Posts with the category “local-news”

Concerns are growing in Bradley County over rumors of a possible AI data center development.County officials say there are currently no confirmed plans for a data center, despite speculation tied to a 251-acre land purchase by a British investment company last year in Charleston.Recent social media posts have encouraged residents to attend an upcoming Bradley County Commission meeting to oppose a ...  Read More

From TN.gov: Tennessee’s unemployment rate remains below the national average, according to new data from the state.The February unemployment rate came in at 3.6 percent, slightly higher than January and the same time last year.That is still below the national rate of 4.4 percent.State data shows Tennessee lost 6,400 jobs over the past year, with the largest declines in trade, transportation, and ...  Read More

From Fox 17: The Tennessee House has passed a bill that would ban the use, sale, and distribution of kratom.Kratom is a plant-based substance often sold as a supplement, but lawmakers say it carries serious health risks, including addiction and effects similar to opioids.The bill is named in honor of Matthew Davenport of Chattanooga, who died in 2024 after a deadly interaction between kratom and p...  Read More

What’s being called the Appalachia Fire continues to burn on remote terrain in Polk County on U.S. Forest Service property near McFarland and the Hiwassee River.No structures are currently threatened in the wildfire, which has grown to more than 200 acres.Approximately 40 U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighters are working the fire using both ground and air resources.Officials say the fire was f...  Read More

From WSMV: The IRS is expanding tax relief efforts for Tennesseans impacted by January’s ice storm.Originally, only certain counties qualified for an extended filing deadline, but the relief now applies to all 95 counties across the state.If you missed yesterday’s deadline, you now have until June 8 to file federal individual and business tax returns and make payments.Those needing copies of previ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A federal jury ruled that Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated antitrust laws, siding with Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and a coalition of 33 states, according to the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General.After a five-week trial, jurors found the companies had unlawfully maintained monopoly power across the live event industry. limiting competition among tick...  Read More

Volkswagen says it is implementing a global cost-cutting and efficiency program that is affecting some salaried and administrative positions in its U.S. operations, including some jobs in Chattanooga.In a statement, Volkswagen said the restructuring is part of a broader effort at its core brand aimed at improving performance and reducing costs worldwide. The company emphasized that the changes app...  Read More

Today is the first day of Early Voting in Tennessee.Early voting for the State and County Primary Election runs through April 30th.Voters in Bradley County can cast ballots at four locations: the OCI on Urbane Road, the Bradley County Election Office on Broad Street, the Northeast Recreation Center on Berry Street, and the Bradley County Fire-Rescue Training Center on Dalton Pike.Early voting hour...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating allegations involving a Bradley County high school teacher at the request of District Attorney General Stephen Hatchett.Officials have not released additional information about the investigation.According to Bradley Central High School’s website, Lindsey Bell is listed as the school’s theatre teacher.Bradley County Sup...  Read More

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday and recognized a local athlete for her accomplishments.Lee University track and field athlete Aria Hawkins was honored as a nine-time All-American, with the city proclaiming April 13th as “Aria Hawkins Day.”Council members also highlighted the success of the recent Hot Slaw Festival, which brought large crowds and boosted local businesses.Dewayne Belew spok...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday and heard updates from County Mayor Gary Davis.The mayor says recent wastewater rate increases from Ocoee Utilities were required by the state comptroller, following a rate study.He says the utility implemented the minimum required increase but may need to take on some debt in the future, while hoping continued growth will help offset costs.Commissioners...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A Tennessee bill that would expand a school voucher program that allows families to use public funds for private school tuition is advancing to the Senate.The Tennessee House has passed HB2532 following a lengthy floor session marked by multiple amendment votes and procedural changes.Lawmakers approved the bill Monday in a 52–43 vote, passing it as amended after adopting...  Read More

From TWU: Congressman Chuck Fleischmann visited Tennessee Wesleyan University last week to celebrate a two-and-a-half million dollar federal investment in campus improvements.The funding will go toward renovating the Fisher Hall of Science, including upgrades to classrooms, labs, and technology.University leaders say the project will help prepare students for careers in science, healthcare, and ed...  Read More

