Three Vols Named to Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Three Vols Named to Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List

April 4, 2025

CARY, N.C. – Tennessee had three players tabbed to the midseason watch list for 2025 Golden Spikes Award as announced by USA Baseball on Thursday afternoon.

Gavin Kilen, Liam Doyle and Marcus Phillips were the three Vols named to the midseason watch list for the most prestigious award in amateur baseball. UT’s three selections are tied for the most of any program with Florida State and Wake Forest, while the Southeastern Conference’s 14 players were the most of any league.

The full midseason watch list can be seen HERE.

At the halfway point of the regular season, Kilen leads Tennessee with a .425 batting average, .546 on-base percentage, .973 slugging percentage, 1.519 OPS, three triples and 71 total bases. The junior infielder also ranks second on the team with 10 home runs and third with 32 runs scored despite missing the majority of the last two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Doyle has been one of the most electric arms in the country so far this season, leading the NCAA with 73 strikeouts and 17.92 strikeouts per nine innings. The junior lefthander is 4-1 on the year with a 2.95 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 36.2 innings of work as the Vols’ game one starter.

Phillips has been equally as impressive on the mound as UT’s game two starter, leading the SEC with a 2.02 ERA over seven starts and 35.2 innings pitched. The junior righthander is 2-0 with a 0.93 WHIP and 42 strikeouts compared to just nine walks on the year.

Fan voting will again play a part in the Golden Spikes Award in 2025. Following the semifinalist announcement on May 18, baseball fans can vote for their favorite players on GoldenSpikesAward.com to help determine the finalists and winner. The 2025 Golden Spikes Award winner will be announced in late June in conjunction with the end of the amateur baseball season.

To stay up to date on the 2025 Golden Spikes Award, visit GoldenSpikesAward.com and follow @USAGoldenSpikes on Instagram and Twitter/X.
 

Multiple Vols Earn Midseason Honors

Head Coach Tony Vitello was tabbed the Perfect Game Midseason Coach of the Year on Wednesday while Tennessee was selected as the Perfect Game Midseason Team of the Year, as well.

The Vols also had six different players garner midseason All-America acclaim from either D1Baseball.com or Perfect Game.
– DH Levi Clark (Freshman 1st Team – Perfect Game)
– LHP Liam Doyle (1st Team – D1Baseball & Perfect Game)
– 1B Andrew Fischer (2nd Team – D1Baseball & Perfect Game)
– 2B Gavin Kilen (1st Team – D1Baseball & Perfect Game)
– RHP Marcus Phillips (1st Team – Perfect Game)
– RHP Nate Snead (3rd Team – Perfect Game)

Neighbors Concerned about Development Which Could Bring 1,000 New Homes to Sevierville
WVLT

Neighbors Concerned about Development Which Could Bring 1,000 New Homes to Sevierville

April 4, 2025

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT WOKI) – Neighbors along Red Bank Road in Sevierville are expressing their concern about a new development that would bring roughly a thousand homes to the area.

“It’s the sheer number is the problem,“ Weston underwood said. ”Not against development and growing, but at this capacity it just it can’t handle it.”

Underwood grew up in the adjacent neighborhood, Red Bank Circle, and has now moved back home. He says he knows personally that this area cannot handle a thousand new homes, people and cars.

“It’s not just Red Bank that’s affected, it’s anyone that’s going to travel on Hwy. 416 because, I mean you’re adding 1,000 to 3,000 people and cars to the road,” Underwood said.

The proposal as it stands would put those homes into a 200 acre plot of land. That land would also hold commercial zoning.

The planning commission held a public forum with the community to discuss their concerns with the subdivision.

“We’re here doing a little fact finding ourselves. We need to see what questions that we can ask. This is about transparency, we want this community involvement,” Planning Commission Chairman Vincent Snider said.

The community made sure to get involved, packing the Sevierville Civic Center. Dozens of neighbors coming out to speak their mind.

