The Cleveland City Council met yesterday. The Council spent much of yesterday’s meeting asking questions and getting feedback from employees on the city’s new compensation plan. The plan was proposed as a result of a study completed by Evergreen Solutions. Evergreen was hired by the City of Cleveland to conduct a Classification and Compensation Study. Emails were  recently sent to employees about ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: September 21 through September 27 is national Child Passenger Safety Week.This is a national campaign focused on helping parents make sure their children are riding safely every time they are in the car.The Tennesee Highway Safety Office reminds drivers to keep kids safe on the road by using the right car seat and making sure it is properly installed.Check your child's car seat,...  Read More

From News Channel 9: Polk County is celebrating the grand opening of Ocoee River State Park, formerly part of Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River Park on Saturday. The stand alone park can now focus on its natural resources, expanding services, community needs.Ocoee River State Park provides access to over 17 miles of river for all levels of paddling.The grand opening marks 61 Tennessee state parks, and i...  Read More

From TN.gov: Tennessee’s unemployment rate held steady last month at 3.6%, seven-tenths of a percentage point below the national rate, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in August was unchanged from the previous month. The rate was also 3.6% in August 2024.Tennessee’s unemployment rate continu...  Read More

From News Channel 9: As a motorcyclist lay in the middle of a McMinn County road with injuries from a collision that had just happened, a passing SUV ran over and killed him, and then drove off.After a months-long investigation, police in Athens now say the driver of that SUV is facing charges.57-year-old Phillip Oswalt was killed at the intersection of Redfern Drive and Congress Parkway in the ea...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Blood Assurance says its O-negative blood supply has dropped to a critical 1–2-day level and is urging donors to give.O-negative is the universal blood type, often used in emergencies and trauma cases. To encourage donations, all O-negative donors will receive a $25 e-gift card. Through the end of September, every donor will also be entered to win a $500 gift card.As the primary...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: Drivers traveling near the I-75 at I-24 interchange should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will temporarily impact traffic.As part of Phase 2 (the second of two projects) to widen and improve the I-75 at I-24 interchange, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will temporarily close the I-24 East entrance ramp from South Terrace, ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Volkswagen Chattanooga has proposed their "best, final offer" to the United Auto Workers Local 42 after nearly a year of bargaining.A spokesperson for the company says, “Last best offer really makes it clear to our employees and the UAW that we have reached our limit. We cant put anymore on the table, this is it.. Its making it clear where we stand in the process.”Here a...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Bradley County high school students who are participating in criminal justice programs got a donation from the sheriff's office to further their training.Sheriff Steve Lawson says two patrol vehicles were donated to the programs, with one going to Bradley Central High and the other to Walker Valley High.Instead of the vehicles being scrapped, they were repurposed to be used as t...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: Lee University’s School of Music will present the Faculty Gala featuring Lee’s vocal and instrumental faculty on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in Pangle Hall.  "The Faculty Gala is always the highlight of the year for the School of Music,” said Dr. Lenena Brezna, associate professor of voice at Lee and event coordinator. “It is a wonderful opportunity to share our outstan...  Read More

Cleveland Police are investigating a break-in at Ed’s Cycles on Keith Street early Tuesday morning.Officers responding to a business alarm found the front door busted out. Four motorcycles were stolen during the burglary.Police obtained video of the incident but were unable to locate the suspects or the motorcycles. Detectives are continuing the investigation....  Read More

From Fox 17: Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada’s top aide, Cade Cothren, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison.A judge ruled that only about $52,000 in fraudulent state reimbursements would be considered in the case.Cothren must self-report unless granted an appeal bond. Casada will be sentenced next week. Both men were convicted in May of using political influence to profit through a...  Read More

Bradley Medical Center has announced its first-ever Board of Managers.The new board will help guide the hospital’s growth, workforce development, and expansion of healthcare in Bradley County.Alan Smith, longtime banker and community volunteer, has been named chairman. Other members include leaders from the business, nonprofit, and medical fields.Hospital leaders say this is a major step toward a ...  Read More

From News Channel 9: Polk County Schools says they are committed to keeping every student safe after 2 separate threats made against schools in the last few days.A student at Benton Elementary School in Polk County has been suspended after reportedly threatening to bring a gun to school.That comes after a rumor was spread around Polk County High School about a student having a gun. Law enforcement...  Read More

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office and the Cleveland City Police Department are partnering with the Bradley Prevention Coalition Resource Hub to better connect residents with local services.Deputies will now have access to a 24/7 referral hub to connect individuals with case management, support, and resources.In a release, the sheriff’s office says this partnership will help build a safer and str...  Read More

Lee University will formally inaugurate Dr. Phil Cook as its 18th president this Friday morning at 10:30 in the Conn Center.Cook, a 1988 Lee graduate and longtime staff member, took office July 1. He previously served as vice president for enrollment before becoming president and CEO of a national coalition for Christian admissions professionals.Events begin Thursday with a special chapel service ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) fired a professor on Monday over a controversial social media post related to Charlie Kirk.UTK made this statement to Facebook:"The university has taken swift action against a faculty member who has failed to meet our expectations for civil engagement. Her actions endorsing violence and murder do not represent the university or our ...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday.Commissioners approved Mayor Gary Davis’ list of committee appointments and reappointments by a unanimous vote.A resolution was passed to allow the county mayor to negotiate an agreement with Journey Mental Health to provide services for Bradley County first responders.Another resolution extended the county’s telephone services contract for three more ye...  Read More

From the Chattanooga Times Free Press: As we reported last week, Cleveland officials are finalizing the second phase of environmental studies at the two former Whirlpool plant sites in downtown Cleveland. The nearly 50-acre property was purchased for $1 million. The city is using a state grant to fund environmental assessments and cleanup of the site, which is planned for long-term redevelopment. ...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: Lee University’s Presidential Concert Series will open its 33rd season on Tuesday, September 30, with violinist Andrés Cárdenes and pianist Ian Hobson performing in Squires Recital Hall.The program will include works by Schumann and Beethoven. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, and children.The series will also feature performances by the Glenn Miller O...  Read More

From Local 3 News (AP News): Memphis Mayor Paul Young says President Trump’s TV announcement Friday was the first hard confirmation he received that the National Guard will be deployed to the city.Young told CNN he had been in conversations with Gov. Bill Lee’s office and federal agencies earlier in the week, but the official word came during Trump’s Fox News appearance. The mayor says details rem...  Read More

From Local 3 News: McCaysville police say Captain Brantley Worley was responding to a suspicious person call shortly after 11:00 on First Street. Just moments later, gunshots rang."I heard banging and it sounded like it was right in my backyard or up against my house, and I'm wondering what the heck is going on?,” says McCaysville resident Sue Richardson. “I looked out the window and didn't see an...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A home in Harrison was destroyed by a house fire Thursday night, the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management reports.When crews arrived around 6:51pm, they found a home in the 9100 block of Yvonne Lane fully engulfed and collapsing, with flames spreading into nearby woods. The property owner confirmed the house was vacant.Firefighters contained the blaze despite difficult...  Read More

From News Channel 9: Bradley County is receiving over $43,000 in state funding to support educational and outreach efforts.State Rep. Kevin Raper, R-Cleveland, made the announcement Thursday.The Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points will receive three grants totaling $34,820 and Lee University will receive two grants totaling $9,010.“These grants are an investment in the people and culture of ...  Read More