 75-64 setback.
Senior guard Zakai Zeigler, who entered the top 25 on the school’s all-time scoring list and the top six on the SEC’s career assists leaderboard, had game highs in points (17) and assists (six) for No. 5/4 Tennessee (20-5, 7-5 SEC) at Rupp Arena
THE MATCHUP
• UT’s 131 wins over Vanderbilt are its most versus any foe. Georgia (100) is the only other school it has defeated triple-digit times.
• Since Food City Center opened in 1987-88, Tennessee is 28-9 at home against the Commodres, including 15-4 in the last 19 affairs.
• UT has seven straight home wins over Vanderbilt, by an average of 13.4 ppg. Last year, it won by 35.
• The Volunteers are 13-2 in their last 15 contests against Vanderbilt, since 1/9/18. Both defeats were one-point road setbacks (66-65 on 2/8/23 and 76-75 on 1/18/25).
• This is the 14th time in the last 16 series meetings, also dating to 1/9/18, Tennessee is ranked and Vanderbilt is not. It is the ninth time in that stretch, including the sixth in a row, UT is in the top 10.
• Ranked UT teams are 23-9 all- time against unranked Vanderbilt squads, including 15-3—all three losses are by one—since 2/3/01.
• Coming off a 9-23 (4-14) campaign in 2023-24, Vanderbilt placed No. 16 in the SEC preseason poll.
• Junior guard Jason Edwards leads Vanderbilt with 17.4 ppg.
NEWS & NOTES
• Vanderbilt is the only team the Volunteers play at home in a five- game, 23-day stretch (Feb. 6-28).
• The Commodores are the first unranked SEC team visiting UT since 2/24/24, snapping an eight- game streak across two seasons.
• Over the past eight campaigns, all in the Rick Barnes era, UT is 27-9 (.750) in the second leg of regular season home-and-home series.
• Tennessee is 34-7 (.829) against in-state opposition under Rick Barnes, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games.
• The Volunteers have earned a top- 10 position in 31 of the 36 AP Poll releases over the last two seasons, including a top-eight spot in 27 of the last 30 releases.
• Igor Miličić Jr., is one of just five SEC players in the last 15 years (2010-25) to post at least 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in a game three-plus times in a single season. The others are Auburn’s Johni Broome (2024- 25), Texas A&M’s Tyrece Radford (2023-24), Tennessee’s Grant Williams (2018-19) and LSU’s Ben Simmons (2015-16).
• UT’s eight Quad 1 wins are tied for the second-most in the country, alongside Alabama and Kentucky. Only Auburn (13) has more.
• Zakai Zeigler has 651 assists, sixth-most in SEC history. He is five back of Georgia/Kentucky’s Sahvir Wheeler (656 from 2019-23) for fifth and 13 behind Alabama’s Terry Coner (664 from 1983-87) for fourth.
• Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler are each one victory away from becoming the seventh and eighth players to win 100 games at Tennessee.
• Felix Okpara (46) is four blocks away from the 13th 50-block season in UT history, while Chaz Lanier (84) is five made 3-pointers from No. 10 on the program’s single-season leaderboard (89).
• Tennessee’s 191 victories over the last eight seasons (2017-25) rank ninth in DI. Only Gonzaga (231), Houston (228), Kansas (208), Duke (206), Purdue (201), Saint Mary’s (193), San Diego State (193) and Auburn (192) possess more. Drake (190) and Liberty (190) tie to round out the top 10.
RACKING UP RANKED VICTORIES
• TOP 25: In the past four years (2021-25), Tennessee’s 26 AP top-25 wins lead the nation. Only Connecticut (25), Kansas (25), Iowa State (24) and Purdue (23) are even within three, while the closest SEC school is four behind (Alabama with 22).
• TOP 20: Tennessee possesses an SEC-high 22 AP top-20 triumphs over that span, the co-second- most of any DI school, tied with Kansas (22) and trailing only Connecticut (23). Just Purdue (19), Alabama (closest SEC team with 18) and Iowa State (18) are even within five of the Volunteers.
• TOP 15: The Volunteers own an SEC-best 19 AP top- 15 decisions over those four years, good for second- most in the country, behind just Kansas (20). Only Alabama (closest SEC team with 16), Iowa State (15) and Kentucky (15) are even within four of UT.
• TOP 10: Since 2021-22, Tennessee owns nine AP top- 10 wins, co-second in the SEC and co-sixth nationally, both alongside Alabama. Only Connecticut (12), Iowa State (12), Kansas (12), Kentucky (11) and Purdue (10) have more. The nine such wins in that time are against #1 Alabama (2/15/23), #3 Kansas (11/25/22), #3 Auburn (2/26/22), #4 Kentucky (2/15/22), #5 Kentucky (3/12/22), #6 Arizona (12/22/21), #10 Texas (1/28/23), at #10 Kentucky (2/3/24) and #5 Florida (2/1/25).
• TOP FIVE: In that same four-year span, UT has six AP top-five victories, tied with Arizona for the most in the country. Only six other schools have even four: Alabama (five), Iowa State (five), Florida (four), Gonzaga (four), Kentucky (four) and Purdue (four).
HIGH-CALIBER COMPANY
• Tennessee and Kansas are the only two schools to earn an AP top-five ranking in each of the last four seasons (2021-25). Only two others, Arizona and Purdue, entered 2024-25 with a three-year streak.
• The Volunteers are one of only four teams to reach the AP top six in each of the past five seasons, alongside Alabama, Houston and Kansas.
• UT is one of just five programs to reach the AP top six in at least six of the last seven seasons (2018- 25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Kentucky. Those are also the only five schools to enter the AP top five in at least five different years in that stretch.
• The Vols are among only eight teams to reach the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll in at least two of the last seven seasons (2018-25), joining Auburn, Baylor, Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas and Purdue.
• Over that same seven-year stretch (2018-25), UT is also one of seven teams to claim an AP top-two position in at least three seasons, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Purdue.
• UT is one of seven schools with an AP top-20 ranking in each of the last eight years (2017-25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State and North Carolina. Just two others—Houston and Purdue—have even been AP top-25 each season.
• Additionally, over the last three years (2022-25), the Vols are one of just six teams to reach the AP top two in multiple seasons, joining Alabama, Connecticut, Duke, Kansas and Purdue.
PARTICULARLY POTENT AT HOME
• Under Rick Barnes, Tennessee is 22-8 (.733) versus AP top-25 teams at Food City Center, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games (since 1/30/21).
• The Volunteers are 17-7 (.708) at home against AP top-20 teams in the Barnes era, including 13-2 (.867) in their last 15 such contests (since 1/30/21).
• UT has a 14-5 (.737) mark when hosting AP top-15 squads under Barnes, including a 12-2 (.857) record in its last 14 such affairs (since 1/30/21).
• Barnes has led the Vols to an 8-1 (.889) ledger at Food City Center versus AP top-10 teams, with seven consecutive wins (since 3/2/19).
• UT is a perfect 6-0 when hosting AP top-five teams in the Barnes era (all since 1/24/17). The six straight wins are an SEC record, per ESPN, surpassing the mark of five by Kentucky in 1978-84 and 1956-59.
• The Vols won 12 straight home games against AP top-25 foes from 1/30/21 to 2/28/24. That is an SEC record, per CBS Sports, and the longest in DI since Kansas had 17 straight from 1/11/14 to 2/13/17. Nine of those victories were versus top-15 foes, with five against the top 10 and three over top-five teams.
• Tennessee is 19-5 (.792) in AP top-25 home matchups under Barnes, including 13-5 (.722) with both teams in the top 20, 8-2 (.800) with both in the top 15 and 4-0 (1.000) with both in the top 10.
1.3K CLUB
• Tennessee, Alabama (five), Ole Miss and Xavier—all but one are in the SEC—are the only schools with at least four 1,300-point scorers. Just 11 others programs have even three.
• In total, only 27 teams—10 are in the SEC—have four- plus players with even 1,000 collegiate points.
• Jordan Gainey possesses 1,441 points in 125 contests, an average of 11.5 ppg over four years.
• Darlinstone Dubar has 1,431 points in 136 outings, good for 10.5 ppg across five seasons.
• Chaz Lanier, the only member of the quartet who entered the season below 1K, now has 1,373 points in 129 outings, a 10.6 ppg ledger across five campaigns.
• Zakai Zeigler owns 1,365 points in 125 appearances, giving him a 10.9 ppg average in four seasons.
TOP-TIER TRIUMPHS
• Tennessee is 40-41 (.494) against AP top-25 foes under Rick Barnes, including 24-14 (.632) in its past 38 such games (since 1/22/22).
• The Volunteers are 34-33 (.507) versus AP top-20 teams in Barnes’ tenure, including 20-10 (.667) in their last 30 such affairs (since 1/22/22).
• UT is 26-26 (.500) against AP top-15 teams in the Barnes era, including 19-9 (.679) in its last 28 such games (since 12/22/21).
• The Vols own a 14-15 (.483) record versus AP top-10 foes under Barnes, including a 12-9 (.571) mark in their last 21 such contests (since 3/2/19) and a 9-6 (.600) tally in their last 15 (since 12/22/21).
• UT is 10-9 (.526) against AP top-five opponents in Barnes’ tenure, including 6-4 (.600) in its last 10 such affairs (since 2/15/22). It is 8-2 (.800) versus AP top-five SEC teams, including 7-1 (.875) in its last seven such outings (since 3/2/19).
20,000 STRONG
• In Rick Barnes‘ 10 seasons, Tennessee has played in front of a home crowd of at least 20,000 on 44 occasions (34-10), with 31 sellouts (24-7).
• In 2022-23, the Volunteers had five sellout crowds, at the time tying an arena single-season record.
• Tennessee well eclipsed that mark last season by selling out eight home games—including seven of nine in SEC play—good for its most ever at Food City Center. Four of those were over-capacity crowds, with the last three above 22,000.
• This season, Tennessee has already clinched six sellouts: Syracuse (12/3/24), Arkansas (1/5/25), Mississippi State (1/21/25), Kentucky (1/28/25), Florida (2/1/25) and Alabama (3/1/25).
HAPPY AT HOME
• Over the last four seasons (2021-25), the Vols’ .919 (57-5) home winning percentage is ninth in DI (co- sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In the last eight years (2017-25), UT is at .875 (112- 16), No. 11 in DI (sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In total, UT is 135-25 (.844) at Food City Center in Rick Barnes‘ 10 years and has twice gone undefeated at home (18-0 in 2018-19 and 16-0 in 2021-22).
#2/4 Vols Open Season in Dominant Fashion with Run-Rule Win Over Hofstra
Read Online | Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery | Download Postgame Media
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The reigning national champion Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2025 season with a bang by routing Hofstra, 15-0, in front of an Opening Day crowd of 6,212 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Eight different UT players drove in runs on the day, led by multi-RBI efforts from Dean Curley (two), Stone Lawless (two), Ariel Antigua (two) and Hunter High (three). High’s pinch-hit three-run homer, the first of his career, capped a seven-run sixth inning for the Big Orange.
Curley’s two-run blast into the porches in left center was the first of three Tennessee long balls on the day as the Big Orange cruised to a run-rule win.
Cannon Peebles had a great all-around day at the plate, as well, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI from the designated hitter spot.
With the win, the No. 2/4 Vols improved to 78-36-2 all-time in season openers and 4-1 in home season openers under head coach Tony Vitello.
Dazzling Debuts
A handful of players put up impressive performances in their Tennessee debuts, headlined by a masterful outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle. The Ole Miss transfer set a new career high with 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings to earn the win.
After getting a groundout to start the game, Doyle retired the next eight batters he faced via strikeout before giving up the Pride’s only hit of the game. Doyle ended up facing the minimum through five innings after the runner was thrown out at second on the play after recording the single.
Fellow Ole Miss transfer Andrew Fischer also put his stamp on the game by drawing two walks, scoring a pair of runs and hitting a solo homer in the third inning. Louisville transfer Gavin Kilen finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a triple while scoring two runs, as well.
Redshirt freshman Stone Lawless got the start behind the dish and drove in a pair of runs with a double in UT’s seven-run sixth inning. Freshman infielder Manny Marin got the starting nod at third base and recorded two hits of his own in his first collegiate contest.
Rounding out the group of productive debuts was junior right hander Tanner Franklin, who stuck out four over the final two innings and did not allow a hit.
Up Next
Tennessee and Hofstra will square off again on Saturday in game two of the weekend series. First pitch, which was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., has been moved up to 2 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast. Sunday’s series finale has also been moved up an hour and is now slated to begin at 11 a.m.
Taylor Pannell Sparks #6 Lady Vols to Doubleheader Sweep
Game Recap: Softball | February 15, 2025
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell had a standout performance at the plate, sparking No. 6 Tennessee to a doubleheader sweep of McNeese on Friday night at Cowgirl Stadium. The Lady Vols won the first game 12-0 before securing a 10-2 victory in game two.
Pannell went 6-for-8 with four runs, one double, two home runs, and seven RBIs across the twin bill. She has now homered in three consecutive games and in four of the last five.
Ella Dodge also had an impressive night, finishing 3-for-7 with two home runs and three RBIs.
GAME ONE: #6 TENNESSEE 12, McNEESE 0
Three multi-run home runs powered Tennessee to a 12-0 win in game one, which ended in six innings. Dodge hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Lady Vols a 4-0 lead.
A six-run sixth inning was sparked by a three-run shot from Pannell and a two-run blast from Laura Mealer.
Junior Karlyn Pickens earned the win, tossing five innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five. Freshman Peyton Tanner pitched one inning of relief, giving up one hit and one walk.
GAME TWO: #6 TENNESSEE 10, McNEESE 2
Tennessee hit three more home runs in game two, with Dodge and Pannell going deep again, while sophomore Gabby Leach hit her first career homer in the fifth inning.
Leading 3-2 in the fourth, Pannell hit a two-RBI double to extend the lead. Leach then added a solo shot in the fifth to pad the advantage.
Both Pannell and Dodge homered again in the sixth, with each hitting solo shots.
Sophomore Ryan Brown capped the scoring in the seventh, doubling down the left-field line to score Pannell and Katie Taylor.
Erin Nuwer started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. She was relieved in the second but returned to finish the game in the seventh.
Sage Mardjetko threw five shutout innings of relief, giving up one hit, walking two, and striking out five. Mardjetko earned her third win of the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee will play two games on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. ET against Lamar, followed by a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Tulsa. Both games will be held at the LU Softball Complex in Beaumont, Texas. The contest against Lamar will be streamed on ESPN+.
Knox County Looking to Buy Fire-Prone North Knoxville Recycling Facility
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County leaders have launched a proposal to acquire the site of a North Knoxville recycling facility prone to fires and currently owned by a company that owed hundreds of thousands in back taxes.
The agreement, which still needs to be approved by Knox County Commission, proposes the county take over two locations — 2742 Hancock Street and 302 North Avenue — in exchange for over $4.3 million.
County reps say they plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility.
“We plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility,” said county representative Chris Caldwell. “We hope to start programming soon after approval and start conversations with KCS about a possible partnership. This property will help us begin the process of vacating the Knox Central property with the hope of getting it back on the tax rolls.”
The properties are currently owned by Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling and Edstock LLC.
Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling owns the Hancock Street location which was the scene of a large-scale fire in August of last year. According to county documents from last summer, the company owed the county and city over $257,000 in back taxes.
Man Wanted on Rape of Child Charges Out of Alcoa is Arrested in Kentucky
A man wanted on rape of a child charges out of Alcoa is arrested in Kentucky.
U.S. Marshals and investigators checked multiple residences throughout Knoxville, Blount County and Loudon County to find Horacio Mejia-Villegas.
He was charged with rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery out of Alcoa.
Detectives found he was taken to Lexington, Kentucky to hide from the police and him at a restaurant where he worked, he gave officers a fake name. He was arrested and will be extradited back to Tennessee.
He will be held for ICE for deportation after he serves his time if he is convicted.
‘Stronger than it’s ever been’ | UT System President Randy Boyd Giving Annual ‘State of the University’ Address
Murfreesboro, TN (WOKI) University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd delivered his annual ‘State of the University’ address Thursday.
Boyd says that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been.
“I’m happy to report that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been in our entire history,” Boyd said.
Multiple topics were discussed including a record-breaking enrollment rate for the entire UT system.
Currently, the school serves over 62,000 students, an over 18% increase since the start of this decade and while the higher number of students is great, Boyd says they are in need of more places to put them.
Boyd says they have 1,020 buildings that are on average 67 years old and need to be replaced.
“We need to build more infrastructure, we’re always asked to our friends in the legislature and the governor, where they gonna sit, you know, so it’s great to bring all these kids in, but we’ve got aging plant, our facilities are on average 67 years,” Boyd said. “We got 1,020 buildings on average 67 years old, so we’ve got buildings that we need to replace, we need to build new buildings to help support this growth.”
Additionally, Boyd said this week, Gov. Bill Lee and other legislators offered a record quarter of a billion dollars put toward the university’s infrastructure.
Governor Bill Lee Signs Bill Which Will Give a Refund of Property Taxes to Those Whose Home was Damaged or Destroyed by Hurricane Helene
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill that will give a 130% refund of property taxes to those whose home was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
However, only one owner per property is eligible for the relief, and if more than one owner requests relief, the payment will be sent to the property owner who submitted all the needed documentation first.
It was unanimously passed by both the Tennessee House and Senate.
To receive the relief payment, those eligible must submit all needed and necessary documentation to the Comptroller of the Treasury by June 30th.
HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF PAYMENTS
In connection with a disaster certified by the federal emergency management agency (FEMA) occurring on or after September 26, 2024, and before September 30, 2024 (“qualified disaster”) and subject to the requirements of this bill and an appropriation by the general assembly, this bill requires the comptroller of the treasury to disburse payments directly to owners of all real or personal property that is subject to taxation in this state, excluding intangible personal property or public utility property (“property”), (i) whose property was destroyed or damaged by a qualified disaster, as determined by the assessor of property by January 28, 2025, and is located in a county included in the FEMA declaration; and (ii) who owned the affected property at the time of the qualified disaster. This bill requires such payments to be in an amount equal to the total amount of the tax levied on the property for tax year 2024 plus 30%.
By June 30, 2025, this bill requires owners of property who are eligible for such payments to provide to the comptroller of the treasury all information and correctly completed documentation necessary for payment disbursement, as determined by the comptroller. The comptroller must determine the means by which owners of property must submit the necessary documentation and information. Failure to provide all necessary information and correctly completed documentation under this bill results in forfeiture of eligibility for payment under this bill.
This bill clarifies that the provisions of this bill apply regardless of whether the property was restored or replaced by December 31, 2024. However, the provisions of this bill are deleted on December 31, 2025.
MUTUAL AID DURING DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES
Present law generally (i) authorizes mutual aid during an imminent threat of an event or an actual event and its aftermath, whether natural or man-made, that could lead to or results in bodily injury or property damage and (ii) enhances public safety and homeland security by facilitating assistance among governmental entities in a state of emergency or declared disaster while conforming to federal guidelines relative to reimbursement of costs for assistance rendered. Specifically, upon receiving a request for mutual aid in an occurrence or for assistance from a requesting party in a municipal, county, state, or federal state of emergency, present law authorizes a governmental entity that requests or responds to a request for aid or assistance to send its personnel and equipment outside its boundaries and into any other jurisdiction necessary to respond to the request. This bill revises that specific authority by subjecting such authority to the approval of the chief executive officer of the governmental entity.
ON JANUARY 29, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 6007, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 revises the provision of the bill that excludes public utility property from the definition of “property” as used in the bill. This amendment removes that exclusion and, instead, excludes from such definition utility and carrier property that is assessed pursuant to the property tax laws of this state.
This amendment requires payments under this bill to be provided to only one owner per property. If more than one owner seeks payment for the same property, then the comptroller of the treasury must disburse payment to the owner who first submits all necessary information and correctly completed documentation as required under this bill.
#15/16 Lady Vols Ride Hot Shooting To 99-61 Win Over Auburn
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 15/16 Tennessee women’s basketball team shot a season-high 55.7 percent from the field and scored its most points against an SEC foe in 14 years to roll past Auburn, 99-61, on Thursday night at Food City Center.
The Lady Vols (18-6, 5-6 SEC), who carded their highest output since a 110-45 home win over Alabama on Jan. 6, 2011, were led offensively by fifth-year guard Jewel Spear, who knocked down five three-pointers and finished with a team-high 17 points. The Big Orange had four others in double figures, including junior guard Ruby Whitehorn with 15, junior forward Zee Spearman with 14, redshirt freshman guard Kaniya Boyd with 11 and redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper with 10.
