November 5, 2024 Election: Statistics at the End of Early Voting in Knox County
Knoxville (WOKI / Knox County Election Commission) – Thursday, October 31st marked the end (fourteen days) of early voting for the November 5, 2024 Presidential and Federal/State General Election.
A total of 163,303 early votes have been cast in Knox County, with an additional 7,503 votes cast by absentee ballot and in nursing homes.
There are 336,151 registered voters (318,311 active; 17,840 inactive) in Knox County as of October 23, 2024.
COMPARISON TO PRIOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AT CONCLUSION OF EARLY VOTING
November 2024:
- 163,303 early votes cast
- 7,503 absentee & nursing home votes cast (thus far)
- TBD Election Day votes cast
- TBD TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2024 election
November 2020:
- 153,197 early votes cast
- 21,241 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 47,950 Election Day votes cast
- 222,028 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2020 election
November 2016:
- 135,760 early votes cast
- 6,194 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 42,969 Election Day votes cast
- 184,923 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2016 election
NEW VOTERS
A total of 23,415 first-time Knox County voters cast a ballot in early voting.
CITY OF KNOXVILLE VOTERS VS. KNOX COUNTY VOTERS
- City of Knoxville voters 50,373
- Non-City of Knoxville voters 120,433
AGE INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 64,173
- Age 30 to 44 90,364
- Age 45 to 54 50,570
- Age 55 + 131,044
VOTES CAST BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 22,120
- Age 30 to 44 35,004
- Age 45 to 54 26,508
- Age 55 + 87,174
GENDER INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 140,524
- Female 165,942
- Unknown 29,685
EARLY VOTES CAST BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 65,627
- Female 82,873
- Unknown 22,306
VOTES CAST BY TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT
- District 14 34,151
- District 15 13,162
- District 16 26,339
- District 18 26,836
- District 19 25,326
- District 89 27,937
- District 90 17,055
VOTES CAST BY CITY OF KNOXVILLE COUNCIL DISTRICT
- District 1 6,176
- District 2 11,335
- District 3 9,152
- District 4 10,889
- District 5 7,065
- District 6 5,756
Knoxville Police Investigating Fourth Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Less Than Two Weeks
A 20-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash that happened on Western Avenue Thursday night.
At around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to Western Avenue at Sullivan Road, where a motorcycle had struck a pickup truck. The motorcycle driver was transported from the scene to the UT Medical Center in critical condition but was pronounced dead a short time later.
It is believed that the motorcycle was driving west on Western Avenue at extremely high speeds when it collided with the pickup truck, which was turning from Sullivan Road onto Western Avenue.
The crash remains under active investigation by KPD crash reconstruction personnel.
Thursday’s crash marks the fourth fatal motorcycle crash in Knoxville city limits since October 22, when a 53-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash on Middlebrook Pike. A 55-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on W. Martin Mill Pike on October 28, while a 51-year-old man passed away on Wednesday night after being involved in a motorcycle crash at Washington Pike and Greenway Drive on October 27.
The Knoxville Police Department reminds motorists to always drive carefully, responsibly and safely. Slow down, pay careful attention at all times while driving, obey all traffic signals and laws, and buckle up.
Townsend Restaurant Destroyed by Fire
Fire Crews on the scene of a fire at the Trailhead Steak and Trout House in Townsend in the 7800 block of East Lamar Alexander Parkway.
The building fully engulfed in flames at 5:30 this (Friday) morning but fire fighters have most of the fire out but embers remain so Crews are remaining on the scene to continue monitoring the scene.
The building appears to be a total loss, parts of the building are burned to the ground. Authorities are asking you to avoid this area as emergency crews are still on the scene.
Lady Vols Soar Past Eagles In Exhibition, 135-49
Eric TrainerWomen’s BasketballOctober 31, 2024
Box Score KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vols forced 43 turnovers on 30 steals, hit 19 three-pointers and eclipsed 30 points in every quarter en route to a 135-49 exhibition win over Carson-Newman in Kim Caldwell‘s debut as Tennessee’s head coach.
With an announced crowd of 9,613 looking on at Food City Center, the Big Orange tied for the second-highest exhibition game point total in program history. Standing first on the list is a 144-52 win over Dynamo Kiev on Nov. 5, 2000, and tonight’s output matched a 135-55 UT triumph over Carson-Newman on Nov 6, 2008. The only better production from Tennessee women’s basketball all-time came via a 136-26 regular-season blowout of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Nov. 29, 2002.
Junior guard Ruby Whitehorn was sensational in leading six Big Orange players in double figures, firing in 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting. Fifth-year guard Jewel Spear and junior forward Zee Spearman contributed 17 each, while redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper, junior forward Sara Puckett and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd chipped in 16, 14 and 13, respectively. Spear finished five of 11 beyond the arc, while Whitehorn was four of six from deep.
Cooper also led Tennessee with eight steals, while Boyd was tops in rebounds with seven and senior guard Samara Spencer dished out eight assists with no turnovers in her debut. UT finished with 26 assists on 49 buckets, committing only nine turnovers on the night.
Carson-Newman, picked to win NCAA Division II’s South Atlantic Conference, was led by Jennifer Sullivan with 15 points.
Tennessee jumped out to a 6-0 lead on back-to-back three-pointers by Whitehorn and Spear and carried a 10-5 into the first-quarter media break, as the Lady Vol defense hurried the Lady Eagles into 2-for-12 shooting during the early going. UT bounced out of the timeout huddle with spring in its step, outscoring C-N the rest of the period with a 25-3 push that included 22 straight points at one point. Whitehorn finished 5 of 7 for 13 points in the frame.
The Lady Vols extended their lead to 47-19 by the second quarter media timeout at the 4:57 mark, with the home team shooting 70 percent from the field over that span. Tennessee forced Carson-Newman into six turnovers as it stretched its margin to 28. Over the final minutes of the first half, Tennessee outscored the Lady Eagles, 17-4, to take a 64-23 lead into the intermission. Cooper and Whitehorn tallied 10 and nine points in the period, respectively, and Cooper’s five steals helped UT force 14 C-N turnovers by the end of the quarter and key a 19-0 run in that stanza as well.
Carson-Newman scored 12 points on 55.6-percent shooting by the third-quarter media break, but the Lady Vols countered with 20 of their own on 57.1 percent accuracy during that stint to push their advantage to 84-35 with 4:52 to go in the period. A 21-5 blitz the rest of the way propelled the Big Orange to a 105-40 lead to close out the third frame, with Avery Strickland’s three at the 51-second mark putting UT over the century mark with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
Tennessee continued to scorch the nets in the final frame, hitting 61.5 percent over the first six minutes to outscore the Lady Eagles, 21-9, and swell the score to 126-49 entering the 4:05 media timeout. UT tallied the final nine points of the game while holding C-N scoreless over the final four minutes to account for the final result.
Next Up: The Lady Vols meet Samford for their regular-season opener on Tuesday evening at Food City Center. The contest is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff with coverage on SECN+.
Exhibition History: UT is now 53-5 all-time in preseason exhibition games, with the only losses coming to the Soviet National Team (1979), Athletes in Action (1992) and the USA National Team (1995, 2007, 2023). In the post-Pat Summitt era, UT is 13-1 in preseason exhibition games, defeating Carson-Newman 11 times (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) and both Georgia College (2021) and Coker (2012) on one occasion each. The only loss was to the USA Women’s National Team in 2023.
First-Time In Orange & White: Transfers Ruby Whitehorn, Samara Spencer, Talaysia Cooper, Favor Ayodele and Alyssa Latham, and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd made their Lady Vol debuts during the exhibition contest. The six new faces combined for 84 points, 30 rebounds,17 assists and 22 steals during Tennessee’s triumph.
Ruby On A Roll: Junior Ruby Whitehorn impressed during her opening performance as a Lady Vol, totaling 29 points. The guard fired in 13 points in the first quarter, nine in the second frame, two in the third and five in the fourth. The Detroit, Michigan, native showed great touch from the arc, knocking down four out of six three-point attempts.
Dropping Thirties: Throughout tonight’s game the red-hot Lady Vols posted 30 points or more in every quarter of play. The Big Orange tallied a total of 31 points in the first quarter, 33 in the second quarter, 41 in the third quarter and 30 in the fourth to finish the game. The Lady Vols also surpassed 100 points for the 15th time in 19 exhibition games vs. the Lady Eagles.
Man Dead after Possible Pedestrian Crash on I-40, Sevierville Police Say
Sevierville, TN (WOKI) A pedestrian is dead after possibly being hit by a car Wednesday evening on I-40 East in Sevierville.
Sevierville Police Department officials say officers were called near exit 407 around 10:20 for a person lying on the side of the interstate.
When officers arrived, SPD says they found 61-year old Craig Olcott alive but not moving.
Officials say Olcott had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, or by a trailer being towed by a vehicle, adding that he died later that night at UT Medical Center.
The death is under investigation. Anyone with information is being asked to call SPD Detective Sergeant Graham Brantley at 865-868-1748.
Knoxville Woman Steals $40K in Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets from Workplace, Police Report Says
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville woman is charged for stealing between $40,000 and $50,000 in scratch-off lottery tickets from her job.
According to charging documents, 35-year-old Siearrah Truhn took and activated the lottery tickets while she was working at a convenience store on Maryville Pike.
A investigation involving the store owner and the Lottery Commission led police to the Kroger on Chapman Highway, where employees told them Truhn had redeemed several thousand dollars in scratched tickets.
Documents indicate the employees kept the tickets and reported it to the lottery commission.
Truhn was charged with theft and computer offenses.
KPD says Motorcyclist Passes Away Following Washington Pike Crash
A motorcyclist who was involved in a crash that happened on Sunday evening has died as a result of his injuries.
At around 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Washington Pike and Greenway Drive in front of the Target, where a Harley motorcycle had struck a Chevy SUV. The motorcycle driver, a 51-year-old man, was transported to the UT Medical Center with critical injuries. The victim passed away at UTMC on Wednesday night.
The investigation revealed that the Chevy SUV turned left into the path of the motorcycle, which subsequently struck the SUV. The driver was then thrown into the roadway. The light was green for both the Chevy SUV and motorcycle. Speed or alcohol were also not believed to be contributing factors.
The driver and two passengers in the Chevy sustained minor injuries in the crash. The driver has since been cited for failure to yield. No additional charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation is being led by KPD crash reconstruction personnel. Upon the completion of the investigation, the case file will be turned over to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Knox County Seeks Input on East Knox County Mobility Study
Knox County will host two public information meetings to seek community input on the East Knox Mobility Study. These meetings will help identify key transportation challenges, set priorities, and shape the final recommendations for the study.
The first public information meeting is on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carter High School. The second meeting is on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gibbs Middle School. Both meetings will discuss the same material.
The public is invited to share their comments virtually via the project website. Feedback is requested in three areas: a public survey, interactive map for transportation concerns and ideas, and an interactive map for project feedback. Each area is designed to gather specific types of information that will help guide our planning process. To participate in the online survey, visit https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility/survey.
About the Study: The East Knox County Mobility Study is a community-focused initiative designed to enhance transportation planning for the Gibbs, Corryton, Ritta, Strawberry Plains, and Mascot areas. This study will support the new Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan. The study will integrate transportation best practices and consider all modes of travel. More information on the study can be found at https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility.
Two Charged Following Organized Crime Unit Operation to Assist Alabama Shooting Investigation
This past weekend, Knoxville Police Department Organized Crime Unit detectives received information that a subject who was possibly involved in a shooting that happened in Alabama was in the Knoxville area. The subject was identified as Abdul Khalil’Llah, 26 of Anniston, Alabama. OCU detectives were able to determine that Khalil’Llah was wanted out of Georgia for failure to appear on a previous felon in possession of a weapon charge.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, OCU detectives were able to track Khalil’Llah to an AirBnB at 103 Greenbrier Drive, where he and another male were observed entering a vehicle and leaving. The vehicle was eventually stopped in a parking lot near S. Northshore Drive and Baum Drive, where Khalil’Llah and his passenger, Varrenzo Bradford, 26 of Statham, Georgia, were detained. Bradford was found to be in possession of a Glock handgun, methamphetamine, and cocaine. In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Bradford was also a convicted felon.
Detectives then obtained a search warrant for the home at 103 Greenbrier Drive, which was executed later that day. When the search warrant was executed, a man and woman were found in the home and detained. Neither were charged.
During the search, detectives located two additional firearms and a drum magazine. Khalil’Llah was charged with fugitive from justice for the outstanding warrant out of Georgia. Bradford was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony. OCU detectives were assisted throughout the day by agents with the A.T.F.
On Tuesday, investigators from Alabama came to Knoxville, where OCU detectives and A.T.F. agents assisted in follow-up investigation and interviews.
Additional charges are pending from the stop and search warrant on Monday, while the investigation into the shooting in Alabama is continuing.
Tennessee’s Next One Up Has Blossomed Into Its Biggest Star
Whenever Dylan Sampson greets fans during the Vol Walk or goes through pregame warmups, he can always be seen donning his signature chain. The neckwear features his initials, jersey number and a small, red rose pendant. The rose is an homage to Tupac Shakur’s famous poem, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete,” which reads as follows.
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s laws wrong,
It learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
Sampson says he keeps the chain as a reminder that even when life isn’t perfect, to keep growing and blooming no matter the circumstances. After two seasons forming an elite trio in Tennessee’s running back room, Sampson has taken the reins as the starting back in 2024 and blossomed into one of the top offensive players in the country.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native has grown a lot in his time at Tennessee. His journey began in 2022 when he enrolled early and made an immediate impression on the coaching staff. His speed, explosiveness and playmaking ability were evident from the start, and he quickly caught attention as a rising star. However, just like the rose, Sampson’s path to success wasn’t always smooth.
One of the defining moments in Sampson’s life came in 2016 when his grandfather passed away from cancer. The loss deeply affected Sampson, at one point even debating giving up athletics entirely.
“There were people in my life outside of my original family who were there for me,” Sampson said on healing from his grandfather’s passing. “A lot of people in my summer track program helped shape me into the person I am today. They taught me what it really means to work hard and have fun.”
What went from his lowest moment ended up serving as a catalyst for his determination. He vowed to honor his grandfather’s memory by working hard and striving for excellence.
Our feature on prolific @Vol_Football RB Dylan Sampson, and how @2PAC inspired Sampson to shine light for so many others. ?? pic.twitter.com/BMAjfZmeU0— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 19, 2024
Sampson’s commitment to his craft is evident in his approach to the game. He is known for his dedication to the weight room, his meticulous preparation and his relentless pursuit of perfection. His coaches and teammates rave about his work ethic and his leadership qualities.
On the field, Sampson is a force to be reckoned with. He possesses a rare combination of speed, power and agility that allows him to make defenders miss and break long runs. His ability to find a crease in the defense and burst through the line of scrimmage is a sight to behold.
After delivering a memorable performance against Alabama, Sampson’s head coach had high praise for his RB1’s efforts against the Crimson Tide.
(The performance) epitomizes him as a competitor. He’s special. He can feel the ability to run, get out in space and get behind his pads… (we) gave him an opportunity to get started and create some plays. Resiliency from him too, he gets banged up a little bit and fumbles early but comes back and keeps competing. Huge part of the game tonight.
Josh Heupel
Through only seven games this season, he has accumulated 838 yards and amassed 17 rushing touchdowns — one shy of the single-season program record for rushing scores set by Gene McEver in 1929. On the Tennessee career charts, Sampson currently sits fourth all time in rushing touchdowns at 30, chasing McEver again who totaled 37 in his time on Rocky Top from 1928-31.
