Posts with the category “local-news”

From the Chattanoogan: Lee University will partner with Main Street Cleveland, Cleveland High School, and the Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points to honor the 120th anniversary of the John Philip Sousa Band’s performance, which took place in Cleveland, on Jan. 30, 1906. This concert is in recognition of the rich and long-standing heritage of fine instrumental music in the region.  Due to inc...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: Blood Assurance officials said they have been forced to close donor centers and cancel multiple blood drives in Middle Tennessee due to icy conditions - including several school-based drives that would have resulted in hundreds of donations."With fewer opportunities to collect in those areas, we’re urging people to donate in areas where travel is safe," officials said. "Bloo...  Read More

From Local 3 News: State officials will be coordinating welfare checks on Tennesseans who have not been heard from since ice and snow from a winter storm knocked out power across the state amid dangerously low temperatures.The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has activated its statewide 800-TBI-FIND number to coordinate welfare check requests. Coming at the request of the Tennessee Emergency Mana...  Read More

From Local 3 News: For those who want to help their neighbors, Barbara's Market in Cleveland is in need of volunteers. The organization provides food, clothing and hygiene items to Cleveland City Schools. Barbara's Market is named after Barbara Ector, a Cleveland City Schools educator who passed away last summer. "We're really thankful that we're able to assist our families in this way, and I thin...  Read More

From Local 3 News: An apartment caught fire Sunday in Cleveland, Tennessee. The fire broke out at an apartment on Stephens Road, according to the Cleveland Fire Department. Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke coming from the building. Firefighters made an interior attack and contained the blaze to the unit. There were no injuries, according to the fire department. ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The City of Cleveland announced that a draft of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) has been completed. The Cleveland Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Tennessee Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration are working together to complete the plan. According to the city, the LRTP is a "multimodal strategy and improvement program developed t...  Read More

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday.The council approved the abandonment of an unopened right-of-way lying between Parker Street and Trunk Street. All surrounding property owners agreed to the abandonment. City staff and the planning commission both recommended approval, noting the land has never been improved and is better suited to be absorbed into adjacent parcels.The council also held a p...  Read More

From Local 3 News: McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy is commending the bravery and efforts of one of his deputies who went above and beyond while responding to a fatal car crash after a chase on Highway 68.That crash happened shortly after Sweetwater Police lost sight of a "dangerous" suspect in a stolen truck on Friday, January 23.Deputy Kelby Liner responded to the area when he heard about the chase...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Crews with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) are working around the clock to help drivers on the road. At 1:00pm on Saturday, January 24, TDOT said they were seeing more incidents on the roadways as the winter storm moves through the state. TDOT HELP trucks are helping drivers and keeping traffic flowing. "As we see more slides and spin-outs, we again encourage y...  Read More

All Bradley County Government offices will be closed today, January 26, due to inclement weather.Essential services will remain operational. Officials urge residents to stay safe and avoid travel if possible.All area school systems are also closed today and tomorrow.Lee University has canceled all classes and closed all offices for today. Cleveland State campuses will be closed both Monday and Tue...  Read More

Cleveland City Schools and the Cleveland Police Department are launching Tennessee’s first school bus stop-arm safety program.The district is partnering with BusPatrol to reduce illegal passings of stopped school buses and improve student safety.The program begins with a 30-day warning period starting this week. Ticketing will begin February 23.Drivers who fail to stop for a school bus with red li...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A 32-year-old man is wanted for attempted first degree murder after a stabbing at a neighborhood community in Athens, according to the Athens Police Department.Officers say his victim, whose identity has not been released yet, was hospitalized after the incident.David Rodriguez Cruz, 32, is not believed to still be in the immediate area, but the public is urged not to approach h...  Read More

Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson gave an update on the Sheriff’s Office and its future needs yesterday at the Kiwanis Club meeting. Sheriff Lawson highlighted improvements made since 2018, including new in-car cameras, body cameras for deputies and school resource officers, and an SRO now assigned to every elementary school.He also reported major upgrades at the county jail, which recently earn...  Read More

