Posts with the category “local-news”

From Local 3 News: Five people were arrested following an undercover joint operation by TBI's Human Trafficking Unit, Soddy Daisy police, and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.On April 26, agents placed multiple decoy advertisements on websites that predators are known to visit. The focus of the operation was to identify people in the Soddy Daisy area seeking to engage in sex acts with minors a...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Phase 2 of the I-75/I-24 project in Chattanooga may face a delay. The originally predicted completion date was summer 2025.While the I-24 section of the project is on track for the original completion date, the I-75 section will likely finish after, TDOT's Regional Communications Officer Rae Anne Bradley says.TDOT is working out a revised schedule with the contractor to finish P...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett says the office's public programs are finally operational again following April 14th's cyber attack incident.Garrett's full statement:“Since the incident occurred, the HCSO has been working methodically and diligently alongside an external cyber defense firm to preserve and examine this cyber-ransomware event and systematically restore serv...  Read More

Garden Plaza at Cleveland has been named a 2025 Best Senior Living Community by U.S. News & World Report, earning top honors in Caregiving, Feels Like Home, and Management and Staff.Executive Director Ken Bolin said the recognition reflects the team’s mission to create a true community where seniors feel valued and at home.Garden Plaza offers independent and assisted living options on a 160-apartm...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met last night for a work session.Mayor Gary Davis presented a resolution to convert the TRC building into an EMA facility this fall, which will be voted on at the commission’s next meeting.Several upcoming events were announced during the meeting:The Law Enforcement Committee will meet on May 14th.TDOT will hold a meeting on the on the 25th Street projects on : May 1...  Read More

From Local 3 News: After eight years of serving the Cleveland community, Cleveland Coffee & Market is shutting its doors this May. "This has been such a special place for me and the staff to build community, learn, and grow together which is why this is such a tough decision," says owner of Cleveland Coffee and Terra Running Brittany Katz. "I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the many ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) said deputies responded to a report of suspicious activity at a local golf course maintenance facility late Monday morning.The BCSO said security cameras recorded two individuals behaving suspiciously near dumpsters on the property, prompting a response and further investigation by deputies. Deputies arrived at a nearby property where a...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Bystanders jumped into action after a pickup truck crashed into Mouse Creek in Cleveland Sunday afternoon, April 28.According to the Cleveland Fire Department, the truck left the roadway near the intersection of Keith and 20th Streets and came to rest submerged underwater.A group of people were able to pull the lone male driver, who was trapped, out of his truck and to safety be...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The intersection of Ocoee and 20th Streets temporarily closed overnight after a pickup truck struck a power pole Sunday evening, April 28.One driver was treated by Bradley County EMS, according to the Cleveland Fire Department. We do not know the extent of their injuries.Lines were downed in the roadway, and Cleveland Utilities worked into the morning to restore power.This was t...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The three people killed in a small plane crash on Saturday have been identified.Pilot Jonathan Braun, Dylan Clay Davis, and his wife Kelsie Lynn Davis of Alabama were killed when the plane went down on Almyra Road just before noon.PREVIOUS STORY: Three people are dead after a small plane crashed in White County, according to the Upper Cumberland Airport Director Dean Sel...  Read More

From TN.gov: New data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development shows that nearly all of the state’s 95 counties reported unemployment rates below 5% in March.Only four counties exceeded that mark, with the highest at 5.7%. Rates dropped in 70 counties from February to March, remained the same in 17, and rose in just eight.Locally, Bradley and Polk Counties each reported a M...  Read More

Rhea County has chosen retired U.S. Army Major Dr. Amy Lonas as its next Director of Schools. The school board voted 8-1 in favor of hiring Dr. Lonas, who previously served as dean and later provost at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.Dr. Lonas is a Rhea County native who began her education at Frazier School. She holds degrees from UT Chattanooga, UT Knoxville, and Vanderbilt.She replaces Jessie M...  Read More

The Bradley County School Board met for a work session yesterday to review the proposed $115 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The board will vote on the budget during their next meeting on May 5.Also on the May 5 agenda: final evaluations for Director of Schools Dr. Linda Cash, and discussions on extending her contract.In addition, Dr. Cash will deliver her annual State of the Schools...  Read More