The Tigers (12-13, 3-9 SEC) were paced by DeYona Gaston, who recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds. Yuting Deng chipped in 13 points, with 10 of those coming in the first quarter before the Lady Vols limited her to 1-of-4 shooting the rest of the way.
Auburn opened the game in good form, hitting 50 percent over the opening six-plus minutes to grab a 7-2 lead behind 3-of-7 marksmanship from Deng. A Jillian Hollingshead kiss off the glass and a Spear three-pointer, however, narrowed the deficit to three, 14-11, by the 3:44 media timeout. The Lady Vols warmed up after the break, grabbing their first lead, 15-14, with 2:35 remaining. After AU jumped up 18-15, UT finished the frame on a 7-2 burst, getting a Boyd backdoor layup, a spinning Whitehorn layup and then a trey from Whitehorn to close out the period with a 22-20 edge.
Tennessee continued its momentum into the second stanza, building a 28-20 gap by the 8:29 mark on a Spearman free throw, Cooper three and Whitehorn layup. The Lady Vols then got an Alyssa Latham bank shot and Sara Puckett inside bucket to push ahead, 37-26, by the 4:31 media timeout, shooting 66.7 percent from the field to begin the quarter. UT continued to pad its lead, moving up 41-28 on a Tess Darby trey, 44-30 on a Spear three and 48-32 on a Puckett layup before a Spearman put-back sent her team into the locker room with a 50-34 cushion behind 73.3-percent marksmanship in the second stanza. UT carved out a 28-14 advantage in paint points during the opening half.
Auburn was the aggressor early in the third frame, tallying four straight points to open the period and outscoring Tennessee, 12-8, to cut the deficit to 12, 58-46, by the 4:54 media timeout. The Tigers crept to within 11, 61-50, with 2:48 left, but a three-pointer from Hollingshead as the shot clock was winding down and an old-fashioned three-point play from Cooper moved the gap to 17. Then, a turnaround jumper by Cooper and a layup from Boyd sent the home team into the final frame with a game-best 71-52 margin.
Tennessee built its lead to 20, 74-54, on a three by Darby with 8:32 left and then extended it to 80-59 on back-to-back treys from Samara Spencer and Darby, forcing Auburn to ask for time with 5:29 remaining. A Boyd driving layup pushed the margin to 31, 90-59, with 3:15 to go, and an Avery Strickland driving layup with 39 seconds on the clock pushed her team within one of the century mark and closed out the scoring.
UP NEXT: Next on the schedule for the Lady Vols is a noon ET home matchup with RV/RV Ole Miss on Sunday at Food City Center. The contest will be streamed by SECN+ and also will be broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and via audio stream on UTSports.com. The matchup will be UT’s Black History Month game.
A JEWEL SPEAR SPECIAL:Jewel Spear tallied 17 points against Auburn on Thursday night, connecting on five of eight three-point attempts for her fourth game of 5+ treys this season. The fifth-year guard also finished with four assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. Spear has carded 14 games thus far with 10 or more points, running her total to 108 for her career. The Colony, Texas, native has logged three consecutive games of ten points or more, dating back to Feb. 6 against UConn.
BIG ORANGE PRESSURE: The Tennessee defense forced Auburn to turn the ball over a total of 21 times. Fifteen of the Lady Vols foes thus far have committed at least 20 miscues. The Tennessee press resulted in a 10-second violation, and the inbound play defense forced a five-second infraction. The Big Orange has harassed opponents into 22 10-second violations thus far. The 10-second call happened at the 7:46 mark in the third quarter. UT forced a season-most five violations against Western Carolina on Nov. 26.
TENNESSEE TREYS: Tennessee carded its 15th performance in 2024-25 with ten or more three-pointers in a single contest, knocking down 14 against Auburn. The 14 threes tie for sixth place in program history. Previously, UT also was first with 30 vs. N.C. Central, tied for third with 15 makes vs. Middle Tennessee and tied for sixth with 14 vs. Liberty and Tulsa. The Lady Vols have surpassed the previous school best of six for most games with double-digit three-pointer production.
HIGHEST FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE OF THE SEASON: Tennessee tallied its highest field goal percentage of the season, shooting 55.7 percent versus Auburn. The previous best was 53.0 vs. Winthrop on Dec. 29. The Lady Vols made 39 of 70 field goal attempts and bottomed 14 three-pointers. The Big Orange fired off a 73.3-percent showing in the second quarter and a 64.7-percent result in the final stanza. Ruby Whitehorn led the crew in field goals, sinking seven of 11, while Zee Spearman was six of eight and Jewel Spear five of nine, including a 5-of-8 night from the arc.
Jury Renders Sentence on First-Degree Murder Charges in Megan Boswell Trial
Sullivan County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: Megan Boswell, the Sullivan County mom found guilty of murdering her 15 month-old daughter, Evelyn, will now spend decades behind bars.
The jury in the case rendering a unanimous sentence on the first-degree murder charges against Boswell Thursday afternoon, sentencing her to life in prison for each of the three murder charges against her.
The jury also found Boswell guilty on various child abuse and neglect charges, tampering with evidence, 11 counts of false report and abuse of a corpse. The judge Thursday setting a formal sentencing hearing on the remaining charges for May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
ORIGINAL STORY: The verdict is in and Megan Boswell is found guilty of all 19 charges in the death of her 15 month old daughter Evelyn in 2019.
Boswell was found guilty of the following charges:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect
- Aggravated child abuse
- Aggravated child neglect
- Tampering with evidence
- 11 counts of false report
- Abuse of a corpse
- Failure to report a death under suspicious, unusual or unnatural circumstances
The next step will be to determine Megan’s sentence as Prosecutors have said they would not seek the death penalty but possible life in prison without the possibilty of parole.
The trial began February 5th.
Historic Cocke County Bridge Destroyed by Helene Gets Federal Funding for Replacement
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) In the wake of devastation wrought months ago by Hurricane Helene comes some good news for Cocke County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 75% of the cost to rebuild Conway Bridge, a historic structure in Cocke County.
The bridge, previously spanning the Nolichucky River, was built around 1925 and was washed away by flood waters brought on by Hurricane Helene.
Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis says the bridge replacement will cost around $8 million, adding that the project was approved recently.
Hoops Central: #5/4 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 5/4 Tennessee men’s basketball team is set to face Vanderbilt in an in-state battle Saturday afternoon at Food City Center. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY TIMES & BROADCAST INFO
- Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores
- Tipoff: Saturday, Feb. 15 | 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Food City Center
- Watch Online: SEC Network
- Online: Listen Live | Live Stats
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THE LATEST FROM THE VOLS
#5/4 Vols Fall Short, 75-64, at #15/18 KentuckyLanier Named to Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List Vols Place No. 5/4 in Major Polls #4 Vols Cruise to 70-52 Victory at Oklahoma “Vanderbilt Matchup Sold Out
Fans can catch Saturday’s game between the Volunteers (20-5, 7-5 SEC) and Commodores (17-7, 5-6 SEC) on SEC Network. Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Pat Bradley (analyst) will have the call.
Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
In Tennessee’s most recent outing, trailing No. 15/18 Kentucky by nine in the final minute of the first half and by seven with under 14 minutes to play, it roared back to take a three-point lead, but could not hold on down the stretch in a 75-64 setback.
Senior guard Zakai Zeigler, who entered the top 25 on the school’s all-time scoring list and the top six on the SEC’s career assists leaderboard, had game highs in points (17) and assists (six) for No. 5/4 Tennessee (20-5, 7-5 SEC) at Rupp Arena
THE MATCHUP
• UT’s 131 wins over Vanderbilt are its most versus any foe. Georgia (100) is the only other school it has defeated triple-digit times.
• Since Food City Center opened in 1987-88, Tennessee is 28-9 at home against the Commodres, including 15-4 in the last 19 affairs.
• UT has seven straight home wins over Vanderbilt, by an average of 13.4 ppg. Last year, it won by 35.
• The Volunteers are 13-2 in their last 15 contests against Vanderbilt, since 1/9/18. Both defeats were one-point road setbacks (66-65 on 2/8/23 and 76-75 on 1/18/25).
• This is the 14th time in the last 16 series meetings, also dating to 1/9/18, Tennessee is ranked and Vanderbilt is not. It is the ninth time in that stretch, including the sixth in a row, UT is in the top 10.
• Ranked UT teams are 23-9 all- time against unranked Vanderbilt squads, including 15-3—all three losses are by one—since 2/3/01.
• Coming off a 9-23 (4-14) campaign in 2023-24, Vanderbilt placed No. 16 in the SEC preseason poll.
• Junior guard Jason Edwards leads Vanderbilt with 17.4 ppg.
NEWS & NOTES
• Vanderbilt is the only team the Volunteers play at home in a five- game, 23-day stretch (Feb. 6-28).
• The Commodores are the first unranked SEC team visiting UT since 2/24/24, snapping an eight- game streak across two seasons.
• Over the past eight campaigns, all in the Rick Barnes era, UT is 27-9 (.750) in the second leg of regular season home-and-home series.
• Tennessee is 34-7 (.829) against in-state opposition under Rick Barnes, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games.
• The Volunteers have earned a top- 10 position in 31 of the 36 AP Poll releases over the last two seasons, including a top-eight spot in 27 of the last 30 releases.
• Igor Miličić Jr., is one of just five SEC players in the last 15 years (2010-25) to post at least 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in a game three-plus times in a single season. The others are Auburn’s Johni Broome (2024- 25), Texas A&M’s Tyrece Radford (2023-24), Tennessee’s Grant Williams (2018-19) and LSU’s Ben Simmons (2015-16).
• UT’s eight Quad 1 wins are tied for the second-most in the country, alongside Alabama and Kentucky. Only Auburn (13) has more.
• Zakai Zeigler has 651 assists, sixth-most in SEC history. He is five back of Georgia/Kentucky’s Sahvir Wheeler (656 from 2019-23) for fifth and 13 behind Alabama’s Terry Coner (664 from 1983-87) for fourth.
• Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler are each one victory away from becoming the seventh and eighth players to win 100 games at Tennessee.
• Felix Okpara (46) is four blocks away from the 13th 50-block season in UT history, while Chaz Lanier (84) is five made 3-pointers from No. 10 on the program’s single-season leaderboard (89).
• Tennessee’s 191 victories over the last eight seasons (2017-25) rank ninth in DI. Only Gonzaga (231), Houston (228), Kansas (208), Duke (206), Purdue (201), Saint Mary’s (193), San Diego State (193) and Auburn (192) possess more. Drake (190) and Liberty (190) tie to round out the top 10.
RACKING UP RANKED VICTORIES
• TOP 25: In the past four years (2021-25), Tennessee’s 26 AP top-25 wins lead the nation. Only Connecticut (25), Kansas (25), Iowa State (24) and Purdue (23) are even within three, while the closest SEC school is four behind (Alabama with 22).
• TOP 20: Tennessee possesses an SEC-high 22 AP top-20 triumphs over that span, the co-second- most of any DI school, tied with Kansas (22) and trailing only Connecticut (23). Just Purdue (19), Alabama (closest SEC team with 18) and Iowa State (18) are even within five of the Volunteers.
• TOP 15: The Volunteers own an SEC-best 19 AP top- 15 decisions over those four years, good for second- most in the country, behind just Kansas (20). Only Alabama (closest SEC team with 16), Iowa State (15) and Kentucky (15) are even within four of UT.
• TOP 10: Since 2021-22, Tennessee owns nine AP top- 10 wins, co-second in the SEC and co-sixth nationally, both alongside Alabama. Only Connecticut (12), Iowa State (12), Kansas (12), Kentucky (11) and Purdue (10) have more. The nine such wins in that time are against #1 Alabama (2/15/23), #3 Kansas (11/25/22), #3 Auburn (2/26/22), #4 Kentucky (2/15/22), #5 Kentucky (3/12/22), #6 Arizona (12/22/21), #10 Texas (1/28/23), at #10 Kentucky (2/3/24) and #5 Florida (2/1/25).
• TOP FIVE: In that same four-year span, UT has six AP top-five victories, tied with Arizona for the most in the country. Only six other schools have even four: Alabama (five), Iowa State (five), Florida (four), Gonzaga (four), Kentucky (four) and Purdue (four).
HIGH-CALIBER COMPANY
• Tennessee and Kansas are the only two schools to earn an AP top-five ranking in each of the last four seasons (2021-25). Only two others, Arizona and Purdue, entered 2024-25 with a three-year streak.
• The Volunteers are one of only four teams to reach the AP top six in each of the past five seasons, alongside Alabama, Houston and Kansas.
• UT is one of just five programs to reach the AP top six in at least six of the last seven seasons (2018- 25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Kentucky. Those are also the only five schools to enter the AP top five in at least five different years in that stretch.
• The Vols are among only eight teams to reach the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll in at least two of the last seven seasons (2018-25), joining Auburn, Baylor, Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas and Purdue.
• Over that same seven-year stretch (2018-25), UT is also one of seven teams to claim an AP top-two position in at least three seasons, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Purdue.
• UT is one of seven schools with an AP top-20 ranking in each of the last eight years (2017-25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State and North Carolina. Just two others—Houston and Purdue—have even been AP top-25 each season.
• Additionally, over the last three years (2022-25), the Vols are one of just six teams to reach the AP top two in multiple seasons, joining Alabama, Connecticut, Duke, Kansas and Purdue.
PARTICULARLY POTENT AT HOME
• Under Rick Barnes, Tennessee is 22-8 (.733) versus AP top-25 teams at Food City Center, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games (since 1/30/21).
• The Volunteers are 17-7 (.708) at home against AP top-20 teams in the Barnes era, including 13-2 (.867) in their last 15 such contests (since 1/30/21).
• UT has a 14-5 (.737) mark when hosting AP top-15 squads under Barnes, including a 12-2 (.857) record in its last 14 such affairs (since 1/30/21).
• Barnes has led the Vols to an 8-1 (.889) ledger at Food City Center versus AP top-10 teams, with seven consecutive wins (since 3/2/19).
• UT is a perfect 6-0 when hosting AP top-five teams in the Barnes era (all since 1/24/17). The six straight wins are an SEC record, per ESPN, surpassing the mark of five by Kentucky in 1978-84 and 1956-59.
• The Vols won 12 straight home games against AP top-25 foes from 1/30/21 to 2/28/24. That is an SEC record, per CBS Sports, and the longest in DI since Kansas had 17 straight from 1/11/14 to 2/13/17. Nine of those victories were versus top-15 foes, with five against the top 10 and three over top-five teams.
• Tennessee is 19-5 (.792) in AP top-25 home matchups under Barnes, including 13-5 (.722) with both teams in the top 20, 8-2 (.800) with both in the top 15 and 4-0 (1.000) with both in the top 10.
1.3K CLUB
• Tennessee, Alabama (five), Ole Miss and Xavier—all but one are in the SEC—are the only schools with at least four 1,300-point scorers. Just 11 others programs have even three.
• In total, only 27 teams—10 are in the SEC—have four- plus players with even 1,000 collegiate points.
• Jordan Gainey possesses 1,441 points in 125 contests, an average of 11.5 ppg over four years.
• Darlinstone Dubar has 1,431 points in 136 outings, good for 10.5 ppg across five seasons.
• Chaz Lanier, the only member of the quartet who entered the season below 1K, now has 1,373 points in 129 outings, a 10.6 ppg ledger across five campaigns.
• Zakai Zeigler owns 1,365 points in 125 appearances, giving him a 10.9 ppg average in four seasons.
TOP-TIER TRIUMPHS
• Tennessee is 40-41 (.494) against AP top-25 foes under Rick Barnes, including 24-14 (.632) in its past 38 such games (since 1/22/22).
• The Volunteers are 34-33 (.507) versus AP top-20 teams in Barnes’ tenure, including 20-10 (.667) in their last 30 such affairs (since 1/22/22).
• UT is 26-26 (.500) against AP top-15 teams in the Barnes era, including 19-9 (.679) in its last 28 such games (since 12/22/21).
• The Vols own a 14-15 (.483) record versus AP top-10 foes under Barnes, including a 12-9 (.571) mark in their last 21 such contests (since 3/2/19) and a 9-6 (.600) tally in their last 15 (since 12/22/21).
• UT is 10-9 (.526) against AP top-five opponents in Barnes’ tenure, including 6-4 (.600) in its last 10 such affairs (since 2/15/22). It is 8-2 (.800) versus AP top-five SEC teams, including 7-1 (.875) in its last seven such outings (since 3/2/19).
20,000 STRONG
• In Rick Barnes‘ 10 seasons, Tennessee has played in front of a home crowd of at least 20,000 on 44 occasions (34-10), with 31 sellouts (24-7).
• In 2022-23, the Volunteers had five sellout crowds, at the time tying an arena single-season record.
• Tennessee well eclipsed that mark last season by selling out eight home games—including seven of nine in SEC play—good for its most ever at Food City Center. Four of those were over-capacity crowds, with the last three above 22,000.
• This season, Tennessee has already clinched six sellouts: Syracuse (12/3/24), Arkansas (1/5/25), Mississippi State (1/21/25), Kentucky (1/28/25), Florida (2/1/25) and Alabama (3/1/25).
HAPPY AT HOME
• Over the last four seasons (2021-25), the Vols’ .919 (57-5) home winning percentage is ninth in DI (co- sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In the last eight years (2017-25), UT is at .875 (112- 16), No. 11 in DI (sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In total, UT is 135-25 (.844) at Food City Center in Rick Barnes‘ 10 years and has twice gone undefeated at home (18-0 in 2018-19 and 16-0 in 2021-22).
#2/4 Vols Open Season in Dominant Fashion with Run-Rule Win Over Hofstra
Read Online | Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery | Download Postgame Media
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The reigning national champion Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2025 season with a bang by routing Hofstra, 15-0, in front of an Opening Day crowd of 6,212 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Eight different UT players drove in runs on the day, led by multi-RBI efforts from Dean Curley (two), Stone Lawless (two), Ariel Antigua (two) and Hunter High (three). High’s pinch-hit three-run homer, the first of his career, capped a seven-run sixth inning for the Big Orange.
Curley’s two-run blast into the porches in left center was the first of three Tennessee long balls on the day as the Big Orange cruised to a run-rule win.
Cannon Peebles had a great all-around day at the plate, as well, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI from the designated hitter spot.
With the win, the No. 2/4 Vols improved to 78-36-2 all-time in season openers and 4-1 in home season openers under head coach Tony Vitello.
Dazzling Debuts
A handful of players put up impressive performances in their Tennessee debuts, headlined by a masterful outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle. The Ole Miss transfer set a new career high with 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings to earn the win.
After getting a groundout to start the game, Doyle retired the next eight batters he faced via strikeout before giving up the Pride’s only hit of the game. Doyle ended up facing the minimum through five innings after the runner was thrown out at second on the play after recording the single.
Fellow Ole Miss transfer Andrew Fischer also put his stamp on the game by drawing two walks, scoring a pair of runs and hitting a solo homer in the third inning. Louisville transfer Gavin Kilen finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a triple while scoring two runs, as well.
Redshirt freshman Stone Lawless got the start behind the dish and drove in a pair of runs with a double in UT’s seven-run sixth inning. Freshman infielder Manny Marin got the starting nod at third base and recorded two hits of his own in his first collegiate contest.
Rounding out the group of productive debuts was junior right hander Tanner Franklin, who stuck out four over the final two innings and did not allow a hit.
Up Next
Tennessee and Hofstra will square off again on Saturday in game two of the weekend series. First pitch, which was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., has been moved up to 2 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast. Sunday’s series finale has also been moved up an hour and is now slated to begin at 11 a.m.
Taylor Pannell Sparks #6 Lady Vols to Doubleheader Sweep
Game Recap: Softball | February 15, 2025
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell had a standout performance at the plate, sparking No. 6 Tennessee to a doubleheader sweep of McNeese on Friday night at Cowgirl Stadium. The Lady Vols won the first game 12-0 before securing a 10-2 victory in game two.
Pannell went 6-for-8 with four runs, one double, two home runs, and seven RBIs across the twin bill. She has now homered in three consecutive games and in four of the last five.
Ella Dodge also had an impressive night, finishing 3-for-7 with two home runs and three RBIs.
GAME ONE: #6 TENNESSEE 12, McNEESE 0
Three multi-run home runs powered Tennessee to a 12-0 win in game one, which ended in six innings. Dodge hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Lady Vols a 4-0 lead.
A six-run sixth inning was sparked by a three-run shot from Pannell and a two-run blast from Laura Mealer.
Junior Karlyn Pickens earned the win, tossing five innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five. Freshman Peyton Tanner pitched one inning of relief, giving up one hit and one walk.
GAME TWO: #6 TENNESSEE 10, McNEESE 2
Tennessee hit three more home runs in game two, with Dodge and Pannell going deep again, while sophomore Gabby Leach hit her first career homer in the fifth inning.