The 2024 season has been a year of dominance for Sampson. He has consistently produced at a high level and established himself as one of the best running backs in the country. Sampson’s ability to make plays in both the running and passing game has made him a valuable asset to this Tennessee offense.
“He’s always had great vision and great pace,” Heupel said of Sampson’s development. “Obviously, he has good long speed and he’s really good between tackles. I think his growth of continuing to understand what we’re doing and physical development, just his strength in the middle of the football field, he’s really strong in between the tackles. He continues to make a bunch of plays for us and finish the game in the right way, which is huge.”
Before his arrival at Tennessee, Sampson made a name for himself as a standout running back at Dutchtown High School in Louisiana. Thanks to his speed and agility, Sampson shattered school records and earned all-state honors. His performances on the football field caught the attention of college coaches across the country, and he ultimately decided to commit to the Volunteers.
The transition from high school to college football can be challenging for even the most talented players. Sampson faced his own set of obstacles as he adjusted to the increased speed and physicality of the game. However, his natural ability and work ethic allowed him to quickly adapt.
In his freshman season, Sampson saw limited playing time but made the most of his opportunities. He showcased his ability to make defenders miss, and he finished the season with several impressive performances.
Sampson’s sophomore season was a real breakout year. He established himself as a key contributor to the Tennessee offense, and he became a fan favorite with his electrifying runs and touchdown celebrations. Sampson’s ability to break tackles and find the end zone made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
While Sampson’s on-field accomplishments are impressive, it’s his character and his commitment to making a difference that truly set him apart. He is a dedicated student, a passionate community advocate and a role model for young athletes.
Sampson is deeply involved in the community. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, and he uses his platform to raise awareness about important issues. Sampson believes that athletes have a responsibility to give back and make a positive impact on society.
I want to continue to be a successful football player and give back to the community. I also want to be a role model for young people. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given and I want to use my platform to make a positive impact on the world.
Dylan Sampson
Sampson’s story is one of inspiration and perseverance. He has exceeded all expectations and emerged as a national star. But what truly makes him special is his character, his determination and his commitment to making a difference.
November 5, 2024 Election: Statistics at the End of Early Voting in Knox County
Knoxville (WOKI / Knox County Election Commission) – Thursday, October 31st marked the end (fourteen days) of early voting for the November 5, 2024 Presidential and Federal/State General Election.
A total of 163,303 early votes have been cast in Knox County, with an additional 7,503 votes cast by absentee ballot and in nursing homes.
There are 336,151 registered voters (318,311 active; 17,840 inactive) in Knox County as of October 23, 2024.
COMPARISON TO PRIOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AT CONCLUSION OF EARLY VOTING
November 2024:
- 163,303 early votes cast
- 7,503 absentee & nursing home votes cast (thus far)
- TBD Election Day votes cast
- TBD TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2024 election
November 2020:
- 153,197 early votes cast
- 21,241 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 47,950 Election Day votes cast
- 222,028 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2020 election
November 2016:
- 135,760 early votes cast
- 6,194 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 42,969 Election Day votes cast
- 184,923 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2016 election
NEW VOTERS
A total of 23,415 first-time Knox County voters cast a ballot in early voting.
CITY OF KNOXVILLE VOTERS VS. KNOX COUNTY VOTERS
- City of Knoxville voters 50,373
- Non-City of Knoxville voters 120,433
AGE INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 64,173
- Age 30 to 44 90,364
- Age 45 to 54 50,570
- Age 55 + 131,044
VOTES CAST BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 22,120
- Age 30 to 44 35,004
- Age 45 to 54 26,508
- Age 55 + 87,174
GENDER INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 140,524
- Female 165,942
- Unknown 29,685
EARLY VOTES CAST BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 65,627
- Female 82,873
- Unknown 22,306
VOTES CAST BY TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT
- District 14 34,151
- District 15 13,162
- District 16 26,339
- District 18 26,836
- District 19 25,326
- District 89 27,937
- District 90 17,055
VOTES CAST BY CITY OF KNOXVILLE COUNCIL DISTRICT
- District 1 6,176
- District 2 11,335
- District 3 9,152
- District 4 10,889
- District 5 7,065
- District 6 5,756
Knoxville Police Investigating Fourth Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Less Than Two Weeks
A 20-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash that happened on Western Avenue Thursday night.
At around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to Western Avenue at Sullivan Road, where a motorcycle had struck a pickup truck. The motorcycle driver was transported from the scene to the UT Medical Center in critical condition but was pronounced dead a short time later.
It is believed that the motorcycle was driving west on Western Avenue at extremely high speeds when it collided with the pickup truck, which was turning from Sullivan Road onto Western Avenue.
The crash remains under active investigation by KPD crash reconstruction personnel.
Thursday’s crash marks the fourth fatal motorcycle crash in Knoxville city limits since October 22, when a 53-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash on Middlebrook Pike. A 55-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on W. Martin Mill Pike on October 28, while a 51-year-old man passed away on Wednesday night after being involved in a motorcycle crash at Washington Pike and Greenway Drive on October 27.
The Knoxville Police Department reminds motorists to always drive carefully, responsibly and safely. Slow down, pay careful attention at all times while driving, obey all traffic signals and laws, and buckle up.
Townsend Restaurant Destroyed by Fire
Fire Crews on the scene of a fire at the Trailhead Steak and Trout House in Townsend in the 7800 block of East Lamar Alexander Parkway.
The building fully engulfed in flames at 5:30 this (Friday) morning but fire fighters have most of the fire out but embers remain so Crews are remaining on the scene to continue monitoring the scene.
The building appears to be a total loss, parts of the building are burned to the ground. Authorities are asking you to avoid this area as emergency crews are still on the scene.
Lady Vols Soar Past Eagles In Exhibition, 135-49
Eric TrainerWomen’s BasketballOctober 31, 2024
Box Score KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vols forced 43 turnovers on 30 steals, hit 19 three-pointers and eclipsed 30 points in every quarter en route to a 135-49 exhibition win over Carson-Newman in Kim Caldwell‘s debut as Tennessee’s head coach.
With an announced crowd of 9,613 looking on at Food City Center, the Big Orange tied for the second-highest exhibition game point total in program history. Standing first on the list is a 144-52 win over Dynamo Kiev on Nov. 5, 2000, and tonight’s output matched a 135-55 UT triumph over Carson-Newman on Nov 6, 2008. The only better production from Tennessee women’s basketball all-time came via a 136-26 regular-season blowout of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Nov. 29, 2002.
Junior guard Ruby Whitehorn was sensational in leading six Big Orange players in double figures, firing in 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting. Fifth-year guard Jewel Spear and junior forward Zee Spearman contributed 17 each, while redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper, junior forward Sara Puckett and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd chipped in 16, 14 and 13, respectively. Spear finished five of 11 beyond the arc, while Whitehorn was four of six from deep.
Cooper also led Tennessee with eight steals, while Boyd was tops in rebounds with seven and senior guard Samara Spencer dished out eight assists with no turnovers in her debut. UT finished with 26 assists on 49 buckets, committing only nine turnovers on the night.
Carson-Newman, picked to win NCAA Division II’s South Atlantic Conference, was led by Jennifer Sullivan with 15 points.
Tennessee jumped out to a 6-0 lead on back-to-back three-pointers by Whitehorn and Spear and carried a 10-5 into the first-quarter media break, as the Lady Vol defense hurried the Lady Eagles into 2-for-12 shooting during the early going. UT bounced out of the timeout huddle with spring in its step, outscoring C-N the rest of the period with a 25-3 push that included 22 straight points at one point. Whitehorn finished 5 of 7 for 13 points in the frame.
The Lady Vols extended their lead to 47-19 by the second quarter media timeout at the 4:57 mark, with the home team shooting 70 percent from the field over that span. Tennessee forced Carson-Newman into six turnovers as it stretched its margin to 28. Over the final minutes of the first half, Tennessee outscored the Lady Eagles, 17-4, to take a 64-23 lead into the intermission. Cooper and Whitehorn tallied 10 and nine points in the period, respectively, and Cooper’s five steals helped UT force 14 C-N turnovers by the end of the quarter and key a 19-0 run in that stanza as well.
Carson-Newman scored 12 points on 55.6-percent shooting by the third-quarter media break, but the Lady Vols countered with 20 of their own on 57.1 percent accuracy during that stint to push their advantage to 84-35 with 4:52 to go in the period. A 21-5 blitz the rest of the way propelled the Big Orange to a 105-40 lead to close out the third frame, with Avery Strickland’s three at the 51-second mark putting UT over the century mark with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
Tennessee continued to scorch the nets in the final frame, hitting 61.5 percent over the first six minutes to outscore the Lady Eagles, 21-9, and swell the score to 126-49 entering the 4:05 media timeout. UT tallied the final nine points of the game while holding C-N scoreless over the final four minutes to account for the final result.
Next Up: The Lady Vols meet Samford for their regular-season opener on Tuesday evening at Food City Center. The contest is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff with coverage on SECN+.
Exhibition History: UT is now 53-5 all-time in preseason exhibition games, with the only losses coming to the Soviet National Team (1979), Athletes in Action (1992) and the USA National Team (1995, 2007, 2023). In the post-Pat Summitt era, UT is 13-1 in preseason exhibition games, defeating Carson-Newman 11 times (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) and both Georgia College (2021) and Coker (2012) on one occasion each. The only loss was to the USA Women’s National Team in 2023.
First-Time In Orange & White: Transfers Ruby Whitehorn, Samara Spencer, Talaysia Cooper, Favor Ayodele and Alyssa Latham, and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd made their Lady Vol debuts during the exhibition contest. The six new faces combined for 84 points, 30 rebounds,17 assists and 22 steals during Tennessee’s triumph.
Ruby On A Roll: Junior Ruby Whitehorn impressed during her opening performance as a Lady Vol, totaling 29 points. The guard fired in 13 points in the first quarter, nine in the second frame, two in the third and five in the fourth. The Detroit, Michigan, native showed great touch from the arc, knocking down four out of six three-point attempts.
Dropping Thirties: Throughout tonight’s game the red-hot Lady Vols posted 30 points or more in every quarter of play. The Big Orange tallied a total of 31 points in the first quarter, 33 in the second quarter, 41 in the third quarter and 30 in the fourth to finish the game. The Lady Vols also surpassed 100 points for the 15th time in 19 exhibition games vs. the Lady Eagles.
Man Dead after Possible Pedestrian Crash on I-40, Sevierville Police Say
Sevierville, TN (WOKI) A pedestrian is dead after possibly being hit by a car Wednesday evening on I-40 East in Sevierville.
Sevierville Police Department officials say officers were called near exit 407 around 10:20 for a person lying on the side of the interstate.
When officers arrived, SPD says they found 61-year old Craig Olcott alive but not moving.
Officials say Olcott had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, or by a trailer being towed by a vehicle, adding that he died later that night at UT Medical Center.
The death is under investigation. Anyone with information is being asked to call SPD Detective Sergeant Graham Brantley at 865-868-1748.
Knoxville Woman Steals $40K in Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets from Workplace, Police Report Says
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville woman is charged for stealing between $40,000 and $50,000 in scratch-off lottery tickets from her job.
According to charging documents, 35-year-old Siearrah Truhn took and activated the lottery tickets while she was working at a convenience store on Maryville Pike.
A investigation involving the store owner and the Lottery Commission led police to the Kroger on Chapman Highway, where employees told them Truhn had redeemed several thousand dollars in scratched tickets.
Documents indicate the employees kept the tickets and reported it to the lottery commission.
Truhn was charged with theft and computer offenses.
KPD says Motorcyclist Passes Away Following Washington Pike Crash
A motorcyclist who was involved in a crash that happened on Sunday evening has died as a result of his injuries.
At around 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Washington Pike and Greenway Drive in front of the Target, where a Harley motorcycle had struck a Chevy SUV. The motorcycle driver, a 51-year-old man, was transported to the UT Medical Center with critical injuries. The victim passed away at UTMC on Wednesday night.
The investigation revealed that the Chevy SUV turned left into the path of the motorcycle, which subsequently struck the SUV. The driver was then thrown into the roadway. The light was green for both the Chevy SUV and motorcycle. Speed or alcohol were also not believed to be contributing factors.
The driver and two passengers in the Chevy sustained minor injuries in the crash. The driver has since been cited for failure to yield. No additional charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation is being led by KPD crash reconstruction personnel. Upon the completion of the investigation, the case file will be turned over to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Knox County Seeks Input on East Knox County Mobility Study
Knox County will host two public information meetings to seek community input on the East Knox Mobility Study. These meetings will help identify key transportation challenges, set priorities, and shape the final recommendations for the study.
The first public information meeting is on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carter High School. The second meeting is on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gibbs Middle School. Both meetings will discuss the same material.
The public is invited to share their comments virtually via the project website. Feedback is requested in three areas: a public survey, interactive map for transportation concerns and ideas, and an interactive map for project feedback. Each area is designed to gather specific types of information that will help guide our planning process. To participate in the online survey, visit https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility/survey.
About the Study: The East Knox County Mobility Study is a community-focused initiative designed to enhance transportation planning for the Gibbs, Corryton, Ritta, Strawberry Plains, and Mascot areas. This study will support the new Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan. The study will integrate transportation best practices and consider all modes of travel. More information on the study can be found at https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility.
Two Charged Following Organized Crime Unit Operation to Assist Alabama Shooting Investigation
This past weekend, Knoxville Police Department Organized Crime Unit detectives received information that a subject who was possibly involved in a shooting that happened in Alabama was in the Knoxville area. The subject was identified as Abdul Khalil’Llah, 26 of Anniston, Alabama. OCU detectives were able to determine that Khalil’Llah was wanted out of Georgia for failure to appear on a previous felon in possession of a weapon charge.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, OCU detectives were able to track Khalil’Llah to an AirBnB at 103 Greenbrier Drive, where he and another male were observed entering a vehicle and leaving. The vehicle was eventually stopped in a parking lot near S. Northshore Drive and Baum Drive, where Khalil’Llah and his passenger, Varrenzo Bradford, 26 of Statham, Georgia, were detained. Bradford was found to be in possession of a Glock handgun, methamphetamine, and cocaine. In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Bradford was also a convicted felon.
Detectives then obtained a search warrant for the home at 103 Greenbrier Drive, which was executed later that day. When the search warrant was executed, a man and woman were found in the home and detained. Neither were charged.
During the search, detectives located two additional firearms and a drum magazine. Khalil’Llah was charged with fugitive from justice for the outstanding warrant out of Georgia. Bradford was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony. OCU detectives were assisted throughout the day by agents with the A.T.F.
On Tuesday, investigators from Alabama came to Knoxville, where OCU detectives and A.T.F. agents assisted in follow-up investigation and interviews.
Additional charges are pending from the stop and search warrant on Monday, while the investigation into the shooting in Alabama is continuing.
Tennessee’s Next One Up Has Blossomed Into Its Biggest Star
Whenever Dylan Sampson greets fans during the Vol Walk or goes through pregame warmups, he can always be seen donning his signature chain. The neckwear features his initials, jersey number and a small, red rose pendant. The rose is an homage to Tupac Shakur’s famous poem, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete,” which reads as follows.
