On Thursday, the Bradley County Board of Education approved a balanced $115.5 million budget to be submitted to the Bradley County Commission.The proposed budget includes a 1.5% salary increase for employees and allocates $1.1 million for capital outlay, including building improvements and general maintenance.The District is scheduled to present the budget during a County Commission hearing on May...  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

From Local 3 News: The City of Athens Fire Department received a nearly $40,000 grant from Firehouse Subs to purchase new extrication tools.The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant allowed the fire department to purchase a Hurst Spreader, Cutter, Ram, and accessories.The City of Athens says these new tools will help with the fire department’s ability to respond to crashes and other rescue...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The 2026 State of the Schools in Bradley County highlighted the current state and the plan for the future in the school district.Mission Possible was the theme at the annual meeting. Bradley County prides itself on providing more than just an education to its students.Dr. Linda Cash, the Director of Schools for Bradley County, says, “I want people to know that education is about...  Read More

From Cleveland Daily Banner (See Full Story Here): Cleveland Utilities customers could soon see lower internet bills.Officials say the price of the one-year residential internet plan will drop from $69.99 to $67.99 per month starting in July.Leaders believe the lower cost will encourage more customers to sign up or upgrade their plans, especially with faster speeds and improved Wi-Fi coverage.Clev...  Read More

From News 12: Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn is calling for new congressional district lines. Blackburn is urging state lawmakers to redraw districts, specifically targeting a Memphis-area seat currently held by a Democrat.Republicans already control eight of Tennessee’s nine U.S. House seats, following redistricting changes made in 2022.Blackburn says the move would help strengthen Republican...  Read More

The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce has announced a major guest speaker for its annual benefit event.Dale Earnhardt Jr. will headline the 19th Annual Benefit on July 16.The event will take place at McMinn County High School, with doors opening at 6 p.m.Tickets are available through the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce website, and table reservations can be made by email....  Read More

Governor Bill Lee has signed new legislation aimed at helping expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies in Tennessee.The new law allows pregnant women to obtain temporary disabled parking permits.Supporters say the measure will help ease some of the physical challenges that come with high-risk pregnancies.Similar laws have already been passed in states like Florida and Illinois, with others con...  Read More

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

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