Leading 3-2 in the fourth, Pannell hit a two-RBI double to extend the lead. Leach then added a solo shot in the fifth to pad the advantage.
Both Pannell and Dodge homered again in the sixth, with each hitting solo shots.
Sophomore Ryan Brown capped the scoring in the seventh, doubling down the left-field line to score Pannell and Katie Taylor.
Erin Nuwer started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. She was relieved in the second but returned to finish the game in the seventh.
Sage Mardjetko threw five shutout innings of relief, giving up one hit, walking two, and striking out five. Mardjetko earned her third win of the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee will play two games on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. ET against Lamar, followed by a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Tulsa. Both games will be held at the LU Softball Complex in Beaumont, Texas. The contest against Lamar will be streamed on ESPN+.
Knox County Looking to Buy Fire-Prone North Knoxville Recycling Facility
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County leaders have launched a proposal to acquire the site of a North Knoxville recycling facility prone to fires and currently owned by a company that owed hundreds of thousands in back taxes.
The agreement, which still needs to be approved by Knox County Commission, proposes the county take over two locations — 2742 Hancock Street and 302 North Avenue — in exchange for over $4.3 million.
County reps say they plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility.
“We plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility,” said county representative Chris Caldwell. “We hope to start programming soon after approval and start conversations with KCS about a possible partnership. This property will help us begin the process of vacating the Knox Central property with the hope of getting it back on the tax rolls.”
The properties are currently owned by Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling and Edstock LLC.
Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling owns the Hancock Street location which was the scene of a large-scale fire in August of last year. According to county documents from last summer, the company owed the county and city over $257,000 in back taxes.
Man Wanted on Rape of Child Charges Out of Alcoa is Arrested in Kentucky
A man wanted on rape of a child charges out of Alcoa is arrested in Kentucky.
U.S. Marshals and investigators checked multiple residences throughout Knoxville, Blount County and Loudon County to find Horacio Mejia-Villegas.
He was charged with rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery out of Alcoa.
Detectives found he was taken to Lexington, Kentucky to hide from the police and him at a restaurant where he worked, he gave officers a fake name. He was arrested and will be extradited back to Tennessee.
He will be held for ICE for deportation after he serves his time if he is convicted.
‘Stronger than it’s ever been’ | UT System President Randy Boyd Giving Annual ‘State of the University’ Address
Murfreesboro, TN (WOKI) University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd delivered his annual ‘State of the University’ address Thursday.
Boyd says that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been.
“I’m happy to report that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been in our entire history,” Boyd said.
Multiple topics were discussed including a record-breaking enrollment rate for the entire UT system.
Currently, the school serves over 62,000 students, an over 18% increase since the start of this decade and while the higher number of students is great, Boyd says they are in need of more places to put them.
Boyd says they have 1,020 buildings that are on average 67 years old and need to be replaced.
“We need to build more infrastructure, we’re always asked to our friends in the legislature and the governor, where they gonna sit, you know, so it’s great to bring all these kids in, but we’ve got aging plant, our facilities are on average 67 years,” Boyd said. “We got 1,020 buildings on average 67 years old, so we’ve got buildings that we need to replace, we need to build new buildings to help support this growth.”
Additionally, Boyd said this week, Gov. Bill Lee and other legislators offered a record quarter of a billion dollars put toward the university’s infrastructure.
Governor Bill Lee Signs Bill Which Will Give a Refund of Property Taxes to Those Whose Home was Damaged or Destroyed by Hurricane Helene
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill that will give a 130% refund of property taxes to those whose home was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
However, only one owner per property is eligible for the relief, and if more than one owner requests relief, the payment will be sent to the property owner who submitted all the needed documentation first.
It was unanimously passed by both the Tennessee House and Senate.
To receive the relief payment, those eligible must submit all needed and necessary documentation to the Comptroller of the Treasury by June 30th.
HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF PAYMENTS
In connection with a disaster certified by the federal emergency management agency (FEMA) occurring on or after September 26, 2024, and before September 30, 2024 (“qualified disaster”) and subject to the requirements of this bill and an appropriation by the general assembly, this bill requires the comptroller of the treasury to disburse payments directly to owners of all real or personal property that is subject to taxation in this state, excluding intangible personal property or public utility property (“property”), (i) whose property was destroyed or damaged by a qualified disaster, as determined by the assessor of property by January 28, 2025, and is located in a county included in the FEMA declaration; and (ii) who owned the affected property at the time of the qualified disaster. This bill requires such payments to be in an amount equal to the total amount of the tax levied on the property for tax year 2024 plus 30%.
By June 30, 2025, this bill requires owners of property who are eligible for such payments to provide to the comptroller of the treasury all information and correctly completed documentation necessary for payment disbursement, as determined by the comptroller. The comptroller must determine the means by which owners of property must submit the necessary documentation and information. Failure to provide all necessary information and correctly completed documentation under this bill results in forfeiture of eligibility for payment under this bill.
This bill clarifies that the provisions of this bill apply regardless of whether the property was restored or replaced by December 31, 2024. However, the provisions of this bill are deleted on December 31, 2025.
MUTUAL AID DURING DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES
Present law generally (i) authorizes mutual aid during an imminent threat of an event or an actual event and its aftermath, whether natural or man-made, that could lead to or results in bodily injury or property damage and (ii) enhances public safety and homeland security by facilitating assistance among governmental entities in a state of emergency or declared disaster while conforming to federal guidelines relative to reimbursement of costs for assistance rendered. Specifically, upon receiving a request for mutual aid in an occurrence or for assistance from a requesting party in a municipal, county, state, or federal state of emergency, present law authorizes a governmental entity that requests or responds to a request for aid or assistance to send its personnel and equipment outside its boundaries and into any other jurisdiction necessary to respond to the request. This bill revises that specific authority by subjecting such authority to the approval of the chief executive officer of the governmental entity.
ON JANUARY 29, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 6007, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 revises the provision of the bill that excludes public utility property from the definition of “property” as used in the bill. This amendment removes that exclusion and, instead, excludes from such definition utility and carrier property that is assessed pursuant to the property tax laws of this state.
This amendment requires payments under this bill to be provided to only one owner per property. If more than one owner seeks payment for the same property, then the comptroller of the treasury must disburse payment to the owner who first submits all necessary information and correctly completed documentation as required under this bill.
#15/16 Lady Vols Ride Hot Shooting To 99-61 Win Over Auburn
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 15/16 Tennessee women’s basketball team shot a season-high 55.7 percent from the field and scored its most points against an SEC foe in 14 years to roll past Auburn, 99-61, on Thursday night at Food City Center.
The Lady Vols (18-6, 5-6 SEC), who carded their highest output since a 110-45 home win over Alabama on Jan. 6, 2011, were led offensively by fifth-year guard Jewel Spear, who knocked down five three-pointers and finished with a team-high 17 points. The Big Orange had four others in double figures, including junior guard Ruby Whitehorn with 15, junior forward Zee Spearman with 14, redshirt freshman guard Kaniya Boyd with 11 and redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper with 10.
The Tigers (12-13, 3-9 SEC) were paced by DeYona Gaston, who recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds. Yuting Deng chipped in 13 points, with 10 of those coming in the first quarter before the Lady Vols limited her to 1-of-4 shooting the rest of the way.
Auburn opened the game in good form, hitting 50 percent over the opening six-plus minutes to grab a 7-2 lead behind 3-of-7 marksmanship from Deng. A Jillian Hollingshead kiss off the glass and a Spear three-pointer, however, narrowed the deficit to three, 14-11, by the 3:44 media timeout. The Lady Vols warmed up after the break, grabbing their first lead, 15-14, with 2:35 remaining. After AU jumped up 18-15, UT finished the frame on a 7-2 burst, getting a Boyd backdoor layup, a spinning Whitehorn layup and then a trey from Whitehorn to close out the period with a 22-20 edge.
Tennessee continued its momentum into the second stanza, building a 28-20 gap by the 8:29 mark on a Spearman free throw, Cooper three and Whitehorn layup. The Lady Vols then got an Alyssa Latham bank shot and Sara Puckett inside bucket to push ahead, 37-26, by the 4:31 media timeout, shooting 66.7 percent from the field to begin the quarter. UT continued to pad its lead, moving up 41-28 on a Tess Darby trey, 44-30 on a Spear three and 48-32 on a Puckett layup before a Spearman put-back sent her team into the locker room with a 50-34 cushion behind 73.3-percent marksmanship in the second stanza. UT carved out a 28-14 advantage in paint points during the opening half.
Auburn was the aggressor early in the third frame, tallying four straight points to open the period and outscoring Tennessee, 12-8, to cut the deficit to 12, 58-46, by the 4:54 media timeout. The Tigers crept to within 11, 61-50, with 2:48 left, but a three-pointer from Hollingshead as the shot clock was winding down and an old-fashioned three-point play from Cooper moved the gap to 17. Then, a turnaround jumper by Cooper and a layup from Boyd sent the home team into the final frame with a game-best 71-52 margin.
Tennessee built its lead to 20, 74-54, on a three by Darby with 8:32 left and then extended it to 80-59 on back-to-back treys from Samara Spencer and Darby, forcing Auburn to ask for time with 5:29 remaining. A Boyd driving layup pushed the margin to 31, 90-59, with 3:15 to go, and an Avery Strickland driving layup with 39 seconds on the clock pushed her team within one of the century mark and closed out the scoring.
UP NEXT: Next on the schedule for the Lady Vols is a noon ET home matchup with RV/RV Ole Miss on Sunday at Food City Center. The contest will be streamed by SECN+ and also will be broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and via audio stream on UTSports.com. The matchup will be UT’s Black History Month game.
A JEWEL SPEAR SPECIAL:Jewel Spear tallied 17 points against Auburn on Thursday night, connecting on five of eight three-point attempts for her fourth game of 5+ treys this season. The fifth-year guard also finished with four assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. Spear has carded 14 games thus far with 10 or more points, running her total to 108 for her career. The Colony, Texas, native has logged three consecutive games of ten points or more, dating back to Feb. 6 against UConn.
BIG ORANGE PRESSURE: The Tennessee defense forced Auburn to turn the ball over a total of 21 times. Fifteen of the Lady Vols foes thus far have committed at least 20 miscues. The Tennessee press resulted in a 10-second violation, and the inbound play defense forced a five-second infraction. The Big Orange has harassed opponents into 22 10-second violations thus far. The 10-second call happened at the 7:46 mark in the third quarter. UT forced a season-most five violations against Western Carolina on Nov. 26.
TENNESSEE TREYS: Tennessee carded its 15th performance in 2024-25 with ten or more three-pointers in a single contest, knocking down 14 against Auburn. The 14 threes tie for sixth place in program history. Previously, UT also was first with 30 vs. N.C. Central, tied for third with 15 makes vs. Middle Tennessee and tied for sixth with 14 vs. Liberty and Tulsa. The Lady Vols have surpassed the previous school best of six for most games with double-digit three-pointer production.
HIGHEST FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE OF THE SEASON: Tennessee tallied its highest field goal percentage of the season, shooting 55.7 percent versus Auburn. The previous best was 53.0 vs. Winthrop on Dec. 29. The Lady Vols made 39 of 70 field goal attempts and bottomed 14 three-pointers. The Big Orange fired off a 73.3-percent showing in the second quarter and a 64.7-percent result in the final stanza. Ruby Whitehorn led the crew in field goals, sinking seven of 11, while Zee Spearman was six of eight and Jewel Spear five of nine, including a 5-of-8 night from the arc.
Jury Renders Sentence on First-Degree Murder Charges in Megan Boswell Trial
Sullivan County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: Megan Boswell, the Sullivan County mom found guilty of murdering her 15 month-old daughter, Evelyn, will now spend decades behind bars.
The jury in the case rendering a unanimous sentence on the first-degree murder charges against Boswell Thursday afternoon, sentencing her to life in prison for each of the three murder charges against her.
The jury also found Boswell guilty on various child abuse and neglect charges, tampering with evidence, 11 counts of false report and abuse of a corpse. The judge Thursday setting a formal sentencing hearing on the remaining charges for May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
ORIGINAL STORY: The verdict is in and Megan Boswell is found guilty of all 19 charges in the death of her 15 month old daughter Evelyn in 2019.
Boswell was found guilty of the following charges:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect
- Aggravated child abuse
- Aggravated child neglect
- Tampering with evidence
- 11 counts of false report
- Abuse of a corpse
- Failure to report a death under suspicious, unusual or unnatural circumstances
The next step will be to determine Megan’s sentence as Prosecutors have said they would not seek the death penalty but possible life in prison without the possibilty of parole.
The trial began February 5th.
Historic Cocke County Bridge Destroyed by Helene Gets Federal Funding for Replacement
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) In the wake of devastation wrought months ago by Hurricane Helene comes some good news for Cocke County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 75% of the cost to rebuild Conway Bridge, a historic structure in Cocke County.
The bridge, previously spanning the Nolichucky River, was built around 1925 and was washed away by flood waters brought on by Hurricane Helene.
Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis says the bridge replacement will cost around $8 million, adding that the project was approved recently.
Hoops Central: #5/4 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 5/4 Tennessee men’s basketball team is set to face Vanderbilt in an in-state battle Saturday afternoon at Food City Center. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY TIMES & BROADCAST INFO
- Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores
- Tipoff: Saturday, Feb. 15 | 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Food City Center
- Watch Online: SEC Network
- Online: Listen Live | Live Stats
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THE LATEST FROM THE VOLS
#5/4 Vols Fall Short, 75-64, at #15/18 KentuckyLanier Named to Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List Vols Place No. 5/4 in Major Polls #4 Vols Cruise to 70-52 Victory at Oklahoma “Vanderbilt Matchup Sold Out
Fans can catch Saturday’s game between the Volunteers (20-5, 7-5 SEC) and Commodores (17-7, 5-6 SEC) on SEC Network. Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Pat Bradley (analyst) will have the call.
Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
In Tennessee’s most recent outing, trailing No. 15/18 Kentucky by nine in the final minute of the first half and by seven with under 14 minutes to play, it roared back to take a three-point lead, but could not hold on down the stretch in a 75-64 setback.
Senior guard Zakai Zeigler, who entered the top 25 on the school’s all-time scoring list and the top six on the SEC’s career assists leaderboard, had game highs in points (17) and assists (six) for No. 5/4 Tennessee (20-5, 7-5 SEC) at Rupp Arena
THE MATCHUP
• UT’s 131 wins over Vanderbilt are its most versus any foe. Georgia (100) is the only other school it has defeated triple-digit times.
• Since Food City Center opened in 1987-88, Tennessee is 28-9 at home against the Commodres, including 15-4 in the last 19 affairs.
• UT has seven straight home wins over Vanderbilt, by an average of 13.4 ppg. Last year, it won by 35.
• The Volunteers are 13-2 in their last 15 contests against Vanderbilt, since 1/9/18. Both defeats were one-point road setbacks (66-65 on 2/8/23 and 76-75 on 1/18/25).
• This is the 14th time in the last 16 series meetings, also dating to 1/9/18, Tennessee is ranked and Vanderbilt is not. It is the ninth time in that stretch, including the sixth in a row, UT is in the top 10.
• Ranked UT teams are 23-9 all- time against unranked Vanderbilt squads, including 15-3—all three losses are by one—since 2/3/01.
• Coming off a 9-23 (4-14) campaign in 2023-24, Vanderbilt placed No. 16 in the SEC preseason poll.
• Junior guard Jason Edwards leads Vanderbilt with 17.4 ppg.
NEWS & NOTES
• Vanderbilt is the only team the Volunteers play at home in a five- game, 23-day stretch (Feb. 6-28).
• The Commodores are the first unranked SEC team visiting UT since 2/24/24, snapping an eight- game streak across two seasons.
• Over the past eight campaigns, all in the Rick Barnes era, UT is 27-9 (.750) in the second leg of regular season home-and-home series.
• Tennessee is 34-7 (.829) against in-state opposition under Rick Barnes, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games.
• The Volunteers have earned a top- 10 position in 31 of the 36 AP Poll releases over the last two seasons, including a top-eight spot in 27 of the last 30 releases.
• Igor Miličić Jr., is one of just five SEC players in the last 15 years (2010-25) to post at least 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in a game three-plus times in a single season. The others are Auburn’s Johni Broome (2024- 25), Texas A&M’s Tyrece Radford (2023-24), Tennessee’s Grant Williams (2018-19) and LSU’s Ben Simmons (2015-16).
• UT’s eight Quad 1 wins are tied for the second-most in the country, alongside Alabama and Kentucky. Only Auburn (13) has more.
• Zakai Zeigler has 651 assists, sixth-most in SEC history. He is five back of Georgia/Kentucky’s Sahvir Wheeler (656 from 2019-23) for fifth and 13 behind Alabama’s Terry Coner (664 from 1983-87) for fourth.
• Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler are each one victory away from becoming the seventh and eighth players to win 100 games at Tennessee.
• Felix Okpara (46) is four blocks away from the 13th 50-block season in UT history, while Chaz Lanier (84) is five made 3-pointers from No. 10 on the program’s single-season leaderboard (89).
• Tennessee’s 191 victories over the last eight seasons (2017-25) rank ninth in DI. Only Gonzaga (231), Houston (228), Kansas (208), Duke (206), Purdue (201), Saint Mary’s (193), San Diego State (193) and Auburn (192) possess more. Drake (190) and Liberty (190) tie to round out the top 10.
RACKING UP RANKED VICTORIES
• TOP 25: In the past four years (2021-25), Tennessee’s 26 AP top-25 wins lead the nation. Only Connecticut (25), Kansas (25), Iowa State (24) and Purdue (23) are even within three, while the closest SEC school is four behind (Alabama with 22).
• TOP 20: Tennessee possesses an SEC-high 22 AP top-20 triumphs over that span, the co-second- most of any DI school, tied with Kansas (22) and trailing only Connecticut (23). Just Purdue (19), Alabama (closest SEC team with 18) and Iowa State (18) are even within five of the Volunteers.
• TOP 15: The Volunteers own an SEC-best 19 AP top- 15 decisions over those four years, good for second- most in the country, behind just Kansas (20). Only Alabama (closest SEC team with 16), Iowa State (15) and Kentucky (15) are even within four of UT.
• TOP 10: Since 2021-22, Tennessee owns nine AP top- 10 wins, co-second in the SEC and co-sixth nationally, both alongside Alabama. Only Connecticut (12), Iowa State (12), Kansas (12), Kentucky (11) and Purdue (10) have more. The nine such wins in that time are against #1 Alabama (2/15/23), #3 Kansas (11/25/22), #3 Auburn (2/26/22), #4 Kentucky (2/15/22), #5 Kentucky (3/12/22), #6 Arizona (12/22/21), #10 Texas (1/28/23), at #10 Kentucky (2/3/24) and #5 Florida (2/1/25).
• TOP FIVE: In that same four-year span, UT has six AP top-five victories, tied with Arizona for the most in the country. Only six other schools have even four: Alabama (five), Iowa State (five), Florida (four), Gonzaga (four), Kentucky (four) and Purdue (four).
HIGH-CALIBER COMPANY
• Tennessee and Kansas are the only two schools to earn an AP top-five ranking in each of the last four seasons (2021-25). Only two others, Arizona and Purdue, entered 2024-25 with a three-year streak.
• The Volunteers are one of only four teams to reach the AP top six in each of the past five seasons, alongside Alabama, Houston and Kansas.
• UT is one of just five programs to reach the AP top six in at least six of the last seven seasons (2018- 25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Kentucky. Those are also the only five schools to enter the AP top five in at least five different years in that stretch.
• The Vols are among only eight teams to reach the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll in at least two of the last seven seasons (2018-25), joining Auburn, Baylor, Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas and Purdue.
• Over that same seven-year stretch (2018-25), UT is also one of seven teams to claim an AP top-two position in at least three seasons, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Purdue.
• UT is one of seven schools with an AP top-20 ranking in each of the last eight years (2017-25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State and North Carolina. Just two others—Houston and Purdue—have even been AP top-25 each season.
• Additionally, over the last three years (2022-25), the Vols are one of just six teams to reach the AP top two in multiple seasons, joining Alabama, Connecticut, Duke, Kansas and Purdue.
PARTICULARLY POTENT AT HOME
• Under Rick Barnes, Tennessee is 22-8 (.733) versus AP top-25 teams at Food City Center, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games (since 1/30/21).
• The Volunteers are 17-7 (.708) at home against AP top-20 teams in the Barnes era, including 13-2 (.867) in their last 15 such contests (since 1/30/21).
• UT has a 14-5 (.737) mark when hosting AP top-15 squads under Barnes, including a 12-2 (.857) record in its last 14 such affairs (since 1/30/21).