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s laws wrong,
It learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
Sampson says he keeps the chain as a reminder that even when life isn’t perfect, to keep growing and blooming no matter the circumstances. After two seasons forming an elite trio in Tennessee’s running back room, Sampson has taken the reins as the starting back in 2024 and blossomed into one of the top offensive players in the country.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native has grown a lot in his time at Tennessee. His journey began in 2022 when he enrolled early and made an immediate impression on the coaching staff. His speed, explosiveness and playmaking ability were evident from the start, and he quickly caught attention as a rising star. However, just like the rose, Sampson’s path to success wasn’t always smooth.
One of the defining moments in Sampson’s life came in 2016 when his grandfather passed away from cancer. The loss deeply affected Sampson, at one point even debating giving up athletics entirely.
“There were people in my life outside of my original family who were there for me,” Sampson said on healing from his grandfather’s passing. “A lot of people in my summer track program helped shape me into the person I am today. They taught me what it really means to work hard and have fun.”
What went from his lowest moment ended up serving as a catalyst for his determination. He vowed to honor his grandfather’s memory by working hard and striving for excellence.
Our feature on prolific @Vol_Football RB Dylan Sampson, and how @2PAC inspired Sampson to shine light for so many others. ?? pic.twitter.com/BMAjfZmeU0— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 19, 2024
Sampson’s commitment to his craft is evident in his approach to the game. He is known for his dedication to the weight room, his meticulous preparation and his relentless pursuit of perfection. His coaches and teammates rave about his work ethic and his leadership qualities.
On the field, Sampson is a force to be reckoned with. He possesses a rare combination of speed, power and agility that allows him to make defenders miss and break long runs. His ability to find a crease in the defense and burst through the line of scrimmage is a sight to behold.
After delivering a memorable performance against Alabama, Sampson’s head coach had high praise for his RB1’s efforts against the Crimson Tide.
(The performance) epitomizes him as a competitor. He’s special. He can feel the ability to run, get out in space and get behind his pads… (we) gave him an opportunity to get started and create some plays. Resiliency from him too, he gets banged up a little bit and fumbles early but comes back and keeps competing. Huge part of the game tonight.
Josh Heupel
Through only seven games this season, he has accumulated 838 yards and amassed 17 rushing touchdowns — one shy of the single-season program record for rushing scores set by Gene McEver in 1929. On the Tennessee career charts, Sampson currently sits fourth all time in rushing touchdowns at 30, chasing McEver again who totaled 37 in his time on Rocky Top from 1928-31.
The 2024 season has been a year of dominance for Sampson. He has consistently produced at a high level and established himself as one of the best running backs in the country. Sampson’s ability to make plays in both the running and passing game has made him a valuable asset to this Tennessee offense.
“He’s always had great vision and great pace,” Heupel said of Sampson’s development. “Obviously, he has good long speed and he’s really good between tackles. I think his growth of continuing to understand what we’re doing and physical development, just his strength in the middle of the football field, he’s really strong in between the tackles. He continues to make a bunch of plays for us and finish the game in the right way, which is huge.”
Before his arrival at Tennessee, Sampson made a name for himself as a standout running back at Dutchtown High School in Louisiana. Thanks to his speed and agility, Sampson shattered school records and earned all-state honors. His performances on the football field caught the attention of college coaches across the country, and he ultimately decided to commit to the Volunteers.
The transition from high school to college football can be challenging for even the most talented players. Sampson faced his own set of obstacles as he adjusted to the increased speed and physicality of the game. However, his natural ability and work ethic allowed him to quickly adapt.
In his freshman season, Sampson saw limited playing time but made the most of his opportunities. He showcased his ability to make defenders miss, and he finished the season with several impressive performances.
Sampson’s sophomore season was a real breakout year. He established himself as a key contributor to the Tennessee offense, and he became a fan favorite with his electrifying runs and touchdown celebrations. Sampson’s ability to break tackles and find the end zone made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
While Sampson’s on-field accomplishments are impressive, it’s his character and his commitment to making a difference that truly set him apart. He is a dedicated student, a passionate community advocate and a role model for young athletes.
Sampson is deeply involved in the community. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, and he uses his platform to raise awareness about important issues. Sampson believes that athletes have a responsibility to give back and make a positive impact on society.
I want to continue to be a successful football player and give back to the community. I also want to be a role model for young people. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given and I want to use my platform to make a positive impact on the world.
Dylan Sampson
Sampson’s story is one of inspiration and perseverance. He has exceeded all expectations and emerged as a national star. But what truly makes him special is his character, his determination and his commitment to making a difference.
November 5, 2024 Election: Statistics at the End of Early Voting in Knox County
Knoxville (WOKI / Knox County Election Commission) – Thursday, October 31st marked the end (fourteen days) of early voting for the November 5, 2024 Presidential and Federal/State General Election.
A total of 163,303 early votes have been cast in Knox County, with an additional 7,503 votes cast by absentee ballot and in nursing homes.
There are 336,151 registered voters (318,311 active; 17,840 inactive) in Knox County as of October 23, 2024.
COMPARISON TO PRIOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AT CONCLUSION OF EARLY VOTING
November 2024:
- 163,303 early votes cast
- 7,503 absentee & nursing home votes cast (thus far)
- TBD Election Day votes cast
- TBD TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2024 election
November 2020:
- 153,197 early votes cast
- 21,241 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 47,950 Election Day votes cast
- 222,028 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2020 election
November 2016:
- 135,760 early votes cast
- 6,194 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 42,969 Election Day votes cast
- 184,923 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2016 election
NEW VOTERS
A total of 23,415 first-time Knox County voters cast a ballot in early voting.
CITY OF KNOXVILLE VOTERS VS. KNOX COUNTY VOTERS
- City of Knoxville voters 50,373
- Non-City of Knoxville voters 120,433
AGE INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 64,173
- Age 30 to 44 90,364
- Age 45 to 54 50,570
- Age 55 + 131,044
VOTES CAST BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 22,120
- Age 30 to 44 35,004
- Age 45 to 54 26,508
- Age 55 + 87,174
GENDER INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 140,524
- Female 165,942
- Unknown 29,685
EARLY VOTES CAST BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 65,627
- Female 82,873
- Unknown 22,306
VOTES CAST BY TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT
- District 14 34,151
- District 15 13,162
- District 16 26,339
- District 18 26,836
- District 19 25,326
- District 89 27,937
- District 90 17,055
VOTES CAST BY CITY OF KNOXVILLE COUNCIL DISTRICT
- District 1 6,176
- District 2 11,335
- District 3 9,152
- District 4 10,889
- District 5 7,065
- District 6 5,756
Knoxville Police Investigating Fourth Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Less Than Two Weeks
A 20-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash that happened on Western Avenue Thursday night.
At around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to Western Avenue at Sullivan Road, where a motorcycle had struck a pickup truck. The motorcycle driver was transported from the scene to the UT Medical Center in critical condition but was pronounced dead a short time later.
It is believed that the motorcycle was driving west on Western Avenue at extremely high speeds when it collided with the pickup truck, which was turning from Sullivan Road onto Western Avenue.
The crash remains under active investigation by KPD crash reconstruction personnel.
Thursday’s crash marks the fourth fatal motorcycle crash in Knoxville city limits since October 22, when a 53-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash on Middlebrook Pike. A 55-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on W. Martin Mill Pike on October 28, while a 51-year-old man passed away on Wednesday night after being involved in a motorcycle crash at Washington Pike and Greenway Drive on October 27.
The Knoxville Police Department reminds motorists to always drive carefully, responsibly and safely. Slow down, pay careful attention at all times while driving, obey all traffic signals and laws, and buckle up.
Townsend Restaurant Destroyed by Fire
Fire Crews on the scene of a fire at the Trailhead Steak and Trout House in Townsend in the 7800 block of East Lamar Alexander Parkway.
The building fully engulfed in flames at 5:30 this (Friday) morning but fire fighters have most of the fire out but embers remain so Crews are remaining on the scene to continue monitoring the scene.
The building appears to be a total loss, parts of the building are burned to the ground. Authorities are asking you to avoid this area as emergency crews are still on the scene.
Lady Vols Soar Past Eagles In Exhibition, 135-49
Eric TrainerWomen’s BasketballOctober 31, 2024
Box Score KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vols forced 43 turnovers on 30 steals, hit 19 three-pointers and eclipsed 30 points in every quarter en route to a 135-49 exhibition win over Carson-Newman in Kim Caldwell‘s debut as Tennessee’s head coach.
With an announced crowd of 9,613 looking on at Food City Center, the Big Orange tied for the second-highest exhibition game point total in program history. Standing first on the list is a 144-52 win over Dynamo Kiev on Nov. 5, 2000, and tonight’s output matched a 135-55 UT triumph over Carson-Newman on Nov 6, 2008. The only better production from Tennessee women’s basketball all-time came via a 136-26 regular-season blowout of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Nov. 29, 2002.
Junior guard Ruby Whitehorn was sensational in leading six Big Orange players in double figures, firing in 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting. Fifth-year guard Jewel Spear and junior forward Zee Spearman contributed 17 each, while redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper, junior forward Sara Puckett and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd chipped in 16, 14 and 13, respectively. Spear finished five of 11 beyond the arc, while Whitehorn was four of six from deep.
Cooper also led Tennessee with eight steals, while Boyd was tops in rebounds with seven and senior guard Samara Spencer dished out eight assists with no turnovers in her debut. UT finished with 26 assists on 49 buckets, committing only nine turnovers on the night.
Carson-Newman, picked to win NCAA Division II’s South Atlantic Conference, was led by Jennifer Sullivan with 15 points.
Tennessee jumped out to a 6-0 lead on back-to-back three-pointers by Whitehorn and Spear and carried a 10-5 into the first-quarter media break, as the Lady Vol defense hurried the Lady Eagles into 2-for-12 shooting during the early going. UT bounced out of the timeout huddle with spring in its step, outscoring C-N the rest of the period with a 25-3 push that included 22 straight points at one point. Whitehorn finished 5 of 7 for 13 points in the frame.
The Lady Vols extended their lead to 47-19 by the second quarter media timeout at the 4:57 mark, with the home team shooting 70 percent from the field over that span. Tennessee forced Carson-Newman into six turnovers as it stretched its margin to 28. Over the final minutes of the first half, Tennessee outscored the Lady Eagles, 17-4, to take a 64-23 lead into the intermission. Cooper and Whitehorn tallied 10 and nine points in the period, respectively, and Cooper’s five steals helped UT force 14 C-N turnovers by the end of the quarter and key a 19-0 run in that stanza as well.
Carson-Newman scored 12 points on 55.6-percent shooting by the third-quarter media break, but the Lady Vols countered with 20 of their own on 57.1 percent accuracy during that stint to push their advantage to 84-35 with 4:52 to go in the period. A 21-5 blitz the rest of the way propelled the Big Orange to a 105-40 lead to close out the third frame, with Avery Strickland’s three at the 51-second mark putting UT over the century mark with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
Tennessee continued to scorch the nets in the final frame, hitting 61.5 percent over the first six minutes to outscore the Lady Eagles, 21-9, and swell the score to 126-49 entering the 4:05 media timeout. UT tallied the final nine points of the game while holding C-N scoreless over the final four minutes to account for the final result.
Next Up: The Lady Vols meet Samford for their regular-season opener on Tuesday evening at Food City Center. The contest is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff with coverage on SECN+.
Exhibition History: UT is now 53-5 all-time in preseason exhibition games, with the only losses coming to the Soviet National Team (1979), Athletes in Action (1992) and the USA National Team (1995, 2007, 2023). In the post-Pat Summitt era, UT is 13-1 in preseason exhibition games, defeating Carson-Newman 11 times (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) and both Georgia College (2021) and Coker (2012) on one occasion each. The only loss was to the USA Women’s National Team in 2023.
First-Time In Orange & White: Transfers Ruby Whitehorn, Samara Spencer, Talaysia Cooper, Favor Ayodele and Alyssa Latham, and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd made their Lady Vol debuts during the exhibition contest. The six new faces combined for 84 points, 30 rebounds,17 assists and 22 steals during Tennessee’s triumph.
Ruby On A Roll: Junior Ruby Whitehorn impressed during her opening performance as a Lady Vol, totaling 29 points. The guard fired in 13 points in the first quarter, nine in the second frame, two in the third and five in the fourth. The Detroit, Michigan, native showed great touch from the arc, knocking down four out of six three-point attempts.
Dropping Thirties: Throughout tonight’s game the red-hot Lady Vols posted 30 points or more in every quarter of play. The Big Orange tallied a total of 31 points in the first quarter, 33 in the second quarter, 41 in the third quarter and 30 in the fourth to finish the game. The Lady Vols also surpassed 100 points for the 15th time in 19 exhibition games vs. the Lady Eagles.
Man Dead after Possible Pedestrian Crash on I-40, Sevierville Police Say
Sevierville, TN (WOKI) A pedestrian is dead after possibly being hit by a car Wednesday evening on I-40 East in Sevierville.
Sevierville Police Department officials say officers were called near exit 407 around 10:20 for a person lying on the side of the interstate.
When officers arrived, SPD says they found 61-year old Craig Olcott alive but not moving.
Officials say Olcott had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, or by a trailer being towed by a vehicle, adding that he died later that night at UT Medical Center.
The death is under investigation. Anyone with information is being asked to call SPD Detective Sergeant Graham Brantley at 865-868-1748.
Knoxville Woman Steals $40K in Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets from Workplace, Police Report Says
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville woman is charged for stealing between $40,000 and $50,000 in scratch-off lottery tickets from her job.
According to charging documents, 35-year-old Siearrah Truhn took and activated the lottery tickets while she was working at a convenience store on Maryville Pike.
A investigation involving the store owner and the Lottery Commission led police to the Kroger on Chapman Highway, where employees told them Truhn had redeemed several thousand dollars in scratched tickets.
Documents indicate the employees kept the tickets and reported it to the lottery commission.
Truhn was charged with theft and computer offenses.
KPD says Motorcyclist Passes Away Following Washington Pike Crash
A motorcyclist who was involved in a crash that happened on Sunday evening has died as a result of his injuries.
At around 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Washington Pike and Greenway Drive in front of the Target, where a Harley motorcycle had struck a Chevy SUV. The motorcycle driver, a 51-year-old man, was transported to the UT Medical Center with critical injuries. The victim passed away at UTMC on Wednesday night.
The investigation revealed that the Chevy SUV turned left into the path of the motorcycle, which subsequently struck the SUV. The driver was then thrown into the roadway. The light was green for both the Chevy SUV and motorcycle. Speed or alcohol were also not believed to be contributing factors.
The driver and two passengers in the Chevy sustained minor injuries in the crash. The driver has since been cited for failure to yield. No additional charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation is being led by KPD crash reconstruction personnel. Upon the completion of the investigation, the case file will be turned over to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Knox County Seeks Input on East Knox County Mobility Study
Knox County will host two public information meetings to seek community input on the East Knox Mobility Study. These meetings will help identify key transportation challenges, set priorities, and shape the final recommendations for the study.
The first public information meeting is on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carter High School. The second meeting is on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gibbs Middle School. Both meetings will discuss the same material.
The public is invited to share their comments virtually via the project website. Feedback is requested in three areas: a public survey, interactive map for transportation concerns and ideas, and an interactive map for project feedback. Each area is designed to gather specific types of information that will help guide our planning process. To participate in the online survey, visit https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility/survey.
About the Study: The East Knox County Mobility Study is a community-focused initiative designed to enhance transportation planning for the Gibbs, Corryton, Ritta, Strawberry Plains, and Mascot areas. This study will support the new Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan. The study will integrate transportation best practices and consider all modes of travel. More information on the study can be found at https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility.