Cleveland City Schools has named Mike Chai as its new Director of Student Services.Chai currently serves as principal of Arnold Memorial Elementary School and is the longest-serving principal in the district.He began his career with Cleveland City Schools in 1995 and has served in a variety of roles, including instructional assistant, school counselor, assistant principal, and district student ser...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Southern states, including Tennessee and Georgia, are preparing for the upcoming strong winter storm this weekend. Both states have declared a state of emergency to help with emergency response."As forecasts continue to evolve, Georgians should be prepared for freezing precipitation that causes dangerous conditions and the potential for damage and power loss beginning Saturday,"...  Read More

Bradley County EMS announced today that it is now carrying CYANOKIT® (hydroxocobalamin) on select response units, adding an important treatment option for known or suspected cyanide poisoning.The addition strengthens the emergency response partnership between Bradley County EMS, Cleveland TN Fire Department, and Bradley County Fire and Rescue, improving care options for both civilian patients and ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: SPCA of Bradley County will be closed until Tuesday due to the forecasted winter weather this weekend. The closure is so the shelter can prepare for the weather with a deep clean. It will reopen Tuesday, January 27, 2026. ...  Read More

Local emergency officials are also closely monitoring Winter Storm Fern.Residents are urged to prepare for snow, ice, power outages, and hazardous roads. The Cleveland-Bradley Office of Emergency Management advises having a family emergency plan and signing up for local alerts by texting “JOIN CBCOEM” to 31002.The City of Athens says road crews will begin salting on Friday. Citizens can sign up fo...  Read More

From Local 3 News: People are already preparing for the winter storm heading to our area.It's important to stock up on items early, so you are not caught in the swarm of customers at the last minute.Some outdoor/indoor essential tools include:Salt/Kitty litterSnow shovelsHandwarmersFlashlightsBatteriesIce scrapers for vehiclesIf you plan on playing outside in the snow, or even removing it from you...  Read More

A Cleveland man has been arrested after allegedly threatening a Chattanooga judge, public defender, and police officer.Michael Pearson was taken into custody in Cleveland by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force. He is charged with one count of harassment and three counts of retaliation for past actions.An affidavit says Pearson sent threatening texts, includin...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday.The Commission approved a resolution to move $110,897 in ARP funds from Ocoee Utilities to the Hiwassee Utility Commission for a water project. Ocoee Utilities was unable to use the funds, and the reallocation avoids restarting the funding process. The vote passed 12-0.Commissioners also approved reappointments to the Employee Safety Committee, including...  Read More

From News Channel 9: Some state lawmakers want to expand Tennessee's school voucher program amid what they describe as a rise in demand.The Tennessee Department of Education says they've received more than 50,000 applications so far after less than a week of availability.For context, House Speaker Cameron Sexton says 40,000 students applied last year. The state awarded scholarships to half of them...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: Tennessee revenues exceeded budgeted estimates for the month of December. Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson on Friday reported that total December tax revenues were $2 billion, $82.7 million more than the budgeted estimate and $116.5 million more than December 2024. The total tax growth rate for the month was 6.09 percent.General fund revenues ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Cash, credit, and debit cards, backpacks, and a laptop were stolen in a spree of auto-burglaries.Unlocked vehicles in the Font Gate neighborhood in Ooltewah were targeted.In an affidavit obtained by Local 3 News, it reads that 24-year-old Khalil Sivels and his Black Acura were seen on security footage using stolen cards at multiple gas stations.Sivels spent over $70 on t...  Read More

Bradley Medical Center and Erlanger Health have signed a Letter of Intent to explore a partnership to expand pediatric emergency services.Bradley Medical Center says the goal is to strengthen ties with the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger and improve access to local care for families in Bradley and Polk Counties.The initiative could also lead to reopening 10 ER beds at Bradley Medical’s Westside ca...  Read More

Crews responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-75 southbound near mile marker 29 on Sunday.A pickup truck with a single adult occupant and an SUV carrying three passengers collided while traveling southbound, causing both vehicles to roll multiple times. The SUV came to rest on its top.Multiple agencies responded alongside Bradley County EMS, and the interstate was closed briefly to allow crews to sa...  Read More

