Posts with the category “local-news”

Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally has announced he will not seek re-election to the Tennessee State Senate in 2026, bringing nearly five decades in the legislature to a close.McNally, a Republican from Oak Ridge, said it has been the honor of his life to serve his community and the people of Tennessee.He was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1978 and later elected to the S...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: As part of the I-75 Interchange Improvements at Hamilton Place, Tennessee Department of Transportation contract crews will implement a long-term traffic shift on I-75 South to accommodate ongoing construction of the new exit ramp from I-75 South to Shallowford Road.For approximately eight months, I-75 South will be reduced from four to three lanes between Exit 7 (Bonny Oaks ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Plumbing problems at Meigs County High School have led the entire school district to switch to remote learning on Friday, February 27.The school district says repairs are currently underway, but apparently the problem was so severe they had to dismiss the high school early Thursday morning.Now, no Meigs County campus (including Meigs Middle, Meigs North, Meigs South) will operat...  Read More

From News Channel 12: A few months ago, the Parkridge Health System announced their intentions to build a new freestanding emergency room in Cleveland.However, they faced opposition from Vitruvian Health, who owns the only emergency room in Cleveland, the Bradley Medical Center.Wednesday, they faced off in front of the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission to decide if that would be built.Every h...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Sheriff’s offices across Southeast Tennessee are warning residents about a phone scam in which callers pose as deputies and demand money to avoid arrest.Grundy, Hamilton, Polk, and McMinn County Sheriff’s offices are among the law enforcement agencies that say scammers are targeting residents with threats of jail time and fake warrants.One victim, Athens resident Kathy Wilson, s...  Read More

UPDATE: Former Hamilton County Schools teacher Kenya White has been sentenced to nearly 19 years for federal child sex crimes charges.During sentencing, White blamed alcohol for his actions. The defense made seven objections prior to the sentencing on February 25. White's attorney, McCracken Poston, objected to various language in case documents.White will serve 225 months, attend sex offender the...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A former American Idol contestant with ties to Cleveland, Tennessee, is charged with murder in Ohio.Caleb Ashley Flynn has been charged in connection with the death of his wife, Ashley Flynn, in Miami County, Ohio.Investigators say her body was found at a home in Troy, Ohio, and Flynn was taken into custody.Both Caleb and Ashley Flynn are graduates of Lee University. Prosecuto...  Read More

From News Channel 9: US Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee is weighing in on a report over the weekend about possible American casualties if military action is taken in Iran.Tensions have escalated in recent weeks between Washington and Tehran.The Trump administration maintains that Iran should not have access to nuclear weapons.Iran claims its nuclear program only engages in academic researc...  Read More

Cleveland Utilities will host a Public Informational Session on Friday, February 27, at 2 p.m. at the CU Tom Wheeler Training Center.The session will focus on the utility’s upcoming budget, capital projects, and fees.It will be held at 2455 Guthrie Avenue Northwest.Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and learn more about the plans and priorities ahead.More information is available ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee Senate overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 2423 on Monday, approving the measure by a 27–3 vote.The legislation would prohibit public schools from selling or providing food and drinks that contain artificial food dyes, a move supporters say is meant to protect children from prolonged exposure to additives that may affect behavior and health.Republican Senator Rusty C...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: The Lee University Choral Union will present its spring concert “From Darkness to Light” on Tuesday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. in Pangle Hall.“This concert journeys from the darkness of humanity apart from God to the radiant light of Jesus,” said Dr. Kay Dick, director of Choral Union. “As we sing, we move from despair to hope—discovering that Christ is the true source of light....  Read More