From News 12: A proposed Tennessee bill aims to close a loophole in truancy laws.Representative Kevin Raper of Bradley County says some students avoid consequences for excessive absences by transferring schools.The bill would require schools to share a student’s unexcused absences with their new school and report students who fail to re-enroll.Supporters say the change would improve accountability...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A jury has found a McMinn County man guilty in a deadly 2024 church arson in Athens.A police report says Kyle Jay Hickox set St. Mark AME Zion Church on fire and told a nearby college maintenance man that he was 'going to get God's water.'The report says a woman inside the church, Linda Buchanan, was killed at the hands of Hickox before the fire began.The church was deemed a t...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Cleveland Police Department is sharing new details about an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a 52-year-old man.Just after midnight on Friday, April 10, Cleveland police say officers responded to a call regarding an armed, intoxicated man at the Brooks Edge Apartments on Adkisson Drive.Callers reported that the man would not stop following two p...  Read More

From TN.gov: Eighty-four of Tennessee’s 95 counties recorded unemployment rates below five percent in January.Data shows unemployment increased in most counties compared to December.Williamson County had the lowest rate at 2.7 percent, while Perry County had the highest at 11.3 percent.Tennessee’s overall unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, remaining below the national average.In our local area:Bra...  Read More

Pilot Travel Centers is donating $10,000 dollars to Bradley County Schools following upgrades at its Pleasant Grove Road location.The money will help fund participation for 11 elementary schools in the Junior Achievement BizTown program.The program gives fifth-grade students hands-on experience with financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness.*Photo featured is not the Cleveland ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: CommonSpirit (formerly CHI Memorial Hospital) and Lifepoint Rehabilitation broke ground on a new inpatient rehab hospital on April 8, 2026.The new hospital will be located on Mountain View Road in Ooltewah, Tennessee, and it is slated to open next spring.CommonSpirit - Memorial Rehabilitation Hospital will provide care for adults experiencing a loss of function or disability due...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Cleveland Police Department said foul play is not suspected in the death of an Ooltewah woman who went missing on April 1.The body of Patricia Nicole Hobbs was found in the back of a vehicle that had been towed on Sunday, April 5.Police state that North and South Towing had transported the car from the Valero gas station on South Lee Highway.The police department sai...  Read More

From News Channel 9: TBI agents are assisting federal authorities with an investigation at a dermatology office in Chattanooga.The office on Gunbarrel Road is linked to Dr. John Chung, who has faced past federal insurance fraud allegations.Nearby businesses say the office has appeared inactive, with limited activity over the years.Records show Dr. Chung recently agreed to pay more than $6 million ...  Read More

Three finalists have been selected in the search for the next president of Cleveland State Community College.They include Dr. John Davis of Germanna Community College in Virginia, Dr. James Ross, former president of Pamlico Community College, and Dr. Patricia Weaver of Pellissippi State Community College.Public interviews will be held on April 17, 20, and 21 at 10 a.m. at the George R. Johnson Cul...  Read More

A Georgia woman is facing charges after investigators say she was involved in a fraud scheme in Bradley County.Detectives say a victim was contacted by scammers posing as bank representatives and a federal agent, claiming her accounts were compromised.The victim was told to withdraw cash to protect her money and later realized it was a scam.When the suspects attempted a second pickup, detectives c...  Read More

Two Tennessee residents were killed in separate crashes Tuesday morning on Dalton Pike, according to preliminary reports by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.The first crash happened around 7:48 a.m. at the intersection of Dalton Pike and Hungry Hollow Road Southeast.Investigators say 53-year-old Kenneth Hodgson entered the path of a southbound pickup truck driven by John Bates.Hodgson was killed in th...  Read More

Mix 104.1 WCLE will host a debate for candidates running for Bradley County Mayor tomorrow, Thursday, April 9th. The debate will start around 8 a.m.Candidates include current Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis, as well as Scott Gilbert.You can also watch the debate live on MixTV.TV or stream it later. The debate is sponsored by the Lynn Jones Foundation....  Read More

Out of more than 420 total applicants and multiple rounds of competition, TVFCU has announced the finalists for its 9th Annual Idea Leap Grant.Five finalists in each region will compete for a $30,000 grand prize.All finalists are guaranteed at least $10,000 to support their businesses.The Ocoee Region Finalists are:MONA & LARRY’S — Grocery StoreCOPPERHILL BREWERY — BreweryHEAT N EAT — Gluten Free ...  Read More

