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The Newport Plain Talk
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...
Newport Bypass work continues
Work is continuing on the Newport Bypass (State Route 35, US 321), which is a major corridor from Greeneville to Maryville. Because those passing through on SR 35 must drive through downtown Newport, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is building the bypass as a safer, more efficient route for travelers to pass through Newport and bypass traffic downtown. The bypass will consist of 4.75 miles of entirely new alignment. The project includes drainage, grading, construction of four Bulb-Tee beam bridges, signals and paving on...
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...
4-star OL Seuseu "SJ" Alofaituli commits to Miami
Four-star interior offensive lineman Seuseu "SJ" Alofaituli committed to Miami's Class of 2025 on Friday. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound player chose the Hurricanes over finalists Michigan and Nebraska. He took official visits to all three schools last month. Alofaituli is ranked as the No. 3 interior lineman and the No. 77 player overall by the 247Sports composite. He is entering his senior season at powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. "To be honest, it was just the culture and the people over there, the people that fill the facility," Alofaituli said as he made his announcement via the 247Sports YouTube channel. "I'd say it's just something special they've got going on there with coach (Mario) Cristobal and coach (Alex) Mirabal. Them two together was definitely something special, with coach Cristobal being an ex-O-lineman. I thought it was something truly special." With Alofaituli's commitment, Miami moved to No. 8 in 2025 team recruiting rankings, jumping over Clemson to top the Atlantic Coast Conference. --Field Level Media
NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; A Miami Hurricanes fan holds up foam hands during the second half of the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon lands top-rated receiver recruit Dakorien Moore
Oregon landed one of its highest-rated recruits ever on Thursday, earning a pledge from five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore. The Duncanville, Texas, native is the top-rated receiver and the No. 5 overall class of 2025 recruit, per 247Sports. Kayvon Thibodeaux, the No. 6 overall prospect from the class of 2019, was the Ducks' previous highest-ranked commitment, according to 247Sports. ESPN also ranked Moore as the top wide receiver and the No. 3 overall prospect. Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was rated No. 1 by ESPN when he committed to Oregon in 2019. Moore originally pledged to LSU but backed out in May....
Reports: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (ankle) out of walking boot
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is out of a walking boot following a minor sprain of his right foot, ESPN and NFL Network reported on Thursday. A photo posted on social media on Wednesday showed Prescott in a walking boot in Cabo San Lucas, but it's unclear how or when the injury occurred. The Cowboys haven't held an organized workout since June 5. Per the reports, Prescott is expected to be ready to practice when the Cowboys open training camp on July 25. Prescott, 30, is entering the final season of his four-year, $160 million deal and is due to earn $29 million in 2024. Dallas is looking to work out an extension but talks have not progressed. Last month, a Texas judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Prescott of sexual assault. A Sept. 13 hearing is scheduled to determine if legal action should be taken against the accuser. --Field Level Media
13-year-old airlifted after being trapped under truck
A 13-year-old girl was airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville Thursday morning July 4, after being trapped underneath a Ford F150. Cocke County first responders were dispatched to 3113 Holly Court Way in Cosby Thursday morning with Cocke County Sheriff Deputy Josh Ellis arriving on the scene at 9:45 a.m. where he saw the vehicle on top of the juvenile. Also responding was the Cosby Fire Department. ...
NCAA Basketball: Miami-Florida at Penn State
Dec 1, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of the Penn State Nittany Lions logo on a bass drum prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at the Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Rams bringing back DB John Johnson III
The Los Angeles Rams have agreed to terms with defensive back John Johnson III, the team announced Thursday. Johnson, 28, returned to the Rams in 2023 after an initial four-year stint there followed by two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He played in 17 games last season (eight starts) and made 42 tackles with two interceptions and six pass breakups. The Rams selected Johnson in the third round of the 2017 draft out of Boston College. He has 392 tackles, 10 interceptions, 38 pass breakups, eight tackles for loss and one forced fumble in 71 career regular-season games (56 starts) for the Rams. He also has played in seven playoff games (all starts) for Los Angeles and made 42 tackles with one interception. Johnson signed as a free agent with Cleveland in 2021 and he totaled 162 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and five tackles for loss in 32 games (all starts) from 2021-22. --Field Level Media
NFL: Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Rams
Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III (43) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Washington Commanders in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama gets commitment from 4-star edge Justin Hill
Alabama and new head coach Kalen DeBoer added a key player to their 2025 class with the commitment of 4-star edge rusher Justin Hill on Wednesday. Hill, from Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, picked Alabama over home-state Ohio State, Southern California and Oregon. He took official visits to all four campuses in the past five weeks. The Buckeyes had prioritized gaining a pledge from Hill. The 247Sports composite lists Hill as the No. 4 edge and No. 58 player in the nation. Hill played in 11 games as a junior, making 36 tackles (16 for loss) and 13 sacks and forcing two fumbles, according to 247Sports. With Hill's commitment, Alabama stands No. 2 behind Ohio State in the 247Sports national rankings. --Field Level Media
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The Newport Plain Talk serves Cocke County and surrounding areas of East Tennessee.
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