• Barnes has led the Vols to an 8-1 (.889) ledger at Food City Center versus AP top-10 teams, with seven consecutive wins (since 3/2/19).
• UT is a perfect 6-0 when hosting AP top-five teams in the Barnes era (all since 1/24/17). The six straight wins are an SEC record, per ESPN, surpassing the mark of five by Kentucky in 1978-84 and 1956-59.
• The Vols won 12 straight home games against AP top-25 foes from 1/30/21 to 2/28/24. That is an SEC record, per CBS Sports, and the longest in DI since Kansas had 17 straight from 1/11/14 to 2/13/17. Nine of those victories were versus top-15 foes, with five against the top 10 and three over top-five teams.
• Tennessee is 19-5 (.792) in AP top-25 home matchups under Barnes, including 13-5 (.722) with both teams in the top 20, 8-2 (.800) with both in the top 15 and 4-0 (1.000) with both in the top 10.
1.3K CLUB
• Tennessee, Alabama (five), Ole Miss and Xavier—all but one are in the SEC—are the only schools with at least four 1,300-point scorers. Just 11 others programs have even three.
• In total, only 27 teams—10 are in the SEC—have four- plus players with even 1,000 collegiate points.
• Jordan Gainey possesses 1,441 points in 125 contests, an average of 11.5 ppg over four years.
• Darlinstone Dubar has 1,431 points in 136 outings, good for 10.5 ppg across five seasons.
• Chaz Lanier, the only member of the quartet who entered the season below 1K, now has 1,373 points in 129 outings, a 10.6 ppg ledger across five campaigns.
• Zakai Zeigler owns 1,365 points in 125 appearances, giving him a 10.9 ppg average in four seasons.
TOP-TIER TRIUMPHS
• Tennessee is 40-41 (.494) against AP top-25 foes under Rick Barnes, including 24-14 (.632) in its past 38 such games (since 1/22/22).
• The Volunteers are 34-33 (.507) versus AP top-20 teams in Barnes’ tenure, including 20-10 (.667) in their last 30 such affairs (since 1/22/22).
• UT is 26-26 (.500) against AP top-15 teams in the Barnes era, including 19-9 (.679) in its last 28 such games (since 12/22/21).
• The Vols own a 14-15 (.483) record versus AP top-10 foes under Barnes, including a 12-9 (.571) mark in their last 21 such contests (since 3/2/19) and a 9-6 (.600) tally in their last 15 (since 12/22/21).
• UT is 10-9 (.526) against AP top-five opponents in Barnes’ tenure, including 6-4 (.600) in its last 10 such affairs (since 2/15/22). It is 8-2 (.800) versus AP top-five SEC teams, including 7-1 (.875) in its last seven such outings (since 3/2/19).
20,000 STRONG
• In Rick Barnes‘ 10 seasons, Tennessee has played in front of a home crowd of at least 20,000 on 44 occasions (34-10), with 31 sellouts (24-7).
• In 2022-23, the Volunteers had five sellout crowds, at the time tying an arena single-season record.
• Tennessee well eclipsed that mark last season by selling out eight home games—including seven of nine in SEC play—good for its most ever at Food City Center. Four of those were over-capacity crowds, with the last three above 22,000.
• This season, Tennessee has already clinched six sellouts: Syracuse (12/3/24), Arkansas (1/5/25), Mississippi State (1/21/25), Kentucky (1/28/25), Florida (2/1/25) and Alabama (3/1/25).
HAPPY AT HOME
• Over the last four seasons (2021-25), the Vols’ .919 (57-5) home winning percentage is ninth in DI (co- sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In the last eight years (2017-25), UT is at .875 (112- 16), No. 11 in DI (sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In total, UT is 135-25 (.844) at Food City Center in Rick Barnes‘ 10 years and has twice gone undefeated at home (18-0 in 2018-19 and 16-0 in 2021-22).
#2/4 Vols Open Season in Dominant Fashion with Run-Rule Win Over Hofstra
Read Online | Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery | Download Postgame Media
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The reigning national champion Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2025 season with a bang by routing Hofstra, 15-0, in front of an Opening Day crowd of 6,212 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Eight different UT players drove in runs on the day, led by multi-RBI efforts from Dean Curley (two), Stone Lawless (two), Ariel Antigua (two) and Hunter High (three). High’s pinch-hit three-run homer, the first of his career, capped a seven-run sixth inning for the Big Orange.
Curley’s two-run blast into the porches in left center was the first of three Tennessee long balls on the day as the Big Orange cruised to a run-rule win.
Cannon Peebles had a great all-around day at the plate, as well, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI from the designated hitter spot.
With the win, the No. 2/4 Vols improved to 78-36-2 all-time in season openers and 4-1 in home season openers under head coach Tony Vitello.
Dazzling Debuts
A handful of players put up impressive performances in their Tennessee debuts, headlined by a masterful outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle. The Ole Miss transfer set a new career high with 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings to earn the win.
After getting a groundout to start the game, Doyle retired the next eight batters he faced via strikeout before giving up the Pride’s only hit of the game. Doyle ended up facing the minimum through five innings after the runner was thrown out at second on the play after recording the single.
Fellow Ole Miss transfer Andrew Fischer also put his stamp on the game by drawing two walks, scoring a pair of runs and hitting a solo homer in the third inning. Louisville transfer Gavin Kilen finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a triple while scoring two runs, as well.
Redshirt freshman Stone Lawless got the start behind the dish and drove in a pair of runs with a double in UT’s seven-run sixth inning. Freshman infielder Manny Marin got the starting nod at third base and recorded two hits of his own in his first collegiate contest.
Rounding out the group of productive debuts was junior right hander Tanner Franklin, who stuck out four over the final two innings and did not allow a hit.
Up Next
Tennessee and Hofstra will square off again on Saturday in game two of the weekend series. First pitch, which was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., has been moved up to 2 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast. Sunday’s series finale has also been moved up an hour and is now slated to begin at 11 a.m.
Taylor Pannell Sparks #6 Lady Vols to Doubleheader Sweep
Game Recap: Softball | February 15, 2025
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell had a standout performance at the plate, sparking No. 6 Tennessee to a doubleheader sweep of McNeese on Friday night at Cowgirl Stadium. The Lady Vols won the first game 12-0 before securing a 10-2 victory in game two.
Pannell went 6-for-8 with four runs, one double, two home runs, and seven RBIs across the twin bill. She has now homered in three consecutive games and in four of the last five.
Ella Dodge also had an impressive night, finishing 3-for-7 with two home runs and three RBIs.
GAME ONE: #6 TENNESSEE 12, McNEESE 0
Three multi-run home runs powered Tennessee to a 12-0 win in game one, which ended in six innings. Dodge hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Lady Vols a 4-0 lead.
A six-run sixth inning was sparked by a three-run shot from Pannell and a two-run blast from Laura Mealer.
Junior Karlyn Pickens earned the win, tossing five innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five. Freshman Peyton Tanner pitched one inning of relief, giving up one hit and one walk.
GAME TWO: #6 TENNESSEE 10, McNEESE 2
Tennessee hit three more home runs in game two, with Dodge and Pannell going deep again, while sophomore Gabby Leach hit her first career homer in the fifth inning.
Leading 3-2 in the fourth, Pannell hit a two-RBI double to extend the lead. Leach then added a solo shot in the fifth to pad the advantage.
Both Pannell and Dodge homered again in the sixth, with each hitting solo shots.
Sophomore Ryan Brown capped the scoring in the seventh, doubling down the left-field line to score Pannell and Katie Taylor.
Erin Nuwer started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. She was relieved in the second but returned to finish the game in the seventh.
Sage Mardjetko threw five shutout innings of relief, giving up one hit, walking two, and striking out five. Mardjetko earned her third win of the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee will play two games on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. ET against Lamar, followed by a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Tulsa. Both games will be held at the LU Softball Complex in Beaumont, Texas. The contest against Lamar will be streamed on ESPN+.
Knox County Looking to Buy Fire-Prone North Knoxville Recycling Facility
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County leaders have launched a proposal to acquire the site of a North Knoxville recycling facility prone to fires and currently owned by a company that owed hundreds of thousands in back taxes.
The agreement, which still needs to be approved by Knox County Commission, proposes the county take over two locations — 2742 Hancock Street and 302 North Avenue — in exchange for over $4.3 million.
County reps say they plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility.
“We plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility,” said county representative Chris Caldwell. “We hope to start programming soon after approval and start conversations with KCS about a possible partnership. This property will help us begin the process of vacating the Knox Central property with the hope of getting it back on the tax rolls.”
The properties are currently owned by Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling and Edstock LLC.
Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling owns the Hancock Street location which was the scene of a large-scale fire in August of last year. According to county documents from last summer, the company owed the county and city over $257,000 in back taxes.
Man Wanted on Rape of Child Charges Out of Alcoa is Arrested in Kentucky
A man wanted on rape of a child charges out of Alcoa is arrested in Kentucky.
U.S. Marshals and investigators checked multiple residences throughout Knoxville, Blount County and Loudon County to find Horacio Mejia-Villegas.
He was charged with rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery out of Alcoa.
Detectives found he was taken to Lexington, Kentucky to hide from the police and him at a restaurant where he worked, he gave officers a fake name. He was arrested and will be extradited back to Tennessee.
He will be held for ICE for deportation after he serves his time if he is convicted.
‘Stronger than it’s ever been’ | UT System President Randy Boyd Giving Annual ‘State of the University’ Address
Murfreesboro, TN (WOKI) University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd delivered his annual ‘State of the University’ address Thursday.
Boyd says that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been.
“I’m happy to report that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been in our entire history,” Boyd said.
Multiple topics were discussed including a record-breaking enrollment rate for the entire UT system.
Currently, the school serves over 62,000 students, an over 18% increase since the start of this decade and while the higher number of students is great, Boyd says they are in need of more places to put them.
Boyd says they have 1,020 buildings that are on average 67 years old and need to be replaced.
“We need to build more infrastructure, we’re always asked to our friends in the legislature and the governor, where they gonna sit, you know, so it’s great to bring all these kids in, but we’ve got aging plant, our facilities are on average 67 years,” Boyd said. “We got 1,020 buildings on average 67 years old, so we’ve got buildings that we need to replace, we need to build new buildings to help support this growth.”
Additionally, Boyd said this week, Gov. Bill Lee and other legislators offered a record quarter of a billion dollars put toward the university’s infrastructure.
Governor Bill Lee Signs Bill Which Will Give a Refund of Property Taxes to Those Whose Home was Damaged or Destroyed by Hurricane Helene
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill that will give a 130% refund of property taxes to those whose home was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
However, only one owner per property is eligible for the relief, and if more than one owner requests relief, the payment will be sent to the property owner who submitted all the needed documentation first.
It was unanimously passed by both the Tennessee House and Senate.
To receive the relief payment, those eligible must submit all needed and necessary documentation to the Comptroller of the Treasury by June 30th.
HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF PAYMENTS
In connection with a disaster certified by the federal emergency management agency (FEMA) occurring on or after September 26, 2024, and before September 30, 2024 (“qualified disaster”) and subject to the requirements of this bill and an appropriation by the general assembly, this bill requires the comptroller of the treasury to disburse payments directly to owners of all real or personal property that is subject to taxation in this state, excluding intangible personal property or public utility property (“property”), (i) whose property was destroyed or damaged by a qualified disaster, as determined by the assessor of property by January 28, 2025, and is located in a county included in the FEMA declaration; and (ii) who owned the affected property at the time of the qualified disaster. This bill requires such payments to be in an amount equal to the total amount of the tax levied on the property for tax year 2024 plus 30%.
By June 30, 2025, this bill requires owners of property who are eligible for such payments to provide to the comptroller of the treasury all information and correctly completed documentation necessary for payment disbursement, as determined by the comptroller. The comptroller must determine the means by which owners of property must submit the necessary documentation and information. Failure to provide all necessary information and correctly completed documentation under this bill results in forfeiture of eligibility for payment under this bill.
This bill clarifies that the provisions of this bill apply regardless of whether the property was restored or replaced by December 31, 2024. However, the provisions of this bill are deleted on December 31, 2025.
MUTUAL AID DURING DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES
Present law generally (i) authorizes mutual aid during an imminent threat of an event or an actual event and its aftermath, whether natural or man-made, that could lead to or results in bodily injury or property damage and (ii) enhances public safety and homeland security by facilitating assistance among governmental entities in a state of emergency or declared disaster while conforming to federal guidelines relative to reimbursement of costs for assistance rendered. Specifically, upon receiving a request for mutual aid in an occurrence or for assistance from a requesting party in a municipal, county, state, or federal state of emergency, present law authorizes a governmental entity that requests or responds to a request for aid or assistance to send its personnel and equipment outside its boundaries and into any other jurisdiction necessary to respond to the request. This bill revises that specific authority by subjecting such authority to the approval of the chief executive officer of the governmental entity.
ON JANUARY 29, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 6007, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 revises the provision of the bill that excludes public utility property from the definition of “property” as used in the bill. This amendment removes that exclusion and, instead, excludes from such definition utility and carrier property that is assessed pursuant to the property tax laws of this state.
This amendment requires payments under this bill to be provided to only one owner per property. If more than one owner seeks payment for the same property, then the comptroller of the treasury must disburse payment to the owner who first submits all necessary information and correctly completed documentation as required under this bill.
#15/16 Lady Vols Ride Hot Shooting To 99-61 Win Over Auburn
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 15/16 Tennessee women’s basketball team shot a season-high 55.7 percent from the field and scored its most points against an SEC foe in 14 years to roll past Auburn, 99-61, on Thursday night at Food City Center.
The Lady Vols (18-6, 5-6 SEC), who carded their highest output since a 110-45 home win over Alabama on Jan. 6, 2011, were led offensively by fifth-year guard Jewel Spear, who knocked down five three-pointers and finished with a team-high 17 points. The Big Orange had four others in double figures, including junior guard Ruby Whitehorn with 15, junior forward Zee Spearman with 14, redshirt freshman guard Kaniya Boyd with 11 and redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper with 10.
The Tigers (12-13, 3-9 SEC) were paced by DeYona Gaston, who recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds. Yuting Deng chipped in 13 points, with 10 of those coming in the first quarter before the Lady Vols limited her to 1-of-4 shooting the rest of the way.
Auburn opened the game in good form, hitting 50 percent over the opening six-plus minutes to grab a 7-2 lead behind 3-of-7 marksmanship from Deng. A Jillian Hollingshead kiss off the glass and a Spear three-pointer, however, narrowed the deficit to three, 14-11, by the 3:44 media timeout. The Lady Vols warmed up after the break, grabbing their first lead, 15-14, with 2:35 remaining. After AU jumped up 18-15, UT finished the frame on a 7-2 burst, getting a Boyd backdoor layup, a spinning Whitehorn layup and then a trey from Whitehorn to close out the period with a 22-20 edge.
Tennessee continued its momentum into the second stanza, building a 28-20 gap by the 8:29 mark on a Spearman free throw, Cooper three and Whitehorn layup. The Lady Vols then got an Alyssa Latham bank shot and Sara Puckett inside bucket to push ahead, 37-26, by the 4:31 media timeout, shooting 66.7 percent from the field to begin the quarter. UT continued to pad its lead, moving up 41-28 on a Tess Darby trey, 44-30 on a Spear three and 48-32 on a Puckett layup before a Spearman put-back sent her team into the locker room with a 50-34 cushion behind 73.3-percent marksmanship in the second stanza. UT carved out a 28-14 advantage in paint points during the opening half.
Auburn was the aggressor early in the third frame, tallying four straight points to open the period and outscoring Tennessee, 12-8, to cut the deficit to 12, 58-46, by the 4:54 media timeout. The Tigers crept to within 11, 61-50, with 2:48 left, but a three-pointer from Hollingshead as the shot clock was winding down and an old-fashioned three-point play from Cooper moved the gap to 17. Then, a turnaround jumper by Cooper and a layup from Boyd sent the home team into the final frame with a game-best 71-52 margin.
Tennessee built its lead to 20, 74-54, on a three by Darby with 8:32 left and then extended it to 80-59 on back-to-back treys from Samara Spencer and Darby, forcing Auburn to ask for time with 5:29 remaining. A Boyd driving layup pushed the margin to 31, 90-59, with 3:15 to go, and an Avery Strickland driving layup with 39 seconds on the clock pushed her team within one of the century mark and closed out the scoring.
UP NEXT: Next on the schedule for the Lady Vols is a noon ET home matchup with RV/RV Ole Miss on Sunday at Food City Center. The contest will be streamed by SECN+ and also will be broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and via audio stream on UTSports.com. The matchup will be UT’s Black History Month game.
A JEWEL SPEAR SPECIAL:Jewel Spear tallied 17 points against Auburn on Thursday night, connecting on five of eight three-point attempts for her fourth game of 5+ treys this season. The fifth-year guard also finished with four assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. Spear has carded 14 games thus far with 10 or more points, running her total to 108 for her career. The Colony, Texas, native has logged three consecutive games of ten points or more, dating back to Feb. 6 against UConn.
BIG ORANGE PRESSURE: The Tennessee defense forced Auburn to turn the ball over a total of 21 times. Fifteen of the Lady Vols foes thus far have committed at least 20 miscues. The Tennessee press resulted in a 10-second violation, and the inbound play defense forced a five-second infraction. The Big Orange has harassed opponents into 22 10-second violations thus far. The 10-second call happened at the 7:46 mark in the third quarter. UT forced a season-most five violations against Western Carolina on Nov. 26.
TENNESSEE TREYS: Tennessee carded its 15th performance in 2024-25 with ten or more three-pointers in a single contest, knocking down 14 against Auburn. The 14 threes tie for sixth place in program history. Previously, UT also was first with 30 vs. N.C. Central, tied for third with 15 makes vs. Middle Tennessee and tied for sixth with 14 vs. Liberty and Tulsa. The Lady Vols have surpassed the previous school best of six for most games with double-digit three-pointer production.
HIGHEST FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE OF THE SEASON: Tennessee tallied its highest field goal percentage of the season, shooting 55.7 percent versus Auburn. The previous best was 53.0 vs. Winthrop on Dec. 29. The Lady Vols made 39 of 70 field goal attempts and bottomed 14 three-pointers. The Big Orange fired off a 73.3-percent showing in the second quarter and a 64.7-percent result in the final stanza. Ruby Whitehorn led the crew in field goals, sinking seven of 11, while Zee Spearman was six of eight and Jewel Spear five of nine, including a 5-of-8 night from the arc.
Jury Renders Sentence on First-Degree Murder Charges in Megan Boswell Trial
Sullivan County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: Megan Boswell, the Sullivan County mom found guilty of murdering her 15 month-old daughter, Evelyn, will now spend decades behind bars.
The jury in the case rendering a unanimous sentence on the first-degree murder charges against Boswell Thursday afternoon, sentencing her to life in prison for each of the three murder charges against her.
The jury also found Boswell guilty on various child abuse and neglect charges, tampering with evidence, 11 counts of false report and abuse of a corpse. The judge Thursday setting a formal sentencing hearing on the remaining charges for May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
ORIGINAL STORY: The verdict is in and Megan Boswell is found guilty of all 19 charges in the death of her 15 month old daughter Evelyn in 2019.
Boswell was found guilty of the following charges:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect
- Aggravated child abuse
- Aggravated child neglect
- Tampering with evidence
- 11 counts of false report
- Abuse of a corpse
- Failure to report a death under suspicious, unusual or unnatural circumstances
The next step will be to determine Megan’s sentence as Prosecutors have said they would not seek the death penalty but possible life in prison without the possibilty of parole.
The trial began February 5th.
Historic Cocke County Bridge Destroyed by Helene Gets Federal Funding for Replacement
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) In the wake of devastation wrought months ago by Hurricane Helene comes some good news for Cocke County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 75% of the cost to rebuild Conway Bridge, a historic structure in Cocke County.
The bridge, previously spanning the Nolichucky River, was built around 1925 and was washed away by flood waters brought on by Hurricane Helene.
Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis says the bridge replacement will cost around $8 million, adding that the project was approved recently.
Hoops Central: #5/4 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 5/4 Tennessee men’s basketball team is set to face Vanderbilt in an in-state battle Saturday afternoon at Food City Center. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY TIMES & BROADCAST INFO
- Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores
- Tipoff: Saturday, Feb. 15 | 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Food City Center
- Watch Online: SEC Network
- Online: Listen Live | Live Stats
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THE LATEST FROM THE VOLS
#5/4 Vols Fall Short, 75-64, at #15/18 KentuckyLanier Named to Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List Vols Place No. 5/4 in Major Polls #4 Vols Cruise to 70-52 Victory at Oklahoma “Vanderbilt Matchup Sold Out
Fans can catch Saturday’s game between the Volunteers (20-5, 7-5 SEC) and Commodores (17-7, 5-6 SEC) on SEC Network. Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Pat Bradley (analyst) will have the call.
Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
In Tennessee’s most recent outing, trailing No. 15/18 Kentucky by nine in the final minute of the first half and by seven with under 14 minutes to play, it roared back to take a three-point lead, but could not hold on down the stretch in a 75-64 setback.
Senior guard Zakai Zeigler, who entered the top 25 on the school’s all-time scoring list and the top six on the SEC’s career assists leaderboard, had game highs in points (17) and assists (six) for No. 5/4 Tennessee (20-5, 7-5 SEC) at Rupp Arena
THE MATCHUP
• UT’s 131 wins over Vanderbilt are its most versus any foe. Georgia (100) is the only other school it has defeated triple-digit times.
• Since Food City Center opened in 1987-88, Tennessee is 28-9 at home against the Commodres, including 15-4 in the last 19 affairs.
• UT has seven straight home wins over Vanderbilt, by an average of 13.4 ppg. Last year, it won by 35.
• The Volunteers are 13-2 in their last 15 contests against Vanderbilt, since 1/9/18. Both defeats were one-point road setbacks (66-65 on 2/8/23 and 76-75 on 1/18/25).
• This is the 14th time in the last 16 series meetings, also dating to 1/9/18, Tennessee is ranked and Vanderbilt is not. It is the ninth time in that stretch, including the sixth in a row, UT is in the top 10.
• Ranked UT teams are 23-9 all- time against unranked Vanderbilt squads, including 15-3—all three losses are by one—since 2/3/01.
• Coming off a 9-23 (4-14) campaign in 2023-24, Vanderbilt placed No. 16 in the SEC preseason poll.
• Junior guard Jason Edwards leads Vanderbilt with 17.4 ppg.
NEWS & NOTES
• Vanderbilt is the only team the Volunteers play at home in a five- game, 23-day stretch (Feb. 6-28).
• The Commodores are the first unranked SEC team visiting UT since 2/24/24, snapping an eight- game streak across two seasons.
• Over the past eight campaigns, all in the Rick Barnes era, UT is 27-9 (.750) in the second leg of regular season home-and-home series.
• Tennessee is 34-7 (.829) against in-state opposition under Rick Barnes, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games.
• The Volunteers have earned a top- 10 position in 31 of the 36 AP Poll releases over the last two seasons, including a top-eight spot in 27 of the last 30 releases.
• Igor Miličić Jr., is one of just five SEC players in the last 15 years (2010-25) to post at least 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in a game three-plus times in a single season. The others are Auburn’s Johni Broome (2024- 25), Texas A&M’s Tyrece Radford (2023-24), Tennessee’s Grant Williams (2018-19) and LSU’s Ben Simmons (2015-16).
• UT’s eight Quad 1 wins are tied for the second-most in the country, alongside Alabama and Kentucky. Only Auburn (13) has more.
• Zakai Zeigler has 651 assists, sixth-most in SEC history. He is five back of Georgia/Kentucky’s Sahvir Wheeler (656 from 2019-23) for fifth and 13 behind Alabama’s Terry Coner (664 from 1983-87) for fourth.
• Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler are each one victory away from becoming the seventh and eighth players to win 100 games at Tennessee.
• Felix Okpara (46) is four blocks away from the 13th 50-block season in UT history, while Chaz Lanier (84) is five made 3-pointers from No. 10 on the program’s single-season leaderboard (89).
• Tennessee’s 191 victories over the last eight seasons (2017-25) rank ninth in DI. Only Gonzaga (231), Houston (228), Kansas (208), Duke (206), Purdue (201), Saint Mary’s (193), San Diego State (193) and Auburn (192) possess more. Drake (190) and Liberty (190) tie to round out the top 10.
RACKING UP RANKED VICTORIES
• TOP 25: In the past four years (2021-25), Tennessee’s 26 AP top-25 wins lead the nation. Only Connecticut (25), Kansas (25), Iowa State (24) and Purdue (23) are even within three, while the closest SEC school is four behind (Alabama with 22).
• TOP 20: Tennessee possesses an SEC-high 22 AP top-20 triumphs over that span, the co-second- most of any DI school, tied with Kansas (22) and trailing only Connecticut (23). Just Purdue (19), Alabama (closest SEC team with 18) and Iowa State (18) are even within five of the Volunteers.
• TOP 15: The Volunteers own an SEC-best 19 AP top- 15 decisions over those four years, good for second- most in the country, behind just Kansas (20). Only Alabama (closest SEC team with 16), Iowa State (15) and Kentucky (15) are even within four of UT.
• TOP 10: Since 2021-22, Tennessee owns nine AP top- 10 wins, co-second in the SEC and co-sixth nationally, both alongside Alabama. Only Connecticut (12), Iowa State (12), Kansas (12), Kentucky (11) and Purdue (10) have more. The nine such wins in that time are against #1 Alabama (2/15/23), #3 Kansas (11/25/22), #3 Auburn (2/26/22), #4 Kentucky (2/15/22), #5 Kentucky (3/12/22), #6 Arizona (12/22/21), #10 Texas (1/28/23), at #10 Kentucky (2/3/24) and #5 Florida (2/1/25).
• TOP FIVE: In that same four-year span, UT has six AP top-five victories, tied with Arizona for the most in the country. Only six other schools have even four: Alabama (five), Iowa State (five), Florida (four), Gonzaga (four), Kentucky (four) and Purdue (four).
HIGH-CALIBER COMPANY
• Tennessee and Kansas are the only two schools to earn an AP top-five ranking in each of the last four seasons (2021-25). Only two others, Arizona and Purdue, entered 2024-25 with a three-year streak.
• The Volunteers are one of only four teams to reach the AP top six in each of the past five seasons, alongside Alabama, Houston and Kansas.
• UT is one of just five programs to reach the AP top six in at least six of the last seven seasons (2018- 25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Kentucky. Those are also the only five schools to enter the AP top five in at least five different years in that stretch.
• The Vols are among only eight teams to reach the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll in at least two of the last seven seasons (2018-25), joining Auburn, Baylor, Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas and Purdue.
• Over that same seven-year stretch (2018-25), UT is also one of seven teams to claim an AP top-two position in at least three seasons, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Purdue.
• UT is one of seven schools with an AP top-20 ranking in each of the last eight years (2017-25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State and North Carolina. Just two others—Houston and Purdue—have even been AP top-25 each season.
• Additionally, over the last three years (2022-25), the Vols are one of just six teams to reach the AP top two in multiple seasons, joining Alabama, Connecticut, Duke, Kansas and Purdue.
PARTICULARLY POTENT AT HOME
• Under Rick Barnes, Tennessee is 22-8 (.733) versus AP top-25 teams at Food City Center, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games (since 1/30/21).
• The Volunteers are 17-7 (.708) at home against AP top-20 teams in the Barnes era, including 13-2 (.867) in their last 15 such contests (since 1/30/21).
• UT has a 14-5 (.737) mark when hosting AP top-15 squads under Barnes, including a 12-2 (.857) record in its last 14 such affairs (since 1/30/21).
• Barnes has led the Vols to an 8-1 (.889) ledger at Food City Center versus AP top-10 teams, with seven consecutive wins (since 3/2/19).
• UT is a perfect 6-0 when hosting AP top-five teams in the Barnes era (all since 1/24/17). The six straight wins are an SEC record, per ESPN, surpassing the mark of five by Kentucky in 1978-84 and 1956-59.
• The Vols won 12 straight home games against AP top-25 foes from 1/30/21 to 2/28/24. That is an SEC record, per CBS Sports, and the longest in DI since Kansas had 17 straight from 1/11/14 to 2/13/17. Nine of those victories were versus top-15 foes, with five against the top 10 and three over top-five teams.
• Tennessee is 19-5 (.792) in AP top-25 home matchups under Barnes, including 13-5 (.722) with both teams in the top 20, 8-2 (.800) with both in the top 15 and 4-0 (1.000) with both in the top 10.
1.3K CLUB
• Tennessee, Alabama (five), Ole Miss and Xavier—all but one are in the SEC—are the only schools with at least four 1,300-point scorers. Just 11 others programs have even three.
• In total, only 27 teams—10 are in the SEC—have four- plus players with even 1,000 collegiate points.
• Jordan Gainey possesses 1,441 points in 125 contests, an average of 11.5 ppg over four years.
• Darlinstone Dubar has 1,431 points in 136 outings, good for 10.5 ppg across five seasons.
• Chaz Lanier, the only member of the quartet who entered the season below 1K, now has 1,373 points in 129 outings, a 10.6 ppg ledger across five campaigns.
• Zakai Zeigler owns 1,365 points in 125 appearances, giving him a 10.9 ppg average in four seasons.
TOP-TIER TRIUMPHS
• Tennessee is 40-41 (.494) against AP top-25 foes under Rick Barnes, including 24-14 (.632) in its past 38 such games (since 1/22/22).
• The Volunteers are 34-33 (.507) versus AP top-20 teams in Barnes’ tenure, including 20-10 (.667) in their last 30 such affairs (since 1/22/22).
• UT is 26-26 (.500) against AP top-15 teams in the Barnes era, including 19-9 (.679) in its last 28 such games (since 12/22/21).
• The Vols own a 14-15 (.483) record versus AP top-10 foes under Barnes, including a 12-9 (.571) mark in their last 21 such contests (since 3/2/19) and a 9-6 (.600) tally in their last 15 (since 12/22/21).
• UT is 10-9 (.526) against AP top-five opponents in Barnes’ tenure, including 6-4 (.600) in its last 10 such affairs (since 2/15/22). It is 8-2 (.800) versus AP top-five SEC teams, including 7-1 (.875) in its last seven such outings (since 3/2/19).
20,000 STRONG
• In Rick Barnes‘ 10 seasons, Tennessee has played in front of a home crowd of at least 20,000 on 44 occasions (34-10), with 31 sellouts (24-7).
• In 2022-23, the Volunteers had five sellout crowds, at the time tying an arena single-season record.
• Tennessee well eclipsed that mark last season by selling out eight home games—including seven of nine in SEC play—good for its most ever at Food City Center. Four of those were over-capacity crowds, with the last three above 22,000.
• This season, Tennessee has already clinched six sellouts: Syracuse (12/3/24), Arkansas (1/5/25), Mississippi State (1/21/25), Kentucky (1/28/25), Florida (2/1/25) and Alabama (3/1/25).
HAPPY AT HOME
• Over the last four seasons (2021-25), the Vols’ .919 (57-5) home winning percentage is ninth in DI (co- sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In the last eight years (2017-25), UT is at .875 (112- 16), No. 11 in DI (sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In total, UT is 135-25 (.844) at Food City Center in Rick Barnes‘ 10 years and has twice gone undefeated at home (18-0 in 2018-19 and 16-0 in 2021-22).
#2/4 Vols Open Season in Dominant Fashion with Run-Rule Win Over Hofstra
Read Online | Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery | Download Postgame Media
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The reigning national champion Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2025 season with a bang by routing Hofstra, 15-0, in front of an Opening Day crowd of 6,212 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Eight different UT players drove in runs on the day, led by multi-RBI efforts from Dean Curley (two), Stone Lawless (two), Ariel Antigua (two) and Hunter High (three). High’s pinch-hit three-run homer, the first of his career, capped a seven-run sixth inning for the Big Orange.
Curley’s two-run blast into the porches in left center was the first of three Tennessee long balls on the day as the Big Orange cruised to a run-rule win.
Cannon Peebles had a great all-around day at the plate, as well, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI from the designated hitter spot.
With the win, the No. 2/4 Vols improved to 78-36-2 all-time in season openers and 4-1 in home season openers under head coach Tony Vitello.
Dazzling Debuts
A handful of players put up impressive performances in their Tennessee debuts, headlined by a masterful outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle. The Ole Miss transfer set a new career high with 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings to earn the win.
After getting a groundout to start the game, Doyle retired the next eight batters he faced via strikeout before giving up the Pride’s only hit of the game. Doyle ended up facing the minimum through five innings after the runner was thrown out at second on the play after recording the single.
Fellow Ole Miss transfer Andrew Fischer also put his stamp on the game by drawing two walks, scoring a pair of runs and hitting a solo homer in the third inning. Louisville transfer Gavin Kilen finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a triple while scoring two runs, as well.
Redshirt freshman Stone Lawless got the start behind the dish and drove in a pair of runs with a double in UT’s seven-run sixth inning. Freshman infielder Manny Marin got the starting nod at third base and recorded two hits of his own in his first collegiate contest.
Rounding out the group of productive debuts was junior right hander Tanner Franklin, who stuck out four over the final two innings and did not allow a hit.
Up Next
Tennessee and Hofstra will square off again on Saturday in game two of the weekend series. First pitch, which was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., has been moved up to 2 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast. Sunday’s series finale has also been moved up an hour and is now slated to begin at 11 a.m.
Taylor Pannell Sparks #6 Lady Vols to Doubleheader Sweep
Game Recap: Softball | February 15, 2025
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell had a standout performance at the plate, sparking No. 6 Tennessee to a doubleheader sweep of McNeese on Friday night at Cowgirl Stadium. The Lady Vols won the first game 12-0 before securing a 10-2 victory in game two.
Pannell went 6-for-8 with four runs, one double, two home runs, and seven RBIs across the twin bill. She has now homered in three consecutive games and in four of the last five.
Ella Dodge also had an impressive night, finishing 3-for-7 with two home runs and three RBIs.
GAME ONE: #6 TENNESSEE 12, McNEESE 0
Three multi-run home runs powered Tennessee to a 12-0 win in game one, which ended in six innings. Dodge hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Lady Vols a 4-0 lead.
A six-run sixth inning was sparked by a three-run shot from Pannell and a two-run blast from Laura Mealer.
Junior Karlyn Pickens earned the win, tossing five innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five. Freshman Peyton Tanner pitched one inning of relief, giving up one hit and one walk.
GAME TWO: #6 TENNESSEE 10, McNEESE 2
Tennessee hit three more home runs in game two, with Dodge and Pannell going deep again, while sophomore Gabby Leach hit her first career homer in the fifth inning.
Leading 3-2 in the fourth, Pannell hit a two-RBI double to extend the lead. Leach then added a solo shot in the fifth to pad the advantage.
Both Pannell and Dodge homered again in the sixth, with each hitting solo shots.
Sophomore Ryan Brown capped the scoring in the seventh, doubling down the left-field line to score Pannell and Katie Taylor.
Erin Nuwer started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. She was relieved in the second but returned to finish the game in the seventh.
Sage Mardjetko threw five shutout innings of relief, giving up one hit, walking two, and striking out five. Mardjetko earned her third win of the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee will play two games on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. ET against Lamar, followed by a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Tulsa. Both games will be held at the LU Softball Complex in Beaumont, Texas. The contest against Lamar will be streamed on ESPN+.
Knox County Looking to Buy Fire-Prone North Knoxville Recycling Facility
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County leaders have launched a proposal to acquire the site of a North Knoxville recycling facility prone to fires and currently owned by a company that owed hundreds of thousands in back taxes.
The agreement, which still needs to be approved by Knox County Commission, proposes the county take over two locations — 2742 Hancock Street and 302 North Avenue — in exchange for over $4.3 million.
County reps say they plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility.
“We plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility,” said county representative Chris Caldwell. “We hope to start programming soon after approval and start conversations with KCS about a possible partnership. This property will help us begin the process of vacating the Knox Central property with the hope of getting it back on the tax rolls.”
The properties are currently owned by Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling and Edstock LLC.
Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling owns the Hancock Street location which was the scene of a large-scale fire in August of last year. According to county documents from last summer, the company owed the county and city over $257,000 in back taxes.
Man Wanted on Rape of Child Charges Out of Alcoa is Arrested in Kentucky
A man wanted on rape of a child charges out of Alcoa is arrested in Kentucky.
U.S. Marshals and investigators checked multiple residences throughout Knoxville, Blount County and Loudon County to find Horacio Mejia-Villegas.
He was charged with rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery out of Alcoa.
Detectives found he was taken to Lexington, Kentucky to hide from the police and him at a restaurant where he worked, he gave officers a fake name. He was arrested and will be extradited back to Tennessee.
He will be held for ICE for deportation after he serves his time if he is convicted.
‘Stronger than it’s ever been’ | UT System President Randy Boyd Giving Annual ‘State of the University’ Address
Murfreesboro, TN (WOKI) University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd delivered his annual ‘State of the University’ address Thursday.
Boyd says that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been.
“I’m happy to report that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been in our entire history,” Boyd said.
Multiple topics were discussed including a record-breaking enrollment rate for the entire UT system.
Currently, the school serves over 62,000 students, an over 18% increase since the start of this decade and while the higher number of students is great, Boyd says they are in need of more places to put them.
Boyd says they have 1,020 buildings that are on average 67 years old and need to be replaced.
“We need to build more infrastructure, we’re always asked to our friends in the legislature and the governor, where they gonna sit, you know, so it’s great to bring all these kids in, but we’ve got aging plant, our facilities are on average 67 years,” Boyd said. “We got 1,020 buildings on average 67 years old, so we’ve got buildings that we need to replace, we need to build new buildings to help support this growth.”
Additionally, Boyd said this week, Gov. Bill Lee and other legislators offered a record quarter of a billion dollars put toward the university’s infrastructure.
Governor Bill Lee Signs Bill Which Will Give a Refund of Property Taxes to Those Whose Home was Damaged or Destroyed by Hurricane Helene
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill that will give a 130% refund of property taxes to those whose home was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
However, only one owner per property is eligible for the relief, and if more than one owner requests relief, the payment will be sent to the property owner who submitted all the needed documentation first.
It was unanimously passed by both the Tennessee House and Senate.
To receive the relief payment, those eligible must submit all needed and necessary documentation to the Comptroller of the Treasury by June 30th.
HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF PAYMENTS
In connection with a disaster certified by the federal emergency management agency (FEMA) occurring on or after September 26, 2024, and before September 30, 2024 (“qualified disaster”) and subject to the requirements of this bill and an appropriation by the general assembly, this bill requires the comptroller of the treasury to disburse payments directly to owners of all real or personal property that is subject to taxation in this state, excluding intangible personal property or public utility property (“property”), (i) whose property was destroyed or damaged by a qualified disaster, as determined by the assessor of property by January 28, 2025, and is located in a county included in the FEMA declaration; and (ii) who owned the affected property at the time of the qualified disaster. This bill requires such payments to be in an amount equal to the total amount of the tax levied on the property for tax year 2024 plus 30%.
By June 30, 2025, this bill requires owners of property who are eligible for such payments to provide to the comptroller of the treasury all information and correctly completed documentation necessary for payment disbursement, as determined by the comptroller. The comptroller must determine the means by which owners of property must submit the necessary documentation and information. Failure to provide all necessary information and correctly completed documentation under this bill results in forfeiture of eligibility for payment under this bill.
This bill clarifies that the provisions of this bill apply regardless of whether the property was restored or replaced by December 31, 2024. However, the provisions of this bill are deleted on December 31, 2025.
MUTUAL AID DURING DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES
Present law generally (i) authorizes mutual aid during an imminent threat of an event or an actual event and its aftermath, whether natural or man-made, that could lead to or results in bodily injury or property damage and (ii) enhances public safety and homeland security by facilitating assistance among governmental entities in a state of emergency or declared disaster while conforming to federal guidelines relative to reimbursement of costs for assistance rendered. Specifically, upon receiving a request for mutual aid in an occurrence or for assistance from a requesting party in a municipal, county, state, or federal state of emergency, present law authorizes a governmental entity that requests or responds to a request for aid or assistance to send its personnel and equipment outside its boundaries and into any other jurisdiction necessary to respond to the request. This bill revises that specific authority by subjecting such authority to the approval of the chief executive officer of the governmental entity.
ON JANUARY 29, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 6007, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 revises the provision of the bill that excludes public utility property from the definition of “property” as used in the bill. This amendment removes that exclusion and, instead, excludes from such definition utility and carrier property that is assessed pursuant to the property tax laws of this state.
This amendment requires payments under this bill to be provided to only one owner per property. If more than one owner seeks payment for the same property, then the comptroller of the treasury must disburse payment to the owner who first submits all necessary information and correctly completed documentation as required under this bill.
#15/16 Lady Vols Ride Hot Shooting To 99-61 Win Over Auburn
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 15/16 Tennessee women’s basketball team shot a season-high 55.7 percent from the field and scored its most points against an SEC foe in 14 years to roll past Auburn, 99-61, on Thursday night at Food City Center.
