TDOT Awards More Alternative Delivery Projects for Bridge Repairs

TDOT Awards More Alternative Delivery Projects for Bridge Repairs

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) awarded two Alternative Delivery contracts for rebuilding three East Tennessee bridges that were destroyed in September by Hurricane Helene.

Following a successful Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) negotiation, TDOT awarded the construction phase of a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) contract to Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. of Brentwood, Tennessee for the rebuilding of the SR-81 bridge in Washington County and the SR-107 bridge in Greene County. The total cost for this contract is $56,546,444.33. The construction of these bridges is on an expedited schedule, and both bridges are expected to be open before the end of June.

In addition, a Design-Build (DB) contract for the reconstruction of the SR-353 bridge in Washington County has been awarded to Summers-Taylor, Inc. of Johnson City, Tennessee. The total cost for this contract is $20,970,200.00.  This bridge is expected to be open before the end of May 2026.

Replacement of the SR-81, SR-107, and SR-353 bridges over the Nolichucky River is critical to Greene and Washington County residents, as they provide connectivity between the Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin communities.

Made possible by the Transportation Modernization Act (TMA), the Progressive Design-Build approach is a project delivery method that involves a Design-Build team early in the project’s lifecycle. This method allows the design and construction phases to overlap, facilitating continuous collaboration among the owner, designers, and builders. This approach can lead to faster project completion.  

Design-Build is a project delivery method that combines all or some portions of the design and construction phases of a project – including design, right-of-way acquisition, regulatory permit approvals, utility relocation, and construction – into a single contract. TDOT is utilizing the Design-Build concept to expedite project delivery and streamline design processes.

Federal reimbursement for the $510 million cost to repair damages has been appropriated. TDOT has received $102 million.

To learn more about Helene Recovery efforts, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/hurricane-helene-recovery.html.

Tennessee Department of Human Services Announces New Proposed Investment in Summer Food Service Program to Reach Families in Underserved Counties
Robin Joffe

Tennessee Department of Human Services Announces New Proposed Investment in Summer Food Service Program to Reach Families in Underserved Counties

NASHVILLE– The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has announced the Lee Administration’s new proposed investment of $3 million to reach families in need on Friday. If approved by the Tennessee General Assembly, the department will provide a $120 one-time payment to eligible children in SNAP and TANF households in underserved or unserved counties identified by the Summer Food Service Program.

“With this innovative step, we will go even further to provide food security to Tennessee children,” said TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter. “This approach will deliver a fiscally responsible strategy to reach families in underserved communities in the summer months.”

The program will use existing EBT cards to provide the one-time payment to families.

The $3 million investment to bolster the Summer Food Service Program will be included in Governor Lee’s FY25-26 budget amendment. Additional information will be shared in the coming months regarding distribution dates and other program details.

The following will be eligible for this addition to the summer food program:

  • Families First or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households with at least one (1) school-aged child between the ages of five (5) and eighteen (18)
  • Residing in one of the Tennessee counties identified as unserved or underserved by the Summer Food Service Program:

    Unserved CountiesHouston, Humphreys, Marshall, Moore, Sequatchie, & SumnerUnderserved CountiesBenton, Carroll, Carter, Cocke, Fayette, Grainger, Johnson, Lauderdale, & Rhea
      

Background on Tennessee’s existing food assistance programs:

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) offers a number of vital food assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

  • The Summer Food Service Program, which the Lee Administration has proposed to bolster with the new $3 million investment, recently expanded to include rural non-congregate meal sites to ensure that all families, regardless of their circumstances, have access to nutritious food. Last year, the department approved over 1,350 SFSP meal sites across the state and served approximately 3.4 million meals to children. For more information, please visit the Summer Food Service Program website.
  • The Tennessee Department of Education, a key partner with the Tennessee Department of Human Services, also administers the Seamless Summer Feeding Option program that allows School Food Authorities (SFAs) to provide free meals to qualified low-income areas during traditional summer vacation or with state agency approval on balanced calendar breaks greater than ten days.  For more information on this program, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/education/districts/snp-resources/snp-programs.html.
  • Additionally, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continues to provide crucial support to children and families throughout the state, ensuring that no one is left without access to essential food resources. The SNAP program serves over 300,000 children and continues to be an essential program to provide needed food benefits to children and families in Tennessee. For more information on the SNAP program, please visit the TDHS website.