“We want to address this in a responsible manner to meet a need in a way that works well in the city and community,” Snider said.

The room was packed 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. Neighbors took turns discussing different issues such as the lack of entry points into the community, which currently has only two.

Other points brought up were developers that are not from the area, how the area is not zoned for residential, but the main issue was traffic.

Neighbors say traffic is already a problem, now they’re worried about more coming in.

“There’s a lot of development other than this that has happened to us and you know obviously tourists are aware of this road now and that’s fine. It’s just you know like I said, if there’s this many people on the road, if there’s an emergency not only getting in, but what if we need to get out?” Underwood said.

Snider saying answering questions like that is what this forum is made for.

“A preliminary traffic study has been done we’re going to look into that see how detailed it is, see if we need more details. The road construction will need to be addressed, that would be something that is done by the developer,” Snider said.

Snider says they are trying to learn as much as possible before a vote takes place.

“This is just an initial presentation tonight, allow us to have some conversation, hear from the community, what their concerns are. Then it will come back before the planning commission, we will either approve or deny it. If it were approved it will then go to the mayor and aldermen and their will be three readings there before it is approved,” Snider said.

Story courtesy of our news partner WVLT

Five People Confirmed Dead in Severe Storms in Tennessee

Five People Confirmed Dead in Severe Storms in Tennessee

April 4, 2025

Officials confirm at least five people have died in severe storms that moved through Middle and West Tennessee.

The weather-related deaths were reported in the following areas:

One in McNairy County

One in Obion County

One in Hardeman County

Two in Fayette County

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office say a 48-year-old man and his 16 year-old daughter were found dead at home in Moscow and the 46-year-old mother was taken to the hospital in critical condition, she was trapped underneath their home. Two other family members were taken to the hospital in stable condition.

18 Year-Old Wanted on Attempted First-Degree Murder Charges is Arrested Thanks to Tip to Crime Stoppers

18 Year-Old Wanted on Attempted First-Degree Murder Charges is Arrested Thanks to Tip to Crime Stoppers

April 4, 2025

Acting on a tip submitted through East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers, members of the Knoxville Police Department’s Community Engagement Response Team took wanted Michael Thomas into custody on Thursday evening. 

Thomas, 18, was wanted for attempted first-degree murder stemming from a drive-by shooting that wounded a 41-year-old man in the 3700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue on October 13, 2024. Thomas was identified as the suspect from that shooting following exhaustive investigative efforts led by the KPD Homicide Unit. 

Thomas was located on Thursday evening at a home on Lilac Avenue. He attempted to run from officers, discarding a backpack in the process, but was quickly apprehended. 

Officers found a large amount of narcotics in the bag that Thomas tossed away, including almost 70 grams of cocaine and over six grams of crack cocaine. Officers also recovered drug paraphernalia and over $800 in cash from suspected drug transactions. 

In addition to the outstanding attempted murder warrant, Thomas was also charged with multiple drug offenses and evading arrest. 

Motorcyclist Dies in Head-On Crash in Jefferson County

Motorcyclist Dies in Head-On Crash in Jefferson County

April 3, 2025

Jefferson County, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash Wednesday in Jefferson County that involved a motorcycle.

Troopers were called to the crash on U.S. Highway 25/70 near Betty Lou Drive just after 3:00 p.m. and found that the driver of a 2005 Kawsaki motorcycle had attempted to pass a car on the highway when it hit a car traveling in the opposite direction head-on, causing the car behind the motorcycle to crash as well.

THP officials say the driver of the motorcycle, 35-year-old Jeremy Arangio, was killed and two others were taken to a local hospital with injuries.

THP reports Arangio was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

THP said that three vehicles were involved in the crash. (Courtesy: THP)
Part of Smokies Hit Hardest by Helene Set to Reopen, Park Says

Part of Smokies Hit Hardest by Helene Set to Reopen, Park Says

April 3, 2025

Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) Parts of Cataloochee Valley, the hardest-hit area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, are set to reopen, months after Hurricane Helene’s storms.