The Lady Vols (18-6, 5-6 SEC), who carded their highest output since a 110-45 home win over Alabama on Jan. 6, 2011, were led offensively by fifth-year guard Jewel Spear, who knocked down five three-pointers and finished with a team-high 17 points. The Big Orange had four others in double figures, including junior guard Ruby Whitehorn with 15, junior forward Zee Spearman with 14, redshirt freshman guard Kaniya Boyd with 11 and redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper with 10.
The Tigers (12-13, 3-9 SEC) were paced by DeYona Gaston, who recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds. Yuting Deng chipped in 13 points, with 10 of those coming in the first quarter before the Lady Vols limited her to 1-of-4 shooting the rest of the way.
Auburn opened the game in good form, hitting 50 percent over the opening six-plus minutes to grab a 7-2 lead behind 3-of-7 marksmanship from Deng. A Jillian Hollingshead kiss off the glass and a Spear three-pointer, however, narrowed the deficit to three, 14-11, by the 3:44 media timeout. The Lady Vols warmed up after the break, grabbing their first lead, 15-14, with 2:35 remaining. After AU jumped up 18-15, UT finished the frame on a 7-2 burst, getting a Boyd backdoor layup, a spinning Whitehorn layup and then a trey from Whitehorn to close out the period with a 22-20 edge.
Tennessee continued its momentum into the second stanza, building a 28-20 gap by the 8:29 mark on a Spearman free throw, Cooper three and Whitehorn layup. The Lady Vols then got an Alyssa Latham bank shot and Sara Puckett inside bucket to push ahead, 37-26, by the 4:31 media timeout, shooting 66.7 percent from the field to begin the quarter. UT continued to pad its lead, moving up 41-28 on a Tess Darby trey, 44-30 on a Spear three and 48-32 on a Puckett layup before a Spearman put-back sent her team into the locker room with a 50-34 cushion behind 73.3-percent marksmanship in the second stanza. UT carved out a 28-14 advantage in paint points during the opening half.
Auburn was the aggressor early in the third frame, tallying four straight points to open the period and outscoring Tennessee, 12-8, to cut the deficit to 12, 58-46, by the 4:54 media timeout. The Tigers crept to within 11, 61-50, with 2:48 left, but a three-pointer from Hollingshead as the shot clock was winding down and an old-fashioned three-point play from Cooper moved the gap to 17. Then, a turnaround jumper by Cooper and a layup from Boyd sent the home team into the final frame with a game-best 71-52 margin.
Tennessee built its lead to 20, 74-54, on a three by Darby with 8:32 left and then extended it to 80-59 on back-to-back treys from Samara Spencer and Darby, forcing Auburn to ask for time with 5:29 remaining. A Boyd driving layup pushed the margin to 31, 90-59, with 3:15 to go, and an Avery Strickland driving layup with 39 seconds on the clock pushed her team within one of the century mark and closed out the scoring.
UP NEXT: Next on the schedule for the Lady Vols is a noon ET home matchup with RV/RV Ole Miss on Sunday at Food City Center. The contest will be streamed by SECN+ and also will be broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and via audio stream on UTSports.com. The matchup will be UT’s Black History Month game.
A JEWEL SPEAR SPECIAL:Jewel Spear tallied 17 points against Auburn on Thursday night, connecting on five of eight three-point attempts for her fourth game of 5+ treys this season. The fifth-year guard also finished with four assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. Spear has carded 14 games thus far with 10 or more points, running her total to 108 for her career. The Colony, Texas, native has logged three consecutive games of ten points or more, dating back to Feb. 6 against UConn.
BIG ORANGE PRESSURE: The Tennessee defense forced Auburn to turn the ball over a total of 21 times. Fifteen of the Lady Vols foes thus far have committed at least 20 miscues. The Tennessee press resulted in a 10-second violation, and the inbound play defense forced a five-second infraction. The Big Orange has harassed opponents into 22 10-second violations thus far. The 10-second call happened at the 7:46 mark in the third quarter. UT forced a season-most five violations against Western Carolina on Nov. 26.
TENNESSEE TREYS: Tennessee carded its 15th performance in 2024-25 with ten or more three-pointers in a single contest, knocking down 14 against Auburn. The 14 threes tie for sixth place in program history. Previously, UT also was first with 30 vs. N.C. Central, tied for third with 15 makes vs. Middle Tennessee and tied for sixth with 14 vs. Liberty and Tulsa. The Lady Vols have surpassed the previous school best of six for most games with double-digit three-pointer production.
HIGHEST FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE OF THE SEASON: Tennessee tallied its highest field goal percentage of the season, shooting 55.7 percent versus Auburn. The previous best was 53.0 vs. Winthrop on Dec. 29. The Lady Vols made 39 of 70 field goal attempts and bottomed 14 three-pointers. The Big Orange fired off a 73.3-percent showing in the second quarter and a 64.7-percent result in the final stanza. Ruby Whitehorn led the crew in field goals, sinking seven of 11, while Zee Spearman was six of eight and Jewel Spear five of nine, including a 5-of-8 night from the arc.
Jury Renders Sentence on First-Degree Murder Charges in Megan Boswell Trial
Sullivan County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: Megan Boswell, the Sullivan County mom found guilty of murdering her 15 month-old daughter, Evelyn, will now spend decades behind bars.
The jury in the case rendering a unanimous sentence on the first-degree murder charges against Boswell Thursday afternoon, sentencing her to life in prison for each of the three murder charges against her.
The jury also found Boswell guilty on various child abuse and neglect charges, tampering with evidence, 11 counts of false report and abuse of a corpse. The judge Thursday setting a formal sentencing hearing on the remaining charges for May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
ORIGINAL STORY: The verdict is in and Megan Boswell is found guilty of all 19 charges in the death of her 15 month old daughter Evelyn in 2019.
Boswell was found guilty of the following charges:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect
- Aggravated child abuse
- Aggravated child neglect
- Tampering with evidence
- 11 counts of false report
- Abuse of a corpse
- Failure to report a death under suspicious, unusual or unnatural circumstances
The next step will be to determine Megan’s sentence as Prosecutors have said they would not seek the death penalty but possible life in prison without the possibilty of parole.
The trial began February 5th.
Historic Cocke County Bridge Destroyed by Helene Gets Federal Funding for Replacement
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) In the wake of devastation wrought months ago by Hurricane Helene comes some good news for Cocke County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 75% of the cost to rebuild Conway Bridge, a historic structure in Cocke County.
The bridge, previously spanning the Nolichucky River, was built around 1925 and was washed away by flood waters brought on by Hurricane Helene.
Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis says the bridge replacement will cost around $8 million, adding that the project was approved recently.
Hoops Central: #5/4 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 5/4 Tennessee men’s basketball team is set to face Vanderbilt in an in-state battle Saturday afternoon at Food City Center. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY TIMES & BROADCAST INFO
- Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores
- Tipoff: Saturday, Feb. 15 | 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Food City Center
- Watch Online: SEC Network
- Online: Listen Live | Live Stats
RELATED LINKS
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THE LATEST FROM THE VOLS
#5/4 Vols Fall Short, 75-64, at #15/18 KentuckyLanier Named to Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List Vols Place No. 5/4 in Major Polls #4 Vols Cruise to 70-52 Victory at Oklahoma “Vanderbilt Matchup Sold Out
Fans can catch Saturday’s game between the Volunteers (20-5, 7-5 SEC) and Commodores (17-7, 5-6 SEC) on SEC Network. Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Pat Bradley (analyst) will have the call.
Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
In Tennessee’s most recent outing, trailing No. 15/18 Kentucky by nine in the final minute of the first half and by seven with under 14 minutes to play, it roared back to take a three-point lead, but could not hold on down the stretch in a 75-64 setback.
Senior guard Zakai Zeigler, who entered the top 25 on the school’s all-time scoring list and the top six on the SEC’s career assists leaderboard, had game highs in points (17) and assists (six) for No. 5/4 Tennessee (20-5, 7-5 SEC) at Rupp Arena
THE MATCHUP
• UT’s 131 wins over Vanderbilt are its most versus any foe. Georgia (100) is the only other school it has defeated triple-digit times.
• Since Food City Center opened in 1987-88, Tennessee is 28-9 at home against the Commodres, including 15-4 in the last 19 affairs.
• UT has seven straight home wins over Vanderbilt, by an average of 13.4 ppg. Last year, it won by 35.
• The Volunteers are 13-2 in their last 15 contests against Vanderbilt, since 1/9/18. Both defeats were one-point road setbacks (66-65 on 2/8/23 and 76-75 on 1/18/25).
• This is the 14th time in the last 16 series meetings, also dating to 1/9/18, Tennessee is ranked and Vanderbilt is not. It is the ninth time in that stretch, including the sixth in a row, UT is in the top 10.
• Ranked UT teams are 23-9 all- time against unranked Vanderbilt squads, including 15-3—all three losses are by one—since 2/3/01.
• Coming off a 9-23 (4-14) campaign in 2023-24, Vanderbilt placed No. 16 in the SEC preseason poll.
• Junior guard Jason Edwards leads Vanderbilt with 17.4 ppg.
NEWS & NOTES
• Vanderbilt is the only team the Volunteers play at home in a five- game, 23-day stretch (Feb. 6-28).
• The Commodores are the first unranked SEC team visiting UT since 2/24/24, snapping an eight- game streak across two seasons.
• Over the past eight campaigns, all in the Rick Barnes era, UT is 27-9 (.750) in the second leg of regular season home-and-home series.
• Tennessee is 34-7 (.829) against in-state opposition under Rick Barnes, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games.
• The Volunteers have earned a top- 10 position in 31 of the 36 AP Poll releases over the last two seasons, including a top-eight spot in 27 of the last 30 releases.
• Igor Miličić Jr., is one of just five SEC players in the last 15 years (2010-25) to post at least 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in a game three-plus times in a single season. The others are Auburn’s Johni Broome (2024- 25), Texas A&M’s Tyrece Radford (2023-24), Tennessee’s Grant Williams (2018-19) and LSU’s Ben Simmons (2015-16).
• UT’s eight Quad 1 wins are tied for the second-most in the country, alongside Alabama and Kentucky. Only Auburn (13) has more.
• Zakai Zeigler has 651 assists, sixth-most in SEC history. He is five back of Georgia/Kentucky’s Sahvir Wheeler (656 from 2019-23) for fifth and 13 behind Alabama’s Terry Coner (664 from 1983-87) for fourth.
• Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler are each one victory away from becoming the seventh and eighth players to win 100 games at Tennessee.
• Felix Okpara (46) is four blocks away from the 13th 50-block season in UT history, while Chaz Lanier (84) is five made 3-pointers from No. 10 on the program’s single-season leaderboard (89).
• Tennessee’s 191 victories over the last eight seasons (2017-25) rank ninth in DI. Only Gonzaga (231), Houston (228), Kansas (208), Duke (206), Purdue (201), Saint Mary’s (193), San Diego State (193) and Auburn (192) possess more. Drake (190) and Liberty (190) tie to round out the top 10.
RACKING UP RANKED VICTORIES
• TOP 25: In the past four years (2021-25), Tennessee’s 26 AP top-25 wins lead the nation. Only Connecticut (25), Kansas (25), Iowa State (24) and Purdue (23) are even within three, while the closest SEC school is four behind (Alabama with 22).
• TOP 20: Tennessee possesses an SEC-high 22 AP top-20 triumphs over that span, the co-second- most of any DI school, tied with Kansas (22) and trailing only Connecticut (23). Just Purdue (19), Alabama (closest SEC team with 18) and Iowa State (18) are even within five of the Volunteers.
• TOP 15: The Volunteers own an SEC-best 19 AP top- 15 decisions over those four years, good for second- most in the country, behind just Kansas (20). Only Alabama (closest SEC team with 16), Iowa State (15) and Kentucky (15) are even within four of UT.
• TOP 10: Since 2021-22, Tennessee owns nine AP top- 10 wins, co-second in the SEC and co-sixth nationally, both alongside Alabama. Only Connecticut (12), Iowa State (12), Kansas (12), Kentucky (11) and Purdue (10) have more. The nine such wins in that time are against #1 Alabama (2/15/23), #3 Kansas (11/25/22), #3 Auburn (2/26/22), #4 Kentucky (2/15/22), #5 Kentucky (3/12/22), #6 Arizona (12/22/21), #10 Texas (1/28/23), at #10 Kentucky (2/3/24) and #5 Florida (2/1/25).
• TOP FIVE: In that same four-year span, UT has six AP top-five victories, tied with Arizona for the most in the country. Only six other schools have even four: Alabama (five), Iowa State (five), Florida (four), Gonzaga (four), Kentucky (four) and Purdue (four).
HIGH-CALIBER COMPANY
• Tennessee and Kansas are the only two schools to earn an AP top-five ranking in each of the last four seasons (2021-25). Only two others, Arizona and Purdue, entered 2024-25 with a three-year streak.
• The Volunteers are one of only four teams to reach the AP top six in each of the past five seasons, alongside Alabama, Houston and Kansas.
• UT is one of just five programs to reach the AP top six in at least six of the last seven seasons (2018- 25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Kentucky. Those are also the only five schools to enter the AP top five in at least five different years in that stretch.
• The Vols are among only eight teams to reach the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll in at least two of the last seven seasons (2018-25), joining Auburn, Baylor, Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas and Purdue.
• Over that same seven-year stretch (2018-25), UT is also one of seven teams to claim an AP top-two position in at least three seasons, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Purdue.
• UT is one of seven schools with an AP top-20 ranking in each of the last eight years (2017-25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State and North Carolina. Just two others—Houston and Purdue—have even been AP top-25 each season.
• Additionally, over the last three years (2022-25), the Vols are one of just six teams to reach the AP top two in multiple seasons, joining Alabama, Connecticut, Duke, Kansas and Purdue.
PARTICULARLY POTENT AT HOME
• Under Rick Barnes, Tennessee is 22-8 (.733) versus AP top-25 teams at Food City Center, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games (since 1/30/21).
• The Volunteers are 17-7 (.708) at home against AP top-20 teams in the Barnes era, including 13-2 (.867) in their last 15 such contests (since 1/30/21).
• UT has a 14-5 (.737) mark when hosting AP top-15 squads under Barnes, including a 12-2 (.857) record in its last 14 such affairs (since 1/30/21).
• Barnes has led the Vols to an 8-1 (.889) ledger at Food City Center versus AP top-10 teams, with seven consecutive wins (since 3/2/19).
• UT is a perfect 6-0 when hosting AP top-five teams in the Barnes era (all since 1/24/17). The six straight wins are an SEC record, per ESPN, surpassing the mark of five by Kentucky in 1978-84 and 1956-59.
• The Vols won 12 straight home games against AP top-25 foes from 1/30/21 to 2/28/24. That is an SEC record, per CBS Sports, and the longest in DI since Kansas had 17 straight from 1/11/14 to 2/13/17. Nine of those victories were versus top-15 foes, with five against the top 10 and three over top-five teams.
• Tennessee is 19-5 (.792) in AP top-25 home matchups under Barnes, including 13-5 (.722) with both teams in the top 20, 8-2 (.800) with both in the top 15 and 4-0 (1.000) with both in the top 10.
1.3K CLUB
• Tennessee, Alabama (five), Ole Miss and Xavier—all but one are in the SEC—are the only schools with at least four 1,300-point scorers. Just 11 others programs have even three.
• In total, only 27 teams—10 are in the SEC—have four- plus players with even 1,000 collegiate points.
• Jordan Gainey possesses 1,441 points in 125 contests, an average of 11.5 ppg over four years.
• Darlinstone Dubar has 1,431 points in 136 outings, good for 10.5 ppg across five seasons.
• Chaz Lanier, the only member of the quartet who entered the season below 1K, now has 1,373 points in 129 outings, a 10.6 ppg ledger across five campaigns.
• Zakai Zeigler owns 1,365 points in 125 appearances, giving him a 10.9 ppg average in four seasons.
TOP-TIER TRIUMPHS
• Tennessee is 40-41 (.494) against AP top-25 foes under Rick Barnes, including 24-14 (.632) in its past 38 such games (since 1/22/22).
• The Volunteers are 34-33 (.507) versus AP top-20 teams in Barnes’ tenure, including 20-10 (.667) in their last 30 such affairs (since 1/22/22).
• UT is 26-26 (.500) against AP top-15 teams in the Barnes era, including 19-9 (.679) in its last 28 such games (since 12/22/21).
• The Vols own a 14-15 (.483) record versus AP top-10 foes under Barnes, including a 12-9 (.571) mark in their last 21 such contests (since 3/2/19) and a 9-6 (.600) tally in their last 15 (since 12/22/21).
• UT is 10-9 (.526) against AP top-five opponents in Barnes’ tenure, including 6-4 (.600) in its last 10 such affairs (since 2/15/22). It is 8-2 (.800) versus AP top-five SEC teams, including 7-1 (.875) in its last seven such outings (since 3/2/19).
20,000 STRONG
• In Rick Barnes‘ 10 seasons, Tennessee has played in front of a home crowd of at least 20,000 on 44 occasions (34-10), with 31 sellouts (24-7).
• In 2022-23, the Volunteers had five sellout crowds, at the time tying an arena single-season record.
• Tennessee well eclipsed that mark last season by selling out eight home games—including seven of nine in SEC play—good for its most ever at Food City Center. Four of those were over-capacity crowds, with the last three above 22,000.
• This season, Tennessee has already clinched six sellouts: Syracuse (12/3/24), Arkansas (1/5/25), Mississippi State (1/21/25), Kentucky (1/28/25), Florida (2/1/25) and Alabama (3/1/25).
HAPPY AT HOME
• Over the last four seasons (2021-25), the Vols’ .919 (57-5) home winning percentage is ninth in DI (co- sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In the last eight years (2017-25), UT is at .875 (112- 16), No. 11 in DI (sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In total, UT is 135-25 (.844) at Food City Center in Rick Barnes‘ 10 years and has twice gone undefeated at home (18-0 in 2018-19 and 16-0 in 2021-22).
#2/4 Vols Open Season in Dominant Fashion with Run-Rule Win Over Hofstra
Read Online | Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery | Download Postgame Media
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The reigning national champion Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2025 season with a bang by routing Hofstra, 15-0, in front of an Opening Day crowd of 6,212 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Eight different UT players drove in runs on the day, led by multi-RBI efforts from Dean Curley (two), Stone Lawless (two), Ariel Antigua (two) and Hunter High (three). High’s pinch-hit three-run homer, the first of his career, capped a seven-run sixth inning for the Big Orange.
Curley’s two-run blast into the porches in left center was the first of three Tennessee long balls on the day as the Big Orange cruised to a run-rule win.
Cannon Peebles had a great all-around day at the plate, as well, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI from the designated hitter spot.
With the win, the No. 2/4 Vols improved to 78-36-2 all-time in season openers and 4-1 in home season openers under head coach Tony Vitello.
Dazzling Debuts
A handful of players put up impressive performances in their Tennessee debuts, headlined by a masterful outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle. The Ole Miss transfer set a new career high with 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings to earn the win.
After getting a groundout to start the game, Doyle retired the next eight batters he faced via strikeout before giving up the Pride’s only hit of the game. Doyle ended up facing the minimum through five innings after the runner was thrown out at second on the play after recording the single.
Fellow Ole Miss transfer Andrew Fischer also put his stamp on the game by drawing two walks, scoring a pair of runs and hitting a solo homer in the third inning. Louisville transfer Gavin Kilen finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a triple while scoring two runs, as well.
Redshirt freshman Stone Lawless got the start behind the dish and drove in a pair of runs with a double in UT’s seven-run sixth inning. Freshman infielder Manny Marin got the starting nod at third base and recorded two hits of his own in his first collegiate contest.
Rounding out the group of productive debuts was junior right hander Tanner Franklin, who stuck out four over the final two innings and did not allow a hit.
Up Next
Tennessee and Hofstra will square off again on Saturday in game two of the weekend series. First pitch, which was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., has been moved up to 2 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast. Sunday’s series finale has also been moved up an hour and is now slated to begin at 11 a.m.
Taylor Pannell Sparks #6 Lady Vols to Doubleheader Sweep
Game Recap: Softball | February 15, 2025
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell had a standout performance at the plate, sparking No. 6 Tennessee to a doubleheader sweep of McNeese on Friday night at Cowgirl Stadium. The Lady Vols won the first game 12-0 before securing a 10-2 victory in game two.
Pannell went 6-for-8 with four runs, one double, two home runs, and seven RBIs across the twin bill. She has now homered in three consecutive games and in four of the last five.
Ella Dodge also had an impressive night, finishing 3-for-7 with two home runs and three RBIs.
GAME ONE: #6 TENNESSEE 12, McNEESE 0
Three multi-run home runs powered Tennessee to a 12-0 win in game one, which ended in six innings. Dodge hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Lady Vols a 4-0 lead.