Two Charged Following Organized Crime Unit Operation to Assist Alabama Shooting Investigation
This past weekend, Knoxville Police Department Organized Crime Unit detectives received information that a subject who was possibly involved in a shooting that happened in Alabama was in the Knoxville area. The subject was identified as Abdul Khalil’Llah, 26 of Anniston, Alabama. OCU detectives were able to determine that Khalil’Llah was wanted out of Georgia for failure to appear on a previous felon in possession of a weapon charge.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, OCU detectives were able to track Khalil’Llah to an AirBnB at 103 Greenbrier Drive, where he and another male were observed entering a vehicle and leaving. The vehicle was eventually stopped in a parking lot near S. Northshore Drive and Baum Drive, where Khalil’Llah and his passenger, Varrenzo Bradford, 26 of Statham, Georgia, were detained. Bradford was found to be in possession of a Glock handgun, methamphetamine, and cocaine. In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Bradford was also a convicted felon.
Detectives then obtained a search warrant for the home at 103 Greenbrier Drive, which was executed later that day. When the search warrant was executed, a man and woman were found in the home and detained. Neither were charged.
During the search, detectives located two additional firearms and a drum magazine. Khalil’Llah was charged with fugitive from justice for the outstanding warrant out of Georgia. Bradford was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony. OCU detectives were assisted throughout the day by agents with the A.T.F.
On Tuesday, investigators from Alabama came to Knoxville, where OCU detectives and A.T.F. agents assisted in follow-up investigation and interviews.
Additional charges are pending from the stop and search warrant on Monday, while the investigation into the shooting in Alabama is continuing.
Tennessee’s Next One Up Has Blossomed Into Its Biggest Star
Whenever Dylan Sampson greets fans during the Vol Walk or goes through pregame warmups, he can always be seen donning his signature chain. The neckwear features his initials, jersey number and a small, red rose pendant. The rose is an homage to Tupac Shakur’s famous poem, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete,” which reads as follows.
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s laws wrong,
It learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
Sampson says he keeps the chain as a reminder that even when life isn’t perfect, to keep growing and blooming no matter the circumstances. After two seasons forming an elite trio in Tennessee’s running back room, Sampson has taken the reins as the starting back in 2024 and blossomed into one of the top offensive players in the country.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native has grown a lot in his time at Tennessee. His journey began in 2022 when he enrolled early and made an immediate impression on the coaching staff. His speed, explosiveness and playmaking ability were evident from the start, and he quickly caught attention as a rising star. However, just like the rose, Sampson’s path to success wasn’t always smooth.
One of the defining moments in Sampson’s life came in 2016 when his grandfather passed away from cancer. The loss deeply affected Sampson, at one point even debating giving up athletics entirely.
“There were people in my life outside of my original family who were there for me,” Sampson said on healing from his grandfather’s passing. “A lot of people in my summer track program helped shape me into the person I am today. They taught me what it really means to work hard and have fun.”
What went from his lowest moment ended up serving as a catalyst for his determination. He vowed to honor his grandfather’s memory by working hard and striving for excellence.
Our feature on prolific @Vol_Football RB Dylan Sampson, and how @2PAC inspired Sampson to shine light for so many others. ?? pic.twitter.com/BMAjfZmeU0— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 19, 2024
Sampson’s commitment to his craft is evident in his approach to the game. He is known for his dedication to the weight room, his meticulous preparation and his relentless pursuit of perfection. His coaches and teammates rave about his work ethic and his leadership qualities.
On the field, Sampson is a force to be reckoned with. He possesses a rare combination of speed, power and agility that allows him to make defenders miss and break long runs. His ability to find a crease in the defense and burst through the line of scrimmage is a sight to behold.
After delivering a memorable performance against Alabama, Sampson’s head coach had high praise for his RB1’s efforts against the Crimson Tide.
(The performance) epitomizes him as a competitor. He’s special. He can feel the ability to run, get out in space and get behind his pads… (we) gave him an opportunity to get started and create some plays. Resiliency from him too, he gets banged up a little bit and fumbles early but comes back and keeps competing. Huge part of the game tonight.
Josh Heupel
Through only seven games this season, he has accumulated 838 yards and amassed 17 rushing touchdowns — one shy of the single-season program record for rushing scores set by Gene McEver in 1929. On the Tennessee career charts, Sampson currently sits fourth all time in rushing touchdowns at 30, chasing McEver again who totaled 37 in his time on Rocky Top from 1928-31.
The 2024 season has been a year of dominance for Sampson. He has consistently produced at a high level and established himself as one of the best running backs in the country. Sampson’s ability to make plays in both the running and passing game has made him a valuable asset to this Tennessee offense.
“He’s always had great vision and great pace,” Heupel said of Sampson’s development. “Obviously, he has good long speed and he’s really good between tackles. I think his growth of continuing to understand what we’re doing and physical development, just his strength in the middle of the football field, he’s really strong in between the tackles. He continues to make a bunch of plays for us and finish the game in the right way, which is huge.”
Before his arrival at Tennessee, Sampson made a name for himself as a standout running back at Dutchtown High School in Louisiana. Thanks to his speed and agility, Sampson shattered school records and earned all-state honors. His performances on the football field caught the attention of college coaches across the country, and he ultimately decided to commit to the Volunteers.
The transition from high school to college football can be challenging for even the most talented players. Sampson faced his own set of obstacles as he adjusted to the increased speed and physicality of the game. However, his natural ability and work ethic allowed him to quickly adapt.
In his freshman season, Sampson saw limited playing time but made the most of his opportunities. He showcased his ability to make defenders miss, and he finished the season with several impressive performances.
Sampson’s sophomore season was a real breakout year. He established himself as a key contributor to the Tennessee offense, and he became a fan favorite with his electrifying runs and touchdown celebrations. Sampson’s ability to break tackles and find the end zone made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
While Sampson’s on-field accomplishments are impressive, it’s his character and his commitment to making a difference that truly set him apart. He is a dedicated student, a passionate community advocate and a role model for young athletes.
Sampson is deeply involved in the community. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, and he uses his platform to raise awareness about important issues. Sampson believes that athletes have a responsibility to give back and make a positive impact on society.
I want to continue to be a successful football player and give back to the community. I also want to be a role model for young people. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given and I want to use my platform to make a positive impact on the world.
Dylan Sampson
Sampson’s story is one of inspiration and perseverance. He has exceeded all expectations and emerged as a national star. But what truly makes him special is his character, his determination and his commitment to making a difference.
November 5, 2024 Election: Statistics at the End of Early Voting in Knox County
Knoxville (WOKI / Knox County Election Commission) – Thursday, October 31st marked the end (fourteen days) of early voting for the November 5, 2024 Presidential and Federal/State General Election.
A total of 163,303 early votes have been cast in Knox County, with an additional 7,503 votes cast by absentee ballot and in nursing homes.
There are 336,151 registered voters (318,311 active; 17,840 inactive) in Knox County as of October 23, 2024.
COMPARISON TO PRIOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AT CONCLUSION OF EARLY VOTING
November 2024:
- 163,303 early votes cast
- 7,503 absentee & nursing home votes cast (thus far)
- TBD Election Day votes cast
- TBD TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2024 election
November 2020:
- 153,197 early votes cast
- 21,241 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 47,950 Election Day votes cast
- 222,028 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2020 election
November 2016:
- 135,760 early votes cast
- 6,194 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 42,969 Election Day votes cast
- 184,923 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2016 election
NEW VOTERS
A total of 23,415 first-time Knox County voters cast a ballot in early voting.
CITY OF KNOXVILLE VOTERS VS. KNOX COUNTY VOTERS
- City of Knoxville voters 50,373
- Non-City of Knoxville voters 120,433
AGE INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 64,173
- Age 30 to 44 90,364
- Age 45 to 54 50,570
- Age 55 + 131,044
VOTES CAST BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 22,120
- Age 30 to 44 35,004
- Age 45 to 54 26,508
- Age 55 + 87,174
GENDER INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 140,524
- Female 165,942
- Unknown 29,685
EARLY VOTES CAST BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 65,627
- Female 82,873
- Unknown 22,306
VOTES CAST BY TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT
- District 14 34,151
- District 15 13,162
- District 16 26,339
- District 18 26,836
- District 19 25,326
- District 89 27,937
- District 90 17,055
VOTES CAST BY CITY OF KNOXVILLE COUNCIL DISTRICT
- District 1 6,176
- District 2 11,335
- District 3 9,152
- District 4 10,889
- District 5 7,065
- District 6 5,756
Knoxville Police Investigating Fourth Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Less Than Two Weeks
A 20-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash that happened on Western Avenue Thursday night.
At around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to Western Avenue at Sullivan Road, where a motorcycle had struck a pickup truck. The motorcycle driver was transported from the scene to the UT Medical Center in critical condition but was pronounced dead a short time later.
It is believed that the motorcycle was driving west on Western Avenue at extremely high speeds when it collided with the pickup truck, which was turning from Sullivan Road onto Western Avenue.
The crash remains under active investigation by KPD crash reconstruction personnel.
Thursday’s crash marks the fourth fatal motorcycle crash in Knoxville city limits since October 22, when a 53-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash on Middlebrook Pike. A 55-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on W. Martin Mill Pike on October 28, while a 51-year-old man passed away on Wednesday night after being involved in a motorcycle crash at Washington Pike and Greenway Drive on October 27.
The Knoxville Police Department reminds motorists to always drive carefully, responsibly and safely. Slow down, pay careful attention at all times while driving, obey all traffic signals and laws, and buckle up.
Townsend Restaurant Destroyed by Fire
Fire Crews on the scene of a fire at the Trailhead Steak and Trout House in Townsend in the 7800 block of East Lamar Alexander Parkway.
The building fully engulfed in flames at 5:30 this (Friday) morning but fire fighters have most of the fire out but embers remain so Crews are remaining on the scene to continue monitoring the scene.
The building appears to be a total loss, parts of the building are burned to the ground. Authorities are asking you to avoid this area as emergency crews are still on the scene.
Lady Vols Soar Past Eagles In Exhibition, 135-49
Eric TrainerWomen’s BasketballOctober 31, 2024
Box Score KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vols forced 43 turnovers on 30 steals, hit 19 three-pointers and eclipsed 30 points in every quarter en route to a 135-49 exhibition win over Carson-Newman in Kim Caldwell‘s debut as Tennessee’s head coach.
With an announced crowd of 9,613 looking on at Food City Center, the Big Orange tied for the second-highest exhibition game point total in program history. Standing first on the list is a 144-52 win over Dynamo Kiev on Nov. 5, 2000, and tonight’s output matched a 135-55 UT triumph over Carson-Newman on Nov 6, 2008. The only better production from Tennessee women’s basketball all-time came via a 136-26 regular-season blowout of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Nov. 29, 2002.
Junior guard Ruby Whitehorn was sensational in leading six Big Orange players in double figures, firing in 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting. Fifth-year guard Jewel Spear and junior forward Zee Spearman contributed 17 each, while redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper, junior forward Sara Puckett and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd chipped in 16, 14 and 13, respectively. Spear finished five of 11 beyond the arc, while Whitehorn was four of six from deep.
Cooper also led Tennessee with eight steals, while Boyd was tops in rebounds with seven and senior guard Samara Spencer dished out eight assists with no turnovers in her debut. UT finished with 26 assists on 49 buckets, committing only nine turnovers on the night.
Carson-Newman, picked to win NCAA Division II’s South Atlantic Conference, was led by Jennifer Sullivan with 15 points.
Tennessee jumped out to a 6-0 lead on back-to-back three-pointers by Whitehorn and Spear and carried a 10-5 into the first-quarter media break, as the Lady Vol defense hurried the Lady Eagles into 2-for-12 shooting during the early going. UT bounced out of the timeout huddle with spring in its step, outscoring C-N the rest of the period with a 25-3 push that included 22 straight points at one point. Whitehorn finished 5 of 7 for 13 points in the frame.
The Lady Vols extended their lead to 47-19 by the second quarter media timeout at the 4:57 mark, with the home team shooting 70 percent from the field over that span. Tennessee forced Carson-Newman into six turnovers as it stretched its margin to 28. Over the final minutes of the first half, Tennessee outscored the Lady Eagles, 17-4, to take a 64-23 lead into the intermission. Cooper and Whitehorn tallied 10 and nine points in the period, respectively, and Cooper’s five steals helped UT force 14 C-N turnovers by the end of the quarter and key a 19-0 run in that stanza as well.
Carson-Newman scored 12 points on 55.6-percent shooting by the third-quarter media break, but the Lady Vols countered with 20 of their own on 57.1 percent accuracy during that stint to push their advantage to 84-35 with 4:52 to go in the period. A 21-5 blitz the rest of the way propelled the Big Orange to a 105-40 lead to close out the third frame, with Avery Strickland’s three at the 51-second mark putting UT over the century mark with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
Tennessee continued to scorch the nets in the final frame, hitting 61.5 percent over the first six minutes to outscore the Lady Eagles, 21-9, and swell the score to 126-49 entering the 4:05 media timeout. UT tallied the final nine points of the game while holding C-N scoreless over the final four minutes to account for the final result.
Next Up: The Lady Vols meet Samford for their regular-season opener on Tuesday evening at Food City Center. The contest is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff with coverage on SECN+.
Exhibition History: UT is now 53-5 all-time in preseason exhibition games, with the only losses coming to the Soviet National Team (1979), Athletes in Action (1992) and the USA National Team (1995, 2007, 2023). In the post-Pat Summitt era, UT is 13-1 in preseason exhibition games, defeating Carson-Newman 11 times (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) and both Georgia College (2021) and Coker (2012) on one occasion each. The only loss was to the USA Women’s National Team in 2023.
First-Time In Orange & White: Transfers Ruby Whitehorn, Samara Spencer, Talaysia Cooper, Favor Ayodele and Alyssa Latham, and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd made their Lady Vol debuts during the exhibition contest. The six new faces combined for 84 points, 30 rebounds,17 assists and 22 steals during Tennessee’s triumph.
Ruby On A Roll: Junior Ruby Whitehorn impressed during her opening performance as a Lady Vol, totaling 29 points. The guard fired in 13 points in the first quarter, nine in the second frame, two in the third and five in the fourth. The Detroit, Michigan, native showed great touch from the arc, knocking down four out of six three-point attempts.
Dropping Thirties: Throughout tonight’s game the red-hot Lady Vols posted 30 points or more in every quarter of play. The Big Orange tallied a total of 31 points in the first quarter, 33 in the second quarter, 41 in the third quarter and 30 in the fourth to finish the game. The Lady Vols also surpassed 100 points for the 15th time in 19 exhibition games vs. the Lady Eagles.
Man Dead after Possible Pedestrian Crash on I-40, Sevierville Police Say
Sevierville, TN (WOKI) A pedestrian is dead after possibly being hit by a car Wednesday evening on I-40 East in Sevierville.
Sevierville Police Department officials say officers were called near exit 407 around 10:20 for a person lying on the side of the interstate.
When officers arrived, SPD says they found 61-year old Craig Olcott alive but not moving.
Officials say Olcott had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, or by a trailer being towed by a vehicle, adding that he died later that night at UT Medical Center.
The death is under investigation. Anyone with information is being asked to call SPD Detective Sergeant Graham Brantley at 865-868-1748.