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (TDHS)

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) consists of multiple divisions with a unified mission to strengthen Tennessee by strengthening Tennesseans. Led by governor-appointed Commissioner Clarence H. Carter, TDHS serves nearly two million Tennesseans to ensure that all state residents have an opportunity to reach their full potential as contributing members of their community. Among the many services and programs provided by TDHS, some of the leading programs include the Child Support Program, Child and Adult Day Services and Licensing, Families First (the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Rehabilitation Services for people with disabilities, and Adult Protective Services, along with many others. TDHS is an organization committed to connecting people to resources that help individuals, families and communities thrive towards long-term economic freedom and prosperity. For more information, please visit: Tennessee Department of Human Services.

#5/4 Vols Rally From 16 Down to Beat Vanderbilt, 81-76
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#5/4 Vols Rally From 16 Down to Beat Vanderbilt, 81-76

Game Recap: Men’s Basketball | February 15, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team defeated Vanderbilt, 81-76, Saturday afternoon at a sold-out Food City Center, storming back from a 16-point deficit in the last minute of the opening half and a 13-point margin at the break.

Senior guard Zakai Zeigler, who entered the top five on the SEC’s career assists leaderboard in the victory, had a season-high 22 points, all in the second half, and a game-best eight assists for No. 5/4 Tennessee (21-5, 8-5 SEC) at a sold-out Food City Center.

Vanderbilt (17-8, 5-7 SEC) scored the opening six points in the first 55 seconds and, behind a 7-of-9 field-goal ledger that included making all three of its 3-point attempts, built an 18-11 advantage through five minutes. It pushed the mark to 11-of-19 overall, with a 5-of-8 long-range mark, and went on an 8-0 run in 75 seconds to take a 13-point edge, 30-17, with 8:26 on the first-half timer.

The Commodores extended their margin to a game-high 16 points, 38-22, with 14:24 left in the half. It remained 16 with under one minute to go in the stanza, before the Volunteers scored five of the final seven points to make it 44-31 at the intermission.

Tennessee shot 46.2 percent (12-of-26) from the floor, with a 40.0 percent (4-of-10) count beyond the arc, through 20 minutes, but conceded 54.8 percent (17-of-31) and 50.0 percent (6-of-12) respective figures at the other end. The home team also got outscored, 7-0, in second-chance points.

The Volunteers twice cut the deficit to nine in the first four minutes of the second half, but both times Vanderbilt junior Tyler Nickel answered with a 3-pointer. Following the second one, though, Tennessee went on a 9-0 run in 3:16 to get the lead down to three, 50-47, with 12:30 to go. After Vanderbilt snapped a scoreless drought of 4:04, Zeigler drilled a 3-pointer to make it a two-point game, 52-50, with 11:39 left and push the run to 12-2 in 4:10.

Shortly thereafter, Zeigler hit another 3-pointer to level the score at 55 with 9:41 remaining. Tennessee then took its first lead, 57-55 with 8:57 to go, on a layup by fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier to cap a 7-0 run in 1:33.

Vanderbilt regained the edge, 59-58, with 7:07 to play, but Tennessee scored nine of the next 13 points to go up by four, 67-63, on a Lanier 3-pointer 2:08 later.  Vanderbilt evened the score at 67 with 3:55 to play and went in front, 70-69, on a 3-pointer by junior Jason Edwards with 3:10 on the clock.

Zeigler hit two free throws 13 ticks later to put Tennessee back ahead and then, after a defensive stop, hit Jahmai Mashack for a corner 3-pointer that made it 74-70 with 2:27 left. Fellow senior guard Jordan Gainey gave the Volunteers a game-best six-point advantage on a layup just 59 seconds after that, but Edwards responded with a 3-pointer at the other end, slicing the margin to 76-73 with 1:20 to go.