Helene brought damage and death to many parts of East Tennessee, including the national park.

Park officials say portions of the valley will reopen Friday, April 4 at noon for the first time since September of 2024.

According to the park, the following work has been done to reopen the valley:

  • Re-graveled sections of Cataloochee Entrance Road, Cataloochee Creek Road, parking areas near Palmer House and Cataloochee Group Camp Road.
  • Completed emergency stabilization of Hiram Caldwell Barn.
  • Addressed many downed and hazard trees around roads, campgrounds and buildings throughout the valley.
  • Assessed trail conditions across 60 miles of trails and completed some trail restoration.
  • Addressed significant erosion around Caldwell Barn and restrooms and Beech Grove School.

In addition, the park says the following roads are set to reopen:

  • Cataloochee Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School.
  • Cataloochee Creek Road to the Old Cataloochee Entrance Road Bridge
  • Old Highway 284. Visitors will be able to drive Cataloochee Valley Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School.

Regarding trail conditions, the park says most trails in Cataloochee Valley are open, but hikers should exercise extra caution as there are still downed trees, rutted or damaged sections of trail, exposed tree root balls, and landslides. Hikers should also plan for stream crossings on trails—most foot logs in Cataloochee Valley were lost during Hurricane Helene and have not been replaced. Several Cataloochee trails are closed to horses due to unstable trail surfaces and tree debris.

As for camping and picnic areas, officials say the campground, group campground, and horse camp in Cataloochee are all currently closed. The park will open additional campgrounds if operational capacity allows.

Although parts of the valley are reopening, park officials warn visitors to be extra cautious as there are still plenty of downed trees and other hazards in the area.

Helene brought damage and death to many parts of East Tennessee, including the national park. (Courtesy: GSMNP)
Knoxville Man Pulls Gun on Drivers During Cedar Bluff Middle Dismissal, Police Say

Knoxville Man Pulls Gun on Drivers During Cedar Bluff Middle Dismissal, Police Say

April 3, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man is facing charges after pulling a gun on drivers Tuesday during dismissal for students at Cedar Bluff Middle School.

According to charging documents, the incident happened around 3:30 p.m. when 24-year-old Isaiah Renfroe became upset at a woman pulling out of the school.

Police say Renfroe got so upset that he pulled a handgun out of his backpack and pointed it at the car, waving it around.

Renfroe also reportedly threatened another driver with the gun before leaving the area; he was found nearby in possession of the gun and nine grams of marijuana on his person.

He was charged with aggravated assault, possession and reckless endangerment. The report claimed he put “the students of cedar bluff middle school in imminent danger.”

The incident happened around 3:30 p.m., police said, when 24-year-old Isaiah Renfroe became upset at a woman pulling out of the school. (Courtesy: Knoxville Police Department)
President Trump Approves Tennessee’s Emergency Declaration Amid Severe Weather Event
WVLT

President Trump Approves Tennessee’s Emergency Declaration Amid Severe Weather Event

April 3, 2025

Nashville, TN (WOKI) President Trump Thursday approved Governor Bill Lee’s request for an Emergency Declaration after severe weather rocked portions of the Volunteer State Wednesday.

The approval directs FEMA to provide disaster assistance for Tennesseans after many areas were affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding Wednesday with the potential for more of the same into the weekend.

The assistance will be provided to all 95 Tennessee counties.

“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, under the public assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding.”

A State of Emergency remains in effect for Tennessee; all Tennesseans are encouraged to be prepared for severe weather through Saturday afternoon.

The assistance will be provided to all 95 Tennessee counties. (Courtesy: WVLT / WSMV)
TEMA Confirms Three Storm-Related Deaths in the Volunteer State
WVLT

TEMA Confirms Three Storm-Related Deaths in the Volunteer State

April 3, 2025

Officials confirm at least three people have died in severe storms that moved through the Volunteer State.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) first confirmed one weather-related death in McNairy County, then confirmed another in Obion County.

