Posts with the category “local-news”

From Local 3 News: Starting January 1, 2027, some drivers in the state of Tennessee will have to provide additional documents to secure their vehicle registration.To register a vehicle in the United States, an applicant must provide specific documents: a birth certificate, ID card and resident status.Now, new Tennessee drivers must provide proof that they are a United States citizen.This new code ...  Read More

From News Channel 9: The Tennessee House speaker is proposing a grocery tax cut to make the cost of food more affordable.The measure follows a Democratic push for the same thing this legislative session after a similar proposal failed last year.Cutting the sales tax on groceries is something shoppers can get behind, but the verdict is still out on which legislative proposal should move forward.Bla...  Read More

The Bradley County Board of Education voted Thursday afternoon to formally support the County Commission’s restrictions on data centers near schools, citing concerns about the proposed Project Midspan development near Walker Valley High School.The resolution passed by a vote of six to one, with board member Alan Smith casting the lone opposing vote. Smith questioned whether the school board should...  Read More

From the Chattanooga Times Free Press: A Tennessee appeals court has upheld a more than $57,000 judgment against a Cleveland storage facility and its owner after a couple reported thousands of dollars in stolen belongings.Read the full story HERE....  Read More

From Local 3 News: Tennessee has elevated its emergency management plan following severe flooding in Polk County, allowing state agencies to coordinate additional support for local recovery efforts.The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) activated the State Emergency Operations Center to a Level 4 – Elevated on November 5 in response to the flooding.The state also activated the Tennessee ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Federal officials completed preliminary damage assessments in Copperhill following devastating flooding, marking another step in deciding if additional disaster assistance will be available.The City of Copperhill shared the update Wednesday, November 11, saying residents and businesses should remain patient.What Happens NextThe assessments were conducted by the Federal Emergency...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission heard concerns Monday about a proposed Dollar General store on Spring Place Road during a work session. Several residents spoke against the project, raising concerns about traffic and safety near the proposed location.The property would need to be rezoned from agricultural and residential to general commercial. The Planning Commission previously deadlocked on the requ...  Read More

The Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for two of its highest community honors.The M.C. Headrick Free Enterprise Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the local economy through entrepreneurship, innovation, and business leadership.It’s the Chamber’s highest honor and was presented last year to Isaac Libbey of Best Buy Metals.The Robert W....  Read More

From Local 3 News: A juvenile was taken to the hospital after being struck by a deer while riding an ATV in Cleveland, Tennessee.The Bradley County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded to the incident on Live Oak Trail on November 9.Officials say the juvenile was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.The Sheriff's Office is not releasing the juvenile's identity or details about their in...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: An elderly McMinn County couple was found dead in their home, and their son is now charged with stealing his father’s car.Timothy Libbey, 36, was arrested the day his parents were found dead with multiple stab wounds.Timothy had just been released from prison on November 7 after serving a sentence for aggravated assault. His parents were found dead on November 8.Troopers...  Read More

MainStreet Cleveland has announced another change to the route for this year’s Cleveland Christmas Parade.The parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 5th, at 6 p.m.Organizers say the updated route is more similar to previous years and will provide additional viewing opportunities while improving safety and logistics for participants.The changes come after Bradley Central High School became unav...  Read More

A heated exchange over freedom of speech temporarily interrupted Monday’s Cleveland City Council meeting, prompting Mayor Kevin Brooks to call a recess and consult with the city attorney.During public comments, resident Misty Parks confronted Brooks over remarks she claims he made about political messages displayed on her vehicle. When Parks began discussing national political issues, Brooks inter...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Adrienne White, a lifelong Chattanooga resident and longtime owner of Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park, has died at 94.The amusement park opened in 1925 and has been a staple attraction in Rossville, Georgia, for generations.White began working at the park as a child alongside her grandmother, who co-owned the business. She later took over ownership and lived to see the park ce...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A death investigation is underway after two people were found dead in an Athens, Tennessee, home on Sunday.The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) told Local 3 News that it is investigating the death of two people in the 100 block of County Road 654 on November 8, 2026.The 10th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office requested the TBI investigate.The TBI identified those...  Read More

