From Local 3 News: A Dalton firefighter who was off-duty was commended for saving a driver's life after a crash in February.Dalton firefighter Seth Coley took action while leaving the gym to assist a driver injured in a crash near the intersection of the North Bypass and Sawgrass Drive."Lots of nurses from the Priority Care were heading over (to the crash scene)," Coley said. "There was a woman wi...  Read More

From News Channel 12 (Read the full story here): A major tax debate is underway in Tennessee as lawmakers consider eliminating the state’s grocery tax. Supporters say the move would provide relief for struggling families, while opponents caution it could impact funding for essential services.Tennessee currently has one of the highest grocery taxes in the country, adding financial strain to residen...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A manhunt has ended after a Whitwell, Tennessee man was arrested in connection to a homicide, TBI says.Special agents began investigating the death of Danny Durham, who was found dead in a home on March 9. Authorities soon found information confirming Billy Massengale as the person responsible for Durham's death.Massengale was arrested Saturday and is being held in the Marion Co...  Read More

From TN.gov: Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced a major settlement in the lawsuit against the NCAA over its NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) recruiting ban.Pending court approval, the settlement will allow student-athletes to negotiate NIL deals before committing to a school, remove restrictions on third-party involvement, and require transparency from the NCAA on future NIL cha...  Read More

The County Commission met yesterday to discuss key issues, including the budget process and a new urban growth boundary agreement.The Growth Policy Coordinating Committee has recommended a new boundary and annexation agreement. The new map and agreement will be voted on by local governing bodies, which include Bradley County and the cities of Cleveland and Charleston. The agreement does not addres...  Read More

From Leeuniversity.edu: Lee University will host Lee Day on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, offering prospective students and their families a unique opportunity to explore the university. Over the two-day event, visitors will participate in various activities that showcase the diverse clubs, people, cultures, and opportunities that make Lee University special.“Lee Day is the perfect oppor...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating a deadly house fire in Sweetwater.Multiple departments responded to the overnight fire in Monroe County off of Hawkins Road. Two people were found deceased inside the home after the fire was extinguished.The victims names have not yet been released. This is a developing story....  Read More

From Local 3 News: A Marion County man wanted for questioning in connection to a March 9 homicide is now in custody, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Department.Billy Dewayne Massengale, in addition to being wanted for questioning, had multiple warrants out for his arrest:Aggravated assaultFalse imprisonmentHis prior criminal convictions include:ArsonAggravated burglaryTheftUnlawful firear...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A wanted fugitive from Monroe County was found and captured in McMinn County on Friday evening. Late on March 14, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the McMinn County Sheriff's Office, and the Sweetwater Sheriff's Office arrested Charles "CJ" Ballard III on County Road 340 in McMinn County. Ballard was wanted on multiple charges in multiple counties:Monroe County: Resisting sto...  Read More

From Local 3 News: It was never a matter of if---this was inevitable. Bradley Central wins their third straight 4A state title, downing Bartlett 70-28 in the championship game.While the Bearettes got off to a little bit of a slow start in the semifinals against Bearden, things were much different to begin this game.After being tied at two, Bradley Central scored 14 straight points, and led 21-4 af...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Bradley County EMS (BCEMS) is mourning the loss of former Critical Care Paramedic Keith Umberger, who recently died after a battle with cancer.Umberger served with the Bradley County EMS between 1989 and 2014, giving 25 years of service. BCEMS recalls him as a dedicated and compassionate paramedic with a memorable commitment to his community. "Our thoughts and prayers go out...  Read More

From TN.gov: New data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development shows unemployment rates rose in 87 of the state’s 95 counties in January. Despite the increases, 82 counties reported rates below 5%.Williamson County had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.8%, while Perry County reported the highest at 7.6%, a significant 2.3% increase from the previous month. Tennessee’s seaso...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Blood Assurance is urging the public to donate as they say they are facing a critical shortage of O-negative blood. They say they have less than half a day's supply remaining. "Spring Break has caused a drop in donor turnout, and with even more areas going on break next week, the need is growing more urgent by the day," says Blood Assurance.Donors who give by March 17 will recei...  Read More

The United Automobile Workers (UAW) union has filed federal labor charges against Volkswagen over what it claims are violations of U.S. labor laws at its Chattanooga plant.The UAW claims that VW is making major changes without lawfully negotiating with the union.News of the federal charges comes after the automaker announced on Thursday that it was asking employees to voluntarily quit their jobs a...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Hamilton County Mayor's office and Hamilton County EMS have launched a new overdose prevention team, marking a groundbreaking initiative not only for Hamilton County but for the state of Tennessee.This team, the first of its kind in the state, is part of the county’s broader effort to combat the ongoing opioid crisis.According to Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, the new ov...  Read More

Officials issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for the greater Chattanooga area on Wednesday, indicating that pollution levels could pose health risks, particularly for children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions. Dry weather, high winds, and wildfires are to blame. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise, and to stay indo...  Read More

From Local 3 News: President Donald Trump has pardoned a former Republican Tennessee lawmaker who was two weeks into a 21-month prison sentence for an illegal campaign finance scheme that he pleaded guilty to in 2022, before he tried unsuccessfully to take back his plea.Former Sen. Brian Kelsey announced the pardon in a social media post Tuesday evening. He had been ordered to report to FCI Ashlan...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Around 12:30pm on Wednesday, March 12, the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) responded to a car theft call at an EPB building on Central Avenue. Police say they found the vehicle in the 3100 block of Dodd's Avenue and conducted a traffic stop. The driver stopped at first, but then began to drive away. At some point during that time, says CPD, he tried to hit an officer...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Walker County spokesman Joe Legge confirmed to Local 3 that the fires are contained, and Georgia Forestry is now monitoring the flames.Residents of Chris Lane, who were evacuated yesterday, are fine to return home. The fires will remain burning within the containment zone, and it will remain smoky through Thursday.People with respiratory issues are still encouraged to st...  Read More

Bradley County Trustee Mike Smith is reminding residents that April 4, 2025, is the deadline to apply for the county’s Tax Relief and Tax Freeze programs.Those who believe they qualify can apply in person at 1701 Keith St NW. Applicants should bring their ID, Social Security card, and 2023 income information. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p....  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee House passed a bill limiting people from using SNAP benefits for junk food.The Tennessee Healthy Snack ACT, HB1236, Act would require the Tennessee Department of Human Services to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowing the state to end benefits for candy and soft drinks.The bill's main purpose is to provide low-income families with altern...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Local 3 News is working to learn if a suspect search is connected to a death investigation from over the weekend in Marion County.Sheriff Bo Burnett told Local 3 News that the Marion County Sheriff's Department (MCSD) was called about a body being found at around 3:00pm on Sunday in the area of River Canyon Road.Sheriff Burnett said the TBI was called in to help with the investi...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A Bradley County man is behind bars after he shot through a gap in a door at his son on Saturday, March 8.From Local 3 News: Deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office initially responded to Flagpoint Drive in Ooltewah for reports of a disorder with a weapon.Officials spoke with the son of Richard Lee Thomas, who said his dad appeared to be intoxicated when he rang the d...  Read More

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday.City manager Joe Fivas announced the Grand Opening of Johnston Park on May 12th at 11:30 a.m. Fivas also announced that City departments are working on budgets. He said at this time, there are more needs than revenue in the current budget draft and the budget will need to be adjusted. The Council will have a proposed budget to review in mid to late May.Fiva...  Read More