A six-run sixth inning was sparked by a three-run shot from Pannell and a two-run blast from Laura Mealer.
Junior Karlyn Pickens earned the win, tossing five innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five. Freshman Peyton Tanner pitched one inning of relief, giving up one hit and one walk.
GAME TWO: #6 TENNESSEE 10, McNEESE 2
Tennessee hit three more home runs in game two, with Dodge and Pannell going deep again, while sophomore Gabby Leach hit her first career homer in the fifth inning.
Leading 3-2 in the fourth, Pannell hit a two-RBI double to extend the lead. Leach then added a solo shot in the fifth to pad the advantage.
Both Pannell and Dodge homered again in the sixth, with each hitting solo shots.
Sophomore Ryan Brown capped the scoring in the seventh, doubling down the left-field line to score Pannell and Katie Taylor.
Erin Nuwer started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. She was relieved in the second but returned to finish the game in the seventh.
Sage Mardjetko threw five shutout innings of relief, giving up one hit, walking two, and striking out five. Mardjetko earned her third win of the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee will play two games on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. ET against Lamar, followed by a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Tulsa. Both games will be held at the LU Softball Complex in Beaumont, Texas. The contest against Lamar will be streamed on ESPN+.
Knox County Looking to Buy Fire-Prone North Knoxville Recycling Facility
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County leaders have launched a proposal to acquire the site of a North Knoxville recycling facility prone to fires and currently owned by a company that owed hundreds of thousands in back taxes.
The agreement, which still needs to be approved by Knox County Commission, proposes the county take over two locations — 2742 Hancock Street and 302 North Avenue — in exchange for over $4.3 million.
County reps say they plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility.
“We plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility,” said county representative Chris Caldwell. “We hope to start programming soon after approval and start conversations with KCS about a possible partnership. This property will help us begin the process of vacating the Knox Central property with the hope of getting it back on the tax rolls.”
The properties are currently owned by Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling and Edstock LLC.
Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling owns the Hancock Street location which was the scene of a large-scale fire in August of last year. According to county documents from last summer, the company owed the county and city over $257,000 in back taxes.
Man Wanted on Rape of Child Charges Out of Alcoa is Arrested in Kentucky
A man wanted on rape of a child charges out of Alcoa is arrested in Kentucky.
U.S. Marshals and investigators checked multiple residences throughout Knoxville, Blount County and Loudon County to find Horacio Mejia-Villegas.
He was charged with rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery out of Alcoa.
Detectives found he was taken to Lexington, Kentucky to hide from the police and him at a restaurant where he worked, he gave officers a fake name. He was arrested and will be extradited back to Tennessee.
He will be held for ICE for deportation after he serves his time if he is convicted.
‘Stronger than it’s ever been’ | UT System President Randy Boyd Giving Annual ‘State of the University’ Address
Murfreesboro, TN (WOKI) University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd delivered his annual ‘State of the University’ address Thursday.
Boyd says that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been.
“I’m happy to report that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been in our entire history,” Boyd said.
Multiple topics were discussed including a record-breaking enrollment rate for the entire UT system.
Currently, the school serves over 62,000 students, an over 18% increase since the start of this decade and while the higher number of students is great, Boyd says they are in need of more places to put them.
Boyd says they have 1,020 buildings that are on average 67 years old and need to be replaced.
“We need to build more infrastructure, we’re always asked to our friends in the legislature and the governor, where they gonna sit, you know, so it’s great to bring all these kids in, but we’ve got aging plant, our facilities are on average 67 years,” Boyd said. “We got 1,020 buildings on average 67 years old, so we’ve got buildings that we need to replace, we need to build new buildings to help support this growth.”
Additionally, Boyd said this week, Gov. Bill Lee and other legislators offered a record quarter of a billion dollars put toward the university’s infrastructure.
Governor Bill Lee Signs Bill Which Will Give a Refund of Property Taxes to Those Whose Home was Damaged or Destroyed by Hurricane Helene
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill that will give a 130% refund of property taxes to those whose home was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
However, only one owner per property is eligible for the relief, and if more than one owner requests relief, the payment will be sent to the property owner who submitted all the needed documentation first.
It was unanimously passed by both the Tennessee House and Senate.
To receive the relief payment, those eligible must submit all needed and necessary documentation to the Comptroller of the Treasury by June 30th.
HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF PAYMENTS
In connection with a disaster certified by the federal emergency management agency (FEMA) occurring on or after September 26, 2024, and before September 30, 2024 (“qualified disaster”) and subject to the requirements of this bill and an appropriation by the general assembly, this bill requires the comptroller of the treasury to disburse payments directly to owners of all real or personal property that is subject to taxation in this state, excluding intangible personal property or public utility property (“property”), (i) whose property was destroyed or damaged by a qualified disaster, as determined by the assessor of property by January 28, 2025, and is located in a county included in the FEMA declaration; and (ii) who owned the affected property at the time of the qualified disaster. This bill requires such payments to be in an amount equal to the total amount of the tax levied on the property for tax year 2024 plus 30%.
By June 30, 2025, this bill requires owners of property who are eligible for such payments to provide to the comptroller of the treasury all information and correctly completed documentation necessary for payment disbursement, as determined by the comptroller. The comptroller must determine the means by which owners of property must submit the necessary documentation and information. Failure to provide all necessary information and correctly completed documentation under this bill results in forfeiture of eligibility for payment under this bill.
This bill clarifies that the provisions of this bill apply regardless of whether the property was restored or replaced by December 31, 2024. However, the provisions of this bill are deleted on December 31, 2025.
MUTUAL AID DURING DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES
Present law generally (i) authorizes mutual aid during an imminent threat of an event or an actual event and its aftermath, whether natural or man-made, that could lead to or results in bodily injury or property damage and (ii) enhances public safety and homeland security by facilitating assistance among governmental entities in a state of emergency or declared disaster while conforming to federal guidelines relative to reimbursement of costs for assistance rendered. Specifically, upon receiving a request for mutual aid in an occurrence or for assistance from a requesting party in a municipal, county, state, or federal state of emergency, present law authorizes a governmental entity that requests or responds to a request for aid or assistance to send its personnel and equipment outside its boundaries and into any other jurisdiction necessary to respond to the request. This bill revises that specific authority by subjecting such authority to the approval of the chief executive officer of the governmental entity.
ON JANUARY 29, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 6007, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 revises the provision of the bill that excludes public utility property from the definition of “property” as used in the bill. This amendment removes that exclusion and, instead, excludes from such definition utility and carrier property that is assessed pursuant to the property tax laws of this state.
This amendment requires payments under this bill to be provided to only one owner per property. If more than one owner seeks payment for the same property, then the comptroller of the treasury must disburse payment to the owner who first submits all necessary information and correctly completed documentation as required under this bill.
#15/16 Lady Vols Ride Hot Shooting To 99-61 Win Over Auburn
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 15/16 Tennessee women’s basketball team shot a season-high 55.7 percent from the field and scored its most points against an SEC foe in 14 years to roll past Auburn, 99-61, on Thursday night at Food City Center.
The Lady Vols (18-6, 5-6 SEC), who carded their highest output since a 110-45 home win over Alabama on Jan. 6, 2011, were led offensively by fifth-year guard Jewel Spear, who knocked down five three-pointers and finished with a team-high 17 points. The Big Orange had four others in double figures, including junior guard Ruby Whitehorn with 15, junior forward Zee Spearman with 14, redshirt freshman guard Kaniya Boyd with 11 and redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper with 10.
The Tigers (12-13, 3-9 SEC) were paced by DeYona Gaston, who recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds. Yuting Deng chipped in 13 points, with 10 of those coming in the first quarter before the Lady Vols limited her to 1-of-4 shooting the rest of the way.
Auburn opened the game in good form, hitting 50 percent over the opening six-plus minutes to grab a 7-2 lead behind 3-of-7 marksmanship from Deng. A Jillian Hollingshead kiss off the glass and a Spear three-pointer, however, narrowed the deficit to three, 14-11, by the 3:44 media timeout. The Lady Vols warmed up after the break, grabbing their first lead, 15-14, with 2:35 remaining. After AU jumped up 18-15, UT finished the frame on a 7-2 burst, getting a Boyd backdoor layup, a spinning Whitehorn layup and then a trey from Whitehorn to close out the period with a 22-20 edge.
Tennessee continued its momentum into the second stanza, building a 28-20 gap by the 8:29 mark on a Spearman free throw, Cooper three and Whitehorn layup. The Lady Vols then got an Alyssa Latham bank shot and Sara Puckett inside bucket to push ahead, 37-26, by the 4:31 media timeout, shooting 66.7 percent from the field to begin the quarter. UT continued to pad its lead, moving up 41-28 on a Tess Darby trey, 44-30 on a Spear three and 48-32 on a Puckett layup before a Spearman put-back sent her team into the locker room with a 50-34 cushion behind 73.3-percent marksmanship in the second stanza. UT carved out a 28-14 advantage in paint points during the opening half.
Auburn was the aggressor early in the third frame, tallying four straight points to open the period and outscoring Tennessee, 12-8, to cut the deficit to 12, 58-46, by the 4:54 media timeout. The Tigers crept to within 11, 61-50, with 2:48 left, but a three-pointer from Hollingshead as the shot clock was winding down and an old-fashioned three-point play from Cooper moved the gap to 17. Then, a turnaround jumper by Cooper and a layup from Boyd sent the home team into the final frame with a game-best 71-52 margin.
Tennessee built its lead to 20, 74-54, on a three by Darby with 8:32 left and then extended it to 80-59 on back-to-back treys from Samara Spencer and Darby, forcing Auburn to ask for time with 5:29 remaining. A Boyd driving layup pushed the margin to 31, 90-59, with 3:15 to go, and an Avery Strickland driving layup with 39 seconds on the clock pushed her team within one of the century mark and closed out the scoring.
UP NEXT: Next on the schedule for the Lady Vols is a noon ET home matchup with RV/RV Ole Miss on Sunday at Food City Center. The contest will be streamed by SECN+ and also will be broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and via audio stream on UTSports.com. The matchup will be UT’s Black History Month game.
A JEWEL SPEAR SPECIAL:Jewel Spear tallied 17 points against Auburn on Thursday night, connecting on five of eight three-point attempts for her fourth game of 5+ treys this season. The fifth-year guard also finished with four assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. Spear has carded 14 games thus far with 10 or more points, running her total to 108 for her career. The Colony, Texas, native has logged three consecutive games of ten points or more, dating back to Feb. 6 against UConn.
BIG ORANGE PRESSURE: The Tennessee defense forced Auburn to turn the ball over a total of 21 times. Fifteen of the Lady Vols foes thus far have committed at least 20 miscues. The Tennessee press resulted in a 10-second violation, and the inbound play defense forced a five-second infraction. The Big Orange has harassed opponents into 22 10-second violations thus far. The 10-second call happened at the 7:46 mark in the third quarter. UT forced a season-most five violations against Western Carolina on Nov. 26.
TENNESSEE TREYS: Tennessee carded its 15th performance in 2024-25 with ten or more three-pointers in a single contest, knocking down 14 against Auburn. The 14 threes tie for sixth place in program history. Previously, UT also was first with 30 vs. N.C. Central, tied for third with 15 makes vs. Middle Tennessee and tied for sixth with 14 vs. Liberty and Tulsa. The Lady Vols have surpassed the previous school best of six for most games with double-digit three-pointer production.
HIGHEST FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE OF THE SEASON: Tennessee tallied its highest field goal percentage of the season, shooting 55.7 percent versus Auburn. The previous best was 53.0 vs. Winthrop on Dec. 29. The Lady Vols made 39 of 70 field goal attempts and bottomed 14 three-pointers. The Big Orange fired off a 73.3-percent showing in the second quarter and a 64.7-percent result in the final stanza. Ruby Whitehorn led the crew in field goals, sinking seven of 11, while Zee Spearman was six of eight and Jewel Spear five of nine, including a 5-of-8 night from the arc.
Jury Renders Sentence on First-Degree Murder Charges in Megan Boswell Trial
Sullivan County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: Megan Boswell, the Sullivan County mom found guilty of murdering her 15 month-old daughter, Evelyn, will now spend decades behind bars.
The jury in the case rendering a unanimous sentence on the first-degree murder charges against Boswell Thursday afternoon, sentencing her to life in prison for each of the three murder charges against her.
The jury also found Boswell guilty on various child abuse and neglect charges, tampering with evidence, 11 counts of false report and abuse of a corpse. The judge Thursday setting a formal sentencing hearing on the remaining charges for May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
ORIGINAL STORY: The verdict is in and Megan Boswell is found guilty of all 19 charges in the death of her 15 month old daughter Evelyn in 2019.
Boswell was found guilty of the following charges:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect
- Aggravated child abuse
- Aggravated child neglect
- Tampering with evidence
- 11 counts of false report
- Abuse of a corpse
- Failure to report a death under suspicious, unusual or unnatural circumstances
The next step will be to determine Megan’s sentence as Prosecutors have said they would not seek the death penalty but possible life in prison without the possibilty of parole.
The trial began February 5th.
Historic Cocke County Bridge Destroyed by Helene Gets Federal Funding for Replacement
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) In the wake of devastation wrought months ago by Hurricane Helene comes some good news for Cocke County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 75% of the cost to rebuild Conway Bridge, a historic structure in Cocke County.
The bridge, previously spanning the Nolichucky River, was built around 1925 and was washed away by flood waters brought on by Hurricane Helene.
Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis says the bridge replacement will cost around $8 million, adding that the project was approved recently.
Hoops Central: #5/4 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 5/4 Tennessee men’s basketball team is set to face Vanderbilt in an in-state battle Saturday afternoon at Food City Center. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY TIMES & BROADCAST INFO
- Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores
- Tipoff: Saturday, Feb. 15 | 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Food City Center
- Watch Online: SEC Network
- Online: Listen Live | Live Stats
RELATED LINKS
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THE LATEST FROM THE VOLS
#5/4 Vols Fall Short, 75-64, at #15/18 KentuckyLanier Named to Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List Vols Place No. 5/4 in Major Polls #4 Vols Cruise to 70-52 Victory at Oklahoma “Vanderbilt Matchup Sold Out
Fans can catch Saturday’s game between the Volunteers (20-5, 7-5 SEC) and Commodores (17-7, 5-6 SEC) on SEC Network. Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Pat Bradley (analyst) will have the call.
Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
In Tennessee’s most recent outing, trailing No. 15/18 Kentucky by nine in the final minute of the first half and by seven with under 14 minutes to play, it roared back to take a three-point lead, but could not hold on down the stretch in a 75-64 setback.
Senior guard Zakai Zeigler, who entered the top 25 on the school’s all-time scoring list and the top six on the SEC’s career assists leaderboard, had game highs in points (17) and assists (six) for No. 5/4 Tennessee (20-5, 7-5 SEC) at Rupp Arena
THE MATCHUP
• UT’s 131 wins over Vanderbilt are its most versus any foe. Georgia (100) is the only other school it has defeated triple-digit times.
• Since Food City Center opened in 1987-88, Tennessee is 28-9 at home against the Commodres, including 15-4 in the last 19 affairs.
• UT has seven straight home wins over Vanderbilt, by an average of 13.4 ppg. Last year, it won by 35.
• The Volunteers are 13-2 in their last 15 contests against Vanderbilt, since 1/9/18. Both defeats were one-point road setbacks (66-65 on 2/8/23 and 76-75 on 1/18/25).
• This is the 14th time in the last 16 series meetings, also dating to 1/9/18, Tennessee is ranked and Vanderbilt is not. It is the ninth time in that stretch, including the sixth in a row, UT is in the top 10.
• Ranked UT teams are 23-9 all- time against unranked Vanderbilt squads, including 15-3—all three losses are by one—since 2/3/01.
• Coming off a 9-23 (4-14) campaign in 2023-24, Vanderbilt placed No. 16 in the SEC preseason poll.
• Junior guard Jason Edwards leads Vanderbilt with 17.4 ppg.
NEWS & NOTES
• Vanderbilt is the only team the Volunteers play at home in a five- game, 23-day stretch (Feb. 6-28).
• The Commodores are the first unranked SEC team visiting UT since 2/24/24, snapping an eight- game streak across two seasons.
• Over the past eight campaigns, all in the Rick Barnes era, UT is 27-9 (.750) in the second leg of regular season home-and-home series.
• Tennessee is 34-7 (.829) against in-state opposition under Rick Barnes, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games.
• The Volunteers have earned a top- 10 position in 31 of the 36 AP Poll releases over the last two seasons, including a top-eight spot in 27 of the last 30 releases.
• Igor Miličić Jr., is one of just five SEC players in the last 15 years (2010-25) to post at least 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in a game three-plus times in a single season. The others are Auburn’s Johni Broome (2024- 25), Texas A&M’s Tyrece Radford (2023-24), Tennessee’s Grant Williams (2018-19) and LSU’s Ben Simmons (2015-16).
• UT’s eight Quad 1 wins are tied for the second-most in the country, alongside Alabama and Kentucky. Only Auburn (13) has more.
• Zakai Zeigler has 651 assists, sixth-most in SEC history. He is five back of Georgia/Kentucky’s Sahvir Wheeler (656 from 2019-23) for fifth and 13 behind Alabama’s Terry Coner (664 from 1983-87) for fourth.
• Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler are each one victory away from becoming the seventh and eighth players to win 100 games at Tennessee.
• Felix Okpara (46) is four blocks away from the 13th 50-block season in UT history, while Chaz Lanier (84) is five made 3-pointers from No. 10 on the program’s single-season leaderboard (89).
• Tennessee’s 191 victories over the last eight seasons (2017-25) rank ninth in DI. Only Gonzaga (231), Houston (228), Kansas (208), Duke (206), Purdue (201), Saint Mary’s (193), San Diego State (193) and Auburn (192) possess more. Drake (190) and Liberty (190) tie to round out the top 10.
RACKING UP RANKED VICTORIES
• TOP 25: In the past four years (2021-25), Tennessee’s 26 AP top-25 wins lead the nation. Only Connecticut (25), Kansas (25), Iowa State (24) and Purdue (23) are even within three, while the closest SEC school is four behind (Alabama with 22).
• TOP 20: Tennessee possesses an SEC-high 22 AP top-20 triumphs over that span, the co-second- most of any DI school, tied with Kansas (22) and trailing only Connecticut (23). Just Purdue (19), Alabama (closest SEC team with 18) and Iowa State (18) are even within five of the Volunteers.
• TOP 15: The Volunteers own an SEC-best 19 AP top- 15 decisions over those four years, good for second- most in the country, behind just Kansas (20). Only Alabama (closest SEC team with 16), Iowa State (15) and Kentucky (15) are even within four of UT.
• TOP 10: Since 2021-22, Tennessee owns nine AP top- 10 wins, co-second in the SEC and co-sixth nationally, both alongside Alabama. Only Connecticut (12), Iowa State (12), Kansas (12), Kentucky (11) and Purdue (10) have more. The nine such wins in that time are against #1 Alabama (2/15/23), #3 Kansas (11/25/22), #3 Auburn (2/26/22), #4 Kentucky (2/15/22), #5 Kentucky (3/12/22), #6 Arizona (12/22/21), #10 Texas (1/28/23), at #10 Kentucky (2/3/24) and #5 Florida (2/1/25).
• TOP FIVE: In that same four-year span, UT has six AP top-five victories, tied with Arizona for the most in the country. Only six other schools have even four: Alabama (five), Iowa State (five), Florida (four), Gonzaga (four), Kentucky (four) and Purdue (four).
HIGH-CALIBER COMPANY
• Tennessee and Kansas are the only two schools to earn an AP top-five ranking in each of the last four seasons (2021-25). Only two others, Arizona and Purdue, entered 2024-25 with a three-year streak.
• The Volunteers are one of only four teams to reach the AP top six in each of the past five seasons, alongside Alabama, Houston and Kansas.
• UT is one of just five programs to reach the AP top six in at least six of the last seven seasons (2018- 25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Kentucky. Those are also the only five schools to enter the AP top five in at least five different years in that stretch.
• The Vols are among only eight teams to reach the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll in at least two of the last seven seasons (2018-25), joining Auburn, Baylor, Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas and Purdue.
• Over that same seven-year stretch (2018-25), UT is also one of seven teams to claim an AP top-two position in at least three seasons, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Purdue.
• UT is one of seven schools with an AP top-20 ranking in each of the last eight years (2017-25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State and North Carolina. Just two others—Houston and Purdue—have even been AP top-25 each season.
• Additionally, over the last three years (2022-25), the Vols are one of just six teams to reach the AP top two in multiple seasons, joining Alabama, Connecticut, Duke, Kansas and Purdue.
