KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — It was an eventful week in East Tennessee. Here's what you missed.
Story 1
"PFFD: No foul play suspected after adults, children burned after going down slide at Pigeon Forge go-kart track"
The Pigeon Forge Fire Department chief said several people were in stable condition after they were treated after an isolated incident at a Pigeon Forge go-kart track Thursday afternoon. They said no foul play is suspected after those people were treated for burns after going down a slide.
The incident happened at Fast Tracks on the Parkway. An employee who works for another company that provides food service at Fast Tracks said a slide was sprayed with a cleaner spray intended to keep it smooth.
According to the employee, the cleaner wasn't allowed to dry long enough and when people went down the slide causing burns.
PFFD said three adults and two children were injured. Two of them were taken by ambulance.
Story 2
"Parade announced! Here's when you can celebrate Tennessee's College World Series win"
The city of Knoxville celebrated the Tennessee Vols baseball team after their historic College World Series win on Monday!
The parade was held in downtown Knoxville on Tuesday, June 25.
The city began rolling out the orange carpet for the Vols in Market Square on Tuesday morning -- literally. Crews were preparing Market Square to celebrate the new national champions with a celebration after the parade, including hanging up banners and prepping the stage.
Go Vols!
Story 3
"Here's how much Tony Vitello will get paid now that the Vols won the College World Series"
Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello was guaranteed to get a nice bonus in his paycheck after the Vols punched their ticket to the College World Series. Now that Tennessee has won it all, he'll earn even more.
The coach's $350,000 base salary, while impressive, is not the star here. The real star is his cut of the broadcast deals and various endorsements UT gets – those really pump up his take-home pay.
At a minimum, Vitello earns $1.15 million in supplemental pay each year from big endorsements. On top of that, he gets another 75% cut from any revenue UT receives over $100,000 for bat and equipment endorsements.
Once the Vols punched their ticket to Omaha, Vitello was guaranteed a bonus of 32% of his $350,000 base pay.
Now that the Vols are champions, that 32% bonus will be boosted to 40%, meaning Vitello will take home another $140,000 this season.
Story 4
"Man, 20, charged after wife, unborn child and another woman die in Raccoon Valley Drive wreck"
A man is facing multiple vehicular homicide and aggravated assault charges after his wife, her unborn child and another woman died in a crash on Raccoon Valley Drive on Friday, June 21.
According to court records, the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to the intersection of Raccoon Valley Drive and Hausmond Way in response to a two-vehicle crash with injuries.
Jonathon Jones, 20, was driving east on Raccoon Valley Drive when he left his lane and crossed into westbound traffic, THP said. The report said Jones' car hit an SUV head-on.
Story 5
"KFD: Six people sent to hospital during UT Baseball championship celebration"
Six people were taken to local hospitals during a large celebration for the Vols' national title on Tuesday, the Knoxville Fire Department said.
According to KFD Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks, there were roughly 25-30 patient contacts, with six of those being sent to the hospital. Wilbanks said, "Most all were heat-related."
Huge crowds gathered in downtown Knoxville as temperatures were forecasted to rise to the low 90s. They gathered in Market Square and along Gay Street for a parade and ceremony celebrating the Vols' historic victory.