From TN.gov: Weekend traffic on I-75 in Hamilton County will be affected due to roadwork at the I-24 interchange. Starting today at 9 p.m., crews will close the right lane of I-75 North between the CSX railroad bridge and East Brainerd Road. The closure will remain in place until Monday, April 28 at 6 a.m.Drivers should expect delays, follow posted signs, and consider alternate routes. Southbound ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee Board of Parole on Tuesday recommended a pardon for country music star Jelly Roll, a Nashville native who has spoken openly about his criminal record and what it has taken to overcome it. The board's action leaves the final decision on a pardon up to Gov. Bill Lee.The rapper-turned-country singer wants to be able to travel internationally to perform and share his m...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A man who was convicted in January for shooting a coworker in the parking lot of Amazon in Chattanooga was sentenced on Tuesday.According to Hamilton County Criminal Court records, 21-year-old D'Ante Jones was sentenced to serve 23 years behind bars.His sentencing comes after Jones was convicted of second-degree murder on January 31, for shooting 19-year-old Javontae Moo...  Read More

Dr. Robert Hardin, Senior Quality Manager at WACKER has been appointed President of the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council.With more than 13 years at WACKER and several years on the board, Dr. Hardin is expected to help steer the state’s energy innovation economy, guiding strategy, partnerships, and policy engagement.The council plays a key role in promoting clean energy job growth across ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A 34-year-old Ringgold man who was convicted in February of 2025 for trafficking and distributing Fentanyl has been sentenced to 30 years; 10 of which will be served in prison, without the possibility of parole.James Blevins pleaded guilty to trafficking Fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute Fentanyl in the Catoosa County Superior Court.The investigation was led by t...  Read More

The Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 31st Annual Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year Award. The honor recognizes a small business owner who exemplifies qualities like innovation, growth, and community service.Nominees must be Chamber members in good standing for at least one year, with fewer than 200 employees, and must operate within Cleveland or Bra...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The jury has reached two guilty verdicts in the trials of Darryl Roberts, convicting him of the death of 38-year-old Christopher Wright on Tuesday.A jury found Roberts guilty of second degree murder in the death of the Baylor School alum on September 28, 2023.Roberts shot Wright on Market Street near Patten Towers.Roberts was originally charged with first-degree murder.T...  Read More

From Local 3 News: For many teens, turning 18 is a celebration. For Ella Brinen, it marked the moment she officially aged out of Tennessee’s foster care system — without a family to support her, a place to land, or a roadmap for what came next.Now 19, Brinen is helping change what that future looks like for others like her.Two bills aimed at improving life for foster youth passed unanimously in th...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Scale Trains president Shane Wilson says the small operation that started more than 10 years ago has grown to a group of dozens of employees from across the country."Thirty employees and their families are counting on us to be able to provide for them and their livelihoods,” said Wilson.The business makes custom model trains, that are detailed to look as close as possible to the...  Read More

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will host a public informational meeting on May 1, 2025, to gather public input on two projects: 25th Street, from Vista Street to Guthrie Street NW and; The intersection of 25th Street and Ocoee Street. The meeting will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce on Keith St.The meeting is being held to give the pu...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission held a voting session yesterday.Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis requested an update from Sheriff Steve Lawson about the recent fire in the jail’s kitchen. Lawson said repairs are underway and expected to take 6-8 weeks. According to an investigation by the Cleveland Fire Department, towels that had been removed from the dryer and placed on a cart in the kitchen starte...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Rome (CNN) — Pope Francis, a voice for the poor who overcame fierce resistance to reshape the Catholic Church, has died on Easter Monday, at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced.The pope died the day after Easter Sunday, the most important holiday in Christianity, when the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Despite his poor health, Fran...  Read More