PARTICULARLY POTENT AT HOME
• Under Rick Barnes, Tennessee is 22-8 (.733) versus AP top-25 teams at Food City Center, including 17-2 (.895) in its last 19 such games (since 1/30/21).
• The Volunteers are 17-7 (.708) at home against AP top-20 teams in the Barnes era, including 13-2 (.867) in their last 15 such contests (since 1/30/21).
• UT has a 14-5 (.737) mark when hosting AP top-15 squads under Barnes, including a 12-2 (.857) record in its last 14 such affairs (since 1/30/21).
• Barnes has led the Vols to an 8-1 (.889) ledger at Food City Center versus AP top-10 teams, with seven consecutive wins (since 3/2/19).
• UT is a perfect 6-0 when hosting AP top-five teams in the Barnes era (all since 1/24/17). The six straight wins are an SEC record, per ESPN, surpassing the mark of five by Kentucky in 1978-84 and 1956-59.
• The Vols won 12 straight home games against AP top-25 foes from 1/30/21 to 2/28/24. That is an SEC record, per CBS Sports, and the longest in DI since Kansas had 17 straight from 1/11/14 to 2/13/17. Nine of those victories were versus top-15 foes, with five against the top 10 and three over top-five teams.
• Tennessee is 19-5 (.792) in AP top-25 home matchups under Barnes, including 13-5 (.722) with both teams in the top 20, 8-2 (.800) with both in the top 15 and 4-0 (1.000) with both in the top 10.
1.3K CLUB
• Tennessee, Alabama (five), Ole Miss and Xavier—all but one are in the SEC—are the only schools with at least four 1,300-point scorers. Just 11 others programs have even three.
• In total, only 27 teams—10 are in the SEC—have four- plus players with even 1,000 collegiate points.
• Jordan Gainey possesses 1,441 points in 125 contests, an average of 11.5 ppg over four years.
• Darlinstone Dubar has 1,431 points in 136 outings, good for 10.5 ppg across five seasons.
• Chaz Lanier, the only member of the quartet who entered the season below 1K, now has 1,373 points in 129 outings, a 10.6 ppg ledger across five campaigns.
• Zakai Zeigler owns 1,365 points in 125 appearances, giving him a 10.9 ppg average in four seasons.
TOP-TIER TRIUMPHS
• Tennessee is 40-41 (.494) against AP top-25 foes under Rick Barnes, including 24-14 (.632) in its past 38 such games (since 1/22/22).
• The Volunteers are 34-33 (.507) versus AP top-20 teams in Barnes’ tenure, including 20-10 (.667) in their last 30 such affairs (since 1/22/22).
• UT is 26-26 (.500) against AP top-15 teams in the Barnes era, including 19-9 (.679) in its last 28 such games (since 12/22/21).
• The Vols own a 14-15 (.483) record versus AP top-10 foes under Barnes, including a 12-9 (.571) mark in their last 21 such contests (since 3/2/19) and a 9-6 (.600) tally in their last 15 (since 12/22/21).
• UT is 10-9 (.526) against AP top-five opponents in Barnes’ tenure, including 6-4 (.600) in its last 10 such affairs (since 2/15/22). It is 8-2 (.800) versus AP top-five SEC teams, including 7-1 (.875) in its last seven such outings (since 3/2/19).
20,000 STRONG
• In Rick Barnes‘ 10 seasons, Tennessee has played in front of a home crowd of at least 20,000 on 44 occasions (34-10), with 31 sellouts (24-7).
• In 2022-23, the Volunteers had five sellout crowds, at the time tying an arena single-season record.
• Tennessee well eclipsed that mark last season by selling out eight home games—including seven of nine in SEC play—good for its most ever at Food City Center. Four of those were over-capacity crowds, with the last three above 22,000.
• This season, Tennessee has already clinched six sellouts: Syracuse (12/3/24), Arkansas (1/5/25), Mississippi State (1/21/25), Kentucky (1/28/25), Florida (2/1/25) and Alabama (3/1/25).
HAPPY AT HOME
• Over the last four seasons (2021-25), the Vols’ .919 (57-5) home winning percentage is ninth in DI (co- sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In the last eight years (2017-25), UT is at .875 (112- 16), No. 11 in DI (sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In total, UT is 135-25 (.844) at Food City Center in Rick Barnes‘ 10 years and has twice gone undefeated at home (18-0 in 2018-19 and 16-0 in 2021-22).
#2/4 Vols Open Season in Dominant Fashion with Run-Rule Win Over Hofstra
Read Online | Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery | Download Postgame Media
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The reigning national champion Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2025 season with a bang by routing Hofstra, 15-0, in front of an Opening Day crowd of 6,212 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Eight different UT players drove in runs on the day, led by multi-RBI efforts from Dean Curley (two), Stone Lawless (two), Ariel Antigua (two) and Hunter High (three). High’s pinch-hit three-run homer, the first of his career, capped a seven-run sixth inning for the Big Orange.
Curley’s two-run blast into the porches in left center was the first of three Tennessee long balls on the day as the Big Orange cruised to a run-rule win.
Cannon Peebles had a great all-around day at the plate, as well, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI from the designated hitter spot.
With the win, the No. 2/4 Vols improved to 78-36-2 all-time in season openers and 4-1 in home season openers under head coach Tony Vitello.
Dazzling Debuts
A handful of players put up impressive performances in their Tennessee debuts, headlined by a masterful outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle. The Ole Miss transfer set a new career high with 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings to earn the win.
After getting a groundout to start the game, Doyle retired the next eight batters he faced via strikeout before giving up the Pride’s only hit of the game. Doyle ended up facing the minimum through five innings after the runner was thrown out at second on the play after recording the single.
Fellow Ole Miss transfer Andrew Fischer also put his stamp on the game by drawing two walks, scoring a pair of runs and hitting a solo homer in the third inning. Louisville transfer Gavin Kilen finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a triple while scoring two runs, as well.
Redshirt freshman Stone Lawless got the start behind the dish and drove in a pair of runs with a double in UT’s seven-run sixth inning. Freshman infielder Manny Marin got the starting nod at third base and recorded two hits of his own in his first collegiate contest.
Rounding out the group of productive debuts was junior right hander Tanner Franklin, who stuck out four over the final two innings and did not allow a hit.
Up Next
Tennessee and Hofstra will square off again on Saturday in game two of the weekend series. First pitch, which was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., has been moved up to 2 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast. Sunday’s series finale has also been moved up an hour and is now slated to begin at 11 a.m.
Taylor Pannell Sparks #6 Lady Vols to Doubleheader Sweep
Game Recap: Softball | February 15, 2025
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell had a standout performance at the plate, sparking No. 6 Tennessee to a doubleheader sweep of McNeese on Friday night at Cowgirl Stadium. The Lady Vols won the first game 12-0 before securing a 10-2 victory in game two.
Pannell went 6-for-8 with four runs, one double, two home runs, and seven RBIs across the twin bill. She has now homered in three consecutive games and in four of the last five.
Ella Dodge also had an impressive night, finishing 3-for-7 with two home runs and three RBIs.
GAME ONE: #6 TENNESSEE 12, McNEESE 0
Three multi-run home runs powered Tennessee to a 12-0 win in game one, which ended in six innings. Dodge hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Lady Vols a 4-0 lead.
A six-run sixth inning was sparked by a three-run shot from Pannell and a two-run blast from Laura Mealer.
Junior Karlyn Pickens earned the win, tossing five innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five. Freshman Peyton Tanner pitched one inning of relief, giving up one hit and one walk.
GAME TWO: #6 TENNESSEE 10, McNEESE 2
Tennessee hit three more home runs in game two, with Dodge and Pannell going deep again, while sophomore Gabby Leach hit her first career homer in the fifth inning.
Leading 3-2 in the fourth, Pannell hit a two-RBI double to extend the lead. Leach then added a solo shot in the fifth to pad the advantage.
Both Pannell and Dodge homered again in the sixth, with each hitting solo shots.
Sophomore Ryan Brown capped the scoring in the seventh, doubling down the left-field line to score Pannell and Katie Taylor.
Erin Nuwer started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. She was relieved in the second but returned to finish the game in the seventh.
Sage Mardjetko threw five shutout innings of relief, giving up one hit, walking two, and striking out five. Mardjetko earned her third win of the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee will play two games on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. ET against Lamar, followed by a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Tulsa. Both games will be held at the LU Softball Complex in Beaumont, Texas. The contest against Lamar will be streamed on ESPN+.
Knox County Looking to Buy Fire-Prone North Knoxville Recycling Facility
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County leaders have launched a proposal to acquire the site of a North Knoxville recycling facility prone to fires and currently owned by a company that owed hundreds of thousands in back taxes.
The agreement, which still needs to be approved by Knox County Commission, proposes the county take over two locations — 2742 Hancock Street and 302 North Avenue — in exchange for over $4.3 million.
County reps say they plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility.
“We plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility,” said county representative Chris Caldwell. “We hope to start programming soon after approval and start conversations with KCS about a possible partnership. This property will help us begin the process of vacating the Knox Central property with the hope of getting it back on the tax rolls.”
The properties are currently owned by Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling and Edstock LLC.
Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling owns the Hancock Street location which was the scene of a large-scale fire in August of last year. According to county documents from last summer, the company owed the county and city over $257,000 in back taxes.
Man Wanted on Rape of Child Charges Out of Alcoa is Arrested in Kentucky
A man wanted on rape of a child charges out of Alcoa is arrested in Kentucky.
U.S. Marshals and investigators checked multiple residences throughout Knoxville, Blount County and Loudon County to find Horacio Mejia-Villegas.
He was charged with rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery out of Alcoa.
Detectives found he was taken to Lexington, Kentucky to hide from the police and him at a restaurant where he worked, he gave officers a fake name. He was arrested and will be extradited back to Tennessee.
He will be held for ICE for deportation after he serves his time if he is convicted.
‘Stronger than it’s ever been’ | UT System President Randy Boyd Giving Annual ‘State of the University’ Address
Murfreesboro, TN (WOKI) University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd delivered his annual ‘State of the University’ address Thursday.
Boyd says that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been.
“I’m happy to report that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been in our entire history,” Boyd said.
Multiple topics were discussed including a record-breaking enrollment rate for the entire UT system.
Currently, the school serves over 62,000 students, an over 18% increase since the start of this decade and while the higher number of students is great, Boyd says they are in need of more places to put them.
Boyd says they have 1,020 buildings that are on average 67 years old and need to be replaced.
“We need to build more infrastructure, we’re always asked to our friends in the legislature and the governor, where they gonna sit, you know, so it’s great to bring all these kids in, but we’ve got aging plant, our facilities are on average 67 years,” Boyd said. “We got 1,020 buildings on average 67 years old, so we’ve got buildings that we need to replace, we need to build new buildings to help support this growth.”
Additionally, Boyd said this week, Gov. Bill Lee and other legislators offered a record quarter of a billion dollars put toward the university’s infrastructure.
Governor Bill Lee Signs Bill Which Will Give a Refund of Property Taxes to Those Whose Home was Damaged or Destroyed by Hurricane Helene
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill that will give a 130% refund of property taxes to those whose home was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
However, only one owner per property is eligible for the relief, and if more than one owner requests relief, the payment will be sent to the property owner who submitted all the needed documentation first.
It was unanimously passed by both the Tennessee House and Senate.
To receive the relief payment, those eligible must submit all needed and necessary documentation to the Comptroller of the Treasury by June 30th.
HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF PAYMENTS
In connection with a disaster certified by the federal emergency management agency (FEMA) occurring on or after September 26, 2024, and before September 30, 2024 (“qualified disaster”) and subject to the requirements of this bill and an appropriation by the general assembly, this bill requires the comptroller of the treasury to disburse payments directly to owners of all real or personal property that is subject to taxation in this state, excluding intangible personal property or public utility property (“property”), (i) whose property was destroyed or damaged by a qualified disaster, as determined by the assessor of property by January 28, 2025, and is located in a county included in the FEMA declaration; and (ii) who owned the affected property at the time of the qualified disaster. This bill requires such payments to be in an amount equal to the total amount of the tax levied on the property for tax year 2024 plus 30%.
By June 30, 2025, this bill requires owners of property who are eligible for such payments to provide to the comptroller of the treasury all information and correctly completed documentation necessary for payment disbursement, as determined by the comptroller. The comptroller must determine the means by which owners of property must submit the necessary documentation and information. Failure to provide all necessary information and correctly completed documentation under this bill results in forfeiture of eligibility for payment under this bill.
This bill clarifies that the provisions of this bill apply regardless of whether the property was restored or replaced by December 31, 2024. However, the provisions of this bill are deleted on December 31, 2025.
MUTUAL AID DURING DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES
Present law generally (i) authorizes mutual aid during an imminent threat of an event or an actual event and its aftermath, whether natural or man-made, that could lead to or results in bodily injury or property damage and (ii) enhances public safety and homeland security by facilitating assistance among governmental entities in a state of emergency or declared disaster while conforming to federal guidelines relative to reimbursement of costs for assistance rendered. Specifically, upon receiving a request for mutual aid in an occurrence or for assistance from a requesting party in a municipal, county, state, or federal state of emergency, present law authorizes a governmental entity that requests or responds to a request for aid or assistance to send its personnel and equipment outside its boundaries and into any other jurisdiction necessary to respond to the request. This bill revises that specific authority by subjecting such authority to the approval of the chief executive officer of the governmental entity.
ON JANUARY 29, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 6007, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 revises the provision of the bill that excludes public utility property from the definition of “property” as used in the bill. This amendment removes that exclusion and, instead, excludes from such definition utility and carrier property that is assessed pursuant to the property tax laws of this state.
This amendment requires payments under this bill to be provided to only one owner per property. If more than one owner seeks payment for the same property, then the comptroller of the treasury must disburse payment to the owner who first submits all necessary information and correctly completed documentation as required under this bill.
#15/16 Lady Vols Ride Hot Shooting To 99-61 Win Over Auburn
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 15/16 Tennessee women’s basketball team shot a season-high 55.7 percent from the field and scored its most points against an SEC foe in 14 years to roll past Auburn, 99-61, on Thursday night at Food City Center.
The Lady Vols (18-6, 5-6 SEC), who carded their highest output since a 110-45 home win over Alabama on Jan. 6, 2011, were led offensively by fifth-year guard Jewel Spear, who knocked down five three-pointers and finished with a team-high 17 points. The Big Orange had four others in double figures, including junior guard Ruby Whitehorn with 15, junior forward Zee Spearman with 14, redshirt freshman guard Kaniya Boyd with 11 and redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper with 10.
The Tigers (12-13, 3-9 SEC) were paced by DeYona Gaston, who recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds. Yuting Deng chipped in 13 points, with 10 of those coming in the first quarter before the Lady Vols limited her to 1-of-4 shooting the rest of the way.
Auburn opened the game in good form, hitting 50 percent over the opening six-plus minutes to grab a 7-2 lead behind 3-of-7 marksmanship from Deng. A Jillian Hollingshead kiss off the glass and a Spear three-pointer, however, narrowed the deficit to three, 14-11, by the 3:44 media timeout. The Lady Vols warmed up after the break, grabbing their first lead, 15-14, with 2:35 remaining. After AU jumped up 18-15, UT finished the frame on a 7-2 burst, getting a Boyd backdoor layup, a spinning Whitehorn layup and then a trey from Whitehorn to close out the period with a 22-20 edge.
Tennessee continued its momentum into the second stanza, building a 28-20 gap by the 8:29 mark on a Spearman free throw, Cooper three and Whitehorn layup. The Lady Vols then got an Alyssa Latham bank shot and Sara Puckett inside bucket to push ahead, 37-26, by the 4:31 media timeout, shooting 66.7 percent from the field to begin the quarter. UT continued to pad its lead, moving up 41-28 on a Tess Darby trey, 44-30 on a Spear three and 48-32 on a Puckett layup before a Spearman put-back sent her team into the locker room with a 50-34 cushion behind 73.3-percent marksmanship in the second stanza. UT carved out a 28-14 advantage in paint points during the opening half.
Auburn was the aggressor early in the third frame, tallying four straight points to open the period and outscoring Tennessee, 12-8, to cut the deficit to 12, 58-46, by the 4:54 media timeout. The Tigers crept to within 11, 61-50, with 2:48 left, but a three-pointer from Hollingshead as the shot clock was winding down and an old-fashioned three-point play from Cooper moved the gap to 17. Then, a turnaround jumper by Cooper and a layup from Boyd sent the home team into the final frame with a game-best 71-52 margin.
Tennessee built its lead to 20, 74-54, on a three by Darby with 8:32 left and then extended it to 80-59 on back-to-back treys from Samara Spencer and Darby, forcing Auburn to ask for time with 5:29 remaining. A Boyd driving layup pushed the margin to 31, 90-59, with 3:15 to go, and an Avery Strickland driving layup with 39 seconds on the clock pushed her team within one of the century mark and closed out the scoring.
UP NEXT: Next on the schedule for the Lady Vols is a noon ET home matchup with RV/RV Ole Miss on Sunday at Food City Center. The contest will be streamed by SECN+ and also will be broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and via audio stream on UTSports.com. The matchup will be UT’s Black History Month game.
A JEWEL SPEAR SPECIAL:Jewel Spear tallied 17 points against Auburn on Thursday night, connecting on five of eight three-point attempts for her fourth game of 5+ treys this season. The fifth-year guard also finished with four assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. Spear has carded 14 games thus far with 10 or more points, running her total to 108 for her career. The Colony, Texas, native has logged three consecutive games of ten points or more, dating back to Feb. 6 against UConn.
BIG ORANGE PRESSURE: The Tennessee defense forced Auburn to turn the ball over a total of 21 times. Fifteen of the Lady Vols foes thus far have committed at least 20 miscues. The Tennessee press resulted in a 10-second violation, and the inbound play defense forced a five-second infraction. The Big Orange has harassed opponents into 22 10-second violations thus far. The 10-second call happened at the 7:46 mark in the third quarter. UT forced a season-most five violations against Western Carolina on Nov. 26.
TENNESSEE TREYS: Tennessee carded its 15th performance in 2024-25 with ten or more three-pointers in a single contest, knocking down 14 against Auburn. The 14 threes tie for sixth place in program history. Previously, UT also was first with 30 vs. N.C. Central, tied for third with 15 makes vs. Middle Tennessee and tied for sixth with 14 vs. Liberty and Tulsa. The Lady Vols have surpassed the previous school best of six for most games with double-digit three-pointer production.
HIGHEST FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE OF THE SEASON: Tennessee tallied its highest field goal percentage of the season, shooting 55.7 percent versus Auburn. The previous best was 53.0 vs. Winthrop on Dec. 29. The Lady Vols made 39 of 70 field goal attempts and bottomed 14 three-pointers. The Big Orange fired off a 73.3-percent showing in the second quarter and a 64.7-percent result in the final stanza. Ruby Whitehorn led the crew in field goals, sinking seven of 11, while Zee Spearman was six of eight and Jewel Spear five of nine, including a 5-of-8 night from the arc.
Jury Renders Sentence on First-Degree Murder Charges in Megan Boswell Trial
Sullivan County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: Megan Boswell, the Sullivan County mom found guilty of murdering her 15 month-old daughter, Evelyn, will now spend decades behind bars.
The jury in the case rendering a unanimous sentence on the first-degree murder charges against Boswell Thursday afternoon, sentencing her to life in prison for each of the three murder charges against her.
The jury also found Boswell guilty on various child abuse and neglect charges, tampering with evidence, 11 counts of false report and abuse of a corpse. The judge Thursday setting a formal sentencing hearing on the remaining charges for May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
ORIGINAL STORY: The verdict is in and Megan Boswell is found guilty of all 19 charges in the death of her 15 month old daughter Evelyn in 2019.
Boswell was found guilty of the following charges:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse
- First-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect
- Aggravated child abuse
- Aggravated child neglect
- Tampering with evidence
- 11 counts of false report
- Abuse of a corpse
- Failure to report a death under suspicious, unusual or unnatural circumstances
The next step will be to determine Megan’s sentence as Prosecutors have said they would not seek the death penalty but possible life in prison without the possibilty of parole.
The trial began February 5th.
Historic Cocke County Bridge Destroyed by Helene Gets Federal Funding for Replacement
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) In the wake of devastation wrought months ago by Hurricane Helene comes some good news for Cocke County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 75% of the cost to rebuild Conway Bridge, a historic structure in Cocke County.
The bridge, previously spanning the Nolichucky River, was built around 1925 and was washed away by flood waters brought on by Hurricane Helene.
Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis says the bridge replacement will cost around $8 million, adding that the project was approved recently.