One death reported in McNairy County
The third weather-related fatality was reported in Fayette County after a tornado struck a home in the Moscow area.

Storms are still moving through the Midstate and other parts of West Tennessee.

The National Weather Service said multiple tornadoes moved through the Selmer area of McNairy County.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Issues State of Emergency as Severe Weather Hits Parts of the State
Robin Joffe

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Issues State of Emergency as Severe Weather Hits Parts of the State

April 3, 2025

Governor Bill Lee issues a State of Emergency as severe storms are expected the next few days in parts of the state. This storm system is expected to hit the West and Middle Tennessee parts of the state and are expected to last through Saturday.

  • The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville remains activated at a Level 3 – State of Emergency status to support local response and requests amid severe weather and heavy rainfall, and to continue Tropical Storm Helene recovery. 
  • Governor Bill Lee requested an Emergency Declaration for Tennessee on April 2, 2025. The request includes federal assistance in the form of FEMA Public Assistance Category A (Debris Removal), Category B (Emergency Protective Measures), and Direct Federal Assistance.
  • The National Weather Service continues to issue Tornado Warnings and Flash Flood Warnings in West and Middle Tennessee. We encourage Tennesseans to continue to monitor weather conditions and follow guidance from local officials.
  • Emergency Services Coordinators (ESCs) representing state departments and partner agencies are monitoring the situation and standing by to aid local jurisdictions.
  • Many roadways have been impacted by debris in West Tennessee. Before going out, visit TDOT’s SmartWay website.

CURRENT SITUATION

Several rounds of significant severe weather impacted West and Middle Tennessee April 2-3, 2025. At this time, West and Middle Tennessee continue to experience severe weather with several counties reporting impacts. Major damage has been reported in Fayette, Hardeman, and McNairy counties. 

TEMA personnel have deployed at the request of counties and are coordinating with local officials to support response efforts. There are several reports of downed trees on roadways.  Please check the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) SmartWay website for closures or other impacts. 

Severe weather is expected to resume this afternoon (April 3) and will continue through the night for the western and middle regions. In addition, rainfall totals through Sunday are forecast to be up to 15 inches for much of West Tennessee, with some areas possibly receiving more.

 POWER OUTAGES & UTILITIES

As of 4 a.m. CDT, there were more than 15,400 power outages reported across the state.  That number includes more than 6,200 reported outages in Shelby County, 2,500 in Montgomery County, and 1,600 in Robertson County.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

  • The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed two weather-related fatalities.
    • One in McNairy County
    • One in Obion County

 TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL (THP)

  • THP is providing assistance with law enforcement responsibilities.
  • A THP Strike Team deployed to McNairy County to support local officials.

 TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (TDOT)

  • Crews are working to clear reported debris on several roadways in West Tennessee.
  • Please give TDOT and highway department vehicles space to operate.
  • Several roads may have debris or flooding impacts. Check road conditions on TDOT’s Smartway map.

PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES

  • Do not enter damaged buildings or hazardous locations.
  • Do not drive through flooded roadways and walkways.
  • If there is a Flood or Flash Flood Warning issued, move to higher ground immediately.
  • Have multiple ways to receive alerts. Test your weather radio to make sure it is functioning properly.
  • If your house or property sustained damage, and it is safe to do so, take pictures before cleanup efforts and
    contact your insurance company. Complaint line for insurance: (615) 741-2218 or 1-800-342-4029.
  • Contact your local emergency management agency if you need immediate assistance.

FORECAST

Memphis: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 8am and 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 3pm. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 75. East northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Jackson: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 2pm and 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 75. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Nashville: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. High near 76. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Knoxville: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a slight chance of showers after 5pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Chattanooga: Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

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