Multiple agencies responded to a two-vehicle crash on Paul Huff Parkway in front of Lowe’s on Saturday. One vehicle landed on its side, trapping two adults inside the vehicle.Cleveland Fire crews were able to safely free them, and all individuals involved walked away without injuries.Officials say every person involved in the accident was wearing a seatbelt, which they say made a difference in the...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A home in Charleston, Tennessee is a complete loss after a fire Saturday afternoon, January 17. Crews responded to the scene just after 1:00pm, finding the home completely fully involved, with nothing left to save.Bradley County Fire and Rescue thanked all who responded to the scene:"Busy day today, and we’re incredibly thankful for our crews—both paid and volunteer—who stepped ...  Read More

The City of Cleveland has announced that federally required pipeline maintenance under Mouse Creek Road will begin this week.There are no safety issues, but the work is mandated by the Pipeline and the Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and it must be completed by the end of January.Drivers can expect temporary lane closures and detour signage in the area....  Read More

Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis delivered his annual State of the County address on Thursday.Mayor Davis reported an $11.4 million increase in the county’s net position and praised the finance department for receiving a clean audit with no findings. He said the county continues to operate with a strong 26% fund balance, well above the required 15%.He noted the county’s Double-A bond rating and hig...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A Bradley County homeowner says several animals are dead following a large fire at her barn on Thursday.Bradley County fire officials tell us the barn is a total loss.Bradley County EMS spokesman Adam Lewis says the barn was an old chicken house that had been renovated to house and care for animals.The woman who owns the barn says seven dogs and two cats have died.Investigator...  Read More

From Local 3 News: United Airlines is slated to start temporarily offering flights from Chattanooga to Denver this summer.The Chattanooga Airport announced the seasonal expansion on Thursday, January 15.United will have flights every Saturday starting May 23, 2026 and ending October 24, 2026.The new route, flown on an Embraer E-175 regional jet, offers Chattanooga another major gateway to the west...  Read More

From Local 3 News: In recognition of Dolly Parton's 80th birthday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed Dolly Parton Day for January 19, 2026.Parton was born in Sevier County, TN, on January 19, 1946.As a Tennessee native, she has brought pride to the state with her numerous accomplishments as a singer, songwriter, musician, actress, producer, and entrepreneur. "Dolly Patton's generosity, hu...  Read More

From News Channel 9: Tennessee voters may soon decide whether to permanently ban the state from ever imposing a property tax.Tennessee hasn’t collected a state property tax since 1946, but the authority to do so still exists in the state constitution.A proposed constitutional amendment would eliminate that authority. It’s set to appear on the ballot in the November 2026 gubernatorial election.Supp...  Read More

From TN.gov: The 35th Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, January 17 and 18, in Birchwood.The event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and takes place at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, Cherokee Removal Memorial Park, and Birchwood Community Center.Free shuttle service will run from the Birchwood Community Center to the festival sites, with parking available at Birch...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Human remains were found near Etowah on Tuesday, according to McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy.The remains were found around 11:30am in a wooded area near the Parkstown Community. "The discovery may resolve a case of a local man who had recently left his home in the area and had not returned," Sheriff Guy said.However, the sheriff adds that the remains will be tested to for positiv...  Read More

From Local 3 News: McMinn County High School was placed on a temporary lockdown on Tuesday, January 13, following a "concerning comment" made by a student that turned out not to be a credible threat, school officials say.The comment was immediately reported to the school administration and investigated by the McMinn County Sheriff’s Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the McMinn Schools ...  Read More

One person was injured after a small plane crashed in Polk County on Tuesday, January 13, Sheriff Steve Ross says.The crash happened on Cookson Creek Road. According to Sheriff Ross, the pilot suffered minor injuries.The name of the pilot has not been released....  Read More

The Cleveland City School Board met on Monday.The board approved its FY 2027 budget calendar with a minor change allowing members to receive the budget draft earlier, giving more time to prepare for the spring retreat discussion.Director of Schools Dr. Russell Dyer shared updates from December, including performances by students, a community “Cocoa with Santa” event, and the annual Empty Stocking ...  Read More

A virtual public forum will be held on January 14 for the search process to find the next president of Cleveland State Community College.The forum will be held via Zoom at 10 a.m. Eastern. An 18-member search advisory committee has been appointed, including members of the Board of Regents, Cleveland State faculty, students, alumni, and local business and community leaders.The committee will review...  Read More