Zeigler then put up two points from the line, but Edwards connected on another 3-pointer to make it 78-76 with 45 ticks remaining. Zeigler once again responded, this time with a layup to double the lead with 19 seconds to play. The Volunteers got a stop at the other end and Lanier added a free throw with 7.6 ticks on timer to seal the win.

Tennessee went 7-of-7 from the field and 7-of-10 at the line over the final seven minutes, with Zeigler posting 3-of-3 and 4-of-4 respective tallies of his own. In total, the Long Island, N.Y., native shot 7-of-9 from the floor, 3-of-4 beyond the arc and 5-of-6 at the stripe in the second half to become the first Volunteer with 20-plus points after the break since Dalton Knecht on March 9, 2024.

Lanier finished with 21 points, his 10th time reaching that number in 2024-25, on 9-of-16 shooting and pulled down a season-high eight rebounds. Senior forward Igor Miličić Jr., added 10 points in the victory, while Mashack had nine on 3-of-4 shooting to go along with six rebounds.

Edwards led all scorers with 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including a 6-of-10 ledger from beyond the arc to give him the most made 3-pointers by a Tennessee foe this season. Sophomore Jaylen Carey had 18 points and a team-best seven rebounds. He shot 5-of-6 from the floor, making his lone 3-pointer, and 7-of-9 from the line before fouling out. Nickel and graduate Chris Mañon each had nine points, the latter notching all his before the break.

Tennessee’s victory marked its first time winning after trailing by 15-plus since March 3, 2020, when it defeated sixth-ranked Kentucky, 81-73, in Lexington, Ky., after facing a 17-point first-half deficit. That was also the last time the Volunteers won after trailing by double digits at the break, as it rallied back from an 11-point margin through 20 minutes.

The two sides combined for just 11 turnovers in the contest, with Tennessee committing just five and forcing six. The victors, who had 17 assists, shot 65.4 percent (17-of-26) in the second half to conclude the afternoon with a 55.8 percent (29-of-52) ledger.

The Volunteers have a midweek bye before returning to action Feb. 22 at No. 8/9 Texas A&M, live on ESPN at noon ET from Reed Arena in Bryan-College Station, Texas.

