UPDATE: Lee University says Cleveland police have the suspect in custody. The man was said previously to have been seen with a machete near campus. They've issued the "all-clear" to students and staff on campus.PREVIOUS STORY: Lee University has asked students to "remain vigilant" as Cleveland police search for a Hispanic male reportedly on foot with a machete.Police say the suspect is wearing a p...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A Rhea County mother says she pulled her son out of school after a violent bullying incident on a school bus, claiming the school has not done enough to ensure his safety.Sydney Williams said her son, Landon, was riding the bus home from Rhea Central Elementary School on March 4, when another child came from the back of the bus, yelling, spitting, and repeatedly punching him.The...  Read More

From TN.gov: Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate has remained steady at 3.7% for six consecutive months and continues to track below the national average, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 3.7%, the same as it has been each month since September. In February 2024, the rate...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Chattanooga police have arrested a woman after she reportedly used a traditional Guatemalan whip to strike a 7-year-old child.A school counselor reached out to the Chattanooga Police Department and Child Protective Services after seeing severe bruising on the back, rib, and cheek of a second-grader.Maria Rosario Fabian Alvarado, 27, now faces an aggravated child abuse charge aft...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A Meigs County man has been arrested and charged in connection with a Georgetown arson investigation.After an investigation starting last year in June, James Harry Burch was found responsible for starting a detached garage fire at his own property.Burch was arrested on March 19, 2025, and charged with one count of Arson, one count of Burning Personal Property, one count of Filin...  Read More

From Local 3 News: "Stop attacking my friends!" chanted 10-year-old Chattanoogan Emmie Wilkins as she stepped toward a large group of Tennessee Representatives at the State Capitol.She knelt to the ground as she repeated the slogan to Representative William Lamberth and other committee members.This moment happened at the Tennessee House Education Committee hearing on Wednesday as Republican lawmak...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is investigating a body found near Ooltewah-Georgetown Road on Monday, March 24.When two men rode their horses in a wooded area near the 11500 block of Ooltewah-Georgetown Road, they found the body of a dead woman and called the Sheriff's office. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Unit worked with  an investigator to recover the body...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: East Ridge Police say a family of 7 children were living out of the back of a U-Haul when a parent was arrested for driving with several children in the box truck on Tuesday.Police say the children smelled of urine and all had lice when they were taken to a nearby hospital.Police were alerted of the situation after a witness called about a possible kidnapping while drivi...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A body has been pulled from the water at Skull Island, Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett confirmed.Garrett says the family will be notified before the identity of the swimmer is released.HCSO will be leading the investigation, Garrett says.No further information is available at this time.PREVIOUS STORY: First responders are still searching for an 18-year-old male th...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A fire that broke out in Sequatchie County on Sunday has burned nearly 600 acres, threatening over 30 non-residential structures and 16 homes. According to Megan Carpenter, a spokesperson with the Tennessee Division of Forestry, the fire posed a serious threat to both property and lives in the area.“When that is the situation, we put a lot of work and effort into trying to prote...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Bradley County Sheriff's Office drone team helped locate a missing juvenile Monday night. Parents reported that their young son was missing and had run away from home.The team’s extensive training and rapid response helped them locate the child a large, wooded area nearby and safely reunite him with his family, Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) says."The success of this...  Read More

State Representative Kevin Raper will return to the Tennessee House on March 27 following a successful liver transplant.Raper, who represents part of Bradley County, underwent the procedure on February 23 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His recovery has exceeded expectations, with his new liver functioning at full capacity and no signs of rejection.Raper said, “Each day is a gift, and I a...  Read More

From our partners at Local 3 News: UPDATE: A man who police say shot two women at a Cleveland bar two years ago and then fled to Arizona has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder.Police say 29-year-old Brandon Crofton fled Tennessee after a shooting at Classy Cat Lounge on Inman Street back in March of 2023.Several agencies worked to find him.US Marshals in Glendale, Arizon...  Read More

A Bradley County man has been indicted on six charges related to child sex abuse over a period of more than four years.The indictment says 69-year-old Phillip Eugene Brackett is accused of sexually abusing at least three or more children on separate occasions.The incidents allegedly happened sometime between July 5, 2020 and September 1, 2024.According to the indictment, all of the victims were un...  Read More

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday.Council members discussed Encompass Health, a major in-patient rehab provider, that is planning a 40-bed facility in Cleveland. The council is considering a letter of support for its state application. The Council decided to further discuss the letter at a later meeting. The council approved updates to the 20-year Urban Growth Boundary plan, with most expan...  Read More

The Bradley County School Board met last night, approving several key initiatives. The board approved new science textbooks based on teacher recommendations, focusing on accessibility, special population support, and digital resources.The board is considering transitioning to a new website provider featuring a branded mobile app for improved parent-teacher communication. If approved by the board, ...  Read More

The County Commission met last night.3rd District Commissioner Milan Blake announced that reappraisal notices will be mailed out by the end of the week, and while appraisals are expected to go up, the tax rate is anticipated to decrease.  If you have any questions, please call the Bradley County Tax Assessor’s Office. 2nd District Commissioner Louie Alford raised concerns about inmates from the Br...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A two-car crash on Friday evening took the life of one 61-year-old woman in the 5600 block of Highway 58.Around 6:52pm on March 21, the Chattanooga Police Department began investigating when they arrived to the scene to find the victim already deceased.The initial investigation shows that a Hyundai was trying to turn east on Ferdinand Piech Way from Highway 58 southbound under a...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The TN Dept. of Health says there is one confirmed measles case in the state.It is the first measles case in 2025 and originates from middle Tennessee."The individual became infected with measles in early March and is recovering at home. Public health officials are working to identify other locations and persons potentially exposed to the virus," states the TN Dept. of Health.On...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A fire has broken out near Daus Mountain Road in Sequatchie County.]The Sequatchie County Rescue Squad tells Local 3 that there are multiple structures and mountains involved.A deputy on scene says the fire covers about 300 acres. The Fredonia community has evacuated.Resident Allison Powell tells Local 3:"We are in the Fredonia Mountain nature resort on Fredonia Mountain current...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Food City officials celebrated the Grand Opening of the new, locally owned Curt's Ace Hardware on Whitewater Drive in Ocoee near Cleveland. The location marks the retailer's 13th Curt's Ace Hardware location. “Much like our Food City stores, we are excited to continue to grow and expand our Curt’s Ace Hardware family of stores,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chie...  Read More

The 10th Judicial Drug Task Force, comprising multiple law enforcement agencies, reported significant drug seizures for the year 2024. The task force initiated 324 new cases and assisted in 200 others, leading to 176 felony arrests and 77 misdemeanor arrests. Notably, they confiscated over 50,000 dosage units of fentanyl tablets, approximately 16,319 grams of methamphetamine, and 5,101 grams of co...  Read More

Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson announced that the Bradley County Jail has successfully passed the annual Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) inspection for the second consecutive year, registering zero deficiencies.This accomplishment underscores the dedication and professionalism of the jail officers and staff, reflecting the agency’s commitment to excellence in corrections. Sheriff Lawson...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to arrive at the scene Friday to investigate the Cirrus SR22 plane that crashed at the Barwick LaFayette Airport Thursday.The NTSB says the small plane crashed while attempting to land, and a post-crash fire followed.The NTSB released the following statement to Local 3: "Once on site, the investigator will begin the pr...  Read More