From TN.gov: Tennessee’s unemployment rate has declined for the first time in nearly a year.The state’s rate now stands at 3.6%, a slight drop from 3.7%, and well below the national average of 4.2%. According to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the rate had remained flat for six months prior to this dip. In May of 2024, it was at 3.1%.Over the past year, Tennessee added 8,700 non...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A bill that would adopt new restrictions on cannabis sales in Tennessee has been approved by the Senate, just days before 4/20, the unofficial marijuana holiday.HB1376/SB1413, introduced by State Representative William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Senator Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville), places extensive restrictions on Tennessee's hemp industry. This includes a recent amendme...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Rhea County Sheriff's Office is mourning the loss of former Sheriff Paul Smith. Smith was born and raised in Spring City, according to the Sheriff's Office. He served Rhea County as Sheriff for 2 years, from 1974 to 1976, and again for another 4 years from 1982 to 1986. He also served for two years as a member of the US Army in the transportation corps.When he finished there...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The second driver who died in a crash in Walker County on Tuesday, April 15, has been identified as Cassiddy Mitchell, 19, of Rock Spring, according to Georgia State Patrol.The passenger who was air-lifted was her little brother, Cooper Mitchell, 15, of Rock Springs. He remains in the ICU.A Meal Train has been created for the Mitchell family. You can donate restaurant or...  Read More

From Local 3 News: An East Tennessee pastor has been rescued after a shootout with police resulted in the death of three kidnappers, according to the South African Police Service. The pastor was abducted by four armed and masked men as he preached a sermon on Thursday, April 10 in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. Police say they held him for ransom.The South African Police Service said Hawks,...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Traffic is back to normal on I-75 North in Bradley County after a multi-vehicle crash yesterday. The wreck happened just after noon on Wednesday, April 16, near mile marker 27.8—north of Paul Huff Parkway. According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the crash had temporarily blocked the right lane and shoulder....  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A bill that would allow schools in Tennessee to base enrollment off students' immigration status continues to move forwards.The bill was scheduled for action before the House Finance Ways and Means Committee on Monday morning.It comes with a fiscal cost that is not currently accounted for in the state budget.This bill was placed "behind the budget" without debate or a vo...  Read More

A juvenile has been taken into custody in Bradley County following a reckless paintball incident earlier this month. On April 5, deputies responded to a call after a driver reported being hit in the chest by a paintball shot from a passing vehicle on Eureka Road near Lower River Road.Deputies met the victim at a gas station on Georgetown Road, where they observed yellow paint on the victim, inside...  Read More

Bradley County emergency crews responded swiftly Tuesday after a fire broke out in the kitchen area of the Bradley County Jail. The Cleveland Fire Department arrived on scene promptly and quickly brought the fire under control. Crews remain on site working to ventilate the affected area.Thankfully, there were no injuries reported—no inmates, staff, or first responders were harmed, and all individu...  Read More

In preparation for increased holiday travel, TDOT will suspend all interstate construction work requiring lane closures starting Thursday, April 17th at 6 p.m. through Monday, April 21st at 6 a.m.Some long-term closures will remain in place, and drivers may still see workers on site. TDOT urges drivers to obey posted speed limits in work zones and always move over for HELP units and emergency resp...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday for a work session.Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis honored the Bradley Central High School girls basketball team for winning their third consecutive state championship.Kimora Fields was recognized for being named Miss Tennessee Basketball, and April 14th was declared “Kimora Fields Day” in Bradley County. Coach Jason Reuter was named TSSAA 4A Girls Coach...  Read More

The Cleveland City Council also met yesterday.During the meeting, it was announced that Cleveland will receive a new Safe Haven Baby Box. The box will be from the same company that supplied the box in Hamilton County where a newborn was surrendered last month. According to state law, a mother can surrender a baby legally by leaving it in a safe baby box location. The boxes are temperature controll...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Republican lawmakers in the Tennessee House passed HB1376, a bill transferring authority over hemp-derived cannabinoid products from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.An amendment made by Representative Mark Cochran (R-Englewood) added on Wednesday that would prevent the sale of hemp containing a total THC content over 0.3%.As most of t...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A mutual aid response was required for a single-engine plane crash in Polk County's Cherokee National Forest Friday afternoon, April 11.Crews responded to a call from the McGee Tyson Airport Air Traffic Control reporting a small plane had disappeared from the radar.Brian Nightlinger with West Polk County Fire and Rescue says they were given coordinates of the crash and responded...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: After five days of searching, Loudon County officials say they have located a second body in their search for two missing teens who jumped into the Tennessee River on Wednesday to evade police."Sheriff Jimmy Davis and the Loudon County Sheriff's Office that the second missing teenager has been found dead," said the LCSO on Sunday, April 13. "The teen was recovered this a...  Read More