To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS POSTGAME NOTES
• The Volunteers, who registered their 19th sellout in the last three years (2022-25) and sixth of 2024-25, are now 36-15 all-time in Food City Center sellouts, including 35-13 since the 2007-08 capacity reduction and 25-7 in head coach Rick Barnes‘ 10-year tenure.
• Tennessee improved to 94-34 all-time when playing in front of 20,000-plus fans at Food City Center, including 35-10 under Barnes, with 30 of the latter 45 over the past four seasons (2021-25).
• Saturday’s crowd of 21,678 marked the 10th time in 2024-25, all in the Volunteers’ past 11 outings, over 19,000 fans have been in attendance at Food City Center.
• The Volunteers improved to 132-77 all-time against Vanderbilt, with the 132 wins their most over any opponent, 32 greater than its count versus Georgia (100).
• Since Food City Center opened in 1987-88, Tennessee is 29-9 at home against the Commodores, including 16-4 in the last 20 affairs.
• The Volunteers now possess eight straight home wins over Vanderbilt, by an average of 12.4 points per game.
• Tennessee is now 14-2 in its last 16 matchups versus the Commodores—dating to Jan. 9, 2018—with the only two setbacks on the road by one point.
• Ranked Tennessee teams now own a 24-9 all-time record versus unranked Vanderbilt squads, including a 16-3 tally—all three losses are by a single point—since Feb. 3, 2001.
• Saturday marked the 14th time in the last 16 series meetings—since Jan. 9, 2018—Tennessee was ranked for its matchup with Vanderbilt and the Commodores were not, including the ninth time in that stretch—sixth in a row—the Volunteers were in the top 10.
• Barnes moved to 16-5 against the Commodores during his tenure with the Volunteers, including 15-3 after his first year (2015-16).
• Mark Byington is the fourth different Vanderbilt head coach whom Barnes has defeated during his 10 seasons (2015-25) at Tennessee.
• Barnes has led Tennessee to a 35-7 (.833) record against in-state competition during his tenure, including a 18-2 (.900) ledger over the last 20 such games.
• Over the past eight seasons (2017-25), all under Barnes, Tennessee is now 28-9 (.757) in the second leg of regular season home-and-home series.
• Saturday’s contest ended Tennessee’s streak of eight consecutive SEC home games against AP top-25 foes, a mark that included the final two such contests of 2023-24 and the first six of 2024-25.
• The Commodores, whose 44 first-half points marked the most by a Tennessee foe this year, scored 36-plus points in the opening half of both outings against the Volunteers this season—they had 41 in a Jan. 18 home game—while every other Tennessee opponent has done so just once total (40 by Middle Tennessee State on Dec. 23, 2024).
• Tennessee entered the second-half bonus with 12:55 remaining in the contest and Vanderbilt did so with 8:45 to go.
• The last time the Volunteers shot over 65.0 percent from the floor in a half was one week ago, Feb. 8, when it posted an 18-of-26 (69.2 percent) clip before the break at Oklahoma.
• Tennessee’s last victory in which it trailed by 15-plus was March 3, 2020, at sixth-ranked Kentucky, when it came back from down 17, 48-31, early in the second half to win by eight, 81-73.
• That road matchup with the Wildcats was also the Volunteers’ last triumph after facing a double-digit deficit at halftime, as they were down 11, 42-31, at the break.
• Edwards’ six 3-pointers passed the seven by Austin Peay’s Isaac Haney on Nov. 17, 2024, for the most by a Tennessee opponent this year.
 • Prior to Edwards, the last player to make six-plus 3-pointers in a game against Tennessee was Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard, who hit seven on March 9, 2024.
• Before Zeigler, the last Volunteer with 20-plus points in a half was Nov. 22, 2024, when Chaz Lanier had 25 in the first session against Baylor in Nassau, Bahamas, while the last time a Tennessee player did so in the second half was March 9, 2024, when Dalton Knecht scored 21 versus Kentucky.  
• The seven made field goals for Zeigler matched a season high he has recorded thrice previously, including in the team’s most recent outing, Feb. 11 at Kentucky.
• Zeigler’s 22 points surpassed the 21 he scored in the last home game—Feb. 5 against Missouri—for his top total in 2024-25.
• Zeigler’s assist with 17:26 left in the game, his sixth of the day, moving him past Georgia/Kentucky’s Sahvir Wheeler (656 from 2019-23) for fifth place in SEC history and he added two more to up his career total to 659, five shy of fourth place.
• That same sixth assist pushed Zeigler past Tyrone Beamen (184 in 1982-83) for sixth place on the Volunteers’ single-season leaderboard and his next two extended his 2024-25 mark to 187, five back of fifth place.
• Zeigler and Mashack are now the seventh and eighth players to win 100 games as Volunteers, joining John Fulkerson (135), Cameron Tatum (118), Josiah-Jordan James (114), Santiago Vescovi (106), Quinn Cannington (104) and Wayne Chism (104), with the latter two the only other four-year players on the list.
• Saturday marked the seventh time Mashack has made multiple 3-pointers in a game, including the third in 2024-25.
• Lanier recorded the 25th 20-point performance of his career, including his 10th in 26 appearances as a Volunteer.
• Lanier’s eight rebounds surpassed the seven he notched both Dec. 17, 2024, against Western Carolina and Jan. 7 at Florida for his new season high.

Led By Dominant Freshmen Performances, #2/4 Vols Run-Rule Hofstra
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Led By Dominant Freshmen Performances, #2/4 Vols Run-Rule Hofstra

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 2/4 Tennessee earned their second win of their opening series with a 18-1 run-rule victory over Hofstra on Saturday afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Ten different UT players scored runs on the day, including multi-run efforts from Gavin Kilen (three), Hunter Ensley (three), Levi Clark (three), Manny Marin (two) and Jay Abernathy (two).