Knoxville Woman Steals $40K in Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets from Workplace, Police Report Says
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville woman is charged for stealing between $40,000 and $50,000 in scratch-off lottery tickets from her job.
According to charging documents, 35-year-old Siearrah Truhn took and activated the lottery tickets while she was working at a convenience store on Maryville Pike.
A investigation involving the store owner and the Lottery Commission led police to the Kroger on Chapman Highway, where employees told them Truhn had redeemed several thousand dollars in scratched tickets.
Documents indicate the employees kept the tickets and reported it to the lottery commission.
Truhn was charged with theft and computer offenses.
KPD says Motorcyclist Passes Away Following Washington Pike Crash
A motorcyclist who was involved in a crash that happened on Sunday evening has died as a result of his injuries.
At around 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Washington Pike and Greenway Drive in front of the Target, where a Harley motorcycle had struck a Chevy SUV. The motorcycle driver, a 51-year-old man, was transported to the UT Medical Center with critical injuries. The victim passed away at UTMC on Wednesday night.
The investigation revealed that the Chevy SUV turned left into the path of the motorcycle, which subsequently struck the SUV. The driver was then thrown into the roadway. The light was green for both the Chevy SUV and motorcycle. Speed or alcohol were also not believed to be contributing factors.
The driver and two passengers in the Chevy sustained minor injuries in the crash. The driver has since been cited for failure to yield. No additional charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation is being led by KPD crash reconstruction personnel. Upon the completion of the investigation, the case file will be turned over to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Knox County Seeks Input on East Knox County Mobility Study
Knox County will host two public information meetings to seek community input on the East Knox Mobility Study. These meetings will help identify key transportation challenges, set priorities, and shape the final recommendations for the study.
The first public information meeting is on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carter High School. The second meeting is on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gibbs Middle School. Both meetings will discuss the same material.
The public is invited to share their comments virtually via the project website. Feedback is requested in three areas: a public survey, interactive map for transportation concerns and ideas, and an interactive map for project feedback. Each area is designed to gather specific types of information that will help guide our planning process. To participate in the online survey, visit https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility/survey.
About the Study: The East Knox County Mobility Study is a community-focused initiative designed to enhance transportation planning for the Gibbs, Corryton, Ritta, Strawberry Plains, and Mascot areas. This study will support the new Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan. The study will integrate transportation best practices and consider all modes of travel. More information on the study can be found at https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility.
Two Charged Following Organized Crime Unit Operation to Assist Alabama Shooting Investigation
This past weekend, Knoxville Police Department Organized Crime Unit detectives received information that a subject who was possibly involved in a shooting that happened in Alabama was in the Knoxville area. The subject was identified as Abdul Khalil’Llah, 26 of Anniston, Alabama. OCU detectives were able to determine that Khalil’Llah was wanted out of Georgia for failure to appear on a previous felon in possession of a weapon charge.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, OCU detectives were able to track Khalil’Llah to an AirBnB at 103 Greenbrier Drive, where he and another male were observed entering a vehicle and leaving. The vehicle was eventually stopped in a parking lot near S. Northshore Drive and Baum Drive, where Khalil’Llah and his passenger, Varrenzo Bradford, 26 of Statham, Georgia, were detained. Bradford was found to be in possession of a Glock handgun, methamphetamine, and cocaine. In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Bradford was also a convicted felon.
Detectives then obtained a search warrant for the home at 103 Greenbrier Drive, which was executed later that day. When the search warrant was executed, a man and woman were found in the home and detained. Neither were charged.
During the search, detectives located two additional firearms and a drum magazine. Khalil’Llah was charged with fugitive from justice for the outstanding warrant out of Georgia. Bradford was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony. OCU detectives were assisted throughout the day by agents with the A.T.F.
On Tuesday, investigators from Alabama came to Knoxville, where OCU detectives and A.T.F. agents assisted in follow-up investigation and interviews.
Additional charges are pending from the stop and search warrant on Monday, while the investigation into the shooting in Alabama is continuing.
Tennessee’s Next One Up Has Blossomed Into Its Biggest Star
Whenever Dylan Sampson greets fans during the Vol Walk or goes through pregame warmups, he can always be seen donning his signature chain. The neckwear features his initials, jersey number and a small, red rose pendant. The rose is an homage to Tupac Shakur’s famous poem, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete,” which reads as follows.
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s laws wrong,
It learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
Sampson says he keeps the chain as a reminder that even when life isn’t perfect, to keep growing and blooming no matter the circumstances. After two seasons forming an elite trio in Tennessee’s running back room, Sampson has taken the reins as the starting back in 2024 and blossomed into one of the top offensive players in the country.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native has grown a lot in his time at Tennessee. His journey began in 2022 when he enrolled early and made an immediate impression on the coaching staff. His speed, explosiveness and playmaking ability were evident from the start, and he quickly caught attention as a rising star. However, just like the rose, Sampson’s path to success wasn’t always smooth.
One of the defining moments in Sampson’s life came in 2016 when his grandfather passed away from cancer. The loss deeply affected Sampson, at one point even debating giving up athletics entirely.
“There were people in my life outside of my original family who were there for me,” Sampson said on healing from his grandfather’s passing. “A lot of people in my summer track program helped shape me into the person I am today. They taught me what it really means to work hard and have fun.”
What went from his lowest moment ended up serving as a catalyst for his determination. He vowed to honor his grandfather’s memory by working hard and striving for excellence.
Our feature on prolific @Vol_Football RB Dylan Sampson, and how @2PAC inspired Sampson to shine light for so many others. ?? pic.twitter.com/BMAjfZmeU0— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 19, 2024
Sampson’s commitment to his craft is evident in his approach to the game. He is known for his dedication to the weight room, his meticulous preparation and his relentless pursuit of perfection. His coaches and teammates rave about his work ethic and his leadership qualities.
On the field, Sampson is a force to be reckoned with. He possesses a rare combination of speed, power and agility that allows him to make defenders miss and break long runs. His ability to find a crease in the defense and burst through the line of scrimmage is a sight to behold.
After delivering a memorable performance against Alabama, Sampson’s head coach had high praise for his RB1’s efforts against the Crimson Tide.
(The performance) epitomizes him as a competitor. He’s special. He can feel the ability to run, get out in space and get behind his pads… (we) gave him an opportunity to get started and create some plays. Resiliency from him too, he gets banged up a little bit and fumbles early but comes back and keeps competing. Huge part of the game tonight.
Josh Heupel
Through only seven games this season, he has accumulated 838 yards and amassed 17 rushing touchdowns — one shy of the single-season program record for rushing scores set by Gene McEver in 1929. On the Tennessee career charts, Sampson currently sits fourth all time in rushing touchdowns at 30, chasing McEver again who totaled 37 in his time on Rocky Top from 1928-31.
The 2024 season has been a year of dominance for Sampson. He has consistently produced at a high level and established himself as one of the best running backs in the country. Sampson’s ability to make plays in both the running and passing game has made him a valuable asset to this Tennessee offense.
“He’s always had great vision and great pace,” Heupel said of Sampson’s development. “Obviously, he has good long speed and he’s really good between tackles. I think his growth of continuing to understand what we’re doing and physical development, just his strength in the middle of the football field, he’s really strong in between the tackles. He continues to make a bunch of plays for us and finish the game in the right way, which is huge.”
Before his arrival at Tennessee, Sampson made a name for himself as a standout running back at Dutchtown High School in Louisiana. Thanks to his speed and agility, Sampson shattered school records and earned all-state honors. His performances on the football field caught the attention of college coaches across the country, and he ultimately decided to commit to the Volunteers.
The transition from high school to college football can be challenging for even the most talented players. Sampson faced his own set of obstacles as he adjusted to the increased speed and physicality of the game. However, his natural ability and work ethic allowed him to quickly adapt.
In his freshman season, Sampson saw limited playing time but made the most of his opportunities. He showcased his ability to make defenders miss, and he finished the season with several impressive performances.
Sampson’s sophomore season was a real breakout year. He established himself as a key contributor to the Tennessee offense, and he became a fan favorite with his electrifying runs and touchdown celebrations. Sampson’s ability to break tackles and find the end zone made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
While Sampson’s on-field accomplishments are impressive, it’s his character and his commitment to making a difference that truly set him apart. He is a dedicated student, a passionate community advocate and a role model for young athletes.
Sampson is deeply involved in the community. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, and he uses his platform to raise awareness about important issues. Sampson believes that athletes have a responsibility to give back and make a positive impact on society.
I want to continue to be a successful football player and give back to the community. I also want to be a role model for young people. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given and I want to use my platform to make a positive impact on the world.
Dylan Sampson
Sampson’s story is one of inspiration and perseverance. He has exceeded all expectations and emerged as a national star. But what truly makes him special is his character, his determination and his commitment to making a difference.
November 5, 2024 Election: Statistics at the End of Early Voting in Knox County
Knoxville (WOKI / Knox County Election Commission) – Thursday, October 31st marked the end (fourteen days) of early voting for the November 5, 2024 Presidential and Federal/State General Election.
A total of 163,303 early votes have been cast in Knox County, with an additional 7,503 votes cast by absentee ballot and in nursing homes.
There are 336,151 registered voters (318,311 active; 17,840 inactive) in Knox County as of October 23, 2024.
COMPARISON TO PRIOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AT CONCLUSION OF EARLY VOTING
November 2024:
- 163,303 early votes cast
- 7,503 absentee & nursing home votes cast (thus far)
- TBD Election Day votes cast
- TBD TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2024 election
November 2020:
- 153,197 early votes cast
- 21,241 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 47,950 Election Day votes cast
- 222,028 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2020 election
November 2016:
- 135,760 early votes cast
- 6,194 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 42,969 Election Day votes cast
- 184,923 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2016 election
NEW VOTERS
A total of 23,415 first-time Knox County voters cast a ballot in early voting.
CITY OF KNOXVILLE VOTERS VS. KNOX COUNTY VOTERS
- City of Knoxville voters 50,373
- Non-City of Knoxville voters 120,433
AGE INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 64,173
- Age 30 to 44 90,364
- Age 45 to 54 50,570
- Age 55 + 131,044
VOTES CAST BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 22,120
- Age 30 to 44 35,004
- Age 45 to 54 26,508
- Age 55 + 87,174
GENDER INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 140,524
- Female 165,942
- Unknown 29,685
EARLY VOTES CAST BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 65,627
- Female 82,873
- Unknown 22,306
VOTES CAST BY TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT
- District 14 34,151
- District 15 13,162
- District 16 26,339
- District 18 26,836
- District 19 25,326
- District 89 27,937
- District 90 17,055
VOTES CAST BY CITY OF KNOXVILLE COUNCIL DISTRICT
- District 1 6,176
- District 2 11,335
- District 3 9,152
- District 4 10,889
- District 5 7,065
- District 6 5,756
Knoxville Police Investigating Fourth Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Less Than Two Weeks
A 20-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash that happened on Western Avenue Thursday night.
At around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to Western Avenue at Sullivan Road, where a motorcycle had struck a pickup truck. The motorcycle driver was transported from the scene to the UT Medical Center in critical condition but was pronounced dead a short time later.
It is believed that the motorcycle was driving west on Western Avenue at extremely high speeds when it collided with the pickup truck, which was turning from Sullivan Road onto Western Avenue.
The crash remains under active investigation by KPD crash reconstruction personnel.
Thursday’s crash marks the fourth fatal motorcycle crash in Knoxville city limits since October 22, when a 53-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash on Middlebrook Pike. A 55-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on W. Martin Mill Pike on October 28, while a 51-year-old man passed away on Wednesday night after being involved in a motorcycle crash at Washington Pike and Greenway Drive on October 27.
The Knoxville Police Department reminds motorists to always drive carefully, responsibly and safely. Slow down, pay careful attention at all times while driving, obey all traffic signals and laws, and buckle up.
Townsend Restaurant Destroyed by Fire
Fire Crews on the scene of a fire at the Trailhead Steak and Trout House in Townsend in the 7800 block of East Lamar Alexander Parkway.
The building fully engulfed in flames at 5:30 this (Friday) morning but fire fighters have most of the fire out but embers remain so Crews are remaining on the scene to continue monitoring the scene.
The building appears to be a total loss, parts of the building are burned to the ground. Authorities are asking you to avoid this area as emergency crews are still on the scene.
Lady Vols Soar Past Eagles In Exhibition, 135-49
Eric TrainerWomen’s BasketballOctober 31, 2024
Box Score KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vols forced 43 turnovers on 30 steals, hit 19 three-pointers and eclipsed 30 points in every quarter en route to a 135-49 exhibition win over Carson-Newman in Kim Caldwell‘s debut as Tennessee’s head coach.
With an announced crowd of 9,613 looking on at Food City Center, the Big Orange tied for the second-highest exhibition game point total in program history. Standing first on the list is a 144-52 win over Dynamo Kiev on Nov. 5, 2000, and tonight’s output matched a 135-55 UT triumph over Carson-Newman on Nov 6, 2008. The only better production from Tennessee women’s basketball all-time came via a 136-26 regular-season blowout of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Nov. 29, 2002.
Junior guard Ruby Whitehorn was sensational in leading six Big Orange players in double figures, firing in 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting. Fifth-year guard Jewel Spear and junior forward Zee Spearman contributed 17 each, while redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper, junior forward Sara Puckett and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd chipped in 16, 14 and 13, respectively. Spear finished five of 11 beyond the arc, while Whitehorn was four of six from deep.
Cooper also led Tennessee with eight steals, while Boyd was tops in rebounds with seven and senior guard Samara Spencer dished out eight assists with no turnovers in her debut. UT finished with 26 assists on 49 buckets, committing only nine turnovers on the night.
Carson-Newman, picked to win NCAA Division II’s South Atlantic Conference, was led by Jennifer Sullivan with 15 points.
Tennessee jumped out to a 6-0 lead on back-to-back three-pointers by Whitehorn and Spear and carried a 10-5 into the first-quarter media break, as the Lady Vol defense hurried the Lady Eagles into 2-for-12 shooting during the early going. UT bounced out of the timeout huddle with spring in its step, outscoring C-N the rest of the period with a 25-3 push that included 22 straight points at one point. Whitehorn finished 5 of 7 for 13 points in the frame.
The Lady Vols extended their lead to 47-19 by the second quarter media timeout at the 4:57 mark, with the home team shooting 70 percent from the field over that span. Tennessee forced Carson-Newman into six turnovers as it stretched its margin to 28. Over the final minutes of the first half, Tennessee outscored the Lady Eagles, 17-4, to take a 64-23 lead into the intermission. Cooper and Whitehorn tallied 10 and nine points in the period, respectively, and Cooper’s five steals helped UT force 14 C-N turnovers by the end of the quarter and key a 19-0 run in that stanza as well.
Carson-Newman scored 12 points on 55.6-percent shooting by the third-quarter media break, but the Lady Vols countered with 20 of their own on 57.1 percent accuracy during that stint to push their advantage to 84-35 with 4:52 to go in the period. A 21-5 blitz the rest of the way propelled the Big Orange to a 105-40 lead to close out the third frame, with Avery Strickland’s three at the 51-second mark putting UT over the century mark with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
Tennessee continued to scorch the nets in the final frame, hitting 61.5 percent over the first six minutes to outscore the Lady Eagles, 21-9, and swell the score to 126-49 entering the 4:05 media timeout. UT tallied the final nine points of the game while holding C-N scoreless over the final four minutes to account for the final result.
Next Up: The Lady Vols meet Samford for their regular-season opener on Tuesday evening at Food City Center. The contest is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff with coverage on SECN+.
