Bradley County Schools announced record-breaking graduation rates for the 2023-24 academic year yesterday in a release on social media. The district-wide graduation rate was 97.7%, which is the highest in the district's history. The statement read in part, “This historic graduation rate is a testament to the dedication of students, teachers, administrators, and support staff, as well as the ongoin...  Read More

Two Collegedale Police Officers have resigned and one was placed on paid administrative leave following an off-duty incident at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN.Collegedale police say they were made aware on November 5 of an incident that happened several days before that involved off-duty officers.Police have not confirmed what event the incident took place at, but Tennessee played Kentucky at Ne...  Read More

Bradley Medical Center in Cleveland will celebrate the holiday season with its first-ever Christmas Lights & Ribbon Cutting event on Tuesday, November 19, from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m.The festive evening will feature live performances by the Blackfox and Hopewell Singers, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, refreshments, and a special “tour of trees” decorated by hospital departments....  Read More

Tennessee Wesleyan University has finalized a long-term lease for the historic Ingleside property in Athens.  The site, which formerly housed Ingleside School, will be transformed into a multi-purpose athletics facility for TWU’s soccer, lacrosse, and track and field teams. The facility will also be available for community use.Dr. Tyler Forrest, TWU President, calls the lease the university’s larg...  Read More

WCLE’s own, Steve Hartline was awarded the 2024 TSSAA Contributor of the Year!The Contributor of the Year is given in recognition for displaying the high ideals of integrity and ethics and for the examples of citizenship and sportsmanship.Congratulations to Steve Hartline on this prestigious award. ...  Read More

The Bradley County School Board met last night. 7th District School Board member, Jeff Lovingood announced that he was resigning from the board after accepting a job out of state. It will now be up to the Bradley County Commission to fill Lovingood’s position until the next election. ...  Read More

From Cleveland City Schools: Cleveland City Schools is proud to announce that the district has been awarded the highly coveted TVAAS Level 5 rating, signifying exceptional growth in student achievement. This recognition reflects the hard work, commitment, and dedication of the students, teachers, staff, and leadership within the school district.The Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) m...  Read More

From TN.gov: Tennessee's unemployment rate remains among the lowest in the nation, reported at 3.3% for October. Although this marks a slight increase from September’s 3.2%, Tennessee's rate is significantly lower than the national average of 4.1%. Earlier this year, Tennessee reached a record low of 3% for three consecutive months.Since last month, Tennessee added 2,600 nonfarm jobs, with the edu...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A new addition to Polk County schools was enjoyed by a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, taking the wraps off the Copper Basin High School Innovation Center.The newly-constructed 6,000 sq-ft. building will serve two primary purposes for students: it will be a classroom and work area for construction, welding, and hub for work-based learning opportunities for students, but also ...  Read More

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Good morning and happy Thursday! Hold on just a little longer college kids and primary school students, Thanksgiving break is just a couple days and a week away! Lucky for you, we have a weekend full of fall activities for the whole family to enjoy!Don't let yesterday's rain scare you either! This weekend will have nice partly clouded skies and temperatures ranging from the lower 40s to the mid 60...  Read More

Lee University announced its annual “Classic Christmas” concert will take place on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Conn Center. This community favorite will feature Lee’s choirs and orchestra, offering holiday classics like “The First Noel” and “Hallelujah Chorus,” and will conclude with a candlelit rendition of “Silent Night.” Tickets are free but required, and can be reserved online or at the D...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) responded to several fights that broke out at a Hixson Middle School girl's basketball game on Wednesday, November 13.The fights, among players and attendees, started in the gymnasium, causing the game to be canceled, HCSO says. As players and attendees were exiting the gym, more fights broke out in the parking lot.  There were no seri...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A man wanted for a domestic indent in Soddy Daisy was caught in a boat near Chester Frost Park on Wednesday, November 13.Jason Lamar Schleif fled from police after the dispute took place on Barbee Road. Deputies located Schleif's car on Bay Marina Drive inside Harrison Bay State Park, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) says.Schleif was taken safely into custody and was ...  Read More

Lee University’s annual Christmas tree lighting will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m., featuring live music, cookie decorating, and other festivities. The event will take place in front of Lee’s Science and Math Complex, located at the corner of Ocoee Street and Billy Graham Avenue.  “We look forward to this annual event where we get to welcome the Christmas season with our community,...  Read More

The County Commission met yesterday for a work session. Although the commission did not have any items on the agenda, we learned of a possible new industrial development in Bradley County. During the County Mayor’s report, Gary Davis placed a payment in lieu of taxes resolution on the agenda of the next voting session. Although the business name has not been released publicly, we do know the busin...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Students with special needs at Ocoee Middle School will be getting a new building just for them.On Tuesday, the school broke ground on a building that will include two comprehensive development classrooms.It will have a workspace, restrooms and laundry rooms for the students.There will also be meeting spaces and offices for those teachers."It's really been a fire in our bellies ...  Read More

From News Channel 9: Gov. Bill Lee announced Sunday that he is looking into whether Tennesseans were discriminated against by theFederal Emergency Management Agency.This comes after FEMA confirmeda worker was fired after she directed workers helping Hurricane Milton survivors in Florida not to go to homes with yard signs supporting now President-elect Donald Trump.Lee said that he is working with ...  Read More

Lee University’s U-Church will host “An Evening of Worship,” led by LeeU Worship, on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Conn Center. This semester, the theme is centered around Joshua 4, highlighting the moment when God commanded Israel to build an altar as a memorial of His deliverance. Following the U-Church service, a mixer will take place at the Paul Conn Student Union for everyone in attend...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Amid deer season, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) advises drivers to be extra cautious on the roads. In 2023, Tennessee had over $67 million in economic costs from deer crashes, THP reports.Always remain alert "in areas where deer or deer signage are present," THP says....  Read More

From WATE: A murder suspect from Monroe County, Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, was captured in South Carolina on Sunday after a multistate manhunt and a $5,000 reward offering. Columbia South Carolina Police reported Hamlett’s arrest just before 6 p.m., crediting a hospital employee who recognized him and contacted law enforcement. His identity was confirmed and he was placed in U.S. Marshal custody,...  Read More

The Lee University Opera Theatre, directed by James Frost, will present its annual Musical Revue in the Squires Recital Hall on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m. The performance, which is the final project of Lee’s Opera Theatre class in the fall semester, will include various scenes and solos spanning the Musical Theatre repertoire from the Golden Age to more recent productions. Some of the musicals to ...  Read More

The City of Cleveland and Bradley County government offices will be closed today in observance of Veteran's Day. All offices will be open for normal hours tomorrow. Cleveland State Community College will host a Veterans Day ceremony at noon today. The program includes a wreath-laying ceremony, Veteran of the Year announcement, and a cake-cutting in the gymnasium. The event is open to the public. A...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Vol Network and Tennessee Athletics announced on Thursday that renowned announcer Bob Kesling will retire as the Voice of the Vols after the 2024-25 men's basketball season. Kesling has enjoyed an incredible career that stretches over five decades, marking him as a pillar of the Vol Network, which celebrated its 75th anniversary. His dedication and experience have made him t...  Read More