Posts with the category “local-news”

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office has announced the promotion of Lt. Julie Quinn to the rank of captain, recognizing nearly three decades of service and leadership within the department.Captain Quinn began her career with the agency in 1997. She served as a Field Training Officer from 1998 to 2003 before being promoted to corporal in 2003, sergeant in 2005, and lieutenant in 2010. In 2017, she t...  Read More

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday and discussed several items tied to growth, parks and the city’s greenway system.The Council approved a plan of services for a proposed annexation on Old Freewill Drive.The resolution annexes 82 acres of property. The property is expected to help connect the Candies Creek Greenway into Fletcher Park. City Manager Joe Fivas said the greenway project would ev...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met Monday evening for a work session.During committee and district reports, several commissioners shared brief updates.Commissioner Howard Thompson encouraged residents to take advantage of early voting, noting there is still time to cast ballots.Commissioner Tommy Ledford highlighted this weekend’s Relay for Life event. Activities begin at 1 p.m., with opening cerem...  Read More

You only have four days left to early vote in the County Primary Election.The final day to cast an early ballot is April 30th.As of Saturday, about 3,600 people have voted in Bradley County, which is roughly a 4.5 percent turnout.Voters can cast ballots at the OCI on Urbane Road, the Election Office on Broad Street, the Northeast Recreation Center on Berry Street, and the Fire-Rescue Training Cent...  Read More

A 50-year-old Cleveland man has died following an incident on the Ocoee River in Polk County.Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency game wardens and State Park Rangers responded just before 1:30 p.m. after reports of an unconscious man in the water south of Ocoee Dam Number 2.Witnesses say Richard White fell from a raft while recreational paddling. He was wearing a helmet and personal flotation devic...  Read More

The Tennessee Board of Regents will meet April 30 to consider new leadership for Cleveland State Community College.The meeting will be held virtually and livestreamed at 10 a.m. Eastern time.The decision follows months of interviews, public input, and finalist evaluations.Chancellor Flora Tydings is expected to present her recommendations during the meeting....  Read More

From Local 3 News: Heads up to drivers in Polk County.TDOT Bridge Inspection crews will be conducting scheduled inspections across the county in the coming weeks.The Polk County Road Department has been asked to close these bridges from 9:00am to 3:00pm on the following dates:Grassy Creek - Thursday, May 7Old Hwy 411 - Monday, May 11Reynolds Bridge - Friday, May 15“Please make arrangements ahead o...  Read More

New legislation aimed at boosting economic growth and protecting the Ocoee River is headed to the governor’s desk.House Bill 2425, sponsored by State Representative Dan Howell, expands how funds from the Ocoee River Recreation and Economic Development Fund can be used.The funding can now go toward infrastructure improvements, tourism promotion, and event development within the river’s management a...  Read More

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday.The event will be held from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Criminal Investigation Division on Blythe Avenue in Cleveland.Residents can safely and anonymously dispose of unused or expired medications, with no questions asked.Officials say proper disposal helps prevent misuse and keeps the communi...  Read More

A bill that would have significantly expanded Tennessee’s private school tuition assistance program has failed in the state Senate.Lawmakers voted 16 to 14 in favor of the measure, falling one vote short of the number required for passage.The legislation would have expanded the Education Savings Account program by removing the cap on student participation and increasing income eligibility.Currentl...  Read More

Seventy-nine of Tennessee’s 95 counties reported unemployment rates below 5 percent in February, according to new data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.Most counties saw an increase compared to January, with rates rising in 87 counties, staying the same in five, and decreasing in three.Statewide, Tennessee’s unemployment rate for February was 3.6 percent, slightly h...  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

According to the Bradley County Election Office, after 7 days of Early Voting in Bradley County, there have been only 2,477 registered voters cast a ballot. Bradley County has 80,793 registered voters, meaning this is approximately a 3% turnout so far. Early voting for the County Primary Election runs through April 30th.Voters in Bradley County can cast ballots at four locations: the OCI on Urbane...  Read More

From News Channel 9: The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) confirmed to us Wednesday that they plan to fine a plant in Cleveland.This comes after seven people were exposed to harsh chemicals at the M & M Mars Chocolate plant in December, according to TOSHA.6 of those people needed medical attention at a nearby hospital.TOSHA says their inspection found a penalty of mo...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A Bradley County deputy who was involved in a crash while responding to an emergency call Wednesday was treated and released from a hospital, the Bradley County Sheriff's Office says.The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.Local 3 is still working to learn more details surrounding the crash.PREVIOUS STORY: The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office says one o...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Senate Bill 2040, also known as the “Freedom, Access, and Integrity in Registered Pharmacy (FAIR Rx) Act," was passed in the Tennessee legislature. Some pharmacists are concerned about potential impacts.The House passed the bill 86-7 on Tuesday, April 21. It passed in the Senate 24-9 on Monday. The bill now heads to Gov. Lee’s desk.The bill will limit how pharmacy benefit manage...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Adient, a global automotive seating manufacturer, has filed a WARN notice to permanently close its Athens facility.The company filed the WARN notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development on Tuesday, April 21.Adient, located at 1210 E Madison Avenue in Athens, plans to permanently close on June 30, 2026.The notice says 210 employees will be affected.The...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) released a preliminary report for the crash that happened on I-75 Tuesday morning in Bradley County, and said there were no injuries.The crash involved two 2018 Kenworth tractor-trailers, both of which were driven by men in their 50s.THP said both trucks were driving south on I-75 when one truck hit the other at around mile marker 19.2....  Read More

From Local 3 News (AP): Two Southwest Airlines planes had to take evasive action to avoid colliding Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee, after an air traffic controller directed one pilot to turn into the path of the other plane.Last year, an American Airlines jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft. That crash on Jan. 29, 2025...  Read More

The Tennessee Department of Transportation says 16 people were killed and hundreds more injured in work zone crashes across the state last year.TDOT is recognizing National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 20th through the 24th, urging drivers to move over and slow down to protect highway workers.Officials say there were more than 2,400 work zone crashes in Tennessee last year, including over 6...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday to consider proposed changes to zoning regulations for data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations. The subject drew a large crowd.The public’s concern grew in the community over the sale of a 251-acre property in the Charleston area for $22 million to England-based developers, SDCL.Rumors have circulated on social media suggesting the site is bein...  Read More

Celebrate Earth Day in Downtown Cleveland with Keep Cleveland & Bradley County Beautiful and Terra Running Company!A community Earth Day event is set for today, Monday, April 20th at 5:30 PM in downtown Cleveland.The event will include a free group run and trash cleanup, with participants encouraged to walk or run while picking up litter along the route.Supplies like trash grabbers, gloves, bags, ...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission will meet today at noon to consider proposed changes to zoning regulations for data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations.The meeting will take place in the Bradley County Commission room at the Bradley County Courthouse. You can livestream the meeting at noon or watch it later at mixtv.tvThe discussion comes as concerns grow in the community over a 251-acre pr...  Read More

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

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