Exhibition History: UT is now 53-5 all-time in preseason exhibition games, with the only losses coming to the Soviet National Team (1979), Athletes in Action (1992) and the USA National Team (1995, 2007, 2023). In the post-Pat Summitt era, UT is 13-1 in preseason exhibition games, defeating Carson-Newman 11 times (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) and both Georgia College (2021) and Coker (2012) on one occasion each. The only loss was to the USA Women’s National Team in 2023.
First-Time In Orange & White: Transfers Ruby Whitehorn, Samara Spencer, Talaysia Cooper, Favor Ayodele and Alyssa Latham, and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd made their Lady Vol debuts during the exhibition contest. The six new faces combined for 84 points, 30 rebounds,17 assists and 22 steals during Tennessee’s triumph.
Ruby On A Roll: Junior Ruby Whitehorn impressed during her opening performance as a Lady Vol, totaling 29 points. The guard fired in 13 points in the first quarter, nine in the second frame, two in the third and five in the fourth. The Detroit, Michigan, native showed great touch from the arc, knocking down four out of six three-point attempts.
Dropping Thirties: Throughout tonight’s game the red-hot Lady Vols posted 30 points or more in every quarter of play. The Big Orange tallied a total of 31 points in the first quarter, 33 in the second quarter, 41 in the third quarter and 30 in the fourth to finish the game. The Lady Vols also surpassed 100 points for the 15th time in 19 exhibition games vs. the Lady Eagles.
Man Dead after Possible Pedestrian Crash on I-40, Sevierville Police Say
Sevierville, TN (WOKI) A pedestrian is dead after possibly being hit by a car Wednesday evening on I-40 East in Sevierville.
Sevierville Police Department officials say officers were called near exit 407 around 10:20 for a person lying on the side of the interstate.
When officers arrived, SPD says they found 61-year old Craig Olcott alive but not moving.
Officials say Olcott had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, or by a trailer being towed by a vehicle, adding that he died later that night at UT Medical Center.
The death is under investigation. Anyone with information is being asked to call SPD Detective Sergeant Graham Brantley at 865-868-1748.
Knoxville Woman Steals $40K in Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets from Workplace, Police Report Says
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville woman is charged for stealing between $40,000 and $50,000 in scratch-off lottery tickets from her job.
According to charging documents, 35-year-old Siearrah Truhn took and activated the lottery tickets while she was working at a convenience store on Maryville Pike.
A investigation involving the store owner and the Lottery Commission led police to the Kroger on Chapman Highway, where employees told them Truhn had redeemed several thousand dollars in scratched tickets.
Documents indicate the employees kept the tickets and reported it to the lottery commission.
Truhn was charged with theft and computer offenses.
KPD says Motorcyclist Passes Away Following Washington Pike Crash
A motorcyclist who was involved in a crash that happened on Sunday evening has died as a result of his injuries.
At around 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Washington Pike and Greenway Drive in front of the Target, where a Harley motorcycle had struck a Chevy SUV. The motorcycle driver, a 51-year-old man, was transported to the UT Medical Center with critical injuries. The victim passed away at UTMC on Wednesday night.
The investigation revealed that the Chevy SUV turned left into the path of the motorcycle, which subsequently struck the SUV. The driver was then thrown into the roadway. The light was green for both the Chevy SUV and motorcycle. Speed or alcohol were also not believed to be contributing factors.
The driver and two passengers in the Chevy sustained minor injuries in the crash. The driver has since been cited for failure to yield. No additional charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation is being led by KPD crash reconstruction personnel. Upon the completion of the investigation, the case file will be turned over to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Knox County Seeks Input on East Knox County Mobility Study
Knox County will host two public information meetings to seek community input on the East Knox Mobility Study. These meetings will help identify key transportation challenges, set priorities, and shape the final recommendations for the study.
The first public information meeting is on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carter High School. The second meeting is on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gibbs Middle School. Both meetings will discuss the same material.
The public is invited to share their comments virtually via the project website. Feedback is requested in three areas: a public survey, interactive map for transportation concerns and ideas, and an interactive map for project feedback. Each area is designed to gather specific types of information that will help guide our planning process. To participate in the online survey, visit https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility/survey.
About the Study: The East Knox County Mobility Study is a community-focused initiative designed to enhance transportation planning for the Gibbs, Corryton, Ritta, Strawberry Plains, and Mascot areas. This study will support the new Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan. The study will integrate transportation best practices and consider all modes of travel. More information on the study can be found at https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility.
Two Charged Following Organized Crime Unit Operation to Assist Alabama Shooting Investigation
This past weekend, Knoxville Police Department Organized Crime Unit detectives received information that a subject who was possibly involved in a shooting that happened in Alabama was in the Knoxville area. The subject was identified as Abdul Khalil’Llah, 26 of Anniston, Alabama. OCU detectives were able to determine that Khalil’Llah was wanted out of Georgia for failure to appear on a previous felon in possession of a weapon charge.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, OCU detectives were able to track Khalil’Llah to an AirBnB at 103 Greenbrier Drive, where he and another male were observed entering a vehicle and leaving. The vehicle was eventually stopped in a parking lot near S. Northshore Drive and Baum Drive, where Khalil’Llah and his passenger, Varrenzo Bradford, 26 of Statham, Georgia, were detained. Bradford was found to be in possession of a Glock handgun, methamphetamine, and cocaine. In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Bradford was also a convicted felon.
Detectives then obtained a search warrant for the home at 103 Greenbrier Drive, which was executed later that day. When the search warrant was executed, a man and woman were found in the home and detained. Neither were charged.
During the search, detectives located two additional firearms and a drum magazine. Khalil’Llah was charged with fugitive from justice for the outstanding warrant out of Georgia. Bradford was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony. OCU detectives were assisted throughout the day by agents with the A.T.F.
On Tuesday, investigators from Alabama came to Knoxville, where OCU detectives and A.T.F. agents assisted in follow-up investigation and interviews.
Additional charges are pending from the stop and search warrant on Monday, while the investigation into the shooting in Alabama is continuing.
Tennessee’s Next One Up Has Blossomed Into Its Biggest Star
Whenever Dylan Sampson greets fans during the Vol Walk or goes through pregame warmups, he can always be seen donning his signature chain. The neckwear features his initials, jersey number and a small, red rose pendant. The rose is an homage to Tupac Shakur’s famous poem, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete,” which reads as follows.
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s laws wrong,
It learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
Sampson says he keeps the chain as a reminder that even when life isn’t perfect, to keep growing and blooming no matter the circumstances. After two seasons forming an elite trio in Tennessee’s running back room, Sampson has taken the reins as the starting back in 2024 and blossomed into one of the top offensive players in the country.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native has grown a lot in his time at Tennessee. His journey began in 2022 when he enrolled early and made an immediate impression on the coaching staff. His speed, explosiveness and playmaking ability were evident from the start, and he quickly caught attention as a rising star. However, just like the rose, Sampson’s path to success wasn’t always smooth.
One of the defining moments in Sampson’s life came in 2016 when his grandfather passed away from cancer. The loss deeply affected Sampson, at one point even debating giving up athletics entirely.
“There were people in my life outside of my original family who were there for me,” Sampson said on healing from his grandfather’s passing. “A lot of people in my summer track program helped shape me into the person I am today. They taught me what it really means to work hard and have fun.”
What went from his lowest moment ended up serving as a catalyst for his determination. He vowed to honor his grandfather’s memory by working hard and striving for excellence.
Our feature on prolific @Vol_Football RB Dylan Sampson, and how @2PAC inspired Sampson to shine light for so many others. ?? pic.twitter.com/BMAjfZmeU0— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 19, 2024
Sampson’s commitment to his craft is evident in his approach to the game. He is known for his dedication to the weight room, his meticulous preparation and his relentless pursuit of perfection. His coaches and teammates rave about his work ethic and his leadership qualities.
On the field, Sampson is a force to be reckoned with. He possesses a rare combination of speed, power and agility that allows him to make defenders miss and break long runs. His ability to find a crease in the defense and burst through the line of scrimmage is a sight to behold.
After delivering a memorable performance against Alabama, Sampson’s head coach had high praise for his RB1’s efforts against the Crimson Tide.
(The performance) epitomizes him as a competitor. He’s special. He can feel the ability to run, get out in space and get behind his pads… (we) gave him an opportunity to get started and create some plays. Resiliency from him too, he gets banged up a little bit and fumbles early but comes back and keeps competing. Huge part of the game tonight.
Josh Heupel
Through only seven games this season, he has accumulated 838 yards and amassed 17 rushing touchdowns — one shy of the single-season program record for rushing scores set by Gene McEver in 1929. On the Tennessee career charts, Sampson currently sits fourth all time in rushing touchdowns at 30, chasing McEver again who totaled 37 in his time on Rocky Top from 1928-31.
The 2024 season has been a year of dominance for Sampson. He has consistently produced at a high level and established himself as one of the best running backs in the country. Sampson’s ability to make plays in both the running and passing game has made him a valuable asset to this Tennessee offense.
“He’s always had great vision and great pace,” Heupel said of Sampson’s development. “Obviously, he has good long speed and he’s really good between tackles. I think his growth of continuing to understand what we’re doing and physical development, just his strength in the middle of the football field, he’s really strong in between the tackles. He continues to make a bunch of plays for us and finish the game in the right way, which is huge.”
Before his arrival at Tennessee, Sampson made a name for himself as a standout running back at Dutchtown High School in Louisiana. Thanks to his speed and agility, Sampson shattered school records and earned all-state honors. His performances on the football field caught the attention of college coaches across the country, and he ultimately decided to commit to the Volunteers.
The transition from high school to college football can be challenging for even the most talented players. Sampson faced his own set of obstacles as he adjusted to the increased speed and physicality of the game. However, his natural ability and work ethic allowed him to quickly adapt.
In his freshman season, Sampson saw limited playing time but made the most of his opportunities. He showcased his ability to make defenders miss, and he finished the season with several impressive performances.
Sampson’s sophomore season was a real breakout year. He established himself as a key contributor to the Tennessee offense, and he became a fan favorite with his electrifying runs and touchdown celebrations. Sampson’s ability to break tackles and find the end zone made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
While Sampson’s on-field accomplishments are impressive, it’s his character and his commitment to making a difference that truly set him apart. He is a dedicated student, a passionate community advocate and a role model for young athletes.
Sampson is deeply involved in the community. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, and he uses his platform to raise awareness about important issues. Sampson believes that athletes have a responsibility to give back and make a positive impact on society.
I want to continue to be a successful football player and give back to the community. I also want to be a role model for young people. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given and I want to use my platform to make a positive impact on the world.
Dylan Sampson
Sampson’s story is one of inspiration and perseverance. He has exceeded all expectations and emerged as a national star. But what truly makes him special is his character, his determination and his commitment to making a difference.
November 5, 2024 Election: Statistics at the End of Early Voting in Knox County
Knoxville (WOKI / Knox County Election Commission) – Thursday, October 31st marked the end (fourteen days) of early voting for the November 5, 2024 Presidential and Federal/State General Election.
A total of 163,303 early votes have been cast in Knox County, with an additional 7,503 votes cast by absentee ballot and in nursing homes.
There are 336,151 registered voters (318,311 active; 17,840 inactive) in Knox County as of October 23, 2024.
COMPARISON TO PRIOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AT CONCLUSION OF EARLY VOTING
November 2024:
- 163,303 early votes cast
- 7,503 absentee & nursing home votes cast (thus far)
- TBD Election Day votes cast
- TBD TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2024 election
November 2020:
- 153,197 early votes cast
- 21,241 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 47,950 Election Day votes cast
- 222,028 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2020 election
November 2016:
- 135,760 early votes cast
- 6,194 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 42,969 Election Day votes cast
- 184,923 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2016 election
NEW VOTERS
A total of 23,415 first-time Knox County voters cast a ballot in early voting.
CITY OF KNOXVILLE VOTERS VS. KNOX COUNTY VOTERS
- City of Knoxville voters 50,373
- Non-City of Knoxville voters 120,433
AGE INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 64,173
- Age 30 to 44 90,364
- Age 45 to 54 50,570
- Age 55 + 131,044
VOTES CAST BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 22,120
- Age 30 to 44 35,004
- Age 45 to 54 26,508
- Age 55 + 87,174
GENDER INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 140,524
- Female 165,942
- Unknown 29,685
EARLY VOTES CAST BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 65,627
- Female 82,873
- Unknown 22,306
VOTES CAST BY TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT
- District 14 34,151
- District 15 13,162
- District 16 26,339
- District 18 26,836
- District 19 25,326
- District 89 27,937
- District 90 17,055
VOTES CAST BY CITY OF KNOXVILLE COUNCIL DISTRICT
- District 1 6,176
- District 2 11,335
- District 3 9,152
- District 4 10,889
- District 5 7,065
- District 6 5,756
Knoxville Police Investigating Fourth Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Less Than Two Weeks
A 20-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash that happened on Western Avenue Thursday night.
At around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to Western Avenue at Sullivan Road, where a motorcycle had struck a pickup truck. The motorcycle driver was transported from the scene to the UT Medical Center in critical condition but was pronounced dead a short time later.
It is believed that the motorcycle was driving west on Western Avenue at extremely high speeds when it collided with the pickup truck, which was turning from Sullivan Road onto Western Avenue.
The crash remains under active investigation by KPD crash reconstruction personnel.
Thursday’s crash marks the fourth fatal motorcycle crash in Knoxville city limits since October 22, when a 53-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash on Middlebrook Pike. A 55-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on W. Martin Mill Pike on October 28, while a 51-year-old man passed away on Wednesday night after being involved in a motorcycle crash at Washington Pike and Greenway Drive on October 27.
The Knoxville Police Department reminds motorists to always drive carefully, responsibly and safely. Slow down, pay careful attention at all times while driving, obey all traffic signals and laws, and buckle up.
Townsend Restaurant Destroyed by Fire
Fire Crews on the scene of a fire at the Trailhead Steak and Trout House in Townsend in the 7800 block of East Lamar Alexander Parkway.
The building fully engulfed in flames at 5:30 this (Friday) morning but fire fighters have most of the fire out but embers remain so Crews are remaining on the scene to continue monitoring the scene.
The building appears to be a total loss, parts of the building are burned to the ground. Authorities are asking you to avoid this area as emergency crews are still on the scene.
Lady Vols Soar Past Eagles In Exhibition, 135-49
Eric TrainerWomen’s BasketballOctober 31, 2024
Box Score KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vols forced 43 turnovers on 30 steals, hit 19 three-pointers and eclipsed 30 points in every quarter en route to a 135-49 exhibition win over Carson-Newman in Kim Caldwell‘s debut as Tennessee’s head coach.
With an announced crowd of 9,613 looking on at Food City Center, the Big Orange tied for the second-highest exhibition game point total in program history. Standing first on the list is a 144-52 win over Dynamo Kiev on Nov. 5, 2000, and tonight’s output matched a 135-55 UT triumph over Carson-Newman on Nov 6, 2008. The only better production from Tennessee women’s basketball all-time came via a 136-26 regular-season blowout of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Nov. 29, 2002.
Junior guard Ruby Whitehorn was sensational in leading six Big Orange players in double figures, firing in 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting. Fifth-year guard Jewel Spear and junior forward Zee Spearman contributed 17 each, while redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper, junior forward Sara Puckett and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd chipped in 16, 14 and 13, respectively. Spear finished five of 11 beyond the arc, while Whitehorn was four of six from deep.