The Cleveland City Council met on Monday and heard a presentation about a proposed school zone speed enforcement program.Council members heard from a Tennessee-based traffic safety company about adding automated speed cameras in school zones.The company’s CEO, a former law enforcement officer, said the system uses the same laser technology that police use, mounted on poles, to measure speed as veh...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday for a work session. Lots of condolences were shared for County Mayor Gary Davis and his family following the loss of his son, Blake.There were no agenda items and no audience speakers.Several upcoming meetings were announced, including a voting session on Monday, March 2, at 7 p.m.A joint Building and Land Committee and Road Committee meeting is on Wedne...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The United States Postal Service (USPS) is hosting job fairs across Tennessee on Tuesday, February 24. They hope to immediately fill vacancies across the state, including in the Tennessee Valley. The hiring events will take place at select post offices from 10:00am-1:00pm. Visit any of these locations to apply: Athens Post OfficeChattanooga Post OfficeCleveland Post OfficeCopper...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Lieutenant Cecil Harvey with the Tennessee Highway Patrol's Chattanooga district has been promoted to Captain.He's succeeding Patrick Turner.Our partners at Local 3 frequently contacts Harvey's office with media inquiries regarding incidents that occur on local highways.District Two serves the following counties:BledsoeBradleyCoffeeFranklinGrundyHamiltonMarionMcMinnMeigsPolkRhea...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: Lee University’s Symphonic Band will present its spring concert Monday, March 2, at 7 p.m. in the Conn Center.The performance will mark the final concert conducted by Dr. Mark Bailey before his retirement after more than 30 years at Lee.The concert will feature the Cleveland Pops Orchestra and the Northwest Whitfield County High School Band.The program will include a mix of ...  Read More

The warning period is over for Cleveland’s new school bus stop-arm safety program.Starting today, Monday, February 23, drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus in Cleveland could face a $250 fine.Cleveland Police say they recorded more than 165 violations during the first three weeks of the warning period.Officials are urging drivers to slow down, stay alert, and watch carefully for buses a...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A bill that is still making its way through the Tennessee House and Senate would allow private school students to participate in athletics at public schools they would be zoned for.However, that private school must have less than 200 students enrolled.The bill's language specifies this would only apply to students in grades 9 through 12.State Senator Adam Lowe is the sponsor o...  Read More

Yesterday was the deadline for candidates to file petitions to run for local office in the May 5th Primary.In Bradley County, 55 individuals qualified to run for local office. 53 will compete in the Republican Primary, while 2 Democrats will take part in the Democratic Primary; both Democrats who qualified will be unopposed on the May 5th ballot.  Positions that will appear on the May primary ball...  Read More

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) says it is cooperating with authorities following an incident at the Cumberland Fossil Plant on Thursday, February 19.In a statement, TVA emphasized that employee safety remains its top priority as the investigation into the situation continues.“The safety and security of our employees is our number one priority,” said Scott Fiedler with TVA Media Relations. “W...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A new bill would allow certain historical documents to be displayed in Tennessee schools.This would include the Ten Commandments, which is stirring up controversy among lawmakers. The House passed the bill 75 to 17 on its third consideration. Some lawmakers believe this bill infringes on the separation between the church and state, while others say it's a part of the 1st Amendme...  Read More

Today is the deadline for candidates to file petitions to run for local office in the May 5th Primary.In Bradley County, as of yesterday afternoon, 62 individuals have picked up petitions to run for office and 53 have had their petitions approved. To seek office, candidates must get signatures of 25 registered voters living in the district they wish to represent. The deadline to file those petitio...  Read More

From Local 3 News: There has been an increase in E. coli cases in Hamilton County this year associated with the consumption of raw milk. The Hamilton County Health Department says the increase in Shiga toxin-producing E. coli is unexpected. They state that "raw milk can carry harmful bacteria that may cause severe or life-threatening illness, particularly in young children, older adults, pregnant ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A state lawmaker from Smyrna is proposing new legislation aimed at lowering healthy grocery costs for Tennessee families. House Bill 2086, also known as the Fresh Food Affordability Act, would eliminate the state sales tax on fresh fruits and vegetables, a move supporters say could provide relief as many households continue to deal with rising food prices.Affordability remains a...  Read More

Cleveland City Schools is pleased to announce that Dr. Joel Barnes will return to the district office to serve as Supervisor of Special Populations.At the end of this school year, Dr. Barnes will transition from his role as Principal of Blythe-Bower Elementary School into the new district-level position.Dr. Barnes previously served as Supervisor of Federal Projects and Professional Development and...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday and approved several key resolutions, including grant applications and budget items.Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting upgrades to Bradley County Parks and the county’s application for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant.The commission also unanimously approved the 2026 Bradley County road list and a rezoning request for pr...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A follow-up inspection for Benton Elementary was completed on February 10. This comes after health inspectors found outstanding risk violations, giving the school as low score of 68. In the new report, it shows zero violations were found during the most recent visit. That is big improvement from the initial findings. Previously, the inspection report cited 16 violations,...  Read More

