Brittany Tarwater

Hunan

Anchor and Multimedia Journalist at WVLT-TV (Knoxville, TN)

Mom to Davis and Clara. Former Lady Vol swimmer. UT Journalism and Media Asst. Professor of Practice. WVLT News. Swim in the deep end.

Articles

Amputee gives hope to patients at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital

2 months ago | wvlt.tv | Brittany Tarwater |Kelly Ann Kruger

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An amputee is now using his story to inspire East Tennessee Children’s Hospital patients. Kyle Blassingame was on Tennessee Weslyn’s track team as well as their cheer squad when he was nearly killed in a car crash. Him and his partner were vacationing in Charleston, South Carolina. A 16-year-old was speeding away from police in a stolen car when he crossed the median. The teen hit their car head-on at speeds over 100 mph. His partner was killed in the crash.
UT swim team turns tragic loss into historic season

Jul 15, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Brittany Tarwater

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - University of Tennessee Head Swimming and Diving Coach Matt Kredich has built a life deep in both team and family. “There is family and there is work and some people don’t have the opportunity to bring one into the other,” said Kredich. He and his wife, Kim, have raised their three sons on the pool deck surrounded by Tennessee swimmers since 2005. “We didn’t have to discipline too much because they always had the college-aged kids as an example,” said Kim.
Steel Warehouse planning expansion into Jefferson County, creating more than 70 jobs

Jul 10, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Brittany Tarwater

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (WVLT) - On Wednesday, Gov. Bill Lee and other state leaders announced Steel Warehouse has plans to expand into Jefferson City. Steel Warehouse’s plans include locating in and retrofitting the former Footwear Industries of Tennessee building, located on Municipal Drive in Jefferson City.
Community members help fight food insecurity in East Tennessee

Jul 10, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Brittany Tarwater

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Food insecurity continues to increase across the country as well as in East Tennessee. Food insecurity occurs when individuals do not have enough food in order to meet their basic needs. As of 2022, census data shows the state of Tennessee needs an extra $730 million per year in order to meet residents’ food needs.
HVAC contractors seeing high demand in East Tennessee as summer heat continues

Jul 10, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Brittany Tarwater

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - This summer has seen an uptick in cases for air conditioning repairs and service for different HVAC companies around Knoxville. The higher-than-average heat has caused a lot of stress on units, according to Rocky Top HVAC Service Manager Fred Schiller. “At least 40 plus calls a day minimum; 40-50 calls a day,” Schiller said. “I mean, my guys are running to at least five or six no A/C calls every day.
Knoxville man faces decades in prison for kidnapping, assault charges, DA says

Jul 10, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Brittany Tarwater

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Wednesday, District Attorney General Charme Allen announced that a Knoxville man now faces up to 40 years in prison for a kidnapping and assault case that started in 2023. According to Allen, Merv Conley Rodgers, 62, was convicted of especially aggravated kidnapping, domestic assault and two counts of aggravated assault. In the trial, prosecutors said Rodgers got in a fight with his girlfriend in June of 2023.
Farragut honors retired Farragut Coach Eddie Courtney with road naming

Jul 10, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Brittany Tarwater

FARRAGUT, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Town of Farragut honored retired Farragut High School Coach Eddie Courtney on Wednesday by naming a road after him. Courtney, who spent nearly three decades as head coach of the Admirals, had a legendary career, amassing 204 wins, 28 playoff victories, four Region Championships and the 2016 State Title.
McKay’s celebration highlights Papermill dangers, city says money is holding up improvements

Jul 10, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Camruinn Morgan-Rumsey |Lexi Lepof |Brittany Tarwater

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Knoxville’s Papermill Drive is continuing to prompt traffic concerns, two years after a $100,000 survey from the City of Knoxville outlined improvements the city could make to the road. The issue, according to the city, is funding. While Papermill has been on the city’s mind for years — as evidenced by the survey — concerns from business owners, travelers and emergency responders were highlighted Tuesday afternoon.
Missing man with Alzheimer’s found safe, Knoxville police say

Jul 10, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Brittany Tarwater

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Knoxville Police Department said on Wednesday officers were searching for a missing man. 75-year-old William “Bill” Taylor was last seen at around 9 a.m. Wednesday at his home in Fort Sanders, located in the 2300 block of Clinch Avenue, according to KPD.
Grainger County murder suspect in custody, U.S. Marshals say

Jul 10, 2024 | wvlt.tv | Camruinn Morgan-Rumsey |Brittany Tarwater

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WVLT) - Aaron Ethan White, the 34-year-old at the center of a manhunt out of Grainger County, is now in custody, according to David Jolley with the U.S. Marshals Service. Previous Coverage: ‘It’s unsettling’ | Morristown man charged with murder still on the looseWhite is a suspect in a double homicide that happened in May.