Vitruvian Health - Bradley Medical Center announced that the hospital and its providers will be in network for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans beginning May 1, 2026.The agreement allows seniors in the area to continue receiving care from their local on doctors without interruption.Hospital leadership says the move helps protect access to care close to home.Discussions are still ongoing r...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee House of Representatives passed a bill blocking ambulance companies from "surprise billing" insured individuals who use the service.House Bill 1061 keeps out-of-network ambulance providers from balance billing patients.This means those providers cannot charge patients the remaining balance for emergency transportation that was not covered by their health insurance....  Read More

From News Channel 9: A bail bondsman involved in a shooting at a Cleveland CVS parking lot is now facing charges.A Bradley County grand jury indicted James Alexander Howe in connection to the October 2025 incident.The indictment includes two counts.One charge alleges reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, stating Howe’s actions may have placed another person in danger of death or serious inju...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday.The Commission approved a three-year outdoor lighting agreement for the county cannery after questions about the cost of the service.Commissioners amended the resolution Monday night to say the monthly cost will not exceed $143.50.County leaders said the light is already in place, but Cleveland Utilities is now requiring a three-year agreement for that s...  Read More

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development has compiled a comprehensive analysis of the January 2026 statewide unemployment data.Tennessee’s unemployment rate for January was 3.5 percent, slightly down from December and matching the rate from one year ago.The state continues to perform better than the national unemployment rate of 4.3 percent.Employers added nearly 6,000 jobs over...  Read More

Buckner & Fike Funeral Home and Crematory proudly announces the return of Ralph Buckner Jr. to the funeral profession in Cleveland.The business was acquired through federal bankruptcy court on April 2 and will begin operations in the coming weeks at their former location at 3000 Ralph Buckner Boulevard.The company says it will honor all previously transferred funeral prearrangements at full value ...  Read More

Mix 104.1 WCLE will hold a debate for Bradley County Register of Deeds candidates tomorrow, April 7, at 8:00 a.m. during the Mix Mornings Show.A second debate with Bradley County Mayoral candidates is also scheduled for Thursday at 8:00 a.m.Both debates are sponsored by the Lynn Jones Foundation.You will be able to watch the debates live or replay them later on MixTV.TV. ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Multiple agencies have worked to contain a 45-acre wildfire started by a brush fire in eastern Polk County, according to Copper Basin Fire and Rescue.Crews say the flames had humble beginnings as a “natural spark” but were exacerbated by heavy winds and dangerous conditions:“Through it all, homes were protected, animals were saved, and neighbors looked out for one another. That ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A 36-year-old Decatur man is charged with second-degree murder after a shooting on Saturday evening, April 4, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.The TBI says they joined the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office in investigating the incident after shots rang out in the 400 block of Shiloh Road in Decatur, Tennessee.When deputies arrived, they found 58-year-old Jeffery Ke...  Read More

The Cleveland Police Department is offering a Youth Police Academy this summer for children ages 9 to 14.The program will take place June 15th through the 18th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.The four-day course gives students a hands-on look at law enforcement, including crime scene investigation, K-9 units, SWAT, and more.There is a $30 fee for those accepted, which includes meals and a program shirt...  Read More

From News Channel 9: Tennessee’s school voucher program is expanding again, but not by as much as originally planned.A House subcommittee voted Wednesday to scale back the number of new Education Freedom Scholarships planned for next school year and also added an amendment that would tie citizenship to school funding.The original expansion proposal, backed by Governor Bill Lee, called for adding 2...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is warning the public about a scam involving text messages and emails claiming recipients owe unpaid tickets.Officials say scammers are sending messages with links that appear to be official state websites, sometimes using similar-looking URLs. The goal is to trick people into providing personal and financial information.TBI urges anyo...  Read More

Citizens have until Monday to register to vote if they plan to vote in the upcoming local primary elections.Early voting will begin April 15 and run through April 30.The deadline to request an absentee ballot is April 25.Election Day is set for May 5.More information is available at bradleyelections.com....  Read More

From TDOT: Interstate construction will be halted for Easter holiday travel across Tennessee.The Tennessee Department of Transportation says crews will stop all lane closure work beginning Thursday, April 2, at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 6, at 6:00 a.m.The move is intended to provide more roadway capacity during the busy holiday weekend.Some long-term lane closures will remain in place, and w...  Read More