Cooper also led Tennessee with eight steals, while Boyd was tops in rebounds with seven and senior guard Samara Spencer dished out eight assists with no turnovers in her debut. UT finished with 26 assists on 49 buckets, committing only nine turnovers on the night.
Carson-Newman, picked to win NCAA Division II’s South Atlantic Conference, was led by Jennifer Sullivan with 15 points.
Tennessee jumped out to a 6-0 lead on back-to-back three-pointers by Whitehorn and Spear and carried a 10-5 into the first-quarter media break, as the Lady Vol defense hurried the Lady Eagles into 2-for-12 shooting during the early going. UT bounced out of the timeout huddle with spring in its step, outscoring C-N the rest of the period with a 25-3 push that included 22 straight points at one point. Whitehorn finished 5 of 7 for 13 points in the frame.
The Lady Vols extended their lead to 47-19 by the second quarter media timeout at the 4:57 mark, with the home team shooting 70 percent from the field over that span. Tennessee forced Carson-Newman into six turnovers as it stretched its margin to 28. Over the final minutes of the first half, Tennessee outscored the Lady Eagles, 17-4, to take a 64-23 lead into the intermission. Cooper and Whitehorn tallied 10 and nine points in the period, respectively, and Cooper’s five steals helped UT force 14 C-N turnovers by the end of the quarter and key a 19-0 run in that stanza as well.
Carson-Newman scored 12 points on 55.6-percent shooting by the third-quarter media break, but the Lady Vols countered with 20 of their own on 57.1 percent accuracy during that stint to push their advantage to 84-35 with 4:52 to go in the period. A 21-5 blitz the rest of the way propelled the Big Orange to a 105-40 lead to close out the third frame, with Avery Strickland’s three at the 51-second mark putting UT over the century mark with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
Tennessee continued to scorch the nets in the final frame, hitting 61.5 percent over the first six minutes to outscore the Lady Eagles, 21-9, and swell the score to 126-49 entering the 4:05 media timeout. UT tallied the final nine points of the game while holding C-N scoreless over the final four minutes to account for the final result.
Next Up: The Lady Vols meet Samford for their regular-season opener on Tuesday evening at Food City Center. The contest is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff with coverage on SECN+.
Exhibition History: UT is now 53-5 all-time in preseason exhibition games, with the only losses coming to the Soviet National Team (1979), Athletes in Action (1992) and the USA National Team (1995, 2007, 2023). In the post-Pat Summitt era, UT is 13-1 in preseason exhibition games, defeating Carson-Newman 11 times (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) and both Georgia College (2021) and Coker (2012) on one occasion each. The only loss was to the USA Women’s National Team in 2023.
First-Time In Orange & White: Transfers Ruby Whitehorn, Samara Spencer, Talaysia Cooper, Favor Ayodele and Alyssa Latham, and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd made their Lady Vol debuts during the exhibition contest. The six new faces combined for 84 points, 30 rebounds,17 assists and 22 steals during Tennessee’s triumph.
Ruby On A Roll: Junior Ruby Whitehorn impressed during her opening performance as a Lady Vol, totaling 29 points. The guard fired in 13 points in the first quarter, nine in the second frame, two in the third and five in the fourth. The Detroit, Michigan, native showed great touch from the arc, knocking down four out of six three-point attempts.
Dropping Thirties: Throughout tonight’s game the red-hot Lady Vols posted 30 points or more in every quarter of play. The Big Orange tallied a total of 31 points in the first quarter, 33 in the second quarter, 41 in the third quarter and 30 in the fourth to finish the game. The Lady Vols also surpassed 100 points for the 15th time in 19 exhibition games vs. the Lady Eagles.
Man Dead after Possible Pedestrian Crash on I-40, Sevierville Police Say
Sevierville, TN (WOKI) A pedestrian is dead after possibly being hit by a car Wednesday evening on I-40 East in Sevierville.
Sevierville Police Department officials say officers were called near exit 407 around 10:20 for a person lying on the side of the interstate.
When officers arrived, SPD says they found 61-year old Craig Olcott alive but not moving.
Officials say Olcott had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, or by a trailer being towed by a vehicle, adding that he died later that night at UT Medical Center.
The death is under investigation. Anyone with information is being asked to call SPD Detective Sergeant Graham Brantley at 865-868-1748.
Knoxville Woman Steals $40K in Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets from Workplace, Police Report Says
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville woman is charged for stealing between $40,000 and $50,000 in scratch-off lottery tickets from her job.
According to charging documents, 35-year-old Siearrah Truhn took and activated the lottery tickets while she was working at a convenience store on Maryville Pike.
A investigation involving the store owner and the Lottery Commission led police to the Kroger on Chapman Highway, where employees told them Truhn had redeemed several thousand dollars in scratched tickets.
Documents indicate the employees kept the tickets and reported it to the lottery commission.
Truhn was charged with theft and computer offenses.
KPD says Motorcyclist Passes Away Following Washington Pike Crash
A motorcyclist who was involved in a crash that happened on Sunday evening has died as a result of his injuries.
At around 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Washington Pike and Greenway Drive in front of the Target, where a Harley motorcycle had struck a Chevy SUV. The motorcycle driver, a 51-year-old man, was transported to the UT Medical Center with critical injuries. The victim passed away at UTMC on Wednesday night.
The investigation revealed that the Chevy SUV turned left into the path of the motorcycle, which subsequently struck the SUV. The driver was then thrown into the roadway. The light was green for both the Chevy SUV and motorcycle. Speed or alcohol were also not believed to be contributing factors.
The driver and two passengers in the Chevy sustained minor injuries in the crash. The driver has since been cited for failure to yield. No additional charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation is being led by KPD crash reconstruction personnel. Upon the completion of the investigation, the case file will be turned over to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Knox County Seeks Input on East Knox County Mobility Study
Knox County will host two public information meetings to seek community input on the East Knox Mobility Study. These meetings will help identify key transportation challenges, set priorities, and shape the final recommendations for the study.
The first public information meeting is on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carter High School. The second meeting is on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gibbs Middle School. Both meetings will discuss the same material.
The public is invited to share their comments virtually via the project website. Feedback is requested in three areas: a public survey, interactive map for transportation concerns and ideas, and an interactive map for project feedback. Each area is designed to gather specific types of information that will help guide our planning process. To participate in the online survey, visit https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility/survey.
About the Study: The East Knox County Mobility Study is a community-focused initiative designed to enhance transportation planning for the Gibbs, Corryton, Ritta, Strawberry Plains, and Mascot areas. This study will support the new Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan. The study will integrate transportation best practices and consider all modes of travel. More information on the study can be found at https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility.
Two Charged Following Organized Crime Unit Operation to Assist Alabama Shooting Investigation
This past weekend, Knoxville Police Department Organized Crime Unit detectives received information that a subject who was possibly involved in a shooting that happened in Alabama was in the Knoxville area. The subject was identified as Abdul Khalil’Llah, 26 of Anniston, Alabama. OCU detectives were able to determine that Khalil’Llah was wanted out of Georgia for failure to appear on a previous felon in possession of a weapon charge.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, OCU detectives were able to track Khalil’Llah to an AirBnB at 103 Greenbrier Drive, where he and another male were observed entering a vehicle and leaving. The vehicle was eventually stopped in a parking lot near S. Northshore Drive and Baum Drive, where Khalil’Llah and his passenger, Varrenzo Bradford, 26 of Statham, Georgia, were detained. Bradford was found to be in possession of a Glock handgun, methamphetamine, and cocaine. In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Bradford was also a convicted felon.
Detectives then obtained a search warrant for the home at 103 Greenbrier Drive, which was executed later that day. When the search warrant was executed, a man and woman were found in the home and detained. Neither were charged.
During the search, detectives located two additional firearms and a drum magazine. Khalil’Llah was charged with fugitive from justice for the outstanding warrant out of Georgia. Bradford was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony. OCU detectives were assisted throughout the day by agents with the A.T.F.
On Tuesday, investigators from Alabama came to Knoxville, where OCU detectives and A.T.F. agents assisted in follow-up investigation and interviews.
Additional charges are pending from the stop and search warrant on Monday, while the investigation into the shooting in Alabama is continuing.
Tennessee’s Next One Up Has Blossomed Into Its Biggest Star
Whenever Dylan Sampson greets fans during the Vol Walk or goes through pregame warmups, he can always be seen donning his signature chain. The neckwear features his initials, jersey number and a small, red rose pendant. The rose is an homage to Tupac Shakur’s famous poem, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete,” which reads as follows.
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s laws wrong,
It learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
Sampson says he keeps the chain as a reminder that even when life isn’t perfect, to keep growing and blooming no matter the circumstances. After two seasons forming an elite trio in Tennessee’s running back room, Sampson has taken the reins as the starting back in 2024 and blossomed into one of the top offensive players in the country.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native has grown a lot in his time at Tennessee. His journey began in 2022 when he enrolled early and made an immediate impression on the coaching staff. His speed, explosiveness and playmaking ability were evident from the start, and he quickly caught attention as a rising star. However, just like the rose, Sampson’s path to success wasn’t always smooth.
One of the defining moments in Sampson’s life came in 2016 when his grandfather passed away from cancer. The loss deeply affected Sampson, at one point even debating giving up athletics entirely.
“There were people in my life outside of my original family who were there for me,” Sampson said on healing from his grandfather’s passing. “A lot of people in my summer track program helped shape me into the person I am today. They taught me what it really means to work hard and have fun.”
What went from his lowest moment ended up serving as a catalyst for his determination. He vowed to honor his grandfather’s memory by working hard and striving for excellence.
Our feature on prolific @Vol_Football RB Dylan Sampson, and how @2PAC inspired Sampson to shine light for so many others. ?? pic.twitter.com/BMAjfZmeU0— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 19, 2024
Sampson’s commitment to his craft is evident in his approach to the game. He is known for his dedication to the weight room, his meticulous preparation and his relentless pursuit of perfection. His coaches and teammates rave about his work ethic and his leadership qualities.
On the field, Sampson is a force to be reckoned with. He possesses a rare combination of speed, power and agility that allows him to make defenders miss and break long runs. His ability to find a crease in the defense and burst through the line of scrimmage is a sight to behold.
After delivering a memorable performance against Alabama, Sampson’s head coach had high praise for his RB1’s efforts against the Crimson Tide.
(The performance) epitomizes him as a competitor. He’s special. He can feel the ability to run, get out in space and get behind his pads… (we) gave him an opportunity to get started and create some plays. Resiliency from him too, he gets banged up a little bit and fumbles early but comes back and keeps competing. Huge part of the game tonight.
Josh Heupel
Through only seven games this season, he has accumulated 838 yards and amassed 17 rushing touchdowns — one shy of the single-season program record for rushing scores set by Gene McEver in 1929. On the Tennessee career charts, Sampson currently sits fourth all time in rushing touchdowns at 30, chasing McEver again who totaled 37 in his time on Rocky Top from 1928-31.
The 2024 season has been a year of dominance for Sampson. He has consistently produced at a high level and established himself as one of the best running backs in the country. Sampson’s ability to make plays in both the running and passing game has made him a valuable asset to this Tennessee offense.
“He’s always had great vision and great pace,” Heupel said of Sampson’s development. “Obviously, he has good long speed and he’s really good between tackles. I think his growth of continuing to understand what we’re doing and physical development, just his strength in the middle of the football field, he’s really strong in between the tackles. He continues to make a bunch of plays for us and finish the game in the right way, which is huge.”
Before his arrival at Tennessee, Sampson made a name for himself as a standout running back at Dutchtown High School in Louisiana. Thanks to his speed and agility, Sampson shattered school records and earned all-state honors. His performances on the football field caught the attention of college coaches across the country, and he ultimately decided to commit to the Volunteers.
The transition from high school to college football can be challenging for even the most talented players. Sampson faced his own set of obstacles as he adjusted to the increased speed and physicality of the game. However, his natural ability and work ethic allowed him to quickly adapt.
In his freshman season, Sampson saw limited playing time but made the most of his opportunities. He showcased his ability to make defenders miss, and he finished the season with several impressive performances.
Sampson’s sophomore season was a real breakout year. He established himself as a key contributor to the Tennessee offense, and he became a fan favorite with his electrifying runs and touchdown celebrations. Sampson’s ability to break tackles and find the end zone made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
While Sampson’s on-field accomplishments are impressive, it’s his character and his commitment to making a difference that truly set him apart. He is a dedicated student, a passionate community advocate and a role model for young athletes.
Sampson is deeply involved in the community. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, and he uses his platform to raise awareness about important issues. Sampson believes that athletes have a responsibility to give back and make a positive impact on society.
I want to continue to be a successful football player and give back to the community. I also want to be a role model for young people. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given and I want to use my platform to make a positive impact on the world.
Dylan Sampson
Sampson’s story is one of inspiration and perseverance. He has exceeded all expectations and emerged as a national star. But what truly makes him special is his character, his determination and his commitment to making a difference.
November 5, 2024 Election: Statistics at the End of Early Voting in Knox County
Knoxville (WOKI / Knox County Election Commission) – Thursday, October 31st marked the end (fourteen days) of early voting for the November 5, 2024 Presidential and Federal/State General Election.
A total of 163,303 early votes have been cast in Knox County, with an additional 7,503 votes cast by absentee ballot and in nursing homes.
There are 336,151 registered voters (318,311 active; 17,840 inactive) in Knox County as of October 23, 2024.
COMPARISON TO PRIOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AT CONCLUSION OF EARLY VOTING
November 2024:
- 163,303 early votes cast
- 7,503 absentee & nursing home votes cast (thus far)
- TBD Election Day votes cast
- TBD TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2024 election
November 2020:
- 153,197 early votes cast
- 21,241 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 47,950 Election Day votes cast
- 222,028 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2020 election
November 2016:
- 135,760 early votes cast
- 6,194 absentee & nursing home votes cast
- 42,969 Election Day votes cast
- 184,923 TOTAL VOTES CAST in November 2016 election
NEW VOTERS
A total of 23,415 first-time Knox County voters cast a ballot in early voting.
CITY OF KNOXVILLE VOTERS VS. KNOX COUNTY VOTERS
- City of Knoxville voters 50,373
- Non-City of Knoxville voters 120,433
AGE INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 64,173
- Age 30 to 44 90,364
- Age 45 to 54 50,570
- Age 55 + 131,044
VOTES CAST BY AGE
- Age 18 to 29 22,120
- Age 30 to 44 35,004
- Age 45 to 54 26,508
- Age 55 + 87,174
GENDER INFORMATION
REGISTERED VOTERS BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 140,524
- Female 165,942
- Unknown 29,685
EARLY VOTES CAST BY GENDER**
** Not all voter’s genders are known, as the federal voter registration form does not ask for gender.
- Male 65,627
- Female 82,873
- Unknown 22,306
VOTES CAST BY TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT
- District 14 34,151
- District 15 13,162
- District 16 26,339
- District 18 26,836
- District 19 25,326
- District 89 27,937
- District 90 17,055
VOTES CAST BY CITY OF KNOXVILLE COUNCIL DISTRICT
- District 1 6,176
- District 2 11,335
- District 3 9,152
- District 4 10,889
- District 5 7,065
- District 6 5,756
Knoxville Police Investigating Fourth Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Less Than Two Weeks
A 20-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash that happened on Western Avenue Thursday night.