Bradley County Trustee Mike Smith has released the schedule for the satellite property tax collection locations for the remainder of February.Smith says the satellite locations have been very popular with taxpayers, allowing property owners to pay their taxes closer to home without coming to the main office.To pay at a satellite location, taxpayers must have their tax statement along with a check....  Read More

From News 12: The Meigs County Commission is still working to determine the future of the county jail after it was decertified by the state in December due to overcrowding and other issues.Meigs County Mayor Eddie Jewell recently presented two possible options to commissioners. One proposal would expand the current jail by adding an additional pod.Another option would involve acquiring property fr...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: Cleveland State Community College has announced a new five-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening student success and community partnerships.The plan, titled “Defining Our Tomorrow,” will guide the college from 2025 through 2030.College leaders say the plan was developed with input from faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, and community partners.It focuses on thre...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has a free mobile clinic that offers primary care and other services.MobileMoc, a Medical Outreach Clinic, serves the following local counties.BledsoeBradleyGrundyHamiltonPolkMarionMcMinnMeigsRhea Sequatchie UTC describes MobileMoc as "a healthcare initiative by the University of Tennessee Chattanooga designed to bring interprofes...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A new Tennessee state park is coming to McDonald Farm, according to the Hamilton County Mayor's Office.Governor Bill Lee's proposed state budget includes $45.3 million to help transform more than 1,300 acres of the historic property into the state’s next great state park, Mayor Weston Wamp stated in a release:“Hamilton County has a unique opportunity to both preserve the iconic ...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A man has been charged with attempted second-degree murder following a shooting at a home in Charleston last week.Charleston Police say officers responded to a residence on Water Street after reports of a shooting.The suspect, identified as Dakota Dewayne Prueitt, was arrested at the scene.He is being held on a one-million-dollar bond.Police say the investigation is ongoing, a...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: An attempted murder suspect is now in custody after a several-weeks-long manhunt in the Athens area.Officers arrested David Rodriguez Cruz on Friday, February 13, after a multi-agency operation within the City of Athens.Police Chief Fred Schultz says his arrest happened "without incident" after officers executed "established tactical and safety procedures." Nobody was in...  Read More

State Representative Dan Howell has announced new funding for Meigs County.Meigs County has been awarded $100,000 through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Site Development Grant program.The funding will support due diligence work at the Meigs County Industrial Park.Officials say the Site Development Grant program is part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, create...  Read More

Lee University has announced that Dr. Fijoy Johnson has taken on an expanded leadership role.Dr. Johnson is now serving as director of community and church relations.University officials say he has worked at Lee for 20 years in Campus Ministries and University Relations, and has already been actively involved in community engagement efforts.In his expanded role, Dr. Johnson will serve as a liaison...  Read More

From Local 3 News: New nonstop service from Chattanooga  to Fort Lauderdale is now underway.The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport says Allegiant Airlines has officially launched direct flights to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Airport officials say the new route gives local travelers direct access to South Florida and improved connections to dozens of destinations worldwide....  Read More

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an increase in scam calls from people posing as sheriff’s office employees.Officials say the scammers claim victims have missed jury duty or owe fines and demand immediate payment over the phone.The sheriff’s office says the scammers are spoofing the department’s phone number, making it appear on caller ID that the call is coming direc...  Read More

Cleveland High School has received a $10,000 grant to enhance its Tango Flight Program.The funding comes from the Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation and will support students interested in aviation and aerospace careers.The Tango Flight Program offers hands-on experience in aviation systems, flight operations, and aerospace technology.School officials say the grant will help expand curr...  Read More

From Local 3 News: "Your civil liberties should not be impeded by other people," says Representative Greg Martin (R) of the 26th District of Tennessee.Federal and state laws against those who disrupt a religious facility already exist. However, Representative Martin says House Bill 2264 would reiterate that.He created this bill after hearing about a situation that happened in another state that he...  Read More