The Vols also notched 16 RBIs on the day, backed by efforts from seven different players. Four of the seven contributed two or more, including Blake Grimmer (three), Ensley (four), Clark (three) and Chris Newstrom (two).

Tennessee struck first, scoring a pair of runs in the second inning, starting a streak of five consecutive innings with multiple runs scored.

Clark hit his first collegiate home run in the bottom of the fourth, a three-run shot into the porches, extending the Vols’ lead to 9-0. Tennessee hit two more homers on the day, including a grand slam from Ensley and a three-run homer from Grimmer.

Fierce Freshmen

The Vols were led by a multitude of dominant freshmen performances — including two true freshmen who made their first career starts in Clark and Newstrom.

Clark went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs — including the aforementioned homer in the fourth inning. Newstrom had a bases-clearing double to cap off the third inning and finished the day with a pair of hits. Abernathy added to the Vols’ lead with both an RBI single and a run of his own in UT’s five-run sixth inning.

Grimmer joined in on the fun with a pinch-hit three-run blast in the sixth, notching the second home run for the Vols’ freshman class in the game.

Pitching Shines Again

A day after limiting the Pride to one hit in a shutout effort, the Big Orange pitching staff allowed just one run on two hits during Saturday’s victory.

Junior righthander Marcus Phillips made his first-career weekend start and held Hofstra scoreless over four innings of work, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out four batters.

Redshirt sophomore righty Austin Hunley, earned his first win of the year after tossing 0.2 innings of scoreless relief. The duo of Brandon Arvidson and Thomas Crabtree didn’t give up a hit over the final two innings and combined to strike out four batters.  

Up Next

Tennessee and Hofstra will face off Sunday for the final game of the weekend series. First pitch, which was originally scheduled for 12 p.m., has been moved up to 11 a.m.

#6 Tennessee Run-Rules Lamar & Tulsa; Leach & Pickens Shine
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#6 Tennessee Run-Rules Lamar & Tulsa; Leach & Pickens Shine

BEAUMONT, Texas – No. 6 Tennessee earned two more run-rule victories Saturday at the LU Softball Complex in Beaumont, Texas, defeating Lamar 13-0 in five innings and Tulsa 8-0 in six.
 
Alannah Leach and Karlyn Pickens led the charge for the Lady Vols, each setting career highs. Leach drove in four RBIs against Lamar, while Pickens recorded 15 strikeouts in Tennessee’s win over Tulsa.
 
Taylor Pannell continued her hot streak, hitting her fifth home run of the season against Tulsa and finishing with four RBIs on the day. Through 10 games, she has driven in 20 runs and posted six multi-RBI performances.
 
GAME ONE: #6 TENNESSEE 13, LAMAR 0
Leach delivered an outstanding performance at the plate, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs as Tennessee run-ruled Lamar in five innings. The sophomore from The Woodlands, Texas, contributed a pair of two-RBI singles in the first and fifth innings.
 
Leading 5-0 heading into the fifth, the Lady Vols exploded for eight runs in the frame. They did all the damage without hitting a home run, relying on a pair of doubles, two singles, five walks, and two hit-by-pitches to pile on the runs.
 
Freshman Peyton Tanner made her first career start in her home state, tossing four shutout innings. The Lake Jackson native allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out four to earn her second win of the season.
 
Junior Charli Orsini pitched one inning in relief, surrendering two hits and striking out one.
 
GAME TWO: #6 TENNESSEE 8, TULSA 0
Pannell got the Lady Vols off to a fast start with a three-run home run to deep left-center field in the first inning. Tennessee added two more runs in the third, with Ella Dodge lacing an RBI double and scoring on a Laura Mealer single up the middle.
 
Destiny Rodriguez, a native of Live Oak, Texas, knocked an RBI single in the fifth to extend the lead to 6-0. In the sixth, Tennessee sealed the run-rule victory with two runs on an error and a groundout.
 