At around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to Western Avenue at Sullivan Road, where a motorcycle had struck a pickup truck. The motorcycle driver was transported from the scene to the UT Medical Center in critical condition but was pronounced dead a short time later.
It is believed that the motorcycle was driving west on Western Avenue at extremely high speeds when it collided with the pickup truck, which was turning from Sullivan Road onto Western Avenue.
The crash remains under active investigation by KPD crash reconstruction personnel.
Thursday’s crash marks the fourth fatal motorcycle crash in Knoxville city limits since October 22, when a 53-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash on Middlebrook Pike. A 55-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on W. Martin Mill Pike on October 28, while a 51-year-old man passed away on Wednesday night after being involved in a motorcycle crash at Washington Pike and Greenway Drive on October 27.
The Knoxville Police Department reminds motorists to always drive carefully, responsibly and safely. Slow down, pay careful attention at all times while driving, obey all traffic signals and laws, and buckle up.
Townsend Restaurant Destroyed by Fire
Fire Crews on the scene of a fire at the Trailhead Steak and Trout House in Townsend in the 7800 block of East Lamar Alexander Parkway.
The building fully engulfed in flames at 5:30 this (Friday) morning but fire fighters have most of the fire out but embers remain so Crews are remaining on the scene to continue monitoring the scene.
The building appears to be a total loss, parts of the building are burned to the ground. Authorities are asking you to avoid this area as emergency crews are still on the scene.
Lady Vols Soar Past Eagles In Exhibition, 135-49
Eric TrainerWomen’s BasketballOctober 31, 2024
Box Score KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vols forced 43 turnovers on 30 steals, hit 19 three-pointers and eclipsed 30 points in every quarter en route to a 135-49 exhibition win over Carson-Newman in Kim Caldwell‘s debut as Tennessee’s head coach.
With an announced crowd of 9,613 looking on at Food City Center, the Big Orange tied for the second-highest exhibition game point total in program history. Standing first on the list is a 144-52 win over Dynamo Kiev on Nov. 5, 2000, and tonight’s output matched a 135-55 UT triumph over Carson-Newman on Nov 6, 2008. The only better production from Tennessee women’s basketball all-time came via a 136-26 regular-season blowout of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Nov. 29, 2002.
Junior guard Ruby Whitehorn was sensational in leading six Big Orange players in double figures, firing in 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting. Fifth-year guard Jewel Spear and junior forward Zee Spearman contributed 17 each, while redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper, junior forward Sara Puckett and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd chipped in 16, 14 and 13, respectively. Spear finished five of 11 beyond the arc, while Whitehorn was four of six from deep.
Cooper also led Tennessee with eight steals, while Boyd was tops in rebounds with seven and senior guard Samara Spencer dished out eight assists with no turnovers in her debut. UT finished with 26 assists on 49 buckets, committing only nine turnovers on the night.
Carson-Newman, picked to win NCAA Division II’s South Atlantic Conference, was led by Jennifer Sullivan with 15 points.
Tennessee jumped out to a 6-0 lead on back-to-back three-pointers by Whitehorn and Spear and carried a 10-5 into the first-quarter media break, as the Lady Vol defense hurried the Lady Eagles into 2-for-12 shooting during the early going. UT bounced out of the timeout huddle with spring in its step, outscoring C-N the rest of the period with a 25-3 push that included 22 straight points at one point. Whitehorn finished 5 of 7 for 13 points in the frame.
The Lady Vols extended their lead to 47-19 by the second quarter media timeout at the 4:57 mark, with the home team shooting 70 percent from the field over that span. Tennessee forced Carson-Newman into six turnovers as it stretched its margin to 28. Over the final minutes of the first half, Tennessee outscored the Lady Eagles, 17-4, to take a 64-23 lead into the intermission. Cooper and Whitehorn tallied 10 and nine points in the period, respectively, and Cooper’s five steals helped UT force 14 C-N turnovers by the end of the quarter and key a 19-0 run in that stanza as well.
Carson-Newman scored 12 points on 55.6-percent shooting by the third-quarter media break, but the Lady Vols countered with 20 of their own on 57.1 percent accuracy during that stint to push their advantage to 84-35 with 4:52 to go in the period. A 21-5 blitz the rest of the way propelled the Big Orange to a 105-40 lead to close out the third frame, with Avery Strickland’s three at the 51-second mark putting UT over the century mark with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
Tennessee continued to scorch the nets in the final frame, hitting 61.5 percent over the first six minutes to outscore the Lady Eagles, 21-9, and swell the score to 126-49 entering the 4:05 media timeout. UT tallied the final nine points of the game while holding C-N scoreless over the final four minutes to account for the final result.
Next Up: The Lady Vols meet Samford for their regular-season opener on Tuesday evening at Food City Center. The contest is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff with coverage on SECN+.
Exhibition History: UT is now 53-5 all-time in preseason exhibition games, with the only losses coming to the Soviet National Team (1979), Athletes in Action (1992) and the USA National Team (1995, 2007, 2023). In the post-Pat Summitt era, UT is 13-1 in preseason exhibition games, defeating Carson-Newman 11 times (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) and both Georgia College (2021) and Coker (2012) on one occasion each. The only loss was to the USA Women’s National Team in 2023.
First-Time In Orange & White: Transfers Ruby Whitehorn, Samara Spencer, Talaysia Cooper, Favor Ayodele and Alyssa Latham, and redshirt freshman Kaniya Boyd made their Lady Vol debuts during the exhibition contest. The six new faces combined for 84 points, 30 rebounds,17 assists and 22 steals during Tennessee’s triumph.
Ruby On A Roll: Junior Ruby Whitehorn impressed during her opening performance as a Lady Vol, totaling 29 points. The guard fired in 13 points in the first quarter, nine in the second frame, two in the third and five in the fourth. The Detroit, Michigan, native showed great touch from the arc, knocking down four out of six three-point attempts.
Dropping Thirties: Throughout tonight’s game the red-hot Lady Vols posted 30 points or more in every quarter of play. The Big Orange tallied a total of 31 points in the first quarter, 33 in the second quarter, 41 in the third quarter and 30 in the fourth to finish the game. The Lady Vols also surpassed 100 points for the 15th time in 19 exhibition games vs. the Lady Eagles.
Man Dead after Possible Pedestrian Crash on I-40, Sevierville Police Say
Sevierville, TN (WOKI) A pedestrian is dead after possibly being hit by a car Wednesday evening on I-40 East in Sevierville.
Sevierville Police Department officials say officers were called near exit 407 around 10:20 for a person lying on the side of the interstate.
When officers arrived, SPD says they found 61-year old Craig Olcott alive but not moving.
Officials say Olcott had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, or by a trailer being towed by a vehicle, adding that he died later that night at UT Medical Center.
The death is under investigation. Anyone with information is being asked to call SPD Detective Sergeant Graham Brantley at 865-868-1748.
Knoxville Woman Steals $40K in Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets from Workplace, Police Report Says
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville woman is charged for stealing between $40,000 and $50,000 in scratch-off lottery tickets from her job.
According to charging documents, 35-year-old Siearrah Truhn took and activated the lottery tickets while she was working at a convenience store on Maryville Pike.
A investigation involving the store owner and the Lottery Commission led police to the Kroger on Chapman Highway, where employees told them Truhn had redeemed several thousand dollars in scratched tickets.
Documents indicate the employees kept the tickets and reported it to the lottery commission.
Truhn was charged with theft and computer offenses.
KPD says Motorcyclist Passes Away Following Washington Pike Crash
A motorcyclist who was involved in a crash that happened on Sunday evening has died as a result of his injuries.
At around 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Washington Pike and Greenway Drive in front of the Target, where a Harley motorcycle had struck a Chevy SUV. The motorcycle driver, a 51-year-old man, was transported to the UT Medical Center with critical injuries. The victim passed away at UTMC on Wednesday night.
The investigation revealed that the Chevy SUV turned left into the path of the motorcycle, which subsequently struck the SUV. The driver was then thrown into the roadway. The light was green for both the Chevy SUV and motorcycle. Speed or alcohol were also not believed to be contributing factors.
The driver and two passengers in the Chevy sustained minor injuries in the crash. The driver has since been cited for failure to yield. No additional charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation is being led by KPD crash reconstruction personnel. Upon the completion of the investigation, the case file will be turned over to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Knox County Seeks Input on East Knox County Mobility Study
Knox County will host two public information meetings to seek community input on the East Knox Mobility Study. These meetings will help identify key transportation challenges, set priorities, and shape the final recommendations for the study.
The first public information meeting is on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carter High School. The second meeting is on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gibbs Middle School. Both meetings will discuss the same material.
The public is invited to share their comments virtually via the project website. Feedback is requested in three areas: a public survey, interactive map for transportation concerns and ideas, and an interactive map for project feedback. Each area is designed to gather specific types of information that will help guide our planning process. To participate in the online survey, visit https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility/survey.
About the Study: The East Knox County Mobility Study is a community-focused initiative designed to enhance transportation planning for the Gibbs, Corryton, Ritta, Strawberry Plains, and Mascot areas. This study will support the new Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan. The study will integrate transportation best practices and consider all modes of travel. More information on the study can be found at https://engagecdmsmith.com/east-knox-county-mobility.
Two Charged Following Organized Crime Unit Operation to Assist Alabama Shooting Investigation
This past weekend, Knoxville Police Department Organized Crime Unit detectives received information that a subject who was possibly involved in a shooting that happened in Alabama was in the Knoxville area. The subject was identified as Abdul Khalil’Llah, 26 of Anniston, Alabama. OCU detectives were able to determine that Khalil’Llah was wanted out of Georgia for failure to appear on a previous felon in possession of a weapon charge.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, OCU detectives were able to track Khalil’Llah to an AirBnB at 103 Greenbrier Drive, where he and another male were observed entering a vehicle and leaving. The vehicle was eventually stopped in a parking lot near S. Northshore Drive and Baum Drive, where Khalil’Llah and his passenger, Varrenzo Bradford, 26 of Statham, Georgia, were detained. Bradford was found to be in possession of a Glock handgun, methamphetamine, and cocaine. In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Bradford was also a convicted felon.
Detectives then obtained a search warrant for the home at 103 Greenbrier Drive, which was executed later that day. When the search warrant was executed, a man and woman were found in the home and detained. Neither were charged.
During the search, detectives located two additional firearms and a drum magazine. Khalil’Llah was charged with fugitive from justice for the outstanding warrant out of Georgia. Bradford was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony. OCU detectives were assisted throughout the day by agents with the A.T.F.
On Tuesday, investigators from Alabama came to Knoxville, where OCU detectives and A.T.F. agents assisted in follow-up investigation and interviews.
Additional charges are pending from the stop and search warrant on Monday, while the investigation into the shooting in Alabama is continuing.
Tennessee’s Next One Up Has Blossomed Into Its Biggest Star
Whenever Dylan Sampson greets fans during the Vol Walk or goes through pregame warmups, he can always be seen donning his signature chain. The neckwear features his initials, jersey number and a small, red rose pendant. The rose is an homage to Tupac Shakur’s famous poem, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete,” which reads as follows.
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s laws wrong,
It learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
Sampson says he keeps the chain as a reminder that even when life isn’t perfect, to keep growing and blooming no matter the circumstances. After two seasons forming an elite trio in Tennessee’s running back room, Sampson has taken the reins as the starting back in 2024 and blossomed into one of the top offensive players in the country.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native has grown a lot in his time at Tennessee. His journey began in 2022 when he enrolled early and made an immediate impression on the coaching staff. His speed, explosiveness and playmaking ability were evident from the start, and he quickly caught attention as a rising star. However, just like the rose, Sampson’s path to success wasn’t always smooth.
One of the defining moments in Sampson’s life came in 2016 when his grandfather passed away from cancer. The loss deeply affected Sampson, at one point even debating giving up athletics entirely.
“There were people in my life outside of my original family who were there for me,” Sampson said on healing from his grandfather’s passing. “A lot of people in my summer track program helped shape me into the person I am today. They taught me what it really means to work hard and have fun.”
What went from his lowest moment ended up serving as a catalyst for his determination. He vowed to honor his grandfather’s memory by working hard and striving for excellence.
Our feature on prolific @Vol_Football RB Dylan Sampson, and how @2PAC inspired Sampson to shine light for so many others. ?? pic.twitter.com/BMAjfZmeU0— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 19, 2024
Sampson’s commitment to his craft is evident in his approach to the game. He is known for his dedication to the weight room, his meticulous preparation and his relentless pursuit of perfection. His coaches and teammates rave about his work ethic and his leadership qualities.
On the field, Sampson is a force to be reckoned with. He possesses a rare combination of speed, power and agility that allows him to make defenders miss and break long runs. His ability to find a crease in the defense and burst through the line of scrimmage is a sight to behold.
After delivering a memorable performance against Alabama, Sampson’s head coach had high praise for his RB1’s efforts against the Crimson Tide.
(The performance) epitomizes him as a competitor. He’s special. He can feel the ability to run, get out in space and get behind his pads… (we) gave him an opportunity to get started and create some plays. Resiliency from him too, he gets banged up a little bit and fumbles early but comes back and keeps competing. Huge part of the game tonight.
Josh Heupel
Through only seven games this season, he has accumulated 838 yards and amassed 17 rushing touchdowns — one shy of the single-season program record for rushing scores set by Gene McEver in 1929. On the Tennessee career charts, Sampson currently sits fourth all time in rushing touchdowns at 30, chasing McEver again who totaled 37 in his time on Rocky Top from 1928-31.
The 2024 season has been a year of dominance for Sampson. He has consistently produced at a high level and established himself as one of the best running backs in the country. Sampson’s ability to make plays in both the running and passing game has made him a valuable asset to this Tennessee offense.
“He’s always had great vision and great pace,” Heupel said of Sampson’s development. “Obviously, he has good long speed and he’s really good between tackles. I think his growth of continuing to understand what we’re doing and physical development, just his strength in the middle of the football field, he’s really strong in between the tackles. He continues to make a bunch of plays for us and finish the game in the right way, which is huge.”
Before his arrival at Tennessee, Sampson made a name for himself as a standout running back at Dutchtown High School in Louisiana. Thanks to his speed and agility, Sampson shattered school records and earned all-state honors. His performances on the football field caught the attention of college coaches across the country, and he ultimately decided to commit to the Volunteers.
The transition from high school to college football can be challenging for even the most talented players. Sampson faced his own set of obstacles as he adjusted to the increased speed and physicality of the game. However, his natural ability and work ethic allowed him to quickly adapt.
In his freshman season, Sampson saw limited playing time but made the most of his opportunities. He showcased his ability to make defenders miss, and he finished the season with several impressive performances.
Sampson’s sophomore season was a real breakout year. He established himself as a key contributor to the Tennessee offense, and he became a fan favorite with his electrifying runs and touchdown celebrations. Sampson’s ability to break tackles and find the end zone made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
While Sampson’s on-field accomplishments are impressive, it’s his character and his commitment to making a difference that truly set him apart. He is a dedicated student, a passionate community advocate and a role model for young athletes.
Sampson is deeply involved in the community. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, and he uses his platform to raise awareness about important issues. Sampson believes that athletes have a responsibility to give back and make a positive impact on society.
I want to continue to be a successful football player and give back to the community. I also want to be a role model for young people. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given and I want to use my platform to make a positive impact on the world.
Dylan Sampson
Sampson’s story is one of inspiration and perseverance. He has exceeded all expectations and emerged as a national star. But what truly makes him special is his character, his determination and his commitment to making a difference.
