The Morgan Wallen Foundation will give $1.2 million to Gibbs High School in northeast Knox County to upgrade its baseball field.

With this money, the school should be able to transform the field “into a versatile, state-of-the-art multi-use athletic field,” according to the resolution adopted by Knox County Commission on April 27, 2026. Gibbs High also plans to build a softball hitting and pitching facility on its campus.

Wallen, a country and pop singer, graduated from Gibbs High School in 2011 and went on to become the 2024 CMA Entertainer of the Year. In 2025, the baseball field was renamed “Morgan Wallen Field.”

Wallen has also given to other Gibbs programs, including its band program, core program and basketball program, as well as to Gibbs Youth Sports and the Jefferson City Little League.

Thanks to WATE-TV for providing links above.

 In Memoriam

Mary Blakney

Mary Long Blakney, age 99 of Lenoir City, passed away on April 25, 2026. Mary graduated as valedictorian of her class from Shiloh High School in 1945, and she dedicated over 35 years as the food services manager at Lenoir City High School, where she made a lasting impact by ensuring that no student left hungry. She cared deeply for the kids she served, and she took great joy in keeping up with their lives long after they left her cafeteria. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 30, at Calvary Baptist Church in Lenoir City. The obituary is here.

Bob Jameson

Robert A. “Bob” Jameson of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, passed away on April 26, 2026, at age 88. After graduating from Union College in 1959, he began a 40-year career teaching social studies at Clinton High School. In addition to teaching, Mr. Jameson was active in local government, serving as a member of the Clinton City Council, Anderson County Commission, Anderson County Election Commission and the Clinton Utilities Board. The family will receive friends today (4/29/26) at Holley Gamble Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. The full obituary is here.

Mary Alice LaRue

Mary Alice Gose LaRue of Philadelphia, Tennessee, passed away on April 27, 2026, at age 92. She was born in Union County until the construction of Norris Dam forced her family to relocate. A lifelong teacher, Mary Alice began her career at age 19 and continued to substitute teach after retirement until age 84. She taught in Monroe, Knox and Loudon counties and retired from Philadelphia Elementary School in 1992 – an incredible 65 years in education. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Full obituary is here.

Barbara Manis

Barbara Ann Smith-Manis, 90, passed away April 22, 2026. A proud graduate of Rule High School, she was the bookkeeper at Halls High School from 1983-2000. Barbara is survived by her son, Joe King, and his wife, Terry; daughter-in-law Kim King; grandson Camden King; and her lifelong friend, Joleen Hill. Her full obituary is here.

 

Note to readers: Check back on Thursday for some followup info from Knox County Schools.

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