Posts with the category “local-news”

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

From Local 3 News: Tennessee lawmakers are one step closer to banning the retail sale of nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas” or “whippets.”The Nitrous Oxide Abuse Prevention and Retail Sales Prohibition Act has passed both in the House and Senate. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Fred Atchley, R-Sevierville, and Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, would prohibit retail sellers from off...  Read More

Cleveland City Schools responded to a bus accident that occurred near Buchanan Road and APD 40 yesterday. The release Read in part, “We are thankful to report that students on the bus were safe and unharmed. District staff responded and worked closely with emergency responders to assess the situation and support everyone involved.”There have been no reports of injuries or charges. ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A Bradley Central High School student was cited after a firearm was found in their car on campus Monday, the Bradley County Sheriff's Office says.According to officials, the weapon was found during a routine check of the school parking lot by school personnel. The firearm was located in an occupied vehicle, and staff immediately notified School Resource Officers, who responded a...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Tennessee General Assembly has approved new legislation aimed at strengthening penalties for child rape cases, sending the measure to the governor’s desk.House Bill 1454, sponsored by Rep. Greg Martin (R-Hixson), expands the aggravating circumstances under which prosecutors can pursue the death penalty for those convicted of raping a child."Two years ago, the Tenness...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Two Montgomery County, Tennessee, students are dead after a crash on Hwy 70 in Carroll County involving a TDOT dump truck, a school bus, and a passenger vehicle.The Tennessee Highway Patrol says the school bus, which NBC-affiliated station WSMV reported is from Kenwood Middle School, was returning from a field trip. 25 students, five adults were aboard the bus.Several others wer...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A man was arrested in Sweetwater who police say made threats to a local business and the Monroe County Justice Center.Damarcus Taylor was found by Brown Intermediate School's School Resource Officer (SRO) and an off-duty Sweetwater Police Officer on school property Thursday.The school was placed on a soft lockdown as a precaution.Taylor was taken into custody. Police found a sma...  Read More

Late Sunday afternoon, Cleveland City Schools was made aware of a social media threat directed at Cleveland Middle School. District administrators acted immediately, working in close coordination with the Cleveland Police Department to assess and respond to the situation.Law enforcement officials responded quickly. Police say a suspect has been identified and is currently in police custody.At this...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee Board of Education has recommended that Hamilton County Schools create a corrective action plan to improve five county schools that received an “F” rating. One Polk County School received a failing grade for the past two years.Hamilton County SchoolsSchools received a failing grade because of these factors:UnderperformanceLeadership hiring decisionsBudgetingCurricu...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Blood Assurance to host a community blood drive next month in Cleveland.The event is scheduled for April 6, 2026, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, at 2290 Blythe Avenue SE.The sheriff’s office says the drive is aimed at helping meet ongoing blood supply needs and encouraging community members to donate. Both first-time and regular don...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A Cleveland assisted living facility co-owner is facing serious charges after a Bradley County Grand Jury returned an eight-count indictment.Investigators say Andrew Charles Sneed, a co-owner of Remember Me Senior Care, is accused of misusing millions of dollars over a six-year period.Court documents claim Sneed made more than 700-thousand dollars in unauthorized credit card c...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The school resource officer for Bradley County's Michigan Avenue Elementary School has created a program for kindergarten - 2nd graders that could be a real lifesaver.The students are learning to interact with first responders. Sheriff's deputies and emergency workers are teaching them the basics of making a 911 call.2nd grader Vander Vaughn said, “We are getting help from them,...  Read More

Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson says school safety efforts are expanding beyond campuses to include roadways across the county.In a social media post, the sheriff’s office says it will immediately increase patrols and enforcement in areas where residents have reported speeding concerns.Lawson is urging drivers, especially students, to slow down and warns that excessive speeding in school zones...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee continued his America 250 Celebration, which includes visiting all 95 counties in the state.On Wednesday, March 25, Governor Lee made a stop in Meigs and McMinn counties. In Decatur, Tennessee, he visited the Meigs County Courthouse. There he was met with dozens of residents, greeted them and took pictures.His main message was a simple "thank you" to ...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: MurMaid Mattress, a staple of the Tennessee Valley for nearly five decades, was recently spotlighted in Bed Times, the premier national magazine for the sleep products industry.The feature highlights the family-owned company’s successful evolution into a premium factory-direct manufacturer and its transition to a third generation of leadership.Founded in 1979 by Joy and Elme...  Read More

Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union’s annual Idea Leap Grant Competition is almost here.Voting for the People’s Choice finalists opens March 30th at 8 a.m. and runs through April 3rd at 5 p.m.Community members can vote online after watching semifinalist videos from each region.Small businesses are competing for a share of 225-thousand dollars in grant funding, with winners to be announced during...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission held a work session yesterday to review early budget discussions, hear committee updates, and take public comments.County Mayor D. Gary Davis said many department requests include significant increases, and he will move forward with a balanced budget using current and projected revenues. He also plans to include a salary increase for county employees.Commissioners dis...  Read More

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday, focusing on community initiatives, development, and infrastructure.City leaders proclaimed April 11th as World Parkinson’s Day in Cleveland.Officials say the designation is meant to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease, which affects more than one million Americans and currently has no cure.The Cleveland Housing Authority also provided an update on lo...  Read More

High schools in McMinn County will begin using the CEIA Opengate weapons detection system starting Tuesday, March 24.School officials say the system is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen safety measures for both students and staff.With the new screening process, students are encouraged to allow a few extra minutes for arrival as the system is implemented....  Read More

On Monday, March 23, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Cleveland Police Department was called to a crash on North Lee Highway at King Den Drive. Officers arrived on scene and learned that a 2001 Lincoln Towncar, driven by Colene Mercer, age 87, was turning left onto King Den Drive from North Lee Highway, when it was struck by a Mercedes, which was south bound on North Lee Highway. The Mercedes...  Read More

The City of Cleveland is hosting the Justice Bus to provide free legal help to the community.The event will take place Tuesday, April 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.It will be held at the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library.Visitors can speak with volunteer attorneys and get answers to legal questions....  Read More

From Local 3 News: Tax season is coming up, and several organizations in our area are providing free assistance.A lot of the programs are powered by the Volunteer Income Tax assistance program (VITA) or the AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide.Before you go anywhere, make sure to call ahead and see if they're taking appointments.TENNESSEE:Hamilton Co.Urban League of ChattanoogaFirst-Centenary ChurchHixson C...  Read More

Cleveland City Schools has announced new principals for three elementary schools for the 2026-2027 school year.Donald Benton will serve as principal of Ross Elementary School.Dr. Alicia Kahrs has been named principal of Arnold Memorial Elementary School.Dr. Joe Parker will lead Blythe-Bower Elementary School.Director of Schools Dr. Jeff Elliott said in a release that the new leaders are committed ...  Read More

The Bradley County School Board met last night.The board recognized Lake Forest Middle School’s show Choir, Revolution, for winning 5 Grand Championships and winning Best Vocals and Best Choreography in all five competitions they competed in this year. The choir is the winningest group in the 25-year history of Revolution.The board approved a grant-funded modular building at Oak Grove Elementary t...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A bill that would allow Tennessee schools to display historical documents, including the Ten Commandments, has passed the state Senate Thursday.The measure sparked sharp debate among lawmakers, ultimately passing strictly along party lines. Republicans argue the Ten Commandments are a significant part of the nation’s historical foundation, while Democrats say the bill crosses th...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Students at Tellico Plains High School in Monroe County were allowed to leave early on Thursday, March 19 after a gas leak.Monroe County Schools and the high school announced that additional repairs to the gas lines are needed before students can return to campus, and their decision was made only out of an abundance of caution.“The safety of our students and staff is always our ...  Read More

From News 12: Residents in the Ten Mile community of Meigs County are raising concerns about ongoing flooding along State Route 304.Neighbors say drainage issues are causing repeated flooding that threatens businesses and creates hazards for drivers.TDOT says it has studied the issue extensively and is exploring several possible solutions.This follows many of the residents coming together to sign ...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A Cleveland business owner is defending himself after neighbors raised concerns about suspected illegal burning on his property.The concerns first surfaced after a viewer shared drone video with our newsroom.The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) told us that video appears to show illegal burning happening at Cleveland Roll Off Rentals.Now, the owner o...  Read More