Pickens threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits and one walk. Her 15 strikeouts set a career high, surpassing her previous mark of 14 set on Feb. 24, 2024, against UCF. The junior earned her third win of the season.
 
DUE UP
Tennessee concludes its Texas and Louisiana trip Sunday with a matchup against Nicholls. First pitch is set for 11:30 a.m. ET.

#2/4 Vols Open Season in Dominant Fashion with Run-Rule Win Over Hofstra
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#2/4 Vols Open Season in Dominant Fashion with Run-Rule Win Over Hofstra

Read Online | Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery | Download Postgame Media

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The reigning national champion Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2025 season with a bang by routing Hofstra, 15-0, in front of an Opening Day crowd of 6,212 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Eight different UT players drove in runs on the day, led by multi-RBI efforts from Dean Curley (two), Stone Lawless (two), Ariel Antigua (two) and Hunter High (three). High’s pinch-hit three-run homer, the first of his career, capped a seven-run sixth inning for the Big Orange.

Curley’s two-run blast into the porches in left center was the first of three Tennessee long balls on the day as the Big Orange cruised to a run-rule win.

Cannon Peebles had a great all-around day at the plate, as well, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI from the designated hitter spot.

With the win, the No. 2/4 Vols improved to 78-36-2 all-time in season openers and 4-1 in home season openers under head coach Tony Vitello.

Dazzling Debuts

A handful of players put up impressive performances in their Tennessee debuts, headlined by a masterful outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle. The Ole Miss transfer set a new career high with 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings to earn the win.

After getting a groundout to start the game, Doyle retired the next eight batters he faced via strikeout before giving up the Pride’s only hit of the game. Doyle ended up facing the minimum through five innings after the runner was thrown out at second on the play after recording the single.

Fellow Ole Miss transfer Andrew Fischer also put his stamp on the game by drawing two walks, scoring a pair of runs and hitting a solo homer in the third inning. Louisville transfer Gavin Kilen finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a triple while scoring two runs, as well.

Redshirt freshman Stone Lawless got the start behind the dish and drove in a pair of runs with a double in UT’s seven-run sixth inning. Freshman infielder Manny Marin got the starting nod at third base and recorded two hits of his own in his first collegiate contest.

Rounding out the group of productive debuts was junior right hander Tanner Franklin, who stuck out four over the final two innings and did not allow a hit.

Up Next

Tennessee and Hofstra will square off again on Saturday in game two of the weekend series. First pitch, which was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., has been moved up to 2 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast. Sunday’s series finale has also been moved up an hour and is now slated to begin at 11 a.m.

Taylor Pannell Sparks #6 Lady Vols to Doubleheader Sweep
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Taylor Pannell Sparks #6 Lady Vols to Doubleheader Sweep

Game Recap: Softball | February 15, 2025

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell had a standout performance at the plate, sparking No. 6 Tennessee to a doubleheader sweep of McNeese on Friday night at Cowgirl Stadium. The Lady Vols won the first game 12-0 before securing a 10-2 victory in game two.

Pannell went 6-for-8 with four runs, one double, two home runs, and seven RBIs across the twin bill. She has now homered in three consecutive games and in four of the last five.

Ella Dodge also had an impressive night, finishing 3-for-7 with two home runs and three RBIs.

GAME ONE: #6 TENNESSEE 12, McNEESE 0
Three multi-run home runs powered Tennessee to a 12-0 win in game one, which ended in six innings. Dodge hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Lady Vols a 4-0 lead.

A six-run sixth inning was sparked by a three-run shot from Pannell and a two-run blast from Laura Mealer.

Junior Karlyn Pickens earned the win, tossing five innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five. Freshman Peyton Tanner pitched one inning of relief, giving up one hit and one walk.

GAME TWO: #6 TENNESSEE 10, McNEESE 2
Tennessee hit three more home runs in game two, with Dodge and Pannell going deep again, while sophomore Gabby Leach hit her first career homer in the fifth inning.