The SPCA of Bradley County will host its first-ever Fall with the Furballs adoption event this Saturday, November 14.The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the SPCA's new property at 111 Industrial Way Southwest, off APD 40.Dogs and cats will be available for adoption, along with more than 25 vendors and food trucks.Activities will include face painting, a photo booth, live music, ...  Read More

Cleveland City Schools has announced its Fall 2026 Employees of the Year, recognizing outstanding teachers, administrators, and support staff across the district.Sara Whitener was named Principal of the Year, while Cliff Eason received Supervisor of the Year.Chelsie Powers of Candy's Creek Cherokee Elementary was named Elementary Teacher of the Year.Eric Sacharczyk of Cleveland Middle School recei...  Read More

From News Channel 9: McCaysville and Copperhill officials say supplies are available as recovery and cleanup efforts continue in the cities; they are also asking for volunteers.Both cities are asking residents and business owners to place flood-damaged items on the street or sidewalks for pickup.Residents have also been asked to leave at least one lane of travel open for emergency and cleanup crew...  Read More

From News Channel 9: Deputies responded to a reported domestic disturbance early this morning, Sunday, Nov. 8, and took a man into custody after calling SWAT for reinforcements.Around 2:51 A.M., deputies with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office were called to a residence on Heritage Hill Circle NE.Upon arrival, deputies encountered Steven Poe, who was reportedly acting erratically and raising conc...  Read More

WCLE is Southeast Tennessee’s Football Headquarters. This is the first week of the TSSAA playoffs. The Walker Valley Mustangs will host Lawrence County tonight. The game starts at 7:00.You can listen to Mustang game coverage on Cleveland’s Oldies 99.1.The Cleveland Blue Raiders will host West Ridge tonight. The game starts at 7:00. You can listen to Raider game live on Mix 104.1. You can also watc...  Read More

From Local 3 News & TVA: Historic flooding has devastated parts of Copperhill, Tennessee, and neighboring McCaysville, Georgia, following torrential rainfall Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The flooding has prompted dozens of water rescues, widespread road closures, and emergency evacuations.The Ocoee River reached a record 18.05 feet in Copperhill around six Thursday morning. That surpasse...  Read More

Lee University is preparing to welcome alumni and their families back to campus this Friday and Saturday for Homecoming 2026.The two-day celebration will include reunions, musical performances, athletic events, and the dedication of the university’s new School of Engineering and Computer Science.Friday’s activities begin with a Celebration Service at 10:30 in the Conn Center, featuring an address ...  Read More

The mayor and city council of McCaysville have officially declared a state of emergency due to the ongoing severe flooding and dangerous conditions throughout the community.The city is closed to all unauthorized personnel effective immediately until further notice.No individuals will be permitted to enter the city and access is restricted to authorized public safety and emergency response personne...  Read More

Two Cleveland residents, one originally from Iraq and the other from France, are charged with voting illegally in federal elections, according to the Department of Justice.Mark Adwar Odisho, 30, and Frederic Jean Rene Sicard, 50, came under scrutiny after a federal investigation, according to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee.Authorities say b...  Read More

The City of Cleveland has been selected to receive a $240,000 federal grant to develop a citywide roadway safety plan.The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program.The city will use crash data and community input to identify dangerous intersections, high-risk roadways, and other traffic safety concerns.The total cost of the planning initia...  Read More

The Cleveland City Schools Board of Education approved several major expenditures during Monday night’s meeting, including new school buses, replacement turf at Cleveland High School, and HVAC improvements at Mayfield Elementary.The board approved purchasing four 78-passenger buses and one special education bus for approximately $916,000. Transportation officials say the district’s aging fleet has...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Following the July 1 Tennessee law banning the sale of kratom, a crackdown on those products recently took place in Bradley, McMinn, Monroe, and Polk counties.The 10th Judicial District Attorney General, Stephen Hatchett, asked these counties to surrender any remaining kratom products to local law enforcement on October 29.Officials distributed informational flyers to businesses...  Read More

Tennessee has elected its first female governor. Marsha Blackburn will be Tennessee’s next Governor. Blackburn won with a razor-thin margin of approximately 45.5% of the vote.  At the time of this recording, one county had three precincts still not reporting. Democratic challenger Jeri Green conceded around 11:45 pm last night before the AP had officially called the race. Green received 42.9% of t...  Read More

