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The Newport Plain Talk
Smoky Mountain All-Stars clinch historic, dramatic state tourney win
NEWPORT — At Newport City Park on Sunday, Brody Holloway stepped to the plate with a chance to make history. He did exactly that, smacking a one-out RBI single through the left side to score Journey Kyker for a 14-13 win over South Jefferson in the Little League Intermediate Division State Tournament. The victory put Smoky Mountain into the losers’ bracket finals at 4 p.m. with a chance to advance...
Smoky Mountain All-Stars clinch historic, dramatic state tourney win
NEWPORT — At Newport City Park on Sunday, Brody Holloway stepped to the plate with a chance to make history. He did exactly that, smacking a one-out RBI single through the left side to score Journey Kyker for a 14-13 win over South Jefferson in the Little League Intermediate Division State Tournament. The victory put Smoky Mountain into the losers’ bracket finals at 4 p.m. with a chance to advance...
Ohio State adds key LB to top 2025 recruiting class
Ohio State's top-ranked 2025 recruiting class continues to grow. Blue-chip prospect Riley Pettijohn from McKinney, Texas, committed Saturday to the Buckeyes. According to the 247Sports composite, he's a five-star recruit, the No. 4 overall linebacker and No. 31 player in the class. Former NFL linebacker James Laurinaitis, the position coach at his alma mater, was key to the recruitment, Pettijohn said on the 247Sports YouTube channel. "My relationship with coach Laurinaitis is top tier," Pettijohn said. "With coach Laurinaitis, being an alumni from Ohio State and a Butkus winner, it's just cool him being a position coach. He knows a lot about the game. So that's cool he can develop players good." Pettijohn took recent official visits to Columbus, as well as Southern California, Texas and Texas A&M. He said he was happy to have his decision made. "It means a lot to me and my family to know where I'm going." Per 247Sports, Ohio State is ahead of Alabama, Notre Dame, Georgia and Oregon in the recruiting standings. --Field Level Media
Report: Panthers, player personnel VP Adrian Wilson split
The Carolina Panthers and Adrian Wilson, the vice president of player personnel, have parted ways after just one season, Pro Football Talk reported Sunday. "Adrian Wilson will not continue in his position as Vice President of Player Personnel for the Carolina Panthers," the team confirmed to the outlet. "Consistent with our organizational policy on employee matters, we will have no further comment." The Panthers hired Wilson, a North Carolina native, in February 2023. He went to the organization from the front office of the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent eight seasons. He rose to VP of pro personnel in 2021-22 and was named co-interim general manager late in the 2022 season. Wilson, 44, played 12 seasons with the Cardinals (2001-12) and the safety was a first-team All-Pro in 2009. The five-time Pro Bowl selection is a member of the team's Ring of Honor. --Field Level Media
Vikings 4th-round pick Khyree Jackson dies in crash
Cornerback Khyree Jackson, a fourth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in April's draft, was killed early Saturday in a three-car crash that left three people dead in Maryland. He was 24. According to Maryland State Police, Jackson was the front-seat passenger in a Dodge Charger that was struck by an Infiniti Q50 shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday in Prince George's County. The Infiniti was attempting to change lanes and traveling at a high rate of speed when the car hit the Charger and then struck a Chevrolet Impala. The impact sent the Charger off the right side of the road,...
July 8 deadline for 'Celebrating Faith'
Time is running out for churches to be part of “Celebrating Faith,” the Newport Plain Talk’s special, full-color keepsake publication featuring Cocke County area churches. “We have been pleasantly overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response we have received from the faith community in response to this planned publication,” said Plain Talk Managing Editor Dave Ruthenberg. “It shows the importance of faith in our area. We are proud to be able to provide this publication and, to be honest, a bit humbled by the positive comments we...
Newport Medical Center welcomes neurologist
NEWPORT — Tennova Newport Medical Center (NMC) has added a neurologist, Annette Goodman, D.O., to its staff. According to NMC CEO Scott Williams, the hospital had not had a neurologist on staff for more than a year. Dr. Goodman is a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but had most recently practiced in the Ft. Myers, Florida, area. Goodman attended Penn State and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. She...
Following pursuit, man allegedly tried to dismantle evidence
A motorcyclist accused of evading arrest during an extended chase reportedly attempted a unique tactic to throw law enforcement off his trail. However, authorities were able to piece it all together. According to a July 1 incident report filed by Cocke County Sheriff Lt. Miranda Williams, she spotted a red and black sports motorcycle traveling southbound, clocked on radar going 91 mph in a 40 mph zone. She initiated lights and sirens in an attempt to initiate a stop. The motorcycle, which did not have...
Cole taking Breaker Weeks’ spirit into Cosby job
COSBY — On June 19, Kaylan Cole stood on the Cosby softball field holding a ball and bat. She had been named the Lady Eagles’ new head coach the previous Monday, replacing longtime head coach Mike Bryant. As Cole held the ball, a thin blue bracelet was visible on her right wrist. It read “BREAKER...
AAA: TN gas prices rise 10 cents
Tennessee gas prices reversed course last week and rose 10 cents, on average. The Tennessee gas price average is now $3.10 which is the same as one month ago and two cents more than one year ago. The average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline in Cocke County also also rose sharply last week according to AAA, going from $2.98 per gallon to a current average of $3.06 per gallon. However, that still places Cocke County among counties with the cheapest average price...
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The Newport Plain Talk serves Cocke County and surrounding areas of East Tennessee.
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