Leading 3-2 in the fourth, Pannell hit a two-RBI double to extend the lead. Leach then added a solo shot in the fifth to pad the advantage.

Both Pannell and Dodge homered again in the sixth, with each hitting solo shots.

Sophomore Ryan Brown capped the scoring in the seventh, doubling down the left-field line to score Pannell and Katie Taylor.

Erin Nuwer started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. She was relieved in the second but returned to finish the game in the seventh.

Sage Mardjetko threw five shutout innings of relief, giving up one hit, walking two, and striking out five. Mardjetko earned her third win of the season.

DUE UP
Tennessee will play two games on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. ET against Lamar, followed by a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Tulsa. Both games will be held at the LU Softball Complex in Beaumont, Texas. The contest against Lamar will be streamed on ESPN+.

Knox County Looking to Buy Fire-Prone North Knoxville Recycling Facility

Knox County Looking to Buy Fire-Prone North Knoxville Recycling Facility

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County leaders have launched a proposal to acquire the site of a North Knoxville recycling facility prone to fires and currently owned by a company that owed hundreds of thousands in back taxes.

The agreement, which still needs to be approved by Knox County Commission, proposes the county take over two locations — 2742 Hancock Street and 302 North Avenue — in exchange for over $4.3 million.

County reps say they plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility.

“We plan to use the property as a potential county-wide maintenance facility,” said county representative Chris Caldwell. “We hope to start programming soon after approval and start conversations with KCS about a possible partnership. This property will help us begin the process of vacating the Knox Central property with the hope of getting it back on the tax rolls.”

The properties are currently owned by Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling and Edstock LLC.

Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling owns the Hancock Street location which was the scene of a large-scale fire in August of last year. According to county documents from last summer, the company owed the county and city over $257,000 in back taxes.

The properties are currently owned by Fort Loudon Waste and Recycling and Edstock LLC. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Man Wanted on Rape of Child Charges Out of Alcoa is Arrested in Kentucky
US Marshal Service

Man Wanted on Rape of Child Charges Out of Alcoa is Arrested in Kentucky

A man wanted on rape of a child charges out of Alcoa is arrested in Kentucky.

U.S. Marshals and investigators checked multiple residences throughout Knoxville, Blount County and Loudon County to find Horacio Mejia-Villegas.

He was charged with rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery out of Alcoa.

Detectives found he was taken to Lexington, Kentucky to hide from the police and him at a restaurant where he worked, he gave officers a fake name. He was arrested and will be extradited back to Tennessee.

He will be held for ICE for deportation after he serves his time if he is convicted.

‘Stronger than it’s ever been’ | UT System President Randy Boyd Giving Annual ‘State of the University’ Address

‘Stronger than it’s ever been’ | UT System President Randy Boyd Giving Annual ‘State of the University’ Address

Murfreesboro, TN (WOKI) University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd delivered his annual ‘State of the University’ address Thursday.

Boyd says that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been.

“I’m happy to report that after 230 years, the state of the university is stronger than it’s ever been in our entire history,” Boyd said.

Multiple topics were discussed including a record-breaking enrollment rate for the entire UT system.

Currently, the school serves over 62,000 students, an over 18% increase since the start of this decade and while the higher number of students is great, Boyd says they are in need of more places to put them.

Boyd says they have 1,020 buildings that are on average 67 years old and need to be replaced.

“We need to build more infrastructure, we’re always asked to our friends in the legislature and the governor, where they gonna sit, you know, so it’s great to bring all these kids in, but we’ve got aging plant, our facilities are on average 67 years,” Boyd said. “We got 1,020 buildings on average 67 years old, so we’ve got buildings that we need to replace, we need to build new buildings to help support this growth.”

Additionally, Boyd said this week, Gov. Bill Lee and other legislators offered a record quarter of a billion dollars put toward the university’s infrastructure.

Record-breaking finances as well as enrollment helps fuel Boyd’s praise of the university. (Courtesy: WVLT)