KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — It was an eventful week in East Tennessee. Here's what you missed.
Story 1
"2 babies born on same day in Alabama named after husband and wife country music stars"
Two babies born in Alabama on the same day, June Carter Clark and Johnny Cash Davis, have been named after well-known country musicians. The mothers named their babies after the husband and wife country music stars, Johnny and June Carter Cash.
A photographer from Knoxville, Chantel Miller, saw the babies and reached out to capture some amazing pictures of them.
"They're born in Alabama, and I'm all the way in Knoxville and she's like, that's fine. We'll come to you," said Miller. "She's like, we'll make the road trip. I already talked to Johnny's mom. And I was just floored by that. So then I was like, Oh, my gosh, is this really happening?"
Story 2
"Darell Keith out as head football coach at Clinton HS; action follows use of ineligible player, loss of wins"
Clinton High School football head coach Darell Keith will not coach the Dragons next season.
Keith told WBIR on Tuesday that the school chose not to renew his contract as a teacher and, as a result, he will not be coaching the team moving forward.
His departure follows action, including a fine, by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association against Clinton after it was found to be using an ineligible athlete in the 2023 football season.
In the May 17 letter, TSSAA writes: "According to the information submitted, the student did not earn the required number of credits the previous school year to be academically eligible."
The player isn't named.
Story 3
"Greyhound bus passengers say they were stranded for around 24 hours in Knoxville, waiting to get on bus to Atlanta"
A group of Greyhound bus passengers said they were stuck in East Knoxville for around 24 hours during their trip. They said they were supposed to catch a bus to Atlanta Tuesday night, but it never showed up.
A Greyhound spokesperson said the bus did not show up because the schedule was canceled due to a bus malfunction. It said the passengers were rebooked, and two people left Wednesday morning.
While waiting, a nearby insurance company said it let passengers use the bathroom and made sure they had a meal to eat.
Story 4
"Tennessee prohibition on 'Carolina Squat' modifications raises concerns from some car enthusiasts"
Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill into law that prohibits anyone from driving a car on a road if it has "Carolina Squat" modifications.
These kinds of modifications go by different names, but are most commonly called the "Carolina Squat." The modifications are usually done on pickup trucks and large SUVs but can be done on almost any kind of car. The modification effectively lifts the front end of a car higher than the back end, causing it to drive at an angle that is not parallel to most roads.
"The first time I ever seen one, I don't know what it was about it, but I just fell in love with it," said Devon Holloway, a car enthusiast. "It brings happiness, really."
He said he has been building his modified truck for around nine months. He said he has a difference of around 8-and-a-half inches from the front end and back end of his truck.
Story 5
"TDOT building Newport Bypass, allowing drivers to avoid downtown Newport from Greeneville to Maryville"
The Tennessee Department of Transportation said crews are working on a bypass letting drivers between Greeneville and Maryville avoid having to drive through downtown Newport.
Currently, TDOT said the roads take drivers through the downtown area. By building the Newport Bypass, TDOT said it will make the route on SR 35 safer and more efficient. TDOT said the project will consist of grading, drainage and construction work. Crews are also expected to build four concrete Bulb-Tee beam bridges — a kind of bridge that uses straight, vertical T-beams.
The Newport Bypass is expected to be around 4.75 miles of entirely new alignment, TDOT said. Crews will also build new signals and paving on SR 35, from SR 9 to Saint Tide Hollow Road.