Bradley County has now surpassed 6,000 early votes ahead of the November 3rd general election.1,123 people voted Tuesday, bringing the total to 6,308 ballots cast during the first six days of early voting.Tuesday was the third-busiest day so far, and weekday turnout has remained above 1,000 voters every day.Early voting in Tennessee continues through Thursday, October 29.Bradley County voters can ...  Read More

Bradley Central High School was placed on lockdown yesterday following a report of a stabbing. School administrators initiated the lockdown at the direction of the school resource officer.Additional law enforcement and emergency personnel responded to the campus and found no safety concerns. Detectives responded to investigate and were able to quickly identify a juvenile who was responsible for th...  Read More

Two people have been arraigned on murder and abuse charges in the death of a 20-year-old Bradley County woman.Jason Michael Bennett and Rodnie Elaine Bradford each face six felony charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, in the death of Erin Childers.Court records describe Childers as a nonverbal adult with developmental disabilities and Type 1 diabetes.Prosecutors allege the pair rou...  Read More

A former Cleveland Middle School teacher convicted of secretly recording underage girls in a school locker room was back in court yesterday.Christopher Dalton Schroll appeared before a judge on an alleged sex offender registry violation.Schroll was convicted of two counts of aggravated unlawful photographing of a minor following his arrest in 2022.Investigators say a student discovered a hidden ca...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday for a work session.The Commission voted unanimously to amend its rules governing public comments during meetings.The changes allow speakers five minutes to address commissioners, with additional time possible by a commission vote. The rules also require respectful behavior and allow disruptive speakers to be removed.The commission also voted 13 to zero t...  Read More

The City of Cleveland is inviting residents to experience the historic downtown freight depot in a whole new way this month.Creative Spark: Destination Unknown takes place Thursday, November 12th, at the freight depot located at 225 Edwards Street Southeast.The free event will feature live music, theater, visual art, and interactive experiences designed to get residents thinking about new possibil...  Read More

From Local 3 News: OCT. 30, 2026 | UPDATE: A Cleveland High School student was arrested and faces charges after police found a handgun in his vehicle Friday morning.Cleveland Police told Local 3 that a school administrator received an anonymous tip that the student took a firearm to his job on a different day.School administration then searched the student’s vehicle and found a handgun under the p...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Starting on Monday, November 2, the Tennessee Department of Transportation will begin their bridge rehabilitation work on the SR 60 bridge over the Tennessee River.In June of 2026, TDOT said the bridge was deemed safe for travel despite a TDOT report from 2022 that lists the bridge as being in “poor” condition.At 9:00am Monday, the bridge will be reduced to one lane, with traffi...  Read More

Don’t forget, Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend.Clocks will fall back one hour at 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning, November 1st.That means an extra hour of sleep Saturday night!Remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday, unless they update automatically....  Read More

The Polk County Board of Education has voted to place longtime Superintendent Dr. James Jones on paid administrative leave.The decision came during a special-called meeting Thursday night, following a closed-door executive session.The board approved three separate motions, including appointing Nick Radcliffe as a liaison between Jones and the board during contract negotiations.Board members also v...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Federal prosecutors charged 24 people in an alleged Middle Tennessee drug-trafficking operation authorities say was linked to the Sinaloa cartel.The charges were announced in Nashville Wednesday.The 33-count indictment alleges the organization moved hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine while laundering millions of dollars in drug proceeds.Prosecutors sa...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Centerstone, a nonprofit behavioral health organization, opened a new clinic in Cleveland, Tennessee, on October 29.The clinic is located on the fourth floor of the Ocoee Corporate Center at 3855 N. Ocoee Street. Centerstone recently entered into a lease agreement for more than 8,600 square feet of space.The grand opening took place on Thursday, October 29, at 9:00am. It include...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: The City of Cleveland in Bradley County is among the 14 Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns communities announced as recipients of Downtown Improvement Grants (DIGs) by Governor Bill Lee and Deputy Governor and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter on Wednesday.“Our rural communities are the backbone of our economy, and I...  Read More